Final power rankings of the year ! Comparing the top programs from the EHL, NA3HL and USPHL Premier.
10) Helena Bighorns NA3HL
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The Frontier division of the NA3HL is always hard to figure out how competitive the talent level really is compared to other divisions and other leagues. But the Bighorns proved throughout the NA3HL playoffs that they were for real. With wins over a talented Oregon Tradesmen team, a dominating effort over the Northeast Generals, and then finally playing Granite City extremely tight, the Bighorns were impressive. There have been a few college commitments coming out of Helena in the last few years. They have tremendous town support (1,363 fans per night) Helena is top a notch option for a player considering Tier 3 junior hockey.
9) Florida Eels USPHL Premier
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A great finish to what was an extremely successful season for the Eels where they went 36-6-1-1-1 overall. Prior to their trip to nationals, the Eels were one of the hottest teams in the USPHL going 17-2 since Christmas. While at the National tournament, the Eels were one of the better stories as they went on a magical run before dropping a 4-3 overtime thriller to the Cyclones. 04' Goaltender Adam Rouleau was a star backstopping his Eels team, he finished the national tournament with 93.00 save percentage. He is a player that Tier 2 junior teams should consider for next season.
8) Railers Hockey Club EHL
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A mainstay all year in our top 10, Coach Sean Bertoni's group proved to be a consistent team and a well ran organization. Despite coming up short in a best-of-three series vs the Boston Jr Rangers, the Railers had huge success this season in the EHL Central division with a 30-14-0-2 record. In addition to winning on the ice, the Railers place 10 players into NCAA D3 schools. Their 10 NCAA commits this year were second most in the league behind the New Hampshire Avalanche. The Railers have been a program in the EHL that has been trending up for some time now and look for them to be back in the thick of things again next year.
7) Alexandria Blizzard NA3HL
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The Blizzard had Granite City on the ropes in the Fraser Cup final, but could not hold them off losing by 1. All season the Blizzard have been keeping up with the Lumberjacks in the NA3HL West Division and have proven to be a top program in the country. With NCAA D3 commitments and NAHL placement, Alexandria is one of the more appealing options for Tier 3 players. 02' Forward Ryan Hadland had a remarkable Fraser cup playoff recording 3 goals and 1 assist. Teammate Matt Mcintyre 03' also played well in front of the scouts in attendance recording 2 goals and 2 assists.
6) Seacoast Spartans EHL
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Going toe to toe vs the New Hampshire Avalanche in the EHL playoffs, losing in the best of three 2 games to 1 is nothing to be disappointed about. In Game 3 the Spartans jumped out to an early 2-goal lead but were not able to figure out Avalanche goaltender Shane Peremba who made 56 saves in the overtime victory. All season Coach Brett Tryder's group has been able to hang with the top programs in the EHL, playing in the toughest division in Tier 3 hockey. The Spartans deserve to be in the top 10.
5) Northern Cyclones USPHL Premier
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A lot of people disagree with the Cyclones being in our top 10 this season regularly. We are glad they proved us right by winning the USPHL National Championship vs a talented Rush team. 04 Goaltender Jeffery Fillion was a game-changer for the Cyclones all year and rose to the occasion in the National Title game where he was put to the test big time. Fillion finished the playoffs with a 95.0 save percentage and finished the regular season with a 93.2 save percentage. Overall, the Cyclones were an older team filled with second-year players who returned back to the Cyclones for this run. A well-deserved championship.
4) Charlotte Rush USPHL Premier
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We understand losing to the Cyclones in the National Title game should move them back more. But the Rush dominated the game and if it were not for the stellar performance of Cyclone Goaltender Jeffery Fillion, who made 47 saves the Rush would have cruised to victory. Prior to the National Title game, the Rush handled the New York Aviator, Richmond Generals and Toledo Cherokee with relative ease. This is a talented team with several NCAA commitments. Year after year the Rush organization proves to be one of the best Tier 3 franchises in North America, and this year was no different.
3) Boston Jr Rangers EHL
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The Rangers ran it back this season capturing their second straight EHL championship and their 3rd in 4 years. This season was different for the Jr. Rangers as it was very rocky at some points, but they kept it together. The EHL final vs the New Hampshire Avalanche was a great display of playoff hockey. There is not much else to say about this organization other than they are first class in every way.
2) New Hampshire Avalanche EHL
Previous 1
Coming up just short to the Boston Jr. Rangers in the EHL final stings. This was the best team all year in the EHL and their NCAA commitment tracker reflects that. Losing one game in the championship does not change our opinion of them, they have a 4-1 record vs the Rangers and were impressive all year. 02' Goaltender and (Alburtus Magnus commit) Shane Peremba had a great playoff season with a 92.2 save percentage. 02' Forward Aden Hotchkiss (Plymouth State commit) finished his junior career off with a bang scoring 3 goals and contributing 7 assists throughout the playoffs.
1) Granite City Lumberjacks NA3HL
Previous 2
In dramatic fashion the Granite City Lumberjacks took home the Fraser Cup. Trailing Alexandria by 3 early on, the Lumberjacks fought all the way back and ended up scoring the winning goal with just seconds remaining. Granite City playing in a talented West division has some of the highest-end talent in tier 3 hockey. In the NA3HL there are not many other teams that move as many guys onto the NAHL like the Lumberjacks. Overall, going 39-6-1-1 in the regular season and capturing the league title, the number 1 spot belongs to Granite City.
On the outside looking in
Walpole Express (EHL)
Metro Jets (USPHL)
Oregon Tradesmen (NA3HL)
Islanders Hockey Club (USPHL)
Helena Bighorns (NA3HL)
Philadelphia Little Flyers (EHL)
Texas Brahmas (NA3HL)
Sheridan Hawks (NA3HL)
League Rankings
Eastern Hockey League
NA3HL
USPHL Premier
USPHL Elite
Eastern Hockey League Premier
Toughest Divisions
EHL North
EHL East
USPHL Southeast
NA3HL West
EHL South
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