West Chester, PA – The Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Girls are thrilled to announce the commitment of Makayla “MJ” Javier to Robert Morris University (NCAA D-I) for 2022-23.  The RMU Colonials play in the College Hockey America (CHA) Conference, with: Lindenwood, Mercyhurst, Penn State, RIT, and Syracuse.

Javier is in her 3rd season with the Jr Flyers and serves as an Alternate Captain on the 19U Tier I team.  The right-handed defenseman plays a strong 200-foot game, emphasized by a high-compete level, on and off the puck.  Her feet and hands make her confident in making plays under pressure, as she reads the play well.  Javier’s blend of speed, skill, power, and physicality make her a top-tier defenseman that can play in any situation.

Jr Flyers Girls GM/Coach, Chris Baer, noted “MJ had so much natural ability when she came to us a few years back.  She was powerful and raw, but we have enjoyed watching her develop into such a consistent and reliable two-way defender… What has really allowed her to make that next step is her increased understanding of the game.  The improvements she has made with her hockey IQ and puck support have helped turn her into an elite defenseman.”

Javier announced her commitment through social media, stating, “Honored to announce my verbal commitment to play D1 hockey at Robert Morris University.  I want to thank my friends, family, teammates, and coaches for helping get to where I am today #gocolonials”.

Congrats, MJ!  RMU Class of 2026.

West Chester, PA – The Philadelphia JR Flyers are excited to announce the commitment of long-time JR Flyer, Rachel Martin, to SUNY Plattsburgh. The Cardinals are a perennial national powerhouse in Women’s D-III Hockey, with 7 NCAA National Championships, including 5 of the last 6 titles.  Plattsburgh was the #1 ranked team and had a 26-1 record heading into the 2020 National Tournament, which was cancelled due to COVID.

Martin is in her 5th season with the Jr Flyers and is currently an Alternate Captain for the 19U T1 team.  She is a powerful skater with a heavy shot and excellent release, which make her a natural goal scorer. Martin plays a hard, physical game and wins her battles. 

JR Flyers Coach/GM, Chris Baer, said “Her leadership and work-ethic make her a great addition to any program… her compete-level, especially beneath the dots and around the net, make her a great fit for the style of play at Plattsburgh. Adding players like Rachel is how you stay a national contender at the collegiate level.”

On her decision, Martin said “I chose Plattsburgh because of the atmosphere around campus, along with the coaches and players made it feel like home. I want to thank all my coaches through the years for all their help…I couldn’t have done it without them. I also want to thank all my friends and family for being so supportive.”

Congrats, Rachel!  SUNY Plattsburgh Class of 2025.

West Chester, PA – The Philadelphia Jr Flyers Girls are proud to announce the commitment of 19U T1 Defenseman, Payton Hansen, to Endicott College (NCAA D-III).  Endicott is an oceanfront campus, located on the beaches of North Shore in Massachusetts. They compete in the Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC), along with Becker, Nichols, Salve Regina, and University of New England.  The Endicott College Gulls have won 2 straight CHC titles on their way to back-to-back Top-10 finishes within NCAA Women’s D-III Hockey.

While Hansen has been a long-time member of the Quakers/Jr. Flyers, she is currently in her 2nd season with the T1 program, including an underage season last year at 19U.  Prior to that, she was the captain of the 16UAA team that took Bronze at the 2019 USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Championships in Amherst, NY. 

Hansen is a lengthy, left-handed defender that plays with poise and intelligence.  She sees the ice well, makes quick decisions, and plays with an active stick.  Hansen is coachable, hard-working, consistent, and reliable.  Coach Mary Restuccia described her as, “A trustworthy defensemen that can play her way through any situation”.

Hansen said she chose Endicott for its’ beautiful campus, as well as strong academics and hockey program.  Congrats to Payton and Go Gulls!

West Chester, PA – The Philadelphia Jr Flyers Girls program is pleased to announce the commitment of 19U Forward, Julia Franklin, to Suffolk University (NCAA D-III).  Located in Boston, Suffolk competes in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC), along with: Norwich, Castleton, Johnson & Wales, Southern Maine, UMass-Boston, Plymouth State, Salem State, and New England College.  In only their 2nd season as a program, the Suffolk Rams reached the NEHC Championship Game, where they fell to the 2018 National Champions, Norwich Cadets.

Franklin is in her 4th season with the Jr Flyers and attends the Philadelphia Hockey Academy. The Harrisburg-native also plays varsity golf for Central Dauphin HS.  Franklin is a speedy and skilled right-handed winger, who contributes in all 3 zones with her aggressive play.  She has a very smooth skating style, which allows her to get up and down the ice with ease.

Franklin plans to study Biology and Engineering at Suffolk University. A couple of Franklin’s major factors with choosing Suffolk were the city campus and the coaching staff.

Congrats, Frank!  Suffolk University, Class of 2025

West Chester, PA – The Jr. Flyers Girls are excited to announce the commitment of 19U Tier I defenseman, Leah Stecker, to Penn State University (2022-23).  PSU plays in the College Hockey America (CHA) Conference of NCAA D-I, along with Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Syracuse, RIT, and Lindenwood.  Head Coach, Jeff Kampersal, is entering his 4th Season with the Nittany Lions, who play out of Pegula Ice Arena in State College, PA.

Stecker is in her first season with the Jr. Flyers. Prior to joining the Jr. Flyers, the New Jersey-native spent several seasons with the NJ Colonials Girls program.  She also plays high school hockey for Morristown-Beard, where she was named the 2019-20 “NJ.com Girls Ice Hockey Player of the Year”.  The Junior defenseman was also selected to represent the Atlantic District in St. Cloud, MN at the 2018 USA Hockey 15 Player Development Camp.

On her decision, Stecker said, “I chose Penn State for the incredible hockey program, the coaching staff, strong academics, and an overall great fit for my personality. I know I will continue to develop as a player and student when I’m in an environment that supports student athletes.”

With her commitment, Stecker becomes the 8th NCAA commit on the current 19U roster.  Congrats, Leah!