How to Get Scouted for Hockey (2024)

If you are playing hockey in high school or with a junior hockey team, then you are probably trying to figure out how you can take your game to the next level. Getting scouted for hockey to play in the National Hockey League can be a very challenging task, especially if you do not know what to do. The only way NHL scouts will notice you is by bringing your A-game every night and playing well at the highest level possible.

Along with good play, you have to plan, train and position yourself for hockey scouts to notice you. Here are three tips that can help you get scouted for hockey and realize your dream of playing in the NHL.

How to Get Noticed in Hockey

1. Get Noticed in Hockey Tryouts

Regardless of the hockey team that you are currently playing with, always train hard for each game as if that is the only chance you have to impress a scout. You never know, even if scouts are not attending the game, someone else might notice your exceptional talent and invite a scout to come and watch you in action.

Believe in yourself. Have an excellent off-ice hockey training regime and stick to it throughout the year. You may not play in a region where hockey is popular; however, this should not dampen your spirit. If you are a good player, and badly want to play in the NHL, then the sky should be your limit.

2. Market yourself

With advancements in technology, you certainly do have at your disposal some of the most sophisticated marketing tools ever. For instance, you can create a highlight reel showcasing your hockey skills and show it off to potential scouts. Get a friend to take videos of your game and upload them on YouTube and other video sharing sites.

Once you have uploaded your highlight reels online, link them to emails that you will be sending to hockey scouts in your area. Apart from using this strategy for promoting yourself, be sure to watch your games in order to identify and correct your mistakes. If you want to be a professional hockey player, then you need to watch your games routinely in order to make necessary improvements.

3. Get in touch with college and NHL hockey scouts and coaches

One of the best sources where you can contact coaches for various US College hockey teams is USCHO.com. Once you have found these coaches’ contacts, get their emails and phone numbers and contact them. This is certainly the most difficult step. However, as already mentioned, believe in yourself and the sky will be the limit.

Most teenagers dream of playing in NHL someday. However, hockey scouting is not a science. The scout cannot simply add their favorite ingredients in a blender to produce the ideal recruit. You need to prove that you are actually worth your salt in order to be scouted into top league clubs. Give every game your best and promote yourself; before long, you may find yourself playing in the NHL.

If you want to improve your hockey skills, visitwww.hockeyot.com and enroll in a hockey training program that will take your game to the next level.

How to Get Scouted for Hockey (2024)

FAQs

How do you get colleges to notice you for hockey? ›

We suggest exploring NCAA, global hockey and ACHA camps to maximize on exposure and access to college coaches during the recruiting process. Recruits can find hockey camps and tournaments near them. Another tool that college coaches turn to in their recruiting efforts is highlight video.

How do you get scouted by NHL? ›

The only way NHL scouts will notice you is by bringing your A-game every night and playing well at the highest level possible. Along with good play, you have to plan, train and position yourself for hockey scouts to notice you.

How hard is it to play d3 hockey? ›

It's not as hard to play NCAA Division 3 as it is to play NCAA Division 1 hockey, but it's certainly no cake walk to make a roster either. Most team rosters are filled with strong players who've been hand recruited to attend their school to play sports (there's occasionally one walk-on spot per team).

What do NHL scouts look for? ›

Once on the puck, scouts want to see players that can handle pressure and exhibit patience to find the next play. Puck protection and utilizing playmaking vision are the key elements they are looking for. On the flip side, avoiding going 'glass & out' or throwing pucks away would be something to avoid.

How do you stick out at tryouts? ›

How to make yourself stand out at tryouts
  1. Be prepared. A lot of the time coaches request athletes to do something prior to tryouts, such as getting a physical. ...
  2. Pay attention. ...
  3. Always hustle. ...
  4. Be a good teammate. ...
  5. Ask questions. ...
  6. Be confident.
Jan 27, 2021

Is 13 too old to start hockey? ›

Kids that start hockey before they are physically and mentally ready are more likely to have a negative experience. It is never too late to start playing hockey. Players have joined hockey programs at 12-13 years old and still made varsity hockey teams.

