New Hampshire Junior Monarchs

New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs
CityHooksett, New Hampshire
LeagueUSPHL
Founded1993
Home arenaTri-Town Ice Arena[1]
ColorsPurple, black, gold, white
       
General managerClint Edinger[2]
Head coachTony Dalessio[2]
MediaNew Hampshire Union Leader
Franchise history
1993–1995Granite State Stars
1995–1999Great Northern Snow Devils
1999–2001Exeter Snow Devils
2001–2023New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs

The New Hampshire Junior Monarchs were a junior and youth ice hockey organization from Hooksett, New Hampshire, with teams in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Its highest level junior team played in the USPHL's National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).

History

The franchise was a charter member of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) in 1993. For the first two seasons, they were known as the Granite State Stars located in Dover, New Hampshire, then they moved to Biddeford, Maine and were known as the Great Northern Snow Devils. In 1999 they moved to Exeter, New Hampshire, and were known as the Exeter Snow Devils, before moving to Hooksett in 2001 and becoming the Junior Monarchs.

In 2013, Tier III junior hockey leagues underwent a large reorganization, which included the Monarchs joining the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AtJHL). The Atlantic Junior Hockey League then re-branded itself as the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).

In December 2016, it was announced that the Monarchs were leaving the EHL for the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) beginning in the 2017–18 season and transferring their teams to the corresponding Premier, Elite, U18, and U16 divisions.[3] The Jr. Monarchs then added a tuition-free team in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) of the USPHL beginning in 2018.[4]

In 2023, a group of local investors purchased the Tri-Town Ice Arena and founded a new hockey organization based in the arena called the New Hampshire Mountain Kings, which displaced the Jr. Monarchs. The new organization joined the Tier II North American Hockey League and Tier III North American 3 Hockey League.[5][6] The Jr. Monarchs subsequently ceased operations.

Coach

Sean Tremblay was the general manager and head coach of the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs from 2001 to 2012,[7][8] and won the EJHL's 'Coach of the Year,' award in 1997, 2002, and 2006, as well as named 'Junior Coach of the Year' by Hockey Night in Boston in 2002, 2004, and 2006. In August 2006, he assisted the USA Under-17 Select Team to a Gold Medal in the Three Nations Tournament.[9] In 2012, he left to become the head coach of the Islanders Hockey Club.[10]

Tremblay was then replaced by Ryan Frew, head coach of the Monarchs' Junior B team in the Empire Junior Hockey League. Frew eventually led the team into the Eastern Hockey League and won a league championship in 2016. He won the NCDC Coach of the Year in 2019.[11] Frew died from peritonitis on October 5, 2020.[12]

