Boys’ Hockey
Boys' Hockey News and Notes
Milton Hockey Featured in the New England Hockey Journal
“Prep spotlight: Milton looks to carry strong effort into second half”
Like most teams in New England coming off the season, or lack thereof, in 2020-21, a number of question marks surrounded Milton Academy heading into the new campaign.
The young, inexperienced team hit a bump in the road at the start, but quickly recalibrated and got set on the right track, compiling wins over Lawrence, Governor’s, Hotchkiss and Westminster, and a tie with Kimball Union — the No. 1 team in the past two installments of NEHJ’s Prep Hockey Power Rankings.
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Milton Hockey 2019-20 Season Recap
During the 2016 – 2018 seasons the Mustangs went to a historic three straight New England Tournaments which included two Elite Eight bids and a second trip to the New England Championship game in 2016. Following substantial losses to graduation from this group, Milton looked at the 2019-20 campaign as a rebuilding season. Once again, the team would overachieve as a 6-2 finish against quality teams in February catapulted them into another New England Tournament selection.
The team was led by junior Ethan Mistry (Toronto, ONT), freshman Chris Romaine (Braintree, MA) and junior Will van der Veen (Duxbury, MA) on defense. Senior captain Shane O’Sullivan (Norwell, MA), junior David Chen (Livingston, NJ), junior Jeffrey Lee (San Jose, CA) and senior Tyler Crist (Bethesda, MD) up front and junior Chris DeMers (Burlington, ONT) led the way in the nets.
The season started with twelve new players on the roster, mixed results and many unknowns. The turning point of the season seemed to be a gutsy, character win against Westminster in the Sunday game of the Flood Marr Tournament. Following a Holiday Break the boys returned and ripped off three straight wins to claim the Tabor New Year’s Tournament Championship. After battling through the month of January the team found themselves still on the outside looking in as far a New England Tournament opportunity before winning six of their last eight games to secure a post-season bid. This run notably included a win and a tie versus our archrival Nobles who were also enjoying a stellar season over in Dedham.
Milton once again enters the 2020-21 season with high expectations. They have a proven and an experienced core and several talented newcomers. There are eight seniors on the roster and many questions related to the upcoming winter season due to Covid. No matter how the winter plays out Milton will be looking to start a quality rebuild in the 2021-22 year.
Milton Scores in OT to Beat Thayer 6-5 on the Road
Milton jumped out on a sluggish Thayer squad in the first and was quickly ahead 3-0 on goals by Tyler Crist (Bethesda, MD), Chen and Shane O’Sullivan (Norwell, MA). Thayer took its time out and was able to get two back before the end of the frame. First Michael Stenberg (Needham, MA – Penn State) scored on a cross-ice one-timer and then Sasha Teleguine (North Attleboro, MA – Northeastern) drove wide before lowering his shoulder, cutting across the crease and stuffing the puck inside the post.
The second went back and forth, with the teams trading goals. Peter Kramer (Bridgewater, MA – Providence College) tied the game, only to have Ethan Mistry (Toronto, ON – Brown University) regain the lead for the Mustangs. Shortly thereafter, Peter Kramer again tied the game at four, before Mistry put Milton ahead 5-4 with a nice shot from the point.
The third was more controlled and saw good chances by both sides. Teleguine scored a carbon copy of his first goal by driving wide and then cutting to the net and slipping the puck past the goalie to tie the game at five. Milton would take a major penalty but received some strong goaltending from Chris Demers (Burlington, ON) who came on in relief. Regulation ended 5-5.
Shortly into the extra session, David Chen would score his second of the game off a goal-mouth scramble to send the visitors home with a 6-5 win. The two teams will meet again at Milton next week.
Three Stars:
- David Chen, Milton Academy
- Ethan Mistry, Milton Academy
- Sasha Teleguine, Thayer
NZ Notes: This was a great prep school hockey game with plenty of offense. At times, the game was chippy and saw two major penalties. Each team was effective on the Power Play with Milton scoring three times with the man advantage and Thayer scoring twice. It will be interesting to see how Thayer reacts when it travels to Milton next week.
