The offseason is the perfect time to take stock of what's going on in the girls prep hockey landscape.
As a new school year and next winter's prep season draw closer, we asked New England coaches to do just that and examine the current state of girls prep hockey and where things are headed.
In the second installment of our girls prep coaches survey, we asked about the state of prep hockey. What is NEPSAC doing right? What are some changes they'd like to see? What are their thoughts on a full-season model?
Of importance, does the future of prep hockey look good?
We also asked how they felt the initial success of the PWHL's first season impacted their outlook on the growth of the women's game.
All coaches were granted anonymity.
Let's dive in.
Does the future of prep hockey look good?
All coaches answered yes here.
Several coaches simply noted the quality of hockey across the board in girls prep. They feel the talent pool among both players and coaches continually deepens, leading to more competitive games.
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"I like our model," one coach said. "The quality of games (both prep/club), the exposure, the parity, makes this an excellent route for girls to play college hockey."
Many coaches took stock of this answer through the lens of current competition with hockey academies, too.
"I think players and parents are realizing that the academy model doesn't provide that same quality education or high school experience that prep can provide and continue to play at a high level," one coach said.
Another coach said, "There is supposed competition from hockey academies but I don't see it. The value of the traditional prep school far outweighs the initial shine of the hockey academies. The academics and the quality of the hockey are too good. There were always full-season options in Shattuck-St. Mary's, Bishop Kearney and others. You either want nothing but hockey, or you want the traditional experience and there is nothing wrong with either.
"The hockey academies will be a flash in the pan. The expense is high with little financial awards whereas the traditional prep schools have money to give. When the hockey academies fail, those that prefer the full season option will simply opt for the options already in place."
One coach also pointed out the efforts to improve prep hockey programs as a whole, including junior varsity teams and others below the varsity programs that get all the attention.
"There is a focus on collective scouting and recruiting and development models at the Varsity B level to develop long-term sustainability," they said. "That and a better partnership with club hockey programs, we will find great success. This year I received 20+ calls from players wanting to leave the academy model, last year over 30 calls. More leave than stay it seems like."
What is NEPSAC doing right?
This was a bit of a loaded question, as one coach noted.
"I am not sure they are doing anything right, per se. They just aren't doing anything wrong," they said. "Tough question, really. I guess they understand what the member schools offer and simply working from that strength, which I guess is the right thing to do."
Other coaches followed a similar path with their answers, noting communication as a key strength of the NEPSAC leadership, which includes coaches association president and Williston Northampton coach Christa Talbot Syfu.
"Christa has done an awesome job of making sure coaches are informed and on the same page about what our goals are as a community of coaches," they said.
That same coach mentioned players having the ability to play multiple sports while still playing for club teams in the fall for more exposure.
Another coach said, "Multisport athletes. The training is incredible and the coaching is top-notch. Kids are stimulated with high-level academics and the game-to-practice model is incredible."
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One more coach also brought up a relationship with club programs.
"NEPSAC is building a strong relationship with club teams and considering the best interests of the players," they said.
Last October, the NEPSAC and NEGHL hosted skill sessions on 18 different prep school campuses with multiple schools converging on one campus and two do to four college coaches running each session.
That continued this spring with the NEGHL Spring Development Combine, when prep-level girls players received instruction from various coaches such as Merrimack College assistant Stephanie Wood, Lawrence Academy assistant Andrea Tarr, Bay State Breakers director and Hingham High head coach Courtney Turner and Nobles assistant Kaitlin Spurling.
The hope is to expand that collaboration and include other programs that feature prep school players.
Others looked at the NEPSAC's product.
There was a focus on the Elite 8, Large School and Small School tournaments.
"Having multiple tournaments allows more players to play meaningful games down the stretch and into the playoffs," one coach said.
The NEPSAC went from just two tournaments (Division 1 & 2) to the current three-tournament structure in 2019-20.
Others noted how girls prep prepares players for college.
"We're always looking for our game to keep up with the college model: longer periods, penalties, etc.," one coach said. "Finding ways for our girls to get exposure. Allowing them to develop in the offseason with skill days/coaches."
What are changes you'd like to see instituted?
The prep hockey landscape is constantly evolving on both the boys and girls sides.
There's always talk of what could or needs to be changed, whether that's in prep hockey or anywhere else. It's inevitable.
Some changes coming this season on both sides are neck guard mandates. The boys side has used a three-tournament postseason format since the 2009-10 season, which the girls playoffs adopted 10 years later.
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However, there's a sense that just because something changes in boys prep hockey, it doesn't mean it also has to change in girls prep.
