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About High School Hockey

High School Hockey Organization

State

Illinois High School Hockey is run by the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI). Some high schools are big enough to have their own hockey clubs (sometimes referred to as “pure teams”), other high schools join together to create clubs (referred to as “combined teams”). PREP is the combined team of Elk Grove, Prospect and Rolling Meadows high schools in District 214.

Leagues

There are multiple high school hockey leagues in Illinois. PREP plays in the North Central Division league, which is the largest high school hockey league in Illinois.

Levels

Each league is divided into multiple levels based on skill. Smaller leagues have only one Varsity and one Junior Varsity level. Larger leagues have multiple Varsity and Junior Varsity levels.

The North Central Division has two Varsity levels and three Junior Varsity levels. PREP usually places one team in the top Varsity level, one team in the top JV level and one team in the middle JV level.

North Central Division League Play

The North Central Division fall season usually runs from early September through mid-January. There is normally an All-Star game in early January to showcase the top players at each level.

League Playoffs

North Central Division playoffs for all levels start in late January and last about four weeks.

Illinois State Championship

AHAI hosts the Illinois State Championship (also known as the Blackhawk Cup) in February and March each year. This is a single-elimination tournament to determine a state champion. There are separate brackets for high schools with their own teams and for combined teams. PREP plays in the combined team bracket.

Spring Hockey

PREP usually plays an eight week spring season in the West Meadows Spring Hockey League in April and May.

PREP Season Overview

Learn about the PREP season

PREP Annual Events

Learn about PREP's Events and how you can help

Player Expectations

Expectations, rules and guidelines for all PREP players

PREP Hockey Club