Announcing The Eastern Hockey League

BOSTON, Mass. – The new top junior league on the east coast is the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), which is comprised of 18 top-level organizations dedicated to the goal of college advancement. EHL teams are fully committing to the USAH Hockey Junior Model and all EHL organizations have a rich history of producing tomorrow’s NCAA and NHL stars. 

The EHL operating standards will mirror many USA Hockey Tier II standards and will guarantee that each player is given the best opportunity to receive maximum exposure to NCAA and NHL scouts. The strategic location of each organization will allow the EHL teams to keep player tuition down, minimize travel and allow scouts to attend regular season games in addition to the league showcase games. 

Former NHLer and U.S. Olympian Mark Kumpel, who spent the past five years coaching and managing a successful Junior hockey team, will serve as the EHL’s Director of Hockey Operations. “This group of coaches and owners are the best in Junior hockey,” said Kumpel. “The coaching staff of the EHL rivals that of any junior league in the country.” Current EHL head coaches include former college and professional players (see team web sites for individual bios). 

For players and parents looking for clarity and solid information about the Junior hockey experience, these 18 East Coast organizations are excited to form the EHL with the intention of producing college-bound hockey players and providing high standards of operation to assure a quality player environment. Simply put – a better league with higher standards and a player-focused environment. 

The EHL has implemented league-wide standards including player contracts that mandate numerous player experience criteria at no extra cost above the player tuition. Additionally, EHL member organizations have created a league-wide ed

ucation service that will help players and parents find quality ways to continue their education, as well as helping them navigate their way through the process of becoming a NCAA varsity student-athlete. 

The 18 EHL organizations combined for more than 120 NCAA commitments during the 2012-13 season and have a proven track record of preparing young hockey players for college hockey and beyond. All of the EHL member organizations are dedicated to increasing the number of college commitments each year as the league strives to achieve its stated purpose to advancing players to their ultimate goal of higher level hockey. 

The EHL aims to improve the college advancement process by fully committing to the USA Hockey Junior model as originally outlined by USA Hockey. The EHL will utilize the USA Hockey Junior Rulebook in its entirety, including equipment rules and playing rules. The USA Hockey Annual Guide states that the goals of Junior hockey are skill development, quality coaching, social maturity, educational advancement, recruiting exposure, advanced competition and the protection of amateur status. By following the national governing body’s plan the EHL will be bringing some clarity to the Junior hockey landscape by executing USAH’s methods of operating college developmental programs

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Rangers Commit 4 to Salem State

The Boston Junior Rangers are proud to announce that 4 Players on this past seasons AJHL Team as committed to play at Salem State. (MASCAC).

Alex Minter, Ryan Dougherty, Alex Rusinak and Conner Fenton will join the Vikings for the 2013/2014 Season.  All four should be solid contributors to team next year.

"Conner Fenton will be a solid stay at home defenseman for Salem," said Rangers Assistant Coach Chris Hills, "his work ethic and determination should play a key role in his ability to play as a freshman."

The three forwards should play significant roles as a freshman according Rangers Head Coach Mario Martiniello. "Alex and Ryan should be significant addition to the Vikings offense, and Alex will contribute with size and speed on the forecheck."

This makes 13 total players committed from the Junior Rangers this year.

Airoldi Commits to Stonehill!

Tewksbury, Mass. – Boston Jr. Rangers would like to announce forward Kevin Airoldi has committed to play for Stonehill College next season.  

The Kennebunkport, ME native played a big role leading the Junior Rangers in scoring with 36 Points. He was a key contributor, playing on the top lines and both specialty units.

“Kevin was one of those players a coach loves to have in the locker room,” Says Jr. Ranger Coach Mario Martinello. “At times he would take the team on his back with his emotion and effort to get the team going, he was a key player that will be missed on and off the ice.”

Jr. Rangers Commit pair to Franklin Pierce

The Boston Jr. Rangers are proud to announce that defenseman Taylor Fletcher and Shane Dowd have committed to Franklin Pierce (NE-10) for the coming fall.

Fletcher, from Leominster, Mass. and Dowd, from Holden, MA played as a pair for much of the season. "Keeping them together as a pair was an easy decision", said Jr. Rangers head coach Mario Martiniello.

"We are extremely happy for both Taylor and Shane", said Jr. Rangers Assistant Coach Chris Hills.  "They both worked extremely hard for us all season.  We wish them both nothing but the best in their college careers."

Taddeo Commits to Worcester State

The Boston Jr. Rangers are proud to announce that defenseman Alex Taddeo has committed to Worcester State University (MASCAC) for the coming fall.

Taddeo, from Franklin, Mass., totaled two goals for seven points in 29 regular-season games this past season.

“We're extremely proud of Alex," said Jr. Rangers head coach Mario Martiniello. "His hard work and dedication will make his college career a great success.”

Jr. Rangers' Bernard commits to Sacred Heart

The Boston Jr. Rangers have announced that goaltender Sam Bernard has committed to Sacred Heart University (Atlantic Hockey) for 2014.

In 23 regular-season appearances this year, Bernard, from Lafayette, Colo., fashioned a 9-8-5 record, including five shutouts, to compliment a 2.20 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage.

Bernard’s performance this season landed the 1994-born on the All-EHL Second Team.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for Sam and we couldn’t be happier for him and his family,” said Jr. Rangers coach Mario Martiniello. “All season long he proved himself as one of the league’s top goaltenders, and he’ll be a great addition to Sacred Heart’s program.”

Bernard is the fifth player on this year's Jr. Rangers roster to make NCAA plans for next season, and the first to hold a Division I commitment.

Junior Ranger MET Team Captures Francis Division Title

Boston Jr. Rangers team Captures their first ever Metropolitan Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Francis Division Title with a sweep of the Northern Cyclones. In only their first season in the MJHL the Boston Jr. Rangers were able to capture the Regular and Playoff Championship in the Francis Division.

Leading goal scorer Greg Stoya opened up the scoring at 3:22 of the first period on a feed from Togo Kaneko. The Jr. Rangers extend their lead to 2-0 when Cam Smith slipped one past Tyler Fay at 13:52 of the first. Togo Kaneko and Pat Magliano had assist on the goal.

Down two goals the Northern Cyclones were not about to give up. The Cyclones put on a furious attack and drew within one at 5:41 of the second period on a Cameron Choate goal. With the action going back and forth, it was the solid play of Northern Cyclones goalie Tyler Fay and Jr. Rangers goalie Jared Dauphinais that kept the score 2-1 after 2 periods of play.

Coming out for the third period the Jr. Rangers began to take control of the game. On the power play Greg Stoya scored his second of the game on nice feed from Patrick Magliano to increase their lead to 3-1. About 10 minutes later Cam Smith scored his second of the game on the power play after picking up the rebound of a Greg Stoya shot. With under four minutes remaing and a 4-1 lead everything was looking good for the Jr. Rangers. The Cyclones would not give up, scoring a power play goal at 17:22 of the third to make it a 4-2 game. With time running out Pat Magliano capped off the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:41 of the third.

"I am really proud of these kids", said head coach Richard DeCaprio. "They worked hard all season to get to this point and with the season on the line they rose to the occasion"

The Rangers will now move on to the Keegan Cup Championship March 22-24. The winner of the Keegan Cup earn an automatic bid to the Junior Nationals.