2026-27 USPHL Premier Season Preview: Pacific Conference
The 2026-27 USPHL Premier Season Preview Series continues with a look at the Pacific Conference.
Seven organizations make up the Pacific this season, bringing together programs from California, Utah, Oregon and Washington. The conference will also feature several direct NCDC affiliations, giving Premier players additional opportunities for exposure, call-ups and advancement within the USPHL development pathway.
Here is a team-by-team look at the Pacific Conference entering 2026-27.
Bremerton Sockeyes
Head Coach: Blake Hoffman
2025-26 Record: 22-22-0-0, 44 points
The Bremerton Sockeyes enter 2026-27 looking to build on a .500 campaign in which they finished 22-22-0-0 with 44 points.
Head Coach Blake Hoffman leads the Sockeyes into the new Pacific Conference as the program looks to take another step forward in its third USPHL Premier season.
Bremerton will also have another development opportunity available to its players through its affiliation with the McCall Smokejumpers of the NCDC. The league’s affiliate structure allows Premier players to work toward NCDC game action and advancement while continuing their development at the Premier level.
After finishing at .500 last season, the Sockeyes will look to use that foundation to remain in the playoff picture and continue creating opportunities for players to advance to the next level.
Iron County Yeti
Head Coach: Zack Wiener
2025-26 Record: 17-26-1-0, 35 points
The Iron County Yeti enter the 2026-27 season with an emphasis on leadership throughout the organization.
“Leadership starts with the new coaching staff down to the players,” Wiener said of one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Karsten Powsey and Oliver Bock are among the returning players expected to take on larger roles, while Lachlan Hodge, Marcelo Armstrong and Ben Jones headline the incoming group.
Iron County focused its offseason recruiting on bringing in players with the mentality needed to compete consistently.
“Bringing in players that have a winning mentality and mindset,” Wiener said. “Players who have the hunger to compete night in and night out.”
That approach will carry directly into the Yeti’s identity.
“Hardworking, physical, hard-nosed hockey,” Wiener said.
Consistency and depth will be the biggest keys as Iron County looks to improve on last season’s 17-win campaign.
The Yeti also entered the season with a direct NCDC pathway through their affiliation with the Vernal Oilers.
Iron County’s coaching staff brings experience from the college and higher-level junior ranks, something the organization believes will benefit players pursuing their next opportunity.
For Wiener, success will include both team and individual advancement.
“Making a deep run into the postseason, and moving players on to their desired destinations,” Wiener said.
Long Beach Bombers
Head Coach/General Manager: Curtis Fisher
2025-26 Record: 16-27-3-0, 35 points
The Long Beach Bombers enter 2026-27 with an experienced returning group that Fisher believes can help the team take a step forward.
“Strong returning group,” Fisher said of Long Beach’s biggest strength.
Jergus Dunajcik and Kaleb Furman are expected to take on larger roles, while Max Buscaglia and Adam Zadrapa are newcomers who could contribute immediately.
Long Beach placed an emphasis on improving its offense during the offseason.
The Bombers expect to combine that offensive ability with a responsible game at the other end of the ice.
“Strong two-way game with offensive ability and skill,” Fisher said.
Consistency and a strong start will be critical as the Bombers look to establish themselves early in a reshaped Pacific Conference.
Player development remains a major part of the Long Beach model.
“We focus on developing as well as building a winning program and culture,” Fisher said. “We put the players first before anything else.”
Long Beach also has a direct NCDC affiliation with the Fresno Monsters, creating another advancement opportunity for Bombers players within the USPHL system.
For Fisher, one goal stands out entering the season:
“First playoff berth.”
Rogue Valley Royals
Head Coach: Bobby Ruddle
2025-26 Record: 4-39-1-0, 9 points
The Rogue Valley Royals enter the 2026-27 season with a new head coach and a fresh opportunity to build for the future.
Bobby Ruddle takes over behind the bench as Rogue Valley looks to establish a stronger foundation and make progress throughout the upcoming Pacific Conference schedule.
