ROCHESTER, N.Y. — If Alex Crilley wasn't on hockey's fast track before, he's on it now.

The 2016 Seneca Valley graduate recently accepted a tendered contract from the Rochester Junior Monarchs of the newly created National Collegiate Development Conference. He will play for the team in its inaugural season beginning in September.

Crilley, a center, scored approximately 35 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins Tier I Elite 18U team last season in helping the squad win the organization's first national championship.

He has 26 goals and 24 assists for the Penguins 18U team so far this year.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” Crilley said of joining the NCDC. “I had four or five different teams in the league that talked to me and were interested.

“I chose Rochester because it's closest to home and I'm somewhat familiar with that area. I've played up there before.”

Rochester is one of 11 teams in the NCDC. The other franchises are in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey. The league is designed to showcase junior hockey players to prospective Division I college programs.

The NCDC region comprises 56 percent of the NCAA Division I hockey programs.

“My goal is to play Division I hockey. It was a no-brainer for me to opt into this league,” Crilley said. “I'm going to gain a lot of exposure there, playing in front of college scouts and coaches all of the time.”

Crilley became the second player tendered a contract by Rochester. Each NCDC franchise is allowed to tender eight contracts.

All players not signed to a Tender will be eligible for the NCDC Entry Draft in May.

Players will take on-line courses to prep for college while playing in the league.

“It really stresses academics,” Crilley said. “There are monitored study times set aside. This league wants to get players into college.”

Rochester general manager-head coach Dave Leaderer likes the versatility the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Crilley brings to a team.

“He's a hard worker in the defensive and offensive zones,” Leaderer said. “Alex can be a physical player. He's a good puck handler and playmaker — and he can put the puck in the net.

“He is definitely a Division I caliber talent. Numerous Division I coaches who will be attending these games are going to see that.”

Rochester is joined in the league — launched by the United States Premier Hockey League — by the Boston Bandits, Junior Bruins, Connecticut Jr. Rangers, Islanders Hockey Club, Jersey Hitmen, New Jersey Rockets, Northern Cyclones, PAL Junior Islanders, South Shore Kings and Syracuse Stars.

Players will be brought into the circuit from all over the world.

“We've signed a guy from California and there are plenty of European players who have interest in playing for U.S. colleges,” Leaderer said. “The level of play will be extremely high caliber.”

Crilley has been playing for coach Kevin Quinn — also the Quaker Valley head coach — with the Penguins Elite 18U team.

“It's been a great honor for me to play for him. He's the best coach I've ever played for,” Crilley said. “He had a brother who played in the NHL for a long time.”

Crilley has been playing hockey since the age of six.

“Winning that Tier I national championship was the best feeling I've enjoyed in my life,” he said. “Now I'm taking another step and it's exciting.”