Arizona Rubber Magazine - Summer 2018

VOLUME 13

ISSUE 10

SUMMER 2018

MISSION AZ 18U SQUAD TO REJOIN CSDHL FOR 2018-19

With support from the NHL and the Arizona Coyotes, the Small Frys girls program, led by Chandler native and former U.S. Olympian Lyndsey Fry, has taken off and given girls another outlet in the state to learn and love the game of hockey

COYOTES BOAST STELLAR NHL DRAFT, SELECT HAYTON NO. 5 PHOENIX’S CASTOR WINS NAHL TITLE, NAMED PLAYOFFS MVP STUART COMING HOME THIS FALL WITH ASU COMMITMENT

Attracting the very best youth hockey programs under the bright lights of Los Angeles!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

August 31-September 3, 2018

Application Deadline: August 10, 2018

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND THANKSGIVING WEEKEND November 22-25, 2018

HOLIDAY WEEKEND

December 27-30, 2018

May 24-27, 2019

PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND

2005 AAA & 2006 AAA (Birth Year) Bantam AA, A & B (Mixed Birth Year) 2007 AAA & 2008 AAA (Birth Year) Pee Wee AA, A, BB & B (Mixed Birth Year) 2009 AAA & 2010 AAA (Birth Year) Squirt A, BB & B (Mixed Birth Year) Mite A, B

February 15-18, 2019

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A, BB, B . Mite A, B . High School . Bantam AA, A, B . Pee Wee AA, A, BB, B Squirt AA/A 16U et Midg AA/A 18U et Midg

For more information, contact tournament director Brian McDonough at (612) 220-4402 or brian@jrkingshockey.com

Registration for all five tournaments is now open!

Tinseltownhockeytournaments.com AZRubberHockey.com

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FROM THE EDITOR Parents, take the time to enjoy special moments with your kids

I

recently experienced somewhat of a milestone as a parent and I’d like to share this with you.

My wife, Stephanie, and I have three kids – Ethan (13 next month), Wyatt (11 in September) and Madelyn (8 in October) – and all three are stellar, straight-A students in the classroom and enjoy soccer, softball, bowling and baseball.

They don’t play hockey but get plenty of hockey talk and whatnot from their old man. Trust me, they get their fill.

Anyway, Ethan recently played his last game of rec baseball as he ages out after this season. Just like that, eight summers have come and gone – and with that lies uncertainty for next season. If he Matt Mackinder puts in the work, can he play for the middle school team? Do we take him to travel baseball tryouts? I’m really struggling with this, to be honest.

I have proudly coached Ethan – and the other two – in both sports and have enjoyed it immensely. Sometimes, I look out in the stands or on the sidelines and see parents cheering and encouraging their kids. Sadly, I also see parents buried in their phones and oblivious to what is happening on the field.

Parents, you don’t get these moments back with your children. Games don’t take up a lot of time, so I’m begging you, pay attention to your kids. Don’t live with regrets. Show them the attention and adulation that they so rightly deserve because poof, one day, there will be no more practices, no more games, no more pictures to be taken, no more youth.

I’m glad my wife and I have always made time to be involved with our kids and while the vast majority of parents I have come across do the same, let’s try and increase that number, shall we?

Enjoy the rest of the summer and we’ll see everyone in September!

Scottsdale native Makenna Newkirk will again be a captain for the NCAA Division I Boston College women’s team this fall.

Newkirk returns as a team captain for her senior season. After just three seasons, she’s already ranked inside the top 10 in almost every offensive category in the Eagles’ career record books.

With 149 career points, Newkirk will start her year ranked fifth in career scoring, while her 61 goals and 88 assists are each sixth on their respective charts.

Additionally, she is fourth in game-winning goals (14), tied for fifth in power-play goals (19) and tied for 10th in shorthanded goals (3).

Newkirk finished the 2017-18 season ranked sixth nationally among Division I players in scoring, posting a career-high 61 points.

Arizona Rubber Magazine is published by: Mackinder Media, LLC, P.O. Box 373 Goodrich, MI 48438, 10 times a year, once monthly September through May and once in the summer.

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Arizona Rubber Magazine is a production of:

Publisher/editor: Matt Mackinder senior designer: Julie Wilson

CASTOR THE CHAMP

During last month’s NHL Draft down in Dallas, Jr. Coyotes graduate and Minnesota native Demetrios Koumontzis realized his NHL dreams come closer to reality when he was taken by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round (108th overall).

Koumontzis skated in the desert from 2015-17 and is committed to Arizona State University.

Speaking of the Sun Devils, ASU and the Arizona Coyotes recently announced the return of the Desert Hockey Classic tournament to Gila River Arena from Dec. 28-29.

In addition to ASU, the 2018 field features 2018 national champion Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State and Clarkson.

“Our Desert Hockey Classic returns this year with a bang, featuring the defending national champions and two top-10 teams from a season ago,” said Arizona State head coach Greg Powers. “Hockey and sports fans alike have an opportunity to experience college hockey at the highest level in the desert this season.”

In Tucson, Jay Varady has signed a multi-year contract to serve as the Roadrunners’ new head coach.

Varady joins the AHL club from the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.

“I’m looking forward to developing the Coyotes prospects while building on the team foundation that was established in Tucson last season,” said Varady.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

Phoenix native Jaxon Castor led the Shreveport Mudbugs to the NAHL Robertson Cup national championship back in May after joining the team mid-season from the USHL. He was also named the tournament’s MVP. More on Castor on Page 14.

ON THE COVER Chandler native and Harvard University grad Lyndsey Fry is helping grow the girls game in Arizona due to her wildly-popular and fun program, Small Frys, which started up earlier this year. The on-ice staff is also comprised of all women, with most of them college hockey alumni. Photo/Wesley Fry

‘Hockey nerd’ Keller a major player in Coyotes’ rebuild

By Mark Brown

P

erhaps it’s time for the rest of the hockey world to discover diminutive forward Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes.

Fans in Arizona already to know of Keller’s exploits and his ability to bring a crowd to its feet.

Rewarded for a stellar first season, Keller was nominated this season for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Keller is only the third player in Jets/Coyotes history to be nominated for this award and the previous two played in Winnipeg at the time of their nomination. These included Teemu Selanne (1992-93) and Dale Hawerchuk (1981-82), and both won the award.

Just 19, but a player wise beyond his years, Keller assumed the mettle as the face of this franchise and looks to hold that designation for seasons into the future. In recent years, Shane Doan, as captain, commanded respect not only in the_ Coyotes’ clubhouse, but around the NHL. Keller’s style may be more taciturn, but likely more dynamic.

There’s one story that has circulated about Doan’s influence.

When the Coyotes looked for new ownership in the early part of this decade and the club was operated by the league, Doan’s phone first number was the first on NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s speed dial. With a high visibility, Doan raised the bar and generated respect from teammates, opponents and league officials. While Doan was also verbal behind closed doors, Keller’s style is much more reserved.

Leading by example, the native of suburban St. Louis put up solid numbers during his rookie sea-

son, and the future portends well. Quiet and unas- was leading the Coyotes in scoring with 65 points. suming, Keller, along with a strong core of younger With that accomplishment, Keller became the first players led by Christian Fischer, Christian Dvor- rookie to pace Arizona in scoring for the season. ak, Brendan Perlini and the recently-acquired Stepan finished second in team scoring with 56 Alex Galchenyuk, now form the nucleus of the club’s points (14 goals, 42 assists). foundation.

Along the way, Keller set single season rook“I’ve thrown this word around, ‘hockey nerd,’ ie marks for goals (23), assists (42), points (65), and Clayton is a hockey games played (82), most nerd,” said Arizona coach multi-point games (14), lonRick Tocchet. “He watchgest point streak (10 games) es hockey 24 hours a day and most points in a month and wants to be better every (19, in March). day. He constantly watches An added achievement the star players around the was being named as the league to see what they are NHL’s Rookie of the Month doing different. Nonstop, twice in October and March. he asks me about guys like Among NHL rookies, Keller (Sidney) Crosby, and what was fifth in goals, fourth in does (Steven) Stamkos power-play goals, second in do on the power play. He’s assists, third in power-play always trying to get better assists, fourth in power-play and in practice – he pracpoints and topped all NHL tices hard. Usually, a young rookies with 212 shots on kid you have to push them goal. along to practice hard, but For Keller’s part, the evonot Clayton.” lution of what figures to be On a line last season with a significant hockey career Richard Panik and Derek remains in its infancy.

