There were 85 players from New England on Hockey East rosters during the 2020-21 season. The number of local players in the league was up five from the previous season. Still, it was down considerably from the late 1990s and early part of this century.
Of course, it’s the dream of many youth hockey players in New England to skate for a Hockey East program someday. However, it’s increasingly difficult for that dream to come true for local players.
Non-traditional markets from within the United States continue to make inroads, and many Hockey East schools are now recruiting in Europe. Boston College and Northeastern were the only two Hockey East programs without a European on the roster for this season. The Eagles had three just as recently as last season.
For youth hockey players in New England, the most common path to Hockey East is playing prep school and split season before heading to the USHL. Of the 85 New England players in Hockey East this season, 60 of them played prep, while 45 of them played in the USHL.
The USHL had more than twice the number of local alums in Hockey East than the USPHL. There were 18 local players on Hockey East rosters who played in the USPHL NCDC or USPHL Premier. As far as other junior leagues, 14 locals skated in the BCHL or CCHL, 11 in the NAHL and four in the EHL.
One number that I found particularly interesting was the high percentage of local players in Hockey East who were NHL draft picks. Of the 85 local players in Hockey East, 22 of them were drafted by a NHL organization. Seven of the 85 locals played for USA Hockey’s NTDP.
Twenty-four local players spent time at full-season Midget programs. Many of them left after 16-U to go to prep or junior hockey. The most successful full-season Midget program, in terms of pushing out local talent to Hockey East, was again the Boston Advantage.
Thirty-three local players in Hockey East this season played a year or more of high school hockey. Most of those players quickly moved on to prep or junior hockey. There are three players who played at least three years of high school hockey, including two from UNH who both played at Austin Prep.
What’s the bottom line with all of this data? There are many different ways to get to Hockey East. If you’re a local youth hockey player who wants to get to Hockey East, don’t listen to the noise from a select few advisors and full-season Midget organizations that tell you that you have to do something.
The truth is there isn’t one right path and not a wrong path, either. Puck touches and realizing that development is a marathon, not a sprint, are important.
The numbers are indisputable. More players came out of high school hockey than full-season Midget hockey when it comes to the 2020-21 Hockey East season. That’s a statement that many in local hockey circles would be surprised to find out.
