New Draft League focusing on 14U travel players coming soon to Coyotes Community Ice Center
BY MATT MACKINDER Hockey continues to grow in Arizona, and the new Draft League starting up in Mesa at the Coyotes Community Ice Center is another sign of that growth out west. The founder of the league, James Maragh, said the idea “really came from roller hockey and a lot of the stuff people will see in the draft league spawns from roller.” “While I started and took the first step, the draft league wouldn’t be possible without the help of Dustin Jans, another big roller guy,” said Maragh. “Also Eddie Hill with the Mesa rink, he really liked the idea of the league and has helped out tremendously with ice times and making sure this league finds success with its inaugural season targeting the 14U age group. We hope to duplicate it over more age groups in the coming spring and summer seasons.” The league itself will be 4-on-4 full-ice play. An evaluation skate is set for Feb. 4 at the CCIC at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The live player draft will occur the beginning of March, with
a start date of the league planned for the beginning of April. “We want the level of hockey to be the highest possible, so we will want the best players possible to show up and join the league,” Maragh said. “We are hoping this creates very competitive and fun games every week leading up to the championships. We are limiting spaces in the league by capping it to four teams and inviting only travel players. “We’ve put a lot of time into scheduling and securing ice that works around all the clubs’ skill sessions during the ice season. What was priority to us was ensuring our players get to play and have fun while not intruding with their club ice stuff. This league is catering towards players that grind all season. We want a cheaper solution than playing a summer spring team and having to leave the state to compete at high levels, and we feel we can do that here locally, if done right.” For more information, visit www. draft-league.com or email Maragh at icedraftleague@gmail.com.
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Castle Pines native, Grit goaltender Lacroix makes jump to NCAA Division I Boston University at 2023-24 semester break
BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Max Lacroix spent the first half of the 2023-24 season playing for the NAHL’s Colorado Grit. Last offseason, the Castle Pines native committed to play for NCAA powerhouse Boston University once his junior career ends. Turns out that is sooner than later as Lacroix will join the Terriers for the second semester of the 2023-24 season. “I got a phone call from the coaching staff seeing if I would be interested to join the team after Christmas as they felt that I was ready to come in now,” Lacroix said. “After talking with my family and coaches, we all agreed that it was the right decision and we went ahead with it. “To be honest, I wasn’t even aware that it was possible to go in halfway, but we’ll have four goalies now. I’m just planning on being myself and helping the team in any way I can re-
Max Lacroix played the first half of the 2023-24 season for the expansion Colorado Grit franchise in the NAHL. Photo/Maddy Acorn
gardless of where I am in the lineup.” This season with the Grit, a firstyear franchise in the NAHL, Lacroix went 2-6-1-2 with a 3.16 goalsagainst average and a .914 save percentage in 12 games. “It was truly an amazing experience to play with the Grit for the first half of the season,” said Lacroix. “My parents got to come to every game, I billeted with my grandma and a few teammates, and I created lifelong friendships along the way. I’m very grateful I got the opportunity to play juniors at home.” Growing up, Lacroix played for the Arapahoe Warriors, Littleton Hawks and Colorado Thunderbirds before going to prep school at The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Mass. His father is former Colorado Avalanche player Eric Lacroix and grandfather Pierre Lacroix served as the Avalanche general manager when the team won Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001.
Jr. Kings graduate, Cypress native Minnehan commits to NCAA Division I Sacred Heart Des Moines Buccaneers forward Paul Minnehan has made his NCAA Division I commitment to NCAA Division I Sacred Heart University (Atlantic Hockey). Minnehan is a 2003-born forward from Cypress and is in his first season with the USHL’s Buccaneers after playing in the NAHL for the last three seasons, primarily with the Northeast Generals, where he was a captain last year. He has also skated for the NAHL’s Janesville Jets and USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. “I’m very happy for Paul, his family, and the opportunity he is going
to have at Sacred Heart,” said Des Moines head coach and general manager Matt Curley. “He has seen it all in his junior hockey career and the start that he has had to his last season playing juniors has alotted him this chance to further both his education and career with the Pioneers.” Minnehan has played in 24 games this season for Des Moines, scoring eight goals with 14 assists and is second in team scoring with 22 points. In his junior hockey career, Minnehan has 176 points in 175 games. Back home, Minnehan skated for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings.
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Paul Minnehan is making an impact this season with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. Photo/ Justin Scavo
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Words from the publisher...
