As the Hockey East season rapidly approaches, we took a deep dive into the incoming freshman class for each team to see what programs developed this year’s rookie talent. We also decided to look at the Seniors on the current rosters so as to analyze their developmental path before reaching school. It is our belief that many people overemphasize where a player was rostered when they received their commitment, instead of focusing on which programs actually develop these prospects into successful college players.
A few notes before divining in:
The programs listed are not necessarily where the player received their commitment but rather the last development stop before college.
We found that the seniors of top tier programs typically leave for pro before graduating. Something to consider if your player is debating between major junior and college.
Incoming Freshman Classes
Boston College
USHL 5, NTDP 1, BCHL 3, NEPREP 2
Boston University
BCHL 1, USHL 2, NTDP 2, AJHL 1
Maine
AJHL 1, NAHL 2, SJHL 1, USHL 3, NCDC 1
Merrimack
NEPREP 2, AJHL 1, NCDC 1, USHL 1, BCHL 1
Northeastern
NAHL 1, USHL 4, BCHL 2, CCHL 1
Providence
BCHL 1, NTDP 2, USHL 1
University of New Hampshire
USHL 2, BCHL 1, MNHS 1, NAHL 2
U-Mass Lowell
NAHL 4, USHL 2, AJHL 1
U-Mass Amherst
USHL 5, NCDC 1
U-Conn
AJHL 1, NEPREP 1, USHL 2, BCHL 1, MNHS 1
Vermont
NCDC 2, BCHL 1, AJHL 2, CCHL 2, USHL 2
Incoming Freshman Totals
USHL 28, BCHL 11, NAHL 9, AJHL 5, NCDC 5, NEPREP 5, CCHL 3, MNHS 2
Notes:
No surprises with the USHL being well ahead of any other league, followed by the BCHL and NAHL as the runner ups.
Big surprise is the AJHL being so low on numbers. As a league that prides itself on NHL draft picks, it was tied with the NCDC that is a college development conference.
The Senior Classes
This information is important to track as it allows people to see who is developing four-year college hockey players. Please note that some of these programs have seen seniors leave early for the pro’s. This list also excludes transfers.
Boston College
NTDP 1, USHL 1
Boston University
NTDP 2, BCHL 1
Maine
NCDC 3, USHL 3, Euro 1
Merrimack
USHL 1
Northeastern
USHL 3, NCDC 2
Providence
USHL 5
University of New Hampshire
NAHL 3, USHL 3
U-Mass Lowell
CCHL 1, OJHL 1, BCHL 1
U-Mass Amherst
OJHL 1, CCHL 1, AJHL 1, NAHL 1, USHL 1
U-Conn
USHL 2, NCDC 1
Vermont
NCDC 2, CCHL 1, USHL 4, OJHL 1, SJHL 1
Senior Class Totals
NCDC 8, CCHL 3, USHL 23, OJHL 3, SJHL 1, NAHL 4, NTDP 3, BCHL 2, AJHL 1
Biggest Surprise
Outside of the USHL, the NCDC had the second most players in this year’s senior class.
Biggest Disappointment
Canadian Junior Leagues - With Hockey East being such a hotbed for local talent in the Northeast, numbers are showing that it does not make sense for most players to develop out in Canada. With NAHL solidifying its presence in the east, and the senior class representation so high for the NCDC, these two development paths appear to beat Canadian junior hockey in long-term longevity.