#USPHLNationals: Carolina Jr. Hurricanes Capture 2022-23 USPHL Elite National Championship

by Joshua Boyd

March 27, 2023March 27, 2023

The Carolina Jr. Hurricanes USPHL Elite team saw a Marc-Antoine Vincent double-overtime goal lift them to the status of 2022-23 USPHL Elite National Champions! The Jr. Canes traded goals with the other finalist the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in the first and second periods of the National Championship game, played at the Utica University Nexus Centre in […]

USPHL Elite Final On Monday To Feature WBS Knights vs. Carolina Jr. Hurricanes

by Joshua Boyd

March 27, 2023

By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com Three days of Round Robin are in the books, and so are the two USPHL Elite semifinals. Twenty teams started the season, but only two can play in the championship final, and those teams are the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights and the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes. The WBS Knights went clean at 3-0 […]

Semifinals Set For Sunday In USPHL Elite National Championship Series

by Joshua Boyd

March 25, 2023

#USPHLNationals: USPHL Elite Round Robin Standings After Day 2

by Joshua Boyd

March 25, 2023

USPHL Elite National Championships Round Robin Day 1 Summaries

by Joshua Boyd

March 24, 2023

Standings above taken from USPHLElite.com/stats/standings and are official only as of the end of Day 1. By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com Jersey Hitmen 4, Florida Eels 3 About the best first game of a National Championship tournament you could ever ask or hope for, the teams were tied after one period and the […]

USPHL Nationals Elite Team Previews: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights

by Joshua Boyd

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023

By Marlee Bulman / USPHLElite.com Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Seed: Mid-Atlantic #1 Round Robin Schedule All games to be played at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y. Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs Islanders Hockey Club, 7:30 p.m. Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs Tampa Bay Juniors, 5 p.m. Game 3: Saturday, March 25 th , vs […]

#USPHLNationals Elite Team Preview: Florida Eels

by Joshua Boyd

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023

By Marlee Bulman / USPHLElite.com Florida Eels Seed: Florida #1 Round Robin Schedule All games to be played at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y. Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Jersey Hitmen, 10 a.m. EST Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Charlotte Rush, 12 p.m. EST Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Northern Cyclones, […]

#USPHLNationals Elite Team Preview Series: Jersey Hitmen

by Joshua Boyd

March 22, 2023

By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com Jersey Hitmen Seed: Mid-Atlantic #2 Round Robin Schedule All games played at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y. Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Florida Eels, 10 a.m. Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Northern Cyclones, 2:30 p.m. Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Charlotte Rush, 12 p.m. […]

#USPHLNationals Elite Team Preview Series: Tampa Bay Juniors

by Joshua Boyd

March 19, 2023

By Brendan Price / USPHLElite.com Tampa Bay Juniors Seed: Florida #2 Round Robin Schedule All Games to be played at Utica University Nexus Center Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, 11 a.m. EST Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, 5 p.m. EST Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Islanders […]

#USPHLNationals Elite Team Preview Series: Charlotte Rush

by Joshua Boyd

March 18, 2023March 18, 2023

By Grace Mello / USPHLElite.com Charlotte Rush Seed: Southeast #2 Round Robin Schedule All games played at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y. Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Northern Cyclones, 2:30 p.m. EST Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Florida Eels, 12 p.m. Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Jersey HItmen, 12 p.m. […]

The Carolina Jr. Hurricanes USPHL Elite team saw a Marc-Antoine Vincent double-overtime goal lift them to the status of 2022-23 USPHL Elite National Champions!

The Jr. Canes traded goals with the other finalist the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in the first and second periods of the National Championship game, played at the Utica University Nexus Centre in Utica, N.Y.

Jacob Gifford started the scoring at 4:15 of the first, assisted by Brayden Strong.

Next up, but more than 10 minutes later, it was WBS tying the goal off the stick of Carson Scott, assisted by Sam Turkowitz and Sam Pfeiffer.

The second period saw more of the same – goal by Carolina answered back by the Knights.

Brayden Strong scored an unassisted goal at 14:45 for Carolina.

The WBS Knights evened it up at 19:14, with Maverick Rudolph scoring from Eric McHale and Samuel Russo on the power play.