Clayton Keller Stepan, Keller emerged as “I learned a lot this year,” a driving force and the kind of player that tends to he said. “I’ve always been pretty confident. I think make those around him better. Finishing the season you have to be that way, and that’s one thing I’ve as the second highest-scoring rookie behind the always had inside me since I was young. I wanted New York Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, Keller also to come in and have an impact right away. I’m an placed in a number of offensive categories. offensive player, so that’s what I do every night. I’ll Likely at the top of Keller’s notable achievements do everything I can to help the team win.” _ AZRubberHockey.com

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Super-Sized Growth The start-up Small Frys program providing major boost to girls hockey in Arizona

By Matt Mackinder

S

ometimes, you just have to go with your instinct and put a sure thing on hold.

Lyndsey Fry grew up in Chandler and wound up playing NCAA Division I hockey for Harvard University as well as for the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics. When she graduated in 2015, she knew she could have stayed in the New England area with a great job.

Alas, life decisions are not always about monetary compensation.

Fry was interested in another type of job, one that would benefit more than just herself. She came home to Arizona and began looking at ways to continue growing girls hockey in the desert.

Just a couple short years later and numerous hours coming up with a game plan and the Small Frys program is in full swing.

“After I graduated, I felt like had a responsibility to come back home and give back to the hockey communities here,” said Fry. “After all, youth hockey communities are what built me as a person. What I didn’t realize at the time is that I would not just be representing Arizona, but rather the whole Western side of the U.S. I have worked with girls in small hockey communities from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Portland, Oregon, to Minot, North Dakota. I feel so blessed to make a continuous impact on so many young lives and I wouldn’t trade it for the entire world.

“Now with the help of the NHL and the Arizona Coyotes, I truly believe we are on the verge of revolutionizing intro hockey programs for girls around the entire country.”

So what made 2018 the right time to launch the Small Frys?

“Matt Shott (director of amateur hockey development for the Coyotes) and I have been talking about doing something like this for a long time,” Fry said. “The timing was perfect for us to start this year. We did a pilot program last year which went well and initiated the process of submitting a grant to the NHL for a larger version of the program and after the excitement from the U.S. Women’s Team winning gold at the Olympics, the interest for a program like this when we started in April was incredibly high. The NHL, the NHLPA and the Arizona Coyotes have been incredible helping us with funding support and resources, but Matt has really been the mastermind with all things girls hockey from behind the scenes with the Coyotes.”

“It was selected to start this year due to our Industry Growth Fund Grant from the NHL being accepted this season,” added Shott. “Looking around and seeing so little opportunities for younger girls to not only play with other girls but have a comfortable place to develop properly with the best possible coaching, was a huge proponent of getting this started as soon as possible.”

Fry not only serves as the head instructor of the brand, but she’s also been fortunate enough to put her MBA to work and run things from behind the scenes from marketing to business development and everything in between.

“Our on-ice staff is also incredible,” said Fry. “We are unique because we have an all-female staff on the ice. Katie McGovern (a Scottsdale native who played NCAA D-I hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth) is the other head instructor, and we have other women who have played at different levels of college hockey and many who are still in college today. Finally, we had a few options when we were deciding where to host the program, but we ultimately decided that Oceanside was a good central option for the program. Adam Mims and the whole Oceanside staff have been extremely accommodating and helpful to us throughout the entirety of the program.

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

“The long-term goal is to host Small Frys at every rink in a similar fashion as Little Howlers.”

When asked about the positives of the Small Frys during its infant stages, Fry said it’s been more than just one day or one special moment.

“I think one of the highlights for me was during a time when I actually got injured so I wasn’t able to go on the ice,” Fry said. “It was about halfway through the program and I just had to watch the girls from the bench. It was incredible to have the opportunity to watch from the outside and see the overall improvement in the girls. Everything from skating to stick handling to body contact had improved across the board and it was amazing to see the confidence that the girls had developed throughout the program. Another highlight is the relationships the girls are building with each other. When we first started, they were mostly shy and quiet. Now they are constantly laughing and smiling and some of them even refer to other players as their BFFs. That’s the most important thing this program is doing. It’s building the girls hockey community, both on and off the ice.”

Shott is equally enamored with the program.

“My favorite part is when the girls are waiting for the Zamboni to get off the ice and they all chant, ‘Let us out! Let us out! Let us out!’ over and over,” said Shott.

When it comes to tweaking the program and making it conducive to all girls, Fry said the positive feedback she has received regarding the Small Frys has been nothing short of extraordinary.

“The girls’ feedback is mostly in the form of their smiles,” said Fry. “We hear a lot from parents, though, that the girls love it and can’t wait for Small Frys each week. A few parents have even said that their daughters have started to notice that they are getting better, which is awesome to hear. The parents have been amazing as well and constantly compliment our passion for the game and the energy of our coaching staff. The parents see beyond the skills that we are teaching the kids and see the bigger picture of what we are doing. One parent was convinced his daughter hated hockey because of how timid she was on the ice with Little Howlers. The second she got out there with the girls in Small Frys, she was aggressive for the puck and smiling the whole time.

“That’s how we know that the all-girls aspect of the program is special. As far as the Arizona hockey community goes, the support is incredible. I have numerous men who have offered to help out because they are so excited about it. Sadly, we’ve had to turn them down since we are keeping it all female. One coach, Todd Collins, who coached me when I was very young, sees our program every week and always commends us on how special it is what we are doing. To have any compliment from Todd is a huge honor for anyone playing hockey in the Valley.”

And when Fry reflects on how much the girls hockey landscape in Arizona has changed since she played youth hockey there, she can’t help but beam with pride.

“When I was first starting ice hockey at six years old, there were about 10 girls in the state playing in my age range,” said Fry. “This was in the 90s and our only option at the time when getting into hockey was to play with the boys. Now, we not only have Small Frys but we have exponentially more girls playing throughout the Valley, we have two girls organizations (Shewolves and AZ Lady Coyotes) and two college hockey teams (GCU and ASU). It is incredible how far we have come, and I am just honored to be a part of it.”

Congratulations to the award winners at the 32nd Annual

BTM GOALIE SCHOOL!

JULY 2-6, 2018 | ICE DEN SCOTTSDALE

See more on Page 20

Hayton, Kirk highlight Coyotes’ impressive draft haul

By Matt Mackinder

T

the core group they have, it’s just a special group.

I don’t know any of them personally, but obviously from watching a ton of hockey myself, I know a fair amount about the way they play.”

The trip to Dallas was also a family event for Hayton.

he Arizona Coyotes continued to stockpile highend prospects at the 2018 NHL Draft on June 22-23 in Dallas.

All in all, the Coyotes added nine players to the pipeline, starting with first-round pick Barrett Hayton, a talented forward from the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who put up 60 points in 63 games last season.

“I got a great feel from Arizona through the interview process, so I knew there was a chance,” said Hayton, who went fifth overall. “When I heard my name called, it was unbelievable. It’s something you can’t really put into words. Really the only thing I can say is it’s a dream come true.”

Still, even after talks with the Coy“My entire f a m i l y otes brass, Hayton was never 100 perwas there in Dallas,” cent sure he’d hear his name from CoyHayton said. “My mom otes GM John Chayka on draft day. and my dad and my sis“We talked a lot about their organiter were there, so it’s zation and the steps that they have in a special event for me, place, and I feel they have an amazing for sure, and I was just future ahead,” said Hayton, an 18-yearvery excited to be able old from Peterborough, Ont., who to celebrate with them was also the first Canadian taken at with all they have done Barrett Hayton compiled 21 goals and 60 points the draft. “You never really know with during the 2017-18 season for the OHL’s Sault Ste. for me over the years.” drafts, but I can’t put it to words how Marie Greyhounds. Photo/Terry Wilson/OHL Images Hayton, who happy I am. The direction in which their popped 21 goals last organization is going, I can’t lie, it was the organiza- season for the Greyhounds, said it’s a fair assesstion I wanted to go to the most. So it’s just amazing. ment to call him a playmaking center.