The tree is taken down, the decorations are put away, the sales are over, and the music has stopped. It must be January. In the hockey world, the beat goes on. We are just about at the midway point of the season, in some instances a bit further along than that, and while Christmas is really, in my opinion, the most wonderful time of the year (you just got that song back in your head!), seeing hockey teams at
all levels start to take it up a notch is exciting to watch and take in from many perspectives. Really, hockey never stops. Over the holidays, we saw many Matt Mackinder teams play in tournaments and many come out on top, bringing home a snazzy banner for their home rink. That also continued this past weekend with a slew of teams winning events over
the MLK holiday. And right around the corner are playoffs and eventually, spring hockey. Some players and families take a break once playoffs end, while others keep grinding away playing the greatest game on the planet. I think one of the most exciting aspects of what we do here is that we watch many of these kids grow up right before our eyes. We recently uncovered a cover of an old Arizona Rubber edition from years ago
that featured the Arizona Bobcats and some kid named Auston Matthews. Crazy how fast times flies, you know. Let’s keep those memories flowing and getting these kids out in front of the masses. That said, remember to keep supporting Rubber Hockey! Contact me any time at (248) 890-3944 (call/text) and by email at matt@rubberhockey.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!
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2024 USPHL NCDC Combine dates announced for April, May in Detroit, Chicago, Boston The United States Premier Hockey League, and its tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference, are proud to announce their 2024 USPHL NCDC Combine Series, set to take place in Detroit, Mich. (April 12-13) and in Chicago, Ill. (May 1112). A third and new event will be held in Boston (May 18-19). Between the NCDC, the USPHL Premier and the USPHL Elite, the USPHL as a League has had more than 6,000 alumni in college hockey, with more than 3,500 playing per year. No other league at the Tier II and Tier III levels together sends more players to college hockey than the USPHL and NCDC. Registering for these Combines
will put you as a player in front of coaches at all levels of USPHL Junior Hockey, allowing you to set your own Path To College Hockey! Players born between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2008, will be eligible. Non-refundable* registration is $325 for each Combine. The USPHL provides a great value to prospective players to show their skills in front of NCDC and USPHL Premier coaches and begin new relationships that will lead you on your
path to college. Players will be guaranteed a minimum of three scrimmage games, and there will also be an informational seminar at each Combine about the United States Premier Hockey League and its unparalleled USPHL Development Model. The USPHL NCDC Detroit Combine (April 1213) will be held at the Mount Clemens Ice Arena at 200 North Groesbeck Highway, Mount Clemens, Mich., which is a 50-min-
ute drive from the Detroit Wayne County Airport. The USPHL NCDC Chicago Combine (May 11-12) will be held at the Fifth Third Arena at 1801 West Jackson Blvd., in Chicago, Ill. Fifth Third Arena is the practice facility for the Chicago Blackhawks. Located in downtown Chicago, it is just over 30 minutes drive from O’Hare International Airport, and under 30 minutes from Chicago Midway International Airport. The USPHL NCDC Boston Combine (May 18-19) will be held at the New England Sports Center at 121 Donald Lynch Blvd., which is a
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Oilers, Jr. Kings alum, San Diego native Buium pins down monthly NCHC honors for second month in a row
The NCHC has announced that Denver freshman Zeev Buium is the Rookie of the Month for December. He was also the NCHC Player of the Month for November. Buium continued his stellar play during his freshman campaign, racking up seven points, including a goal and six assists, in only four games in December. His seven points led all NCHC blueliners during the month and tied for second among all NCHC skaters in December. His six assists also tied for first in the NCHC among all players last month. The drafteligible 18-year-old recorded at least one assist and point in all four games in December to stretch his point streak to 12 games. The Pioneers went 2-0-0 in games he recorded multiple points last month. The San Diego native tallied three points in a split against then-No. 2 North Dakota to start the month, including scoring the tying goal and assisting on the overtime game-winner on Dec. 2 in a 3-2 victory. That was
Zeev Buium has been on a tear the first half of the 2023-24 hockey season. Photo/Michael Ciaglo/Clarkson Creative Photography
BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB As a second-year player this season with the NAHL’s Shreveport Mudbugs, Liam Fleet has been improving his overall game on a daily basis. For the 2025-26 season, the Denver native and Mudbugs captain will start his NCAA Division I career with the Alaska Nanooks. “It’s something that just happened over time as they had been watching during the season,” Fleet said. “I got the opportunity through my hard work and with the help of my coaches, teammates, and family.” Fleet said there is a lot of appeal to going to the Fairbanks-based school. “They are an independent program and play some of the best teams in the nation, which was a big aspect,” said
Fleet. “They are only focused on winning, and that is all I want to do. On the academic side, they are one of the top research schools. Being located in Alaska, it allows for a variety of different majors regarding nature. I haven’t decided yet, but Climate Change Engineering is something that piques my interest.” When making a decision like this, Fleet said it was hardly a one-person journey. “I’d start by thanking my family for the constant support, my coaches for developing me as a person and player, my teammates for pushing me to be better, myself for not giving up, and UAF for providing this opportunity,” said Fleet. Fleet added that he will be finishing this season with the Mudbugs, return-
enough to earn him NCHC Rookie of the Week honors. The following weekend, Buium dished out four assists in a split at then-No. 13 Western Michigan. Three of the four helpers against the Broncos came in the finale on Dec. 9, when he again had an assist on the overtime game-winner – a 6-5 victory. Buium also represented the United States on the U.S. National Junior Team, winning the IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, earlier this month. On the season, Buium leads all NCHC defensemen with five goals, 20 assists and 25 points in 18 games, with the 25 points tied for third in the NCHC and tied for fourth nationally among all skaters. His 25 points are first among all NCAA blue liners, as well. Buium is now riding a 12-game point streak into 2024 that started Nov. 3, with 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in that span. Back home, Buium skated for the SDIA Oilers and A Jr. Kings.
