MARLBORO – Between the dates of when teams can first start practicing, and when regular season games begin, there’s a feeling in large parts of the state’s hockey community that each new season really starts at the MSHCA Garrett Reagan Summit.

Its 15th annual edition came on Sunday, with 70 boys and girls hockey teams lacing up in 35 total scrimmages across seven rinks at New England Sports Center, a major tune-up for a wide range of teams getting set for regular season action as early as Thursday.

Hockey is back.

“For us, definitely, that’s the way we look at it,” said Hingham boys head coach Tony Messina. “It’s named after Garrett Reagan, our former coach, so it’s something we always will do as long as we have it. We love coming here. It’s great, it’s a good dress rehearsal. … And then, there’s a little excitement here with all teams and all the coaches.”

“It’s exciting, it’s a great tribute to Garrett,” added Xaverian head coach Dave Spinale. “It makes (the new season) feel real because you’re playing under the MIAA rules, which is great. There’s no nonsense. Sometimes scrimmages can get a little unruly, but that makes it feel l

ike it is Day 1.”

Might as well kick off that Day 1 with a challenge, which Hingham and Xaverian once again did in their typical, two-period matchup at the summit. The two-time reigning finalist Hawks, who return 17 players from their one-goal loss to Pope Francis in the Div. 1 state final, built a three-goal lead before limiting a Harbormen rally for a meaningful win.

Exciting action among perennial quality teams came all around it, too.

Div. 2 threats Norwood and Gloucester played to a 3-3 tie, featuring an Andrew Gillis hat trick to help the Mustangs come back from a 3-0 deficit. St. John’s of Shrewsbury held onto a 3-1 win over a Marshfield group ripe with key returners. Hanover got off to a 3-0 start against Div. 2 finalist Hopkinton, Milton held Div. 1 state semifinalist Reading to a 1-1 tie despite an onslaught of pressure, and Braintree blanked Andover 2-0 to round out some of the top boys action.

The momentum that comes from playing in those games is obvious. But what is just as valuable is the opportunity to watch them – which isn’t what players often get to do all in one barn.

“I think it’s nice for the boys to watch,” said Gloucester head coach Derek Geary. “So many high school players play a ton of hockey all over the state, all over New England. I sometimes wonder how much hockey they actually watch. So this is a nice atmosphere. … I wish there were more of (it).”

“It’s something that I think is good for high school hockey, seeing all these teams in one building,” added Braintree head coach Dave Fasano. “I think it’s special. It’s also a way to get to look at other teams for a few hours.”

Where teams go from here is yet to be seen. But with another summit in the books, we’re now underway.

Latin Academy’s Ryan Collins, left, chases down Everett’s Lucas Deguire during the 2023 Garrett Reagan Summit on Sunday. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)