I’m a big hockey fan myself, so just keeping up with “Yeah, I feel I’m a playmaker and a shooter,”

Hayton said. “I try to weigh my options. I feel that’s where my hockey IQ comes into play. I feel my ability to play a complete game, my versatility in all the different situations is a big part of the player I am, and I think teams value that.”

Last December when several veteran Sault Ste. Marie players went to represent their countries at the World Junior Championship, Hayton used that extra ice time to his advantage.

“That opportunity I had when those key guys were away at World Juniors was great,” said Hayton. “That’s the position I want to be, the go-to guy. That’s where I strive to be. The experience I had when they were away and the chemistry I had with Morgan (Frost]) was special.”

The Coyotes also selected defenseman Kevin Bahl (OHL’s Ottawa 67’s, second round, 55th overall), forward Jan Jenik (Benatky N.J. in Czech Republic, third round, 65th overall), defenseman Ty Emberson (U.S. NTDP, third round, 73rd overall), goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, fourth round, 114th overall), defenseman Mike Callahan (Youngstown, fifth round, 142nd overall), defenseman Dennis Busby (OHL’s Flint Firebirds, fifth round, 145th overall), goaltender David Tendeck (WHL’s Vancouver Giants, sixth round, 158th overall) and forward Liam Kirk (EIHL’s Sheffield Steelers, seventh round, 189th overall).

In Kirk, the Coyotes made NHL history by drafting the first player to be born and trained in the United Kingdom.

“I don’t have any words for it,” Kirk told NHL. com. “I’m just very excited and really emotional.”

AZRubberHockey.com

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FLAGSTAFF YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION No player left behind with Flagstaff Northstars program

By Heather Gearhart

T

he Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association operates in a town with a population onethird the size of Chandler.

Fielding one team is a feat, but this grassroots hockey organization is continuing to grow with two full rosters at 12U, and one full roster and a development squad at 10U. “Several factors contribute to our association’s growth, especially our board of directors’ commitment to give every child who wants to play competitive hockey that opportunity,” said 2018-19 FYHA president Ryan Gearhart.

The 10U level is a gateway age for travel hockey, and FYHA welcomed 21 players to its 2018-19 tryouts in May. Faced with not quite enough players for two full teams, the FYHA board worked with coaches to identify an unorthodox solution – field a full team for the AZYHL and a development squad that would enjoy the same ice touches per week and skills training, with scrimmages scheduled throughout the season and one tournament experience.

This year’s approach is a continuation of the 2017-18 board decision to field a thin 10U team for the AZYHL Blue division. With only nine players mid-August, the team was able to recruit two more house players to roster 11 players by the start of the season.

That team lost every AZYHL regular-season game but improved exponentially throughout the year and won their last game of the AZYHL State Tournament against DYHA. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” Gearhart said. “I think everyone in the rink was rooting for us in that game, including the DYHA team. Afterwards, parents from both teams lined the lobby and cheered for every player from each team. That’s how we want hockey to be.”

It remains to be seen whether FYHA will obtain the last-minute additions to field a full second 10U team for the 2018-19 AZYHL season. Regardless, the seven players currently rostered on the 10U development squad will enjoy a year of growth and experiencing competitive youth hockey, thanks to FYHA’s commitment to leave no player behind.

FYHA.org

ARIZONA HOCKEY UNION COACH'S CORNER

There are no shortcuts when using the hockey pyramid T

he idea of building “from the ground up” is not new.

Ice hockey, for some reason, has not yet reached out to the potentially huge numbers of children who have never played our game.

Goar Street and floor and roller hockey are inexpensive ways to develop hockey skills without ever stepping on the ice. Street and roller hockey players making the transition to ice hockey seem to have better individual puck skills than an average ice hockey player does.

This is probably attributed to frequency of practice by being able to just “play anywhere.”

A grassroots hockey program is recommended to follow USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) for all their player development.

These types of programs build confidence in their players and allow them to reach their full potential.

Furthermore, a parent that is well informed is more likely to understand the benefits from longterm player development and is less likely to chase an elite level until their child is emotionally, physically and socially ready to purse the highest competition.

Challenges & Education A philosophy must be established so that those teaching understand how to make learning as productive as possible and so that parent involvement can be a positive, not a pressure-filled experience.

Grassroots development requires widespread exposure with the emphasis on fun and fundamental skills. Higher-level training can be sought once a player shows greater interest and desire for such.

The Right Stuff – Find Coaches That Can Relate Think like a player. Actually, think like a kid!

Would you be having fun at your practices or games? Follow the most basic rule: Keep it simple and make it FUN.

Kurt Goar is the coach-in-chief for the Arizona Hockey Club.

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

Conclusion The observations of this player, coach and student of the game has revealed certain “do’s” and “don’ts,” many from learning along the way. I’ve kept an open mind and embraced a willfulness to always improve my approach to development.

The development of an athlete is a phenomenon that can, have and will be challenged for decades to come. Every year, the game evolves, changes and adapts to ever-improving athletes.

Let’s face it, the athletes are bigger, stronger and more educated than ever before.

Coaches and teachers have replaced the parent in some cases as disciplinarian and motivator of the household.

The lack or decline of parental guidance over the past 30 years has challenged today’s coaches and youth leaders. The longevity of our coaches reflects not only their skill and dedication, but the ability to and keep it simple and make it FUN! As legendary hockey coach Bob Johnson said, “It’s a great day for hockey.”

AZRubberHockey.com

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TAHOE PREP HOCKEY ACADEMY

The Charm

Year 3 looking very much on the bright side for Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy

By Greg Ball

T

he summer months may be a time for young hockey players to get away from the ice, enjoy some other sports or activities and relish the freedom of being out of school, but for coaches and administrators, it’s time to grind.

Without daily practices and games to occupy their attention, they look at these months away from the ice as an opportunity to continue building their foundation, plan for the future and keep their overriding mission of developing hockey players squarely in their sights.

At the Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy, that’s exactly what president and hockey director Leo Fenn, athletic director Mike Lewis and their staff and board of directors are doing from June through August. Because the academy is equally as focused on its student-athletes’ academic progress as their hockey development, there’s even more to be done.

And as the academy approaches its third full school year and hockey season, a look back to some of its early accomplishments and what’s in store for the future “shows a great deal of promise for the years to come,” Lewis said.

Earlier this year, Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy reached a significant milestone when it graduated its first class of seniors. Seven studentathletes received diplomas and have set their sights on pursuing higher education, junior hockey or both. Those who feel like an additional year of development will help them on the ice can add on a post-grad year in Tahoe in an effort to prepare themselves for the challenge of Tier I or Tier II junior hockey.

Fenn emphasized how important the educational aspect of the academy is. Tahoe is not a “hockey factory,” but rather an environment where exceptionally motivated student-athletes can acquire the skills necessary to improve on the ice while also developing a foundation for their education and a lifetime of learning.

“We’re extremely proud to have graduated seven seniors from the Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy as part of our inaugural class of student-athletes this spring,” said Fenn, who also coaches Tahoe’s varsity team. “All of these fine young men embody the character and integrity upon which our academy was founded and that it strives to live up to each and every day.

“A challenging academic program will always be a core value of the academy, and seeing our players remain dedicated to their studies as well as their athletic goals only reinforces our belief that their time here in Lake Tahoe is setting themselves up for bright futures.”

On the hockey front, the academy has made significant strides since opening its doors in the late summer of 2016. Tahoe will again ice two teams for the 201819 season - a varsity squad that will play in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League and a prep team

for older and more advanced players that will compete in the newly formed NAHL Prep League.

With the prep team having been accepted into the prestigious NAHL Prep League, a natural path has been laid for Tahoe’s players to compete at the next level, whether that’s in the NAHL, in another junior league, or at the college level.

