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VJW '97 Elites Enjoy Impressive Spring Hockey Festival Performance
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The VJW '97 Elites are coming off a 2010-2011 season in which they won the NEHL Championship title and were ranked 10th in the nation.
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While most youngsters are finishing school and looking forward to the lazy summer days ahead, many of the members of the VJW ’97 Elites team have been busy competing alongside the nation’s top talent.
It all began back in April when the Massachusetts Hockey Festival was held at five locations across the state. Approximately 180 players from the Bay State took part and only 60 players and eight goalies were selected to compete in a four-team festival in Marlborough. A remarkable 13 players from the Warriors squad were selected for that honor.
Included in that list were - Ryan McDonough, Noah Hanifin, Harrison Markell, Jake McKenelley, Eric MacAdams, Zach Mirageas, Casey Fitzgerald, George Sennott, Brent Hill, Cam Askew, Ryan Lacroix, Kevin Silk and netminder David Giunta.
Following that four-game festival, two All-Star teams were chosen and 11
Warriors to participate in the May All Star Game. Congratulations to
the following Festival “All Stars” - Ryan McDonough, Noah Hanifin, Eric MacAdams, Zach Mirageas, Casey Fitzgerald, George Sennott, Brent Hill, Cam Askew, David Giunta, Kevin Silk and netminder Ryan Lacroix.
Capping off the two-month festival, only 15 players and one goalie were
selected to compete this July at the National Camp in Rochester (NY).
Warrior players who will pack their bags for that special trip are
forwards Cam Askew, Zach Mirageas, defensemen Casey Fitzgerald and Noah Hanifin and goaltender Ryan Lacroix.
“This is a great opportunity for these players to compete at the national level,” said Steve MacAdams,
the VJW director of program development who is also the head coach of
the ’97 Elites team. “The competition will give them the opportunity to
measure themselves against other top players, gain knowledge their
development and to be exposed to outstanding coaching.”
Each summer USA Hockey conducts these Select Player Development Camps
for young athletes from throughout the country. The goal is to attract
the best players, in their specific age group, to our national program.
Throughout the process, these players are evaluated by the USA Hockey
national scouting program, college and junior recruiters and
professional scouts.
These players were part of a core group of players who have been a part
of a ’97 Elite team that has enjoyed two years of unparalled success.
Over the past two seasons, the Warriors have have established themselves
as one of the top teams in the nation.
During that time span, the Warriors have posted 116 wins, 18 losses and
three ties. Last fall, the team finished the season ranked No. 11 in the
nation after capturing the Massachusetts State Championship title and
finishing third at USA Hockey Nationals.
This past season and was simply dominating in New England Hockey League
(NEHL) play. They finished with a division-leading 25-4-1 record and are
ranked No. 10 in the nation according to www.myhockeyrankings.com.
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