(Walpole, MA) -- Kevin Aufiero, Chris Kennedy and Ronnie Walsh are no strangers to the Iorio Arena. As youth, they honed their hockey skills there under the tutelage of NEH Director/Coach Rob Reilly before embarking on four-year careers at MIAA powerhouse Xaverian Brothers High School where they made two Super Eight appearances. This weekend the trio -- two forwards and a defenseman -- has committed to play Junior A hockey for the Walpole Express during the 2010-2011 season and will once again call Iorio home.

“At the urging of Rob (Reilly), we have had these players on our radar for quite some time and have particularly enjoyed watching their successful senior season at Xaverian," said Express GM and Coach Tony Dalessio. "Thanks to Rob's efforts in launching the new Express midget program and his strong track record for developing players through NEH, we value his opinion. We feel bringing these former NEH players back into the fold at Iorio is one way to maintain a strong program.”

Kennedy, a defenseman, played some games with the Express B team during the 2009-2010 season season and will be looked upon this coming season to step in and make an immediate impact on what is looking like another strong corps on the back line. Aufiero and Walsh both posses strong offensive skills and will be called upon to pick up the slack following the departures of several Express forwards who recently graduated into collegiate programs.

“I’m excited for all three players," Reilly said. "They have worked hard on and off the ice to give themselves this opportunity. Over the years, I have watched these kids develop not only into strong hockey players but also into great citizens and students and these are the types of players the Express are looking for.”