Arizona Rubber Magazine - Summer 2016

VOLUME 11

ISSUE 10

SUMMER 2016

JR. SUN DEVILS REVEAL STRONG SLATE OF YOUTH COACHES FOR ’16-17

All eyes were on Auston Matthews as the Scottsdale product was drafted first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo – the first Arizona-grown and Arizona-trained player to earn that rare and prestigious distinction

PHOENIX NATIVE BURGESS REALIZES NHL DREAMS, DRAFTED BY OTTAWA ARIZONA OUTCASTS FIND INLINE SUCCESS AT ANNUAL NARCH TOURNEY JR. COYOTES’ CDP PROGRAM PROVING TO BE STEPPING STONE TO SUCCESS

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FROM THE EDITOR Coyotes continue to rebuild roster by adding vets, free agents

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he Arizona Coyotes missed out on this past spring’s NHL playoffs, but new GM John Chayka has been active in the free agent market since July 1 hit in hopes of playing late-spring hockey in 2017.

Chayka also signed current Arizona goaltender Louis Domingue to a multi-year contract, inked defensemen Klas Dahlbeck and Jarred Tinordi to one-year deals and Kevin Connauton to a two-year deal. Longtime captain Shane Doan will also be back for his 21st season with the franchise.

Domingue posted a 15-18-5 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage in 39 games last season. Domingue reMatt Mackinder corded two shutouts and won the NHL’s Rookie of the Month award in January by going 6-3-2 with a 2.20 GAA and a .925 save percentage. He set the Coyotes’ franchise wins record by a rookie goalie with 15 wins.

On the free agent front, the Coyotes added forwards Jamie McGinn, Chris Mueller, Garret Ross and Ryan White, defenseman Jamie McBain and goaltender Justin Peters.

On the NCAA front, Peoria native Adam Kleven won a North American Hockey League (NAHL) Robertson Cup title in May with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and then subsequently committed to play NCAA Division III hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WIAC).

Kleven, who skated with the Jr. Coyotes during his youth career, registered 24 assists in 96 games in Fairbanks. This past season, he tallied 15 assists in 49 games and then contributed two helpers in 12 playoff contests as the Ice Dogs claimed the Robertson Cup. Wisconsin-Eau Claire tied Wisconsin-River Falls for first place last season in the WIAC with a 5-2-1 conference and 15-6-6 overall record. The Blugolds reached the semifinal round of the WIAC playoffs.

USA Hockey announced in early July that six players and four staff members will participate in the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s High-Performance Camp at the Sport Institute of Finland in Vierumaki, Finland.

The camp provides select players from 15 nations with a training program that creates the proper environment for success as elite women’s ice hockey players, both on and off the ice.

On behalf of USA Hockey, Chandler native Lyndsey Fry will serve as an athlete ambassador and will take part in the mentoring program, along with athletic trainer Deven Alves. Fry has been a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and represented the U.S. at the Winter Olympic Games in 2014.

Alves, the head athletic trainer with the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL), has worked with USA Hockey at select camps over the past few seasons, including the 2015 IIHF High-Performance Camp that was hosted in Lake Placid, N.Y. Phoenix product and Jr. Coyotes alum Mark Kastelic will suit up for Team USA at the summertime Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, which will run Aug. 8-13 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The NAHL Draft was conducted June 7, and two players with Arizona ties were selected during the event.

Forward Mason Vukonich, a Chandler native, was picked by the New Jersey Titans in the fourth round (88th overall). Vukonich played for the Jr. Coyotes’ 18U AAA team last season where he totaled eight goals and 33 points in 32 Tier 1 Elite Hockey League games. He also saw five games on a call-up basis with the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League.

Then in the 11th round with the 242nd overall pick, Gilbert native and Arizona Bobcats product Christian Cakebread was chosen by the Shreveport Mudbugs. The forward and University of North Dakota commit played for the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2015-16 and posted 12 goals and 30 points in 35 games.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

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FEELING A DRAFT

Phoenix native Todd Burgess (second from right) was in his third year of NHL Draft eligibility, but the NAHL MVP was selected in the fourth round of June’s draft by the Ottawa Senators and then a week later, joined other Ottawa prospects at the team’s annual development camp. More on Page 7. Photo/Ottawa Senators

ON THE COVER Scottsdale native Auston Matthews was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2016 NHL Draft on June 24 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y. Matthews, flanked by Toronto general manager Lou Lamoriello (left) and director of player personnel Mark Hunter (right), is an Arizona Bobcats and Jr. Coyotes product and is expected to make the jump to the NHL in 2016-17.

Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

Coyotes prospects prove worth to Arizona front office

By Mark Brown

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he result meant little, and no one remembered the final score or who actually scored.

Yet, the value of the Arizona Coyotes’ prospect camp in early July represents a significant step in player development and direction of the team. From simulating a game experience, to sessions on financial care and nutrition, players used the knowledge as important stepping stones in development.

Though the 48 players in camp were eventually divided into the Red team and White team for a scrimmage which ended the week-long experience, the sessions on the Gila River Arena ice resonated with each individual player.

The biggest beneficiary could John Chayka, who begins his tenure as the Coyotes’ general manager with an emphasis on speed and innovation. Two players in the scrimmage game clearly accentuated that dimension. Through Clayton Keller and Conor Garland, that pair characterized a shift to swiftness and high tempo. Yet, the camp was also an opportunity to recognize future needs.

“I want to work on getting better in the defensive zone,” Keller said. “As a smaller guy, I try and use my size. Right now, I’m listening to everything, and learn as much as I can.”

Keller was the Coyotes’ top pick in the recent draft (seventh overall), and Garland was Arizona’s pick in the fifth round last year (123rd overall).

In the scrimmage, coach Dave Tippett put Keller between Garland on the right side and Michael Bunting on the left wing. Bunting, who scored 74 points (37 goals, 37 assists) in 57 games for the Sault Ste.

Marie Greyhounds (Ontario Hockey League) last season, showed a strong, “stay-at-home” game to complement the speed of Keller and Garland. After the regulation 60 minutes, the teams played the five-minute overtime and that, too, was designed to simulate an NHL game. At 1:07 into the extra session, Bunting,

One of the Arizona Coyotes’ top prospects, forward Christian Dvorak, participated in the Coyotes’ annual prospect camp in early July at Gila River Arena and stood out as a bona fide NHL prospect. Photo/Norm Hall

in front of the net and the place he expects to inhabit, redirected a perfect pass from Christian Dvorak

into a goal. Though the game played out the entire five minutes, Bunting’s goal was the only tally in the extra session.

“The value of the camp shows how young players need improvement on both sides of the puck,” said Dvorak. “Actually, I take away many things, and it’s nice to learn from so many good coaches.”

Of the nearly 50 players in prospect camp, chances are strong that only a few could be considered for the Coyotes’ roster. While many of those who participated in the prospect camp will be invited to rookie camp in September, most will play next season for their respective junior teams. In the end, NHL teams draft for development, and the oldest player in prospect camp was defenseman Aaron Timcomb, who is 23.

Two players expected to benefit from strong junior years last season and individual development in the prospect camp are Dylan Strome, the Coyotes’ first-round pick last year (third overall), and Dvorak, who is coming off a stellar season after leading the OHL’s London Knights to the MasterCard Memorial Cup championship. Last season, the native of Frankfort, Ill. picked up 121 points (52 goals, 69 assists) in 59 games.

“I wanted to leave an impression for them,” Strome said. “The camp was great, and the coaches covered everything. It was tough getting legs going in the first period. After that, it was easier, but rough to play this kind of game in the middle of the summer.”

For now, players repair back to their home towns for on and off-ice instructions. By the time of training camp in September, Tippett will welcome players with a strong sense of the NHL experience, and ready to hit the ice with a renewed hope and strong instruction.

ARIZONA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

New initiative has goalie culture a priority in Arizona

By Sharon Enck

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1 in 30” is the battle cry behind the new USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) goaltending initiative where the goal is to have 51% of NHL and National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) goaltenders to be American-born by 2030.

Introduced this last May at the Warren Strelow Goaltending Camp in Plymouth, Mich., the program is truly a grassroots effort to develop goalies at all stages. The intention is to create a goalie culture where the position is no longer ostracized, feared and misunderstood. Through specifically designed weekly practice plans and special events, the initiative helps associations who do not have a goalie-specific training program and even helps to fortify existing ones.

Coaches will now have the resources to better train all members of their teams. Newly appointed goaltending development coordinators (GDC) will identify association members who want to work with a goalie-specific agenda, oversee and facilitate use of the plans and organize special events.

In Arizona, the GDC is Larry Gibson, who brings years of goaltending experience to this new position. He said he is extremely grateful to the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) board director Tim Reckell and AAHA secretary/women’s rep, Sarah Dennee for giving him this opportunity and their support.

Gibson takes the “51 in 30” motto even further by firmly believing that there will be an Arizona-born goalie in the

NHL or NWHL by 2030. Changing the perception of the they gain a new respect for their goalie teammates. position and creating a new goalie culture in Arizona hockFuture “Try Goalie Days” will also be a way for budding ey is his own personal challenge. puck stoppers to work the net and find out what it means to “A typical drill ends with a goal, but be a goaltender. with our weekly practices, the drills can With the addition of mentors, youth end with a save,” said Gibson. “It’s time players have the opportunity to self-idento give these goalies something to celtify for this important role through an ebrate.” application process. Becoming part of Gibson is also adamant about who the weekly practice plans and special the program is for, saying “this is not just events, these goalie mentors have the for elite goaltenders.” chance to demonstrate drills and become role models to players just one “This is for all players, regardless of year younger than themselves. skill level,” he added.

So what’s next for Arizona goalies?

With that being said, Gibson now Weekly practices will begin in the fall has the ability to identify well-performing with an October kickoff that will include goalies and register them with the naan on-ice drill demonstration, off-ice intional USA Hockey offices as “ones to struction and plenty of interaction with watch.” goalies, parents and coaches. Phil Accessibility to the position is someOsaer, USA Hockey ADM manager thing Gibson also feels strongly about. for goaltending, is expected to attend With the advent of the “quick change pads,” it’s never been easier for a youth and participate in this event. Some asLarry Gibson (left) and his daughter, player to try goaltending. Quick change Kaley Marino, celebrate a recent adult sociation members have already been pads consist of leg pads that are easily league championship in Arizona. Gibson identified as participants in this initiative attached over the shin guards, allowing has taken on a new role with USA Hock- and “everyone is excited to be part of the process,” according to Gibson. a child to go from player to goalie in sec- ey for the 2016-17 season.

Questions? Contact Larry Gibson at GDCGibson@ onds. Add in the zippable, padded jersey that acts like a chest protector and you have a goaltender able to stop a azamateurhockey.org and connect with AAHA on their blue puck. With these new tools, every 8U and 10U player website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel for more will be encouraged to give the position a try. If nothing else, information as this new initiative is rolled out.

