Selects Academy to play in USEHL in 2012-13

Press Release

The future landscape of Midget AAA hockey in North America took a noteworthy turn today as powerful programs in the East and elsewhere aligned to form the United States Elite Hockey League (“USEHL”). The league will feature the following programs: Selects Academy (CT), Junior Bruins (MA), Islanders Hockey Club (Formerly Middlesex Islanders) (MA), Jersey Hitmen (NJ), South Shore Kings (MA), CT Yankees (CT), Suffolk P.A.L Ice Hockey (NY) and Hill Academy (Ontario). The inaugural USEHL season will begin this September and will feature Midget Major and Midget Minor Divisions that will play a 24 to 30 game schedule, which will include league games, showcases, and playoffs. The USEHL regular season and showcase schedule will be announced in the near future. The USEHL is considering having guest teams participate in their showcases as well. The USEHL playoffs will be held the 2nd weekend of March and will be hosted by the Jersey Hitmen in Wayne, NJ.

"This is a very exciting time for the Selects Academy at South Kent. With the new USEHL forming and our U-18 and U-16 groups part of the league the future is very bright. It allows us to play against some of the top programs in the country and offers great exposure for our players, " said Sean O'Brien, Vice President of Selects Sports Managment.

The USEHL is the first Midget AAA league of its kind that will be based in the East. The formation of the USEHL marks an opportunity for these organizations to establish strong affiliate teams in a highly competitive and development-oriented league atmosphere.

The inclusion of Selects Academy represents the USEHL’s emphasis on player development and college placement. Selects is a newer program that has enjoyed recent success with a number of NCAA DI commitments, while developing talented fifteen and sixteen year old players to play against top-flight Midget AAA teams in both the United States and Canada. The program will provide teams at both the Major and Minor levels.

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