The Atlantic Hockey Federation is excited to announce the addition of the Cherry Creek Bruins to the AHF in the 2023-24 season. Cherry Creek Hockey is based out of Centennial, Colorado and play at the Family Sports Center. Cherry Creek Association encompasses Tier II USA Hockey and Cherry Creek High School hockey. Cherry Creek Association represents one of the largest school districts in Colorado consisting of players from six different high schools. They were a USA Hockey National Champion in 2015 and have a strong development coaching model for helping Cherry Creek players move to the next level.
The Cherry Creek Bruins competed in the AHF at various age levels in 2022 as guest teams in the October AA showcases. Next season, Bruin’s 16/18AA teams will be showcase members in the AHF.
The Bruins key coaches include Jeff Mielnicki, Toby Petersen, Rob Flay, Matt McGregor, Matt Zaba, Ryan Bammertand Ralph Bammert. Jeff Mielnicki is the executive director of operations as well as the head coach for varsity prep Major AA and CHSAA Varsity teams. He has quite the resume when it comes to coaching. Meilnicki was the Head Coach at Arapahoe Hockey Association for 14 years, Cherry Creek Baseball Diamond Club President, CHSAA Director of Hockey Program, President/Director of Operations Cherry Creek Hockey Association, Boston Junior Rangers Midwest Head Scout from 2019 to 2023 and is in his 10th Season as CHSAA Varsity Head Coach.
Toby Petersen is the head coach for CC Prospects, special teams coordinator for the CCHS Varsity team and the head coach for High Plains T2. Petersen’s NHL playing career included 398 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars. He played Division 1 Hockey at Colorado College and was a 4 Year Letterman amassing 128 Points. He also coached 6 seasons in the AHL with Springfield, Cleveland and Rochester.
Rob Flay is the Varsity Prep Major AA assistant coach and CHSAA varsity team. He returned for his 4th season as V-Prep Major AA / CHSAA Varsity Assistant Coach. His coaching experience includes coaching at the Midget Major AA, AAA, Junior A Tier and College Club levels. His teams have won League and State Titles and competed at the Regional level. Former players of Coach Flay have gone on to play at the Junior, NCAA Div I, Div III and Professional levels.
Matt McGregor is the head coach for Varsity Prep NAPHL T1 Makar U16 and CHSAA JV Team and is also Cherry Creek’s High Plains Director of Operations. From 2017-2020, McGregor held the position as Assistant Director of a local youth hockey program until making the decision to use the skills he learned to run the Columbine HS hockey program.
Matt Zaba is the goaltending coach for the Cherry Creek Hockey Association. After an eight year professional career, including stops in the NHL, AHL, ECHL and Europe, Zaba began his coaching career with his alma mater Colorado College Tigers. He has worked directly under the guidance of New York Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire, Los Angeles Kings goalie coach Bill Ranford and Swedish National Team goalie coach Stefan Ladhe.
Ryan Bammert begins his 10th season as a Varsity Prep Major AA and CHSAA assistant coach and 11th overall where he began with Coach Mielnecki at Arapahoe and brings a competitive spirit to every game. Bammert was part of the State and National Championship Coaching Staff.
Ralph Bammert is a Cherry Creek Hockey Association Vice President, Assistant Coach for the Varsity Prep Major AA, as well as the Association Registrar. Ralph has been a Director for USA Hockey for many years and is also the High Plains League President and serves as the Vice President of High School Hockey for CAHA and the Colorado Prep Hockey League.
Ralph is also USA Hockey National Risk Manager and is a member of the USA Hockey Disabled Section.
There are some coaches within the Cherry Creek Club who work for Junior teams which helps strengthen their hockey development path. Jeff Mielnicki is with the Boston Jr. Rangers in the EHL, Matt Zaba is with the Tri City Storm as goal coach in the USHL, and Toby Petersen with several professional relationships.
Cherry Creek Alumni have played NCAA Division 1, Division 3, ACHA Division 1, ACHA Division, junior leagues such as the USHL, NAHL, BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, EHL, NOJHL, USPHL, NA3HL and WSHL. Jackson Ross (Colorado College) and David Fessensen (University of New Hampshire) are currently playing or have just completed NCAA Division I hockey. Other alumni who have used Cherry Creek as a step in their player advancement include Blake Benson (Endicott College), Addy Powell (Springfield Jr. Blues), Payne Pent (El Paso), and Nick Fall (CT Rangers).
Be sure to follow Cherry Creek on Twitter and Instagram.
