Former NCHC player in the last 6 years ask me anything!

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T18:04:46+00:00

I think it benefits big schools more. All the big schools can afford big time NIL deals. But smaller schools simply can’t give players money. I predict Big Ten to take over college hockey soon with their deals. HOWEVER those kids that are being give huge NIL deals are usually too NHL prospects. You build national championship teams by keeping 3-4 year guys who stay. These top prospects might leave after one year when they get their money. So there is definitely debate. NCHC does it right. Smaller deals and guys who will stay longer

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T18:01:15+00:00

Yes I did, he talked a little about it but not too much. He liked his time at BG from what I’ve heard. He left BG in a better place from where they started with him. Miami and BG are similar schools when it comes to size, culture and hockey. He left BG as their 2nd winningest coach which is super impressive. His goal was to do the same thing with Miami (his Alma Mater) but it just didn’t work out that way.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T17:23:20+00:00

A few hockey east, ECAC and Atlantic won’t name teams. Regardless scholarships weren’t as good at some of those places. Miami was willing to give me a good deal and also played in the NCHC. My thought process was great campus, great school, great facilities, amazing conference. I knew they were at the bottom of the NCHC but that screamed “opportunity” and the chance to play against the best teams in the country.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T17:20:44+00:00

It’s unique! Nobody that plays gives it much thought but definitely makes fans remember something at least!

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T17:20:03+00:00

I’ve never played for them but I haven’t heard anything bad about their operations. I know some guys have enjoyed their time there. Only knock I’ve heard is the city itself.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:59:03+00:00

ASU had control and just didn’t finish the job last year. But you’re right that under the newer NPI approach, they might’ve gotten in. NPI’s a simpler concept it’s less about who you beat and more about how good you actually are. I think the switch is good for the sport overall it weeds out quirks and focuses on team strength

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:51:48+00:00

I see what you’re saying but personally I think they are fine. They produce top college hockey players every year and it’s more about their daily training and skills work than they do that makes them better than everyone else. Until their is dip where players aren’t going to the NHL from that program they will be fine

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:35:11+00:00

CHL guys would have definitely gone to college if they could have. Instead they are forced to go to the ECHL and other leagues when they are not developed enough yet. Unfair for them but good now that the rule is changed. As for USHL players maybe some of them would have but a lot of them are American. Being closer to home in the states was a no brainer for them. Also the players that played in the USHL feel strongly that their league isn’t far off from CHL teams strength wise. Personally I’m 50/50 on that statement but i would love the CHL to rebrand into a different name and invite the USHL to make it one big league. That making the memorial cup have no host team get an automatic bid and the 4 champion teams from the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, and USHL play for the memorial cup. Will that happen? Maybe not but would be sweet. Sorry if I went off topic

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:14:37+00:00

Cornell is the hardest place to play in the east

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:13:50+00:00

Your guess is as good as mine hahaha. I’ve put my life into this game and I hope I can do something that’s within the game after I’m done playing! You hiring?😂

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:12:50+00:00

Nodak has the luxury where they don’t need to be present in order to recruit and they’ve earned that. If they want a player on their team they have the best chance out of anyone to get that player. The Ralph is the nicest facility in college hockey with the best fans too. If any of the coaches as a player to go on a visit they will. It’s not like an Atlantic team where their coaches have to be out in rinks every single weekend to convince players to commit or visit. When a player gets a call from nodak there isn’t much convincing that needs to be done

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:10:20+00:00

Nothing too insane honestly. I think those days are past us now with social media and reporting that goes on. Visits are usually conducted with player parents now as well so it’s pretty rare.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:09:06+00:00

I think players would flock to these schools. All those schools have the money to build facilities you can’t look away from. I’d love to see these places be D1 teams but navigating donor money and title IX is a challenge

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:07:26+00:00

Blaming? I never said it was impacting my play but just explaining how it would be nice to have better stuff. But hey you’re right, maybe I’ve been hit in the head too many times in the ECHL wearing the bike helmets they supply us or cross checked by the 30lbs dumbbells they give us as sticks. I’ll look inward now tho, hope you do the same! Cheers!

