UNION, NJ — According to his juniors coach, Tyler Chmiel “exemplifies what the EHLP and UJT is about.”
A two year player for Head Coach Sam Tafel’s Union Jr. Thunder squad, Chmiel parlayed his experience in junior hockey into a big role at the ACHA Division One level in his first year.
Tafel described Chmiel as “a good player who needed additional resources and a higher level of play to open up doors that weren’t there at the U18 level.”
Coming out of U18, the Leonardo, NJ native joined UJT in December of the 2023-2024 season. He scored his first goal in his 17th game, and appeared in all of Union’s playoff games in their sophomore season.
“When joining juniors my only real goal was development,” Chmiel recalled. “I knew I was going up against older, stronger, and faster players so the focus was trying to get to that level too. After a couple months, I settled in and college hockey was more on my mind.”
Chmiel’s production improved in his second year. He registered a goal and five assists, logging an average of 20 minutes per game. He was an all situations player for Union, boasting significant special teams time as well.
“As I played juniors longer I became a more confident player which helped me become more of a leader on the ice. I felt that if I played at my best and gave 100%, my teammates could rely on me.”
However, it wasn’t just on-ice growth that stood out for Chmiel.
“The best part about playing juniors was the people I got to meet,” he said. “It gave me the opportunity to play with or against kids from all around the country and outside of the US as well. The bond that we had on Thunder was incredible and it made events away from hockey a lot more fun. My last season with them was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on a team.”
Tafel applauded Chmiel for making the most of his resources during his time in the EHLP, which created opportunities to play at the next level. It’s that work ethic that makes it unsurprising for Tafel that Chmiel has adjusted well to ACHA hockey at Towson University.
Through 27 games, Chmiel has registered a goal and eight assists, scoring his first point in just his third game. He currently leads all Towson defenseman in points as a freshman.
“Juniors definitely helped me prepare for the college level more than if I had stayed playing youth hockey. The ACHA has a big amount of talent that would have shocked me if I hadn’t played such great and tough competition in the EHLP.”
After shaking off some first game nerves, he adapted well. He labels juniors as the “best hockey decision” as it set the stage seamlessly for a jump from the EHLP to the ACHA.
