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      Mercer Chiefs News

      Seeking Billet Families for the 2019/20 Season!

      Every season the Mercer Chiefs seek local families to become billet families.This upcoming season is no exception!

      What is a billet family you might ask? An exceptional young player who lives outside the area and wants to come play for the Chiefs. Enter the billet family. Billet families provide a caring, supportive, family environment to be the home away from home for each of our players. Billeting can be a very exciting and rewarding experience for those willing to open up their homes to our hockey players.

      ‘I know from personal experience – I have billeted boys the last 4 years and I can share that the experience was a wonderful one for my family. We will always consider these young men a part of our family. Also, I was once a billet player and I will always consider my host family my second family,’ says Rob Broderick.

      The player pays the billet family for their ‘room and board.’ While financial compensation is part of being a billet family, the real rewards are found in the relationships that are made with these players. Often times, lifelong bonds that cannot be broken and the player becomes part of your family! Providing a home and family atmosphere to these kids who are away from their own families, as they pursue their dreams, is very special. These players have all been vetted and are special young men. You are not responsible for driving them to or from the rink or for paying for any of their activities. They will keep busy with both on and off ice activities as they are very serious about looking to move on to play college and professional hockey one day.

      Join the billeting world and host one of our Chiefs players this year! We have many players coming from a few different states and we need you!

      If interested please contact Rob at rbroderick9912@gmail.com.

      Three Chiefs players selected for the USA National Camp in Buffalo!

      A huge congratulations goes out to three of our Mercer Chiefs, Mike Citera, Damian Carfagna and TJ Semptimphelter, for being selected to the USA National Camp! From 80 players, only 6 forwards, 4 defenseman and 1 goalie were chosen!

      The USA 17 National Camp is in Buffalo, June 25th - July 1st from the Atlantic District. “This is a testament to Mike, Damian and TJ. Not only to their talent but also to their work ethic. It is also a huge indication of the quality of coaching at the Chiefs and in particular Coach Chris Barcless. Chris is one of the best hockey coaches in the country,” said Chiefs General Manager Rob Broderick.

      Congratulations boys and good luck in Buffalo!

      Welcome Princeton Youth!

      Ice Land is proud to announce that the Princeton Youth Tier 2 program will be the primary Tier 2 tenant out of Ice Land for the 2019-20 season. From Tier 2 mites to midgets, Princeton Youth will play their Tier 2 teams out of Ice Land and Hobey Baker. The Mercer Chiefs will still operate their Tier 1 program (Mites to U18).

      The Mercer Chiefs family has grown exponentially this year with the addition of the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL and the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. New and exciting things are just getting started and we are very excited to continue growing and expanding our programs here at Ice Land including the addition of Princeton Youth and their Tier 2 program!

      All skaters interested in playing Tier 2, after the Tier 1 tryouts at Ice Land, we hope will play for the Princeton Youth Tigers. Princeton Youth tryout information will be posted on the Princeton Youth website as well as the Ice Land website as it’s available.

      As always, thank you for your continued support of Ice Land, the Mercer Chiefs and now, the Princeton Youth Tigers!

      2019/20 Mercer Chiefs Tier 1 Coaches

      Ross Colton, Mercer Chiefs player, signed to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL!

      A huge congratulations goes out to Ross Colton, a lifelong Mercer Chiefs player, for signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. On Tuesday, June 26th, the NHL Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced, “The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Ross Colton to a two-year, two-way contract.”

      Ross played his youth hockey career almost exclusively under the tutelage of Mercer Chiefs coach and Hockey Director Chris Barcless. Ross still trains with Coach Barcless at Ice Land throughout the off season. Coach Barcless said, “Ross is an extraordinary person and player and he deserves everything that his coming his way.” Ironically, Ross also played one season with the current Chiefs General Manager and Coach Rob Broderick, at the Midget level after his youth career with the Chiefs. Coach Broderick said, “Chris Barcless being the person he is, called me because that season Mercer did not have a strong Midget team and he knew that we did. Of course I knew and coached against Ross and knew how incredibly gifted he was, but I also knew that he played for Chris and you just know that means he is a good player on both sides of the puck because of Chris’s coaching. Ross certainly has the talent, but his work ethic is special and the coaching he received from Chris Barcless certainly played a big role. They both should be very proud!”

      Ross said, “I owe a lot to the Chiefs organization and especially to Coach Barcless. I would not be where I am today without them.”

      The Mercer Chiefs family and Ice Land congratulate Ross for signing to play for the Tampa Bay organization and we couldn’t be prouder! We can't wait to see him on the ice!

      Mercer family now owners of USHL Franchise!

