MAY 2012
Compression Clothing
Hockey is Expensive This Magazine is FREE
pg. 16
Behind The Bench
pg. 20
Alliance Teir I Status Reaffirmed pg. 18
Parental Guidance Suggested pg. 4-5
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Texas Aces #81 Parker Holdsworth.
Congratulations to the teams below who competed very well at USA Hockey Nationals that began March 28. Many thanks go out to the volunteers who helped along the way, as well as those who helped at Nationals. Stars Elite 16U Tier I – lost Championship game 5-1 Stars Elite 14U Tier I – went 0-1-0-2 Stars Elite 12U Tier I – went 2-0-1-1, Top 8 Finish Oilers 18U Tier II – won Championship, (2-1, 3OT) in 3A Div. DJHA 18U Tier II – went 1-2 in 3A Div. OKC 18U Tier II – won Championship in 1A Div. Tornado 16U Tier II – went 2-1 in 3A Div. Americans 16U Tier II – went 1-2 in 2A Div. Ice Jets 14U Tier II – won Championship in 3A Div. OKC 14U Tier II – lost Championship game 6-1 in 1A Div. Houston Wild 12U Tier II – went 1-2 in 3A Div. OKC 12U Tier II – lost Championship game 5-2 in 1A Div. Alliance Girls 19U Tier II – won Championship (repeat) Alliance Girls 16U Tier II – went 1-2-0-1 Alliance Girls 14U Tier II – went 0-2-0-1 Alliance Girls 12U Tier II – went 0-2-0-1 Plano West Varsity – went 1-2
The 2012 TAHA Annual Meeting has been scheduled for Sat June 16 in Dallas (venue TBD). Season highlights from 2011-12, season plans for 2012-13, various section reports, board position elections, and any new business will be reviewed at the meeting. More information will be provided later as details are finalized.
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Jessica Brooks (Wolves PW A).
Danny Lange (Team Houston PW A). The USA Hockey 2012 Disabled Hockey Festival and its Adult Sled Hockey National Championships are coming to Texas on April 13-15 for the first time ever! More information is provided on the Festival website at www.dallasstarsselects.com/page/show/338532-disabled-festival. The Dallas Stars is hosting in Dallas with most events being held at DPSC Euless and Farmers Branch. TAHA is extremely excited about the privilege of the Disabled Hockey Festival being held in Texas, and the many opportunities this event provides in bringing local awareness of the many opportunities that hockey offers to disabled athletes. TAHA plans to use this event as a springboard to grow disabled hockey in Texas and Oklahoma. We encourage all hockey fans to stop by the Festival on April 13-15 and watching for yourself (maybe even volunteering) to learn more about the amazing fortitude and spirit that disabled athletes possess. I guarantee you will not go home disappointed. Many thanks to Bob Smith, Keith Andresen, and the many volunteers who have already signed up to help. The 2012 Texas Affiliate Camp (TAC) was successfully hosted by TAHA on March 16-18 at the DPSC Valley Ranch. A total of 96 boys and 20 girls born in 19951998 were selected to advance to the Rocky Mountain District Camps in Salt Lake City on May 2-6 or Colorado Springs on June 26-July 1 (14U Boys only). Congratulations to all such players and good luck at the RMD camp. Ted Skinner President, TAHA teskinner4@gmail.com
2012 Planned Events Apr 11-15 ........... Americas HS Showcase (Pittsburgh) Apr 13-15 ..National Disabled Hockey Festival (Dallas) May 2-6..................................... RMD PDC (SLC Oval)
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Parental Guidance Suggested H By Lyle Phair
ockey parents come in all shapes and sizes, a plethora of different ages and with varying degrees of interest and intensity regarding the hockey activities of their offspring. Some are into it. Really into it. Overthe-top, whacked-out-of-their minds into it. Others are interested, encouraging and supportive, but that’s where it ends. And still other are motivated enough to pay for their child to play, and willing to drive them to the rink for games or practices, but nothing beyond that. They don’t care who wins or loses, who is in first place or who won’t make the playoffs. They are just happy that their kid is involved in a recreational activity where he or she is getting some exercise and has the opportunity to be on a team and get into a little competition. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to expectations. What exactly is it that parents expect to realize out of their child’s involvement in a youth sport? Years ago, when we baby boomers were kids, our parents were too busy with their own lives and trying to make ends meet to get that involved in our activities. Sure there were a few dads that were into it, and organized the teams, the practices and the games and more often than not drove a station wagon full of kids to and from them. Many of the other parents didn’t even come to the games. But today’s generation of children lead, I mean follow, a totally different lifestyle when it comes to participating in sports. Parents not only organize and schedule their extra-curricular lives outside of school, but many of them take it much further than that. Some of that phenomenon can be attributed to the world that we live in. It is no longer safe to trust your children to others. As a parent you have to be involved and know where they are and what they are doing. In many respects that is a good thing. But of course, there are always those who take it to the next step, and possibly the next and
