2020-2021 U19 & U16 Major Team Information
Season Outline
- Season will run from early June to Thanksgiving. The teams will break from December to February.
- Upon qualification, the teams will reconvene in March for the USA Hockey Tier I National Championships.
- Coaching staff will be named soon.
- The teams will be participating in the following tournaments and showcases:
Date |
Event |
Location |
July 2020 |
Beantown Classic |
Marlborough, MA |
August 2020 |
Polar Bear Jamboree |
Connecticut |
September 2020 |
NAHA Labor Day Tournament |
Burlington, VT |
September 2020 |
U19: Stoney Creek University Showcase |
Hamilton, ONT |
October 2020 |
University Showcase |
New Haven, CT |
November 2020 |
Jamboree |
TBD |
November 2020 |
New England Tier I Regional Tournament ** |
TBD |
March 2021 |
USA Hockey Tier I National Championships ** |
TBD |
** upon qualification
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Vault Summer Training Program
The season begins in early June with the 5th Annual Vault Summer Training Program. Over a three month period, U19 & U16 Tier I players will receive more than 130 hours of on-ice skills training. The Vault focuses on individual skills development, small games, and game situational training. All sessions are led by former and current female college players. The 2020 Vault coaching staff includes 13 current and former female NCAA Division I and III players. The tentative 2020 schedule is below. Sessions will take place at the Milford Ice Pavilion (Mon-Wed) and Newington Ice Arena (Thu). For a sample of the training, check out the video, or visit our Vault Training blog. |
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The Vault Program Also Includes:
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Vault College Clinic Series
Sessions led by NCAA Division I and III coaches. 2019 featured Brown University, College of the Holy Cross, and Middlebury College. The 2020 lineup will be announced in the Spring.
**The Vault College Clinic Series sessions are open to any and all entrants, limited only by number and age. |
Vault 4-on-4 League
Develop and implement your skills in a fast-paced and competitive environment. Enjoy the speed and extra ice 4 on 4 hockey provides. 4 team league comprised of U19 & U16 Tier 1 players and current and former college players.
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Fall Schedule
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U16 Major Head Coach: Gwil Jones
Gwil has been coaching for 20 years in Massachusetts and New York with a strong focus on player development.
Gwil's teams have won the New York State Championship and the Eastern Hockey Federation. He is also a two time runner up at the Massachusetts State Championships.
He has coached dozens of national camp players who have gone on to play college hockey. Gwil is in his third year as a coach with the Polar Bears.
Gwil has been coaching for 20 years in Massachusetts and New York with a strong focus on player development.
Gwil's teams have won the New York State Championship and the Eastern Hockey Federation. He is also a two time runner up at the Massachusetts State Championships.
He has coached dozens of national camp players who have gone on to play college hockey. Gwil is in his third year as a coach with the Polar Bears.
U19 Coaches: Maurice FitzMaurice & Janice Yang
Maurice FitzMaurice
Maurice FitzMaurice, a Founder of the Polar Bears, has coached in twenty-eight USA Hockey National Championship Tournaments. Fitz’s teams have won seven National championships and finished second six times at the Nationals. For nine consecutive years from 1996 to 2004, his teams advanced to the final four at the National Championship Tournament.
Nine members of teams coached by Fitz have participated in the Olympics. In each of the five Olympiads held to date, between two and four players from his teams have participated. Many other of his players have been selected to play for US National teams.
Four members of Fitz’s teams have received the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, the most prestigious award given annually to the top female player in college hockey.
Thirty-five of Fitz’s players have become coaches at the college or prep school level. Many others have become coaches in youth hockey programs.
In 2008, Fitz received the Joe Burke Award from the American College Coaches Association for “outstanding contribution, support, and dedication to women’s ice hockey.”
Janice Yang
Most recently completed a four-year career at Brown University (ECAC) where she lead the team in goals her junior year and was tied for second in assists her senior year. Earned ECAC All-Academic honors in 2014 and 2015.
Before matriculating to Brown, Yang competed for Choate Rosemary Hall and the Connecticut Polar Bears.
She helped her Polar Bear teams to multiple silver and bronze medal finishes at the National Championships. A two-time New England Founder’s League Champion with Choate, Yang was also selected as a NEPSAC First Team All-Star her senior year. She was a four-year USA Hockey national camp participant.
Yang is in her sixth year as a coach with the Polar Bears.
Maurice FitzMaurice
Maurice FitzMaurice, a Founder of the Polar Bears, has coached in twenty-eight USA Hockey National Championship Tournaments. Fitz’s teams have won seven National championships and finished second six times at the Nationals. For nine consecutive years from 1996 to 2004, his teams advanced to the final four at the National Championship Tournament.
Nine members of teams coached by Fitz have participated in the Olympics. In each of the five Olympiads held to date, between two and four players from his teams have participated. Many other of his players have been selected to play for US National teams.
Four members of Fitz’s teams have received the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, the most prestigious award given annually to the top female player in college hockey.
Thirty-five of Fitz’s players have become coaches at the college or prep school level. Many others have become coaches in youth hockey programs.
In 2008, Fitz received the Joe Burke Award from the American College Coaches Association for “outstanding contribution, support, and dedication to women’s ice hockey.”
Janice Yang
Most recently completed a four-year career at Brown University (ECAC) where she lead the team in goals her junior year and was tied for second in assists her senior year. Earned ECAC All-Academic honors in 2014 and 2015.
Before matriculating to Brown, Yang competed for Choate Rosemary Hall and the Connecticut Polar Bears.
She helped her Polar Bear teams to multiple silver and bronze medal finishes at the National Championships. A two-time New England Founder’s League Champion with Choate, Yang was also selected as a NEPSAC First Team All-Star her senior year. She was a four-year USA Hockey national camp participant.
Yang is in her sixth year as a coach with the Polar Bears.
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