Pics Junior Team Joins America East!
The
Springfield Junior Pics hockey
organization is proud to announce that they have joined
the newly formed America East Hockey League for the 2005-2006
season competing at the Jr. A level. In addition, to
fielding a Jr. A team, the Pics will field a Jr. B team
in the Colonial Junior Hockey League.
America East is currently comprised of eight teams. The
other teams competing in the new league are the Boston
Jr. Blackhawks, Lowell Jr. Raiders, Norwich Ice Breakers,
Exeter Seawolves, Cromwell Generals, New Jersey Kings
and New England Predators. The teams will play a 50 game
league schedule; participate in 2 showcases, host a league
All-Star game, and conclude with the AEHL Playoffs in
April.
The AEHL is formed as a college development league for
aspiring student athletes. The primary goal of America
East will be to develop and promote a highly competitive
league that displays its players to college and professional
teams.
A few key elements of the new league are:
1)
America East has teamed up with PEAC Performance to test
all its league players and develop an API (athletic performance
index). PEAC physiologist and skill-mechanics expert Ron
Johnson has developed the world’s most precise sport
specific evaluation and development system.
The API will be provided to all players pinpointing skills
that need improvement and allow for comparison to his peers
across the country. This provides our players with an alternative
way to measure abilities besides scoring statistics. The
API is also made available to over 40 participating NCAA
college programs enhancing our player’s exposure.
2)
The AEHL will permit up to five imports on each team
to increase depth and skill in the new league and;
3)
the league will permit players to wear half shield facial
protection and while maintaining tight controls on fighting.
After many years at the Junior
B level, the Junior Pics are not
only poised to meet the challenges
of Junior A hockey, but are prepared
to excel. Sincerely,
Brian Collins |
