Arizona Rubber Magazine - April 2017

VOLUME 12

ISSUE 8

APRIL 2017

NEW MEXICO NATIVE GRETZ MAKES CHOICE, WILL PLAY IN OHL

Gilbert native Colten St. Clair hasn’t called the desert home in nearly 10 years, but will now be a permanent fixture as skills coach with the Arizona Hockey Union and coachGM of the Phoenix Knights Jr. A club

NAU REALIZES DREAM WITH FUTURE ON-CAMPUS ICE ARENA PINNACLE SHOWS WELL AT USA HOCKEY HIGH SCHOOL NATIONALS BOBCATS FIND POSITIVES, BENEFITS WITH OFFSEASON TRAINING

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FROM THE EDITOR Seasons might be ending, but the game is always on our mind

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his time of year is always bittersweet for me.

The youth and college seasons have come to a close, while junior and pro leagues are well into the postseason. It’s the point in the season where players leave it all on the ice every time out with hopes of capturing a championship when all is said and done.

Yes, it really is one of the most exciting times of the year.

On the flip side, playoffs mean seasons will end for certain teams on any given weekend and seasons are set to close the book.

That, my friends, saddens me because while we all love summer and more time with our families at the beach, on vacation, away from the rink, Matt Mackinder hockey is the greatest game on Earth and we always go through withdrawals. I know I do.

So with that said, it only means there is one question left to answer: How many more days until next season?

The Ice Den Scottsdale and Oceanside Ice Arena did a tremendous job hosting the 14U and 15 Only Boys Tier I Youth Nationals back on April 6-10.

And while no Arizona teams claimed national championships, the event was a win-win for everyone involved.

On the ice, the Chicago Mission captured the 14U national title with a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Colonials and the Yale Jr. Bulldogs skated away winners of the 15 Only national championship.

“This has been our goal since Day 1,” said Mission coach Anders Sorensen to USAHockey.com. “In August, we had a meeting and we talked about it. We said we’ve got to break this curse, and this was going to be the team to do it.”

Yale had to endure a power outage at the Ice Den, with the last period plus 1:38 being moved to Oceanside and played there as the Jr. Bulldogs downed the Colorado Evolution 7-3.

“I just told the boys not to focus on the disruption because we’ve faced adversity all tournament, being in three overtime games,” Yale coach Jon Bellonio told USAHockey.com. “We’ve got a pretty resilient group and we told them to just focus on each individual shift.”

At the end of the day, hosting the national tournament is another feather in the cap for the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association – stick taps to everyone that made it happen!

Last month, the Jr. Coyotes announced that Marc Fritsche has officially joined the Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association in the role of Elite Hockey program director.

In this role, Fritsche will provide direct oversight to the 11 Jr. Coyotes Elite teams and coaching staffs, competing in the Mite to Midget age divisions both at the local Arizona Youth Hockey League and the prestigious Tier 1 Elite Hockey League levels.

This past season, Fritsche led the Jr. Coyotes’ 2006 AAA team to their second consecutive state championship, and served as the assistant coach of the 2002 AAA team that went to USA Hockey Youth Nationals.

Prior to joining the Jr. Coyotes, Fritsche, was head Midget coach and program director for the Cleveland Barons of the Tier 1 Elite League. During his 15 years with the program, Fritsche played a key role in developing the program, its players and coaches to consistently compete at the highest level. Under his leadership, Fritsche’s teams captured two Tier I Elite League championships and a third-place finish at Nationals.

Kaid Oliver, a former Arizona Bobcats standout, has been named 2016-17 Rookie of the Year for the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals.

Oliver jumped in as a 2000 birth year and posted two goals and seven points in 61 games for the Royals.

Originally drafted by Victoria in the third round (57th overall) of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Oliver played for the Bobcats’ 16U AAA team from 201416.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

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DREAM COME TRUE

After more than 10 years of wishing and dreaming, an on-campus rink at Northern Arizona University will soon be a reality as construction began last month at the NAU Fieldhouse. More on the new arena on Page 9. Artist rendering/Lightvox Studio

ON THE COVER Members of the Arizona Hockey Union gathered recently at AZ Ice Gilbert after a recent skills session with skills coach Colten St. Clair.

Pictured top row, from left to right, are Loren Lieberg (Midget White), Guy Blessing (Midget White), St. Clair, Chandler Manbeck (Midget White) and Luke Yubeta (Midget White). Pictured middle row, from left to right, are Brady Ishu (Squirt White), Jack McDougal (Squirt Silver) and Gavin Fine (Mite White). Pictured front row, from left to right, are Adrian Russo (Mite Black), Evan Hedlund (Mite Black) and Austin Russo (Mite Black). Photo/Scott Lundahl/AZMVP Studios

Glendale’s Kiraly celebrates NCAA D-III women’s title

By Matt Mackinder

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uiting up for Plattsburgh State University as a freshman in 2016-17, Hannah Kiraly knew the targets were on the Cardinals right from the start.

That’s what winning three straight NCAA Division III women’s national championships will do to a program.

Make it four.

Back on March 18, the New York-based Cardinals claimed another national crown after a 4-3 overtime win over Adrian College in Adrian, Mich.

Kiraly, a Glendale native, said “it hasn’t truly hit me yet.”

“The whole experience was surreal,” said Kiraly. “My teammates and I have watched the final game every day since and still get goosebumps. I think it’ll hit me when we receive our rings.”

Over the course of the season, Plattsburgh went an amazing 28-1-1, including a 16-1-1 mark in ECAC West.

Kiraly played all 30 games on the Cardinals’ blue line and fashioned two goals and 17 points.

“Of course, playing for a dominant team is fun, but our coaches and vets have built a culture based on humility and respect,” said Kiraly. “We looked at every team as possible threats regardless of the rankings or previous scores. Coach Kevin (Houle) told us before every game, ‘Everyone plays their best game against us, take no one lightly.’”

Kiraly added that on a personal level, joining a team with such an amazing track record was admittedly intimidating.

“Everyone eventually falls into their roles and mine was positivity,” said Kiraly, a marketing and business double major. “I’m a bubbly person in general and I

know how much a tap on the back can go, especially mate Meghan Kraus, Kevin saw me play and planned when we’re doing our skating after practice.” a time for me to visit,” explained Kiraly. “Meghan being As a youth player back in Arizona, Kiraly said that is committed to Plattsburgh was a huge selling point, but where she really learned the game and also gave credit the coaching is what completely sold me. Coach Kevin’s where credit is due. and Blanch’s (assistant coach Danielle Blanchard) “I started my career in Ardedication and knowledge izona as a RoadRunner and of the sport was clear when finished with Team Arizona watching the girls practice. out of Arcadia,” noted Kiraly.

“I knew right then and “I had many great coaches, there.” but Boris Dorozhenko was Her freshman season the biggest influence. Boris now in the rear-view mirror, taught me that soreness now Kiraly is now starting to look is success later. Boris helped ahead to the offseason. me become an all-around “My plans are to prepare hockey player from skating for my sophomore year of to puck handling and both at hockey and school,” said Kithe same time. raly. “We have set workouts “When I played for Team for our offseason and I’ll be Arizona, I carpooled with a trying to save up some monteammate to practices since ey and give my parents’ walthe rink was 40 minutes lets a break.” away. After every practice, Knowing what it takes to we went to Chipotle and nevsecure a national championer got sick of it. Many of my ship, Kiraly wants to keep the youth hockey memories instreak going for the 2017-18 clude games and practices, campaign. but nothing beats the mem“As a team this past year, ories I made with family and Hannah Kiraly was part of Plattsburgh State University’s our goal was to exceed evfourth straight NCAA Division III national championship eryone’s expectations and I friends.”

After youth hockey, Ki- team during the 2016-17 season. believe we did just that,” Kiraly attended the North American Hockey Academy in raly said. “Our team next year, excluding the incoming Stowe, Vt., before a year with the Northern Cyclones freshmen, knows the taste of winning and we all know junior team in 2015-16. the kind of atmosphere, work and sacrifice needed to “While recruiting my then-teammate and now-room- continue that into our upcoming season.”

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Movin’ On Up Gilbert native St. Clair returns home, takes reins of Phoenix Knights WSHL team it

comes to junior hockey, St. Clair is looking forward to talking to prospects and filling them in on the positives to playing for the his time one year ago, Colten St. Clair was soaking in Knights. the culmination of his NCAA Division I career at the “Right now, it’s kind of slow and a lot of kids are still playUniversity of North Dakota with a national championship. ing and worrying about finishing off their seasons, playoffs These days, the Gilbert native is back home and and things like that,” said St. Clair. “I’m just trying to use all preparing for his first season as the head coach of the the contacts that I have, from people I played with, played Phoenix Knights junior team in the Western States against, even previous coaches, and obviously, I want to Hockey League (WSHL). bring in kids that want to win. I want to try and During the 2016-17 season, St. Clair served as start a winning tradition here again, like what an assistant coach. He’ll continue in his role as the the old Polar Bears used to be under Harry skills coach for the Arizona Hockey Union (AHU).

