Weekend Wrap: The Action Intensifies Aug. 22-26
While it wasn’t as busy as Labor Day Weekend figures to be, the second official weekend of the United States youth hockey season offered quite a bit more action than the previous week.
We had plenty of events to choose from, and for the weekend of Aug. 22-26 we focused on showcases and tournaments large and small in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
For our second Weekend Preview, we highlighted the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Early Bird Showcase in New York, the Grand Rapids Kickoff Classic in Michigan, the first Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League season showcase in multiple Mid-Atlantic states and the BEAST Tournament Series Launch Challenge in Massachusetts.
Buffalo Jr. Sabres Early Bird Showcase
This annual event was held at the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo and featured USA Boys Tier 1 teams competing at the 14U and 15O age levels. The tournament included 14 total teams, with 11 competing in the 15O Division, and more than 30 total games.
CLICK HERE for the Early Bird 15U schedule & results
CLICK HERE to watch 15U games via webstream
CLICK HERE for the Early Bird 14U schedule & results
CLICK HERE to watch 14U games via webstream
This year’s Early Bird Showcase included the host Buffalo Jr. Sabres and other established Tier 1 programs from around the country such as the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, the Colorado Thunderbirds, Florida Alliance, the New Jersey Colonials, PAL Jr. Islanders, the Rochester Americans, the Syracuse Nationals and Victory Honda. In the 14U Division, it appears as though most of the Guelph Gryphons U15 team was competing as Elite Hockey Development since the Canadian season doesn’t officially start until September.
Early Bird Showcase 15U Recap & Standings
Florida Alliance rolled through the 15U division with a 4-0-1 record while outscoring its opponents, 21-7. The host Jr. Sabres went 3-0-0 and outscored their foes, 13-3. Those teams did not face each other, but their scores were very similar against common opponents. Florida beat the Colorado Thunderbirds, 6-2, and DHI, 3-1, while Buffalo skated to 7-1 and 4-1 victories, respectively, against those teams. The lone blemish on the Florida Alliance record was a 3-3 tie vs. PAL Jr. Islanders.
Florida Alliance (4-0-1; 21 GF, 7 GA)
Front Row Sports (3-1-1; 25 GF, 5 GA)
Buffalo Jr. Sabres (3-0-0; 13 GA, 3 GA)
New Jersey Colonials (3-2-0; 18 GF, 7 GA)
Colorado Thunderbirds (3-2-0; 17 GF, 17 GA)
PAL Jr. Islanders (2-1-2; 13 GF, 13 GA)
DHI (2-1-1; 12 GF, 8 GA)
Syracuse Nationals (1-0-1; 5 GF, 4GA)
Rochester Jr. Americans (1-4-0; 10 GF, 25 GA)
JAA Selects (0-5-0; 8 GF, 23 GA)
Carolina Jr. Hurricanes (0-5-0; 5 GF, 35 GA)
Early Bird Showcase 14U Recap
The hosts had an impressive weekend, posting a perfect 3-0-0 record while allowing just one goal. Buffalo outscored its opponents, 13-1, while Victory Honda went 1-2-0 and owned an 8-5 scoring advantage. Elite Development Hockey was 0-2-0 and didn’t score a goal while surrendering 15. The Jr. Sabres beat Victory Honda twice on the weekend, 3-1 and 2-0.
Another annual event, the Grand Rapids Kickoff Classic featured Tier 1 Boys teams competing at the 15O, 16U and 18U levels as well as Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams playing in 16U and 18U split-season divisions in Michigan.
The Kickoff Classic included well-known Michigan Tier 1 programs such as Compuware, Fox Motors, Michigan Hockey Advancement, Victory Honda and Belle Tire. They were oined by the Chicago Phantoms, Team Minnesota and the Pittsburgh Vengeance.
