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About Apple Core Junior Hockey

(1993 – Present)

 

With many choices for today's Junior Hockey Player, why should you choose Apple Core College Development Juniors? Simply, it is by far the best route to top Universities and Colleges in the Tri-State area. Since 1993-94, over (285) players have moved onto top Colleges at the Div. 1 and 3 level to further their hockey careers. The rich history of Apple Core is loaded with great experiences and great players, some of which are in the NHL today.

               

The Apple Core EHL Premier team skates out of the Brewster Ice Arena. A franchise member of the prestigious Eastern Hockey League. This (19) team League is by far the best Junior 'A' League on the entire East Coast of the United States. The EHL has sent over (2,000) players as student / athletes to almost every Div. I and Div. III college in the country. The Eastern Hockey League is recognized by the College fraternity as a hotbed of future College Prospects. Apple Core is proud to be a member of this great League. The Apple Core Elite team skates out of The Long Beach Arena and is the feeder team for the EHL Premier program.

  

  Players such as Rob Scuderi (Boston College > Pittsburgh Penguins), Doug Murray (Cornell, Montreal), Mark Eaton (Notre Dame > Pittsburgh Penguins > NY Islanders), Eric Nystrom (U. of Michigan > Calgary Flames), Matt Gilroy (Florida Panthers), Ryan Vesce (Cornell > San Jose Sharks), Martins Karsums (Boston Bruins > Tampa Bay Lightning) lead the pack. Players have gone to Colleges and Universities such as Yale, Michigan, Notre Dame, Harvard, Princeton, West Point, Air Force, Boston College, Boston University, Clarkson, Brown and RPI just to name a few. Players have gone to the NTDP and have represented Apple Core proudly.

 

Apple Core Junior Hockey has been graced by great players since inception in 1993-94. Included in their accomplishments are two National Jr. 'B' Championships in 1996, 2010, a Triple Crown Championship in the Eastern Junior Hockey League in 2003 and playoffs in all but (1) year since '94. The teams have won approximately (60) tournaments over the years and as stated above has sent (285) players to all the top schools in the country.

 

Apple Core has serviced the local player pool for years and has been pro-active in developing new ideas for player development. The Apple Core MET, which plays in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League, has molded many players for the EHL. Many of our heroes started on the MET team as young players. They benefited by the excellent instruction and practices which are provided. Many of those players have moved up through the ranks also. The two team approach has been very successful and has put LI players on the map.

 

 Apple Core practices hard, uses Video analysis, has a great strength and conditioning program and a goaltender coach second to none. Every player is seen by College scouts at least (10) times a year.

 

 As a student/athlete, your goal is to put yourself in the best possible situation to play at the highest level you can. Apple Core provides this challenge. If you are mentally tough, a competitor, and have dreams for the future in the sport of hockey, the 'Core is the place for you. Please go to our Alumni page, 10-year team and Hall of Fame to view the great accomplishments of our fine players. You too can be part of this. You only get one chance to do this the right way. Find out why players from all local areas continue to try out for the 'Core.

 

 The 2010 - 2011 EJHL Team came in 6th overall in the 14 team league, losing in sudden death to the regular season champions in the playoffs. The 2010 - 2011 Jr. Empire team was rated the number one Jr. team in the country the entire season and swept the Empire playoffs in winning the Empire Triple Crown. The 2011- 12 EJHL team made the playoffs as did the Empire and ESHL teams. This is why Apple Core is the top Junior program on Long Island by far.

 

In 2012-13, the EHL team moved to the Brewster Ice Arena in Brewster, NY. This facility is owned by the Santini family, who also owns the team. The facility will provide more ice, gym on premises, restaurant and better billeting opportunities. It was a great stint in Long Beach which will always be special.  The team moved many players onto Colleges including, Michigan, Williams College, Colby, and Elmira just to name a few.

 

For the 2013-14 season, the team became part of the newly formed EHL (Eastern Hockey League). This new College Development League is the best path to College Hockey on the East Coast and will ensure the 6 EJ teams who joined a quality schedule with emphasis on development and education. The teams in the EHL have collectively sent well over (1000) players onto College and pro careers. In addition to the above, alum Steven Santini (NTDP & Boston College) was drafted by the NJ Devils in the NHL draft (2nd round, 42nd overall). When Steven plays his first NHL game, he will be AC's 8th NHL player.