“Several incoming recruits have

been identified as highly sought-after prospects for the NAHL, Canadian Junior Hockey League and United States Premier Hockey League,” said Lewis, who coaches Tahoe’s prep squad. “In our short amount of time being established, Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy has established significant relationships with coaches and scouting directors with various organizations across North America that should greatly assist our efforts of moving players onto the next levels.”

Of course, as Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy grows in reputation and status, it will also grow in enrollment

TahoeHockeyAcademy.com 12

Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

and interest from all corners of the country and beyond.

Lewis said the academy has signed approximately 25 new student-athletes to join the Tahoe family this year, with players coming from all over North America. To address the large amount of interest from players from other countries, 2018 will mark the first time that the academy has accepted international applications.

And the young men who are suiting up in the academy’s signature purple and white sweaters and living on the shores of Lake Tahoe aren’t just ordinary hockey players and students.

“This incoming class of players really highlights the quality of talent that is being developed here in Tahoe,” Lewis said. “There are multiple Tier I players, guys who have been the leading scorers on their teams, and even in their leagues, plus team captains, national championship participants and honor roll students.”

From a concept that developed in their minds and on cocktail-napkin sketches to a thriving international academy that is developing some of the strongest students and hockey players anywhere, Fenn and Lewis know that the foundation they worked so hard to build is starting to bear fruit and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Since opening nearly two years ago, Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy has doubled in size from one team to two, has built a top-ofthe-line locker room at its temporary home rink, has opened the doors to a dormitory that would make many college players jealous and has signed an affiliation agreement with the USPHL’s Potomac Patriots, among a number of other milestones.

More student housing and a new rink are in the plans for coming years as the academy’s 16-acre campus is built out.

Even with the long-term and intermediate goals often needing to be pushed to the forefront to keep everything on track, the team at Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy never loses sight of its ultimate goal - giving their student body the tools to succeed in academics and hockey.

“The goal each season is to continue to challenge ourselves to produce better, more effective ways to help our student-athletes grow, both on the ice and off,” Lewis said. “As the 2018-19 school year and hockey season are fast approaching, we’re excited about the incoming class of student-athletes who will be representing TPHA. We feel that we have proven in the academy’s first two seasons that our development model works for Tier II and Tier I players looking to increase their skill sets, and by sticking to this model, we’re confident that we’ll continue to develop players who make the most of their abilities and potential.”

This upcoming hockey season, the Ice Den invites you to join us as we celebrate 20 years of first goals, shut outs, power plays, overtime wins, teammates, friendships and sportsmanship on ice!

Stay tuned for exciting announcements, activities and events to come…

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Phoenix native Castor named Stuart coming back home to skate NAHL playoffs MVP with Mudbugs for NCAA Division I Sun Devils

By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

J

A

axon Castor is the type of hockey player that finds positives in the face of adversity.

Starting this past season with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, Castor was traded to the NAHL’s Shreveport Mudbugs mid-season and wound up leading the Louisiana-based franchise to the Robertson Cup national championship in just the team’s second season of operation.

“It was a shock, but I kind of saw it coming,” said Castor, a Phoenix native. “It was extremely tough leaving people I’ve built relationships with those two and a half years in Dubuque, but I knew I had a good opportunity in Shreveport and I just tried to have a positive attitude towards the whole situation.”

Castor wound up being named Robertson Cup MVP for his efforts in May’s tournament as the Mudbugs downed the Minot Minotauros in the championship final on May 14. He stopped 15 of 16 shots in the win and allowed just two goals in three games during the Robertson Cup. “Thinking back on that game, it was one of the happiest moment of my life,” the 21-year-old Castor said. “To do it with such an awesome group of guys made that night very special.”

Growing up, Castor also played for the Chandler Jr. Polar Bears, Arizona Hockey Union and Jr. Coyotes and said his influential coaches were Chuck Shott, Greg Avant, Sean Hill, Mike Vukonich, among others.

And through it all, he was always a goaltender.

“I started going to Coyotes, Phoenix Mustangs and Roadrunners games at an early age and I just remember loving it, so I always pretended to be a goalie,” said Castor. “I’d have my older brother, Joey, shoot on me in our living room. I started playing roller hockey in my cul-de-sac and then I eventually got skating lessons at Chandler Polar Ice. I had no interest in being a player; I was always a goalie, even in Mini Mites.”

Castor noted that as he has aged out of juniors, he “has no idea what I’m going to do next year.”

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

rizona State University will have a third Phoenix native on its NCAA Division I roster next season as incoming freshman Connor Stuart will join sophomore Johnny Walker and senior Anthony Croston on the Sun Devils.

Stuart announced his commitment earlier this offseason once his season with the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas concluded.

“It feels unbelievable,” Stuart said. “It was my dream school ever since they became Division I.” “We are thrilled to add a player and person of Connor’s caliber this late in the game as it pertains to recruiting,” said ASU coach Greg Powers.

“Connor has really developed nicely throughout his junior career and we still feel his best hockey is ahead of him. He defends very well, and I think has a skill set offensively that will continue to get better and better. What really separated him from everyone else was how badly he wanted to be a Sun Devil. That is what we want and expect out of local kids here in Arizona.”

Playing big minutes this season for the Brahmas (and one game to start the season with the Philadelphia Rebels), the Jr. Coyotes alum set career highs in goals (eight) and assists (18) in 60 games. He played the prior two seasons for the Odessa Jackalopes.

“I want to thank anyone who ever took a chance on me and thought that I could play,” Stuart said. “Never being drafted or tendered or anything, just the coaches who were willing to stick their neck out for me and put me in the right position, I can’t thank them enough for giving me the opportunity.

“Three years ago, I was fully enrolled at Arizona State, had a full schedule, I had my roommate, my dorm, and then literally a week before enrollment, I backed out of this whole thing to go the junior hockey route. It’s crazy to think that I’ll be able to go back and live in the dorms where I was visiting my buddies for three years prior.”

Stuart will study business and marketing at ASU.

HOCKEYSHOT

Are you a ‘get’ or ‘give’ type of hockey player?

By HockeyShot Mental & Emotional Coach John Haime

T

he past number of months, I have worked with many teams helping to get everyone on the same page, working to establish an agreed upon culture and help to identify any issues that could be preventing the team from maximizing individual abilities.

A major part of this is the attitude of the player and how well they fit into the team concept.

One exercise we do is identifying “get” and “give” players and how the two very different attitudes impact the team and the team’s results.

What is a “Get” or “Give” Player?

Some athletes are primarily focused on what they get for themselves (“what do I get”) within the team structure. They want to know if they get to start, can they always be on the top line, they want to play more minutes, receive all the awards, give less effort, show up to practice when they want and anything else that benefits them over the team.

Now, there are others who have a “what can I give” approach. They are focused on giving – what they get is not the priority. These players give their best effort in practice, training and games, give the team a good example of behavior, have a positive attitude, give other players a chance to make plays, sacrifice for the better of the group, have a coachable attitude and anything that helps the team over themselves.

Why You Must Be a “Give” Player There are many advantages to be a give player.

Here are a few reasons: . Every coach looks for the “what can I give” athlete for their team - coaches look for reasons not to select the

“what do I get” athlete . It’s far more fun to be on a team with “what can I give” athletes - the culture is more honest, humbler and teammates generally trust each other . It’s a funny thing in life that the more you give - the more you seem to get back - so a player who gives also “gets” in return

What is the Result of a “What Can I Give” Culture?

The best example of a culture of giving in sports is the New Zealand All Blacks - rugby’s most successful team in history with an 86 percent winning percentage. Their “sweep the sheds” culture and attitude not only promote an honest, high performing, family environment, but they also win.

After every game, the All Blacks players sweep the locker room of every last piece of grass, tape, and mud. They take responsibility for leaving the locker room the way they found it. No one looks after the All Blacks - they look after themselves. They also strive to leave “the shirt” in a better place than they got it when they eventually leave the program. They are not there to “get,” they are there to “give.”

