(Walpole, MA) -- The Walpole Express have placed yet another player in the collegiate hockey world and now lead the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in college placements for the 2007-2008 season. Last year, the Express topped all AJHL teams in college placements. The team’s latest success is hard-working forward Kyle Tejchma, who has committed to U-Mass Boston for the 2008-2009 season.

Tejchma is well-known in the league for his hard work and physical play. This season he has contributed 22 points, and scored 11 goals -- most of them while the team was short handed.

“Kyle is an amazing player,” said Express Head Coach Chris Cerrella. “He is the hardest working player to have ever played for me. He is great defensively and great on the penalty kill. He blocks shots and plays through adversity. In other words, he is a coach’s dream,” Cerrella continued.

“We take pride in our college placements and support our players as they strive to move to the next level. For example, we require our players to wear shirts and ties when they walk into the rink and when they go on their college visits. We want them to have a very professional appearance so they’ll be taken seriously as scholar-athletes.”

“At only 5’7, Tejchma somehow finds a way to finish every check and is not afraid to mix it up,” said Express GM Rob Barletta. “He is going to do a great job for U-Mass.” Tejchma will join 2006-2007 Express alumni Ryan Huggett. Barletta said he expects the two will help U-Mass Boston develop into a regional powerhouse. The U-Mass Boston Beacons are part of the ECAC East.

“We’ve been so successful getting kids into college because we have a dedicated coaching staff working hard on behalf of our players – a coach with their best interests at heart and extensive contacts in the college hockey world,” explained Express General Manager Rob Barletta.

“It is this attention to our players’ futures that sets the Express apart from other teams,” Barletta continued. “That’s why players come to the Express. The players themselves as well as their parents know that our players have a solid organization and a dedicated coaching staff ready to prepare them for college, as well as help them develop as hockey players. As an owner/GM I am proud of our commitment to our players. It thrills everyone in our organization when a former Express player has the opportunity to suit up for a collegiate team.”