For the home team, Teleguine had a big night. He is the fastest player on the ice and uses his speed to attack defenders and beat them to the outside. He took a major penalty in the first, but was able to recover to score two goals and create several other scoring chances. He handles the puck well at speed and made some nice plays in transition. Peter Kramer was also strong. He scored twice and played a direct, heavy game on the forecheck, He does a good job finding space in the offensive zone and using his body to buy time to move the puck into scoring areas. Finally, Michael Stenberg looked solid. He plays big minutes for a late 04’ and is counted on to provide consistent offense. He is calm and controlled under pressure and moves the puck quickly to the open man. He is strong and has a heavy shot. He gets to scoring areas and has good touch around the net. On the back-end, Cam Mannion (Dorchester, MA) played a physical game and was solid cutting down passing lanes. He closes well and uses a long stick to keep forwards to the perimeter. Declan Loughnane (Milton, MA) was also solid. He is not afraid to take open ice and can make defenders miss in space. He makes a solid first pass out of his end and look to jump into the rush to create outlets.
For the visitors, David Chen was constantly around the puck and does a good job darting in-and-out of traffic. He is light on his feet and spins away from pressure. He is quick and tough to track down in the offensive zone as he always has his feet moving. Tyler Crist also had a nice night. He is tough on pucks and plays a complete, 200’ game. He fights through pressure and has the skill to make plays in tight. On the back-end, Will van der Veen (Duxbury, MA) was all over the ice in the defensive zone. He was engaged and physical and cut down passing lanes. He plays tough along the walls and uses his reach and stick to break-up passes. Ethan Mistry is a slick, puck-mover. He sees the ice well and made several smart plays to create positive scoring plays. He uses his feet and edges to create space and on several occasions, walked the line to get open before threading shots through to the net.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Boys’ Varsity Hockey Wins the 2020 Tabor New Year’s Tournament
Marion, MA (Jan. 8, 2020). Over the first weekend of 2020, boys’ varsity hockey took to the ice against strong opponents in the annual Tabor Academy’s New Year’s Tournament. On the first day, they beat St. George’s 4–2 in the morning game and then doubled up Winchendon 6–3 in the nightcap, setting them up for the championship game against Pomfret on the final day.
In an exciting game, senior forward Tyler Crist scored both of Milton’s two goals against Pomfret—one shorthanded to start the scoring and one on the power play to make it 2–0. Pomfret scored with 1:20 to go in the third period but Milton held on for the win (2–1). Milton also saw some stellar goaltending by junior Chris Demers, who turned back 26 of 27 shots that he faced. Junior David Chen was all over the puck and had six points on the weekend.
As Milton continues to rebuild they are now 7–5–1 for the season. This is their second Tabor Tournament Championship in the last three years.
Boys’ Wins the ISL Championship with a league record of 11-1-2
A Rarity in Milton’s 4-3 Win Over Thayer
Thayer, though, came back midway through the period to tie it at 1-1 when Evan Googins made a nice pass to Reilly Moran, who threw it on net. The puck deflected off the body of Milton goalie Erik Voloshin, and found a space between the pipe and goalie to make it 1-1.
At the start of the second period, Milton needed all of 22 seconds to regain the lead as they broke into the Thayer zone, with Zhang taking a pass from Campbell and beating Fitzpatrick high glove side.
Again, Thayer came back to tie it as Jay O’Brien, on the power play, took advantage of Milton’s inability to clear the zone and beat Voloshin high at 9:31 to tie the game at 2-2, with assists going to Tristan Amonte and Jason Dobay.
Milton freshman Bobby Beniers, on the power play, took a nice pass from senior Max Cantor and scored what would turn out to be the game-winner with 5:43 left in the second period, giving Milton a 3-2 lead to take to the dressing room.
At the start of the third, Campbell needed all of 18 seconds to complete a nice tic-tac-toe passing sequence with Fox to put the Mustangs up 4-2.
Thayer had chances, as Dobay hit a a post, one of many Thayer would hit, shortly after.
