Mount St. Charles Hockey: 7 Shocking Ways The Legendary Program Is Redefining Prep Hockey In 2025

Mount St. Charles Academy (MSC) hockey is undergoing a monumental transformation in the 2025-2026 season, a shift that has fundamentally redefined its place in the elite landscape of North American prep and youth hockey. After decades of dominance in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, the Mounties have pivoted their legacy program into the highly competitive New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), a move that marks the biggest structural change in the program’s storied history in decades. This strategic pivot, coupled with the continued national powerhouse status of the Mount St. Charles Hockey Academy, ensures the Woonsocket, RI, institution remains a premier pipeline for future NCAA and NHL talent. As of late 2025, the Mount St. Charles Hockey Academy teams are showing formidable strength, with the 15U AAA squad boasting an impressive 27-8-3 record, positioning them as a top contender nationally. The program’s dual structure—separating the NEPSAC prep team from the nationally-ranked AAA Academy teams—is a key element of its modern success, allowing it to cater to the highest levels of youth development while competing in the elite prep circuit. This combination of historic legacy and modern, tiered development is why MSC continues to be a crucial stop for scouts and recruiters.

The Storied History and Unrivaled NHL Pipeline

The legacy of Mount St. Charles Academy hockey is not just a regional story; it is a fundamental chapter in American hockey history. Before its recent structural changes, the program was a dynasty in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, setting an almost untouchable standard for high school hockey excellence.

Biography: Mount St. Charles Hockey's Elite Alumni

• Bryan Berard: NHL defenseman, 1995 NHL First Overall Draft Pick.
• Brian Lawton: NHL forward, 1983 NHL First Overall Draft Pick.
• Brian Boucher: NHL goaltender, Stanley Cup winner, current NHL analyst.
• Keith Carney: NHL defenseman, played over 1,000 NHL games.
• Garth Snow: NHL goaltender, former New York Islanders General Manager.
• Paul Guay: NHL forward, 1984 Winter Olympian.
• Jeff Lazaro: NHL forward, played for the Boston Bruins.
• Ed Bradley: (Non-Hockey) Journalist, co-host of *60 Minutes* (attended MSC).

The program has produced a staggering number of elite players, including 34 NHL draft picks. This includes the unique distinction of having two first-overall NHL draft picks: Brian Lawton in 1983 and Bryan Berard in 1995. The Mounties’ traditional success laid the groundwork for the modern Mount St. Charles Hockey Academy, which has continued this winning tradition, including securing two National Championships in 2021.

7 Shocking Ways MSC Is Redefining Prep Hockey in 2025

The 2024-2025 academic year marked the official departure of Mount St. Charles from the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, a move that sent ripples through the New England hockey community. The transition to NEPSAC is not merely a change of league; it is a full embrace of the high-level prep school model, complete with a new boarding component and a focus on national competition.

1. The NEPSAC Power Shift: Leaving the Dynasty Behind

In a historic decision, Mount St. Charles Academy officially joined the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) at the start of the 2024-2025 season. This move means the school’s top high school team is now competing against elite prep programs like Avon Old Farms, Salisbury School, and Cushing Academy, ending its decades-long dominance in the local Rhode Island league. This strategic realignment immediately elevates the program’s exposure on the national prep school circuit.

2. The Dual-Track Development Model

The most unique aspect of the new MSC structure is the separation of the programs. The Mount St. Charles Hockey Academy (AAA teams) remains a national powerhouse, operating independently from the new NEPSAC Prep team. This dual-track system allows the AAA teams—like the 15U AAA squad coached by Jim Creamer—to focus on national tournaments and showcase events, while the NEPSAC team, headed by coach Mark Andreozzi, competes in the rigorous prep league schedule.

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3. Dominance in the 2025-2026 AAA Season

The Academy teams are proving the model is working, with strong performances in the 2025-2026 season. The 15U AAA team, a crucial developmental level, is currently dominating with a 27-8-3 record. The 16U AAA team is also highly competitive at 19-13-3, and the 18U AAA team is holding a solid 16-16-0 record. These records, updated in late 2025, underscore the program's continued strength at the national youth level.

4. Boarding School Status and National Recruitment

To fully embrace the NEPSAC model, Mount St. Charles has invested in new facilities, including a dedicated hockey dormitory. This transition to a high-level boarding academy allows the school to recruit top talent nationally and internationally, attracting players who previously might have only considered traditional New England prep schools. This expansion of the recruiting radius is a game-changer for the program.

5. New Coaching Leadership for the Prep Era

The NEPSAC team is led by Head Coach Mark Andreozzi, a key figure in the program’s transition. Meanwhile, the development of the younger talent is guided by coaches like Jim Creamer, the Head Coach of the nationally-ranked 15U AAA team. The program also benefits from specialized staff, including Director of Player Identification John O'Connor and Athletic Trainer Craig Carvalho, ensuring a professional, comprehensive developmental environment for all players.

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6. The Focus on Junior Mounties Development

The program maintains a strong emphasis on its youth structure, often referred to as the Junior Mounties. This integrated system ensures a continuous pipeline of talent is being developed within the Mount St. Charles system, feeding the AAA teams and the NEPSAC squad with players who are already steeped in the program's culture and philosophy. This internal development is often cited as a reason for the program's long-term success.

7. Immediate High-Level Competition

The move to NEPSAC means every game is a high-stakes affair, providing unparalleled exposure for players. Unlike the previous schedule, where only a few games a year were considered "must-watch," the NEPSAC schedule forces the team to compete at an elite level week in and week out. This challenging environment is exactly what scouts and NCAA recruiters look for, as it better prepares prospects for the jump to college hockey.

The Future of the Mounties: NCAA and NHL Pipeline

The transition to the NEPSAC prep league is a clear signal of Mount St. Charles Academy's commitment to maximizing its players' opportunities for college and professional hockey. The program is no longer just a high school team; it is a full-fledged, multi-tiered hockey powerhouse. The success of the 15U AAA, 16U AAA, and 18U AAA teams in the 2025-2026 season demonstrates that the Mount St. Charles Hockey Academy brand continues to attract and develop the nation's top youth talent. The new NEPSAC team provides an additional, highly visible platform for players to showcase their skills against the best competition in New England prep hockey. This strategic evolution ensures that the legacy established by players like Brian Lawton and Bryan Berard will continue, with the Mounties expected to be a dominant force in both the prep and AAA circuits for years to come.

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