Are hockey showcases worth it? ›

If you want to gain recruiting exposure to college coaches, then yes, a field hockey college showcase could be worth your time and money! Showcases are more expensive than a skills camp, but recruiting exposure and training they provide can be extremely valuable to those who wish to play field hockey in college.

How do you get into D1 college for hockey? ›

Most college hockey players must play at least a year or two on a junior hockey team to get a ice hockey scholarship. So if you want to play in college, get a head start by playing on a good junior league team. Most college hockey teams are in the Midwestern, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic region.

How many high school hockey players play in college? ›

Odds of a US Male High School Athlete Playing in College 2022-23:
Participation by Sport: Male AthletesHigh School US BoysCollege US Men
Ice Hockey45,0754,594
Lacrosse114,67817,283
Soccer454,32436,562
Swimming & Diving139,00210,586
11 more rows

What is the easiest way to get scouted? ›

You can also attend open football academy trials where you will have a chance to showcase your talents in front of different scouts. The best and fastest way to get scouted in football is to join a specialised academy that looks for clubs for you and brings scouts to see you play.

At what age should a hockey player get an agent? ›

Currently, certified agents may begin “advising” players at the age of 14.

How old do you have to be to get scouted? ›

Most footballers are scouted before the age of 13 from county leagues, so you need to put in the work from a young age to make sure you stand a chance of succeeding.

Is playing D3 impressive? ›

Division III athletes are extremely talented and were most likely the best players for their high school teams. A handful of programs may have Division I level players who choose to play Division III instead for one of the reasons listed in this article.

What GPA do you need to play D3? ›

There are no set NCAA GPA requirements for Division 3 as schools set their own admissions standards you must meet in order to compete.

What is higher AA or AAA hockey? ›

Each age division is subdivided into skill levels: A, AA, and AAA, with single-A being the lowest and triple-A the highest levels. Level classifications are not changed from the previous system.

Can anyone tryout for the NHL? ›

An Amateur tryout (ATO) contract exists in the NHL, the AHL and the ECHL. This type of contract is for players who are leaving college and attempting to turn professional, are done with college or are graduating from the junior leagues.

What do NHL scouts get paid? ›

As of May 31, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Hockey Scout in the United States is $20.41 an hour.

What does hockey IQ mean? ›

Hockey IQ is about skaters consistently making the right decisions. Teaching Hockey IQ starts with coaches allowing players to not be punished, reprimanded or corrected for not executing plays on the ice. We need to make sure our players are making the “correct” play on the ice regardless of execution.

How do you tell if a coach is interested in you as a recruit? ›

Here are 8 common ways coaches show interest in you:
  1. Recruiting questionnaires. ...
  2. Personalized camp invites. ...
  3. Emails from college coaches, recruiting coordinators or coaching staff. ...
  4. Social DMs. ...
  5. Phone calls or texts. ...
  6. In-person contact. ...
  7. Unofficial or official visit invites. ...
  8. Verbal offer.

What should you eat before tryouts? ›

If there's no time for a full meal before the tryout, opt instead for a carbohydrate-rich snack such as a banana, orange slices, pretzels, toast or bagels. A small amount of protein like a boiled egg or a tablespoon of peanut butter may feel OK as well, depending on the athlete.

How do you get coaches to notice you? ›

Reach Out To Coaches

One of the best ways to get noticed by college coaches is to reach out to them. Send an email introducing yourself and asking about the recruitment process. Your overall goal is to show how much of a quality athlete you are and what you can bring to a team.

How do I stop being nervous in tryouts? ›

O'Leary shares his five tips for a stress-free, successful tryout.
  1. Showcase Your Strengths. Are you an expert passer? ...
  2. Pay Attention. It's easy to pick out a player that isn't paying attention to instructions, and it's not an ideal trait. ...
  3. Calm Confidence. ...
  4. Focus on the Positives. ...
  5. Have Some Fun.
Sep 29, 2015

Should I lift before tryouts? ›

Depending on your strength training frequency, taking a full three days off from lifting prior to tryouts is advisable, and a decrease of about 50% of the overall training volume for the entire week is recommended. The work you did in the offseason is what will dictate your performance level; don't try to cram.

