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.
I’m 15 years old and have a late birthday (if that matters) and have been playing for 4 years now. Coming from an Irish father Italian mother I was never pushed into ice hockey at a young age. I’m a small skater a mere 5 4” and not too heavy but I’m very fast and pretty good stick handling. I truly wish I could have started when I was 2-3 years old seeing as only playing for 4 years I am just as good as If not better than my peers who have played since they were 2-3. My one true goal in life is to go as far and be the best I can be at hockey even though I know the odds are against me. I am going to do a power skating camp and pro ambitions camp over summer as well as work out. Any advice?
Well, to be frank with you, the odds are against everyone. Wait, you’re Frank; I’ll be earnest. You may be at the correct pace. Kids don’t make the big decision to become really serious about ice hockey until your age anyway, and having begun at the age of 4 would not change that. Developmentally, you put in the best years anyway. The questions from here are whether you really love hockey; what kind of player you decide to be; & how you gain the training and experience required. Hockey camps can be good, private training can be good (on and off ice), AAA hockey can be good, recognized hockey high schools can be good, but what really matters is your overall conditioning and your attitude in game situations. Step up Frank. Be recognized.
I always loved hockey since I was born but I never got a chance to play hockey due to my family not having a lot of money to give me hockey lessons. I’m now 19 and my friend who works at a hockey rink told me their is an adult hockey league that I can join. And he can also let me skate for free saturdays and sundays whenever I feel like it after I get off work. Is it possible for me to even get a 1% shot for me to get into the NHL and play for the rangers ? Or I better keep dreaming kid.
I also forgot to say I can’t afford to go into college due to the recent lost of my families house and I’m also on my own working $5.00 plus tips at a movie theater (dine-in) is their anyway I can go to a college that has hockey and will pay for all my expenses ? I live in New jersey also.
Kevin, your scholarship would have to be for academics or some other sport in which you are proficient. Hockey scholarships are awarded at NCAA Tier 1 schools, and they won’t look at a beginner player.
You have to get drafted in order to play in the NHL. The best route to the draft is the Canadian Hockey League. By the time you’re good enough to play for a league within the CHL, you’ll be over their age limit disregarding the experience they seek. You could have a small chance if you went the NCAA Hockey route, become a late grad there, and be the oldest ever NHL draftee…. but by and large you’re just beginning too late, Kevin. A ton of skill and experience is required to play on NHL hockey ice.
Okay, so I might only be 12 years old but iv’e been playing hockey since I was 4…… and watching hockey and playing hockey is amazing and my goal is to get on the NHL and be a wing or center….this has always been my dream to do this…And I if I got to pick what team I would be on would probably be the Boston Bruins…Any ways how old do u have to be to get on the NHL.Everyday I go outside even if its below 20 degress or raining i go outside and I play.And if someone pushes my down I get right back up! All the effort i really put into this is……ALOT…. so yeah write back(:
-Thanks
Well you have about 6 more years before you get into the NHL so you have loads of time to keep loving it, practicing it, playing it, and keeping up your off ice training too.
Hey Coach,
I grew up in rural Texas watching Ed Belfour. Passion.
I’m 22 years old, about 6′1″ and 165.
I’ve never played a real game of Ice hockey. Couple season of inline but grew up playing street. I was the Valedictorian in high school and got multiple full ride academic and athletic scholarships for basketball but dislocated my shoulder beginning my senior year and had to have reconstructive surgery…led to a spiral of weed addiction and depression
I need a college scholarship for this fall.
I’ve been playing racquetball, ping pong, basketball, juggling at really high levels for years but my real passion is hockey, is there any snowballs chance in hell at my age even with every kind of athletic/mental ability is it possible to ingrain the necessary brain-muscle connections to perform at an elite level?
I kinda hoped being a goalie and all you could pretty much walk on at any level if you possessed the required skill…haha, hope to hear from ya, even if its not what I want to hear
David, while age has nothing to do with NCAA eligibility, generally a “walk on” doesn’t get a scholarship anyway because it is a tryout without being recruited or drafted, and those that are drafted are the ones that get the scholarships. Often hockey scholarships exist for NCAA tier I, but not tier III hockey. I suppose it is possible to walk on to NCAA Tier I ice as an inexperienced goalie, but not likely you’d win a spot on the roster, and very unlikely to get a scholarship. Since age has little to do with school, you still have time to acquire some high level lessons and ice time in the next two years and try to get noticed/ask to be reviewed/contact school programs and coaches.
Hey coach I live in Batavia ny I have been playing hockey since I was eight and im in eight grade. I play bantmn hockey for the batavia ramparts and ice devils high school hockey team. I would like to play for buffalo sabers when Im older and I forgot to tell you I am 13. I would like to know how and where to become a better hockey player and how to become an NHL player.
