United States Premier Hockey League

Last updated
United States Premier Hockey League
United States Premier Hockey League.png
Sport Ice Hockey
Founded2012
CommissionerBob Turow [1]
Country United States Canada
Most recent
champion(s)		P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (NCDC)
Connecticut Jr.Rangers (Premier)
Northern Cyclones (Elite)
(2024)
TV partner(s) FloSports
Official website USPHL.com

The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is an American ice hockey league. Founded in 2012, the USPHL has grown to over 60 organizations from across the United States/Canada fielding teams in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), Premier, Elite, EHF, 18U, 16U, 15U, and High Performance youth divisions.

Contents

From 2013 to 2017, USA Hockey sanctioned the Premier, Elite, Empire, Midwest, and USP3 Divisions as Tier III junior leagues. In 2017, the USPHL added a higher level junior league named the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) for the 2017–18 season. The NCDC was seeking free-to-play Tier II junior league sanctioning, but was denied by USA Hockey. In response, the USPHL junior level leagues withdrew from USA Hockey sanctioning altogether. [2] The 18U, 16U and 15U divisions are still considered Tier I youth hockey divisions by USA Hockey. [3]

Beginning in the 2024–25 season, the league plans to expand into Canada’s Quebec/Ontario provinces, effectively creating an entire new division. [4]

History

Establishment (2013–2017)

During the 2012–13 season, several organizations within the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) decided to form their own league and created the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Those organizations also added their youth programs under the USPHL name as the 18U and 16U divisions. The original Tier III junior teams were categorized in the Premier Division when the USPHL absorbed the Empire Junior Hockey League (becoming the Empire Division) and the newly formed Eastern Elite Hockey League (becoming the Elite Division). With the additions, the USPHL added 16 more organizations to the original 15 before the inaugural 2013–14 season. The formation of the USPHL also led the remaining EJHL teams to join the Atlantic Junior Hockey League and create the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).

For the league's second season in 2014–15, the USPHL added the 16U Futures (16UF) Division [5] for players who aspire to play midget hockey, but are not yet ready for the 16U Division. Eight organizations fielded teams in the 16UF Division for its first season. During the 2014 off-season the USPHL lost the New York Applecore (Empire), but added the Providence Capitals (Elite & 16U), Jersey Shore Whalers (Empire), and the Richmond Generals (Elite, Empire) organizations to increase the total number of organizations to 35 headed into the 2014–15 season.

During the 2014–15 season, the USPHL announce the creation of a Midwest Division to begin in the 2015–16 season by adding several teams from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). [6] By the end of the season, the Midwest Division would add all but one active MnJHL team causing the MnJHL to disband for the following season. On March 10, 2015, the USPHL also added the entire Midwest Junior Hockey League to its new Midwest Division for the 2015–16 season. [7] USPHL Midwest became the fourth Tier III division under the USPHL umbrella.

The changes for the 2015–16 continued into April when the New York Aviators announced their decision to leave the USPHL and join the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League (NA3EHL). The USPHL promptly reassigned the Aviator franchise to Rye, New York, and was renamed to the New York Dragons. [8] In early April 2015, the Empire Division would expand to Daytona, Florida with the Daytona Racers. Also in April, it was announced the Empire Division would be renamed as the USP3 Division. In late April 2015, the Charlotte Rush was announced as an expansion franchise by adding two teams, one in the Elite Division and one in the USP3. The Wooster Oilers from the former MnJHL decided against fielding two Tier III teams and dropped their membership in the USPHL Midwest and would only play in the North American 3 Hockey League. Initially announced with 22 member teams, the new Midwest Division saw a number of teams cease operations prior to the 2015–16 season including the Indiana Attack, Ironwood Fighting Yoopers, Minnesota Owls, Soo Firehawks, and St. Louis Storm due to lack of players. The Midwest Division did not have its own championship playoffs, but instead the top two teams in each conference from the Midwest and USP3 Divisions played for a single championship.

