With the start of a new hockey season right around the corner, it's never too early for players to think about where they want to go. Now is a great time to start to identify goals to work towards through the course of the season. Reaching your goals is all about options.
Most players want to continue to play the game beyond the level they are currently at. However, in many cases, they don't know where they what that means or how to get there. The best thing players and parents can do to start this process is to educate themselves on what possible options are out there. There are tons of places to play these days and it is important to look around, see what is out there, and what interests you.
Depending on a player's age and skill level that could mean, high level midget hockey, prep school, juniors, or college. The Internet is a great place to gather info on teams at these levels. Most leagues and teams have a web presence. You can also check out the links section of www.fiveholehockey.net for links to USA Hockey sanctioned junior leagues and ACHA and NCAA hockey links. After getting an idea of what is out there it is time for a player and their parents to identify teams they are interested in and begin looking for ways to get in front of those coaches. For example, many junior teams attend showcase and prospects camps during the season and in the spring. This is a great way for a player to pursue options. It is important to remember that your first choice may not work out and to keep your options open. As teams go through their tryout process and players filter down from one level to the next, you never know when you may be in need of a fallback option. In the end, the key factor is finding the place that works for you...the place where you get the coaching and playing time you need to develop and continue in the pursuit of your goals.
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