USP3

The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is an American ice hockey league. Founded in 2012, the USPHL has grown to 58 organizations from across the Eastern Seaboard of the United States fielding teams in Premier, Elite, Mid-West, USP3, U18, U16 and U16 Development divisions. The Empire Division was re-named the USP3 division for the 2015-16 season.

USA Hockey classifies the Premier, Elite, Mid-West, and USP3 Divisions as Tier III junior hockey leagues. U18, U16 and U16 Development divisions are Tier I youth hockey divisions. All divisions are sanctioned by USA Hockey.

• from 2013 to 2015: USPHL Empire
• from 2015 to present: USP3

• 2014-2015: New York Jr Aviators
• 2013-2014: Florida Jr. Blades

The league was originally founded as having three divisions (Premier, U18 and U16) but on June 6, 2013, it was announced that the USPHL would absorb the Empire Jr. Hockey League and the newly formed Eastern Elite Hockey League. With the additions, the USPHL added 16 organizations to the original 15.

On March 7, 2014, the USPHL announced the formation of the U16 Futures (U16F) Division. The division is guided for players who aspire to play midget hockey but are not yet ready for the U16 Division. Eleven organizations field teams in the U16F Division for the 2014-15 season.

During the 2014 off-season the USPHL lost the New York Applecore (empire) but added the Providence Capitals (Elite & U16), Jersey Shore Whalers (Empire), and the Richmond Generals (Elite, Empire) organizations to increase the total number of organizations to 35 headed into the 2014-15 season.

• http://www.usphl.com