EJHL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTHERN ATLANTIC HOCKEY LEAGUE

Press Release

Boston, MA- The Eastern Junior Hockey League is proud to announce a historic affiliation with the Southern Atlantic Hockey League for the upcoming season. With the formation of the partnership, the Southern Atlantic League will operate under the banner of “EJHL South.”

The affiliation is designed to substantially raise the standard of play in the south, provide improved league infrastructure, player development, college promotion, and increased visibility through an expanded league schedule that includes both regional competition and showcase competition at EJHL events.

The EJHL South encompasses a working partnership with the seven teams that encompass the existing junior hockey footprint of the Southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida. The purpose of this affiliation is to extend to the rapidly growing southern hockey marketplace, the advanced player development and academic based junior hockey model that has been so successful in the advancement of student-athletes over the past twenty years.

Under the agreement, the EJHL South will participate in EJHL Showcases and play selected exhibition games against EJHL clubs and take advantage of the exposure to NCAA and NHL scouts currently enjoyed by the EJHL. The EJHL South will also stage its All-Star Game in conjunction with the annual EJHL All-Star Classic.

“This is a great day for the sport of junior hockey and for players involved in this affiliation. We believe in the promise and potential of the southern hockey footprint, and we have total confidence that with the implementation of our player development model and with the EJHL branding and product extended to this region, that junior hockey players from the south can reach their ultimate goals and dreams,” commented EJHL Commissioner Bob Mainhardt.

Since its inception in 1993, the Eastern Junior Hockey League has placed over 1500 players in NCAA hockey, including fifteen Division I All-Americans, six Hobey Baker Award Finalists, with Matt Gilroy winning the award in 2009. Twenty-five EJHL alumni have played in the National Hockey League.

SAHL Vice President David Falkenstein stated, “For our families and players here in the south, this is a historic day. Though there are many junior hockey leagues and products, but there is no confusion on the enormous value that the EJHL offers to all its players in terms of complete player development. We are humbled by the opportunity to participate as an affiliate of the EJHL and this is the culmination of a dream for most of us. Finally, players from our region can play closer to home and have similar player development and collegiate advancement opportunities afforded the vast number of successful players that have been associated with the EJHL.”

The EJHL South will commence operations immediately and will operate under the control and administrative guidelines of the EJHL.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)