2023–24 USPHL Premier season
| 2023–24 USPHL Premier season | |
|---|---|
| League | United States Premier Hockey League Premier |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | Regular season September 8, 2023 – March 3, 2024 Post-season February 28 – March 26, 2024 |
| Number of games | 46–20 |
| Number of teams | 61 |
| Regular season | |
| Season champions | Connecticut Jr. Rangers |
| USPHL Premier Playoffs | |
| Finals champions | Connecticut Jr. Rangers |
| Runners-up | Islanders Hockey Club |
The 2023–24 USPHL Premier season was the 11th season of the Premier Division of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The regular season ran from September 8, 2023 to March 3, 2024 with an unbalanced schedule. The Connecticut Jr. Rangers won the regular season championship and went on to defeat the Islanders Hockey Club 5–4 in overtime in the Championship game.
Member changes
- In late January, the USPHL announced the addition of the Bold City Battalion to both the Premier and Elite Divisions.[1]
- On December 5, 2023, the Richmond Generals withdrew from both the Premier and Elite Divisions for the remainder of the season. Both teams remained dormant after the year.[2]
- The USPHL promoted its entire Mountain Division to the National Collegiate Development Conference. The departing teams were to be the Idaho Falls Spud Kings, Northern Colorado Eagles, Ogden Mustangs, Provo Predators, Pueblo Bulls and Utah Outliers. However, the after the Eagles franchise lost access to its home arena thanks to expansion from the NAHL,[3] the USPHL then promoted the Rock Springs Grizzlies to the NCDC as well.[4]
- In May, the USPHL approved the addition the Casper Roughnecks to the league.[5]
- A week later, the Bridgewater Bandits announced that they would be withdrawing from the USPHL to rejoin the Eastern Hockey League.[6]
- When the USPHL held its annual draft for the 2023–24 season, neither the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs nor the Boston Advantage participated. Their absence went without comment by the league and they were not included on the schedule when it was released later in the summer.[7]
- In early June, the Elmira Jr. Enforcers rebranded as the Elmira Impact.[8] Around the same time the New York Aviators rebranded as the Brooklyn Aviators.
- The Twin City Thunder's Premier franchise suspended play due in part to travel expenses. The team would return one year later after being sold and relocated.[9]
- On August 23, the USPHL announced the league's first Canadian team with the addition of Universel Collège Gatineau.[10] Due to long travel times between Gatineau and every other USPHL team, the team would play the entire season on the road.
Regular season
The standings at the end of the regular season were as follows:[11]
Note: x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched division title; z = clinched regular season title
Standings
Atlantic Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xyz – Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 44 | 41 | 3 | 0 | 82 | 341 | 105 |
| x – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights | 44 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 67 | 209 | 110 |
| x – Hershey Cubs | 44 | 26 | 15 | 3 | 55 | 189 | 166 |
| x – P.A.L. Jr. Islanders | 44 | 25 | 16 | 3 | 53 | 179 | 152 |
| x – Elmira Impact | 44 | 23 | 14 | 7 | 53 | 183 | 144 |
| x – Rockets Hockey Club | 44 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 49 | 162 | 158 |
| x – Jersey Hitmen | 44 | 12 | 28 | 4 | 28 | 148 | 222 |
| x – Brooklyn Aviators | 44 | 1 | 42 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 372 |
Florida Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Bold City Battalion | 44 | 30 | 11 | 3 | 63 | 195 | 112 |
| x – Florida Eels | 44 | 28 | 14 | 2 | 58 | 209 | 116 |
