Category Archives: Junior
Surprise native, Jr. Coyotes grad Benjamin sets mark as NCDC all-time games played leader
March 10th, 2025On Feb. 23, Niko Benjamin set the all-time regular season games played record for the National Collegiate Development Conference, marking his 185th regular season game. This broke the previous record of 184 games played by former Rockets Hockey Club and Jersey Hitmen standout Michael DiPietra, now playing at Trine University. “It’s been an honor to…
Arizona products Pelletier, Gentry earn weekly NCDC, USPHL honors
March 3rd, 2025The NCDC and USPHL have handed out their weekly awards, with a pair from Arizona earning the honors. Casper Warbirds blueliner Micahlind Pelletier has been named the NCDC Mountain Division Defenseman of the Week, while Minnesota Mullets defender Nolan Gentry is the USPHL North Premier Defenseman of the Week. Pelletier (‘04/Gilbert) sent home a goal…
EHLP to NCAA: Brendan Manning
February 25th, 2025When Brendan Manning first came to the Northeast for hockey, he wasn’t sure where the path would take him, but he knew he had come for a purpose. Growing up in Arizona, Manning first pit-stopped in Maine for two years of 18U AAA. Describing it as his “first exposure to more defined hockey,” and with…
Phoenix natives Farr, Gentry continuing hockey career together in Minnesota with USPHL’s Mullets
February 22nd, 2025Preston Farr and Nolan Gentry first came to love the game of hockey in their home state of Arizona, playing up through the AAA ranks before looking at options for junior hockey. This season, the close friends wound up in Minnesota playing together for the USPHL’s Minnesota Mullets, a situation that has seen both develop…
Gilbert native, Bobcats, Jr. Coyotes grad Pelletier collects weekly NCDC honors
February 22nd, 2025Casper Warbirds blueliner Micahlind Pelletier has been named the NCDC Mountain Division Defenseman of the Week. Pelletier (‘04/Gilbert) registered three assists during Casper’s game against Rock Springs on Feb. 15, which pushed his season total to seven points for this, his second NCDC season. Back home, Pelletier skated for the Arizona Bobcats and Jr. Coyotes….
Bobcats, DYHA alum, Gilbert native Contreras-Checani earns weekly NCDC award
February 14th, 2025Rock Springs Grizzlies defenseman Casey Contreras-Checani has been named the NCDC Mountain Division Defenseman of the Week. Contreras-Checani (‘06/Gilbert) registered a goal and added two assists for a three-point weekend against Idaho Falls. After starting the season in the NA3HL, he has advanced to the NCDC where he’s enjoyed contributing six points in nine games…
Quartet of Arizona natives collect weekly accolades from USPHL
February 12th, 2025The USPHL has announced its players of the week, with a quartet of Arizona natives earning the honors. Bremerton Sockeyes forward Thomas Hickey is the Northwest Premier Division Forward of the Week, Chicago Cougars goalie Nick Gingold is the Midwest Premier Division Goaltender of the Week, Metro Jets blueliner River Lewis is the Great Lakes…
Chandler native, Arizona youth hockey alum Cote garners monthly USPHL honors
February 9th, 2025The USPHL has announced that Cameron Cote is the Pacific Premier Division Forward of the Month. Cote (‘04/Chandler) averaged two points per game last month, scoring six goals and posting 10 assists over eight games, seven of which were played with the Ventura Vikings. The Lake Tahoe Lakers forward is in his second Premier season,…
Eastern Hockey League announces Tier II status
February 5th, 2025The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) is proud to announce its re-classification as a Tier II junior hockey league. For over a decade the EHL has strived and succeeded in developing, promoting, and advancing our players to NCAA Division II and III programs. Having mastered the process with over 1900 players taking their next respective steps by committing…
Chino Valley native Collatos garners weekly EHL honors
January 31st, 2025The EHL has announced that Vermont Lumberjacks forward Perry Collatos is the North Division Star of the Week. The ’04 native of Chino Valley had two goals and three assists in two tough losses this week. Collatos first had a goal and two assists in a 6-5 shootout loss to the New England Wolves. He…