Are you a “get” or “give” player? If you are a “get” player, you may consider what it might take for you to become a more “give” player. You may be surprised that a transition to a “give” player may help you “get” exactly what you want For all the best hockey training products, including Synthetic Ice – Revolution Tiles and Extreme Glide Synthetic Ice, visit www.

HOCKEYSHOT.com.

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INLINE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA

IHAAZ standouts stay rolling at California NARCh event

By Brian Lester

A

lthough the IHAAZ season wrapped up in May at the state finals, that didn’t mark the end of the year for many players from the league.

Several teams from the popular roller hockey league had players competing in the NARCh West Coast Nationals in California earlier this summer. The tournament took place June 21-July 1 at THE RINKS -Irvine Inline.

The Outcasts won the gold medal in the 12U Squirt Division behind the efforts of players from the Jr. Wildcats and the Yuma Blaze.

Dom Barber, Liam Wilde, Rachel Crabb and Eli Shulman represented the Jr. Wildcats on the squad, while the Blaze was represented by Trevor DiCori and Cole Gephardt.

The Outcasts Black 16U team won the silver medal in the Bantam division. Benji DiCori was the lone Blaze player on the squad and the Royals White had two players on the team in Jackson McBride and Luke Yubeta. Cody Case of the Royals Blue also played on the team.

Four other teams won bronze medals in their respective divisions.

The 10U Mite Platinum level team was loaded with players from the Knighthawks. Jayden Perea, Brandon Tessmer, Addison Noffsinger, Kye Friend, Nathan Kostidina, Blake Bur, Landon Jans and Reese Curry all represented the Knighthawks while Schulman from the Jr. Wildcats also played on the team.

The IHAAZ also had players competing on a team gained playing in IHAAZ prepared them for success.

“IHAAZ has always been a good offseason training in the 14U Pee Wee Silver Division. That team won a bronze medal as well in the tournament. ground for the summer roller tournaments,” Boyarsky Aiden Warner of the Royals, Coco Kaczynski, said. “This year, with our younger Outcasts teams esWilde, Dominic Barber and Ranon Plett of the Jr. pecially, we looked to recruit those that are putting their Wildcats and Justin VandeDerg and Jose Godina of time and energy into roller hockey, as well as ice in some cases, to form competitive Outcasts teams.” the Blaze all played for that team.

Boyarsky said the tournament is an example of just The other two bronze medal winners were the Outcasts 01s in the Bantam Gold Division and the Outcasts how good development of talent has been in IHAAZ. “Clubs like the Knighthawks 00s in the 18U Midget Platinum in 10U and the Jr. Wildcats and Division.

Yuma Blaze in 12U and 14U have The 01s featured six players from Royals Blue (Scott Bird, Jorbeen developing some strong taldan Werner, Skyler Sanchez, ent through their IHAAZ season,” Boyarsky said. “It’s that sort of deLuc Spinasanta, Carson Welch velopment that will allow programs and Nathan TePas) and one from like the Outcasts to continue to the Royals White (Carter Newlin). succeed.”

The Outcasts 00s had two Boyarsky said several of the IHAAZ players on it. Matt Mc- The Outcasts’ 12U team captured the tournaBride from Royals White and Te- ment title at the NARCh West Coast Nationals coaches deserve credit for getting the talent level in the league to Pas from Royals Blue both played event earlier this month in Irvine, Calif. where it is today. on that team.

“Much of the credit is due to coaches like Matt Two individuals were also recognized for their stellar efforts in the tournament. Jans was the top scorer for DiCori and Jeff Johnson of the Yuma Blaze, David the Revolution from Northern California, which took sec- Sticker and Jeremy Hiltabitel from the Jr. Wildcats, ond in the 8U Atom Gold Division and TePas earned top Dustin Jans with the Knighthawks and Marvin Simgoalie honors in the Bantam Gold Division. mons, Nic Spinsanta and Brian McBride from the Nick Boyarsky, who is the IHAAZ tournament direc- AZ Royals,” Boyarsky said. “Those individuals and tor, was glad players had an opportunity to compete in many others have done such an amazing job building such a high-level event and believes the experience they these young players.”

IHAAZ.com

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

MISSION ARIZONA

Mission AZ 18U squad returning to CSDHL play for ’18-19

By Greg Ball

S

ome big things are on the horizon for some of the oldest players within the Mission AZ youth hockey program, and this exciting new development should be a significant aid in developing those players and their futures on the ice.

Mission’s 18U Red team will return to the highly-competitive Central States Development Hockey League (CSDHL) for the 201819 season after two years away from the league. The program played in the CDSHL for the 2014-15 and ’15-16 seasons but stepped for a short time to ensure that it was the right move for its players.

“It’s a really great league,” said Jeremy Goltz, Mission’s director of hockey operations.

“The hockey really is the best in the country at that level. It’s very good hockey played by very good programs.

“What I’m hoping for, especially with our second-year guys, is that they’ll get this experience and they’ll be ready to jump into playing at the University of Arizona or Arizona State if they want to stay home instead of going to play juniors somewhere. I want them to navigate this tough schedule so that they have options when they want to continue in their hockey careers.”

The CSDHL is considered the best Tier II league in the United States and has a proven track record of

preparing young players to move on the next levels.

The league’s website includes a long list of alumni who have played professional, college and Junior A hockey.

“We had our 16U and 18U teams in the league a few years back - I really liked it, but I found that our 16U team wasn’t really ready for it from a maturity standpoint,” Goltz said.

“You make a lot of trips in this league coming from Arizona, and on most of those you play four or five games, all against high-

ly-competitive teams. I wanted to take a step back and then re-evaluated it as we approached this season.

“Here we are two years later, and I feel very good about our core of players that’s going to be back in the league. Consistency-wise, I think we’re ready to take this on this year.”

Goltz is excited about the opportunities presented by the North American Premier Hockey League (NA-

PHL) showcases that the CSDHL will participate in this season. Not only will Mission’s teams get to play regularly in the Chicago area, but they’ll visit Minneapolis and Detroit for showcase events that will provide excellent exposure to coaches and scouting directors.

“Our guys are going to be playing a lot of high-quality hockey,” Goltz said. “It’s going to help them grow and become better hockey players, so I’m pretty excited about it.”

He said the move has been well received by players, parents and his fellow coaches within the Mission program, who all have the same goals - providing the best available environment for players to develop to their full potential.

“They’re pumped,” Goltz said. “For people who know a little bit about the league, they know that it’s a big deal for Mission and for Arizona. The kids are really excited. I think we have a lot of guys on board with our plan and who really want to do something in the sport. That’s kind of been the driver for this decision. I figured it was a good time to test the waters again.”

Mission won’t waste any time diving into its CSDHL season. On Labor Day weekend, they travel to St. Louis to play games against teams from Affton, Mo., and Littleton, Colo.

“We start conditioning in mid-July and then we’re right into the mix,” Goltz said. “It’s heating up fast. I like letting them get a taste of it early, which can help them get to that high level of play quickly.”

MissionArizonaIce.org

Mission AZ Hockey Club MissionArizonaIce.org

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NEW MEXICO REPORT Warriors girls star Hartinger New Mexico product Gretz looks moves up to St. Louis AAA club back on rookie OHL season in Flint

By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

T

M

aylor Hartinger is living proof that talent exists in the New Mexico girls ranks.

And for the 2018-19 season, the St. Louis hockey community will learn that as well as Hartinger will be playing for the St. Louis Lady Blues 14U AAA team.

“This is very exciting for our family,” said Taylor’s father and coach Vladimir Hartinger. “She started playing hockey much later than most of her teammates on the New Mexico Warriors. She had to work really hard to get where she is right now.

“I think the whole idea of playing AAA hockey really started last December when we took Taylor to Detroit. She was invited to try out for the West Coast Selects and had to compete against some really good girls. From this time on, her focus was to get better so she would have an opportunity to make a 14U AAA team and play higher level hockey.”

Hartinger played in a few girls spring tournaments in Minneapolis with the 14U AAA Blue Notes (St. Louis) and 14U AAA Team Colorado. This drove her even more to want to play girls AAA hockey as she enjoyed the competition and physical aspect of the game.

