2010-2011 D1 Commitments

[GopherFanARM]

I guess is we'll just have to disagree.

I don't think we disagree all that much.

You keep forgetting that part.

No, I'm not forgetting. I just think American players have been given priority. Most of the other programs tend to feature a higher percentage of foreign players. Is your thinking that there should only be American players? At that point, I don't agree.

[Melvin44]

I guess is we'll just have to disagree.

I don't think we disagree all that much.

You keep forgetting that part.

No, I'm not forgetting. I just think American players have been given priority. Most of the other programs tend to feature a higher percentage of foreign players. Is your thinking that there should only be American players? At that point, I don't agree.

That is what I'm saying and again we'll have to disagree with each other. Which is ok.

I'm sure this sounds bad. But I don't want to be UMD. There are a lot of great american players that would kill for a chance to play for the great U of M.

I guess I'm just a little old school and really miss the way the men's program used to do it.

[TCoachF]

Dalbec & Slattery have commited.

[Girls_Hockey_fan]

Question to the parents of the girls who gave verbal commitments to an institution after July 7th between their Junior and Senior year, but before they could make official visits - what is the advantage of doing this? Do girls hockey institutions give deadlines for commitments tied to dollars? I am just curious, because I have had older kids go on offical visits in other sports and they learned a lot about an insitution and if it is a good fit by going on those visits. Is it different in women's hockey, what would be the incentive to give a verbal before you can even go on an offical visit?

[Thunderbird77]

TCoachF said:

Dalbec & Slattery have commited.

Okay, where????

[Purehockey]

Slattery is going to U Conn

[Hux]

Question to the parents of the girls who gave verbal commitments to an institution after July 7th between their Junior and Senior year, but before they could make official visits - what is the advantage of doing this? Do girls hockey institutions give deadlines for commitments tied to dollars? I am just curious, because I have had older kids go on offical visits in other sports and they learned a lot about an insitution and if it is a good fit by going on those visits. Is it different in women's hockey, what would be the incentive to give a verbal before you can even go on an offical visit?

I'd say that 99% of those who have given an early verbal have made at least one unofficial visit to the school.

A current Gopher committed as a junior because she had made her decision and felt she owed it to the other coaches to let them know so they could pursue other recruits. She was also able to avoid the barrage of e-mails and text messages, and the impending July 1 phone calls, by making the early verbal.

The big advantage lies in assuring your spot/scholarship. There are a good number of top teams that have pretty much filled out their slots for next season and are now looking at players for 2011. I know of one eastern team that was done by the first week of September.

I know of two teams that yanked offers to a blue chip player because she was vacillating on making a commitment. I know of another player that had offers from several schools in the late spring of her junior year, and waited for the July phone call to see what other offers might come. She found that the original schools, which were her top choices, had better offers, but she didn't hear from them on July 1. Turns out they had moved on by that point.

The stakes are high and coaches want to get the highest ranked players they can. They can't afford to wait on a blue chip first line player, have that player commit somewhere else, and then find themselves filling that spot with a lower ranked, second or third line player.

Basically it comes down to being comfortable with the school, the coach and team, and deciding that there is no need to wait if the offer is on the table. Sometimes if you snooze, you really do lose.

[joehockey]

Question to the parents of the girls who gave verbal commitments to an institution after July 7th between their Junior and Senior year, but before they could make official visits - what is the advantage of doing this? Do girls hockey institutions give deadlines for commitments tied to dollars? I am just curious, because I have had older kids go on offical visits in other sports and they learned a lot about an insitution and if it is a good fit by going on those visits. Is it different in women's hockey, what would be the incentive to give a verbal before you can even go on an offical visit?

Good questions. We just passed through this process - I say we because the player has to decide but as a parent you have to really help because it is complex for any HS kid to pick a college to attend it is a magnitude higher to pick a school and pick a hockey program and sort scholarship offer vs financial aid.....overwelming for a HS kid.

In your junior year go do unofficial visits....you can talk candidly with Coaches, walk campus, consider major, watch a practice or game, some schools will outline offers - the better player you are the better clarifications schools will give you. Every school has a very specific shopping list of the player type they need - you are only a candidate if you fit that shopping list - figuring out this list is done by looking at who is graduating and asking the coaches.

Here are questions you have to know/ask?

