Aston, PA -- The Philadelphia Little Flyers, members of the Eastern Hockey League are proud to announce 1997 birth year forward, Joey Savel, has committed to attend Utica College in the fall of 2018 to continue his education and hockey career.  Savel, a 6ft 185lb native of Sterling Heights, Michigan is in his second full season with the Little Flyers Eastern Hockey League team.  The Utica College Pioneers, coached by Gary Heenan are current members of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference.  "We are very proud of Joey on his commitment to Utica" said Little Flyers EHL Head Coach & General Manager George Lewis.  Lewis continued "Joe has worked very hard for this and it is well deserved.  As one of our captains and a two year player in Philly he's given us a lot and we are very grateful for the work he has put in for our program."  Savel, has put together the single greatest offensive season in EHL history this year, in 49 games played he scored 31 goals and dished out a single season record 65 assists. 

    "I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way especially my parents and all of the sacrifices they went through to get me to this point.  I'd like to thank all of my coaches that I've had throughout the years Chris Coury, Brad Jones and Rocky Russo.  I'd also like to especially thank Coaches George Lewis, Mark Catron and Mike Narrigan from the Little Flyers.  Thank you to the Giacobbo Family and the entire Little Flyers organization for the past two seasons.  Lastly, I'd like to thank all my teammates that I've played with, I wouldn't be anywhere without them.  I'm extremely excited to be joining the Pioneers next year, I'm also very thankful to Coach Heenan and Coach Educate for giving me this wonderful opportunity at such a great school." said Savel upon making his college decision.  

    Savel's historic season didn't stop with the new assists record.  His 96 points are a new EHL single season record, surpassing the previous high of 76 held by Kevin Valenti (Northern Cyclones) and Donny Flynn (New Jersey Rockets).  "Obviously being the leading scorer in the league is the first thing you think when you hear his name but he he's become a lot more than that.  Utica is getting a quality young man who will hep their program tremendously" added Lewis.  The Little Flyers will be well represented at Utica as Little Flyers Alumni Tyler Pietrowski and Jamie Bucell are current freshman with the Pioneers, Cameron Bartkoski will join Savel as incoming freshman in the fall of 2018.