Zach Osburn has been an important part of the Michigan State hockey program since he arrived in his freshman year. He was the first Spartan to score two goals in his college debut game since 2009, and he was voted to the Big Ten All-Freshman team ranked second with 19 points among the rookie blueliners. His sophomore year was just as much of a stand out year where he tied for first with 12 points among the Spartan defenseman. In his junior year, Zach won the Spartan Fitness Award for the third time and scored a record 9 points in 33 games. He graduated in 2019 and now plays professionally, and he has some great advice to up and coming recruits looking to play hockey in college. Here are his tips, tricks, and memories:  

2aDays: What is the best way a high school athlete can reach out to a college coach? 

Zach Osburn: A kid can get a hold of an advisor to be a middleman to help out with talking to schools. At the end of the day, if you're good enough, you will be seen and will be recruited. 

2aDays: How can an athlete get on a coach's radar?

Zach Osburn: If you're good enough, you will be on the coach's radar. 

2aDays: Reaching out to coaches is no easy task. What advice can you give athletes as far as reaching out to them?

Zach Osburn: Reach out through an advisor rather than yourself. It is more credible. That's how the system is set up in hockey. 

Related: Reaching out to Coaches

2aDays: We all know how important it is for an athlete to get into their dream school. What advice can you give to a high school athlete who does not get an offer from their dream school?

Zach Osburn: My best advice for someone who doesn't get into their offer from their dream school is to go to a school that plays the dream school. Prove to them that they were wrong about you, and they should have given the offer when they had the chance. 

2aDays: Who did you have contact with during the recruiting process? (Head coach, position coach, current players, academic advisors) and how did you contact them?

Zach Osburn: In the recruiting process, I had the most contact with all of the coaches at different games and recruiting visits, phone calls, as well. 

2aDays: What is one question that you wish you would have asked or known the answer to while being recruited?

Zach Osburn: I would have wanted to know how I measured up to the other recruits. 

2aDays: What is something about recruiting that you know now that you wish you would have known when you were being recruited?

Zach Osburn: I wish I knew how good my team was going to be and how we would measure up to the rest of the teams. I also wish that I would have known there would be a coaching change. 

Related: Crunched for Time? Why It's Not the End of the World to Start Your Recruiting Process Late

2aDays: What is the most significant piece of advice that you can give an athlete on their first time meeting the coach?

Zach Osburn: First time meeting your coach, be respectful. This means shaking their hands firmly and looking them in the eye. Be polite and listen to what they have to say. 

2aDays: How important do you think it is to understand the program philosophy before committing to a school fully?

Zach Osburn: I think that it is important to learn philosophy before coming into college, but I don't think there is one way to learn about it. The only way to learn is through experience. That will come 

2aDays: What advice do you have for an incoming player who is coming into a coaching change?

Zach Osburn: I would say have an open mind about the new coach and try to prove your worth as best you can. 

2aDays: What advice do you have for any player who goes through a coaching change in the middle of their college career?

Zach Osburn: I would say that going through a coaching change isn't easy, but it is crucial to keep a good attitude and work hard because the only thing that is in your control is how you perform. 

2aDays: What is your biggest piece of advice for new athletes on their first day of practice?

Zach Osburn: First day of practice, the most important thing is to set the tone with your play and begin trying to beat people out of positions.

2aDays: What was the most challenging part about walking onto a college team where all the athletes were already settled in, and you were not?

Zach Osburn: Teammates not being settled in isn't a big deal. That's just how it is for every rookie on a new team. You just have to prove your worth and try your best to be a good teammate. 

2aDays: What advice can you give someone who has had NHL offers and also college offers? Should they take it and go pro, even if it's the team's minor team, or go to college for at least a year to gain experience?

Zach Osburn: As far as offers go, I would say do not jump the gun and make a decision without exploring all of your options and weighing the pros and cons with your family and previous coaches.

2aDays: What is the best piece of advice that a coach has given to you, and who was that coach?

Zach Osburn: The best advice would be not to let anyone into my head and not to show my emotions, especially the bad ones. 

2aDays: How much did the food options at each school affect your decision? 

Zach Osburn: The food options are alike all over the country, but it helped a lot that Michigan State feeds you dinner after every practice at the rink. 

Good luck with your recruiting process guys!

Have a story idea or know an awesome athlete/coach we should interview? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on April 27, 2022, by Shelby Gonser