college hockey......................?

Contrary to Jose Q's answer, as of January 1, 1981, anybody who has played 1 game of Major Junior Hockey is ineligible to play in the NCAA (they're still free to go to school of course).

Also keep in mind that all Division I Hockey Schools (except Ivy League) get 16 scholarships a year, so that on the average team, there are as many as 64 players with scholarships (the average # of players per team currently under scholarships is 56.7) so the opportunities for walk ons are rare.

When I played, several coaches asked me for a tape of me in 'game' action (not practice) as well as my hockey resume and letters from my coach.

I coach travel hockey here in Ottawa, and 5 years ago one of my players applied to Wisconsin (he played a few games) and the process was far more intensive. He needed 2 letters from coaches, we needed a DVD, etc...and that was just to have them come and see him. Luckily he got a scholarship after all that.

Also, If you live in Canada, there is an organization in Toronto that helps student athletes find NCAA schools and they provide all the information

First of all Al D, those are all weak Eastern teams. If you want to see good hockey here, try a HockeyEast team like BU. What a team, what a history. Jimmy Craig, class of 1979. NHL seasons with Atlanta Flames, Minnesota North Stars and the Big Bad Bruins

Have you read about Matt Gilroy from Boston University? He came to BU and tried out as a walk on in his freshmen season. The coaches told him the only way he would make the team if he would switch positions from forward to defense. So always be wiling to be flexible. He was also very determined he emailed and called every program in the country and know one would take him.

Well by his JR year he earned a scholarship and for his SR year he won the Hobey Baker award and played a major role in BU's national championship.

You have to be eligible for NCAA competition. Which is in its self tough. You need to have 16 core classes from High School, be a Graduate of High School, have your SAT scores in the right place, ect. You also may have burned eligibility if you are older than 21 years, and have been competing at ANY level.

Now you have to realize pretty much all of the players playing College Hockey all played Major Junior, and if they weren't recruited, got a try out. I don't know if many College teams offer open tryouts, I know professional teams don't offer public tryouts, you have to request one, then they look you over and admit you to try out.

And remember, less than %5 of College Players make it to the Pros. And even less than %1 make it to the NHL for a consistent job. Remember the NHL isn't the only professional league. There is the AHL and ECHL and all the foreign leagues. Good luck, hope it helps.

contact the coach of which-ever school. (he'll probably ask for some game video.) if it's college club hockey they'll have tryout before the season starts to walk on but like d1-2-3 they all scout anyways.

get accepted to the school and tryout. I would try for a D3 or D2 school because you would probably be getting scouted if you could play at even a mediocre D1 school. Make sure you check the schedule for try-outs because it might mean going to school earlier than everyone else.