CT Chiefs North Returning Home to Newington Arena for 2026-27 NCDC Season
Newington, CT – The Connecticut Chiefs organization is proud to announce that the CT Chiefs North NCDC team will relocate from Biddeford Ice Arena in Maine and play its home games at Newington Arena beginning with the 2026-27 season.
“We are excited to bring the CT Chiefs North NCDC program home to Newington,” said CT Chiefs Owner Brandon Johnson. “Newington Arena has been the heart of our organization for nearly two decades. Having our NCDC team under the same roof as our youth and academy programs creates a true development pathway from Mites all the way to junior hockey and college hockey.”
The organization is also excited to announce that Greg Heffernan will return as General Manager and Head Coach of CT Chiefs NCDC for the 2026-27 season.
Heffernan is one of the most accomplished coaches in franchise history and has played a significant role in the advancement of dozens of players to NCAA hockey. During his tenure with the Chiefs organization, his teams consistently competed among the league’s best while helping players achieve their junior and college hockey goals.
“Returning to Newington Arena is a tremendous opportunity,” said Heffernan. “The chance to coach an NCDC team in Newington, surrounded by one of the strongest youth development programs in the Northeast, is exciting. We’re committed to building a highly competitive team while continuing the organization’s tradition of advancing players to NCAA hockey.”
The relocation further strengthens the Chiefs’ player development model by allowing young players to regularly watch, learn from, and interact with NCDC athletes. It also provides NCDC players access to the organization’s extensive resources, including player development staff, video analysis, strength and conditioning programs, and a proven advancement model that has helped hundreds of players move on to prep school, junior, NCAA, and professional hockey opportunities.
Newington Arena has served as the home of the Connecticut Chiefs youth program since the organization’s founding and has become one of the premier hockey development centers in the Northeast. The Chiefs have advanced more than 600 players to higher levels of hockey while building one of the region’s most respected player development programs.
The CT Chiefs North compete in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), the Junior A league within the United States Premier Hockey League. The NCDC has become one of North America’s top development leagues, consistently advancing players to NCAA Division I and Division III programs.
The organization believes the move will enhance the game-day experience for players, families, scouts, and fans while creating stronger connections throughout the Connecticut hockey community.
Additional information regarding season tickets, billets, player recruitment, and the 2026-27 schedule will be announced in the coming months.
Story via CT Chiefs