Many schools have Ice year round and in most cases when they don't it's in by September or October. Also, many schools allow upperclassman to opt out of one or two seasons outside of hockey and concentrate on their sport of choice. Prep season is a little too short and has it's challenges. Independents like Shattucks, Selects & Northwood have the ideal set up for those hockey-centric types Last few years Prep has gotten younger and watered down slightly but still a great option if you can swing it.