2019-20 EHLP season



This is the 2019-20 Eastern Hockey League Premier Season. This is the Eastern Hockey League's lower level league. It is the league's 5th season as a feeder league for the higher EHL's league. It was known as the Elite Division for 2015-16 and the 19U Elite Division for 2016-17. The league is an U-19 level league and not a true junior league.

Playoffs Canceled
On March 12th the league issued the following statement"

"The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) has announced today that effective immediately all remaining 2020 EHL and EHLP playoff games have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus and outbreak. This includes the upcoming 2020 Frozen Finals in Providence, RI. The decision was made by the league's Board of Governors with the best interest of our players, staff, and their families in mind."

Membership Changes
On April 23, 2019 the league announced the leagues teams for the 2019-20 season. Among the changes:
 * The Worcester Jr. Railers will be added to both of the leagues. The teams will be based out of the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center.
 * The New Hampshire Avalanche and New York Apple Core are adding teams the Premier Division. Both organizations have already operated teams in the main league.
 * The Staten Island based New York Bridgemen are being added to the Premier Division. The team appears to be based out of the Staten Island Skating Pavilion.
 * The Central Penn Panthers and Philadelphia Junior Flyers are both not playing this year.

Format
The top seven teams in the New England Conference and the top four in the Mid-Atlantic Conference qualify for the playoffs. The sixth and seventh seeds meet in a single elimination game. The winner becomes the sixth seed. The third through sixth teams are matched up in a best-of-three series with the winners advancing to the conferences semifinals becoming the third and fourth seeds. The Conference Semifinals are best-of-three with the winners advancing to the EHLP Frozen Finals for single elimination semifinal and final rounds held at Schneider Arena on the campus of Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island March 28 and 29, 2020.

Preliminary Round

 * Walpole Express defeated Connecticut Chiefs 3-2

Division Quarterfinals

 * Worcester Jr. Railers defeated Walpole Express 2 games to none
 * Vermont Lumberjacks defeated New England Wolves 2 games to 1

Division Semifinals
Balance of playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
 * New Jersey 87's lead New Jersey Renegades 1 game to none