The Tri-State Spartans, a regional AAA hockey team based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, are making a major leap in their hockey program. The team has announced that they will be joining the Tier 1 Hockey Federation for the 2023-24 season.
Entering into their 10th season, the Spartans offer a regional AAA option for players at 10U-15U as well as the 18U Black team. The 18U Gold and 16U teams are academy model teams based out of Cincinnati. The program has been able to attract talented players from across Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Many players have gone on to play at the Junior and College levels.
The team utilizes several facilities across the region, including Goggin Ice Arena at Miami of Ohio, Parkview Ice House, Perry Park Ice Rink, Sports Plus, South Metro, and Thunder Ice Arena at Trine University. The team’s coaching staff is led by head coach Ryan McGinnis and includes Casey Osting, Ron Leef, Iain Fraser, Andrew Kremer, Taylor McConnell, Derek Crouch, and Brett Annetts.
The Spartans have seen notable alumni such as Gavin Morrissey (Minnesota State), Dashel Oliver (Omaha), and Hunter Ramos (Lake Superior State) make their way to the college ranks. Additionally, Cooper Pierson (Denver), Owen West (Des Moines USHL), Klayton Knapp (Cedar Rapids USHL), Ryan Austin (Shreveport NAHL), Adam Shankula (Maryland NAHL), Trayce Johnson (Maryland NAHL), Andrew Stacey (Springfield NAHL), Gage Parillo (Corpus Christi NAHL), and Evan West (Philadelphia) have all gone on to play junior hockey.
Starting in the 2023-24 season, the Spartans will join the Tier 1 Hockey Federation, a highly competitive league that includes some of the best AAA teams in the United States. This move will provide the Spartans with increased exposure and will give their players the opportunity to compete against some of the top talent in the country.
The Tri-State Spartans have come a long way in their 10 years of existence, and joining the Tier 1 Hockey Federation is a significant step forward for this organization. With talented players and a dedicated coaching staff, the Spartans are poised to make some noise in the coming years. Make sure to follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.