The Atlantic Hockey Federation (AHF) is a USA Hockey Sanctioned Elite Tier-II Youth Hockey League that facilitates games throughout the U.S. for its club members and families. The AHF provides high-quality league games and showcases for over 600 teams in the Mid-Atlantic uniquely catering to its member-owned clubs. The AHF currently fields youth hockey programs at AA, A, and B divisions for the following age groups: the 8U AAA Full Ice, 8U Half Ice, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 14U, 15U/16U, and 18U age levels. The AHF is truly a unique opportunity as each of the Founders and Member clubs operate at all levels of the youth and junior hockey spectrum from Mite to Midget at the youth level and from Tier III juniors all the way up to Tier I juniors in the USHL. If you are looking for value and exposure to play college hockey, the AHF is also for you.
Congratulations to all the AHF teams that qualified for the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) Tier 2 National Bound Qualifiers and the AAHA Tier 2 Affiliate Championship. The AAHA rely on strength-of-schedule and MyHockeyRankings to advance teams to Districts.
12U AA:
Philadelphia Blazers
Haverford Hawks
Hollydell Hurricanes
12U A:
Valley Forge Colonials
Jr. Flyers
Hollydell Hurricanes
12U B:
Palmyra Black Knights
Hollydell Hurricanes
14U AA:
Igloo Jaguars
Rockets Black
Valley Forge Colonials
York Devils
Delaware Ducks
14U A:
Philadelphia Blazers
Wissahickon Warriors
Igloo Jaguars
14U B:
Team Philadelphia
Hollydell Hurricanes
16U AA:
Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
Team Philadelphia
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Black
Rockets
16U A:
Lancaster Firebirds Black
Wissahickon Warriors
Igloo Jaguars Black
18U AA:
Igloo Jaguars Black
Skylands Kings
Philadelphia Blazers
Team Philadelphia
18U A:
SportsCare Kings
Wissahickon Warriors Red
Philadelphia Blazers
The 14U B, 16U AA, and 18U AA National Bound Qualifiers and 12U B, 14U AA Affiliate Championship takes place this weekend, March 3-5. The top teams from these divisions will advance to National Bound Championships March 10-12. The 12U AA, 12U A, 14U A, 16U A, 18U A Affiliate Championship takes place the following weekend, March 10-12.
As part of the team’s end-of-season activities, Valley Forge Colonials 14U A Silver (Kelly) sent team representatives Jackson Kelly, Sullivan Schoedler, Liam Kelly, Jackson Buuck, and Milo Little to Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) to make a donation on behalf of their entire VFC team and to learn about PACS important work in the local community.
Head Coach Will Kelly encouraged the team to participate in a raffle fundraiser held earlier this season. He said, “Having the kids sell raffle tickets to raise money for their team as well as a local charity in the community teaches them to think about others. It teaches them empathy and to recognize how they can help those who have less than they do.”
PACS rescues thousands of pounds of unused but good food from grocery stores and distributes the food to more than 100 local families in need every day. PACS relies on volunteers and donations to continue their important work. A PACS employee kindly showed the VFC teammates around the entire facility and explained all the ways in which PACS is able to help provide support for those in need.
VFC Assistant Captain Milo Little said of the experience, “While dropping off the donations, I had the opportunity to talk to the manager about how many people they help, and it is truly amazing.”
The team is proud to report that they donated nearly $400 in proceeds from the raffle as well as 275 pounds of food to help do a small part to end hunger in the community.
Congratulations to our 2023 AHF Playoffs Weekend 2 All Tournament Teams! These teams showcase top performers from the past weekend.
