The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is an American

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...

league. Founded in 2012, the USPHL has grown to over 60 organizations from across the United States/Canada fielding teams in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), Premier, Elite, EHF, 18U, 16U, 15U, and High Performance youth divisions. From 2013 to 2017,

USA Hockey USA Hockey is a national ice hockey organization in the United States. It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the governing body for organized ice hockey in the United S ...

sanctioned the Premier, Elite, Empire, Midwest, and USP3 Divisions as Tier III junior leagues. In 2017, the USPHL added a higher level junior league named the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) for the 2017–18 season. The NCDC was seeking free-to-play Tier II junior league sanctioning, but was denied by USA Hockey. In response, the USPHL junior level leagues withdrew from USA Hockey sanctioning altogether. The 18U, 16U and 15U divisions are still considered Tier I youth hockey divisions by USA Hockey. Beginning in the 2024–25 season, the league plans to expand into Canada’s

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

provinces, effectively creating an entire new division.

History

Establishment (2013–2017)

During the 2012–13 season, several organizations within the

Eastern Junior Hockey League The Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) was a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III junior ice hockey league. Founded in 1993 by Dan Esdale, the EJHL had fourteen teams from across the Northeastern United States. The EJHL champion then competed for t ...

(EJHL) decided to form their own league and created the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Those organizations also added their youth programs under the USPHL name as the 18U and 16U divisions. The original Tier III junior teams were categorized in the Premier Division when the USPHL absorbed the

Empire Junior Hockey League The Empire Junior Hockey League (EmJHL) was a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III junior ice hockey league. The league was classified as Tier III Junior B until the 2011–12 season when USA Hockey combined the Tier III Junior A and Junior B classifi ...

(becoming the Empire Division) and the newly formed Eastern Elite Hockey League (becoming the Elite Division). With the additions, the USPHL added 16 more organizations to the original 15 before the inaugural 2013–14 season. The formation of the USPHL also led the remaining EJHL teams to join the Atlantic Junior Hockey League and create the

Eastern Hockey League The Eastern Hockey League was a minor professional United States ice hockey league. Eastern Amateur Hockey League (1933–1953) The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL). The league was founded by Tommy Lockhart ...

(EHL). For the league's second season in 2014–15, the USPHL added the 16U Futures (16UF) Division for players who aspire to play midget hockey, but are not yet ready for the 16U Division. Eight organizations fielded teams in the 16UF Division for its first season. During the 2014 off-season the USPHL lost the New York Applecore (Empire), but added the Providence Capitals (Elite & 16U), Jersey Shore Whalers (Empire), and the Richmond Generals (Elite, Empire) organizations to increase the total number of organizations to 35 headed into the 2014–15 season. During the 2014–15 season, the USPHL announce the creation of a Midwest Division to begin in the 2015–16 season by adding several teams from the

Minnesota Junior Hockey League The Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL) was a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III junior ice hockey league operated out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul. History Established in 1974, the MnJHL developed players 20 years old and younger for over 40 years ...

(MnJHL). By the end of the season, the Midwest Division would add all but one active MnJHL team causing the MnJHL to disband for the following season. On March 10, 2015, the USPHL also added the entire

Midwest Junior Hockey League The Midwest Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) was an American junior ice hockey league. The MWJHL were members of the United Hockey Union and sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). On March 10, 2015, the league announced it would be joining ...

to its new Midwest Division for the 2015–16 season. USPHL Midwest became the fourth Tier III division under the USPHL umbrella. The changes for the 2015–16 continued into April when the New York Aviators announced their decision to leave the USPHL and join the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League (NA3EHL). The USPHL promptly reassigned the Aviator franchise to

Rye, New York Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, within the New York metropolitan area, New York City metropolitan area. It received its charter as a city in 1942, making it the most recent such charter in the state. Its area of ...

, and was renamed to the New York Dragons. In early April 2015, the Empire Division would expand to

Daytona, Florida Daytona Beach is a coastal resort city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. Located on the East Coast of the United States, its population was 72,647 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropo ...

with the Daytona Racers. Also in April, it was announced the Empire Division would be renamed as the USP3 Division. In late April 2015, the Charlotte Rush was announced as an expansion franchise by adding two teams, one in the Elite Division and one in the USP3. The

Wooster Oilers The Wooster Oilers were a junior ice hockey team and member of the United States Premier Hockey League 'Premier' level. The Oilers play home games at the Alice Noble Ice Arena in Wooster, Ohio. History The franchise started in 2006 as an expan ...

from the former MnJHL decided against fielding two Tier III teams and dropped their membership in the USPHL Midwest and would only play in the

North American 3 Hockey League The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is an American Tier III junior ice hockey league that consists of teams from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, ...

