CHA Premier Achieves B Level Status

Ten years, 3 unique divisions, hard working commissioners, 16 teams in transition and hundreds of players reaching higher goals all add up to one thing: Success.

Those ingredients finally stirred into a proper stew as the Continental Hockey Association achieved their goal of reaching the vaunted B status in USA Hockey.

On June 9, 2006, the USA Hockey Junior Council voted to grant Junior B Status to the Continental Hockey Association and their Premier Division.  “This has been our goal since day one said CHA Commissioner and Founder Andy “Sarge” Richards”.  “We have done everything asked of us. Crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s.  Our goal was always B status and our goal has been achieved”.

The CHA began in 1996 with 5 teams playing at the Junior C level.  That level had been almost non existent.  Only a handful of Independent teams carried that label in 1996.  Seeing the need to develop a solid structure of organized play at the C or “development” level, Richards started the CHA.

Over the years the CHA grew and expanded as the need for Junior hockey grew across the nation.  In 2003 the CHA added their own developmental arm with the formation of the Mid Atlantic Development Junior Hockey League (MADJHL).  Phil DeFranco was instrumental in founding this league was named as its first President.  The MAD as it is commonly known would serve to give those 18 and under athletes their first taste of junior hockey and all the commitment that goes with it.

Last season, the CHA expanded again and created the Premier Division.  This would serve as the leagues top division with all the best skilled athletes participating.  Although not yet officially designated with the B label, the Premier Division took on the task of emulating the Junior B rules and regulations and protocols.  The CHA continued to serve the needs of the C level of player with the formation of the Selects division.  The CHA would also continue to serve the needs of the developmental level with the continuation of the MADJHL.

Over the years, as the CHA expanded and flourished, hundreds of players moved on to higher levels of junior hockey and many eventually to the College Ranks.  The CHA also saw the promotion of 16 of their teams to Junior B or Junior A levels of hockey.  The original goal and vision of the CHA was, and continues to be to move players on to the highest level possible in the shortest period of time.

The CHA will begin the 2006-2007 season with 10 teams at the Premier, or Junior B level; 11 teams in the Junior C Selects level and 7 teams in the Junior C MAD level.

For information about the CHA and its programs, visit us on line at: www.jrhockey.net

Submitted by: Peter Preteroti, CHA Director of Public Relations and Marketing