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HITMEN ELITE ATTEND USPHL SUMMER SHOWCASE

By Dan Henningson, 07/28/15, 9:30AM EDT

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WAYNE NJ – The Hitmen Elite 2015/16 came together for the first time at the USPHL summer showcase.  The showcase is a good chance for Coach Dan Henningson to see his new signings compete and for the new player to meet the returning players.  The Hitmen played three games against the Springfield Pics, Rochester Americans Premier and Philadelphia Flyers Premier.  

The Hitmen came out in furry in Game 1 beating the Pics 4-0.  The Pics had no chance as the Hitmen controlled the game from start to finish.  Starter Ross Mantione ’95, a native of West Milford, NJ and played for the Hitmen Empire team last season, posted a 25 save shutout.  The second game came against stiffer competition versus the Rochester Americans Premier team.  The Americans beat the Hitmen 3-0.  Starter Josh Welte ’97 a native Franklin Lakes NJ, allowed 3 goals on 37 shots. 

1-1 heading into Saturday’s contest, the Hitmen needed a win vs. the Flyers to have a chance to qualify for a wild-card playoff spot on Sunday.  The Hitmen came out strong taking an early 1-0 lead, however the Flyers Premier team were just too much to handle and responded with 4 unanswered goals.  The Hitmen never gave up cutting into the lead and making it 5-3 but the Flyers would add two late goals to make it a 7-3 final. 

Head Coach Dan Henningson on the weekend, “I was pleased to see our guys compete at a high level this weekend against three very good teams. I was pleased with our showing especially without any practices or any systems put into place.   I am looking forward to working with this group of guys starting at training camp!” 

The Hitmen will kick off training camp on the first week of September and then open the season on the road against the Rochester Americans in a 2 game weekend series on September 19.