Selects Academy Crowned USPHL 18U Champions

The Nation's Premier Hockey League

Selects Academy Crowned USPHL 18U Champions

By Mike Klein, 03/01/16, 1:30PM EST

Greg Printz’s two goals propelled Selects Academy to the USPHL 18-and-under Tournament of Champions title, their second in three seasons. The Providence College recruit lit the lamp early in the first period and midway through the third. Goaltender Keith Petruzelli, a Holy Cross recruit, was outstanding in the win, stopping all 21 shots he faced.

The previous day, Selects Academy defeated the Islanders Hockey Club to advance to the title game after knocking off the Skipjacks Hockey Club last Monday, winning 5-4 in overtime.

The Tournament of Champions title caps off another impressive season for Selects Academy, who posted a 25-0-1 record in the regular season. The only blemish came against bitter rival Jersey Hitmen on January 16, falling 2-1 in overtime. Prior to the loss, Selects Academy won twelve straight games, all in regulation. The team ended the regular season with a thirteen-game winning streak.

Selects Academy enjoys a unique setup where all players board and attend South Kent School in South Kent, CT. The team epitomizes the USPHL development model with their 18U and 16U teams, with a large percentage of the players advancing and playing together until graduation. In four seasons, Selects Academy has established itself as one of the top 18U teams in the nation and boasts seven players committed to NCAA Division One schools.

The 2016 Tournament of Champions title represents the second in three years for Selects Academy after winning in 2014 and falling in overtime last season.