The cost of hockey: Pricy prep schools offering a path to high-level hockey [Video]

Calgary is set to host the Circle K Classic, welcoming some high-end talent and pricy prep schools for the annual U18 AAA hockey tournament.

For many Canadian kids who dream of playing hockey at a high level, attending a prep hockey school, like the Edge School in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL), is a path to get there.

Since 2013, the amount of NHL draft picks that attended CSSHL schools has risen dramatically.

Last year, the CSSHL had a record number of players selected in the NHL Entry Draft with four in the first round. In 2013 there were two, in 2019 seven, and in 2024, it had 25 players selected in total.

For parents like Doug Bartole, whose son Kyden plays for the Edge School’s U15 AAA team, it was an attractive option to help him pursue his goals.

“I think typically parents will do whatever they …