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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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, mirroring many of the drills used by their teams. Our coaches are also on the bench and in the stands for each game to evaluate our attendees.
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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.
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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
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Girls 2009 -2013 Birth Years
December 27-28, 2024
Avon Old Farms School, Avon, CT -
Boys 2009-2011 Birth Years
December 27-28, 2024
Avon Old Farms School, Avon, CT -
Girls Summer 2025 Recrutiing Showcase
Pathway to Prep in collaboration with New England Prep School Girls Ice Hockey Association
ISCC Simsbury, CT
May 30th through June 1st
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.
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR INITIAL LIST OF COACHES FOR THE DECEMBER 2024 SHOWCASES
Boys Coaching Staff
Avon Old Farms School
Brooks School
Eaglebrook School
Frederick Gunn School
Hotchkiss School
Trinity-Pawling School
Girls Coaching Staff
Canterbury School
Choate Rosemary Hall
Hotchkiss School
Pomfret School
Williston Northampton School
Showcase Hotel Information
Pathway to Prep is pleased to provide discounted hotel rates for our events. Please note that all out-of-town participants are expected to stay at the showcase hotel. Click on the hyperlink to secure your showcase hotel reservation.
Avon Old Farms Hotel - Avon, CT (approximately 5 minutes from campus)
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.