. Initially announced with 22 member teams, the new Midwest Division saw a number of teams cease operations prior to the 2015–16 season including the Indiana Attack, Ironwood Fighting Yoopers,

Minnesota Owls The Minnesota Owls were a Tier III Junior ice hockey team and member of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). The team played their games at the David C. Johnson Arena located in Isanti, Minnesota. Prior the 2015–16 season, the Owls h ...

, Soo Firehawks, and St. Louis Storm due to lack of players. The Midwest Division did not have its own championship playoffs, but instead the top two teams in each conference from the Midwest and USP3 Divisions played for a single championship. On January 14, 2016, the league announced the formation of a High Performance Youth Division for the upcoming 2016–17 season. The new division added 14 and under (Bantams), 12 and under (Peewees), along with 10 and under (Squirts) to the USPHL umbrella. Charter members of the High Performance Youth Division were to include the New Jersey Rockets, Hartford Junior Wolfpack, Jersey Hitmen, and P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. In late April, the USPHL announced that the Elite and USP3 Divisions were expanding by splitting the teams from the one-year-old Midwest Division into the Elite and USP3 platforms. More changes came on May 20, 2016, when the USPHL added the four remaining teams from the former

Northern Pacific Hockey League The Northern Pacific Hockey League (NPHL) was an American Tier III junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. Its championship trophy was the Cascade Cup. History Established in 2000 as the NorPac Junior Hockey League, the league was ...

to the USP3 as a Pacific Division. Before the start of the season, the loss of the Illiana Blackbirds (Elite), Michigan Wild (USP3), and Marquette Royales (USP3) was offset by the additions of Team Beijing (Elite), another team from the New York Aviators organization (Elite), and the return of the Ironwood Fighting Yoopers (USP3).

League realignment (2017–present)

In October 2016, the USPHL announced it had applied to

for approval to start a Tier II junior league for the 2017–18 season. The proposed Tier II USPHL division was announced to consist of 11 teams, seven from organizations in the USPHL Premier, the newly added Rochester Monarchs, and the

Boston Bandits The Bridgewater Bandits, also called the Boston Bandits, are a junior ice hockey organization from Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in the United States, with teams playing in the United States Premier Hockey League. The organization plays home games ...

New Jersey Rockets The New Jersey Rockets can refer to the following sports teams: *New Jersey Rockets (ice hockey), an American Tier III ice hockey team competing in the Eastern Hockey League (2013–) * New Jersey Rockets (MISL), an American defunct professional fo ...

, and

Northern Cyclones The Northern Cyclones are a junior ice hockey organization competing in the United States Premier Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Cyclones Arena, located in Hudson, New Hampshire. The Cyclones organization also fields junio ...

from the

. At the time, the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league is the

North American Hockey League The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 50th season of operation in 2024–25. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternati ...

. However, in December 2016, USA Hockey denied their application for a Tier II league. The USPHL launched its tuition-free league as the National Collegiate Development Conference. In response, the USPHL dropped USA Hockey sanctioning from their junior level leagues and operates unsanctioned beginning with the 2017–18 season. In December 2016, the USPHL also announced the addition of six organizations from the

for the 2017–18 season: the previously mentioned Bandits, Rockets, and Cyclones would be joined by the Connecticut Nighthawks, Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, and

New Hampshire Junior Monarchs The New Hampshire Junior Monarchs were a junior and youth ice hockey organization from Hooksett, New Hampshire, with teams in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Its highest level junior team played in the USPHL's National Collegiat ...

. The New Hampshire Monarchs previously fielded USPHL teams in the youth levels. While the Bandits, Rockets and Cyclones have free-to-play teams in the new NCDC, all six organizations were announced to have Tier III teams in the Premier Division and five teams in the Elite Division. The Jr. Monarchs would also add a NCDC team in 2018. The league also announced the retirement of the USP3 Division, with the Premier Division remaining the top pay-to-play division and the Elite Division the only Tier III feeder division. The Jersey Shore Whalers and the Florida Jr. Blades, both members of the former USP3 Division, were granted teams in the Premier Division, as well as the Jr. Blades adding their USP3 team to the Elite Division. The Skipjacks Hockey Club also added a Premier team to augment their teams in the youth divisions. The Wisconsin Muskies also announced they would field an expansion team in the Premier Division. As part of the many changes, three of the four isolated former USP3 Pacific Division teams left the league with only the

Eugene Generals The Eugene Generals are a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III junior ice hockey team. The team plays their home games at 2,700-seat the Rink Exchange in the Lane Events Center in Eugene, Oregon. The team announced it is on hiatus for the 2019–20 se ...

