The decision in one minute
A year-by-year framework — from freshman year through commitment — so families always know what comes next.
Key questions to answer first
- 1What should be true by end of each school year?
- 2Which evaluation events anchor the calendar?
- 3When does the decision window actually open?
Factors that actually matter
Academic milestones
GPA, test prep and eligibility.
Hockey milestones
Level of play, role, key showcases.
Contact milestones
When coaches can legally call and visit.
Green flags
- Family knows the next 12 months in writing.
- Player is leading the timeline, not chasing it.
Red flags
- Recruiting plan changes after every weekend tournament.
- Decisions are being made in panic, not on schedule.
Common mistakes
- Starting too late.
- Starting too early and burning out by junior year.
- Confusing activity with progress.
Action steps
- 1Map the next 24 months on a single page.
- 2Schedule quarterly check-ins with the player and a trusted coach.
- 3Adjust calmly — not after every weekend.
Frequently asked questions
When does recruiting actually start?
Awareness in 8th–9th grade; serious contact later — current NCAA rules dictate exact windows, and they evolve.