Seems to be pick on 03 week so I’ll share a story. My son plays with a few pretty good players. They too are on the fence of high school or full season. Keeps talking about two of them are being “recruited“. I let him talk on the ride home but I chuckled to myself. He’s an eighth grader is going to very bad high schools where they will probably play. I asked my little bender the other day if they are in fact being “recruited”, why are they playing for this team and why aren’t they going to a CC or prep as freshman? When probed a little more it seems like the information came from the parents and kid. Pretty funny.

Am I correct in assuming that these players were being recruited they would not be playing for their crappy high school?

No. Everyone is being "recruited." In a lot of cases that means they know the name of a Prep school coach, saw him speak, or attended some showcase.

When my oldest was U14, players left a pretty good full season team, with a really good non-Daddy coach, to go play for crappy HS's. They would drop into practice every so often, with their red/green/blue/yellow helmets (even though they of course still have their regular team helmets). I know some are no longer playing, even at the crappy HS. Those that are, are marginal contributors, according to their stats lines. I know some failed to make U16 half season at the same level the next year.

But the kids and parents will forever be able to say "I/Johnny played Varsity hockey when he was in 8th grade/Freshman."

To which your response should be, "How did it turn out?" which will draw a variety of responses.

He decided to focus on his studies.

He hurt his hip on a dirty check and was never really able to get it healthy.

The coach screwed him over.

LAX was always his better sport.

He got into drugs and alcohol (OK, you won't hear people bragging about that one but it's true).

I coach the age group at a real organization with talent. There are a handful of kids being discussed at the local mid tier level. A couple diamonds in the rough that can bust out with another year or two of good work. There are no bluechippers in this age group.

My son had his first “recruiting” experience at States Friday night. He just happened to have a good game at H right time I guess.
Is being approached by a few prep coaches considered recruited? New at this.

Yes and no. Interest is one thing and being recruited is another thing. Are they actively pursuing you with phone calls and invites to visit? My advice to you would be to follow up with them. Schedule a visit. Schedule a school tour through admissions. Email and call the coach. Let the coach know you have a tour scheduled. They will meet with you then and probably have a player give you the tour. Their season starts next week so them coming to you and watching is pretty much done. There is a lot for you to do now if interested. Take SSATs and school visits will be the next step and time is a little short. Applications are due by February 1.

Applications are due March 10th and they will still have a chance to see recruits, especially Sundays. Usually one of the assistant coaches is in charge of scouting.

One tip: don't send your kid to a school on a basis of one good game. He could be recruited and still be buried on the bench if his ability isn't a good match. Go see them play, and be realistic about where your kid's game is going. Maker sure he's good with the culture and academic rigors, too. Every school is different, and hockey season lasts one-third of the year.

I would double check on the date with admissions but most schools are due around January 15th, Financial Aid App due Feb 1, Decisions are mailed to you March 10, and you have 1 month to accept (use this time to beg for more aid). The academic rigors are the big one, can you kid focus on homework for 3 to 4 hours a night? 2-3 hours? Need a structured study hall? 4 blocks per day or 6? Like the posted said, hockey is 1/3 of the year, Algebra 2 or higher, History, Biology, English Lit, plus electives are all year long.
Also remember, for many of these kids, its the first time living away from home, is he socially ready for that, does he have good time management? Good Luck. Oh, and make sure he fits in somewhere with the hockey culture/ coach/team.(forgot that part). Easy right?

You're right, it is the admissions acceptances that come out on March 10th, then you have to let them know by April 10th.

To the coach’s post earlier, he’s wrong. There are two or three blue chippers in New England. The people reading this, well none of them are your kids. Sorry. Very weak birth year for actual players compared to 03, 01 and 00.

You will not know for sure that your kid is being recruited until 1) you are encouraged to apply, 2) you go for interview and the coach spends a good amount of time with you and 3) the coach is calling you directly usually once every other week after the interview. Tell your kid to keep working hard. And you should actively but quietly reach out to coaches of schools that your kid is interested in. An important question during interview should be how do you see Johnny making a contribution. BE open and honest with all the coaches you are interacting with. If they are worth a **** they will appreciate it and if you kid truly is talented they understand that many schools will be recruiting him/her.

You will not know for sure until you have an admission letter and a commitment for financial aid. I know lots of players that were "recruited" in January and February and then wait listed. I also know players that were accepted with no financial aid, meaning no "skin in the game" for the school. And I know players that were recruited, with aid, and still barely get playing time.

Don't think for a second you are being told the truth by the coaches or the school until you have it in writing.

Staying in public school and playing USPHL U18 is looking more attractive these days. It seems like the competition top to bottom in the U18 division is much stronger this year. Looking at the teams records vs Independent Preps and U18 teams outside their league leads me to believe it is getting stronger. Most of the better U18 players are playing Juniors ( midwest or local) but maybe with the NCDC affiliated U18 teams in the USPHL many players are staying put??


Has anybody seen many games this year and or thoughts on this?

Unfortunately, don't think these coaches and GMs are telling you the truth, either. We've been blatantly lied to the last two years at the time my kid was offered a contract. It has worked out, both times, but way more difficult than it needs to be.

Others haven't been so lucky. Many in a worse situation then my kid. Giving up eligibility for MIAA for a Junior team, only to be put on a lower level team or getting limited shifts.

The only thing being recruited is your wallet. Seriously

Well unless they are looking for a condom from 1990 they are going to be disappointed!