USPHL Announces Four New Teams For 2025-26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2025
USPHL Announces Four New Teams For 2025-26
New Premier And Elite Teams Join League; Reaves Family Takes Ownership of Dells Ducks
Nashua, N.H. – The United States Premier Hockey League (“USPHL”) is pleased to announce that its USPHL Premier Conference will be adding three new teams and the USPHL Elite Conference will add one new team, each owned by Christopher and Rhea Reaves’ Blade Edge Ventures ownership group.
These new teams are the Casper Warbirds of Casper, Wyo., Burlington Beavers of Burlington, Vt., and Evansville Mariners, of Evansville, Ind.
Blade Edge Ventures has also taken ownership of longtime USPHL member organization the Dells Ducks.
Each team will provide players in three distinct regions of the United States with fantastic opportunities for advancement to higher levels of hockey, including college hockey, the United States Hockey League and the USPHL’s top tier, the National Collegiate Development Conference.
“The USPHL is fortunate to have the Reaves Family and Blade Edge Ventures making such substantial investments in the USPHL,” said Mark Kumpel, Director of Hockey Operations for the USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite Conferences. “Adding two new markets in Burlington Vt., and Evansville, Ind., adding a Premier team to bolster the Casper Warbirds’ already successful operation, and the purchase of the Dells Ducks are all momentous for the USPHL. This strengthens four different USPHL divisions, helping to continue to fortify the USPHL as The Pathway To College Hockey.”
Casper Warbirds
Starting this upcoming season, the Casper Warbirds will be adding a USPHL Premier team in 2025-26 to complement their already established NCDC team. This exciting development marks another step forward in Blade Edge Ventures’ mission to provide high-level development and exposure for players looking to elevate their game. The Warbirds will join the USPHL Premier’s Northwest Division.
“We showed up over a year ago with a promise: we’re here to stay. My desire from Day 1 has been to bring sports and entertainment to Casper, Wyoming,” said Chris Reaves.
The addition of a Premier team gives athletes another competitive path within the Warbirds program, backed by the same commitment to excellence that defines the Warbirds’ name.
Burlington Beavers
Based in Burlington, Vermont, the Beavers will bring junior hockey to a passionate and growing hockey community in the Northeast in 2025-26. They will join the USPHL Premier Canada Division.
The Beavers are committed to building a strong, competitive program rooted in development, discipline, and a relentless work ethic—both on and off the ice. In addition to the exciting arrival of the Burlington Beavers in the USPHL Premier, Blade Edge Ventures is equally proud to introduce the Beavers U18 AAA team, a crucial steppingstone for young athletes with aspirations of advancing to junior or collegiate hockey.
“There’s something special about being in Burlington, Vermont—right near the lake, with the energy of the town and the spirit of the game all around us,” said Chris Reaves. “The landscape of the sport is shifting, and I’m proud the Burlington Beavers are part of that movement.”
Evansville Mariners
The Evansville Mariners are officially joining the USPHL Elite and Premier conferences, starting this upcoming season. This marks an exciting new chapter for hockey in the region. By fielding teams in each of the Premier and Elite conferences’ Midwest Division, the Mariners will offer another development pathway for athletes looking to grow their game and reach the next level.
The Elite level will focus on cultivating younger talent and preparing them for the demands of Premier competition, while the Premier team will provide a competitive environment geared toward advanced development and exposure to higher levels of hockey. The Mariners are also proud to announce their U18 AAA program, which will serve as a foundational piece of the program.
“We are proud to announce the launch of the Evansville Mariners, based in the heart of Evansville, Indiana,” said Reaves. “Evansville’s rich history along the Ohio River, its blue-collar grit, and passionate sports culture make it the perfect home for the Mariners. We’re here to build something special—not just a team, but a legacy the community can rally around.”
Dells Ducks
Blade Edge Ventures is proud to announce the acquisition of the Dells Ducks, a well-respected and established program with a strong history in the USPHL. The Ducks will remain active in the USPHL Premier’s North Division. Blade Edge Ventures is also excited to announce the addition of Ducks U18 AAA and U16 AAA programs.
“Our mission is to build on the incredible foundation the Ducks have laid, preserving the identity and tight-knit community spirit that make this organization so special,” said Chris Reaves. “At the same time, we’re introducing new resources and systems that reflect our core beliefs in development, opportunity, and community.”
About The United States Premier Hockey League
Founded in 2012, the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is the largest junior hockey organization in North America, with over 150 teams and more than 20,000 players aged 8-21. The league’s Junior Divisions include the tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), and the Premier and Elite Divisions. The USPHL has sent more than 10,000 players to college hockey, including over 4,600 to the NCAA, and 18 NCDC alumni have been selected in the NHL Draft.
Media Contact:
Joshua Boyd
USPHL Communications Director
Email: media@usphl.com
Website: www.usphl.com/premier | www.usphl.com/elite