Hard work leads to NCAA D-I Alaska commitment for Denver native, Krivo, RoughRiders alum Fleet ing for another season in 2024-25, then going to UAF. During his youth hockey days, Fleet skated for the Krivo School of Hockey Elite and the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders and also attended TPH Academy Denver.
For more Colorado hockey news, visit CO.hockey and CORubberHockey.com! Denver’s Liam Fleet is succeeding this season with the NAHL’s Shreveport Mudbugs. Photo/ Shreveport Mudbugs
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Coachella Valley to host 2025 AHL All-Star Classic
The American Hockey League has announced that the board of governors has unanimously approved the Coachella Valley Firebirds as hosts of the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. The event will be held at Acrisure Arena, a world-class sports and entertainment venue in Palm Desert, which opened in Dec. 2022 as the home of the Firebirds. In addition, Spotlight 29 Casino has been named the presenting sponsor of the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. “In just 15 short months, the Firebirds have established themselves as one of the American Hockey League’s premier franchises, and Acrisure Arena is a crown jewel among AHL facilities,” said AHL president Scott Howson. “Our annual All-Star events provide an international stage
Acrisure Arena, the home rink for the Coachella Valley Firebrds, has been open since Dec. 2022. Photo/Acrisure Arena Facebook for hockey’s brightest young stars to shine, and we look forward to sharing this celebration of our league with the Coachella Valley in 2025.” The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Spotlight 29 Casino will
include the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, Feb. 2, followed by the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Monday, Feb. 3 and the AHL All-Star Challenge that evening.
“We are proud and honored to be selected to host the 2025 AHL AllStar Classic,” said John Page, senior vice president of Oak View Group, Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds. “It is an unbelievable privilege to be chosen in our second season and a true testament to the vision of our ownership to build a world-class venue that will serve the Coachella Valley community for years to come. This would not be possible without the support of the Oak View Group, the Seattle Kraken and our great fans in the Coachella Valley.” Fans can visit cvfirebirds.com/allstar for more information on tickets. Individual tickets for the All-Star Classic will be on sale at a later date. -- AHL Staff
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Arizona, California, Colorado products chosen for monthly USPHL accolades The USPHL and NCDC have announced its monthly awards for December, featuring six players from California and one each from Colorado and Arizona. Jean-Sebastien Pack (Rancho Palos Verdes, Utah Outliers) is the NCDC Mountain Division Defenseman of the Month, Seth Morris (Rancho Cucamonga, Seattle Totems) is the Northwest Premier Division Forward of the Month, Michael Karvelas (Totems, Pasadena) is the Northwest Premier Defenseman of the Month, Nathan Rhodes (Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, Corona) is the Southeast Elite Division Forward of the Month, Josh Bruno (Northern Cyclones, Glendora) is the New England Elite Division Forward of the Month, and Nick Cowles (Cyclones, Irvine) is the New England Elite Goaltender of the Month. The 2004-born Pack was a standout two-way threat for the Outliers for their strong December run as they tied for first in the league. He put up a goal and six assists for seven points and his 20:02 of ice time led the team. He was also second on the Outliers in blocked shots with 16 in December. He has 11 points in 29 games this season. Back home, Pack played for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings. With a 7-5-12 line over nine games in December, the ‘06 Morris rose to become No. 2 on the Totems’ scoring leaderboard for the season with 32 points in 26 games for this year. He was the No. 1 forward tapped for duty, leading all Totems forwards in ice time in December at 19:46 per game. He also won 136 of 221 draws in December for a 62% success rate, in addition to also leading the Totems forwards in blocked shots with six. He started December with a hat trick on Dec. 1 against Bellingham. During his youth hockey days, Morris skated for the California Wave, Empire Hockey Club, and Damien High School. Karvelas, an ‘04 and Jr. Kings alum, posted nine points in nine
Clockwise from top left, Jean-Sebastien Pack, Nathan Rhodes, Nick Cowles, Seth Morris, Michael Karvelas, and Josh Bruno. games with a 3-6-9 line. Karvelas has bridged November and December put together 22 points in 28 games in and contributed to a 10-point month this, his rookie junior season. Karvewith a 2-8-10 line in December. He las led the Totems with 25:02 of ice now has 91 points in 57 Elite games. time per game, and was second on Bruno skated his youth hockey the team with a plus-5 rating and 12 days for Empire, Orange County blocked shots. Hockey Club, and the Jr. Kings. Rhodes, another ‘04, averaged 1.67 Cowles, an ‘05, came to the Cypoints per game for his team as they clones this year out of the Anaheim posted 10 points – all from assists – Jr. Ducks program and won his first during the month of December, playthree games of December, including ing six games over that stretch. His a huge victory against another naplus-8 rating was second-best among tionals staple in the Florida Eels. He Jr. Canes forwards as the defending stopped all 20 shots for a shutout of national champions went undefeated the Eels, and took his only loss of the on the month. month to another nationals regular in Prior to the USPHL, Rhodes Charlotte, stopping 29 of 32 in that played with Empire, Wave, and Sergame. Overall, he stopped 74 out of vite High School. 78 shots for a .949 save percentage, The 2004-born Bruno just rejoined a 1.01 goals-against average and two the Cyclones in November and alshutouts. ready has 23 points in 15 games. He In addition to the Jr. Ducks, Cowles put up a nine-game point streak that saw time in the high school ranks for
