Hockey is growing, not only in Indiana but across the nation. Record enrollment in youth hockey is indicative of renewed interest in the sport.  Even more exciting, collegiate and junior hockey programs are popping up all over the place (13 in Indiana alone).  Chances are good that in another 5 or 6 years, if your player has the passion and skills to match, they might be playing organized hockey beyond their high school years.  

Let's think about that for a second...I just put in writing that your player, from Indiana, may have a chance to play hockey beyond high school.  Ten years ago, I wouldn't have even put hockey and Indiana in the same sentence.  But times they are a changin'.  In fact, it's a great time for your player to be entertaining thoughts of playing at the next level because of the options they'll have when the time comes.  But once you get to that bridge, what exactly will the coaches be looking for besides just "good players?"

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Frank DiCristofaro, Head Coach of the Indiana Tech D1 men's team.  He's a big supporter of INHockey.net as well as a helluva guy.  I asked him about the most important things they look for in a prospect.  I thought I was going to get the "speed, hands, and ability to put the puck in the net" canned answer.  But the first thing on his list caught me off guard.

"The first thing we look at is grades.  If a player can get it done in the classroom, that will move him up on our list immediately."    

Now, I expected that to be on the list, just not in the number one spot.  So, item number one on your parent-player chat itinerary should be grades.  This hit home for me because I've been around quite a few families that had to make tough decisions when it came to playing time and school work.  I always applaud those efforts from parents and their willingness to put school first.  Coach DiCristofaro is backing you up.

"The next thing that we look for are the abilities to skate and manipulate the puck effectively (pass, shoot, stickhandle).  After that, we look at hockey smarts - can he see the ice, how does he work with teammates and within the system he's given.  Finally, we look at on-ice demeanor - does he outwardly show frustration when things are not going his way/is he a good teammate."  

We all knew core hockey skills and hockey IQ were important.  There's nothing worse than watching a winger who's always behind the play or can't receive a pass.  But even  more sad than watching the confused winger, is watching the great player who melts down when the team gets scored on.  It happens all too often and as Coach DiCristofaro points out, it's a key issue in determining your player's hockey future. 

Our hope is that over the next few years, more and more kids from Indiana are able to continue their hockey careers well passed high school.  The preparation starts now both on and off the ice, physically and mentally.

If you fancy a little more reading on the topic, Check out this fantastic article from Built for Hockey on what coaches like to see during those tryouts and prospect skates.  It's excellent reading for the player that has their sights set on the next level.