Kickoff Classic 15O Participating Teams
Compuware, Fox Motors, Michigan Hockey Advancement, Victory Honda
Results were not posted as of Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Kickoff Classic 16U Participating Teams & Posted Results
Chicago Phantoms, Compuware, Fox Motors, Michigan Hockey Advancement, Team Minneso
Fox Motors 16U enjoyed a perfect 4-0 weekend, outscoring its opponents, 24-3. Team Minnesota’s only loss of the weekend was a 5-1 setback vs. Fox, and Minnesota won its other three contests by a combined 12-6 margin. Michigan Hockey Advancement went 1-3-0, while the Chicago Phantoms were 2-2-0. Compuware was winless for the weekend at 0-4-0 and was outscored, 18-10.
Fox Motors 9, MHE 0
Fox Motors 5, Chicago Phantoms 1
Fox Motors 5, Compuware 1
Fox Motors 5, Team Minnesota 1
Chicago Phantoms 4, MHA 3
Team Minnesota 4, Chicago Phantoms 0
Chicago Phantoms 4, MHA 3
MHA 3, Compuware 2
Team Minnesota 4, MHA 3
Team Minnesota 4, Compuware 3
Kickoff Classic 18U Participating Teams
Belle Tire, Fox Motors, Michigan Hockey Advancement, Pittsburgh Vengeance, Team Minnesota
Results were not posted as of Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League August Showcase
The EJEPL is an in-season Tier 2 league offering a competitive 16-game schedule that includes two showcase events for 9U through 14U teams and a 20-game schedule with three showcases for the 15O-18U age levels.
There are teams from 12 different states in the EJEPL, allowing players the opportunity to play teams they would otherwise might never see as all league members attend the showcases.
This year’s EJEPL August Showcase featured 400-plus games being played at more than a dozen rinks in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Boys teams at the 10U, 12U, 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U levels competed, with 123 games Friday, Aug. 22, 199 contests Saturday, Aug. 23, and 101 more games Sunday, Aug. 24
Most EJEPL August Showcase games should be available for on-demand viewing via LiveBarn.
CLICK HERE for the complete EJEPL August Showcase schedule, game results and stats.
EJEPL August Showcase 12U Recap
Aviator Hockey Club and Campus Wild were the 12U Diamond Division teams that posted perfect 4-1-0 records at the showcase, while the Ridgefield Lions went 3-1-1. Aviator outscored its opponents, 32-5, while Campus Wild recorded a plus-15 goal differential and Ridgefield was plus-16. Nicholas Demeo and Liam Fanning each recorded 10 points for Aviator. Sean Loftus paced Campus Wild with eight goals, four assists and 12 points.
In the 12U Futures Gold 1 Division, Princeton Youth Hockey posted a 4-0-0 mark, with two of the victories coning in overtime, while the Long Beach Lightning went 4-0-0 with a single overtime win. The Jersey Wolves were the only team to play five games, and they went 4-1-0.
The Bowie Bruins, Cranford Youth Hockey and Genesis Hockey Club each posted perfect 4-0-0 marks in the 12U Futures Gold 2 Division. Bowie and Cranford combined to outscore their opponents, 98-8, while Genesis posted a plus-23 goal differential.
The Easton Icewhawks were the only undefeated team in either of the 12U Futures Silver divisions, going 4-0-0 while outscoring their opponents, 28-8.
EJEPL August Showcase 13U Recap
In the 13U Diamond Division, Genesis Hockey Club recorded a perfect 4-0-0 weekend and outscored its opponents, 30-9. Genesis was led by Austin Fisher, who contributed 10 goals and four assists. The Nassau County Lions were 3-1-0 and compiled a plus-11 goal differential.
EJEPL August Showcase 14U Recap
Three 14U Diamond Division teams were undefeated during the weekend, with the Wonderland Wizards posting the best goal differential at plus-18. Nolan Cavaliere and Aligha Dormont paced the Wizards with eight points apiece.
The Northwest Icehawks and Nassau County Lions also went 4-0-0. Northwest outscored its opponents, 19-5, while the Lions compiled a plus-eight goal differential. The Icehawks were led by Patrik Sadlon’s 12 points, while Jayden Clark of Nassau County recorded four goals and six points.
