Masters Academy International Appoints Mike Anderson as Director of Boys’ Hockey

Coach who developed 13 NHL players and over 200 Division I commits brings proven development model to groundbreaking academy

STOW, MA. – Masters Academy International (MAI) today announced Mike Anderson as Director of Boys’ Hockey, bringing one of youth hockey’s most successful development coaches to the academy’s comprehensive athletics program. Anderson, whose teams have produced players for the Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and seven other NHL organizations, will lead MAI’s hockey program when the academy opens in September 2026.

“Mike has an extraordinary track record – over 200 Division I commitments and 13 NHL players speak to his ability to identify and develop elite talent,” said Peter Masters, Co-Founder and Director of Athletics at MAI. “But what truly sets him apart is his philosophy that creating a culture of trust and making hard things fun is what unlocks a player’s full potential.”

Anderson brings 23 years of elite coaching experience, including 15 years with the Boston Junior Bruins and eight years with the Minuteman Flames, where his teams have won nine EHF championships and competed at the highest levels of youth hockey. A former UConn captain who led his team to a conference championship in 2000, he understands firsthand the commitment required to reach the highest levels of the sport. This summer alone, 21 of his current or former players were selected to attend USA Hockey’s National Development Camp.

“Being a great coach means reaching players where they are, being willing to understand and care about them on a personal level, and buying into what matters most to them,” said Anderson. “Creating a culture where they learn to trust their teammates and coaches – where ‘buying in’ is something they do organically because they love the grind and pursuit of their passion, not something they feel forced to do.”

His coaching philosophy emphasizes tangible, in-the-moment goals that build toward long-term success. At the middle school level, Anderson focuses on transferable, detail-oriented skills while maintaining the joy that brought players to the sport.

“The way you do one thing is the way you do everything,” Anderson explained, quoting Hall of Fame NFL running back Marshall Faulk. “Show me what your room looks like and I’ll know what your practice habits are. It’s not enough anymore to be a great player and a terrible student – we’re developing the whole person.”

The hockey program at MAI will feature a challenging schedule designed to showcase athletes while pushing them outside their comfort zones. Anderson’s approach combines accountability with information, teaching players not just skills but the “when and why” behind their development.

“I believe in constantly finding challenging and adverse situations because that’s where growth and development opportunities live,” Anderson noted. “We intend to play a schedule that both showcases our athletes to evaluators at higher levels and pushes them to be at their best.”

Masters Academy International, part of Cognita’s global network of 100 schools, is pioneering a new model for student-athlete development. Located in Stow, MA, the academy combines rigorous academics with elite athletic training, providing 360-degree support to help students reach their full potential in all areas.

About Masters Academy International: Masters Academy International is a groundbreaking boarding school opening in Fall 2026 that reimagines the student-athlete experience. Offering comprehensive academic programs alongside elite training in multiple sports, MAI provides students with the tools and support to excel in the classroom, on the field, and in life. Learn more at https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/.

Media Contact: Mackenzie Weeden, Director of Marketing, Masters Academy International, media@mastersacademyinternational.com.