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.
Hi i’m 13 years old and I’ve been playing for 9 years. I’m playing on the peewee AA team. Can you give me tips on how to make it to the peewee AAA. Are there any tips on how to skate faster and better, what about wrist shots, any tips with a good wrist shot?
Thanks
Jared
AAA Hockey: talk to the coaches of the AAA team. Try harder than you’re asked when doing drills. Don’t be last. Volunteer for stuff.
Wrist Shots: Try a Wrist Roller for strengthening wrist muscles. Hang targets from a net and practice hitting them — hard. Go to shooting clinics with a qualified coach. Use proper hockey stick flex and curve.
Hai, my name is Caroline and I’m thirteen. Right now I play on a girl’s U14 House League in Tennessee against boys, and a travel team again highschoolers, all older than my team and I. By years. I only started to skate a year ago, but everyone says I am amazing for starting on such short notice because I’ve skated every day I can and I went to camps every week for the whole summer and while the Season was going. I’m as good as someone would be after playing for three years. Is there any way I’d be able to play for high school, college, and get drafted?
Yes, girls that have talent, skill, and love the game of hockey have a great chance for advanced hockey. Maybe it’s time to try out for a travel team and up your level of play to be more competitive.
Hey I was just wondering if its too late to late to even think about making it to the NHL or even a farm league. I’m born In canada and I’ve played since I was 4 years old.I’m 15 and I’m pretty good.I’m center for my local rec team. I haven’t played travel because I haven’t had time.I’ve only tried out once. I’m like 5″ 7″.I’m a play maker I dont score alot but I score.i was just wonder if I should give up on my dream or keep trying? Any tips to get better or improve?
Don’t give up the dream Dylan. You will have to get busy now, and find a travel team and qualify to play for them, or get into a really good high school hockey program. Keep loving the game. Go to hockey clinics, public skating, drop in hockey, shinny games and scrimmages. Get all the ice time you can.
I am only on B team. In my league however, drafts are unfair. There are kids on my team who should be AAA. I don’t really know if i am wanted at offence or defence. Should I go to a different team?
Bring your parents to a chat with your coach. Decide together if the coach has a plan.
Thanks. Any tips on how to get on to a AAA team?
To anyone who can help-
Hi, I’m emma, a 13 year old girl. Hockey has been the basis of my life for only 3 years, but I know I wanna get serious. I play street hockey in an all boys league now, and I’m still learning to skate. Before I get my hopes up, though, is it even possible for a girl to be drafted? I know its happened before but scouts don’t exactly look for girls. Is there even a chance I can get professional? If so how can I get noticed?
By the way I’m also planning in playing on my high school hockey team, if it helps. I’m gonna continue street hockey through high school too.
i have a lot of girls in my team! as i play in england a nd the scouts her look at the boys and the girls as we play together!!!!! just go skating and learn to skate and then thats half the battle!!!
To anyone that would be willing to help, I am 19 year old student attending my second year of post-secondary education. I have been playing hockey since I was very young and I progressed myself to play at the top level I could in my OHL draft year. I wasn’t drafted and the following year I was cut from Major Midget AAA. I continued to play AA and high school hockey for my first Major Midget year. The following year I only played recreational hockey. Now, I will be turning 20 in January, I was wondering what I can do to get back into playing competitive hockey and what route would get me to the NHL. Thank you for your help in advance.
Patrick, maybe you can get on your college/university team. I would even talk to coaches of NCAA tier 1 teams to get a try out. It’s worth a shot, if you’re not in an area close to a tier 1 school, you will have to be willing to move. Otherwise, look for a tier 2 or 3 NCAA hockey program. When school is over, you can pursue a pro hockey career in the minors and try your darndest to get noticed so you can jump to AHL. Also consider that time is running out. Take a try, make your move. If you love it, stop thinking about it. Go for it.
I am starting at now at 15. I am a former basketball player who fell passionately in love with the game this year in 2011. I live next door to the local Ice Rink and it is usually open 2-4 hours per day.
My goal is to reach my full, 100% potential. It could be my local team or the NHL. I want to be the best I can be.
Right now, I’m still learing to stake…..Do you have any tips?
Ice hockey related physical fitness, continued and growing love for the game, power skating classes, one on one coaching sessions, hockey clinics, attend public skating sessions often, play on as many teams at different levels as you can, try all positions to find where you’re best suited, study strategic play, listen to coaches.
Hey i’m 12 i play in peewee 1 and i like to know what league should i go to, to get scouted moving forward ?? i really wanna play in the nhl so please give me some advice.
thank you
Alex, if you want to make it to the NHL, continue to love and learn about hockey. Practice, practice, practice. Be competitive and do whatever it takes to outshine the other players. Start playing AAA if it’s available in your area.
hey im 14 and i am a head/ assistant coach, also im a captain of my hockey team in portland oregon. what league is best to play in to be scouted? im playing bantams and 18u, im 6 foot and i play all positions and goalie. ive been learning and playing hockey when i was 5 and now i just need a challenge. and in oregon there isnt alot of hockey so there isnt training schools and our highschools dont have anyteams. but yeah. plz reply
vert 47
You shouldn’t be coaching at 14, you should be learning and practicing. You need to start playing AAA hockey if it’s available, so you can travel and see what it’s like to compete at a high, intense level. Grow your love for the game and do what you can to make it to the NHL.
I am 16 and a good player I am currently in a midget rec league because my parents can’t afford competitive. where can i go to play higher level hockey?
hey coach i’ am 12 years old i currently play in peewee 2 so what should i do moving forward where do i start? what do i do? When and what league should i try out for to get noticed?
Hey I’m 16 years old and I’ve played ice hockey for 13 years in Colorado and I’m thinking about playing in a junior league when I turn 17 in July. How exactly could I make a junior team to advance my skill in hockey? And what are my chances of getting scouted by college and/or NHL scouts? I’ve played AA hockey ever since I was a bantam. I’ve been invited to play AAA several times but I didn’t go and play because I couldn’t afford it. I went to Minnesota for a tournament a few years ago and got scouted and got invited to a junior hockey tournament in Europe to play for team USA in sweden and faceoff against european teams. I didnt go because i was younger and didnt think i had what i takes and now i strongly regret my decision on saying no. I’m in shape and play roughly 3-4 times a week. Im a RW and I’m 5′11 and around 180 lbs. What leagues could I play at this age to further advance my skill? And what can I do to have a better chance of playing in the NHL or even the semi-pros to make a career out of hockey. I know I have the talent to play juniors and I can adjust my skill level to play any style and any skill level of hockey. Please let me know on tips and what I can do.
Thanks
Alex