Tier III Power Rankings
Our scouting staff throws out the computer model and evaluated these teams with our eyes. Player depth, schedule difficulty and most NCAA talent were the three major categories.
1 - Boston Jr Rangers EHL
23W 2L 1OTL
We know their own league’s power ranking has them in second, but it is hard to ignore the depth and consistency of this team. They are 9-1 in their last 10 and two of their three losses were to a good Walpole team and the NH Avalanche the first week of the season. With 9 Division 3 commitments already, this team looks to make a deep run in the EHL playoffs.
Top Performers
Markus Cook - 11G 20A 31PTS
Commit : Elmira
Elmira-In his junior career Cook has always been a constant producer of points. What Elmira is getting is a strong two way forward who will be reliable shift to shift and game to game.
Nathan Young - 15G 23A 38PTS
Commit : Elmira
At the EHL level he is an effective two-way player, who competes every shift. He’s a smooth skater that can get to every part of the ice and has enough speed to create in transition. He has a nice set of hands in tight and has the vision to make plays for his teammates.
2 - New Hampshire Avalanche EHL
21W 4L 1OTL
Splitting hairs between the Jr. Rangers we put the Avalanche second. There is no question that they are one of the best tier 3 programs in the country and playing one of the toughest consistent schedules this year in the EHL North division. But dropping 2 games out of 4 in the last week draws a red flag.
Top Performers
Robert Martiniello - 2G 13A 15PTS
The 03 defender has adjusted extremely well to Junior Hockey. He is long, uses his reach to his advantage and can skate well at the level making him hard to beat. Smart and simple plays with the puck are consistent shown. He is asked to play every situation and heavy minutes.
Parker Sondag - 14G 16A 30PTS
A former standout at the Brooks school, Sondag has continued to bring the energy shift to shift that made him successful as at Brooks. His offensive game is balanced making him a hard player to contain at the EHL level. He will be a good get for a division 3 school down the line.
3 - Charlotte Rush USPHL Premier
24W 5L 1OTL
Playing in the Southeast division of the Premier is not an easy task. Every team in the division is traditionally a strong producer of division 3 talent and this year is no different. But the Rush have made it look easy with a ten-point lead on the Jr. Hurricanes. This is a younger team that has a lot of high-end scoring power that is hard to contain at the Tier 3 level.
Top Performers
David Battisti - 1.80GAA 93.9SV% 7 Shutouts
Battisti has been reliable all year for the Rush and rarely puts his team in poor situations. He is athletic, battles through traffic and competes on every puck. His ability to make timely saves is a good reason why the Rush are having a terrific season.
Charlie Merkley - 29G 20A 49PTS
This could be considered the Junior Veteran’s breakout year as he is scoring at a rate in which he has never done. His shot can beat a goalie clean and he does a tremendous job of finding soft areas of the ice. Merkley has posted monster numbers since January 1.
4 - New Jersey 87’s EHL
23W 1L 2OTL
There were several conversations on where to place the 87’s because we do feel like they could easily fall into that 1 or 2 range. But the EHL south division is not terribly strong this year which makes up 90 percent of the 87’s schedule. Nothing they can do about it, but when ranking strength of schedule is a big factor. Regardless, this team is good.
Top Performers
Kei Yasuda - 14G 29A 43PTS
Good skater with shifty lateral movement and good hands. Yasuda has taken a major step forward in his development with the 87’s. His game away from the puck is starting to improve and become more complete.
Nick Swain - 16G 20A 36PTS
The recent commit to Wilkes University is a big forward who likes to possess the puck in the offensive zone has a heavy accurate shot that gives goaltenders problems. Long term for Wilkes, they are getting a player who once gets adjusted to the speed of college hockey will be a regular producer of points.
5 - Metro Jets USPHL Premier
27W 2L 1OTL
The Jets have been rolling most of the year and have the ability to rack up big point totals with 164 goals this year and a goal differential of 110. They recently crossed over in division and handled two good mid-Atlantic division teams pretty easily which boosted this team’s stock. With a big weekend series on deck vs the Pittsburgh Vengeance who are only 5 points back of the Jets, all eyes will be on this team.
Top Performers
Joey Johnson - 6G 18A 24PTS
Having a great year Johnson is mobile defender who uses his first step to either escape pressure or pinch down the blueline. He has a good defensive stick and loves to get up in transition. Still Uncommitted, he is a player schools should take a look at.
Jason Crossland - 23G 10A 33PTS
The 02’ from Michigan is clearly adjusting to the Junior Hockey level. He put up monster numbers in Michigan High School and it is easy to see why. He has a lot of touch on the puck, can get score from the net front and can possess pucks with ease. Crossland can make the jump to the NCDC next season.
On the outside looking in
North Iowa Bulls NA3HL
Rochester Grizzlies NA3HL
Texas Brahmas NA3HL
Rockets Hockey Club USPHL
Islanders Hockey Club USPHL