Midway through the period, Thayer’s O’Brien, ever-dangerous, took himself out of the game for a couple of minutes with an ill-advised offensive zone penalty for slashing.
Finally, Thayer junior defenseman Jack Murphy, from O’Brien, wristed a shot from the right point that found its way through a crowd, beating Voloshin to make it a 4-3 game with 5:56 left.
The final five minutes of a tense game were made even more so when Milton was called for back-to-back minors, for interference (a dubious call) and hooking. Thayer poured it on, hitting a post or two in the process, but couldn’t tie it up, though McDonough came close, hitting another post.
Milton coach head coach Paul Cannata, asked about the three first-shift goals, said, “They weren’t designed per se, it was just good players making good hockey plays. Our guys had some jump today, they were more on point than the last game (against Thayer). We had some puck luck, too.”
Thayer head coach Tony Amonte said, “We feel like we handed it away with those three first-shift goals. We weren’t sharp. No excuses, though. Give them credit. They won the league championship.”
Asked about the hit posts, Amonte said, “I think we hit five posts. (Aidan) McDonough must have hit three of them hard. Usually, you can get in for the rebound.”
“This time of year is tough. I think we can regroup by Friday and see where we’re at. Seb’s is always though in their building. That game is historically difficult for us.”
Notes:
— This game doesn’t appear to have budged Thayer from the final slot in the Elite 8, but it likely makes Friday’s regular season finale at St. Sebastian’s a crucial game.
— Milton, still hoping to move up a notch and gain home ice for the playoffs, finishes up by hosting Nobles on Saturday.
AWARD WINNERS:
It was announced by Head of School Todd Bland during the Milton Athletic Spring Banquet that Buddy Mrowka (Duxbury, MA) was voted the 2017 Alfred Elliott Memorial Award recipient. The award is given annually to a boy who showed extraordinary self-sacrifice and devotion to the best interest of his teams; a boy who played with inspiring example in both practice and competition. Mrowka served as captain of both baseball and hockey at Milton. He led both teams to ISL Championships and helped the hockey team to back to back appearances in the New England Prep Hockey Tournament. Mrowka joins former Mustang hockey players Michael Matczak, (Baseball/Hockey and Yale University), Dan Merenich (Baseball/Hockey and Amherst College), Robby O’Gara (Lacrosse/Hockey and Yale University) and Andrew Dumaresque (Tennis/Hockey and Holy Cross College) as Milton Academy end of the year major award winners. We wish Buddy well as he matriculates in the fall of 2017 at Harvard University where he will attempt to play both baseball and hockey.
In late February, with major playoff implications on the line, the Milton Mustangs swept local rival and highly ranked Thayer Academy by a combined score of 9-3. Each year the Colin F. MacDonald III Trophy is given to the Outstanding Player of the Milton Academy/Thayer Academy Annual Ice Hockey Series.
This trophy is presented in the memory of Colin F. MacDonald III. Colin was an outstanding young man, Thayer hockey captain and former Milton resident. He was a graduate in the Class of 1976, a Thayer student with exceptional athletic ability and possessed personal qualities rare in one so young. His desire for personal improvement, his steadiness, perseverance, humility, and kindness were conspicuous and remarkable. He was a model for all who knew him.
This year’s award went to senior forward and Milton captain Bobby Beniers (Hingham, MA). Playing major minutes and a mainstay on the power play, Beniers had a combined 2 goals and 3 assists in the two-game set. He was also a top penalty killer and a key face-off weapon for the Mustangs. Beniers joins former Mustangs Michael Matczak (Sewell, NJ and Yale), Jeremy Deutsch (Lloyd Harbor, NY and Amherst College), Chase Davis (Dallas, TX and Salve Regina College) and Pat McNally (Glen Head, NY and Harvard University) as recent recipients. We wish Beniers well as he matriculates at Williams College in the fall of 2017 where he will play hockey.
2016-2017 Recap
Boys’ hockey finished the 2016-17 season with a record of 14-9- 2 while securing a bid to the New England Prep Hockey Tournament for the second year in a row and the fifth time in eight seasons.
