Mission Statement

Connecticut Jr Huskies is a competitive youth hockey program committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all regardless of age, skill level, race or background.  CJH believes that hockey should be an affordable sport where everyone has an opportunity to play.  A place skaters can not only develop the skills needed to be successful on the ice but leadership skills needed to be successful in life. 

Remembering our Roots

In anticipation of the 2007-2008 season, the Columbia Youth Hockey Association and the CT Cyclones, each of whom were skating at UCONN, merged and created the Northeast Youth Hockey Association Ice Dogs. The Columbia Youth Hockey Association had deep roots in the state’s youth hockey landscape, having been founded in the mid-1960’s by local sports legend Jerry Dunnack. The CYHA first began play outdoors at Jerry Dunnack’s backyard pond (“Jerry’s Pond”) and then later shifted to playing at UConn prior to the construction of the Frietas Ice Forum. Many of you will recognize Jerry Dunnack’s name as our annual TYKES tournament is named after him. Also, his son, Scott, has been one of the bedrock members of our organization from the beginning, coaching at the higher-age levels and the beginning stages alike. 

The CT Cyclones, conversely, was a new program that was founded in the mid-1990’s. The Cyclones organized themselves as a non-competitive, “House” program. Of course, the inevitable ice time scheduling conflicts with two organizations attempting to share the same ice so a decision was made to merge the two organizations creating the NEYHA Ice Dogs.  In 2016, the NEYHA Ice Dogs entered into a 3 year licensing agreement with the UConn licensing and branding office.  This allowed NEYHA to take on the Northeast Huskies name and specially made logo for our youth hockey organization.  In 2021, NEYHA recognizing the long term partnership with the University of Connecticut transformed into the Connecticut Jr Huskies.