We had some movement in the Tier 3 Power rankings this period. Are scouts found that you could make an argument for 20 teams to be in our top 10. We highlight who we feel deserves to be in the top 10 and a handful of others that everyone needs to be watching.
Railers Jr Hockey Club (EHL)
Previous 1
The Central division in the EHL is proving to be a pesky division that is pretty tight. All the Railers have done is continue to take care of business as they went 6-2 in December. We have asked ourselves several times are we over-valuing this group? The simple answer is no as they keep performing. They have a tricky schedule for January highlighted by games vs. the Express and EC Wizards.
Boston Jr Rangers (EHL)
Previous 3
Moving up one spot are the Rangers who currently sit up top of the East Division with the most points. 3-3 in December may look concerning however, all three losses (EC Wizards, Express, Providence) could have easily gone in the favor of the Jr Rangers. The 3-1 win over the Avalanche was enough for us to keep the Jr Rangers in the top 3. This group does have flaws and has to be careful as the EC Wizards and Express are right on their tails.
Helena Bighorns (NA3HL)
Previous 6
On a 14-0 run including a 3-0 performance at the NA3HL showcase, Helena has proven to be a top team in the country. Despite some early season losses to divisional rival Gillette, the Bighorns have been a group that in our opinion has been improving. They will have a big series vs Gillette on January 19th and 20th that can set them up nicely for the divisional championship if they take care of business.
New Hampshire Avalanche (EHL)
Previous 5
With dominating performances vs the EC Wizards and NJ 87's the Avalanche look like they are rounding into late-season form. With minor slip-ups vs the Jr Rangers and Seacoast Spartans, we did not think there was any reason for concern with this team. January will be hard for the Avalanche to navigate as in the North Division there are no nights off but they are certainly up for the challenge.
Express Hockey Club (EHL)
Previous 7
Sitting with a 19-5 record it was hard to keep the Express out of the top 5, especially with their recent performances. This group plays a solid 200-foot game and rarely beats themselves. The trio of goalies the Express roll out on a given night gives them a chance to win every time. All three (Phillip De Champlain, Josh Girard, Alex Koenig) posted three consecutive shutouts in December all three have save percentages of 92 or higher.
Potomac Patriots (USPHL)
Previous 8
The class of the USPHL in our opinion the Patriots have simply taken care of business this year with a 27-1-2 record. A 4-0 performance at the recent showcase where only the Tampa Bay Juniors put pressure on the Patriots, this team is poised to make a run at Nationals. They have absolute battles vs the Rush who are another top 10 team in our power rankings, these Patriots need eyeballs on them from Colleges and Junior Tier 2 scouts.
East Coast Wizards (EHL)
Previous NR
Right on the heels of the Express and Junior Rangers in the North Division of the EHL are the Wizards. They have given the Express fits and broke through with a 3-2 win over the Jr. Rangers on December 5th. A disappointing 6-2 loss vs the Avalanche after dropping one vs HC Rhode Island shows they are not consistent enough to leapfrog the top of the EHL....yet.
Gillette Wild (NA3HL)
Previous 2
This big of drop in the power rankings may not be completely worthy, but we were extremely disappointed with Gillette in the NA3HL showcase. The Wild had a chance to assert themselves as the premier franchise in the NA3HL this year and instead, they went 2-1 with two shootout wins over Wausau and Northeast and a loss to New Mexico. Gillette should be able to take care of business vs Badlands and Yellowstone, they will take on Helena in what could decide the division on January 19th and 20th.
Charlotte Rush (USPHL)
Previous 10
Finally breaking through vs Potomac with a 6-0 win could be the confidence the Rush need moving forward. A 4-0 run at the Florida showcase following the Potomac weekend may be further proof that this team is peaking at the right time. They start January with a tricky schedule at the Tampa showcase which is highlighted by a match-up vs Metro. They finish January with another huge match-up vs the Potomac Patriots.
Granite City Lumberjacks (NA3HL)
Previous NR
A dominating performance at the NA3HL showcase opened our eyes a bit to this Lumberjacks squad. Helping their case was the overall strength of the West Division of the NA3HL, the division as a whole was impressive at the showcase. We gave Granite City the edge over their divisional rivals simply because of their winning records vs Rochester and Alexandria. Despite the recent loss to Alexandria, Granite City was a much better team.
Dropped out of the top 10
NJ Bears EHL (Previous 4)
Seacoast EHL (Previous 9)
Others looking to jump in
CT Rangers USPHL
Rochester NA3HL
NJ Bears EHL
NJ 87's (EHL
Utica USPHL
Metro USPHL
Carolina USPHL
New Mexico NA3HL
Seacoast (EHL
Bold City USPHL
Tier III Central Scouting #1
Complete scouting notes pdf of the first 3 months of the EHL, NA3HL and USPHL Premier.
Events Covered
NA3HL Blaine Showcase
EHL Newington Showcase
EHL South Division Showcase
USPHL Premier Detroit Showcase
Monthly Updates & other game reports from TSA Scouting Journal
Next Update : February 2024
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Kevin Raihle
708-703-7926
Kevin.raihle@comcast.net