The Eastern Hockey League is currently preparing for its 4th season, and a clean slate for the two-division, 35-team league. This upcoming year there will be 17 teams in the Premier Division, to go along with 16 teams in the Elite Division. While winning is always preferred over losing, the goal of the EHL teams remains the same, “get the kids to college.”

    The EHL continues to lead all Tier III leagues in direct-to-college advancement, and this is shown in the percentage of our players that make their commitments while playing in the EHL. Our teams pride themselves on the fact that all 144 EHL alumni who were NCAA Division I, II or III freshman in 2015-16, earned their commitment while playing in the EHL. Every single one of those 144 student-athletes were looking for a NCAA roster spot when they signed with their EHL team, and they got one.

    The EHL is sending players to all three levels of the NCAA, and all the difference conferences at each level. Take the Hockey East as an example, this past season the EHL had six players make their commitments to one of the top conferences in college hockey, and this is something that the league is extremely proud of.

    The success can also be seen in the 17 EHL alumni who competed in the Division III Frozen Four in Lake Placid. From Division I, to II, to III, the EHL is moving the highest percentage of players to college, and this remains the main goal of the Eastern Hockey League.

    “What makes the EHL so successful in fulfilling its mission statement, is that the owners provide their coaches with the tools, the facilities, and the mandate to develop not only hockey players, but great citizens,” says commissioner Mark Kumpel. “Working with the players and the college coaches to find the correct fit both academically and athletically starts the moment our players and programs make a commitment to each other.”