Masters Academy International Co-Founder Chris Masters to Lead Middle School Girls Hockey Program

Former Boston College captain who coached 150+ NHL players brings elite program-building expertise to foundational years

STOW, MA. – Masters Academy International (MAI) today announced that Co-Founder Chris Masters will serve as Director of Girls Hockey – Middle School, bringing his extensive player development expertise to the academy’s foundational hockey program. Masters, whose spring/summer AAA programs have helped develop and showcase more than 150 players who later advanced to the NHL, including Jack Eichel, Matt Beniers, and Will Smith, will lead the middle school girls’ program when the academy opens in September 2026.

Since launching the Junior Bruins girls program in 2020, Masters has quickly built one of the nation’s premier developmental pipelines. As those early players have become age-eligible for national team selection and college recruiting, the results speak for themselves: four alumnae—Maggie Averill, Jane Daley, Annabelle Lovell, and Christina Scalese—were named to the 2025 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. Meanwhile, a growing list of program graduates have secured commitments to top Division I programs, including Jane Daley (Ohio State), Mia Daley (Yale), Christina Scalese (Princeton), Lily Bromley (Princeton), Kate Glantz (Brown), Gretta Hulbig (Yale), Remi Karsh (Yale), Annabelle Lovell (Minnesota), and Aubryn Monter (Penn State).

“Chris’s vision for youth development has helped shape hockey training across North America,” said Peter Masters, Co-Founder and Director of Athletics. “His ability to identify and nurture talent at the critical middle school age, combined with his track record of sending players to the highest levels of the sport, makes him the ideal leader to establish our foundational girls’ hockey program.”

Masters brings a unique combination of elite playing experience and program-building success. After earning Boston Herald Division I Player of the Year honors at Matignon High School, he starred at Dubuque in the USHL before captaining Boston College to two Hockey East championships and multiple Frozen Four appearances. As a coach, he’s won a USA Hockey National Championship and developed more than 100 Division I players, and during his time coaching, more of his players advanced to the US-NTDP than any other East Coast program.

“At the middle school level, the priority is creating an environment where players are challenged every day and held to a high standard, while still enjoying the process,” said Masters. “Our focus at MAI will be on skill development, in-game effectiveness, and teaching players how to train the right way. With significant on-ice time supported by off-ice skill work, strength training, and mental development, we want each student-athlete at MAI more confident, more capable, and better prepared for the next stage of her hockey journey.”

In 2001, Masters founded his renowned spring and summer AAA program, later launching the girls’ program in 2020 that has quickly become one of North America’s premier clubs. He co-created the Cwench Next Gen Series and Rose Series, including the War for the Roses—the girls equivalent of the prestigious Brick Invitational in Edmonton.

“Our middle school hockey program is designed for players who already have a solid foundation and are committed to continued development,” Masters explained. “With four to six hours of ice time each week, athletes receive both instruction and meaningful repetitions, so strong habits are reinforced. All of this is done while maintaining a positive, energetic, and fun environment that encourages a high compete level and genuine love for the game.”

The middle school girls’ program will focus on preparing athletes for the next level, whether advancing to MAI’s upper school Academy teams or other elite programs. Training sessions will be high-tempo and detail-driven, with emphasis on skill development, decision-making, and compete level.

“MAI is a place for motivated athletes who want to be challenged, supported, and prepared for what comes next—on the ice, in the classroom, and beyond,” Masters noted. “We take pride in preparing athletes for the next step while ensuring they enjoy the process along the way.”

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.