WBS KNIGHTS

DEVELOPING HOCKEY PLAYERS SINCE 2007

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights junior hockey program has been instrumental in strengthening youth hockey in northeastern Pennsylvania. Established in 2007, the Knights provide local athletes with a platform to develop their skills and compete at elite levels within the USA Hockey framework. The program’s inception coincided with a surge in regional interest in ice hockey, largely sparked by the establishment of an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise in Wilkes-Barre in 1999. This increased exposure to professional hockey significantly contributed to the growth of youth, scholastic, and recreational hockey in the area.

From the outset, the Knights aimed to field teams capable of competing at the highest levels against USA Hockey Tier I teams across the United States and Canada. This ambition was realized in 2009 when the program’s youth teams achieved Tier I status. In 2010, the organization expanded by acquiring junior hockey franchises in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League (MJHL), both recognized as USA Hockey Tier III Junior Hockey Leagues. These additions offered players from northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond enhanced training opportunities and greater exposure to collegiate and professional scouts.

The Knights reached a significant milestone in the spring of 2013 by securing the AJHL Championship, reinforcing their commitment to developing athletes within highly competitive environments. In 2015, the program further elevated its stature by acquiring a North American Hockey League (NAHL) Tier II junior franchise. The NAHL team experienced its most successful season in 2018, achieving 30 regular-season wins and earning a playoff berth for the third consecutive year. The team advanced through the playoffs, ultimately clinching the 2018 NAHL East Division title and earning the opportunity to compete in the Robertson Cup Championship.

In 2018, new ownership took over the operations of the facility and franchises, initiating a comprehensive transformation of the rink. Upgrades included a new off-ice turf training facility, fitness center, weight room, skating treadmill, luxury scouting lounge, enhanced boards and glass, an A/V press box, additional parking, new locker rooms, and a complete facility revitalization.

The year 2021 marked several significant developments: the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Jr. Knights were granted USA Hockey Tier II status for their youth program, the WBS Lady Knights joined the Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation (AGHF) to better serve female hockey players, and the organization acquired United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Elite and Premier Tier III junior hockey franchises. These expansions provided players aged 16 to 20 with high-level training and increased exposure to college and professional scouts.

In 2022, the Knights were awarded a Tier II junior hockey franchise with the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), becoming the 14th member of the USPHL’s Tier II tuition-free conference for the 2022–23 season and beyond. Additionally, the organization joined the Atlantic Hockey Federation (AHF), a USA Hockey-sanctioned elite Tier II youth hockey league that facilitates games throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, offering high-quality competition across various age groups and levels.

Throughout its history, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development and success of their athletes, continually evolving to provide premier opportunities in youth and junior hockey.