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Heading North of the Border Scottsdale’s Matthews culminates years of hype, goes No. 1 overall in NHL Draft

“I was fortunate to play for some good coaches in Arizona that taught me different things and in the end, it benefited me,” said Matthews. “I mean, Claude he fact that eight TV cameras were in Toronto on July 4 to cover Auston Lemieux coached me when I was younger. Brad Bayer let me practice with Matthews should tell you something about the 18-year-old from Scottsdale. his team when I was 13 and his team was three years older. Having Boris Add to the event that is was simply Toronto Maple Leafs prospects running Dorozhenko here as a skating coach helped me and then having Ron Filion drills (Matthews did four) and it’s clear Matthews is being groomed as a top NHL here, he’s done an amazing job with the Bobcats developing kids and I was pretty player, maybe even as soon as the 2016-17 season. fortunate to have all that. They all taught me different things that I can take with Touted for years as the sure fire top overall pick for the 2016 NHL Draft, Mat- me and use. thews did indeed take the glory June 24 in Buffalo, N.Y., when he was selected “I think I always knew I had talent and skill when I was younger. I was pretty taken by the hapless Maple Leafs with the No. 1 pick. fortunate to play for the U.S. National Team Development Program and really deIf he was born two days sooner (Matthews’ birthday is Sept. 17, 1997), he velop over the last couple years. There’s still a lot of work to do, but I feel pretty would have been eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, but probably would have gone fortunate to be in the situation I’m in. I definitely don’t take it for granted. Playing third overall after Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. in the NHL is something I’ve wanted since I was five years old.”

All signs point to Matthews cracking the Maple Leafs lineup this fall.

Now, Matthews, who skated for the VOSHA Mustangs, Arizona Bobcats, In Buffalo, even though it was seemingly Jr. Coyotes and the Claude Lemieux Hockey obvious that Matthews was going to be on Academy as a youth after the family moved to stage first at the First Niagara Center, the Arizona from the San Francisco area when he jitters were still present. was still a baby, is heading to what is “Yeah, it was a dream come true,” said perceived to not only Matthews. “(My parents have) done so be the largest memuch for me, a lot of sacrifices for me to dia market in all of get to this point. They’ve been a huge part the NHL, but maybe in this, so it was a very special moment. in all of pro sports.

My heart was beating as I was walking up “I mean, it’s gothere, but very nerve-racking. Once they ing to be an adjustcalled my name, it was definitely a sigh of ment for sure, but it’s relief. A lot of excitement. It was a pretty something that I feel I unbelievable feeling.” can handle well,” said Last season, Matthews and his mother, Matthews. “ObviousEma, who is originally from Mexico, moved ly, over time, we’ll get to Switzerland so he could play pro hockey better and better at it. with the ZSC Lions in Zurich. He had Major I’m definitely looking forJunior and NCAA options, but went off the ward to it.” board in venturing overseas to launch his Matthews also looks pro career. to be part of a youth moveMatthews’ father, Brian, stayed home ment in Toronto. in Scottsdale with Auston’s two siblings, “I mean, those young older sister, Alexandria and younger sisguys, William Nylander ter, Breyana. Alexandria also stayed with and Mitch Marner, are obviously Ema and Auston for a couple months last two pretty special players, so I think it’s definitely season. exciting kind of looking forward,” Matthews said.

Once Matthews’ name was called in “I know everybody there is extremely passionate.

Buffalo, Brian hugged his son.

They obviously love the Leafs. It’s a great sports “He just said, ‘Congratulations, God town with the Blue Jays, the Raptors. They’re obbless,’” the younger Matthews said. “I’m viously very passionate, and it’s something you sure they’re very emotional. They’re very definitely don’t want to take for granted. Everyproud of me. Like I said before, I wouldn’t During his youth days, Auston Matthews skated for the Arizona Bobcats AAA program body has told me when they’re winning, it’s the en route to the U.S. National Team Development Program and on June 24, going first be here without them.” best place in the league. That’s definitely someoverall at the NHL Draft to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Matthews was the seventh American sething that I’m looking forward to.” lected first overall. Others include Patrick Kane (2007), Erik Johnson (2006), Matthews is obviously excited in finally getting the chance to play in the NHL, but Rick DiPietro (2000), Bryan Berard (1995), Mike Modano (1988) and Brian doesn’t see himself as the answer to all of the Maple Leafs’ recent setbacks, though.

Lawton (1983). The 28 American players taken in the first three rounds ties the “Well, hockey is a team game, so there’s really no savior,” said Matthews. “I want 2010 NHL Draft for second-most all-time. The record (29) was set in 2007. to be an impact player. I believe I can be a franchise centerman, the No. 1 centerman A total of 55 Americans were selected at the First Niagara Center, including in the NHL, so that’s my ultimate goal. I just want to win as much as possible. It’s a record 12 in the first round. going to be a learning curve. The NHL is the best league in the world, so for me I In Switzerland, Matthews was coached by former NHL coach Marc Craw- definitely want to learn a lot, soak in as much as possible, and just try to continue to ford, who led the Colorado Avalanche to the 1996 Stanley Cup. Crawford has get better and better each day.” now joined the Ottawa Senators’ coaching staff. Ironically enough, another ArizoMatthews has also met Toronto head coach Mike Babcock and can’t wait to na native, Todd Burgess, was drafted by the Senators in the fourth round (103rd share a bench with the longtime NHL bench boss, who will be entering his second overall) in Buffalo. season with the Maple Leafs next season.

“Yeah, he was huge,” Matthews said of Crawford. “Just looking at his résumé, “I think it will be a huge honor, Matthews said. “His résumé speaks for itself – he’s won a Stanley Cup, coached some very special players, so I think having him Olympic champion, Stanley Cup champion. He’s definitely somebody I look forward as a coach last year helped me tremendously.” to working with. I think I can learn a lot from a guy like him.”

Crawford also lent some advice to Matthews on playing for Toronto.

When asked about what it means to have NHL celebrity status as an Arizona “They’re very passionate, very under the microscope, obviously with the media native, Matthews takes it all in stride. and everything,” said Matthews. “But he said if eventually I go there, it would be “I mean, it’s been a great reception,” said Matthews. “I think it’s been great not a blast. Now that I’m a part of the organization, I couldn’t be happier. only for Arizona, but the whole southwestern region. It’s continuing to grow, and it’s As a youth, Matthews’ coaches saw his talent immediately. just cool to be a part of it.”

By Matt Mackinder

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

NHL dreams one step closer after Ottawa selects Burgess

By Matt Mackinder

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odd Burgess admitted he had pre-NHL Draft conversations with several NHL teams, but wasn’t sure what would come of it once the draft commenced June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y. Ranked No. 185 in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings, the 20-year-old Phoenix native didn’t attend the draft at the First Niagara Center, but was selected none the less when the Ottawa Senators called Burgess’ name in the fourth round with the 103rd overall pick.

“I don't know if it's sunk in yet, but it's a dream come true and I couldn't be more excited to be part of a great organization like Ottawa,” said Burgess, who skated for the Jr. Coyotes program as a youth.

“I owe so much to the coaches and staff in Fairbanks who have helped me develop to this point over the course of the past three seasons, and to cap it off with the Robertson Cup and being honored as the MVP of a great league like the North American Hockey League, was truly a dream season.”

Burgess led the NAHL with 95 points this past season and captained the Ice Dogs to the league’s national championship May 15 with a 2-0 win over the Wichita Falls Wildcats in Edina, Minn.

“I think the NAHL is a great and very underrated league that's only getting better every year,” noted Burgess, who played three years for Fairbanks. “I wouldn't be where I am today without the coaches and staff in Fairbanks. They helped me grow as a hockey player and more importantly, as a person.

There's no other place I would have wanted to play my junior career.”

Next season, Burgess will hone his skills at Rens-

selaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), an NCAA Division Hockey League, so that set him back probably less I school in the ECAC and located in Troy, N.Y. than a year. He came back with a vengeance last Burgess said getting drafted doesn’t change the year. He still needs strength. He's a lean kid and I fact that he is committed to playing for RPI. think last time I talked to him he was 182 pounds.

“Just going to try and I met the kid and he hasn't get better every year and even shaved yet, but his when or if Ottawa thinks I'm dad is a big man. His dad ready for that next step, I'll is 6-4 and 230 pounds, so make sure I'm ready,” said that's more of a projection Burgess. “Being drafted on him.” doesn’t change anything Burgess was one of two with RPI.” Arizona-raised and trained "Congratulations to players after Scottsdale’s Todd on this well-earned Auston Matthews went recognition," added RPI No. 1 to the Toronto Maple head coach Seth Appert.

Leafs.

"His work ethic and charac“It's great, especially a ter were evident with the imfirst overall pick like Auston provements he made while Matthews,” said Burgess. leading Fairbanks to anoth“Hockey in Arizona is only er national championship. getting bigger and it's fun Our staff is looking forward to watch. I don't know if it's to helping him continue that hit me yet, but I'm going to development on and off the try and set the best examice at RPI." ple I can to motivate or enOttawa amateur scout courage kids to help ArizoBob Janecyk watched Burna hockey improve.” gess during the 2015-16 After going to Ottawa’s season and said Burgess development camp in late made quite the positive im- Phoenix native Todd Burgess was drafted by the Ottawa June, Burgess has a realpression.

Senators in the fourth round of the NHL Draft a mere six istic agenda the rest of the “Todd Burgess is a weeks after raising the Robertson Cup as the captain of the summer.

6-foot-3 skilled center who NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Photo/NAHL “Just a lot of training and is a late developer,” said Janecyk. “He cracked his skating so I can be an impact player heading into my kneecap when he first went in to the North American freshman year of college,” said Burgess.

Top picks Keller, Chychrun highlight Coyotes’ draft haul

By Matt Mackinder

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layton Keller went into the NHL Draft ranked No. 9

by NHL Central Scouting.

When the Arizona Coyotes stepped to the podium June 24 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y., they grabbed the U.S. National Team Development Program forward with the seventh overall pick.

Where Keller plays next season may be a tug of war between the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires and NCAA Division I Boston University, but all signs point to the St. Louis-area native going to college in the fall.

“Right now, BU is my top choice, and I don't see that changing,” said Keller. “I think that's a great spot for me.

Coach (David) Quinn is a great guy, and I don't think you can go wrong with that. I think he's one of the best coaches in obviously one of the top programs, so I'm excited.”

To go the Coyotes, a young and up-and-coming club, has Keller excited for the future.

“It's just awesome to be a part of such a great organization,” Keller said. “Just so thankful to be picked by them, and just really excited and ready to get started. I had a good meeting with them during the Combine, and we had good talks and just getting to know each other.

Yeah, I was a little shocked, but I'm just so thankful to be picked.”

Standing just 5-foot-10, Keller said he doesn’t see his size as a detriment. Instead, he has plans to use his stature in the manner of an established NHL star.

