Howell, NJ – With the 2013-2014 season just around the corner, the NJ Jr Titans Hockey Club will be revolutionizing Player Development at all levels. With purchase and development of the Middletown Swim Club into a multi-faceted all year round Sports Complex, complete with a 1,500 seat arena, gym and workout area, and turf training field, the Titans have clearly picked up an edge on player development.
Player Development is the number one goal of the NJ Jr Titans. With the new Middletown Ice World, no program in the state will be able to match the amount of ice offered to players. The amount of ice being provided via Middletown Ice World with the program’s additional ice plan will ensure that all players will get better over the course of year.
For all NJ Jr Titans Tier I AAA AYHL teams, they will now practice 4 times per week in our first Phase of Scheduling which goes from the beginning of the season until November 15th. 2 of those practices will be in Middletown and 2 will be in Howell with the 4th practice being optional. Tier I switches to 3 practices per week with 1 being optional and 1 being in Middletown in our second Phase of scheduling from November 15th on. Tier II Bantam, PeeWee, Squirt, and Mite NJYHL teams practice 3 times per week all season long with 1 optional practice in Howell or Middletown.
In addition to the boys program, the Titans Girls program will benefit greatly from the addition of Middletown Ice World. Lady Titans teams will also receive 3 practice times per week all season long with 1 optional practice being at Howell or Middletown. With ever growing numbers in the Girls ranks, all Titans TI, TII, and Girls Development MAWHA teams will benefit by receiving more ice, helping us grow the Lady Titan Program to new levels amongst Girls Hockey Programs in the Atlantic District.
A new addition to the Titans program this year is that every Titan player’s tuition includes participation in the JHL Summer League to played at both Middletown Ice World and Howell Ice World. The JHL Summer League, entering its 7th season is the best summer league around and offers high levels of play even in the summer. We offer divisions at the Pro-Am, U20 Major, U20 Futures, U14, U12, and U8/U6 levels.
Said Titans Owner and Director George Haviland, “I think the rink in Middletown is a game changer. Every player no matter whether you are a Tier II or Tier I AAA player will get the maximum amount of development via our extra ice time to compete the next level.”
Haviland also talked about the importance of bringing a second full sheet and venue into the equation for the first time since Howell Ice World opened, “Middletown Ice World is in a great location, and all Titan teams will play additional games there and will get the opportunity to use the venue. By having a second sheet of ice, we can enhance our practices and skills development by having sessions focusing on certain skills rather than full ice flow drills. Increased specialized skills sessions such as goalie sessions, forward sessions, and defensemen sessions will develop players skills as well their sense for the game.”
In talking about what programs at Middletown will benefit the Titans and the community, Haviland said, “By having a second sheet in the Middletown area we will grow and introduce limited travel leagues between the two rinks. Our goal is to increase the number of kids playing ice hockey. We plan on providing ice hockey programs for roller hockey costs by providing beginners with loaner equipment including skates to give kids the opportunity to try out hockey at reasonable costs to grow our club. The biggest goal to increase our programs is to Increase the number of hockey players by as many as possible. Not only will current Titans benefit, all kids, boys and girls, involved in our hockey programs will benefit.”