The Portland Jr. Pirates were a Tier III Jr. A ice hockey team that played their home games at the MHG Ice Centre in Saco, Maine.[1][2] The organization continues to host youth hockey programs in the Massachusetts Premier Development Hockey League.
| Portland Jr. Pirates | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Saco, Maine |
| League | Atlantic Junior Hockey League Eastern Junior Hockey League United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) - Premier Div. |
| Founded | 2000 (EJHL) 2004 (AtJHL) |
| Home arena | MHG Ice Centre |
| Colors | Black, red, silver, white |
| Owner(s) | Selects Sports Management |
| General manager | Brad Church |
| Head coach | Kent Hulst |
| Franchise history | |
| AtJHL franchise | |
| 2004–2012 | Portland Jr. Pirates |
| EJHL/USPHL franchise | |
| 2000–2012 | Green Mountain Glades |
| 2012–2016 | Portland Jr. Pirates |
History
editFrom 2004 to 2012,[3] the Portland Jr. Pirates organization had a Tier III Junior A team playing in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AtJHL). In 2012, Selects Sports Management, the owners of the Green Mountain Glades hockey club that played in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), announced that they were moving the EJHL franchise to Saco, Maine, and merge the team with the Portland Jr. Pirates organization.[4]
With the relocation of the EJHL franchise, the Jr. Pirates dropped their membership in the AtJHL and only played in the EJHL. However, after only one season, there was a major re-shuffling in Tier III junior hockey leagues that led to the dissolution of the EJHL caused by several members leaving to form the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). After the reorganization of leagues, the former EJHL Jr. Pirates joined the Premier Division of the USPHL. The Jr. Pirates organization also fielded a Tier III Junior B team in the Empire Junior Hockey League (EmJHL). When the USPHL was founded, it also absorbed the EmJHL which led to this team becoming part of the USPHL Elite Division.
After the 2015–16 season, the Jr. Pirates organization and its teams were no longer listed as part of the USPHL. The Pirates organization continued to field teams in youth hockey at the Midget 18U, Midget 16U, Bantam, Peewee, and Squirt and other various levels as well as in lacrosse.[5]
Season-by-season records
edit| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Junior Hockey League | ||||||||||
| 2012–13 | 45 | 10 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 114 | 202 | 7th of 7, North 13th of 14, EJHL |
Did not qualify |
| USPHL Premier | ||||||||||
| 2013–14 | 44 | 14 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 32 | 182 | 186 | 8th of 9 USPHL Premier |
Lost Quarterfinals, 0-2 vs. Boston Jr. Bruins |
| 2014–15 | 50 | 16 | 29 | 5 | — | 37 | 132 | 218 | 9th of 11 USPHL Premier |
Did not qualify |
| 2015–16 | 44 | 12 | 28 | 4 | — | 28 | 126 | 168 | 10th of 12 USPHL Premier |
Lost Play-in Game, 1-3 vs. Connecticut Jr. Rangers |
Alumni
editThe Jr. Pirates have produced a number of alumni playing in higher levels of junior hockey, NCAA Division I, Division III college and professional programs.[1]
- Russ Sinkewich – various American Hockey League and ECHL teams from 2008 to 2014.
References
edit- ^ a b "Portland Junior Pirates". www.portlandjuniorpirates.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Maine boy's trick shot becomes 'Net sensation - NHL- nbcsports.MSNBC.com". Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ "EHL History". Eastern Hockey League. Archived from the original on 8 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ http://jrpirates.pucksystems2.com/news_article/show/129528?referrer_id=380507
- ^ "USA Junior Hockey Magazine December 2009". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010.