“I think that's probably the biggest thing for me is just getting stronger and putting on a couple pounds, and I

think that's what can make me a dominant player in the NHL some day,” said Keller. “I think I've always been a smaller guy, so I think I've always had to prove myself, and just my hockey IQ and my skills are at another level. I try to compare my game to Patrick Kane. He's probably

Sarnia Sting defenseman Jakob Chychrun was one of two firstround selections of the Arizona Coyotes on June 24 at the NHL Draft inside the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y Photo/Aaron Bell/CHL Images

the same height as me, and I think I can be as good as him one day.”

Two other St. Louis products were taken in the first round in Matthew Tkachuk (son of former Coyotes captain Keith Tkachuk) and Logan Brown. Tkachuk

was taken sixth overall to the Calgary Flames and Brown was drafted by the Ottawa Senators at No. 11.

With their second pick of the first round, Arizona made a trade with the Detroit Red Wings to move up from No. 20 and get the No. 16 pick and veteran forward Pavel Datsyuk. Pick No. 20, pick No. 53 (second round) and forward Joe Vitale went to Detroit and the Coyotes chose Sarnia Sting (OHL) defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

Chychrun, a Boca Raton, Fla., native, registered 11 goals and 49 points in 62 games with Sarnia, which led all team defensemen and was fourth among OHL blueliners. He played with Canada at the World Under-18 Championship and had a goal and four points in seven games.

The Coyotes added three players on the second day of the draft in North Bay Battalion (OHL) defenseman Cam Dineen (third round, 68th overall), Oakville Blades (Ontario Junior Hockey League) defenseman Patrick Kudla (sixth round, 158th overall) and Portage Terriers (Manitoba Junior Hockey League) defenseman Dean Stewart in the seventh round (188th overall).

Kudla is an Arizona State University recruit expected to be on campus for the 2017-18 season.

"When we first started to recruit Patrick, we felt like we were watching a legit NHL prospect," said ASU head coach Greg Powers. "The fact he's only been playing defense for two years speaks to his potential as an incredibly dynamic offensive defenseman.”

In addition, Arizona acquired defenseman Anthony DeAngelo from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the team’s second-round draft choice (37th overall).

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ARIZONA HOCKEY UNION

New Knights coach Bowman brings in winning attitude

By Matt Mackinder

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hen the Phoenix Knights hired Mike Bowman to be the program’s new head coach at the start of this offseason, excitement elevated in town for the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) club.

Now with tryouts upcoming, Bowman will be looking for a well-rounded roster to compete with the rest of the WSHL talent pool during the 2016-17 season.

For Bowman, he harps on the discipline side of the game.

“I believe strongly in development at all levels of the game,” said Bowman. “I am a teacher and communication is key to learning. We are continually working to improve weaknesses, as well as working towards players learning the way to play the game at the higher levels. While players cannot be afraid to make mistakes out on the ice, they must be dedicated to minimizing and correcting their errors. The game is played at a fast pace and mistakes are going to happen. The mental mistakes must be kept to a minimum and typically, that comes from proper preparation.

“By becoming better, more mature young men, the players will become better at their craft on the ice as well.”

Bowman has been a coach for 18 years and most recently, spent two seasons as the associate coach and assistant GM with the WSHL’s Casper Coyotes and Arizona Hawks. He was Penn State University’s ACHA Division III coach from 2003-09 and in 2008, was named College Hockey East Coach of the Year.

“I’ve learned the rewards that come with patience with making the most of opportunities. They have to identify players and development,” said Bowman. “I’ve learned and be dedicated to pursuing both short- and long-term that all players are at least a little different, and one ap- goals. I want players who will invest as much into the proproach doesn’t necessarily work as efficiently for some gram as the coaches and organization will in them.” players as it does for others. I’ve also learned that players Moving forward, Bowman said he is overjoyed to join a have other things going on in their lives that affect their market that is “hungry for the excitement and growth of such play. As much as you’d like for eva fast-paced sport” and “the opporerything to go away when you walk tunity to participate in a winter sport through the doors to the ice rink, the in such an attractive weather venue reality is that it doesn’t. Figuring out makes it all the more enjoyable.” how to get the most out of each in“My short-term expectations for dividual, teaching them how to work the team next season are to quickly effectively with their teammates, break through the rebuilding phase and pushing them beyond their own that the program is in,” noted Bowself-created limits are all things that man. “We will hit the ground running makes players successful.” and continue to build throughout Tryouts for next season run the season. Long-term, I expect to Sept. 9-11 at AZ Ice Gilbert and the see players begin to appear on the club will have a conditioning camp radars of higher-level junior teams and college programs. The team will Aug. 12-14 in Gilbert as well. A undoubtedly get better as the seaprospects camp in Princeton, Minn., son rolls along and by the time the is also slated for July 29-30.

Las Vegas showcase rolls around “We are welcoming all types in December, players will have a of players at our camps,” Bowman Bowman will be behind the bench of the complete understanding of what’s said. “Will over skill is a philosophy I Mike WSHL’s Phoenix Knights during the 2016-17 believe strongly in – a player doesn’t season and brings with him to the desert an im- expected of them on and off the have to be the best skilled guy to be pressive coaching resume that includes junior ice, and they will know what makes them successful. able to play at the higher levels. He and college hockey stops.

“We will be a team that will be extremely tough to play must be willing to work to improve those skills. Players have to understand the concepts of earning ice time, and against once we hit our stride.”

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

FLAGSTAFF YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY IceJacks’ ACHA Division II squad Flagstaff set to host rec, house tournaments during 2016-17 eager for upcoming season

By James Kelley

By Matt Mackinder

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ith the last summer school session in full swing, the start of the season is just around the corner for Northern Arizona University.

The fall semester at NAU starts on Aug. 29 and the IceJacks’ prospect camp runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. NAU’s tryout camp starts four days later.

NAU Division II head coach Travis Johanson said there isn’t a deadline to sign up for the prospect camp and prospective IceJacks can sign up for the prospect camp and tryouts on NAU’s website – www.nauicejacks.com.

While the IceJacks recruit from some of the top junior hockey leagues, Johanson said they always find diamonds in the rough at the camps.

“We always get two to three guys that we had no idea they were coming, even coming to camp; they just show up like a week early and sign up,” Johanson said. “You always get a couple gems that you’re just totally surprised about.”

NAU features two perennially nationally-ranked ACHA teams, with one in Division II and one in Division III. IceJacks hockey has been voted “Most Popular Sports Team” by the student body for five years in a row.

To be eligible to play for NAU, an individual needs to be an NAU Flagstaff campus student and maintain a GPA of at least 2.0.

NAU’s Division II team’s bid to make it to nationals for the fourth time in the last five years ended with an upset loss to UNLV last spring, but Johanson is excited for the 2016-17 campaign.

“Last season was tough, but we get to start out fresh this year,” Johanson said. “Tough way to go out, but every season’s a new one and it’s exciting to get going with some of the recruits we have coming in.”

hen Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association president Kevin Tye sat down with organization officers recently, one topic of discussion that came up was how FYHA teams routinely go to in-season tournaments in the Phoenix area.

That conversation quickly morphed into, “Why can’t those teams from the Valley come to Flagstaff?”

“Our kids and parents always say how much fun it is to go down to Phoenix, so we want to have that happen here,” said Tye. “We already have ice set aside (at the Jay Lively Arena) for Martin Luther King weekend (in January) and President’s Day weekend (in February). We have a good relationship with those teams in Phoenix and we really believe that this will work and will be a lot of fun.”

Tye noted that the tournaments would be for rec and house teams that normally don’t get to travel and partake in events like these, which will mirror how travel tournaments are run, including announcing three stars each game, MVP awards and having complimentary morning snacks and coffee.

“These tournaments will be very affordable and to be honest, all we’d be looking to do is recoup the costs associated with running the tournaments and even if we lose money, we believe that this is a great thing to do and will be very well-received by all those involved.

“We really want to keep pushing the rec and house programs and these tournaments will definitely do that.”

The tournaments each would have a specific age group participating, but that has yet to be finalized, according to Tye, who added that each event would also be branded with a theme associated with the holiday. In the past, for example, the MLK event has been tabbed “King of the Mountain.”

NAUHockey.com

FYHA.org

ARIZONA HOCKEY UNION COACH'S CORNER

When great hockey coaches speak, it’s wise to listen T

he late Tim Taylor was a legend when it came to coaching.

Taylor was the head coach of the 1994 U.S. Men’s Olympic hockey team and several U.S. teams at the annual IIHF World Championships events.

Goar He was also the head coach at NCAA Division I Yale University for 28 years.

He defined offensive creativity as “using all the tools available to beat the defense.”

Quite often in youth hockey, the best player is the one who can carry the puck end to end and deke the goaltender. But that’s rare talent, and that won’t work at a higher level because defenders are better and have an advantage in 1-on-1 contests.

Carrying the puck until you run out of plays ignores the synergy possible when everyone thinks alike to create offensive opportunities. The whole becomes much greater than the sum of individual skills:

1+1+1+1+1=1000, not five.

The simple ingredient is passing with a purpose.

Sometimes you pass to set teammates up when they’re in better position. Is that unselfish? No. It’s just a good way to win.

But another important reason to pass is to set yourself up. Pass early, so you can get open for a return pass that allows you to beat the defense. That’s also a good way to win.

Sidney Crosby was the captain of the 2016 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins and was named MVP of the playoffs. Does he carry the puck end to end, beating five defenders and the goaltender?

Of course not. No one can do that. Crosby is the best example in the world of an interdependent player.

He’s a catalyst who makes teammates better. He’s also an opportunist, someone who uses teammates at precisely the right moment to make himself better.

Crosby uses all the tools available, not just his own personal skills.

And here’s the bonus: The more he uses teammates, the more they work to get open.

On the other hand, when that youthful superstar, who was the first overall draft pick in the 2005 NHL

Draft, gets the puck and starts up ice, teammates just watch in awe, not hustling to get open for a pass.

Therefore, Crosby builds team synergy by the way he plays.

If you want to compete at higher levels of hockey, and if you want your team to win championships, copy Sidney Crosby. To make it work, you’ll have to convince your team (by the way you play) to put their trust in the combined effort – interdependence.

Pass when you can, not when you have to. Be deceptive when you carry the puck. Force the ‘D’ to overplay you, leaving an open lane, then pass to a linemate who fills that lane.

Some teams left the playoff picture early because their game plan ignored offensive attack and depended on good defense alone.

TV commentators do not bother with one of the most important statistics – pass completions – because they’re obsessed with “who had the most hits.”

(Short answer: The teams that lost).

The Penguins, meanwhile, won it all because they were focused on “who had the most synergy.” They all became catalysts and opportunists – the perfect recipe for success. And that special group passed around Lord Stanley’s chalice June 12 in San Jose.

Kurt Goar is Arizona Hockey Union’s coach-in-chief.