Mite AAA Championship
Liam Heron #34 North Jersey Blizzard
Damien Rubinstein #8 North Jersey Blizzard
Matthew Gajeski #1 LI Monarchs 14AAA
Vincent Duignan #27 LI Monarchs 14AAA
Brendan Kilgallen #2 Venom Hockey Club 1
G – Dylan Sbrocchi #41 LI Monarchs 14AAA
Mite AAA Gold
Kyle Cox #6 CT Oil Kings Black
Kailani Broderick #22 CT Oil Kings Black
Nathaniel Bryan #77 Lehigh Valley Steel
Jack Wisely #93 RSG Selects
Reid Messa #74 Lehigh Valley Steel
G – Luca Odoardi #25 CT Oil Kings Black
Mite Add On Championship
Jacob Derr #95 Team DHD 1
Grady Gutowski #98 Team DHD 1
Brady Hubbs #86 Ashburn Rebels 1
Brodie Develli #78 Ashburn Rebels 1
Joey Mazza #98 Devil Dogs
G – Aiden Khazai #51 Ashburn Rebels 1
Mite Add On Gold
Joseph Fasanella #11 Metro Knights
Nicholas Shmain #77 Metro Knights
Bradley Joworisak #13 Jersey Shore Americans
Colin O’Reilly #17 Lehigh Valley Steel
Bennett Dieter #61 Lehigh Valley Steel
G – Jayden Oetting #30 Metro Knights
Mite Add On Silver
Brady Carr #89 Westchester Wolverines
Vaughn Schmerling #69 Westchester Wolverines
Jacoby Czaplewski #15 Hard Edge Hockey Vikings
Sunny Sugerek #5 Hard Edge Hockey Vikings
Graham Little #28 Hollydell Selects White
G – Logan Legge #40 Westchester Wolverines
10U A Gretzky Championship
Mason Maloney #67 York Devils
Anthony Raineri #71 York Devils
Lucas Barnes #88 Capital City Vipers 1
Henry Gabler #77 Capital City Vipers 1
Bryan Khersonsky #15 NJ Bandits Grey
G – Ethan Gooden #19 York Devils
10U A Gretzky Gold
Parker Clancy #26 The St. James Navy
Zachary Brown #77 The St. James Navy
Sebastian Northup #87 Ashburn Xtreme
Peter Benevento #3 Ashburn Xtreme
Haohan Wang #20 MYHA UA Blue
G – Trinity Moore #63 The St. James Navy
10U A Gretzky Silver
Joseph Tuozzolo #87 Long Island Rebels
Declan Hedger #11 Long Island Rebels
Matthew Ober #34 Palmyra Black Knights Black
Benjamin Heverley #17 Palmyra Black Knights Black
Victor McDonald #73 Haverford Hawks McDonald
G – Anthony Todaro #37 Long Island Rebels
10U A Lemieux Championship
Thomas Tatem #36 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Blue
Mason Ciercielli #97 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Blue
Anthony Arnone #94 Ashburn Xtreme
Dawud Balti #53 Ashburn Xtreme
Kirby Roebuck #81 Frederick Freeze LA
G – Henry McNaboe #84 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Blue
10U A Lemieux Gold
David Mourtazaev #10 Rockets Hockey Club Black
Luka Peros #8 Rockets Hockey Club Black
Andrew Biugos #15 Tomorrow’s Ice North Stars Red
Kaden Musil-Kunkel #10 Tomorrow’s Ice North Stars Red
Michael White #77 Jersey Shore Wildcats
G – Wyatt Carfley #79 Rockets Hockey Club Black
10U A Lemieux Silver
Valentin Olsansky #10 MYHA LA Blue
Samuel Imhof #32 MYHA LA Blue
Chris Bergstrasser #28 Valley Forge Colonials Silver
Declan Wendell #21 Valley Forge Colonials Silver
Matthew Maiseichyk #48 Metro Militia
G – Bridget Pagani #42 MYHA LA Blue
10U A Lemieux Bronze
Jaden Feeney #66 Igloo Jaguars
Zachary Hornung #28 Igloo Jaguars
Nathaniel Ferry #17 North Jersey Avalanche Gold
Lucas Lutzer #88 North Jersey Avalanche Gold
Camden Downs #21 Team Philadelphia Orange
G – Joseph Smith #31 North Jersey Avalanche Gold
10U B Championship
Graham Ward #74 Wissahickon Warriors Red
Chris Campanelli #37 Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
Erin Ingersoll #11 Philadelphia Jr. Flyers
Lawson Coleman #43 North Jersey Avalanche Gold
Steven Cortopassi #23 Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
G – Travis Levin #97 Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
10U B Gold
Jayce O’Neil #13 Hollydell Hurricanes
Brayden Hall #21 Haverford Hawks Schneider
Nolan Berberich #19 Igloo Jaguars
William Ryan #15 Hollydell Hurricanes
Griffin McCormick #94 Haverford Hawks Schneider
G – Joseph Chapkowski #30 Hollydell Hurricanes
