Kicking things off with the pair of junior teams, and focusing first on the Avalanche team in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), the program's top squad looks as formidable as ever to start the year. Of the 19 teams in the EHL, the Avalanche are the only team remaining without a loss to their credit, as they sit at 3-0-0 through their first three games of the season.
Aden Hotchkiss has returned as the team's captain this season, and with the weight of his NCAA Commitment already off of his shoulders (committed to Plymouth State University), the production has come easy to the veteran. Through the first set of games of the season, Hotchkiss has tallied two goals and four assists to his credit. Following their captain, 16 other players have tallied at least one point to their name so far.
As for the goaltending on the back end, Shane Peremba is back for his 3rd season with the program, and 1st as the starting netminder for his team. The '02 native of Pennsylvania has got the nod for two of the three games so far this year, earning not one, but two victories over the Boston Jr. Rangers. Antoine Robidoux picked up a win over the Connecticut RoughRiders in the other contest.
As for the Avalanche team in the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP), New Hampshire has hit the ice for five total games so far this year, racking up a record of 2-2-1 to date.
13 different players have tallied at least a point to their credit so far this year, with AJ Guzzardi and Zach Needham leading the way with six and five points respectively for each player.
In goal, three different netminders have seen action, with Alex Gerard leading the way with a pair of victories to his credit. The two wins each game this past weekend at the Worcester Showcase and led to a Goalie of the Week award for the '04 native of New York.
Our Midget full season teams headed to Blaine Minnesota to participate in the NAPHL/NAHL showcase. The event was jam packed with scouts from the NHL/NCAA/USHL/NAHL and gave our teams the opportunity to play teams from all across the country. The groups were also fortunate enough to take in a Minnesota Twins game, visit the University of Minnesota, play Top Golf and check out the Mall of America. It was a great weekend with some solid hockey from both teams. Next up the teams take on some local rivals for their State games.
The U16 Full Season team had as close to a perfect weekend as possible. They started off with a 10-0 win over the Boston Knights and followed that up with a 3-0 win over in-state rival, the Northern Cyclones Prep team. The win over the Cyclones was particularly important as it was a State game with standings implications. Backed by strong goaltending from Wyatt Demers and Nicky Warren, the group found offense from all lines and defense pairings. Next up the team heads to Attleboro to take on fellow NAPHL league members the New England Generals.
This past weekend the 09P Avs won both games! The team is heading into this weekend protecting the 5 and 0 start to the season.
The Avs also spent time volunteering at a great event on Sunday. It was a fantastic time supporting one of our own hockey families, the Hobbs Family!
The first weekend of the season the 2011 Elite competed in the Super Series Boston Breakout. In the first game they took a 3 goal lead on the PAL Jr Islanders, but ultimately let them back into the game finishing in a 4-4 tie. In the second game the Avalanche came out slow against CP Dynamo but were able to battle back to tie the game 2-2 before ultimately losing 4-2 in a close game. In Game 3 the Avalanche came out flying and never let up maintaining pressure on Westchester Express the whole game and coming away with a 3-1 win. Game 4 the Avalanche ran into a hot goalie and a strong team on the Washington Little Caps and couldn’t find the back of the net coming away with a 5-0 loss. In the final game Brent Burns on the Carolina Hurricanes came in to give the team a pregame speech. They then came out flying taking a 4-0 lead on the Jersey Hitmen, coming away with a 4-2 win and finishing the Breakout with a 2-2-1 record.
This past weekend the 2011 Elite team had their first E9 games of the season. The first game against the NE Knights the Avalanche came out strong making a statement with a big 9-1 win. On Sunday the Avalanche took on the Americans in their second E9 game with another strong effort from this group they came away with a 7-4 win.
After the first 2 weeks of the season the 2011 Elite are 2-0 in the E9 and 4-2-1 overall.
The Mite Elite fell to the New England Knights 9-8 last Saturday in Raynham, MA. After entering the third period down 4, the Mite Elite squad fought hard to come within a goal of the Knights. The comeback was made possible by outstanding net work in the third by goalie Tanner Richmond. Five players scored a goal during the game and were led by Elle Warrington's hat trick.
The Mite Elite are back in action this week with two home games at the Ice Den - including a rematch with the Knights.
The Mite Elite split a pair of home games at the Ice Den over the weekend. After falling 4-3 to the Boston Jr. Bruins on Saturday in a game that was tied until 2:17 to go, they rallied back and avenged last week's loss to the New England Knights with a convincing 17-4 victory on Sunday. The win moved the team to 1-2 on the season and provides some momentum headed into next week's game in Barnstable, MA, against the Seahawks.
The Avs were once again led in goal by the strong play of Tanner Richmond and 9 players scored across both games.
