Masters Academy International Appoints Topher Bevis as Director of Middle School Boys’ Hockey

Former U.S. National Team player and architect of Junior Bruins’ elite program brings specialized youth development expertise to groundbreaking academy

STOW, MA. – Masters Academy International (MAI) today announced Topher Bevis as Director of Middle School Boys’ Hockey, a strategic appointment that underscores the academy’s commitment to building excellence from the foundational years. Bevis, who helped establish the Junior Bruins’ nationally-recognized development model and spent eight years shaping young student-athletes at The Fenn School, will lead MAI’s middle school hockey program when the academy opens in September 2026.

“Topher brings a unique combination of elite playing experience and a deep understanding of youth development that is essential for our middle school program,” said Peter Masters, Co-Founder and Director of Athletics at MAI. “His proven ability to build programs that develop not just skilled players but confident, disciplined young people makes him the ideal leader for this critical developmental stage.”

Bevis brings exceptional credentials spanning playing and coaching excellence. A Massachusetts native who earned Gold with USA Select 17 at the 2002 IIHF 4 Nations and Silver with the U.S. National Team Development Program at the 2004 U18 World Championships, he played Division I hockey at UMass Amherst, helping guide the Minutemen to their first NCAA Tournament and Elite 8 appearance in 2007. Since 2012, he has been instrumental in building the Junior Bruins program, advancing to the USA Hockey National Tournament in 2022 and developing dozens of Division I and professional players.

“At the middle school level, our focus is on mastering the foundational skills — skating, shooting, passing, and puck control — and then applying them through small-area gameplay,” said Bevis. “We’ll also work extensively on position-specific details that players often don’t get through their full-season club programs. Combining that with our emphasis on high-tempo, small-area situations will be a real differentiator and a key driver in elevating each player’s overall effectiveness.”

His eight years as Associate Director of Athletics at The Fenn School provided invaluable insight into the unique needs of middle school athletes. This experience, combined with his success coaching the Junior Bruins Brick Team at the prestigious Brick Invitational Tournament, positions him perfectly to create a program that balances high-level skill development with age-appropriate training methods.

“What makes Masters Academy special is our commitment to the whole student,” Bevis explained. “Off the ice, success is reflected in how they carry themselves — their integrity, work ethic, and ability to lead and support others. We’re teaching the foundational skills that set the stage for long-term success, but more importantly, we’re helping these young athletes develop the discipline and habits that will serve them far beyond hockey.”

The middle school hockey program at MAI will feature state-of-the-art facilities, high-energy training sessions emphasizing skill development and decision-making, and a clear pathway to elite competition. Athletes will be introduced to proper skating technique, puck control, and team concepts in a fun, competitive setting designed specifically for their developmental stage.

“Our middle school athletes gain an additional 12 hours each week of sport-specific development — not just on the ice, but through age-appropriate strength training, leadership sessions, and nutrition education,” said Bevis. “When you add up the puck touches, on-ice time, and individualized coaching, our players experience the equivalent of years of traditional club development in a single school year. Compounded over multiple years, that level of focused training leads to improvement that simply isn’t possible in a typical two- or three-hour-a-week club model.”

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.