This was a year where nothing came easy for this group. The team fought injuries and illnesses from start to finish and was rarely able to field the complete roster. The players stepped up and competed on a daily basis overcoming adversity at each step to allow the group to achieve success. The early stages of the season, which featured an appearance in the Championship Game of the Flood Marr Tournament, were a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. As the Mustangs rolled into February playoff prospects were up in the air. Facing a crucial ‘home and home’ series with local rival and highly ranked Thayer Academy the Mustangs played solid hockey and swept the two game set by a combined score of 9-3. These two riveting wins were followed up with a key 3-2 victory in the last game of the year versus Nobles to secure a New England playoff birth. This was a season for which all of the boys can be proud.
This group of seniors is a special group in the history of Milton hockey and rivals the group from the 2009 – 2011 group. Jack Bliss (Chelmsford, MA and off to play hockey at Bowdoin), Bobby Beniers (Hingham, MA and off to play hockey at Williams College), TJ Brennan (Stony Brook, NY and off to play lacrosse at Ithaca College), Ethan Domokos (Nispamsis, NB and off to play hockey at Hobart), Jason Kong (Alhambra, CA and off to play club hockey at Princeton University), Buddy Mrowka (Duxbury, MA and off to play baseball and hockey at Harvard),Stevie O’Connor (Marshfield, MA off to play a year of junior hockey) and Team Manager Ethan Chan (Hong Kong and off to play tennis at Williams College). Over the past two seasons they were an integral part of a twelve game unbeaten streak, an appearance in the Flood Marr Championship Game, a Tabor Tournament Championship Game, an ISL Championship season, back to back New England Tournament appearances, a bid to the New England Elite Eight Tournament and an appearance in the New England Prep Hockey Championship Game. They will be missed.
The boys’ hockey team took advantage of plenty of parking, no mosquitoes and balmy air temperatures in the 40’s and water temperatures in the high 30’s for their annual winter Beach Day in the Boston Harbor.
Heading into mid-February the boys’ hockey team is currently 9-7-2 and once again battling for a spot in the New England Prep Playoff Tournament. The team has been led by the class of 2017 seniors (front row) Buddy Mrowka (Duxbury, MA), Ethan Domokos (Quispamsis, New Brunswick), Back row: Bobby Beniers (Hingham, MA), TJ Brennan (Stony Point, NY), Jack Bliss (Chelmsford, MA), Stevie O’Connor (Marshfield, MA) and Jason Kong (Alhambra, CA).
Boys Hockey Reaches Elite 8 Final
Boys Hockey featured in the New England Hockey Journal
Both Hockey Teams Advance to the NEPSAC Tournament
A happy group of Milton hockey players gathered following their recent 8 – 5 win over rival Nobles to end the regular season. The win secured a share of the ISL League title and the #6 seed in the New England Prep Elite Eight Tournament. This will be their third appearance in the Elite Eight in the last seven seasons. Milton won the Elite Eight in 2011.
As of mid-January the Milton Mustangs have churned out a record of 13-2-2 behind strong senior leadership from Andrew Dumaresque (Halifax, Nova Scotia), Spencer Fox (Fonthill, Ontario), Will Fitzpatrick (Marblehead, MA), Collin van der Veen (Duxbury, MA), Jeremy Gross (Needham, MA), Mitchell Donovan (Cumberland, ME), Trevor Turnbull (Hartsdale, NY) and Curtis Weyerhauser (Lutherville, MD).
Milton has a strong Canadian flavor this season. Pictured above are the current members of the program hailing from Canadian provinces: Assistant Coach Matt Underhill (Campbell River, British Columbia), junior goaltender Ethan Domokos (Quispamsis, New Brunswick), and senior forward Spencer Fox (Fonthill, Ontario), senior forward Andrew Dumaresque (Halifax, Nova Scotia), sophomore forward Tyler Campbell (Winnipeg, Manitoba), sophomore forward Tiger Zhang (Markham, Ontario) and sophomore defenseman Velan Nandhakumaran (Mississauga, Ontario).