the next, and soon they find themselves way more involved than they should be. And more importantly, way more involved than their child wants them to be. Then there are those whose expectations are completely out of whack. At the first sign of success that their child has, even at a very young age, they start to see stars in their eyes and they start to become delusional about scholarships and professional opportunities for their young prodigies. But as most of them eventually learn, there are plenty of laces to be tied, strides to be skated and pucks to be shot before any
of that really counts. No matter how good your player might look, there are literally thousands around the world who are that much better. And as much as they think they are helping, they might actually be exerting the wrong kind of pressure, and end up hurting their child and their interest in the game. A recent Sports Illustrated article cited that as one of the reasons that extreme and other non-traditional sports have enjoyed recent popularity in our country: “A kid today will often turn to extreme sports for the autonomy the bestow: No parent or youth coach knows skateboarding well enough to project his unfulfilled dreams or adult insecurities onto a rider and mess with the kid’s fun.” In lacrosse, too, “parents aren’t yelling
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as much on the sidelines, because they don’t know what’s going on,” says David Morrow, a former U.S. national team player who founded the equipment company Warrior. “Kids can really take ownership of the sport.” So what are the traits that make up a good hockey parent? How much support and encouragement is enough without becoming meddling, over-bearing and controlling? Not an easy question to answer. It’s tough. We all want our kids to do well, to be successful and to enjoy the game. Not to mention the cost of ice time and equipment. But at what point does a good parent know that their involvement stops and it is time to let the child play the game? In my opinion a good hockey parent is one who… Understands and respects the concept of team and knows that on every other team there will be some players who are better than others, but it takes all of them working together to be successful. No individual, no matter how great they have been, has ever has success in a team sport, without the other members of the team. Let the coach do the coaching. The coach is the leader and has the responsibility of making decisions in the best interest of the team as a whole. Although a parent might not agree with a decision, particularly as it relates to their child, they have to understand and respect the role of the coach and support the course that he or she chooses. Recognizes that referees will make mistakes from time to time. But more importantly understands that referees are viewing the game from their vantage point on the ice, and with no bias to any of the teams (unlike the parents) and ultimately will make calls that they will disagree with. But at the end of the day, the only opinion that matters is that of the referee, the one who is charged with, and paid for, officiating the game.
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IceTimesMagazine Gets their player to the rink on time for all practices and games. In a youth team sport, the locker room time before and after the game can in many cases be more valuable in learning life’s lessons, and unfortunately at times, more fun than the actual game itself. Understands that whether they like it or not, they are a role model in what they say and what they do while watching from the stands. Negative reactions and theatrical expressions to a coach’s decision, a referee’s call or a player’s mistake on the ice can do plenty of damage to a team and its players. Realizes that it is the players who have to
play the game and if the player on the ice is constantly waiting for directions yelled from the stands or is looking up into the stands at any time during the game for hand signals or a reaction from the parent that the child can’t possibly be “into the game” and be listening to be interacting with coaches and teammates and learning to experience and play a game. Takes their cue from their child on whether they want to talk about the game on the ride to and from the rink. Understands that just because they choose to pay for child’s equipment and
ice time doesn’t mean that they own it. The game belongs to the players. Watches the action on the ice in the game, not the scoreboard. Although the scoreboard and the standings are important to a degree, it can be very dangerous to measure success exclusively by scores, wins and losses. Recognizes that no matter how much they love the game and how much they “want it” for their child, that ultimately it is the child who has to develop a passion for the game and the desire to do what it takes to play it to the best of their ability. It is their game. Let them play it. ■
Preston Lamm #25 - DJHA PWAA Noah Mehr - Bantam AA Midget Minor, Allen Americans.
