Minuteman Flames and Junior Bruins Formalize Relationship With Bantam Major/14U Full Season Team

MARLBORO, MA--The Minuteman Flames, one of the premier youth hockey organizations in the country, and the Junior Bruins, one of the premier midget/junior hockey organizations in the country, are proud to announce a formal relationship at the Bantam Major full season level that will commence with the 2013-2014 season.

The Junior Bruins Organization has long been an attractive alternative for graduating Flames players. Under this formal relationship the Minuteman Flames has created a full season Bantam Major/14U Team that will begin play next season in coordination with the Junior Bruins. The team will play in the Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF), and practice/play home games at the New England Sports Center. The Junior Bruins will assist in player development, selection, and coaching among other things, working hand in hand with the Flames staff.

The Flames Bantam Major/14U Full Season Team will provide parents and players the perfect bridge between the Flames and the Junior Bruins organizations. In the past, it has been difficult for many players to achieve the same focus on development during this important transition period as they do at the youth and junior levels, as programs and options were limited. This creation of the Bantam Major full season Minuteman Flames Team in coordination with the Junior Bruins will provide the players and families with a clear path to follow as they look toward their years beyond youth hockey.

Both the Minuteman Flames and Junior Bruins have proven track records for developing and producing elite players and teams. In fact, throughout the past decade over 75 Flames players have gone on to play for the Junior Bruins in the continuation of their development.

The Team will play in the EHF. In addition to the league schedule, the team will play in tournaments, showcases, and exhibition games throughout New England, the US and Canada. The season will begin in late August/early September and continue through mid-March. If the team qualifies for Nationals the season will extend to the end of March.

The Team will practice twice a week at NESC as well as a third session each week with the Junior Bruins 16U team. In the combined skate there will be an emphasis on skill development.

Keith Hughes, prior Coach and Head Coach of Assumption College for 11 seasons, will be the Head Coach. Keith will be ably assisted by Topher Bevis, an alumnus from the legendary 1986 Minuteman Flames, and the Junior Bruins 16U Coach. For additional information on the Minuteman Flames full season U14 Team, contact Keith Hughes at
508-344-9772 and hughesy3@gmail.com.

Practice schedule:

Mondays
6:00-7:20 PM Flames Bantam Major/14U
7:30-8:50 PM Junior Bruins 16U

Wednesdays
6:00-7:20 PM Flames Bantam Major/14U
7:30-8:50 PM Junior Bruins 16U

Thursdays
6:00-7:00 PM Split practice Flames 14U/Junior Bruins 16U

"We are thrilled to partner with the Junior Bruins and to work with them at the Bantam Major/14U level," Flames Director Larue Renfroe commented. "The Junior Bruins are an outstanding organization, and to coordinate with them to create the best hockey experience at the Bantam Major/14U level is something that makes us very excited. This is an age level that in the past has been difficult for families and players to navigate. It is our goal to give them a clear path to go 'cradle to college' with full season teams, focused on elite player development."

MINUTEMAN FLAMES WEBSITE	NEW ENGLAND SPORTS CENTER
EASTERN HOCKEY FEDERATION
JUNIOR BRUINS WEBSITE
JUNIOR BRUINS ON TWITTER	JUNIOR BRUINS ON FACEBOOK
UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE