success - File Downloads

Eastern Junior Hockey League
sets players on course for
success
SWF PHOTOS BY MATTHEW WHSf
The Junior Monarch*' Jason Tarbell, left, checks th«
Junior Stars'Steve Owens to the fee.
By STEPHEN HARRIS
He is a fictional, but typical, Massachusetts youngster who has
dreamed for most of his 16 years that
he will play high-level college hockey.
He comes from a good famuy, is a talented player and above-average student. And he has a crucial and perhaps very difficult decision to make.
He knows that if he continues to
play for his local high school team, his
chance of.landing any sort of college
scholarship is very slim. He needs to
play at a higher level if he hopes to
catch the eye of recruiters from any of
the NCAA's six Division 1 leagues.
A wonderful option would be to
1 attend one of the dozens of excellent
V private schools in the region which
• have fine hockey programs. But his
m grades and SAT scores aren't quite
f good enough for him to get in —and
even if he could gain admission, his
parents cannot afford the tuition of
$20,000 or more.
So he looks to American junior
hockey. For hundreds of kids before
him, this has meant the Midwest's
United States Hockey League or
^ North American Hockey League. To
o play in one of these leagues means
rj leaving home, moving in with an un£ known family and enrolling at a new
g high school in some place like OmaS ha, Cedar Rapids or Des Moines,
o and being away from the superviQ sion and support of family and
5" friends for six or seven months.
£ For most kids and their parents,
£ no matter how high their hockey
g dreams may soar, it's hardly an atS tractive choice.
But now it is not the only choice
0
^ open to the young hockey talents of
2 our region, not with the emergence
i of [he Eastern Junior Hockey
o l.c:i£-.-:e. Founded in 1993, the league
fe stresses both on-ice and academic
§ success, with the sole mandate of
readying kids to play collegiately. is Chris Donovan of Fairfax Station,
Originally a six-team league, the so- Va., who led all prep school
called "E-J" has grown to 13 clubs. goalscorers with 45 last season for
The league is open both to kids still the Berkshire School, but elected to
in high school and those who have skip his senior year and play this
graduated, but are not quite ready, year for the Junior Bruins.
athletically and/or academically, to
"He just felt he needed to play at a
enter college.
-different level to prove he could do it
'The next step for our kids, hope- at the college level," said Junior Brufully, is on to college," said EJHL ins coach Peter Masters. "His feeling
commissioner Dan Esdale. "Typical- was, 'Hey, I've done everything I can
ly, the freshman college hockey do at the prep level.' He wanted to
player today is 20 years old. And improve and get more exposure."
with no JV teams anymore, kids are
Donovan, like dozens of E-J playexpected to be able to step right in ers from all over the country, is bilas freshmen and play. So our league
fills the gap for a kid who graduates
from high school and then will do a
year or two with a junior team. And
then we have other kids who choose
to forgo their high school hockey experience and just play juniors."
leted with a
family while
he plays in
the league.
The EJHL operates in virtual obscurity at rinks throughout New
England, New York and New Jersey.
As one of the foremost breeding
grounds for kids who will become
stars in the college, and perhaps professional, ranks, the league is hoping
to attract far more attention from
area hockey fans.
A bargain for fans
"If there was a basketball
game in our area where
there were 21 future
college Division 1
players playing
A Star is born
Such a player was University of
Maine captain John Ronan of South
Boston, who played for the EJHL
Walpole Junior Stars.
"It was a great experience," said
Ronan. "To play junior hockey basically 20 minutes down the street in
Walpole, it was nice, because you're
still home with your family and you
don't have to go out to the Midwest
alone. There's a good level of talent J
and more and more kids from the
area are flocking to this league. It
should just get better and better."
Oefenseman Bret Tyler ofj
Maynard, a Black Bears regular,
as a freshman, played five years
in the EJHL starting, remark-*
ably, as a 14-year-old eighthgrader. "He's playing a bij
for us as a true freshman,'
Maine coach Tim White!
"He's going to become an etil
player."
A current star of the E-J
Walpoto's
FairchiM,
fold* off «M
Monarch*'
JaxonTarlMll.
against each other — big-time Division 1 players — you couldn't get a
ticket, you couldn't even get in the
building," said Masters, a former
Boston College defenseman.
"Here, you have the Bruins
against the (New Hampshire Junior) Monarchs — between the two
teams, we sent 21 kids to Division 1
college teams last year — and we
had about 12 scouts and 18 parents in
the stands."
But you can bet every one of those
parents understood quite nicely the
significance of their son playing in
this league — and are reminded
nightly by the presence of all those
college and professional scouts always on hand at their games.
"We love that league," said Maine
coach Whitehead. "It's really exciting now that these kids have a great
option. They don't have to go to the
Midwest to play hockey. They can
play it right here in their backyard. There's no question
in my mind the Eastern
league is getting better
each season.
"We scout that
league heavily. They
• have exceptional
coaches
with
X every team —
^ and there's play;rs, there's plenty of players in
that
league,
look
down all the
(college)
Div. 1, 2 and
3 rosters.
They're
Eastern
Junior Hockey
League
teams
(with primary hoitie rink)
'
.^
• BuitattBraafcm,
Dockland Arena
• Button Hvbor
• Capita* DMrict Me*- -i~i— P-J—
N£SC. MarionTJ
(NY), RPI
Walter Brown Aren,a (BU)
1 Di lill|uwater Bi
ndtti,
Bridgewater Arena
(VL), Umv. of Vermont
BNMlJwMyHHiMll,
Bridgewater (N.J.) Arena
,,'",
,
'.--••-Bfcv"J Li.
