As previously stated, you need to look at the top 20 prep schools. Those are the schools that get most of the attention, although there are outstanding players (D1 commits & future D1/D3 players) scattered throughout the top half of the prep rankings. I can guarantee you that the top 3 lines on those teams are better than almost every public player and the vast majority of catholic players. There are exceptions, but they are few.
A good rule of thumb - top 1-2 players from a D1 tournament-qualified public high school team = top 5 players from a tournament qualified CC team = top 15 players on a top tier prep school team.
As far as summer tournaments are concerned, check out the rosters for the only summer tournament that really matters, the Summer Beantown. There are more prep than junior players, and the junior players tend to be older than the prep players. Fact.
As far as 19 year olds playing against 15 year olds, that very rarely happens. Out of the 24 teams (roughly 480 players) that made the prep tournaments this year, there were 6 players (1.3%) born in 2002. Not an issue.
Yes, prep is more expensive than juniors, but despite what this poster said, the education piece is a big deal. Unless your kid is a stud or you don't care where he goes to college then the education piece is important. And many junior programs require players to miss a substantial amount of school time for hockey. Not good.
I am not saying juniors or full season is not a good option - it certainly is for some people. But the narrative that "the draw of prep hockey is waning" is simply not true. You just need to choose your prep team wisely. Good luck!
Prep coaches ideally want a player for three years. And, not all "prep" is good. Lots of prep schools have bad hockey. Focus on Keller Division ISL schools, Founders Div in CT second, top Eberhart schools like Rivers third. Beyond that, the hockey drops off fast.
Founders League is the best Prep School League hands down.
There are also NEPSIHA Independent schools like Gunnery, Dexter, Andover, Winchendon, and Exeter. They get to schedule games against any school they like, and they tend to have very strong schedules. They can choose to play against top Lakes teams, like Kimball Union, then play in strong holiday tournaments (St. Sebs) vs. top ISL teams.
The independent teams listed above have multiple college commits.
There are also NEPSIHA Independent schools like Gunnery, Dexter, Andover, Winchendon, and Exeter. They get to schedule games against any school they like, and they tend to have very strong schedules. They can choose to play against top Lakes teams, like Kimball Union, then play in strong holiday tournaments (St. Sebs) vs. top ISL teams.
The independent teams listed above have multiple college commits.
They are all strong. Some years certain teams are stronger than others. All and all strong hockey.
Prep coaches ideally want a player for three years. And, not all "prep" is good. Lots of prep schools have bad hockey. Focus on Keller Division ISL schools, Founders Div in CT second, top Eberhart schools like Rivers third. Beyond that, the hockey drops off fast.
Founders League is the best Prep School League hands down.
This either Jeff Cox or someone that is channeling Jeff Cox.
Down year is putting it mildly. Three teams in the tournament.
Prep coaches ideally want a player for three years. And, not all "prep" is good. Lots of prep schools have bad hockey. Focus on Keller Division ISL schools, Founders Div in CT second, top Eberhart schools like Rivers third. Beyond that, the hockey drops off fast.
Founders League is the best Prep School League hands down.
This either Jeff Cox or someone that is channeling Jeff Cox.
Down year is putting it mildly. Three teams in the tournament.
ROFLMAO I don't even think he actually ever goes to any games!!