Rangers look to a fast start with returning players.

The Boston Junior Rangers look to start a second season with a successful camp which is set to open August 26th. 

The Rangers boast several key returners to the team that should lead it to a fast start in th EHL. The Rangers will look to Tyler Theodoulou to lead the offense with his speed and determination. Also, adding too the mix up front will be returning EHl players James Devlin and Nick Govig.  The Rangers will also rely on last years leading scorer on the MET team Greg Stoya, who is being promoted to EHL team this year.  The penalty kill should be solid with Theodoulou and Cam Smith. 

The defense will be lead by offensive defenseman Chris Hinrich. After a slow start to last years season Chris raised his level play to earn himself consistent playing time, as well as time on both special teams units to end the season.  The Junior Rangers will also look to Miko Minobi who is being promoted to the EHL team.  He had solid campaign last year with the MET. He will look to continue his play that led to him being called up last year, where he played extremely well with others out injured. 

Check back for the next article on all the newcomers and all new goalie group. 

Boston Jr. Rangers: Incoming Rangers impressive in summer games

By USA Junior Hockey News

During the middle weekend of July, Boston Jr. Rangers general manager and head coach Mario Martiniello was all over Massachusetts.

The Rangers had one team in the Senior Chowder Cup in three southeastern Massachusetts towns. They had another the same weekend in the Eastern Junior Summer Showcase at the six-rink New England Sports Center in Marlborough. Both teams competed under the name Super Skills Hockey.

“We had our guys split, with Eastern Hockey League and Metropolitan Junior League guys on each team,” said Martiniello. “I was at the Chowder Cup for one game and then at the EJ Showcase for two other games. The guys are already getting to the point of starting to compete for spots and jobs. We have a lot of depth.”

He’s looking forward to the contributions this coming season from former New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Empire League) Nate Philbrick and Michael Bears. Both played for the Rangers team in the EJHL Summer Showcase.

Philbrick, a ’94 from Henniker, N.H., scored 12 points in 26 games and Bears had 24 points, playing all 40 regular season games for the Monarchs. He is a ’94 from Londonderry, N.H.

“The two of them moved the puck very well. Nate has a nice touch around the net. He had [three] goals this weekend and did a nice job,” said Martiniello. “Michael did a nice job moving the puck. He was a pleasant surprise.

“[Philbrick and Bears] have an opportunity to play now for our EHL team, at a higher level, and they look good,” Martiniello added.

Another newcomer that impressed Martiniello at the EJ Showcase was Garritt Otten, a Suwanee, Ga., resident who scored 19 goals and 40 points in 42 Met League games last year for the Laconia (now New Hampshire) Lakers and the Northern Cyclones.

“He looked really good. He’s got size, 6-feet-5-inches and 210 pounds, and he can skate and hold the puck well,” said Martiniello.

Returning players Chris Hinrichs and Tyler Theodoulou also put up good performances over the weekend.

“Chris is rock solid on defense and he’ll have a strong season,” said Martiniello. “Tyler is one of those players who is just really good.”

Rangers players report for camp on Aug. 26 and ice sessions begin Aug. 27. The following weekend, the Rangers will hold a scrimmage series against the Connecticut Wolfpack.

“We’ll split up into the two teams after that,” said Martiniello.

EHL Partners With Educate Athletes For Full Suite Of Educational

BOSTON, Mass. – Continuing its groundbreaking progress in USA Hockey’s Tier III Junior classification, the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) is the first USA Hockey-sanctioned league to formally partner with a professional educational system to help guide student-athletes and parents in their journey toward college hockey.

The EHL and Educate Athletes have come together to ensure that any parent or player looking at a Junior hockey situation can be assured that all 18 Eastern Hockey League teams have professional guidance and educational options, in addition to information on NCAA eligibility.

Educate Athletes is an online education provider built on a leadership network of elite athletes and professionals dedicated to promoting innovative learning for critical thinking students.

Educate Athletes is operated by Sean O’Brien, who is a former NCAA Division I student-athlete who played nine years of professional hockey after graduating from Princeton University.  O’Brien’s experience as a former Ivy League student and hockey player, in addition to his professional expertise on the NCAA eligibility process, makes him a valuable resource for EHL student-athletes.

“In its first season as a newly formed League, the EHL has made a strong statement about the importance of education in junior hockey by providing additional academic resources with Educate Athletes,” said O’Brien.  “The League’s dedication to the program demonstrates important leadership by improving academic standards for all of its members.  We’re looking forward to collaborating with all of the coaches in the EHL to help find the best NCAA approved academic plan for every individual player.”

“The junior hockey experience is not just about hockey,” said EHL Director of Hockey Operations, Mark Kumpel.  “The EHL prides itself on offering a complete, comprehensive life experience to its athletes.  Our alliance with Educate Athletes gives our programs unmatched expertise helping student-athletes gain admission to colleges where they can excel in both hockey and academics.  The college admissions environment is constantly shifting and can be difficult to understand completely. Our familiarity with programs at every level is a significant advantage for the young men we work with.”

MET Announces Division Format For 2013-2014 Season

FLORHAM PARK, NJ – The Metropolitan Junior Hockey League is pleased to announce that in follow-up to the addition of nine new members, division realignment is complete for the 2013-2014 season. The league will operate with three divisions, Francis, Mullen and Dowd.  

Eight teams comprise the Francis Division: the Boston Bandits, the New Hampshire Lakers, the New Hampshire Monarchs, the Boston Junior Rangers, the Walpole Express, the Cranston Reds, the Valley Junior Warriors and the Northern Cyclones.

Eleven teams make up the Mullen Division, making it the largest division in the MJHL: the Connecticut Wolfpack, the Connecticut Junior Oilers, the Brewster Bulldogs, the New York Applecore, the Metro Fighting Moose, the Long Island Royals, the North Jersey Avalanche, the Jersey Wildcats, the Richmond Generals, the New York Saints and the two-time defending Keegan Cup Champions, the New Jersey Rockets.

The Dowd Division will also have eight teams: the Philadelphia Revolution, Philadelphia Junior Flyers, the Philadelphia Little Flyers, the Central Penn Panthers, the Washington Junior Nationals, the Frederick Freeze, the Junior Titans and the New Jersey Renegades.

“We are excited to announce our new divisions,” said AMHL Director of Hockey Operations Paul Maciejewski. “They will offer competitive balance to the league along with creating new rivalries, while allowing existing ones to continue.”

The MJHL will announce the 2013-2014 season schedule in the coming weeks.

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.”