“This was something I did not expect at all,” said Hartinger, on making the Lady Blues. “I worked really worked hard to get better and I’m glad I did. I had a goal last season to try to play at a higher level with girls or boys hockey.

Working with my dad doing extra practices with him, he really helped me to get better and it improved my skills.”

Down the line, Hartinger has huge aspirations in the game of hockey.

“I would love to play in the Olympics,” she said. “My dream would be to play for the U.S. or for Czech Republic since my dad is from there. Hockey is something I grew up with. I remember watching and cheering for my dad when he played. Now, he watches and cheers for me.”

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

arcus Gretz came to the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Flint Firebirds as a rookie defenseman last season with high expectations.

Suffice to say, he succeeded playing on the Major Junior stage, and the Albuquerque native still has room to keep growing.

“I think this season was huge for our team,” Gretz said. “Although we may not have done as well in the standings, I think we all improved our games heavily and grew a very tight-knit bond which is going to be very exciting to watch in the coming years. I think the adversity we faced was great. Not making the playoffs made us all so hungry and motivated in the offseason and checking in with the guys, we’ve all been having big offseasons.”

Gretz took in the NHL Draft last month in Dallas and saw two Flint teammates selected in Ty Dellandrea (first round, Dallas Stars) and Dennis Busby (fifth round, Arizona Coyotes). He said seeing those two drafted is prepping him for his draft year of 2020.

“I can’t describe how amazing it was being at the draft and seeing the boys get drafted,” said Gretz. “It really motivated me not just for myself but for New Mexico as well.

“Every day this summer, it’s been two hours in the gym and I felt like that wasn’t enough, so I started taking a conditioning class on Saturday mornings just to push myself to the best I can be.”

The Firebirds have a budding rivalry in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit, the other Michigan-based team in the league. Gretz said playing the Spirit takes him back to his youth hockey career.

“The rivalry is something like I’ve never seen,” said Gretz. “From when I was on Team New Mexico playing the Jr. Coyotes to being on Belle Tire playing Little Caesars, the rivalry we have with Saginaw is great because the games are intense and very fun to play in.

“Win or lose, it always seems like we get decent crowds. Our fans are absolutely amazing and are always behind us.”

Locals contributing nicely to USA women’s inline teams

By Phillip Brents

A

rizona has long been a source of talented female inline hockey players who have competed in such major events as NARCh, State Wars, Tour Pacific Cup, Amateur Athletic Union and other regional and state tournaments from the late 1990s onward.

Arizona has also begun to make a significant contribution to women’s inline hockey at the international level.

The seven Arizonans named to the U.S. senior women’s and U.S. junior women’s nationals teams competing at the 2018 International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) inline hockey world championship tournament appears to be proof of that.

Youngstown’s Allison Era, Tempe’s Katherine McGovern and Chandler’s Lyndsey Fry represented the defending gold medalist U.S. senior women’s team July 14-21 in Asiago, Italy.

Yuma’s Isabella Clark, Scottsdale’s Lauren Power, Ahwatukee’s Macy Eide and Phoenix’s Tatum Proud will represent the U.S. junior women’s team in competition July 22-28 in Roana, Italy.

Head coaches Dave Marmorstein (U.S. senior women) and Greg Era (U.S. junior women) both hail from Arizona to further enhance the Grand Canyon State theme.

The younger Era is the group’s trailblazer. She became the youngest member to make the U.S. senior women’s team at age 15 in 2008; she was also to the first Arizonan to make the team.

The 2018 tournament will mark her 11th consecutive year on Team USA. She has competed in Germany, Italy (four times), Czech Republic, Colombia, USA,

France, Argentina and China, where the United States not wait to get to Italy and show the world what USA defeated Spain to win last year’s tournament. girls roller hockey is all about.”

Era is serving as this year’s U.S. team captain.

The West Coast is well represented on the U.S. ju“We can’t take any country lightly,” she said before nior women’s team with four players from Arizona, three departing for Italy. “We are a talented team, but every- players from California, two players from Oregon and one needs to play up to their potential. Inline hockey is one player from Nevada. a team game and we will need to play as one to win.”

“This year’s team has a good age mix for competA new generation appears waiting to take the play- ing and growing the team,” the elder Era said. “With a ing court. group of senior-age This is the third 19U players, a group year the world champiof 16U players and a onships have featured couple of really good a junior women’s diviskating 14U playsion. Chinese Taipei ers, we will compete defeated Italy to win against some of the last year’s title. best junior women Proud is very exteams in the world cited to be part of such as Spain, Italy this year’s Team USA and Chinese Taipei.” junior women’s team Clark and Proud that will be looking to (goaltender) are both claim its first medal in products of the Inline the division.

Hockey Association “I am so excited Arizona’s contribution to this year’s U.S. junior women’s national inline hockey of Arizona (IHAAZ) to be goalie for Team team includes, from left, head coach Greg Era, Macy Eide, Izzy Clark, Tatum playing on 16U USA,” Proud ex- Proud, Lauren Power and assistant coach Lyndsey Fry. boys teams. Clark is plained. “This has been a dream of mine since I started representing the Yuma Blaze and Proud, the Arizona playing, and to be able to compete with my great friend Knighthawks.

Izzy Clark from Yuma is simply amazing.

Power and Eide are 1999 birth years and come “I have made a bunch of new friends and teammates from ice hockey programs. Power is a product of the and this group of girls are extremely awesome. I have long-standing AZ Lady Coyotes, while Eide won a state been lucky to have some fantastic coaches along the championship as a goaltender with Desert Vista High way. We have a lot of families and friends who are School in 2016-17 and has been named to Arizona cheering for us and it is truly an amazing feeling. I can- State University’s women’s ice hockey team.

Glendale’s Taylor making international saves on floor and 14-2 in the best-of-three semifinals.

The Liberty was the only team the Outcasts were unable to defeat at this year’s Champions Cup tournament, dropping 3-2 and 6-3 decisions in the best-ofthree finals.

“In both games (in the championship finals) we got down 2-0 early and struggled to regain momentum,”

championship tournament July 22-28 in Asiago, Italy.

It will be Taylor’s first time representing his country lendale’s Clay Taylor is having a star-spangled in international competition, though he will not be the summer. first in his family to do so. That honor belongs to his The former Arizona State University goaltender father, Hank Taylor. led the Arizona Outcasts to a runner-up finish in the “Being selected for Team USA is definitely a surreal Elite Division at May’s American Inline Hockey League thing as my father won gold in 1995 and 1996 with (AIHL) national championship tournament in PhilaTeam USA at the IIHF Inline World Championships,” delphia. the younger Taylor said. “It has always been a dream For an encore, he’d like to help steer the United of mine to be able to compete on the international States senior men’s national team to a medal at the stage and represent my country. I definitely owe a 2018 International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) lot to my teammates and the AIHL for giving me a inline hockey world championship tournament in Itplatform to showcase my abilities. aly.

“I also definitely owe (AIHL commissioner) Jeff The AIHL national championship tournament Haze a huge debt as he was very bullish to the UStook place May 18-20. It was the third consecutive ARS (USA Roller Sports) selection committee that runner-up finish in the finals for the Arizona-based they consider what I have been able to accomplish team. in the league and that was ultimately the foot in the “We played relatively well but definitely not to our door that led to my selection.” potential, which was a little disappointing,” Taylor Taylor played five seasons with ASU in the Westexplained. “The two East Coast teams we played in ern Collegiate Roller Hockey League, posting a the tournament played a physical style of game with 41-23-7 record in 72 game appearances between a more aggressive forecheck than what we were Arizona Outcasts goaltender Clay Taylor (center) was among several 2008-13.

Team USA players showcased at May’s American Inline Hockey League used to playing in the Western Conference.”

Taylor said while he was definitely inspired to The Outcasts qualified for the national champi- national championship playoff tournament in Philadelphia. Photo/AIHL play hockey by his father, an Oakland native who onship tournament for the fifth consecutive year after Taylor explained. was among five alternates chosen for the 1980 U.S. emerging on top of April’s Pacific Southwest Division Several Outcasts did come home highly decorated. Olympic ice hockey team, the younger Taylor said playchampionship playoffs.

