Elite Hockey Program | A Place of Many Paths

March 22, 2019

Guilford, Conn., - In hockey, when you reach the ages of 15, 16, or 17 years old you have a tough decision to make.  Do I stay at home or move away to play midget hockey? Or play for a prep school? Do you go the Junior route? What is the best way to prepare for your future?

There is no simple solution and each individual’s decision depends on a number of factors, including where you live, your age, talent level, academic status, your family’s financial situation and more.

As a young player coming into your own, it is important to look at your options and decide what the best path is to playing college hockey.  At the Elite Hockey Program, we work to prepare student athletes for their future through character development, communication, focused tactical training and playing high level competition.   We also work to zero in on the most efficient process and work that needs to be put into the training to become the best player.  The attention to the details on our part is what starts to separate your son from everyone else by working smarter, not longer.

Growing up in the New England area, players often look closely at prep schools.  The challenging academics and opportunity to play two sports at a high level are both appealing to student athletes.  In the end, the player will make a decision on their focus and hockey development. 

Six players, four from the U16's and two from the U15's will prepare to play prep school hockey next year. All of these players are joining elite boarding schools across the country. These schools, are some of the best academic institutions in our country, such as Choate Rosemary where JFK went to school, Phillips Andover, St. Paul's, Hotchkiss, Salisbury, and Northfield Mount Hermon. 

Jon Horn, program alum after three years, will join the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut. Horn took a big step as a player this season, as he scored 50 points in 38 games in the AYHL and ECEL.  As a result, he has earned interest from Junior A and College programs, across the country. He showed his gratitude for the organization for his growth on and off the ice.

 "I'm grateful for the opportunity you gave me to improve as a person as a person and a player," said Horn. 

Jake Lammens from the U16 team, is joining one of the most storied hockey prep schools in the country. He will suit up for the Salisbury School in the fall. Lammens earned his commitment to St. Lawrence with the Elite Hockey Program and will look to continue his ways to help keep the Knights as a national powerhouse in prep school hockey.  Jake made strong in roads with the Elite Hockey Program as he became not only as a better player but most importantly a better person.

 "The last two years have been the best years of hockey that I have been a part of, helped me become the player and person that I am now," said Lammens when describing his involvement at Elite. 

Owen Sweet will be joining the St. Paul's School in the fall. Originally from California, he will not be the only Sweet brother to play for St.Paul's in the fall.  His brother Harrison, also an alum of Elite Hockey Program, already plays for the Pelicans. The move to Connecticut allowed Sweet to obtain the exposure that Sweet desired. Sweet over the course of the season averaged a point a game across all competitions putting up 38 points in 38 games this season in the AYHL and ECEL. 

"I'll never forget my time at the Elite Hockey Program.  I made the best friends that I have ever had." Sweet added.

CJ Stratford will head up the road and play for Choate Rosemary in Wallingford. He will join his sister in the fall at Choate. Across all competitions this season, Stratford put up 21 points in 38 games in the ECEL and AYHL.   But, GM Peter Alden praised Stratford work both on the ice, and in the classroom to get in this position. "CJ Stafford came to us playing Tier 2 Hockey and turned into a hockey player that will head off to Choate after spending two seasons with us, learning what it takes to play at the next level and applied himself in the classroom," Alden explained. 

Then two players from the U15's also will head to prep school in the fall as well. Sawyer Paul and Audran Schneider will head to join the prep school ranks.

Sawyer Paul a defensemen joined Elite after playing Tier Two Hockey. He played two years for Elite and will join arguably the best academic school in the country, in Phillips Andover in the fall. Not only an excellent hockey player but, he also happens to be an elite lacrosse player. He will play both for the Big Blue in the fall. 

On the way out he thanked his coaches for his development as a player. He believes that playing the tough schedule was the reason for his vast improvement as an athlete.

"We competed against some of the best teams in the country, so that level of competition really allows you to push yourself as a player," said Paul. 

Audran Schneider will depart the program after two years to enter Northfield Mount Hermon. After playing Tier Two, he joined Elite and blossomed earning an invite to the USA National Camp in 2018 for the top U15's in the country. Schneider couldn't be more grateful to Elite for helping him reach this point in his career.

"I had an awesome two years at Elite Hockey Program, I wouldn't have the opportunities I have now, or be the hockey player I am today without EHP," Schneider revealed. 

General Manager of Elite Hockey Program, Peter Alden is focused on the vast paths to reach college hockey. Alden added "There are many ways to reach college hockey; Midget AAA, Prep School and Juniors.  At the end of the day, you need to go to a place where you see the best fit for you is and the best development experience.  The key is to develop into that player that college coaches want.”  Added Alden

Are you interested in playing for the Elite Hockey Program? CLICK HERE to fill out a recruit questionnaire and your information will be forwarded to our Hockey Operations Staff.

For more information, email Palden@EliteHockeyAAA.com or Colby Drost Colby@EliteHockeyAAA.com. 

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