It's a great day for Massachusetts hockey

What started as an enterprising idea last spring to promote and drop the puck on the 2008-2009 high school hockey season has developed into a daylong event of promise, with no shortage of attractions.

Sixty boys' and girls' varsity programs from across the state have committed to the Garrett Reagan High School Hockey Summit, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7 at New England Sports Center, the five-sheet facility in Marlborough.

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli will headline an impressive group of speakers.

The summit, presented by the state hockey coaches association in conjunction with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, will honor Reagan, the longtime boys' coach at Hingham High who passed away in June.

"We started brainstorming on this last spring, and it's great to see it come together," said Waltham High coach John Maguire, president of the state hockey coaches association. "One of the neatest things for me, and everyone involved, is naming this in memory of Garrett Reagan."

Each team will play one mini-game (two 12-minute periods), with Hingham facing BC High at 12:10. Players and coaches will also participate in educational workshops and seminars, and attend a midday presentation in the 2,000-seat Rink 1 featuring Chiarelli, Boston College men's coach Jerry York, BC women's coach Katie King, and Babson men's coach Jamie Rice.

"We have an educational piece, a hockey piece, college people, prep schools, and the Bruins involved," said Maguire. "It will be a great kickoff to the season."

Admission representatives from New England colleges and prep schools will be on hand at a college fair exhibit. FASTHockey.com will provide free live video coverage throughout the day.

For full Hockey Summit pairings, go to boston.com/schools.