THE PREMIER BOARDING SCHOOL

HOCKEY SHOWCASE

TRAIN WITH NEW ENGLAND’S BEST COACHES & LET US GUIDE YOU TOWARDS YOUR PATHWAY TO PREP SCHOOL

The Pathway to Prep Difference

  • More Than Hockey

    Pathway to Prep is designed for student-athletes - not just hockey players. As educators, we know that hockey, alone, is not enough to reach your goals. Our team is focused on the educational benefits of boarding school and to helping pave the way for Pathway to Prep participants as they consider their school and hockey choices.

  • Expert Advice

    With over 80 years combined experience in the independent school world, John Gardner and Brendon Welker provide an unparalleled level of expertise on and off the ice. Our proven approach will allow our participants to maximize their potential and create opportunities to study and compete in some of the finest schools in America.

  • Maximize Exposure

    Pathway to Prep hand selects its coaches and optimizes opportunities for athletes to meet with and be recruited by a wide array of programs and schools. We emphasize face-to-face interaction between coaches and players to create the ideal environment for our players to be noticed and known.

  • Skilled Coaching

    Our coaches are among the most reputable in independent school hockey. Each practice will include high-intensity skill sessions run by prep coaches. We are also committed to providing access to current and/or former college coaches at each of our programs, creating a pathway to prep and beyond.

  • Goaltender Training

    Along with exceptional on and off-ice programming, Pathway to Prep is pleased to provide specialized goaltending sessions for our netminders. These sessions will be led by a team of prep and/or guest coaches.

  • Create Your Own Pathway to Prep

    Along with having direct access to some of the finest coaches in prep hockey, Pathway to Prep participants will learn the essentials to standing out from the crowd in the admission and recruiting processes.

Upcoming events

  • Boys 2008-2011 Birth Years

    August 1 -2, 2024
    International Skating Center of Connecticut Simsbury, CT

    Register Now

  • Girls 2008 -2013 Birth Years

    June 7 -9, 2024
    International Skating Center of Connecticut, Simsbury, CT

    Register Now

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS FOR PATHWAY TO PREP SHOWCASE

We are committed to providing exceptional coaching at each of our events. Pathway to Prep selects top New England Prep coaches who are skilled on-ice teachers and evaluators to maximize your experience and exposure.

The following schools have committed to our Summer 2024 events:

Boys Coaching Staff

Avon Old Farms School

Brooks School

Choate Rosemary Hall

Eaglebrook School

Frederick Gunn School

Hotchkiss School

Loomis Chaffee School

Girls Coaching Staff

Berkshire School

Canterbury School

Choate Rosemary Hall

Cushing Academy

Groton School

Hotchkiss School

Kents Hill School

Loomis Chaffee School

North Yarmouth Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy

Pomfret School

St. George’s School

St. Mark’s School

St. Paul’s School

Williston Northampton School

Pathway to Prep
Team

John Gardner
Director of Hockey

John Gardner is the winningest coach in prep hockey with over 800 wins over his 47-year career at Avon Old Farms. John is widely regarded as the preeminent voice in prep hockey, and his track record of coaching and developing college, Olympic, and professional players speaks for itself.

John is, first and foremost, an educator, and he brings this same approach to Pathway to Prep. Along with his storied coaching career, John has served as a master teacher, advisor, athletic director, and associate head of school. John knows prep school, inside and out, and is a believer in the power of a boarding school education.

In developing this unique opportunity for student-athletes, John is committed to helping each player gain exposure to prep coaches while also providing industry-leading services in helping families better understand the admission process and the benefits to a boarding school education.

Brendon Welker
Director of Programming

Brendon Welker has worked in the education industry for the past 25 years. He spent two decades as a leader in the independent school admission field before becoming an educational consultant in 2016. 

Throughout his quarter-century in the industry, Brendon has worked with thousands of students on their journey towards independent school and college. Brendon has also specialized in helping student-athletes reach their goals of competing athletically in boarding schools and in the NCAA.

Brendon’s vast experience adds a unique opportunity and advantage for Pathway to Prep participants. As a boarding school graduate, Brendon knows, first-hand, the transformative nature of independent schools and is excited to bring his experience and leadership in the industry to Pathway to Prep.

Contact us.

For additional information or to learn more about Pathway to Prep, please contact us.