For many hockey prospects around New England, the United States and the world, Aug. 1 is a day circled on the calendar.
It's the first day Division 1 men's college hockey programs can verbally offer scholarships to rising juniors in high school. Various high-end players will be faced with tough choices on Aug. 1 and in the days and weeks after. It's a tough time — where does a 16-year-old want to play college hockey when they're 19 and 20? What will they want? What kind of person will they be?
But it's also a stressful day for those who don't get calls. They're seeing other players' commitment posts on Instagram and X, wondering when their phone will finally ring.
We talked with various Division 1 college hockey coaches who offered advice for both situations. They opened up about what players with offers should do and the road ahead for those who don't get any calls.