10U B Silver
Caleb Chapman #63 Delaware Ducks Black
Liam Malloy #6 Delaware Ducks Black
William Conicello #21 Royals Gray
Reink Crocker #70 Royals Gray
Campbell Toner #20 York Devils
G – Nicholas Kalinowski #28 Royals Gray
10U B Bronze
Daniel Millison #58 Valley Forge Colonials Skelton
Sean Mcgonigal #18 Valley Forge Colonials Skelton
Andrew Forsyth #14 Royals Gold
Jude Terzella #93 Royals Gold
Nicholas Garner #22 Southern Maryland Sabres Black
G – Theodore Skelton #31 Valley Forge Colonials Skelton
12U A Gretzky Championship
Casey Magill #8 Southern Maryland Sabres Gold
Parker Radswillas #14 Valley Forge Colonials Gold
Nathan Riley #11 Valley Forge Colonials Gold
Dylan Cox #71 Ashburn Xtreme
Wesley Auld #19 Southern Maryland Sabres Gold
G – Nathan Shlagel #83 Southern Maryland Sabres Gold
12U A Gretzky Gold
Giuliana Pizzichillo #91 Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Coen
Gavin McNulty #88 Tomorrow’s Ice Selects
Max Jones #9 Capital City Vipers 1
Madeline Staffieri #24 Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Coen
Nicholas Cimaszewski #15 Tomorrow’s Ice Selects
G – Paloma Larocque #29 Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Coen
12U A Gretzky Silver
William Pileggi #62 Royals
Colton Dreyfus #93 Royals
Terence Tan #38 Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
Michael Kaplan #93 Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
Tristan Xu #23 MYHA UA Gold
G – Pierce Valliere #5 Royals
12U A Gretzky Bronze
Robert Carroll #16 Delaware Ducks
Henry Arthur #34 Delaware Ducks
Joseph Ota #28 Team Philadelphia
Liam Dixon #6 Team Philadelphia
JP Greiner #17 Royals
G – Ryan Giannini #37 Delaware Ducks
12U A Lemieux Championship
Justin Kinnier #15 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Blue
Miles Gleason #68 Ashburn Xtreme
Thomas Ernst #74 Ashburn Xtreme
Shea Jackson #21 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Blue
James MacLaren #33 NJ Bandits Red
G – Nathan Lecaro #30 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Blue
12U A Lemieux Gold
Luca Montalbano #5 Valley Forge Colonials
Evan Ripchinski #90 Lancaster Firebirds
Drew Goft #19 Lancaster Firebirds
Vincent Gulotta #23 Rockets Hockey Club White
Nathan Coleman #36 Valley Forge Colonials
G – Julian Griffith #42 Valley Forge Colonials
12U A Lemieux Silver
Joseph Widmeier #97 Wissahickon Warriors White
Jaiden Hoban #25 Philadelphia Blazers
Lane Siegel #87 Wissahickon Warriors White
Harrison Kochanowski #53 NJ Stars Green
Giuseppe Christman #8 Philadelphia Blazers
G – Blaise Watkins #38 Wissahickon Warriors White
12U B Championship
Ryan Uhl #28 Royals White
Tyler Hood #10 Royals White
Ethan Vandenko #72 Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
Tyler Mcdow #91 Jersey Shore Wildcats Black
Jacob Pentin #97 Ashburn Xtreme
G – Domenic Sestito #79 Royals White
12U B Gold
Griffin Bruce-Lockhart #11 NJ Bandits White
Ethan Bagnato #25 NJ Bandits White
Wolfgang Welfling #18 Frederick Freeze
Jameson Messmore #55 Frederick Freeze
Ryan Cullin #8 Valley Forge Herhal
G – Matthew Cook #30 NJ Bandits White
12U B Silver
Caiden Saccomanno #28 Hollydell Hurricanes
James Whalen #11 Hollydell Hurricanes
Tyler Teabo #17 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Yellow
Vincent Kramer #87 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Yellow
Danny Flynn #12 Royals Gray
G – Aidan Berry #34 Hollydell Hurricanes
14U A Gretzky Championship
Jake Proud #19 Philadelphia Blazers
Gavin Moore #8 Philadelphia Blazers
Brayden Havrilla #88 Valley Forge Colonials Gold
Jaxton Majcher #17 Valley Forge Colonials Gold
Tyler Shearn #8 Grundy Senators Gold
G – Gianna Raggio #35 Philadelphia Blazers
14U A Gretzky Gold
Michael Pandiscia #28 North Jersey Skylands Kings Navy
Cody Sutton #7 North Jersey Skylands Kings Navy
