FROM THE EDITOR The grind of the hockey season has arrived – embrace it, folks
W
ell, the kids are back in school, the rinks are all going full blast and families’ schedules will be packed for the next 6-7 months. Yep, hockey season has arrived. All levels of our great game are kicking into high gear with hopes for the players to gradually improve and develop this season. Any coach will tell you that trophies, banners and medals are second on the priority list – and a long second at that – to player development. Those championships are certainly nice, but if each player on a team improves over the course of a season, those special accolades will handle themselves. For the players out there – enjoy this game and Matt Mackinder give it all you got each time you’re at the rink for onice or off-ice training, practice or games. Be real with your decision to play the game of hockey. For the parents out there – relish every moment you have with your kids at the rink, in the car or just talking hockey at the dinner table or restaurant. Time flies. Take advantage of these days while you can. To everyone involved in any role in our game – enjoy the season, have fun, smile, and keep making memories. Congratulations to Cypress native Jackson Wozniak on earning the ‘C’ this season for the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Grand Prairie Storm! As a youth, Wozniak skated for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings. With Clayton Stoner joining the coaching staff of the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights’ 12U AA team this year, he becomes the second program coach with NHL playing experience, joining Brian Salcido, who coaches with the Jr. Golden Knights’ 10U and 14U AA teams. “The 2019-20 coaching staff brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience at all levels,” said Jr. Golden Knights executive director Darren Eliot. “As interest and participation continues to flourish here in Las Vegas, expanding and diversifying our program is a priority.” The Jr. Golden Knights have also added a new 12U girls team this season.
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Publisher/editor: Matt Mackinder senior designer: Julie Rippy
ROLLING TO GOLD
Manhattan Beach native Shane McColgan is back home as the new head coach and general manager of the Western States Hockey League’s Valencia Flyers. “I pledge to dedicate myself to build and coach the best possible team for this upcoming season,” McColgan said. “I plan to not only focus on building every player’s personal and team skills but to instill the necessary life lessons needed to succeed in this highly competitive world.” McColgan, who played youth hockey for the Jr. Kings, was a fifth-round draft pick (134th overall) by the New York Rangers in the 2011 NHL Draft. USA Hockey announced over the summer the 17-player roster for the 2019-20 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, and goalie Jen Lee (San Francisco) and defenseman Ralph DeQuebec (San Pedro) will represent Team USA. In addition, San Diego natives and San Diego Ducks forwards Sarah Bettencourt and Lera Doederlein made the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team with Las Vegas natives and Vegas Golden Knights Sled Hockey team forward Brianna Atkins and goaltender Hope Bevilhymer. Las Vegas native and Golden Knights Sled Hockey forward Isaac Escobedo also earned a spot on the roster for the 2019-20 U.S. Men’s Development Sled Hockey Team. Congrats, everyone! We have several advancements to mention as Laguna Niguel native and former Jr. Kings, Anaheim Jr. Ducks and Wildcats goaltender Connor Duffy committed over the summer to NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He played last season for the Western States Hockey League’s Ontario Avalanche. El Segundo native Matt Millar is back home as goaltending development coach for the AHL’s Ontario Reign and former San Jose Jr. Sharks girls coach and program coordinator Amanda Long, a Ukiah native, is now the women’s hockey director of operations at NCAA D-I Minnesota State University.
Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4
California Rubber Hockey Magazine
Irvine’s Laura Veharanta led the gold medal-winning Team USA Senior Women’s Inline Hockey Team in scoring at the 2019 World Roller Games, which were held this past summer in Barcelona. More inline coverage on Pages 9, 10, 22 and 23. Photo/World Skate
ON THE COVER Players from the Golden State Elite program have the Eagles going in a positive direction as the 2019-20 season gets underway. Pictured back row, from left to right, are Carter Hathaway (16U-1 AA), Derek McGrew (16U-2 AA) and Alex Kowalewski (18U AA). Pictured front row, from left to right, are Noah Tano (14-1 AA) and Max Oppenheim (14-2 AA). Photo/Randy Lashinski