The United States Premier Hockey League is expanding into New Brunswick.
Three teams are being added in St. Stephen, Eastern Charlotte and Woodstock.
Expansion teams are also coming to Quebec City as well as and Presque Isle, Maine.
All five will be part of the league’s tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).
“The interest in tuition-free Junior A hockey is growing across both Canada and the United States,” said Kevin Abrams of the NCDC.
“The future provides exciting opportunities for communities and fans, as well as players and their families.”
Saint Andrews resident Ted Colley will own both of the new teams in St. Stephen and Eastern Charlotte.
The expansion marks the return of high-level junior hockey to the Charlotte County region after a seven-year absence.
“The community deserves it and has been incredibly supportive throughout the process,” Colley said in a news release.
The Eastern Charlotte team has launched a community-driven contest to name the new hockey team.
Meanwhile, the Woodstock Slammers return under the ownership of Chris and Rhea Reaves, who also own the NCDC’s Casper Warbirds.
The team will be led by Jason Tatarnic, a veteran coach with 945 career games and a .664 winning percentage.
All five teams will launch for the 2025-26 season.
