Rec Select hockey, also known as “house travel” or “semi-travel,” is a competitive hockey tournament team that bridges the gap between traditional recreational (or “house”) leagues and full-fledged travel hockey. It’s designed for players who want a higher level of competition and skill development than a standard recreational league but are not able to commit the significant time and financial resources required for a full travel team.
Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics and how it compares to other levels:
Key Characteristics of Rec Select Hockey:
- Higher Competition: Rec Select teams are often formed through a “selection” process or tryouts, picking the more skilled players from local recreational leagues. They compete against other “rec select” teams, which provides a more challenging environment than a typical in-house league.
- Moderate Commitment: The time and travel commitment is greater than in recreational hockey but significantly less than in travel hockey. Practices are usually a supplement to a house league, and games may involve some travel to other nearby rinks, but not the long-distance, multi-state travel of a travel team.
- Affordability: The cost is less than that of a travel team. While there are fees for ice time, tournaments, and uniforms, the overall expense is much lower because of the reduced travel and fewer games.
- Skill Development: Rec Select offers a great opportunity for players to improve their skills and game sense. Coaches are more experienced and the teams focus more on strategy and individual player development.
- Balance: It’s a popular choice for families who want their child to play competitive hockey and develop their skills without the sport taking over their family’s schedule and budget.
Rec Select vs. Other Hockey Levels:
| Feature | Recreational (House) Hockey | Rec Select Hockey | Travel Hockey |
| Tryouts | No tryouts; open to all players. | Tryouts or “select” process. | Required for all players. |
| Commitment | Low time commitment; all games are local. | Moderate time commitment; some local travel. | High time commitment; extensive travel. |
| Cost | Least expensive. | More expensive than rec, but less than travel. | Most expensive. |
| Playing Time | Equal for all players. | Equal or more balanced than travel. | Based on skill and performance. |
| Competition | Lower level, focused on fun and fundamentals. | Higher level of competition, more focused on skill. | Highest level, very competitive. |