The NAHL Combines will be in full swing this spring as Covid restrictions relax a bit and the hockey world breathes a sigh of relief. The NAHL combines are one of the best avenues that players can access to showcase their skills in front of NAHL coaches and scouts in hopes of making their way to the NAHL.
This season the combines will take place in St. Louis at the NA3HL Fraser Cup Championship as well as the NA3HL Top Prospect event where some of the most talented young players in the NA3HL will compete with the best of the best in a two day event.
Coach Beavis will be in attendance at the St. Louis NAHL Combine April 16th – 18th as well as the Middletown, NJ Combine April 23-25 and the Attleboro, MA Combine that will be held May 7-9 Assistant coach Caleb Fitzpatrick will be on hand at the Columbus, OH Combine April 30 – May 1 Both coaches will be representing their NAHL affiliate Odessa Jackalopes at the events and looking for potential talent to invite to the Jackalopes camps this summer.
The goal of the NAHL Combines is to provide the aspiring hockey player the opportunity to take part in a one-of-a-kind experience that is designed to maximize exposure at grand-scale events that feature the genuine NAHL Experience. NAHL Combines are run by the professional staff of the North American Hockey League, and are carefully designed to provide education, exposure, and experience for prospects that strive to advance their hockey development at the junior hockey and college level.
- EDUCATION — players participate in seminars that discuss the NAHL junior hockey experience, the ladder of development, as well as, NCAA compliance seminars. Players learn about a variety of key aspects of their hockey future, including NCAA compliance and eligibility, recruiting processes and the correct path to college hockey, as well as an in-depth look at the three different tiers of junior hockey.
- EXPOSURE — players compete in front of NAHL and NA3HL Coaches and NA3HL Central Scouting as they begin to build key relationships with junior teams and coaches. With NAHL Tryout Camps and the NAHL Draft taking place from May through July, NAHL Combines are a perfect indicator to evaluate just how ready they are for the next step and receive valuable feedback.
- EXPERIENCE— players from all over North America and Europe will play multiple games against other NAHL and NCAA hockey prospects with team’s coached by staff members from NAHL, NAHL Central Scouting, and NA3HL teams, providing a top notch, professional, and memorable experience.
The NAHL is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 30 teams from across North America. The NAHL prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey. Currently, more than 1,200 NAHL alumni play in the NCAA, and 55 more play in the NHL. For more on the NAHL, click here.
What Takes Place at the NAHL Combines
Players will be assigned to a team and receive a weekend schedule 24 hours prior to the combine. From there, each team will play four scrimmages as NAHL and NA3HL coaches work with the players behind the bench. The players’ introduction to junior hockey will continue through educational seminars for both combine participants and their families.
- Junior hockey experience through four scrimmage games with coaching from NAHL and NA3HL staff members
- Evaluation from NAHL Central Scouting as well as NAHL & NA3HL teams as players meet and build relationships with junior teams and coaches
- Virtual educational seminars about the junior hockey landscape, including:
- USA Hockey/NAHL partnership and the path to college hockey in the U.S. along the NAHL Ladder of Development
- Academic preparation and NCAA compliance seminars
Finding the Right NAHL Combine for You
The NAHL offers two different combines: Future Prospects Combine (2005-2007) for Prospects of the NAHL and a Junior Combine for junior-aged (2005-2001) players who are looking for scouting exposure to all NAHL and NA3HL teams.
Prospects (2005-2007): Players that are 2+ years away from juniors
- Educate players on USA Hockey’s proven pathway to the NCAA through junior hockey path to junior and collegiate hockey as they enter high school
- Exposure to scouts from all levels, while given the opportunity from feedback from bench coaches
- Provide a realistic experience of a junior tryout
- * All ages will be on the ice at the same time
- 2005s: Register for the Prospect Combine to play against players your own age group
Junior (2001-2005): Players looking to play juniors next season
- Maximize scouting exposure to NAHL and NA3HL teams for players looking to play junior hockey in the near future
- Continue education about proven pathway to NCAA hockey via the NAHL’s Ladder of Development
- Provide an experience that will help in the player’s next steps in pursuit of playing junior hockey
- Our analytic partner Instat will videotape and breakdown every combine scrimmage for distribution NAHL and NA3HL teams
- 2005s: Register for the junior combine if you plan to play junior hockey within the next 2 seasons and want to play against older players