Rubber Hockey - September 2025 by Rubber Hockey Magazines

USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame gaining momentum with first induction ceremony slated for October

The USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame was created to honor players 80 years and older who continue to play the game and inspire generations of hockey players with their passion and perseverance.

Housed at the Blue Sport Stable in Superior, Colo., the USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame is an entity created to recognize the remarkable group within the 80-plus hockey community who continue to play and/or contribute to the game’s culture and legacy. Inductees in the hall embody the spirit of perseverance, passion, and dedication, coupled with healthy aging, thus inspiring future generations within the hockey community and beyond. The hall is governed by a board of directors, and its activities are managed by the founding director and members of the board.

This year’s induction ceremony will take place on October 4.

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Words

from the publisher...

The hockey season has arrived!

Yes, indeed, it’s now mid-September and practices and games are happening all across our coverage areas. You love to see it! Don’t get me wrong. I love summer. I love the break from the grind of the season. But there’s nothing like hockey season.

If my math is accurate, this is Year 20 of Rubber Hockey in one way, shape or form. That can’t be right. Oh, but it is!

Back in 2006, Brian McDonough founded Rubber Hockey and ran it with professionalism and gusto up until 2017 when I took the reins. What a ride it’s been, you know? And we’re still going strong!

Want to join the program? Call or text me at (248) 890-3944 or send me an email at mackindermedia@yahoo.com and I’ll fill you in. Until this time next month...

- Matt Matt Mackinder

Staying out West

Several California connections have recently signed with WHL teams

ABOVE: Kaeden Tate

BELOW: Evan Enck

ABOVE: Nolan Caffey

BELOW: Gabriel Belanger

ABOVE: Hunter Kapen

BELOW: Collin Kim

Parker native Karsh says NCAA Division I Yale

commitment ‘a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’

Remi Karsh has dedicated much of her young life to the game of hockey.

That passion recently paid off for the Parker native with a commitment to NCAA Division I Yale.

“Through numerous tournaments and showcases throughout my high school career, I have gotten the opportunity to play in front of a variety of different colleges,” explained Karsh. “Starting on June 15 of this summer, colleges were finally allowed to start reaching out to express their interest in players. About a month after June 15, I received some interest from Coach Bolding at Yale. We continued to have conversations to get to know each other throughout the summer. Later on, I received an offer for a roster spot as an incoming freshman in 2027.

“The chance to further my education at Yale, while also being a part of an elite hockey team, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Hockey is one thing, but being able to study and grow academically at an institution like Yale is also something that excites Karsh.

“For as long as I can remember, school has always been a priority for me,” Karsh said. “The mindset of maintaining good grades, as well as focusing on hockey, has been instilled in me from a young age.”

Remi Karsh played the 2024-25 season at the Winchendon School. Photo/Hannah Haines

After four-year junior hockey career, Arvada native Winters off to pro hockey ranks in FPHL

Photo/Paul

Camden Winters played four seasons of junior hockey in two leagues in three different states.

The Arvada native played for the USPHL’s Bold City Battalion in 2024-25 after prior stops with the Vernal Oilers (then in the CAJHL) and Battle Creek Kernels (USPHL). After his one year with the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Battalion, Winters signed to play pro hockey last spring with the FPHL’s HC Venom in New York.

For the 2025-26 season, Winters recently signed with the FPHL’s Biloxi Breakers.

“Being in Jacksonville was a good transition for me to truly leave somewhere like BC that felt like home and give myself a fresh start for my last season,” said Winters. “I felt the Florida Division offered me the best competition and chances at growing my game. I had multiple phone calls for places to call home, but I had some hometown buddies I played roller hockey with that ended up getting me a spot in Florida and I couldn’t pass up the chance to play with childhood friends my last season.”

Prior to junior hockey, Winters played for the Arvada Hockey Association and Hyland Hills Jaguars. Read more at CORubberHockey.com!

Active EHL and EHLP alumni playing for NCAA programs during the 2025-26 season

Playing for NA3HL’s Montanabased Icedogs a homecoming of sorts for Aurora native Ryan

Photo/@slap_shots_by_mkase

Jack Ryan is in his second season as a goaltender with the NA3HL’s Bozeman Icedogs and has had a quick start out of the gate.

Last week, the Aurora native was named the Frontier Division Star of Week after picking up two wins.

“I wanted to play for Bozeman because I have family out here,” explained Ryan. “I contacted (head coach) Mike Perkins and he liked me and he ended up tendering and signing me.”

For Parker native, Hawks, Warriors alum Lauren, signing with NA3HL’s RoadRunners ‘a big deal for me’

Eli Lauren knew after the 2024-25 season that he wanted to play junior hockey but needed to find the right opportunity.

Earlier this summer, the Parker native got that chance, signing with the NA3HL’s Texas RoadRunners.

“What appeals to me about the RoadRunners and the NA3 is the opportunity to compete at a higher level and continue developing my game.,” said Lauren. “Moving to Texas is a big deal for me.”

Growing up, Lauren played for the Arapahoe Warriors and Littleton Hawks.

Photo/Craig Fletcher

Arvada product Leivian wraps junior days, commits to NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce

After two seasons with the NA3HL’s Norwich Sea Captains, Arvada native Chase Leivian has parlayed those seasons into an opportunity with NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce. A freshman this season at the Rindge, N.H.-based school, Leivian spent the 2024-25 season as Norwich’s captain.

“I am extremely excited for Chase that he has earned this opportunity to continue his academic and hockey careers at Franklin Pierce,” said Sea Captains head coach Kevin Cunningham. “Chase is everything that a coach wants in a player – skilled, smart, tough, committed, a great teammate, and outstanding leader.”