FTMJH^^
.
d*. Falcons,
Otympla Rink. Springfield
• NM&igto»dJr.HuUn,
Skate 3 Arena Tyngsboro
llto.Hxi.Mi»Jr.MMidB,
Tri-Town Aren .Hookset
• NewYottJLppteCoM,
Lon Beach <N V) Arena
"IBBl^ :c; :
ul^H^H&
9
.awrence
Stars,
JE^BfSR&Hmr
lorio Arena. Walpole
•Pl^IagSir^ '
Gameschedul as:
^^•^"•""^^
, ,
www.easternj jnior.com
2004 col ege commitments
Last year, the Eastern Junior Hockey League placed more student athletes in
college hockey Hian any league in the eastern part of the country. T> e 2003-04
official college ccmmrtments from the EJHL
TEAM
HOMETOWN
COMMTTED COLLEGE
DIVISION
puim
Walpole goalie Ryan Slmpson makes a save against the Monarchs' Dan Barlett.
packed with kids who played in and Needham were among the earn a college scholarship that
finest programs in the state. Then, could be worth from perhaps
that Eastern junior league."
Indeed, to appreciate White- it was the Catholic schools like $60,000-$150,000 over four years.
head's observation, look at the Matignon and Catholic Memorial
league Web site — easternju- which emerged as the place for the
nior.com — and check out the col- best players to be. Later, the Indelege commitment lists for the last ' pendent Schools League and prep
few years. Last season, some 101 schools like Thayer and Gushing
kids earned spots on college ros- lured many of the top players.
ters this year, about 45 in Div. 1. Now the swing is toward junior
Peruse the Hockey East rosters, leagues like the E-J to fill the ma-
CoHegescomecaffing
"The bottom line is we take 2025 kids in, and we try to bring
them along with the academic
side of it, the strength and conditioning side of it, and then certainly the practices and the games
— the end result being that we're
trying to get every kid into a good
college," said Andy Heinze, coach
of the Valley Junior Warriors and
percent (31 players) from prep the brother of ex-Bruin Steve
schools and just 1.1 percent (5) Heinze. "I think out in the Midfrom public or Catholic schools. west, it's more of a business for
those teams. It's closer to pro
and the impact of the EJHL is ob- jority of college rosters. This list of
vious: UMass and Providence 2003 college hockey recruits
have eight E-J players each, Low- shows that a remarkable 84.4 perell has seven, BU has six, Merri- cent (390 players) came from jumack, Maine and Northeastern nior leagues, compared to only 6.7
four each, BC three.
NHL's not far away
hockey than college hockey. Our
approach is all geared toward col"The face of amateur hockey in lege."
EJHL teams closely monitor the
regular at E]HL games. In a typi- New England has changed over
St. Louis Blues scout Bill Annstrong, the former Providence
Bruins (AHL) head coach, is a
A dialing sea of hockey
cal year, a half-dozen or so E-I the last three decades," said Mas- academic performance of their
players are selected in the NHL ters. "The Eastern junior league players who are still in high
took off probably in *98 or '99, school, to help them attain' the
entry draft
"It's great for the scouts," said when you started to see teams scholastic level required by the
Armstrong. "We can watch a 16- producing six, seven, eight Div. 1 NCAA to play on a Div. 1 team.
year-old and see how he does players every year. Now you're Many E-J teams have academic
against 19- and 20-year-olds, and looking at a league that produces advisers to work with kids, report
cards are checked - regularly,
say, 'Wow, he's going to be a good about 50 every year.
"We talk with the parents of 12-. •courses are offered to help with
player.' With this league you have
kids who maybe wanted to play 13-, 14-years-olds, and they Ve got SAT and other tests.
Post-graduate players are refor their high schools. But they the idea that there's only-one way
got to the point where they were to go: private school Prep school quired to take courses at area ju18, playing against younger kids gets a lot of publicity and really nior* or community colleges, with
who just weren't even close to makes a good sell Our pitch is, the goal of showing the improvethem, and they wanted to move to 'Hey, over four years, we'll proba- ment — and the academic dedicathe highest level to get the expo- bly save you $80,000 (in tuition) tion — that may earn them admissure. Now a kid can stay home, and we're going to give you over sion to a better school.
"If a kid is really not qualified
not have to go to the Midwest"
200 more games (than a private
Boston Bruins assistant GM Jeff school). You'll get professional, academically, if he doesn't have
Gorton considers the EJHL just full-time coaches and you'll play in the potential to qualify, our teams
ibout on par with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the
USHL
"Certainly the top couple of
lines are comparable," said Gorton. "A lot of tunes colleges tell
kids, 'Go play a year of juniors,
play your 60-70 games and come
in as a freshman next year. Youll
be physically and mentally better
the best league on the East Coast'
The top three or four prep
school teams are as strong as our
top teams. After that, there's a big
dtp. That's why this league has
taken off"
will generally pass on that kid,"
said EJHL commissioner Esdale.
"He wouldn't be a good choice for
our league."
Indeed, teams take the approach that a college education is
Drawing as few fans as it does, the whole point of the league's exdespite admission fees of only istence.
about $5, the league is supported
"There's no guarantee that a
by tuition payments of $3,500- player is ever going to make a lot
prepared for college.' This league $4,000 per player for a Septem- of money out of this game," said
is perfect for that."
ber-March season that includes Gary Dineen, GM of the New EngThe emergence of this league 48 league games, 15-20 nonleague land Junior Falcons. "You should
is the latest step in an evolution games, plus playofls.
do what's best for your life."
over the past 25-30 years or so in
That's not an insignificant sum.
And for more and more talentMassachusetts hockey. Through But league members say it's mon- ed youngsters in our area, a year
the 70s, public school programs ey weu spent, considering the or more in the E-J may be a very
like Arlington, Acton-Boxboro very real chance the player will logical step in the right direction.