The Jersey Wolves, Exton Kings and Easton Icehawks all went undefeated in the 14U Futures Gold Division, with Jersey leading the way at 5-0-0. Exton and Easton each won four games, with Exton outscoring its opponents by a remarkable 50-0 margin and Easton rolling up a nearly as amazing 50-5 goal differential. The Wolves outscored their opponents, 32-6.
In the 14U Futures Silver 1 Division, the Baltimore Stars and Long Island Sharks were 4-0-0, but one of Long Island’s victories came in overtime. The Sharks outscored their opponents, 29-10, while Baltimore posted a plus-8 goal differential.
EJEPL August Showcase 15O Recap
In the 15O Diamond Division, three teams compiled identical 3-1-0 records The Long Beach Lightning outscored their opponents, 16-8, while earning their three victories. Meanwhile, the Union Thunder and Genesis Hockey Club outscored their foes, 18-11 and 11-8, respectively. In head-to-head matchups, Long Beach beat Genesis, 3-0, but Genesis knocked off the Thunder, 4-3. Kyle Lenz had five points in four games to pace the Lightning, with Nate Cortell’s eight points leading all Union players and Nolan Senigo’s six points pacing the Genesis attack.
EJEPL August Showcase 16U Recap
Six EJEPL 16U teams enjoyed unbeaten weekends as teams competed in four different divisions. The Hersey Jr. Bears were the only 16U Diamond 1 team to go undefeated, recording five victories including a 4-3 overtime win vs. the New York Stars. Preston Stremmel had three goals and four assists to lead the Bears.
The Potomac Patriots (4-0-0) were the lone 16U Diamond 2 Division team to have a perfect weekend, while the Wilmington Nighthawks, Hershey Jr. Bears, West Point Jr. Black Knights and Hunterdon Bears each went 4-0-0 in the 16U Futures 1 Division.
Potomac outscored its opponents by an impressive 29-5 margin, with Sean Harrington scoring eight of those goals. Wilmington compiled a plus-19 goal differential, while Hershey was plus-18, West Point was plus-11 and Hunterdon was plus-9. Chase Driscoll had 10 points to lead the Nighthawks. Hershey was paced by Luciano Johnson and Evan Scott with seven points apiece, and Jason Torpey’s nine points led West Point. James Edwards recorded seven points for the Bears.
EJEPL August Showcase 18U Recap
Sixteen 18U teams competed in two divisions, but the only unbeatens were in the 18U Diamond I Division as the Putnam Panthers and Nassau County Lions each went 4-0. One of Nassau County’s victories came in overtime as the Lions surrendered just two goals while scoring 23. Putnam rolled up a 32-3 goal differential in its four outings. Nathaniel Chung led the Panthers with nine goals and two assists, while Thomas Anschlowar led the way for Nassau County with 4-3-7.
BEAST Tournament Series Launch Challenge
The BEAST Tournament Series is a Northeast-based in-season showcase league that annually includes some of the top full- and split-season Boys Tier 1 programs in the United States. It includes competition at the 13U, 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U age levels.
Now in its eighth season, the BEAST has seen many of its member organizations send teams to compete at USA Hockey National Championships and provided countless players with the exposure and competitive level necessary for them to advance to play for NCAA hockey programs.
This year’s season-opening BEAST Launch Challenge event featured nearly 100 Tier1 and Tier 1 Boys teams competing in better than 180 games Aug. 24-26. Full and split-season teams in the 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U age groups participated at five Massachusetts rinks located south of Boston.
Many nationally recognized programs such as the Long Island Gulls, Boston Jr. Eagles, Neponset Valley River Rats, Boston Jr. Terriers, Northern Connecticut Nor’Easter, Mid-Fairfield Rangers, Holy Name Bears, Yale Jr. Bulldogs, Cape Cod Whalers and Minuteman Flames sent teams to this year’s Launch Challenge.
Most BEAST Launch Challenge games should be available for on-demand viewing via LiveBarn.
CLICK HERE for the complete BEAST Launch Challenge schedule, results and stats.