Milton junior goaltender Ethan Domokos (Quispamsis, New Brunswick) and senior forward Trevor Turnbull (Hartsdale, NY) were recently named to the “All Tournament Team” following the Flood Marr Holiday Hockey Tournament which Milton co-hosts each December. Domokos and Turnbull led Milton to a third place finish and a 3-0-1 record during the tournament.
Flood-Marr Recap: Kimball Union 2, Milton Academy 2
Milton Senior Co-Captain Sean Brennan Receives the 2015 Colin F. MacDonald Award
Each year the Colin F. MacDonald III Trophy is given to the Outstanding Player of the Milton Academy/Thayer Academy Annual Boy’s Ice Hockey Series. This year Milton and Thayer played two exciting late season games with playoff ramifications on the line for each team. Both games were intense battles ending in a tie score following an overtime session.
This trophy is presented in the memory of Colin F. MacDonald III. Colin was an outstanding young man, Thayer hockey captain and former Milton resident. He was a graduate in the Class of 1976, a Thayer student with exceptional athletic ability and possessed personal qualities rare in one so young. His desire for personal improvement, his steadiness, perseverance, humility, and kindness were conspicuous and remarkable. Colin was a model for all who knew him.
This year’s award went to Milton senior co-captainSean Brennan (Stony Point, NY). Brennan had a goal and two assists in the first 4-4 tie and followed that up with the game tying goal in the second 3-3 draw. Brennan joins former Mustangs Michael Matczak (Yale), Chase Davis (Salve Regina), Jeremy Deutsch (Amherst), Pat McNally (Harvard) and Anthony Sabitsky (Trinity) as recent award winners.
The members of the boys hockey team gather for their April awards banquet
The boys hockey team gathers in Boston harbor in February for their annual day at the beach
2015 Senior Captains Sean Brennan and Henrik Dion
2014–2015 Boys Hockey Coaching Staff
On Sunday afternoon Milton hockey returned to its roots by playing a Pond Hockey Tournament on campus. Junior Clay Berger (Fort Lauderdale, FL) wearing an Alabama sweatshirt and hailing from the Sunshine State scored the winner in the championship game to propel the red team to the Brad Richardson Cup. Milton returns to prep action indoors this week with key games at home against St. Sebastians and on the road Saturday at Exeter.
2011 New England Champions!
Boys’ hockey enjoyed a dream season this past winter with an overall record of 26-3-1. Among their many accomplishments, the Mustangs beat Nobles four times during the year, finished the season on a 15-0-1 run, won the Tabor New Year’s Tournament for the third straight year, claimed the ISL Keller Division title for the first time since 1967, and captured the New England Boys’ Hockey Championship for the first time ever.
Senior defenseman Pat McNally was named the HNIB New England Prep Player of the Year, Head Coach Paul Cannata was named HNIB Coach of the Year for Prep Hockey, and the team was named the HNIB Team of the Year at their annual awards luncheon. Senior goaltender Sean Dougherty and Pat McNally were named the Marty McInnis Team MVP’s for the second year in a row. Senior defenseman Jake Turrin was elected as the Tim Taylor Milton Hockey Award winner and TJ Schneder and Tyler Edwards were elected as the Neil Hernberg Seventh Player Award winners.
Yale-bound junior Rob O’Gara has been named team captain for the 2011-2012 season.
[Read New England Hockey Journal Article]
Milton’s Senior Captain Rob O’Gara Drafted in the 2011 NHL Draft
The Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins, the 2011 Stanley Cup finalists, have each dipped into the Milton talent pool over the past two springs. The Canucks selected Milton defenseman Pat McNally (Glen Head, NY) – pictured on the left – in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Draft. This past spring. the Stanley Cup Champion Bruins looked to the New England Champion Milton Mustangs when they selected rising captain Rob O’Gara (Nesconset, NY) – pictured on the right – with their fifth pick.
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Coaches and Captains
1st Team (Varsity)
Head Coach: Paul Cannata
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35 years of NCAA and New England Prep coaching and playing experience.