On January 14, 2016, the league announced the formation of a High Performance Youth Division for the upcoming 2016–17 season. The new division added 14 and under (Bantams), 12 and under (Peewees), along with 10 and under (Squirts) to the USPHL umbrella. Charter members of the High Performance Youth Division were to include the New Jersey Rockets, Hartford Junior Wolfpack, Jersey Hitmen, and P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. In late April, the USPHL announced that the Elite and USP3 Divisions were expanding by splitting the teams from the one-year-old Midwest Division into the Elite and USP3 platforms. [9] More changes came on May 20, 2016, when the USPHL added the four remaining teams from the former Northern Pacific Hockey League to the USP3 as a Pacific Division. [10] Before the start of the season, the loss of the Illiana Blackbirds (Elite), Michigan Wild (USP3), and Marquette Royales (USP3) was offset by the additions of Team Beijing (Elite), another team from the New York Aviators organization (Elite), and the return of the Ironwood Fighting Yoopers (USP3).

League realignment (2017–present)

In October 2016, the USPHL announced it had applied to USA Hockey for approval to start a Tier II junior league for the 2017–18 season. The proposed Tier II USPHL division was announced to consist of 11 teams, seven from organizations in the USPHL Premier, the newly added Rochester Monarchs, and the Boston Bandits, New Jersey Rockets, and Northern Cyclones from the Eastern Hockey League. [11] At the time, the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league is the North American Hockey League. However, in December 2016, USA Hockey denied their application for a Tier II league. [12] The USPHL launched its tuition-free league as the National Collegiate Development Conference. [13] In response, the USPHL dropped USA Hockey sanctioning from their junior level leagues and operates unsanctioned beginning with the 2017–18 season. [2]

In December 2016, the USPHL also announced the addition of six organizations from the Eastern Hockey League for the 2017–18 season: the previously mentioned Bandits, Rockets, and Cyclones would be joined by the Connecticut Nighthawks, Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, and New Hampshire Junior Monarchs. The New Hampshire Monarchs previously fielded USPHL teams in the youth levels. While the Bandits, Rockets and Cyclones have free-to-play teams in the new NCDC, all six organizations were announced to have Tier III teams in the Premier Division and five teams in the Elite Division. [14] The Jr. Monarchs would also add a NCDC team in 2018.

The league also announced the retirement of the USP3 Division, with the Premier Division remaining the top pay-to-play division and the Elite Division the only Tier III feeder division. [15] The Jersey Shore Whalers and the Florida Jr. Blades, both members of the former USP3 Division, were granted teams in the Premier Division, as well as the Jr. Blades adding their USP3 team to the Elite Division. [16] [17] The Skipjacks Hockey Club also added a Premier team to augment their teams in the youth divisions. The Wisconsin Muskies also announced they would field an expansion team in the Premier Division. As part of the many changes, three of the four isolated former USP3 Pacific Division teams left the league with only the Eugene Generals remaining. The Generals would have a modified schedule for the season in the Elite Division playing most of their games against local youth and academy teams while only playing other USPHL teams in showcases. [18]

For 2018–19, the league merged with the Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF) youth leagues. The EHF organization already had many of the USPHL's junior organization's youth clubs. [19] The league also rebranded its 16U Futures as 15U. On March 8, 2019, the USPHL and EHF announced plans to integrate the USPHL's High Performance Youth Division into the EHF to create the EHF South Division, expanding the youth league's footprint into the Mid-Atlantic region, beginning with the 2019–20 season. [20]

In 2020, the USPHL Premier added the Anaheim Avalanche, Fresno Monsters, Las Vegas Thunderbirds, Northern Colorado Eagles, Ogden Mustangs, Pueblo Bulls, San Diego Sabers, Southern Oregon Spartans, and the Utah Outliers from the Western States Hockey League, another independent junior hockey organization. [21] [22] Complimentary additions to the USPHL Premier included Elmira Jr. Enforcers (renamed in 2023 to the Elmira Impact), Provo Riverblades, and the return of the Wooster Oilers after a one-year absence.

During the 2019–20 season the Boston Bandits NCDC membership was purchased by the Philadelphia Hockey Club, to replace the Bandits in 2020–21. [23] Rochester Monarchs were removed and replaced by Boston Advantage for the 2020–21 season. [24]

Ryder Rondeau, a hockey player for the Minnesota Moose. He is being highlighted as an example player of the league. Ryder Rondeau USPHL.jpeg
Ryder Rondeau, a hockey player for the Minnesota Moose. He is being highlighted as an example player of the league.

