About The League

Founded in the summer of 2024, the Great Lakes Prep Hockey League (GLPHL) brings together six distinguished brick-and-mortar academic institutions from across the Great Lakes region—three from Canada and three from the United States.

The league’s founding members include Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh, PA), Saint Viator (Arlington Heights, IL), St. Francis School (Buffalo, NY), Académie Ste-Cécile (Windsor, ON), Appleby College (Oakville, ON), and Blyth Academy (Burlington, ON).

Rooted in academic excellence, tradition, and history, these private schools have come together to provide their Boys Prep hockey programs with enhanced competitive opportunities. The GLPHL aims to offer student-athletes a higher level of meaningful gameplay, culminating in an annual League Championship hosted by a rotating member school.

With a vision for growth, the GLPHL is committed to expanding its reach by welcoming like-minded institutions that share its dedication to elite competition and operational excellence. As the league evolves, its primary focus remains on providing top-tier exposure and development opportunities for student-athletes, helping them advance to Junior and University-level hockey.

At the Great Lakes Prep Hockey League (GLPHL), we are committed to fostering an environment that prioritizes excellence, integrity, and opportunity—both on and off the ice. Our core values shape the foundation of our league and guide our student-athletes in their pursuit of success.

• Academic & Athletic Excellence – We believe in the balance of rigorous academics and high-level competition, ensuring our student-athletes develop the discipline and skills needed for future success.
• Sportsmanship & Integrity – Respect, honesty, and accountability are at the heart of everything we do. We compete with intensity while upholding the highest standards of character.
• Growth & Development – Our league is committed to providing meaningful competition and exposure to help players reach their full potential at the Junior and University levels.
• Tradition & Innovation – While rooted in the rich traditions of our member schools, we embrace innovation to elevate the prep hockey experience for current and future generations.
• Community & Leadership – We foster a culture of teamwork, leadership, and camaraderie, instilling values that extend beyond the game and into lifelong success.

The GLPHL is more than just a league—it’s a pathway to excellence, a commitment to growth, and a community built on respect and tradition.

At the Great Lakes Prep Hockey League (GLPHL), our leadership is driven by an unwavering passion for player development and mentorship. Our dedicated staff brings a wealth of experience from the highest levels of hockey, using their knowledge and leadership to guide student-athletes toward their full potential—both on and off the ice.

Co-Commissioner – Eric Tangradi

Email: etangradi@shadysideacademy.org

Eric Tangradi brings a deep passion for player growth, having experienced firsthand the journey from youth hockey to the professional ranks. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he played high school hockey for Archbishop Carroll, leading his team to a Pennsylvania State AA Championship in 2004. After a season at Wyoming Seminary Prep, he excelled in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Belleville Bulls, serving as team captain and recording a breakout 38-goal, 88-point season in 2008-09.

Drafted 42nd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, Tangradi went on to compete in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, and New Jersey Devils, as well as internationally in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). His wealth of experience at every level of the game fuels his commitment to mentoring young athletes, helping them navigate the path to success in both hockey and life.

Co-Commissioner – Robb Serviss

Email: serviss@stececile.ca

Robb Serviss has dedicated his career to developing and mentoring young athletes, drawing from his extensive experience as both a player and coach. A Windsor native, Serviss played local minor hockey before advancing to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sudbury Wolves. He later played five seasons at the University of Windsor, where he earned a degree in Human Kinetics, and followed it up with an eight-year professional career in The Netherlands.

Following his playing career, Serviss transitioned seamlessly into coaching, mentoring players at the international level as part of the Dutch Hockey Federation. Over the years, he has coached in 16 IIHF World Championships across the Senior, U20, and U18 levels, shaping the next generation of athletes with his expertise and leadership. His dedication to player development, mentorship, and the holistic growth of student-athletes makes him an invaluable part of the GLPHL’s mission.

Committed to the Next Generation

Tangradi and Serviss embody the GLPHL’s core values of mentorship, development, and leadership, using their extensive experience to create an environment where student-athletes can thrive, compete, and prepare for future opportunities in hockey and beyond. Their dedication ensures that every player in the league receives the guidance, support, and exposure needed to take their game to the next level.