PlayYourGame.com - Playing CIAU

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The Canadian University hockey program may just be the best kept secret within the hockey world. The level of hockey being played is suprisingly good, and much better than it is given credit for. The league is filled with players primarily from the Major Jr. ranks and top Jr. A players who have been unable to secure Div 1 scholarships. This combination of talent breeds exciting hockey.
      The CIAU gives players the opportunity to play competitive hockey while attending university. The biggest obstacle for rookies coming into the league is the fact that they will no longer be playing against boys of 16-20. They will now be playing against men. The difference in the strength of the players and the speed of the game are what often affects a rookie's performance.
      What many hockey players tend to forget is that not only are they University athletes but at the same time they are University Students. What this means is that along with a full course load they will also be faced with 20+ hours of hockey training a week. This balancing of schoolwork and hockey is often a challenge for players. Once a player is able to figure out how to best manage their time, their day to day schedule becomes easier.
      Some of your closest friendships will be forged during your CIAU years. Most of the rookie players will be together for four years. This environment allows players to grow together & that makes for a lot of fun both on and off the ice.
      More than ever, CIAU players are not only earning degrees, but at the same time, they are earning the chance to develop their skills and take their career to the professional level. The career choices that face CIAU players range from that of the AHL to the Central Hockey League, as well as everything in between. More than ever, players are graduating to the next level via the CIAU and that in itself is exciting.
      The CIAU gives players of all aspirations the chance to play extremely competitive hockey while working towards a University degree. For players who are satisfied with finishing their careers after they have completed their schooling, it's a great way to play hockey for four to five years. Players who want to further their careers beyond University have the option to do so. The CIAU is not only an ending point for many players, but it is also a stepping stone for others, and like I said before, remains the best kept secret in Canadian Hockey.

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