For the 2022–23 season, several new teams joined the USPHL. The Mercer Chiefs joined the NCDC. [26] The Bakersfield Roughnecks joined the Pacific Division in the USPHL Premier. [27] The Idaho Falls Spud Kings joined the Mountain Division in the USPHL Premier. [28] The Minnesota Squatch joined the Midwest West Division in the USPHL Premier. [29] Finally, several former teams from the WSHL—the Bellingham Blazers, Rock Springs Prospectors, Rogue Valley Royals, Seattle Totems, and Vernal Oilers—created a new North West Division in the USPHL Premier. [30]

Member teams

National Collegiate Development Conference

DivisionTeamLocationArenaJoined
Atlantic Connecticut Jr. Rangers Stamford, Connecticut Chelsea Piers Connecticut 2017
Jersey Hitmen Wayne, New Jersey Ice Vault Arena 2017
Mercer Chiefs Hamilton, New Jersey Ice Land2022
Rockets Hockey Club Bridgewater, New Jersey Bridgewater Sports Arena2017
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders Hauppauge, New York Northwell Health Ice Center2017
West Chester Wolves West Chester, Pennsylvania PNY Sports Arena2024
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Pittston, Pennsylvania Revolution Ice Center2022
MountainCasper Warbirds Casper, Wyoming Acord Ice Center2023
Idaho Falls Spud Kings Idaho Falls, Idaho Mountain America Center 2023
Ogden Mustangs Ogden, Utah The Ice Sheet 2023
Pueblo Bulls Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo Ice Arena2023
Rock Springs Grizzlies Rock Springs, Wyoming Rock Springs Ice Arena2023
Utah Outliers West Valley City, Utah West Valley Acord Ice Center2023
New EnglandBoston Jr. Rangers Tewksbury, Massachusetts Breakaway Ice Center2024
Islanders Hockey Club Tyngsborough, Massachusetts Skate 3 Ice Arena2017
Northern Cyclones Hudson, New Hampshire Cyclones Arena2017
Seacoast Spartans Exeter, New Hampshire The Rinks At Exeter,2024
South Shore Kings Foxboro, Massachusetts Foxboro Sports Center2017
Thunder Hockey Club Exeter, New Hampshire The Rinks At Exete2019 a
Utica Jr. Comets Utica, New York Adirondack Bank Center [31] 2017
Worcester Jr. Railers HC Worcester, Massachusetts Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center2024

a - Twin City Thunder relocate 2024

Seattle Totems playing against the Rogue Valley Royals in Medford, OR in January 2024 1-19-24-minolta-14.jpg
Seattle Totems playing against the Rogue Valley Royals in Medford, OR in January 2024

Premier and Elite teams

The USPHL consists of Premier and Elite junior levels, as well as EHF Selects, EHF South, 18U, 16U, 15U, and High Performance youth divisions with organizations located across the United States and Canada.

