Boston Jr . Bruins The Boston Junior Bruins are an American junior ice hockey organization playing in Marlborough , MA . They field three Junior and a number of Youth teams . The teams are affiliated with the United States Premier Hockey League ; they play in the USPHL Premier Division , USPHL Elite Division , United States Premier 3 Hockey League ; and the youth teams play in the USPHL ' s U18 , U16 , U16F leagues . Mission . Junior Hockey is the pinnacle of the skill development program of USA Hockey . The program is available to high school students and graduates seeking a greater challenge than that available through their prep school , high school , or club team . The principal purpose of the Junor Bruins development program is to prepare the athlete for career advancement ; either a collegiate program or professional opportunity . History . The Boston Junior Bruins was founded in 1991 as an independent junior team . The Junior Bruins played prep schools and local junior teams , and competed in major tournaments throughout North America before joining the Eastern Junior Hockey League ( EJHL ) in 1999 . During their first three EJHL seasons , Head Coach Peter Masters and his staff led the team to fourth , third , and second place finishes overall in the twelve - team league . In 2000 - 01 the team finished the regular season with a 45 - 15 - 1 overall record as the EJHL Northern Division Champions . Team Members and Regular Season . The Junior Bruins hold tryouts in April and final camp in late July . The Junior Bruins team is typically composed of 12 to 13 forwards , 6 to 7 defensemen , and 2 goalies on the active roster . All players are between the ages of 16 and 20 . The season starts the day after Labor Day and playoffs finish during the third week of March each year . The team typically practices 3 to 4 times per week . The schedule includes 45 EJHL regular season schedule games plus three rounds of playoffs . From year to year the Junior Bruins normally play one or both of the US National teams ( USA Hockey ' s National Team Development Program ) in an exhibition game along with some scrimmages versus local prep schools and participate in 4 - 6 major recruiting showcase / tournaments . Coach . Head coach Peter Masters functions as both head coach for the EJHL team and manager for all Junior Bruins activities . His responsibilities include program and organization development , direction of skill sessions and summer camps for youth hockey players and the Annual Junior Bruins Shootout Tournament in the fall and Beantown Classic Tournament in August . Peter Masters , 2001 EJHL Coach of the Year , graduated from Boston College in 1997 . While at Boston College , Masters played defense for the BC Eagles under coaches Steve Cedorchuk and Jerry York , and was recognized in 1997 as one of eight defensemen nation - wide picked as Hobey Baker Award pre - season ' players to watch ' . Alumni . Since 1992 the Junior Bruins have placed over 100 players in college hockey and since 2001 more than 35 have been recruited to Division I college teams . Notable former Boston Junior Bruins players include < br > Blake Sloan ( NHL ) < br > Brendan Buckley ( AHL ) < br > Sean Haggerty ( NHL ) < br > Tim Lovell ( AHL ) Charitable involvement . The Bay State Hockey Foundation ( BSHF ) is the non - profit arm of the Junior Bruins Organization . Founded in 2005 , the mission of the BSHF is to provide " . . . children and young adults with lower extremity paralysis and other disabilities the opportunity to participate in the sport of sled ice hockey . . . " Equipment and participation are free for qualified individuals . USA Hockey Tier III Jr National Championships . Round robin play in pool with top 4 teams advancing to semi - final .