As the hockey season winds down, players and their families often take time to reflect on their performance and consider what makes sense for the following year. While it’s always exciting to think about advancing to prep school or junior hockey, it’s also important to approach these decisions with a dose of reality. Reaching the high school level in hockey is already a significant milestone—only a fraction of players who start in youth hockey make it this far. and those that go on the play at the NCAA level is super slim, with the D1 level being low low single digits. This statistic underscores the importance of savoring the current experience—building memories with teammates and making a meaningful impact in your present role. If you’re not truly elite at your current level, making the jump to prep or juniors could result in limited playing time, whether that’s being stuck on a prep varsity B team or riding the bench on a top varsity squad. And that’s no fun—especially for a player who has been used to playing key roles throughout their career.
Are You Truly Dominating at the High School Level?
Deciding whether you’re ready to move up comes down to one major factor—dominance. And not just being a good player or having decent stats, but truly taking over games. As a forward, this means consistently scoring at a goal to a goal-and-a-half per game pace, not just contributing here and there. If you’re not among the top scorers in your league, making plays look easy, and controlling the game every time you step on the ice, you’re probably not ready for the next level. Defensemen should also be dominant—not only shutting down opponents but contributing offensively with goals and assists while playing mistake-free hockey in their own zone. If you’re not already making a significant impact at the high school level, the reality is that you’ll likely struggle to earn ice time at the next level.
Competition Level Matters
Raw stats alone don’t tell the full story—who you’re playing against is just as important. If you’re dominating at a premier Catholic or against top-tier Public School competition, that’s a great sign that your game might translate to the next level.
However, if you’re putting up big numbers in a weaker public division, particularly at the Division 3 or 4 level, it’s important to recognize that those stats don’t necessarily mean you’re ready for prep or junior hockey. If you’re not presently competing against high-end players and you’re still not putting up elite-level numbers, that should tell you everything you need to know. The reality is, if you aren’t already standing out at your current level, moving up a level will likely result in reduced ice time and fewer opportunities to contribute, which can be frustrating and disheartening.
Speed and Physicality Are Non-Negotiable
At the next level, the game is much faster, and that’s where many players struggle. You need to be able to make plays at high speed, think quickly, and keep up with the physical demands of playing against bigger, stronger, and more skilled opponents. If you’re barely keeping up in high school, the jump will be overwhelming.
But beyond just speed, physicality is a huge factor. Players at the prep and junior levels aren’t just more skilled—they’re better athletes. They’re stronger, more focused, and committed to their training. If you’re not already living in the gym, putting in serious strength work, and consistently doing plyometric and speed training, you’re already behind. Players who successfully make the jump have been training rigorously for at least 12-24 months before moving up. They don’t just treat gym work as an afterthought—it’s a core part of their development. If your player hasn’t been consistently working on strength, explosiveness, and speed, then they’re not just unprepared—they haven’t even shown the initiative to prepare. Competing at the prep or junior level isn’t just about skill; it’s about being physically ready to battle against bigger, stronger, and more athletic opponents every shift. If that level of commitment hasn’t already been a part of your routine, it’s time for an honest conversation about whether you’re truly ready—or if you need more time to develop before making the leap.
Beware of the Recruiting Process
One last thing—and take it from someone who played at a prep school and was recruited to a top D3 program—coaches will always tell decent players they are "on their radar" or that they "want them." Not all, but a lot of coaches will cast a wide net when recruiting. The reality is, the more players they keep in the mix, the more likely they are to land someone they might have overlooked or to compensate for a recruit who looked great in practice but disappears in games. Just because a coach expresses interest doesn’t mean you have a guaranteed spot or significant ice time. Players and parents need to be able to separate genuine opportunities from recruiting fluff. If a coach truly wants you, you’ll know—it won’t be vague promises or "stay in touch" emails.
Final Thoughts: Make the Right Decision for the Right Reasons
While everyone wants to advance to the highest level possible, it’s crucial to take a realistic look at your situation. Are you truly ready for the challenge, or would you be better off developing your game for another year before making the jump? Seeking honest feedback from unbiased sources—coaches, scouts, skill trainers—is crucial before making a move. If they’re telling you you’re ready, that’s a great sign. If not, it’s time to refocus, put in more work, and continue developing before making a decision that might not be the right fit yet.
Realistically, all hockey careers come to an end at some point—unless you go on to become a beer league legend or coach your kids in the future. That said, having the best possible experiences and making lifelong memories with your teammates is what truly matters. Be careful what you wish for—playing is always better than bench-riding. There’s nothing worse than making the jump too soon and realizing you’re stuck in a situation where you’re barely seeing the ice. The prep and junior rinks are dotted with players who over-estimate their skills, reclass and still get leaped-frogged every year by truly elite incoming players.
Once you move up, you can’t go back, so make sure you’re truly ready before making that leap. Enjoying your current experience with "the boys" (or girls) and making the most of it is a pretty good hockey life!
Best,
Coach Kevin.