By Patrick Ramsdale / USPHL.com
New York Aviators
Seed: Mid-Atlantic Division #1
Seeding Round Schedule
All games at Utica University Nexus Center, Utica, N.Y.
Day 1: Thursday, March 23, vs. Vernal Oilers, 5:30 p.m. EST
Day 2: Friday, March 24, vs. Metro Jets, 11 a.m. EST
Remaining schedule determined by results of seeding round
The regular season champions are heading to Utica to compete for the USPHL National
Championship.
New York heads to Nationals fresh off a sweep of the reigning national champions, the Rockets
Hockey Club.
Aviators Head Coach Mike Stanaway recognizes how important that series was in preparing his
team for the National Championships.
“Last season, we pushed them further than any other team and we prepared them to make a
run,” Stanaway said. “They did the same thing for us this season. That series prepared us for
the National Tournament.”
This is New York’s first trip to Nationals since 2021, where they lost all three games. Last
season, Aviators fell in the Mid-Atlantic playoffs to the eventual champions in a pair of 5-4
losses. However, Stanaway believes his team is more prepared than ever for Nationals.
“We know what to expect,” said Stanaway. “Last time we were here we had a young and
inexperienced team. This time around our players know exactly what is coming.”
Players like Mathias Rakell (‘02/Stockholm, Sweden) and Hunter Scanlon (‘03/Rockford, Ill.)
have played exceptionally well for the Aviators this season, but Stanaway says it’s the team’s
depth that really separates them from the rest.
“What sets us apart is we have an entire team effort,” Stanaway said. “Of course Rakell and
Scanlon have put up huge numbers, but we have a tremendous amount of impact players. Pick
your poison with this group.”
For coach Stanaway, his team has found their game and doesn’t think any major adjustments
need to be made before the trip to Utica.
“We are going to simply play our game,” said Stanaway. “We are a high-octane offense that can
also shut things down and play sound defense when needed. We are
