The Springfield Pics are pleased to announce the formation of a U-16 team for the 2012-13 season to participate in the new Eastern Junior Hockey League 16-and-under league. The program, which will consist of full-season teams, will be the first of its kind in the Northeast, allowing for greater development and less travel, resulting in a smaller number of school days missed. The new league will follow the High Performance Club Criteria developed by USA Hockey in accordance with the American Development Model. EJHL Establishes 16U League The Eastern Junior Hockey League has announced the establishment of a brand new 16-and-under league for the 2012-13 season. The program, which will consist of full-season teams, will be the first of its kind in the Northeast, allowing for greater development and less travel, resulting in a smaller number of school days missed. The new league will follow the High Performance Club Criteria developed by USA Hockey in accordance with the American Development Model. Our programs will be affordable and promote development on the ice as well as in the community and the class room. "The purpose of the initiative is to better develop our prospects while using [the EJHL's] well-established network to provide exposure and promotion," said EJHL Commissioner Bob Mainhardt. "This is a very exciting time for the EJHL and, more importantly, this is a crucial development for our current and future players."
The Springfield Pics are proud to announce that forward Tyler Bouchard has committed to the University of Connecticut for next fall. Bouchard, the Pics current Captain, is a native of Glastonbury, CT and a 1992 birth year. He currently leads the team in scoring with 17 goals, 14 assists, 31 points in just 21 league games. Tyler was named to the 2011 EJHL All Star team and was also a member of the EJHL pre-season select team that played in Russia this past August. It is an honor to be joining the UConn ice hockey team, and the Uconn athletic Family. Being a Connecticut native it is a dream come true to become a husky. I would like to thank the Pics coaching staff, Coach Tabb, Coach Daniels and Coach Smith for all of their help and support throughout my years in Springfield, and also would like to thank my family for all of their love and support. Commented Bouchard Tyler is the second Division One committed player and third college commitment of the young season for the Pics. He is currently three goals from hitting the 60 goal total in his EJ tenure while also amassing 117 points. We would like to congratulate Tyler and his family on this accomplishment. It was never a question of if but when Bouch would find his DI home. He posses a high skill set, a gifted goal scorer, with a great quick release. Tyler has shown the commitment on and off the ice, he came here two seasons ago with a goal and we are happy to see him accomplish that. Stated GM/Coach Patrick Tabb
The Springfield Pics are proud to announce that EJHL and Empire forward Willy Smith has accepted a full scholarship from Hockey East member Umass-Amherst. The East Longmeadow, MA native is a 1996 birth year. He will arrive at the Amherst, MA campus fall of 2014. Smith skated in 26 Empire games last season as a 14 year old posting 30 points on 13 goals and 17 assists. This season before his call up to the EJ, Willie had 14 points in 9 Empire games and currently has played in 5 EJHL league games posting his first point on October 15th. The son of long time Pics coach Vern Smith, a former professional player, drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round #42 overall in the 1982 NHL entry draft. Umass Amherst alum and former Captain Rob Bonneau, Head Coach of the Pics Empire, team still remains the all time DI leading scorer in school history added: We are extremely proud of what Willy has accomplished and look forward to see him grow as a young man and a hockey player. I hope Willy enjoys his experience at Umass as they will stay with him the rest of his life. He is such a hard working player who loves to play hockey and Umass will proud to have him part of there program. We would like to congratulate Willy and his family on this accomplishment. He posses a great skill set with a passion for the game, his compete level is through the roof. He is one of the top 96 born players in the country. Willy loves coming to the rink everyday and we look forward to his continued development. States GM/Coach Patrick Tabb Willy states "I want to thank my family for supporting me through out my hockey career. I also want to thank all of my coaches and the Springfield Pics organization for giving me the opportunity to succeed.
The Springfield Pics are proud to announce that forward Matt Tetro has committed to Hamilton College for next fall. A native of Williamsville, NY the 1992 born winger is a graduate of the Taft School. I am really excited about becoming a part of the Hamilton program. The new coaching staff, Coach Rob Haberbusch and Coach Ken Scuderi, have done great things with the program in a short amount of time, and I am thrilled to be playing for them next season. I want to thank my coaches of the Springfield Pics for all that they have done for me so early in my time as Pic, both on and off the ice. Coach Tabb, Coach Daniels, and Coach Vern have been amazing, and I look forward to learning more from them throughout the season before continuing on to Hamilton next year. I also want to thank my family for all of the support they have given me in pursuing my goals. States Tetro Hamilton College competes in the highly competitive NESCAC conference. We would like to congratulate Matt and his family on this accomplishment. He has done the work on and off the ice that it takes to attend a school with such high academic and athletic standards. Matt posses a great skill set, he has good speed and competes everyday we look forward to his continued development as he prepares to enter Hamilton as an impact player. Added GM/Coach Patrick Tabb
The Springfield Pics organization is mourning the passing of one of their own - EMPIRE league player, Kevin Major. Major, 19, of Westfield, MA, a recent St. Mary's High School hockey standout and Holyoke Community College student passed away on Monday, July 11, 2011. Teammates are saddened by the recent tragedy to one of their own and have posted many tributes regarding him as "...one of the happiest and funniest guys I ever met and one of the best teammates I ever had...". RIP Kevin Major ©2010 All Rights Reserved. Springfield Pics Hockey
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