GREGG ADAMO
JOSEPH ADAMS
DAVID BACZKOWSKI
NICKBARNYCH
MARC BASTARACHE
ROBERT BELLAMY
SAM80WLES
MATTBRADY
SCOTT BRADY
GLADES
JR MONARCH5
JR HUSKIES
JR FALCONS
JR MONARCHS
JR FALCONS
JR BRUINS
JR HUSKIES
JR BRUINS
JR BRUINS
MATTBURTO,
BEN CAMPER
BREAKERS
CHRIS CANTMU
ID HUSKIES
BREAKERS
GREGCAS5ISTA
JRMONkRCHS
CHfiKCOUflN
JR MONARCHS
JOSHCOYLE
RALPH CUNDARI
BREAKERS
SELECTS
PAULDSCOSTER •
TORREN DELFORTE
JR BRUINS
ANORtCK DEPPMEYER BREAKERS
PAULDUFAULT
JR STARS
DAVID DUFRESNE
JR HUSKIES
GLADES
JAMES EASTON
R J. FENTON
JR FALCONS
JOE FIELDS
GLADES
BRIAN FOSTER
JR MONARCH
JR FALCONS
LYLE GAL
PATGANNON
JR BRUINS
JR HUSKIES
MATTGOSSELIN
DAVID GERMAIN
JR MONARCHS
RYANGINAND
JR BRUINS
GLADES
CLINT HIGHLEY
GLADES
RYAN HODKINSON
APPLE CORE
KEVIN KIELT
JR MONARCHS
JR FALCONS
TIM KUNES
TOPOLACROIX
GLADES
JR BRUINS
DAVE LEADERER
RICH LEAHY
APPLE CORE
JR HUSKIES
RYANMCOONALO
JR BRUINS
IAN MCDOUGAU
MARK MCHUGH
GLADES
BARRY MCLAUGHLIN BREAKERS
' BIFFMCNALLY
APPLE CORE
DAVE MAC DONALD
JR FALCONS
JR MONARCHS
SCOTT MARCHESI
ANTHONY MARINELLO
JEFFMANSFiaO
RYAN PALMER
JONPEOE
CHRIS PETTEN
BEN REYNOLDS
JONRHEMJIT
GBEGSCHULTZ
RUSSSMTH
BRIAN SOBONYA
JARffiTTSOUSA
BBEHTON STAFFORD
RVANSTRAYER
STEVE THOMPSON
ADAM TOBIAS
CJTO2ZQ
JIMTSEUKIS
BRETTYtER
SCOTT VARNEY
MIKEVEMT
ANDREW WARD
PETER WATSON
5HAWNWELLER
MIKEWESTERMAN
RVANWESTON
COOYWILO
REESE WISNOWSW
SELECTS
APPLE CORE
JR FALCONS
APPLE CORE
JRHUSK'FSGLADES
JR MONARCHS
JR FALCONS
JR HUSKIES
SELECTS
JRBRUNS
8MAKERS
JB FALCONS
APPLE CORE
BREAKERS
APPLE CORE
J* MONARCHS
JRBRUNS
GLADES
BREAKERS
JR HUSKIES
JR HUSKIES
SELECTS
GLADES •
JR FALCONS
JR BRUINS
JB MONARCHS
MANAPALAN. NJ
EDINA. MN
MAYNARD
SMITHTOWN. NY
LYNN
WESTFIELO
DAVIDSONVILLE. MO
HUDSON. NH
SUTTON
ORANGE CT
ROCKY RIVER. OH
PELHAM.NH
BRUNSWICK.OH
BROOKLYN. OH
•ONTARIO. ON
AVERIUPARK.NY
SHORTSVILLE.NY
CLAREMONT.NH
SHREWSBURY
DRACUT
MaBOURNE BEA. FL
IONGMEADOW
WALLINGFORD. PA
PEMBROKE. NH
AMHERST
AMHERST
BOSTON COLLEGE
UMASS-BOSTON
OUINNIPIAC
PROVIDENCE
MAINE
UNION
ASSUMPTION
UNION
UMASS
'
COLGATE
BROCKPORT
WEST POINT
UNION
ELMIRA
BOWDOIN
UNION
ST MICHAEL'S
HARVARD
BROCKPORT
FRANKLIN PIERCE
UMASS
FRANKLIN PIERCE
UNH
WEST POINT
ARLINGTON
DRACUT
OUINCY
MILFORD
BOSTON COLLEGE
BROCKPORT
COLUMBUS OH
MT SINAI. NY
BRICK. NJ
HUNTINGTON. NY
OUXBURY.VT
PENN STATE
OARKSON
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
BOSTON COLLEGE
HOPKWTON
LARCHMONT, NV
HAILEY, ID
BOXBOROUGH
PETTERSON.NV
YALE
NORTHEASTERN
NJL COLLEGE
PLYMOUTH STATE
UMASSS
BOWDOIN
ELMIRA
WEST POINT
FRANKLIN PIERCE
BELLPOHT. NY
RIDGEWOOO.NJ
HALIFAX. NS
SO PORTLAND. ME
CLIFTON PK, NY
ARLINGTON
GROTON
W.ISDPNY
CORTLAND STATE
WEST POINT
HARVARD
SACRED HEART
BROCKPORT
PRINCETON
UCONN
HARVARO
WALUNGFORD.PA
DEERHG.NH
AVON.CT
FRANKLIN PIERCE
PROVIDENCE
WILLIAMS
ANWPOUS.MD
HAYMARKET.W
tPfiOWOENCtRI
ELMIRA
UTKA
MERRIMACK
NO KINGSTON. HI
ENP&O.CT
WESLEYAN
FRANKLIN PIEBCE
MAMARONECK.NV
ROCKFORO,H
NEW ROCHELLE, NV
CAPE ELIZABETH. ME
MAYNARD
UNOERNILLVT
RIDLEYPARK.PA
CHICAGO. IL
BOSTON
GLENS FALLS. NV
ANN ARBOR Ml
HENMKER.NJ1
BOWDOIN
ROBERT MORRIS
NO PROVIDENCE, la
E-MIDOLEBURY
NIAGARA
HOLY CROSS
MAINE
SKIDMORE
BABSON
UMASS-OARTMOUTH
NE COLLEGE
CLARKSON
BOWDOIN
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
PROVIDENCE
VERMONT
NESCAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
ATLANTIC
HOCKEY EAST
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
SUNY
ECAC
ATLANTIC
ECAC
ECAC
NESCAC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
SUNY
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
ATLANTIC
HOCKEY EAST
SUNY
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
INDEPENDENT
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
NESCAC
ECAC
ATLANTIC
ECAC-2
SUNY
ATLANTIC
ECAC
ATLANTIC
SUNY
ECAC
ATLANTIC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
NESCAS
ECAC
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
NESCAC
ECAC
NESCAC
CHA
CHA
ATLANTIC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
NESCAC
HOCKEY EAST
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
The Junior Monarchs'
Junior Stars'Steve
By STEPHEN HARRIS
He is a fictional, but typical, Massachusetts youngster who has
dreamed for most of his 16 years that
he will play high-level college hockey.
