The Rochester Jr. Americans, a junior hockey program that competes in the North American Hockey League, announced on Friday that it is pausing operations for one year through the 2026-27 season.
The team, which is home to prospective college players from all over the United States including Western New York, completed its third season of competition in May.
In a statement released on Friday, the team cited recent NCAA litigation as a reason behind the pause.
“Since establishing the Rochester Jr. Americans, the organization has been proud to build one of the NAHL’s most successful and respected programs. During that time, the junior hockey landscape has undergone significant changes, many of which have been driven by the evolving NCAA policies and developments across the broader player development pathway.
“As the landscape continues to evolve, the Rochester Jr. Americans and the NAHL have mutually agreed that the 2026-27 season presents an appropriate opportunity for the organization to conduct a comprehensive review of its junior hockey operations and long-term strategy. No decisions have been made beyond the 2026-27 season,” the statement said.
The team is owned by Hockey ROCS, LLC, an entity comprised of Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. co-owner Colleen Wegman and local entrepreneur Chris O’Donnell. Former NHLer Brian Gionta is a member of the hockey operations staff.
O’Donnell also owns the Rochester Ice Center in Fairport, which recently completed an extensive addition to the building that includes a new ice sheet and restaurant/bar. The Jr. Americans, along with several high school and youth hockey programs, are one of the arena’s primary tenants.
Former Rochester Americans AHLer Francois Methot, previously the team’s general manager and head coach, was announced as head coach of the PWHL’s Boston Fleet, a professional women’s team, earlier this week.
The team was still announcing player signings as recently as May 30. According to the team’s statement, all current rostered players and signees are now considered free agents and can sign with any other NAHL team.
Junior hockey has existed in Rochester on and off since the 1970s, but most versions have had trouble sticking beyond two or three seasons.
The current iteration of the Jr. Amerks is also not the first to compete in the NAHL. A previous team played in the league in 1999-00 and featured former Buffalo Sabres star Thomas Vanek. That program lasted only one season.
Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester’s junior hockey team pauses operations for 2026-27
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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By Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