| x – Tampa Bay Juniors | 44 | 28 | 16 | 0 | 56 | 154 | 142 |
| x – Atlanta Madhatters | 44 | 24 | 17 | 3 | 51 | 142 | 138 |
| Florida Jr. Blades | 44 | 11 | 29 | 4 | 26 | 99 | 184 |
| Palm Beach Typhoon | 44 | 8 | 32 | 4 | 20 | 113 | 264 |
Great Lakes Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Metro Jets | 43 | 38 | 2 | 3 | 79 | 359 | 71 |
| x – Nashville Spartans | 44 | 36 | 7 | 1 | 73 | 318 | 83 |
| x – Toledo Cherokee | 44 | 31 | 11 | 2 | 64 | 248 | 106 |
| x – Columbus Mavericks | 43 | 8 | 32 | 3 | 19 | 89 | 306 |
| x – Buffalo Stampede | 44 | 6 | 38 | 0 | 12 | 105 | 328 |
| x – Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones | 44 | 3 | 40 | 1 | 7 | 77 | 370 |
Midwest East Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Metro Jets Development Program | 44 | 31 | 7 | 6 | 68 | 180 | 90 |
| x – Fort Wayne Spacemen | 44 | 32 | 10 | 2 | 66 | 224 | 112 |
| x – Chicago Crush | 44 | 25 | 15 | 4 | 54 | 142 | 126 |
| x – Chicago Cougars | 44 | 23 | 17 | 4 | 50 | 154 | 143 |
| x – Motor City Gamblers | 44 | 19 | 20 | 5 | 43 | 157 | 180 |
| x – Battle Creek Kernels | 44 | 12 | 29 | 3 | 27 | 108 | 199 |
| Decatur Blaze | 44 | 7 | 35 | 2 | 16 | 90 | 290 |
Midwest West Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings | 44 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 67 | 162 | 92 |
| x – Minnesota Squatch | 44 | 32 | 10 | 2 | 66 | 244 | 132 |
| x – Hudson Havoc | 44 | 30 | 12 | 2 | 62 | 150 | 108 |
| x – Minnesota Blue Ox | 44 | 25 | 18 | 1 | 51 | 169 | 144 |
| x – Minnesota Moose | 44 | 23 | 18 | 3 | 49 | 143 | 118 |
| x – Steele County Blades | 44 | 19 | 22 | 3 | 41 | 151 | 159 |
| x – Isanti Outlaws | 44 | 13 | 30 | 1 | 27 | 129 | 222 |
| x – Minnesota Mullets | 44 | 13 | 31 | 0 | 26 | 135 | 202 |
| Dells Ducks | 44 | 11 | 31 | 2 | 24 | 106 | 235 |
New England Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Utica Jr. Comets | 44 | 36 | 6 | 2 | 74 | 220 | 105 |
| x – Northern Cyclones | 44 | 29 | 11 | 4 | 62 | 173 | 113 |
| x – Islanders Hockey Club | 44 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 51 | 144 | 141 |
| x – Universel Collège Gatineau | 44 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 46 | 145 | 134 |
| x – Springfield Pics | 44 | 21 | 21 | 2 | 44 | 149 | 156 |
| x – South Shore Kings | 44 | 17 | 23 | 4 | 38 | 122 | 149 |
| x – Boston Junior Bruins | 44 | 13 | 28 | 3 | 29 | 152 | 191 |
Northwet Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Vernal Oilers | 44 | 29 | 9 | 6 | 64 | 222 | 138 |
| x – Seattle Totems | 44 | 28 | 14 | 2 | 58 | 190 | 131 |
| x – Casper Roughnecks | 44 | 19 | 22 | 3 | 41 | 171 | 197 |
| x – Rogue Valley Royals | 44 | 13 | 29 | 2 | 28 | 119 | 227 |
| Bellingham Blazers | 44 | 6 | 36 | 2 | 14 | 87 | 207 |
Pacific Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Fresno Monsters | 46 | 39 | 5 | 2 | 80 | 345 | 130 |
| x – Ontario Jr. Reign | 46 | 37 | 8 | 1 | 75 | 241 | 110 |
| x – Las Vegas Thunderbirds | 46 | 31 | 14 | 1 | 63 | 222 | 151 |
| x – Bakersfield Roughnecks | 46 | 27 | 15 | 4 | 58 | 216 | 141 |
| Lake Tahoe Lakers | 46 | 18 | 24 | 4 | 40 | 147 | 195 |
| San Diego Sabers | 46 | 15 | 30 | 1 | 31 | 212 | 248 |
| Long Beach Shredders | 46 | 6 | 40 | 0 | 12 | 84 | 422 |
Southeast Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xy – Potomac Patriots | 42 | 36 | 3 | 3 | 75 | 255 | 112 |
| x – Charlotte Rush | 42 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 72 | 215 | 89 |
| x – Carolina Jr. Hurricanes | 42 | 28 | 12 | 2 | 58 | 170 | 114 |
| x – Hampton Roads Whalers | 42 | 17 | 20 | 5 | 39 | 134 | 148 |
| Richmond Generals | 20 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 66 | 88 |
| Columbia Infantry | 42 | 5 | 35 | 4 | 12 | 83 | 260 |
Premier Division playoffs
Teams are reseeded after the quarterfinal rounds.
