ACHA Hockey - What It Is & If It's Worth It

[@ahadvising8]

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[@devildog_iii3492]

I had NCAA offers out of high school but needed to stay around home for family reasons. Walked on Robert Morris D1 team at 18yrs old. They payed for school, travel, equipment, food. Was a good program, new big rink and locker rooms. Lots of time commitment tho.

[@miccrhaafetl5101]

I have coached for a D2 and D3 team, currently coaching D3. I find it good for kids that want to focus on schooling but still want to play hockey. Also, have had a lot of kids going the military route. With the time investment for ACHA hockey low, they can do both.

[@ahadvising8]

Couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

[@gangstajake6455]

My 2 cousins both played in the NAHL for 3 years and one had some D1 offers (he played like 5 games in USHL) and the other had good D3 offers and they both chose Acha D1 because they didn’t want the pressure of NCAA with academics and still wanted to play

[@gangstajake6455]

The said it was the most fun they’ve had playing hockey

[@ahadvising8]

Yes ACHA D1 is a good choice in that case if you want to play hockey more for fun but also have it be a competitive level

[@raha1277]

ACHA is a great time but similar to DIII it is an endgame not a jumping off point, no one really plays pro after either. A lot of ACHA teams are much better schools than D3. the Top 20 teams in ACHA D1 can skate with most NCAA D3 teams and actually when I played about 8 years ago Penn State's ACHA team beat Robbert Morris's D1 team and Mercyhurst's D1 team and we beat PSU team. If you want to continue playing its great and looks very good on a resume too. PS DO NOT GO TO LIBERTY haha, beautiful campous and we played them and got a crowd of 2500 but its borderline jail haha, bedtimes and no girls in rooms ect. Jerry Falwell school crazy religious.

[@ahadvising8]

I definitely agree with that point. Top ACHA D1 teams can compete with most NCAA D3 programs. Also, it’s definitely is harder to go the pro route from ACHA, but it’s not impossible to find a minor pro team if you’re coming from a good program, have good stats, and solid video.

[@Alex_Forlini]

I wouldn’t say it’s impossible. It’s definitely possible to go pro in leagues in Europe like EIHL, League Magnus etc from NCAA D3. ACHA D1 can probably allow you to get to lower leagues like Suomi-Sarja in Finland, Oberliga in Germany etc. It all depends on how well you play and how you can sell yourself. Game film and recommendations from former coaches helps a lot

[@raha1277]

@@Alex_Forlini I mean yeh you can go to one of those pro league where you basically playing for free equipment but not ones that really pay. I wouldn’t even call most of them pro more like semi-pro.

[@johnstella1917]

Can you list some other top club programs other than Liberty? Currently playing 18u AA I think I can play ACHA D2 but would love the opportunity to go to a program where I can grow to D1

[@ahadvising8]

Check out the ACHA website and go on Standings, and look at multiple seasons. The programs that consistently show up in the top 20 or so are the higher end programs. Feel free to send us an email as well, and we can provide you a quick list

[@dreamanimation54]

I play D2 ACHA and in my opinion it’s more if you want to play a decent level of hockey but focus on school. Aka, you’re unlikely to get anywhere with it, but it’s great if you just want to play

[@tunak_colts1495]

What was your level of play beforehand? Is it possible for a high school/ 18U AA player to play ACHA D2, or would they have to have played at a higher level like AAA?

[@dreamanimation54]

@@tunak_colts1495 I played varsity/ AAA but the team I played on at the time wasn’t super good. I no longer play, but I think you’d mostly likely be fine. may not be on the starting lineup, but you still should be good to go. It really depends on the school and how many kids are trying out.

[@robertmeans9662]

I've been playing AA my whole career and am 15 but don't know what to do, i also am 5'5 and haven't hit my grothspert yet and my brother and dad are 5'11. Do you have any suggestions.

[@ahadvising8]

Hi Robert, my first question for you would be what is your goal? Next, I’d say that you’ll probably reach a height that’s close to your dad and brother, so no need to worry on that end. Also, don’t worry so much about where you played in the past because you’re still quite young. Focus on improving your skills, fitness, and mindset every day moving forward to accomplish whatever your goal is in the future.

[@shawnerickstad6974]

It’s worth it if you still love the game snd want to play but def a drop off in talent from USHL, NAHL and huge talent gap from Div 1 hockey

[@ahadvising8]

Yup couldn’t agree more

[@bobdaniel350]

It’s basically college hockey and above beer leagues. In the last decade only ASU and Penn State have risen to NCAA.

[@ahadvising8]

Only a few have risen but it is still a great option for those wanting to keep studying and playing hockey. Some players can even get a chance at pro if they’re in a good team and have solid production.

[@ahadvising8]

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[@Chill-bl6vd]

I’ve played 18A for the past 2 years, do you think I could make a D2 team out here in the northwest or would you suggest playing D3 hockey?

