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#Eshow 2020-21 Season Preview

By Kyle McKenna - HNIB Beat Writer, 09/18/20, 9:00AM EDT

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The Puck Drops Today with 3 Games on Docket

BOSTON, MA -- The cancellation of the Eastern Hockey League’s (EHL) 2019-20 Frozen Finals was painful for everyone in March. There’s no denying that aspect.

Yet, there’s hope on the horizon for the EHL’s 2020-21 campaign which also entails both familiar and fresh faces on the ice around the league.

Speaking of fresh faces ...

The EHL welcomed two new organizations in the Protec Jr. Ducks and Maine Eclipse during the extended offseason. The Ducks are based at Protec Ponds Ice Skating Center in Somerset, NJ, and skate out of the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC).

Fans should recognize one name who is set to fly high with the Ducks this season. Former Philadelphia Revolution forward Brayden Patricia returns for his second stint in the EHL, after the 6-foot skater led Philadelphia with 28 goals and 27 assists (55 points) in 2019-20.

Patricia expressed that the team portrayed great “chemistry” during training camp and while Protec is the new kid on the block – the center believes that the Ducks are a force to be reckoned with.

The Eclipse entered the league in style with their flashy branding and unique nickname, and hail from Biddeford Ice Arena & Expo Center in Maine. Head coach Michael Grace’s squad aims to shake up the New England Conference this season and can accomplish that by collecting a “W” when Maine faces-off with the New England Wolves this afternoon. Puck drop is set for 5:45 p.m. at Merrill Fay Arena in New Hampshire.

It seems that one club entails high expectations and to start right where they left off last season. The Boston Jr. Rangers finished with the league’s best overall record in 2019-20 (39-5-2), and the ESHOW wasted no time power-ranking the Jr. Rangers at No. 1 for the preseason poll. The Jr. Rangers were deep in all areas on the ice in 2019-20 and won nine of their last 10 regular-season contests.

Though, the red, white, and blue don’t have an easy task from the get-go - considering that Boston skates against the New Hampshire Avalanche in its season opener on Friday (1:10 p.m.). Chris Aarons returns for a third season with the Avs and the third-year captain is also fresh off a 41-point campaign (11g-30a) in 2019-20.

Let’s transition into the blue paint and between the pipes where the Vermont Lumberjacks goaltender, David Reduzzi, is ready to lead his squad back into the postseason. The St. Charles, MO native recorded 18 wins last season, which ranked third in the EHL. Fans shouldn’t be surprised if the veteran netminder’s name finishes in the top-three for wins, again.

First-year EHL goaltender Mason Palmer signed with the Walpole Express in the offseason, and the 6-foot masked man’s resume entails impressive experience. Prior to joining the EHL this season, the 2000-born strapped on the pads for Ogden Mustangs (WSHL) and the Minnesota Moose (USPHL). Palmer recorded a commendable 2.32 goals-against-average and .911 save% with the Moose last season, and let’s not forget that Walpole is an expected serious threat in the NEC.

Heading back south in the MAC, the New Jersey 87's mean business again. Expect the 87s to live up to their motto this season, “Finish the Job.” New Jersey and 2019-20 Rookie of the Year awardee, Dante Terramani aim to repeat as conference champions. Terramani not only posted 55 points in his rookie campaign (25g-30a), but earned 16 power-play points while netting six goals on the man advantage. Overall, the 87s’ 234 goals-for led the EHL in 2019-20 by a landslide (209, Boston).

There are 22 games scheduled in the EHL for the month of September…see you at the rink.

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Anthony Di Paolo

Anthony Di Paolo covers the EHL for HNIB and can be followed on Twitter @DiPaolo_016

Anthony Di Paolo has been working in various levels of hockey over the last five years, ranging from juniors to the pros. Di Paolo spent four seasons as the Communications Director and play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Titans of the North American Hockey League (2016-2020), and is entering his fifth season in a similar role with the New Jersey 87’s of the Eastern Hockey League. Graduating from Seton Hall University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, the New Jersey native covered Division I athletics for his school’s radio station, WSOU, and spent two years writing for the Fischler Report, a newsletter run by U.S. Hockey Hall-of-Fame inductee Stan Fischler. In addition to writing features and player spotlights throughout the season, Anthony is a fixture on the weekly #EShow podcast.

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