Dallas Stars Selects U-16 A Sung team who went 4-0 winning their bracket in the MLK Tournament.
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Lightning squirt team acting goofy and getting their minihockey on in St. Louis. Left to right. Adam Theisen, Tyler Lasiter, Matthew McLaren, Joshua Ray and Sean Triece.
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Kim Tinkham (1957 - 2010) Ice Times Magazine is dedicated to the memory of Kim Tinkham. Kim lost her brave battle with breast cancer Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Kim was a hockey mom, wife, youth hockey enthusiast, and editor and publisher of Ice Times. She will be greatly missed.
On the Cover May 2012
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Sean Lawrence (DSEHC Tier 1 18U) rushes to the bench for a delayed penalty.
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Parental Guidance Suggested . . . 4, 5 Crull Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Alliance Tier I Status Reaffirmed . . 18 Behind the Bench . . . . . . . . . . . 20
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Find Doright somewhere in the magazine. In the January issue Doright could be found on Scott Tinkham, Editor page 17. scott@tinkinkpublications.com Did YOU find Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tink Ink Publications Doright? Graphic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Sparrowgrove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sara@tinkinkpublications.com Advertising Opportunities . . . . . . ads@icetimesmagazine.com 888-878-8465 To submit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.icetimesmagazine.com • Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . click on “send info” • Photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . click on “send pics”
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Thomas Heather V - DSYHL McKinney Blue Jackets. Photo by Thomas E Heather IV
Dustin Parman, Klein Ice Hockey, takes the face of at the annual Seniors Game at Willowbrook Aerodrome.
The Jr. Oilers Squirt House Team (from Richardson ITC) won the RHL Championship on Sunday, March 25th vs. the Arlington Flyers
Blocker save by Farmers Branch Squirt Shark Goalie Barret Allen (35)
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Marcus High School competed in the Brazos Valley Bucks Varsity Showcase Hockey Tournament, April 20-22, 2012. Jesuit’s JV Silver team won the championship game with an exciting 3-1 win. Head Coach: Mark Campbell Asst. Coach: Kevin Smith. Great season Rangers!!
McKinney Bluejackets Squirt defenseman, Nicholas Weldum. Photo courtesy of Bruce Weldum.
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Dallas Stars Selects Midget Minor AA - Aucoin.
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The BAHHA mite hounds were invited to participate in the Inaugural Houston Aeros Mite Invitational Jamboree on March 11th, 2012. The jamboree included 4 mite teams from across Houston, with each team playing five 20-minute half-ice games. Our Hounds finished with an impressive 5-0 record en route to the gold medal. The mites were honored later that day on-ice before the Houston Aeros game. Congratulations to all of the coaches and kids!
Alliance Bantam AA champions.
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Jett Otwell was a Junior Starter when the Stars played the Pittsburgh.
Simon Fickenscher Works through the Zone For OKC Oil Kings PW Major
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Slava Tugolukov. He is 6 years old and plays on Dallas Stars Farmers Branch Mites team (team Sharks)
Texas Aces #19 Bronson Adams hustling after the play.
John Clayton (NTXHL PW A Finalist - San Antonio Jr Rampage)
Carter - Austin Road Runner mini-mites.
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Bryce Murphy (DSEHC)
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Benjamin Johnson (OKC SQ B)
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Kalena Cook Hockey Mom & REALTOR®
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Championship photo of the 01 DJHA Hayden Team. They won the NTXHL Championship Game March 10.
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Devin Young (Wolves PW A) with a great save.
Luc Boulanger (Texas Aces PW A) makes another save.
