USCHO.com release their latest rankings from NCAA Division III hockey, and we took a look at where players are playing before joining the college level.
USCHO Top 15 - 2.20.23
1 - Utica College
2 - Hobart College
3 - Adrian College
4 - Endicott College
5- Norwich University
6 - Curry College
7 - SUNY Plattsburgh
8 - UW - Stevens Point
9 - University of New England
10 - Plymouth State
11 - SUNY Geneseo
12 - Aurora University
13 - St. Norbert
14 - SUNY Oswego
15 - Trine University
US Tier II juniors was by far the biggest producer of rostered players, with 24.7% out of the NAHL alone, and 16.7% from the USPHL NCDC. The top 4 teams in the country all have 5 or more former NAHL players, with 4 teams with over 10. The NAHL and USPHL NCDC also consisted of 40% or more of the total roster for 8 teams. including Endicott (74.3%), UNE (70.4%), Hobart (63.0%), St Norbert (53.8%) and SUNY Geneseo (50.0%).
Most NAHL Players
Aurora - 14
St Norbert - 14
Stevens Point - 12
Trine - 11
The USPHL NCDC, the highest league of the USPHL yet not quite up to the NAHL, continues to be a producer, mainly for east coast/ New England schools. 11 of the top 15 teams have former NCDC players on their rosters, with 17 on Endicott alone.
Canadian Jr leagues combined produced the 2nd most players with 29.1%, led by the OJHL (39 players), CCHL (21 players) and SJHL (16 players). 12 of the top 15 have at least 20% of their roster from Canadian Jr leagues, lead by SUNY Oswego (50.0%), SUNY Plattsburgh (44.4%), and Aurora (43.3%).
Canadian Jr Players By League
Outside of the NAHL, USPHL NCDC and Canadian Jr leagues, Division 1 transfers and US Tier III leagues produced the majority of the remaining rosters. The EHL (21) and USPHL Premier (20) made up the majority of players from US Tier III junior leagues, with just 5 out of the NA3HL. New England Schools Curry College (31.0%) and Plymouth State (27.6%) had the highest percentage of US Tier III junior players, with 5 teams with 5 or more players for the USPHL Premier, EHL, or NA3HL.