Divisional Round
February 28 – March 17
Atlantic
| Quarterfinals (Best-of-3) | Semifinals (Best-of-3) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 11 | 11 | - | |||||||||
| 8 | Brooklyn Aviators | 0 | 0 | - | |||||||||
| 1 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 3 | 6 | - | |||||||||
| 6 | Rockets Hockey Club | 1 | 0 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights | 7 | 6 | - | |||||||||
| 7 | Jersey Hitmen | 1 | 3 | - | |||||||||
| 3 | Hershey Cubs | 1 | 1 | - | |||||||||
| 6 | Rockets Hockey Club | 4 | 6 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights | 3* | 3* | - | |||||||||
| 5 | Elmira Impact | 2 | 2 | - | |||||||||
| 4 | P.A.L. Jr. Islanders | 2 | 2 | - | |||||||||
| 5 | Elmira Impact | 3 | 4 | - | |||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
Florida
| Semifinals (Best-of-3) | ||||||
| 1 | Bold City Battalion | 5 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 4 | Atlanta Madhatters | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2 | Florida Eels | 5 | 3 | 5 | ||
| 3 | Tampa Bay Juniors | 1 | 4* | 0 | ||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
Great Lakes
| Quarterfinals (Best-of-3) | Semifinals (Best-of-3) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Metro Jets | 12 | 11 | - | |||||||||
| 3 | Toledo Cherokee | 12 | 7 | - | 5 | Buffalo Stampede | 0 | 0 | - | ||||
| 6 | Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones | 0 | 0 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Nashville Spartans | 5 | 8 | - | |||||||||
| 4 | Columbus Mavericks | 4 | 4 | - | 3 | Toledo Cherokee | 2 | 2 | - | ||||
| 5 | Buffalo Stampede | 5 | 5* | - | |||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
Midwest East
| Quarterfinals (Best-of-3) | Semifinals (Best-of-3) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Metro Jets Development Program | 5 | 8 | - | |||||||||
| 3 | Chicago Crush | 2 | 4 | - | 5 | Motor City Gamblers | 0 | 5 | - | ||||
| 6 | Battle Creek Kernels | 1 | 2 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Fort Wayne Spacemen | 3 | 4 | 5* | |||||||||
| 4 | Chicago Cougars | 1 | 4 | - | 3 | Battle Creek Kernels | 4 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Motor City Gamblers | 4 | 5* | - | |||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
Midwest West
| Quarterfinals (Best-of-3) | Semifinals (Best-of-3) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings | 6 | 3 | - | |||||||||
| 8 | Minnesota Mullets | 0 | 2 | - | |||||||||
| 1 | Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings | 3 | 4 | - | |||||||||
| 5 | Minnesota Moose | 2 | 0 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Minnesota Squatch | 4 | 6 | - | |||||||||
| 7 | Isanti Outlaws | 3 | 3 | - | |||||||||
| 3 | Hudson Havoc | 4 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| 6 | Steele County Blades | 3 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||
| 2 | Minnesota Squatch | 6 | 3 | 7** | |||||||||
| 3 | Hudson Havoc | 3 | 4* | 6 | |||||||||
| 4 | Minnesota Blue Ox | 4 | 3 | - | |||||||||
| 5 | Minnesota Moose | 7 | 6 | - | |||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
New England
| Quarterfinals (Best-of-3) | Semifinals (Best-of-3) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Utica Jr. Comets | 5 | 5 | - | |||||||||
| 7 | Boston Junior Bruins | 3 | 3 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Northern Cyclones | 1 | 1 | - | |||||||||
| 7 | Boston Junior Bruins | 4 | 2** | - | |||||||||
| 3 | Islanders Hockey Club | 3 | 3** | - | |||||||||
| 6 | South Shore Kings | 1 | 2 | - | |||||||||
| 3 | Islanders Hockey Club | 5* | 4 | - | |||||||||
| 4 | Universel Collège Gatineau | 4 | 0 | - | |||||||||
| 4 | Universel Collège Gatineau | 1 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
| 5 | Springfield Pics | 2** | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
Northwest
| Semifinals (Best-of-3) | Final (Best-of-3) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Vernal Oilers | 9 | 5 | - | |||||||||
| 4 | Rogue Valley Royals | 2 | 2 | - | |||||||||
| 1 | Vernal Oilers | 5 | 5 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Seattle Totems | 1 | 4 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Seattle Totems | 6 | 5 | - | |||||||||
| 3 | Casper Roughnecks | 3 | 1 | - | |||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
Pacific
| Semifinals (Best-of-3) | Final (Best-of-3) | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Fresno Monsters | 5 | 8* | - | |||||||||
| 4 | Bakersfield Roughnecks | 0 | 7 | - | |||||||||
| 1 | Fresno Monsters | 3 | 7 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Ontario Jr. Reign | 1 | 3 | - | |||||||||
| 2 | Ontario Jr. Reign | 3 | 2* | 5 | |||||||||
| 3 | Las Vegas Thunderbirds | 5 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
Southeast
| Semifinal (Best-of-1) | ||||
| 1 | Potomac Patriots | 7 | ||
| 4 | Hampton Roads Whalers | 1 | ||
| 2 | Charlotte Rush | 3 | ||
| 3 | Carolina Jr. Hurricanes | 0 | ||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
National Round
All games took place at the Nexus Center in Utica, New York.