1) What are your needs (go to schools where they have a need for type of player your daughter is)?
2) How do you see my play fitting those needs?
3) How are you thinking about scholarships for this incoming class?
4) How do you see me as a scholarship player?

We set a list of schools that met what my daughter wanted after unofficial visits we did 9-10 unofficial - she only took one official and that was after verbal commitment. If you find a good fit of school, hockey and life for your daughter move forward. The process moves fast and the best schools do try to define best players first and then move down the list. Don't put all of this off till your senior year! As Hux posts many schools are now looking/focused on the 2011 class not the 2010 class.

[Girls_Hockey_fan]

Thanks Hux and JoeHockey. Sounds like -
1) women's hockey might be more competitive than some of the other sports I have delt with my other kids.
2) need to focus on unofficial visits - during Junior year. Any benefit to starting Soph year or are the coaches primarily focused on 2011 grads?

Good questions JoeHockey, will add them to my list.

[Melvin44]

My advise to others about the process.

#1. Research schools. Find out what school might need the position your daughter plays. This isn't in stone but you get a good idea. If your daughter really likes a school and it looks full in her year still ask the coaches what they need. Even if they tell you a number double check as she gets closer to her Sr year

#2. Do your unofficial visits Jr year and summer before Sr or any time you feel she's ready. That way you'll get an idea if she even likes school, coaches, facilities.

#3. Have your daughter send out emails letting ALL potential schools you're interested. Also continue contact if possible. Even if you just say hi. This is a must. I let my daughter do this on her own and it worked out well. She really got an idea of what the coaches wanted and were looking for. I think the coaches liked that she was making the contacts.

Let coaches know your summer schedule.

Many schools out East don't think Minnesota girls want to leave their home state.

#4. It's ok to decide whenever you want. I feel you should really visit a school first? But word of mouth might work for some.

#5. Never give up. Like right now colleges still have offers out to the first wave of girls waiting to decide. Things will open up. Keep letting coaches know you're interested. Example girls might have several options but want to see all schools first. Obviously She can only choose one and then 2 or 3 spots might open up. Sometimes when you choose to early you miss out on a better offer.

#6. Remember choose the school first. Not the coaches, facilities or team. They can all change.

Hope this helps.

[Hux]

Thanks Hux and JoeHockey. Sounds like -
1) women's hockey might be more competitive than some of the other sports I have delt with my other kids.
2) need to focus on unofficial visits - during Junior year. Any benefit to starting Soph year or are the coaches primarily focused on 2011 grads?

Good questions JoeHockey, will add them to my list.

1) It is extremely competitive, especially now, as the post '98 Olympic boom numbers start to kick in. (Fortunately for the girls there are also more programs, particularly at the DIII level coming on every few years)

2) Starting visits during her soph year is a good idea. Get your foot in the door if she has been noticed, or get on the coach's radar if she hasn't. (Assuming she is the real deal.)

Coaches love to have prospective student-athletes that they have identified at the NDCs, tournaments etc. come and visit the campus and take in games. However, remember to let your daughter do most of the talking. Don't try and sell your kid or you will turn the coach off faster than you can say walk-on.

#6. Remember choose the school first. Not the coaches, facilities or team. They can all change.

While I know what Melvin is trying to say here, I have to disagree with part of the message.

1) Yes, school is a priority. Choose wisely.

However, remember you only get five years to play four of college hockey. Many will say there isn't any NHL etc. for girls so it is all about the education. BALONEY.

You can get an education anywhere, at any time during the remainder of your life. A Masters degree is worth a lot more than your undergraduate degree, so go where you are most likely to be comfortable playing hockey. When you have excelled on the ice, and hopefully in the classroom, you can then parlay that into a post-grad degree as a grad assistant coach at a fancy institution. And they will pay your way.

You can only play college hockey, particularly D1 hockey, during a very small window. As such, it is imperative that you be totally comfortable with the coach and team, and all that goes with a particular program. You can change majors, and career tracks and what have you a lot easier than you can deal with a coach or situations in a hockey program that aren't to your liking.

Trust me, no matter how big a star Little Janey was in high school, or on a club team, she will be just another cog in the wheel in college. Coaches DO NOT want "stars", they want team players who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the team's goals.

Let's face it, if you are reading this it is because Little Janey is driven to play hockey and you share a vision of her playing at the highest level. Given that, it is time you stop chanting the "education" mantra and accept the facts. Hockey is what is driving the bus to a college education.