Micah Maldonado (Oilers SQ B).
Lucas Mendes Alliance Bulldogs ‘97 Bantam AA
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Dave Markovich (DSYHL Mite)
Jacob Ange (DSEHC Tier 1 12U).
Bay Area Hounds
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Compression Clothing
By Luke Beltrand here are many different ways in which athletes can gain a competitive advantage. One such way, which many companies who make athletic wear are touting, is compression clothing. You can find many advertisements proclaiming that they will improve your athletic performance and Increase recovery. Let’s take a look at what they actually do. Medical compression stockings have been around for a about 50 years. They are generally used to help increase blood flow in patients that have poor blood flow. This increase blood flow helps speed up the recovery process. The same thought process is behind compression clothing for athletes. The assumption is that if the athlete has better blood circulation and flow he or she will perform better and recover faster. Studies have not necessarily shown that the clothing actually improves athletic performance but it may provide ergogenic benefits by reducing muscle oscillation and increasing the removal of lactic acid. Clothes can be worn before competition to aid in the warm up process, during, and even more preferred after to achieve these results. Other studies have also shown there to be value in using compression wear as tool for injury prevention. Many companies make their clothing to bring more support to areas like the hip flexor, groin and shoulder. These can be very valuable to athletes who have a weak area. No studies have shown there to be
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any negative results from using the sportswear. Here is a list created by the University of Technology in Sydney Australia of potential benefits. • enhancing blood circulation to peripheral limbs • reducing blood lactate concentration during maximal exercise bouts • enhancing warm-up via increases in skin temperature • increasing vertical jump height • improving repetitive jump power • reducing muscle oscillation upon ground contact • increasing torque generated about joints, improving performance and reducing the risk of injury, for example, assisting the eccentric action of the hamstring at the end of the swing phase in running • enhancing recovery following strenuous exercise by aiding in the removal of blood lactate and improving subsequent exercise performance • reducing the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness in the days following strenuous exercise • increasing feelings of positive leg sensations both during and following strenuous exercise. I hope you are all having a wonderful hockey off season and I hope to see you in the gym this summer! info@crullfitness.com. ■
Luke Beltrand is a Former Collegiate Hockey player and Current Manager of Crull Fitness Valley Ranch. Luke is Certified as a Certified Fitness Specialist through the Cooper’s Institute and Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting. Luke is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for over 40 local Hockey Teams..
Isaiah Moss (OKC SQ B). Eli Gould (Team Houston PW A).
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Reilly Tuer (Texas Aces PW A).
Who wins this battle? - (Dallar Stars Selects 16UAA Aucoin)
Hockey Summer StrengtH and conditioning Program
June 20 to August 12 8 weeks, 6 weeks or 4 weeks
You choose the weeks you want to attend and the location! Take your hockey game to the next level this summer. Elite Hockey Coaches and Crull Fitness bring you the most advanced hockey strength and conditioning program ever offered in Dallas. For more information email program director Luke Beltrand at lbeltrand@crullfitness.com 888-878-8465
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ALLIANCE TIER I STATUS REAFFIRMED A
lliance is pleased to announce that our status as a Tier I Organization will continue. The Texas Amateur Hockey Association granted Alliance Tier I authorization for the next two years plus an additional year at its discretion. This multiple year commitment provides consistency and direction for the local youth hockey market. In conjunction with our reaffirmed Tier I status, our premier Tier I coaches, Chris Kostopoulos, Ty Hennes, and Steve LaMere, have each signed three year contract extensions showing their commitment to the Alliance organization and its families. Chris currently serves on the Executive Board of