Mahood. My family billeted a lot of those players, “Last year was a tough year for the orgaso I know from a youth program standpoint, nization as far as wins and losses go,” said especially, it gives those kids something to St. Clair, who is just 24. “Growing up and look forward to. It’s not going to change playing in Arizona, I think the Arizona Hockey over one year, obviously, but I have goals Union thought I would be a good fit for here for the team next season, which will be a with my passion for the game and my willingrebuilding season. ness to put in the time and effort. That’s the “The main thing at this level is develroute they wanted to take and I’m a fresh face opment and if you get a kid that wants to here, so that helps to bring in players and put in the work and I can teach him what things like that. it’s like to play at the next level and what to “I’m honored and humbled to accept this look forward to, those are the types of kids position. I am a young coach, but I strive to we want here. If you prepare these kids like move players to the next level and want to they’re at the next level, they’re going to be make the players better.” ready to go, so that’s something that we’ve “We believe Colten will have the ability to already started to think about with bringing attract players to the program as we continin USHL systems and college systems. Work ue the rebuilding efforts that began last seaethic is something that can get you places in son,” added AHU president Stacy Shupe. life and in hockey. You can teach skill, but not “He has experience in the top-most elite levevery kid is willing to put in the work. If you’re els, the USHL and NCAA D-I, where many of willing to work, you can achieve anything. Not our players aspire to reach. We believe that every player plays his best every game, but experience will translate to strong coaching it’s the guys that come to the rink every day for our players.” and the gym in the summer that help a team As a youth player, St. Clair skated for succeed. If you strive to be the best, all you the Chandler Jr. Polar Bears (Mites), Phoehave to do is work for it and everything else nix Firebirds (Squirts through Bantams unwill fall into place.” der Scott McGovern and Kenny Moffatt) Once next season gets underway, what and P.F. Chang’s (one year of 18U AAA untype of team will St. Clair look to der Jim Johnson). He was then drafted by ice at AZ Ice Gilbert? the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) “Look for a very Fargo Force and skated in the USHL as a disciplined, fast-mov16-year-old and played there for three years ing, hard-nosed team before starting at North Dakota in 2012. pushing the pace every St. Clair said playing his career at an elite shift making plays,” said level will lend itself to his coaching style, as St. Clair. “We will be rewell as learning on the fly this past season. lentless and hard to play Playing for coaches such as Johnson and latagainst. I will run strict syser, Dave Hakstol at North Dakota, can only tems, but allow players to be be a benefit for St. Clair as he’ll look to find creative and use their hockey success and the right players for the Knights sense. If a kid is highly skilled, why in the WSHL next season. not let them use it? Everybody will “There were certain times last season come in and be expected to want to get where you take a positive calm and realize better day-in and day-out. That’s what creates that, ‘Hey, this worked out’ and then there not just a team, but a family. were other things that happened that I would “These guys will be going into battle with change,” St. Clair said. “You start thinking each other, so being a family in the locker about those things and how you would do room is going to be key.” things. I’ve played for a lot of great coaches As far as his work as the skills coach with and was very fortunate in my career. I think the AHU, St. Clair is running a skills camp that I’ll take a little bit of each coach that really Gilbert native Colten St. Clair won an NCAA Division I national championship in 2015-16 goes into June, is a private lessons instructor worked well and kind of just fit it into my style. with the University of North Dakota before coming home in 2016-17 to work with the Ari- and then once the junior season begins, will zona Hockey Union and WSHL’s Phoenix Knights. Photo/Russell Hons Photography/UND Athletics When you’re playing, you really only worry work with the individual youth teams during about yourself and the guys you’re playing with. Now, you’re in charge of 25-plus practices on skills and fundamentals. players and sometimes your coaching style will work and sometimes you need to take Sounds like St. Clair will be jumping into a situation that will be more than a fulla step back, reevaluate and figure something else out if it’s not sticking to the team.” time job, but he’s excited for the opportunity.

And while player recruitment is seemingly a year-round situation, especially when “Yeah, I’ll be busy, for sure,” St. Clair said.

By Matt Mackinder

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Jr. Sun Devils secure bronze at 18U Tier II Nationals “We had three players that scored most of the goals, but every game we had other players step up and score very important goals,” Shevalier said. “One thing about playing on this team was that you were going to play a lot of different positions. We had players playing one game forward, next game defense. During

“Arizona hockey should celebrate some of these guys,” Shevalier said. “Haden Shevalier has been to he Desert Youth Hockey Association’s 18U AA five straight national championships, winning silver team capped off a tremendously successful 2016and bronze medals, and Evan Shupe has been to 17 season by taking third at the USA Hockey Tier II three championships (silver and bronze medal). MasaYouth Nationals. notti has scored more than a goal a game for his whole The Jr. Sun Devils wrapped up the bronze youth career (has also gone to three straight medal in the 2A division on April 9 in Lansing, national championships). Hard to replace Mich.

Ryan Bonner as he has been a fast-skating In Michigan’s state capital, DYHA opened forward for a while (has gone to two nationthe tournament with a 3-1 win over the Alaska al championships) and Barrett Rosser has Wolves on April 6 and then fell the next day, been the backbone to my teams for the past 7-1 to the Maine Moose, the team that went three years (three straight trips to the national on to win the national championship. The Jr. championships).

Sun Devils downed the Chesterfield Falcons “All these players should be recognized by 3-2 on April 8 before getting bounced by Arizona hockey and the Arizona Coyotes. You the eventual runner-up New Hampshire Avacannot replace the character of these young lanche 7-1 on April 9. men. This has been a wonderful run.”

“At the start of the year, we picked this Also at the Youth Nationals, four Jr. Coyteam not only to win a state championship, otes teams participated as the 14U and 15U but to do something special at Nationals,” teams skated at the Ice Den Scottsdale and said DYHA 18U coach Jeff Shevalier. “Our Oceanside Ice Arena for the 14U and 15 goal was never to just make Nationals, but it Only Tier I national tournament April 6-10 and was to medal at Nationals and that is exactly the Scottsdale 14U and 16U Tier II teams what we did. I am so proud of our young men. The DYHA Jr. Sun Devils celebrate their bronze medal from the USA Hockey Tier II Youth played in Coral Springs, Fla., and Frisco, Tex., “The greatest thing about this time is that Nationals on April 9 in Lansing, Mich. respectively, over the same time frame. they had a lot of fun playing the game. This is one team Nationals, we had Brendan Nall playing forward and At the Tier I event, the 14U team went 2-1 with that loved to win, but they also really enjoyed talking to he scored a very important goal and was a force up Ryan Bottrill leading the way with five points and the the other team.” front.

15U squad finished 0-3 with Noah Vance and GarIn the four games in Lansing, Haden Shevalier “And how about David Martin breaking his ankle rett Wright each posting two points apiece. The 14U led the Jr. Sun Devils with two goals and five points, in the state playdowns and doesn’t skate until our first Tier II team went 3-1 as Max Lyons and Ben Leshin while Anthony Masanotti and Turner Stansbury game in Nationals and it looked like he didn’t miss a combined for 11 points, while 16U Tier II team went also recorded two goals apiece and Evan Shupe beat? Amazing.”

1-2 as Traiten Morris scored three goals and Will contributed three points. Between the pipes, Barrett Shevalier added that this team will have a different Josephson, Grant Ziegler and Connor Bottrill talRosser won both games for DYHA. look next season. lied two goals apiece.

By Matt Mackinder

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ARIZONA HOCKEY UNION

AHU continues to win off the ice with community service

By Jason Prentice

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s another great hockey season comes to an end, the Arizona Hockey Union (AHU) has time to look back and reflect on all that their teams accomplished on the ice.

And it wasn’t just the players that tasted success, but the entire teams, including coaches, families, volunteers, fans and everyone else who supported AHU’s great teams. The sacrifices are not trivial and it would be easy to just focus the effort put in on the ice, but the contributions run deeper as the AHU family also gives back in and around the local community.

Bantam Black Knights For the Bantam Black Knights, this season has been about growth as a team as well as individual growth as young men and women. The team made it a priority to become stronger community members, as well as stronger teammates. Throughout their service and learning projects, players and families alike were reminded of the importance of giving back.

Most of the players found the two opportunities to help the Feed My Starving Children organization to be the most rewarding and the most fun. The team’s hockey family packed food for the less fortunate and in the process, learned that they were part of something much bigger than themselves. They felt an amazing sense of accomplishment knowing that the food that was packed was sent overseas to feed those in poverty-stricken areas.

The Bantam Black Knights also set up a food drive with United Food Bank. Amazingly, they collected 376

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

pounds of food with the help of AZ Ice Gilbert and the home, showered (thankfully!) and met up to pack meals families of the team. They collected toys and clothing for those less fortunate around the world. The team left for the town of Gilbert’s toy and clothing drive and also the event feeling energized and happy that they had made teamed up with Gilbert’s Fire and Rescue team to help a difference. local families around the holidays.

If all of that wasn’t enough, they participated in the Gil- Squirt Purple Knights The Squirt Purple Knights gathered bottles of water for bert Domestic Violence Walk to supported those affected by domestic violence. The Bantam Black Knights volun- a local firehouse. They worked with a local woman’s shelter, gathering household items teered at one of the stations and clothing for the residents. along the route and encourThe Squirt Purple Knights also aged participants to reach the showed support for our troops end. The players, parents and and their families. They helped coaches who participated in by putting together care packthis event walked away knowages that were sent around the ing that they had volunteered their time to a great cause. world to those deployed and away from their loved ones.

They also volunteered a lot The AHU players learn of time and helping hands at throughout the season that they Little Howlers introduction to hockey sessions.

The Arizona Hockey Union’s Bantam Black team participat- must rely on their teammates to be successful and that when To top it off, Bantam Black ed in a food drive earlier this season at AZ Ice Gilbert and they work together, they are coach Chris Rees and his fam- collected nearly 400 pounds of food. ilies have been recognized as the Spirit of Service team able to accomplish more than any of them could individfor the last three years since they continually participate ually. As they participate in the community, this lesson is in community betterment efforts. Many of the other AHU extended and they learn that when they work together and teams are starting to follow suit as well. with others the contributions can be truly amazing.

The Arizona Hockey Union is grateful for its amazing Pee Wee Black Knights hockey family and the support they offer to the communiPeeWee Black also supported the Feed My Starving ty. The club is also thankful to the community of Phoenix Children organization. After an early-morning Saturday for their support of the Knights’ passion for hockey.

Thank you all! game in December, the Pee Wee Black Knights rushed

ArizonaHockeyUnion.com

NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY NAU will see dream realized with new on-campus rink in 2018

By Matt Mackinder

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n the 12 seasons A.J. Fairchild has been involved with Northern Arizona University’s hockey program, he and the NAU coaching staff have aspired to have the team move to the next level with an on-campus arena.

Next season, NAU hockey will see those dreams turn to reality as the NAU Fieldhouse, previously utilized for track, basketball and tennis practice, will be renovated to include a brand-new, 2500-plus seat arena that broke ground last month.

