MAKING THE JUNIORS - REVISED

This is going to be a little different than most of my other blogs. It’s still hockey but it’s not a humorous short story. Rather it’s informative because lately I’ve been requested by my friends at myspace to provide some input on tryouts for Junior A teams.

First of all, I need to clarify that I’m not affiliated with any “real” junior hockey team. The Norris Nightmares are a fictitious junior team that I sometimes write about. The Outlaws are a real team that plays in a men’s/senior beer league but I often horse up what I write about them. In the day, they played two seasons in semi-pro leagues where I coached them to winning seasons but never, unfortunately, champions (Runners up – but who remembers that shit, ehh?) as we had been for several seasons when I still played with them.

So for those of you that have asked about junior hockey teams I have composed a list that I extracted from the USA Hockey website. To reiterate, I also, at this time have no affiliation with USA Hockey. I have been a registered player and coach, but again that was in the day. Those of you that are willing to do more with your computer than dangle on myspace can google this information yourself. I have googled the heck out of the list since the first time I published this on myspace and have now included website addresses and the team’s resident city. As a matter of fact I don’t include any details about teams and tryouts and highly recommend that you do further investigations on your own and do them soon because signups are going on and tryouts will be this summer. Each team has it’s own website but I can’t vouch for any of these teams continuing operation into the 2009-2010 season. You’ll have to determine that. Additionally, I want to emphasize that USA Hockey’s junior leagues are developmental leagues. In many cases you can’t advance from Junior C to Junior B (or B to A, or Tier-II A to Tier-I A, etc) without invitation and even then, exceptional success in tryouts.

Ok, so you love hockey, but you don’t play and you don’t have easy access to see a live NHL games other than on TV. Well these Junior teams may be playing a lot closer to home, and I’ve got to tell you – its some damn good hockey. Look-them up. They may be in playoffs right now and as much as you’d enjoy the game, these teams could use your support.

The listing is only for USA Hockey Junior Teams. Canada and other nations have their own junior leagues and you should also investigate those. Many of you have been playing Midgets and now are looking for a place to continue your quest at a higher and older aged competitive level. You might even want to start thinking about this if you’re still playing Bantams. I don’t want to, in anyway, discount the great high school programs that many states have nor the terrific teams that the NCAA ices at the college levels. In the day, Tier-I Junior A was the only way into the NHL. That is not the case so much today. I’m not sure what the rules are these days but in my day if you played scholastic sports you were not allowed to be on club teams additionally nor were you even allowed to be coached out of season. “Oh my, how things have changed!” to quote my honey, Mrs. Wheats. Ehh?

You’ll notice that some clubs ice teams at various levels and in various leagues.

So here we go starting with three leagues and their teams in Tier-III, Junior C:

Southeast Junior Hockey League: www.sejhl.net
Atlanta Knights – www.atlantajuniorknights.com – Atlanta, GA
Charleston Wolverines – www.wolverinesjunior.org – Charleston, SC
East Coast Eagle Major – www.eaglesjrhockey.com – Cary, NC
East Coast Eagle Minor – www.eaglesjrhockey.com – Cary, NC
Hampton Roads Whalers Major – www.jrwhalers.com – Chesapeake, VA
Hampton Roads Whalers Minor – www.jrwhalers.com – Chesapeake, VA
Space Coast Hurricanes – www.juniorhurricanes.com – Rockledge, FL
Tampa Bay Bolts – www.tampabayjrbolts.com – Tampa, FL

Great Lakes Junior Hockey League: www.gljhl.com

Motor City Chiefs – www.chiefsjrhockeyclub.com – Farmington Hills, MI
Michigan Ice Dogs – www.michicedogs.com – Plymouth, MI
Michigan Mountain Cats – www.michiganmountaincatsjuniorhockey.com – Grand Blanc, MI
Tri-City Ice Hawks – www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=tchawks&s=hockey&t=c – Midland, MI
Illinois Frontenacs – www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=illinoisfrontenacs=hockey&t=c – Fairview Heights, IL
Danville Inferno – www.danvilleinferno.com – Danville, IL
Jr. Huskies – www.huskieshockeyclub.com – Romeoville, IL

Continental Hockey Association – Selects: www.jrhockey.net

Buffalo Stars – www.buffalostars.com – Cheektowaga, NY
Jersey Wildcats – www.jerseywildcats.com – Wharton, NJ
Jr. Predators – www.juniorpreditors.org – Long Island, NY (area)
Metro Fighting Moose – www.metromoose.com – Brooklyn, NY
Philadelphia Jr. Blazers – www.juniorpatriots.com – Bethlehem, PA
Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins – www.juniorpenguinns.com – Pittsburgh, PA
Tri State Selects – www.tristateselects.com – Oaks, PA
Virginia Express – www.virginiaexpress.org – Woodbridge, VA