I play hockey and love the game its my life its so much fun and I just forget about everything when i step on to the ice. I live in Omaha, Nebraska its not that big of a hockey state. I play house hockey. I have been playing C team for 3 years in a row too its so much fun to travel. I’ve been playing hockey since i was 4. My dreams have been making the NHL it would be an amazing dream if i made it. And i will work hard to reach my goal. I really want to make the NHL I’m 10 years old have any thoughts or tips of what i should keep doing i have a i shoot hockey pucks down there and practice and i could practice any drills you tell me and how to make the nhl?
Love hockey, the game, and all that goes with it. You have that covered and you’re good for now. It’s 4 years too early for you to be concerned yet. Get plenty of ice time at public skating sessions, stick ‘n’ puck sessions, and even some hockey lessons or attend hockey clinics. Be the one who tries hardest, and don’t worry if you’ll get to play in the NHL or not. That’ll come later.
Hi my name is Bryce Griffith. I live in Charlotte NC and I play for the Charlotte Junior Checkers AA 18U travel team. I have a serious drive to play college and minor league hockey but it is hard to find any serious teams or have any really good opportunities for me to excel at the game. I’m 16 years old, 6′3″, 200lbs and I’ve been playing for about 10 years, I’ve played travel for 6 years and house before that. I’ve also played at the Mini Chowder Cup in Boston, MA when I was 14. My life’s dream has been playing the highest level of hockey possible but in the South it isn’t very easy to be seen. What can I do to better myself in hockey please let me know.
Sincerely
Bryce Griffith
in canada can you get drafted to the nhl from college and universities? or do you have to go to the states to play
Yes, but much more likely to be drafted from high-schools that have specialized hockey programs, CHL, or NCAA Tier I teams.
I really want to go far in hockey. the only problem is is that i started late. im in grade 10 and play select + school hockey (tier 2). i know i can make A in april but what should my steps be? i think its my draft year but can i not go to the show in grade 12 AAA? if i get into college hockey are there OHL scouts there watching me? i want to know what i need to do. i know that if i want to end in AAA grade 12 id have to either skip AA (in grade 11) or A (now). (Comment Truncated)
Aaron, if you’re 15 or 16 years old now, it is CHL draft time for you. OHL players are 17 – 20 years old. You could get draft skate as late as age 18 or 19. (Each team is allowed three 21 year old OHL players on the rosters.) You have to get a high level of hockey experience to be looked at. TODAY, NHL Central Scouting will be represented at the Barrie and Belleville OHL games; Sunday NHL Scouting will be at Brampton, London, Ottawa, and Saginaw OHL games.
I have been playing hockey for 10 years. I’m 13 years old and work out 4 hours a day. I have tried out for 2 bantam”B” teams and made both but, I have had a coach for two years and I wanted one more with him. I am captain of my C team and want to play for an A team but the only one I could play for is an hour away. I can skate faster than most high schoolers and I am a HUGE play maker. Is there any future for me as a profesional hockey player?
Larsen, an hour away is nothing. Many kids are 45 minutes to an hour away from a rink. Once you’re on an A or AAA hockey team you’ll likely travel more than an hour! When you’re 15 you’ll probably decide whether you want to continue to play competitive hockey. At 13 it’s too early to say if you have a chance to play in the NHL, or any professional hockey. If you love it and are dedicated to it, you can make it to the NHL.
Ive been a goalie since i was 5 years old, I grew up loving hockey and watching every game. I played A through the years 7-13 then i finally made AAA. Politics is a hard situation for a goalie, its been with me every year. its hard to make a team with two spots, even though i knew i was the best, everyone knew. But coaches didnt want change, and the other goalie always seemed to be good friends with the coaches, while my dad was out drinking in the truck. I played AAA for two seasons, and was successful despite a not very good team. I got cut my third year. it was the draft year. The new coach was really good friends with the goalie i played with in A all my life, he picked him over me. they were nieghbours. So, still loving the game, i played A for another season and took our team to the provincials with a 3rd place finish in Ontario. After that year, i thought screw it. i gave it up, i wasnt getting the acknowlegement i deserved so i just went and played out in house league for 2 years… leading scorer. thats irrelevant because its house league, and i was a player. This year however, i had a buddy who was trying out for a local JR. D team. I thought sure, ill give it a try, got some used equipment and without stepping foot on the ice as a goalie in 2 years i went to tryout, and made it as first string. Coaches told me i was a leader, one of the best players on the team. Then however, my goalie partner went away for 2 weeks, we played the 3 toughest teams. i pulled out only 1 win in 3 of 4 tough games. All games decided by 1 goal. the team was looking down on me, because they expected greatness every game. I became a little depressed at the fact i wasnt winning, especially in only a D league. A little stroke of luck came my way… our affiliate Junior B team was looking at me and asked me to go out and practice with them. Coinsidently the goalie who i was supposed to replace was the one who took my spot the draft year in AAA… talk about revenge eh. Unfortunately… it was a 6 o’clock practice, my dad was supposed to get home at 4 like usual and i was going to surprise him with the news. However, he got home around 5:30 after being at the bar after work.. i got to the rink just as they were going on the ice. that didnt impress the coaches enough to even talk to me after. Pretty brutal eh? there’s more.. Then, a day after christmas i was released for a kid who was practicing in the OHL, i knew em all my life, nothing special, few steriods, HGH and a father who dedicated his life to getting all his sons in the NHL. Now i know that a name is more important then skill growing up in competitive hockey… Now, February, still thinking about hockey everyday.. still not giving up the dream at 18. Either stupidity, or real commitment. because i know what it takes and i know i’ve got it. All in all, im going to college next year and im going to try out for as many Junior A teams as possible. It’ll be difficult for 5-10 height and no real good experience. But im already starting to workout for it, and i know ill do it.
