Where Do College Hockey Coaches Recruit From?

I'm a high school hockey player hoping to play in college. Does anyone know where most college hockey coaches tend to recruit from? Are there certain regions or leagues they prefer?

There's definitely a regional emphasis when it comes to recruiting student-athletes for college hockey. Colleges in the northern U.S., such as those in the Midwest and Northeast, are prominent when it comes to college hockey, and hence, a large percent of athletes are recruited from these regions.

However, this isn't a hard-and-fast rule and talent is sourced from across the U.S. and internationally, with a notable amount of recruitment from Canada due to its strong hockey culture.

Looking at leagues, recruitment often happens from highly competitive junior hockey leagues. In the United States, that would be the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the North American Hockey League (NAHL). In Canada, numerous players are recruited from major junior hockey leagues, especially the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Western Hockey League (WHL), and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Another avenue of recruitment is through prep school hockey, especially in New England, which has a robust network of academically rigorous prep schools with successful hockey teams.

Recruitment can also occur during showcase tournaments and camps that are specifically designed to bring together promising young players and college scouts. Examples of this are the USA Hockey Select Player Development Camps.

Remember, irrespective of where you come from, the most important thing the college coaches will be looking for is your performance on the ice, your work ethic, and your compatibility with the team's needs and culture. It's also beneficial to be proactive and reach out to coaches yourself, with a highlight reel and your athletic resume.