Christopher Rhinehart #75 Wissahickon Warriors Red
Kellen Warman #87 Wissahickon Warriors Red
Rocco Chaudhury #74 Maryland Jr. Black Bears Red
G – Mason Giordano #38 North Jersey Skylands Kings Navy
14U A Gretzky Silver
Colin Garcia #18 Igloo Jaguars
Nicholas Leone #6 Lancaster Firebirds Black
Chase Francis #4 Haverford Hawks Mckay
Cooper Moritzen #8 Lancaster Firebirds Black
Michael Cascella #19 Igloo Jaguars
G – Tyler Davis #29 Igloo Jaguars
14U A Lemieux Championship
Mason Macera #66 Frederick Freeze LA
Seth Ogden #25 Frederick Freeze LA
William Campbell #19 MYHA LA Gold
Patrick Lunsford #68 Wissahickon Warriors White
Cole Sullivan #8 Wissahickon Warriors White
G – Carl Borge #70 Frederick Freeze LA
14U A Lemieux Gold
Ryan Stickel #99 Haverford Hawks Dinmore
Gavin McCarty #87 Haverford Hawks Dinmore
Konrad Finnin #58 Team Philadelphia
Joseph Pizzino #13 Team Philadelphia
Robert Young #20 North Jersey Sportscare Kings Yellow
G – Keith Mclaughlin #33 Team Philadelphia
14U A Lemieux Silver
Jeffrey Potter #11 York Devils
Gavin Schatt #9 York Devils
Alexander Nguyen #88 Southern Maryland Sabres Gold
Josiah Pape #5 Southern Maryland Sabres Gold
John Colonna #11 North Jersey Avalanche Gold
G – Cameron Strausbaugh #33 York Devils
14U A Lemieux Bronze
Bryce Haas #43 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Matthew Tomcics #91 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Olof Hunnius #44 The St. James White
Blake Barton #39 Maryland Jr. Black Bears
Jacob Katz #98 The St. James White
G – Aiden Kortbawi #23 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
14U B Championship
Micah Venezie #88 Frederick Freeze
Deaclan Malseed #86 Frederick Freeze
Chaitan Altevogt #74 MYHA Blue
Mason Boucher #10 MYHA Blue
Brooks Angelo #79 Team Philadelphia
G – Aleksey Apgar #36 Frederick Freeze
14U B Gold
Jade Irvin #11 Palmyra Black Knights
Kilm Belko #65 Grundy Senators
Brandon Wooldridge #43 Wissahickon Warriors
Troy Hamilton #62 Grundy Senators
Dimitri Woodall #90 Palmyra Black Knights
G – Gavin Shoemaker #33 Grundy Senators
14U B Silver
Scott Sabarese #91 Igloo Jaguars
Nicholas Smith #7 Igloo Jaguars
Kurt Himstedt #4 Hollydell Hurricanes
Alexander Cramer #24 Hollydell Hurricanes
Noah Holschwander #11 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
G – Ashley Carey #15 Igloo Jaguars
Congratulations to all our AHF Playoffs Weekend 2 Champions!!
Mite AAA Championship: LI Monarchs
Mite AAA Gold: CT Oil Kings
Mite Add On Championship: Ashburn Rebels
Mite Add On Gold: Metro Knights
Mite Add On Silver: West Chester Wolverines
10U A Gretzky Championship: York Devils
10U A Gretzky Gold: The St. James
10U A Gretzky Silver: Long Island Rebels
10U A Lemieux Championship: SportsCare Kings
10U A Lemieux Gold: Rockets
10U A Lemieux Silver: MYHA
10U A Lemieux Bronze: NJ Avalanche
12U A Gretzky Championship: Southern Maryland Sabres
12U A Gretzky Gold: Jr. Flyers
12U A Gretzky Silver: Royals
12U A Gretzky Bronze: Delaware Ducks
12U A Lemieux Championship: SportsCare Kings
12U A Lemieux Gold: Valley Forge Colonials
12U A Lemieux Silver: Wissahickon Warriors
14U A Gretzky Championship: Philadelphia Blazers
14U A Gretzky Gold: Skylands Kings
14U A Gretzky Silver: Igloo Jaguars
14U A Lemieux Championship: Frederick Freeze
14U A Lemieux Gold: Team Philadelphia
14U A Lemieux Silver: York Devils
14U A Lemieux Bronze: Lehigh Valley Phantoms
10U B Championship: Jersey Shore Wildcats
10U B Gold: Hollydell Hurricanes
10U B Silver: Royals
10U B Bronze: Valley Forge Colonials
12U B Championship: Royals
12U B Gold: NJ Bandits
12U B Silver: Hollydell Hurricanes
14U B Championship: Frederick Freeze
14U B Gold: Grundy Senators
14U B Silver: Igloo Jaguars
Congratulations to our 2023 AHF Playoffs Weekend 1 All Tournament Teams! These teams showcase top performers from the past weekend.
