The Hampton Roads Whalers legacy continues to grow as it becomes the first organization to win the United States Premier Hockey League’s (USPHL) National Championships in both the Elite and Premier Conferences in the same season (2018).
The Whalers Premier team has appeared in every USPHL Championship weekend since its inception in 2012. They have made the final four each year, including the Championship game the previous three seasons, winning 2 of the last 3 titles. The Whalers Elite team made its second appearance in the USPHL’s final series in the last three seasons, avenging their 2016 defeat to take home the hardware in 2018. The bus arrived home to Chilled Ponds Sunday morning to a warm welcome consisting of families, fans and youth teams who were anxious to greet the players and share in this tremendous accomplishment.
“We celebrate this outstanding group of players who have achieved unprecedented success by winning both the Elite and Premier National Championships in 2018. The Whaler Nation family features an established culture including coaches, administration, billet families, and fans, that offer an unrelenting commitment for excellence both on and off the ice. To observe and be a part of the comprehensive efforts, and to witness the ability to overcome adversity that each Whaler player showcased in order to achieve the extraordinary results of dual Championships, cannot be measured in words. This experience will be cherished for years to come within the Whaler Nation family.” states President Patrick Cavanagh.
Whaler Nation will conclude this season with a Championship celebration event at Chilled Ponds. The celebration will feature a temporary USPHL banner hanging ceremony with coaches, players, families, alumni, team staff, billet families, fans and supporters. We will auction off the game worn Whaler sweaters and have Championship gear for all to enjoy and wear. As always, food and drink will be shared by all with laughs, smiles, hugs and some tears, as we celebrate one final time together in 2018 as a Whaler family.
