California Rubber Magazine - February 2019

VOLUME 12

ISSUE 6

FEBRUARY 2019

The One Step Sharks – a new hockey program for individuals with special needs – has taken off in San Jose and is further proof that the wonderful game of hockey can be enjoyed by anyone

ST. MARY’S CAPTAINS BROWN, SALDANHA FINDING SUCCESS AS STUDENT-ATHLETES

MOY, PRUDEN COME FULL CIRCLE IN SAN DIEGO COACHING WITH JR. GULLS PROGRAM

ICE CENTER CUPERTINO GEARING UP FOR UPCOMING SPRING HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

LADY DUCKS GRADUATE REYES HITS NCAA MILESTONE WITH DIVISION I ST. LAWRENCE

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FROM THE EDITOR Even though it’s the February grind, still plenty of hockey left

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Matt Mackinder

ere we are – well into February.

The holiday break has long been gone and for teams at all levels, it’s either time for the playoffs or time to start gearing up for the playoffs.

What a great time of year, yes?

Teams are leaving it all on the ice, players are finding that extra gear to make a play for the good of the team and coaches are preparing teams for the grind that can lead to new banners being raised to the rafters in their home rink.

Yes, what a great time of the year!

It’s hard to believe, but it seems like it was just late August and teams were starting to come together.

Now, it’s February and teams are more like families at this point.

Enjoy the rest of the ride!

Earlier this month, the Anaheim Ducks fired head coach Randy Carlyle and inserted general manager Bob Murray as the interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Ducks team owners Henry and Susan Samueli sent a letter to season ticket holders and said they see positive things ahead.

“This has been a surprisingly difficult season,” reads the letter. “We supported Bob Murray’s previous decision to allow the players and staff to battle out of this situation. While no one person should take the blame for our current predicament, recent results dictated that Bob needed to make this move.

“We are a proud organization with a great winning tradition. Our current performance is very disappointing and therefore we have given Bob permission to do whatever is necessary to get us back to our winning ways. By placing Bob behind the bench for the remainder of the season, he will gain unique insights into the team which will enable him to best determine the changes that need to be made.

“Changes are always difficult, but you can rest assured that ownership and management will do a thorough and thoughtful assessment of our team and make decisions that are in the best interests of the team for both the near term and long term. We are confident that we can turn this around quickly.”

In junior hockey news, Laguna Niguel native Wiggle Kerbrat was named the Eastern Hockey League’s Forward of the Month for January. Kerbrat and the New Hampshire Avalanche won eight of nine games last month as Kerbrat tallied eight goals and 17 points.

San Jose native Matt Vernon was tabbed the NAHL Goaltender of the Month for the second straight month. Vernon posted an 8-0-0 record during the month for the Aberdeen Wings and allowed just 12 goals in eight games during the month, which included 216 saves on 228 total shots, good for a 1.47 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage. He also had two shutouts in January. More on Vernon on Page 10.

In the USPHL NCDC Futures Draft on Jan. 31, four members of the Jr. Kings were selected – forwards Danny Minnehan (New Jersey Rockets) and Riley Ruh (Twin City Thunder), defenseman Brandon Plaga (South Shore Kings) and goaltender Alex Bonrouhi (Connecticut Jr. Rangers) – in addition to Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 15U AAA forward Luke Ellis (Rockets) and California native J.T. Halliday (South Shore), who is playing prep school hockey this season at St. Paul’s.

The rosters for the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, which will be held from Feb. 18-19 in Attleboro, Mass., include California natives Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach), Sam Anzai (Los Angeles) and Jared Christy (Cypress).

Over in the NCAA realm, two California natives – Annie Pankowski (Laguna Hills, University of Wisconsin) and Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Fredonia State University) – are finalists for the 2019 Hockey Humanitarian Award, presented annually to college hockey’s “finest citizen” for leadership in community service.

The winner will be announced on April 12 at the Frozen Four in Buffalo, N.Y. Congratulations to the Anaheim Jr. Ducks (18U, 14U), Los Angeles Jr. Kings (16U) and San Jose Jr. Sharks (15 Only) on capturing CAHA Tier I state championships Feb. 10 at Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena in Irvine!

The 11U, 12U and 13U Tier I state championships will be played March 1-3, also in Irvine. The Tier II state playoffs go March 15-17, A/B playoffs March 29-31 and high school playoffs March 1-3.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

California 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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TRAVELIN’ MAN

San Jose native Egan Wolford has played hockey in California, Saskatchewan and this season, in New York City. His experiences at each stop go beyond the ice, however. More on Wolford’s journeys on Page 24. Photo/Stephen Spencer/Action Photography

ON THE COVER Players from the new One Step Sharks - a program for special needs individuals that want to learn to play the great game of hockey - along with coach Chris Topham and S.J. Sharkie gathered recently at Solar4America Ice at San Jose.

