DVHL HISTORY/TIMELINE

The Delaware Valley Hockey League (DVHL) was established in 1977 with the aim of fostering player development within the Atlantic District. Operating under the authority of USA Hockey, Inc., the DVHL is dedicated to promoting and governing organized hockey in the Delaware Valley area. Its objectives include nurturing a cooperative spirit among its members, supporters, and teams, boosting interest in the game of hockey, and providing oversight and support for the playing interests of its teams and players.

2021 – 2024

2024 DVHL become founding partner of Mid Atlantic Hockey Alliance
2024 Susquehanna Stampede joins DVHL
2024 Reading Jr. Royals rejoin DVHL
2024 Terry Wochuk celebrates 25 years with DVHL
2024 DVHL hires Youngerworks as marketing partner
2023 Preseason placement events commence
2023 Campus Wild, and Wilmington Nighthawks join DVHL
2022 Mike DeRose becomes the Safe Sport Coordinator, and Mike Wiercinski becomes Master Scheduler
2022 DVHL adds Safe Sport Coordinator to Executive Committee
2022 DVHL hires Fuerza Strategy Group as marketing partner
2022 Colleen Marinari ends thirty-year affiliation with DVHL
2021 Jay Finnigan becomes President
2021 Joe D’Angelo becomes Executive Vice President, Dave Jackson, becomes Vice President, Joe Spagnolo becomes Vice President, Mike DeRose becomes Secretary, and Beth Ritter becomes Treasurer
2021 Lisa Silvotti, DO becomes the first Safety/Health Coordinator
2020 Mike “Soupy” Campbell, becomes Referee-In-Chief
2020 DVHL adds Safety/Health Coordinator to Executive Committee
DVHL & New Jersey Youth Hockey League establish Battle Across the Delaware for 10U’s
DVHL navigates COVID

2019 – 2020

Ice Dogs ceased to exist
Warwick Wildcats changed their name to Genesis Hockey Club
Old York Road Raiders took a leave of absence for the 2019-20 season
Bill Tierney because the DVHL’s Safe Sport Coordinator
Pittsburgh does not want to continue with the East West Challenge, effective 2021
Established year of 1977 was added to the DVHL logo
Cindy Irving resigned as Secretary; Joe Spagnolo took over
383 teams are in the league
Dick’s Sporting Goods will again be our major sponsor to the league paying for our banners
Genesis Hockey Club moved their venue to the Hatfield Ice Rink for the 2020-21 season
Old York Road Raiders have been dismissed from the league effective March, 2020 since rink is closed
and no one has contacted the league to return from leave of absence
Team Philadelphia and Rizzo Rink were both approved as permanent members
All Associate members were approved to return for the 2019-20 season
Wintersport Ice Rink was sold and will close
Wintersport Royals changed their venue to the BCI rink for the 2020-21 season
DE Stars are on warning to better their goal differentials/levels or be dismissed in the 2020-21 season
Philadelphia Little Flyers were accepted as probationary members for the 2020-21 season entering 3 female teams
Pond Patriots will no longer field Mite teams and have dropped from the league effective March, 2020
The DE Rough Riders were denied application to the league

2018 – 2019

2019 Coleen Marinari celebrates 30 years with DVHL
Team Philadelphia was approved as probationary members for the 2019-20 season
Hollydell Havoc, Rizzo Rink, Kings Developmental, Flyers Skate Zones (AC, NE, Penn, Voorhees) were approvedas an Associate Member for the 2018-20 season
LV Rebels changed from a full member to an Associate member for the 2018-19 season
Phila Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins had their outdoor game in Phila
Bob Fryer was appointed Commissioner of the Limited Travel division
The Rough Riders were denied entry into the league
Changed from Pointstreak website to SportsEngine
Joe Spagnolo joins DVHL Executive Committee as Secretary

2017 – 2018

Overtime was placed into the league playing rules
Pond Penguins changed their name and Jerseys to the DE Patriots
The Quakers changed their venue from Iceline to their new rink in Westtown effective 2018-19 season
Team Phila was denied entry into the league for the 2018-19 season

2016 – 2017

Began our East West Challenge games with Pittsburgh
NHL Classic was held with the Flyers/Penguins playing outdoors in Pittsurgh
Partnered with the DVCHC with our Allstars
Partnered with Dicks Sport Goods; will pay for banners; will host DVHL day with 20% discount
LV Phantoms AHL team donated $2500 to the league
LV Rebels were approved as full members in the league for the 2017-18 season
Bux Mont Royals (Wintersport) were granted full membership for the 2017-18 season
The Revolution was denied admission into the league
Midget 16 & 18 were permitted to allow cuts in the bylaws
Referee rates increased with a 5 year contract; last increase was 2013

