Top T1ER Advancement: CarShield 18U

CarShield has firmly established itself as a powerhouse within the NAPHL T1ER league, continuing to raise the bar at the 18U level. The St. Louis-based program once again proved its elite status by capturing the 2025 Dixon Cup championship and leading the league in NAHL tenders, with an impressive 14 commitments for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Thanks to a consistent development model and a winning culture, CarShield has become a premier destination for aspiring junior hockey players.

What sets CarShield apart isn’t just the number of players who sign NAHL tenders,  it’s the impact those players make once they get there. Conner Broadhead, who spent three seasons developing in the CarShield program, finished as a top-three scorer for the Springfield Jr. Blues this year. Teddy Richardson, another three-year CarShield product, has thrived over two NAHL seasons, helping lead the Wisconsin Windigo to a Robertson Cup appearance and earning a Division I commitment to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Jack Solomon, a standout with two years at CarShield, advanced to the Austin Bruins, committed to UMass Lowell, and received an invitation to the St. Louis Blues NHL development camp, further proof that CarShield consistently produces players ready to succeed at the game’s highest levels.

Assistant Program Director and 18U Head Coach Kyle O'Kane emphasized the program’s commitment to player advancement:

"At CarShield, our mission is clear: to develop players and help them reach the next level of their hockey careers. We take great pride in the dedication our athletes show each day and the professionalism they bring both on and off the ice. But it’s about more than just hockey, we’ve built a culture that prepares young men for success in the game and in life. We're excited to carry that culture forward as we open our new facility in June 2027."

This year’s tender class is a testament to the continued strength of the CarShield pipeline, with 14 players signing NAHL tenders for the 2025-26 season. The list includes: Erick Bachtle (F, Oklahoma Warriors), Braeden Begley (D, Amarillo Wranglers), Andrew Bely (G, Austin Bruins), Reed Besonen (D, Minot Minotauros), Brandon Catalano (F, Odessa Jackalopes), Braden Davis (F, Minot Minotauros), Cooper Jacobson (F, Wisconsin Windigo), Ryan Kerr (G, Odessa Jackalopes), Jack Squibbs (D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs), Logan Stawazynski (F, Springfield Jr. Blues), William Tanny (D, St. Cloud Norsemen), Noah Teng (F, St. Cloud Norsemen), Roman Thompson (F, El Paso Rhinos), and Joe Viox (D, Corpus Christi IceRays). This well-rounded group represents nearly every position, and will look to carry CarShield’s winning pedigree into the NAHL.