New York Jr. Aviators
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| New York Jr. Aviators | |
|---|---|
| City | Brooklyn, New York |
| League | North American 3 Eastern Hockey League (NA3EHL) |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Home arena | Aviator Sports & Events Center |
| Colors | Red, black, gray |
| Franchise history | |
| 2010–2016 | New York Jr. Aviators |
| 2016–present | Long Beach Sharks |
| Championships | |
| League champions | 1: 2015 |
The New York Jr. Aviators were a Tier III junior ice hockey team last playing in the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League. The Aviators play their home games at the Aviator Sports & Events Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The New York Jr. Aviators were founded as members of the International Junior Hockey League with ties to the New York Aviators, a minor professional team in Brooklyn, New York. After its second season, both the IJHL and the parent club both folded, leaving the fate of the junior team uncertain. In December 2012, the club's owners purchased the franchise rights of the Buffalo Stars, who had folded in the middle of the season. Their spot in the Empire Junior Hockey League was then assumed by the 'New York Aviators' who were set to resume play the following year. That summer, the EmJHL agreed to a new structure where they came under the oversight of the newly-formed United States Premier Hockey League.
The Aviators played for two seasons in the league's new Emprire Division, winning the championship in 2015. That summer, the Aviators left the USPHL and transferred to the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League, which was under control of the rival North American 3 Hockey League. After one year, team owner Jim Loughran announced that the team was moving to Long Beach and would become the Sharks.[1]