TeamLocationPremierEliteNCDC affiliate
Atlanta Mad Hatters Marietta, Georgia FloridaFlorida—
Bakersfield Roughnecks Bakersfield, California Pacific——
Battle Creek Kernels Battle Creek, Michigan Great Lakes ——
Bellingham Blazers Bellingham, Washington Northwest——
Bold City Battalion Jacksonville, Florida FloridaFlorida—
Boston Junior Rangers Tewksbury, Massachusetts New England–Boston Jr. Rangers
Bremerton Sockeyes Bremerton, Washington Northwest——
Brooklyn Aviators Brooklyn, New York Atlantic——
Carolina Jr. Hurricanes Morrisville, North Carolina SoutheastSoutheast—
Charlotte Rush Pineville, North Carolina SoutheastSoutheastNorthern Cyclones
Chicago Cougars Bensenville, Illinois MidwestMidwest—
Chicago Crush Addison, Illinois MidwestMidwest—
Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones Evendale, Ohio Great Lakes——
College Universel Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada——
Colorado Fighting Elk Craig, Colorado Northwest——
Columbus Mavericks Lewis Center, Ohio Great Lakes——
Connecticut Jr. Rangers Stamford, Connecticut AtlanticMid-AtlanticConnecticut Jr. Rangers
Decatur Blaze Decatur, Illinois MidwestMidwestP.A.L. Jr. Islanders
Dells Ducks Lake Delton, Wisconsin North—New Jersey Rockets
Elmira Impact Elmira, New York AtlanticMid-Atlantic—
Florida Eels Fort Myers, Florida FloridaFloridaIslanders Hockey Club
Florida Jr. Blades Estero, Florida FloridaFloridaP.A.L. Jr. Islanders
Fort Wayne Spacemen Fort Wayne, Indiana MidwestMidwest—
Fresh Coast Freeze Holland, Michigan Great Lakes——
Fresno Monsters Fresno, California Pacific——
Gatineau Universel Gatineau, Quebec Canada——
Hampton Roads Whalers Yorktown, Virginia SoutheastSoutheastNew Jersey Rockets
Hawkesbury Knights Hawkesbury, Ontario Canada——
Henderson Force Henderson, Nevada Pacific——
Hershey Cubs Hershey, Pennsylvania AtlanticAtlantic —
Hudson Havoc Hudson, Wisconsin North——
Iron County Yeti Enoch, Utah Northwest——
Isanti Outlaws Isanti, Minnesota North—Utica Jr. Comets
Islanders Hockey Club North Andover, Massachusetts New EnglandNew EnglandIslanders Hockey Club
Jersey Hitmen Wayne, New Jersey AtlanticAtlanticJersey Hitmen
Kingston Wranglers Kingston, Ontario Canada——
Lake Tahoe Lakers South Lake Tahoe, California Pacific——
Long Beach Bombers Lakewood, California Pacific——
Mercer Chiefs Hamilton, New Jersey Atlantic—Mercer Chiefs
Metro Jets Mount Clemens, Michigan Great LakesMidwestBoston Junior Bruins
Metro Jets Development Program Mount Clemens, Michigan Midwest——
Minnesota Blue Ox Coon Rapids, Minnesota North—New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs
Minnesota Mullets Minneapolis, Minnesota North—Jersey Hitmen
Minnesota Squatch Elk River, Minnesota North——
Montreal BlackVees Montreal, Quebec Canada——
Motor City Gamblers Fraser, Michigan MidwestMidwestSouth Shore Kings
Nashville Spartans Nolensville, Tennessee Great Lakes—Provo Predators
Northern Cyclones Hudson, New Hampshire New EnglandNew EnglandNorthern Cyclones
Northwest Express Spooner, Wisconsin North--
Ontario Jr. Reign Ontario, California Pacific——
Palm Beach Typhoon Palm Beach, Florida FloridaFlorida—
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders Hauppauge, New York AtlanticAtlanticP.A.L. Jr. Islanders
Potomac Patriots Woodbridge, New Jersey SoutheastSoutheastUtica Jr. Comets
Railers Junior HC Worcester, Massachusetts New England–Junior Railers HC
Red Bank Generals Red Bank, Virginia Atlantic——
Rockets Hockey Club Bridgewater, New Jersey AtlanticMid-Atlantic Rockets Hockey Club
Somang Hockey Club Montreal, Quebec Canada——
Rogue Valley Royals Medford, Oregon Northwest——
San Diego Sabers Carlsbad, California Pacific——
Seattle Totems Mountlake Terrace, Washington Northwest——
Sherbrooke Universel Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada——
South Shore Kings Foxboro, Massachusetts New EnglandNew EnglandSouth Shore Kings
Springfield Pics West Springfield, Massachusetts New EnglandNew EnglandNorthern Cyclones
Steele County Blades Owatonna, Minnesota North—New Jersey Rockets
Tampa Bay Juniors Wesley Chapel, Florida FloridaFloridaSouth Shore Kings
Toledo Cherokee Toledo, Ohio Great Lakes——
Thunder Hockey Club Exeter, New Hampshire New England—Thunder HC
Utica Jr. Comets Utica, New York New England—Utica Jr. Comets
Vernal Oilers Vernal, Utah Northwest——
Ventura Vikings Simi Valley, California Pacific——
West Chester Wolves West Chester, Pennsylvania Atlantic—West Chester Wolves
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Pittston, Pennsylvania AtlanticMid-Atlantic Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin North—Islanders Hockey Club

