BOSTON, MA -- The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) are pleased to announce that Mark Kumpel (Director of Hockey Operations) and Neil Ravin (Director of Communications) will join a strong list of teams heading to Denver, CO next week for the annual CCM Showcase.

BOSTON, MA -- The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) are pleased to announce that the New England Wolves have won the 2018-19 Humanitarian Award. After giving away this award for the first time last season, the Wolves have set the bar by taking home the honors in each of the first two years. The Humanitarian Award recognizes the organization which provides outstanding contributions to their community. With over 1000 hours of community service and volunteer work dedicated this season, it came as no surprise when coaches of the league chose to recognition the Wolves once again.

"The job that Andrew Trimble, Tim Kunes, and the rest of the staff have done in Laconia is just phenomenal," said Mark Kumpel, the league's Director of Hockey Operations. "Highlighted by this year's EHLP Championship, it's clear to see how the product on the ice has improved, but the work off the ice hasn't slowed down either. The Wolves have become such a strong part of their community, and they are so worthy of being recognized on back-to-back years."

As Kumpel mentioned, the Wolves are led by Andrew Trimble and Tim Kunes. Trimble serves as the General Manager for the entire organization and the head coach of the EHLP team. Trimble's team hit new heights this year when they claimed their first title in Providence, and the veteran coach also earned himself Coach of the Year honors.

As for Kunes, the leader of the Wolves' EHL team, while their season fell just short of the postseason, the club continued to improve in the right direction. Led by the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year (Dominiks Marcinkevics), the Wolves continue to climb their way up, one step at a time in the EHL.

Looking back on the team's community efforts from this past year, and the list of events that the team contributed too is extensive.

• WOW Trail Cleanup
• New England Pond Hockey Classic
• Pumpkin Fest
• United Way's Day of Caring
• Laconia Christmas Village Cleanup
• Gilford Rotary Christmas Tree Sale

Also, along with the community service hours, all of the players and coaches got involved with volunteer work within the Laconia Youth Hockey Program:

• Lakes Region Learn to Skate
• Lakes Region Lakers/Scoring Concepts Skills Nights

Last, but certainly not least, a set of benefit games and a toy drive helped set the Wolves apart:

• NH Humane Society Donation Night - Collected pet food and supplies, kitty litter, and fundraising for the organization.
• JBT Benefit Game - Raise over $30,000 for the Cure Stars Now Foundation.
• MAX Toy Drive - Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit Dana Barber and the Boston Children’s Hospital.

It was a truly special season for the Wolves in the Lakes Region community, and the icing on the cake came when the city of Laconia named September 22nd “New England Wolves Day".

From the endless fundraisers, to the tremendous success the Wolves saw in the EHLP, the EHL, and with their NCAA alumni, the 2018-19 season was special. The EHL and the EHLP strive to build up every player to best of their abilities both on and off the ice. It's not just about how many points you finish the season with, as our focus also centers in on making our players better people. The Wolves are helping to develop some of the top individuals to ever be a part of the EHL and the EHLP.

Congratulations to the New England Wolves on being named the Humanitarians of the Year for the 2nd consecutive season.

BOSTON, MA -- The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) are pleased to announce that Wiggle Kerbrat (New Hampshire Avalanche), Colin Philippon (Vermont Lumberjacks), and Andreas Matejka (New England Wolves) have been named the 2018-19 Student-Athletes of the Year.

Each player turned heads both on the ice and off the ice, exemplifying the idea of being a 'student-athlete.' Whether it was community service hours, or additional time spent studying, each individual set themselves apart from the rest.

"This is our second year recognizing a group of top student-athletes, and I believe it truly shows how dedicated our players are both on and off the ice," said Mark Kumpel, the league's Director of Hockey Operations. "Our organizations are helping these players grow as young men, and much of this growth takes place away from the rink. Of course what takes place on the ice is important, but all the college coaches also ask about what takes place when our guys aren't playing hockey. The college coaches are looking for players who will help them win hockey games, but also earn an education while they play. These three individuals all have very bright futures ahead of them, because they are dedicated to aspects of their life other than just hockey. On behalf of the league, I would like to congratulate Wiggle, Colin, and Andreas, for all the work they put in this past year."

