Why high school hockey?

Another season is winding down and the Tier I (AAA) tryouts are just around the corner, earlier than ever before. While you just want to focus on the remainder of the season, you’re finding yourself already having to commit to a specific path for next year. Some of you have already been steeped in the AAA community. Maybe you’re comfortable and thriving in that environment. Others are just starting to dip their toes into that world. Yet others are entering their high school years and are wondering if playing at that level is worth missing out on your high school experience.

Everybody’s hockey journey is different – there is no single “right” decision. But if you’ve decided that you just don’t want to sacrifice the next four years of your life to try to make the run to Division 1 and/or a high-level career, the best option just may be the one you see every day.

Whereas high school hockey in Colorado used to be just a fun, recreational off-season activity or where kids went for a more recreational experience, in the past few years we have seen high school hockey become a legitimate option for those wanting to continue their hockey career after high school.And full disclosure —those of you who know me know that it’s been a mission of mine ever since I began coaching youth hockey players to help improve and advance high school hockey in Colorado.

Why? Let’s look at some of the benefits of playing high school hockey. You might decide it’s a good choice for you.

You save a lot of money.

First and foremost, let’s talk finances. If at 15 you’re not already playing Junior hockey in Canada, your chances of playing in the NHL have just gone down exponentially. Yes, you can still play high-level junior hockey with a lot of work, but if you really want a professional career, you need to spend money on not just everything your AAA program demands year-round, but all the extra skills training multiple times a week that is necessary (and yes, they are a necessity for anyone that eventually plays in the NHL – for more on this, see my article Don’t Forget Your Development).

I’ll take a deeper dive down below on how high school hockey can help advance your career, but one of the great benefits is you will save thousands of dollars (usually in the 5 digit range) each year! While most AAA programs are in reality for-profit franchises, high school programs are all non-profit. That means you’re not contributing to big salaries and someone’s big business.

With a fraction of the travel (most high school teams still do have travel weekends), you save even more money. And while disposable income may not be an issue for some families, not having to take out loans or run up credit cards is probably pretty appealing.

If you’re college-bound, that extra cash take a lot of the strain off of needing scholarship money or loans. Wanting to become the best player you can be and play hockey post-high school? Some of that money saved can go towards extra skills sessions which will increase your chances of playing after high school and put you on par with those AAA players that are putting in the bare minimum.

Grades

The travel and missed time from school when you play club hockey can put a serious damper on your academic performance. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep up. Even good students find themselves getting behind, and teachers often don’t make concessions for all the time missed for a non-school sport.

Not only is it easier to keep up, but since you’ll be on an official school-sponsored team, your teachers will be much more understanding and willing to work with you when you miss school because of travel.

This might seem like an obvious benefit, but it’s worth bringing up. If you plan on attending college, grades need to be a priority regardless of any extra-curricular activities.

High school teams have some of the best coaches in the state

It’s true. Look at the top programs and see coaches with decades of coaching experience. Former AAA, Junior, and even NHL coaches reaching the end of their careers have come to coach high school out of the pure love of coaching. Watch any high school game, and while the game might not be quite as fast as a top-level AAA team, the systems and playmaking are often better due to the quality of coaching.

Have you ever seen a kid dominating at the high school level who was a bottom-six forward in AAA or maybe even at the AA level? High school-aged kids still have a ton of development left, and these top-notch coaches know how to develop hockey players. They also aren’t afraid to bring in outside consultants for skating and skills work, and they encourage kids to seek outside help when needed. It’s the perfect development model. This leads me to my next point.

You can still play junior or college hockey

Yep, it’s true. Colorado high school hockey just keeps getting better and better. We have had dozens of high school players who have gone on to play junior hockey, and many have chosen to play NCAA DIII. We have even had players who never played AAA hockey, but instead just played Tier II youth hockey before high school, who have gone on to play NCAA DI. Dozens more will play ACHA in college.

The stress of AAA and Junior hockey can take a toll, burning out so many players. Why not play high school, continue to develop, and continue your hockey career while you still have a love and passion for the sport?

Those trusted coaches? With decades in the industry, they are part of an extensive network and can often offer options and help you navigate your hockey career post-high school.

Avoid “tryout trauma” and burnout

Recent changes in the youth hockey landscape in Colorado have led to an earlier, longer tryout process. This process now spans the end of the school year, with two phases of intensive tryouts, training camps and rolling signing of contracts as AAA organizations try to assemble the best teams possible. This timing couldn’t be worse as high school kids are trying to catch up on homework from the season, study for finals, tour colleges and still attend prom. Having to do this all four years of your high school career is simply too much stress for some players.

Last year, I had more than one AAA kid decide that the stress was too much, and simply dropped out of the tryout process in the middle of their spring semester and quit hockey altogether.

High school tryouts, on the other hand, occurr right before or the first week of high school. This means, that spring is free to play in fun leagues such as the High Plains Hockey League, participate in development camps, play a spring sport, or simply take a break from hockey. Further, when you make a high school team you usually get to develop with all your friends for four years, without the fear of being cut from year to year.

You still get to be a teenager.

You hear the NHL players talking about never having a high school experience, never attending a dance, and not even having time to hang out with friends. It’s a long, hard road, and if you don’t think you’re going to play in The Show or even Division I, why sacrifice a high school experience?

You’ll never get a chance to go back and attend homecoming or prom or go to school football games. You get to hang out with those non-hockey friends who couldn’t care less about how many goals you score, and you have time for a girlfriend/boyfriend like a regular teenager.

You can even participate in another sport in the off-season, not having to choose between hockey and another potential D1 sport like lacrosse, football, or baseball.

You get to play in front of your classmates

Possibly the best reason to play high school hockey is playing in front of not just your family but your high school friends and classmates. Some games are standing-room only. State playoffs (twice a year for two different seasons) pack the stands in an environment you need to experience to believe. The atmosphere is truly electric.

Need convincing? Come check out the CHSAA State High School Finals at Magness Arena on Monday evening.

Info and tickets can be found here: https://chsaanow.com/sports/ihock