New Mexico Ice Wolves
For years, hockey fans have flocked to the icy rinks of the northern states, known as the breeding ground for top talent in the United States. However, in recent years, a new name has been making waves in the world of high school hockey recruitment: New Mexico.
The state is known for its beauty and cultural diversity, but not necessarily for its hockey. However, that all changed with the creation of the New Mexico Ice Wolves, an expansion team in the North American Hockey League (HL). In just a few short years, the Ice Wolves have become a recruiting powerhouse, attracting top high school talent from across the country. But how exactly do they do it? Let’s take a closer look at the strategies and techniques used by the New Mexico Ice Wolves to create a winning team.
Fostering a Strong Team Culture
One of the key elements that sets the New Mexico Ice Wolves apart from other teams is their strong sense of team culture. The team’s general manager, Phil Fox, believes that in order to attract top talent, the organization must create a positive and welcoming atmosphere for players.
We want our players to feel like they are part of a family here, says Fox. Creating a strong team culture not only helps with recruitment, but it also leads to a more successful and cohesive team.
The team focuses on building relationships between players and creating a supportive environment where players can develop and reach their full potential. This commitment to a strong team culture has not gone unnoticed by high school players who are looking for a team that not only plays well on the ice but also has a strong sense of camaraderie off the ice.
Leveraging Technology
Technology plays a crucial role in many industries, and hockey recruitment is no exception. The Ice Wolves have utilized various online platforms and tools to reach a wider audience of players and showcase their team’s success.
The team regularly posts highlights and game footage on their social media accounts, giving potential recruits a glimpse into the team’s playing style and success on the ice. They also use various recruiting websites and platforms to reach high school players from all over the country. This use of technology has been a key factor in attracting top talent to the team.
Investing in Development
Another key element of the New Mexico Ice Wolves‘ success in recruiting is their commitment to player development. The team invests heavily in the training and development of their players, providing them with top-notch coaching and resources to help them reach their full potential.
As part of their development program, the team recently partnered with the renowned hockey training organization, the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. This partnership not only provides players with access to elite training on and off the ice, but it also serves as a selling point for potential recruits.
We want players to know that by joining our team, they will have the opportunity to develop their skills and advance to the next level of their hockey career, says Fox. We are dedicated to helping our players reach their goals.
Establishing Strong Relationships with High Schools
One aspect that sets the New Mexico Ice Wolves apart from other teams is their close relationship with high schools across the country. The team has established connections with top high school programs, creating a pipeline for recruitment.
We have established strong relationships with high school coaches and programs, which has helped us in our recruitment efforts, says Fox. These coaches know that by sending their players to us, they will receive top-notch development and exposure to advance to the next level of their hockey careers.
Visiting High Schools and Hosting Recruitment Events
In addition to building relationships with high schools, the team also makes a point to visit various schools and host recruitment events. Coaches and scouts from the Ice Wolves attend high school games and tournaments to identify potential recruits and scout their skills.
We have seen great success in attending high school games and hosting recruitment events, says Fox. It allows us to interact with potential recruits and gives them a chance to learn more about our team and what we have to offer.
Lastly
The New Mexico Ice Wolves may be a new name in the world of high school hockey, but they have already established themselves as a recruiting powerhouse. Through their commitment to creating a strong team culture, utilizing technology, investing in development, and building relationships with high schools, they have been able to attract top talent from all over the country.
As the team continues to grow and establish themselves as a force in the HL, there is no doubt that their recruitment strategies will continue to evolve and attract even more top high school talent to their organization. Who knows? With the success of the New Mexico Ice Wolves, we may see more expansion teams in unlikely places, proving that hockey truly is a sport that can flourish in any corner of the United States.
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