What sets us apart

The Valley Junior Warriors program is dedicated to providing a highly competitive and supportive environment where players of all age groups can maximize the development of their individual athletic skills.

The program is able to accomplish this by offering one of the most comprehensive developmental programs in the Northeast. It is managed by a proven and experienced coaching staff that includes former professional and top collegiate players, as well as current NHL scouts.

A few more reasons why the Valley Jr Warriors is the premier elite youth hockey program in the Northeast...

Unparalleled Success

The Valley Junior Warriors have set a standard of excellence with more than 30 State Championship titles at all levels while representing Massachusetts Hockey as state champions at multiple national USA Hockey Championships. The Warriors have – in 10 years – placed more than 100 alumni in various Division I and Division III college programs, with over 30 of those players making it into the professional ranks in the AHL and NHL. Currently, 20% of all Hockey East players from Massachusetts were Valley Jr. Warriors.

Elite 9 Competition

As one of six charter members of the Elite 9 Hockey League, all VJW Elite teams – Mites through Bantams – compete against the region's top teams in a 45 - 50 game schedule. The Elite 9 features six programs with guaranteed spots and three open spots that must be earned by the three teams who perform the best in the parity rounds.

Premier Home Facility

All Valley Jr. Warrior teams call the Haverhill Valley Forum their home. The facility features 12 locker rooms, a full-service pro shop, a physical training facility, and a glass-enclosed mezzanine level overlooking both ice surfaces.

Practice & Training

All VJW teams practice 2-3 times per week (70 practices over 30 weeks). Practices are used to reinforce the basic skill sessions and to coordinate the systems used for team play. These practices are conducted by the coaching staff of each team, consisting of some of the finest and most qualified coaches in the area and under the supervision of the full-time VJW professional staff.

SKILLS SESSIONS & POWER SKATING SESSIONS

Throughout the season, each player's skating and skill development continues through a weekly series of Power Skating and skills sessions. These sessions are conducted by members of the VJW full-time staff including Steve MacAdams and Bill Pappas. All Warrior players are required to participate. Each team has one Power Skating session per week for 23 weeks.

Summer Camp

A four-day pre-season training camp is used to begin furthering skill development through the introduction and practice of individual drills. The camp is also where basic hockey systems that will be used throughout the season are introduced. The camp is run by Steve MacAdam and Bill Pappas as well as a professional staff that includes college coaches from the New England area.

Goaltending Training

Each VJW goaltender will receive intensive instruction and training with Brian Daccord's Stop It Goaltending. The program will include 11 weeks of position-specific training sessions at the Hat Trick Center in Middleton.

AGE-APPROPRIATE PLYOMETRICS & SYSTEM TRAINING

An important component of the VJW training and development program includes weekly, in-season plyometric training. Players who are Peewee Minor and older will receive structured strength and conditioning programming aimed at improving overall strength, conditioning, speed, flexibility, agility, and body control while also mitigating the risk of injury in competition.

TOURNAMENT ACCESS

The Valley Junior Warriors sponsor one national-caliber Elite tournament during the season – The Warrior National Showcase. As part of the annual tuition, VJW teams are entered – where appropriate – into each tournament as part of the annual tuition. Those teams face off against some of the country's elite AAA teams. Our teams that do not participate in the showcase will play in an appropriately selected tournament as part of their annual tuition.

VJW Alumni