Will Prowse has taken his game to another level during the 2024-25 season.

The Vail native made the roster of the USHL’s Lincoln Stars and then committed to NCAA Division I Princeton for the 2026-27 season.

Obviously, it’s been a whirlwind of a season for the young goaltender.

“When I first made Lincoln, Princeton was the first school to reach out and show interest,” Prowse said. “Once the season started and I started to play some games, I was given the opportunity to go on a visit during our Christmas break and see the campus. When we got back, I played a few more games and then got the opportunity to commit to Princeton, which I couldn’t turn down. I will look to spend one more year in juniors and then go into school at Princeton.

“Princeton has so much to offer academically and hockey wise. They do an incredible job mixing a very good education with very competitive hockey. The coaches have been so great and showed a lot of interest, which was very appealing. They also have one of the best campuses I’ve ever been on and definitely the coolest rink I’ve ever been in.”

Prowse said academics have always been a top priority in his life.

“School has always been very important to my family and I and when I talked with them, they helped me realize when you have an opportunity to play at an Ivy League school, you take it,” said Prowse, who turned 18 in December. “I will look to major in economics when I am there.”

Back home, Prowse said he started playing hockey at Dobson Arena in Vail when he was about five years old and it just started as a new sport to try. He then played for the Vail Mountaineers, Arvada Hockey Club and Rocky Mountain RoughRiders.

“The coach that stands out to me most during my time playing in Colorado is Steve Quailer when I was with the RoughRiders,” Prowse said. “He helped me with so many things on and off the ice and most importantly, helped me become a better teammate and person.”

Looking forward, Prowse is building his game on the ice and his academic mentality off the ice to be ready for Princeton.

“For hockey, a goal of mine is to someday play pro hockey out of college and try to make a career out of hockey,” said Prowse. “However, hockey comes to an end at some point or another, which is also a key reason I chose Princeton because Princeton will help set me up for so many new opportunities once hockey ends.”

Photos/Brandon Anderson

— Matt Mackinder

(March 22, 2025)