remaining. The Generals would have a modified schedule for the season in the Elite Division playing most of their games against local youth and academy teams while only playing other USPHL teams in showcases. For 2018–19, the league merged with the Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF) youth leagues. The EHF organization already had many of the USPHL's junior organization's youth clubs. The league also rebranded its 16U Futures as 15U. On March 8, 2019, the USPHL and EHF announced plans to integrate the USPHL's High Performance Youth Division into the EHF to create the EHF South Division, expanding the youth league's footprint into the Mid-Atlantic region, beginning with the 2019–20 season. In 2020, the USPHL Premier added the Anaheim Avalanche,

Fresno Monsters The Fresno Monsters are a junior ice hockey team based in Fresno, California. The team is a member of the United States Premier Hockey League and plays in the Premier Division. The Monsters' home venue is Gateway Ice Center. History The Monsters ...

Las Vegas Thunderbirds The Las Vegas Thunderbirds were a junior ice hockey#Independent leagues (Canada and US), junior ice hockey team in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The Thunderbirds played their home games at City National Arena in Summerlin South, ...

, Northern Colorado Eagles,

Ogden Mustangs The Ogden Mustangs are a junior ice hockey team based in Ogden, Utah. The Mustangs are members of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and play their home games at The Ice Sheet at Ogden. Before joining the USPHL in 2020, the Mustangs ...

Pueblo Bulls The Pueblo Bulls are a junior ice hockey#Independent leagues (Canada and US), junior ice hockey team in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The Bulls play their home games at the Pueblo Ice Arena beginning with the 2019–20 season. ...

, San Diego Sabers, Southern Oregon Spartans, and the Utah Outliers from the

Western States Hockey League The Western States Hockey League (WSHL) was a junior ice hockey league established in 1993. It was sanctioned by the United Hockey Union, the junior hockey branch of the Amateur Athletic Union. Previously, it was sanctioned by USA Hockey from ...

, another independent junior hockey organization. Complimentary additions to the USPHL Premier included Elmira Jr. Enforcers (renamed in 2023 to the Elmira Impact), Provo Riverblades, and the return of the Wooster Oilers after a one-year absence. During the 2019–20 season the Boston Bandits NCDC membership was purchased by the Philadelphia Hockey Club, to replace the Bandits in 2020–21. Rochester Monarchs were removed and replaced by Boston Advantage for the 2020–21 season. For the 2022–23 season, several new teams joined the USPHL. The Mercer Chiefs joined the NCDC. The Bakersfield Roughnecks joined the Pacific Division in the USPHL Premier. The Idaho Falls Spud Kings joined the Mountain Division in the USPHL Premier. The Minnesota Squatch joined the Midwest West Division in the USPHL Premier. Finally, several former teams from the WSHL—the

Bellingham Blazers The Bellingham Blazers were an American junior ice hockey team from Bellingham, Washington Bellingham ( ) is the county seat of Whatcom County, Washington, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington. It lies south o ...

, Rock Springs Prospectors, Rogue Valley Royals,

Seattle Totems The Seattle Totems were a professional ice hockey franchise in Seattle, Washington. Under several names prior to 1958, the franchise was a member of the Pacific Coast Hockey League (renamed the Western Hockey League (1952–1974), Western Hockey ...

, and Vernal Oilers—created a new North West Division in the USPHL Premier.

Member teams

National Collegiate Development Conference

a - The Boston Junior Bruins previously played at the NCDC level before selling that franchise to the West Chester Wolves in 2024 and then promoting their Premier division club the following year.
b - Twin City Thunder relocated in 2024.

NCDC timeline

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy ImageSize = width:1200 height:auto barincrement:20 Period = from:01/01/2017 till:12/31/2028 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal PlotArea = right:10 left:5 bottom:50 top:5 Colors = id:line value:black id:act value:rgb(0.7,0.9,0.7) # current member id:inact value:rgb(0.9,0.7,0.7) # former member id:fut value:rgb(0.7,0.7,0.9) # future member PlotData= width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s bar:1 color:inact from:07/01/2017 till:06/01/2018 text:

Rochester Monarchs The Rochester Monarchs were a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team that last played in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). The Monarchs played their home games a ...

(2017–2018, 2019–2020) bar:1 color:inact from:07/01/2019 till:06/01/2020 text: bar:2 color:act from:07/01/2017 till:06/01/2018 text:

South Shore Kings The South Shore Kings are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The team plays at the Foxboro Sports Center located in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The organization fields Tier III teams in th ...

