Neponset Valley River Rats Jamboree

Each year the Neponset Valley River Rats Jamboree is the unofficial beginning of fall split season midget hockey in New England. This year is no different as the River Rats will be hosting numerous teams for the annual event at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Mass.

The 2018 Neponset Valley River Rats Jamboree features teams across four divisions, 18U, 16U, 15U, and 14U. In addition to the River Rats, other top teams in attendance include Yale, North Jersey Avalanche, Rochester Coalition, CT Riverhawks, New Jersey Rockets, Valley Forge Minutemen, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, and PAL Islanders. Other organizations competing Monday and Tuesday at the New England Sports Center include Mercer Chiefs, Northern Cyclones, EC Wizards, Boston Advantage, Nordiques, Seacoast Spartans, EC Militia, NE Generals, Springfield Rifles, RI Hitmen, and Long Island Royals.

For those unfamiliar with how fall midget hockey works in New England, the split-season teams are made up of players who will compete in prep school or high school hockey. There are a few full-season teams that compete frequently in the region, including North Jersey Avalanche, New Jersey Rockets, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, and PAL Islanders.

There are a few different midget leagues throughout New England. Beast Series teams will be most represented at the NV River Rats Jamboree. River Rats, Yale, and North Jersey Avalanche are the top teams in the Beast Series. Four other premier midget organizations, not in attendance at the River Rats Jamboree, are Mid Fairfield, Junior Eagles, Cape Cod Whalers and Little Bruins.

Getting back to the River Rats Jamboree, Yale 18U has nine college commits while Yale 16U has six college commits. The River Rats 18U squad has several D1 commits, including a few potential 2019 NHL Draft picks in Providence commit Tyler Young (Lawrence Academy) and UConn commit Malik Alishlalov (Westminster).

NV River Rats Jamboree Schedule

Editor's Note: New England Hockey Journal will have complete coverage of the fall midget hockey season throughout September, October and November. Check back for player evaluations following the River Rats Jamboree.