Aston, PA – For the first time since the 2014-15 season, the Philadelphia Little Flyers will field two junior teams within their organization.  The Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) serves as a sub-division for the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).  Ever since the formation of the EHL, the Little Flyers have been very successful, capturing three straight regular season championships.  The organization hopes to find the same successes at the EHLP level.  The first thing they needed was an experienced junior hockey coach that can develop young junior aged players and prepare them for the next step in hockey.  Mark Catron, was the perfect man for the job and lucky for the Little Flyers, he was already in the organization, serving as an assistant coach with the EHL team.   “I believe as coaches, our goal is to develop players for the next level, no matter what that is.  Going from youth hockey to juniors is a big step for many reasons, from the discipline away from the ice, to attention to detail on the ice” said Catron earlier this week, He continued,  “I think the sooner players learn it takes more than showing up 3-4 times a week, the better their chances are of moving to higher levels.  I've been fortunate over the past 25 years to have worked with some great coaches, learning some from each to pass along to players who want to play this game at a higher level.”  

                Catron’s resume is as impressive as they come, as a player he played for Plattsburgh Pioneers (QMJHL), Virginia Lancers (ACHL), EC Dorsten (Germany), Enschede Lions (Holland Elite, NJ Devils NHL Rookie and Main Camp.  Mark has also owned and operated Players Edge Hockey Schools since 1990.  After his playing days, Catron moved into scouting and coaching for some of the top junior and professional organizations in the United States including the Indiana Ice (USHL), Trenton Titans (ECHL), Indiana Jr. Ice 18U (AAA), Seguin Bruins Jr. A (OPJHL), Philadelphia Revolution (Jr A), New Jersey Rockets 16U & 18 U (AAA), and Philadelphia Little Flyers (EHL).

                This year’s EHLP roster is made up of mostly first year junior players who are from Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.  With some players still in high school, playing for the Premier team allows them to finish their high school education and still attend school with their friends.  At the same time the players will be gaining a year of junior hockey experience, playing a 44 game schedule against top competition on the east coast as well as practicing and training four times a week.  Having a two junior team system also allows players at the Premier level the opportunity to move up and practice or play with the EHL team throughout the season.  Two weeks ago at the Philadelphia Junior Showcase, several players from the EHLP team were called up to play for the EHL team, gaining valuable experience prior to the start of training camp which opened last week.  “With such a young team, almost all 99's and 00's, in our first year, the only expectation I have is to see a strong compete level every day.  My approach is it's not about wins and losses at this level, It's all about development to get them to the EHL or higher for next season.  We've already had players from the EHLP play games with the EHL team in the preseason.  We wanted this team to be an avenue for the local player to have a chance to step into Jr hockey with years left to move up.” stated Catron when asked about expectations for the upcoming season.  The strong working relationship between Little Flyers EHL Head Coach George Lewis and EHLP Head Coach Mark Catron will be beneficial to all players for the Little Flyers Junior teams.  Throughout training camp, Lewis and Catron have been assisting each other, attending both EHL and EHLP on ice sessions to further help the development of the players and implement systems as opening day of the EHL season moves closer.

                The EHLP team will play in the leagues opening game of the 2017-18 season as they host the Central Penn Panthers on home ice at IceWorks Skating