Logo for the NA3HL that the new Jamestown hockey team will be affiliated with.

JAMESTOWN – A name has been announced for the new junior hockey team that will be skating on the ice at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena starting later this year.

The Jamestown Area Hockey Associates announce that Southern Tier Xpress will be the name of the new junior hockey team. According to a media release from the ice arena, the name was suggested by local resident Bud Tomassi.

In March, the owners of the new team announced a ‘Name Your Team Contest’ in an effort to find a name for the new team. Tomassi’s suggestion was reportedly one of over a thousand that was submitted. Tomassi says that he suggested the name because it identifies more with the geographical area rather than just Jamestown proper – adding that The Xpress links the region back to the days of the railroad, the Gateway Train Station on Second Street and the economic importance both once had to the area. He said it also associates itself with the Southern Tier Expressway that runs through the region.

The Southern Tier Xpress is part of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), a top level Tier 3 league in the North American Hockey League association. The Xpress will also encompass a pair of youth feeder teams including an under 14 and an under 16 team.

Tryouts for the feeder teams will be held on April 21, 23 and 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the JSBA.  Tryouts for the Xpress NA3HL team are set for May 16-18 and will also be held at JSBA.