AZRubberHockey.com

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JR. SUN DEVILS

Staff of Jr. Sun Devils coaches ready for 2016-17 season

By Matt Mackinder

W

hile the calendar shows the dog days of summer are here and will be for a while, the Desert Youth Hockey Association (DYHA) is already preparing to get back on Oceanside Ice Arena ice for the upcoming 2016-17 season.

The teams have not been 100 percent finalized, but the coaching staffs are in place.

DYHA director of hockey operations and coach-in-chief Sean Whyte said the coaches are chomping at the bit to get started.

“We had a great turnout for tryouts this year and all of our coaches were very excited about the players they were able to roster,” Whyte said. “We have some great returning families as well as some new faces that are going to be welcome additions to our program.”

As for the coaching roster itself, the talent that will be behind the respective Jr. Sun Devils benches looks phenomenal.

Kayman Wong is entering his second year as Mite coach, while Whyte and Jon Koshiol will jointly coach the DYHA Squirt team.

“Kayman did such an amazing job with our Mites last season,” said Whyte. “We look forward to the great success he will bring to these young players again this year.

We are very excited about developing the Squirt age division and watching them grow into excellent hockey players and people.”

Chris Sehring has the Pee Wee Combo team and

Jarred Smith will lead the Pee Wee 2004 and 2005 squads.

Longtime Arizona youth coaching veteran Todd Collins (the 2016-17 season will be his 29th coaching) will have both the Bantam Combo team and the 16U Tier II Combo team. Zac Fryer returns with his 2003 team for its seventh season.

DYHA coaches Kayman Wong and John Curry coached the program’s Mites in 2015-16 as part of the Jr. Sun Devils’ 40th anniversary season. Photo/Mercedes Christensen

John Damyanovich and Gary Aungst will be back with their Bantam group, which will be at the Tier II level for next season. Whyte also has the 2000 birth year group again and will coach that team for the sixth straight season.

“Along with tag teaming the Squirts with Jon Koshiol, I am extremely happy that we have some high quality coaches returning, such as Jarred Smith, Chris Sehring,

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John Damyanovich and Gary Aungst, and of course, Zac Fryer and Todd Collins,” Whyte said. “The knowledge of the game our coaches have is second to none.”

Newcomers for 2016-17, Jeff Shevalier and Jon Dunmar, will take the reins of the 18U Tier II team.

Shevalier, a former NHL player and teammate of Whyte’s, returns to DYHA for 2016-17 and has also taken numerous youth teams to USA Hockey National Championship Tournaments, including the DYHA 16U Tier II team in 2014-15 and the DYHA 14U Tier II group in 2012-13.

“The DYHA legacy belongs to every player that has laced up the skates and donned the DYHA sweaters for more than 40 years,” said Whyte. “They are the writers of this story and bear the pride of ownership in an organization unparalleled in its longevity and commitment to the advancement of the great sport of hockey. But the story doesn’t end here. If you think the last few years of rebuilding and reinventing were impressive, just watch what the next few years will bring.”

In addition to a full array of competitive travel teams ranging from the youngest to the oldest, DYHA also offers private and semi-private lessons with professional coaches, as well as weekly skills sessions for all players and offseason leagues so players can remain in top form all year.

At the end of the day, though, Whyte’s priorities are firmly where they should be and are mirrored throughout the entire DYHA program.

“I take great pride in developing young hockey players,” said Whyte. “The most important aspect to remember when playing hockey is to have fun.”

Tucson’s new AHL team coined ‘Roadrunners’ in fan vote

By Matt Mackinder

In 1967, the Phoenix Roadrunners of the Western Hockey League (WHL) became Arizona’s first profesven though the Tucson Roadrunners will be new to sional sports team, playing out of the Veterans Memothe American Hockey League (AHL) and to the city rial Coliseum in Phoenix. The Roadrunners were WHL this fall, the team’s nickname comes with a near 50-year champions in both 1973 and 1974. When the WHL distradition in the state. banded in 1974, the Roadrunners became a part of the The Roadrunners will play at the Tucson Convention World Hockey Association (WHA) and subsequentCenter, the site where the name and logo were revealed ly, the Pacific Hockey League (PHL)

by Arizona Coyotes president and until 1979.

CEO Anthony LeBlanc on June Ten years lat18. The Coyotes are the parent er, the Roadclub of the Roadrunners, who will runners were be their top affiliate. back as part “We are very proud to name of the Inour AHL affiliate the Tucson ternational Roadrunners,” said LeBlanc. “The Hockey Tucson Roadrunners will build League on the great traditions of hockey (IHL) and in Arizona dating back to 1967. remained in the Valley until 1997.

Roadrunners was the overwhelmThe Roadrunners returned to ing fan favorite during our ‘Name Phoenix in 2005 as a member of the Team’ contest, and we thank the ECHL until 2009. the thousands of fans who helped The Roadrunners logo feaus select a great name that cretures a bird that is ready for ates a strong connection to the game action, wearing a hockey Mark Lamb will be behind the bench as the first city of Tucson, reflects our state head coach of the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners for uniform, skates and carrying a pride, and extends the reach of the the inaugural 2016-17 season as the Arizona Coy- hockey stick. The hockey sweatotes’ top minor league affiliate. Photo/Getty Images Coyotes brand.” er on the roadrunner includes the Nearly 5,000 fans participated in the naming cam- flag of Arizona (in Coyotes colors) which is also used by paign. Paul Sheldon was randomly chosen as the win- the Coyotes as a shoulder patch on the team’s jerseys. ner of the contest and has won two Roadrunners season The roadrunner’s head, tail, gloves and striping on his tickets for the 2016-17 AHL regular season, a Roadrun- jersey, pants and socks are all copper in reference to ners team jersey and a 12-person suite to a 2016-17 Arizona’s nickname of the “Copper State,” which pays Coyotes regular-season home game at the Gila River homage to the mineral wealth in Tucson and Arizona.

Arena.

And while the players on the ice in Tucson are yet to

E

be determined, Mark Lamb will serve as head coach and Mark Hardy has been tabbed as the assistant coach.

“We are very pleased to add Mark Lamb as our head coach for the Tucson Roadrunners,” said Coyotes GM John Chayka.

“Mark is an experienced NHL coach who did an excellent job developing young players in Swift Current (with the WHL’s Broncos) for many years. He previously worked with (Coyotes head coach) Dave Tippett in Dallas and we are confident that this will be a great fit for our organization.”

Prior to joining the Coyotes organization, Lamb was the coach-GM of the Broncos for seven seasons. He was the longest tenured coach in the WHL after taking over the role in July 2009.

Lamb previously spent seven years as an assistant coach in the NHL, including six seasons with the Dallas Stars and one with the Edmonton Oilers. He served on Tippett’s staff with the Stars from 2002-09.

Hardy joins the Coyotes with 10 years of NHL coaching experience after working on the staffs of the Los Angeles Kings (1999-2006, 2008-10) and the Chicago Blackhawks (2006-08). He most recently served on the Chicago Wolves’ (AHL) coaching staff since 2014 after spending three seasons as an assistant coach with the Ontario Reign (ECHL). A Kings draft pick in 1979, Hardy also spent time as an assistant coach with the IHL’s Long Beach Ice Dogs from 1995-99.

THE WHYTE STUFF Respect comes with doling out credit where credit is due Y ears ago, a father walked into my office at Oceanside to explain to me his son would play elsewhere because he didn’t make the top team at DYHA. As I was telling him I understood, he blurted out, “I know one day, Sean, your Whyte dream will come true. You will have a player from your program make it to the NHL.” I immediately responded, “You honestly think that is my dream?” He looked at me like my Boxer when I made a strange sound – cocking his head to the side and a puzzled expression on his face.

I explained that my dream was to teach as many young players as I could about life, using hockey as a medium.

There is so much hockey offers that will ultimately benefit everyone involved, such as teamwork, accountability, discipline and respect.

He still didn’t quite understand where I was com-

ing from. He truly thought all I wanted was to put a player from Arizona in the NHL. Well, many years later, we have a homegrown Arizonian drafted first overall into the NHL. What an astounding feat! From a place where having a hockey arena is like keeping an ice cube frozen in the oven.

The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Auston Matthews No. 1 and then Todd Burgess was taken by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round. A great accomplishment for Arizona. Or is it?

Is Matthews a product of what Arizona is producing as hockey players? Or is he someone that truly worked countless hours with the God-given talents endowed within his soul? I constantly heard whispers, “His parents are going to burn Auston out!” What they didn’t realize was it was probably the other way around.

For all this young hockey phenom has surpassed, and all he most likely will during his NHL career, I would love to take some sort of credit. However, I look at it in a different light.

Rather than viewing this young man’s prosperous pilgrimage as one I played a part in, I immerse myself in being given the opportunity to work with a player so truly genuine and pure to the sport. Auston, or so affectionately nicknamed, “Papi,” has endured an arduous road that most could not envision. His work ethic is incomparable, and is only compounded by his passion and inherent ability to learn a skill and keep it

forever.

Like a saying I heard years ago, “Amateurs do it until they get it right. Professionals do it until they don’t get it wrong.” Matthews has taken one of the most unconventional paths to the top, but his success is truly based on one thing only: Auston Matthews.

If any credit should be doled out, it can only go to this astounding young man and his incredibly kind and humble family. Anyone else passing claim on his success only does him an injustice.

Don’t get me wrong. I firmly believe all of his coaches had a play in his development, but please don’t lose sight of all the time and effort Auston put in himself. I throw kudos out to Boris Dorozhenko, Don Granato and Marc Crawford. I’m positive they were huge influences in his development. But let’s face it, Auston Matthews was going to make it based on Auston Matthews.

When I was drafted into the NHL, the GM of my junior team made it clear to me the only reason I was drafted was because of them. I felt so cheated. None of them put in the work or dealt with the pain, suffering and tears that I did. I owe my gratitude to my family and my first coach, Don Giesebrecht.

For all those playing hockey in Arizona, be proud!

Mr. Auston Matthews has put us on the hockey map!

But also respect that everything he has done to get this far is out of sheer determination and faith on his part.

Sean Whyte is the director of hockey operations and coach-in-chief at DYHA. AZRubberHockey.com

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TAHOE HOCKEY ACADEMY

Tahoe Hockey Academy gaining steam toward grand opening

By Greg Ball

I

t’s been years in the making, and now it’s down to the final weeks.

Next month, the Tahoe Hockey Academy will officially open its doors for the first time, and the group of men behind organizing California’s first hockey boarding school couldn’t be more ready.

The excitement is palpable in Tahoe, and the momentum is contagious.

“This started out as an idea, but we’ve learned that this boarding school model resonates with so many different families,” said Leo Fenn, the academy’s president. “To hear story after story about the sacrifices families make to keep their children in hockey and school only reinforces our belief that this is a sound solution. After only a few conversations, we’ve realized this isn’t a localized problem. We’ve heard from parents from the East Coast, Midwest and even Canada about the concern for juggling high-end athletics and academics, and doing so all at an affordable price.

We’re proud to have that philosophy be the foundation behind Tahoe Hockey Academy.”

