Season Preview: Southeast Division
The 2025–26 Southeast Premier season is here, and the stage is set for fast-paced hockey and fierce battles on the ice. With every team vying for the top spot, the division promises a mix of skill, speed, and determination.
Carolina Jr. Hurricanes
After closing the 2024–25 campaign with a 21-25-0 record, the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes look to rebound in the upcoming season. The team brings back its core from last year and combines it with developments from their highly successful Elite program, which captured the 2024–25 USPHL Elite National Championship, aiming to elevate their performance at the Premier level. With that proven winning culture now baked into the organization, the Jr. Hurricanes hope to translate that success into consistent results, climb the Southeast Division standings, and advance deeper into the postseason.
Charlotte Rush
The Charlotte Rush head into the 2025-26 season with a younger roster than in past years, but Head Coach Trevor Jewell sees plenty to be excited about as the team begins a new campaign.
“We like the group we have to start the year,” said Jewell. “It was a challenging offseason and recruiting year, but the players we’ve assembled are exactly the type of young men we want in our organization. We’re younger than we’ve been before, and from a development standpoint, that’s extremely exciting. We’re ready to welcome them to town and get started.”
Defensively, the Rush expect to be strong thanks to a mix of returning veterans and reliable newcomers. “We should have a very fun group on the back end,” Jewell added.
While Charlotte advanced a large group of players to the college, and the NCDC last season, the team does bring back key leaders in Robert Thorn and Ben Weisheyer, both of whom are expected to provide sparks on the ice and leadership in the locker room.
The Rush will also feature a mostly new cast of players making their junior debuts.
“We’re excited about this incoming group,” Jewell said. “There are a lot of new faces, and we’re eager to see their development from Day 1 through the end of the season.”
With strong leadership, a rebuilt roster, and a commitment to player development, the Charlotte Rush are ready to continue their tradition of success in the USPHL Premier.
Charleston Colonials
Returning to USPHL Premier play for the first time since 2021, the Charleston Colonials are re-entering the league with fresh momentum and enthusiasm.
Historically, the Colonials’ Premier tenure included a respectable 21-21-2 record in 2019–20 and a 24-19-1 finish in 2020–21, both times securing third place in their division. As a newly relaunched franchise, and with a regional appetite for hockey and a natural rivalry base, the team is set on establishing a strong foundation and gradually contending in the Southeast Division.
Hampton Roads Whalers
The Hampton Roads Whalers, led by Head Coach Colten Teubert, enter the 2025-26 season with a roster built on depth and experience.
“We’re excited to get the season started,” said Teubert. “The competition in camp has been great, the pace has been excellent, and the guys are really buying in. We’ll have multiple lines that can score and strong, steady depth on the back end.”
The Whalers return 13 veterans, including 11 from last year’s roster, who are expected to set the standard and play key roles. Among them, 2005-born returners Noel Wargloo, Dalton Greely, Nikita Zozulia, Zach Ruffenach, Blake Marvici, and Raymond Johnson will look to lock in their college commitments while continuing their development.
“We have a load of experience this season, and that leadership will be a big part of our success,” Teubert added.
Hampton Roads also welcomes five to six players promoted from its Elite team, along with nearly a dozen new faces to the Premier squad.
“We’re excited to see what this group can bring,” said Teubert. “The newcomers have already made an impact, and we expect them to contribute right away.”
With a veteran core, balanced scoring, and an infusion of new talent, the Whalers are prepared to contend in the 2025-26 USPHL Premier season.
Potomac Patriots
The Potomac Patriots enter the 2025-26 season with confidence under Assistant Coach Ryan Freeman, who sees a balanced mix of returning talent and new additions ready to make an impact.
“We’ve built a very strong, well-rounded team,” said Freeman. “With the guys we have coming back, along with some new faces, we are confident our team is ready to face anything that comes their way.”
The Patriots expect their biggest strengths to come from their resiliency and work ethic. “Our mental and physical toughness will be key, as well as our ability to overcome any adversity we may encounter this season,” Freeman added.
Leading the way among returners are forward Conner Nieto and defenseman Trevor Riggs, who are expected to be mainstays in critical roles on both sides of the puck.
Potomac also welcomes several exciting newcomers, including forwards Bruno Alic and Mason Monroe, both of whom bring size, strength, and scoring ability. “These are players who can make an immediate impact,” Freeman said. “They’re big, strong, and they know how to find the back of the net.”
With a blend of veteran leadership, toughness, and offensive upside, the Patriots look prepared to compete throughout the 2025-26 USPHL Premier season.
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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, including its youth affiliates in the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF). The League’s Junior Divisions include the tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), and the Premier and Elite Conferences. The USPHL has sent more than 10,000 players to college hockey, including over 4,600 to the NCAA, and 19 NCDC alumni have been selected in the NHL Draft.
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