BOSTON, MA -- The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) is pleased to announce our league alignment for the upcoming 2018-19 season. Located in the Northeast region of the United States, the EHL and its 19 teams celebrate the start of its 6th season this Fall. For the past three years, the EHL continues to lead in Direct-To-College Advancement at the Division II and III levels. This past season alone, the EHL accounted for nearly 1 in every 5 freshmen on Division II and III rosters.

It's been 57 days since the New Hampshire Avalanche ended their first year with their first title, and their defense of the championship will begin on this year's opening day of the season, September 8th.

To go along with the impressive NCAA Commitment totals for the league, the EHL has also helped over 75 players work their way up the USA Hockey Ladder of Development to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the United States Hockey League (USHL).

Whether it's college hockey or staying under the USA Hockey umbrella, the EHL provides all of our players with the resources to improve their game and reach the next steps in their respective journeys. Every story is different, and we're ready to help you write the next chapter in yours. Next Stop, The #Eshow.

Below you'll find the division-by-division breakdowns for the 2018-19 season, along with map displaying where all 19 EHL teams are located.

TEWKSBURY, MA -- Blake Bride, an alumni of the Boston Jr. Rangers, has committed to the Air Force Academy for the Fall of 2019. The '98 spent the 2016-17 season with the Rangers, racking up a total of 46 points in 52 total games. Following the end of the season, Rangers' head coach and general manager Rich DeCaprio sought out to help Bride land a spot on a North American Hockey League (NAHL) team for the 2017-18 campaign. The native of Broomfield, CO was able to land a roster spot, as he started the season with the Minnesota Wilderness. Following the NAHL Showcase in September, the Odessa Jackalopes acquired the forward, and it was at this point when his season really took off. Bride finished the year on the Jackalopes roster, tallying 53 points in 55 total games.

"I am very happy for Blake," said DeCaprio. "He is one of my favorite players that I have ever had the pleasure of coaching, and he truly works harder than everyone else. We told him all the time that he had the talent to play Division I hockey, and we are very proud of his accomplishment. I am really looking forward to watching him play at the next level."

For Bride, while he only played two seasons of junior hockey, he knows each year was very key towards his development. Looking back on the 2016-17 season in the EHL, Bride knows that year in particular really helped him make the jump that he needed.

"Playing in the EHL was the best thing for me at the time," said Bride. "It was my first year of juniors and all I remember when I first got out to Boston was me questioning if I was going to be able continue my success at this next level. My first few games I was intimidated by the talent I was going against. I thought I was going to be able to do whatever I want and put up points, no questions asked. I soon realized that it was okay to play and develop myself into a more well-rounded player. Coach DeCaprio and Coach Blair were very helpful in my growth. They gave me the push and hope that I needed. They taught me to work hard at practice and off-ice training. I wouldn’t be here without these coaches and the Boston Jr. Rangers organization."

While Bride's commitment is the most recent display of a player going from the EHL to the NAHL, and then on to college hockey, he isn't the only Rangers' player to have followed that pattern. Kolby Vegara was a key piece on the blue line for the Rangers during their 2015-16 season. Following that year, Vegara spent the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons with the Philly Rebels in the NAHL, and now he'll join the UMass Minutemen this Fall.

"The EHL helped me to begin to develop all parts of my game, and gave me the opportunities to grow as a player before making the jump to the NAHL," said Vegara.

Learn more about the Boston Jr. Rangers on the team's official website, and check out the full list of 2018 NCAA Commitments.

HYANNIS, MA -- Brandon Collett, a goaltender for the Total Athletics Seahawks, has committed to Castleton University for the Fall of 2019. The '98 just finished his first season in the EHL, racking up 8 total wins and a .908 save percentage for the year. With his decision now finalized, the talented netminder can just focus on developing his game during his final season of junior hockey.

"We are excited for the Collett family and Brandon," said Seahawks head coach and general manager Bill Zaniboni. "He has chosen a great school and we are excited to have him in our locker room for another year. Brandon is a very talented goalie who has a high ceiling and he's an even better person."