He comes from a good family, is a talented player and above-average student. And he has a crucial and perhaps very difficult decision to make.
He knows that if he continues to
play for his local high school team, his
chance of landing any sort of college
scholarship is very slim. He needs to
play at a higher level if he hopes to
catch the eye of recruiters from any of
the NCAA's six Division 1 leagues.
A wonderful option would be to
attend one of the dozens of excellent
private schools in the region which
have fine hockey programs. But his
grades and SAT scores aren't quite
good enough for him to get hi—and
even if he could gain admission, his
parents cannot afford the tuition of
$20,000 or more.
r
So he looks to American junior
hockey. For hundreds of kids before
him, this has meant the Midwe*st's
United States Hockey League or
North American Hockey League. To
play in one of these leagues means
leaving home, moving in with an unknown family and enrolling at a new
high, school in some place like Omaha, Cedar. Rapids or Des Moines,
and being away from the supervision and support of family and
friends for six or seven months.
For most kids and their parents,
no matter how high then- hockey
dreams may soar, it's hardly an attractive choice.
But now it is not the only choice
open to the young hockey talents of
\
our region, not with the emergence
of the Eastern Junior Hockey
League. Founded in 1993, the league
strt'S-ses both on-ice and academic
success, with the sole mandate of
readying kids to play collegiately.
Originally a six-team league, the socalled "E-J" has grown to 13 clubs.
The league is open both to kids still
in high school and those who have
graduated, but are not quite ready,
athletically and/or academically, to
enter college.
"The next step for our kids, hopefully, is on to college," said EJHL
commissioner Dan Esdale. "Typically, the freshman college hockey
player today is 20 years old. And
with no JV teams anymore, kids are
expected to be able to step right hi
as freshmen and play. Se our league
fills the gap for a kid who graduates
from high school and then will do a
year or two with a junior team. And
then we have other kids who choose
to forgo their high school hockey experience and just play juniors."
is Chris Donovan of Fairfax Station,
Va., who led all prep school
goalscorers with 45 last season for
the Berkshire School, but elected to
skip his senior year and play this
year for the Junior Bruins.
"He just felt he needed to play at a
-different level to prove he could do it
at the college level," said Junior Bruins coach Peter Masters. "His feeling
was, 'Hey, I've done everything I can
do at the prep level.' He wanted to
improve and get more exposure."
Donovan, like dozens of E-J players from all over the country, is bil-
leted with a
family while
he plays in
the league.
The EJHL operates in
scurity at rinks throu§
England, New York and I
As one of the foremos
grounds for kids who w
stars in the college, and pi
fessional, ranks, the leagt
to attract far more attei
area hockey fans.
A bargain for fans
"If there was a
game in our a:
there were
college
pla
A Star is born
Such a player was University of
Maine captain John Ronan of South
Boston, who played for the EJHL
Walpole Junior Stars.
"It was a great experience," said
Ronan. "To play junior hockey basically 20 minutes down the street hi
Walpole, it was nice, because you're
still home with your family and you
don't have to go out to the Midwest
alone. There's a good level of talen
and more and more kids from thi1
area are flocking to this league. I
should just get better and better.'
Defenseman Bret Tyler o:
Maynard, a Black Bears regular,
as a freshman, played five yearsj
in the EJHL starting, remark/
ably, as a 14-year-old eighth/
grader. "He's playing a big rol
for us as a true freshman," sai
Maine coach Tim Whiteheac
"He's going to become an elit
player."
A current star of the E-J
Walpole's
Fairchild,
fends off the
Monarchs'
Jason Tarbell.
•.?•.•••..•--.•,-•;.•-.,..
'ing kids to play collegiately.
nally a six-team league, the soi "E-J" has grown to 13 clubs,
eague is open both to kids still
;h school and those who have
lated, but are not quite ready,
tically and/or academically, to
college.
le next step for our kids, hopeis on to college," said EJHL
lissioner Dan Esdale. "Typicalle freshman college hockey
r today is 20 years old. And
QO JV teams anymore, kids are
:ted to be able to step right in
shmen and play. So our league
ie gap for a kid who graduates
high school and then will do a
>r two with a junior team. And
ve have other kids who choose
?o their high school hockey exice and just play juniors."
is Chris Donovan of Fairfax Station, leted with a
Va., who led all prep school family while
goalscorers with 45 last season for he plays in
the Berkshire School, but elected to the league.
skip his senior year and play this
The EJHL operates in virtual obscurity at rinks throughout New
year for the Junior Bruins.
"He just felt he needed to play at a England, New York and New Jersey.
-different level to prove he could do it As one of the foremost breeding
at the college level," said Junior Bru- grounds for kids who will become
ins coach Peter Masters. "His feeling stars in the college, and perhaps pro-
was, 'Hey, I've done everything I can fessional, ranks, the league is hoping
do at the prep level.' He wanted to to attract far more attention from
improve and get more exposure."
area hockey fans.
