Forward Ryan Walker of the New Jersey Junior Titans in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.
Union plays in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC).
Walker, 16, set new scoring records this season in the NAPHL. The Spotswood native became the first player in NAPHL history to eclipse the 50-point plateau in a season.
The Junior Titans’ forward not only led the 16U Division in scoring, but the entire NAPHL as well. Walker (5 feet 10 inches tall, 155 pounds) set a new five-year league record for scoring with a total of 76 points in just 20 NAPHL games this season. His 47 assists were also a new NAPHL record, and his 29 goals rank second all-time among NAPHL players.
Walker played in the inaugural NAPHL 16U All-Star Game this past season in December during the NAPHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn., where he had a goal and an assist in the game.
Earlier this season, Walker signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender with the Amarillo Bulls. He was twice named as the Franklin Virtual Schools 16U Offensive Peak Performer this season.
“Ryan is a real special kid. He has worked very hard and will work harder to capitalize on the opportunity he has earned,” New Jersey head coach George Haviland said in a press release. “It’s a great day for the program, and we congratulate him. Anybody that knows the Junior Titans family loves Ryan and recognizes what a great teammate he is.”
Walker will join a Union team that is currently the top ranked college hockey team in the country. The Dutchmen (26-6- 4), coming off their third-straight Whitelaw Cup title, moved into the top spot in the USCHO.com poll after spending two weeks in the No. 2 position.
The Division I program has won the ECAC Conference three years in a row, and is the No. 1 seed in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament.
Haviland attending USA Hockey camp
The Junior Titans’ Jessica Haviland has been selected to attend USA Hockey’s Women’s National Camp this summer.
Out of over 50 skaters, she was the only player selected to represent the Atlantic District at the 1997 birth year level.
Currently a freshman at the Lawrenceville School, this is the fourth time that Haviland has been selected to the National Camp.
Haviland is an alumnus of a Junior Titans Girls program that continues to grow. The Junior Titans U14 girls’ team is headed to Tier II Nationals in two weeks. They were also district and league champions. Between that and Haviland’s success at the national level, the Junior Titans Girls program should receive more exposure.
The Junior Titans teams call Howell Ice World their home rink.