Fenn, athletic director Mike Lewis, head coach J.J. James and the rest of the Tahoe Hockey Academy team have been working tirelessly to get all the elements in place for the academy not only to be successful in its first year, but to build the foundation to do so many years into the future. Countless hours have been spent designing the academic and housing fa-

cilities, planning the team’s on-ice and off-ice training schedule, developing relationships with the local community and more.

Lewis, a veteran Orange County youth hockey coach, said the approach is to find those families who believe that there’s a benefit for what the academy has to offer.

“We’re extremely blessed to have the support of our board of directors, which can offer financial support to so many of our families,” Lewis said.

“Hockey can be extremely restrictive financially, and to know that a player can now achieve the academic and athletic development necessary to achieve their goals is life changing. This offers a viable way for so many families to break the cycle of paying money to sit in traffic or be out of the classroom.”

The task of starting an academy from the ground up has seemed overwhelming at times, but the team behind the effort has continued pushing forward and has methodically taken each step as it has come. Because the group spent so much time conceptualizing and planning the academy, it was in

TahoeHockeyAcademy.com

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good position to act on its plans when the time came.

It has also helped that the team assembled to lead the effort has a wide variety of experience not only in the hockey and academic worlds, but the financial and business spaces as well.

As the excitement grows, so does the anticipation for the players already selected to be a part of the unique opportunity to study and play at the Tahoe Hockey Academy.

“Our players are chomping at the bit to get started,” James said. “It obviously takes a lot of effort and energy to get all those things done, but we want to do this right from Day 1.

From the locker rooms to our team bus to our on-ice learning and our approach, we want this to be a world-class experience for our players.”

It won’t be long before Tahoe Hockey Academy makes its way to Southern California to compete in its first game in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League. If the team on the ice is anything like those behind this endeavor, the future would seem bright for the players who call the academy home.

COYOTES AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

CDP program a vital cog in Jr. Coyotes’ development

By Matt Mackinder

E

ven the best of the best have to start at the beginning.

That much is true with the Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA).

The Coyotes Development Program (CDP) is a house-level initiative that features multi-faceted programming including a full 44-session fall/winter season, 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 sessions in the spring and summer, and the important entry point, the Initiation Program (IP).

The CDP fall/winter house hockey league is offered for Mini-Mite through Bantam/Midget age divisions. It focuses on basic skill development with an introduction to team play concepts, in a fun environment for learning.

Players are given an equal opportunity to participate and are encouraged to play all positions.

Registered players participate in evaluations before the season starts for team assignment. Games are played at either the Ice Den Scottsdale or Ice Den Chandler. At the helm of the CDP are two individuals passionate about growing the game of hockey – Scott Gruber and Gary Ihling.

Gruber is one of the Ice Den’s inaugural staff members and is based at the Ice Den Scottsdale. A gifted player in his own right, Gruber hails from the hockey-mad state of Minnesota, where he was a key member of the famed Shattuck-St. Mary’s hockey program. Upon graduation, Gruber served as a lead hockey instructor at Shattuck for four years. Simultaneously, Gruber played hockey collegiately at the University of Minnesota-Crookston,

where he compiled more than 100 wins in a four-year career. He was a member of back-to-back NJCAA national champions and is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ihling, based out of the Ice Den Chandler, began playing hockey at the age of seven growing up in Newark, N.J. In 2011, he started his coaching career with the CDP.

Scott Gruber

Gary Ihling

Since then, he has coached at every level from Mini-Mite to Bantam and joined the CAHA staff earlier this year to grow the program in the southeast valley.

“The house league provides a solid foundation of basic hockey skills and techniques being taught throughout the entire program,” explained Gruber, CAHA’s director of youth hockey development. “The house league provides young players a positive environment to learn and make mistakes all while gaining confidence in their abilities. The

house league’s role is to allow kids to achieve their goals, whether it is to play recreationally or competitively.

“Our house league in Scottsdale is very competitive and is a great avenue for skill development. House hockey is hard to define and I’m not sure there is an exact definition. House hockey is more of a culture. I feel it is a culture of what is put in to it. We take our program very seriously and so do our coaches. At the end of the day, a house league is only going to be as good as its coaches.”

Ihling, who serves as CAHA’s youth hockey development manager in Chandler, echoes Gruber’s assessment of the CDP. “I like to take a more optimistic look at house league,” said Ihling. “I see it as a stepping stone to higher levels of competition, which is exactly why we have our development program structured the way we do. As the player becomes more confident, works hard and puts in the time, their skills will improve dramatically. If that player follows that ladder of development, he/she can reach higher and higher levels of success.”

Overall, optimism continues to grow, as do the numbers for the CDP. “I truly believe that the future is bright,” Ihling said.

“This summer, we have seen a record number of participants in our Little Howlers program, our Learn to Skate program is thriving and this summer, we currently have one of, if not the largest IP classes since we became part of the Ice Den family. Since these programs are the launching pad for all of our players, I would say that we are trending in the right direction.”

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Outcasts roll to runner-up finish at AIHL Champions Cup

By Phillip Brents

T

he American Inline Hockey League’s (AIHL) Elite Division finalists play for the right to hoist the Champions Cup. The Arizona Outcasts got a hand on the trophy before it slipped from their grasp during the AIHL’s national championship tournament May 20-22 in Old Bethpage, N.Y. “It’s always fun bringing this group of guys together,” Outcasts defenseman Alex Dodt explained. “We play well together and we all enjoy being around each other, so it makes for a memorable season every year.”

“We’ll be back next year, hopefully even better than this year,” Outcasts goaltender Clay Taylor promised.

“Our goal is definitely to win this league and we feel we’re close to achieving that.”

The Outcasts qualified for this year AIHL nationals by defeating the San Diego Tron Hosers (semifinals) and Las Vegas Aces (finals) in the Pacific-South Division regional playoffs. The Outcasts joined qualifiers from the three other regional playoffs at the national championship event on Long Island: the East Bay Jawz (Pacific-North Division), Revision Delco Demons (Mid-Atlantic Division) and the Empire State Legends (New England Division).

Teams played a four-team round-robin on the opening day of competition, then were seeded first through fourth based on order of finish for the next day’s bestof-three semifinals.

Semifinal winners then advanced to the best-ofthree national championship series.

The Outcasts made a statement by winning their

opening five games at the tournament – a 3-0 showing in round-robin play and a 2-0 sweep in the semifinals – before dropping both contests to the Demons in the Champions Cup Finals by scores of 7-3 and 5-0.

But the championship series could have had a much different outcome. The Outcasts held a two-goal lead in the opening game of the Champions Cup Finals be-

Kyle Aldrich helped push the Arizona Outcasts to a runner-up finish at May’s American Inline Hockey League Champions Cup Finals. Photo/ NARCh

fore surrendering six unanswered goals. In the second game, Delco goaltender Steven Stewart stopped all 15 shots he faced to wrap up the national championship for the Demons, who are based in Springfield, Pa. “We were capable of beating Delco, but we needed to make them play without the puck a lot more than

we did,” Dodt noted. “After we got down in Game 1, we got away from the puck possession game that had brought us success all season and they rolled us once we tried to match them rush-for-rush.”

“With short best-of-three series, these matchups are all about momentum,” Taylor emphasized. “We were up 3-1 in the second period of Game 1 and had we closed that game out, we’d have been in really good position. But they rallied and stole that game from us and we came out in Game 2 trying to force the play and it showed.”

The Outcasts topped the Jawz 5-2, edged the Demons 4-1 and shut out the Legends 2-0 in round-robin play to secure the No. 1 seed for the playoffs.

The Outcasts then swept the Jawz by scores of 10-3 and 5-1 in a pair of semifinal contests to advance to the national championship finals. However, the Arizona team could not maintain its momentum in the finals.

“The competition in round robin was really high,” Outcast forward Tyler Koressel said. “We pulled out two real close wins against the two East Coast teams to get that No. 1 seed we really wanted for playoffs.

“Both East Coast teams were quicker and more runand-gun than most West Coast teams we’ve played well year. Empire State was especially physical and played great defense, so they were very tough to beat.

Delco played a little more similar to us, but they have a few of the best players in the game and those guys made some big plays in the finals.”

Paul Linder led the Outcasts in playoff scoring with 11 goals and 20 points while Taylor posted a 9-3 record, 2.47 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage.

Coyotes’ new COO Segal seeking big turnaround in ’16-17

By Phillip Brents

W

hile the American Hockey League (AHL) serves as a developmental league for the NHL, there was certainly nothing “minor league” about the San Diego Gulls in their inaugural AHL season in 2015-16.

The Gulls, under the leadership of president of business operations Ari Segal, finished their first season with the second best attendance average of 8,675 fans among the 30 AHL franchises.

Moreover, the Gulls were recognized at July’s AHL Excellence Awards with the award for business excellence after becoming one of the league’s leaders in season tickets and group ticket sales, thus setting a standard of excellence for other franchises new and old to strive for.

The hockey world took notice of the Gulls – and, specifically, Segal.

He enters the 2016-17 season as chief operating officer of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes.

It’s a big – and well-deserved -- move up for the 2005 University of Virginia graduate.

Segal’s primary responsibilities as the COO of the Coyotes will be to oversee the front office and revenue generating functions of the NHL club (e.g., ticket sales, corporate partnerships, premium sales, marketing), the Coyotes’ new AHL club, the Tucson Roadrunners, and the Coyotes’ third-party partnerships.

Segal said his experience with the Gulls was critical in preparing him for his new position.

“It would be nearly impossible to overstate how important that experience was in preparing me for this new role and opportunity,” Segal explained.

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

“On a very basic level, as the president of the club, America.”

I was exposed to every aspect of club operations “Think about where the Coyotes and Coyotes at a very deep level — sales, marketing, public rela- fans have been over the last few years – the team tions, communications, league governance, sched- has experienced tremendous volatility in owneruling, etc. ship, and was actually bankrupt at one point, and “Also important, though, operated by the league,” he was that as a new franchise, noted. “The team has had we were building all of those arena problems for years, functions from the ground driven largely by a difficult up. There was, therefore, location and, more recentno playbook to build from — ly, serious problems with everything was a new build. the city of Glendale. The This forced our team to edteam’s performance, both ucate itself about what was on and off the ice, has — givsuccessful in our league, in en these difficult operating our sport, in our market, in conditions — trended down. sports/entertainment gen“But consider, on the erally, and even outside the other hand, the opportunisports industry, and to then ty. We’re in one of the bigtry to cherry pick the best gest markets in the United practices that we felt would States and the quality of life be the right fit for our prodis unbelievable. Despite our uct and our market at that struggles, we’ve got great, point in time, given the reloyal fans who are just dying sources available. to see us come back. We’ve “I wasn’t able to just ingot a phenomenal pool of crementally make tweaks or young prospects and we Ari Segal changes or gradually layer have a fantastic coach in on additional responsibilities to my job description Dave Tippett and GM John Chayka. or role; I really had to help research, design, cre“As our arena situation and future in the Valley ate, and execute every aspect of club operations. are solidified, we develop our prospects and atThat experience, I believe was invaluable.” tract high-quality free agents (like Alex Goligoski Segal’s goals with the Coyotes are to win and Jamie McGinn this offseason), I firmly believe a Stanley Cup and be part of, in his words, “the this organization is going to take off like a rocket greatest turnaround in professional sports in North ship.”