Donovan, like dozens of E-J players from all over the country, is bil- A bargain for fans
"If there was a basketball
game hi our area where
there were 21 future
college Division 1
players playing
apis born
h a player was University of
; captain John Ronan of South
n, who played for the EJHL
)le Junior Stars,
was a great experience," said
i. "To play junior hockey basi10 minutes down the street hi
>le, it was nice, because you're
Dme with your family and you
have to go out to the Midwest
There's a good level of talen|
tore and more kids from the!
re flocking to this league. Ii
i just get better and better.'!
enseman Bret Tyler off
ard, a Black Bears regul;
eshman, played five year:
EJHL starting, remarkis a 14-year-old eighth'
:. "He's playing a big roll
as a true freshman," sai
: coach Tim Whiteheai
a;oing to become an eliti
irrent star of the E-J
. : • ••-
•
•
•
.•
•••• •
•••••
-.•-.••.•
against each other — big-time Division 1 players — you couldn't get a
ticket, you couldn't even get hi the
building," said Masters, a former
Boston College defenseman.
"Here, you have the Bruins
against the (New Hampshire Junior) Monarchs — between the two
teams, we sent 21 kids to Division 1
college teams last year — and we
had about 12 scouts and 18 parents in
the stands."
But you can bet every one of those
parents understood quite nicely the
significance of their son playing in
this league — and are reminded
nightly by the presence of all those
college and professional scouts always on hand at their games.
"We love that league," said Maine
coach Whitehead. "It's really exciting now that these kids have a great
option. They don't have to go to the
Midwest to play hockey. They can
play it right here hi their backyard. There's no question
in my mind the Eastern
league is getting better
each season.
"We scout that
league heavily. They
have exceptional
coaches
with
every team —
and there's players, there's plenty of players in
that
league.
Just
look
down all the
(college)
Div. 1,2 and
Walpole's
Fairchild, rig
fends off the
Monarchs'
Jason Tarbell.
3 rosters.
They're
Hi
2004 college commit
IK
•<*«***«^^^%iMp»w^<s*««!i^^iP'^ • '.
Walpole goalie Ryan Simpson mak es a save against the Monarchs' Dan Barlett.
packed with kids who played in
that Eastern junior league."
Indeed, to appreciate Whitehead's observation, look at the
league Web site — easternju-
nior.com — and check out the college commitment lists for the last
few years. Last season, some 101
kids earned spots on college rosters this year, about 45 in Div. 1.
Peruse the Hockey East rosters,
and the impact of the EJHL is obvious: UMass and Providence
have eight E-J players each, Lowell has seven, BU has six, Merrimack, Maine and Northeastern
four each, BC three.
NHL's not faraway
and Needham were among the
finest programs in the state. Then,
it was the Catholic schools like
Matignon and Catholic Memorial
which emerged as the place for the
best players to be. Later, the Independent Schools League and prep
schools like Thayer and Gushing
lured many of the top players.
Now the swing is toward junior
leagues like the E-J to fill the majority of college rosters. This list of
2003 college hockey recruits
shows that a remarkable 84.4 percent (390 players) came from junior leagues, compared to only 6.7
percent (31 players) from prep
schools and just 1.1 percent (5)
from public or Catholic schools.
earn a college scholarship that
could be worth from perhaps
$60,000-$150,000 over four years.
Colleges come calling
"The bottom line is we take 2025 kids in, and we try to bring
them along with the academic
side of it, the strength and conditioning side of it, and then certainly the practices and the games
— the end result being that we're
trying to get every kid into a good
college," said Andy Heinze, coach
of the Valley Junior Warriors and
the brother of ex-Bruin Steve
Heinze. "I think out in the Midwest, it's more of a business for
those teams. It's closer to pro
hockey than college hockey. Our
approach is all geared toward college."
EJHL teams closely monitor the
academic performance of their
players who are still in high
school, to help them attain' the
scholastic level required by the
NCAA to play on a Div. 1 teaia
Many E-J teams have aeadeipic
Last year, the Eastern Junior Hockey Li
college hockey than any league in the ea
official college commitments from the E.
PLAYER
GREGG ADAMO
JOSEPH ADAMS
DAVID 8ACZKOWSKI
TEAM
GLADES
JR MONARCHS
JR HUSKIES
HOMETOV
MANAPAL
EDINA, Ml>
MAYNARD
NICK BARNYCH
JR FALCONS
SMITHTOV
MARC BASTARACHE
ROBERT BELLAMY
SAMBOWLES
MATTBRADY
JR MONARCHS
JR FALCONS
JR BRUINS
JR HUSKIES
LYNN
WESTFIELI
DAVIDSON
HUDSON, t
SCOTT BRADY
MATTBURTO
BEN CAMPER
CHRIS CANTARA
; GREG CASSISTA
CHRIS COLVIN
JOSHCOYLE
RALPH CUNDARI
fAULDECOSTER .
IQRREN DELFORTE
ANDRICK DEPPMEYER
PAULDUFAULT
DAVID DUFRESNE
JAMES EASTON
JR BRUINS
JR BRUINS
BREAKERS
Jfl HUSKIES
BREAKERS
JR MONARCHS
JR MONARCHS
BREAKERS
SELECTS
JR BRUINS
BREAKERS
JR STARS
JR HUSKIES
GLADES
SUTTON
ORANGE C
ROCKY RIV
.PELHAM, N
'WESTHAVI
BRUNSWIC
BROOKLYN.