Champions

YearPremier DivisionElite DivisionUSP3 [lower-alpha 1] 18U Division16U Division16U Futures Division
2013–14Boston Jr. BruinsSpringfield Jr. PicsFlorida Jr. BladesSelects AcademySelects Academy—
2014–15Jersey HitmenBoston Jr. BruinsNew York AviatorsJersey HitmenWilkes-Barre/Scranton KnightsCarolina Eagles
2015–16Jersey HitmenHampton Roads WhalersDells Ducks [lower-alpha 2] Selects AcademySelects AcademyPotomac Patriots [32]
2016–17Islanders Hockey ClubCharlotte RushFlorida Jr. BladesP.A.L. Jr. IslandersSelects AcademyJersey Hitmen [33]
YearNCDCPremier DivisionElite Division18U Division16U Division15U [lower-alpha 3]
2017–18Islanders Hockey ClubHampton Roads WhalersHampton Roads WhalersSelects AcademySelects AcademyJersey Hitmen
2018–19 Boston Junior Bruins Hampton Roads WhalersRichmond GeneralsSelects Academy [34] Islanders Hockey Club [lower-alpha 4]
Pittsburgh Vengeance [lower-alpha 5] 		Philadelphia Hockey Club [37]
2019–20Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic Jersey Hitmen [38] Rockets Hockey Club [lower-alpha 6] [39]
Springfield Pics [lower-alpha 7] [40] 		Palmyra Black Knights [41]
2020–21 Jersey Hitmen Charlotte Rush [42] Charlotte Rush [43] Boston Junior Bruins [lower-alpha 8] [44]
Maine Moose [lower-alpha 9] [44] 		Islanders Hockey Club [lower-alpha 6] [44]
Springfield Pics [lower-alpha 7] [44] 		Jersey Hitmen [44]
2021–22Jersey HitmenRockets Hockey ClubRichmond GeneralsSkipjacks Hockey Club [lower-alpha 8] [45]
Connecticut Jr. Rangers [lower-alpha 9] [45] 		P.A.L. Jr. Islanders [lower-alpha 6] [45]
Rockets Hockey Club [lower-alpha 7] [45] 		P.A.L. Jr. Islanders [45]
2022-23P.A.L. Jr. IslandersNorthern CyclonesCarolina Jr. Hurricanes
2023-24 South Shore Kings Connecticut Jr. RangersNorthern Cyclones
  1. ↑ Formerly called Empire Division from 2013 to 2015
  2. ↑ 2016 Championship series was held between the new Midwest Division and the USP3 Division for a single champion won by the Midwest's Dells Ducks
  3. ↑ Also known as 16U Futures Division prior to the 2018–19 season.
  4. ↑ Won the 16U Springfield Championship. [35]
  5. ↑ Won the 16U Bridgewater Championship. [36]
  6. 1 2 3 Won the 16U National Championship.
  7. 1 2 3 Won the 16U American Championship.
  8. 1 2 Won the 18U National Championship.
  9. 1 2 Won the 18U American Championship.

Former teams

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Hockey League (2013)</span> American Tier III Junior ice hockey league

The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) is an American Tier III junior ice hockey league with teams in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The EHL was officially announced on June 6, 2013, after the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AtJHL) welcomed six new members from the old Eastern Junior Hockey League and the AtJHL re-branded itself under the EHL banner

The Boston Junior Bruins are an American junior ice hockey organization playing in Marlborough, Massachusetts. They currently field three junior and a number of youth teams in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Hampshire Junior Monarchs</span> Ice hockey team in Hooksett, New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Junior Monarchs were a junior and youth ice hockey organization from Hooksett, New Hampshire, with teams in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Its highest level junior team played in the USPHL's National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgewater Bandits</span> Ice hockey team in Bridgewater, Massachusetts

The Bridgewater Bandits, also called the Boston Bandits, are a junior ice hockey organization from Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in the United States, with teams playing in the United States Premier Hockey League. The organization plays home games at the Bridgewater Ice Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islanders Hockey Club</span> Ice hockey team in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts

The Islanders Hockey Club are an American junior ice hockey organization from Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. They field teams in the United States Premier Hockey League National Collegiate Development Conference, Premier Division, and Elite Division, as well as in youth and girls leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jersey Hitmen</span> Ice hockey team in Wayne, New Jersey, United States

The Jersey Hitmen are a junior and youth ice hockey organization with teams in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), with its top level junior team playing in the USPHL's National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). The organization also has junior teams in the USPHL's Premier and Elite Divisions, as well as multiple youth teams from 10U to 18U. The teams play their home games at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Springfield Pics</span> Ice hockey team in West Springfield, Massachusetts

The Springfield Pics are an American junior ice hockey organization playing in West Springfield, Massachusetts at the Olympia Ice Center. They field two Tier III teams and a number of Youth teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Mullets</span> Junior ice hockey team in Minnesota, USA

The Minnesota Mullets are a Tier III junior ice hockey team located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mullets play in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Premier Division. From 1993 to 2015, the team played in the former Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). For most of the franchise's existence, it was known as the Lakers and played in various cities in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.