INLINE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA

Passionate players, coaches lending to IHAAZ’s growth

By Brian Lester

W

hen a group of potential players and their families were invited to watch the Inline Hockey Association of Arizona (IHAAZ) state finals, their interest in playing the sport was peaked immediately.

“They saw how exciting and fun the sport is and wanted to be a part of it,” said Dustin Jans, a coach with the Knighthawks. “We expect our numbers to go up even more this year.”

The growth of the sport is unmistakable, especially in the lower-age divisions of the league.

Between 2009 and 2015, the number of 8U teams never went above four. Last season, seven teams competed in the division.

Between 2009 and 2015, the most teams combined in the 8U and 10U divisions was eight. A total of 12 competed last year.

Also, in 2016, the number of first-time players in both the 8U and 10U divisions combined that played in IHAAZ festivals who had never played any tournament hockey previously was 51. The percentage of players who had never played in hockey tournaments, compared to those who had played before was 62 percent – higher than what has ever been recorded previously in the league’s 17-year history.

“A big factor is all of the clubs are working together to grow the sport and get more kids involved at a younger age,” said Brent Proud, the hockey director for the Knighthawks. “We’ve seen steady growth in the

last five or six years. “Everyone is on the same page and has worked together.”

Coaching is a key factor to the growth as well.

“A lot of the coaches grew up playing the game and now they have kids playing, including myself,” Proud said. “The coaches are more knowledgeable and when you see how drills are run in practice, they are fun. But at the same time, the kids are learning and improving as players.”

Erik Dahl, the director for the Jr. Wildcats in Tucson, agrees the experience coaches bring to the table is big. He said the fact that players are starting to play the game at a younger age makes a difference as well.

“They are getting into the game a lot sooner and IHAAZ does a great job of developing players,” Dahl said. “The coaches have done a great job of building their programs and are focused on teaching the basics of the game while also keeping it fun for the kids.”

Dahl also notes the siblings of those players take notice and want to get involved.

“They have younger brothers who are in the crowd watching and they want to play, too,” Dahl said. “They catch on quick because they’ve watched their siblings

play and that has helped with the talent improving in the league.”

Just how good is the talent in IHAAZ, particularly in the lower-age divisions? Look no further than the success IHAAZ players enjoyed earlier this summer at the NARCh West Coast Finals in Huntington Beach.

Thirteen teams from the Konixx Outcasts, Arizona’s longest-running inline travel team program, went out to California to compete, along with a 10U all-star team coached by Proud and Wes Parker that won a title.

“The championship was huge for us and shows what kind of young talent our league has,” Proud said.

“It was a great experience for the kids.”

A 6U team competed at NARCh as well. Jans said the opportunity for those players sets the stage for future success.

“It’s the first time we’ve taken a team that young to NARCh,” Jans said. “They competed in an 8U division and did very well. It’s great for their confidence.”

And it’s great for the growth of the lower-age divisions.

“We continue to build the league up and more young kids continue to get involved,” Jans said. “I expect it to only get bigger.”

IHAAZ.com

AZRubberHockey.com

15

VOSHA BOBCATS

Inaugural West Coast Elite camp dubbed ‘huge success’

By Greg Ball

W

hen Brent Gough moved to the Phoenix area, he knew he was diving into an area that was ripe with interest in hockey but that still was underserved in many respects.

He felt that a summer hockey camp designed to provide young players exposure to top junior and college coaches was something local kids hadn’t had access to, and he was eager to fill that void.

Gough, the Arizona Bobcats’ 18U AAA coach, recently wrapped up his first Junior Exposure Camp through his company, West Coast Elite Hockey, and said it was extremely positive.

The camp, held June 25-28 at AZ Ice Gilbert, included approximately 100 players from the 1996-2002 birth years. Gough said it was designed for players to showcase their talents to some of the top programs in junior and college hockey, while also getting top-level coaching in a setting with a small player to coach ratio.

“To get 100 kids for our first year was a huge success,” Gough said. “We’re going to continue to grow, but I’m all about quality as opposed to quantity. I think the more intimate the camp is the better experience it is for the players and their families. Based on the response that we got, I feel that we were able to deliver that.”

Many of the players came from the Bobcats program, but it also featured players from other Arizona programs, and some from California, Nevada, Canada and Europe.

Perhaps the biggest selling point for motivated young said. “I bring in quality guys, and they’re all friends. They players was the top-level coaching and opportunity to get came this year to help support me, but I’m pretty sure they’re going to be excited to come back in future years.” exposure to those coaches.

Gough, a native of Alberta, Canada, came to ArizoThe camp featured top coaches from many of the best college and junior programs in North America, thanks to na last year and began working with the Bobcats and hockey director Ron Filion. He relationships that Gough has develplayed college hockey for four years oped throughout his decades in hockat Merrimack and then played profesey as a player and coach. Coaches insionally in the United Kingdom for five cluded: Greg Powers (Arizona State seasons before moving into coaching University - NCAA Division I), Ben in the BCHL. He believes his varied Murphy (Bentley University - NCAA experience - in juniors, college and Division I), Bob Bartlett and Rob the pros - puts him in a good position MacLachlan (Lethbridge Hurricanes to be able to help kids get the most Western Hockey League), Rylan Ferster (West Kelowna Warriors - British out of their hockey careers, and he’s excited to be able to do that through Columbia Hockey League), Barry his camp.

Wolff (Coquitlam Express - BCHL), He has another camp planned for Troy Mick (Salmon Arm Silverbacks August in British Columbia, and is alBCHL), Clayton Jardine (Kindersley ready looking forward to holding his Klippers - Saskatchewan Junior Hocksecond camp in Arizona next June. ey League and New England College Arizona Bobcats 18U AAA coach Brent Gough, “I think the kids got great coachNCAA Division III), Nigel Dube (Minot through his West Coast Elite Hockey initiative, Minotauros - North American Hockey hosted players from 1996-2002 birth years re- ing, and the quality of the talent was League), Brad Flynn and Patt Dunn cently at AZ Ice Gilbert for a junior hockey expo- great,” Gough said. “This was one of the biggest reasons I moved out here (Corpus Christi Ice Rays - NAHL), Pat sure camp that was very well received.

Cavanaugh (Hampton Roads Whalers - United States - to help get this type of exposure for kids in this area.

Premier Hockey League) and Misko Antisin (Steamboat Without Ron Filion’s backing, this never would have happened. He’s really influential here and without him, this Wranglers - Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League).

“I’ve built those relationships over the years,” Gough camp would have been a struggle.”

AZBobcats.org

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

ARIZONA LADY COYOTES

Complete team effort keeps Lady Coyotes moving forward

By Matt Mackinder

T

he mission of the AZ Lady Coyotes hasn’t changed since its inception back in 2013.

In fact, the mission and vision statements have not changed at all since Day 1.

“We are committed to provide girls within AZ and the Rocky Mountain District region with a safe, competitive environment while promoting the enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of hockey,” reads the statement. “We advocate USA Hockey core values and support Arizona Amateur Hockey Association’s stated purpose. In addition, encompass partnerships with all hockey associations in the state of AZ. “Our vision as an organization is to: develop, grow and expand a sustainable competitive hockey program for girls through their senior year of HS. Create a positive team environment while competing on a national level and support for those who choose to pursue their goals of playing hockey at a collegiate level.”

Sarah Dennee, the founder and president of the Lady Coyotes, said that seeing the program grow and to be able to add new staff members has kept her job fun.

“When I founded the organization, I was the primary go-to person for all things AZ Lady Coyotes,” said Dennee.

“You name it, I did it – recruiting players, securing coaches, scheduling practice ice, games and tournaments, communicating with families, managing the team, and running the business side. Expansion and growth was amazing and beyond words. It also meant that the association would

need more help if we were going to do this right.”

Dennee oversees the organization and performs many of the day-to-day operations.

Vice president David Daniele works closely with the program’s coaching staff and other volunteer personnel and will help with day-to-day operations, such as communication with families and assisting with team management.

“My responsibilities on the board for the upcoming

season are to work with the coaches to ensure they are getting the resources they need from the board,” said Daniele. “Throughout the season, the needs of the teams and coaches can change and I will ensure we do what we can to support them.This is an important line of communication as in the end, our players benefit and that is why we are here.”

Additionally, Daniele helps manage the AAHA-sponsored free girls clinics going on this summer – 70 girls of

all ages have come out to the clinics thus far.

Jennifer Triant serves as the secretary and in addition to her board duties, she is now the Lady Coyotes’ Arizona Youth Hockey League (AZYHL) representative and will assist with USA Hockey registrations.

“As a member of the board, I may not be able to tell you how to shoot a puck, but I know how other things work from a bigger picture,” said Triant. “I guess the bottom line is that now I feel a bit more connected to the main thing in my family’s life and it gives me an outlet to also feel like I’m making a difference in something bigger than I am.”

Rick Dennee is managing the team accounting and assists with the organization’s business side, while Kevin Benson is the growth and development rep. He will be working with other organizations and exploring different ideas on how to grow female participation, not only for the Lady Coyotes, but Valley-wide.

Former board members Mark Lackey and Diane Mroczek are now the tournament directors (even though both of their players have moved on), Sharon Enck manages the Lady Coyotes website and social media, Carrier Peterson oversees concussion testing for all of the players and Amy Steinman handles uniforms.

“Then there is our coaching staff, which is in our opinion, second to none,” Dennee said. “Many of them spend their personal time on the ice with our players to help develop their skill. Everyone involved wants to see the organization succeed, thrive and grow. It is wonderful to have different ideas coming to the table and being able to implement those to help build on the foundation.”

AZLadyCoyotes.com

Coyotes ‘are moving forward;’ new arena on the horizon?

By Matt Mackinder

A

ccording to the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Coyotes have decided on a location for a new arena in the Phoenix area.

However, the franchise is expected to be playing at Gila River Arena in Glendale through the 2018-19 season.

“We’re not at liberty to disclose the site at this point, but we are moving forward and are actually in the process of trading legal documentation between us and the organizations we are working with,” Coyotes president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc said in the report. “We anticipate getting that done over the next several weeks. What we are going to be approaching this is with a concept of not looking for taxpayer dollars. Are we looking for some form of refund of sales tax generated? Perhaps. Those are preliminary discussions we had with the state legislature a couple months ago.”

After the Coyotes finalize a real estate agreement, they plan to announce more information and details, with LeBlanc hoping that announcement will come later this summer. The arena will be financed in a “public-private” fashion, LeBlanc said to the paper, with more than 50 percent being funded privately by the Coyotes.