Taylor earned honors as the Western Conference’s ing the goaltender position was not by design.

The Outcasts finished 4-3 in Philadelphia – 2-1 in Most Valuable Player during the regular season while “I didn’t necessarily choose being a goalie; it sort pool play (with a 2-1 loss to the host Philadelphia Lib- Tommy Tuohy earned the conference’s Most Valu- of chose me,” he explained. “When I was eight, our erty), 2-0 in the semifinals (against the Pacific North Di- able Defenseman award during the regular season. travel team didn’t have any goalies trying out for the vision champion East Bay Jawz) and 0-2 in the champiWill Heinze received recognition as the Most team, so my father, who was the coach, put me at that onship round (against the Liberty).

Valuable Defenseman at the AIHL Finals. position and it was just a natural fit that has stuck ever The Outcasts defeated the Jawz by scores of 9-2 Taylor will suit up for Team USA at the FIRS world since.”

By Phillip Brents

G

AZRubberHockey.com

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2017-18 ARIZONA/NEW MEXICO ALUMNI Email all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com

ARIZONA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Brendan Lemieux (Phoenix) – Winnipeg Jets Auston Matthews (Scottsdale) – Toronto Maple Leafs AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Austin Carroll (Scottsdale) – Stockton Heat Trevor Cheek – Tucson Roadrunners * Jeremy Langlois (Tempe) – Hershey Bears Zac Larraza (Scottsdale) – Tucson Roadrunners Gage Quinney – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins * Philip Samuelsson (Scottsdale) – Charlotte Checkers ECHL Henrik Samuelsson (Scottsdale) – Idaho Steelheads Joey Sides (Tucson) – Tulsa Oilers SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Cody Castro (Peoria) – Pensacola Ice Flyers Richard Coyne (Cave Creek) – Mississippi RiverKings Brandon Fehd (Gilbert) – Birmingham Bulls Ben Oskroba (Tempe) – Peoria Rivermen Brandon Parrone (Peoria) – Pensacola Ice Flyers EUROPE J.T. Barnett (Scottsdale) – France Anthony Caruso (Queen Creek) – Sweden Nikolai Knyzhov – Russia * !

Mike Krieg (Phoenix) – United Kingdom Broc Little (Phoenix) – Switzerland Luke Moffatt (Paradise Valley) – United Kingdom NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Kaliya Johnson (Chandler) – Boston Pride COLLEGE HOCKEY

D-I INDEPENDENT Anthony Croston (Phoenix) – Arizona State University Johnny Walker (Phoenix) – Arizona State University NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN COLLEGE HOCKEY AMERICA Taylor Curtis (Peoria) – Syracuse University Logan Hicks (Scottsdale) – Syracuse University Victoria Samuelsson (Scottsdale) – Penn State University HOCKEY EAST Makenna Newkirk (Scottsdale) – Boston College Carlee Turner (Scottsdale) – University of New Hampshire

MacKenzie Lyons (Scottsdale) – Nichols College Sarah McSweeney (Chandler) – Becker College MIAC Molly Andrews (Phoenix) – St.. Olaf College NEHC Natasha Hawkins (Scottsdale) – New England College NEWHL Bri Carroll (Peoria) – Buffalo State University Jessica Carter (Scottsdale) – Buffalo State University Hannah Kiraly (Glendale) – Plattsburgh State University

WCHA Amanda Martin (Peoria) – Minnesota State University

UCHC Raeann Clancy (Surprise) – King’s College Gabrielle Igo (Phoenix) – Utica College

NCAA DIVISION III – MEN

JUNIOR HOCKEY

CCC Chris James (Carefree) – Curry College Alec Mono – Curry College &

BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Luke Ormsby – Wenatchee Wild *

MASCAC Brandon Berkley (Scottsdale) – University of Mass.-Dartmouth Erik Pritchard (Cave Creek) – Worcester State University MIAC Nick Nast – St. Mary’s University & NCHA Ashton Amaya (Gilbert) – Aurora University Clay Cross (Glendale) – Marian University Forbes Ploszaj (Gilbert) – College of St. Scholastica NEHC Bryan McFarlane (Scottsdale) – New England College

NCAA DIVISION I – MEN

NESCAC Andy Chugg (Mesa) – Trinity College

ATLANTIC HOCKEY Michael Boyle (Phoenix) – Bentley University Derek Brown (Peoria) – Niagara University Christian Cakebread (Gilbert) – Niagara University

SUNYAC Cameron Berry (Chandler) – Oswego State University Alex Storjohann (Anthem) – Cortland State University Sean Winikates (Phoenix) – Potsdam State University

ECAC Todd Burgess (Phoenix) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

UCHC Jeremy Briscoe (Phoenix) – Lebanon Valley College

NCHC Jake Durflinger – University of Denver & Phil Knies (Phoenix) – Miami University Carson Vance (Tempe) – Western Michigan University

WIAC Adam Kleven (Phoenix) – University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

WCHA Danny Kiraly (Glendale) – University of Alaska-Fairbanks

COLONIAL HOCKEY Alex Bloom (Scottsdale) – Canton State University

NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN

CENTRAL CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE Ethan Osburn (Dewey) – Navan Grads EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Colten Egge (Chandler) – New England Wolves Joshua George (Chandler) – New England Wolves Jacob Kerns (Peoria) – Connecticut RoughRiders Drew Platt (Gilbert) – Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Dimitri Thorsen (Peoria) – Philadelphia Jr. Flyers KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Cole Golden (Phoenix) – Revelstoke Grizzlies Hayden Hirsch (Phoenix) – Kamloops Storm Ryan Radke (Cave Creek) – Princeton Posse NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Trey Bagwell (Tempe) – Aberdeen Wings James Brown III (Phoenix) – Texas Brahmas Nathan Burke (Scottsdale) – Aberdeen Wings Jaxon Castor (Phoenix) – Shreveport Mudbug Jeremy Gabriele (Scottsdale) – Topeka RoadRunners Clayton Lackey (Scottsdale) – Coulee Region Chill Michael Mahan (Scottsdale) – Bismarck Bobcats Reid Miller (Phoenix) – Philadelphia Rebels Keenan Spillum (Paradise Valley) – Aberdeen Wings Joe Strada (Scottsdale) – Aberdeen Wings Connor Stuart (Phoenix) – Lone Star Brahmas Cole Tiedemann (Flagstaff) – Texas Brahmas Mason Vukonich (Phoenix) – Fairbanks Ice Dogs NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Blake Bjella (Mesa) – St. Louis Jr. Blues Nic Bragg (Prescott) – College Station Spirit

Eddie Cannon (Glendale) – Oswego Stampede Keaton Caplis (Gilbert) – La Crosse Freeze Christopher Crowley (Fountain Hills) – Southern Tier Xpress Hunter Feagins (Surprise) – Gillette Wild Jacob Garman – La Crosse Freeze & Kevin Hamilton (Phoenix) – Louisiana Drillers Gabriel Lepper (Glendale) – Gillette Wild Dylan Mattfeldt (Glendale) – Missoula Jr. Bruins Hayden Seitz (Phoenix) – Helena Bighorns Austin Wilks (Avondale) – Point Mallard Ducks QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Landon Quinney – Saint John Sea Dogs & UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Carson Dimoff (Scottsdale) – Sioux Falls Stampede D.J. King – U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team * Erik Middendorf (Scottsdale) – U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team Adam Samuelsson – U..S. NTDP Under-18 Team * Ryan Savage (Scottsdale) – Omaha Lancers UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Adam Bricker (Scottsdale) – PAL Jr. Islanders (NCDC) Zach Canaan (Tempe) – Tampa Bay Juniors (Premier) Daniel Chambers (Phoenix) – PAL Jr. Islanders (Premier) Henry Dennee (Chandler) – Skipjacks Hockey Club (Premier) Sean Dickson – Hampton Roads Whalers (Premier) & Joe DiGiulio (Scottsdale) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Premier) Brett Dillon (Phoenix) – New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Jonas Edwards (Scottsdale) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Premier) Sage Englund (Scottsdale) – Northern Cyclones (NCDC) Dakota Gottlieb (Scottsdale) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Premier) Justin Jiang (Chandler) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) Sebastian Llaneras (Phoenix) – Eugene Generals (Elite) Alec Miller (Peoria) – New Jersey Rockets (Elite) Fraizer Mohler (Phoenix) – Eugene Generals (Elite) Barrett Rosser (Scottsdale) – Atlanta Knights (Premier) Ethan Roswell (Paradise Valley) – Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC) Jared Sanchez (Scottsdale) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Premier) Cameron Sniffin (Scottsdale) – Syracuse Stars (Premier)