Ostensibly she is going to go to school for an education, but she will be majoring in hockey. College athletics demands that it be so. I can tell you horror stories of players who have gone into programs because of the "school" and found that they were not happy for any number of reasons. Those players did not stay in the school, they transferred somewhere else where they would be happy playing hockey.

So do your homework and be certain that you/she will be comfortable with the coach, team, location etc, because your/her happiness (and your sanity) will depend on it. Choose for the hockey, it will ultimately make her a better student.

[Melvin44]

I agreee with what you're saying about finding a coach and team you like. But I've also heard horror stories of girls picking a school they hate and then transfering. Or commiting to play for a school they've never seen and than regreting it for four years.

Why not try to find both. I just happen to think school is a little more important than hockey. I can't believe I just said that.

[Silent But Deadly]

I agreee with what you're saying about finding a coach and team you like. But I've also heard horror stories of girls picking a school they hate and then transfering. Or commiting to play for a school they've never seen and than regreting it for four years.

Why not try to find both. I just happen to think school is a little more important than hockey. I can't believe I just said that.

This won't happen often.....but I agree with Melvin44 on this one!

[Hux]

I agreee with what you're saying about finding a coach and team you like. But I've also heard horror stories of girls picking a school they hate and then transfering. Or commiting to play for a school they've never seen and than regreting it for four years.

Why not try to find both. I just happen to think school is a little more important than hockey. I can't believe I just said that.

Totally agree. Which is why I said "do your homework."

Obviously the educational aspect is very important, but when you get to school, you find that the athletic cart tends to lead the horse. If you are going to play D1 you need to go in with eyes wide open. It needs to be a good fit on all accounts.

As we all know, it doesn't matter how good you are on the ice, if you aren't pulling your weight in the classroom you won't be on the ice.

[OntheEdge]

I agreee with what you're saying about finding a coach and team you like. But I've also heard horror stories of girls picking a school they hate and then transfering. Or commiting to play for a school they've never seen and than regreting it for four years.

Why not try to find both. I just happen to think school is a little more important than hockey. I can't believe I just said that.

Totally agree. Which is why I said "do your homework."

Obviously the educational aspect is very important, but when you get to school, you find that the athletic cart tends to lead the horse. If you are going to play D1 you need to go in with eyes wide open. It needs to be a good fit on all accounts.

As we all know, it doesn't matter how good you are on the ice, if you aren't pulling your weight in the classroom you won't be on the ice.

Hux,

I have a question for you. There are some schools that are very difficult to get accepted at from an academic standpoint. How can kids commit early to such schools (e.g. the Ivy League schools) when they haven't even applied or haven't heard from the admissions office? I've been looking at some statistics on some of the top schools and even kids with 4.0+ GPA and 35 or 36 ACTs are regularly getting rejected. Do the kids committing early to such schools have a verbal commitment from the school's admissions department that they will be accepted (i.e. an early, early acceptance)? I know that the Ivy League has the Academic Index but some of the other eastern schools have rigorous academic standards too. I was just wondering about the process.

[Melvin44]

I'm not sure if this answers your question. I have heard of a couple of girls who commited early and then didn't get into the school of choice. Ivy's and now their scrambling. So you do have to be careful. I've also heard when interviewing for certain schools don't be all about hockey. They want to hear education and future goals first!

My advise is do your homework and don't commit out loud until accepted. What I mean is commit and then make sure you're accepted ASAP. Visit, send your ACT's and transcripts and whatever the school needs. Don't wait to long as word gets around.

My daughter for instance made sure she was accepted by all schools she has been interested in before making a decision.

[bghockey]

Dana Gallop of Grand Rapids has committed to UMD. USA 18 player this past August vs. Canada.

[quickfeet]

I'm not sure if this answers your question. I have heard of a couple of girls who commited early and then didn't get into the school of choice. Ivy's and now their scrambling. So you do have to be careful. I've also heard when interviewing for certain schools don't be all about hockey. They want to hear education and future goals first!

My advise is do your homework and don't commit out loud until accepted. What I mean is commit and then make sure you're accepted ASAP. Visit, send your ACT's and transcripts and whatever the school needs. Don't wait to long as word gets around.

My daughter for instance made sure she was accepted by all schools she has been interested in before making a decision.

Where is she going?

[OntheEdge]

My daughter for instance made sure she was accepted by all schools she has been interested in before making a decision.

