NOR'EASTER BEGIN PLAY IN SEPT., RELOCATE TEAM & STAFF FROM NEWINGTON

The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) is pleased to announce that the Connecticut Chiefs junior hockey franchise has been purchased by Adam Westhaver, President, CT Nor’Easter. As part of the relocation to the International Skating Center of CT (ISCC), the team, coaching staff, and hockey operations staff will remain in place within the program.

Also, in conjunction with this milestone acquisition, ISCC is thrilled to unveil expansion plans of its current facility to include a cutting-edge training complex. Spanning over 25,000 square feet, the new expansion will feature state-of-the-art amenities including two (2) half-size training ice rinks, specialized strength and conditioning areas, and advanced training and video review spaces. Designed specifically for aspiring athletes, the complex will offer comprehensive on and off-ice training, personalized academic advising, professional locker rooms including lounge and academic spaces, and access to nutrition and mental health resources.

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GREG HEFFERNAN JOINS NOR'EASTER AS EHL HEAD COACH

Heffernan comes to the Nor’Easter after a successful three-year stint with the Connecticut Chiefs in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL). Under his leadership, the Chiefs reached the EHL Central Division Finals twice in three seasons.

Heffernan is renowned for his dedication to player development, boasting a robust network of NCAA coaching connections. This network has enabled him to advance an average of over 10 players per season to NCAA programs, placing the Chiefs among the elite EHL teams for NCAA placements. He aims to replicate this success with the Nor’Easter, aspiring to make them a premier EHL-to-NCAA program. Heffernan Player Commitments

Before his tenure with the Chiefs, Heffernan was the Head Coach of the Western New England University NCAA men's ice hockey team. Heffernan's coaching journey also includes a role as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Fredonia State University, and as assistant coach at NCAA DI Mercyhurst University. Read Full Bio

MICHAEL ESPOSITO JOINS NOR'EASTER AS AAA ACADEMY EHLP HEAD COACH

The Nor’easter is excited to announce Coach Esposito as the inaugural head coach of their team. Esposito brings a robust coaching background, most recently serving as the assistant coach at Roger Williams University ACHA. In the 2000s, he was the Head Coach at Tilton Prep before transitioning to a career in the tech industry.

Before entering the corporate world, Esposito made significant contributions at several prep schools, including Northfield Mount Hermon, where he coached hockey, taught, and worked in admissions. His playing career is notable, with time spent as a standout MVP goalie at NCAA D1 Brown University and NCAA D3 Trinity College.

MAKE YOUR FAMILY A NOR'EASTER FAMILY

Hosting, or “billeting,” a player is a hockey tradition. Billeting has helped many young athletes get acclimated to their new towns, schools, and teams. 

Players arrive in the Simsbury, CT area in early September and stay through the end of the hockey season, typically around mid-to-late March or early April. However, high school players will likely remain through the end of the school year to finish their education and begin their off-season training. Interested? LEARN MORE