Collett joins Andrew Bechard of the Vermont Lumberjacks, on the list of 2017-18 EHL players who've made their commitments for the Fall of 2019. It makes the final season of junior hockey much more stress-free, and Collett is looking forward to building off of the last year's inaugural campaign for the Seahawks. The native of Brockton, MA also took some time to give his thanks to all those who helped him along the way.

"I cannot thank my family, coaches, and friends enough for everything they have done for me," said Collett. "I would also like to thank the Seahawks Organization for the endless amount of support they have given me. A special thanks to Coach Zaniboni for helping me improve both as a player and person."

Learn more about the Total Athletics Seahawks on the team's official website, and check out the full list of 2018 NCAA Commitments.

BEDFORD, MA -- Chase Davenport, a forward/defenseman for the East Coast Wizards, has committed to Assumption College for the Fall of 2018. The '98 spent the past two seasons with the Wizards, tallying 16 total points in 93 career games in the EHL.

"Chase was a huge asset to our team over the past two seasons," said Wizards head coach and general manager Freddy Meyer. "He's the type of player that would do whatever was asked of him, whether that meant playing offense or defense. Chase was a leader for our group, and was by no doubt a huge factor in the steps that we've taken as a program. Kory and I can't wait to watch Chase continue to develop at Assumption."

As Meyer mentioned, Davenport bounced back and forth between offense and defense, but never let it make an impact on his overall play on the ice. The native of Princeton, MA was as reliable as any member of the Wizards, and he'll now join a program that has brought in nine different players from the EHL since the league was formed back in 2013. Davenport took some time to reflect and give his thanks to all those who helped him reach this point in his journey.

"I'm extremely glad that I decided to play for the Wizards, as I've learned so much and had an absolute blast in the process," said Davenport. "It's a wonderful place to play and it's been a huge part of my development. I'd like to thank Coach Freddy, Coach Kory, and Adrien for their support and guidance over the past two years. I'm looking forward to starting the next chapter of my career at Assumption College."

Learn more about the East Coast Wizards on the team's official website, and check out the full list of 2018 NCAA Commitments.

ASTON, PA -- Nick Magill-Diaz, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Little Flyers, has committed to Trine University for the Fall of 2018. In his first and only season in the #Eshow, the '97 tallied 55 points in 57 total games, and was named the EHL Defenseman of the Year.

"We're very proud of Nick on his commitment to Trine,” said Little Flyers head coach and general manager George Lewis. “As the EHL’s Defenseman of the Year, he was a big piece for us and had quite a few options to choose from. I’m glad he has made his decision and can now start to focus on the Fall. Nick is going to be extremely difficult to replace after scoring almost a point per game for us and playing in all three situations, but also bringing a positive attitude and a great work ethic to the rink on a daily basis. We are excited to see him at the next level. He is headed to a new program where things are looking bright. I think he will fit right in and help Coach Todd and his staff continue to build to be a very good team in the near future. We wish Nick the best of luck; we’ll miss having him around IceWorks."

The native of Clawson, MI played in all 50 games in the regular season, and racked up a solid five game-winning goals in that time. While the season ultimately ended sooner than Magill-Diaz and the Little Flyers had hoped, they still have a lot to be proud of. The talented defenseman took some time to reflect and give thanks.

“I would like to thank Trine University and Coach Todd for this amazing opportunity to continue my academic and athletic careers," said Magill-Diaz. "I’d like to thank all the coaches that have developed me up through this past season, Coach Brad Jones, Coach Frank O’Connor, and Coach Frank Scarpaci. A special thanks to Coach George Lewis, Coach Mike Narrigan, and Coach Mark Catron for all the help in my development this past season. I would also like to thank the Little Flyers organization and the Giacobbo family for the opportunity to play for such a great program. To my family, I can’t thank you enough for all the sacrifices and support shown throughout my hockey career, I wouldn’t be here without you. Lastly, thank you to my teammates, my second family, my brothers. You have all touched my life and have helped me in some ways that I am forever grateful to have met and played with such great people. While I’m happy about the past I am very excited about what the future has to offer.”

Learn more about the Philadelphia Little Flyers on the team's official website, and check out the full list of 2018 NCAA Commitments.