Alliance as the Director of Coaches. We are excited to announce two new positions on our operational board: Ty Hennes will be our Director of Organizational Development and Steve LaMere will be our Director of Player Development. As the Director of Organizational Development, Ty is responsible for developing the strategic plan for our organization which includes providing a schedule of events for the Association and its athletes to follow from year to year. Steve will work with Ty, as well as all other coaches in the organization, to ensure that the strategic plan maximizes the development and growth opportunities for all players within the organization and helps them achieve their
goals. Working together, these three coaches will provide Alliance with the direction and leadership it needs to continue as a premier Tier I organization in the area for years to come. ■
Alliance open try out dates are as follows. Check website for times. Fri June 1st...........Alliance 14U Tier I – Steve Lamere (98/99) Sat June 2nd........Alliance 14U Tier II - Jouni Lehtola (98), & David Fry (99) Sat June 2nd........Alliance Girls Tier II - Ty Hennes (14U) & Karen Rickard (16U) Sat June 9th.........Alliance PeeWee - Ty Hennes (Quebec Team - 2000), Jarrod Yost (2000), Steve LaMere (2001) Sat June 9th.........Alliance Squirt – Chris Kostopoulos (2002), Brett Blatchford (2003), Tom Train (2003) Fri June 15th........Alliance 18U Tier I – Chris Kostopoulos (94/95) Sun June 17th.....Alliance 16U Tier I – Ty Hennes (96/97) Sat June 23rd......Alliance 18U Tier II – David Fry (94/95), & Sat June 23rd......Alliance 16U Tier II – Alex Paine (96), & Brett Blatchford (97) Designation refers to projected level of play; final determination for ALL Tier II organizations will be completed following the NTXHL leveling tournament in September.
Tier 1 COACHING STAFF for the upcoming 2012-13 Season 18U Tier 1 Club
16U Tier 1 Club
14U Tier 1 Club
Head Coach – Chris Kostopoulos – University of Toronto , Robert Morris University D1 Coach Assistant Coach – Alex Paine - SMU Hockey - NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues Assistant Coach - Tom Train - University of Huntsville Alabama DI Hockey Strength & Conditioning Coach – Luke Beltrand - USA Weight Lifting Sports Performance Coach
Head Coach – Ty Hennes – Boston College NCAA Final 4, Detroit Red Wings Assistant Coach – Brett Blatchford – Notre Dame NCAA Final 4, NAHL Texas Tornado Strength & Conditioning Coach – Luke Beltrand
Head Coach – Steve Lamere - Augsburg College NCAA Final 4, St. Marys University Assistant Coach – TBD Strength & Conditioning Coach – Luke Beltrand
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Frank Steinway (Oilers SQ B)
Nate Andrade (Team Houston PW A)
Kyle Carpenter (#28) Dallar Stars Selects 16UAA Aucoin.
Ronnie Jewell #9, DSS 16U AA coach Blaine Accoin.
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Conor Cusack (Jr Brahmas SQ B)
Texas Aces Goalie #35 Trey Peterson.
Ethan Parker (Houston Wild SQ B)
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BEHIND THE BENCH By Mark Dyslin
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his is the second of a three part ground-ruffling report, found exclusively at Ice Times Magazine. This month we focus on success: keeping kids motivated and interested in their sporting activities. It goes without saying that defining success means something different to everyone. Consider the following: “Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.” George Edward Woodberry “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a fool about it.” W.C. Fields “It’s not enough that I should succeed - others should fail.” David Merrick (nice guy, right?) “ Wi n n i n g d o e s n ’t always mean success. Figuring out how to get there and working hard is the true reward.” Unknown See what I mean? There are as many different definitions of success as there are cuts of sirloin on a Lady Gaga frock. Then how do you, coach, define success for each player? Without bending a single brain cell, I would guess most would say success is, “winning the league championship.” But that don’t mean squat. Would you purposely lead your kids to the polar opposite? Of course not. We simply can’t teach kids that winning equals success and losing is failure (“we” includes parents too). However, we can frame success as how well we develop each player’s skill level. After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a child in possession of age appropriate skills will find the on-ice experience more enjoyable. There are lots of ways to help players set skill goals. For younger kids, create three to four milestones for the season. Make them achievable and communicate them — in writing — with the parents. These can be group goals.