Robert Grasso JSerra and Irvine United. Robert Grasso is the Midwest East Premier Division Forward of the Month for December. Grasso, a third-year Metro Jets Development Program player from Broomfield, registered a line of 7-5-12 during 10 games over December. The ‘04 has 22 points in 26 games for the season. Growing up in Colorado, Grasso skated for the Boulder Hockey Club and Monarch High School. Carolina Jr. Hurricanes blueliner Keaton Toenjes is the Southeast Premier Division Defenseman of the Month. Toenjes, an ‘03 from Gilbert, was outstanding for the Jr. Hurricanes, who are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. He registered 10 assists over his six December games, giving him 32 points in 27 games in his second season with Carolina. Toenjes now has 32 points in 27 games this season and 56 points in 71 career games. Back home, Toenjes played for the Arizona Bobcats and Corona del Sol High School. -- USPHL Staff
Keaton Toenjes
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NCAA Division I Long Island next hockey destination for Highlands Ranch native, LHA, Team Colorado grad Latka BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Evelyn Latka gew up playing for the Littleton Hockey Association and Team Colorado, eventually moving on to boarding school at the Culver Academies in Culver, Ind. Starting with the fall of 2025, the Highlands Ranch native will suit up for NCAA Division I Long Island University, a school based in New York. “The opportunity for me to commit to LIU arose after attending a few summer camps and showcases,” said Latka, a junior this season at Culver playing on the 19U Prep team. “The first and most important of which was the Crimson Clinic hosted by Harvard. LIU assistant coach Shelly Picard was one of the coaches running the camp after head coach Katie Stone from Harvard resigned. I had a great experience at the camp as well
Evelyn Latka is playing prep school hockey this season for Culver Academies in Culver, Ind. Photo/Camilo Morales Cabrera as getting to work with Coach Picard. After the camp, I was in constant contact with both LIU head coach Kelly Nash and Picard. I had an official visit in Oct. 2023 and shortly after that (Nov. 14) an all-expensespaid scholarship offer was made to
me.” Latka said there is a lot to be enamored with at LIU. “What appealed to me about LIU’s hockey was its community,” Latka said. “The team was very welcoming and easy to talk with. They all took
their development seriously and supported one another. I also enjoyed the coaching staff, they were fun yet focused, leading me to believe that this was an environment I could thrive in. LIU is building a new program and is at the top of their conference. Last season, they won the NEWHA conference championship and lately have been on a winning streak. I’m pretty confident that I will get to play as a freshman and will have the opportunity to help the team to future success. “As far as academics, the school is relatively small, which is what I wanted after being at Culver Academies for four years. This will allow me to focus on my academics and get a bachelor’s degree in the health sciences before I apply to medical school. I am as competitive in the classroom as I am on the ice. I strive
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For Parker native Prendergast, NCAA Division I Western Michigan commitment checks all boxes BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Tommy Prendergast’s commitment to NCAA Division I Western Michigan had been in the works for nearly a year. For the Parker native, choosing WMU, a school based in Kalamazoo, Mich., and a top team in the NCHC, was a decision worth the wait. “Western Michigan scouts saw me at a Green Bay Gamblers USHL tryout camp the summer of 2022,” explained Prendergast. “They were in contact with me throughout my season with the 16U Colorado Thunderbirds. This past summer, I was able to visit the campus and meet the coaches and then later in the summer,
I got a call from Western Michigan coaches offering me a scholarship.” Prendergast said he is unsure when he will start as a freshman with the Broncos. “When looking at Western Michigan, the structure and layout of the school’s hockey and academics really appealed to me,” Prendergast said. “They obviously have an amazing hockey team and the way they train and play was really awesome to see. They also make academics especially important and have many add-ons to the schedule to make sure their players are doing well with academics. “School has always been very important in my family and my siblings have always shown me a great ex-
ample of what a student should look like.” Back home, Prendergast first took a liking to hockey watching his brothers play and then wanting to play himself. “I started playing when I was six and I played for the DU Squirt team when I first started,” Prendergast said. “The Avs played a role in me playing hockey because we would always watch their games in our household.” Prendergast played for the Jr. Pioneers until he switched over to the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders AAA team for his 13U year. He then played for the Colorado Thunderbirds until this year where he now skates for the Northstar Knights, a Christian academy located in Alexandria, Minn. “Some coaches that stand out to me through my journey are Chris Delayne, Cam Clemenson, and my coach this year, Rylan Galiardi,” said Prendergast. “I’ll probably remember all of the connections to teammates and coaches that I have played with over the years. I will also remember the championships and big games that I got to play in during my time in Colorado.” Looking ahead, Prendergast has
Tommy Prendergast is skating the 2023-24 season for the Northstar Knights. Photo/Blake Steinbring/Bulldog Photography attainable aspirations. Drafted in the fifth round (63rd overall) by Green Bay in Phase I of the 2022 USHL Draft, Prendergast was also selected by the Boston Jr. Bruins in the 12th round (204th overall) of the 2023 NCDC Entry Draft. “My short-term goals for hockey are to finish out the rest of the season at Northstar and keep improving my game,” said Prendergast. “My longterm goals are to make the Green Bay Gamblers roster next season.”
