The Columbus Mavericks ownership group announced on Monday that the Easton Youth Hockey Association (EHYA) and the Thunderbirds Hockey Club have merged with the Mavericks organization, effective immediately. The merger will bring two great youth hockey organizations with deep roots in the Central Ohio hockey community under the Columbus Mavericks umbrella to create a hockey pipeline from Squirts through the Junior Hockey level.

After months of planning, the merger was recently brought to fruition after being passed by unanimous vote in the latest EYHA Board Meeting. The ultimate goal of this relationship is to foster the growth of youth hockey in Central Ohio and provide a streamlined development path for players from the time they start playing hockey up to the collegiate level. Members of the EYHA and Thunderbird clubs will start to see a number of positive changes as this upcoming season approaches, beginning with skills coaching and organizational mentorship from the Mavericks staff. As tryouts and pre-season practices begin, members of the Mavericks coaching staff as well as players from the USPHL Junior A team will become regular fixtures on-ice with youth teams at all levels. Off the ice, Mavericks management will provide guidance focused on organizational growth and harmony.

In addition to coaching and organizational support, there will also be a visual change as the Ice Dragons house and travel teams will be rebranded as the Mavericks. Beginning this season, EYHA house and travel teams will don the Mavs’ navy and green threads.

EYHA President, Jeff Sharp, commented on his excitement for the new opportunities provided by the merger: “It is an exciting time for me not only as a board member but as a parent with children currently playing hockey in Central Ohio. This merger solidifies that all EYHA and Thunderbirds players at both the house and travel levels will now have additional new opportunities to participate in hockey programs and will receive valuable instruction from both Mavericks players and their elite USPHL coaches.”

EYHA Director of Hockey, Brian Terrell echoed Mr. Sharp’s excitement and emphasized the merger’s strategic alignment with long-term organizational goals “My main goal is to foster a lifelong love of this sport in all of our players. Partnering with the Mavericks organization is the next logical step in making that goal a reality. The value of the resources and professionalism that the Mavs bring to our organization cannot be overstated. I am thrilled to see what the future holds.”

As the season approaches, more information specific to each organization and team will be communicated by the appropriate leadership figures.