Player development and advancement will remain important parts of that process. The Royals are aligned with the Casper Warbirds of the NCDC, giving Rogue Valley players a direct Tier II affiliate within the USPHL system.
With new leadership in place, the focus for Rogue Valley will be on developing its roster, competing more consistently and creating opportunities for players to continue moving up the junior hockey ladder.
Salt Lake Ghost Riders
Head Coach: Jacob Tomalak
2025-26 Record: First Premier Season
The Salt Lake Ghost Riders begin their inaugural USPHL Premier season in 2026-27 with a team built around hard work and competitiveness.
“Hardworking, players who hate losing,” Tomalak said of the identity of his new group.
Cooper White and Vincenzo Sanico Potvin are expected to provide experience, while Taylor Lewis, Mathis Eichenholc, Ryder Harrison, Zachary Crosthwaite, Colten Dwarzski and Ryan Williams are among the newcomers who could make an immediate impact.
Salt Lake’s offseason approach was summarized simply by Tomalak:
“Zero attitude, zero ego.”
The Ghost Riders want that mentality reflected in their playing style.
“Hard hitting, never quit, outwork everyone in the gritty areas, shut down the slot,” Tomalak said.
Strong team defense, an aggressive forecheck and physical play will be important as Salt Lake adjusts to its first Premier schedule.
The Ghost Riders were added to the USPHL for 2026-27 as a new Salt Lake-based franchise and operate with a development-first model. They are directly affiliated with the Ventura Vikings of the NCDC, providing Premier players with opportunities to earn exposure and Tier II game action.
Tomalak also plans to work directly with higher-level programs to promote his players through video and communication with coaches.
For Salt Lake, the goals for Year 1 are clear.
“Winning season, great culture. Make playoffs,” Tomalak said.
The opportunity to establish junior hockey in a new market adds another element to the season.
“It means everything,” Tomalak said. “We jumped into a market hungry for hockey. We’re expecting sellout crowds and community backing.”
San Diego Sabers
Head Coach: Matt Rogers
2025-26 Record: 13-31-1-1, 28 points
The San Diego Sabers enter 2026-27 following a complete offseason rebuild and with a group eager to establish itself.
“The excitement our new players have for this season and their eagerness to learn Sabers hockey,” Rogers said of what stands out about the roster.
With the team rebuilt during the offseason, San Diego will rely heavily on its newcomers.
Seth Wright, Ethan Smith, Gavin Alexander, Carter Canlon and Benjamin Burkart are among the players Rogers believes can make an immediate impact.
The Sabers’ identity can be described in one word.
“Relentless,” Rogers said.
Conditioning and execution will be central to San Diego’s ability to compete consistently throughout the Pacific Conference.
The Sabers also have an organizational advancement pathway through their affiliation with the Ontario Jr. Reign of the NCDC.
“We actively work to make sure that they have the skills and knowledge to not only make a higher-level team, but to thrive when they get there,” Rogers said.
After winning 13 games last season, San Diego has set a much higher target for 2026-27.
“A legitimate chance at a division championship,” Rogers said.
Santa Clarita Lakers
Head Coach: Pavel Sisak
2025-26 Record: First Premier Season
The Santa Clarita Lakers begin their first USPHL Premier season in 2026-27, adding another Southern California program to the Pacific Conference.
Santa Clarita was created as part of the continued growth of the Lakers Hockey organization and will operate as a direct affiliate of the Lake Tahoe Lakers of the NCDC. That relationship creates a structured pathway for Premier players to work toward Tier II opportunities within the same organization.
Head Coach Pavel Sisak brings more than 16 years of coaching experience and a development philosophy centered around puck possession, decision-making, hockey intelligence and preparing players for opportunities at higher levels.
As a first-year program, the Lakers will look to establish their culture and competitive identity while giving players a clear opportunity to develop toward NCDC and college hockey.
The connection with Lake Tahoe will be central to that model, providing Santa Clarita players with a visible next step as the organization begins its first Premier season.