2015 – 2016

Went to the American/National divisions
Rough Riders left the DVHL as no longer a rink ran organization
LV Rebels was approved as an Associate member
Revolution was denied admission to the league

2014 – 2015

2014 Colleen Marinari celebrates 25 years with the DVHL
2014 Terry Wochuk celebrates 15 years with DVHL
2014 Dave Jackson joins the DVHL Board as Vice President
Signatures of players were dropped from scoresheets
Flyers donated $6000 for purchase of blue pucks DVHL and THL league merged
Knights granted a leave of absence for season
De Ducks were fined and placed on probation for season due to roster violations
Dropped the 50 mile rule for players to have to attend who are suspended
Generals were dismissed from the league due to lack of correspondence
Pottstown Penguins were accepted back as permanent members
Warwick Wildcats changed their venue to BCI
Wintersport Royals were voted in as a probationary member for the 2015-16 season
Starting with the 2015-16 season, we will go to American and National divisions
Haverford Hawks changed their logo and jerseys
Regency Panthers requested a name, color, uniform and logo change to Central Penn Panthers. Request was approved
LV Rebels were voted in as probationary members for the 2015-16 season
The Revolution were not approved for admission to the DVHL

2013 – 2014

SafeSport became effective by USA Hockey
Player stats were taken off of the website starting in 2014-15 season
Referee Fees were increased
Generals were voted in as Associate member to field Mites as feeder to the Blazers
Playoffs were held at Iceline
AA Percentages were moved from 65% to 70%
Lancaster Firebirds changed their jerseys
Old York Road was voted in as a probationary member for the 2014-15 season
Old York Road granted full membership starting with 2014-15 season
The Reading Battalion’ leave of absence was over; they ceased to exist
Lehigh Valley Flames changed name to Lehigh Valley Phantoms starting with the 2015-16 season
Playoffs were held at Ice Works
LV Rebels were voted in as probationary members for the 2014-15 season

2012 – 2013

Pottstown Penguins took a leave of absence for the season to rebuild
Generals were voted as a probationary member to field Mites as feeder to the Blazers
Palmyra was voted in as a permanent member
Hershey changed their logo and jerseys to brown and white
Grundy Senators changed their home jerseys
Playoffs were held at Iceline
USA Hockey dropped the Pee Wee level at Nationals
Began our Sled Hockey division in the 2012-13 season
Exton Kings changed their logo and jersey

2011 – 2012

Started using PointStreak for game information and schedules; paid for by Phila Flyers
Coaches modules were started by USA Hockey
Flyers Cup and DVHL reached agreement that Midgets will practice on Tuesday nights and no high school games will take place
Playoffs were held at both Iceline and Ice Works
Admission of Associate members for the 2012-13 season: Dynamites and Rough Riders
Admission of DE Stars, Jr. Knights, Regency Panthers and Royal Berks Battalion as permanent members for the 2012-13 season
Palmyra Black Knights was voted in as a probationary member for the 2012-13 season
Old York Road was denied entry into the DVHL
Ice Dogs won gold medal at USA Hockey Nationals; DE Ducks won 2 bronze medals
DVHL changed their logo

2010 – 2011

USA Hockey started locker room policy
Berks Blue Lions and Exton Dynamites were Associate members for this season only on the Mite level
DVHL started holding conference calls in place of face to face meetings at certain times of the season
LeHigh Valley Comets and Bethlehem Blast merged beginning with the 2011-12 season with their home rink being the Steel Ice Center; new name of club is Lehigh Valley Flames
DVHL voted to stop doing Midget Allstars with the NJYHL in the 2011-12 season
DVHL started a change their logo contest with the winner getting $500
Reading Jr. Royals merged with the Royal Berks Battalion for the 2011-12 season; Reading Jr. Royals cease to exist; cannot use the name of the Reading Jr. Royals due to rights reserved
Knights were placed on probation for the 2011-12 season for lack of bylaw requirements
Snider Hockey and Jr. Knights changed their jerseys starting the 2011-12 season
PA Predators withdrew from the league starting with the 2011-12 season
Winners at USA Hockey Nationals: DE Ducks 12U bronze; OYR 14U gold; Ice Dogs 18U gold
Ed Snider Foundation and Pond Penguins were voted in as permanent members for the 2011-12 season
Dynamites, DE Stars and Rough Riders were voted in as associate members for the 2011-12 season
Regency Panthers were voted in as probation member for the 2011-12 season
Rizzo Rink club folded for the 2010-11 season

