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How to Get Recruited for Women’s College Hockey

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Women’s college hockey is fiercely competitive. With around 100 NCAA programs and only two divisions (Division I and III), landing a roster spot takes more than just talent. But with the right strategy, on and off the ice, you can give yourself a real shot. Here’s how to navigate the recruiting process and stand out to college coaches.


1. Understand Your Odds (and the Landscape)

  • Women’s hockey isn’t an NCAA Division II sport, so if you're aiming for an NCAA school, your options are Division I or Division III.

  • Because roster spots are limited, competition is intense. Coaches are looking not just at skill, but academics too.

  • Start early: set academic goals, stay eligible, and perform well in school.


2. Build Your Profile & Brand

  • Create a recruiting profile with your stats, contact info, current team, and graduation year. Coaches use this to scout potential recruits.

  • Produce a strong highlight video: Capture 20–30 of your best game clips, ideally in a 3–4 minute video, and upload it to your profile and platforms like YouTube or Instagram.

  • Reach out to coaches proactively:

    • Send introductory emails that mention your game schedule, position, year, and coach’s contact.

  • Get a recommendation: Ask your high school or club coach to write to your target schools; personal endorsements go a long way.


3. Know the Recruiting Timeline & Rules

  • Contact period: For women’s hockey, Division I coaches can first reach out after June 15 of your sophomore year.

  • Visits begin junior year: Starting August 1 of your junior year, you can start scheduling official and unofficial campus visits.

  • Signing day: National Signing Day for women’s college hockey usually happens in November for those signing their National Letter of Intent.


4. Showcase Yourself: Camps, Combines & Tournaments

  • Attend the right camps: Look for NCAA, USA Hockey, and ACHA camps. These on-ice settings let you interact with college staff directly.

  • Choose tournaments strategically:

    • For underclassmen: Focus on regional tournaments closer to home to gain experience.

    • For upperclassmen: Travel to national showcases where college coaches are more likely to evaluate talent.

  • After camp or tournament: Follow up; send coaches a thank-you note, highlight something specific about the camp, and keep them updated on your progress.


5. Make Contact (and Stay Organized)

  • Even if coaches can’t officially respond, you should be reaching out: Use email, phone, or social media to introduce yourself and share your recruiting profile and video.

  • Talk to your coaches about your goals; ask them to connect you with college coaching staff or write recommendation letters.

  • Use your NCSA (or other) profile to track which coaches you’ve contacted, what responses you’ve gotten, and what next steps are.


6. Prepare for Tryouts & Walk-On Opportunities

  • If you don’t get offered a spot right away, don’t give up. Some programs hold walk-on tryouts where you can still make the team.

  • Train specifically for what coaches are looking for: strong skating, puck handling, shooting, and game sense.


7. Picking & Researching Colleges

  • Know what matters to you: academics, location, school size, cost, and team culture should all factor into your decision-making.

  • Use tools and rankings (like those from NCSA) to compare schools across your criteria.

  • For scholarships:

    • D1 programs may offer partial athletic scholarships.

    • In D3, athletic scholarships aren’t allowed, but merit-based financial aid can make a difference.


8. Sign & Commit

  • When you get an offer, make sure you understand the terms: scholarship amount, what it covers, and whether it’s contingent on your academic record.

  • Signing day: If you’re receiving aid and want to lock in, you’ll likely go through the National Letter of Intent process.


Final Thoughts

Getting recruited for women’s college hockey is as much a strategic process as it is physical. We simplify the process by connecting you with coaches, keeping you on track with deadlines, and pushing you to be your best - on and off the ice. We place players at the highest level possible, with their happiness, academic success, and personal preferences first.

Through our advising services, you'll have a dedicated point person committed to the success of your hockey journey. From youth hockey to college hockey, and everywhere in between, we're with you every step of the way. Let us put our years of experience to work for you.

 
 
 
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