How do you identify players in tryouts? ›

Tryout Numbers - To take adequate notes, you need to be able to identify the athlete, and you probably won't know their names. Pinning or taping a number to their shirts is a great way to easily tell them apart and be able to keep notes. Race bibs work well as do large adhesive labels, but both can be expensive.

What is the number 1 hardest sport? ›

According to Sports Virsa, the top 10 hardest sports in the world to play in 2022 are as follows: Boxing (hardest), American football, mixed martial arts, ice hockey, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, wrestling, rugby, and water polo.

Is hockey a hard sport? ›

Hockey is often considered one of the hardest sports in the world due to a number of factors. One of the most significant is the speed and physicality of the game. Players skate at high speeds and are constantly in motion, making it difficult to maintain control of the puck and navigate the ice.

Is 11 too late to start hockey? ›

And while many kids start hockey at ages 5-9, older kids can and should join whenever they become interested.

Why is it so expensive to play hockey? ›

Equipment Costs One of the main reasons why hockey is expensive is the cost of equipment. Hockey requires a lot of specialized gear, including skates, helmets, gloves, pads, sticks, and more.

Is hockey becoming less popular? ›

The National Hockey League (NHL) has seen a decline in viewership in recent years. One reason for the decline in viewership may be the lack of a national broadcast deal in the United States.

Is ice hockey an expensive sport? ›

Ice hockey, with an average yearly cost of $2,583 per kid, seems to just be expensive across the board. Registration and travel costs far outweigh the costs of equipment or lessons. Skiing/snowboarding, on the other hand, seems to be near the top of the list based on the cost of equipment alone.

What's the hardest sport to get a scholarship in? ›

Most Competitive Sports for Recruitment
  • Football. This is the most popular sport in the country, and the most difficult to get recruited for. ...
  • Baseball/Softball. America's pastime shares much the same fate as football, but both genders can participate in this one. ...
  • Men's Wrestling. ...
  • Track and Field. ...
  • Fencing. ...
  • Women's Crew.
Nov 4, 2022

How many Division 1 hockey scholarships are there? ›

– NCAA Division I has 79 colleges offering 12 Scholarships per team. – NCAA Division II has 33 colleges offering 6.3 Scholarships per team. – NCAA Division III has 165 colleges with athletic scholarships unavailable.

How many years can you play D1 hockey? ›

The NCAA's five-year rule stipulates that a student-athlete cannot compete in any one D1 college sport for more than four seasons. These four seasons must fall within a period of five calendar years.

What is a D 1 athlete? ›

A Division 1 (D1) athlete is a student-athlete who participates in a college sports program that is a member of the NCAA Division 1. Division 1 is the highest level of college sports competition in the United States and includes many of the largest and most well-known universities and athletic programs.

How many players can dress for a high school hockey game? ›

Any team that falls below 20 could add additional players to bring their team up to 20 players. High School Varsity Division teams may roster 30 players, but can only dress 20 players, including goaltenders for any game.

How many players can dress for college hockey? ›

PENALTY—Bench minor.

It is mandatory, however, that 19 players and not more than three goalkeepers listed on the official game report form are the players who shall dress for the game (see Rule 90.5). 5.3 Goalkeeper - Each team shall be allowed one goalkeeper on the ice at one time.

How can I get noticed by college scouts? ›

8 Tips To Help You Get Noticed by College Baseball Scouts
  • Put in the WORK. ...
  • Know college recruiting rules and schedule. ...
  • Write down your target list of schools. ...
  • Show off your skills with video. ...
  • Build profiles on recruiting websites. ...
  • Get a Rapsodo Certified Assessment. ...
  • Reach out to coaches on your target list.

What happens if you get scouted? ›

After you are scouted, you will be invited into an agency for a meeting. Photos will be taken of you, and then your agent will formulate a career plan. Then get ready for some hard, but exciting work.

Do people get scouted on the street? ›

A lot of legitimate agencies scout on the street, in malls, at sporting events, etc. You can make sure it isn't a scam by doing some of the following: -Take their name, number, ask them what agency they work for, and if they hesitate at all or dance around your questions, run.

Is 15 too old to start playing hockey? ›

Yes, you can start ice hockey at 15. It's going to be much harder trying to compete against other players since many have likely been playing for 5-10 years at this point. However, don't let it discourage you.

