What is happening in the USPHL?
Honestly.
Just over a decade ago this league, with founding members Boston Jr Bruins, Jersey Hitmen, Islanders HC, and others, worked together to form a “Super League” on the East Coast and then later a “Tier II” alternative to the NAHL. ABOUT/HISTORY | NCDC
In a short period of time, this league has morphed into something very different, and judging by recent events within the league it is difficult to gather the future of their products at the NCDC, Premier and Elite levels.
NCDC.– The Boston Dogs, which started off the 2024-25 season in the EHL, has defeated another division leading “Free” Tier II team the PAL Islanders. The Dogs are a Pay to Play team at this level competing in this league against opponents with players who do not have to pay tuition. From a competitive standpoint you would think they are at a disadvantage, but the results tell otherwise. The PAL Islanders currently sit atop the Atlantic Division of the NCDC with a 34-6-2 record- NCDC Team Stats NCDC 2024-2025 | NCDC
However, on Wednesday February 26th, the Boston Dogs defeated the PAL Islanders by a score of 5-3. Again the Boston Dogs did not begin the 2024-25 season within the NCDC. They start off in the EHL- Game Center . Since the unprecedented joining midseason, the Dogs have been extremely competitive playing teams in both divisions out East and the Mountain division. Here is a link to the box score of their most recent win- NCDC Daily Schedule and Scores Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025 | NCDC
USPHL Premier- End of season lopsided victories are one thing, but this is another.
Oftentimes when Jr teams are out of the playoffs or their teams are out of contention, teams become undisciplined, and scores can become lopsided. But these two finishes in the USPHL Premier division are shocking. Springfield outshot Thunder HC 90-17! Nowhere in other Jr leagues do you see such disparity. The purpose of Junior Hockey is College Placement, moving kids up post- HS to the next level of hockey. College coaches want to see competitive games where they can gauge how potential recruits will do at the next level of their hockey journeys. These outcomes hardly seem like competitive games.
USPHL Elite- In a recent recruiting advertisement, a new USPHL Elite member articulated to its potential recruits and parents where they see their “Elite” product slotting in on their roster of team offerings…
“The USPHL Elite team will be a direct feeder to our USPHL Premier team (not shocking) and will replace our 18U AA Team”.
USA Hockey defines Junior hockey as “The principal purpose of this development program is to prepare the athlete for career advancement either in a collegiate program or a professional opportunity.” – USA Junior Hockey Leagues
Is a league “Junior” Hockey if it is replacing a developmental 18U league (AA)? Where are the opportunities for career advancement (college or professional) in 18U AA (which the USPHL Elite level has labelled itself is this advertisement)?
Stay tuned to the ongoings of this league as they complete the 2024-25 season and begin to transition to the 2025-26 hockey calendar. With more new teams joining the NCDC, and expansion occurring at all levels within this league in both the US and Canada, the USPHL is certainly a league in transition. Where it goes from here remains to be seen….
By Andrew Trimble
To Purchase Andrew’s new book, The Hockey Planner, follow this link here – The Hockey Planner: A Year by Year Plan to Assist You on Your Hockey Coaching Journey: From Learn to Play to Junior Hockey: Trimble, Andrew: 9781963743395: Amazon.com: Books