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A former player, captain and graduate of Roxbury Latin (1985) and Hamilton College (1989).
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Has led Milton Academy over the last fourteen years from an inaugural 3-27 season to a perennial ‘top ten’ contender, back to back New England Prep Elite Eight Tournament appearances, a New England Championship in 2011 and an appearance in the New England Elite Eight Tournament Championship Game in 2016.
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Six years as Assistant Coach, Northeastern University, member of Hockey East.
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Member of Hockey East Coaching Staff of The Year 1996
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Assistant Coach and evaluator for the United States 2001 Select 17 Team competing as gold medal winners in Fussen, Germany.
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Head Coach and evaluator for the United States 2002 Select 16 Team competing as gold medal winners in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Evaluator, Head Coach and Assistant Coach of numerous Massachusetts and USA Select 14, 15, 16 and 17 Teams competing in USA National Development Festivals in Rochester, NY, St. Cloud, MN and Stockholm, Sweden over 20 years.
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Coach Cannata and his wife Laura reside on the Milton Academy campus with their two children (Caroline 13 and William 11).
Assistant Coach: Garrett Allen
Assistant Coach: Buddy Mrowka
Assistant Coach: Neil Hernberg
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Steve Darling
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24 years of experience working with elite high school athletes and ice hockey players.
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Coach Darling oversees all pre-season, in-season and off-season strength and conditioning workouts.
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Coach Darling will work with all players on improving their speed, power, strength, balance, coordination, flexibility. agility and overall athleticism.
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He oversees our Milton Hockey Physical Testing conducted in September and June.
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Coach Darling is a member of the Off-Ice Training Staff of the Mass. Select Hockey Training Program during the summer months.
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Graduate of Northeastern University.
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Coach Darling is the House Head of Norris House on the Milton campus and resides with wife Kelly and two sons (Jack 14 and Henry 12).
Captain: Jake Pohl ’23 & Jackson Faughnan ’23
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2nd Team (Junior Varsity)
Head Coach: Nicholas Messina
Assistant Coach: Matt McDonald
Frequently Asked Questions
Milton plays in the ISL Keller Division of the Division I New England Prep School Hockey League. This league is commonly considered by college recruiters as the top prep school hockey league in the country. The better graduating players from the Keller Division will go on to play at the NCAA Division I and top Division III levels. Hence, Milton is seeking players with the determination and ability to play at the highest level of prep hockey.
Milton Academy also offers hockey players a junior varsity program for competitive play and skill development.
2. How long is your season?
Prep schools play approximately 30 games including league and tournament play. Milton co-hosts the Annual Flood Marr Holiday Tournament prior to Christmas and will participate in a second tournament during the season. The Flood Marr participants are Milton, Nobles, Westminster, Salisbury, Andover, Deerfield, KUA and Hotchkiss.
3. Do college coaches scout your games?
Our Keller Division games are routinely attended by head and assistant coaches from all levels of college hockey. Our Flood Marr Tournament is a must stop for NHL and College scouts from around the United States. A bundle of former league players are currently on the rosters of Hockey East, ECAC, CCHA and NESCAC teams. As a player, you will receive ample exposure to college coaches of all levels.
4. Do your players train off the ice as well?
Yes. One of our Athletic Trainers, Steve Darling, prepares thorough, contemporary and beneficial off-ice speed, strength and conditioning programs for all seasons. The teen years provide a tremendous window of opportunity for an athlete to develop on and off the ice. Our focus within the Milton hockey program will be to maximize this opportunity. Ideally, a hockey player will enter Milton at one athletic level and graduate a stronger, quicker and more skilled hockey player.
The players are also encouraged to play another sport in addition to ice hockey. We are confident that this improves their overall athleticism which is critical to the long term development of a hockey player.
Boys’ Hockey
The Milton hockey teams train daily during the season and play their home games within the state-of-the-art Athletic Center located on campus. The Milton Athletic Center contains an indoor field house, running track, weight room and ice rink.
Milton Hockey Archives