Good to know Melvin, thank you. I have a follow up question. You say your daughter has been accepted. When is the earliest a girl can apply and how early can a school give an acceptance. I always thought that early acceptance was some time in late Fall of her senior year. It seems that many girls are committing long before what I thought was the early acceptance period.

[joehockey]

My daughter for instance made sure she was accepted by all schools she has been interested in before making a decision.

Good to know Melvin. I have a follow up question. You say your daughter has been accepted. When is the earliest a girl can apply and how early can a school give an acceptance. I always thought that early acceptance was some time in late Fall of her senior year. It seems that many girls are committing long before what I thought was the early acceptance period.

For most all of the schools they can give you an early read. The coaches basically walk your grades and test scores over and get you and early confirmation.

On the Ivy League Schools Hux can answer better but you get an early letter in October saying you should be accepted or not - the process though is drawn out and you don't know for sure and have actual financial aid till spring.

[Melvin44]

I'm not sure if this answers your question. I have heard of a couple of girls who commited early and then didn't get into the school of choice. Ivy's and now their scrambling. So you do have to be careful. I've also heard when interviewing for certain schools don't be all about hockey. They want to hear education and future goals first!

My advise is do your homework and don't commit out loud until accepted. What I mean is commit and then make sure you're accepted ASAP. Visit, send your ACT's and transcripts and whatever the school needs. Don't wait to long as word gets around.

My daughter for instance made sure she was accepted by all schools she has been interested in before making a decision.

Where is she going?

Making last official this weekend and hopefully she'll decide next week.

[quickfeet]

I'm not sure if this answers your question. I have heard of a couple of girls who commited early and then didn't get into the school of choice. Ivy's and now their scrambling. So you do have to be careful. I've also heard when interviewing for certain schools don't be all about hockey. They want to hear education and future goals first!

My advise is do your homework and don't commit out loud until accepted. What I mean is commit and then make sure you're accepted ASAP. Visit, send your ACT's and transcripts and whatever the school needs. Don't wait to long as word gets around.

My daughter for instance made sure she was accepted by all schools she has been interested in before making a decision.

Where is she going?

Making last official this weekend and hopefully she'll decide next week.

Good Luck this weekend.

[Hux]

My daughter for instance made sure she was accepted by all schools she has been interested in before making a decision.

Good to know Melvin. I have a follow up question. You say your daughter has been accepted. When is the earliest a girl can apply and how early can a school give an acceptance. I always thought that early acceptance was some time in late Fall of her senior year. It seems that many girls are committing long before what I thought was the early acceptance period.

For most all of the schools they can give you an early read. The coaches basically walk your grades and test scores over and get you an early confirmation.

On the Ivy League Schools Hux can answer better but you get an early letter in October saying you should be accepted or not - the process though is drawn out and you don't know for sure and have actual financial aid till spring.

Pretty much the same deal with the Ivies. Kids who have pinned their GPA and scores get a quick read from Admissions and a "likely" which pretty much means they are good to go. Being an athlete carries some weight, and obviously a coach's recommendation is a big help. (though some schools have administrations that aren't "athletically" inclined.

When the academics are borderline is when you will often see a kid uncommitted until they are actually accepted. (I'm talking about the star players who you would figure would commit early, but don't)

There are certainly instances where players commit and then don't get in, usually because their grades for their senior year dropped off, or there was some sort of problem with the transcripts in the first place. There can also be problems with the NCAA clearinghouse. There are several players now playing D1 that had to sit out for a time until they got things straightened out. (this seems to happen mostly with Canadian kids whose course requirements don't sync with what the Clearninghouse requires.)

Of course, there is always the definition of "committed" in the first place. My list on USCHO only includes scholarship and recruited walk-on players that are confirmed, in most cases, through the coaching staff or other well placed sources. There have been occasions where players have announced a commitment, when in fact the coaching staff has said "sure you can walk-on, but we aren't promising you a spot." The player later finds out that they have no hope of seeing the ice and opts to go somewhere else, and uses another reason for why they aren't going where they said they were.

Overall, I think you can figure a 99% certainty that players that commit early will end up getting into the school.

[miracle2200]

Rose Alleva commits to Princeton.

http://www.republican-eagle.com/event/article/id/62629/

[gmom29]

Rose Alleva commits to Princeton.

http://www.republican-eagle.com/event/article/id/62629/

Congrats to Rose Alleva Very hard worker and Deserving!