For more information:
Chris Bilder, Public Relations/Marketing, Eugene Generals
541-359-4154 (office)
541-680-6222 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2007
NORPAC Granted Tier-III Junior A Status
Eugene, OR – The USA Hockey Junior Council announced late last night that Tier-III A status has been granted to NORPAC as well as Central States Hockey League (CSHL), Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MNJHL) and Western States Hockey League (WSHL). The four newly appointed Tier-III A leagues will join the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) at the Tier-III A designation.
“Its great that NORPAC was granted the Tier-III A designation,” Generals GM Flint Doungchak said. “We strive to be the best organization in Junior hockey at developing players. It doesn’t matter if we’re classified as Junior D or Tier-I A, we are going to continue to make every effort to be the best in every endeavor we undertake.”
“I think the new designation will ultimately raise the level of play in NORPAC,” Generals Head Coach Chris Hartly added. “There has always been a stigma about playing Junior B hockey, and the new designation should remove those thoughts. Players who wouldn’t have considered playing Junior B, because of the name, will now consider the thought of playing Tier-III A.”
The new designation is granted with a two year probationary period, and comes with three stipulations. Following the probationary period the leagues must meet the forthcoming performance criteria, leagues are not permitted expansion at any time in any form during the probationary period and recertification process will occur for each season.
For more information on the upcoming season please visit eugenegenerals.com.