From Jr. Grizzlies to ECHL’s Grizzlies The ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies have signed Salt Lake City native Anders Johnson. Johnson attended Skyline High School in Salt Lake City and played in 26 games with the Ogden Mustangs (then of the WSHL) in the 2018-19 season, scoring five goals and adding seven assists for 12 points.
Anders Johnson
He played at SUNY-Fredonia for three seasons from 2019-23, notching two goals and nine assists for 11 points. Also back home, Johnson suited up for the Utah Jr. Grizzlies. The Grizzlies released Johnson at the end of December.
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Colorado Springs native, Tigers lifer Turner looking ahead to junior hockey after inking tender with NAHL’s Grit BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Charlie Turner has played for the Colorado Springs Tigers from Mites through 18U, having success at each level. Now, the Colorado Springs native has the opportunity to stay in Colorado for junior hockey after recently signing a tender agreement with the NAHL’s Colorado Grit, a first-year team playing out of the Greeley Ice Haus. “I attended the Grit’s pre-draft camp last summer and from there, I got the opportunity to play in the all-star game and have a few conversations with some of the coaches,” Turner said. “This and the relationship Coach (Kevin) Holmstrom has with the guys up there allowed me to get on the radar of the Grit and ultimately allowed for the tender. “The Grit seem very appealing. It truly seems like joining a family and the community around them is very supportive. They already have several NCAA Division I commitments in their first year as a club, which is very impressive. I think the opportunity they have created for Colorado kids to stay in state and play a very high level of junior hockey is amazing. I am beyond exited that I have the opportunity to be a part of the Grit, and I feel very lucky that I can pursue playing in the NAHL while only being a few hours from home.” This season, Turner is enjoying playing for the Tigers’ 18U AAA squad, calling it “one of the best seasons of hockey I have been a part of.” “The team is just coming off a 14-
Colorado Springs’ Charlie Turner will be staying in Colorado to start his junior hockey career next season. Photo/Andrew Peng game win streak, which definitely helped get some guys on radars,” said Turner. “Holmstrom and the coaching staff have done an excellent job and know that the team still has another level to reach. Personally, I have been able to put up a good number of points, but I don’t think a single one was an individual play. We work as a team for every point that goes up on the board, and that is what has led to our success thus far.” Growing up, Turner said the game of hockey has been in his blood, quite literally. “My mom’s side of the family comes from the Maritimes in eastern
Canada,” explained Turner. “My grandfather played hockey, which led to me and all my siblings playing. My older brother Ben played for Doherty High School and he was ultimately the one that made me want to start playing. My hometown is Colorado Springs and I originally started with roller hockey until I was old enough to join the Tigers’ Mites program. Colorado College also had a big impact on me and going to games at the World Arena was one of my favorite things to do when I was younger.” Playing for the Tigers has been a lifelong thrill as well.
“I have been a Tiger my whole life - from Mites to 18U AAA, I have always worn the logo,” Turner beamed. “Coaches Peter Geronazzo, Louis Remillard, Lance Leafers, and Joe Delich all had a big impact on me in my younger years with the Tigers and I am very thankful they were a part of my path. For my first year of AAA hockey, Shaun Hathaway brought me a winning season and helped adapt me to the new level. Joey Carroll has been my main skills coach and has been a major part of my development. Most importantly, Kevin Holmstrom has helped me develop into a player that is ready for the next level and has helped me navigate the world of juniors. I would like to thank all these coaches for everything they have done for me. This would not be possible without them. “Colorado has been a great place to grow up playing hockey. I think I will remember all the relationships I have built through hockey. My best friends have come from the sport, and I would encourage anyone to put their kids in hockey because of the lifelong friends that come from it.” The Grit tender signed and junior hockey now a realistic option, Turner doesn’t want to look too far ahead. “I think it’s important to not lose focus on the next 20 games of this season,” said Turner. “I think a focus on staying consistent and being in the present is important. As far as longterm goals go, I would love to extend my hockey career into college, and I think tendering with the Grit is a very exciting and important step in that process.”
