The 2026-27 NCDC Season Preview Series begins with a look at the Atlantic Conference.
With a mix of returning talent, new faces and teams looking to take the next step, the Atlantic Conference once again figures to be highly competitive. Player development and advancement remain at the forefront as teams prepare to battle throughout the season for a chance to reach the Dineen Cup.
Here is a team-by-team look at the Atlantic Conference entering 2026-27.
Connecticut Jr. Rangers
Head Coach: Mike Stanaway 2025-26 Record: 24-27-2-1, 51 points
The Connecticut Jr. Rangers enter the season in a much different position than they did one year ago. After beginning last season with just one returning player, Stanaway now has a veteran group that already understands what it takes to compete in the Atlantic Conference.
“Having a group of returning players is going to make a big difference,” Stanaway said. “Last year we had one returning player. This season we have a very solid group of veteran players that know this division.”
Stanaway expects all of those veterans to play key roles, while a group of newcomers from around the world will look to make an immediate impact. The organization focused its offseason recruiting efforts on finding players who fit the identity it wants to establish.
“We are going to be a very skilled team,” Stanaway said. “We want to showcase our ability to make plays.”
Discipline will be essential within the Atlantic.
“We need to be a very disciplined hockey team,” Stanaway said. “You can’t be in the penalty box in this division and expect to make an impact.”
As always, player advancement remains at the center of the organization’s goals.
“The focus every year is to maximize the amount of players to the NCAA,” Stanaway said. “We want to help all our guys achieve their goals of playing in college.”
Jersey Hitmen
Head Coach: Toby Harris 2025-26 Record: 34-15-3-2, 73 points
The Jersey Hitmen enter the 2026-27 season with veteran leadership serving as one of the team’s biggest strengths.
David Ambuhl, Ian Kuisis, Riley Lephart, Emrick Gagnon, Jaden Valentine and Ethan Bombalski are among the returning players expected to take on larger roles. Newcomers Cullen Tulley, TJ Swinson, Jake Johnson and Max Santos could also make immediate contributions.
During the offseason, the Hitmen placed an emphasis on improving their team defense.
Harris described this year’s group as a “strong defensive team with strong counter-punching capabilities.”
“We will be a strong team transitioning from defense to offense,” Harris said.
Consistency will be the biggest key as the Hitmen navigate a difficult Atlantic Conference schedule.
The ultimate goal is also clear. When asked what would make the season successful, Harris kept it simple:
“A Dineen Cup.”
Mercer Chiefs
Head Coach: Rob Broderick 2025-26 Record: 27-23-1-3, 58 points
The Mercer Chiefs will look to use their team speed and experienced returning group to set the tone in 2026-27.
“I think team speed, and this year we have a lot of returning players who are 2008 and 2007 birth years who will really come into their own,” Broderick said.
Jack Spiess, James Lucosky, Chris Sarver, Tristan MacCormack, Jake Lauterstein, Emmet Auch, Drew Fabry and Jacob Prud’homme are among the returning players Broderick expects to take on larger roles.
Ben Smith and Jacub Hanzak, both coming from the Chiefs’ Premier team, are among the newcomers expected to make an impact, along with Nicky Labuono and Antonis Marks.
Mercer focused on becoming stronger and quicker during the offseason and plans to build its identity around speed and discipline.
“Our conference is so strong, and all of the coaches do a great job,” Broderick said. “We have to try to dictate games and set the pace and control what we can control.”
For Mercer, success begins with a straightforward objective.
“Simply to get better every single day,” Broderick said.
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders
Head Coach: Mike Marcou 2025-26 Record: 36-13-2-3, 77 points – Atlantic Division Champions
Experience will be at the center of P.A.L.’s push for another Atlantic Conference title.
“The biggest strength this year is our experience,” Marcou said. “We have a lot of the same faces returning for another season.”
The Jr. Islanders return 16 players from last season’s roster, and Marcou expects that group to take on significant leadership responsibilities both on the scoresheet and inside the locker room.
“We have 16 returners coming back from last season’s team,” Marcou said. “We are expecting them all to step into big leadership roles both on the scoresheet and in the locker room.”
P.A.L. also believes its newcomers have the character and ability to strengthen a group that has finished first in the division in each of the last three seasons.
After falling short at last season’s championship series in Idaho, the offseason focus was clear.
“We are focusing on taking the next step to win the Dineen Cup,” Marcou said. “We fell short last season at the Idaho championship series. We hope to bring in good additions to take us to the next level.”