And here are the leagues and teams from Tier-III, Junior B:

Metropolitan Junior Hockey League: www.metleague.org

Atlanta Knights - www.atlantajuniorknights.com – Atlanta, GA
Binghamton Jr. Senators – www.binghamptonjrsenators.com – Chenango Bridge, NY
Central Penn Panthers – www.pennpanthers.org – Lancaster, PA
Charleston Wolverines - www.wolverinesjunior.org – Charleston, SC
East Coast Eagles - www.eaglesjrhockey.com – Cary, NC
Florida Eels – www.floridaeels.org – Fort Myers, FL
Hampton Roads Jr. Whalers - www.jrwhalers.com – Chesapeake, VA
Hartford Jr. Wolfpack – www.jrwolfpack.com – Cromwell, CT
Jacksonville Ice Dogs – www.jaxicedogs.com – Jacksonville, FL
Junior Titans – www.jrtitans.com – Farmingdale, NJ
Long Island Royals – www.liroyalsjrs.com – Syosset, NY
New Jersey Rockets – www.njrockets.goalline.ca – Newark, NJ
New York Saints – see www.atlantichockey.org – Monsey, NY
NJ Renegades – www.njrenegades.net – Flemington, NJ
North Jersey Avalanche – www.njavalanche.com – Hackensack, NJ
Northern Cyclones – www.northerncyclones.com – Hudson, NJ
Philadelphia Little Flyers – www.littleflyers.org – Aston, PA
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers – www.iceline.info/Flyers/default.htm - West Chester, PA
Portland Jr. Pirates – www.jrpirates.pucksystems2.com – Saco, ME
Space Coast Jr. Hurricanes - www.juniorhurricanes.com – Rockledge, FL
Suffolk PAL – www.palicehockey.com – Hauppauge, NY
Tampa Bay Bolts - www.tampabayjrbolts.com – Tampa, FL
Team Carolina – www.usahockey.com/team_carolina - Indian Trail, NC
Troy Eagles – www.troyeagles.com – Troy, NY
Valley Forge Minutemen – www.oakscenterice.com/vfmmjuniors/index.htm - Oaks, PA
Walpole Express – www.walpoleexpress.com – Walpole, MA

Empire Junior Hockey League: - www.empirehockey.com

Apple Core Minor Jr. B – www.applecorejunior.com – Long Beach, NY
Bay State Breakers – www.baystatebreakers.com – Rockland, MA
Boston Jr. Bruins – www.bostonjuniorbruins.com – Framingham, MA
Brewster Bulldogs – www.brewsterjuniorbulldogs.com – Brewster, NY
Bridgewater Bandits – www.bridgewaterbandits.com – Bridgewater, MA
Buffalo Stars - www.buffalostars.com – Cheektowaga, NY
Capital District Selects Minor Jr. B – www.cdselects.com Troy, NY
Elmira Jr. Jackals – www.jrjackals.com – Elmira, NY
Fitchburg NE Huskies – www.jrhuskies.com – Tyngsboro, MA
Green Mountain Glades – www.vtglades.com – Essex Junction, VT
Jersey Wildcats - www.jerseywildcats.com – Wharton, NJ
Maksymum Jr. Hockey – www.maksymumjuniorhockey.com – Rochester, NY
New England Jr. Falcons – www.juniorfalcons.com – Enfield, CT
New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs – www.nhjrmonarchs.com – Hooksett, NH
NY Jr. Coyotes – www.nyjrcoyotes.org – Massena, NY
Pittsburgh Junior B Penguins - www.juniorpenguinns.com – Pittsburgh, PA
Salem Ice Dogs – www.salemicedogs.net – Saugus, MA
South Shore Kings – www.southshorekings.com – Foxboro, MA
Syracuse Stars – www.syracusestars.net – Dewitt, NY
Tri-State Selects - www.tristateselects.com – Oaks, PA
Valley Jr. Warriors – www.jrwarriors.com – Lawrence, MA

Continental Hockey Association – Premier – www.jrhockey.net

New York Apple Core - www.applecorejunior.com – Long Beach, NY
Frederick Freeze – www.frederickfreeze.com – Frederick, MD
Jersey Wildcats - www.jerseywildcats.com – Wharton, NJ
Mass Maple Leafs – www.massmapleleafs.com – Raynham, MA
Metro Fighting Moose – www.metromoose.com – Brooklyn, NY
New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs - www.nhjrmonarchs.com – Hooksett, NH
Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins - www.juniorpenguinns.com – Pittsburgh, PA
Philadelphia Jr. Blazers - www.juniorpatriots.com – Bethlehem, PA
Springfield Jr. Pics – www.springfieldjrpics.com – Springfield, MA
Virginia Express - www.virginiaexpress.org – Woodbridge, VA