Reportedly, the team has been exploring options in Tempe, Phoenix and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, but LeBlanc would not tip his hand.

“I can’t get into specifics of the actual location,” LeBlanc said to the Republic. “But it comes down to, it’s morphed into more of a real estate project than an arena project, which obviously a number of the sites that we looked at had that potential.”

LeBlanc noted that the Coyotes do have a Plan B should this deal fall through. The Coyotes have been looking for a new venue since losing a 15year contract last year to operate Gila River Arena.

“We’re expecting a full three years additional at Gila River Arena before we’d be in a position to skate in a new facility,” concluded LeBlanc.

AZRubberHockey.com

17

Congratulations to Auston Matthews from all of us with

Mission AZ Hockey Club MissionArizonaIce.org

Photo//Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

MISSION STATEMENT How Mission Arizona prepped me for college hockey, life I was coming into my first collegiate hockey game against Weber State, a team that was ranked No. 2 in the West Region the previous season.

As anyone would be, I was nervous, but overly excited for the opportunity to play college hockey for Arizona State University. The captains and seniors got the team ready before the game and it was just about that time to finally step onto the ice. To my surprise, the moment I stepped onto the ice, I had a sense of familiarity and comfort and from that point forward, molding into the pace of college hockey came easy to me. When I look back on my past experience to think what got me to this point, a few things come to mind.

I have had the privilege of playing on a lot of very competitive teams. At the same time, I have been on teams where the pieces didn’t quite fit together.

I played for almost every organization growing up as a kid. All of them were impactful at one point in time, but only one really stands out as the difference maker – Mission Arizona.

I came into Mission my second 16U year. The team was mainly comprised of a bunch of kids who left different organizations around Arizona. At that time, we didn’t realize it, but we were in for an experience that would impact us all in one way or another.

How the program is built is similar to a collegiate format – your first two 16U years are your underclassman years and your two 18U years are your

upperclassman years. The design is such that you learn from each other, push each other, and succeed together no matter what, win or lose. At first,

Farr

many of us struggled to adapt to this way of coaching because it is like no other across the Valley, but it wasn’t until my two years of 18s where the results showed.

My 16s year, we struggled and eventually lost in the state championship game. That next season was my first year of 18s and most of the same team was still together. From that point on, we brought Mis-

sion its first ever state championship both seasons, back to back. As I said before, we had the same team as my 16 year, but the difference was we all bought in to the system of the program. We learned from the upperclassmen the season before, pushed each other harder each practice, and learned how to conduct ourselves, before, during, and after games.

Once my youth hockey career was over and it was time to move up to college hockey, I knew I was set up for success.

Since that first college game three years ago, I have been able to enjoy an Arizona State hockey program that continues to improve each and every year. Coming into my final season, we will have an even more competitive team than the previous three years, along with an excellent head coach in Tait Green, who also has similar philosophies to (Mission AZ director Jeremy) Goltz.

I have been lucky enough to play hockey for the last 18 years of my life, but know my days are limited. As I prepare for graduate school and the future ahead, I know one thing for sure. If it was not for the structure and model Mission has built over the years, I do not know if I would be in the same position I am today. Goltz puts more belief into his players than the players even have for themselves and because of that, has motivated many of us to succeed not only in the hockey world, but for the future of our lives.

Scott Farr is a former Mission Arizona player who is now entering his senior season with the Arizona State University ACHA Division II team.

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

NEW MEXICO REPORT

NMHockey leaving mark on state’s adult hockey scene

By Matt Mackinder

W

hen 5,000 people came to Albuquerque in 2001 to see the Stanley Cup, it got Joe Hanson thinking.

Maybe hockey has its place in New Mexico?

Now some 15 years later, NMHockey has nearly 250 players on 20 teams rostered across five divisions for the fall 2016 season, in addition to 50 more on a sub list. The league runs year-round at the Outpost Ice Arena in Albuquerque.

“In the winter of 2001, I was speaking with a co-worker that played ice hockey in a local rec league,” remembered Hanson, who serves as NMHockey’s commissioner. “I went and watched him play and this sparked my interest in playing. The next week, I purchased gear and started taking hockey clinics, power skating classes and learning positioning. Then when 5,000 people showed up to see the Cup, this got me thinking that there had to be at least 40-50 other individuals that might be interested in playing hockey at a beginner level. I put a few fliers out and we had 40 skaters and four goalies within a few weeks.”

And thus, the Albuquerque Beginner Hockey League (predecessor to the NMHockey league) was born.

These days, NMHockey’s season starts in July and ends in December and then another session starts in January and ends in June. The league breaks for a few weeks between seasons to reshuffle teams. Currently, 240 adult players are spread across five divisions (E, D, C, B2 and B1) of four teams each with the Norskie

Cup the ultimate prize at the end of each season. to the league. There are also vice-commissioners that “We have no goals of growing beyond the 20 manage things at the divisional level. teams as it feels like a sweet spot for us right now,” “I have played a lot of different sports in my life and said Hanson. “Additionally, all our games start around in my opinion, hockey is far and away the most fun,” 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and end before 10 p.m. – that Hanson said. “Additionally, between learning to skate, has been really nice. There are learning how to pass and shoot several adult leagues in Albuand then all the positioning, you querque and the surrounding see progression in your individarea that offer really good hockual skills each time you step on ey for players with experience, the ice.” but only our E division offers So what is on the horizon for a place for beginners to play NMHockey? with similarly experienced and “Providing a well-organized skilled players. I believe any league that is safe, fun and city that has adult and youth competitive for all players has hockey programs should have proved to be a successful rean entry-level league for adults. ceipt,” said Hanson. “We also This has proved to be a great redraft the teams every season, way to grow the sport for both which cuts down on the rivalries, which in turn, cuts down adults and kids. We have adults on incidents between players. that started playing because Fights are a bit of a rarity in their kids play and we have had our league, which is great. Evadults that got their kids playing ery few seasons or so, we try because they themselves startto mix things up and change up ed playing.”

Thompson is one of many talents in NMHockey, our format a bit or add some Hanson noted that NM- Thaedra playing for Team Vader in the league’s E division. In the Hockey’s B1 division is “pretty background is the league’s championship trophy, the Nor- new player stat. A few seasons back, we added one week per competitive” and has numerous skie Cup. Photo/Matt Beckmann players that played high school, college and junior month where the game goes into a shootout if tied after regulation. That is one of the nice things about hockey.

From an administrative standpoint, Hanson and his the size of the league – we can experiment a bit with girlfriend manage most of the day-to-day tasks related different ideas.”

AZRubberHockey.com

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2015-16 ARIZONA/NEW MEXICO ALUMNI Email all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com

ARIZONA

EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Jeremy Briscoe (Phoenix) - New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Trey Decker (Surprise) - Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (Premier) Sage Englund (Scottsdale) - Boston Jr. Rangers (Premier) Aaron Gittings (Scottsdale) - Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (Premier) Austin Gooch (Flagstaff) - Boston Bandits (Elite) Sam Kany (Phoenix) - Philadelphia Little Flyers (Premier) Tanner Otts (Mesa) - East Coast Wizards (Premier) Erik Pritchard (Scottsdale) - Walpole Express (Premier)

NCHA Rich Coyne (Cave Creek) – College of St. Scholastica Brandon Fehd (Gilbert) – Northland College Bryan McFarlane (Scottsdale) – Lake Forest College Brandon Parrone (Peoria) – College of St. Scholastica

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Austin Carroll (Scottsdale) – Stockton Heat Jeremy Langlois (Tempe) – San Jose Barracuda Zac Larraza (Scottsdale) – Portland Pirates Henrik Samuelsson (Scottsdale) – Springfield Falcons Philip Samuelsson (Scottsdale) – Springfield Falcons

NEHC Alec Cochran (Gilbert) – St. Anselm College NESCAC Jon Carkeek (Phoenix) – Hamilton College

ECHL J.T. Barnett (Scottsdale) – Atlanta Gladiators Trevor Cheek – Fort Wayne Komets * Joey Sides (Tucson) – Wichita Thunder

GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Nick Acevedo (Desert Hills) – South Muskoka Shield

SUNYAC Cameron Berry (Chandler) – Oswego State University WIAC Beau Browning (Queen Creek) – University of Wisconsin-Superior

SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Matt Grogan (Gilbert) – Mississippi RiverKings Joseph Holka (Phoenix) – Pensacola Ice Flyers Luc Kilgore (Tempe) – Knoxville Ice Bears Mike Krieg (Phoenix) – Pensacola Ice Flyers Ben Oskroba (Tempe) – Peoria Rivermen

NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN HOCKEY EAST Kaliya Johnson (Chandler) – Boston College Makenna Newkirk (Scottsdale) – Boston College

EUROPE Auston Matthews (Scottsdale) – Switzerland Luke Moffatt (Paradise Valley) – Italy Dave Spina (Mesa) – Finland

WCHA Amanda Martin (Peoria) – Minnesota State University Katherine McGovern (Scottsdale) – University of Minnesota-Duluth

COLLEGE HOCKEY

NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN

NCAA DIVISION I – MEN

CHC Alex Bloom (Scottsdale) – Canton State University Emily Dennee (Chandler) – Becker College Sarah McSweeney (Chandler) – Becker College

ATLANTIC HOCKEY Andy Chugg (Mesa) – Bentley University

NCHC Colten St. Clair (Gilbert) – University of North Dakota WCHA Max Vallis – Michigan Tech University + INDEPENDENT Anthony Croston (Phoenix) – Arizona State University Cody Gylling (Chandler) – Arizona State University Edward McGovern (Scottsdale) – Arizona State University Drew Newmeyer (Scottsdale) – Arizona State University Jordan Young (Cave Creek) – Arizona State University

NESCAC Lori Berger (Scottsdale) – Trinity College Corinne Rivard (Glendale) – Wesleyan University Lynndy Smith (Glendale) – Amherst College

NCAA DIVISION III – MEN ECAC NORTHEAST Chris James (Carefree) – Curry College Robert Kerns (Peoria) – Becker College Hector Majul – Curry College @

CANADA INTERUNIVERSITY SPORT Danielle Lemon (Scottsdale) – University of British Columbia

MASCAC Brandon Berkley (Scottsdale) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Forbes Ploszaj (Gilbert) – Fort McMurray Oil Barons

MIAC Blake Waldersen (Scottsdale) – Augsburg College

BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Christian Cakebread (Gilbert) - Vernon Vipers

JUNIOR HOCKEY

Natasha Hawkins (Scottsdale) – Ontario Hockey Academy Alexis Ryan (Mesa) – Williston Northampton Ben Shapiro (Scottsdale) – Kimball Union Academy Carlee Turner (Scottsdale) – North American Hockey Academy

NEW MEXICO COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Jackson Barliant (Santa Fe) – Sacred Heart University NCAA DIVISION III HOCKEY – MEN NESCAC Nicholas Faturos (Albuquerque) – Amherst College