Recently, a pipe burst underneath the Fieldhouse that left the door open for the building of an ice rink at the facility. NAU hockey will be the major tenant, but open skates, skate clubs and other university groups will use the rink as well. The process quickly went into action, but the hockey program must do its part to make everything a reality.

“Right now, we’ve done the pour for the new rink and have all the pipes underneath it,” said Fairchild, NAU hockey’s director of operations. “We’re ready to go.

The school wants us to raise $250,000 for the boards, glass, new dressing rooms, Zamboni and additional restrooms for our fans. We’ve had hockey here since 1971 and we are working with the NAU hockey alumni, fans and boosters to raise the money to complete the facility.”

If all goes well with the ice plant installation, the new rink may open as early as Jan. 2018. Soon after that, the two IceJacks teams will take the ice at their new home.

“You look at Arizona State with an NCAA Division I program and a top ACHA team and the University of Arizona with an ACHA Division I program – we’re trying to keep growing our program in Flagstaff the same way,” Fairchild said. “My longterm goal is to keep taking positive steps. We have great competition in the state of Arizona. The new facility will help us to compete at a higher level.”

NAU will have ACHA D-II and D-III teams for 2017-18.

NAUHockey.com

16U TIER II TRYOUTS APRIL 29th 11:30AM – 12:45PM MAY 1st 5:30PM – 6:45PM JAY LIVELY ICE ARENA Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association

WWW.FYHA.ORG It’s time to “ELEVATE” your game!

ARIZONA HOCKEY UNION COACH'S CORNER

My long journey through hockey has brought me home G

St. Clair

rowing up in Arizona and going to tournaments as a youth were some of the best times of my life.

What was even better was hearing all the parents and kids from the other teams saying, “I didn’t even know that they had hockey in Ar-

izona.”

Hearing that as a young kid growing up, knowing that I wanted to be involved in hockey my entire life, whether it was playing or coaching, lit a passion in me that I hope every young hockey player in the state of Arizona can feel some day.

As a youth, I played for the Polar Bears as a Mite and then I moved to DYHA and played for the Firebirds until I was a first-year Midget. My first year of Bantams was a tough one, breaking four bones and having shoulder surgery. People were telling my family that I should stop playing hockey. That made me strive to be the best I could be. I played one year for

the P.F. Chang’s 18U AAA team at the young age of 14 under coach Jimmy Johnson and from then on, it was hockey, hockey, and more hockey.

Johnson was a respected player and coach everywhere he went and taught me a lot about the game and helped me realize what it took to play at the next level. I was playing with kids that were four years older than me, so at the start, it was a bit of a challenge.

After that season, I got drafted into the USHL by the Fargo Force. Coach Dean Blais called to congratulate me on getting drafted, but also said, “You haven’t made the team yet, so get to work.” That is something that has stuck with me my whole career because as a hockey player, nothing is ever given to you. It’s earned.

I spent the next three years of my life in Fargo and I am so thankful and humbled I was able to play at such a high level at such a young age. After my three-year career in Fargo, I was headed an hour north to play for one of the best teams in college hockey, the University of North Dakota, where more adversity awaited.

Before I got to Fargo, I took online classes my freshman year to accelerate high school so I could have my last year in Fargo to focus on hockey. That

was great at the time, but when I got to UND, some of my credits didn’t transfer and I was forced to sit out one season without skating with the team or anything.

I remember coach Dave Hakstol, who is now the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, pulling me into his office and we got both my parents on the phone to explain all my options. Hakstol told my parents and I that I had two options – stick it out here for a year and train on my own, or go to the Western Hockey League. I looked at him with my parents on the speakerphone and I simply said, “I don’t need any more time to think. I want to be a Sioux.”

Then four years later during my senior season, I went through two shoulder surgeries that kept me out for about 80 percent of the season, but it was all worth it skating around that ice hoisting the trophy as a national champion last April.

Now, I am going to be the coach-GM of the Phoenix Knights and I am up for the challenge because what is hockey without a little adversity? Point being, for all you passionate young hockey players out there, never let anything stop you or let anyone tell you that you can’t do something – go out and take it.

Colten St. Clair is the head coach and general manager of the Phoenix Knights Tier II junior team in the Western States Hockey League and the skills coach for the Arizona Hockey Union.

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JR. SUN DEVILS

DYHA tryouts come with high expectations for ’17-18

By Matt Mackinder

I

n youth hockey, wins and losses come secondary to player development and overall enjoyment and learning of the game.

That is especially true with the Desert Youth Hockey Association (DYHA) as the Jr. Sun Devils get set for tryouts for the 2017-18 campaign.

DYHA director of hockey operations and coach-in-chief Sean Whyte said the Jr. Sun Devils expect to fill a dozen teams next year, including Tier II squads at the 14U, 16U and 18U levels. He’ll get an idea of what player goes with which team at tryouts and has reasonable expectations for all parties involved as well.

“I expect players to bring their ‘A’ game and prove that not only do they deserve to play for the Jr. Sun Devils, but they also show that they want to play for the Jr Sun Devils,” said Whyte.

“I expect my coaches to evaluate and communicate as honestly and transparently as possible in order to maintain integrity with our program and I expect parents to be open and honest with our coaches, especially when they are offered a roster spot.”

Whyte also noted that he only wants to take players

and their families that are fully committed to wearing the Jr. Sun Devils uniform.

“I am not a big fan of the hard sell that some programs use,” said Whyte. “At DYHA, if we offer a roster spot to a player and they are not ready to commit, then that is their prerogative. We only want players that want to be a part of the Jr. Sun Devils family. It creates a much stronger bond in our association that, in turn, nurtures our family environment culture.”

Whyte values skill and character when choosing teams, but above all else, wants players to be in the program for the team concept.

“Although we would appreciate having both skill and character, we are far more apt to select players and families that buy into the team and believe in a similar philosophy. Our coaching staff strives to find players that demonstrate attitude and effort. If the focus is on the team and the kids always work hard, you most likely have a spot in our program.”

And most years, there is a handful of success stories that emerge from DYHA tryouts.

“Every year, we have players that come out of nowhere and make a team,” explained Whyte. “Either they have moved from out of state and are looking for a home, or they have just put in the effort both on and off the ice that it is finally paying off. Some players haven’t fully committed to giving their all, but when they do, the results show in tryouts. It is always enjoyable when a player takes their game to the next level and proves so many wrong.”

DYHockey.org

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DYHA JR. SUN DEVILS 2017 TRYOUT SCHEDULE All tryouts at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe MITE: Sunday, April 30, 2017 | 12:40 P.M. Monday, May 1, 2017 | 5:10 P.M. Wednesday, May 3, 2017 | 5:10 P.M.

SQUIRT Sunday, April 30, 2017 | 9:50 A.M. Tuesday, May 2, 2017v5:10 P.M. Wednesday, May 3, 2017v6:20 P.M.

12U 2006: Friday, May 5, 2017 | 5:10 P.M. Saturday, May 6, 2017 | 12:40 P.M. Sunday, May 7, 2017 | 9:50 A.M.

14U 2003: Monday, May 8, 2017 | 6:20 P.M. Thursday, May 11, 2017 | 6:20 P.M. Friday, May 12, 2017 | 7:30 P.M.

12U 2005: Thursday, May 4, 2017 | 6:20 P.M. Friday, May 5, 2017 | 6:20 P.M. Saturday, May 6, 2017 | 9:50 A.M.

18U: Sunday, April 30, 2017 | 11:15 A.M. Monday, May 1, 2017 | 6:20 P.M. Tuesday, May 2, 2017 | 6:20 P.M.

14U 2004: Monday, May 8, 2017 | 5:10 P.M. Thursday, May 11, 2017 | 5:10 P.M. Friday, May 12, 2017 | 6:20 P.M.

16U 2002: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 | 7:30 P.M. Thursday, May 4, 2017 | 7:30 P.M. Saturday, May 6, 2017 | 11:15 A.M. 16U 2001: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 | 6:20 P.M. Wednesday, May 10, 2017 | 6:20 P.M. Saturday, May 13, 2017 | 11:15 A.M.

THE WHYTE STUFF Recent workshops will help me better prepare on, off ice I recently had the pleasure of attending a workshop hosted by the NHL Alumni here in Phoenix.

The company that runs the two-day seminar is Communication Leadership Network, and is owned by Cindy Novak. She Whyte has been the main speaker in the numerous workshops I have attended, and I cannot say enough about how amazing she is. Her workshops ultimately changed my life and how I not only approach everything around it, but how I am on the inside as well.

This latest workshop organized by NHLA senior director Wendy McCreary was called “Personal Branding.” It gave us the tools to better present ourselves in our lives after hockey. It helped us learn who we are, how we are wired and better yet, how we can evaluate others around us and how they are wired. We learned the four major types of people, their characteristics, how they approach

life, their good traits and their not so good ones. too.

This shop also helped us to establish what our strengths are, and how we can utilize them to accomplish our goals. Society typically has the approach of pointing out one’s weaknesses and what needs to be done to turn it into a strength.

Although that is not necessarily a bad practice, if we focused more on what people are good at and place them in an environment where they would succeed, the overall morale would be much higher, as would productivity.

It was very interesting to be sitting in a room full of fellow NHL players who have all retired from the game and moved on with their lives. Reacquainting with some, and getting to know others, we all share our experiences and realize that even though we have all taken different paths after the game, we all have very similar situations relating to retirement. I am very proud to be a part of the NHL Alumni. It is an amazing family, doing great work and supporting former NHL players, charities and fundraisers.

The other workshops that I have attended through the NHLA and CLN are “Coaching Beyond the Boards” and “Communicating with Confidence.” Both of those were equally as beneficial, and had life-changing effects in my world. I especially enjoyed the Communicating with Confidence one, as it focused heavily on public speaking. It

is amazing at how much one does when speaking that can greatly determine whether the information being delivered is actually being received.

Not only is one’s appearance very important, but also their hand gestures, movement around the room, and most importantly, their eye contact with the audience. Cindy Novak is an expert at this, and always keeps her groups engaged. We had to deliver a speech at the beginning of the workshop and then again at the end of the workshop. It was incredible how much all of us became such better public speakers in the span of two days.

