2023/24 Coaches

Maroon = Tier 1

Gold/White = Tier 2

U19 Maroon: Mark Wall

U19 Gold: Earl St. Hilaire

U16 Maroon: Kaitlin Spurling

U16 Gold: Ryan Hughes

U16 White: Sam Finley

U14 Maroon: Mike Burns

U14 Gold: Mike Jewkes

U14 White: Mike Walsh

U12 Maroon: Ryan Hutchins

U12 Gold: David Hymovitz

U12 White: Matt DiFiore

U10 Maroon: Bill Kelleher

U10 Gold: Dave Spina

U8 Maroon: Sara Banosian

Program Info

The Boston Junior Eagles Girls Program was established in 2010 and has quickly become one of the most competitive AAA girls programs in New England.  It offers the most comprehensive girls hockey development in the Boston area for the highly motivated and skilled youth hockey player.  In its inaugural season in 2010, the Eagles U10 team won the Eastern Hockey Federation Championship.  In 2011-12, the Eagles U12 Tier 1 and Tier II teams were both highly ranked nationally and had great success in both the very competitive New England Girls’ Hockey League (NEGHL) and the EHF.  In 2013, the Junior Eagles Maroon U12 Maroon team won both the Massachusetts State Championship and the National Championship.  Two of the 2014 Eagles U14 teams were ranked #3 in the country at the Tier 1 and Tier II levels and the third is ranked #7 in Tier II!. In 2014-15, the Eagles U14 won the Tier I National Championship.  In 2015-16, the Eagles U16 Maroon finished #3 in the country falling in the National Semifinals.

In 2016-17, the Eagles Girls Program will field teams at the U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19 levels.

The Eagles Program offers an active practice and game schedule, typically one or two games on the weekend and two practices per week on a set schedule from September through March, and access to skating and skills instruction, shooting instruction from renowned instructor Glen “Dr. Shot” Tucker, and off-ice training with Mike Poidomani.  The Boston Junior Eagles practice at Daly Rink in Brighton, Reilly Rink in Cleveland Circle and Boston University.  They play their home games at Daly Rink, Boston University and Porazzo Rink in East Boston.

U16 & U19 Programs are primarily Sunday only with a practice and game on Sunday.  With multiple tournament and showcase opportunities.

BJE U14 Maroon defeated Assabet Red Major 3-1 
to win the title at the Rhode Island Panthers
Thanksgiving Tournament 2013!

http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/311779?referrer_id=886625

Imagine if somebody threw a large party and nobody showed up. That’s basically what happened when the Boston Junior Eagles decided prior to the 2010-11 season to add a girls’ program.  “At the first tryout, I thought we’d get 20 to 25 girls, and we only got seven,” Junior Eagles Girls’ Director Mike Mullowney said. “Most importantly we didn’t have a goalie. “  I had a flyer made up and went around to 20 rinks and stapled it on the walls. As it turned out, we only had 13 girls the first year. We were scrambling that first year to find 13. We were nervous because we didn’t know if we would have a full roster.”

Now, fast-forward to the 2013-14 season, and the Junior Eagles have Under-10 and Under-12 full-season teams that play in the New England Girls’ Hockey League; two U14 full-season teams (Maroon Tier I and Gold Tier II) that also play in the NEGHL; and a U14 high school team that plays until mid-November when formal practices end, but the team continues to play in the NEGHL.

“Last year we had over 100 girls try out for the U14 team,” Mullowney said. “We could have fielded six teams, but we only fielded three teams.  “We’re not trying to grow as fast as possible. We want to do it the right way. But it’s absolutely going to continue to grow.”

The Junior Eagles’ girls’ program hatched when Mullowney, who had coached on the boys’ side, went to Junior Eagles president and former Boston College captain John Joyce with the suggestion.

“My daughter was playing for the East Coast Wizards, which was a hike for us — 45 minutes each way, which was too much,” Mullowney said. “At the end of the season I said, ‘Girls’ hockey is off the charts, so let’s start a girls’ program.’  “[Joyce is] in the business of youth hockey, and girls’ hockey really had been growing. He also has a daughter, and he said ‘Let’s try it.’ We had one team that first year, and then it snowballed.”

The Junior Eagles’ strong growth was exemplified by last season’s U12 team, which not only won the Massachusetts state championship but also won a national title when Kelly Browne scored a goal with nine ticks of the clock left in the overtime session.  And prior to nationals, the Junior Eagles (who finished 40-4-5) had to get by traditional powerhouse Assabet Valley, which they did in the state finals.

“Going in, we had played Assabet Valley about six times, and each game was very even,” Mullowney said. “We knew we’d see them in the finals. We couldn’t wait for the opportunity. Every game [in the state championship] was close, and we wanted to play them because they’re the best. “In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.”

The Junior Eagles didn’t even get a chance to play the best, let alone beat the best, the two seasons prior in 2010-11.“  That first year, the U10 team beat the Breakers to win what was then the Eastern Hockey League,” Mullowney said. “That got us on the map. But the state organization wouldn’t let us play in the state tournament the first year because we didn’t have at least three teams.

“We were ineligible the first two years, and it was really frustrating. The rules were clear, but we knew we could do well.” 

Mullowney almost was at a loss for words while trying to explain why the U12 team hit a hockey jackpot last season. “It’s incredible,” he said. “The easiest answer was we found really good kids and parents. They were on board from Day 1. Over time, it started to snowball.”

In one sense, the Junior Eagles program has “snowballed” to the point that three defenders, Maggie Curran, Julia MacLean and Taylor Matherson, were selected to represent Massachusetts at the USA Hockey Girls’ U14 National Development Camp in July in St. Cloud, Minn.“  It’s the very best of the best,” Mullowney said. “We were very proud of that and didn’t anticipate that.”

Not surprisingly, there’s more to the Junior Eagles than meets the eye. “No. 1, we work incredibly hard,” Mullowney said. “We have an off-ice training coach [in former Boston College strength and conditioning coach Mike Poidomani] who works with the girls two or three times a week. He’s been a huge addition. “We pretty much play year-round including tournaments. We’ve even gone to Canada because we’re always looking to play the very best.

“It’s having the right people who are committed to working hard,” Mullowney continued. “We’ve been very fortunate in that our tryouts have been incredibly competitive.”  Competitive tryouts by extension lead to competitive teams. That’s why several Junior Eagles have their sights set on continuing to play hockey after they graduate from the program. “We already have quite a few girls that are talking about playing Division I hockey,” Mullowney said. “I’m going to do all that I can to help them succeed. We have some incredibly talented players and great kids — plus there isn’t an NHL for girls.  “To me, it’s a realistic goal for many girls to have. I think it’s an incredible opportunity.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.