Season-by-season records

Season GP W L T OTL Pts GF GA Regular Season Finish Playoffs
Granite State Stars
1993–94 No information
1994–95 No information
Great Northern Snow Devils
1995–96 No information
1996–97 No information
1997–98 37 22 14 1 — 45 168 136 3rd of 8, EJHL No information
1998–99 37 18 16 3 — 39 151 127 4th of 8, EJHL No information
Exeter Snow Devils
1999–00 40 25 9 6 — 56 194 136 2nd of 11, EJHL No information
2000–01 No information 5th EJHL Lost Quarterfinal game, 4–5 vs. New England Jr. Coyotes[13]
New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs
2001–02 38 35 2 1 0 71 214 70 1st of 6, North
1st of 12, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinal game, 8–1 vs. Capital District Selects
Won Semifinal game, 4-1 vs. Walpole Stars
Won Championship game, 2–1 vs. New York Apple Core
League Champions[14]
2002–03 38 25 7 6 0 57 179 101 2nd of 6, North
4th of 12, EJHL		 Lost Quarterfinals, 1–2 vs. New England Jr. Coyotes[15]
2003–04 38 31 4 2 1 65 197 89 2nd of 6, North
2nd of 12, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals vs. New York Apple Core
Won Semifinal game, 6–5 vs. Capital District Selects
Won Championship game, 6–3 vs. Boston Jr. Bruins
League Champions[16]
2004–05 52 36 9 5 2 79 217 139 2nd of 6, North
2nd of 13, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Capital District Selects
Won Semifinal game, 7–3 vs. Valley Jr. Warriors
Lost Championship game vs. Boston Jr. Bruins[17]
2005–06 45 38 4 3 0 79 227 107 1st of 7, North
1st of 14, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Bay State Breakers
Won Semifinal game, 4–3 (OT) vs. Walpole Stars[18]
Won Championship game, 6–5 (OT) vs. Boston Jr. Bruins[19]
League Champions
2006–07 45 38 5 1 1 78 223 116 1st of 7, North
1st of 14, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Foxboro Stars
Won Semifinals, 1–0–1 vs. New England Junior Huskies
Won Finals, 2–0 vs. Bay State Breakers
League Champions
2007–08 45 32 9 2 2 68 187 97 1st of 7, North
1st of 14, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 1–1 vs. Bay State Breakers
Won Semifinals, 1–1 vs. Boston Jr. Bruins
Lost Finals, 0–2 vs. Jersey Hitmen
2008–09 45 35 5 4 1 75 219 119 1st of 7, North
1st of 14, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 1–1 vs. South Shore Kings
Won Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Bay State Breakers
Lost Finals, 1–2 vs. Jersey Hitmen
2009–10 45 36 5 4 0 76 244 108 1st of 7, North
1st of 14, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. New York Apple Core
Won Semifinals, 1–0 vs. Boston Jr. Bruins
Won Finals, 1–0 vs. South Shore Kings
League Champions
2010–11 45 38 4 2 1 79 233 96 1st of 7, North
2nd of 14, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Valley Jr. Warriors
Won Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Boston Jr. Bruins
Won Finals, 2–0 vs. Jersey Hitmen
League Champions
2011–12 45 30 14 — 1 61 194 117 2nd of 7, North
3rd of 14, EJHL		 Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Bay State Breakers
Won Semifinals, 2–1 vs. South Shore Kings
Won Finals, 2–0 vs. Jersey Hitmen
League Champions
2012–13 45 23 20 — 2 48 141 158 5th of 7, North
9th of 14, EJHL		 Won First Round vs. Springfield Pics
Lost Quarterfinals vs. Jersey Hitmen
Eastern Hockey League
2013–14 44 35 8 1 0 71 182 89 1st of 5, North
2nd of 17, EHL		 Won First Round, 2–0 vs. New Jersey Junior Titans
Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Valley Jr. Warriors
Won Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Boston Bandits
Lost Finals, 2–3 vs. Northern Cyclones
2014–15 44 34 7 1 2 71 159 89 1st of 5, North
2nd of 19, EHL		 Won First Round, 2–0 vs. New Jersey Rockets
Won Quarterfinals, 2–1 vs. New York Bobcats
Lost Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Northern Cyclones
2015–16 41 28 7 — 6 62 179 109 2nd of 9, North Conf.
3rd of 18, EHL-Premier		 Won First Round, 2–0 vs. Vermont Lumberjacks
Won Second Round, 2–1 vs. Northern Cyclones
Won Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Connecticut Oilers
Won Finals, 3–0 vs. Philadelphia Little Flyers
League Champions
2016–17 48 33 11 — 4 70 171 114 1st of 4, New England Div.
1st of 9, North Conf.
3rd of 17, EHL-Premier		 Won First Round, 2–0 vs. Boston Bandits
Won Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Northern Cyclones
Lost Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Philadelphia Junior Flyers
United States Premier Hockey League
2017–18 44 35 8 — 1 71 218 100 1st of 9, North Div.
4th of 44, USPHL-Premier		 Won First Round, 2–0 vs. Rochester Monarchs
Lost Quarterfinals, 1–2 vs. Northern Cyclones-Premier
2018–19 50 27 18 — 5 59 157 147 5th of 12, NCDC Lost Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Islanders Hockey Club
2019–20 50 24 20 — 6 54 154 144 9th of 13, NCDC Playoffs cancelled
2020–21 34 18 14 — 2 38 111 118 3rd of 7, North
6th of 13, NCDC		 0–2–0 in North Div. round-robin qualifier
(L, 0–2 vs. Northern Cyclones; L, 2–3 vs. Twin City Thunder)[20]
2021–22 48 29 14 — 5 63 142 132 1st of 7, North Div.
3rd of 13, NCDC		 Won Div. Semifinal, 2–0 vs. South Shore Kings
Lost Div. Finals, 1–3 vs. Boston Junior Bruins
2022–23 50 25 17 — 8 58 140 139 4th of 7, North Div.
6th of 14, NCDC		 Lost Div. Semifinal, 1–2 vs. South Shore Kings

USA Hockey Tier III Junior A National Championships

Round robin play in pool with top 4 teams advancing to semi-final.

