The Eastern Hockey League’s College Series is back and bigger than ever. This week, three All-Star teams will represent the EHL as they will take on six different NCAA programs.
The main All-Star team—featuring at least one player from every team in the league—will go up against SUNY Fredonia on Oct 20 at 7 p.m. and SUNY Brockport on Oct 21 at 2 p.m.
The North/East Division team will play against Rivier University on Oct 17 at 2 p.m. Conway Arena in Nashua, NH, and Southern New Hampshire University on Oct 18 at 5 p.m. at the Ice Den in Hooksett, NH, and the South/Central All-Star team will face Stevenson University on Oct 17 at 7 p.m. at the Reistertown (MD) Sportsplex and Lebanon Valley College on Oct 18 at 5 p.m. at Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania.
Here are some things to watch out for this week:
Rematches
SUNY Brockport and Lebanon Valley College will take part in the College Series for the second year in a row. Last season, Brockport defeated the EHL All-Stars by a score of 7-3 while Lebanon Valley beat the EHL South Division All-Stars 5-4 in overtime.
In addition to the rematch, both schools will have a player who went up against them as EHL All Stars last year. Former Boston Jr. Rangers defenseman Victor Malzahn and New England Wolves goaltender Trevor Joule were both on the main All-Star team against Brockport last season, and they will play for the Golden Eagles this year. Similarly, former New Jersey 87’s defenseman Ian Lindberg played for the South Division All-Stars last year against Lebanon Valley, and now he will be on the other side playing for the Dutchmen.
Lots of Familiar Faces
Out of the six schools participating in the College Series, four of them have at least 10 EHL alumni on their rosters. SUNY Brockport leads the way with 21 former EHL players, including six who committed last season and are now first-year players. Southern New Hampshire University boasts 19 EHL alumni in their lineup, while Rivier University has 15 and SUNY Fredonia has 12.
The EHL has committed over 150 players to NCAA programs in each of the last four seasons, and it reflects on the college hockey rosters heading into the showcase. Many current EHL All-Stars will face former teammates this week, and if the last few seasons are any indication, some of them could end up playing for these very schools next season.
Players to Watch
Little Flyers
All three EHL teams are loaded with talent, but there are a few players to watch out for. For the main team, Philadelphia Little Flyers defenseman Jack Costabile leads all blue-liners in the EHL with 16 points (8g, 8a) in 11 games, and nine of those points have come on the power play. New Jersey Bears’ goaltender Carson Frye leads the EHL with a .952 save percentage while facing the second-most shots of any goaltender with 273 shots against in seven games.
HC Rhode Island
The main team will also have the youngest All Star in Dawson Speth, a forward for HC Rhode Island with a 2006 birth year. In his first 12 games, the Idaho native has 10 points (2g, 8a).
For the North/East team, the Boston Jr. Rangers have a dynamic duo in Denis Valenta and Bret Beale. Valenta ranks second in EHL scoring with 17 points (10g, 7a) while Beale is not far behind with 13 (5g, 8a).
The South/Central team seems balanced throughout the lineup. HC Rhode Island forward Perry Gaudreau is tied for the EHL lead with 10 goals and will look to lead the offensive effort. Philadelphia Hockey Club forward Elijah Clow, who has six points (4g, 2a) in 12 games, will play his second game against Lebanon Valley as he represented the South Division last year.
It will be a fun week for the All-Stars as the players will look to bring their best game in front of college coaches, and possibly go for an upset. The first game is on Tuesday with a 2 p.m. puck drop, and the rosters and schedules for all the games can be found here: https://www.easternhockeyleague.org/news_article/show/1287400
