<p>Thanks sscad. I need to think about what I mean by conservative and get back to you. I guess we’ll know it when we see it! I’ll look into Culver.</p>
<p>I hadn’t considered Shattuck St. Mary’s because it doesn’t offer much FA as far as I can tell. How are the academics there? Honestly I don’t see my son making it to the NHL though he would of course, love that!</p>
<p>as I have mentioned to hockeyridge in other threads, don’t go to a school just for hockey. First, what is he were to have an injury or concussion and not be able to play? Would it still be a good decision to be at the school? This is really crucial as we know too many kids who go to prep school for hockey and then are sadly disappointed that they don’t make varsity or are unhappy away. Make sure the school would be a great fit even without the hockey. That you love the feel of the school and that it fits the learning style and has the resources and policies and everything else for your son.</p>
<p>Now about that hockey thing…If your son is playing AA, he may face an uphill battle at some of the “hockey” schools. Even if he is good enough to play AAA, there is just so much competition and we know many kids, again, who end up disappointed not to make varsity, especially schools where they have significant numbers of PGs (you are essentially competing against 18-19 year old men then) or not to be obnoxious but Canadians too!</p>
<p>Varsity hockey at Shattuck/Culver or the NE prep schools is almost impossible if you are not recruited to be there in the first place and on the national radar screen.</p>
<p>Points taken. That’s why we’re still exploring the options. My motivation is definitely educational. My son is in a big, urban school where he gets little to no individual attention from teachers. So I want a school where he will get excited about learning and get skills that can serve him in the future. I’ve met a few hockey guys who’s lives revolve around hockey because they got a limited college education and never developed intellectually. I’d like my son to have the chance to play good hockey and when that’s over, whether after college or before, have lots of other life options available. At this point he’s solely interested in hockey but the carrot of boarding school is getting him to work harder at school so that’s good news already…if he makes it into a school but doesn’t play varsity it may spoil it for him but it’s too early for me to make that call. I’ll just have to cross that bridge when/if we come to it.</p>
<p>There are so many variables that are specific to each situation that you really need to investigate it all yourself, listening to the many points of view you will hear, and chose what will be best for your son and your family. But the advice by bspreppie about injury is great! Good luck!</p>
<p>My son has been looking at Standstead College in Quebec. They play a lot more games than the New England schools. Any thoughts on this school? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Westminster really helped get my sisters grades up junior year. She played two sports and has dyslexia. She was recruited by three ivies. </p>
<p>Simsbury is around the corner from Avon Old Farms. The skating rink trains the Russian figure skaters and a ton of pro hockey players. </p>
<p>Worth serious look. My sister was no brain surgeon, but not dumb. Westminster did it for her </p>
<p>Sent from my Desire HD using CC App</p>
<p>I have 2 sons at AOF. Neither of them play hockey but here’s what I do know about their program.</p>
<p>The coach, John Gardner, has been there for 33 seasons. During that time they have won the Division 1 New England championship 8 times, the latest in 2010. Here’s a link to the wiki article on AOF which talks about the hockey program.</p>
<p>[Avon</a> Old Farms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avon_Old_Farms]Avon”>Avon Old Farms - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>I do have a good friend who’s son plays hockey. He was at a huge school in Texas and now attends Culver in Indiana for the hockey program. He loves it. You may want to check that out. Both AOF and Culver would be good choices based on his grades as well. </p>
<p>As to the all boy thing. My eldest (starting his senior year at AOF) was DEAD set against the all boy school. The deciding factor for him was when he visited the campus. I will not say that AOF is the holy grail of BS’s because there is no such thing. You must choose based on what is best for your child.</p>
<p>Feel free to Pm me if you would like more info! Good luck.</p>
<p>Milton Academy won the New England Prep School Athletic Conference for hockey this year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. He is visiting Stanstead today and we will visit others in the Fall. Maybe AOF would be worth a visit since the hockey is so good.</p>
<p>The true prep school experience is about doing 3 sports, ecs and education. There are other boarding schools that offer more hockey but less of the overall experience, such as Gilmour Academy, Northwood etc. Stanstead is more along that line in my opinion. That being said if he loves it, that is what counts!</p>
<p>Thanks cdn, yes he’d like to play as much hockey as possible! It’s all about finding a balance we all can live with!</p>
<p>In case you haven’t yet seen this:</p>
<p>[New</a> England Hockey Journal: From NEHJ: Prep route offers the complete package](<a href=“http://www.hockeyjournal.com/news/2011/08/15_from_nehj_prep_route_offers.php]New”>http://www.hockeyjournal.com/news/2011/08/15_from_nehj_prep_route_offers.php)</p>