“School has always been critical to me,” Leivian added. “I have always taken pride in my work, and I have known I wanted to be a collegiate player, which school is obviously a

significant part of. I am majoring in accounting and finance with a minor in business, which will be a great academic fit.”

Leivian played for the Arvada Hockey Association from Mites through Pee Wees. He then spent his 14U A, 14U AA, and 16U AA seasons with the Boulder Hockey Club. Overlapping Leivian’s time at Boulder was his high school hockey career at Ralston Valley where he spent his freshman and sophomore years. Leivian also played 16U AAA for the Colorado Rampage before playing 18U AAA for the Colorado Thunderbirds. He wrapped his youth career with a second year at the Rampage, playing 18U AAA.

Photo/Patrick Garriepy

Benjamin off to new challenges at NCAA D-III Norwich as Surprise native knows ‘college hockey is on a different level’

Niko Benjamin left his mark on the NCDC and now the Surprise native is looking to do the same in college at NCAA Division III Norwich.

On Feb. 23, Benjamin set the all-time regular season games played record for the NCDC, marking his 185th regularseason game.

Now, he’s off to ply his trade at Norwich, a military school located in Vermont.

“ “Throughout the past season, I stayed in touch with Norwich, and when the new school year was about to begin, I was offered the opportunity to commit,” said Benjamin, who played 194 games for the NCDC’s Utica Jr. Comets. “After my hockey career, I knew I wanted to serve in the military, so when I had the opportunity to commit to Norwich with its distinguished history and strong academics, it was an easy decision.

“One thing I am looking to work on is the physical aspect of my game. College hockey is on a different level, and I am looking forward to competing at this high level.”

Benjamin added that his time playing in Utica, N.Y., which included two all-star game selections, rounded out his game to be ready for the college grind.

Back home in Arizona, Benjamin played for the Jr. Coyotes his entire youth career and said coaches Nick Naumenko, Ray Whitney and Mike DeAngelis were crucial parts of his development as a player.

“I have been playing hockey since I was five,” said Benjamin. “I can still recall those early morning skates at Polar Ice with my father and brother. One of the best things about playing this sport is the camaraderie and the brothers you meet throughout the years.”

Photo/Utica Jr. Comets

Parker native

Whitmore signs with WHL’s Hurricanes, will spend ’25-26 at NorthStar

academy in Minnesota

Cash Whitmore scored 62 goals last season for the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 14U AAA team, eclipsing the 50-goal mark and putting him in rare company among Thunderbirds who have hit that milestone.

In May, the Parker native was selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round (23rd overall) of the WHL U.S. Priority Draft and he signed with the Hurricanes almost immediately. “The opportunity to sign happened really when I got drafted,” said Whitmore. “They wanted to sign me right away. The GM flew out to Colorado to meet me and we signed a week after I got drafted. The WHL was appealing to me mainly because the NCAA rule had just changed and it’s a great league. The rule change is a good thing because it opens up the WHL to American players and it opens up NCAA D-I hockey for a lot of Canadians.”

Before joining the Hurricanes on a full-time basis, Whitmore will skate the 2025-26 season for the NorthStar Christian Academy in Alexandria, Minn.

“My outlook this season is all about development,” Whitmore said.

Photo/Trent Swanson

Children’s Hospital Colorado’s new partnership with Okanagan Hockey Colorado will help players ‘thrive and compete at the highest level’

Through a new partnership with Children’s Hospital Colorado and Okanagan Hockey Colorado, competitive national and international youth hockey players will now have access to dedicated Sports Medicine Center athletic trainers to support elite athletes, both on and off the ice.

Through this partnership, players ranging in age from 13-18 will be able to take advantage of two Children’s Colorado athletic trainers dedicated to Okanagan Hockey Colorado, supporting athletes at practices and games, as well as at off-season training, camps and travel. Through this direct integration, athletic trainers can diagnose and treat an athlete’s injury immediately onsite, as well as continue streamlined care across all Children’s Colorado locations.

Jr. Kings alum, Manhattan Beach native Thue commits to NCAA Division III Hamilton

The NAHL’s Minot Minotauros have announced that defenseman Connor Thue has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Hamilton College.

The Manhattan Beach native and L.A. Jr. Kings alum played 57 games last year, netting 10 points.

“We are proud of Connor and his commitment to Hamilton,” said Minotauros head coach Cody Campbell. “Connor was a consistent piece of our ‘D’ corps this past year. He will be heading to Hamilton prepared for the on-ice competition and the rigors of the academic environment that Hamilton provides.”

Photo/NAHL

Photo/Duke Jones

Kaeden Edstrom spent his last season of junior hockey in 202425 with the USPHL’s Rogue Valley Royals and was hoping his strong play in Southern Oregon would lead to a college opportunity.

Earlier this summer, the Fairplay native saw his hard work pay off with a commitment to NCAA Division III St. Scholastica in Minnesota.

During his youth hockey days, Edstrom played for the Summit Lightning and the Colorado Springs Tigers. Read more at CORubberHockey.com!

Breckenridge native, Tigers graduate Theriault advances to next level with commitment to NCAA D-III Nazareth

After two stellar seasons with the NA3HL’s Helena Bighorns, Finn Theriault is off to play college hockey for NCAA Division III Nazareth University, a school located in Pittsford, N.Y.

The Colorado Springs Tigers alum and Breckenridge native will suit up for the Golden Flyers this coming fall.

During his time in Helena, Theriault suited up for 106 games and played a key role in helping the team capture the 2024 Fraser Cup championship. A consistent offensive force, Theriault averaged a point per game over his career, totaling 106 points (58 goals, 48 assists). Theriault was also selected to represent Team Blue at the 2025 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament in Plymouth, Mich. Read more at CORubberHockey.com!

Photo/NAHL