The third period and first overtime both went by without scoring, but with both teams getting their chances. Both had seven shots apiece in the third period, and the Knights peppered Carolina’s Tristan Falsetto with 14 shots in the first overtime. Eight shots were sent the way of Dylan Boughen, of WBS, but neither team found paydirt in the first extra 20 minutes.

Finally, just after the start of the second OT, Marc-Antoine Vincent took a pass from Jacob Gifford and went in alone to score the ultimate golden goal.

And that was it! Your Carolina Jr. Hurricanes are the 2022-23 USPHL Elite Champions. Congratulations to the Langlois family, Head Coach Brad Gaylord, GM Lincoln Flagg and of course, the ones who make it happen, the players, parents and billet parents! This one’s for you!

By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Three days of Round Robin are in the books, and so are the two USPHL Elite semifinals. Twenty teams started the season, but only two can play in the championship final, and those teams are the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights and the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes.

The WBS Knights went clean at 3-0 through the round robin, the only team to do so. The Carolina Jr. Hurricanes went 2-1, but won when it counted in the semifinals against the Northern Cyclones in a back-and-forth 1-0 battle, keyed by a 45-save effort from Tristan Falsetto in net. Jacob Gifford scored the only goal in the third period.

The WBS Knights, the regular season champion, defeated the Jersey Hitmen by a 3-2 score in the other semifinal on Sunday. Another game that saw a little bit of everything – including bursts of offense and great goaltending – featured all five goals being scored in the second period. Brody Bess and Jared Showen each scored a goal and an assist, and Sam Pfeiffer’s goal – which made it 3-0 – stood up as the GWG. Jersey’s Francis Zaklukiewicz and Kody Fitzgerald both had goals, while Zaklukiewicz (1-1-2) and Nicholas Cioce (0-2-2) had two point games.

The Knights faced the Jr. Canes in the round robin, winning 6-1 on Saturday, so Carolina will be looking for revenge. The Knights, founded in 2021, are hoping for a championship to cap off Year 2.

Standings above taken from USPHLElite.com/stats/standings and are official only as of the end of Day 1.

By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Jersey Hitmen 4, Florida Eels 3

About the best first game of a National Championship tournament you could ever ask or hope for, the teams were tied after one period and the Hitmen held a close 2-1 lead after 40 minutes. Lorenzo Marchetta tied the game and Grady Duden gave the Eels their first – and in the end, only – lead of the game. Francis Zaklukiewicz scored his second of the game to tie it and eventually send it to OT. Neither team found paydirt there, and Zaklukiewicz and Chris Donnelly both scored in the shootout.

Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 6, Tampa Bay Juniors 4

The Juniors were the team that went up early, 2-1. But Carter Radosta’s goal to get in between two Tampa goals was a harbinger of what was to come. Radosta scored to tie the game just over 6 minutes into the second, and then it was a 4-2 Carolina lead after two periods. Tampa would not go easy, though, as they pulled to a 4-4 tie with Brenden Sickles scoring 30 seconds in, and Joshua Skipper following. Nathan Rhodes broke the tie at 16:08, and Colby Markham took out insurance on three points in the standings.

Northern Cyclones 4, Charlotte Rush 2

Spencer Barrow got the Rush started with a goal in the first, but the Cyclones were just a team on a mission Thursday. They scored two in the second and one more from Corey Girouard to start the third for a 3-1 lead. The Rush worked their way back into contention with a goal by Jack Lamothe, but Josh Bruno’s insurance marker put the “W” firmly in the ‘Clones’ corner.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 1, Islanders Hockey Club 0

A defensive tug-of-war ensued and went on for all of two periods and most of the third. Jonathan Morgan tucked one home on a cut across the front of the net at 12:40 of the third. Dylan Boughen, the only Elite goalie undefeated in regulation during the regular season, kept up the beat with a 20-save shutout. Anthony LaCroix was valiant in the IHC net despite the loss, giving up just one out of 27 shots against.

By Marlee Bulman / USPHLElite.com

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Seed: Mid-Atlantic #1
Round Robin Schedule
All games to be played at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y.
Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs Islanders Hockey Club, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs Tampa Bay Juniors, 5 p.m.
Game 3: Saturday, March 25 th , vs Carolina Jr Hurricanes, 5 p.m.

Coming off a 7-2 win for their final regular season game, going straight into back to back wins for the playoffs (10-2 and 6-4), the USPHL Elite Regular Season Champion Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights are heading to Nationals.

