Here is a sampling of the questions that you might want to ask coaches and recruiters:

Questions About The Recruiting Process

What is the best way to contact you?
How early should I contact you? Grade 9, 10, 11 or 12?
How much do you rely on players reaching out to you to have you put them on your radar?
How much do you rely on your own scouting of players?
What are you looking for in players for your team? How does that vary by position (forward, defence, goalie)?
What are some key attributes you look for in your players? Coachability, leadership etc.
What is something that makes a player stand out from the rest?
What are some things that you don’t want to see?
Do coaches look for multi-sport athletes?
What advice do you have for aspiring student athletes to be successful?
What things could we adopt in our daily routine now, that the current players on the team are doing?
What does your recruiting process look like?
What are the next steps?
How can my coach help in the process?
Do you talk to other coaches in your league about players that you are scouting?
What other information would you like me to send you? Athlete profile, reference letters, etc.
Should I be sending you video? What are some things we should include in a highlight video? And how long should it be?
Should I provide a copy of my academic records/grades?
Should I provide you reference letters from my coaches, teachers or employers?
If you have a YouTube or social media account does it play into the recruiting process or matter?
What would you say to a player that is considering the NCAA route versus the Canadian USports route? What are the differences? What are the benefits of staying in Canada for university from an academic and athletics perspective?
When you are interviewing players, what questions to you typically ask?

Questions About The Team and School

What is your coaching philosophy?
What makes your team different from others?
How many players do you carry on your team? How many openings are there for my first year? Will I likely play in my first year?
Do you have any development camps that are open to high school students?
Do you schedule campus and team visits?
Do you offer scholarships or athletic financial awards? How do they work?
What other benefits are there for your players? Academic assistance, tutors, physiotherapy and medical benefits?
What equipment are players required to provide?
What other expenses are there? Will I be required to fundraise for the team?
What are your expectations of a varsity hockey player? What are some of the biggest challenges first year varsity hockey players face?
What does a typical day for a student on your team look like?
When do you schedule practices? What if they conflict with my classes?
Where do your players live? Do they go into residence in first year?
Do you provide nutrition plans or meals for players? What about when the team is on the road?
What are the requirements for your players in the off season? What about co-op terms?
Do you fit test your players? What does that involve and what are the standards required?
How do you select captain’s and assistants?
Does your team play in any tournaments? Where and when?

Questions That Coaches Might Ask You

How are your grades? Your high school grades are important. Coaches want to make sure that you can be admitted to your chosen program at their school and that you’ll be successful academically when you get there.
What program are you interested in?
What other schools or programs are you considering?
Have you received any offers?
What is your upcoming schedule of games and tournaments? They want to see you play.
Do you have video of you playing or practicing that you can send me?
Would like to come for a school visit, meet the team and see a game? They may ask you practice with the team.
They may ask for additional contact or family information.

Questions You Should Know The Answer To Before Interviewing With A Coach

Before meeting or talking with a coach or recruiter, you should do a little bit of research about the school, team, roster and coaching staff. Most of this information is readily available by doing some simple Internet searches.

Knowing these answers in advance will show the coach that you are prepared for the interview. It also shows a genuine interest in the school and hockey program.

Questions About The Current Team

How is the team doing this season? How has it done the past few seasons?
How many players do you have on your roster?
What does your schedule look like?
When do your playoffs start?
When does your team play next?
How many games does your team play each year?
How much travel does your team do?
What programs or majors are your players enrolled in? Usually you can find this information on the team roster of the university athletics site.
Who else is on your staff? You should know the names and recognize the photos of coaches and recruiters who you may meet from the schools that you are interested in?

Questions About The Admissions Process

How do I apply to the university or college? In Ontario, the process for admissions to university or college is separate from the school. You should talk with your high school guidance counsellor about this topic.
What grades will I need to get into specific programs? Typically, the school website will be able to provide this information.
What are the pre-requisite courses for admission to specific programs?
What courses will I take as part of a specific program?