MAY 2013
Sweet Season FARMERS BRANCH KINGS!
“Keep your kids out of hot water, put them on ice”
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14U DSEHC LeComte, Allison, and Bakich align for a faceoff
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Remington Schugart Mansfield Varsity
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Alliance Bulldogs 01-Blue - Nick Cyprian taking it around the net!
Richard Sobieski Dallas Penguins Midget Minor AA
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Joel Lehtinen of the Dallas Stars Elite
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Dear Stonebriar Ice Pee Wee Red Team: O ur game on March 10th, 2013 turned into one of those once or twice in a lifetime storybook sports comebacks. The purpose of this letter is not only to recognize and celebrate our win but for you to analyze and reflect upon your thoughts and emotions during the game. With the intent to be able to reconnect with the energy and magic we tapped into and shared that afternoon to hopefully once again achieve the unlikely and unexpected and turn a difficult negative start into a positive and incredible hockey and life memory. Firstly, from my perspective behind the bench we had a humiliating first period and I’ll shoulder the blame as the coach for a lot of it. We had a sloppy warm up and that carried forward into the game. We didn’t have our usual pre-game chalk talk to focus and prepare and get the sense of being together as a team to accomplish our common objective - TO TRY OUR HARDEST & HAVE FUN - and hopefully get a W. It’s a lot more important than you realize to have your equipment on and be ready in the locker room and thinking about hockey and listening to your coach 10 minutes prior to taking the ice. I apologize for not insisting on this before this game and that failure directly contributed to our awful start. We were down 6-0 before we knew what hit us and ended the first period down what most of the 200 or so spectators at the mall that Sunday believed was an insurmountable 6-1 on the scoreboard. The family, friends and bystanders who stayed and watched the next two periods witnessed a truly amazing turn around that made me absolutely proud of each of you and feel very privileged to be able to coach you and share experiences like this with you. What an absolute honor; thank you! I remember telling your shell shocked disappointed faces at the first intermission that we got whooped in the first; that you were watching the game and not participating or playing in it. That we needed to win every loose puck and not let the other team play with OUR puck. We made some positional changes and we put our efforts into keeping the puck in the offensive zone and away from our goalie. Our united mission was to win the next two periods and perhaps claw our way back into the contest. Each one of you raised your effort, concentration and desire. You fought for pucks, you fore checked, back checked, skated hard and began putting the puck in the net. I vividly remember Ross rushing back with more speed and hunger than the puck carrier and stealing the puck for not just a needed game changing turnover but a thunderous statement that we meant business from here on out. A moment later Darrien ripped a shot top corner to ignite our bench. With one minute left in the third period the
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scoreboard displayed 9-8 for them. I replaced a defenseman for a forward and pulled our goalie with 45 seconds left. We tied it up 9-9 before the end of regulation. Wow, is this really happening?! Now, for the defining nerve wracking chapter of the 3 player shoot-out… I told every one of you to not talk to each other or ask me to pick you and to imagine what move you will use to score. I told our goalie to not go for the fake and stay in the middle and force the shooter to place it in the sides to score. Their first player scored and so did Connor with a smooth skating and sure handed goal. Their second shooter shot wide as our goalie Caleb stood tall in the middle. Tucker was next to shoot and he calmly skated in and buried the puck in the back of the net. Caleb stoned their third shooter with his stick down in the middle of the net. Victory was ours! Hours later, as I lay awake in bed from the emotion and adrenaline still running through my veins I was curious about how these rare magical sports moments come about and truly bless us. I really believe there is another energy level that some athletes can access and tap into to accomplish improbable and incredible results. I’m very happy each of you worked hard and the common focus allowed us as a team to enjoy an outcome that most believed was out of reach. There’s a lot to be said about not giving up in hockey or in life. You achieved something that game that 99% of the people that watched the first period would have said was impossible. I hope you do it again and again in sports and in life. If you believe and you try your hardest you always win no matter what the scoreboard says. I proudly watched my son score 4 goals that game. I couldn’t even say anything after one shift because I was teary eyed and choked up after one goal that he got. It was a backhand breakaway that we practice over and over - he executed it beautifully. I thank each of you for not quitting and for hustling and creating a memory that many of your parents and myself will cherish. After the game, a parent stopped me and simply said and summed up what most of us were feeling after witnessing something so special, “That was the best hockey game I have ever seen”. Sincerely yours, Coach John McDonald ■
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Above: Stonebriar Ice Pee Wee Red Team Right: Coach John McDonald and son Tucker
“Hockey is a unique sport in the sense that you need each and every guy helping each other and pulling in the same direction to be successful.” - Wayne Gretzky
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On the Cover May 2013 Now In Our Seventh Season!