2009 – 2010

USA Hockey began Nationals by state instead of by District
DVHL was the host of USA Hockey Nationals and was held at Iceline; 48 teams participated 16AA level
3,856 players were in the DVHL; with 28 Mite teams
DE Ducks PWAA won the USA Hockey National Championship
Knights, Rizzo Rink and DE Stars were accepted as associate members for the 2010-11 season
Ed Snider Foundation and the Pond Penguins were voted in as probation members for 2010-11 season

2008 – 2009

Referee fees were approved for the 2009-thru and including 2012 seasons
Pocono Pirates changed their name to the Wilkes Barre Jr. Pens for the 2009-10 season and moved to their new rink
Knights were approved as a probationary member for the 2009-10 season
Rizzo Rink did not participate in the DVHL this season
DE Stars were accepted as associate members for the 2010-11 season
Terry Wochok become Vice President Legal for DVHL

2007 – 2008

Cap City Vipers changed their jerseys
Blue Hens changed their jerseys
A new board position of VP of Marketing will be put into effect for the 2008-09 season
Knights application for the 2008-09 season was denied
Rizzo Rinks was accepted as a probationary member for the 2008-09 season
DE Stars were accepted as associate members for the 2008-09 season

2006 – 2007

USA Hockey implemented the coaches helmet rule There were 22 clubs in the league
Referee fees were approved for the 2007 and 2008 seasons
The average ice fee for the clubs to the rinks was $300 per hour
DE Ducks changed their jerseys
The DVHL player agreement form was approved for the 2007-08 season
Cap City Vipers requested a name change/merge to Keystone Generals. Request was denied
Pennsbury Falcons was released from the DVHL since leave of absence expired

2005 – 2006

Rick Gallagher updated our website with new standings/scores inputted by the clubs with passwords
Pennsbury Falcons requested a leave of absence for the 2005-06 season

2004 – 2005

263 teams were in the league
The Ice Dogs made the playoff format proposal to go to a win/loser bracket; motion was approved
Chester County was accepted into the DVHL for the 2005-06 season

2003 – 2004

Pottstown Penguins changed their jerseys
Delco Phantoms and the Beast merged; club will remain as Delco Phantoms
The Bristol Blazers changed their name to the Blazers
The District asked the DVHL to send our 5 Girls clubs to their new league, MAWHA, in the 2004-05 season
Approved changing the Midgets and Bantams to 16 minute periods starting the 2004-05 season
The Reston Raiders dropped from the league effective the 2004-05 season
A vote was approved to keep the handshake at the end of the game instead of the beginning

2002 – 2003

The Shooting Stars (Lehigh Valley) was accepted into the DVHL as an Associate member with 2 girls teams
The Delco Phantoms hosted USA Hockey Nationals at Ice Works
DE Stars were accepted as associate members for the 2002-03 season and then dropped from the league
The league started on October 5th, ending on February 16^th
Grundy Senators became an independent organization and no longer rink ran
The Thunder organization changed their name to the Bethlehem Blast and will skate out of the new Flyers Skate Zone in Bethlehem for the upcoming 2003-04 season
PA Predators made a change in venue from the Exton rink to Center Ice Oaks
Mites and Squirt ice slots were increased from 1 hour to 1 hour ¼
USA Hockey made an age change moving 1st year Bantams to Midget; 2nd age change since 1998 season

2001 – 2002

The Kings out of Exton were accepted into the league as a probationary member
The Bristol Blazers made a change in venue to the Flyers Skate Zone, NE
York made a change in venue to the York Municipal Rink
PA Predators made a change in venue to Exton since the King of Prussia rink was sold
Timberline Wolfpack made a change in name to the Reading Jr Royals and change in venue to the Body Zone in Reading
Rink directions were typed up and put into a booklet form for distribution to the clubs
Sled Hockey was started in the District
Playoff format was 1st place bye to Districts, 2, 3 and 4 got to playoffs
The Melodybrook Lazers were dismissed from the league since were unable to field teams
Lady Bugs were granted admission to the league in the girl’s divisions
The Grundy Senators were accepted as a probationary member into the league as a rink ran club
The Pocono Pirates, Ice Dogs, Kings, Pennsbury Falcons &Grundy Senators were voted into the league as permanent members effective for the 2002-03 season
Old York Road and the Gladiators were granted a leave of absence for the 2002-03 season

