New Partnerships for the USPHL

Press Release

USPHL Office, October 31, 2013. The USPHL is pleased to announce a formal partnership with the Chicago Fury, Colorado Thunderbirds, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues (collectively the “Tier 1 Group”) for the 2014/2015 season at the 16U and 18U Midget Divisions. The Tier 1 Group consists of four top-tier youth organizations competing in multiple age groups – from Squirts through Midgets – which presently execute some of the most respected player development models in the United States.

The USPHL and Tier 1 Group have committed to field teams in national showcases in the East and Midwest for next season. The USPHL and its members host a series of showcases which are regarded by all professional and collegiate scouts as the best collection of young aspiring hockey players in the East. Each USPHL showcase sees at least half the NHL teams and approximately 70 percent of the East based Division 1 and Division 3 scouts in attendance at their events. The USPHL Showcase Series includes the Woodchuck in Vermont, the Beantown, and several other events hosted at premier venues including the New England Sports Center’s six sheet facility, Merrimack College, and University of New Hampshire. The centerpiece of the new partnership are two new events – the first will see the top USPHL teams heading to Chicago to challenge the Tier 1 Group Dec 5-7, 2014 and second will have the Tier 1 Group in Boston January 25-27, 2015.

“This partnership with some of the most important development leaders in youth hockey represents the next step in the establishment of the USPHL as the road to collegiate hockey in the East,” said USPHL Commissioner Richard Gallant. “The potential of this affiliation and what it can mean for growth of youth hockey is limitless. We’re excited about what the future brings with partners of this stature.”

The USPHL announced earlier this month that Team Comcast would participate as full league participants in 2014/2015 season at the 16U and 18U Divisions. The USPHL is presently taking applications for additional teams in all its divisions and for showcase events. Please contact Jack Sweeney at usphl.jack@gmail.com for more information. 

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)