The Northwest Express are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League. The team plays their home games at the Spooner Civic Center located in Spooner, Wisconsin.

The River Falls Renegades was a Tier III junior ice hockey team that played first in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL) and then the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The team was not listed among the USPHL membership in 2017–18.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene Generals</span> Ice hockey team in Eugene, Oregon

The Eugene Generals are a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III junior ice hockey team. The team plays their home games at 2,700-seat the Rink Exchange in the Lane Events Center in Eugene, Oregon. The team announced it is on hiatus for the 2019–20 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Sound Warriors</span> Ice hockey team in Bremerton, Washington

The West Sound Warriors were a junior ice hockey that played at the Bremerton Ice Center in Bremerton, Washington. Formerly, the team was a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III ice hockey team that played in the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NorPac/NPHL) and the United States Premier Hockey League-USP3 (USPHL-USP3). In the 2017–18 season, the team was an AAU-sanctioned junior team in the Western States Hockey League. The WSHL franchise was sold to a new ownership group in Bremerton after the one season and became the West Sound Admirals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Cyclones</span> Ice hockey team in Hudson, New Hampshire

The Northern Cyclones are a junior ice hockey organization playing in the United States Premier Hockey League. The team plays their home games at the Cyclones Arena, located in Hudson, New Hampshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Jr. Pirates</span> Ice hockey team in Saco, Maine

The Portland Jr. Pirates were a Tier III Jr. A ice hockey team that played their home games at the MHG Ice Centre in Saco, Maine. The organization continues to host youth hockey programs in the Massachusetts Premier Development Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hartford Jr. Wolfpack</span> Ice hockey team in Cromwell, Connecticut

The Hartford Jr. Wolfpack were a junior ice hockey team that most recently played in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The team played their home games at the Champions Skating Center located in Cromwell, Connecticut. From 2003 to 2017, the Jr. Wolfpack were members of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and its predecessor, the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL), while sanctioned as a Tier III junior team by USA Hockey before it joined the unsanctioned USPHL. The team was removed from the USPHL schedule at the beginning of the 2019–20 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights</span> Ice hockey team in Pittston, Pennsylvania

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights are a junior ice hockey organization from Pittston, Pennsylvania. In 2015, the Knights' junior hockey organization purchased the dormant Dawson Creek Rage franchise in the Tier II North American Hockey League (NAHL) and placed their Tier III franchise in the Eastern Hockey League into dormancy. The organization has reactivated and deactivated their Tier III level teams at various times, but plans to launch teams in the United States Premier Hockey League's Premier and Elite Divisions, non-USA Hockey sanctioned leagues that operate similar to the Tier III level. The organization also has several youth ice hockey teams in its development program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midwest Junior Hockey League</span>

The Midwest Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) was an American junior ice hockey league. The MWJHL were members of the United Hockey Union and sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). On March 10, 2015, the league announced it would be joining the United States Premier Hockey League as part of a new Midwest Division beginning in the 2015–16 season.

The Rochester Jr. Americans are a Tier II Junior ice hockey team from Rochester, New York. Junior team returned to Rochester with the North American Hockey League accepting the location as an expansion franchise starting in the 2023-24 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Flyers Junior Hockey Club</span> Ice hockey team in Voorhees, New Jersey

The Philadelphia Flyers Junior Hockey Club were a Tier III junior ice hockey team in the United States Premier Hockey League Premier Division. The franchise was originally based in Voorhees, New Jersey, at the Flyers Skate Zone. In 2017, the franchise was sold to Delaware Hockey, LLC and it became the Lightning Hockey Club with plans to play in the USPHL's 2017–18 season out of Newark, Delaware. The team was removed from the league's member list in September 2017 prior to ever playing a game.

The Palm Beach Hawks were an American ice hockey organization playing in Lake Worth, Florida. They fielded two Tier III teams and a number of youth teams.

