how many kids make a high school hockey team?

Well a full 4 lines, 3 d-pairs, and 2 goalies is 20 guys. I'm sure the team will allow 3 or 4 extras to account for injuries or academic ineligibility. So only 6 or 7 will get cut, by my estimation.

This happens all over the US right now and not just in hockey. Personally I believe it is turning into an epidemic. I have no issues with a kid going to Shattuck St. Mary's or another prep school, the issue is with kids transferring between local schools when the sole deciding factor is which school team they will be playing hockey for. I have a big issue with a kid being recruited to a neighboring school then going back and playing against the school he previously attended under those circumstances. Here in the Philly area, with the exception of 2 or 3 private schools, it never offers the kid any long term benefit. My personal opinion, it benefits the coaches more than the player because it boosts their chances of winning a championship. There is an option out there for a player to expose himself outside of scholastic hockey. It is called club hockey. The players have the option in most areas about which team they play for in club hockey. I disagree with you to a degree on the issue of it not mattering where you play. There are teams out there that provide more exposure than others. The player you mentioned that plays at your high school sounds like he would be garnering that attention regardless of where he would play. A player in that next tier of players may have something to gain from getting the additional exposure and a bump in playing caliber could help the kid develop his skills to reach that next tier of players. I don't think it's fair or right on many levels and frequently the recruiting coach sells the players an inflated bill of goods but there are a few circumstances where it can benefit the player. TopGuns: Honestly, how many players do you really think transferring between public schools benefits to the point of making it to the NHL? LITY: It certainly makes sense in certain circumstances but I also volunteer as an administrator for a local HS league in the Philly area and this is becoming much more frequent. I equate the situation you present as the equivalent of an NHL team recommending a kid go to college. There are kids jumping school districts in this area because the hockey team in the next town over is a little better. If the move has real implications on a players career, go for it. Otherwise, I view this as an issue.

Usually 20-25.

It depends, do they use all four lines and three d-man pairings? If they do, they have to be at least 20 players that make it. Since it is high school, I'm assuming there is an "ineligibility list" and there is always someone who makes it on that list so maybe add 2-3 extra players.

more then 15 for sure. At the high school level usually between 20-23 players. you wouldn't see more then 25 though. good luck.