“The boys were ecstatic at the final buzzer. Everything they have worked so hard for this season finally paid off,” said Head Coach Gaetano Moirano. “It’s allowed us to showcase our talent and depth against the other top contenders in the USPHL Elite Division.”

This season the Knights were on fire, ending with 44 games played they posted a 39-3-80. Just to put it into perspective, their last streak was 24 straight wins before being stopped.

This team was knocked down last year, and fought hard to make it to the top. Growth like this doesn’t happen overnight.

“After being knocked out in the semifinals last season, our veterans have made it their mission to make it all the way to the championship game this year,” Moirano said. “Our experience and young talent have been integral in our team’s success.”

In this exciting time to be playing, sometimes expectations can be lost or forgotten. For the WBSK, what their coach wants is simple.

“I expect our guys to be ready to showcase their talent and team play come puck drop,” Moirano added.

Talent doesn’t touch what these guys have. As someone who’s been reporting on them all season, I practically have their lines memorized from talking about their successes. Namely Brody Bess (’05) who posted an amazing 32-26-58 in 34 games played for the regular season, and a 4-3-7 averaging 3.5 points per game in the playoffs.

Then we have Eric McHale, top scorer of the WBSK who within 42 games posted a 25-51-76 with his goal average a 1.81 for the regular season. In the playoffs, no surprise, he’s posted a 1-5-6 line and three points per game average.

Their Coach gave them credit for making it far in the playoffs.

“Our young guns, Brody Bess and Eric McHale, were phenomenal during our series vs. Rockets Hockey Club. Together they totaled 13 points in two games.”

A team isn’t complete without their veterans.

“Jared Showen is just one example of our veteran core who contributed to our team’s success,” Moirano said.

Showen had no problem Showen-up, posting a 20-26-46 in 26 games during the regular, and popping off in the playoffs with a 1-4-5 line.

In goal, Dylan Boughen went undefeated in regulation, going 15-0-2-0. He was second in wins, third in save percentage (.933) and and seventh in goals against average (2.22). Samuel Russo was a top 10 scorer among defensemen with 31 points and was third in goals scored among Elite blueliners with 15. Oliver Kiel Straarup had 3

This team has what it takes to keep fighting, they have a good formula, dare I say a great one even.

“The overall dynamic these players bring to the ice is something to be witnessed first-hand. Not much will change. We will stick to our game plan and maintain the same intensity that allowed us to be consistent all season,” Moirano added.

“Our focus is on our training and recovery. However, we [were] entertaining the idea of attending an AHL game over the weekend before heading to Utica next week.”

Their plans right this moment? Well, there’s just winning on the mind.

By Marlee Bulman / USPHLElite.com

Florida Eels
Seed: Florida #1
Round Robin Schedule
All games to be played at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y.

Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Jersey Hitmen, 10 a.m. EST

Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Charlotte Rush, 12 p.m. EST

Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Northern Cyclones, 2:30 p.m. EST

After having a strong standing during the regular season and facing off against the Atlanta MadHatters in the playoffs, the Florida Eels are heading to Nationals.

It wasn’t all easy after facing a potential upset to Atlanta, going down one game after a 6-5 Atlanta overtime win to start the series.

“Our series with Atlanta was competitive. We had to handle adversity after losing Game 1 to win the series. Overall it was a good test for our team and how we would handle adversity as a collective group so I am happy with where our team is at,” said Head Coach Mitch Hill.

In 44 games played, the Eels had 31 wins, eight losses, three overtime losses and two shootout losses. After clinching their division by 11 points, the Eels finished fifth overall.

“Our goal all season long was to make the National tournament so we are excited. This is the second year in a row our Elite team has gotten this far. We have a ton of skill and speed that we will look to continue building throughout nationals,” Hill said, in regards to the team’s strength going forward.

A few star players were key to getting to Nationals. Lorenzo Marchetta (’03) posted an impressive 28-40-68 for the regular season. He also scored a highlight-reel goal that featured a spin-o-rama posted by the league almost right after it happened, which was shortly thereafter retweeted by ESPN’s John Buccigross.

“[He] was massive in helping us get to Nationals. His line with Alexander Clingerman really stepped up in Game 3 to propel our offense,” Hill said. Alexander Clingerman put up a 25-30-55 line. These two will be a line to watch out for.

