CHAMPIONS ON THE ICE AND OFF 

Former Springfield Rifle—now known as the Jr. Thunderbirds—and Pope Francis superstar, Ryan Leonard, was drafted 8th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft!

After two outstanding seasons at Boston College, Ryan signed a three-year contract with the Washington Capitals on March 31, 2025. As if this fairytale couldn’t get any better, his rookie lap took place at TD Garden, with many Jr. Thunderbirds & Springfield Rangers athletes in the crowd to cheer him on!

Congratulations, Ryan! We are incredibly proud and thrilled to be part of your journey. The entire Springfield Jr. Thunderbird hockey community is celebrating this amazing milestone!  Can't wait for the Jr. T-Birds training camp in August!

Congratulations Troy Hamelin on being selected by the Sioux City Musketeers in the Phase 1 USHL draft.  From his early years as a Springfield Ranger to Jr. T-Birds youth through high school national bound, and Pope Francis Hockey-your hard work is paying off!

Former Jr. T-Birds, National-Bound High School & youth player, and Pope Francis standout CJ Watroba has signed with the Charlottetown Islanders! Congrats, CJ!

Congratulations CJ

CJ Watroba, Merrimack College Signed: Charlottetown Islanders Hockey

Troy Hamelin, Phase 1 USHL Draft: Sioux City Musketeers

Ryan Leonard, BC College Drafted 8th overall 2023: Washington Capitals

Dave Barmish, Hamilton College

Dom Blad, UMass-Boston

Kevin Doyle, Conn. College

Matt Foley, Yale 

Mick Foley, Skidmore College

Carlos Fornaris, New England College

Dan Kycia, Union College

Dennis Maier, Skidmore College

Artie Potter, UMass Club

Jackson Tucker, Suffolk University

Lane Valimont, St. Norbert College

Jack Williams, Franklin Pierce College

Ryan Ashe, Middlebury College

Jake Gresch, University of Alaska

Dan Petrick, Northeastern University

Peter Crinella, Holy Cross

Cullen Geary, Bowdoin

Evan Lundquist, SUNY Plattsburg

Ben Freeman, UConn

Jack McNee, Hobart College

Bryce Peritz, Suffolk University

Cam Peritz, Wesleyan

DJ Petruzzelli, Quinnipiac University

Max DiCicco, Trine University

Tyler Scroggins, Tufts

Wiggle Kerbrat, Rochester Monarchs

Jaime Dorsey, Elmira College

Riley Prattson, Providence College

Jake Kahler, UMass-Boston

Henry Marshall, Colgate

Andrew Tucci, Colby College

Chase Zieky, Providence College

John Leonard, UMass-Amherst, San Jose Sharks

Sean Kavanaugh, Tufts

Corey Moriarty, University of Vermont

Joe Caffrey, Harvard

Ben Mirageas, Boston University

Cole Kodsi, University of Michigan

Keith Petruzzelli, Quinnipiac

Max Willman, Brown University, Buffalo Sabres

Mac Carnes, Assumption College

David Lackner, Tufts

Corey Gottfried, Tufts

Jeff DeLoria, Merrimack Club

Seamus Curran, Baltimore Orioles

Tyler Kelleher, University of New Hampshire

Nick Schofield, Stonehill College

Brenden White, Dubuque Fighting Saints

Dan Kelly, Suffolk

Kyle Delmaestro, Boston Jr. Bruins

Alden Weller, University of New England