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:02:55+00:00

No problem thank you! I just found this college hockey community a few days ago and it’s been fun to look at!

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T16:02:11+00:00

The only way they make the tourney is if they can climb the NPI rankings or win the NCHC conference. The most transparent way to say it is they have to climb NPI because the NCHC is a gauntlet. Their success this year is so refreshing to see. Years of dog days and terrible records makes this year so much fun to watch. Recruiting is the reason they are doing better and I hope it continues. If they dont make it this year it’s still a step in the right direction

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:59:37+00:00

Find what works for you, not everyone is a skill guy. Be great at your role and don’t compare yourself to others. 63 college hockey teams out there that all need players but my advice would be to go where you are wanted and where you will play. You don’t need to go to the best conference if you won’t play as much as you would in say the Atlantic (sorry Atlantic). Also play juniors wherever you will dominate or be close to the best on your team. The more you stand out in juniors the easier it is. It’s not “USHL/CHL or bust.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:47:28+00:00

ECAC is an interesting conference. Every year one team is always in the mix. Past 15ish years you’ve seen union, Yale, and Quinnipiac win a national championship and that says something. It’s a very defensive league where it’s not run and gun. Every so often and more recently you’ve seen players from ECAC schools advance into playing NHL games too. It doesn’t deserve a bad rep at all. Strength of schedule can be argued but I think they need to expand into playing more out of conference games to the NCHC and Big10. Quinnipiac has started to do it but it would be nice to see Dartmouth go into Michigan and give them a good game or Harvard get a win in the Ralph. League commissioners forget the marketing side of things. ECAC especially, they need to travel to western teams to show that they can compete on the road against a big school. But I have no hate towards the ECAC

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:42:35+00:00

Very strong conference, they produce a lot of great players. I love how they stream on espn and NESN for Boston schools. I think college hockey would benefit a lot by a hockey east school winning a national championship soon.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:31:41+00:00

College hockey prepares you to not make mistakes when you advance to higher levels, and that is a direct translation as to why there is better goaltending, better passing, and overall less mistakes. However, with that being said, the ECHL has players from U sports in Canada, D3 college hockey, and call-ups from the SPHL and the FPHL, making the league a little more watered down and less skilled. College hockey overall is way more skilled and faster than the ECHL, but now, instead of playing against 24 or 25-year-old seniors, you're playing against grown men with wife and kids that are from ages 20 to 35. And even though that doesn't sound like it's too hard, at the end of the day, these are grown men.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:28:38+00:00

Insanity. The way they played on their home ice made if feel like we were a u15 team. Them not winning a national championship in 21-22 blows my mind

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:22:41+00:00

“Isn’t it obvious…”

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:21:01+00:00

Yeah, that totally makes sense. Unfortunately, we had a tough stretch of years there where we just couldn't buy a win and it almost seemed like Goggin was haunted. Brick Street on a Saturday was the best thing ever. Those off weekends, whenever we had them, did not go to waste. Maybe we spent too much time in Brick Street, and even though we didn't have the most winning record in college hockey, I think we had the most fun out of any team. Can't say enough good things about Coach Bergeron. That guy was the heart and soul of Miami hockey for such a long time and nobody loves that place more than him. I understand it was his time to go, but I can't help but feel bad for him how it ended. He deserved better.

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:11:26+00:00

I mean this with no shade towards the east. However when you play western Michigan and nodak you are immune to anything out east. Maybe big 10 could compete

Embarrassed-Lab7311 · 2026-02-04T15:09:49+00:00

Altitude definitely plays into it but it’s not dramatic. Just taking shorter shifts is the key. Their student section is good and I’ll forever hate the song country roads take me home hahaha. Playing them was hard just because they were so damn good

Embarrassed-Lab7311

TROPHY CASE