Congratulations to the Valley Junior Warriors 2012 Elites and U12 Tier I Girls, who both brought home championship titles in their recent tournaments!
The 2012 Elites were crowned champions at the 2025 Eastern Exposure Cup, one of the most prestigious local tournaments that draws top competition from across the country.
The Warriors’ journey began with a tough 4-3 loss to the North Jersey Avalanche in their opening matchup. However, the team quickly regrouped and went on an incredible run, rattling off five straight victories to capture the championship.
Following their opening defeat, the 12 Elites responded with strong performances against elite opponents — defeating the Philadelphia Junior Flyers (5-2), Okanagan Hockey Club (4-1), and Mount St. Charles Hockey Academy (3-0) to finish preliminary play with a 3-1 record and earn the #1 seed heading into the semifinals. In the semifinal round, the Warriors faced E9 rival East Coast Wizards, grinding out a hard-fought 2-1 victory to advance to the championship game against the Troy Albany Titans.
In the finals, the 12 Elites continued their stretch of dominant defensive play, anchored by the steady goaltending of Max Varay. The Warriors struck first with a first-period goal from Liam Letourneau, who found the back of the net in front of the crease. The Titans battled back to even the score at 1-1 in the second period, but the Warriors regained control early in the third when Bennett Waddell, the tournament’s leading scorer, buried a go-ahead goal assisted by Cole Roderick and Letourneau. Troy Albany pressed hard in the closing minutes, pulling their goalie for a 6-on-5 advantage, but the Warriors’ defense stood tall. With less than five seconds remaining, Jacob Huffer sealed the win with an empty-net goal to secure the 3-1 championship victory.
It was a complete team effort from start to finish, as the 12 Elites allowed only five goals in their final five games — a testament to their discipline, structure, and resilience.
The U12 Tier I Girls also enjoyed a spectacular weekend, going a perfect 5-0 to claim the championship title in Lake Placid.
The Warriors set the tone early with a commanding 5-1 win over the Charles River Blazers to open the tournament. On Day Two, the team’s defense was nearly impenetrable, posting back-to-back shutouts — a 5-0 victory over the Middlesex Islanders and a 3-0 win against the Bay State Breakers.
Their offensive momentum only grew as the tournament progressed. In the semifinals, the Warriors erupted for an 11-1 win over the Boston Junior Terriers, earning their spot in the championship game. In a rematch against the Bay State Breakers, the team once again came out on top, skating to a convincing 4-1 victory to secure the title.
The U12 girls’ dominant performance was anchored by outstanding goaltending, as they allowed just three goals over five games. Offensively, the Warriors were unstoppable — scoring 28 goals in total, an average of nearly six goals per game. It was a remarkable all-around effort that showcased their depth, teamwork, and competitive spirit.
With championship hardware now in hand, both teams turn their focus back to Elite 9 League play.
This weekend, the U12 Tier I Girls will look to extend their impressive 12-game winning streak as they face off against the Boston Americans. Meanwhile, the 2012 Elites are set to take on the Boston Jr. Bruins and the Lovell Winter Club as they continue their strong start to the season, currently holding a 5-2 record.
