By Kevin Kurtt

Let's Play Hockey Editor

From Nov. 9-16, thousands of athletes in numerous sports signed their name to a National Letter of Intent (NLI), fulfilling a dream of earning a scholarship to play Division I or II college athletics. That dream has become a reality for countless hockey players over the years in Minnesota and this season is no different.

As of Dec. 7, 85 Minnesotans (59 boys, 26 girls) have capped their recruiting process and have officially become scholarship college athletes. Among those 85 are 35 high school hockey players (10 boys, 25 girls) who will continue their career at the Division I level. Hundreds more will play college hockey at one of the nation's many Division III institutions. The numbers should only grow as the hockey season wears on with more NLI signings to come in the spring and summer.

In addition to the 10 Minnesota boys' high school players who will play college hockey, 42 other Minnesotans bound for college are currently playing their hockey on one of the many junior teams across North America. The United States Hockey League (USHL), British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and North American Hockey League (NAHL) are home to 24, 10 and and eight future college hockey players from Minnesota, respectively.

Another five Minnesota natives with Division I college commitments are currently playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich, while two Minnesotans are playing for Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Faribault, Minn.

On the girls' side, 24 of the 26 Minnesota-based players set for college are playing high school hockey this season. The remaining two are playing for the Minnesota Thoroughbreds or the North American Hockey Academy.

It should come as no surprise that Minnesota's hockey players are getting noticed by college scouts with the multitude of exposure opportunities available.

Prior to the high school season, the Upper Midwest High School Elite League has been an invaluable resource for both players and scouts alike. The Elite League provided exposure to nearly all of the 84 Minnesota natives who have committed to a Division I institution. The related Minnesota Elite Prep Development League and Midwest Xposure Elite Tournament gave even more players the chance to get noticed in front of a multitude of college, junior and pro scouts.

Once the Minnesota high school season rolls around, the exposure continues as numerous regular season games are broadcast on the Internet. And, of course, come February and March, the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournaments provide yet another chance for players to be seen, both live at the Xcel Energy Center and across the state via TV.

After the high school season, the Ted Brill Great 8 All-Star Hockey Festival gives Minnesota's top graduating seniors another chance to impress the scouts. Now in its 30th year, the Great 8 has grown and expanded over the years to include eight teams and 136 players today. Following the Great 8, 20 players are invited to represent Minnesota at the six-team CCM Minnesota High School Hockey National Invitational Tournament.

Yet another exposure opportunity exists with the Minnesota Hockey Reebok High Performance Programs that are designed to identify and develop the top 15-, 16-, 17- and 18-year-old hockey players in Minnesota. The top players at each level are then provided national exposure at the USA Hockey National Camps.