Our scouts have been hard at work watching various leagues and divisions across the country to figure out who are the top 10 Tier 3 programs this season. Strength of schedule, eye test, and roster strength are all carefully evaluated when ranking the programs.
1 - Railers Hockey Club (EHL)
Coming in at number 1 in the first version of our power rankings is Coach Sean Bertoni's group who have been the most consistent group in the EHL. Taking care of their division and having top 10 wins over the Jersey Bears and Boston Jr Rangers the Railers have been impressive. Their last regular season loss was on opening night to the Junior Terriers. They have an impressive defensive core led by 2nd year players Corbin Melie 03' (Elmira College Commit) and 03' Tristan Boyer. The Railers are giving up 2.2 goals per game which has helped propel them to their 12-1-1 start.
Photo Source - EHL Twitter
2 - Gillette Wild (NA3HL)
The Frontier division has looked good this season and the Wild have been scoring at a ridiculous pace. They are currently averaging 6 goals per game and have been doing the scoring vs some of the top teams in the division. 04' Forward Adam Severson currently leads the league in points with 38 on the year and is proving to be one of the top-scoring threats in the league.
3 - Boston Jr Rangers (EHL)
The top of the EHL is very deep and when evaluating teams, we are really just splitting hairs on their differences. We feel the Jr. Rangers at this point in time are just a bit deeper than the rest of the EHL. 03' Goaltender Charles Watson, the former St. Marks standout, has proven to be a top goaltender in the league with a 94.4 save percentage and a 1.71 GAA. They should take care of business from now to Christmas but do have two huge matchups in December vs the Express and New Hampshire Avalanche in December.
4 - NJ Bears (EHL)
The Bears have been playing really well of late and have found their stride. Since their 3-1 loss on Sep 30 to the Railers they have gone 7-1 including wins over a good Applecore team and a split with the NJ 87's. With 7 divisional games through November, the Bears will need to navigate carefully as the South Division is proving to be a hard out, night in and night out.
5 - New Hampshire Avalanche (EHL)
By the season's end Chris Cerrella's group can find themselves at the top of the EHL and our power rankings as they have the type of team to do so. The Avalanche are currently riding a 6-0 stretch in a tough North Division, the Avalanche have several top 10 wins on the year including a win over the Express Hockey Club. They are finding ways to win nightly and playing hard-nose hockey as they are starting to get real hot.
6 - Helena Bighorns (NA3HL)
Much like Gillette this team can score at a high clip. With their only two losses coming to Gillette, they currently sit 2-2 with their division rivals. They are a deep team with scoring at all levels of their line up. 06' Forward Camden Cunningham is one of the most impressive forwards this season scoring 26 points in 15 games and is an absolute threat at all times on the Power Play.
7 - Express Hockey Club (EHL)
The top team in the East Division based off winning percentage, the Express have been taking care of business with only two losses. Their 13 games played is the least in the league and their 21 goals against is the lowest in the league. They are solid all in three zones and their goaltending room has been impressive with all three net minders posting over a 94 save percentage on the year.
8 - Potomac Patriots (USPHL)
Sitting perfect in regulation on the year, the Patriots have looked like the top team in the USPHL this season. They have a big weekend series vs the Charlotte Rush where the TSA Scouting department will be watching closely. The Southeast division has been shown to be the deepest division in the USPHL in what seems to be a down year across the league. The Patriots have an impressive forward group led by 05' forward Siamion Marschanok who has 53 points this season, helping his team average 6.1 goals per game. Both Siamion and brother Matsvei are a goal per game or better through 18 games.
9 - Seacoast Spartans EHL
At the top of the North Division you will find the Spartans who should remain at the top with a light November schedule. The Spartans we feel might be smoke and mirrors at this point as their stats suggest negative regression is coming their way. Regardless they have taken care of business and are a team capable of hanging around the top of the league for most of the season. 03' Goaltender Ben Skelton has been impressive posting a 93.1 save percentage turning away 168 of the last 178 in his last 5 games.
10 - Charlotte Rush USPHL
At 16-1-0-0 the Rush saw their first loss of the season this past weekend vs the Junior Hurricanes. The Rush have been involved in several wide-open hockey games. The goaltending duo of 04' Rocco Stolz (91.4 save percentage) and 04' Peter Baldwin (93.5 save percentage) will be asked to come up big this weekend vs Potomac.
Just Missing The Cut:
11 - New Mexico NA3HL
12 - New Jersey 87's EHL
13 - Northeast Generals NA3HL
14 - CT Rangers USPHL
15 - EC Wizards EHL
Top Divisions
East EHL
North EHL
Frontier NA3HL
USPHL East
EHL South
Matchup of the Weekend
Potomac Patriots vs Charlotte Rush
TSA Scouting Services
Can’t make an important tournament ? Need scouting notes on a certain age group, league or player ?
Contact TSA today at info@Tri-StateAthletic.com to discuss how our scouting team, can become your scouting team.
Is there anyone looking at the VIJHL. They are now considered Junior A hockey. Thank you.