2019 - 2020 Elite Playoffs
2020 USPHL Elite Playoff Pairings and Times
North Division
Junior Bruins at Northern Cyclones
All games played at Cyclones Arena
Thurs., Feb. 27: 2 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 28: 4 p.m. (Time Change)
(if necessary), Sat., Feb. 29: 12 p.m.
Boston Bandits at Springfield Pics
All games at Olympia Ice Center
Thurs., Feb. 27: 8 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 28: 8:30 p.m.
(if necessary) Mon., March 2: 1:30 p.m.
Mid-Atlantic Division
New York Aviators at Rockets Hockey Club
All games played at Bridgewater (N.J.) Sports Arena
Fri., Feb. 28: 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 29: 1 p.m.
(if necessary): Sun., March 1: 1 p.m.
Southeast Division
All games played at SkateNation Plus
Hampton Roads Whalers vs. Richmond Generals
Sat., Feb. 29: 12 p.m.
Sun., March 1: 12 p.m.
(if necessary) Mon., March 2: 9 a.m.
Carolina Jr. Hurricanes vs. Charlotte Rush
Sat., Feb. 29: 9 a.m.
Sun., March 1: 9 a.m.
(if necessary) Mon., March 2: 12 p.m.
Florida Division
All games played at Fort Myers Skatium
Charleston Colonials vs. Florida Eels
Sat., Feb. 29: 9 a.m.
Sun., March 1: 12 p.m.
(if necessary) Mon., March 2: 9 a.m.
Atlanta MadHatters vs. Tampa Bay Juniors
Sat., Feb. 29: 12 p.m.
Sun., March 1: 9 a.m.
(if necessary) Mon., March 2: 12 p.m.
Daily Available Ice Slots for Premier and Elite Nationals
March 12th - 14th, 2020 (12 ice slots daily)
| Time | Rink | Time | Rink |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Lawler | 8:00 a.m. | Gallant |
| 10:30 a.m. | Lawler | 10:30 a.m. | Gallant |
| 1:00 p.m. | Lawler | 1:00 p.m. | Gallant |
| 3:30 p.m. | Lawler | 3:30 p.m. | Gallant |
| 6:00 p.m. | Lawler | 6:00 p.m. | Gallant |
| 8:30 p.m. | Lawler | 8:30 p.m. | Gallant |
March 15th - March 16th, 2020
March 15, 2020 - Elite Semi-Finals:
Time: 9:30 a.m. Gallant Rink
Time: 12:00 p.m. Gallant Rink
March 16, 2020 - Elite Finals:
Time: 10:00 a.m.
National Championships Hotels
Marriott Hotels:
The Andover Spring Hill Suites Rate $114 per night (includes breakfast)
Marriott Courtyard is $110 (no breakfast)
Book your group rate for USPHL Hockey Premier & Elite
Holiday Inn Express: (includes breakfast)
Holiday Inn Express March Link
Holiday Inn Tewksbury:
2019 - 2020 USPHL Elite Playoff Format And Eligibility
Each team’s playoff roster must be declared on January 22, 2020
North Conference
All 4 teams make the playoffs:
Higher seed maintains home ice.
Semifinals: Best-of-3 Series
Week ending March 1, 2020
- No. 1 hosts No. 4
- No. 2 hosts No. 3
- Winners advance to the Finals (Merrimack). March 12-16, 2020
Mid-Atlantic Conference:
All 3 teams make the playoffs:
Higher seed maintains home ice.
Semifinals: Best-of-3 Series
Week ending March 1, 2020
- No. 1 receives a bye to the Finals (Merrimack)
- No. 2 hosts No. 3, Winner advance to the Finals (Merrimack). March 12-16, 2020
Florida and Southeast Conferences
Top 4 teams make the playoffs:
Higher seed receives home ice advantage
Semifinals: Best-of-3 Series
Week ending March 1, 2020
- No. 1 hosts No. 4
- No. 2 hosts No. 3
- Winners advance to the Finals (Merrimack). March 12-16, 2020
In the Florida Conference all games will be played at Fort Myers Skatium
In the Southeast Conference, all games will be played at Skate Nation Plus (Glen Allen, VA)
Elite Finals (March 12-16, 2020)
Merrimack Athletics Complex, North Andover, Mass.
Round Robin (March 12-14)
8-Team Format
2 Round Robin Brackets of 4 teams each. Brackets are:
Elite A…South East #1, Florida #2, Mid Atlantic #1, North #2
Elite B…South East #2, Florida #1, Mid Atlantic #2, North #1
Teams to be seeded 1 through 4 based on League Tiebreakers.
