HOOKSET, NH -- The New Hampshire Avalanche are pleased to announce that Justin Soryal has been named the new Youth Hockey Director for the organization. Soryal currently serves as the Head Coach for the Avalanche U18 and U16 teams, and will now be responsible for building the Mini Avs learn to play hockey program. Soryal will oversee all of the players as they work their way up to the midget and junior teams within the organization. Soryal will also work closely with the Avalanche coaches to ensure the best product possible is hitting the ice, each and every day.
"We are so excited to have Justin take over the Avalanche youth program," said Mario Martiniello, the owner of the Avalanche. "Justin has made a mark for himself with the Avalanche U18 and U16 full season teams. Having Justin take over our youth program is a tremendous opportunity for him, but also a great fit for the Avalanche program. His work ethic and attention to deal make him the perfect fit to help bring the Avalanche youth program to another level.”
As Martiniello mentioned, Soryal has clearly made his mark over the last few years with the work he has put into the U18 and U16 teams. Now, with the expanded role, Soryal will look to spread his mark to almost every single player that plays in the organization.
"I am very excited to begin this next chapter with the Avalanche program as the Youth Hockey Director," said Soryal. "What first drew me to the Avs program as the Full-Season Midget Director was the success and talent level that the youth program was already producing. To now be able to work more closely with these players is a tremendous opportunity. Over the last few years, the Avalanche program has become a 'one stop shop' with players being able to come in at our 'Learn to Play' level, and then continue right through to our two-time Eastern Hockey League Champion Junior Team; from there, the next step is college hockey. We do all this while being the only true Tier 1 program in the state. This past season was a big year for the Avs, as our Junior team won its second championship in a row. We had 36 college commitments, multiple state championships, and our 16U Full-Season Captain Alex Gagne made Team USA for the Hlinka/Gretzky tournament. Alex also committed to the University of New Hampshire on an athletic scholarship, and got drafted into the USHL. Our goal as a staff, and in particular myself, is to continue to strengthen our program so that we can further help players reach their potential and fulfill their dream of playing college hockey and beyond.”
As we work our way through the final month of the summer, be sure to keep an eye on the Avalanche website (nhavalanche.com) for all of the 2019-20 team schedules.