Photo/Brandon Magnus

– m a r g o r p r u o t u You’ve heard abo ! t u o b a l l a e r ’ e w t a now see wh

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Above and Beyond One Step Sharks program provides instruction for those with intellectual, physical disabilities

individuals I have encountered in the hockey world.”

The One Step Sharks is a natural fit for both Topham and Woosley as their day he saying “hockey is for everyone” has an emphatic meaning in San Jose these jobs coincide with the individuals on the team. Topham is a board-certified behavior days. analyst working with individuals diagnosed with autism and Woosley is the music The One Step Sharks program, designed for individuals with intellectual or phys- program instructor and special programs developer for One Step Beyond, Inc. ical disabilities, came to fruition last fall and has taken off in the Bay Area.

“I think most people don’t try the sport because its intimidating,” said WoosA similar program – One Step Coyotes – is in its second season in Phoenix and ley. “Scary to say the least, especially for someone with an intellectual disability. If both One Step programs are the brain child of Jared Woosley. more people knew about this fun aspect of the game, which really isn’t the game at “We had started a hockey team at our One Step Beyond San Mateo location (life all – it’s skating around the rink, all warm in your gear skills day program for adults with intellectual disabilities) and at the time, we didn’t but with that ice-cold breeze on your face. It’s have a name,” explained Woosley. “We just went out and played. Our good friend the feel of the stick when it connects with Hanna Hanhan at Nazareth Ice Oasis helped us greatly when it came to getting a puck so perfectly that it saucers to the these guys on the ice. net and banks in with a beautiful ping “Our program participants (all 18 and older) were really into it and the parents off the post. It’s enjoying all of that were very supportive of that. The San Jose Sharks reached out and invited us to with your friends – with your team. skate at their practice facility (Solar4America Ice at San Jose). We all decided to Every single human on earth would put a motion in place that will grow special hockey by geographically coordinating love that if they had the opportunity close NHL franchises together for the purpose of special hockey development. to try.

In the future, we hope to see the One Step Sharks play the One Step Coyotes “Hockey is for everybody, but in at Sharks and Coyotes home games against each other. I can’t wait for that day.” some places, it’s not as attainable.

Chris Topham coaches the One Step Sharks and has been elated with the It makes me so happy to know that season’s highlights to this point. in those places there are people do“There have been so ing something about it. many highlights during In the Bay Area, there the season that it is hard are many, and growing.” to pick a place to start,” Woosley added that said Topham. “It’s just working with the One great to see the progress Step Sharks is truly a reour players make each warding experience. week and the smiles on “Everyone has chaltheir faces as they arlenges, some more serive at the rink. They are vere than others,” he always so enthusiastic said. “It’s important that about playing and show everyone has the opa real love for the sport. portunity despite that I am always impressed fact. Hockey is someby their dedication comthing that my friends at ing from someone who One Step Beyond love learned the sport later in to play, and I’m glad that life. I know that there are the hockey community numerous challenges in San Jose and the Bay along the way to being Area have done so much able to play the sport. to help.

One of the highlights “Right now, the playhas to be the jersey ers range in age from presentation on Dec. 20-35, and yes, they all San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, a major supporter of the NHL’s ‘Hockey Is For Everyone’ campaign, took part in the One 12. For that session, we Step Sharks jersey unveiling at Solar4America Ice at San Jose back on Dec. 12. Photo/Brandon Magnus get along very well. They had (Sharks forward) encourage each other in Evander Kane and (Sharks mascot) S.J. Sharkie come out on the ice to present the locker room and on the ice. It’s a beautiful thing.” us with the official One Step Sharks jerseys and socks.

And getting the support from the NHL’s Sharks has been key in keeping the “I can’t thank the Sharks organization enough for the continuation of the pro- program sustainable. gram as a whole, but for that day in particular. It was great to see all of our players “The Sharks have helped tremendously in keeping the team going by providing get so excited to receive the jerseys and meet Evander and Sharkie.” free ice time, equipment, publicity, and a huge amount of support, both on and off Topham added that while each player has individual goals for the season, he the ice,” Topham said. “We are hugely grateful for the Sharks organization getting wants to see the players continue to smile and enjoy learning the game of hockey. involved and it has been an experience of a lifetime for the players who are all huge “Our main goal is simply to have our players out there on the ice having fun and Sharks fans. Some of our volunteers come through the Jr. Sharks organization and spreading the message that hockey is for everyone,” Topham said. “Everyone has both the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda have been generous with their already come so far in the few months that we have been skating, and we hope to time and equipment. continue to grow as a team and to promote the culture that hockey is for everyone.