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Aspen native, Colorado College netminder Mbereko garners monthly NCHC honors The NCHC has announced that Colorado College sophomore Kaidan Mbereko is the Goaltender of the Month. Mbereko started all four Colorado College games in December, posting a 2-1-1 record in net. He ranked third in the NCHC with both a .926 save percentage and a 1.95 goals-against average during the month. Mbereko racked up 100 saves in December, averaging 25 saves per game, while allowing only two goals in each of his four starts. The Aspen native compiled 46 saves in a series with future NCHC member Arizona State to start the month. He racked up 34 stops, including 19 in the first period, in a 2-2 overtime tie on Dec. 1 for his second-
Kaidan Mbereko makes a pad save against North Dakota during a game played last month in Grand Forks, N.D. Photo/Russell Hons
highest save total of the season. His best outings came a week later, when he backstopped CC to a pair of 3-2 overtime wins at then-No. 1 North Dakota. Mbereko compiled 32 saves in the series opener on Dec. 8, before making 22 more stops in another overtime win a night later. He was named NCHC Goaltender of the Week for his efforts at UND. Mbereko improved to 9-6-1 overall this season, while upping his season save percentage to .912, which is third in the NCHC. He also lowered his season GAA to 2.52, which sits fifth in the NCHC. During his youth hockey days, Mbereko played for the Aspen Leafs and the Rocky Mountain Snow Kings.
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Thunderbirds, Cherry Creek alum Tauoa taking game to next level, signs tender with NCDC’s Spud Kings BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Max Tauoa only played two years of hockey in Colorado, but those two seasons were beneficial to getting the Oklahoma City native on the hockey map. Playing this season out east for the Atlantic Coast Academy, located in Pittsfield, Mass., Tauoa recently signed an NCDC tender with the Idaho Falls Spud Kings and looks to be a full-time player there next season. “The assistant coach in Idaho Falls, Josh Rabbani, previously coached here at Atlantic Coast and was able to get eyes on me,” Tauoa said. “They
were able to watch me and gave him the green light to offer me a tender agreement. Obviously, what stands out at first are the crowds they draw in. I think it’s really amazing and such a cool atmosphere. I had heard a lot of positive talk about them over the summer at the rinks and when I looked further into it, I was in awe. Once I was offered the tender, I began to ask around as there are two guys on my team who played there and they had nothing but positive things to say. Also, having met Josh and having a positive relationship with him prior to the offer was a key factor. The fact that they’re out west
was the cherry on top. “I’ve heard nothing but awesome things about their overall situation there as far as living and playing, so I’m super excited about that. I’ve seen videos of the crowds they draw in and I’m super pumped to play in front of that audience. It won’t just be fun, but it’ll prepare me for higher levels.” Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Tauoa said he was introduced to hockey when he was eight years old by neighbors from across the street. “Being 100% Samoan, it was very unheard of to even step foot on the ice, but once I did, I instantly fell
in love with the game,” said Tauoa. “Typically, football or rugby are the sports of choice in our culture, but I liked the fact that I was taking a different route.” Making the move to Colorado, Tauoa spent the 2020-21 season with the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 14U AAA team and then the 2022-23 season playing high school hockey for Cherry Creek. “I had two amazing coaches who taught me very different things,” Tauoa said. “When I was with the T-Birds, I played for Phil Patenaude
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TAUOA Continued from Page 13 and when I was at Creek, I played for Jeff Mielnicki. Coach Phil really helped elevate my game from a Tier II player into a high-level Tier I defenseman. Phil took me under his wing and helped me play a more mature game. Coach Mel was someone who taught me about life and what it meant to have fun with hockey again. “These are two amazing people who have impacted my life in a positive way.” Even in just those two years, Tauoa said he has many memories from his days in Colorado. “The main thing would be my family coming to watch me play,” said Tauoa. “I love when they’re there supporting me, especially my little brother. But aside from that, I would
Max Tauoa is spending the 2023-24 season playing hockey at the Atlantic Coast Academy. Photo/Cody Houghtling
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say just playing with my best friends. There’s a small group of us that talk consistently and are still super close, and to think that we all used to play on the same team is surreal. I loved being on the same bench as them and battling with rival teams like Dallas, Arizona, and even the (Rocky Mountain) RoughRiders. Those were fun times.” His junior hockey path set, Tauoa has started to focus on his long-yerm future as well. “I plan on playing NCAA Division I college hockey and ultimately have the goal to play in the National Hockey League,” Tauoa said. “As far as outside of hockey, I want to give back to the Samoan community in some way and introduce more Polynesian kids to the sport. “Overall, I want to impact the world in a positive way.”
