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I just heard that Maddie Burke, Eden Prairie’s Graduating Goalie has decided to hang up her pads and not play Collegiate Hockey. The word I got was that she was offered two “Walk-On” D1 opportunities after her great performance at State this year. Supposedly she told her parents that she would rather go to a college she wants to attend, rather then attend a school just for a hockey opportunity.

Is this more common in girls hockey then I would have thought? I know boys will do anything, and play anywhere, just for the opportunity.

It’s too bad that she didn’t get more offers at other schools. She and Kelly Seeler were the two main reasons EP won State this year. I’m surprised that she didn’t decide to play D3 somewhere. She could have shined at that level!

All the best to her. Eden Prairie will miss her!

Girls are much more realistic when it comes to college and sports. They realize that for most, it is far more important to come out of college with a degree that is useful when it comes to looking for a job in the real world. Employers couldn't care less how many saves you made or goals you scored during your hockey career. They will take the top applicant. Girls typically want to get on with their "real" life a lot sooner than boys; as shown by the number of boys who will play juniors for two or three years before starting college.

Regarding Burke and recruiting; she was probably hurt by having such a strong team in front of her. Hard for college coaches to determine how good she really is when she didn't face a ton of shots.

That's why girls are smarter.

In all seriousness, it sounds like she made a mature decision.

I know of several players who opted to "hang 'em up" immediately after their high school season was over in favor of focusing on their college education. Interestingly enough, they were all back on the ice during their freshman year, or soon thereafter, playing club in school, or some pick-up games. One of them walked on to the D1 team at her school and earned a scholarship. Another had no interest in pursuing a college degree, despite being recruited by a number of schools. She runs her own business and plays on a Senior A team that recently competed at Nationals.