Here are the leagues and teams in Tier-III Junior A:

Western States Hockey League: - www.wshl.org

Bay City Bombers – www.jrbombers.org – Lakewood, CA
Capital Thunder – www.capitalthunderjrhockey.com – Roseville, CA
Colorado Outlaws – www.outlawsjrhockey.com – Windsor, CO
Dallas Hawks – www.dallashawkshockey.com – Addison, TX
El Paso Rhinos – www.elpasorhinos.com – El Paso, TX
Phoenix Polar Bears – www.phoenixpolarbears.com – Phoenix, AZ
San Antonio Diablos – www.diabloshockey.net – San Antonio, TX
San Diego Gulls – www.sandiegogullshockeyclub.com – Escondido, CA
Texas Renegades – www.texasrenegades.net – North Richland Hills, TX
Tulsa Rampage – www.tulsarampage.com – Tulsa, OK
Valencia Flyers – www.valenciaflyers.net – Valencia, CA

Northern Pacific Hockey League: - www.thenphl.com

Billings Bulls – www.billingsbulls.com – Billings, MT
Bozeman Ice Dogs – www.bozemanicedogs.com – Bozeman, MT
Butte Roughriders – www.butteroughriders.net – (problem with this site) Butte, MT
Coeur d’Alene Lakers – www.cdalakers.com – Coeur d’Alene, ID
Eugene Generals – www.eugenegenerals.com – Eugene, OR
Helena Bighorns – www.helenabighorns.com – Helena, MT
Missoula Maulers – www.missoulamaulers.com – Missoula, MT
Puget Sound Tomahawks – www.tomahawkshockeyclub.com – Tacoma, WA
River City Jaguars – www.hometeamsonline.com/RIVERCITYJAGUARS - Beaverton, OR
Rogue Valley Wranglers – www.roguevalleywranglers.com – Medford, OR
Tri-City Titans – www.tctitans.com – Pasco, WA
Yellowstone Quake – www.yellowstonquake.com – Cody, WY
Seattle Totems – www.seattletotems.pucksystems2.com – Shoreline, WA

Minnesota Junior Hockey League: - www.mnjhl.com

Granite City Lumberjacks – www.lumberjackshockey.com – St. Cloud, MN
Hudson Crusaders – www.hudson.pucksystems2.com/page/show/62933-hudson-crusaders - Hudson, WI
Minnesota Flying Aces – www.mnflyingaces.com – Little Falls, MN
Minnesota Ice Hawks – www.mnicehawks.com – Rochester, MN
Minnesota Owls – www.minnesotaowls.com – Isanti, MN
Minnesota Wildcats – www.widcatsjrhockey.com – Maple Grove, MN
St. Paul Lakers – www.lakershockey.com – Edina, MN
Twin Cities Northern Lights – www.northernlightshockey.com – Bloomington, MN
Wisconsin Mustangs – www.mustanghockey.net – Spooner, WI

Central States Hockey League: - www.cshlhockey.com

Chicago Force – www.chicagorforcehockey.com – Rolling Meadows, IL
Cincinnati Queen City Steam – www.queencitysteam.com – Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks – www.jrjacks.com – Strongsville, OH
Dubuque Thunderbirds – www.dubuquethunderbirds.com – Dubuque, IA
Flint Junior Generals – www.juniorgenerals.com – Flint, MI
Grand Rapids Junior Owls – www.gr-jrb-owls.com (problem with site) - Byron Center, MI
Metro Jets – www.metrojetshockey.com – Waterford, MI
Motor City Chiefs – www.chiefsjrhockeyclub.com – Dearborn Heights, MI
Peoria Mustangs – www.peoriamustangs.com – Peoria, IL
Quad City Express (now Flames) – www.qcjrflames.org – Davenport, IA
St. Louis Junior Blues – www.stljrblues.org – St. Louis, MO
Toledo Cherokee – www.cherokeehockey.com – Toledo, OH