Time with NCDC’s Jr. Comets looking to open doors to future for Boulder native Gatewood BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Payne Gatewood has been around hockey his entire life, and he’s hoping to extend that past junior hockey. Now in his second season with the NCDC’s Utica Jr. Comets, the Boulder native is playing his final season of junior hockey with an eye on playing NCAA hockey in 2024-25. For now, he’s relishing every minute with the New York-based team. “I was given the opportunity to skate with the team during my senior year at Nichols School and I loved everything about the organization,” Gatewood said. “I was offered a tender shortly after that and played my first year of juniors there. This season, I started out in North Dakota with the (NAHL’s) Minot Minotauros but was released after the showcase in Blaine, Minn. I called Coach Lou (Educate, head coach of Utica) and he welcomed me back with open arms. Although I was released, I have found my groove in Utica and I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys and coaching staff in my age-
out season.” Going back two years, Gatewood said the initial thought of playing in Utica was a positive that has continued to this day. “Honestly, everything about the Utica Jr. Comets was appealing,” said Gatewood. “The players, the coaches, and the facilities blew me away the first time I skated with the team. We play at the Adirondack Bank Center, which is the home rink for the Utica Comets in the AHL. Additionally, we have the Nexus Center, which was built halfway through last season. The Nexus Center has two more sheets of ice and a new gym for our team. My teammates are selfless and play for the logo on the front, not for the name on the back. The coaching staff provides constant feedback, tips, and constructive criticism, which is very beneficial for the team and for individual development. “The Jr. Comets organization is certainly a diamond in the rough.” With the holiday break now in the past, Gatewood is focused on finishing the rest of the season on a high
Payne Gatewood is serving as team captain of the NCDC’s Utica Jr. Comets for the 2023-24 season. Photo/Kyle Martino
note. “This season has been close to perfect for both myself and the team,” Gatewood said. “The first day I arrived in Utica this season, myself and other returning players have emphasized the importance of building a winning culture, which is something the team has lacked in years past. Coach Educate has embraced our ideas and really helped engrave the winning mentality into the core of our team. Everything we do is by committee, which is hard to attain at the junior level. I am extremely proud of every individual thus far, and I couldn’t be happier to lead such a great group of people. “Personally, I have really found my game this year. Over the summer, I skated with former NHLer Zenon Konopka, who has been my skill development coach the past few years. My offensive instincts and IQ have elevated a lot, and I credit much of that to Coach Konopka. He focuses on teaching hockey IQ and timing,
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LATKA Continued from Page 9 for nothing less than As and take AP courses when I can. My favorite classes tend to be the ones I find difficult but still succeed in.” Looking back, Latka said hockey became a passion early in her life. “Growing up, I had always watched the Avs play hockey, but my primary reason for becoming a hockey player was my family,” said Latka. “I was always in the rink while my brother was playing, and my dad coached and used to play and my mom enjoyed watching, making my future of playing hockey inevitable. I started when I was four playing 8U with the Littleton Hawks. I played boys hockey until I was 13, finally making the switch to girls hockey after my last season on the LHA Bantam AA team. We decided
RUBBER HOCKEY that it was time to switch to prevent any injuries and to get exposure to college coaches that was not offered in boys hockey.” During her time playing youth hockey in Colorado, Latka said she had several coaches that helped her recognize the talent she had. “I played boys hockey at LHA from 8U through minor 14U AA,” explained Latka. “During my time at LHA, I also played two years with Team Colorado as a 12-year-old on the 14U AAA tournament team and the 16U AAA team. In my second year of 14U, I switched to girls hockey and spent one year with Team Colorado’s 14U AAA team before I left Colorado to go to boarding school. I have had so many great coaches in my hockey career but the coaches in Colorado that had the most positive impact on me were Cole Fletcher, currently with LHA, and Karen Rickard, currently with Team Colorado.
As far as other coaches not in Colorado, my current head coach, Cory Whitaker, has had the most impact on my hockey career.” Moving forward, Latka has her sights set on making a difference, both on and off the ice. “My short-term goal for hockey right now is to continue to perform at a high level but also grow some areas of my game that if fine tuned could greatly increase my performance, such as shot accuracy and skating form,” Latka said. “A long-term goal for me regarding hockey is to help grow the LIU program while also winning a conference championship. For my short-term goal academically, I would like to continue to get good grades but also take some more AP classes to get some college credits. Academically, my long-term goal is to graduate and further my education in medicine to become a neurosurgeon.”
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Evelyn Latka played for LHA and Team Colorado AAA before heading off to Culver and next season, to NCAA Division I LIU. Photo/ Camilo Morales Cabrera
To register for these TCS Hockey tournaments, visit TCSHockey.com!
