Ah, New England prep schools hockey, now that’s a subject close to the hearts of many folks around here, even though most of us don’t exactly know much about it. I reckon it’s something that’s been growing over the years, especially in them schools up north where the winters are colder than a well digger’s boot. Now, don’t go thinking this hockey business is just for them rich kids, ‘cause there’s a lot of young folks makin’ their way up through the ranks, gettin’ noticed and doing mighty fine, I tell ya.
So, what’s this hockey all about, you might ask? Well, it’s about young boys and girls from them prep schools up there in New England, playin’ the game with all their might, trying to prove themselves on the ice. You see, these prep schools are like little communities of their own. They teach more than just hockey, though. They teach discipline, hard work, and how to be a good student at the same time. But don’t let that fool ya—these kids can skate, shoot, and score like you wouldn’t believe!
Now, if you go lookin’ around, you might hear talk about the New England Prep Schools Interscholastic Hockey Association, or NEPSIHA. Sounds fancy, don’t it? Well, it’s basically the group that brings together all them prep schools that play hockey, and let me tell ya, they sure know how to put on a good show. They got their own league, and each team works hard to get better and better every season. Some of the teams are so good, they’re considered among the top dogs in the country.
Take Kimball Union for instance. Them boys, they don’t mess around. They’ve been top contenders year after year. In fact, their record from last season, 31 wins and just 4 losses, tells ya all you need to know about how good they are. That’s a winning percentage of 88.6%. Not too shabby, eh? Then you got Cushing, Avon Old Farms, and Holderness—each one of ‘em has been up there, showing their might on the ice. They’re all tough competitors, and every game they play is a battle for the top spot.
Holderness, especially, has been making waves lately. They’ve been what you’d call an Elite 8 contender, and that’s no small feat. Them boys are serious about their game, and they’ve been getting better every year. It’s nice to see, ‘cause not too many people thought they’d be where they are now. But they kept at it, and now they’re one of the top teams in the whole league.
Of course, a big part of why these prep schools have such good hockey teams is the support they get. Some schools, like Kent, pride themselves on using the latest training methods. They got video analysis of games, conditioning programs, and all kinds of tools to make sure their players are at their best. It’s all about pushing them kids to be the best, both in the classroom and on the ice. It’s no wonder these kids grow up to be some of the best hockey players around.
Now, let’s not forget about the showcase events they hold. One of the biggest ones is the 30th Annual Pre-Prep Showcase, where the best of the best come to show what they’ve got. Kids from all over, born in 2009 and later, gather to compete and show scouts what they can do. I’ve heard it’s quite the sight, with the young ones flying up and down the ice, showing off their skills like seasoned pros. Who knows, maybe the next big NHL star is skating right there, trying to make a name for themselves.
But it ain’t just the boys that get to have all the fun. The girls’ teams have been making a lot of noise too. Repton, for example, has become a force to be reckoned with, winning all kinds of national titles across every age group. They’re so good, some folks reckon they’re the best hockey school in the whole country. And with 50 national titles since 2005, it’s hard to argue with that.
So, you see, New England prep schools hockey ain’t just about a bunch of kids skating around on ice. It’s about hard work, determination, and building a future. Whether it’s through the NEPSIHA or other leagues, these kids are doing everything they can to make it to the top. It’s a tough road, but the rewards are plenty. And with so many teams out there working hard, you can bet the future of New England prep school hockey is looking brighter than ever.
Tags:[New England prep schools, hockey, NEPSIHA, Kimball Union, Holderness, Cushing, prep school sports, youth hockey, elite hockey teams, prep school showcase, Kent Hockey, ice hockey]