ONTARIO, C
AVERILLPA
SHORTSVIL
CLAREMON
SHREWSBU
DRACUT
MELBOURN
P. J. FENTON
JR FALCONS
LONGMEAD
JOE FIELDS
BRIAN FOSTER
GLADES
JR MONARCH
WALLINGFO
PEMBROKE,
LYLE GAL
JR FALCONS
AMHERST
PAT CANNON
MATTGOSSELIN
DAVID GERMAIN
RYANGINANO
MATTGOSLANT
CLINTHIGHLEY
RYANHODKINSON
KEVIN KIELT
JR BRUINS
JR HUSKIES
JR MONARCHS
JR BRUINS
GLADES
GLADES
APPLE CORE
JR MONARCHS
ARLINGTON
DRACUT
QUINCY
MILFORD
NORTHFIELC
COLUMBUS i
MT SINAI, Nl
BRICK, Ml
St. Louis Blues scout Bill Arm- A changing sea of hockey
strong, the former Providence
"The face of amateur hockey in
Bruins (AHL) head coach, is a
regular at EJHL games. In a typi- New England has changed over
TIMKUNES
JR FALCONS
HUNTWGTOI
cal year, a half-dozen or so E-J the last three decades," said MasTOPOLACROIX
GLADES
DUXBURY.Vl
ters.
"The
Eastern
junior
league
players are selected in the NHL
DAVELEADERER
JR BRUINS
HOPKINTON
took off probably in *98 or ."99,
entry draft.,
RICH LEAHY
APPLECORE ' ; '• • LARCHMON7
"It's great for the scouts," said when you started to see teams
RYAN MCDONAL0
JR HUSKIES
HAILEY.ID
Armstrong, "We can watch a 16- producing six, seven, eight Div. 1
IANMCDOUGAU
JR BRUINS BOXBOROUG
year-old and see how he does . players every year. Now you're
MARKMCHUGH
GLADES
PETTERSON,
against 19- and 20-year-olds, and looking at a league that produces: advisers to work with kids, report BARRY MCLAUGHLIN BREAKERS
BELLPORT.N1
" l ; Cards are checked ; regularly, BIFFMCNALLY
say, 'Wow, he's going to be a good about 50 every year.
t
APPLE CORE
RIDGEWOOD,
player.' With this league you have
"We talk with, the parents of 12-, 'courses are offered to help with DAVEMACDONALD JR FALCONS
HALIFAX, NS
kids who maybe wanted to play 13-, 14-years-olds, and they
Ve got SAT and other fesjts:
SCOTT MARCHES!
JR MONARCHS
. SOPORTLANI
:
for their high schools. But they the idea that there's *only one way
P^st-graduate players are re- " ANTHONY MARINELLO SELECTS
CLIFTON PM
got to the point where they were to go? private school Prep school quired to take courses at area ju- JEFF MANSFIELD
APPLE CORE
ARLINGTON
18, playing against younger kids gets a lot of publicity and really nio'f or community colleges, with RYAN PALMER
JR FALCONS
GROTON
who just weren't even close to makes, a good sell Our pitch is, the goal of showing the improve- JONPELLE
APPLE CORE
W.ISUP.NY
them, and they wanted to move to 'Hey, over four years, we'll proba- ment — and the academic dedica- CHRIS PETTEN
JR HUSKIES
PEPPEREU
the highest level to get the expo- bly save you $80,000 (in tuition) tion — that may earn them admis- BEN REYNOLDS
GLADES
-WALUNGFORI
sure. Now a kid can stay home, and we're going to give you over sion to a better school.
JONRHEAULT
JR MONARCHS
OEERtNG.NH
not have to go to the Midwest"
200 more games (than a private
"If a kid is really not qualified GREGSCHULTZ
JR FALCONS
AVON.CT
Boston Bruins assistant GM Jeff school). YouTl get professional, academically, if he doesn't have RUSS SMITH
JR HUSKIES
ANNAPOLIS, h
Gorton considers the EJHL just full-time coaches and you'll play in the potential to qualify, our teams BRIAN
SOBONYA
SELECTS
HAYMARKET.l
about on par with die Quebec Ma- the best league on the East Coast' will generally pass on that kid," JARRETTSOUSA
JR BRUINS
EPROVIDENC
jor Junior Hockey League and the
"The top three or four prep said EJHL commissioner Esdale.
STAFFORD BREAKERS
NO KINGSTON
USHL
school teams are as strong as our "He wouldn't be a good choice for BRENTON
RYANSTRAYER
JR FALCONS
ENFIELO.CT
"Certainty the top couple of top teams. After that, there's a big our league."
:
STEVE THOMPSON
APPLE CORE
MAMARONECI
lines are comparable," said Gor- dip. That's why this league has
Indeed, teams take the apTOBIAS
BREAKERS
ROCKFORD,IL
ton. "A lot of times colleges tell taken off"
proach that a college education is ADAM
CJTOZZO
APPLE CORE
NEWROCHEU.
kids, 'Go play a year of juniors,
Drawing as few fans as it does, the whole point of the league's ex- JIMTSELIKIS
JR MONARCHS
CAPEEUZABF
play your 60-70 games and come despite admission fees of only istence.
JR BRUINS
MAYNARO
in as a freshman next year. You'll about $5, the league is supported
"There's no guarantee that a BRETTYLER
SCOTT VARNEY
GLADES
UNDERBILL VT
be physically and mentally better by tuition payments of $3,500- player is ever going to make a lot MIKEVENIT
BREAKERS
RIOLEYPARK.F
prepared for college.' This league $4,000 per player for a Septem- of money out of this game," said ANDREW WARD
JR HUSKIES
CHICAGO, IL
is perfect for that."
ber-March season that includes Gary Dineen, GM of the New Eng- PETER WATSON
JR HUSKIES
BOSTON
The emergence of this league 48 league games, 15-20 nonleague land Junior Falcons, "You should SHAWNWELLER
SELECTS
GLENS FALLS, N
is the latest step in an evolution games, plus playofis.
do what's best for your life."
GLADES
ANN ARBOR Ml
over the past 25-30 years or so in
That's not an insignificant sum.
