Simone Burns is coming off a career season for Rivers. (Brian Kelly/NEHJ)
The prep and high school seasons are behind us.
Soon enough, Mass. Hockey’s Festival and the New England District tryouts will be center stage on the local hockey scene.
Before we get there, though, club hockey is the main focus for a lot of the region’s hockey players once again.
Some of the best teams in Massachusetts and New England will compete for a shot at glory during USA Hockey Nationals.
Among the local 16U Tier 1 teams, the Boston Americans qualified automatically after winning the Mass. state title over Lovell Academy last November. The Lions also qualified on an at-large basis, as did the East Coast Wizards. The Connecticut Polar Bears also automatically qualified after taking the New England District crown last fall.
Other stalwart programs like Shattuck-St. Mary’s and the BK Selects also have prospects with local ties.
This year’s 16U Tier 1 Nationals will be held from March 24-29 in Amherst, N.Y.
We broke down the region’s 19U representation earlier this week. Now, here are the local 16Us to watch.