“We have regular sessions at the Solar4America Ice every Wednesday at noon We live by this saying at the One Step Sharks and we are so proud to be members and will continue to develop our hockey skills in advance of any games that may of the Sharks organization – an organization that supports this saying through their be scheduled. The fact that we have regular ice time, passionate volunteers, and a generosity in the community. dedicated group of players already makes the program a success. I can’t thank our “It was particularly special to have Evander Kane come out to practice since volunteers enough for their continued support and coming out every week to help we know that the ‘Hockey Is For Everyone’ initiative is something that he is very out. Joanne Couling, Thorin Stormo and Sean Ketchum, among others, have passionate about. One of our main goals as a team is to disseminate the message been a huge help in on-ice coaching, equipment management, and everything else that hockey is for everyone and get more people involved in the sport. It truly is the behind the scenes that goes into making the sessions happen.” greatest sport, at least we think so, and it has been very therapeutic, not just for For more information on joining the One Step Sharks, email Chris Topham at the members of the One Step Sharks, but also for me as a coach and countless cbtopham88@gmail.com.

By Matt Mackinder

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

CGBHockey.com

With cancer gone, Titans alum Woods enjoying pro career

By Phillip Brents

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ormer California Titans standout Justin Woods is now a professional hockey player in every sense of the word.

But there was a time when that was not so certain.

Woods, who played the 2010-11 season for the Titans’ 18U team, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer following his freshman season at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (WCHA). He took a season off to undergo treatment before returning to finish a four-year career with the Nanooks.

“My freshman year in college, which was 201314, I got diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma,” Woods recalled. “It’s a rare childhood cancer, soft tissue and bone cancer. I had to sit out a full year. I had nine months of chemo and one month of radiation. Luckily, ever since, I’m cancer-free. It’s quite the journey.”

Indeed so.

Woods, who had navigated stints in the North American Hockey League with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and in the United States Hockey League with the Lincoln Stars after receiving a launch into competitive tier hockey with the Titans, had just turned 20 when he received the bad news.

About 200-250 Americans, mostly male, are diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma each year, about onein-a-million people. Woods’ particular cancer had developed as a cyst on his right knee.

Woods admitted he was scared when he first got the news. The thought of losing a leg or even losing one’s life understandably put hockey in the back seat.

Some cancer remained after the initial surgery

and doctors had to go back in and scrape more maWoods signed with the Jacksonville Icemen of lignant tissue off the bone. Ten months of treatments the ECHL, an affiliate of the Jets, after completing followed in Seattle. his college eligibility. He appeared in eight games Because doctors got to the cancer early, Woods for the Icemen at the tail end of the 2017-18 season, was afforded some positive thinking. recording three goals and seven points with a plusDue to the treatment regimen, Woods missed out three rating. on more than just playing for the hometown Nanooks.

He generated enough interest from those numHe was unable to attend an NHL development camp bers to sign a professional tryout offer with the Amerwith the Winnipeg Jets as ican Hockey League’s Mana free-agent invitee in the itoba Moose, Winnipeg’s summer 2014. top developmental affiliate, However, he got a big and appeared in one game morale boost when the Jets with the Moose to end that sent the gear that he would season. have used in camp to him Now 24 and a strapping in Seattle as a motivating 6-foot-2, 206-pound defentool. seman, Woods signed an Following his return to AHL contract with Moose the ice in 2015-16 with the during the offseason.

Nanooks, during which he Woods said he remains picked up five goals and grateful for the opportuninine points in 34 games, ty to play with the Titans Woods received an invitasome eight years ago. tion to the Jets’ 2016 deDuring the 2010-11 velopment camp. He was season with the Titans, he able to attend this time.

Justin Woods skated for the California Titans during the collected eight goals and It was time to put hock- 2010-11 season and is now honing his craft with the 17 points with 47 penalty ey back on the front burner. AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Photo/Phillip Brents minutes in 24 games.

During his junior season with the Nanooks, he It proved to be a launching pad to being selected to posted 12 points in 30 games. During his senior play in the 2012-13 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. season, he logged nine goals and 20 points in 34 “You play so many games down here and there’s games. a lot of good competition,” Woods explained. “You Overall, he collected 47 points (18 goals, 29 as- go to about five big tournaments throughout the sists) with 105 penalty minutes in 133 games with country, so I think that really prepared me for my next the Nanooks. step up in juniors.”

