Imagine for a second the local hockey scene if the following scenario played out:

1. User fees were out completely.

2. Hockey was a sport no more expensive than field hockey.

3. There were no private schools like Pingree, Governor's Academy, St. John's Prep, etc. to draw away a number of players.

An already strong contingent of local hockey talent might rekindle the glory days experienced the '70s and '80s when the River Rivals had teams that were state powers, not just CAL powers. Just a thought.

However, the strong allure of playing at a private school like Pingree - who plays against the top competition in New England, draws the attention of college coaches and recruiters, and provides an excellent education - was too much to say no for five local players.

Senior goalie Ben Bradley of Newburyport, senior defenseman Matt Spurling of Byfield, junior defenseman Adam Rimmer of Newbury, junior center Matt MacDonald of Byfield, and junior winger Matt Machiros all have made a major impact on the Pingree program as each had been a member of the varsity team since each players' freshman year.

At 8-7-2 this season the Pingree team is making a strong push to reach the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Div. 2 tournament in which there are eight spots available (Governor's Academy is Div. 1 of NEPSAC).

Rimmer and MacDonald simply followed in the footsteps of their brothers Brendan and Colby, respectively. But, the Triton and Newburyport area has been responsible for a huge percentage of the Pingree team in recent years, according to coach Buddy Taft.

"We started really banging away at the Triton area pretty good a couple of years back and it has really produced some terrific players for us," Taft said. "I feel bad to an extent, almost like we are raiding those public schools, but it just really goes to show what an excellent job the people in the youth systems are doing over there. That so many come to our school, yet Triton and Newburyport continue to have successful programs as well."

And with the quintet of former river rival talent, Taft struck gold. Four of the five have flourished on the first line, and the fifth is the second line center.

Bradley - a captain along with Spurling - has one of the best goals against averages and save percentages in New England at 2.0 and 92 percent, respectively.

Spurling has logged the most minutes out on the ice on top of scoring 18 points (4 goals and 14 assists), and his partner Rimmer has logged the second most time on the ice at the other defensive position.

MacDonald - a front-line terror - has been one of the biggest playmakers scoring eight goals and setting up another 20. While Machiros has anchored the second the second line.

Playing in the Holt Conference - with the likes of Portsmouth Abbey, Worcester Academy, Berwick Academy, and several others across New England - has not only elevated their natural abilities, but additionally put them on the map as college prospects.

Bradley has been recruited by Salve Regina in Rhode Island, and Spurling will most likely take a post-grad year out in the western part of the state before playing college hockey.

"The Catholic leagues may overshadow us a bit in the papers," said Machiros of the schools like Catholic Memorial, and B.C. High that get all the bigger headlines. "But, our leagues are just as good and the players are just as good."