Although these seminars are geared mainly towards former NHL players, Cindy travels all over the world and brings programs like these to major corporations and their employees. She is excellent as what she does, and when you walk out of one of her shops, you feel ready to take on the world. If you ever have a chance to attend one, I strongly recommend that you do – you will not be disappointed.

I know that any of the NHL Alumni that have participated in any of her workshops always leave feeling great and singing her praises. Not only have these made me a better person off the ice, and more prepared in my professional world, but it has allowed me to be much better equipped as a coach and mentor – which means everything to me.

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

11

TAHOE HOCKEY ACADEMY

Tahoe Academy set for Year 2, ‘in this for the long haul’

By Greg Ball

A

s the calendar flips to April, some hockey players, coaches and administrators hang up their skates for the spring or turn their focus to other sports.

The folks at the Tahoe Hockey Academy (THA), however, are already busy preparing for another strong season in the fall.

First on tap is the academy’s summer developmental training camps, as THA looks to begin the process of identifying its next high-end prospects.

“We’re not a traditional hockey program where we have that continuity of players coming up from 10U to 12U to 14U and so on,” THA head coach Michael Lewis said. “We’ve designed our program for those athletes who, once they have reached Bantams and Midgets, want that something extra in terms of development. With the ability to offer our student-athletes up to 10 hours of ice time each week, it can be a huge benefit for those players preparing themselves to make the jump when their youth career is over.

“We carry that philosophy into our summer camps, in which we train two hours of day on the ice developing the individual components of the game.”

Practices are over and ice times are wide-open, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at the Tahoe Hockey Academy. From its testing combines to training camp, THA is a year-round destination for player development.

“Our model is rooted in individual player development, and we’ve not only designed our program around

that, but also our philosophy in how we conduct our testing combines and training camps,” said THA president Leo Fenn. “We’ve enjoyed great success in our first season on the ice, and I believe that can attributed to our players becoming better hockey players on an individual basis.”

As a first-year program, and California’s first residential hockey prep school, the long climb to become a recognized name in the California hockey community has had its challenges.

“Being so isolated, geographically speaking, from the areas associated with California hockey, has presented some hurdles, but it has also provided many positives,” THA associate coach Chris Collins said. “We train at high altitude, which provides a great environment to create peak performance, and due to our daily schedule, we’re able to offer things like yoga and sports medicine to our players that traditional programs aren’t able to provide for their athletes.”

Added Fenn: “We’re seeing our players head back to their respective states to compete in select camps, and to hear that their old teammates and families are seeing such a drastic improvement in their game

TahoeHockeyAcademy.com

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

speaks volumes to what we’re trying to accomplish here at THA.” The work begins in April, as the Tahoe Hockey Academy staff begins its search for new recruits. USA Hockey Youth Nationals, Globals and showcases throughout the country seem to be where the top players can be found, but that doesn’t necessarily mean those players fit the mold of a THA athlete.

“Like any coach, you want the best players possible, but we also want the best player for our specific program,” Lewis said.

“We believe that it’s the player who truly wants to improve his game every day that will get the most out of the Tahoe Hockey Academy.”

The officials in Tahoe seem to have a good grasp on their off-season plans and a firm understanding on what it takes to make Year 2 a success.

“It’s all about relationships and introducing ourselves to the hockey community,” Fenn said.

“We’re the new kids on the block, and we’re fully aware that we’ll need to prove ourselves each year in order to grow our academy, but we’re in this for the long haul and we look forward to speaking with those that are interested in our program.”

STRENGTH

COMMITMENT

JR. COYOTES/CAHA

TRYOUT INFORMATION PASSIONTEAMWORK Tier Il Tryouts April 28 - May 7, 2017

TRAVEL PROGRAM

Youth Tryouts (Mite – Peewee) April 28 - May 7, 2017

SWEAT

For complete schedule of divisions, dates, locations and times AND

register online, visit www.jrcoyotes.org UMMERtoHOCKEY CAMPS

9375 E Bell Road Scottsdale, AZ 85260

www.icedenscottsdale.com

June 26 - 30, 2017 in Chandler July 17-21, 2017 in Scottsdale

July 10-14, 2017 in Scottsdale

July 10-14, 2017 in Chandler

7225 W Harrison Street Chandler, AZ 85226

www.icedenchandler.com

In addition to the Ice Den operated camps and programming, annually each year nationally recognized coaches and organizations host summer hockey camps in our buildings. From goalie exclusive camps to hockey and leadership skill development, off-ice conditioning and chalk talks, the Ice Dens combine qualified coaches with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure participants have a memorable experience.

SPACE IS LIMITED!

Secure your spot online or at the Ice Den Administration Desk.

AZRubberHockey.com

13

Rocky Mountain District Player Development Camp

May 12-14 | Dr. Pepper StarCenter - Frisco, Tex.

Arizona Selections BOYS

2003 #

Forwards Logan Bellar Sean Bunting Demetrios Koumontzis Michael McCosh Jack Strauss Xavier Zubia

Forwards Arik Altman Dalton Berg Calvin Briscoe Austin Clerry Kaden Majercak Brendan Manning Ty Nash

Defensemen Reid Miller Ryan Reid Grant Ziegler

Defensemen Stone Fredrickson David Kloeber Ryan Koshiol

Goaltenders Tristan Hadley Sean Slavik

Goaltenders Peyton Brendel Stephen Gilson

2001

GIRLS *

2000

2000/2001

Forwards Nicolas Coppola Jaden Hewes Rowan Miller Jared Shuter Noah Vance Garrett Wright

Forwards Sarah Bruder Karlie Chadwick Kenadie Cooper Hailey Modlin Defensemen Madeylyn Beaty Megan Brodfuehrer Sheridan Gloyd

Defensemen Terry DePew Cade Fredrickson Trevor Griebel Connor Ziegler Goaltenders Guy Blessing Cavanaugh Holbrook

2002

Forwards Jake Alcaraz Ryan Bottrill Mark Gordon Hunter Hastings Matthew Knies Riley Stuart

Goaltenders Sarah Jacobelli Taylor Stadeli

2002

Forwards Riley Benson Megan Daniele Madison Mesenbrink Defensemen Maneau Kelsall Reese Middendorf Goaltender Zoe Manriquez

Defensemen Thomas Giek Colton Panowyk Timmy Treadway

2003 #

Forward Chloe Tenboer

Goaltenders Hunter Mitchell Caleb Wall

Defenseman Caroline Purtill

# Will participate in the Western Regional Multi-District High Performance Camp, along with other 2003 birth year players from the Rocky Mountain, Pacific and Northern Plains Districts, from June 19-24 in Colorado Springs. * All girls age groups will participate in the Western Regional Multi-District Player Development/Evaluation Camp, along with other girls from the Rocky Mountain, Pacific and Northern Plains Districts, from June 10-14 in Colorado Springs.

NOTE: The Land of Enchantment Amateur Hockey Association did notrelease New Mexico’s selections.

Source: Arizona Amateur Hockey Association

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

Pinnacle High proud of results at USA Hockey national tourney

By Greg Ball

M

aking the trip to the USA Hockey high school national championships has become a regular occurrence for Pinnacle - which has been four times since 2011 - but for head coach Glenn Karlson, this year’s journey was particularly special.

He wasn’t part of the program for the first two trips, and the first time the team qualified during his run as its coach, he had to miss the trip due to health issues. So even though Pinnacle didn’t come home with a banner, he was thrilled with the experience and the season as a whole.

“I am extremely proud of the boys, and I was very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be part of this journey,” Karlson said. “This year’s team was made up mostly of upperclassmen who over the last four years have seen a program going through transition. After a disappointing result from the previous year, the boys were ready to embrace the challenge.”

The team’s roster includes forwards Max Cocreham, Ryan Eghlimi, Monte Gualtiere, Justin Hayward, Sam Hinnant, Josh Ihling, Cole Kamin, Will LaChapelle, Emmanuel Malki, Jackson Peters and Grant Ziegler; defensemen Weston Becker, Adam Beckerman, Logan Derryberry, Blake Hermann, Luke Hicks, Justin Sturm and Zach Zoretich; and goalies Kevin Church and Barrett Rosser.

Pinnacle opened with a 5-1 victory over Brookings, S.D., and then fell 5-3 to Southlake Carroll, Tex. They responded with a 3-2 win over Murray, Utah, before dropping a 3-0 decision to Santa Margarita, Calif. - an eventual national finalist in the quarterfinals on April 2 in Cleve- Pinnacle High School advanced to the quarterfinals of the USA Hockey high school national tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, before bowing out to a Caliland, Ohio.

“Persever- fornia team on April 2. ance was this team’s greatest asset,” Karlson said. “They were always able to meet any adversity put in front of them and figure out a way to overcome it. That was no different at nationals. In the first game, we got into some penalty problems and found ourselves needing to find offense in a different way. Up to this time, we hadn’t scored a short-handed goal all season and we ended up with five shorthanded goals for the tournament.

“One other thing they had to overcome was losing a game. With an 181-1 season, this team didn’t get a chance to know how it feels to lose and to lose to really strong teams. After our first loss, the boys were able to bounce back quickly, which they did to advance out of the pools.”

Karlson added that making it to nationals was a total team effort.

“All year, we tried to keep the boys in the moment, and they knew early on that this was going to be a special year,” Karlson said. “We had the best goalie tandem in the league, which brought confidence to the team.

We had a good balance of guys that could bury the puck and a defensive core that took pride in low-scoring affairs. It wouldn’t matter if a team scored first or if they only had a one-goal lead going to the final moments of a game - the boys knew they would win if they believed in themselves.

“Our goalies don’t get enough credit for what they do. Kevin Church and Barrett Rosser have been the backstop of this team all year long, and it didn’t change at nationals. Also, our senior core - led by Blake Hermann - helped bring experience and maturity to the team. In addition to the seniors, a new line made up of juniors Josh Ihling, Will LaChapelle and Emmanuel Malki rose to be the best overall line and shows a bright light for next year’s team. In addition to a bright offensive core, the young defensive core stood strong to the challenge, with freshman Logan Derryberry showing great poise against older opponents.