Bracket winners and 1st runners-up advance to the Semifinal round on March 15
Bracket A winner hosts Bracket B runner up
Bracket B winner hosts Bracket A runner up
Two Winners advance to the Championship Game on March 16
ALL SEMI FINAL AND FINAL GAMES WILL BE PLAYED 5-on 5 UNTIL A WINNER IS DETERMINED. (20-minute Sudden Death Overtime format).
ALL ROUND ROBIN GAMES WILL BE PLAYED 5-on-5 (Single 5-minute Sudden Death Overtime format). GAMES CAN END IN A TIE. No Shootout.
BREAKING TIES: In all Divisions, when standings are required to determine eligibility or placement, the following shall be the order considered:
i. Most Points
ii. Most points achieved Head to Head
iii. Most wins
iv. Goals for minus goals against
v. Lowest penalty minutes
vi. Coin Toss
Richmond Generals win 2019 USPHL Elite Championship
Read the full story by clicking on the photo!
2019 Elite Championship Game Recap Video
2019 Elite Playoffs Matchups
The Elite National playoff pools will be as follows:
GROUP A: Richmond Generals and Northern Cyclones Advance
Florida Eels, New Jersey Hitmen, Richmond Generals, Northern Cyclones
GROUP B: Hampton Roads Whalers and Tampa Bay Juniors Advance.
New York Aviators, Tampa Bay Juniors, Hampton Roads Whalers, New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs
Second round
Islanders Hockey Club @ New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs
Thursday, Feb. 28: 4-2 Monarchs (1-0 series lead)
Saturday, March 2: 4-1 Monarchs (2-0 series win)
Boston Bandits @ Northern Cyclones
Thursday, Feb. 28: 7-1 Cyclones (1-0 series lead)
Friday, March 1: 5-4 OT Cyclones (2-0 series win)
First round
Springfield Pics @ Boston Bandits
Wednesday, Feb. 20: 8-4 Bandits (1-0 series lead)
Thursday, Feb. 21: 8-3 Bandits (2-0, Bandits win series)
Junior Bruins @ Islanders Hockey Club
Friday, Feb. 22: 8-7 Bruins (1-0 Bruins series lead)
Saturday, Feb. 23: 9-5 Islanders (1-1 series tie)
Sunday, Feb. 24: 3-1 Islanders (2-1 Islanders series win)
Florida Division
Florida Jr. Blades @ Florida Eels
Friday, Feb. 22: 7-2 Eels (1-0 series lead)
Sunday, Feb. 24: 5-1 Eels (2-0 series win)
Mid-Atlantic Division
New York Aviators @ New Jersey Rockets
Friday, Feb. 22: 2-1 Rockets (1-0 series lead)
Saturday, Feb. 23: 7-2 Aviators (1-1 series tie)
Sunday, Feb. 24: 3-2 Aviators (2-1 Aviators series win)
Southeast Division
Atlanta Jr. Kings @ Richmond Generals
Saturday, Feb. 23: 3-0 Generals (1-0 series lead)
Sunday, Feb. 24: 4-0 Generals (2-0 series win)
Charlotte Rush @ Hampton Roads Whalers
Saturday, Feb. 23: 2-1 Whalers (1-0 series lead)
Sunday, Feb. 24: 3-2 Whalers (2-0 series lead)
2018: Hampton Roads Whalers Win Championship Game In OT
Latest Elite News
Job Opening: United States Premier Hockey League Seeks Commissioner
The Commissioner agrees to use their best efforts to promote the interests of the United States Premier Hockey League (“USPHL”) and to devote substantially all their time, energies and skill to the business and affairs of the USPHL. The Commissioner is responsible for the general supervision and direction of all business and related affairs of the USPHL and will report to the Executive Committee on a weekly basis and periodically to the league’s Board of Directors.
This person must possess the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects, anticipate event needs, discern work priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision. Experience within the sports industry is preferred to understand the way leagues/tournaments work. This position will require travel within the United States, including weekends.
By way of illustration and not in limitation of authority, the Commissioner shall be authorized to undertake the following:
- Oversee all league staff and the day to day business of the league
- Provide strategic planning and vision to help advance and promote the USPHL and its Board of Directors’ business
- Develop and maintain key league relationships including USA Hockey
- Maintain the USPHL’s website
- Develop and oversee the USPHL’s budget
- Enforce league rules and bylaws as outlined in the USPHL Constitution
- Develop a schedule for exhibition, regular season, championship, and playoff games
- Develop and enforce the playing rules for the conduct and administration of all games, including prosecution of disciplinary offenses
- Develop and execute on an advertising and marketing strategy, including a website, for the USPHL
- Make special rules for any category or age division or for exhibition, regular season, championship and playoff games, and tournaments
Salary and benefits are competitive and will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s experience. If interested, please send your cover letter and resume to Richard@USPHL.com.