On The Cover: #35 Clay Longbotham
#13 Chase Peppard
#3 Manny Han
#14 Michael Armey
#5 Thomas Carlson
#15 Eli Yancey
#7 JP Moore
#16 Blake Lind
#9 Chaz Brooks
Coach Drew Lind
#10 Declan O’Donnell
Coach Billy Peppard
#12 Grayson Turner
Coach Keary Turner
Squirt Gold Division Champions 2012-2013 Farmers Branch Kings Undefeated 23-0
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Crull Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Texas Aces Add New Component . 14 Sledding To the STARs . . . . . . 17
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Ice Times Magazine is published monthly by Tink Ink Publications, LLC & distributed free of charge at ice rinks and pro-shops. Copy and Photographs are welcome and must be submitted by the 20th of the month prior to publication. ITM reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. Reproduction in whole or part without express written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.
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Ethan Smith -Stars Elite 98 pushing the puck into the zone vs North Shore
Texas Aces #10 Kyle Mills
PARENTS, COACHES and PLAYERS! Send your favorite pictures, jokes, or stories of the last season for the June issue to pics@icetimesmagazine.com
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Core Stability M By Luke Beltrand
ost people think of the core as a nice sixpack, or strong, toned abs, but the truth is that the abdominal muscles are a very small part of the core. The abs have very limited and specific action. The core actually consists of many different muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis, and run the entire length of the torso. When these muscles contract, they stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle and create a solid base of support. Improving your core stability has many benefits to Hockey Players. With a strong core you will have less back pain, improved posture, and increase athletic performance. Your core stability can affect your shot power and your ability to take a hit or fend off opponents.
Some exercises that will improve your overall core strength are the plank, side plank, glute-ham presses, and superman. Other exercises that work the core are the barbell squat, pushups, pull-ups, or anything that is on a stability ball, or uneven surface. Contact info@crullfitness.com for more info!■
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Luke Beltrand is a Former Collegiate Hockey player and Current Manager of Crull Fitness Valley Ranch. Luke is Certified as a Certified Fitness Specialist through the Cooper’s Institute and Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting. Luke is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for over 40 local Hockey Teams..
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Hayden Stricker - Dallas Stars Elite Squirts commends one of the Wild goalies for a great series
Klein Ice Hockey Spring, Texas Wins Houston City Championship
Dallas Stars Elite Squirts Championship team
Ryan Lussier - Klein High School
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14U DSEHC Goalie Kevin Graves tracks down the puck flanked by D Allison and OBrien
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Outdoor hockey winter weather 2013 in North Texas...
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Mason Meltzer (left) and Miles Meltzer (right) - Frisco Islanders Mite Gold Champions. Future Benn brothers, ha!
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Tyler Reichenstein (left) and Blake Fiddler (right) - Frisco Flyers Mite Silver Division champions
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Allen Americans Midget Major U18 AA - Congratulations!
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Cam celebrating Allen Americans Midget Major U18 AA
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Texas Aces Add Exclusive Training Component with Michael Johnson Performance By Bryan Rogers
A
s a founding affiliate in the new DSTHL, the Texas Aces moved forward with strong performances during the season. The Pee Wee A Team lead by Wes Rose and our Midget Minor A Team lead by Dave Mills played for the championships in their respective divisions. In a time where youth hockey growth in DFW is unpredictable, we believe our history for offering true value without hype is more attractive than ever, as evidenced by our growth over the previous year. “For us it is also more than just wins and losses, it has also been about developing our players and ensuring we put them in situations that build up their hockey experiences and develop their fundamental skills for the game,” said Texas Aces president Dave Mills. VISION The implimentation of our Long Term Player Development Model and comprehensive skills testing sessions give players and parents tangible information for goal setting. “When we started the season our boys struggled with accuracy and puck movement, but by season end we were making clean break out plays on a consistent basis. We also started the year in those first 5 games averaging under 15 shots per game but ended the year accomplishing our goal of at least 10 a period on a fairly regular basis. One of the biggest contributions to the increased shots on goal was inviting Alan May to a practice who instilled the concept of “Nose and knees to the