Atlantic Youth Hockey League

AYHL alum inks NHL entry-level contract

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (October 8, 2017) – Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) alumnus Brandon Crawley signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers, general manager Jeff Gorton announced last week.

The defenseman played one game with the Rangers during the preseason, recording a power play goal and leading all skaters with four hits during 18:51 of ice time on Sept. 23 at New Jersey. Additionally, Crawley represented the Rangers at the 2017 Traverse City Tournament, posting one assist and 10 penalty minutes in four contests.

Crawley spent six seasons in the AYHL, five with North Jersey Avalanche, and one with the New Jersey Rockets, reaching as high as the Bantam Major level. The highly-regarded blueliner advanced to the junior ranks with the Jersey Wildcats before moving to Selects Academy, where he played his final season of midget hockey. Crawley then attended camp with the London Knights (Ontario Hockey League) and ultimately signed with the prestigious organization as a undrafted free agent. Crawley parlayed his time with the Knights, including a Memorial Cup Championship in 2016, into a steady climb up the draft rankings and ultimately, an NHL career.

Currently with the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, Crawley could still return to the OHL for his final season of junior eligibility.

The Glen Rock, New Jersey native was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round, 123^rd overall, in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

The Atlantic Youth Hockey League is the USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier I AAA youth hockey league of the Atlantic District. From Connecticut to Maryland, the AYHL’s membership is comprised of over 100 teams, representing four districts, and is spread across six playing divisions. The AYHL’s mission is to develop young players with competition, fun, and good sportsmanship, and move them on to the next phase of their hockey career. With a distinguished alumni list of players that spent a portion of their playing career in the AYHL, today’s players choose to play in the AYHL knowing that it is a proven stepping stone for those serious in their hockey pursuits.

For more information on the AYHL, log on to HTTP://WWW.ATLANTICHOCKEY.ORG/AYHL.PHP or on Twitter @AYHL or on Facebook at HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/THEAYHL