My family is relocating to the Boston area this summer. My son, who will be an entering sophomore, played this past season for Little Ceasar's Bantam Elite. He has received offers from several New England Prep as well as Catholic Schools. My wife and I are most impressed with Belmont Hill, St. Sebastian's, St. John's (Danvers), and Catholic Memorial. We have actually visited each of the campuses. Looking for feedback as to what place may be the best fit for our son.

Catholic Conference hockey has dropped off a cliff in the past five years. Cross those off.

If you want to see how the Preps stack up, go to https://www.nepsac.org/sites/nepsac.org/files/files/Private_User/laurie.sachs@rivers.org/bh2019v7.pdf The Elite 8 (Stuart/Corkery) are basically #1 - #8 this past year while the others are #9 - 24. You'll see St. Sebs is 4th and Bel Hill is not listed. Now, that doesn't mean one is a better opportunity for your kid than the other. It's just a dynamic to consider.

Understand, though, these coaches all understand they are competing with each other and will tell you what you want to hear. If you don't have an advisor, I'd get one that has a connection with NE prep schools. The coaches won't lie to them because they need the advisors to recommend their program.

Sucker.

Here is some real solid advice. Move to Medway. Awesome program. Middle of the pack D2. Kid will totally develop.

Hahaha, thanks Medway Coach!

Since your son will be a sophomore and played bantam, I’m guessing he played on the LC 04 team that won the national championship. Deep, solid team. Saw some of the 04 LC players at WSI. Given the level of hockey your son has been playing, playing for SJP or CM, although good schools, would be a big step down. By contrast, playing prep for St. Sebs or Belmont Hill would be a big step up, but given where your son played, may be a great next move. Both schools are all boys, but have very different feels. St. Sebs is the better hockey, Belmont Hill the better academics. The personalities of the coaches are a definite factor you should consider in who your son will respond to better. Where will you live? Commute is an issue. Boston is not commute friendly. How much money the school gives you can also be a big factor. You also need to figure out where your son will play during the fall split season before the prep hockey season starts. Belmont Hill has a solid group of 04’s that will be playing for the U15 Wizards. St. Sebs will have at least one 04 on varsity who is playing for the U16 Eagles. Unlike Michigan this upcoming season, 04’s will have the option to play U16 in Mass. Pros and cons to both age groups for an 04. Depends where your son projects on the team. At the end of the day, on which campus did your son feel most comfortable? Good luck to your son.

One of the best responses I’ve seen on this site in a while.

Are you guys that silly to fall for this post? Geez.

Your post sounds slightly suspicious. It is almost June and you are citing "offers from New England prep...CM & St. John's Prep. That window is typically closed though there are a few circumstances where late admission is an option but the fact that four schools are allegedly holding a spot for your player raises my radar. You also spelled Little Caesar's incorrectly. Sebs does not "hold spots." They are backed up with too many hockey players as it is. I doubt Belmont Hill does as well. Unless your son is the next Noah Hanifin it is very unlikely they will accept him after the spring admissions season has shut down. CM and SJP are both good schools but not in the same class as Sebs and BH.

By "offer' (your words) do you mean that you applied through the traditional channels and your son was already procedurely accepted? I doubt Sebs and BH have any seats left in May.
There seems to be a migration movement from the Midwest to Massachusetts over the last few weeks according to the DBoard. I hope you are ready for the COLA here in the Northeast.

I would have otherwise shared your skepticism, but know that a number of prominent prep schools are still looking for students with strong hockey skills to enroll. That’s why I decided to respond in the detailed and hopefully helpful manner I did.

Right

The prior poster you responded to doesn't understand how the Prep process actually works. Every top school "accepts" more than they need with the hopes of landing that year's big fish(es). Only one school does. The ones that don't will gladly accept a relocating family's kid - if he can play.

Exactly. Before the prep school acceptance date, players are recruiting multiple schools. After the acceptance date, once schools know who is coming — and more importantly who is not — the prep schools start recruiting the players in the hope that they can fill their specific need due to players choosing other schools. That process can last into the summer. Hockey, particularly outside of Massachusetts and New England, is not on the traditional prep school admission calendar, and smart prep coaches and admissions know this.

Different "Anony" here, but would you mind naming some of the prominent ones that are still looking for talent to help those of us who might be interested in the move?

First mistake is that you are asking the Dboard for advice😂😂.

Here's a hint...

If there's an opening and they are still interested in your kid, your phone will ring.

If you understand the climate at Sebs and BH you know that their baseball and lax teams are as, if not more successful than their hockey teams. Sebs lax has 8-10 D1 commits on their current roster and they compete for an ISL title every year; baseball has 3-4 commits and they have won the ISL the last 2 years. My point is the coaches of baseball and lax will want the same flexibility extended to them as is offered to hockey. By your theory that leaves 2-3 spots per sport left open per year - a total of 6-9 kids. I doubt that is occurring as that is a lot of unknowns for the admission and financial aid office. Sebs hockey is high level but there is balance offered throughout the athetic department. Cushing, KUA and some of the "hockey centric" schools are in a different situation.

I am sure if the kid is the real deal, they will find space and money if that is what is needed. If you have money and your kid is pretty good, guess what they will like him just as much.