What age do hockey players stop playing? ›

Sports tend to be a young person's game, with most of the best professional athletes in their 20s. Players tend to retire in their 30s — even the best ones — however, some are able to hold on for a little longer. In fact, dozens of NHL players have managed to play in at least one game after blowing out 40 candles.

How do I find a good hockey agent? ›

Choosing a Hockey Agent
  1. Honesty. This is probably the most important trait in an agent, as you need to be able to trust them with your negotiations and finances. ...
  2. Availability. If you can't get a hold of your agent, how are you supposed to know what sort of progress you are making? ...
  3. Passion. ...
  4. Good Reputation. ...
  5. Communication.

How do people get scouted? ›

Hang out at clothing stores in touristy areas. If you are an aspiring model, spend a lot of time in places where scouts from modeling agencies tend to be searching for new talent. In big cities, there will almost always be scouts looking for new signings at clothing stores in prime, high-traffic areas.

How does scouted work? ›

What is Scouted? Simply put, Scouted is a hiring marketplace that believes people are more than their resumes. We help people with 0-15 years of experience land jobs based on who they are, not just how they look on paper.

What age is scouts until? ›

We're Scouts and everyone is welcome here. Every week, we help almost half a million people aged 4-25 develop skills for life. Are you ready to join the adventure?

How do you get scouts at your game? ›

It may seem overwhelming, but there are ways to get scouts to notice you.
  1. Ask for Help From Your Coach. Your high school coach can be a big asset when it comes to getting noticed. ...
  2. Make Yourself Visible. ...
  3. Sell Yourself. ...
  4. Utilize Social Media.

What do scouts look for in sports? ›

They look for potential, talent, and suitability for a particular team or program. Talent Identification: Scouts actively search for promising athletes who have the potential to succeed at higher levels of competition. They use their expertise and knowledge of the sport to spot players with exceptional abilities.

What does scouted mean in hockey? ›

Generally, hockey scouts are people who have been around the game, and have some experience both playing and coaching. Talent evaluation is a major part of the job, so it definitely helps to have been a player at some high level.

What is the hardest badge to get in scouts? ›

Without further ado, the 14 merit badges needed to reach the rank of Eagle Scout and their difficulty ratings are:
  • First Aid: 6.
  • Citizenship in the Community: 8.
  • Citizenship In Society: 4.
  • Citizenship in the Nation: 6.
  • Citizenship in the World: 5.
  • Communication: 8.
  • Cooking: 7.
  • Personal Fitness: 7.

What is the youngest to join scouts? ›

Youth can join Scouts BSA if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18.

Do you pay for scout? ›

Each group charges a fee (called subscriptions or subs) to cover the costs of running regular meetings. This covers venue hire, insurances and materials for activities. There're sometimes extra charges for special activities, camps and events. We try to keep our subs as low as possible.

How do you get scouts to look at you? ›

8 Tips To Help You Get Noticed by College Baseball Scouts
  1. Put in the WORK. ...
  2. Know college recruiting rules and schedule. ...
  3. Write down your target list of schools. ...
  4. Show off your skills with video. ...
  5. Build profiles on recruiting websites. ...
  6. Get a Rapsodo Certified Assessment. ...
  7. Reach out to coaches on your target list.

Do scouts look at grades? ›

College Scouts on Grades

Look through NSR's prospects. You will see a common denominator, regardless of the sport you choose.

In what grade do college scouts find you? ›

Junior year is when college coaches across all division levels can begin contacting recruits. Coaches can begin sending and responding to emails, texts and social media messages, as they build a relationship with recruits and their families.

How much do hockey scouts make a year? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $79,000 and as low as $13,000, the majority of Hockey Scout salaries currently range between $29,000 (25th percentile) to $45,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $65,000 annually across the United States.

What is college level hockey called? ›

The NCAA Division I Championship is a 16-team, single-elimination tournament, divided into four, 4-team regional tournaments. The winner of each regional advances to the Frozen Four to compete for the national championship.

Is 13 too old to start playing hockey? ›

Kids that start hockey before they are physically and mentally ready are more likely to have a negative experience. It is never too late to start playing hockey. Players have joined hockey programs at 12-13 years old and still made varsity hockey teams.

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