“Our netminder Loic St-Denis Lacombe stepped up in a massive way in Games 2 and 3 to provide relief in the net for our team.”

Lacombe ended the regular season with a goals against average of 3.33 and .899 save percentage, and in the division playoffs, brought those numbers up to a GAA of 2.45 and a .910 save percentage.

Coach Hill has faith in his team to make it to the end with the team he built this season.

“We have a good core group on our team this year that was on last year’s National tournament team,” said Hill. “They understand the standard and level of play at Nationals so that will help continue spreading that message through our locker room.”

In regards to what changes are to be made, Coach Hill said, “We have been working on our D- zone structure and tracking recently. Our 5-on-5 play without the puck is something we have been emphasizing with our group.”

Fans are excited to see what the Eels will bring to the ice these next three games. Either way this is a team with an unshakeable bond.

“[The players] have gotten together a bunch outside of the rink to continue enjoying being around one another. They have been building lasting memories all season long so they are excited to continue that this week.”

By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Jersey Hitmen

Seed: Mid-Atlantic #2

Round Robin Schedule

All games played at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y.

Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Florida Eels, 10 a.m.

Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Northern Cyclones, 2:30 p.m.

Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Charlotte Rush, 12 p.m.

The Jersey Hitmen have returned to the USPHL Nationals after a one-year absence, and they certainly mean business.

The Hitmen come in having already been tested and had their backs against the wall, advancing to Utica off a three-game series with two one-goal victories against a New York Aviators team that was up 1-0 to start. Jumping into the round robin with that kind of pressure already overcome could be a major strength.

“The final series against the Aviators was exceptionally tough, very physical and losing the first game 5-2 didn’t help either. Afterwards, in the locker room, I likened the first game and the series to a boxing match. I told the guys ‘hey look, you just got punched in the face, your nose is broken and bloodied, your ears are ringing and your eyes are blurry – but there are two more rounds left, so let’s get to work,’” Raymond said.

“The boys took the words to heart and gave all they had for Games 2 and 3, where we were fortunate to get the W’s and earn the Nationals berth,” Raymond added. “I would like to thank the Aviator coaching

staff, along with their players for being such class acts and for giving us one hell of a series.”

Speaking of series, boy, did the Hitmen draw a doozy of a schedule at the brand new Utica University Nexus Center – two very strong No. 1 seeds out of the Florida and North Divisions, along with the No. 2 seed from the Southeast in Charlotte, a team that won the National title when the Hitmen were in Hampton Roads two years ago.

Even with a strong leadership group of veterans, none of today’s Hitmen were in Virginia in 2021, so they all know exactly just how tough it is to reach the Nationals and they’re going to leave absolutely nothing on the ice against some of the nation’s best.

“This will be the first trip to Nationals for every player on the team. We lost a heartbreaking three-game playoff series to the Rockets Hockey Club last year and were forced to watch on HockeyTV,” said Raymond. “Our vets didn’t forget the series loss and battled for all three games. The guys are of course excited but very aware of the challenge that lies ahead of them. The Hitmen take great pride in developing hard-nosed, mentally tough hockey players. A rigorous on and off ice regimen, video review and a commitment to everyone pulling the sled as one, is how we operate.”

This year, that was exemplified by 25 Hitmen players registering points – and 23 of those 25 scored at least one goal. They didn’t have a player in the top 20 in scoring, but their dizzying “next man up” approach to offense saw seven players with 20 or more points and 14 in double digits.

“The guys are ready and looking forward to giving all they have while playing against the best teams in the USPHL Elite Conference,” Raymond said.

The Hitmen’s top five scorers were returning veterans, so that right there shows you how much they’re willing to put in the work to lead by example. J.T. Verdino’s 36 points were just ahead of defenseman Matt DiCarlo and Edward Asante both scoring 30. Veterans Nicholas Cioce (24 points) and Colin Reis (22 points) rounded out that top five.

Even more players jumped into the offensive leadership role in the Aviators series.

“Gordon Shindelman was a freight train that wouldn’t be denied two goals in Game 1. I’m convinced that ‘Shindy’ lit the fuse for Game 2 – Marshall Curri (two assists), Nick Cioce (one assist), Devin England (two goals) and Tommy Styles with two goals, including an overtime game winning bomb that got us to Game 3,” added Raymond.