“With all that being said, there is one player that stood out game after game, and that was sophomore Justin Sturm. His game and confidence elevated every day.”

INLINE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA

Tucson provides solid backdrop for latest IHAAZ festival

By Brian Lester

F

or the third year in a row, the Tucson Indoor Sports Center opened its doors for 27 enthusiastic Inline Hockey Association of Arizona (IHAAZ) teams that were going to put their best games on the floor.

And for just the third time in the IHAAZ’s 18-year history, the league saw a California team, the San Diego Selects, participate in an Arizona festival.

The Jr. Wildcats, the local in-house inline program, entered an up-and-coming collection of aspiring recreational 8U aged youngsters into the festival for their first taste of big-time tournament play.

The festival, which took place over St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, was a win-win for the locals, the in-staters and the out-of-staters.

In the 8U division, the Prescott Storm won all four of its games to claim the championship. Charlie D’Antonio, who scored four goals in one game during the tourney, was named the MVP. D’Antonio finished with six goals in all over the weekend.

The outstanding playmaker was Hunter Matthews, who finished with seven goals and two assists, and the outstanding offensive player was Nicholas Lopez, who racked up a division-best 12 goals in the tournament.

Dylan Foster of the Knighthawks earned outstanding goalie honors as he racked up 47 saves.

The Knighthawks secured the 10U championship, winning all four of its games. Faith Debabneh of the Knighthawks won MVP honors, finishing with five goals

and an assist, and Kirsten Kaczynksi of the Jr. Wildcats Sharkey (37 saves) of the AZ Royals and Tatum Proud was tabbed outstanding playmaker. Kaczynski tallied two (52 saves) of the Knighthawks all earned outstanding goals and two assist. Zayne Maragh of the Yuma Blaze goalie honors. was named the outstanding offensive player, racking up The Havasu Dust Devils were the champions of the 14U B division, going 1-0-1. Clayton Garnier and Brenfive goals and an assist.

Eli Shulman scored the most goals in the tourney, den Rizzo helped lead the way. Garnier was named the tallying 17, and Avery MacKenzie was named out- MVP, tallying seven goals and three assists, and Rizzo tallied 65 saves and shared outstanding goalie honors standing goalie, making 48 saves. with Lucan Mertes (37 saves) of The Yuma Blaze went 4-0 the Jr. Wildcats (82) and Jeremy in the tourney to take home the Fleming (82 saves) of the Storm.

12U title. Jackson Gebhart of Dominic Calia of the Storm the Blaze was the MVP and teammate Brandon Ott was the outwas named the outstanding playstanding playmaker. Ott scored maker, scoring six goals, and Ranon Plett of the Jr. Wildcats was four goals and dished out three named the outstanding offensive assists. player after racking up eight goals Dominik Barber of the Jr. and two assists.

Wildcats was the top offensive The AZ Royals Blue won the player, punching in 10 goals to go The San Diego Selects trekked to Tucson last month along with two assists, and Tyler to partake in the IHAAZ festival and came away vic- Midget division championship, finishing 3-0-1.

Offenbacker of the Jr. Wildcats tors of the 14U A division with a perfect 3-0 record.

Tanner Castleberry led the way for the Royals and tallied 39 saves to win outstanding goalie honors.

The San Diego squad soared to a victory in the 14U was named the MVP. He had three goals and two assists.

A division, fashioning a 3-0 record. Jake Dempsey of the Teammate Garrett Ruby was named the outstanding Selects earned MVP honors, tallying 10 goals and four goalie after making 66 saves. assists, and Zac Miszkeiwicz (one goal, five assists) of Miguel Cazares of the Blaze earned outstanding the Selects was the outstanding playmaker. Chris Vo of playmaker honors, finishing with two goals and two asthe Royals was tabbed the outstanding offensive player, sists, and Keegan Lamb of the Storm was named the finishing with five goals and an assist. outstanding offensive player. Lamb scored 10 goals and Seth Miszkeiwicz (12 saves) of the Selects, Dylan also dished out an assist.

IHAAZ.com

AZRubberHockey.com

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VOSHA BOBCATS

Bobcats see positive benefits to spring, summer programs skill training that you can work on during the spring and summer that can really help you elevate your game.”

Added Filion: “We believe that summer training he team leading the Arizona Bobcats knows just how important the hockey offseason can be to play- should be tailored to each age group. Players 13 years ers’ development. old and up should start thinking about a more intense Because of that, hockey director Ron Filion and workout related to the sport of hockey and focusing on his staff place a heavy emphasis Junior and USA camps coming up on providing outstanding spring for them. Younger players are still and summer programming for their at the stage where they are develyoung players. oping as athletes, so participating While players aren’t required in other sports is important. One or to participate in offseason traintwo hockey summer camps and a few skating lessons here and there ing, the Bobcats offer a variety of is good enough during the offseacamps, clinics and individual trainson. Taking a month off is also ing options to help players develop something we recommend to our their skills. While individual skills younger groups.” are taught and practiced during The Bobcats offer an eightthe season, often the focus from week skills program for older playSeptember through March is on ers as well as a one-week camp for team play, learning systems and younger players. The eight-week preparing for the next game or toursessions run from March 6-May 5 nament, but during the offseason, Offseason training has become a staple coaches can work with individual in the Arizona Bobcats program and has for players aged 7-19, with players players to help develop specific helped develop many players throughout attending sessions two nights per week. The first night each week foskills that they can take into the the program at all levels. cuses on power skating and other skill sessions in small next season and make them better players.

“Skills can get overlooked during the season,” said groups, with the second night dedicated to scrimmagBrent Gough, the head coach of the Bobcats’ 18U ing. There’s also an additional goalie-specific session team. “You always want to work on more skill devel- each week.

The one-week camp runs June 26-30 from 8 a.m.-4 opment, but there is so much to teach. There’s some

By Greg Ball

T

AZBobcats.org

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

p.m. each day, with a similar focus as the longer camps, but adding in dry land training, plyometrics, team-building exercises and personal goal setting.

Jason Oliver, who coaches the Bobcats’ 14U AAA team and has two sons in the program, is also heavily involved in the off-season training. He’s an advocate of encouraging kids to take time away from the ice to play other sports, but also feels that spending some time during the spring and summer to work on skills can be very beneficial to young players.

“You can work at the pace that is best for you, rather than the pace that the team is on like you would during the season,” Oliver said. “The focus is really on individual skating, edge work, shooting and other skills that will help kids develop as individual players.”

In addition to the camps offered by the Bobcats, Filion plans to take a group of players from the 2005 birth year and younger to Chicago for a camp. Gough will take a group of older players to a pre-draft showcase in Boston in May, and will travel to Vancouver with a 2003 team Memorial Day Weekend. He’ll take two teams of 2001 and 2002 players to Boston for the Junior Chowder Cup tournament in July.

Gough will also put on his exposure camp June 2427, with six teams of players 14-19 years old expected, where they receive coaching from and get seen by a number of college coaches in Gough’s network.

“All the kids want to play in college, so it’s good to get out there to play against some top players and be seen by some coaches and scouts,” Gough said.

Congrats to Reese Middendorf 2017 RMD Player Development Camp ‘02 selection!!

Congrats to Nick Coppola 2017 RMD Player Development Camp ‘01 selection!!

Mission AZ is very proud!!

Mission AZ Hockey Club MissionArizonaIce.org

MISSION STATEMENT Sorting through the madness of junior hockey marketing H

aving worked with 16- and 18-year-old players now for so many years, I have seen a dramatic change in the intensity and increased amount of junior hockey recruiting and prospects camps, which are adding both presGoltz sure and confusion to the process for youth parents and players.

With the increased number of junior leagues and teams, opportunity is at an all-time high. At the same time, there is pressure to fill out rosters, make money and keep franchises profitable.

Junior team owners want to make sure their investments are worthwhile. This means full rosters and profit-making prospect camps to help keep so many teams running.

What this means is more and more marketing to a wider range of talents and levels of play. For example, I have seen a significant increase at the Tier II level by many leagues to attract these players

to camps and pre-tryouts. They are casting a bigger net to a wide range of players hoping to draw some in and help make some money. Each year, I have seen more and more of these camps and it is getting tougher and tougher to sort through all of it, let alone set the proper expectations for both players and parents.

I have watched too many parents travel and spend thousands of unnecessary dollars running from camp to camp because they received a letter or a coach sold them on the opportunity. I encourage everyone to take a step back.

There are many junior leagues and programs that are illustrating the utmost integrity in this process. Unfortunately, I see more and more trying to take advantage of the excitement and lack of education of players and parents.

Here is some advice: 1. Your coach should be involved hand in hand with the process. Going it alone is like going to court without a lawyer. Make sure your coach is directly involved. I can tell you firsthand – I have been involved with placing kids for 15 years, and the ones that go at it alone have almost never worked out. Players need someone in their court to hold junior coaches accountable.

2. Don’t be afraid to respectfully ask questions. Common sense questions like “How many kids will be there at this tryout?” and “What is the

status of open spots on the roster?” and lastly, “Where are kids moving to once they play here?”

It is OK to ask questions.

3. Make sure they have actually seen you play.

I always have my players ask the scout where they saw our team play. This is an easy way to separate out at the beginning. I have literally had kids get offered through texts with coaches having never seen them play.

4. Be realistic. I never want to take away from a kid’s dream, but sometimes the level of the league just doesn’t match up with the player’s level. You have to be honest with where you are at this point.

I have had to have the tough conversations with kids who are excited about receiving a camp letter from a league that is way above their abilities. Use your coach in this process to help navigate it.

I put a lot of emphasis and responsibility on the coaches to make sure players are going through this process with the knowledge and education they need. It can be overwhelming and very expensive if players get caught up in the swirl.

I personally use about seven different coaches and leagues as a range to where our players’ level of play bests suits the opportunity. I take it upon myself to open the door for the player and put them in a spot where they have the ability to succeed and get the most out of the junior experience.