Not stupidity, Alex; yes real commitment. Love the game. Don’t get caught up in “getting the acknowledgment you deserve,” just keep loving hockey and play like a pro. You have plenty of experience, maybe you’ll take your school to the CIS University Cup. I wish you luck when you contact Junior A hockey teams for tryouts.
TODAY, NHL Central Scouting will be represented at the Barrie and Belleville OHL games; Sunday NHL Scouting will be at Brampton, London, Ottawa, and Saginaw OHL games. CHL hockey player age limits are 17 – 20 years old. (Each team is allowed 3 at 21 year old OHL players on the rosters.)
hi there, my name is adam nicholls and i have been playing hockey since i was 4 in port colborne on. i’m 23 years old and never played on a travel team (maybe it was to much on my parents i don’t know). i have the heart of a hockey player and would love to get back in it. (i played house league only and that stopped for me when i was 18). i also made a select team one year when i was around 14 years old but thats about it. i want to play in a league again and see if i can climb the ladder up, but i don’t know where to go to proceed. like i said i’m 23, 5′ 10″, 160lbs and i can do it! positive attitude and heart all the way! please help me out with any information thank you
Adam, it seems you have the desire and love of the game. You can play professional hockey in the minors, but time’s a wastin’. Too much thought and worry will only crush your chances. Get ALL the ice time you can and a private coach, and loads of off ice training. After one year of all out preparation, contact team managers and coaches and ask for draft skate.
I am 15 6′2″ 165 lbs and played hockey since I was five. Did 6 years of developmental because I never really took it seriously. Joined the pewee B team in 7th grade. Since then I have never played above A minor. For some reason I can’t make any level higher than that. My dream is to play AAA before I am too old. I have done camps with AAA players my age and nearly all of them thought I played AA or AAA. If these kids see something in me how come the coaches who make the teams at tryouts dont!? I have the hands/shot of an AA player. Obviously being 6′2″ I have a long stride so I can go fast but I’m not quick off the draw. You know? I want to play AAA more than anything. I hate growing up I wish I could be five again and do it all right
Growing up is good and enables one to have insight and realization as you have now. I have not seen you play, and do not know what league or city you’re in, but the way you stated your case makes me think of the following. I’m not saying I think you have any of the following symptoms, but just want everyone in your state of mind an stage of their game to realize these points and ask these questions.
(1) ATTITUDE: How’s your attitude on the ice and in the locker room? Are you “Coachable”? Do you allow bad attitude to prevail, or good nature to shine through? When you’re losing a hockey game, does it matter? Can you realize that ice hockey is a game that you get to play and many many others do not get to play, and you should live up to that privilege so that losing is still playing, and you should still have fun? The previous thought prevents one from getting down in the dumps and playing even worse. FYI, coaches don’t like to bring on a behavioral problem no matter how good the player is. Have you actually spoken to AAA coaches to make them aware of you and your desire, and to ask them questions so they realize that you’re the man for the team that wants their guidance to do it right?
(2) EFFORT: Do you honestly give it all you have on the ice? When you’re sore or tired or angry or depressed, do you realize that adrenaline and happiness kicks all that to the curb? Can you generate and use that adrenaline and happiness to outshine everyone? Is the puck YOURS and do you have an inner burning need / desire to go get it, be the first one to it when it’s within your position’s reach, or even just outside of it? Are you a non-stop aggressive force that makes things happen out of nothing, or a relaxed player who watches others make or finish the plays?
(3) CONDITIONING: Are you truly in shape for the AAA hockey level of competition? From A on up, it’s a competitive sport. Can / will you compete?
A lot goes into the making of a competitive hockey player, and those who make it to the NHL are role models. Do you know what they’ve done to get to the NHL?