Center State announces the return of a 12U Travel Team for 2025-2026

The Center State Youth Hockey organization has had consistent growth in the numbers of players from the Learn to Play Program through our 18U team and is pleased to announce it will bring back the Travel Team option for the 12U level for 2025-2026, with the intention of expanding that to other levels in 2026-2027.

“We are looking at a two-year phasing in plan. The core of our organization has always been offering quality and affordable house-level hockey, and we have no intention of moving away from that, but for our older players looking for a pathway to more competitive hockey, our recent lack of travel options has been limiting. With a 30+% growth in players since the COVID years and a group of experienced and dedicated coaches, we are now ready to make that change,” said Center State President Chip Roman.

The 12U Travel Team will be led by Amanda Barnhart, who has been coaching at Center State for five years, from the Learn to Play through 12U level. With over thirty years of involvement in hockey, Amanda has a comprehensive understanding of the sport, having played at the Division 1 level during her time at Clarkson University, where she skated in 141 games for Clarkson, served as assistant captain her senior year, and qualified for the ECAC playoffs each season, along with the ECAC Championship Tournament her senior year.

Amanda’s approach to each practice is strategic and tailored, utilizing insights from game reviews to reinforce strengths and address areas for improvement. Amanda firmly believes that hockey offers invaluable life lessons such as teamwork, discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship, and she is committed to instilling these qualities in every player under her guidance.

Center State also has a dedicated goalie coach in Terry Craven, a Hamilton, NY native who played for SUNY-Canton, as well as the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, before playing professionally in the UHL, ECHL, SEHL, and IIHL. He has a talent for bringing out the best in his players, and has served Center State as a Head Coach, and Assistant Coach, along with offering personal coaching for our goalies at all levels.

Center State has been bolstered by help from both the Morrisville Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams for the past few seasons.

“The Morrisville players have a huge impact on our players, both on and off the ice. They are our in-house heroes to our players. It is a great relationship that has grown these past few years, especially thanks to former Morrisville player Robby Haak (’24) and former assistant coach Andrew Veglucci,” said Treasurer and coach Steve Maggio.

Center State also receives assistance from the Colgate Women’s Team coaching staff, as well as supplemental ice time at the Class of 1965 Arena. If playing at a collegiate level is on your player’s radar, Center State has a plethora of resources to help them on that journey.

Try outs will be held at the Morrisville Iceplex in March. Please visit www.centerstatehockey.com for further details and to register.