NCAA Division III Top 15 Roster Analysis
Last Monday’s NCAA Division III rankings on USCHO.com was led by 4 New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) teams, including top ranked Hobart and Elmira, tied for 2nd with SUNY Geneseo. We looked into what league each player played in before entering college, to get a gauge on where the top schools in Division III hockey are recruiting / scouting.
Recent USCHO Rankings
1-Hobart (NEHC)
2-Elmira (NEHC)
2-Geneseo (SUNYAC)
4-Adrian (NCHA)
5-Plattsburgh (SUNYAC)
6-Utica (UCC)
7-UW-Stevens Point (WIAC)
8-St. Scholastica (MIAC)
9-Univ of New England (CCC)
10-Trinity (NESCAC)
11-Norwich (NEHC)
12-Trine (NCHA)
13-Skidmore (NEHC)
14-UW-Eau Claire (WIAC)
15-Salve Regina (CCC)
The NAHL was by far the top producer, totaling 124 players, with the next closest at 75, the USPHL NCDC. 13 of the top 15 had 5+ NAHL players, with only Norwich and SUNY Plattsburgh having just 2 former NAHL players each. 5 teams had 9+ players from the USPHL NCDC, the highest junior level within the USPHL : Skidmore (13), SUNY Geneseo (11), Trinity College (9), Hobart (9), UNE (9). Midwest schools like St Scholastica (MN), UW Stevens Point (WI) and Adrian College (MI) naturally had 2 or fewer NCDC players as the league only recently expanded to the midwest / mountain states. These midwest schools, along with Trine University, are heavy recruiters out of the NAHL, and Canadian Jr A leagues.
Canadian Jr A made up 29% of all rosters players, led by the OJHL (42) and CCHL (24). 13 of the top 15 teams had 5+ Canadian Jr A players, New England schools Trinity College and University of New England were the only 2 with less than 5, at 1 each. Entering this weekend, 7 of the top 10 point producers in all of Division III hockey have ties to the OJHL, and CCHL, with many moving from Canadian Jr leagues to the NAHL before committing.
Schools With Most Canadian Jr A Players
Norwich - 19
Save Regina - 15
SUNY Plattsburgh - 14
Adrian College - 13
UW Stevens Point - 10
Despite many players moving onto juniors before college, it should be called out that Prep hockey, specially in New England, is a top producer of D3 talent. On top 15 rosters, just 12 players jumped directly from high school to college, led by Trinity with 6.
Transfers from D1 & other D3 schools accounted for 12% of all rostered players, Division I transfers were 4th most at 37. UW Eau Claire (6), Utica College (5) had the most D1 transfers, while Salve Regina, UNE and SUNY Plattsburgh had the most D3 transfers with 3 each.