(2017–2018, 2019–present) bar:2 color:act from:07/01/2019 till:end text: bar:3 color:inact from:07/01/2017 till:06/01/2020 text:

(2017–2020) bar:3 color:inact from:07/01/2020 till:06/01/2022 text: Philadelphia Hockey Club (2020–2022) bar:4 color:inact from:07/01/2017 till:06/01/2024 text:

Boston Junior Bruins The Boston Junior Bruins are an American junior ice hockey organization playing in Marlborough, Massachusetts. They currently field three junior and a number of youth teams in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). History The Boston J ...

(2017–2024) bar:5 color:act from:07/01/2017 till:end text:

Connecticut Jr. Rangers The Connecticut Jr. Rangers are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). The Jr. Rangers plays their home games at Chelsea Piers Connecticut. ...

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Islanders Hockey Club The Islanders Hockey Club are an American junior ice hockey organization from Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. They field teams in the United States Premier Hockey League National Collegiate Development Conference, Premier Division, and Elite Divi ...

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Jersey Hitmen The Jersey Hitmen are a junior and youth ice hockey organization with teams in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), with its top level junior team playing in the USPHL's National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). The orga ...

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P.A.L. Jr. Islanders The P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (Pride and Athletics for Life) are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The organi ...

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Rockets Hockey Club The Rockets Hockey Club, are a junior ice hockey, Tier II junior ice hockey team from Bridgewater, New Jersey. The Rockets play their home games at the Bridgewater Sports Arena. History The New Jersey Rockets youth hockey organization was formed ...

(2019–present) bar:11 color:act from:07/01/2017 till:06/01/2019 text: Syracuse Stars (2017–2019) bar:11 color:act from:07/01/2019 till:end text:

Utica Jr. Comets The Utica Jr. Comets are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Jr. Comets play their home games at A ...

(2019–present) bar:12 color:inact from:07/01/2018 till:06/01/2023 text: New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (2018–2023) bar:13 color:act from:07/01/2019 till:06/01/2024 text:

Twin City Thunder Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of Twin Last Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...

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Thunder Hockey Club The Thunder Hockey Club are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Thunder play their home games at T ...

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Boston Advantage Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and financial center of New England, a region of the Northeastern United States. It has an area of and a ...

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Mercer Chiefs The Mercer Chiefs are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is an American ice hockey league. Founded in 2012, the USPHL has grown to over 60 organi ...

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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights are a junior ice hockey organization from Pittston, Pennsylvania. In 2015, the Knights' junior hockey organization purchased the dormant Dawson Creek Rage franchise in the Tier II North American Hockey League ( ...

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Idaho Falls Spud Kings The Idaho Falls Spud Kings are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Spud Kings play their home games at Mountain America Cen ...

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New Hampshire Mountain Kings The New Hampshire Mountain Kings are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League. The Mountain Kings play their home games in the Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hooksett, New Hampshire. History ...

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Provo Predators Provo or Provos may refer to: Places United States * Provo, Kentucky, an unincorporated community South Dakota * Provo, South Dakota, an unincorporated community * Provo Township, Fall River County, South Dakota Utah * Provo, Utah, a city ** P ...

(2023–2024)

Casper Warbirds The Casper Warbirds are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Warbirds play their home games at Casper Ice Arena in Casper, Wy ...

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Rock Springs Grizzlies Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

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Utah Outliers The Utah Outliers are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Outliers play their home games at Accord Ice Rink in West Valley ...

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Boston Jr. Rangers The Boston Junior Rangers (aka Boston Jr. Rangers) are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Jr. Ran ...

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Worcester Jr. Railers The Worcester Jr. Railers Hockey Club are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The organization operates se ...

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Seacoast Spartans The Seacoast Spartans were a Tier II junior ice hockey team that played in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC). History In 2019, the Seacoast Performance Academy reached an agreeme ...

(2024–2025)

NY Dynamo The NY Dynamo are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is an American ice hockey league. Founded in 2012, the USPHL has grown to over 60 organizati ...

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West Chester Wolves The West Chester Wolves are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Wolves play their home games at PNY Sports Arena in West Ch ...

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Boston Dogs The Boston Dogs are a Tier III junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League at the National Collegiate Development Conference (top) level. The Dogs play their home games at the Canton Sportsplex in Canton, Massachuse ...

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Eastern Charlotte Hockey Club Eastern or Easterns may refer to: Transportation Airlines *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai * Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 192 ...

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Grand Junction River Hawks The Grand Junction River Hawks are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The River Hawks play their home games at River City Spor ...