Seeding games
March 21 – March 22
All of the qualifying teams played two games in the seeding round to determine single-elimination placement.
| Winning Team | Score | Losing Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Jets Development Program | 1 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights | 0 |
| Nashville Spartans | 3 | Bold City Battalion | 2 |
| Metro Jets | 7 | Islanders Hockey Club | 1 |
| Fort Wayne Spacemen | 7 | Vernal Oilers | 2 |
| Charlotte Rush | 4 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 3 |
| Florida Eels | 6* | Potomac Patriots | 5 |
| Utica Jr. Comets | 2 | Minnesota Squatch | 1 |
| Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings | 5 | Ontario Jr. Reign | 3 |
| Florida Eels | 5 | Metro Jets Development Program | 1 |
| Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 4* | Islanders Hockey Club | 3 |
| Potomac Patriots | 10 | Fort Wayne Spacemen | 2 |
| Metro Jets | 6 | Minnesota Squatch | 2 |
| Nashville Spartans | 7 | Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings | 5 |
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights | 3 | Bold City Battalion | 0 |
| Charlotte Rush | 5 | Utica Jr. Comets | 1 |
| Vernal Oilers | 5* | Ontario Jr. Reign | 4 |
Standings[12]
| Rank | Team | W | OTW | OTL | L | Pts | GF | GA | DIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metro Jets | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 3 | +10 |
| 2 | Charlotte Rush | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 4 | +5 |
| 3 | Nashville Spartans | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 7 | +3 |
| 4 | Florida Eels | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 6 | +5 |
| 5 | Potomac Patriots | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 8 | +7 |
| 6 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| 7 | Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | +0 |
| 8 | Utica Jr. Comets | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
| 9 | Metro Jets Development Program | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -3 |
| 10 | Fort Wayne Spacemen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 |
| 11 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | +0 |
| 12 | Vernal Oilers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | -4 |
| 13 | Ontario Jr. Reign | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 10 | -3 |
| 14 | Islanders Hockey Club | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | -7 |
| 15 | Bold City Battalion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -4 |
| 16 | Minnesota Squatch | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | -5 |
Championship round
| Eighthfinal (March 23) | Quarterfinals (March 24) | Semifinals (March 25) | Championship (March 26) | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Metro Jets | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Minnesota Squatch | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Metro Jets | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Islanders Hockey Club | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Charlotte Rush | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Bold City Battalion | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Florida Eels | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Islanders Hockey Club | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Nashville Spartans | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Islanders Hockey Club | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Charlotte Rush | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Florida Eels | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Ontario Jr. Reign | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Islanders Hockey Club | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 5* | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Potomac Patriots | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Vernal Oilers | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Florida Eels | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Fort Wayne Spacemen | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Metro Jets Development Program | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Connecticut Jr. Rangers | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Fort Wayne Spacemen | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Potomac Patriots | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Metro Jets Development Program | 4** | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Utica Jr. Comets | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Metro Jets Development Program | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
References
- ^ "Bold City Battalion Join USPHL Premier, Elite for 2023-2024 Season". USPHL. February 10, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ "Richmond Generals Organization To Suspend Junior Operations for Remainder of 2023-24 USPHL Season". USPHL. December 5, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ "NAHL team in Greeley, Colorado approved for the 2023-24 season". NAHL. January 6, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ "NCDC 2023-24 Team Preview Series: Rock Springs Grizzlies". The Junior Hockey News. September 20, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ "Casper Roughnecks Set To Join USPHL Premier's Northwest Division In 2023-24". The Junior Hockey News. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "Bandits Rejoining EHL and EHLP". Eastern Hockey League. May 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "National Collegiate Development Conference Releases 2023-24 Schedule". The Junior Hockey News. July 7, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "Elmira Junior Enforcers Rebrand As Elmira Impact". The Junior Hockey News. June 4, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ "Thunder Hockey Club Relocates to Exeter, New Hampshire". USPHL. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "La USPHL Premier perce le marché du Canada". Source du Hockey. February 13, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "USPHL Standings". United States Premier Hockey League. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ "#USPHLNationals Premier Seeding Round Final Standings". USPHL. March 23, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2025.