How do you get noticed by USHL scouts?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 07, 2026
Attention-grabbers
How do you get invited to USHL combine?
At the Phase I combine, players compete in their individual birth year while at the Phase II combine, players are combined for the combine. In order to be considered for an invitation, players must complete the online questionnaire HERE.
What hockey scouts look for in a player?
Once on the puck, scouts want to see players that can handle pressure and exhibit patience to find the next play. Puck protection and utilizing playmaking vision are the key elements they are looking for. On the flip side, avoiding going 'glass & out' or throwing pucks away would be something to avoid.
What does it mean to be drafted in the USHL?
About The USHL Draft Process
This draft is open to players of all ages eligible to play junior hockey and are not currently protected by another USHL team. Teams will fill their roster to a total of 45 players on this date; this includes players that were previously on a team's Affiliate List.
How much does it cost to play in the USHL?
The USHL; Free to play. You pay for nothing as a player. As a parent you pay your own expenses to watch your son play on line or when you travel to watch him. The NTDP; The National Team Development Program is also participating in the USHL.
41 related questions foundDo USHL players get free gear?
All training, coaching, and developmental services are covered by the team and the league. Free Equipment. Equipment costs covered by team through a partnership with an equipment manufacturer. Each player has access to skates, sticks, protective equipment, and training apparel at no cost.
How much do USHL players get paid?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $122,000 and as low as $17,500, the majority of USHL salaries currently range between $29,500 (25th percentile) to $61,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $96,500 annually across the United States.
Where do most USHL players come from?
Of the 23.6 and 19.63 percent of players listed in the Tier II Jr category below, approximately 65 percent are from the NAHL. The other 35 percent are predominately from the British Columbia Hockey League and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Do USHL players go to high school?
All players are nominated by their team's General Manager. Since the 2007-08 season, the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award has been given annually to the “most exemplary student in the USHL.” In order to be nominated for the award, a player must be a high school senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
How old are USHL players?
The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the midwestern United States, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. The USHL is strictly amateur, allowing former players to compete in NCAA college hockey.
At what age do hockey players get scouted?
These are 14- and 15-year-old kids who have a lot of growing up to do. In the Ontario League, where kids are drafted at age 15, scouts often start taking note of them when they are 14 and come back to see them the next year.
What do hockey recruiters look for?
Now that you have the knowledge about some of the main skills you need to get scouted, the only thing left to do is practice! Work on your hockey sense, passing, shooting, body checking, and defensive play to maximize your chances of getting that coveted invitation to the big leagues.
What is hockey IQ?
The Hockey IntelliGym® is a computer-based cognitive training program for athletes proven to enhance Hockey IQ and improve on-ice performance by strengthening cognitive skills including anticipation, awareness, decision making under pressure, and focus.
Is fighting allowed in the USHL?
One of the USHL's missions is to help players earn scholarships to college, where fighting is banned.
How much does it cost to play in the Usphl?
USPHL is a pay to play league, which means that a player needs to pay between $8,000 to $12,000 in fees. That money is intended to cover the player's uniform, equipment, travel-related expenses, and practice gear. In some instances, the fee may cover housing, but in others, the accommodations come at an extra cost.
How many rounds are there in the USHL draft?
The USHL Drafts are completed in two separate Phases, beginning with the Phase I Draft on Monday (12 p.m. CT), which consists of 10 rounds of “Futures” age players, who will be under-17 players for the next season. For the 2022 Draft, this is 2006 birth year players.
Can USHL players play NCAA?
Tier 1 USHL players compete in the toughest junior hockey league and two percent of these athletes are scouted and signed to NHL programs. The other 98 percent of USHL athletes are recruited by NCAA Division 1 programs and are the first in line for athletic scholarships.
Where do most d1 hockey players come from?
Since the start of the 2010-11 season, 1,011 Minnesota natives (586 men, 425 women) have played college hockey at the Division I level. But what Minnesota high schools are producing the most Division I hockey players? Perhaps not surprisingly, it's Edina that has advanced the most players to college hockey's top level.
What percentage of Nahls are d1?
It marks the fifth straight season that the NAHL has recorded a record number of NCAA commitments. There have been more than 1,100 college commitments from the NAHL in the past five seasons. Nearly 85 percent of those were to NCAA Division I schools.
How many players are on a USHL team?
1. At the beginning of the 2012-2013 season, each USHL team may have 23 players on their active roster. These are the actual players on the team who will play in the games.
Where are USHL teams?
List of USHL Teams
- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. ImOn Ice Arena. Shop Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
- Chicago Steel. Geneva, Illinois. Fox Valley Ice Arena. Shop Chicago Steel.
- Dubuque Fighting Saints. Dubuque, Iowa. Mystique Ice Center. Shop Dubuque Fighting Saints.
- Green Bay Gamblers. Green Bay, Wisconsin. Resch Center.
Who owns the USHL?
One of the most well-known alumni of the original Fighting Saints was Gary Suter, a 17-year NHL veteran, two-time Olympian, Stanley Cup champion, and member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Northern Lights Hockey, LLC, is the entity that owns and operates the USHL organization in Dubuque, Iowa.
Is USHL or NAHL better?
The USHL is considered better due to being a Tier I league that recruits many players who move on to Division I colleges and the NHL. Players in Tier I or II do not get paid to play but are often recruited by top colleges. However, the chances of recruitment are higher for the USHL than the NAHL.
Do CHL players go to school?
Most do take college or university courses after high school. I believe while they are still playing in the CHL this part of their education is also 100% paid for. Then they can finish of their degree using the CHL education after their CHL days are over.
Do WHL players go to school?
A fundamental WHL principle is that all WHL players, during their time in the League, will graduate from high school in a timely fashion. Every opportunity will be provided for all players to complete on time high school graduation requirements as specified by his home province or state.