net.” Coach Michael Rosen said. Being prepared, from practices to games to post-game reviews are vital to young players. The Aces new hockey IQ room provides the players and coaches the opportunity to study the game and player decision making at a level that is on par with the finest College, Junior and Professional associations. “The focus on development across the entire Aces group: the board, the coaches, and the parents, makes for a great environment for having priorities in the right places, lots of positivity and having fun,” added Coach Pat Web. As an added benefit for last year’s teams, Coach Chris Sharon invited world renowned stick handling instructor Sean Skinner to provide the Aces players a unique opportunity to learn the art of stick handling and puck protection. MICHAEL JOHNSON PERFORMANCE Our yearly Coaches and Team Surveys give us valuable insight for planning future programs. With the support of this feedback and the efforts of the Aces leadership, the Texas Aces Hockey Club would like to formally announce an exclusive training partnership with Michael
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Johnson Performance. MJP will offer our organization a convenient, stat-of-the-art performance facility that is tangent to our home rink. Not only will the athletes train to perform but, in instances of injury, MJP provides rehabilitation programs. This is a partnership that will provide all of our players the opportunity to perform as better athletes in hockey as well as other sports. MJP’s professionals are the same who train the Dallas Stars, Dallas Cowboys and various Olympic and professional athletes. Our Texas Aces Coaching Staff will benefit from training seminars hosted by MJP including concussion awareness; and all our coaches and families will be included in MJP’s nutritional seminar. Programs to include: Squirts training: • Rhythm, dynamic flexibility and reactivity (balance) • Max velocity • Muscular Endurance • Body weight movements/high reps/technique Peewee/Bantam/Midget: • Acceleration/hard stops and starts • Hip drive • Broad jump • Body control/stability/core work • Acceleration/top end speed • Weight room implementation • Nike Vision training sessions LEADERSHIP Since 1999, the Texas Aces have earned the respect of the North Texas hockey community for providing trusted leadership and valueconscience hockey programs while nurturing some of the best players in the state. In addition to excelling in their professional careers and leadership positions in business and community causes, Aces coaches provide Level 4 Certification experience. This kind of passion makes 2013 an extraordinary time to play for the Texas Aces Hockey Club. We are pleased to confirm our coaching staff for the upcoming 201314 season. All of our coaches have been in the Aces system during this past season and all are looking forward to continuing to be a part of your player’s hockey development for next season as well. Our coaches by age group are: • Squirt – Tom Rose • Pee Wee (minor) – Pat Webb • Pee Wee (major) – John Read • Bantam (minor) – Michael Rosen • Bantam (minor) – Wes Rose • Bantam (major) – Dave Mills • Midget (minor) – Mike Bugbee • Midget (major) – Dave Mills • Goalie Skills Development will feature Billy Pye If you are interested in learning more about our coaches for next season, or if you have questions about tryouts, please go to www.TexasAcesHockey.com. ■
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Sledding to the STARs
STAR sled hockey program brings new meaning to ice for disabled individuals By Jessie Chan // Ice Skate USA Student Reporter
I
t doesn’t take a pair of angel wings or fairy dust to fly. Sometimes, all you need is a sled, puck and two hockey sticks. “I felt unstoppable, like I was flying or dancing. I was doing things I had never been able to do before,” Bagina Rwiyereka said. Rwiyereka is a proud member of the Skating for Therapy And Recreation (STAR) program. Every Saturday, he and his fellow sled mates take the ice at Ice Skate USA Memorial City to train, play a game or two, and simply to have some fun. “For me, playing hockey started as a complete coincidence. I found a flyer for STAR one day and thought, ‘Why not?’” Rwiyereka said. “I love it and have never left since the first time on the ice.” For Rwiyereka and many others, skating with STAR is more than just a hobby. It has become a second chance at freedom. “When I come here, there’s no pressure. Anyone really can come here, just to try, and grow to love it like me. There’s no other place like it,” Rwiyereka said. Diagnosed with polio at the young age of two, Rwiyereka has lived on crutches most of his life. “The first time on the ice felt so great. I felt the succession of freedom at last,” he said. And that is exactly what Jim O’Neill, founder of STAR, had hoped to accomplish. “I’ve always had a passion for hockey, I’ve always loved playing it and being on the ice,” O’Neill said. One day, O’Neill decided he wanted to give back to the hockey community somehow. His love of the sport had inspired him to spread and share it with others less fortunate. “Years ago, I caught a segment about a skating therapy organization in Buffalo, called SABAH, on TV. They offered therapeutic skating to disabled individuals and I thought, ‘What a great idea if we could do something like that down