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Presque Isle Frontiers ''Beautiful Minds'' () is a 2021 French-Swiss comedy-drama film directed by Bernard Campan and Alexandre Jollien. Cast * Bernard Campan as Louis Caretti * Alexandre Jollien as Igor * Marie Benati as la prostituée * Marilyne Canto as Judith ...

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Springfield Pics The Springfield Pics are an American junior ice hockey organization playing in West Springfield, Massachusetts at the Olympia Ice Center. They field two Tier III teams and a number of Youth teams. History The franchise was founded as the Spr ...

(2025–present) bar:34 color:fut from:07/01/2025 till:end text: St. Croix Hockey Club (2025–present) bar:35 color:fut from:07/01/2025 till:end text: Universel Academy (2025–present) bar:36 color:fut from:07/01/2025 till:end text: Universel Quebec (2025–present) bar:37 color:fut from:07/01/2025 till:end text:

Woodstock Slammers The Woodstock Slammers were a Junior ice hockey#Junior A, junior "A" hockey team based in Woodstock, New Brunswick. They played as part of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). The team played their home games at the Carleton Civic Centre, for ...

(2025–present) bar:38 color:fut from:07/01/2026 till:end text:

Montana Buckaroos The Montana Buckaroos are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League's (USPHL) National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) division. The Buckaroos play their home games at C ...

(2026–present) ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:2018

Premier and Elite teams

The USPHL consists of Premier and Elite junior levels, as well as EHF Selects, EHF South, 18U, 16U, 15U, and High Performance youth divisions with organizations located across the United States and Canada.

Champions

Former teams

*Adirondack Jr. Wings (2013–15, Empire/16U/16U Futures Divisions) Team ceased operations prior to 2015–16 season; also fielded youth teams for one more season. *Alpena Flyers (2014–17, Midwest/USP3 Divisions) Team ceased operations following the end of the 2016–17 season. *Anaheim Avalanche (2020–21, Premier Division) Joined from the

(WSHL) as the Ontario Avalanche in 2020 and relocated to Anaheim before their first USPHL season; purchased and relocated as the Long Beach Shredders for the 2021–22 season. *Atlanta Kings (2018–19) Former Junior Knights organization. Ceased operations after the one 2018–19 season it played in

Marietta, Georgia Marietta is a city in and the county seat of Cobb County, Georgia, United States. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 60,972. The 2019 estimate was 60,867, making it one of Atlanta's largest suburbs. Marietta is the fourth largest ...

, and replaced by a new organization called the Atlanta Mad Hatters. *Atlanta Junior Knights (2013–18) Joined from the Eastern Elite Hockey League. Moved to a new rink in

, and rebranded as the Atlanta Kings. *

Bay State Breakers The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is an American ice hockey league. Founded in 2012, the USPHL has grown to over 60 organizations from across the United States/Canada fielding teams in the National Collegiate Development Conference ...

(2013–15, Premier Division) Premier franchise sold to the Syracuse Stars organization; continues to field their Elite Division and youth teams for one more season. *Beijing Shougang Eagles (2017–2019; Elite Division) Chinese junior team that played out of

East Meadow, New York East Meadow is a Hamlet (New York), hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Hempstead, New York, Town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York (state), New York, United States. The popula ...

Blaine Energy The Northwest Express are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League (Premier Division). The team plays their home games at the Spooner Civic Center located in Spooner, Wisconsin. History Founded in ...

(2015–17, Midwest/Elite Divisions) Formerly in the

as the Maple Grove Energy; ceased operations at the end of the 2016–17 season. *Boston Advantage (2020–2023, NCDC/Premier) Added junior teams in the Tier II NCDC and Tier III Premier in 2020; removed from the league following the 2022–23 season in which the organization had become non-compliant with league rules. *

(2017–2020, NCDC) Joined from the Eastern Hockey League in 2017 when the NCDC was created; sold its NCDC franchise to the Philadelphia Hockey Club before the 2020–21 season. All other teams were renamed Bridgewater Bandits. *Brewster Bulldogs (2013–15, Empire Division) Formerly in the

; continued to field their EHL 19U Elite team that was formerly in

Metropolitan Junior Hockey League The Metropolitan Junior Hockey League was an American Tier III Junior ice hockey league with teams throughout the eastern United States. The MJHL was part of the Atlantic Metropolitan Hockey League organization. Founded in 1966 by New York Range ...

until 2016. *Buffalo Thunder (2018–2021, Premier Division) Played as the Niagara Falls Thunder in the 2018–19 season before becoming the Buffalo Thunder in 2019; replaced by the Buffalo Stampede expansion team in 2021. *Charleston Colonials (2019–2021, Premier/Elite) *Columbia Infantry (Premier, Elite) announced Aug 24 will not participate 2024-25. *Connecticut Nighthawks (2017–2020, Premier) Joined form the Eastern Hockey League; did not return after the COVID-19 hiatus. *Detroit Fighting Irish (2015–2022, Midwest/USP3/Premier) Joined from the Midwest Junior Hockey League; not in listed for the 2022–23 season. *Daytona Racers (2015–18) Operated by the

DME Academy DME Academy DME Academy is a private sports training and educational institution located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Established in 2015 by Mike and Dan Panaggio, the academy offers comprehensive programs for middle school, high school, and post- ...

