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The Rochester Junior Americans will join the United States Premier Hockey League’s Premier Division for the 2014-2015 season, the USPHL announced Thursday. Rochester is joined by the Springfield Pics to bring the total number of Premier Division teams to 11 for the upcoming season.

"This achievement has been a decade in the making,” said Junior Americans owner Dave Maksymiu. “We sat around a table 10 years ago and discussed raising the level of hockey in Rochester to support the highest level of junior hockey. The idea was to improve the training, the coaching, and the overall experience for hockey players. There have been many contributors to this process. This is a huge success for everyone."

The USPHL Premier Division features teams that are owned and supported by NHL and AHL franchises, including the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Portland Pirates.

“We are excited to bring the highest level of competitive junior hockey possible to Rochester,” said Junior Americans owner Jeff Kolcon. “Local youth players are now able to play and develop at the highest level while living at home. This is an incredible step forward for Western New York Hockey.”

In its 2013-2014 inaugural season, the USPHL had well in excess of 150 participants that will go on to play collegiate hockey with approximately 70 committed to play NCAA Division I hockey, making it the clear leader in the East to help aspiring players reach their collegiate goals. The Junior Americans program has had over 60 players commit to playing college hockey in the past eight 8 seasons, as well as sending players to the major junior and professional ranks.

“The rest of the coaching staff and I are very excited about moving into the Premier Division,” said head coach Craig Macdonald. “Not only is it good for our program, but it’s great for our players, who will now be playing at the highest level of junior hockey in the east and in the heart of college hockey.”

Last season the Junior Americans fielded teams at four levels in the USPHL: the Elite and Empire Junior Divisions, and the 18U and 16U Midget Divisions. The Elite and Empire teams both won their regular season titles and the Elite team went 8-4-3 when playing against top-level Premier Division teams throughout the season.

“Last season we got a taste of the Premier Division and we held our own,” said Macdonald. “Our coaches and players know that we have a big challenge ahead of us but we can't wait to start playing games against the top level of competition.”