Jeremy Goltz is the director of hockey operations for Mission Arizona.

AZRubberHockey.com

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Coyotes rookies advise youth players to maintain focus

By Mark Brown

T

he road to the NHL is paved with challenges, heartbreaks and eventually, joy.

For those who know the journey, one personality trait that becomes important is resiliency. It is rare that players jump right from juniors into the limelight.

Just ask Dylan Strome about this path.

After a strong impression during the summer rookie camp last July and through the last two training camps, Strome made the Arizona Coyotes, only to be sent back to his Erie Otters junior team early on in the season.

The quest to skate in an NHL rink begins with the first step on the ice and the nurturing of parents and coaches. The journey is likely filled with landmines, roadblocks and numerous other pitfalls, but the ability to transition from one stage to another represents a key step in reaching the ultimate goal.

Along the way, players experience different emotions and those who can learn and grow from the myriad of events tend to succeed. Not all experiences are joyful, positive or rewarding. For those who can handle the adversity, the rewards are confidence, assurance and a strong belief in their ability. Plus, there is always the gratitude for those around them.

Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun knows firsthand. Given strong bloodlines with his father, Jeff, a former NHL defenseman with the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers, Jakob grew up in South Florida where Jeff was an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers.

Granted, not every player growing through various stages and age groups can have a mentor who played

in the NHL. have to battle through that. Just focus on what you can Still, the need to recognize the journey and possi- do to get through it. You can’t worry about the outside ble consequences form a strong foundation for suc- distractions and just control what you can control.” cess.

For youth hockey players, the emphasis on individ“Whenever you’re going ual control, while great advice, through something tough, do evmay not apply to all players. erything you can to stay positive,” The result here is the nurturChychrun said. “Plus, stay in the ing process. Both Chychrun right state of mind. Once your mind and Crouse emphasize that starts to go, you start to question parents represent the bigthings. That’s when everything falls gest support group. Anything apart.” regarded as “criticism” of a By staying positive, Chychrun player’s physical ability or apadded, that’s the path in the right proach to the game needs to direction. What usually follows is left on the back burner. dedication, a sense of purpose The nature of positive reand perseverance. If those importinforcement becomes paraant traits are not compromised, mount. then the road to success becomes In Chychrun’s case, his bright. dad knew the pitfalls to avoid If Chychrun tells young layers and remained at Jakob’s side. to stay positive, that’s a common Despite living in Florida, Jeff refrain around the Coyotes locker accompanied Jakob each room. Here is a group of profesweekend to Detroit for two sional players together now in the years so Jakob could skate Lawson Crouse made the Arizona Coyotes as a same location, but the path to reach 19-year-old based on skill, but also because of with the Little Caesars 16U this level took many pathways. his ability to stay positive, on and off the ice. AAA team.

Forward Lawson Crouse, a Photo/Norm Hall “My dad coached me my former first-round pick of the Florida Panthers (11th whole life growing up and he taught me a great deal overall in the 2015 NHL Draft) tells young players to about the game,” Chychrun added. “What he taught not look beyond their own abilities. not only translated on the ice, but off as well. He al“What I focused on during my early career is con- ways taught me the lessons of working hard and that trolling the things I could control,” Crouse said. “There translated into everything. That would be like my will be a great deal of adversity along the way, but you school work and just being a good human being.”

NEW MEXICO REPORT

New Mexico product Gretz weighs options, decides on OHL and I know they will do whatever it takes to help me.

Going there, I’m expecting to just work hard and learn and let everything follow. arcus Gretz has lofty aspirations in hockey.

“I still have to call Ohio State, which will be a “My ultimate goal is the NHL and I’m going to do everything it takes to get there,” said Gretz, an heartbreaker, but my family and I feel like the OHL is Albuquerque native who has played the past three the better path for me.”

“We’re very happy with our seasons in the Detroit area for draft this season,” said Flint asthe Belle Tire AAA program. sistant GM and director of player Gretz, a steady defenseman personnel Joe Stefan. “We were who doesn’t turn 16 until Novemable to acquire a lot of players ber, found himself with a rash of that were on our radar, which is options on where to play for the going to set up this organization 2017-18 season during this past for success in years to come.”

2016-17 campaign.

Going into the OHL draft, Last fall, he committed to OHL Midwest United States NCAA Division I Ohio State Uniscout Kevin Hess gave a glowversity and was then invited to ing assessment of Gretz. the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-17 Evalu“Gretz is a big, mobile deation Camp last month. fense-first defenseman with an Then came April 8 when the offensive upside,” said Hess.

Flint Firebirds selected Gretz in “Makes a good first pass. Already the second round (23rd overall) 6-foot-4, he may have a bit more of the Ontario Hockey League Albuquerque native Marcus Gretz (right) growing to do. Defends well, uswas drafted by the OHL’s Flint Firebirds earPriority Selection. lier this month and visited the Mid-Michigan ing his reach and positioning to After much soul searching city on draft day with Flint head coach Ryan keep his man on the perimeter. and weighing all his options, Oulahen. Photo/Flint Firebirds Poised and patient with the puck Gretz ultimately decided to commit to the Firebirds. and does a good job of moving his feet to find shoot“I jumped up with excitement when I found out ing and passing lanes.”

Flint was the team to draft me – it’s an unbelievable This past season with the Belle Tire 16U team, feeling,” said Gretz. “It’s a great organization and I’m Gretz compiled four goals and 16 points in 32 excited for the future. I know Flint is a great place games.

By Matt Mackinder

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

“We had a very young team this year,” Gretz said.

“At first, we were struggling, but through our team’s hard work and bonding, we were able to come together and put together a strong year. Being with the team and just hanging out are memories I’ll always have with these kids, who are basically my brothers.”

Back home in New Mexico, getting started in hockey happened innocently enough for Gretz.

“I remember we went to the local rink, Blades (now the McDermott Athletic Center), just to see what it was and we saw hockey and I said I wanted to play and from there on, it all started,” said Gretz.

“In New Mexico, the team would change names from Scorpions to the Renegades and even Team New Mexico. My most memorable coach was Todd Ganshaw. He always let me play up on the team and show what I could do with the older kids.”

Gretz then left New Mexico at the age of nine to play AAA hockey in Colorado for the Colorado Evolution and then the esteemed Colorado Thunderbirds, where he played in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 201314, before moving to the Detroit suburbs.

“I lived with my mom and my dad flew back and forth,” explained Gretz. “I went to the TPH Hockey Academy and it’s been amazing for me meeting all the new people.”

And even with the commitment to Major Junior hockey, Gretz knows education will always be a priority.

“I definitely want a degree at some point,” said Gretz.

Konixx Outcasts off to stellar start in new NARCh season

By Phillip Brents

N

ow that the youth ice hockey season is over, it’s time to prepare for four months of roller hockey-heavy tournaments.

Quite a bit of activity has already transpired for the Konixx Outcasts in the opening three months of the new NARCh season.

The Outcasts faced off the 2017 season by participating in the 140-team NARCh Winternationals Jan. 13-16 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline.

The Outcasts brought three teams to the Southern California event: all three returned home with top-four finishes.

The Outcasts recorded a runner-up finish in the Junior Division (24U) following a double-overtime loss to top-seeded Black Ice in the finals. The overtime thriller was the 320th and last game of the four-day tournament. NARCh president Daryn Goodwin referred to it as “unreal action and incredibly exciting and suspenseful.”

Goodwin called Outcast newcomer Parker Moskal the team’s “most dynamic player” in the game. Moskal assisted on the Outcasts’ first three goals and scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation play to send the game into overtime.

“I’ve never played in a game like that before,” Moskal admitted. “I hit the crossbar in overtime.”

Matt Swanson led the Outcasts with two goals in the game, while Kevin Mooney scored once.

The Outcasts captured the top seed in the Midget Division (18U), but lost in semifinals to the fourth-seeded team to place third overall. Joe Blakewell earned the high scorer award in the division with nine points.

The Midget team’s roster also included Ian Bast the Pee Wee Division. The 02 team finished 3-0, but and Clay Heinze, freshmen on Arizona State Univer- lost 5-2 to the Revision Vanquish in the Gold Division sity’s roller hockey team that competes in the West- semifinals. ern Collegiate Roller Hockey League.

The Outcasts are also fielding a team in the AmerThe Outcasts Pro Division team finished 1-2-1 ican Inline Hockey League this season. in round-robin play with tie against the top-seeded The Outcasts (11-10) have already locked up a Black Ice, the monster team that semifinal playoff match-up in would go on to claim the division the Elite Division against the championship.

OC Rocket Flex (12-8-1) re“We were the only team in the gardless of how the teams tournament not to lose to them finish in the final regular-sea(during round-robin play),” coach son tournament April 14-15 in Nick Boyarsky said.

Irvine.

The Outcasts were seeded The Pacific South Division fifth in the playoffs but topped playoffs are set May 6-7 in Irfourth-seeded Rink Rat 4-3 in a vine and the national champipreliminary playoff game. onship tournament is set for “That put us in the one versus May 19-21 in Las Vegas. four semifinal against Black Ice, The Las Vegas Aces lead where we would play them hard, the Elite Division standings but end up losing 4-2 in what with a 16-3-1 record. The Ariwas a very close and well-played zona Ghostriders bring up the game by both teams,” Boyarsky rear in the four-team division noted. with a 2-16-1-1 record.

The Phoenix-based program Outcast scoring leaders sent five teams to compete in include Mooney (12 goals, 23 the Southern California NARCh Paul Linder ranks as one of the team scoring points), Shin Yamamoto (11 regional tournament March leaders for the Arizona Outcasts Elite Division goals, 15 points) and Paul 31-April 2 in Huntington Beach. team in the American Inline Hockey League.

Linder (nine goals, 15 points).

Three teams competed in the Bantam Division The Outcasts Minor Tier team entered the final (16U): Konixx 00, Konixx Blue and Konixx Yellow. The regular season tournament with a 13-7 record, good 00 team finished 3-0 in round-robin but lost 4-1 to the for a tie for third place in the seven-team division.