, the Racers initially joined the USP3 Division; the Academy dropped the Racers name from its hockey team in the Premier Division in 2018 and were not in the league for 2019–20. *Decatur Blaze (2015-2025 Premier)(2024-25 added Elite) prior to USPHL was Midwest Junior Hockey League (2012-15). Purchased and re-branded as the Chicago T-Rex for the 2025-26 season for both the Premier and Elite teams. *

(2016–18, USP3/Elite Divisions) Joined the USP3 Division from the

in 2016; only Pacific team remaining in the Elite Division in 2017–18 season leading the team to mostly playing an independent schedule while also retaining its

-sanctioning when the USPHL went independent; left the league the following season. *Florida Bulldogs (2013–15, Elite Division) Formerly called the Space Coast Jr. Hurricanes when the organization joined from the Eastern Elite Hockey League and for the 2013–14 USPHL season; merged with the Roswell Bulldogs organization in April 2014 and played under that name for the 2014–15 season; renamed Florida Bulldogs prior to the 2015–16 season but ceased operation due to lack of players after one game, an 8–2 loss to the Palm Beach Hawks. * Forest Lake Lakers (2015–17, Midwest/Elite Divisions) Formerly in the

; team sold and renamed Minnesota Mullets after the 2016–17 season. *Frederick Freeze (2013–16, Empire/USP3 Division) Formerly in the Empire Junior Hockey League, removed from USP3 schedule in September 2016. * Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (2017–2019; Premier Division) Joined from the

in 2017; removed from the schedule at the beginning of the 2019–20 season. *Illiana Blackbirds (2015–16, Midwest Division) Based out of

Dyer, Indiana Dyer ( ) is a town in St. John Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 16,517 at the 2020 census. It is a southeastern suburb of Chicago. Geography Dyer borders Munster to the north, unincorporated St. John Townshi ...

; joined from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League in 2015; merged into the Elite Division for 2016–17 but ceased operations prior to scheduling. Relisted as a team in the Premier Division for 2018–19 as the Midwest Blackbirds. *Indiana Attack Announced team for 2015–16 season in the Midwest Division; formerly the Fort Wayne Federals of the

; canceled their opening night game against the Alpena Flyers one day before it was scheduled and ceased operations. *Ironwood Fighting Yoopers (2016–18) Announced team for 2015–16 season in the Midwest Division; formerly in the

; took leave of absence prior to first season. The team returned as part of the USP3 in 2016–17, then the Premier Midwest in 2017–18. Sold franchise prior to 2018–19 season and became the Rum River Mallards. *Jersey Wildcats (2013–15, Empire Division) Formerly in the

; continued to field a team in the North American 3 Atlantic Hockey League (formerly called the

) from 2015 to 2017. *Jersey Shore Whalers (2014–19 Empire/USP3/Premier Divisions) Joined the USPHL after several seasons as a youth organization; junior team removed from Premier schedule during the 2019–20 season. Returned for 2021–22 season. Not on league listing 2022-23 season. *Kalkaska Rhinos (2015–18 Midwest/USP3/Premier Divisions) Joined the new Midwest Division in 2015 as an expansion team after playing a partial season in the

Canadian International Hockey League The Canadian International Hockey League (CIHL) was a Canadian independent Junior ice hockey league based in Northern Ontario, Central Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area. History The CIHL was officially announced on April 8, 2014 with the unve ...

in 2014–15. Moved to the USP3 Division in 2016–17 and the Premier Division in 2017–18. Cancelled all remaining games in January 2018 due to injuries and lack of players. *Lake Erie Bighorns (2019-2022, Great Lakes Division) *

Lansing Wolves The Lansing Wolves are a junior ice hockey team and member of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) as part of the Premier Division. The team played its home games at the Summit Sports and Ice Complex in Dimondale, Michigan, a suburb of ...

(2018–20, Premier Division) Formerly in the

NA3HL The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is an American Junior ice hockey#Tier III, Tier III junior ice hockey league that consists of teams from Connecticut, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minne ...