2000 – 2001

Lancaster changed their jerseys
Lloyd Hecht resigned as President of the Thunder; Jeff Hofschild took over
Started giving out banners at Playoffs in place of trophies
The Ice Dogs, Pocono Pirates and the Pennsbury Falcons were approved as probationary members for the 2001-02 season
PA Predators were approved as permanent members
Chester County was dismissed from the league after taking a leave of absence for the season for failure to get teams
Jim Gannon of the Pennsbury Falcons made application and was approved as a probationary member
Pocono Pirates were approved as probationary members

1999 – 2000

Valley Forge Colonials were suspended but played a leage schedule with no standings and were not eligible for playoffs or districts due to evaluation violations
Midget B Districts were discontinued due to player conduct in the past
The Lehigh Valley Comets were placed on probation for one year for evaluation violations
Terry Wochok was introduced as the new legal advisor to the DVHL
PA Predators were approved as probationary members for the 2000-01 season
Chester County and Cumberland were approved as probationary members for the 2000-01 season

1998 – 1999

New rule put into effect where officials can throw parents out of stands
Lawrenceville Hockey Assn. entered 1 girl team for the season as an Associate member
Lady Bugs dropped from the league in the girls division
Wilkes Barre was granted a leave of absence for the year as only had 30 players
DE Ducks changed their jerseys to teal and white
The DVHL started their new website as dvhl.org. The website was made by Gary Gallagher
A tampering bylaw was put into effect

1997 – 1998

Joe Gentile was the Mite Coordinator for the DVHL
Haverford Hawks changed their jerseys
Bylaw went into effect that if one referee shows up for a league game, the visiting team has the option whether or not to play the game or reschedule it
Our standings were posted by Gary Gallagher every week on Blueskycomputing.com/dvhl
Sal Marinari and Gary Gallagher made the program to handle the standings that was inputted manually every week by Gary
There was a $3 admission fee to the Allstar games
DVHL ran a cruise raffle with the Baltimore Youth Hockey winner ticket # 856. The proceeds benefited the DVHL scholarship fund
The Delco Phantoms were approved as a permanent member
The DVHL began a girl’s division
The Holy Name Jets changed their name to the Cap City Vipers. Jersey colors would be eggplant/red/teal
A tampering committee was put into effect due to the vast number of recruiting violations

1996 – 1997

Phila Flyers opened the New Spectrum
The DVHL presented Tony Montagna a watch in appreciation of his 5 years of dedication as President DVHL had 210 teams
Jim Gehring, Mite Coordinator, reported there were 31 teams in the DVHL
Standings were handed out every 2 weeks by fax with full stats given monthly at DVHL meetings
Committee members attended a customer appreciation dinner at the Hilton and won a door prize that gave a cocktail reception at the December meeting for all of the clubs and reps
Dot G. from Wilmington made a rink directions handbook for the league and they were sold for $1
Scholarship Fund was established from donation of $5000 by Eric Lindros of the Flyers that he earned during the NHL lockout
John Ball of the Glaciers headed the committee to come up with the rules of the scholarship
Susquehanna Ice House rink opened
USA Hockey established the Heads Up program
Hazardous weather program was established
DVHL Playoffs was formed using the format: 1st place bye; 2nd, 3rd, 4th play round robin format. Each team provided a home ice slot. Bylaw approved to go to one rink starting 1997-98 season with the Ice Works rink being awarded as the location of the one rink
Tony Montagna became the Atlantic District Registrar replacing Joan Schofield who retired
District mandated to DVHL and NJYHL to close league to our of district teams; current teams stay but when drop out, can’t come back
VF Colonials approved for venue change to Center Ice Oaks for 97/98 season. Request made by John Staffi
Wissahickon was approved as a full member effective the 97/98 season
Frederick, Reston, Ducks, Blue Hens and Rockets were all voted to permanent status for the 97/98 season
The Delco Phantoms were approved as a probationary member for the 1997-98 season
Phil DiFranko made application for the Tri-County Phantoms and was denied entry
The Phila. Phantoms donated $5000 to be added to the scholarship fund, bringing the total to $10,000
Communications to the league was done by US mail

THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO BUILD OUR LEAGUE OVER THE YEARS!