“Game 3 turned into a barn burner. Up to the task were Devin England (one goal), Capt. Matt DiCarlo (one assist), Tommy Styles (one goal and 1 assist), Nikolai ‘Bugsy’ Yelabugin (one assist), Colin Reis (one assist) and J.T. Verdino (one goal) with the game-winning missile that punched our ticket to the show. And let’s not forget about Goaltender Frankie Smith, who was in great form for all three games. Frankie tallied a .937 save percentage in the series and came up big when we needed him most.”

Smith was a top 10 goaltender this year in the Elite, putting up a 10-5-3-1 record with a .926 save percentage, good for eighth in the league. He also saw the eighth most shots in the league at 755, playing 10th most minutes (1,153).

The Hitmen went into their pre-Nationals week focused on just getting as many reps in as possible to be ready.

“We’re certainly not going to tip our hand but rest assured we’re watching opponent video, looking for any tendencies and implementing some minor adjustments that will have us focused and game ready,” added Raymond. “Practice, film review and more practice sound like great activities to me. We’re not going on vacation – we’re headed to Utica to battle and compete for a championship as hard as we can, 212 degrees. Several of these teams are annual participants in the Nationals tournament and know what it takes to win. Our guys need to be firing on all cylinders, for every shift and – in loving memory of Mariann Reiss – with ‘no excuses.’”

By Brendan Price / USPHLElite.com

Tampa Bay Juniors

Seed: Florida #2

Round Robin Schedule

All Games to be played at Utica University Nexus Center

Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, 11 a.m. EST

Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, 5 p.m. EST

Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Islanders Hockey Club, 7:30 p.m. EST

Defense was the name of the game in the semi-finals series that punched the Tampa Bay Juniors ticket to Nationals. Allowing just four goals in two games to a potent Palm Beach squad, head coach Garrett Strot believes that key unlocked and will continue to bring success for the Juniors.

“[They] played well at both ends of the ice; they shut down Palm Beach’s top line, which was one of the best in the league,” Strot said.

In 23 of their 44 regular season games, the Juniors’ defense allowed two goals or fewer and finished eighth overall in the Elite Division in goals allowed, surrendering just 2.70 goals per game.

Goaltender Jonathan Jensen was, pardon the pun, elite for Tampa Bay in 2022-23. The Largo, Fla., product finished tied for fourth in wins (13) and punctuated the team’s semi-final sweep over the Typhoon with a 26-save masterpiece in Game 2.

Jensen shared the crease with starter Dylan Bruce, who finished with a sparkling .921 save percentage in 24 appearances. The goaltending tandem was anthemic of Tampa Bay’s strength in numbers; the 27-win squad did not have a single player in the league’s top-50 in scoring, a feat unique among the qualifying field for Nationals.

“The strength of the Elite team is our depth. We have four lines and three sets of defensemen that we can roll with,” Strot pointed out.

Owing to that point, the Juniors’ had twelve skaters reach the 20-point plateau and six different goal-scorers record at least 10 goals. The Juniors’ balanced lineup featured an incredible 21 rookies in 2022-23, highlighted by a 2004-birth year forward and a pair of 2005-birth years.

Forward Ari Blatt (‘04) paced Tampa Bay in goals and points, with 42 (21-21-42) in 42 games. Hot on his heels were forwards Robert Sheets (‘05) and Brendan Sickles (‘05) with 36 points a piece; Sheets grabbed 18 goals (18-18-36) and Sickles grabbed 21 assists (15-21-36) en route to the tie for second in scoring.

However fearsome, the triumvirate failed to register a point in their meetings with Carolina during the regular season. The Jr Canes are the team that Strot believes have the slight edge in a balanced field of championship contenders.

“The Elite bracket is going to be wide open, but I feel Carolina is the top team to beat,” Strot remarked.

Despite not recording a regular season win over the Jr. Canes, a wide-open bracket should favor the Juniors. Strot’s squad notched victories over seven different opponents during the 2022-23, including three over fellow Nationals qualifier Florida.

The Juniors are back to Nationals for a second straight year and look to continue the program’s run of success by marking a program milestone in Utica.

This is very big for our program to send both [Premier & Elite] teams. The last time both teams went to Nationals at the same time was 2017-18,” Strot said.