Raiders Yellow in the Gold Division semifinal game.

Zach Medlock led the Minor team in scoring with The Konixx 02 and Konixx 03 teams competed in 23 goals and 35 points.

2016-17 ARIZONA/NEW MEXICO ALUMNI Email all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com

ARIZONA

Drew Newmeyer (Scottsdale) – Arizona State University

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY

NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Auston Matthews (Scottsdale) – Toronto Maple Leafs

CHA Logan Hicks (Scottsdale) – Syracuse University

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Austin Carroll (Scottsdale) – Stockton Heat Trevor Cheek – Tucson Roadrunners * Jeremy Langlois (Tempe) – Rockford IceHogs Brendan Lemieux (Phoenix) – Manitoba Moose Henrik Samuelsson (Scottsdale) – Tucson Roadrunners Philip Samuelsson (Scottsdale) – St. John’s IceCaps

HOCKEY EAST Makenna Newkirk (Scottsdale) – Boston College Carlee Turner (Scottsdale) – University of New Hampshire

ECHL Mike Krieg (Phoenix) – Norfolk Admirals Zac Larraza (Scottsdale) – Utah Grizzlies

NCAA DIVISION III – MEN

SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Cody Castro (Peoria) – Columbus Cottonmouths Richard Coyne (Cave Creek) – Mississippi RiverKings Matt Grogan (Gilbert) – Peoria Rivermen FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Brandon Fehd (Gilbert) – St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints EUROPE J.T. Barnett (Scottsdale) – Russia Anthony Caruso (Queen Creek) – Sweden Luke Moffatt (Paradise Valley) – France Joey Sides (Tucson) – United Kingdom Dave Spina (Mesa) – Finland NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Kaliya Johnson (Chandler) – Connecticut Whale COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Derek Brown (Peoria) – Niagara University Christian Cakebread (Gilbert) – Niagara University ECAC Todd Burgess (Phoenix) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute WCHA Danny Kiraly (Glendale) – University of Alaska-Fairbanks DIVISION I INDEPENDENT Anthony Croston (Phoenix) – Arizona State University Edward McGovern (Scottsdale) – Arizona State University

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

COMMONWEALTH Chris James (Carefree) – Curry College Alec Mono – Curry College & Hector Majul – Curry College !

MASCAC Brandon Berkley (Scottsdale) – University of Mass.-Dartmouth NCHA Clay Cross (Glendale) – Marian University Brandon Parrone (Peoria) – College of St. Scholastica NEHC Bryan McFarlane (Scottsdale) – New England College NESCAC Jon Carkeek (Phoenix) – Hamilton College SUNYAC Cameron Berry (Chandler) – Oswego State University Sean Winikates (Phoenix) – Potsdam State University WIAC Adam Kleven (Phoenix) – University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN COLONIAL HOCKEY Alex Bloom (Scottsdale) – Canton State University Emily Dennee (Chandler) – Becker College Sarah McSweeney (Chandler) – Becker College ECAC WEST Bri Carroll (Peoria) – Buffalo State University Jessica Carter (Scottsdale) – Buffalo State University Emily Coope (Phoenix) – Utica College Hannah Kiraly (Glendale) – Plattsburgh State University

MIAC Molly Andrews (Phoenix) – St. Olaf College Kylie Kramer (El Mirage) – College of St. Benedict NEHC MacKenzie Lyons (Scottsdale) – Nichols College Mackenzie Meegan (Phoenix) – New England College Tori Wolter (Chandler) – Nichols College NESCAC Lynddy Smith (Glendale) – Amherst College JUNIOR HOCKEY BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Hayden Knight (Scottsdale) – Coquitlam Express CENTRAL CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE Sage Englund (Phoenix) – Carleton Place Canadians Alex Storjohann (Anthem) – Carleton Place Canadians EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Jack Allen (Yuma) – Vermont Lumberjacks (Premier) Jeremy Briscoe (Phoenix) – New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Dom DiMambro (Phoenix) – New York Applecore (Elite) Branson Duty (Apache Junction) – Boston Jr. Rangers (Elite) Joshua George (Chandler) – New England Wolves (Elite) Samuel Kany (Phoenix) – Philadelphia Little Flyers (Premier) Jacob Kerns (Phoenix) – New York Applecore (Premier) Drew Platt (Gilbert) – Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (Premier) Erik Pritchard (Phoenix) – Walpole Express (Premier) GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Nick Acevedo (Desert Hills) – South Muskoka Shield Marvin Simmons (Phoenix) – Kingsville Kings GREATER ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Sam Dallas (Phoenix) – Stratford Warriors NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Trey Bagwell (Tempe) - Aberdeen Wings Nathan Burke (Scottsdale) - Aberdeen Wings Carson Dimoff (Scottsdale) – Aberdeen Wings Jeremy Gabriele (Scottsdale) - Bismarck Bobcats Michael Mahan (Scottsdale) – Minnesota Wilderness Forbes Ploszaj (Gilbert) – Aberdeen Wings Keenan Spillum (Paradise Valley) – Aberdeen Wings Joey Strada (Scottsdale) – Aberdeen Wings Connor Stuart (Phoenix) – Odessa Jackalopes Mason Vukonich (Chandler) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Brendan Bessee (Globe) – Helena Bighorns Kevin Bird (Glendale) – Glacier Nationals Malachi Bushey (Tucson) – Great Falls Americans

Eddie Cannon (Glendale) – Syracuse Stampede Trevor Checketts (Peoria) – Great Falls Americans Hunter Feagins (Surprise) – Gillette Wild Jonah Gower (Prescott Valley) – Glacier Nationals Joshua Kirk (Gilbert) – Glacier Nationals Reid Miller (Phoenix) – Pittsburgh Vengeance Nick Nast – Great Falls Americans & Jordan Nolan (Phoenix) – Jersey Shore Wildcats Corey Rees (Florence) – Long Beach Sharks Mitchell Tulk (Chandler) – Glacier Nationals Austin Wilks (Avondale) – Point Mallard Ducks NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Ashton Amaya (Gilbert) – Kirkland Lake Gold Miners QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Matteo Pietroniro (Prescott Valley) – Baie-Comeau Drakkar SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Brett Pickler – Flin Flon Bombers * Ivan Vilcauskas (Phoenix) – Kindersley Klippers UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Michael Boyle (Phoenix) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Jaxon Castor (Phoenix) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Jake Durflinger – Bloomington Thunder & Matt Jones (Phoenix) – Des Moines Buccaneers D.J. King – U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team * Phillip Knies (Phoenix) – Sioux City Musketeers Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale) – U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team Rourke Russell – Green Bay Gamblers & Adam Samuelsson – U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team * Carson Vance (Tempe) – Sioux City Musketeers Johnny Walker (Phoenix) – Chicago Steel UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Keaton Caplis (Gilbert) – Boston Jr. Bruins (Elite) Mendell Dubuisson (Waddell) – Florida Eels (Elite) Colton Egge (Chandler) – Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Dakota Gottlieb (Scottsdale) – Jersey Hitmen (Elite) Frazier Mohler (Phoenix) – Eugene Generals (USP3) Ethan Roswell (Paradise Valley) – Boston Jr. Bruins (Premier) Colton Seeman (Phoenix) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) Chase Smith (Glendale) – Syracuse Stars (Elite) Sam Weidenbaum (Scottsdale) - Decatur Blaze (USP3)

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Cody Bernsdorff (Glendale) – Phoenix Knights Christopher Carouchi – Arizona Hawks % Caleb Cavazos (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights Garrett Fineberg (Glendale) – Arizona Hawks Chase Jeffery (Peoria) – Arizona Hawks Marshall Jones (Gilbert) – Arizona Hawks Sebastian Llaneras (Phoenix) – Arizona Hawks Ethan Middendorf (Scottsdale) – Vancouver Rangers Donovan Myers (Chandler) – Springfield Express Brett Robinson (Scottsdale) – Ogden Mustangs Alex Rodriguez (Phoenix) – Phoenix Knights PREP SCHOOL Jackson Birecki (Phoenix) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Alexis Ryan (Mesa) – Williston Northampton Jared Shuter (Prescott) – Tahoe Hockey Academy

NEW MEXICO COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Jackson Barliant (Santa Fe) – Sacred Heart University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN NESCAC Nicholas Faturos (Albuquerque) – Amherst College SUNYAC Nate Werhane (El Dorado) – Buffalo State University NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN NESCAC Kristen Molina (Albuquerque) – Amherst College JUNIOR HOCKEY GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Jake McNerney (Taos) – Seguin Huskies

VANCOUVER ISLAND JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Anthony Ciurro (Peoria) – Victoria Cougars

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Quinn Martin (Santa Fe) – Red Deer Rebels

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Mark Kastelic (Phoenix) – Calgary Hitmen Jeremy Masella (Phoenix) – Victoria Royals Kaid Oliver – Victoria Royals & Luke Ormsby (Scottsdale) – Seattle Thunderbirds Austyn Playfair (Scottsdale) – Tri-City Americans

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Cory King (Albuquerque) – Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers * former Phoenix Jr. Coyote & former Arizona Bobcat

% former Mission Arizona ! former Phoenix Firebird

AZRubberHockey.com

19

Arizona teams show well at collegiate inline nationals to 2017 national champion CSU Fullerton.

The WCRHL had two teams win national championt was an otherwise solid showing for the trio of teams ships at this year’s tournament: Fullerton and West Valrepresenting the Grand Canyon State at this year’s Na- ley College (Junior College Division). tional Collegiate Roller HockASU coach Nick Boey Championships in Fort Myyarsky said his team did exers, Fla. actly what it needed to do to Arizona State University start the tournament with wins (Division I) and Western Colover the University of Massalegiate Roller Hockey League chusetts, Rhode Island and (WCRHL) newcomer NorthFlorida Gulf Coast in pool ern Arizona University (Diviplay. sion II) both finished 3-0 in “We came into the tourpreliminary pool play, while nament with the goal of going the University of Arizona (Divi3-0 in round-robin to give us sion II) finished 2-1 in its three our best chance at a run,” Boround-robin games to face off yarsky explained. “We set out the April 5-9 event. looking at each of the three All three teams received games individually and doing byes to the Sweet Sixteen what we needed to in order round based on their pool reto win each of those games sults. specifically. Everyone bought It was a promising start, in, special teams were at peak but a bittersweet ending. performance, we were clickASU defeated Bethel Uniing and playing together betversity 3-1 in its opening playter than we had since the start off game, but ended its sea- Northern Arizona University had a breakout start-up sea- of the year.” son with a 6-1 loss to eventual son in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League in As it turned out, the Sun national champion Farming- 2016-17, led in part by defenseman A.J. Wright, as the Devils’ lone loss in the tourteam advanced to this year’s National Collegiate Roller nament was to 2017 national dale State in the next round.

