Portland Jr. Pirates

Portland Jr. Pirates
CitySaco, Maine
LeagueAtlantic Junior Hockey League
Eastern Junior Hockey League
United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) - Premier Div.
Founded2000 (EJHL)
2004 (AtJHL)
Home arenaMHG Ice Centre
ColorsBlack, red, silver, white
       
Owner(s)Selects Sports Management
General managerBrad Church
Head coachKent Hulst
Franchise history
AtJHL franchise
2004–2012Portland Jr. Pirates
EJHL/USPHL franchise
2000–2012Green Mountain Glades
2012–2016Portland Jr. Pirates

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.

History

From 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

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

The 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]

References

  1. ^ a b "Portland Junior Pirates". www.portlandjuniorpirates.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Maine boy's trick shot becomes 'Net sensation - NHL- nbcsports.MSNBC.com". Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  3. ^ "EHL History". Eastern Hockey League. Archived from the original on 8 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  4. ^ http://jrpirates.pucksystems2.com/news_article/show/129528?referrer_id=380507
  5. ^ "USA Junior Hockey Magazine December 2009". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010.