For the older ones or those in more advanced programs, make the process more formal. Have each player come up with three to five objectives. Then meet with each little nipper to evaluate, negotiate, and set their targets in sandstone. By the way, you totally have a say in what is a goal and what isn’t...that’s why you get paid the big bucks. Items to ruminate regarding goal setting: Be specific: establish measures and what on- and/or off-ice activities will support each objective. Set a variety of goals: build the whole player, establish activities that take the yute out of her/ his comfort zone. For older players place more emphasis on team play and strategies. Make the goals challenging: but make them realistic and attainable. Set expectations: do this for the player and yourself. Evaluate: establish regular checkpoints and assess against measurements, be prepared to adjust up or down. Support the player no matter how they are progressing: praise, reassure, advocate, cheer, and encourage. Yearend review: celebrate the successes and counsel the shortcomings.
Mark Dyslin has been coaching youth sports for over 15 years and coaching youth hockey since 1999. He is currently one of the coaches for St. Mark’s Junior Varsity Hockey Team.
Goals are a destination. Getting there is the fun part. Really. ■
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Get Ready for the Ice With These Hockey Training Programs and Exercises By Karen S Musselman
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f you’re really into hockey, you should definitely be using some hockey training programs not only to improve your skills, but to keep your body in the best shape for this sport, which is very fast and furious and very demanding. Playing hockey well requires players to be in good aerobic shape as well being strong and agile. Aerobics really improves a player’s endurance and the effort needed to stay out on the ice and in the game for what could be some grueling play! And while a lot of the aerobic and cardio training, and especially the strength training and weight lifting, in some hockey training programs are done off the ice, the best training programs will definitely incorporate a good bit of on-ice training as well. Virtual training, which you can do with online programs or DVD courses can help with some of the initial training as well. There are some good hockey training programs on video today that provide some excellent virtual training off the ice. You can actually get some pretty good information plus learn basic stick and puck handling moves, different ways to make shots, and even some skating maneuvers. These types of programs are really popular for players who know many of the basics already and have hectic schedules requiring them to schedule their hockey training programs around full time job or school schedules. Some of the following types of training can be done either from home using a DVD or online program, or by going to your local gym. And of course, your team coach should definitely be adding this type of training to the team schedule along with regular practice.
1) Hockey Strength and Weight Training You use a lot of muscles when you play hockey. Hockey is probably one of the hardest sports on your body when it comes to wear and tear. You’ll be training not only for strength and flexibility, but you’ll also obviously be training for speed. So while you might think that hockey is all about your legs and knees, think again. Sure, the strength of your legs is key enabling the ultimate in puck control, balance and fast skating while preventing any serious injuries. And since you need to keep your legs strong and flexible, and because hockey players take such long
especially right before the season starts. You can get excellent cardio and aerobic training without pounding the heck out of your joints. Using a stepper or an elliptical machine will really build you aerobically and help build the endurance you’ll need on the ice, but without wearing out your knees before the season even starts. In addition to aerobic conditioning, you’ll also need to increase your anaerobic level higher to withstand the anaerobic shifts out on the ice during the game. So make sure the hockey training programs you’re using have you working out anaerobically for 45-second shifts during your aerobic training and you’ll get yourself in the shape you need for the season.
3) Plyometric Training for Hockey Players Hockey is a sport that requires some really fast movements like stopping short and changing direction in rapid speed, jumping over players and dropped hockey sticks, running fast, then turning quickly on the ice. What Plyometric exercises do is trains your muscles, connective tissues and your nervous system so you can strides out on the ice, leg exercises should successfully make these fast motion moves include moves that will work the groin area on the ice. Doing Plyometrics will seriously too. help you with rapid direction changes, your But just as important are other muscles overall agility and it will help increase your you’ll use extensively during the game, shooting power during your game. which include your lower back, adductors, The bottom line, however you decide to abductors, abs, glutes, hip flexors and train for the season, overall hockey training extensors. programs should definitely include all of the above in addition to any other training 2) Hockey Cardio Training or drills you’ll be doing. A good rounded If you’ve never done any serious cardio program will get you in the best shape and training, you want to start slow and as keep you in the best shape so you’re always much as possible, reduce any type of playing your best.■ exercise that’s going to create stress on your joints, like running and jumping,
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