      The Mercer Chiefs organization is thrilled to announce that the Mercer family is now owners of a USHL franchise. Ice Land and Mercer Chiefs General Manager Rob Broderick said, “This is a game changer for the Mercer Chiefs hockey club. USHL is the best Junior League in the country, the only Tier One Junior League in the United States. The Chiefs are now part of an organization with an NAHL team, a EHL team and now a USHL team. The Chiefs players will have the opportunity to play for a great program from Mites through the two best Junior programs in the United States. This is a very exciting day for the Mercer Chiefs!" Chiefs Hockey Director Chris Barclass said, "This is a great day for the Mercer Chiefs family. Now the Chiefs organization has the EHL, the NAHL and the USHL as options for our top Tier One Midget Players."

      Congratulations to Coby and Chip drafted

      A big congratulations to Coby Auslander and Chip Hamlett for being drafted by the Boston Bandits. Coby and Chip are both on the U18AAA Premier team for the 2018 season for the Chiefs. "Two terrific players, the Bandits picked two gamers. Coby was taken first overall in the draft. "He is a smart, talented forward and Chip is a solid two way defenseman. They are both solid on both sides of the puck," said Mercer Chiefs U18 Coach and GM Rob Broderick. Congrats Coby and Chip!

      • 2019 16 National AYHL Champions!
      • 2018 U15 Atlantic District Champions!
      • 2018 U15 AYHL Champions!
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      2. 2 of 3
      3. 3 of 3

      Monday skills sessions remain the same times and ages as they have been from the start of the season. They have not changed. They are for BOTH goalies and players at the same time!

      Congratulations to Aidan McDowell for being drafted by the Maryland Black Bears in the NAHL Draft! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see you play in the NAHL!

      Congratulations to Aidan McDowell for being drafted by the Maryland Black Bears in the NAHL Draft! We can't wait to see you play in the NAHL!

      Ice Land, Mercer Chiefs U16 Champions

      Congratulations to the 2018/19 U16 AYHL Champions, under the direction of Coach Barcless!

      Click Here for AYHL site

      Click logo to go to the AYHL website!

      mercer_chiefs Mercer Chiefs mercer_chiefs
      Rob Broderick

      Rob Broderick

      GM

      Phone: 3478862185

      Chris Barcless

      Chris Barcless

      T1 Master Scheduler/Hockey Director

      Marco Escalona

      Goalie Director

      Mercer Chiefs

      The Mercer Chiefs competitive hockey program offers a structured and disciplined venue for children up to the age of 18 to participate in a highly competitive travel hockey league. The program is selective in matching a child’s physical ability and skill level with the appropriate level of competition and developmental options. The Mercer Chiefs Tier 1 AAA teams offer the highest level of competition both regionally and nationally and compete within the AYHL and at high-level tournaments throughout the country. Tier 1 hockey programs require a significant commitment from both the player and their parents or guardians with respect to practices, games, and tournaments and this commitment should be carefully considered before participating in the program. The rewards gained from this commitment are significant for all involved. The primary focus of the Mercer Chiefs program has been and will continue to be on the development, competitiveness, and enjoyment of the player participating in high level athletic competition.

      Player Development

      PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

      • Maximizing the amount of on-ice practices.
      • Emphasis on fundamentals & skill development.
      • Certified coaching staff for all practices.
      • Pre-season Mini Camp in late August.

      Regular season begins in September and runs through March.

      Rink Contact Info

      General Manager of Ice Land and the Mercer Chiefs - Rob Broderick -
      rob@ice-land.com
      Assistant Manager - Jenn Del Rosario - 
      jenndelro@ice-land.com
      Hockey Director - Chris Barcless -
      cbarcless@ice-land.com
      Skating Director and Office Manager - Jenn Schaffener -
      jenn@ice-land.com
      Facilities Manager - Ed Seeley -
      ed@ice-land.com
      Adult Hockey League Director - Heather O'Connell -
      heather@ice-land.com
      Pro Shop - Brian Arnott -
      proshop@ice-land.com
      Hockey Inquiries -
      hockey@ice-land.com
      General Information -
      information@ice-land.com
      Mercers Mite Hockey Director - Mike Kelly -
      mkelly12876@aol.com

      Coach Contact Info

      Mercer Mites Hockey Director - Mike Kelly -
      mkelly12876@aol.com
      2009 + 2010 - Marco Escalona -
      shutout85@gmail.com
      2007 + 2008 - Chris Barcless -
      cbarcless@ice-land.com
      2006 - Pat Serpico -
      pserpico@gmail.com
      2005 - Brett Aimone -
      brettaimone27@hotmail.com
      U15 - Oscar Watson -
      olwatson7@icloud.com
      16 National + American - Anthony Matarazzo -
      coachmazzo@gmail.com
      U18 Premier - Rob Broderick -
      rob@ice-land.com
      U18 Elite - Jim Dyer -
      jdhawkey@verizon.net

      Ice Land Logo, 6 Tennis Court, Hamilton NJ, Ice Skating Rink

      Click logo to go to Ice Land's website!

      Contact

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