Jacks of All Trades Roller hockey is icing on the cake for talented group of Beckman High players By Phillip Brents
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shutout this season. Senior John Gardner, coming off an injury from last year, leads the Beckman II team in skill, leadership and competitiveness, according to the coach. Both Beckman inline teams sported 4-0 records in their respective groups through the first weekend in December. “We should be the favorites, but I see other teams getting better and better as weeks go by, so we will have to stay ready,” Dan Maxwell said. The elder Maxwell, who serves as an assistant coach on the Beckman ice hockey team, has deep roots in roller hockey. He is the head coach of the
man-on-man defensive players as a team. “Roller helps the ice players possess the puck longer and look for more calculated opportunities rather than just dumping it. Also, with only four players and wide-open spaces, each player must be a better all-around player. They can’t hide and must be able to play both offense and defense and therefore, passing and stick-handling improve dramatically. “Ice helps the roller players win stick battles, be more physical for better corner work and board battles and usually helps them be more tenacious and play at a high tempo. With less space and time, they tend to learn how to make quick decisions.”
tudents at Beckman High School in Irvine have taken a liking to both ice and inline hockey, with much success. The Patriots are currently fielding two teams – Beckman I and Beckman II – in the Anaheim Ducks Inline Scholastic League’s (ADISL) fall/winter season. Both squads draw heavily on the Beckman ice hockey program in the ADISL’s sister league, the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League (ADHSHL). Beckman I captured Division 1 championships in both the ADISL’s fall and spring seasons in 2016-17, while Beckman II captured the Division 3 championship during the 2016New horizons 17 fall season. The ADISL is fielding 22 teams Beckman I is considered the more solid during the current fall/winter season and and experienced of the two Patriot teams, Crossroads Christian is among three according to head coach Dan Maxwell. newcomers to the league. “They are mostly ice players who are According to manager Brad Northcutt, taking a liking to roller,” Maxwell said. there is a lot of excitement among players “They are using the ADISL as a great on the school’s first-year entry. complement to growing their game. Both “We see our team as the embodiment teams are very successful at this point. Our of the Anaheim Ducks’ approach to goals are to win their respective divisions.” building fans of the game,” Northcutt said. Beckman I senior Hayden Maxwell, “Crossroads started with participation in the assistant captain on the school’s ice the SCORE street hockey event for fourth hockey team, sets the tone on the floor graders about 8-9 years ago. When the in quarterbacking plays and puck control Ducks started the i3 Jr. High League, on the roller hockey team. Senior Alex Crossroads was one of the first four teams. Altman, the captain of the ice hockey “Today, we’re glad to report that all team, has become more comfortable on but two of our high school players came wheels and his play has correspondingly Students on the Beckman High School team in the Anaheim Ducks Inline Scholastic through those programs and represent League have taken both ice and inline hockey to heart as they develop their skills. Crossroads Christian.” improved. “He (Altman) started later than the others in Militia/HB Groove travel roller hockey programs Despite fielding a very young squad, with about roller and has become a huge asset,” Dan Maxwell and also serves as the State Wars California state 50 percent being freshmen, Crossroads Christian said. has been competitive right from the start. director. Juniors J.P. Panisa, Grayson Yada and John “We have several players who play club hockey Maxwell said the Beckman players benefit from Jogiel have also become top players in the ADISL the best of both worlds in developing their hockey currently, both roller and ice – this group of players for Beckman I. skills. The goal is to become more creative by is exceptionally well bonded,” Northcutt said. Meanwhile, goaltenders Max Dei Rossi and getting all their teammates involved. “Our goal for the current year is to establish a Danny Tasigeorgos, who are interchangeable “Roller hockey is a great way to get these kids successful team that will continue to draw players between the teams, have been solid. time and space to make plays and use each other to our school and grow the love of this sport. “They have not seen a lot of shots, but are doing more than they may on ice,” Maxwell said. “I’m “With a total school enrollment of around 125 an outstanding job,” the Beckman coach said. hoping this will carry over to the ice game and students to get more than 10 percent to play on Tasigeorgos, in fact, recorded the league’s first make them better players off the puck, and better this team has been so gratifying.”
Nor Cal Cup starts anew over Thanksgiving Weekend M
any of the teams that competed in the Nor Cal Cup’s Thanksgiving Weekend event, Nov. 2526 in San Jose, will make the trek down the coast to compete in January’s NARCh Winternationals in Huntington Beach. The mix of Northern and Southern California teams should make for a highly competitive event. This year’s Nor Cal Cup entry list included 41 teams from Cub (6U) through Junior/Men’s (adult). Championship awards were presented in 12 subdivisions, including Gold and Silver-level tiers. The Revision Revolution fielded nine teams in six divisions – Atom (8U), Mite (10U), Squirt (12U), Pee Wee (14U), Bantam (16U) and Midget (18U) – and won three division titles: Squirt Gold, Pee Wee Silver and Midget. The Mission Mayhem was also represented in six divisions (Atom through Midget) and won three division titles: Mite, Pee Wee Gold and Bantam Silver.
The Silicon Valley Quakes entered teams in five lead their respective divisions in scoring. Jaisal Patel of the Mayhem (Pee Wee) recorded a divisions (Atom through Bantam) and had two division perfect 1.000 save percentage – champions: Atom and Bantam 29 saves on 29 shots – to lead Gold. all division top goaltender award Additional division champions winners. included the Square Pants (Cub), Ethan Bach of the Revo River Rats (Squirt Silver), NCR Black 99s (Midget) posted a .925 Konixx Elite (Men’s Gold) and save percentage, while Jake Verbero Cypress (Men’s Silver). Fuss of the Quakes (Bantam) Aiyhden Martinez of the recorded a .919 save percentage. Suiciide Squad (Squirt) and The 2018 NARCh Hudson Fox of Jr. Sharks Roller Winternationals, scheduled Jan. 14U (Pee Wee) each tallied 15 The Silicon Valley Quakes captured the Bantam points to lead division high scorer Gold Division championship at November’s Nor 12-15 at THE RINKS-Huntington award winners. Cal Cup Thanksgiving Weekend event in San Beach Inline, features 15 divisions, ranging from 6U to 40-and-over, Cooper Haung of the Jose. Photo/NARCh Revolution 07 (Mite), Nathan Durrans of the Silicon plus women’s and NARCh Pro divisions. Valley Quakes (Bantam) and Chase Edwards of the Revo Black 99s (Midget) each collected 11 points to - Phillip Brents CARubberHockey.com
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