The Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL) is proud to announce its expansion into the province of Quebec beginning in the 2026–27 season, with the league awarding its first Quebec Hub to Velocity Hockey Academy (Velocity HA) based in Montreal.
Velocity Hockey Academy will enter the league with an 18U AAA team in its inaugural JPHL season, marking an important milestone as the league continues to grow its national footprint across Canada and the United States.
The Montreal-based program will operate under the leadership of Ryan Handfield and his experienced management team. Velocity HA has established a strong reputation for developing high-level student-athletes and building structured, professional environments that support long-term player development.
“We are very excited to welcome Velocity Hockey Academy as our first Hub in Quebec,” said Richard Nault, Commissioner of the Junior Prospects Hockey League. “Ryan Handfield and his leadership group bring a tremendous amount of experience, credibility, and passion for developing athletes. Their vision aligns closely with the direction of the JPHL as we continue building a modern, athlete-focused pathway across North America.”
The addition of Velocity Hockey Academy represents the next step in the league’s responsible and strategic expansion, as the JPHL continues to grow into new regions while maintaining its commitment to competitive excellence and operational stability.
“Montreal has long been a significant sporting community in the hockey world,” Nault added. “Bringing a JPHL Hub to Quebec strengthens our national presence and provides another high-quality development opportunity for elite players.”
“The addition of Velocity Hockey Academy is another meaningful step forward in the continued growth towards the long term vision of the JPHL” said Tyrel Spitzer, VP of Sports Programming and Sports Properties. As the league evolves, we remain focused on welcoming strong leaders and organizations that share our beliefs. By bringing together passionate people and quality programs, we are continuing to build an environment that creates meaningful opportunities for players and their families both on and off the ice.”
Velocity HA’s inaugural 18U AAA program will compete during the 2026–27 JPHL season, joining the league’s growing network of high-performance academies and development programs.
Additional details regarding Velocity Hockey Academy’s program structure, staff, and upcoming events will be announced in the coming months. The announcement of Velocity HA represents the first phase of the JPHL’s expansion into Quebec, with the league continuing to evaluate additional opportunities throughout the province as part of its long-term growth strategy.
About the Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL)
The Junior Prospects Hockey League is a North American high-performance development league designed to provide elite competition and exposure for student-athletes. The JPHL continues to expand its national footprint while prioritizing responsible growth, strong leadership groups, and a modern development pathway for players pursuing junior, collegiate, and professional hockey opportunities.