And for more and more talent- MIKEWESTERMAN
RYANWESTON
JR FALCONS
HENNIKER NJ4.
Massachusetts hockey: Through But league members say it's mon- ed youngsters in our area, a year CODYWILD
JR BRUINS
NOPROVIDENC
the 70s, public school programs ey well spent, considering the or more hi the E-J may be a very REESEWISNOWSKI
JR MONARCHS
E.MIDOLEBURY
like Arlington, Acton-Boxboro very real chance the player will logical step in the right direction.
www.ediLtfrTTiumor.com
2004 college commitments
Last year, the Eastern Junior Hockey League placed more student athletes in '
college hockey than any league in the eastern part of the country. The 2003r04
official college commitments from the EJHL
,
,1
, •• '; •?£':"&.;.;;. ;••--•-•--:/ 't-Xfv •:;-.';•.'; _dfJK&F
'"• ; ".: L ''" '";•.'::•:>:-:•:•:•'. -'.•>.-.••
:
'"
"••v^1'1^;^:?^;:';;^^
•'" -JflHff^- '' ''''••":'' ''" ;iv '* ^•'••V'Xl:3-:-:^£1:;::':£^^
'."•<"• :>i;
•'•'•'•:^
-
inst the Monarchs' Dan Barlett.
.n were among the earn a college scholarship that
us in the state. Then, could be worth from perhaps
atholic schools like $60,pOO-$150,000 over four years.
1 Catholic Memorial
id as the place for the
o be. Later, the Inde-
Colleges come calling
"The bottom line is we take 20icls League and prep
rhayer and Cushing 25 kids in, and we try to bring
of the top players, them along with the academic
ng is toward junior side of it, the strength and condilie E-J to fill the ma- tioning side of it, and then cer*e rosters. This list of tainly the practices and the games
; hockey recruits — the end result being that we're
trying to get every kid into a good
•emarkable 84.4 peryers) came from ju- college," said Andy Heinze, coach
:ompared to only 6.7 of the Valley Junior Warriors and
players) from prep the brother of ex-Bruin Steve
just 1.1 percent (5) Heinze. "I think out in the Midr Catholic schools.
west, it's more of a business for
those teams. It's closer to pro
hockey than college hockey. Our
approach is all geared toward colf amateur hockey in lege."
1 has changed over
EJHL teams closely monitor the
academic performance of their
decades," said Masstern junior league players who are still in high
jably in '98 or ^9, school, to help them attain' the
arted to see teams scholastic level required by the
; seven, eight Div. 1 NCAA to play on a Div. 1 'team.
r
year. Now you're Many E-J teams have aeademic
:ague that produces" advisers to work with kids, report
y year
... " '; " "cards are checked ^regularly,
th the parents of 12-, ' courses are offereiJ to help with
sea of hockey
Ids, and theyVe gpt SAT and other tests:
here's 'only;orle way : P^si-graduate players are reschool Prep school Quired to take courses at area jupublicity and really nior or community colleges, with
1 sell Our pitch is, the goal of showing the improve-
r years, well proba$80,000 (in tuition)
ng to give you over
nes (than a private
11 get professional,
ics and you'll play in
; on the East Coast'
hree or four prep
are as strong as our
er that, there's a big
hy this league has
ment — and the academic dedication — that may earn them admission to a better school.
"If a kid is really not qualified
academically, if he doesn't have
the potential to qualify, our teams
will generally pass on that kid,"
said EJHL commissioner Esdale.
"He wouldn't be a good choice for
our league."
Indeed, teams take the approach that a college education is
few fans as it does, the whole point of the league's exjsion fees of only istence.
eague is supported
"There's no guarantee that a
yments of $3,500- player is ever going to make a lot
ayer for a Septem- of money out of this game," said
ason that includes Gary Dineen, GM of the New Enges, 15-20 nonleague land Junior Falcons. "You should
ayofis.
do what's best for your life."
i insignificant sum. And for more and more talenttubers say it's moned youngsters in our area, a year
t, considering the or more in the E-J may be a very
ice the player will logical step in the right direction.
PLAYER
TEAM
GREGGADAMO
GLADES
JOSEPH ADAMS
JR MONARCHS
DAVID BACZKOWSKI
NICK BARNYCH
MARC BASTARACHE
JR HUSKIES
JR FALCONS
JR MONARCHS
MAYNARD
ROBERT BELLAMY
JR FALCONS
SAMBOWLES
JR BRUINS
WESTFIELD
DAVIDSONVILLE, MD
MAINE
UNION
MATTBRADY
SCOTT BRADY
MATTBURTO
JR HUSKIES
JR BRUINS
JR BRUINS
HUDSON, NH
ASSUMPTION
SUTTON
UNION :
ORANGE CT
UMASS
BEN CAMPER
CHRIS CANTARA
;GREGCASSISTA
CHRIS COLVIN
JOSHCOYLE
RALPH CUNDARI
PAULDECOSTER .
BREAKERS
JR HUSKIES
BREAKERS
JR MONARCHS
JR MONARCHS
BREAKERS
SaECTS
TORREN DELFORTE
JR BRUINS
ANDRICKDEPPMEYER BREAKERS
PAULDUFAULT
JR STARS
HOMETOWN
MANAPALAN.NJ
EDINA, MN
SMITHTOWN. NY
LYNN
COMMITED COLLEGE
AMHERST
BOSTON COLLEGE
DIVISION
UMASS-BOSTON
ECAC
ATLANTIC
HOCKEY EAST
HOCKEY EAST
JJUINNIPIAC
PROVIDENCE
ROCKY RIVER, OH
COLGATE
.PEIHAM.NH
-' WEST HAVEN, CT
BRUNSWICK.OH
BROOKLYN, OH
ONTARIO, ON
BROCKPORT
BABSON :
WEST POINT
UNION
ELMIRA
AVERiaPARK,NY
BOWBOIN
SHORTSVILLE, NY
CLAREMONTNH
UNIOMf
ST MICHAEL'S
SHREWSBURY
DRACUT
'HARVARD
BROCKPORT
DAVID DUFRESNE
JAMES EASTON
JR HUSKIES
GLADES
MELBOURNE BEA.