Beast Launch Challenge Game Results of Interest
18U
Sunday 8.24
Amherst Knights 4, Minuteman Flames 3
New Jersey Devils 5, Boston Jr. Terriers 5
Monday 8/25
Amherst Knights 7, Bay State Breakers 2
Jersey Hitmen 3, East Coast Militia National 1
Boston Americans 5, Westchester Express 3
Yale Jr. Bulldogs National 2, East Coast Militia National 2
Neponset Valley River Rats North 2, Northern CT Nor’Easter Kent 1
Neponset Valley River Rats East 4, Cape Cod Whalers Apostol 2
Tuesday 8/26
Northern CT Nor’Easter National 9, Hartford Wolfpack 1
Northern CT Nor’Easter Kent 6, Westchester Express 0
Woodbridge Wolfpack 5, Atlantic Coast Academy National 2
New Jersey Devils Youth 2, Cape Cod Whalers Apostol 0
Boston Jr. Terriers 2, Connecticut Jr. Rangers 1
Neponset Valley River Rats North 5, Blazers 0
Hartford Wolfpack National 5, Assabet Patriots Prep 3
Atlantic Coast Academy National 2, Brookline Whalers 1
16U
Sunday 8/24
Springfield Thunderbirds 8, Maine Jr. Mariners 1
Monday 8/25
Rochester Coalition 4, Long Island Arrows 1
Jersey Hitmen 2, East Coast Militia 1
East Coast Militia 3, Connecticut Jr. Rangers 1
North Suburban Wings 1, Rochester Coalition 1
Tuesday 8/26
Atlantic Coast Academy National 5, Mid-Fairfield Rangers 5
Westchester Express 3, Rochester Coalition 2
Islanders Hockey Club 2, Northern CT Nor-Easter 0
Yale Jr. Bulldogs National 5, Atlantic Coast Academy National 4
South Shore Kings Connolly 5, Northern Cyclones Prep 1
15U
Sunday 8/24
New Hampshire Mountain Kings 3, Westchester Express 2
Boston Americans 3, Jersey Hitmen 0
Northern CT Nor’Easter 3, South Shore Kings 2
New Hampshire Mountain Kings 7, Boston Advantage 1
Monday 8/25
Northern CT Nor’Easterr 3, East Coast Militia 2
Connecticut Jr. Rangers National 8, East Coast Vikings 1
Westchester Express 5, Northeast Generals 2
Boston Americans 8, Northern CT Nor’Easter 2
Islanders Hockey Club 3, Mid-Fairfield Rangers 0
Connecticut Jr. Rangers National 11, South Shore Kings 0
Jersey Hitmen 4, Westchester Express 1
Tuesday 8/26
Connecticut Jr. Rangers 6, Westchester Expess 0
Atlantic Coast Academy 7, East Coast Vikings 1
Northern Cyclones Prep 6, Boston Advantage 4
14U
Sunday 8/24
Long Island Gulls 2, Westchester Express 0
Boston Americans 3, Philadelphia Hockey Club 3
Long Island Arrows 7, Northeast Generals 5
Monday 8/25
Long Island Arrows 4, Philadelphia Hockey Club 2
Westchester Express 4, 95 Giants 3
Long Island Gulls 6, Rochester Coalition 4
Mid-Fairfield Rangers 1, East Coast Militia 0
Woodbridge Wolfpack 6, East Coast Militia 0
Neponset Valley River Rats 10, Mid-Fairfield Rangers 1
Northeast Generals 5, Philadelphia Hockey Club 3
Boston Americans 5, Long Island Arrows 2
Rochester Coalition 4, Boston Jr. Huskies 1
Tuesday 8/26
Philadelphia Hockey Club 3, Westchester Express 1
Boston Jr. Terriers 4, Mid-Fairfield Rangers 2
Rochester Coalition 8, North Suburban Wings 0
East Coast Militia 3, Atlantic Coast Academy 1
Rochester Coalition 3, Boston Americans 2
