Union Thunder Junior Hockey News
The regular season is coming to an end for UJT as they head into their final 3 regular-season games at the upcoming showcase this weekend in Aston, PA. The team travels to face off against the following Northeast teams for the first time this season:
Adirondack Jr. Thunder - Friday, March 7th @ 2:20 PM
Providence Capitals - Saturday, March 8th @ 8:20 PM
CT Nor’Easter AAA Academy - Sunday, March 9th @1:00 PM
UJT enters this final weekend of the regular season 2nd in the South Division, and are Top 10 in the League.
It’s crucial to make a note of UJT’s special teams as they sit 3rd in the league with their 20.2% Power Play percentage and 8th with their 84.3% Penalty Kill percentage, only allowing 19 Power Play goals against this season.
It is important to also put the spotlight on Defensive players Tyler Chmiel (recently getting his first goal of the season vs PLF February 17th) and Brandon Larraga. While holding down the fort in front of the goal for the Thunder, both are well rounded athletes who still manage to perform offensively getting multiple shots on goal per game. Larraga has been an important key asset to the team, being moved around between the Forward and Defense position to capitalize on those skills. Drew Trask, another defenseman who has been putting in work game in and game out, also tallied his first goal in UJT’s overtime win against the New Jersey Bears on February 23rd.
Other important Defensive assets to note include Tomas Kubena and Simon Zavorka who rank in the top 10 statistically in points.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
|
Points |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Walker (30) |
Walker (18) |
Hernandez (15) |
|
Delaney (26) |
Delaney (12) |
Delaney (14) |
|
Hernandez (25) |
Hernandez (10) |
Walker (12) |
|
Farkas (20) |
Farkas (10) |
Kubena (11) |
|
Fairbanks (19) |
Fairbanks (10) |
Farkas (10) |
On Offense, our leaderboard reflects the hard work the forwards put out on the ice. All have essentially been point per game players and do not plan on stopping as the team enters the playoff battle.
For the first time in franchise history, Union Junior Thunder will finish .500 or above on the season.
All-Star Forward will join WestConn in the Fall
BREWSTER, NY -- “Trust the process.”
Those were the words New York Apple Core forward Tyler Gobel chose when asked if he had any advice for players making the jump from the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) to the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).
Gobel, evident of the league’s pipeline of development, has used that process to commit to Western Connecticut State University for the Fall of 2025.
Gobel entered the EHLP in the 2022-23 season, joining the then expansion franchise Union Junior Thunder. Coached by Thunder head coach Sam Tafel at the high school level and with some juniors games in his background, Gobel was named captain and backed it up on the ice. He tallied 18 goals and 8 assists, leading his squad.
“It made complete sense for me,” Gobel said of deciding to play in the EHLP. “P, combined with EHL, there’s a lot of commitments out of there. Why wouldn’t I go to a league where I can’t get to the next level and keep going from there?”
Dreaming of playing college hockey since he was a kid, he set his sights on the goal as he developed through his EHLP season.
“It was a crucial season for me, especially from a confidence standpoint. Coming out of high school, it taught me I could be an effective player in junior hockey and make that effect at the next level. Coach Tafel gave me all the opportunities in the world to make that happen. I had confidence in myself because he trusted me throughout that process.”
With that confidence, Gobel made the trip to Brewster, New York, suiting up for the New York Apple Core at the EHL level for his sophomore season with the league. However, in his third and final season, his production has soared. Now serving as the captain of the Apple Core, his numbers jumped from 11 points last year to a team leading 17 goals and 20 assists this season.
Citing the speed of decision making and processing of the game, he believes the mental aspect was the biggest adjustment from Premier to EHL. However, that didn’t stop him from grinding all summer.
“I was in the gym almost every day. I tried to stay on the ice five times a week. I knew I played my role my first EHL year, but I wanted to be the guy that took control this year. That was my motivation for this year, and I emulated the guys that were ahead of me.”
His hard work paid off, earning a commitment to Western Connecticut State University, where he’ll join current teammate Liam Lane. He describes the decision as a “no brainer,” relishing the opportunity to help inaugurate a new program and instill a new culture.
With the weight of a commitment off his shoulders and the dream of playing college hockey around the corner, Gobel will continue to lead the Apple Core through the stretch run of their regular season. Leading both on and off the ice, he serves as an example of what “trusting the process” can do.
With the recent news of the EHL declaring Tier 2 Jr. A and implementing standards surrounding; “Develop, Promote, Advance,” UJT is excited to be one of the only EHLp (Tier 3 Jr. A) franchises to adhere to EHL Standards and Development Practices.
With a full time coaching staff, access to over 10 hours of practice/training ice a week, individual and team film analysis, professional media coverage and on site weight training, UJT offers the same amenities and development as our EHL Tier 2 counterpart, the New York Applecore.
In providing this, UJT also upholds the new EHL mantra of “Develop, Promote, Advance” with our players. Whether it's moving up players to the EHL, being a league leader in EHL in season call ups, or ACHA/AAU commits, UJT is an organization where we prioritize our players, in a league “where players come first”.
Consistent development and advancement of our players reflects and showcases this more than anything else.
For more information please fill out our Player Interest Form (in menu above), and our staff will reach out!
Holiday Break Recap
- By Emily Sznurkowski 12/24/2024, 5:00pm EST
Mid-Season Recap
- By Emily Sznurkowski 11/27/2024, 12:00pm EST
Thunder EHLp Affiliate with New York Applecore EHL
- By Union Thunder Staff 04/01/2024, 10:45am EDT
