The Buffalo Hornets have purchased a franchise in the newNational College Prospects Hockey League which will begin play in the fall. The NCPHL was formed by the National Junior Prospects Hockey League Commissioner Bob Black to serve as a Junior path from which his leagues Midget players could advance to. The NCPHL will be sanctioned under the AAU and will be affiliated with the Tier 2 Junior A Western States Hockey League.
The NCPHL will begin play in October over the Columbus Weekend with a league wide Showcase at Holiday Twin Rinks. Current league members along with the Hornets are: Altoona Rail; Niagara Falls Red Cats; Monroeville Mallers; Pittsburgh Royal Travelers; and Rochester Rebels. There will be an announcement shortly adding at least 2 other teams to the league. Each team will compete in a 40-44 game schedule and will be a part of theWestern States Hockey League Annual Showcase in December in Las Vegas.
Buffalo Hornets Hockey LLC will own and operate the franchise out of Holiday Twin Rinks and will serve as an advancement opportunity for the Buffalo Stars Full Season Midget Program. James Doersam, current Head Coach of the University at Buffalo Division 3 Men’s Club team has been named as Head Coach of the Buffalo Hornets Tier 3 Junior A squad. Prior to joining UB, James served as Assistant Coach at the University of Iowa.
Buffalo Hornets President and General Manager Pete Preteroti is excited to be back in the business of Junior Hockey. “I regretted selling my Empire and Junior Franchises” said Preteroti “so I am happy to be back involved. I could not refuse when Bob Black offered me this opportunity. “I jumped on it” “The best part is that we will not be limited by the USA Hockey restrictions. This is an OPEN league which will allow us an opportunity to attract Canadian and European Players without any limits”. Preteroti will also serve as Deputy Commissioner and Executive Vice President of the new league.
The new league website and Buffalo Hornets website will be unveiled shortly as the league footprint is finalized.
The Hornets will conduct an initial Pre Tryout Evaluation Skate at Holiday Twin Rinks on Monday, April 4th from 3-5pm. The Hornets will also conduct the first of several Tryout Camps the weekend ofApril 9-10 at Holiday. Details on these Camps will be announced within the next few days.
The Hornets Management will also participate in the NTC Showcase event in Toronto starting Monday.
The Hornets will conduct conditioning skates in August and will have a full Training Camp in September. The season begins Columbus Weekend with the league wide Showcase at Holiday Rinks.
The first event for the new league will be the NCPHL Scouting Combine to be held at Niagara University March 31-April 3. Details and registration can be found at this link:http://www.ncphl.com/index.php/events/ncphl-scouting-combine
The Combine will be limited to 150 participants and will include both on and off ice testing, 4 games per team and seminars on NCAA eligibility. You can also contact Commissioner Black at: 724-272-3206.
For more information about the Buffalo Hornets contact Pete Preteroti at 716-491-0375.