The Juniors’ Elite journey opens with a tough pool play matchup: the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes squad that Strot mentioned earlier.

By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com

Islanders Hockey Club

Seed: North #2

Round Robin Schedule

All Games At Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y.

Round Robin Schedule

Game 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, 7:30 p.m. EST

Game 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. EST

Game 3: Saturday, March 25, vs. Tampa Bay Juniors, 7:30 p.m. EST

The Islanders Hockey Club Elite team has become a Nationals staple, reaching the big dance three straight times now. Hard to believe there wasn’t even an IHC program in place in 2019-20. It is all a testament to what Jay Punsky has been able to accomplish, taking a team from dormancy to Nationals within one year – all while simultaneously coaching the IHC Premier team. And being an assistant coach with Worcester State University. And being a father with a young family.

“Over the past several years we’ve really focused on having our Elite team serve as a development path for Premier, and our Elite level has continually gotten stronger for it,” said Punsky, whose Elite team went 32-6-2-3, finishing second in the North Division. “We’ve established a strong track record of bringing in young, talented players at the Elite level and then having them move into key roles on our Premier team the following season. After a year of development, these players bring with them the experience of playing big minutes in all situations, especially in the crunch time of playoffs and Nationals.”

To reach the Nationals this year, the Islanders went up against a tough Bridgewater Bandits team with some of the league’s top performers in various positions lining up for that squad. It’s a brand Punsky knows well, as he also coached the Bandits to an Elite Nationals appearance in 2018 and to the Premier Nationals in 2019 and 2020.

“Bridgewater was a tough opponent. They’re a tenacious group who works really hard in all three zones,” added Kevin Smith, Assistant Coach for Premier and Elite. “They certainly made us work for everything we got and I feel we’re more prepared now for Nationals having had to play a series like that. Our players have a much better idea of the intensity required for playoff hockey.”

The Islanders are set to face a pair of teams in the Round Robin they have not seen this year in the Tampa Bay Juniors (Florida #2) and Carolina Jr. Hurricanes (Southeast #1). They will kick off their round robin against the league regular season champions the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. Against the Knights in showcases this year, the Islanders earned an 8-5 win on Oct. 2 at the BJB Shootout and fell in OT at the Rockets Hockey Club Showcase six days later.

“I’m excited for this group to have a chance to compete in Nationals this season. Having played some very difficult teams in our division this year – like the Cyclones, Bandits, etc. – as well as a challenging showcase schedule, I feel like this team has the potential to adapt to the faster pace required against the better teams across the country,” said Smith. “This is the third year in a row the program has qualified, and each year we’ve gotten more competitive. We have several players back from last year’s team who lost in the semifinals, as well as several others who have moved on to play for our Premier team this year. So I think that experience will be invaluable for the whole program, both Premier and Elite.”

When the Cyclones and Knights clash, it’ll be a showdown between the Elite’s two best offensive teams – the Knights averaging 5.88 during the regular season and the IHC posting 5.56. As offensively strong as the Islanders are, they didn’t have that trio of superstars that led the league in 2021-22. This year saw a much more balanced attack. The leading scorer Gabriel Leduc put up a 25-33-58, good for 14th in the league.

However, only three teams in the league had seven 40-point scorers on the final leaderboard, and the IHC was one of them – along with Nationals round robin opponents the Knights and the Southeast Division champion Carolina Jr. Hurricanes.

“The fun part about our team this year is that we have 4-plus lines that can all score. In our first round series against the Bandits we had 17 players register a point. A few of our leading scorers from that series were Logan Cavalcanti, Kenneth Bagley, and Declan Kelly – but on any given day anyone from our lineup can put the puck in the net,” Smith added. “On the back end, our top pairing of Connor Horn and Justin Pniewski both play a very strong two-way game.”

Smith, Punsky and both the IHC Premier and Elite teams will be busy working on sharpening every aspect of their game before making the trip next week to Utica.

“At this point of the season with this group, they play a very strong team game. The week leading up to Utica will be focused on touching up a few areas and also keeping a balance between proper rest and meaningful practice reps,” said Smith.

There will also be time set aside to just get together and enjoy each other’s company, so every player knows they’re going to the National Championships playing for the guy sitting next to him.

“This team is a very close group and will be getting together for a team event before we leave for Utica,” Smith added.