Hockey Nationals in Florida. Photo/NCRHA The WCRHL regional champion Farmingdale State champions from the University of Arizona dropped a (29-3). tight 2-1 Sweet Sixteen elimination game to the Florida Wes Fry paced ASU (17-11-1 on the season) with Gators, while NAU fell 7-4 to the Tennessee Vols in the 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in its three pool same round. The Vols went on to post a runner-up finish games, while teammate Ryan Cotton collected 13

By Phillip Brents

I

points (seven goals, six assists). Goaltender Braxton Schulz posted a 2.70 goals-against average and a .883 save percentage in pool play.

NAU had nothing short of a phenomenal run in its first trip to the NCRHA nationals. The Lumberjacks, WCRHL regional finalists, made a statement with pool wins over Ohio State, State University of New York-Oswego and Louisiana Tech – all regional runners-up.

The playoff loss to Tennessee was especially painful after NAU opened up a 3-0 lead in the first period on the Vols. Tennessee racked up three power play goals and an empty net goal to post the dramatic comeback victory.

“Overall, we thought we had a good tournament for our first year at nationals,” explained Trevor Riffey, who led NAU with 10 goals and four assists in the tournament. “We were able to win our pool and we hung around with Tennessee, which ended up making the championship game.

“It does kind of sting because we thought that could be us in the championship game, but we have almost everyone coming back next year for another shot. We look forward to next season and hopefully we will grow the roller program at NAU.” Arizona club president Brett Bushnell, the Wildcats’ goaltender, called the team’s elimination game against Florida “a very tight and competitive game.”

“Both teams played very competitively, but Florida ended up with the win,” he said. “It was a very disappointing loss, especially with how our pool games went against Kansas State (7-4 win after being down 4-1) and Arkansas (5-2 victory).

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to end the season, but when you play a team like Florida that’s on a roll, sometimes you just can’t control that.”

SHOP TALK

Goalie celebrations fast approaching at Behind The Mask C

alling all goaltenders!

Coming up on Saturday, May 20, is the 10th Annual Behind The Mask Goalie Day. Goalie Day was first held in 2008 in a small conference room at the La Quinta Hotel on Exelby Shea just east of the 101, right across the freeway from our current Scottsdale store. The goalies attending had to go through the hotel to find us. The room was small and packed with goalie equipment. At the time, we were making the transition to the new 11-inch pads and had lots of great deals on the wider 12-inch pads. In 2010 when our Scottsdale Superstore (Goalie Superstore) opened, we no longer carried goalie equipment in Chandler and Peoria, so there was some surplus gear.

Fast forward to 2017.

What is Goalie Day?

It is the day that BTM holds to celebrate our puck stopping friends. Company reps from manufacturers such as Bauer, Brian’s, CCM, Vaughn and others come to Behind The Mask Scottsdale from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. More than 100 goalies come out for this event, some driving from out of state. Others make the journey from Flagstaff, Prescott, Tucson and Yuma. BTM has free raffles and door prizes that each company provides, as well as lots of free goalie swag. Those who show up early get to take advantage of the best deals and get the best swag.

Goalies get huge one-day-only, in-store savings on demo and salesman sample equipment, plus blowout deals on older model goalie pads, gloves, blockers, pants, chest pads at up to 80 percent off.

Company reps are continuously amazed by the number of goalies that attend, their knowledge, and their passion for the sport. The support BTM gets from the manufacturers is awesome. The companies send their top goalie gurus from across the country to our event. Many of these reps are the ones fitting the NHL, AHL, college and junior goalies.

That’s not all, though.

On Friday, May 19, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Arcadia Ice in Phoenix is the 5th Annual Behind the Mask Demo Day. Demo Day allows goalies to try new gear on the ice for FREE. The companies provide the demo

gear and BTM provides shooters for the on-ice experience. Goalies can learn proper fitting, tech and spec information on the gear from company and BTM goalie experts. We have junior, intermediate and senior leg pads, gloves, blockers and chest pads available to try. Most goalies show up early to talk to the company experts and to get all the product information and features. It is a meeting of the goalie minds. If you’re in the market for new gear, it gives you a chance to try different brands. As goalie equipment is expensive, you want to make sure what you are buying is exactly what you want, both in price and in functionality.

After Goalie Day is our BTM employee and company rep barbecue and festivities. This year’s activities will include a BTM employee and company rep ping pong tournament. The BTM BBQ has become famous in the hockey industry as company reps fight for the chance to attend.

One of the highlights is seeing Bauer rep Dan Kennedy on the same team as CCM rep Scott Morrow. There are some epic chirps and not many subjects are out of bounds over the years with these two.

If you’re a goalie, I hope you can make it to the 10th Annual Behind The Mask Goalie Day at BTM Scottsdale. Please pass these two events on to any goalies you might know.

See you soon!

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

20

Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

PICTURE PERFECT The Mission AZ 10U Red team captured the Arizona Youth Hockey League 10U White state title at the Ice Den Chandler on March 5.

The Jr. Coyotes’ 9U Elite team won the Arizona Youth Hockey League 10U Red state championship on March 5 at AZ Ice Arcadia.

The Jr. Coyotes’ 9U team in Chandler brought home the Arizona Youth Hockey League 10U Blue state title on March 5 at the Jay Lively Arena in Flagstaff.

The Arizona Hockey Union’s 12U Purple team claimed the Arizona Youth Hockey League 12U Blue state crown Feb. 26 at AZ Ice Peoria.

The AHSHA Premier team skated off as Arizona Youth Hockey League 16U Red state champions at AZ Ice Gilbert on March 5.

The Jr. Coyotes captured the Arizona Youth Hockey League 10U Elite state championship at AZ Ice Peoria on March 5.

The Arizona Hockey Union’s 14U Black group collected the Arizona Youth Hockey League 14U White state title on March 5 at the Ice Den Chandler.

The Jr. Coyotes’ 12U Elite squad celebrated with the championship banner as Arizona Youth Hockey League 12U Elite state champions on Feb. 26 at AZ Ice Arcadia.

The Jr. Coyotes’ 12U squad secured the Arizona Youth Hockey League 12U Red state title at AZ Ice Arcadia on Feb. 26.

The Desert Youth Hockey Association Jr. Sun Devils claimed the AZYHL 14U Red state championship back on March 5 with a 9-2 win over the Jr. Coyotes at Oceanside Ice Arena. Photo/Gil Gabo

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

AZRubberHockey.com

21

ANTHONY DeANGELO

Position: Defenseman, Arizona Coyotes Hometown: Sewell, N.J. Acquired: Traded to Coyotes from Tampa Bay Lightning on June 25, 2016, in exchange for second-round pick (37th overall) in 2016 NHL Draft Age: 21 Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?

Anthony DeAngelo: That would be playing in the World Juniors. I played with Team USA in the World Juniors (in 2014). We didn’t win and finished fifth place, but playing for your country was pretty cool.

AZR: What’s your favorite memory in the game since leaving junior hockey?

ADA: My first game here, obviously, and my first NHL goal. A great memory and I’ll remember that for a long time. The goalie? I forgot, actually. You got me there. It was against Colorado, so it was against Calvin Pickard, maybe Semyon Varlamov, one of those guys. (NOTE: DeAngelo’s first NHL goal came against Pickard on Nov. 8, 2016 at the Pepsi Center in Denver) AZR: Who have been the biggest influences on you, both on and off the ice?

ADA: It’s my dad. He made sure he pushed me and have me become a better and better player growing up. He is real important to my hockey career.

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

ADA: Work hard and do what you do best. Keep working and all the other stuff will come. Learn as much as you can, I would say.

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

ADA: To watch, that would be football and I like to play baseball.

For my favorite team, everything Philly, Eagles and Phillies. I’m from Philly and I live right across the street from the stadium.

AZR: Do you have any superstitions?

ADA: Maybe once in a while. If I score with a certain stick, I’ll stick with that one and tape it for a little bit. But no, not anything spectacular.

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

ADA: I have a game-day routine. I’ll have breakfast in the morning and then go to the morning skate. Eat lunch around the same time and take a nap. I try and get the same amount of sleep. Then, head to the rink for the game that night.

AZR: Do you have a favorite meal or restaurant here in the Phoenix area?

ADA: Probably Eddie V’s down there in the Scottsdale Quarter. It’s a good spot.

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

ADA: Suits. As long as you have your suits, your phone and your toiletries, you’re good.

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

ADA: I had a couple of different ones. I really liked Chris Pronger and I liked Peter Forsberg a lot.

- Compiled by Mark Brown Photo/Norm Hall

22

Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

Attracting the very best youth hockey programs under the bright lights of Los Angeles!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND September 1 - 4, 2017

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND November 23- 26, 2017

PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND February 16-19, 2018

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A&B B . Pee Wee AA, A, BB, B . Squirt A, BB, B Mite .

A, AA, am Bant . ol Scho High AA/A 16U et Midget 18U AA/A - Midg

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND May 25 -28, 2018

Midget Open AAA . 2005 Elite & AAA & Elite 2004 2006 Elite & AAA . 2007 Elite & AAA 2008 Elite & AAA . 2009 Elite & AAA 2010 (Half Ice) . 2011 (Cross Ice)

For more information, contact tournament director Brian McDonough at (612) 220-4402 or brian@jrkingshockey.com

Registration opens on June 1, 2017!

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