here,’” he said. Earlier on, O’Neill had also learned about the sport of sled hockey. Players would be able to sit in specially designed sleds mounted on elongated hockey blades and, using two hockey sticks sharpened at the end with metal picks, propel themselves across the ice to follow, chase and shoot the puck. Sled hockey gives the same joy and adrenalinerushing spirit of ice hockey to those who may have been unable to experience it before. “I was disappointed to find no sled hockey organizations in Houston. That’s when I decided to start the STAR program,” O’Neill said. O’Neill founded the nonprofit organization back in 2008. In the program’s first year, STAR only offered therapeutic skating for individuals with a physical or developmental disability. Over the years it has grown and progressed to include many different forms of ice therapy, from plain old skating to sled hockey with enough kick and excitement to keep you on the edge of your seat. “We’ve gone such a long way since STAR first began,” O’Neill
said. “It takes a whole team to execute this program.” Every weekend, numerous volunteers contribute their time to helping at the organization, Rwiyereka leans in for a shot at the puck Sled mates Noland and Rwiyereka His eye set on the goal and his sticks prepared for aim, Noland trains his shooting whether that means signing up for off-ice gear crew or strapping on some skates for some puckshooting with the STAR skaters. In addition, hockey teams from all over Houston donate equipment and safety gear, from helmets and gloves to sticks and sleds. “We’ve got a dedicated group of people who believe in this program, who have and continue to make it happen,” O’Neill said. Thanks to all these generous helpers, the STAR organization has grown in its numbers, adding more and more hockey enthusiasts and players to its team year by year. “I’ve always been a big fan of hockey, and when I found out about STAR Skaters, I realized it was my chance to finally play, so I went for it,” STAR member Andy Noland said. Noland was diagnosed with Spina Bifida at birth and has undergone 22 surgeries in his life. Skating with STAR has granted him new hope, excitement, and a life-changing experience. “I can let my guard down and forget about all the challenges and obstacles I’ve faced. When I’m here, all I can do and think about is having fun,” Noland said. As fun as sled hockey is, it does come with its own set of challenges. “Overall trying to stay in control, turning, and stopping are probably what are most difficult on the ice,” Noland said. “Sometimes cutting a corner too fast or leaning to the side just a little bit could turn your sled over.” A few slips and falls are nothing for these guys though. The sensation of freedom, happiness, and glory the ice gives them overpowers any other cost. “Many of these young folks have said that the disability isn’t in their physique- it’s in their head. If you focus only on the disability and what you can’t do, you’ll never get better. Instead, focus on what you can do and work to improve yourself,” O’Neill said. “Always look for the bright side of things because it always exists, and never give up. None of these guys gave up.” It is magical how a simple sled and puck could inspire so many individuals to rise above the odds and shoot for their dreams. They’ve taught everyone an important lesson: no matter what life throws at you, with a little bit of ice and whole lot of determination, you can always overcome and conquer. You can catch the STAR team in action every Saturday from 10:15 to 11:15 at Ice Skate USA in Memorial City Mall. STAR is also located in Sugarland and College Station. For further information, check them out at starskaters.org. ■
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McKinney Lightning Squirt team celebrates winning the SWSHS Squirt A Division Championship
Dallas Stars U18 Salisbury - 2nd place team in State championship game.
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IceTimesMagazine On Sunday April 7th the Dallas Stars Youth Hockey League season came to an exciting conclusion with championship games in 9 divisions. We congratulate all of the winners and thank all of the players and families from all teams participating this season.
Thank you from the Dallas Stars and Dr Pepper StarCenters!
Farmers Branch Bantam Canucks, Farmers Branch Squirt Kings, Frisco Mite Islanders
Euless Midget Canucks, Frisco Mite Flyers, Frisco PeeWee Islanders
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McKinney Lightning Pee Wee team after winning CSAHA Presidents Day Tournament
Aces Bantam Goalie #35 Trey Peterson
#13 Ryan Lussier – Houston Wild
DJS @ DSTHL Playoffs
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Brendan Legas - Dallas Penguins U16 AA Calgary Glatz - Allen Allen Americans Midget Major AA
Grapevine, Texas - Wolves Peewee
No goal today! Zach Endy (Mansfield Varsity) catches it in the glove.
“It has been a blast to skate again, and thrilling to skate w/ my Peewee son, William” Steve Hipson and son William / Grapevine, Texas - Wolves - Peewee
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Ty Holt (McKinney Varsity), joins his brothers Taylor and Trey (former McKinney Varsity players), to celebrate the end of the Holt era on the McKinney Varsity team.
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