USPHL Announces NCDC Evolution Beginning in 2026-27
The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) has announced that, beginning with the 2026 season, teams currently competing in the league’s Midwest, Southeast and Florida Divisions will compete at the NCDC and Premier levels. This change represents a major modernization within the USPHL’s developmental structure and strengthens the NCDC’s position as a top development level for NCAA-bound junior players. 
This move aligns with the USPHL’s long-term vision of growing its Tier 2 and Tier 3 divisions side-by-side in its major markets. More importantly, as part of this transition, the league will introduce the most comprehensive competitive and operational standards package in its history. These enhanced player development and operational requirements are designed to support our players, raise performance expectations of our best operators, and ensure all new and returning NCDC organizations meet the standards appropriate for Tier 2 junior hockey.
“Junior Hockey is largely ungoverned and unsupervised in the United States, putting a greater burden on players to do their homework and on leagues to operate with integrity. As a result, this operational change represents a major milestone in Tier 2 junior hockey in North America,” said Tony Zasowski, Deputy Commissioner of the USPHL. “As the only true North American Tier 2 and Tier 3 junior hockey league, the NCDC and USPHL must and will continue to lead in player performance and developmental standards. By supporting and elevating our best franchises into the NCDC, we believe the league continues to lead as the biggest and best Tier 2 and Tier 3 junior hockey league in North America.”
Under the updated standards, every NCDC organization must provide league-standard equipment and uniforms, long-distance travel accommodations, team meals, and other support essential for player development at the Tier 2 level. Participating organizations will also be required to operate teams in both the NCDC and Premier Divisions, ensuring internal player advancement pathways and preventing competitive imbalance across the league. Additionally, all showcase scheduling will now be centrally managed by the league office to deliver consistent, high-quality matchups and balanced competition. Teams in these divisions will no longer operate teams in the Elite division of the USPHL.
“This change represents a major investment by our top operators in the player experience and player development pathway,” said James Hunt, Special Advisor to the USPHL Commissioner, Competition Committee Chairman. “We expect that this is the initial step in the evolution of a player bill of rights where prospective student-athletes considering junior hockey will be able to know exactly what they can expect from the USPHL and the NCDC in particular.”
Teams Elevating to the NCDC in 2026-27
Florida Division
Bold City Battalion
Coral Springs Jr. Cats
Florida Eels
Florida Jr. Blades
Tampa Bay Juniors
Typhoon Hockey Club
Midwest Division
Chicago
Columbus Mavericks
Fort Wayne Spacemen
Metro Jets
Red River Spartans
Southeast Division
Carolina Jr. Hurricanes
Charleston Colonials
Charlotte Rush
Hampton Roads Whalers
Potomac Patriots
Yorktown Admirals
About the National Collegiate Development Conference
The National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) is the Tier II junior hockey division of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). Established to provide an unparalleled pathway to NCAA hockey, the NCDC offers elite-level competition, professional coaching, and a proven track record of player advancement to NCAA Division I and III programs, as well as professional leagues. With organizations across the United States and Canada, the NCDC continues to set the standard for player development and exposure at the junior level.