[@ahadvising8]

Probably D3

[@maximusmaddalo8898]

One of the better players on a AA team that finished 3rd in the country at nationals and play varsity at a college prep school, I really have no interest in playing juniors, and would much rather go right to school and focus on my major but still want to play ice hockey of some sorts, for ACHA do you have to reach out to the coaches or do you just go and tryout at whatever school I choose.

[@ahadvising8]

It depends on the program. That said though, I would reach out to coaches first, that way you’ll know which ones are actually interested in you and will be better informed when making your decision to commit to a program.

[@gwhenson1772]

Great video!

[@ahadvising8]

Glad you liked it!

[@Eric-lu8gm]

I have been thinking about playing ACHA hockey recently although, I have never played much organized hockey. I have been skating and playing hockey mainly with friends since I was about 5 but was never able to join a league. I am now a senior in high school and hoping that next year I can start playing hockey in a league while in college. I just am not sure if I am good enough. Do you still recommend playing in the ACHA or do yo have any other suggestions?

[@ahadvising8]

Im your case, I would say apply to schools you want to go to, and see if they have any ACHA D2 or D3 programs. Chances are, you could probably walk onto those teams and keep playing hockey if you still want to keep playing.

[@Le_Neli]

Hi, could you talk about USPORT/CIS for the next video please? I think a lot of players have a misconception about it and it would be really helpful for a lot of players to hear about it!

[@ahadvising8]

Hi Nelson, we already have a video about USports! You can access it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIDJl2Bsg5mrrZo That being said, we can probably make a video that dives into USports more in depth in the future.

[@dominicrodgers7036]

what are the odds of going getting a ECHL tryout out of ACHA

[@ahadvising8]

very low

[@andrewbotros8678]

I played AA last year but had my season cancelled this year. I have one more year to play before I graduate. I want to play AAA but don't know if I'd be able to get onto a team yet, because I'd say I'm about an average AA player nothing special. If I don't take that step would an average AA play like me be able to get onto an ACHA team. I'm also from Canada if that has an effect.

[@ahadvising8]

It depends on the tier of ACHA program you want to target and the quality of your AA team. If your AA team is lower end, you’ll probably only get interest from ACHA D3 programs. If it’s a solid AA program and you have good game film, then you could potentially get recruited to higher end ACHA programs.

[@connorharrower8029]

Kinda crazy but it sounds like we are in exact same situation lmao, what part of Canada r u from ?

[@tpjhighlights8308]

Where I live AAA is really expensive and even if I did make it I might not be able to do it. Would I be able to go from AA and playing for a strong high school program to either NCAA or ACHA?

[@ahadvising8]

It depends on what AA or high school program you're talking about. For NCAA, probably not, but for ACHA, there is a good chance. I would say from a AA program, generally, you'll be looking at ACHA D2.

[@tpjhighlights8308]

@@ahadvising8 Ok thank you

[@tpjhighlights8308]

@@ahadvising8 Wait one more thing. Does ACHA cost money for travel?

[@ahadvising8]

Great question. It depends on the organization. Some will pay for all your hockey related expenses, while others will pay for some, while others will pay for nothing.

[@hunterlane9643]

@TPJ Highlights I went from a strong AA team, one who won a national championship and consistently ranked top 10 in the country to a #15 program in the University of Oklahoma (ACHA D1) at 18. Its possible if you are good and all opportunities align.

[@littlebilly6946]

I’ve played hockey all throughout highschool but I was never the best player and I never really played on any exceptional teams would the lower acha divisions be a good spot for me or are those maybe still too tough?

[@ahadvising8]

ACHA D3 programs where they play mostly for fun would be a good option for you!

[@chip7796]

Watched them get clapped by a Sijhl team and had to come an see what this league is. I thought it was like a NCAA program.

[@ahadvising8]

Some teams in ACHA are good, while others are not

[@alexanderfraboulet8535]

Is it possible to go pro from Acha D1? If so where do top end, middle of the pack, and bottom end guys go?

[@ahadvising8]

It is, but it’s a tough road. You’ll at least have to have a good season in a mid-high end program before going pro (at least 1PPG with good video). And then from there, you’ll most likely start in the lower end leagues with little to no pay and will have to work your way up to better leagues.

[@jamessuel4985]

I believe Utah had four or so get a taste of pro hockey - three at the ECHL level and one in Europe. Best is to go see the national tournament and see for yourself the 20 teams that make the show at the ACHA D1 tournament it’s a very intense affair.but also way more accessible than NCAA.

[@micahthegamer3770]

Can u go pro from acha?

[@ahadvising8]

It’s not impossible, but it’s quite difficult. You’ll have to start in the bottom leagues that barely pay you and work your way up.

[@LammyV]

There’s a Lightning player who played in the ACHA and he won the cup this year

[@ahadvising8]

Yes like we said, not impossible, but definitely rare

[@hypemanhenry127]

Mind if I ask whats your opinion if it's a club team that has a d1 team.is there a chance at being called up to play d1?

[@ahadvising8]

Very low chance, not impossible to walk on though. You’d have to dominate at the club level and someone would have to get hurt on the D1 team