Longtime Rush Player, Elite Captain Strickler Commits To NCAA Arcadia University
The Charlotte Rush are extremely happy to announce the first NCAA commitment of the 2020-2021 season. Longtime Rush player and 2019-20 Elite Captain Lunden Strickler has committed to Arcadia University for the fall of 2021.
“Lunden has spent his entire junior career with us. He is the absolute epitome of what the Rush is all about. He developed at the Elite level and has become a leader who brings everything he has every day.”
Strickler is a 2000-born Wernersville, Pa., resident who began playing with the Rush in the 2016-17 season.
"Lunden has been with us since I started in Charlotte and to see him earn this commitment is a really special moment for us here. He will be a major part of the [Arcadia] program next season and we will look to him for his leadership and work ethic. Arcadia is getting an incredible person on and off the ice and I have no doubt he will help Coach [Vincent] Pietrangelo build the program and culture he is looking for. I couldn’t be happier for Lunden, his family and the Arcadia University community,” said Rush Head Coach Trevor Jewell.
“I know Lunden will bring some veteran leadership to our group, after being a leader for the Charlotte Rush for the past four years. He always plays hard and is that kind of player you love to have on your team, but hate playing against. His style of play, leadership and work ethic will make him extremely valuable at the NCAA level. I couldn’t be happier to have Lunden join us and help build something special at Arcadia,” added Arcadia Head Coach Vinny Pietrangelo.
Happy Fourth Of July. We hope all Americans enjoy their day and appreciate our Independence!
The United States Premier Hockey League is excited to announce that more than 300 players have committed to NCAA institutions since June of 2019.
These players have come from Junior and Midget divisions of the USPHL, with well over 50 players committing to NCAA Division I institutions, the greatest number coming from our top junior division, the Tier-2, Tuition-Free National Collegiate Development Conference.
To see the full list of NCAA commitments (as well as commitments to ACHA and other institutions), visit USPHL.com/collegecommits!
The Florida Eels Announce its 257th College Commitment: Dylan Tschabold to Concordia University Wisconsin ACHA Division II
Tschabold 6’2 180 LBS defensemen from Switzerland has been with the Eels since 2013 when he joined the Eels youth program as a bantam. He later played midget for the Eels and subsequently joined the Eels Junior program 2016-17. He played one season on the USP3 team and 3 seasons on the Eels Elite team.
He defined what it is like playing as an Eel. He was one of our most loyal and dedicated players. A consummate Eel. He was an example of the Eels player development model, having played as a youth player moving up to from bantam to midgets and then advanced to juniors.
Dylan is a high character young man. He was selected as Assistant Captain last season for the Eels Elite team and no doubt through his leadership he help lead his team to a first-place finish at the end of the season and win their USPHL Florida Division Regular Season Championship. His previous year he helped his team win the Florida Division playoffs and advanced to Nationals.
He was very determined to improve his skills. He came early every day, stayed after practice shooting 100+ pucks a day and all to improve his skill set and reach his ultimate goal to play college hockey – which he now realized. He has committed to Concordia University Wisconsin ACHA Division 2 Hockey. We are very proud of him. It is not easy to come from a foreign country like Dylan did. He came here from Switzerland and attended an American high school – Hibernian Private School and worked really hard to reach his lifelong dream. Last year he attended Hodges University in Fort Myers to prepare him for his next step.
Dylan will join several other Florida Eels alumni who are currently enrolled at CUW and play for the ACHA team. Sean Doyle and Connor Doyle. CUW was also the home of Premier Head Coach Frank Scarpaci who played for their NCAA Division III team along with Eels alumni Jari Sanders (Former Captain for CUW) NCAA Division III and Eels alumni Joel Stevenson who also played for their NCAA Division III team. CUW is also the home of Eels alumni Vyctoria Smith. Dylan makes number 7 for Eels alumni who attend CUW. We wish Dylan the best in his future.
USPHL Postpones NCDC Detroit Combine To July 30-31 in Fraser, Michigan
The United States Premier Hockey League has announced that the 2020 NCDC Detroit Combine has been postponed by just over a month to July 30-31, but still remaining at Fraser Hockeyland in Fraser, Mich. This announcement has been made due to Michigan state restrictions on the opening of ice rink facilities. All those registered for the NCDC Detroit Combine remain registered for the new dates. There will be guaranteed attendance by at least six National Collegiate Development Conference teams.
A schedule will be posted at least two weeks prior to the event, as well as Health Guidelines and Protocols, with team assignments being sent one week prior to the start of the event.