The Jr. Islanders expect to be skilled, disciplined and difficult to play against. Maintaining their standard every night will be critical.
“There is no easy game,” Marcou said. “With finishing first in the division the last three seasons, we know that teams are going to give us their best, and we have to make sure we are ready to hold to our standard.”
P.A.L.’s goals extend beyond winning.
“First, we want to move all of our players to the highest level that they can get, whether it is the USHL, Division I or Division III college,” Marcou said. “We want our players to build lifelong relationships with each other and have the best junior experience. Also, winning a Dineen Cup.”
Rockets Hockey Club
Head Coach: Matthew Morrow 2025-26 Record: 32-19-3-0, 67 points
Rockets Hockey Club enters the season with a balance of experienced veterans and promising young talent.
Morrow expects contributions throughout the lineup, with both returning players and newcomers positioned to play important roles.
During the offseason, the organization focused on refining its internal process.
“We focused on dialing in our process, specifically our messaging from staff to players,” Morrow said.
The Rockets aim to establish a detailed and connected identity.
Morrow described this year’s team as “detailed, well-rehearsed and connected.”
Consistency and continued growth will be important in the Atlantic Conference.
For Morrow, success will also be about the experience of the season as a whole.
“Enjoying the process start to finish,” Morrow said.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
Head Coach: Andy Scott 2025-26 Record: 25-23-2-4, 56 points
The WBS Knights enter their fifth NCDC season with something they have not had during the previous four: a significant group of returning players.
“This will be our club’s fifth year in the NCDC and, for the first time in that span, we will have a significant number of returning players going into the season,” Scott said. “This will provide a tremendous benefit as we look to build on last year’s winning record and playoff berth.”
Judah Wanner and Liam Jackson took major steps during last season and are expected to become leaders both on and off the ice.
“Judah Wanner and Liam Jackson took major steps over the course of last season and will be expected to take lead roles on and off the ice,” Scott said.
Among the newcomers, Scott highlighted Bryan Wendjik, a skilled 2007-born forward from the Netherlands who the Knights believe can provide an immediate offensive impact. The organization also prioritized additions who fit the hardworking and disciplined identity established by last year’s group.
WBS wants to remain highly structured and make sure it is never outworked.
“Like last season, we want to be a highly structured team that never gets outworked,” Scott said.
Consistency will again be essential.
“There are no nights off in the Atlantic Division,” Scott said. “It will be important to stay focused on our process and be as consistent as possible.”
After making history last season, the Knights want to prove their progress is sustainable.
“Last season brought the first winning season and playoff berth in club history,” Scott said. “We want to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke and make the playoffs again. Advancing in the playoffs would be a great next step for the program.”
West Chester Wolves
Head Coach: R.C. Lyke 2025-26 Record: 20-26-2-6, 48 points
Speed, skating ability and size will form the foundation of the West Chester Wolves this season.
“I think the biggest strengths of our team will be our skating ability, speed and size,” Lyke said.
Captain Dallas Glenn and forward Stryker Foster return and are expected to take on important roles. The Wolves also added a large group of newcomers that includes Michael Tracy, Matej Dolezel, Egon Ericsson, Nolan O’Neill, Sam Rochette, Brayden Slack, Trey Dopson and goaltender Max Ronnqvist.
West Chester placed a premium on bringing in players who had served as captains and leaders with their previous teams and possessed strong work ethics and compete levels.
“The biggest thing we wanted to address this offseason was putting together a strong skating and fast team that could push the pace of games,” Lyke said. “I think we have a great blend of speed, scoring, size and toughness, which was the priority in the offseason.”
The Wolves plan to use their speed and strength to create offense while relying on work ethic, grit and competitiveness to make themselves difficult to play against.
“This team will be a fast-skating team that will push the pace of games and be able to score,” Lyke said. “We will rely heavily on our speed, strength and size to create opportunities and our strong work ethic, compete level and grit as a group to be hard to play against every night.”
Lyke expects consistency and health to be especially important.
“The Atlantic Division is the toughest and most balanced division in the entire league,” Lyke said. “The key to being successful night in and night out is consistency and staying healthy.”
West Chester wants to compete for the division championship and earn a trip to Nationals while continuing to emphasize player development and advancement.
“Our Wolves culture drives our program and revolves around family and loyalty always,” Lyke said. “We want to develop our players both on and off the ice as young men, compete for our division championship and get to Nationals.”
The Wolves led the NCDC in NCAA college commitments last season and also saw two players advance to professional hockey.
“As always, we will continue to build and focus on player development and advancement,” Lyke said.
