June 11, 2020

Guilford, Conn- The Elite Hockey Academy is happy to announce that four players from our program, Logan Nickerson, Dakota "Cody" Spear, Grant Ermellini, and Jake Lammens, heard their names called in the NCDC Entry Draft on June 10. 

To be drafted by any junior league is a great accomplishment. Elite Hockey Academy General Manager Peter Alden is happy for all four players because they were rewarded for all of the years of hard work and doing the right things on and off the ice. “I’m very happy for all four of the players that were selected in the NCDC Entry Draft,” said Alden.  "The NCDC has demonstrated to be one of the top Junior A leagues in the country and we are happy the league is recognizing the talent we have in our organization at EHA."

Logan Nickerson was drafted by the in-state NCDC team, the Connecticut Junior Rangers, right down the Merritt Parkway in Stamford, CT. Nickerson a captain, for the U16 Premier squad last year, was one of the key players on a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2015 in the AYHL. An all-star in both the AYHL and the East Coast Elite League (ECEL), he scored a combined 21 goals and 27 points between both leagues last season. Logan is also a draft pick of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the QMJHL. 

Dakota "Cody" Spear was drafted by the Islanders Hockey Club. Playing alongside fellow NCDC draft pick Logan Nickerson, he was named an all-star in both the AYHL and ECEL, as he put up a combined 20 assists and 31 points between the two leagues. He also scored the overtime winner in the final game of the season that clinched a playoff spot in the AYHL playoffs for the first time since 2015. 

Grant Ermellini, a newcomer to the Elite Hockey Academy U18 team next season, was drafted to the Junior Rangers alongside Logan Nickerson. Ermellini joins EHA after playing last year at the Skipjacks Hockey Club. While playing alongside Frankie Hipp, Grant finished second on the team in scoring with 13 goals 15 assists and 28 points in 21 games. 

Jake Lammens, who played for EHA for two years before leaving for the Salisbury School ahead of last season, was drafted to the Rockets Hockey Club based out of the Prudential Center, the home of the New Jersey Devils. Lammens, a St. Lawrence commit, was also an AYHL, and an ECEL all-star in his final season with EHA in 2018-2019. Lammens won a NEPSAC Elite 8 title, which was Sailsbury first since 2015, as he helped them finish with a 25-3-1 record last season.

The NCDC is apart of the USPHL and is the highest level in the USPHL. Players from this league have gone on to many different colleges around the country, including schools in Hockey East, ECAC, NCHC, and other leagues around the nation. To find more about the league click on this link https://www.usphl.com/ncdc. 

Hockey is back folks!!! We are hosting on-ice sessions at our rink the  Northford Ice Pavillion from June 17-23. All Players must PRE REGISTER!!!!! Sessions are $40 per session. Please reserve your spot quickly as sessions will sell out fast. We will be strictly enforcing Covid-19 protocols by the state of Conn. To find out times of the sessions click on the link here https://www.elitehockeyprogram.com/news_article/show/1108913. 

Located in Northford, CT,  Elite Hockey Academy is the fastest-growing hockey academy on the east coast involving advanced training, high-level competition, and educational institution. Established in 2016 as the Elite Hockey Academy now spans over nine competitive teams and continues to evolve and expand as the industry leader for athletic and performance development.

Our history of success remains unrivaled around the nation, and Elite Hockey Academy continues to develop elite athletes who achieve success at the Prep, Junior and collegiate levels. To learn more email, PAlden@EliteHockeyAAA.com.

Elite Hockey Academy provides an all-inclusive campus for ice hockey players from mites to midgets. Our first-class location includes professional facilities and accommodations with three ice rinks, 5000 square foot training facility and a wide variety of programming, including an 8-12th grade Academic Academy, offering team training, skills training, and professional development.