10U AA Championship
F – Ryan King #2 Ashburn Xtreme
F – Bryce Holzer #97 Team Philadelphia
F – Joseph Nicoletti #86 Philadelphia Blazers
D – Xristo Vera #98 Ashburn Xtreme
D – Adam Hall #92 Team Philadelphia
G – Jason Strickland #4 Ashburn Xtreme
10U AA Gold
F – James O’Connor #83 Long Island Rebels
– Brody Wilkins #88 St. James
F – Daniel Jones #18 Wissahickon Warriors
D – Justin Mezzasalma #9 Long Island Rebels
D – Ziyad Abutaa #35 St. James
G – Nolan Binsol #21 Long Island Rebels
10U AA Silver
F – Xavier Araujo #45 Hollydell Hurricanes
– Zach Schehr #97 NJ Stars Black
F – Sam Trieskey #86 Palmyra Black Knights
D – Collins Marchese #24 Hollydell Hurricanes
– Noah Henriques #7 NJ Stars Black
G – Hannah Albany #79 Hollydell Hurricanes
13U AA Championship
F – Tyler Reillo #28 Igloo Jaguars
F – Dylan Swon #11 Rockets HC Black
F – Braxton Menkiti #42 MYHA Gold
D – Andrew Krott #17 Igloo Jaguars
D – Charlie Berry #9 Rockets HC Black
G – Jaxen Carr #30 Igloo Jaguars
13U AA Gold
– Michael Sudia #33 NJ Stars
– Robert Lynn #17 Team Philadelphia
– Finnegan Gatta #36 Team Philadelphia
– Philip Revzin #79 NJ Stars
– Tyler Strzelecki #28 Long Island Rebels
G – Laith Ramadan #30 NJ Stars
14U AA Championship
F – Jake Lauterstein #16 Ashburn Xtreme
F – Tristan Maccormick #8 Ashburn Xtreme
F – Zachary Rose #10 Valley Forge Colonials
D – Anthony Marzzacco #14 Valley Forge Colonials
– Chase McGraw #17 York Devils
G – Carson Ramsey #25 Ashburn Xtreme
14U AA Gold
F – Joseph Clifford IV #86 Haverford Hawks
F – Evan Pierri #24 NJ Bandits
F – Ben Peruto #96 Team Philadelphia
D – Connor Haines #14 Haverford Hawks
D – Brady Driesse #2 NJ Bandits
G – Grant Gale #6 Haverford Hawks
14U AA Silver
F – Brennan Ward #8 Rockets Black
F – Michael Tighe #76 Rockets Black
F – Caiden Marcus #61 PAL Blue Knights
D – Joseph Villani #4 PAL Blue Knights
D – Oliver Curtis #11 MYHA
G – Ethan Nau #31 Rockets Black
15U AA Championship
F – Connor Davis #97 Delaware Ducks
F – Daniel Garvin #81 Delaware Ducks
F – Anthony Scorcia #16 Long Island Rebels
D – Aiden Daneker #74 Delaware Ducks
D – Brandon Reader #91 Long Island Rebels
G – Aiden Mott #31 Delaware Ducks
16U AA Championship
F – Kenneth Gottman #45 Team Philadelphia Black
F – Aiden Horan #74 Ashburn Xtreme
F – Thomas Konkowski #17 PAL Jr. Islanders
D – Tobias Myers #24 Team Philadelphia Black
D – Aiden Harrison #77 Ashburn Xtreme
G – Shahzad Buduc #31 Team Philadelphia Black
16U AA Gold
F – John McCormick #13 Long Island Rebels
F – Chase Gittens #86 Igloo Jaguars
F – Daniel Pearson #21 Igloo Jaguars
D – Lawrence Lena #7 Long Island Rebels
D – Shane Corson #91 Jersey Shore Wildcats
G – Shane Kirby #40 Long Island Rebels
16U AA Silver
F – Dale Mackay #16 Valley Forge Colonials
F – Connor Keeley #58 Tomorrow’s Ice
F – Daniel McCullion #43 Philadelphia Blazers
D – Christian Rosone #72 Valley Forge Colonials
D – Cooper Matalik #44 Tomorrow’s Ice
G – Colby Barley #29 Valley Forge Colonials
16U AA Bronze
F – Alex James #39 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
F – Justin Davis #1 Delaware Ducks
F – Aidan Lindgren #16 North Jersey Skyland Kings
D – Connor James #36 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
D – Tyler Syto #14 Delaware Ducks
G – Nathan Torres #30 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
16U A Gretzky Championship
F – Jack MaGill #8 Southern Maryland Sabres
F – David Branigan #25 Wissahickon Red
F – John Leone #2 Lancaster Firebirds
D – Nathan Kaufmann #23 Southern Maryland Sabres
D – Aimon Chandler #16 Wissahickon Red
G – Keegan Craft #77 Southern Maryland Sabres
16U A Gretzky Gold
F – Darren Caracci #11 Igloo Jaguars Black
F – Gavin Senko #25 MYHA UA
F – Ezra Bowen #35 Maryland Jr. Black Bears White
D – Ethan Bui #5 Igloo Jaguars Black
D – Mason Stults #17 MYHA UA
G – Mason Rosenbaum #35 Igloo Jaguars Black
16U A Gretzky Silver
F – Robert Gilbert #24 Royals Gold
F – Jonah Weston #77 Royals Gold
F – Mario Gato #23 Rockets Hockey Club
D – Michael Caratzola #18 Rockets Hockey Club
D – Francis Delucia #11 Philadelphia Blazers
G – Christopher Aichele #41 Rockets Hockey Club
16U A Lemieux Championship
F – Patrick Cohen #11 Team Philadelphia
F – Brady Mercante #25 Delaware Ducks
F – Alexander Kryukov #35 Ashburn Extreme
D – Ian Shannon #5 Team Philadelphia