Joe Platt (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights Christian Reh – Phoenix Knights @ Colton Seeman (Phoenix) – Phoenix Knights Brennan Smith (Mesa) – Phoenix Knights Jeffrey Solomon (Mesa) – Phoenix Knights Ivan Vilcauskas (Phoenix) – Fresno Monsters Ryan Weick (Mesa) – Phoenix Knights Malcolm Williams (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights PREP SCHOOL Jackson Birecki (Phoenix) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Alexis Ryan (Mesa) – Williston Northampton Jared Shuter (Prescott) – Tahoe Hockey Academy

NEW MEXICO COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Jackson Barliant (Santa Fe) – Sacred Heart University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN NESCAC Nicholas Faturos (Albuquerque) – Amherst College UCHC Cory King (Albuquerque) – Chatham University NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN NESCAC Kristen Molina (Albuquerque) – Amherst College JUNIOR HOCKEY NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Josh Martinez (Las Cruces) – Roc City Royals

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Mark Kastelic (Phoenix) – Calgary Hitmen Jeremy Masella (Phoenix) – Victoria Royals Kaid Oliver – Victoria Royals & Luke Ormsby – Everett Silvertips *

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE Marcus Gretz (Albuquerque) - Flint Firebirds

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Brandon Bessee (Globe) – Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers Michael Caravella (Chandler) – Phoenix Knights Caleb Cavazos (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights Noah Duke (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights Chase Gillaspie (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights Justin Gusso (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights Kohl Hedquist (Tempe) – Phoenix Knights Anthony Masanotti – Phoenix Knights @ Ozzy Mason (Gilbert) – Phoenix Knights

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Quinn Martin (Santa Fe) – Idaho IceCats

UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Nick Darrow (Rio Rancho) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite)

* former Jr. Coyote & former Arizona Bobcat % former Mission AZ @ former DYHA Jr. Sun Devil ! former Phoenix Firebird

SHOP TALK

BTM Goalie School still going strong after 32 years F

rom July 2-6, the 32nd Annual BTM Goalie School was held at the Ice Den Scottsdale.

On Monday, the 40-plus goalies arrived in waves for check-in, handing out of the school jersey and some swag. Goalies and parents attended a Exelby meeting outlining the program and expectations.

The goalies left the meeting to get ready for the first on-ice session. At the BTM Goalie School, we spend the first 30 minutes of each ice session working on goalie-specific power skating. This is one of the most underdeveloped skills goalies work on.

Power skating drills in practices are usually pretty generic and tailored towards the players. Not that goalies can’t benefit from this or any type of skating, but over our 32 years of experience, we are firm believers in goalie-specific power skating.

After the power skating, the goalies are broken up into four stations. One is a puck shooting machine station where in the morning, we video tape the goalies and go over with each our video analysis session at lunch. We have two instructional stations teaching

fundamentals and live-game situations. Our last station is our shooters station. Goalies don’t just stand in this station and get shots. They start at the post and push off to the shooter.

Each station and session work on different drills and skills throughout the week.

On Thursday afternoon, our power skating consists of “dots.” Any goalies who have attended the school over the years knows exactly what this is. It is the hardest power skating drill of the camp. It is a test of mental and physical endurance. Working hard, giving 100 percent no matter how tired you may be. This years “dot day” was the best I can remember. Also considering the number of younger goalies, I couldn’t have been prouder.

After our ice session each day, we did dryland training on the turf field. This included exercise stations that worked on a wide range of fitness skills including jump rope and tennis ball hand-eye coordination. Another day, we had Jodi come out and run the goalies and a couple of the moms through a yoga session. On July 4, we had the entire turf field to ourselves and used it to play soccer, floor ball, football and dodge ball. The last session of dry land training, we had a push up, sit up and jump rope competition, along with a Group 4 (oldest goalies in school) versus the instructors game of football. The instructors got the best of the goalies, but fun was had by all.

After our dryland sessions, the goalies got a

well-deserved lunch break. During lunch, each of the four groups spent time going over the video from the morning puck shooting session.

Throughout the week, we had special guests come and talk to our goalies. Bauer and CCM came to talk and show goalie products – especially all the new 2018 products – and gave the goalies some swag.

We were fortunate to have former NHL goalie Corey Hirsch come out again this year and talk to the goalies about mental preparation and nutrition.

We had three adult former BTM Goalie School students (alumni) come out and volunteer throughout the week. Two of them had sons in the camp – the second generation of BTM goalies.

The goalie school culminated with Friday’s showdown competition and awards ceremony (See Page 7). For the showdown, as always, we had a great crowd of parents, grandparents, siblings and friends for the grand finale of the school. This year was another epic shootout that included highlight-reel saves. We videotape the showdown and post on social media.

The school wrapped up with our awards presentation.

At the BTM Goalie School, our goal with the camp is hard work, learning, fun and friendships. It was my pleasure to work with this great group of goalies.

Thanks to all that attended!

Randy Exelby is the owner of Behind The Mask Hockey Shops.

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

AZRubberHockey.com

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DYLAN STROME

Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes Hometown: Mississauga, Ont., Canada NHL Draft: Selected by Arizona in the first round (third overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft Last Amateur Team: Erie Otters (Ontario Hockey League) Age: 21 Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?

Dylan Strome: I would say winning the OHL championship in 2016-17.

AZR: What’s your favorite memory in the game since leaving junior hockey?

DS: That would be my first NHL goal. That was a big one. Yeah, the goalie was Keith Kinkaid (with the New Jersey Devils) and I’ll never forget that one. That was here in Arizona (on Dec. 2, 2017).

AZR: Who have been the biggest influences on you, on and off the ice?

DS: I would say my brother (Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan) and my dad. Really, I think it’s my whole family in general. My two brothers (Ryan and Matthew, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect), my mom and my dad are very supportive, on and off the ice. I played against Ryan a couple of times and it’s a little bit weird, but we respect each other a lot. I really value his opinion and what he says.

AZR: What’s the best piece of advice you have for young hockey players?

DS: Wait, I am a young player (laughter). Just be confident. Make the simple plays and simple is good in this league. That gets the job done. Most important, be confident and be simple.

AZR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play?

DS: Golf. No, I’m not ready for the tour and I’m not very good, but I like to play. For me, it’s a lot of fun.

AZR: Do you have any superstitions?

DS: Not too crazy. I try and eat the same thing on a game day and that’s similar to many of the guys. I tape my stick on the bench before the game or somewhere near the bench.

AZR: What does your game-day routine look like?

DS: Again, nothing too crazy. It’s pretty typical. Just eat what everyone else eats and get a good nap for about two hours. Then focus up, have a shower and get ready to go. I’m not a big pasta guy, because we eat so much, but I’ll have some rice and some veggies and chicken.

AZR: Do you have a favorite meal or restaurant here in the Phoenix area?

DS: I like Koi Poke (Japanese restaurant in Scottsdale). I think that’s my favorite place to eat in the entire world.

AZR: What are some essential items you take on a road trip?

DS: Toiletries bag, mainly. A toothbrush and stuff like that. I usually take a couple pairs of shoes, some suits and nothing too fancy. Yeah, my phone charger. I’ve literally lost three phone chargers this past season.

AZR: Did you have a favorite hockey player growing up?

DS: Yes, Mats Sundin, for sure. He was the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Photo/Norm Hall

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Arizona Rubber Hockey Magazine

- Compiled by Mark Brown