COLORADO RAMPAGE
Rampage 15U team hitting the ground running in T1EHL play By Steve Stein
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o far, so good for the Colorado Rampage 15U AAA team in the first year USA Hockey has made the age level a national program. Coach Marc Boxer's club won only four of its first 10 games in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL), but went 3-1 in a league showcase from Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Troy, Mich. "We're starting to develop a team identity," Boxer said. Andrew Sherman, Rampage board chairman, thinks he's found the perfect coach for the team. "Marc has a nice way about him with kids and parents. He has a really good demeanor," he said. "He keeps everyone informed about what's happening with the team in a weekly email." Another positive, Sherman said, is Boxer's "incredible relationships with junior hockey and college coaches." "When Marc shows up at a tournament or showcase, he's almost a celebrity. He knows everyone," he said. "It takes a lot of work to build up that many relationships." Boxer has been coaching hockey for 20 years. His resume ranges from youth to college (Michigan Tech) to the pros (Memphis River Kings of the Central Hockey League). He's been involved with USA Hockey national teams and player development since 2003 and has been director of junior hockey for USA Hockey since 2011. After a one-year hiatus from coaching to recharge, he said, he was given the opportunity to coach the new Rampage 15U AAA team and he jumped at the chance.
A big draw was a chance to coach his son, Jack, who kids," Boxer said. "On the other hand, while I try to give played for the Rampage 14U AAA team last year. everyone ice time, everyone needs to be accountable, stay Having a father coach his son is always an interesting focused, and buy into what we're trying to do." dynamic. Boxer experienced it himself in the 1996-1997 Most of the players on the Rampage 15U AAA team season when his father, Herb, coached the River Kings. are from Colorado. Others come from New Mexico, Utah "Mostly, though, I've watched father-and-son coach- and Wyoming. and-player relationships from a disThe roster also includes skaters tance," he said. "You have to keep McClain Beaudette, Miles Breneverything in perspective and treat all ner, Nicholas Cimino, Quinn your players the same, although I do Connolly, Soren Cooley, Richard ask a little more of Jack at times. It's Flores, Keaton Foy, Alexander important to be transparent with no Gomez, Lucas Helland, Lachlan agenda. Every player needs praise Henderson, Jake Jensen, Cadan and a little push at times." LeValley, Ryan Malensek, Jayden Boxer said his coaching philosoNieman, Carter Rapalje and Patphy doesn't involve a lot of structure. rick Ryan and goalies Jackson He wants his players to learn to react Broussard and Evan Crawford. to what's happening on the ice. Boxer was born in Dallas, Tex., "It's not good for a player to overand began playing youth hockey in Hancock, Mich. think things – it can cause stress and After playing for the Des Moines distractions," he said. Head coach Marc Boxer has led the Colorado And that could affect the No. 1 pri- Rampage 15U AAA team to early-season suc- Buccaneers of the United States ority of each coach of a youth hockey cess in September and October within the Tier 1 Hockey League (USHL) from 198991, he went on to a four-year career team: skill development. If a player has Elite Hockey League. a good skill set and is determined and passionate, there's a at Miami (Ohio) University and played professionally in the East Coast Hockey League and Central Hockey League good chance he'll continue to move on.� Coaching 15-year-olds offers unique challenges. At this and in Germany. He was an assistant coach with the Rivage, players are transitioning from adolescence to becom- er Kings from 1998-99 and at Michigan Tech from 19992001 before serving as manager of youth hockey at USA ing a young adult. "It's important for everyone to remember these are Hockey from 2003-10.
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