D – Blake Ditalia #17 Delaware Ducks
G – Matt Cieslukowski #35 Team Philadelphia
16U A Lemieux Gold
F – Aiden Brooks #14 Wissahickon Warriors White
F – Liam Kelly #34 Wissahickon Warriors White
F – Thomas Perrotti Jr. #60 North Jersey Sportscare Kings
D – Griffin Warsaw #13 North Jersey Sportscare Kings
D – Timothy Overcash #11 MYHA LA
G – Jacob-Daniel Summerfield #81 Wissahickon Warriors White
16U A Lemieux Silver
F – Shaun Drover #77 Valley Forge Colonials
F – Timothy Williams #3 Maryland Jr. Black Bears Red
F – John Zubeck #27 Lancaster Firebirds Orange
D – Lucase Remick #12 Valley Forge Colonials
D – Jacob Elijah #58 Maryland Jr. Black Bears Red
G – Zachary Strunk #31 Valley Forge Colonials
18U AA Championship
F – Brady Baehser #8 Philadelphia Blazers
F – Landon Street #88 Ashburn Xtreme
F – Paul Allison #5 Ashburn Xtreme
D – Nathan Benz #33 Team Philadelphia
D – Nolan Geria #27 Philadelphia Blazers
G – Cory Hemberger #5 Philadelphia Blazers
18U AA Gold
F – Nicholas Fonseca #48 Igloo Jaguars Black
F – Ayden Greenberg #14 North Jersey Skylands Kings
F – Christian Pietromonaco #4 Metro Militia
D – Colton Weiss #8 Igloo Jaguars Black
D – Michael Piccinich #26 North Jersey Skylands Kings
G – Nolan Bonawitz #63 Igloo Jaguars Black
18U AA Silver
F – Vincent Squillacioti #86 Hollydell Hurricanes
F – Benjamin Falicki #81 Valley Forge Colonials
F – Bryce Derstine #26 Valley Forge Colonials
D – Sabatino Dibenedetto #10 Hollydell Hurricanes
D – Austin Moleski #16 Haverford Hawks
G – Thomas Kennedy #31 Valley Forge Colonials
18U A Championship
F – Matt Flynn #68 Wissahickon Red
F – Alex Angress #88 Jersey Shore Wildcats
F – Matt Healy #28 North Jersey Sportscare Kings
D – Ryan Jasudowich #14 Wissahickon Red
D – Raymond Corneau #65 Jersey Shore Wildcats
G – Sam Nemec #63 Wissahickon Red
18U A Gold
F – Colin Walsh #24 Philadelphia Blazers
F – Adam Moskal #18 NJ Bandits
F – Declan Norton #20 NJ Bandits
D – Gavin Ammlung #44 Philadelphia Blazers
D – Zachary Divers #33 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
G – David Marcellino #31 Philadelphia Blazers
18U A Silver
F – Samuel Abramson #96 Maryland Jr. Black Bears White
F – Trent Keenan #48 Delaware Ducks
F – Eric Scheleur #90 Maryland Jr. Black Bears White
D – Johnathan Garvin #21 Delaware Ducks
D – Evan Anzilotti #96 Wissahickon Warriors White
G – Zachary Keenan #35 Delaware Ducks
Final KRACH Rankings and Playoff Qualifiers have been finalized for all divisions. The number of Subdivisions is based on the size of the divisions (A1/A2 treated separately). Top 4 teams in each division make the playoffs for the division.
- Less than 10 teams – 1 division (no subdivisions)
- Teams ranked 1-4 play in the Championship
- 11-14 Teams- 2 Subdivisions
- Teams ranked 5-8 play in the Gold
- 15-26 teams: 3 Subdivisions
- Teams ranked 9-12 play in the Silver
- 27+ Teams: 4 Subdivisions
- Teams ranked 13-16 play in the Bronze
Will your team be the next to raise the AHF banner and call yourselves CHAMPIONS?
Click here to view Playoff Qualifiers. The final schedule for this weekend will be made available on the website later today.
Congratulations to all our AHF Playoffs Weekend 1 Champions!!
10U AA Championship: Ashburn Xtreme
10U AA Gold: Long Island Rebels
10U AA Silver: Hollydell Hurricanes
13U AA Championship: Igloo Jaguars
13U AA Gold: NJ Stars
14U AA Championship: Ashburn Xtreme
14U AA Gold: Haverford Hawks
14U AA Silver: Rockets
15U AA Championship: Delaware Ducks
16U AA Championship: Team Philadelphia
16U AA Gold: Long Island Rebels
16U AA Silver: Valley Forge Colonials
16U AA Bronze: Lehigh Valley Phantoms
16U A Gretzky Championship: Southern Maryland Sabres
16U A Gretzky Gold: Igloo Jaguars
16U A Gretzky Silver: Rockets
16U A Lemieux Championship: Team Philadelphia
16U A Lemieux Gold: Wissahickon Warriors
16U A Lemieux Silver: Valley Forge Colonials
18U AA Championship: Philadelphia Blazers
18U AA Gold: Igloo Jaguars
18U AA Silver: Valley Forge Colonials
18U A Championship: Wissahickon Warriors
18U A Gold: Philadelphia Blazers
18U A Silver: Delaware Ducks
What is it? – KRACH is short for “Ken’s Rating for American College Hockey.” Ken is Ken Butler, a statistician, and the mathematical model he used is known as the Bradley-Terry Rating System.