References

  1. ↑ "United States Premier Hockey League Names Bob Turow As Commissioner". USPHL.com. October 22, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "DAILY DISH: USA HOCKEY ANNUAL CONGRESS". Junior Hockey News. June 6, 2017.
  3. ↑ "USA Hockey agrees to sanction USPHL, major eastern mergers". Junior Hockey News. 6 May 2013.
  4. ↑ Boyd, Joshua (February 13, 2024). "USPHL Premier Expands To Canada With New Division In Ontario And Quebec". TheJuniorHockeyNews.com. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  5. ↑ "USPHL announces 16U Futures Division". Adirondack Junior Wings. 7 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Minnesota Junior Hockey League gets a shakeup". Post Bulletin. 18 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Midwest Junior Hockey League Joins USPHL Mid-West Junior Hockey Division". USPHL. 10 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSports Central. April 27, 2015.
  9. ↑ "USPHL Expands Elite and USP3 Divisions for 2016-17 Season". USPHL. April 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ "West Coast Teams Join Nation's Top College Development League (USPHL)". USPHL. May 20, 2016.
  11. ↑ "USPHL Announces New Tuition Free Hockey Division for 2017-18 Season". Junior Hockey News. October 6, 2016.
  12. ↑ "DAILY DISH: USPHL-NAHL Showdown? Yea Right". Junior Hockey News. December 5, 2016.
  13. ↑ "National Collegiate Development Conference Officially Launches For 2017-18". Junior Hockey News. December 15, 2016.
  14. ↑ "USPHL Consolidating Tier III Junior Hockey in the East". USPHL. December 22, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference the logical next step for USPHL". USA Junior Hockey Magazine. January 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Jersey Shore Whalers Revamp for 2017-18 USPHL Season". USPHL. February 15, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Florida Jr. Blades Announce Expansion Plans for 2017-18 USPHL Season". USPHL. February 10, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Eugene Generals: Schedule Shake-Up Announced For 2017-18 Season". USPHL. August 9, 2017.
  19. ↑ "The EHF Merges With The USPHL". USPHL. June 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ "USPHL ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF EHF SOUTH DIVISION". EHF. March 8, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Southern Oregon Spartans move to new league". Mail Tribune. April 18, 2020.
  22. ↑ "USPHL 2020-2021 Western Expansion". USA Junior Hockey Magazine. April 29, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Philadelphia Hockey Club To Join NCDC In 2020-21". The Junior Hockey Podcast. November 14, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Boston Advantage Joins USPHL, NCDC". Neutral Zone. June 9, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Meet Ryder Rondeau". Minnesota Moose. September 19, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Tier 1 Hockey Federation, USPHL Announce Collaboration, Mercer Chiefs Join NCDC For 2022-23". USPHL. March 7, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Bakersfield Roughnecks To Join USPHL Premier's Pacific Division In 2022-23". USPHL. October 13, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Team Members". USPHL.com. USPHL.
  29. ↑ USPHL.com, Joshua Boyd / (2022-05-05). "Minnesota Squatch Join United States Premier Hockey League, Will Play In Elk River". U.S. Premier Hockey League. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  30. ↑ USPHL.com, Joshua Boyd / (2022-05-06). "United States Premier Hockey League Announces Formation Of Northwest Division In USPHL Premier". U.S. Premier Hockey League. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  31. ↑ "SYRACUSE STARS JUNIOR & MIDGET TEAMS RELOCATING TO ADIRONDACK BANK CENTER". Utica Comets. March 8, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Week Twenty-Five – Seven Things to Know". USPHL. February 16, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Jersey Hitmen Win 16U Futures USPHL Championship". USPHL. February 20, 2017.
  34. ↑ "18U Championship: South Kent Selects Academy engineers second period comeback for title". USPHL. February 24, 2019.
  35. ↑ "USPHL 16U Championship: Islanders Hockey Club stand tall with 2019 title in Springfield". USPHL. February 24, 2019.
  36. ↑ "USPHL 16U Championship: Pittsburgh Vengeance come back to win Bridgewater title". USPHL. February 24, 2019.