"From the girls side, we seem to always be focused on following the boys side, so I would prefer we stick to being focused on what is right for the girls side," they said. "I think the governing body tends to make decisions along these same lines so that needs to change."
Among other topics, multiple coaches mentioned the Large and Small School tournaments to eight teams instead of six.
Currently, the top two seeds in the Large and Small fields have first-round byes before starting their playoffs in the semifinals of their respective brackets.
"The Large School and Small School brackets should be the same format as the Elite 8," one coach said. "It isn't about allowing two more teams into playoffs, although what I propose does lead to that. That, however, is not the focus. The six-team format is just awkward."
One coach mentioned possibly changing the overtime format.
"Should we push forward and play 3-on-3?" they said.
That same coach brought up an interesting question about the visibility of prep hockey, marketing it and making it appealing to more players outside of the region.
"How do we build our social media so more kids outside of New England want to come this way to play prep hockey?" they asked.
Other coaches mentioned potentially adding some more games to the season, either by extending it somewhat in the fall and preseason or adding more showcases and other events.
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"Maybe making our season slightly longer in the fall to offer opportunities to train prior to the season starting," one coach said.
One Lakes Region coach was particularly in favor of bolstering their schedule outside of their own league.
"I would like to see more options for preseason showcases/scrimmages with teams outside of the Lakes Region," they said.
Another mentioned it about college recruiting, saying, "Having more showcase-type events for increased college recruiting exposure."
Should prep move to a full-season model?
The consensus here was an overwhelming, "no," from coaches.
Full-season models have picked up steam in boys prep hockey. One of the biggest stories of the boys season was Dexter Southfield’s announcement that the boys of Brookline, Mass., were moving to a full-season model. It’s something that programs like Cushing and Kimball Union have done with boys hockey in recent years, too.
But as one coach previously noted, the girls game doesn't have to stay in lockstep with the boys.
"For teams to go full season doesn't make sense," one coach said. "They shouldn't compete for a NEPSAC title."
Another coach noted that there are already full-season options available to families that choose to go that route. There are hockey academies like NAHA and Lovell as well as other programs like Shattuck-St. Mary's and Bishop Kearney.
"For those that want nothing but hockey the options are already in place," one coach said.
One other said, "The core of prep school athletics has always been the distinct seasons (fall, winter, and spring). While specialization is challenging the prep school model, I believe our model still provides a true high school experience and does not need to change. Families who want a full-season model can find it outside of the prep school model."
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Other coaches once again highlighted the opportunities to play more than one sport at NEPSAC schools, an element that would be compromised by a full-season model.
"It is far too important for young athletes' development to play multiple sports and learn the importance of competitiveness and effort by playing a sport that is maybe new to them or they are not as dominant at," one coach said.
Another said, "Girls can train for hockey and participate in other sports and still remain successful."
While some coaches mentioned possibly extending the season in some fashion, another pushed back when it came to their answer to this question.
"The season is already 25-30 games and players are on the ice six times per week," that coach said. "This provides meaningful and competitive games that help the players improve. Adding 20 more games will not improve the product."
One coach kept it simple, saying, "Too much hockey."
How has the initial success of the PWHL impacted your outlook on the growth of women's hockey?
Still in its infancy after one season, the PWHL's inaugural voyage appeared to be a success for women's hockey.
It brought the best players in the world to the same setting outside of international play. Attendance records were broken, and more games were televised and streamed.
Overall, it left a positive impression on the coaches we surveyed. They feel the future is strong.
"The future is bright for women's hockey," one coach said. "The PWHL offers a legitimate opportunity for girls to make money and continue to play. This will help grow the game!"
Another said, "It shows to a wider audience how far girls and women's hockey has come."
There were plenty of locals and former NEPSAC players who took the ice this season, too. There was former Governor's standout Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.), who tied for second in league scoring with 23 points. Former Choate star Hilary Knight captained PWHL Boston.
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"It was great, fun to see my friends coaching and players I coached play," one coach said. "Lots of opportunities for jobs created in all pro teams, not just playing. It is great."
Multiple coaches mentioned using it as a teaching tool for their players.
"I hope it has a huge impact," one coach said. "I told my players to watch more hockey, and now they have a high-quality product they might more easily relate to. The PWHL finally has women's pro hockey right! The inaugural season was awesome right to the very end."
One of those coaches brought their team to a game at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass., where PWHL Boston currently plays.
"It was great to be able to show them this high level of hockey, and use their play as an example for things our players need to direct more of their attention to — little details like sticks on the ice, tape-to-tape passes, maintaining possession and not throwing the puck away," that coach said.
Another wondered about the possibility of collaboration between the pros and the prep school programs.
"It's great, and I would love to find more ways to get the PWHL and NEPSAC connected," they said.
