Our Process
What we do
We are a relationship-based family advising firm providing education, guidance and mentoring services around recruitment and placement for hockey players at the Academy, Prep, Junior & NCAA levels.
Beginning with a comprehensive discovery meeting including academic evaluation, discovery of interests, goals & character, and an honest talent assessment, we will build a plan of attack and get to work:
- Develop a working list of target schools and teams, craft introductory outreach on behalf of client
- Bi-weekly "mental growth meetings" to enhance the student-athlete's cognitive growth both on and off the ice
- Bi-weekly video review and analysis sessions with student-athlete focused on skill and player development
- Off ice development focusing on strength, conditioning, speed, plyometric development and nutrition planning
- Consistent communication to market the student-athlete and identify all opportunities for advancement
As a client of Owl Consulting Group, we will dedicate our best time and efforts towards guiding you in the right direction, helping to advance you to the next level in order to achieve your desired results.
Prep School/Academy Hockey
At Owl Consulting Group, we aim to connect you with a school that best suits your personal traits, academic profile and athletic potential.
In the traditional prep model, teams play a 30-35 game schedule from November-March. Most prep schools are boarding institutions and are known for their elite level of academics and athletics, providing the platform for a comprehensive collegiate preparatory experience.
Academies play a 50-55 game 'AAA' schedule from September-April. Programs have a partnership with either a brick & mortar school or are remote learning based, in addition to providing a boarding arrangement. Days are structured with classes in the morning and practices, skill sessions and off-ice training in the afternoon.
Generally, most boarding schools cost between $50-$75,000 per year, and while prep schools offer a full compliment of financial aid and scholarships, most academies do not. Both options provide tremendous opportunities and exposure depending upon your goals.
Our advisors routinely work with academy and prep school coaches and administrators to identify opportunities for recruitment and placement, coordinate visits and aid with the admission and financial aid application processes.
Junior Hockey
Is Junior hockey the next step in your path forward? There are multiple different tiers and levels of Junior hockey throughout North America:
- Canada: BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, MJHL, CCHL, OJHL, NOJHL, SIJHL
- USA: USHL, NAHL, NCDC, EHL, USPHL
Both Canadian and US Junior leagues vary in their level of play and the amount of exposure to collegiate scouts. The cost for Junior hockey also varies based on the league, but typically ranges from tuition free at the Tier I and Tier II level to $10,000 for the Tier III programs. Some important things to consider when playing Junior hockey are:
- Program reputation/level of success
- Your projected place and role on the team
- Opportunity for advancement/history of moving players on
When considering a Junior team, players work with our advisors to gain exposure and maximize opportunities to get on the ice with Junior programs in advance of the spring combines and main camps. Our advisors are also fully engaged in the draft, tender, signing and contract negotiations process on behalf of our clients.
NCAA Hockey
Our advisors work with many college programs throughout North America as a trusted resource. As advisors, we will find the right fit in a program to best suit your academic interests and hockey future.
Determining which level of college hockey is an option for you largely depends on the Junior, Prep or Academy program you come from. In reality, the majority of college teams, both D1 and D3, want to recruit players with Junior playing experience, as those players are generally older, more physically and emotionally mature, and more "hockey ready".
Per NCAA guidelines, D1 programs are able to offer athletic-based scholarships to their most deserving players. The NCAA maximum is 26 full scholarships per program. At the NCAA D3 level, schools can offer merit-based academic scholarships and financial aid, but are not allowed to offer any aid in support of athletic ability or potential.
Working with one of our advisors to find the right fit for your college hockey future is critical throughout the recruitment and placement process. Our advisors possess the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process, leveraging our vast network to help identify the best fit for your academic and athletic future.