There is a special buzz on campus this week because the 46th Annual Northwood Invitational is set to take place from Friday to Monday, January 17 – 19. The Northwood Tournament is always considered a special time of year because it is a rare occasion when all the hockey teams play at home and can support each other. All four Northwood teams will compete in their own division: Girls, Prep, Varsity, and U16.
Girls’ Division
The back-to-back Northwood Invitational Champions Girls’ Hockey Team in 2024. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.
The Girls’ team is looking for a 4-peat after beating Appleby College last year in OT in the championship. The Girls’ pool consists of Northwood School, Nichols School, Appleby College, and Academie Ste-Cecile. The Huskies will play Ste-Cecile on Saturday at 7:15 am in the 1932 Rink. Later that day, they will face off against Nichols School in their “senior night” game at 2:15 pm in the 1980 Rink. Their last pool-play game will be on Sunday at 9:00 am against Appleby College in the 1932 Rink. The playoffs will be determined by the results of pool play.
“This tournament means the world to us. It is one of, if not the most important, weekends of the year,” said returner Autumn Kelly ’26. “We have won three times in a row, and we are looking to extend the streak. It is also not just about hockey but about honoring the seniors and everything they have done for the program. We are super excited for this weekend, and the expectation is nothing but the trophy,” added Kelly, who recently committed to Long Island University (LIU) to play NCAA Division I hockey.
Click here for Girls’ Division schedule and results.
Prep Division (PHC)
The Prep team celebrates their championship win at the 2025 Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament. The Girls’ team also won the championship. Photo provided.
The Prep team is doing things a little differently this year. Instead of competing for a trophy, Northwood is hosting a Prep Hockey Conference (PHC) Crossover. This idea was discussed frequently among the hockey players last year, and the Northwood community is extremely excited about this opportunity. The PHC division of the Northwood Invitational is comprised of Northwood School, South Kent School, Mount St. Charles Academy, Shattuck St. Mary’s School, Culver Academies, and St. Andrew’s College. Northwood enters this weekend 3-4 in PHC play, second in the East Division behind South Kent School, and 5th overall in the PHC. The Huskies will kick off their weekend against Shattuck St. Mary’s School on Saturday at 4:00 pm in the 1932 Rink and look to avenge an 8-1 loss to Shattuck earlier in the season. On Sunday, Northwood faces Culver Academies in their “senior night” game at 1:30 pm in the 1932 Rink. Culver has been a force to be reckoned with, as they have outscored the Huskies 13-5 in their two matchups so far this season, including a 7-3 win over Northwood last weekend in the Gamesheet Prep Cup semi-finals, and Culver would go on to win the tournament. Just this week, Culver jumped Shattuck for the #1 ranking in the country for 18U. Lastly, Northwood faces St. Andrew’s College on Monday at 11:30 am in the 1932 Rink. The rivalry between Northwood and St. Andrew’s runs deep, but Northwood got the upper hand in the last game with a 5-2 win at St. Andrew’s in the previous PHC Crossover. Being the third game of a long and draining weekend, this game is sure to be a battle.
“This weekend truly means everything to me, and it is something that everyone looks forward to,” said three-year returner and Prep captain Parker Thompson ’26. “The vibe and energy always send a chill down my spine. With this being my third and last year, I am going to soak it all in, especially with the PHC Crossover and playing arguably the three best teams from all prep hockey at home in front of everyone and our families. I expect it to be a loud and energetic weekend for everyone, and I am pumped,” added Thompson.
Click here for PHC schedule and results.
Varsity Division
The 2025-26 Varsity Hockey team at the Olympic Center in September 2025. Photo by Jacob Slagel ’25.
The Varsity team is looking to continue a strong second half of the season, coming off a 4-0 weekend against Culver Academies, South Kent School, and Ontario Hockey Academy (OHA). After losing to Nichols School 3-1 in the semi-finals last year, the Varsity team is hungry for the championship. The Varsity pool consists of Northwood School, Philadelphia Little Flyers, Blyth-Deerview Prep, Atlantic Coast Academy, Bridgton Academy, Somang Hockey Club, St. Francis Prep, and St. Michael’s College Prep. Northwood starts its weekend on Saturday against Bridgton Academy at 12:30 pm in the 1980 Rink. Bridgton is a postgraduate (PG) school in Bridgton, Maine, that usually plays a challenging, physical game. Next, the Huskies face off against Blyth on Sunday at 7:15 am in the 1932 Rink. Sunday night, Northwood wraps up pool play with its senior night against St. Francis Prep at 6:30 pm in the 1932 Rink. The results of pool play will determine the playoffs.
“I have never won the Northwood tournament, so I am excited for my last chance at it,” said three-year returner Drew Tulloch ’26. “We have been preparing for this weekend, and I believe we are ready. We have to rely on our systems and trust one another. This past weekend was huge for our confidence and morale, and we must carry that swagger over to the tournament,” added Tulloch.
Click here for the Varsity Division schedule and results.
U16 Division
William French ’27. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.
Wrapping it up is the U16 team. In their inaugural season, the 16s have had many ups and downs. However, they have recently found their stride and are coming off a 2-1 weekend in league play in the new year. The U16 division consists of Northwood School, Atlantic Coast Academy, Kuper Academy, Philadelphia Little Flyers, Nichols School, Bishops College, Troy Albany Titans, Lovell Academy, Selwyn House School, and Blyth-Deerview Prep. Northwood kicks off its weekend against Lovell Academy at 9:00 am in the 1980 Rink on Saturday. Later that day, the Huskies play the Philadelphia Little Flyers at 6:30 pm in the 1932 Rink. On Sunday, Northwood wraps up pool play against Bishops College at 10:45 am in the 1980 Rink. The results of pool play will determine the playoffs. This weekend will be a test for the 16s.
“We are coming off a strong league weekend, and we are ready for a strong weekend of hockey!” said returner Will French ’27. “I have been looking forward to this weekend for a long time, and I am hyped to play in front of everyone!” added French.
Click here for the U16 Division schedule and results.
This weekend will be a massive test for all Northwood teams, and every team expects to win. It is shaping up to be a lot of fun for the players and the families planning to come and cheer Northwood on!
