Summer Update - Changes in Junior Hockey
A lot of changes, movement within junior hockey heading into the 24-25 season. Get caught up for the top junior leagues in North America.
NAHL Expansion
The East Division has continued to grow, from 7 in 22-23 to 10 heading into 24-25 with the addition of the Elmira Aviators. Rochester and New Hampshire joined the NAHL in 23-24, with only Rochester finishing in a playoff spot in the East. The Central also added teams for 24-25, with Watertown Shamrocks becoming the 2nd team in South Dakata, and the Minnesota Mallards. playing out of Forest Lake, MN.
NCDC Expansion
The NCDC, the top league of the USPHL, made headlines throughout the summer, starting with the addition of 3 top teams from their neighboring EHL. The Railers Jr Hockey Club and Boston Jr Rangers were the past 2 champions of the league, both dominant and consistent, both joining the USPHL fielding teams at the NCDC, and Premier levels, with a shared Elite team. The Seacoast Spartans will also jump from the EHL to USPHL New England Divisions, after making the EHL divisional championships the past 2 seasons, with all 3 being the only tuition-based teams in the NCDC.
A unique situation may be arising as well, as reported by the USPHL in late May, the Thunder Hockey Club relocated to New Hampshire to play at the Rinks at Exeter. The same location noted for the Seacoast Spartan franchise, could 2 franchises really play under 1 roof?
Other notable team news is the addition of the Westchester Wolves to the Atlantic Division, as well as the Provo Predators being relocated to Casper, Wyoming, becoming the Casper Warbirds.
USPHL Premier Adds Canadian Division
Since the 18-19 season total of 50 teams, the USPHL Premier have continued their expansion efforts, now at 74 heading in 24-25. The league will now have 10 divisions with the addition of the Canadian Division, adding 7 teams from across Quebec and Ontario. With some lopsided scores last season and below .500 teams making the playoffs, critics of the league wonder how many more teams can possibly be added ?
New Canadian Teams
Somang Laurentides Lanaudiere (SLL) Hockey
Hawkesbury Knights
Kingston Wranglers
Montreal Black Vees
College Universel Sherbrooke
Other Additions Include
3 teams to Atlantic Division - Red Bank Generals (NJ), Mercer Chiefs (NJ, West Chester Wolves (PA)
Battle Creek Kernels join Great Lakes Division, played in Midwest for 23-24
EHL Programs Railers Jr HC and Boston Jr Rangers join USPHL Premier New England Division
Bremerton Sockeyes, Colorado Fighting Elk join Northwest, Casper rebrands to Iron County Yeti
Eastern Hockey League
Outside of the loss of 3 strong programs, the EHL is back with some small organizational changes, headlined by the move of Team Maryland. Boston Hockey Academy purchased the team and will be rebranded as the Boston Dukes, playing out of the North Division vs the East Division with the 2 other Boston teams, Jr Eagles and Jr Terriers.
Other Changes
Connecticut Chiefs move to Simsbury, CT, renamed as the Connecticut Nor’Easters
Providence HC renamed to the Providence Capitals
NA3HL
Much like the NAHL, the NA3HL East Division has had a shake up, with Danbury no longer operating a NA3HL team, but additions of 2 new programs, the Binghamton Buzz and the Maine Nordiques.
The South Division will remain at 8 teams in 24-25, with new franchise Tulsa Jr Oilers joining the mix, unaffiliated to the Mid Cities Jr Stars, who have stopped operating. The Oregon Tradesman have moved to Blaine, MN and renamed the Minnesota Moose.
