Hockey After High School
Your Hockey Journey Doesn't End at Graduation
At Benet Redwings Hockey, we believe every player should understand the opportunities available to continue playing hockey after high school.
Whether your goal is NCAA Division I hockey, junior hockey, NCAA Division III, or competitive college club hockey, there are hundreds of programs across the country.
There is no single path to college hockey. Every player's journey is different.
JUNIOR HOCKEY OPPORTUNITIES
Junior hockey allows players to continue developing their skills, compete at a higher level, and gain exposure to college coaches before attending college.
United States Hockey League (USHL)
16 Teams | Tier I Junior Hockey
The highest USA Hockey junior classification, offering elite competition and strong NCAA Division I recruiting opportunities.
Website: https://www.ushl.com
North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Approximately 36 Teams | Tier II Junior Hockey
A competitive developmental league providing opportunities for players to advance to college hockey.
Website: https://www.nahl.com
North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL)
Approximately 38 Teams | Tier III Junior Hockey
A developmental league providing additional opportunities for players pursuing junior and college hockey.
Website: https://www.na3hl.com
Additional junior hockey opportunities are available through the NCDC, USPHL Premier, and other leagues throughout North America.
NCAA COLLEGE HOCKEY
NCAA Division I
Approximately 64 Men's Programs
The highest level of NCAA men's college hockey. Programs compete nationally and may offer athletic scholarships.
NCAA Division II
No Separate Men's National Championship
The NCAA does not sponsor a separate Division II men's hockey championship. Some Division II institutions compete in Division I hockey, while others offer club programs.
NCAA Division III
More Than 90 Men's Programs
Division III provides competitive varsity hockey while emphasizing academic achievement.
Division III programs do not offer athletic scholarships, but academic and need-based financial aid may be available.
Explore NCAA Hockey:
COLLEGE CLUB HOCKEY (ACHA)
A Great Opportunity to Continue Playing
Not every player will pursue NCAA hockey, and that does not mean their competitive hockey career has to end.
The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) provides competitive college hockey opportunities at hundreds of schools across the United States.
ACHA Men's Division 1
Approximately 81 Teams
Highly competitive college club hockey featuring structured schedules, travel, and national championship competition.
ACHA Men's Division 2
Competitive college hockey programs offering regional competition and national championship opportunities.
ACHA Men's Division 3
An opportunity for players to continue competitive hockey while focusing on their college education.
The ACHA includes more than 460 men's and women's teams combined across its divisions.
Many universities offer club hockey programs, including some schools that also have NCAA varsity hockey.
Explore ACHA College Hockey:
FINDING YOUR PATH
Players interested in continuing their hockey careers should:
- Maintain strong grades and academic eligibility.
- Discuss future hockey opportunities with their coaches.
- Research junior hockey, NCAA, and ACHA programs.
- Develop a player profile that includes academic information, hockey experience, and game video.
- Contact college and junior hockey coaches.
- Consider the academic, athletic, and financial fit of each opportunity.
OUR COMMITMENT TO BENET PLAYERS
At Benet Hockey, our responsibility extends beyond preparing players for their next game.
We want every player to understand that there are opportunities to continue competing, pursue an education, develop lifelong friendships, and remain involved in the game.
Whether your next step is junior hockey, NCAA competition, college club hockey, or another path, the lessons learned as a Benet Redwing will stay with you.
Your future is bigger than the game.
Once a Redwing, Always a Redwing.