Season four on tap
The 2024-25 season of the Prep Hockey Conference (PHC) promises to bring excitement, competition, and skillful play from some of North America's top prep hockey programs. While the season has seen a couple divisional weekends in the east and west, this coming weekend’s league showcase at the home of the Boston Bruins, Warrior Arena will pit the visiting west teams against their eastern counterparts.
Founded to showcase elite youth hockey talent, the PHC has quickly become a proving ground for athletes with aspirations of collegiate and professional careers. This season features a roster of powerhouse teams, each with its unique legacy, competitive edge, and focus on development. Here’s what fans and scouts can expect from the season ahead.
Shattuck-St. Mary’s: A Legacy of Excellence
As one of the most storied programs in amateur hockey, Shattuck-St. Mary’s continues its tradition of excellence into the 2024-25 season. With 10 USA Hockey Tier I National Championships and a legacy that has produced 24 NHL Draft picks and countless Division I commits, Shattuck-St. Mary’s provides players with an elite training environment. This season’s roster includes Alexander Donovan, Jones Graham, and Dylan Lebret, who all made this year's NHL central scouting list. However, this year, Gavin Katz & Quinn Mckenzie have led the way in points. It looks like Shattuck has tons of offensive talent and will be a brutal force to stop from repeating as champions again.
St. Andrew’s College: Recharged and Ready for Competition
St. Andrew’s College opens the season with high expectations after a successful 2023-24 campaign. Although they’ve turned over half their roster due to graduation, the 1st Hockey Saints have returned with fresh talent and a renewed drive. Returning players Aiden Lane, Kieran Dervin, and Michael Dec are playing together on the top line, bringing pace, skill, and finish, and they have started the year off hot. Aiden Lane, Kieran Dervin, and defender Oliver Turner were featured on the NHL Central Scouting list. All new additions to the team were selected in this year's OHL Priority Selection, the highest being Jaxon Cover of the London Knights in the 4th round. The Saints look hungry and ready to take down defending champions Shattuck St. Marys.
Culver Military Academy: Building on a Foundation of Discipline and Depth
Culver Military Academy’s boys’ hockey team brings a disciplined approach and a roster filled with skill and depth to the PHC this season. With goaltenders Maverick Avent and Logan McGuire anchoring the team and experienced players like John Collins-Williams and Wolf Woelk on offense, Culver is prepared for a competitive season. Their structured program, led by Head Coach Kevin Patrick and Assistant Coach Paul Plaisir, emphasizes individual development and team cohesion, making Culver a formidable opponent. Top defenseman Max Holland should eat many minutes on the backend as a high-end puck-moving defenseman.
Northwood School: A Tradition of Development and Academic Excellence
Located in Lake Placid, Northwood School offers a unique blend of high-level hockey and intense academics, allowing players to thrive. With a history of success in New England championships and USA Hockey Nationals, Northwood’s players are well-prepared for the season ahead in the PHC. William Schneid will be on many scout's radars this year as the only player on the roster to crack the NHL central scouting list. William has started the season with 36 points in 22 games and will be leading Northwoods offense this year. On the back end we can expect to see Michael Peluso quarterbacking the powerplay and leading the Northwood backend. Coming off a finals loss to Shattuck look for Northwood to be hungry for revenge this season.
Mount Saint Charles: A Legacy of Championships
Mount Saint Charles enters the PHC season with one of the richest histories in high school hockey. With 46 state championships, the program has a legacy of developing talent. Production so far has been led by Hungarian forward Mate Tardi who has 32 points in 26 games. Brian Woods & Jackson Vaites are new to the U18 Prep program but not Mount st charles as they come from the U16 team and have made an immediate impact. The backend has 4 returners from last year and should provide some veteran leadership on and off the ice. Mount St Charles will be a hard team to play against night in and night out.
South Kent School: Elite Preparation for the Next Level
South Kent School’s hockey program is a pipeline for talent, with over 24 NHL Draft picks, 100+ Division I commits, and multiple national championships, including back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. University of Massachusetts commit Mclean Agrette is leading the way so far this year with the support of Brenso Grande & Cloutier. New addition Matteo Bertrand joins the team from France and should be an interesting player to keep an eye on. Jason Millett movies up from the U16 team and is working his way to the #1 defenceman with 10 goals already this year. South Kent will need to stay consistent to be a top team this year.
The 2024-25 PHC season brings together teams that combine high-level competition, development, and dedication to the game. From storied programs with decades of championships to teams fostering fresh talent, each PHC member brings something unique to the league. As the season progresses, fans and scouts can look forward to thrilling games, standout performances, and the emergence of future collegiate and professional stars. Stay tuned for a season that promises to be one of the most competitive and inspiring yet in the Prep Hockey Conference.
