They don't all compete against each other, but boy, are there some good teams among the NEPSAC Independents. And when they do play each other, it's must-watch action.
A handful of teams in our top 10 and countless others will be right outside that grouping and will compete for the Elite 8.
Mount Saint Charles also joins the fray, as it's the famed high school's first season in boys prep hockey.
Here are our breakdowns on all the NEPSAC Independents.