Belisle aged out of the program, the facility is an absolute pit, and most importantly, the best players they would have been grabbing 20 years ago are going to prep schools

Maybe because RI hockey is terrible?

The issue is not solely MSC. The bigger issue is the RIIL. Unfortunately, the league still thinks that it's the 1980's or 1990''s and run it as such. There are too many better options today for kids who desire to play the game after high school. School pride is not enough. I do NOT believe that the league or the schools do enough to help these kids get to the next level. Are they helping the kid PG a year, helping him get into juniors or promoting them to colleges (d1 and d3)? I don't believe that they are and haven't done so for a long time. In the 80's and 90's the stands were full of college coaches and NHL scouts. Today nobody shows up and it's a shame. The prep rosters are filled with kids who should be playing RI hockey. Off the top of my head, I can think of 2 dozen. That's 8 players for MSC, Lasalle, and Hendricken. That would make a huge difference in quality of play. Bottom line is that the kids who want to play at the next level are leaving by the bus load.

What is the answer? I don't know but the threat to high school hockey is real and it is hitting MASSACHUSETTS too. Kids are opting for prep schools. Catholic conference teams sometimes are kids second choice if they dont get into a prep.

Some ideas :
Allow private schools to recruit and keep talent in state even if you have to create their own league
Extend schedule
Allow coaches to coach at captains practice in the fall maybe once a week
Extend length of periods to keep more kids involved
Promote tournaments and championships to try and draw college coaches
Most importantly promote and allow access to kids to preps as PGs, junior teams, and colleges Absolutely no closed door practices to these people

In my opinion, high school hockey is in deep trouble. If nothing is done and some changes are not done then high school hockey will become a thing of the past

MSC has a new president. He has mentioned making changes such as boarding students and looking to make other changes as well which would enhance the school academically, building wise, and athletically. It will be interesting to see where the school is in 5 years. Perhaps, they will be out of the RIIL and do exactly as you state and either join a prep league or be an independent. The school has such a rich hockey tradition and it would be nice nice to see it become relevant again

How would that help? They play soft terrible competition.

Belisles are a thing of the past

I just learned something. I didn't realize Rhode Island still had high school hockey at all? Thanks.

Another way to increase competition in Said high school league would be to have them play in the Bantam minor black division of the fed?

So why are they so bad? Maybe this will help you. I have a son that is a 2002. Was asked to go there by the king of politics himself. Not only is the school not great academically however why on earth would I send my kid to a school where the coach has a kid at the school? Especially a tiny little midget who is not good at all and should probably never be on varsity let alone as a sophomore this coming season. The same story playing out as the older boy. Both are terrible but daddy make sure they play.

It is is a family operation and good players don't want to play in a situation like that. This type of behavior by them has cost them their program. It's a shame the school keeps them around. Time to move on folks. They are a thing of the past.