Are players becoming more realistic with their college hockey aspirations?

Since midway through last week, the storyline that has dominated our website has been college hockey recruiting — and that makes sense.

Starting Aug. 1, rising juniors in high school became eligible to get offers from Division 1 programs and commit. It's been less busy than previous years, but there have still been several prospects who are now committed to a Division 1 school.

Given how many stories are done on this, it can feel like everyone is committing — when that isn't the case. It can also skew expectations.

Getting a Division 1 or Division 3 offer was already incredibly difficult. The CHL ruling made that even harder.

So, I asked New England prep hockey coaches a simple question: Are players becoming more realistic with their college hockey aspirations?

LIVE TRACKER: Live updates from the start of college hockey recruiting

It was part of our end-of-season prep coaches survey, so all coaches were granted anonymity.

The boys prep hockey coaches are a good bunch to ask. Sure, some deal with high-end players who either have committed since Aug. 1 or will do so soon. But many coach players who are either going to commit to Division 1 down the road, Division 3 or ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association).

We picked out some of the most interesting answers from coaches.

Coach 1: "No. Kids don't understand how great Division 3 hockey is. They all want the Division 1 dream. Advisors are making families even more delusional."

Coach 2: "100 percent. They realize how tough the path is now."

Coach 3: "Yes. We have more kids just electing to go play club hockey rather than two years of juniors and possible Division 3."

Coach 4: "Yes, some New England kids and parents are starting to recognize that there are fewer Division 1 spots available to them now that the CHL has opened up."

Coach 5: "I don't think most kids have wrapped their heads around how the player pool has changed yet. They definitely realize that the CHL players being in the recruiting pool has changed things. I think it's going to take 2-3 years as things stabilize."

Coach 6: "Not yet. I think the next 3-5 years are going to be crucial for high school and college hockey. Kids will need to figure out what they prioritize in terms of program recognition and playing time. Hopefully, kids will realize that you don't need to be at a Division 1 program to have a successful college career. Not many will make the NHL, but hopefully will take hockey as far as they can to open up opportunities."

READ MORE: 7 takeaways from the first three days of college hockey recruiting

Coach 7: "To be determined — yes and no. I had two seniors this year who had NCDC tenders but opted against and are heading to college to play ACHA. Getting to play NCAA hockey (Division 1 or Division 3) is going to be harder than ever. I think players who move on to ACHA used to feel like a 'failure'. I don't think that will be the case moving forward. Some players will not want to play two years of junior hockey in hopes of playing Division 3. Some will just go to college and be fine with playing ACHA."

Coach 8: "No. That reality will hit them in the face in junior hockey."

Coach 9: "The CHL rule change has blurred the best clear path of life development for most hockey players in their 11th and 12th grade years."

Coach 10: "Yes. I think it's become so competitive for American kids to play college hockey that the numbers are just pushing that realization."

Coach 11: "Yes. Players realize with juniors and the transfer portal that it will be a longer process."

Coach 12: "Overall, yes. They all know they need to play juniors in order to play any level of college hockey. Some are unrealistic about the junior league they can play in, but they know the level of college they should be at."

Coach 13: "Players, maybe. Parents, no. No matter what happens, parents will never be realistic. Unfortunately, parents who are uninformed about college hockey end up hurting their kids' chances.

Coach 14: "No. Families do not realize how hard it is to play college hockey."

Coach 15: "Yes. Wait-and-see mode. Unfamiliar terrain."

SURVEY: A look at this past season | Predicting next season | Players leaving early for the CHL

Coach 16: "I see more kids not wanting to spend much time in junior hockey, especially the kids who aren't the 'top-tier' players. Find me a good home with a good education so I do not have to age out in junior hockey."

Coach 17: "I have not seen much of a change in college hockey aspirations in the last couple of years."

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