When it comes to getting noticed by college hockey coaches, a well-made recruiting video is essential. While high school and club coaches use raw footage to evaluate athletes, college coaches want a polished highlight video that shows the player performing their best against strong competition. Creating a strong highlight video is key for showcasing skills and standing out from the competition.

How to Make a Recruiting Video for Hockey

1. Capture Footage: Use a tablet, iPad, or professional camera to capture varsity or club game footage. Make sure the video is wide enough to show the full development of each play, allowing coaches to see how the player moves on the ice, both with and without the puck. Follow the primary player to capture their technique, positioning, and overall game sense.

2. Edit Footage: Select 20-30 clips that highlight key position-specific skills. The first 30 seconds should include the strongest three to five clips to capture attention right away. Use tools like arrows or circles to identify the player at the beginning of each clip. Include the player’s name, contact information, and their coach’s details at the beginning and end of the video. If editing isn’t your strong suit, NCSA offers video editing services to help.

3. Promote Video: Upload the video to the recruit’s NCSA profile and also to YouTube to maximize exposure. Title the YouTube video with the player’s name, graduation year, and include a link to their recruiting profile in the description. Share the video link in recruiting letters or emails to coaches.

How to Make a Hockey Skills Video

For goalies, a skills video can complement game footage. Here’s what to include:

• Stick handling and edgework.
• Shooting from various positions.
• Lateral movement, head-up positioning, and hand-eye coordination.
• Game speed footage to highlight real-time reactions.

What College Coaches Look for in a Hockey Highlight Video

College coaches seek recruits who showcase athleticism and quick decision-making under pressure. A successful recruiting video should include:

• Forwards: Strong skating forward and backward, effective stick handling, puck control, and shooting accuracy.
• Defensemen: Physical positioning, backward skating, stick handling, and clearing the puck from the defensive zone.
• Goalies: Showcase goalie style, lateral movements, positioning, glove control, and save techniques. Include both skills and game footage.

How Long Should a Hockey Highlight Video Be?

Keep the video between three and four minutes long, featuring 20-30 clips from varsity-level games. Start with the five best clips to grab attention, as coaches often don’t watch the entire video.

Position-Specific Hockey Skills Video Guidelines

• Forwards: Highlight puck control, passing, shooting, and skating techniques.
• Defensemen: Emphasize skating, positioning, stick handling, and physical play.
• Goalies: Include footage showcasing save techniques, rebound control, and agility.

How to Use Your Hockey Highlight Video to Get Noticed

Don’t wait for college coaches to find you. After uploading your video, send an email to coaches with your video link, stating why you’re interested in their program and how you can contribute to their team. Include key information such as your name, graduation year, GPA, and contact details.

Where to Post or Upload Your Hockey Recruiting Video

1. NCSA Profile: Coaches regularly browse recruiting profiles, so keep it updated with your latest video.
2. YouTube: Post your video with relevant tags and links to your profile.
3. Emails to Coaches: Share your video link with coaches, and always include a personal message that highlights your interest in their program.

By following these steps, student-athletes can effectively use their recruiting video to stand out, grab the attention of college hockey coaches, and increase their chances of being recruited.