Bears Adding EHLP Team in 2024
Brassieur Set to Lead Expansion Roster Next Season
FLEMINGTON, NJ — The Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) is pleased to announce the approval of a new team, starting in the 2024-25 season, as voted on by the league’s Board of Governors. Competing currently in their inaugural season at the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) level, the New Jersey Bears will become the 17th member of the EHLP next year.
Following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, the Protec Jr. Ducks were sold to the ownership group of Mike Golembiewski and Tim Quinn, who also own the Flemington Ice Arena in Flemington, NJ.
With the purchase and sale, and the team relocating, the franchise took on a new name, and thus the New Jersey Bears are off to a 19-7-2 start over the course of their first 28 games in the EHL.
Now that one of the newest franchises in the EHL has had a chance to get their feet wet, they feel ready to round out their organization with the additional of an EHLP team next season.
“The New Jersey Bears organization is excited to launch this major piece that will fill the gap between our youth programs and the junior program,” said Golembiewski. “The EHL Premier is a well-run and competitive league that will help prepare the players to step up to the next competitive level under our umbrella, the EHL.”
The Bears have previously run a U18 program out of their rink, but are electing to switch things up next fall, and elevate the team up to the EHLP level instead. Jackson Brassieur had previously led the U18 team, and will be tasked with leading the Bears in their inaugural season in the EHLP.
“I am extremely excited to take the next step in my coaching career,” said Brassieur. “Thank you to the Bears ownership Mike [Golembiewski] and Tim [Quinn], and Joe Bucchino the General Manager of the junior program, for this opportunity to continue being a part of the EHL and EHLP.”
Along with his current youth responsibilities this season, Brassieur has jumped on the bench as an Assistant Coach at the EHL level, helping out Jason Kilcoyne whenever he has a chance.
“We’re really excited to add an extension of our great youth program,” said Kilcoyne. “Jackson has earned the chance to lead our EHLP team, and it will be great to open our doors to a larger audience of players next season. The EHL Premier division is a proven bridge to the EHL, and that will continue to be the case with our program in New Jersey.”
As mentioned above, the Bears own one of the best marks in the EHL heading into the ‘New Year’, and that’s all despite a current losing streak.
However, despite the way New Jersey entered the holiday break, the Bears still own a seven-point lead in their division, which will be key heading into the home stretch of the regular season.
For additional information about the Bears program please contact Mike and/or Tim at GM@Flemingtonice.com, and for all player inquiries, reach out to Jason Kilcoyne at jason@njbearshcky.com.
