I'm not at all connected to the Mass public/prep scene, but I've noticed that a fair number of good HS hockey players from our area (northern NY) spend an extra year at a prep school after finishing their HS careers before moving on to college. That would certainly seem to help build stronger teams. BTW, I ran into former SLU captain Greg Carvel (who followed the prep after HS route) yesterday. He is now coaching hockey at a prep school (Canterbury) and teaching math - what a great combo! Robin Lock Math Department St. Lawrence University HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.