July 27, 2016

New Haven, Conn., - The East Coast Elite League (ECEL) has announced that Newbridge Academy (Nova Scotia, CAN) 16U team and 18U team have been accepted as new members of the ECEL for the 2016-17 season.

This is the latest and final announcement of the ECEL line-up of teams for the 2016-17 season. The current membership stands at 12 different organizations and 21 teams. A 2016-17 ECEL event schedule has been also announced.

“We are excited about expansion of strong teams into the ECEL this upcoming season,” stated ECEL Co-founder Peter Alden. “Newbridge Academy’s location and history of talented players, adds strength to the league and diversity to our line-up of teams.”

Newbridge Program Director, Paddy Flynn, said “Joining the ECEL is a great opportunity for our young program.  Newbridge Academy has been quickly evolving since launching our varsity program for the 2015-2016 season. This is a great opportunity to help our growth in providing an option for families to have an opportunity for great exposure to NCAA programs. Furthermore, this also provides opportunities for exposure to junior programs in the United States.  In short, coupled with our Canadian schedule content, participation in the ECEL allows our program to showcase our players to Major Junior, USHL, Junior A, and the NCAA. The ECEL is a great addition to our schedule. Last year, our U16 & U18 teams were active members of the Prep School Hockey Federation (pshf.ca). Both programs had success, with the U18 team winning the league championship in February 2016. The experience gained and the competitive nature of the PSHF has elevated growth and profile of our school and hockey programming. We are pleased to announce that we will continue to be a member of the PSHF again this season.”

Newbridge Academy has been in operation for nine years. In that time, the school has helped produce many elite players such as:

·         Liam O’Brien NHL/AHL forward (Hershey Bears/Washington Capitals)

·         Evan Fitzpatrick, QMJHL goaltender (Sherbrooke Phoenix), 2016 NHL draft pick (St. Louis, 59th overall) and Team Canada U18 National Team member

·         Luke Green, QMJHL defenceman (Saint John Sea Dogs) 2016 NHL draft pick (Winnipeg Jets, 79th overall) and Team Canada U17 member

·         Matt Green, forward (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL)

·         Shaun Miller, forward (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL) –

·         Rowan O’Brien, goaltender (Gatineau Olympiques QMJHL/ Campbellton Tigers MHL)

·         Peter Diliberatore (QMJHL and USHL draft pick 2016), Quinnipiac University commit.

·         Logan Cash (QMJHL and USHL draft pick 2016) -Kyle Penney (QMJHL draft pick 2016)

·         Lucas Fitzpatrick (QMJHL draft pick 2016)

·         Dakota Lund-Cornish (QMJHL draft pick 2016)

“The Program has high hopes for the upcoming season. Our program goals are based deep into the development of ‘Excellence in Academics and Athletics’ and, in an overall sense, the development of the complete player and person.  From the hockey side of the program we are looking to provide the best opportunity for a players’ development which includes the development of a great schedule that allows our players to thrive under highly competitive situations such as the ECEL schedule.” – Paddy Flynn

Top returning players: Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Draft Picks:

·         Alec MacDonald (Chicoutimi Sagueneens) - Goaltender       

·         Mathieu Blanchard (Acadie-Bathurst Titan) – Forward

·         Oliver Troop (Quebec Remparts)

·         Matt Templeman (Moncton Wildcats)

Top Returning players: Maritime Hockey League Draft Picks:

·         Matt Duggan (Yarmouth Mariners) Defense

·         Alec Macdonald (Truro Bearcats) Goaltender

·         Sean Tobin (Yarmouth Mariners) Defense

·         Jackson Thomas (Yarmouth Mariners) Defense

Many of our other players have also received invites to various Major Junior and Jr A camps.

 “We are extremely excited about joining the ECEL.  Our program is looking forward to the competitiveness of playing in a league with excellent programs that all strive for excellence for their players.  We are committed to providing our own competitive edge to the league and becoming a supportive member looking to advance the league and our players.” ~Paddy Flynn, Newbridge Academy, Director of Varsity Hockey Programs.

 

For further information on Newbridge Academy please contact:

Paddy Flynn | Newbridge Academy Director of Varsity Hockey Programs

Contact: paddy.flynn@newbridgeacademy.ca (Cell) 902.789.4625  (Off) 902.252.3339 

(Web) newbridgeacademy.ca (Twitter) @NewbridgSchool