Who Is Eligible for the Pre Prep Showcase®?

The Pre Prep Showcase® is open to both girls and boys born in 2012, 2013, or 2014. If your child falls outside those birth years, they are not eligible for this event as described. The showcase is designed for young student-athletes who want exposure to independent (private) school education through ice hockey, and it has run since 1995 — the upcoming edition is the 33rd Annual Pre-Prep Showcase®.

Eligibility at a glance

What "eligible" means here

Eligibility is defined almost entirely by birth year. The showcase is not a general youth hockey camp open to all ages; it targets a specific three-year cohort. That narrow window matters because the event is built around a specific recruiting and school-exposure purpose, not general skill development.

Two other conditions follow from the event's design:

• Your child must play ice hockey. The showcase is an ice hockey event, so participants need to be able to take part in a showcase environment on the ice.
• The goal is independent/private school exposure. The site frames it as "an outstanding opportunity for student-athletes to gain exposure to private schools through ice hockey." Families who are not interested in independent school pathways may find the event doesn't match their aims, even if their child is age-eligible.

How to check your child's eligibility

1. Confirm the birth year. Look at your child's birth year and compare it to 2012, 2013, or 2014. If it matches one of those three, they fall within the stated cohort.
2. Confirm the sport. The participant should be an ice hockey player preparing for a showcase setting.
3. Confirm the intent. Decide whether exposure to independent/private schools is a goal for your family — that's the purpose the event is built around.
4. Register. The site directs interested families to "Register Now!" for the 33rd Annual event.

Common points of confusion

• "Pre Prep" doesn't mean no preparation needed. The name refers to the pre-preparatory school pathway, not to a beginner-friendly format. Participants should be ready for a showcase environment.
• Both genders are included. This isn't a boys-only or girls-only event — the site explicitly states it's for both girls and boys in the eligible birth years.
• The birth years are fixed, not a range you can stretch. If your child was born in 2011 or 2015, they are outside the stated eligibility for this edition.

What to do next

If your child was born in 2012, 2013, or 2014, plays ice hockey, and you're exploring independent school options, the Pre Prep Showcase® is aimed at exactly that situation. Head to the site and register for the August 5th–8th, 2027 event. If any of those three conditions doesn't fit, the event likely isn't the right match — look for a showcase aligned with your child's birth year and goals instead.