BOSTON, MA -- As we approach the end of April, it’s time to turn the page in both the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP). When the 2019-20 hockey season kicks off in September, it will be the 7th year of the EHL, and the 5th year of the EHLP. In total the EHL and the EHLP will combine to send out 32 teams onto the ice this fall, with a handful of new programs that were recently approved by the USA Hockey Junior Council. Below you’ll find the complete lists for all of this year’s EHL and EHLP teams.

WARMINSTER, PA -- Jon Rogger had high expectations when he learned that Samir Abouelhana was returning to his Philadelphia Revolution team for one more season in the Eastern Hockey League.

“I think his hockey sense is D-I caliber, and we were very fortunate to have him in Philadelphia,” said Rogger, the team’s head coach. “It didn’t surprise me when he said he was coming back that he would lead the league in scoring and become the MVP.

“I was not surprised by that one bit.”

Abouelhana was among those honored when the EHL held its first Banquet of Champions and Awards Show before starting its Frozen Four in Providence, R.I.

The forward from St. Louis, who will turn 21 on April 2, was a dominant scorer in the EHL. He finished with league highs of 64 assists and 93 points in 44 games.

“He’s just a scorer,” Rogger said. “He knows where to be. He knows where the puck’s going to be. He knows when to give it up and when to keep it.”

Abouelhana made an impact beyond his point totals, as was reflected in his selection as the MVP.

“I think they all saw what I saw,” Rogger said of the league’s coaches who voted on the award. “When he gets the puck on his tape, I would stand up on my tiptoes on the bench, like ‘Hey, what is this kid going to do now?’

“Obviously, he’s got a great hockey brain and mind for the game, but his hands are as good as I’ve seen in a long time.”

Abouelhana had five game-winning goals, five power-play goals and three short-handed goals. He also had 20 assists when the Revolution was on the power play.

“When he’s on the power play, he can control a game by himself,” Rogger said. “When you’re playing against a player like that, everybody knows when he’s on the ice."

“There are very few kids, not only this year, but in the last three years in this league, that have had the skill that he has. I think that is why he was voted MVP.”

The Philadelphia Little Flyers had Mikey Giampapa named Forward of the Year and Brendahn Brawley Goalie of the Year.

Giampapa had 29 goals and 25 assists in 35 regular-season games. The 18-year-old from Ridley, Pa., then added three goals and an assist in the playoffs as the Little Flyers finished second.

Brawley went 24-3-1 with a 1.77 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. The 20-year-old from Morton, Pa., put up similar postseason numbers with a 1.87 GAA and .936 save percentage.

The other year-ending awards went to: Defenseman, Niks Krollis, New Hampshire Avalanche; Coach, Bill Zaniboni, Seahawks Hockey Club; and Rookie, Dominiks Marcinkevics, New England Wolves.

Krollis had 10 goals and 23 assists in 27 regular-season games, then scored goals in all three Frozen Four round-robin games for the league champions.

Marcinkevics had 34 goals and 27 assists in 42 games.

The league-champion Avalanche had half of the six spots on the New England Conference first-team all-stars. Forwards Wiggle Kerbrat and Jake Adkins joined Krollis.

Marcinkevics was the other forward. Cory Doney from the Vermont Lumberjacks was the other defenseman, and DJ Paxson from the Seahawks was the goalie.

Brawley and Giampapa were two of four Little Flyers on the Mid-Atlantic Conference first team. They were joined by defensemen Nick Daluisio and Zikmund Mroz. Abouelhana and Anthony Starzii from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights were the other forwards.

Read more EHL news from the USA Hockey Junior Notebook.