Year Round Robin Record Standing Semifinal Championship Game
2007*[21] — — — W, Northern Cyclones (AtJHL) 9-2 W, Bay State Breakers 5-1
National Champions
2008[22] W, El Paso Rhinos (WSHL) 11-4
W, Dubuque Thunderbirds (CSHL) 3-2
W, Minnesota Owls (MnJHL) 8-1		 3-0-0 1st of 4
Div. III		 W, Northern Cyclones (AtJHL) 9-4 W, Jersey Hitmen (EJHL) 5-2
National Champions
2009[23] W, El Paso Rhinos (WSHL) 7-2
W, New York Bobcats (AtJHL) 6-2
W, Helena Bighorns (NorPac) 6-3		 3-0-0 1st of 4
Div. I		 W, Granite City Lumberjacks (MnJHL) 4-2 W, Jersey Hitmen (EJHL) 3-2
National Champions
2010[24] W, Boulder Bison (WSHL) 10-0
W, Dubuque Thunderbirds (CSHL) 3-2
T, Helena Bighorns (NorPac) 3-3		 2-0-1 1st of 4
Div. I		 L, St. Louis Jr. Blues (CSHL) 1-2 —
2011[25] The EJHL did not send representatives to this tournament
2012[26] OTW, Atlanta Junior Knights (EJHL South) 2-1
W, Philadelphia Revolution (EJHL) 9-3
W, Mass Maple Leafs (ESHL) 9-1		 3-0-0 1st of 4
American Div. II		 W, Florida Jr. Blades (EmJHL) 6-1 W, Mass Maple Leafs (ESHL) 4-1
National Champions
2014**[27] L, Boston Jr. Bruins (USPHL-Premier) 3-5
W, Marquette Royales (MnJHL) 7-2
W, Helena Bighorns (AWHL) 5-3		 2-1-0 2nd of 4
Red Pool		 Did not qualify
2016 Tier III Nationals not held in 2016
* - unverified scores
** - Monarchs win one game playoff with the Boston Junior Rangers (MetJHL) and named "HOST"

Notable alumni

The Jr. Monarchs have produced a number of alumni playing in higher levels of junior hockey, NCAA Division I, Division III, and ACHA college programs[28] including several National Hockey League draft picks.

Notes and references

  1. ^ Tri-Town Ice Arena Info Page
  2. ^ a b "2020-21 Staff". NH Jr. Monarchs. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "USPHL Consolidating Tier III Junior Hockey in the East". USPHL. December 22, 2016.
  4. ^ "USPHL Adds the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs to Its National Collegiate Development Conference". USPHL. November 2, 2017.
  5. ^ "Vision becomes reality: Concord's Chris Brown bringing NAHL prospects to NH". New Hampshire Union Leader. April 15, 2023.
  6. ^ "New junior hockey league team to begin play in New Hampshire this year". WMUR-TV. April 10, 2023.
  7. ^ New England Hockey Journal Article "Juniors Report April 1" dtd 1 April 2004 [1]
  8. ^ "Sean Tremblay EliteProspects profile". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  9. ^ Hockey's Future Article "2006 Under-17 Three Nations Tournament"
  10. ^ "Tremblay Leaving Monarchs For New Team". USHR.com. March 1, 2012.
  11. ^ "Ryan Frew named NCDC Coach Of The Year". New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs. August 18, 2019.
  12. ^ "Our Friend. Our Mentor. Our Leader. We will miss you, Ryan". New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs. October 5, 2020.
  13. ^ "EJHL Playoffs".
  14. ^ "| Amateur Hockey News | March 28, 2002".
  15. ^ "| Amateur Hockey News | March 28, 2003".
  16. ^ "Feisty Forward for Golden Knights | Amateur Hockey News | March 28, 2004".
  17. ^ "EJHL Playoffs, Updated Daily | Amateur Hockey News | March 14, 2005".
  18. ^ "EJHL Semifinals Tonight | Amateur Hockey News | March 20, 2006".
  19. ^ "New Hampshire Junior Monarchs".
  20. ^ "Twin City Thunder win round-robin, earn playoff spot". Sun Journal. March 15, 2021.
  21. ^ "2007 Tier III Junior A Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  22. ^ "2008 Tier III Junior A Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  23. ^ "2009 Tier III Junior A Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  24. ^ "2010 Tier III Junior A Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  25. ^ "2011 Tier III Junior A Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  26. ^ "2012 Tier III Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  27. ^ "2014 Tier III Nationals". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  28. ^ "Alumni/College | NH Jr. Monarchs".