, not listed as a member of the USPHL prior to the 2020–21 season. *Marquette Royales (2015–16, Midwest Division) Formerly in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League, moved to the USP3 Division in 2016 but was removed from the schedule prior to the 2016–17 season. *Michigan Wild (2015–16, Midwest Division) Joined from the

as the Michigan Ice Dogs but were renamed the Wild prior to their first season in the USPHL; joined the USP3 Division in 2016 but were removed from the schedule less than one week before the start of the season. *Midwest Blackbirds (2018–2022, Premier) *

Announced team for 2015–16 season in the Midwest Division; formerly in the

; took leave of absence prior to first season.
Motor City Hawks
(2015–18, Midwest/USP3/Premier Division) Joined from the

in 2015 and played in the Midwest Division. Joined the USP3 Division in 2016–17 and then the Premier Division in 2017–18. At the end of the 2017–18 season, the team re-branded to the Motor City Hockey Club and relocated to Troy, Michigan. *

(2017–2023, NCDC/Premier) Joined the USPHL from the Eastern Hockey League upon the formation of the NCDC in 2017; arena was purchased by an ownership group that displaced the Jr. Monarchs with a new organization that join the

. *

New York Apple Core The New York Apple Core are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team from Brewster, New York, playing in the Eastern Hockey League. The team plays home games at the Brewster Ice Arena. The Apple Core organization is based out of Long Beach, New York, ...

(2013–14, Empire Division) Formerly in the

; continues to field their

teams. *New York Aviators (2013–15, Empire Division) The organization decided to play in the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League and the Empire franchise was reassigned to the New York Dragons. The Aviators returned to the USPHL with an Elite Division and youth teams in 2016. The former NA3EHL team became the Long Island Sharks in the

. *New York Dragons Announced team for the 2015–16 season in the USP3 Division with the franchise rights from the previous New York Aviators but appears to have dropped from the division prior to the season. *Northern Colorado Eagles (2020–23, Mountain Division) Joined from the

; a new ownership group founded the

Colorado Grit The Colorado Grit are a Tier II Junior ice hockey team from Greeley, Colorado. The franchise began in 2023 as an expansion franchise in the North American Hockey League. History In January 2023, the NAHL Nahl or NAHL may refer to: * Nahl (sur ...

in the

, which displaced the USPHL team. *Okanagan European Eagles (2015–17, Premier Division) A team based in Austria made up of European players. Left the league after two seasons. * Palm Beach Hawks (2013–19, various junior and youth divisions) Joined from the EJHL South with members in the Elite and Empire Divisions in 2013. Both junior teams folded during the 2018–19 season. *

Philadelphia Flyers Junior Hockey Club The Philadelphia Flyers Junior Hockey Club (also known as the Philadelphia Flyers Elite or the USPHL Flyers) were a Tier III junior ice hockey team in the United States Premier Hockey League Premier Division. The franchise was originally based ...

(2013–17, Premier Division) An expansion team and founding member of the USPHL Premier. Sold to the Lightning Hockey Club and relocated to

Newark, Delaware Newark ( )Not as in Newark, New Jersey. is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is located west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 31,454. The University of Delaware is ...

, in 2017. The Lightning HC were removed from the league prior to the start of the 2017–18 season. *Philadelphia Hockey Club (2020–22, NCDC/Premier Divisions) joined EHL in 2022 *

Pittsburgh Vengeance The Pittsburgh Vengeance are a non-sanctioned junior ice hockey team and are members of the Great Lakes Conference in the United States Premier Hockey League's Premier Division. The team plays at the Alpha Ice Complex in Harmar Township, Pennsy ...

(2018–2022, Premier Division) Joined form the NA3HL as part of the USPHL Premier that created the Great Lakes division. * Portland Jr. Pirates (2013–16, Premier/Elite/18U Divisions) Based out of

Saco, Maine Saco ( ) is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,381 at the 2020 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as Saco Valley Shopping Center. General Dynamics ...

. Not listed by USPHL in 2016 but continues to operate youth hockey programs outside the USPHL umbrella. *Providence Capitals (2014–16, Elite/18U/16U Divisions) *Richmond Generals (2013–23) *

River Falls Renegades The River Falls Renegades was a Tier III junior ice hockey team that played first in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL) and then the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The team was not listed among the USPHL membership in 2017 ...

(2016–17, Elite Division) Former SCV Magicians, were not listed in the league membership for 2017–18. *

Rochester Jr. Americans The Rochester Jr. Americans are a junior ice hockey#Tier III, Tier II Junior ice hockey team from Rochester, New York, Rochester, New York (state), New York. Junior team returned to Rochester with the North American Hockey League accepting the loc ...

