On NHL Hockey Ice
So you think you’d like to skate on the NHL hockey ice?
Well, there are many ways to get to skate on NHL ice these days. NHL franchised hockey teams have many different promotions to facilitate your use of their ice. Playing professional hockey on NHL ice is a different story.
Play Pro Hockey – NHL Entry Draft
How does one get to play pro hockey, specifically nhl hockey? To be recruited to the NHL entry draft, NHL prospects are watched and chosen from the CHL (ohl, whl, qmjhl); junior hockey leagues; college hockey leagues from NCAA hockey; highschool and minor hockey; CJHL, USHL, and NAHL. Those players who attract the attention of NHL scouts have extensive hockey training from numerous hockey drills and hours on and off ice. They’ve attended hockey camps and hockey schools, and have superior hockey skills. Some will have to prove themselves in the AHL or even the ECHL first.
Ice Hockey Goals
If your goal is to play ice hockey on an NHL team, then it’s likely that you’ve already put in some effort, and hockey teams may want you also. Their scouts have to find you though. Do you know which are the best hockey leagues to play in to be scouted?
To Be A Pro Hockey Player
Not everyone can be a pro hockey player. Imagine the love of the ice hockey game, the dedication to hockey training, the number of ice hockey games you’d have to play. What would it take for you to play at the pro hockey level, NHL, AHL, or even the major junior hockey or junior A level?
NHL Hockey Ice will cover how to learn hockey so you can get to the NHL, common steps taken to get there, who is likely to get on a NHL ice hockey team, and what it’s like to play team hockey at that level.
League Hockey forthcoming articles
- AAA Hockey team
- Junior Hockey Tryouts
- College Hockey (NCAA Hockey)
- USCHO Hockey
- Atlantic Hockey
- CCHA
- CHA
- ECAC
- Hockey East
- WCHA
- USCHO Hockey
- Junior A Minor Hockey
- CJHL
- NAHL
- USHL
- Major Junior Hockey CHL
- OHL
- WHL
- QMJHL
- UK Elite
- ECHL
- AHL
- NHL
Hockey Training forthcoming articles
How To Learn Hockey
Hockey Camps
Hockey Skills
Ice Hockey Drills
Ice Hockey School
Private Hockey Lessons Plans
NHL Hockey forthcoming articles
Your First NHL Hockey Game
Pro Hockey Life forthcoming articles
What it’s like to live the life of an NHL star.
Hey, my name is Maxx and I’m currently 14 years and 6 months old. I play Bantam hockey and am currently the captain of the team. I got injured early, but I have 17 goals in 12 games, and over 30 assists. I have 8 PIMS, but that’s nothing to worry about. I’ve been contacted by a local private high-school, and they want me to play for them, and I’m trying out for the CT Oilers Tier 1 AAA spring program. I’m not a large player, but my speed and stick skills (along with my leadership) are my strengths as most people claim and tend to tell me. I ride a stationary bike 5 days a week, and constantly work on my stick skills and shot technique. I also eat healthy and maintain a strong diet to keep my body prepared. My academic skill is near the top, as writing is my strongest subject, which is unlikely this generation. My dream is to just make it to the Major Junior level (OHL, WHL, QMJHL, CHL) and then let the rest happen from there. Do you think I’m capable of making it to that level, if so, any tips?
Maxx I think you’re capable. You’ll need more than stationary bike off ice though. What’s your core training and interval training regimen?
Hey Coach, I am a 19 year old goaltender from Ontario Canada; In May there will be a Local Jr ‘A’ Prospect camp and i was wondering if its a good idea to attend; do you think I’m too old? I played AE/ Select hockey from 14-16 years old then jumped to A. I also went to some elite goalie camps during the summer. Just a couple of years ago i was forced to quit hockey because my family was financially unstable; I had quit hockey until now. Right now i am ready to get back on the ice, not to mention i workout at least 3-4 times a week. Do you think theres hope for me coach? This Junior stuff runs through my head 24/7. This is my passion and a lot of guys, that i play pick up hockey with say i should tryout but then again, i’m scared i wont be good enough. Whats your take on this Coach?
thanks ,
Dave
Dave, go for it. Stand out. Make an impression. Talk to coaches and staff on and off the ice, and be aggressive on the ice. You have eight weeks to train on and off ice. Get good goalie help in that time.