Eastern Junior Hockey League: - www.easternjunior.com

Apple Core - www.applecorejunior.com – Long Beach, NY
Bay State Breakers - www.baystatebreakers.com – Rockland, MA
Boston Jr. Shamrocks (now Philadelphia Revolution Jr. Hockey Club) – www.Bostonshamrocks.com – Warminster, PA
Bridgewater Bandits - www.bridgewaterbandits.com – Bridgewater, MA
Capital District Selects – www.cdselects.com Troy, NY
Green Mountain Glades - www.vtglades.com – Essex Junction, VT
Jersey Hitmen – www.jerseyhitmen.net – Wayne, NJ
Jr. Warriors – www.jrwarriors.com – Haverhill, MA
Junior Bruins - www.bostonjuniorbruins.com – Framingham, MA
New England Jr. Falcons - www.juniorfalcons.com – Enfield, CT
New England Jr. Huskies - www.jrhuskies.com – Tyngsboro, MA
New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs - www.nhjrmonarchs.com – Hooksett, NH
South Shore Kings - www.southshorekings.com – Foxboro, MA
Syracuse Stars - www.syracusestars.net – Dewitt, NY

Atlantic Junior Hockey League: - www.atlantichockey.org

Binghamton Jr. Senators - www.binghamptonjrsenators.com – Chenango Bridge, NY
Boston Jr. Bulldogs – www.bostonjuniorbulldogs.com – Salem, NH
Hartford Jr. Wolfpack - www.jrwolfpack.com – Cromwell, CT
Laconia Leafs – www.laconialeafs.com – Laconia, NH
New Jersey Rockets - www.njrockets.goalline.ca – Newark, NJ
New York Junior Bobcats – www.nybobcats.com – Syosset, NY
North Mass Cyclones – www.northermasscyclones.com – Hudson, NH
Portland Jr. Pirates - www.jrpirates.pucksystems2.com – Saco, ME
Philadelphia Little Flyers - www.littleflyers.org – Aston, PA
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers - www.iceline.info/Flyers/default.htm - West Chester, PA
Walpole Express - www.walpoleexpress.com – Walpole, MA
Washington Jr. Nationals – www.jrnationals.org – Arlington, VA

Here’s the Tier-II league and teams:

North American Hockey League – www.nahl.com

Alaska Avalanche – www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=akavalanche&s=hockey&t=c – Wasilla, AK
Albert Lea Thunder – www.albertleathunder.com – Albert Lea, MN
Alexandria Blizzard – www.alexandriablizzard.com – Alexandria, MN
Alpena Ice Diggers – www.icediggers.com – Alpena, MI
Bismarck Bobcats – www.bismarckbobcats.com – Bismarck, ND
Fairbanks Ice Dogs - www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=FAIRBANKSICEDOGSCOM&s=hockey&t=c – Fairbanks, AK
Kenai River Brown Bears – www.kenairiverbrownbears.com – Soldotna, AK
Mahoing Valley Phantoms – www.mvpphantoms.com – Boardman, OH
Marquette Rangers – www.marquetterangers.com – Marquette, MI
Motor City Machine – www.machinehockey.com – Wyandotte, MI
North Iowa Outlaws – www.northiowaoutlaws.com – Mason City, IA
Owatonna Express – www.expressjrhockey.org – Owatonna, MN
Springfield Jr. Blues – www.jrblues.com – Springfield, IL
St. Louis Bandits – www.stlbandits.com – Chesterfield, MO
Topeka Roadrunners – www.topekaroadrunners.com – Topeka, KS
Traverse City North Stars – www.traversecitynorthstars.com – Traverse City, MI
USNTDP – USA Hockey’s US National Team Development Program – U17 and U18 – see www.usahockey.com
Wenatchee Wild – www.wenatcheewild.com – Wenatchee, WA
Wichita Falls Wildcats – www.wfwildcatshockey.com – Wichita Falls, TX

And last here is the Tier-I league and teams:

United States Hockey League - www.ushl.com

Cedar Rapid Roughriders – www.roughridershockey.com – Cedar Rapids, IA
Chicago Steel – www.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com – Bensenville, IL
Des Moines Buccaneers – www.bucshockey.com – Urbandale, IA
Fargo Force – www.fargoforce.com – Fargo, ND
Green Bay Gamblers – www.gamblershockey.com – Green Bay, WI
Indiana Ice – www.indianaice.com – Indianapolis, IN
Lincoln Stars – www.lincolnstars.com – Lincoln, NE
Omaha Lancers – www.lancers.com – Council Bluffs, NE
Sioux City Musketeers – www.musketeershockey.com – Sioux City, IA
Sioux Falls Stampede – www.sfstampede.com – Sioux Falls, SD
Tri-City Storm – www.stormhockey.com – Kearney, NE
Waterloo Blackhawks – www.waterlooblackhawks.com – Waterloo, IA

So that’s about it my friends. I hope that you find this information helpful and I expect everybody trying out for any of these teams to be skating hard and walking with wood.