(2013–16, Premier/Elite/18U Divisions) Replaced by the Rochester Monarchs organization. *Rochester Monarchs (2016–2017, Elite; 2017–2020, Premier; 2017–2020, NCDC) Member of the inaugural NCDC season; NCDC membership revoked by the USPHL for poor performance after the 2019–20 season and the organization decided to fold its Premier team as well. *Rochester Vipers *Seacoast Spartans (2024-25) after the one season franchise was purchased and re-branded to NY Dynamo * St. Croix Valley Magicians (2015–16, Midwest Division) Joined as the Hudson Crusaders of

Hudson, Wisconsin Hudson is a city in and the county seat of St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, its population was 14,755. It is part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area. History Several Li ...

, from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League in 2015; rebranded prior to their first season in the USPHL and relocated mid-season to

Vadnais Heights, Minnesota Vadnais Heights ( ) is a city in Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 12,912 at the 2020 census. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. It ...

; relocated again in 2016 to become the

River Falls, Wisconsin River Falls is a city in Pierce and St. Croix counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is located mostly within the town of River Falls, and adjacent to the town of Kinnickinnic in St. Croix County. River Falls is the most populous city ...

. *Seattle Ravens (2016–17, USP3 Division); Joined from the

for the 2016–17 season; Left the league in 2017, rebranded as the Kent Ravens and joined the

but folded prior to playing a game. *Skipjacks Hockey (2017–2021, Premier) *Soo Firehawks Announced team for 2015–16 season in the Midwest Division; formerly in the

; ceased operations prior to first season. * Southern Oregon Spartans (2020, Premier Division) Joined from the

, but were forced to withdraw early into the 2020–21 season due to

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

restrictions; opted out of the 2021–22 season as well. *Southern Tier Xpress Announced team in the new Great Lakes division of the USPHL Premier for 2018–19 season after a move from the

. The Tier II Philadelphia Rebels then relocated as the

Jamestown Rebels Jamestown may refer to Places Australia *Jamestown, South Australia Barbados *Holetown, Saint James, Barbados; sometimes called its founding name, Jamestown Canada * Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, common ...

and the Xpress returned their franchise to the league. The Xpress franchise was replaced by Lake Erie Bighorns franchise in the Great Lakes division. * St. Louis Storm Announced team for 2015–16 season in the Midwest Division; formerly the St. Louis Frontenacs of the

; ceased operations prior to first season. * Syracuse Stars (2015–19) The Premier team launched in 2015–16 with the purchase of the

franchise. In 2019, the Stars merged with the Utica Jr. Comets organization and continued operations under that name. *Team Comcast (2014–15, 18U/16U Divisions) Youth teams associated with the

. In March 2016, was renamed Virtua Hockey and joined the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. *Traverse City Hounds (2015–16, Midwest Division) Joined from the Midwest Junior Hockey League in 2015; renamed Traverse City North Stars after the former NAHL team in 2016. *Traverse City North Stars (2016–17, USP3 Division) Went dormant prior to the 2017–18 season. *Tri-City Icehawks (2015–19, Midwest/USP3/Premier Division) A

Bay City, Michigan Bay City is a city in Bay County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The population was 32,661 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The city is located just upriver from the Saginaw Bay on the Saginaw River. It is the princip ...

, team that joined from the

in the Midwest Division for 2015–16. Played their final USPHL season in the Premier Midwest East Division. *Tri-City Outlaws (2016–17, USP3 Division) Joined from the

for the 2016–17 season; not listed as a member of the USPHL for the 2017–18 season. *

West Sound Warriors The Bremerton Sockeyes begin their inaugural USPHL Premier League hockey season in the 2024-25 season. The Sockeyes are an expansion team competing in the Northwest Division. The West Sound Warriors were a junior ice hockey that played at the ...

(2016–17, USP3 Division) Joined from the

for the 2016–17 season; suspended operations in 2017. The Vancouver Rangers of the WSHL relocated to Bremerton and became the West Sound Warriors for the 2017–18 season. * Wisconsin Muskies (2017–18, Premier Division) Played out of

Spooner, Wisconsin Spooner is a city in Washburn County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,573 at the 2020 census. The city is located mostly within the southwest corner of the Town of Spooner, with a small portion extending into the Town of Beaver ...

; removed from team listing after one season and arena issues. *

(2018–2022, Premier Division)

References

External links

Official USPHL website
{{Junior Hockey United States Premier Hockey League Junior ice hockey leagues in the United States 2012 establishments in the United States Sports leagues established in 2012