Each year the Neponset Valley River Rats Jamboree is the unofficial beginning of fall split season midget hockey in New England. This year is no different as the River Rats will be hosting numerous teams for the annual event at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Mass.
The 2018 Neponset Valley River Rats Jamboree features teams across four divisions, 18U, 16U, 15U, and 14U. In addition to the River Rats, other top teams in attendance include Yale, North Jersey Avalanche, Rochester Coalition, CT Riverhawks, New Jersey Rockets, Valley Forge Minutemen, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, and PAL Islanders. Other organizations competing Monday and Tuesday at the New England Sports Center include Mercer Chiefs, Northern Cyclones, EC Wizards, Boston Advantage, Nordiques, Seacoast Spartans, EC Militia, NE Generals, Springfield Rifles, RI Hitmen, and Long Island Royals.
For those unfamiliar with how fall midget hockey works in New England, the split-season teams are made up of players who will compete in prep school or high school hockey. There are a few full-season teams that compete frequently in the region, including North Jersey Avalanche, New Jersey Rockets, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, and PAL Islanders.
