what are the odds of making it anywhere near college hockey?

Question
QUESTION: Hi rob. Sorry but I was wanting to know the odds of making it to college and how many people make it to higher leagues if they only play ACHA,and can you go from ACHA to NCAA?

ANSWER: Well, the odd are pretty good.  In the ACHA and not in NCAA.  Again, the NCAA looks for kids that play Major Juniors.  The reason why I know this is because I have a friend that coaches for an NCAA team.  He tells me that they won't ever look at a kid unless he playing Major Juniors.

Why?  Because the NHL drafts from NCAA college's as well.  But, the NHL does not draft from the Junior leagues here in the United States.  However, they do draft from the USHL which is the only major junior program here in the U.S. But, in order for you to get to the USHL, you will have to be playing AAA hockey.  If you are that good, USA Hockey will find you and send you too their development camp none as...NTDP (National Team Developemnt Program)  This is where the elite players go to get to the next step.

The ACHA has two divisions. A level 1 and a level 3.  If you can get on a level 1 team, then there is a chance that maybe.  I mean maybe, you might get looked at.  But it wouldn't be from the NHL scout.  It would be a Major Junior level team or maybe...I mean maybe you might get the attention of a coach in the NCAA league.

ACHA level 3, you can make just about any team at the level 3,  Why?  Because that is at the "Club" level.  Which means you pay for all of your equipment, ice time, and travel.  No scholarships are offered at the level 3....none!  It's against the rules.

But to make a ACHA level 3 team, you first have to be accepted into the University academically.  When means you have to have good grades in high school to get on a club team.  You just can't try out for a club team until you go to the University.

This is why it's important to keep up that grade point level.  Oh, and "Cs'" don't cut it!
I know!  I have a daughter that is a straight "A" student and she had problems getting in at the last moment.  However, because of her grade point average, she got a free ride.  Well almost, she got a 3/4 scholarship.

Rob Lopez





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I heard that if you play major junior you loose all eligibility for NCAA. is that true? and if i play ACHA hockey can you move on to a bigger leagues like the ECHL or the AHL or something like that?

Answer
This is true.  You loose one year of eligibility.  
As for moving up  to bigger and better things from ACHA to ECHL or the AHL...nope it not going to happen.

ECHL and AHL are all affiliate team that work with the NHL.  In order to make that, you have to be playing Major Juniors, get drafted by an NHL team, then they send you down to the farm club (ECHL-AHL).

Rob