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COMBINES Continued from Page 5 60-minute drive from Boston’s Logan International Airport. Combine Offerings The cost for each two-day combine is $325, with a three-game guarantee. Also included: accredited on-ice officials, and medical staff on site. There will also be a Q&A/information seminar during each combine, where players and their parents, if in attendance, can ask questions directly of NCDC coaches and USPHL League officials. The USPHL and its tuition-free division, the NCDC, are providing an unparalleled, comprehensive onand off-ice recruiting opportunity for players from throughout the world. Sign up today, as registration will be limited. WHY NCDC COMBINES? The USPHL is uniquely positioned
GATEWOOD Continued from Page 14 which has helped me showcase my physical skills much more than previous years.” Growing up, hockey turned into a unique experience for Gatewood. “My dad is from Buffalo, so I grew up watching the Sabres,” explained Gatewood. “I would always watch the games with him and I fell in love it instantly. The speed, skill, and toughness of the game is unlike any other sport, and it became my dream to play for the Sabres. Although the Avs weren’t my favorite team,
RUBBER HOCKEY to facilitate a clear pathway for players graduating from Bantam who are looking to progress through Midget and Junior Hockey on to college and professional hockey. Each division provides a critical step in the progression to fulfilling a player’s ultimate goal of becoming a collegiate and/or professional hockey player. The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), which operates in 26 of the 50 United States, is the Nation’s largest junior amateur ice hockey league. The league is comprised of more than 150 junior and midget teams selected to participate in specific USPHL divisions based on geography, strong player pools, rink ownership and history of success and integrity at the highest level. About the NCDC The NCDC is the USPHL’s Tier II Tuition-Free Level that features 18 teams in the northeastern U.S. and Rocky Mountain States. The world’s top players now have both Eastern
and Western U.S. options for development towards an NCAA Division I career, as well as potential pro hockey beyond college. With the unmatched USPHL Showcase Series, NCDC players have several opportunities each season to play in front of several scouts at well-attended multi-day, and often multi-tiered events. There are more than 700 former players from the USPHL’s top division skating with NCAA hockey teams during the 2023-24 season. There were more than 250 NCAA commitments made by former NCDC players between 2017 and 2023. The NHL has also taken notice as the League saw three players selected directly out of the NCDC in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Alumni of USPHL organizations currently skating in the NHL include players such as Jack Eichel, Charlie Coyle, John Marino, Jimmy Vesey, and Stanley Cup Champions Zach Sanford, Trevor
Van Riemsdyk and Brian Dumoulin. About The USPHL The United States Premier Hockey League of 2023-24 is the nation’s largest junior amateur ice hockey league and the only league to span the continental United States and parts of Canada. From Seattle to San Diego, and from Maine to Florida, the USPHL has a home for studentathletes with the skill and determination to play college hockey. Overall, across all its divisions, the USPHL has more than 3,500 alumni playing college hockey at all levels each year and more than 250 playing pro hockey, including in the NHL. * = Refunds will be available for those registered players who medically cannot attend the Combines. A doctor’s note will be required to begin the refund process. To register for the Combines, visit NCDCHockey.com. -- USPHL Staff
I always loved going to the games and cheering them on. I started skating was when I was four years old, and the first team I played on was in Nederland. The rink was outdoors in the mountains and we got dressed in heated sheds. Practicing there was surreal, and I never wanted to leave. I grew up in Boulder, so driving to Nederland to skate was a long drive, especially when it snowed, but I loved it there. “When I reached Mites, I played for the Boulder Bison, where I played all the way up to Bantams. During my time with the Bison, I made unforgettable memories, winning state championships, Silver Sticks, and
more. I credit a lot of my success today to my coaches at Boulder Hockey Club: Bobby Dominski, Chris Lockrem, and James Mercure, who all taught me the fundamentals of the game, while also being great role models and coaches. The coaches and teammates who I spent many years with is something I will never forget. I still have friends who I talk to regularly who I haven’t seen in over six years. The amount of extra hours Coach Lockrem, Coach Dominski, and Coach Mercure spent with me to improve my game is mind blowing, and I am extremely grateful for them for helping me become the player I am today.”
After the NCDC season wraps in a couple months, Gatewood is banking on advancing up the hockey ladder once again. “As of right now, my main goal is to play NCAA D-I hockey,” Gatewood said. “If that doesn’t work out, there are some great D-III schools I am interested in as well. I want to play pro after college if the opportunity presents itself, but I also want to have a strong education for life outside of hockey. I currently don’t know what I want to study, but I will be exploring more in detail after the season.”
NAHL’s Grit tab Stewart new team president As the calendar flipped to 2024, the NAHL’s Colorado Grit made a major announcement, naming Chris Stewart the club’s new team president. A seasoned professional with an illustrious career, Stewart brings a wealth of experience, vision and championship-winning expertise to the organization. Stewart is most notably recognized for his significant contributions as the head coach and general manager
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of the Colorado Eagles during their tenure in the Central Hockey League and the ECHL. His coaching prowess has been marked by an impressive trio of Ray Miron President’s Cups, establishing him as a transformative figure in the world of hockey. “I look forward to the next chapter in my hockey career,” Stewart said. “I have been blessed with great people throughout my 40 years in this industry.”
Photo/Jordan Reyes/ Colorado Eagles
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