  37. ↑ "USPHL 15U Championship: Philadelphia Hockey Club upsets Rockets to claim title". USPHL. February 25, 2019.
  38. ↑ "Jersey Hitmen Take Home 2019-20 USPHL 18U Championship". USPHL. February 23, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Rockets Hockey Club Wins USPHL 16U National Championship". USPHL. February 23, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Springfield Pics Win 2020 USPHL 16U American Division Championship". USPHL. February 23, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Kiely, Palmyra Capture USPHL 15U Championship in Comeback Thriller". USPHL. February 23, 2020.
  42. ↑ "2021 USPHL Premier National Championships: Charlotte Rush Defeat Florida Eels 2-0 For Premier Title". USPHL. March 22, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Charlotte Rush Capture 2020-21 USPHL Elite Championship With 6-5 Win". USPHL. March 22, 2021.
  44. 1 2 3 4 5 "USPHL Crowns Five Midget Champions In Pennsylvania". USPHL. March 8, 2021.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 "USPHL Crowns Five Midget Champions Over Exciting Weekend Of Hockey". USPHL. February 28, 2022.
  46. ↑ "PAL Junior Islanders Partner With Adirondack Jr Wings". Junior Hockey News. March 4, 2015.
  47. ↑ "THE DEATH POOL – SPECIAL REPORT – ADIRONDACK JR RED WINGS SHUT DOWN EMPIRE TEAM". The Junior Hockey News. August 27, 2015.
  48. ↑ "The Death Pool: Alpena Flyers have Wings Clipped". The Junior Hockey News. April 24, 2017.
  49. ↑ "Former NHLer Emerson Etem Announces Long Beach Shredders To Play In Pacific Division". USPHL. May 8, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Atlanta Mad Hatters excited for 2019-20 debut season, announce tryout changes". USPHL. April 11, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Atlanta Kings Press Release". Atlanta Kings. April 15, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Okanagan Hockey Club Europe to play USPHL Premier". USPHL. May 7, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Boston Advantage Joins USPHL, NCDC". Neutral Zone. June 9, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Junior hockey: Twin City Thunder likely to play Boston Advantage in a one-game NCDC playoff matchup". Sun Journal. March 2, 2023.
  55. 1 2 "Junior hockey: Twin City Thunder's 2023-24 schedule is released". Sun Journal. July 7, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Philadelphia Hockey Club Buys NCDC Franchise, Will Join League In 2020-21". USPHL. November 14, 2019.
  57. ↑ "Bringing the Thunder to Buffalo: USPHL Premier team already enjoying new home". USPHL. June 29, 2019.
  58. ↑ "Buffalo Thunder Elite Prospects". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  59. ↑ "THE DEATH POOL – SPECIAL REPORT – FLORIDA BULLDOGS HAVE BEEN PUT TO SLEEP". The Junior Hockey News. September 22, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSports Central. September 16, 2019.
  61. ↑ "THE DEATH POOL – SPECIAL REPORT – INDIANA ATTACK TAKE BULLET TO THE HEAD". The Junior Hockey News. September 10, 2015.
  62. ↑ "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSportsCentral.com. June 11, 2018.
  63. ↑ "Jersey Shore Whalers About Us". Jersey Shore Whalers. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  64. ↑ "The puck stops here: No 2015-2016 season for Minnesota Owls". Isanti-Chisago County Star. 24 September 2015.
  65. ↑ "Motor City Announces New Brand, New Home Rink and Adds Former Red Wing Bertuzzi to Staff". Motor City Hawks. March 18, 2018.
  66. ↑ "Delaware Hockey LLC Purchases Philadelphia Flyers Premier Team". USPHL. May 1, 2017.
  67. ↑ "USPHL Midwest Teams Expected to Dominate Junior Hockey Ranks". USPHL. June 1, 2017.
  68. ↑ "Press Release: Jr. Monarchs". Rochester Jr. Monarchs. March 9, 2020.
  69. ↑ "Soo Firehawks Cease Operations". Soo Firehawks. August 20, 2015.
  70. ↑ "Spartans opt out of 2021-22 hockey season". Mail Tribune . May 19, 2021.
  71. ↑ "New junior hockey club arrives in Erie". GoErie.com. July 8, 2018.
  72. ↑ "THE DEATH POOL – SPECIAL REPORT – ST. LOUIS STORM FRIED BY LIGHTNING STRIKE". The Junior Hockey News. August 21, 2015.
  73. ↑ "Virtua to Put Name on Tier I and II Youth Hockey Club at Virtua Flyers Skate Zone". Team Comcast. March 29, 2016.
  74. ↑ "Traverse City North Stars junior hockey 'dormant' for next season". Detroit Free Press . July 4, 2017.
  75. ↑ "Recap from the Annual WSHL Meetings". WSHL. June 2, 2017.
  76. ↑ "Spooner Civic Center to Remain Open; Muskies Future Unclear". Drydenwire.com. March 8, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.