<p>I don’t see Salisbury on your list. All boys – but a great environment. Awesome faculty and not totally high end academics. They do have Ivy admits – my son went to Cornell, and there were a few Harvard hockey players coming out of Salisbury in my son’s year.</p>
<p>2010 – 2011 Salisbury Hockey Pre-Season Outlook</p>
<p>Coming off a season where Salisbury competed in the New England Prep playoffs for the ninth consecutive year, there is plenty of enthusiasm and excitement for the 2010-2011 installment of the Crimson Knights. While compiling an impressive record of 15-6-5, which included winning the prestigious Flood-Marr Tournament, last year’s team began a new chapter of hockey at Salisbury School. Now in their new permanent home, the Class of ’59 Hockey Arena located in the Flood Athletic Center, the team looks to build on the long-standing tradition of success here on the Hilltop. Once again the Crimson Knights will be icing an exciting mix of new and experienced players, and will be looking for many of our newer members to play important roles. </p>
<p>One of the strengths of this year’s team will be the Knights’ depth up front. A solid nucleus, comprised of our eight returning forwards, will be leading the way. A number of exciting newcomers have also been added to the team. As a result, offensive production is expected to come from both our veterans and from the new additions to the Crimson Knights. With the return of many key contributors from last season, we will be looking to them for valuable leadership and experience.</p>
<p>The Crimson Knights have only two returning defensemen, but this year’s crop of rearguards may prove to be one of the team’s strongest assets. Our newcomers will join the veterans to create a defensive corps that will be extremely mobile, competitive and tough to play against. The team will also be looking for some offensive production from our blueliners as they will be called upon to make contributions at both ends of the ice. </p>
<p>The Crimson Knights also feel extremely confident with the goaltending situation. With plenty of experience and ability in goal, the team feels it has the pieces in place for another exciting season of hockey at Salisbury.</p>
<p>Overall, the coaches are extremely optimistic about the prospects for the coming season. This year we will have the tremendous opportunity to participate in the “Big Chill” weekend out in Ann Arbor, MI. The Crimson Knights will be playing Kent on Friday, December 10 in an outdoor game played at the Big House. This will be a unique and thrilling experience for the team. Another schedule highlight is our participation in the 46th Annual Flood-Marr Christmas Tournament which will prove to be another exciting opportunity for our guys to compete against some outstanding competition.</p>
<p>We are once again looking forward to another competitive year as a member of the Founder’s League, the finest school boy league in the country.</p>
<p>JOHN GARDNER - Good Strong Salisbury roots & tradition, I knew him as a lad:)</p>
<p>John Gardner has spent his entire life at a secondary school environment, as his dad was a teacher at the Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT, where Coach Gardner graduated. Upon his graduation of Salisbury, he attended Wesleyan University, class of 1974, where he played college hockey under Dave Duke Snyder.</p>
<p>After graduating from Wesleyan, he began coaching and teaching at the Avon Old Farms School in Avon, CT. He has been at Avon Old Farms School for the past 35 years, where he has taught Math, been a dorm proctor, Provost, and Assistant Headmaster.</p>
<p>Coach Gardner has coached over 200 young men who have gone on to play college hockey and five of those young men have played in the National Hockey League. With former Avon goaltender Jon Quick being named a 2010 Olympian, John has now coached two Olympians, the other being Brian Letch.</p>
<p>Said one of his nominators, Bruce Marshall, His 30+ years at one school, teaching young men both on and off the ice and preparing them for college, makes John an ideal recipient of the Mariucci Award. I have been fortunate to have several of Johns players that attended the University of Connecticut and found them to be prepared academically and athletically. Many of our colleagues throughout New England that have had players from Coach Gardners teams would echo those comments as well.</p>
<p>Gardners teams have won seven New England Prep Division I Championships and produced numerous college and professional athletes. As evidence of his consistent success, Gardners overall record (through 1/23) at Avon is 623 wins, 196 losses and 31 ties.</p>
<p>Just following up to say my son is going to Stanstead College in Canada. He wanted the longer season and really likes the coach. We shall see how it all goes!!!</p>
<p>Btw Salisbury won the Founders Leaugue Crown by beating Avon 1-0 this year 2012.</p>
<p>Kimball Union Academy is ranked #1 out of all prep schools by NEHJ and just won the Flood-Marr Tourny. If your son is good at hockey, he should have no problem getting in academically. I personally go to KUA, and really think it’s a great school.</p>
<p>Thanks. He’s going to Stanstead College in Quebec as a junior. It’s been quite an adjustment but he loves being on the ice every day and playing lots of games at a higher level. We didn’t look at that many schools because being on the west coast it just wasn’t feasible. Glad to hear you like your school.</p>