The Jr Ducks Hockey Club is proud to announce that three of our development players will be attending prep school’s starting this Fall. Though the Jr Ducks offer a top notch EHL Junior option, the business model is and will always remain the same according to the head of the flock.

“Development and advancement, that is our sole focus here with the Ducks” said coach Watt who is entering his third season running the Jr Ducks program. “Everyone has different paths, some families and players focus on the highest leagues and best team possible, some are looking for the best education and some are looking for the combination of both. If that means we lose some good players in pursuit of a better education or a different path at prep school, then we are still happy to have been a part of the journey and development for our players. The players and their goals come first, we would never and will never hold our players back from their goals and dreams just to keep their talents within our program for selfish reasons. Development and advancement, if we provide these two things for our players and families then it’s a win for us and a win for them”. - GM/Head Coach Terry Watt

Ryan Rutkowski: 2006 Defensemen- Bridgewater, NJ. (The Fredrick Gunn School)

Hudson Gorski: 2005 Defensemen- Scotch Plains, NJ. (Salisbury Prep)

Logan Martel: 2006 Defensemen- Westfield, NJ. (Canterbury School)

As stated by the management team the Jr Ducks organization is extremely proud of these three young men, we wish them nothing but the best in school, hockey and in life. Of the three Jr Ducks who will be moving on, Ryan Rutkowski is the longest severing Duck and has been with the program since he was a Mite.

Ryan will be attending the Frederick Gunn School in Washington Connecticut next year to further his academic and athletic journey. Formerly known as "Gunnery", Frederick Gunn seeks to provide a personalized, “small” school experience with elite level hockey. A force in "small school" New England prep hockey Gunn Hockey boasts seven consecutive NEPSIHA West titles, 6 Elite Eight tourney appearances, has won the Elite New England championship several times and was the NEPSAC Boys' Ice Hockey Tournament Piatelli/Simmons (Small) Bracket Champions in 2020. Owing to their success, in the past 15 years the program boasts 2 NHL draft picks, 70+ NCAA Division I placements, dozens of NCAA Division III placements, and one Hobey Baker Award finalist. 

"The Protec Jr. Ducks is not just a team but also a family and community that every aspiring player should experience in their career. The elite level treatment and preparation will get any player going to places they had only dreamed of. Before the Jr. Ducks, Prep school was only an idea in my head or something that I talked to my friends about. The program's aim was to develop players and make them next level players and I believe that it did both for me. The program developed me and is still developing me as a person and a player which will help me in the preparation for this new life. The Jr. Ducks truly care for you as a player and a person and take an active role in your development. I wouldn't be able to do it without this team and no other program could do it better."-Ryan Rutkowski

#OnceADuckAlwaysADuck

Since the Jr Ducks existence in the 2020 season, the program holds an impressive commitment and advancement rate that surpasses most established programs in the Atlantic District. To view this list click here: https://www.protecjrducks.com/alumni