Recent North Conference News
Wolves Introduce Peak Performance Counseling
Off-Ice Expansion Starting this Fall
LACONIA, NH -- The New England Wolves, proud members of the Eastern Hockey League and the Eastern Hockey League Premier, have announced an expansion of their Off-Ice Coaching & Counseling sessions for the 2017-18 season. Dave Pollak, JD M.Ed, Professor MCIS, New England College & Adjunct Professor, Plymouth State University has been hired to lead the Wolves in their Off-Ice Coaching Curriculum.
"Dave has been working with students and athletes for the past dozen years in the Lakes Region. His passion is for helping people to achieve excellence by harnessing the power of neuroscience through self-awareness, mental preparation, and behavioral change," said Wolves head coach and general manager Andrew Trimble.
The Wolves "Peak Performance Counseling" will be a 16-week program designed to be sport-specific.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
• Set Goals
• Specify Metrics
• Identify Roadblocks
• Learn Skills
• Enhance Self-Control
• Build Mental Toughness and Confidence
• Become Better Players and Improve Team Cohesion
Each of sixteen 90-minute weekly sessions will involve visual study and/or engaging in a group or individual activity followed by a discussion. Homework consisting of individual or group work to consolidate learning will be expected to be completed and each participants progress will be tracked.
"It has been our focus since Day 1 to provide a complete picture of development to our athletes," said Trimble, noting the daily ice time, workouts, and video sessions each Wolves team gets. "Confidence and emotional well-being is as critical a component to development and is too often overlooked."
For more information on the Wolves Program check out the team's official website and/or E-Mail Andrew Trimble.
Arvanitis Commits to UMass Amherst
Express Alum Makes Division I Decision
WALPOLE, MA -- Bradley Arvanitis, an alum of the Walpole Express, has made his Division I commitment to UMass Amherst. The '97 netminder spent the 2015-16 season in the EHL with the Express Elite team, picking up 16 wins that year.
“Arvanitis played for Walpole Express, first for a midget team and then for the Elite Junior team headed by Cos Polino during the 2015-16 season,” said Express goalie coach Ed Kesell. “His season on Elite was up and down, but he stayed positive and worked continuously to improve both his technical and mental game.”
His growing confidence was clearly evident, prompting Clay Adams, former Express coach and current assistant coach for USHL’s Lincoln Stars, to invite Arvanitis to camp for the experience. Not expecting anything, but the opportunity to skate with some top players, Arvanitis went to camp with an open mind. There, he did more than just skate; he played well enough to open some eyes on both the coaching staff and among the ranks of the college scouts in attendance.
The result: he had a real shot at making the team out of camp.
That is, until an ill-timed knee injury – a meniscus tear suffered during a game on the last day of camp – knocked him out of contention.
But thanks to his amped up mental strength, Arvanitis didn’t lose his cool. After surgery and rehab Arvanitis and Kesell got back on the ice and back to work. “He worked tirelessly to get his game back to where it needed to be,” said Kesell.
Because by then the season was a third completed, the Express already had an established goalie – and it wasn’t Arvanitis. Fortunately, another team reached out and gave him a chance to play. The 6’2" Arvanitis played the rest of the 2016-17 season with the Coulee Region Chill of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).
One night he got the call many goalies dream about. “Brad’s road to Hockey East and UMass Amherst was certainly challenging, but worth the delays and the hardships,” said Kesell. “Everyone at the Walpole Express wishes him much success in his Division I collegiate career.”
Read the full commitment story on the official website of the Walpole Express, and check out the full list of 2017 NCAA Commitments.
The EHL and The EHLP
BOSTON, MA -- As the hockey calendar begins to change over for the 2017-18 season, a bright future awaits the Division II and III leader in Direct-To College Advancement.
2017 AHCA Convention
- By Neil Ravin - Director of PR & Social Media 04/25/2017, 12:00pm EDT
A Year Later, the EHL Still Leads the Way
- By Neil Ravin - Director of PR & Social Media 04/17/2017, 7:00am EDT
Bright Future in Laconia
- By Neil Ravin - Director of PR & Social Media 04/14/2017, 10:00am EDT
2017-18 Divisional Structure
- By Neil Ravin - Director of PR & Social Media 03/30/2017, 12:00am EDT
2017 EHL Playoffs -- DAY 11
- By Neil Ravin - Director of PR & Social Media 03/18/2017, 9:00am EDT