- The KRACH rating system is an attempt to combine the performance of each team with the strength of the opposition against which that performance was achieved, and to summarize the result as one number, a “rating”, for each team. The higher the rating, the better the team.
- KRACH accounts for strength-of-schedule (SOS) as it ranks the teams.
- KRACH is calculated purely from the results(win/loss/tie) and does not use goals scored or goal differential like myhockeyrankings.
- Overtime wins count as wins.
Why we use it rather than points? – KRACH ratings are used instead of traditional points for the following reason:
- Teams play an unbalanced schedule, teams will not play all the teams in teams’ age division
- Teams that play a more difficult schedule would be unfairly punished in the traditional points-based standings
- KRACH does not put greater emphasis on blowing out teams like myhockeyrankings
- The AHF offers 2 season structures, full-season and partial season. Using KRACH rather than points earned will allow for fair rankings such that teams playing fewer games are fairly measured within their division
What is the process for the Federations – The KRACH algorithm is written in python and consists of a data organization routine and an iterative strength of schedule solver.
- The algorithm takes the Team win loss data from an excel file output by the GameSheet online scoring platform used to store game data.
- This data is then organized by division using tags provided by GameSheet.
- This divisional data is then organized into pairwise comparisons based on wins and losses to feed into the solver.
- The pairwise team input can be visualized as a matrix with each time represented as a row and wins against other teams in the columns.
| Team A | Team B | Team C | Team D | |
| Team A | – | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Team B | 3 | – | 5 | 0 |
| Team C | 0 | 3 | – | 1 |
| Team D | 4 | 0 | 3 | – |
The solver utilizes a Bradley-Terry model to solve for rankings (P) using the paired comparisons. Pairwise means that given a pair of teams i and j drawn from a population P the algorithm estimates the probability that team i will win over team j:
To get to this probability an iterative algorithm with “regularization scheme” and pairwise team win records are used. Per the CHN a logistic regression is used as the solver of the iterative algorithm. The regularization scheme used is an ‘alpha value,’ a regularization scheme so that the solver does not go to infinity when teams have zero wins. The alpha value is 0.85 for every team input as a win against a ‘Dummy Team’. This is because you cannot have zero as the numerator.
The solver then initiates a ranking of 1 for every team, then solves the following equation for each team. The ellipses (…) at the end of the equation represents the sub formula for Team A (Tm A) against Teams C and D.
P Tm A = Total Wins Tm A / ( Sum ( (Losses Tm A vs. Tm B) / (P Tm A + P Tm B), …)
The new P values for each team are calculated using the existing P values as shown above for Team A. These values replace the 1s used to initiate the algorithm. The same calculations are conducted on the new P values for the next iteration of the algorithm. This is repeated 200 times or until the difference of P values between iterations is less than 0.00001. The output (P) is then scaled by 10,000 to make the results all over 1. The iterative nature of the algorithm allows for the strength of schedule to be taken into account automatically without any initial rankings. Thus, no initial rankings are made by hand and no favoritism is possible. Strength of schedule is included in the calculated P value by including the P values of all teams played while calculating each team.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley%E2%80%93Terry_model
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/info/?d=krach
https://github.com/bjlkeng/Bradley-Terry-Model/blob/master/update_model.py
The Atlantic Hockey Federation is excited to announce that they will be fielding minor AA divisions next season for both 9U (2014’s) and 11U (2012’s).
The vision for the AHF is that organizations will be able to have birth year AA teams at every age level. This makes the ladder of development easier within the AHF and players can stay on the Tier II / AA track as they age up in the development model.
The Atlantic Hockey Federation (AHF) is a USA Hockey Sanctioned Elite Tier-II Youth Hockey League that facilitates games throughout the U.S. for its club members and families. The AHF provides high-quality league games and showcases for over 600 teams in the Mid-Atlantic uniquely catering to its member-owned clubs. The AHF currently fields youth hockey programs at AA, A, and B divisions for the following age groups: the 8U AAA Full Ice, 8U Half Ice, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 14U, 15U/16U, and 18U age levels. The AHF is truly a unique opportunity as each of the Founders and Member clubs operate at all levels of the youth and junior hockey spectrum from Mite to Midget at the youth level and from Tier III juniors all the way up to Tier I juniors in the USHL. If you are looking for value and exposure to play college hockey, the AHF is also for you.