Hello coach. I’m 15 and have been playing hockey for 6 years now. Almost every time I win (or lose) a game, I have random people I have never met come up to me and congratulate me on goals, individual skill, etc… This game is my life and I want to make it to the NHL. What do I need to do?
Nick, I don’t know anything about you. It sounds like you have the love and the drive. Go for it.
What are the odds of making it to a pro league as in ahl nhl echl or pro leagues as an enforcer ? I don’t see guys like George Parros having much talent other then fighting , I’m 6 feet 160 pounds and 14 years old. I really wanna make it into any pro league that I can. Wether it’s in Europe or Echl or nhl ahl. I wanna make it. I’m a forward and I work really hard. I’m just curious to see what are my chances here and what are some good pointers
Michael, why are you asking about being an enforcer, and then dissing one of ‘em? Are you saying that you acknowledge the fact that YOU have no skill and therefor want to just try to fight your way into a pro hockey league? You’re a big dude. Maybe you can develop your skills into a fine defenseman. Seems like you want to make it badly, so maybe you will if you keep up that desire. Better get working out and practicing.
Hey coach
I am 15 years old, and a goalie. I play in the Seattle area for Midget 18u AA. The season will be over in April.
Should I try for 16u AAA, or go for any other levels? Please help me lol, I don’t really know what my next step should be. By the way, I am open to moving a few hours from home if that helps.
Hi John. Try for 16u AAA or any other competitive level (even if it’s lower than AAA 16u) at which you’ll get the most ice time. At your age, it’s ice time, core training, stamina, and sprint interval training. What are you doing off ice?
Last season(2012-2013) I played AA hockey as a bantam but previous years I had numerous options of playing AAA hockey but never went because of my mates I’ve been with since squirts. I realized if I wanted to go far in my career I needed to make a decision so I tried out for a AAA team and made it. The first week of practice I broke my collar bone, so I heeled for 12 weeks and came back to have it broken a 2nd time, then it wasn’t healing so I played 6 weeks later in L.A. For a tier 1 elite league show case tourney, I put up on the board 1 goal and 3 assists in 4 games. I played in Chicago 2 weeks later and got 4 more points. Then at practice I broke it again, I’m a 98 with no scouts looking at me heading into my 2nd year as a u16. What are my options? How far can I go?
Congrats on AAA hockey achievement. It is not easy to earn a spot at that level. What does your doctor say about having broken your collar bone three times, and about your diet?
Hi Coach,
Where to start? I am 13 years old and just began hockey.
I am not very confident yet, quite slow, have horrible stick-handling and shooting. Simply but I am 100% a beginner.
I want to get better, and at this point (even though it would be my dream) I know that I could never make the NHL, I just want to get better and play in some better leagues/teams throughout highschool.
Where should I begin to start improving? What should I do to train/practice/drill/etc.
Where should I go after that?
I am very confused right now.
Thanks.
So glad you love hockey enough to ask Matthew, but this isn’t a forum for those topics. Anyone else in this boat might search the ‘Net for how to learn to play hockey.
Last time I played serious hockey when I 17…18 I played against Daren helm, second and third oldest Staal brother, johnathan Toews, stein’s brother, zajacs outdoor ice a couple times but his second and third oldest brother we went to school and played on the same team. Well being 26 years old now still hoping dreams can happen….if I won the lottery I’d give it all away to play 2 games
Now days I’ve just been training everyday for the Red Bull Crashed Ice. I’m going on the bike everyday and playing hockey with ankle weights (17 pounds on each leg). 1 of my friends dad said 1 of his friends was playing for an adults league and someone from Pittsburgh manager to be there and liked when he saw and asked him to play 1 or 2 nhl games….lucky him…..wish dreams like that can happen to me haha
I was wondering if CHL teams and SPHL teams usually pick up players before there playoff runs I’m currently playing ncaa d3 and have played 4 years of junior in canada
Hello coach, Is it possible for a street hockey player like me to just go to the nhl draft and get into the nhl.
What? No. How could this even be possible Josef? Think about it. The game is primarily about SKATING. On ICE.