P.J.FENTON
JR FALCONS
LONGMEADOW
UMASS
JOE FIELDS
BRIAN FOSTER
GLADES
JR MONARCH
WALLINGFORD, PA
FRANKLIN PIERCE
LYLE GAL
PAT CANNON
MATTGOSSELIN
DAVID GERMAIN
JR FALCONS
JR BRUINS
JR HUSKIES
JR MONARCHS
RYANGINAND
MATTGOSLANT
CLINT HIGHLEY
RYAN HODKINSON
JR BRUINS
GLADES
GLADES
APPLE CORE
PEMBROKE, NH
AMHERST
ARLINGTON
DRACUT
QUINCY
MILFORD
UNH
WEST POINT
BOSTON COLLEGE
BROCKPORT
YALE
NORTHEASTERN
NORTHFIELDVT
COLUMBUS OH
N.E. COLLEGE
PENN STATE
KEVIN KIELT
JR MONARCHS
MT SINAI, NY
BRICK, NJ
HUNTJNGTON, NY
DUXBURY.VT
HOPKINTON
LARCHMONT.NY
HAILEY.ID
BOXBOROUGH
CLARKSON
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
BOSTON COLLEGE
PLYMOUTH STATE
UMASSS
;
BOWDOIN
ELMIRA
WEST POINT
PETTERSON, NY
FRANKLIN PIERCE
TIM KUNES
TOPOLACROIX
DAVELEADERER
RICH LEAHY
RYANMCDONALD
IAN MCDOUGALL
•MARK MCHUGH
BARRY MCLAUGHLIN
BIFFMCNALLY
JR FALCONS
GLADES
JR BRUINS
APPLECORE
JR HUSKIES
JR BRUINS GLADES
BREAKERS
APPLECORE
DAVE MACDONALD
SCOTT MARCHESI
JR FALCONS
JR MONARCHS
ANTHONY MARINELLO
JEFF MANSFIELD
RYAN PALMER
JONPELLE
CHRIS PETTEN
BEN REYNOLDS
JONRHEAULT
GREGSCHULTZ
SELECTS
APPLECORE
JR FALCONS
APPLECORE
JR HUSKIES
GLADES
JR MONARCHS
JR FALCONS
RUSS SMITH
JR HUSKIES
BRIAN SOBONYA
JARRETTSOUSA
BRENTON STAFFORD
SELECTS
JRBRUWS
BREAKERS
RYANSTRAYER
FL
BELLPORT.NY
RIDGEWOOD, NJ
HALIFAX, NS
. SO PORTLAND, ME
CLIFTON PK, NY
FRANKLIN PIERCE
CORTLAND STATE
WEST POINT
HARVARD
SACRED HEART
BROCKPORT
if
St
:
-
NESCAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
SUNY
ECAC
ATLANTIC
ECAC
ECAC
NESCAC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
SUNY
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
,
ATLANTIC
HOCKEY EAST
SUNY
ECAC
HOCKEY EAST
ECAC
INDEPENDENT
ECAC
-HOCKEYEAST
HOCKEYEAST
ECAC
•HOCKEYEAST
NESCAC
ECAC ' :
ATLANTIC
ECAC-2
' ':
"
'SUNY
ATLANTIC
ECAC
ATLANTIC
SUNY
ARLINGTON
PRINCETON
ECAC
GROTON
W. (SLIP, NY
PEPPERELL .
WALLINGFORD. PA
DEERWG.NH
AVON.CT
ANNAPOLIS. MD
HAYMARKET.VA
UCONN
HARVARD
WENTWORTH
FRANKLIN PIERCE
PROVIDENCE
WILLIAMS
ELMIRA
UDCA
ATLANTIC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
HOCKEYEAST
NESCAS
ECAC
^
ECAC
g
E: PROVIDENCE, Rl
MERRIMACK
HOCKEYEAST
g
NOKJNGSTON.RJ
WEStEYAN
JR FALCONS
ENFKLD.CT
FRANKLIN PIERCE
STEVE THOMPSON
ADAM TOBIAS
CJTOZZO
JIMTSELIKIS
BRETTYLER
APPLECORE
BREAKERS
APPLECORE
JR MONARCHS
JR BRUINS
MAMARONECK.NY
ROCKFORD, IL
NEWROCHELLE.NY
CAPE ELIZABETH, ME
MAYNARD
UNDERHILLVT
RIDLEYPARK.PA
CHICAGO, IL
BOSTON
GLENS FALLS, NY
BOWDOIN
ROBERT MORRIS
NIAGARA
HOLY CROSS
MAINE
SKIDMORE
BABSON
UMASS-DARTMOUTH
NE COLLEGE
CLARKSON
NESCAC
ECAC
NESCAC
£
$
0
CHA
CHA
ATLANTIC
HOCKEYEAST
H
2
S
JJ
ANN ARBOR Ml
HENNIKER, NJf
BOWDOIN
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
NO PROVIDENCE, Rl
E. MIODLEBURY
PROVIDENCE
VERMONT
SCOTT VARNEY
GLADES
MIKEVENIT
ANDREW WARD
PETER WATSON
SHAWNWELLER
BREAKERS
JR HUSKIES
JR HUSKIES
SELECTS
MIKEWESTERMAN
RYANWESTON
CODYWIID
REESE WISNOWSKI
GLADES
JR FALCONS
JR BRUINS
JR MONARCHS
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
ECAC
NESCAC
HOCKEYEAST
HOCKEYEAST
ECAC
N>
§
*
g
^
:
O
'x
S3
£