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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.
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.
The only thing being recruited is your wallet. Seriously