The Atlantic Metropolitan Hockey League board approved the Junior Titans to reactivate their dormant Atlantic Junior Hockey League Team starting with the 2012-2013 season this week.
The Titans currently have a Metropolitan Junior Hockey League team which has enjoyed consistent success, with 5 straight winning seasons (196-96-12) and two national championship appearances.
They also currently have 5 midget teams, including one of the top U16 teams in the region. The addition of the AJ team will strengthen the club's commitment to taking kids from learn to skate through college, and will be one of only three teams in the state at this level.
"This is something great for our kids and all players in the tri-state area", said George Haviland, principal owner of the Junior Titans and Hockey Director. "The AJHL is one of two top scouted junior leagues in the east, and a major source of college hockey placements. Our MET league team has sent 48 players as far away as Maine to play with clubs in the AJ over the last 5 years. With our own AJ team, these players can play closer to home, which is great for student athletes and their families."
USA Junior Hockey has 11 sanctioned leagues at the TIII Junior level, one at TI and one at TII. Players are ages 16-20 and play an intense schedule of games and showcases. Top players from all over the country come to play for these teams in an effort to get the opportunity to further their hockey dreams of playing big time college hockey.
John Graves, Owner of the Iceline Quad Rinks and Philadelphia Junior Flyers offered his best wishes for the Titans "Congratulations on the vote last night and welcome to the AJHL. I know you guys will do a great job cause you guys are great operators and I am happy for you. I believe we will be stronger long term with you in the League."
"This cements our program as one of the most complete in the region from Youth to Junior", said Dustin De Palma, Head Coach and director of the Junior Program. "Our MET League team will continue to be primarily comprised of first and second year junior players, and we will also continue our commitment to strong midget hockey with our teams in the the Atlantic Youth Hockey League and the North American Prospects Hockey League which give great exposure to our midget level players. Our AJHL team will be an exciting goal for many of our best players."
The Junior Titans, with over 300 boy and girl hockey players in the club skate out of Howell Iceworld, built last year to bring a great recreation facility to the area, but also to give a new home to the Junior Titans. The Titans have their own lounge and locker room facilities in the building as well as an off-ice training center.