Charlotte, NC – CPH is a program that’s focus is on the development of the person and then the player. Giving players the resources, education, and tools to excel away from the rink, and at the rink. The hope for CPH is to develop these young men and women as hockey players, put them in position to get opportunities to advance their hockey careers and then help them get opportunities to advance their hockey career at higher levels. Most recently we have had CPH players play for Team USA on the National stage and players get drafted into Tier 1 and Tier 2 junior leagues across North America that developed with CPH.
The ladder of development (Pineville Falcons – Carolina Premier Hockey – Charlotte Rush) within the Pineville Ice House, gives players the opportunity to play at the A level, AA level, AAA level, and then into Tier III junior hockey.
The Charlotte Rush open their season tonight (Friday, September 13) on the road in Raleigh and in their lineup they will have 6 players that spent time developing with Carolina Premier Hockey and the Pineville Falcons on their path towards junior hockey. The Charlotte Rush Premier is Head Coached by former CPH 16UAA & 14UAAA Coach Trevor Jewell. The Rush Elite Team Head Coach is Justin Fisher who most recently Coached CPH 12UAAA and is on the ice developing CPH players regularly.
Tristan McAuliffe will be starting the year with the Charlotte Rush Premier Team. Tristan has been part of CPH from year 1 who most recently played with the CPH 15UAAA team last season. Tristan is a smooth skating offensive defenseman, a tireless worker with a tremendous skill set and high upside. Most recently a draft pick of the Casper Warbirds in the NCDC, Tristan will spend the season developing with the Charlotte Rush before continuing his climb up the Junior Hockey ladder.
Five former members of Carolina Premier Hockey and the Pineville Falcons will be suiting up for the Charlotte Rush Elite team on opening night this weekend. All five players were part of the original CPH 16UAA team that competed in the 2022 – 2023 season. These players believed in the development of CPH and trusted that there would be a path forward from CPH to the Charlotte Rush.
Cade Thompson is a very athletic goalie who is very positional sound. A 2007 born player, Cade is the youngest goalie on the Rush. You can see Cade on the ice helping out the CPH 14UA team as their Head Coach, George Thompson is his dad.
Jack Hallet has developed as a forward and defenseman over the last couple of seasons with CPH. He is a player who works hard, loves the game, and has an offensive side to his game that should translate to the Junior level.
Alex Harwell is a tall, physical, and good skating forward. Alex has a big time shot and the ability to score goals with that shot.
Evan Williams is a defenseman who defends really well. Playing very simple, is in good position and can be a very effective player.
Jamison Palermo is a forward with a tireless work ethic. His feet are always moving and he is always in the battle. A player that every coach loves to have on his team.
Here is what CPH Executive Director Troy Schwab had to say about these players: “Tristan is a player I was able to work closely with last season. A player who has tremendous talent, work ethic and upside. He is also a fan favorite among the younger players within CPH. Harwell, Hallett, Palermo and Willy put their trust in us that we would help their development on and off the ice and then get them an opportunity to further their careers with the Charlotte Rush and beyond. They had opportunities to go play youth hockey elsewhere, but the players and their families stuck with CPH. Cade went away to play AAA for one season but has always been a supporter of CPH. I am excited to see these players continue their development and compete this season with the Rush”
Here is a comment from CPH president and Charlotte Rush Owner Ryan Cruthers “CPH continues to provide players a pathway to achieve their goals like no other youth program in the area. It is great to have local talent developed and moving to a USPHL team with a tradition of success. CPH has been able to help the Rush achieve their goals from the start, which was giving local players the opportunity to compete with the Best Tier III teams in the country not just any junior teams. We are excited to see this first wave of CPH players come through our program”
The Charlotte Rush season begins tonight against the Carolina Junior Canes. Their first home game will be tomorrow (September 14) at the Pineville Ice House starting at 5:00pm. Their schedule can be viewed online at www.USPHL.com
Admission to games is $5 for Kids, $10 for Adults. All players wearing their CPH or Falcons jersey will get free admission.
If you are looking to volunteer to help, you can sign up at: Elite and Premier: RUSH vs. CAROLINA (signupgenius.com)
If you are interested in billeting, please contact Liz Hart (billet@CharlotteRushHockey.com)