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE Brendan Burke (Paradise Valley) – London Knights Brendan Lemieux (Phoenix) – Windsor Spitfires

NEHC Cheyenne Boyd (Phoenix) – Salve Regina University MacKenzie Lyons (Scottsdale) – Nichols College Mackenzie Meegan (Phoenix) – New England College Tori Wolters (Chandler) – Nichols College

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE James Bohan (Phoenix) - Salt Lake City Moose Mendell Dubuisson (Surprise) - Salt Lake City Moose Zac Houck (Phoenix) - Southern Oregon Spartans Brennan Johnsson (Phoenix) - El Paso Rhinos Brian McDonald (Anthem) - Arizona Hawks Cameron Nuefeld (Peoria) - Dallas Snipers Brett Robinson (Scottsdale) - Ogden Mustangs

PREP SCHOOL

NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Malachi Bushey (Tucson) - Great Falls Americans Reise Kieffer (Gilbert) - Breezy Point North Stars Brett Kramer (El Mirage) - Gillette Wild Auston Palumbo (Mesa) - Pittsburgh Vengeance Marvin Simmons (Phoenix) - Glacier Nationals

MIAC Molly Andrews (Phoenix) – St. Olaf College

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Mark Kastelic (Phoenix) – Calgary Hitmen Tristen Pfeifer (Phoenix) – Everett Silvertips Austyn Playfair (Scottsdale) – Tri-City Americans

NEW ENGLAND WOMEN’S JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Jessica Carter (Scottsdale) – Northern Cyclones Hannah Kiraly (Glendale) – Northern Cyclones

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Derek Brown (Peoria) - Odessa Jackalopes Todd Burgess (Phoenix) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Clay Cross (Glendale) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Daniel Kiraly (Glendale) - Odessa Jackalopes Adam Kleven (Peoria) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Michael Mahan (Scottsdale) - Minnesota Wilderness Nick Nast - Kenai River Brown Bears # Keenan Spillum (Phoenix) - Corpus Christi IceRays Connor Stuart (Phoenix) - Odessa Jackalopes Johnny Walker (Phoenix) - Topeka RoadRunners NORTH AMERICAN 3 EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Mitchell Fehd (Gilbert) - New England Stars Raymond Rowe (Phoenix) - Syracuse Stampede

ECAC WEST Bri Carroll (Peoria) – Buffalo State University Emily Coope (Phoenix) – Utica College

HOCKEY EAST Michael Colantone (Cave Creek) – University of Massachusetts-Lowell

KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Rayce Miller (Gilbert) – Nelson Leafs Nick Novin (Scottsdale) – Nelson Leafs

Tanner Tuohy (Phoenix) - Providence Capitals (Elite) Sam Weidenbaum (Phoenix) - Marquette Royales (Midwest)

NCAA DIVISION III HOCKEY - WOMEN

PACIFIC JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Ivan Vilcauskas (Phoenix) – Aldergrove Kodiaks

NESCAC Kristen Molina (Albuquerque) – Amherst College

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Matt Jones (Phoenix) – Baie-Comeau Drakkar

JUNIOR HOCKEY

UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Michael Boyle (Phoenix) – Sioux City Musketeers Jaxon Castor (Phoenix) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Philip Knies (Phoenix) – Sioux City Musketeers Carson Vance (Tempe) – Muskegon Lumberjacks

EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Cory King (Albuquerque) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier)

UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Ashton Amaya (Gilbert) - Richmond Generals (Elite) Jacob Bayer (Glendale) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Justin Dungey (Glendale) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Addison Edwards (Phoenix) - Tri City Icehawks (Midwest) Alex Jones (Phoenix) - Kalkaska Rhinos (Midwest) Jeremy Kurek (Phoenix) - Hampton Roads Whalers (USP3) Alexander Sprague (Glendale) - Kalkaska Rhinos (Midwest) Alex Storjohann (Anthem) - Richmond Generals (Elite)

NORTHERN PACIFIC HOCKEY LEAGUE Zealand Walterscheid (Los Alamos) - Eugene Generals

GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Tyler Thorn (Los Alamos) – Shelburne Sharks

ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Sage Beaman (Santa Fe) – Breckenridge Bucks * Former Phoenix Jr. Coyote @ Former Phoenix Firebird

+ Former P.F. Chang’s # Former Arizona Bobcat

SHOP TALK

Learning how to choose the right off-ice hockey net T

hese days, you get different points of view from those who think athletes should diversify and play other sports in the offseason and those who think you should train year-round for your specific sport.

I'm not going open that Exelby can of worms.

But what I do want to talk about is off-ice hockey nets.

I remember each Christmas like clockwork when I would get a new hockey net. Then until the next year, I would shoot balls, pucks, and sometimes other things that I probably shouldn't have, at it. Many times, my allowance for the week or month went to pay for broken windows and other items around the house.

I remember one time calling my mom outside to watch my new big slap shot, only to have the puck go straight through the front-door window.

But I would spend hours outside shooting, pretending I was playing in the Memorial Cup Final.

A hockey net is a must for any hockey player.

Players over eight years old should get a full-size 72-inch net, while those under eight should get a 52- to 56-inch net.

Be advised that with hockey nets, you get what you pay for.

I strongly advise against getting a plastic or PVC net. Although cheaper, in the long run, you will go through more and have the headache of a constant broken net or one that falls over when you shoot.

I suggest for those under 12 or those shooting

only tennis or inline hockey pucks a net in the $130150 range. These metal nets are light enough to easily move around.

For those over 13, and definitely those shooting ice hockey pucks, I encourage getting a heavy duty hockey net. These run around $200 or more.

What is the difference between a regular metal net and a heavy duty hockey net, you may ask? It’s the thickness of the pipe. Most nets have two-inch pipes, but the thickness of the steel makes the difference. A cheaper metal net might have 1mm thickness, where the heavy duty one might be 1.6mm.

The better nets also come with better netting, which translates to better durability – from 25,000D polyester mesh on the more expensive net to 8,000D on say, a street net.

Pick up the nets in a store and you can see the difference. Plus, from personal experience, maybe look into a backstop. These are extra metal and netting that goes around the outside of the net – for those shots not on target. I wish these were around when I was young!

Don’t forget the targets to practice your accuracy. Shooter tutors go over the net and give you openings to shoot for as well as various other hanging targets. Plus, all these extra ad-on items make great birthday, holiday or any other occasion gifts for the hockey player on your list.

Game on!

Randy Exelby is the owner of Behind The Mask Hockey Shops.

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

PICTURE PERFECT The first of three Arizona Amateur Hockey Association-sponsored free girls clinics was held on May 22 at Oceanside Ice Arena. The coaching staff was led by Tom Johnson of the Arizona Lady Coyotes and he was joined by Tait Green (AHSHA), Jon Koshiol (DYHA), Emily Dennee (Becker College), Lyndsey Fry (Fry Hockey), Todd Brodfuehrer (Lady Coyotes) and Brittany Johnson (Lady Coyotes). Photo/Sarah Dennee

Cam Dineen of the Ontario Hockey League’s North Bay Battalion was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round (68th overall) at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y., on June 25. Photo/Aaron Bell/CHL Images

On June 28 at AZ Ice Peoria, Team Chuck Price was crowned champions in the Big Fellas division of the Goltz Hockey Summer League. Photo/Jeremy Goltz

The Konixx Outcasts celebrate a Bantam Club Division championship at the NARCh West Coast Finals that took place June 16-26 at the Huntington Beach Inline complex in Southern California. Photo/

Paradise Valley native Brendan Burke, who joined the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights midway through the 2015-16 season, celebrates a MasterCard Memorial Cup championship May 29 in Red Deer, Alberta, after London defeated the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 3-2 in overtime.

Signed Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak captained the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights to the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup title after London topped the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 3-2 in overtime May 29 in Red Deer, Alberta.

NARCh

Photo/CHL Images

Photo/CHL Images

Adam Kleven, a Peoria native, wrapped up his junior career with an NAHL Robertson Cup championship May 15 with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Some six weeks later, Kleven committed to play NCAA Division III hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Photo/Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Scottsdale’s Aaron Gittings captured top goaltender honors in two divisions at the 2016 AAU West Coast Nationals held over Memorial Day weekend at The Rinks-Corona Inline in Corona, Calif. Photo/NARCh

The Konixx Outcasts captured the Mite Silver Division championship at the NARCh West Coast Finals, which took place June 16-26 at the Huntington Beach Inline complex in Southern California. Photo/NARCh

Submit your favorite hockey photos to pictureperfect@rubberhockey.com!

AZRubberHockey.com

21

DYLAN STROME

Position: Forward, Erie Otters (OHL) Acquired: Coyotes’ first-round pick (third overall) in 2015 NHL Draft Hometown: Mississauga, Ont. Age: 19

A

signed prospect of the Arizona Coyotes, Erie Otters superstar Dylan Strome led the Ontario Hockey League in scoring with 45 goals and 129 points in 68 games during the 2015-16 season and then tallied 111 points in 56 games this past season to finish fourth among all OHL scorers.

Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?

Dylan Strome: Not sure how old I was, maybe five or six. That’s when the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators two years in a row in the playoffs. The battle for Ontario is a pretty big rivalry, so just watching that was my favorite hockey memory.

AZR: Who has been the biggest influence on you, on and off the ice?

DS: Probably my dad. I think, like a lot of hockey dads, he was pretty hard on me, and he knows what’s best for you. Obviously, he wants us to succeed and do your best. I have two other brothers who are doing pretty good, and good hockey players themselves (Ryan Strome plays for the New York Islanders, Matthew Strome is playing in the OHL and a 2017 NHL Draft prospect), so I guess he was doing something right for us.

AZR: What’s the best piece of advice you have for young hockey players?

DS: Always have a stick in your hand, always play ball. If you’re a hockey player, play street hockey, play roller hockey. Do just whatever you can. There are so many ways to get to the NHL, so many ways to get to the next level.

Just because you don’t get drafted, keep working. There are so many guys now in the NHL who have come in as players and not get drafted. You can play Major Junior or in college. There are so many different ways, and that’s what I say.

AZR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play?

DS: Golf. My golf game is not bad. I’ve become better this year. I picked up a membership at a local course with my brother and play a lot. I’m doing pretty good and work on it. I’m not a scratch by any means, but I can hold my own.

AZR: Do you have any superstitions?

DS: More in the season, I guess but not any right now (at Coyotes’ prospect camp in July).

AZR: What does your game-day routine look like?

DS: Usually, I get a good breakfast and that’s the most important thing. The next most important thing is to have a good nap. A decent nap is important to me, and it’s between one and three hours.

AZR: What are some essential items you take on a road trip?

DS: My head phones, definitely for sure. Usually, a blanket and a pillow, too.

AZR: Did you have a favorite hockey player growing up?

DS: (Being from the Toronto area) Mats Sundin (from the Toronto Maple Leafs).

Photo/Norm Hall

22

Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

- Compiled by Mark Brown

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