Atlantic Youth Hockey League

2014 USHL Atlantic Challenge Wrap-Up

Release Date : 9/8/2014

EAST MEADOW, NY – With a large crowd gathered at the Twin Rinks Ice Center at Eisenhower Park near his hometown of Freeport, New York, US NTDP forward Jeremy Bracco (’97 birth year/Freeport, N.Y./Boston College) received a pass as he streaked into the Lincoln Stars zone, wheeled through the slot and around the Stars defense, and fired a backhand shot that beat Stars netminder Hunter Sheppard.

The goal, which may be found by clicking here, was just one of the highlights in the second annual USHL Atlantic Challenge.

Featuring six USHL exhibition games surrounding youth games at the U14 and U18 levels, and a U16 tournament, won by the Buffalo Regals, there was plenty of hockey to be had in the brand-new state of the art facility built by the Ferraro Brothers and Muskegon owner Ron Friedman for fans of all ages. The event also had Tier III exhibition games featuring the Eastern Hockey League and the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League.

In addition to Bracco’s heroics, AYHL alumnus Dante Palecco (’98 birth year/Whippany, N.J./Yale) scored his first USHL goal and MJHL alumnus Michael Gillespie (’96 birth year/New City, N.Y./Niagara) had his first USHL points as well. The weekend also featured the USHL debuts of alumnus Ross Colton (’96 birth year/Robbinsville, N.J./Vermont), Zachary Berzolla (’98 birth year/Howell, N.J.) and Peyton Jones (’96 birth year/Langhorne, PA) and Max Gottlieb (’95 birth year/Old Bridge, N.J.).

“The event was great from the staffing to the merchandise to the venue to the games themselves,” said AMHL President Gene Palecco. “A seamless event that was well-attended and a great success. We are proud to be associated with the USHL Atlantic Challenge.”

With packed stands and mainstream press coverage, the weekend can largely be considered a success. For information on the event, logon to their website, http://www.ushlatlanticchallenge.com and for individual game recaps, click here. For recaps of the USHL games, click here for the USHL Game Center Scoreboard and click on the day you wish to view.