PRESENT & PAST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

First Name	Last Name	Position(s)	Years	# of Years
Andy	Abramson	Commissioner	1979 – 1980	1
Larry	Archibald	Vice President – 2nd	1996 – 1998	2
Richard	Byrnes	President	1979 – 1984	5
Mike	Campbell	Referee-in-Chief	2020 – present
Donald	Centrella	Vice President B	1979 – 1980	1
Ray	Clements	Vice President – 2nd	2013 – 2018	5
Barry	Clevenger	Vice President	1990 – 1991	1
Joe	D’Angelo	Executive Vice President Vice President – 2nd	2021 – present 2009 – 2021
William	Deihm	President	1984 – 1986	2
Mike	DeRose	Secretary SafeSport Coordinator	2021 – present 2022 – present
Monty	Ferguson	Referee-in-Chief	2013 – 2020	7
Jay	Finnigan	President Treasurer Executive Vice President Commissioner Vice President – 1st	2021 – present 2018 – 2021 2017 – 2021 2013 – 2018 2007 – 2013
Dean	Frost	President	1978 – 1979	1
Bob	Fyrer	Commissioner-Limited	2018 – 2021	3
Gary	Gallagher	Statistician	1998 – 2007	9
Selma	Goldberg	Treasurer	1979 – 1980	1
Ken	Haas	Referee- in-Chief	1996 – 1998	2
Robert	Hamilton	Vice PresidentA	1979 – 1980	1
Rick	Hare	Executive Vice President Vice President – 2nd	2004 – 2008 2001 – 2004	7
Joe	Harris	Ex. Vice President	1996 – 2004	8
Harold	Hilsher	President	1990 – 1991	1
Cindy	Irving	Secretary	2016 – 2019	3
Dave	Jackson	Vice President – 1st	2021 – present
Mike	Juliano	Referee-in-Chief	2005 – 2013	8
Av	Kantor	Commissioner	1995 – 2002	7
Tom	Koester	Treasurer President	1990 – 1991 1989 – 1990	2
Chris	Lam	Vice President – 2nd	2005 – 2009	4
Colleen	Marinari	Master Scheduler President Executive Vice President Secretary	2014 – 2022 1996 – 2021 1992 – 1996 1989 – 1992	30
Frank	Martino	Vice President – 2nd Secretary	1998 – 2001 1997 – 1998	3
Mike	McDevitt	Referee-in-Chief	2000 – 2005	5
Brendan	McQuillan	Vice President Marketing	2014 – 2016	2
Tony	Montagna	President	1991 – 1996	5
Betty	Moriarity	Master Scheduler Secretary	1996 – 1999 1992 – 1997	7
Holly	Neff	Vice President – 2nd	2004 – 2005	1
Scott	Purdue	Referee-in-Chief	1998 – 2000	2
Frank	Rauch	Vice President Marketing Secretary	2008 – 2014 2007 – 2008	7
Beth	Ritter	Treasurer	2021 – present
Pete	Rothman	Treasurer	2013 – 2018	5
Linda	Ryan	Executive Vice President Treasurer Secretary	2008 – 2015 2007 – 2009 1997 – 2007	18
Jennifer	Sabatini	Secretary	2009 – 2016	7
Joan	Schofield	President	1986 – 1989	3
Larry	Sechuk	Vice President Marketing	2016 – present
Grace	Serratore	Master Scheduler Treasurer	1999 – 2014 2009 – 2013	15
Bob	Shortes	Vice President – 1st	1997 – 2007	10
Lisa	Silvotti	Player Safety/Health Coordinator	2020 – present
Robert	Smink	Secretary	1979 – 1980	1
Joe	Spagnolo	Vice President – 2nd Secretary	2021 – present 2019 – 2021
William	Tierney	SafeSport & COVID Coordinator	2017 – 2022	5
Ben	Umstead	Vice President THL	2014 – 2016	2
Chris	Verone	Treasurer	1996 – 1999	3
Mike	Walsh	Vice President – 1st	1996 – 1997	1
John	Wert	Treasurer	2001-2007	6
Gump	Whiteside	Commissioner Secretary	2009 – 2013 2008 – 2009	5
Mike	Wiercinski	Master Scheduler	2021 – present
Gary	Williams	Treasurer	1999 – 2001	3
Terry	Wochok	Vice President – Legal Commissioner Legal Advisor	2009 – present 2002 – 2009 1999 – 2002