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SAN DIEGO JR. GULLS Moy, Pruden find way back to San Diego coaching with Jr. Gulls

By Matt Mackinder

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he journey started 40 years ago for Greg Pruden and Randy Moy. Moy picked up Pruden at the airport when he arrived to play hockey for U.S. International University and Moy was an assistant coach there. At that time, USIU was an NCAA Division I hockey program and Pruden, an Edmonton native, wound up playing four years there.

“Randy was a big help to the program and always took good care of me,” said Pruden.

Moy is a Detroit-area native and for the past 10 years, he and Pruden have coached and developed the top talent from San Diego with the Jr. Gulls.

After USIU, the two went their different ways with Pruden playing and coaching in Germany and Moy coaching youth hockey and working his day job as an accountant.

“I’ve had a passion for hockey since I began to play Randy Moy & Greg Pruden growing up in the Detroit area,” Moy said. “After playing college, I began to coach high school, NCAA D-III (St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minn.) and D-I college at Ferris State and USIU. When my two kids were three years old, they also began to play hockey and they loved it, so I began to coach them. I have continued to coach youth hockey and give lessons every day.”

Both Moy and Pruden have sons playing pro hockey and Randy has a daughter, Keely, currently playing D-I at Harvard.

“We would never have known it when Randy picked me up at the airport 40 years ago, but we are back together again in San Diego on the ice,” Pruden said. “It’s been an amazing ride and the connection between our two families may not soon be over because Randy’s son, Tyler, and my son, Garret, are now both playing professionally in Europe and who knows? They may be coaching together in the future.”

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL

Rams captains Saldanha, Brown epitomize true leadership

By Matt Mackinder

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s a first-year program, St. Mary’s High School has turned heads in Stockton and the surrounding areas.

And while the vast majority of the school taking the ice falls on the shoulders of the Rams’ coaching staff and school administration, two players have stood out this season as team captains.

Ethan Saldanha is the St. Mary’s captain this season with Clayton Brown serving as the alternate captain. Both juniors relish playing for the Rams and taking on leadership roles.

“Being the captain of this team has been a big responsibility,” said Saldanha, an Oregon native. “Being captain means that you’re a leader but it’s not ‘what I say goes.’ I learned that early in the season. Captaincy is leading when the going gets tough and being a figure of guidance when it’s not.

“For my coach (Derek Eisler) to select me as captain, it means a lot to me. He says that I have qualities that make people like me and that I can converse with people easily – qualities of a leader.”

Brown, who played last season for the Valencia Jr. Flyers, is equally proud to have a letter on his jersey this season.

“On this team, being a captain is not only an extension of the coaching staff, but you have to set a good example for your teammates, be selfless, and work harder than the ones next to you to make not only you,

but your teammates, better,” Brown said. “To me, being a captain of this team is special. I’ve never been part of a team that is so close. It motivates me to do better and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

This season, the Rams play in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League and the NAHL Prep League. Wins and losses aside, the 2018-19 season has been an eye-opener on many levels.

“This season has been full of ups and downs, but overall, as a team, we are getting better and better as

Ethan Saldanha

Clayton Brown

time progresses, so this is a good season in my eyes,” Brown said.

“I would say our season hasn’t gone the way any team would want, but we are turning that around swiftly in 2019,” said Saldanha. “As for the season with this group of boys, we’ve come together quite well. We’ve had our bumps in the road, but that just adds to the character of our team. It hasn’t been the winning expe-

rience on our record, but it has been a winning experience with the boys.

“We have all risen to the challenge to compete at the level we do, to overcome our disadvantages. All of us come from different backgrounds, ranging for B level to AAA, and we’ve all come together like a quilt to create the unit we are. I would definitely say we are not your typical varsity hockey team. We have two players from Israel, and the rest of us have been pulled from the surrounding areas of California, a couple from Bakersfield, and myself from Oregon.”

Being a student at St. Mary’s also means that the academics are just as demanding as the hockey component.

“St. Mary’s hockey takes a lot of commitment,” said Brown. “We practice every day as well as weightlift.

As long as you’re willing to put the work in, the results won’t take long to show. Compared to past teams I’ve played for in SCAHA, I’ve never put this much work in.

Being around the sport more often helps to create a higher sense of seriousness that you just can’t find in club hockey.

“At St. Mary’s, school comes first. If you fail at school, you don’t get to play. From the teachers, to the counselors, this school is fantastic. With my experience in all sorts of school (public school, homeschool, online school,) I prefer St. Mary’s the most. Although it may be a challenge sometimes to balance school and the hockey, it is definitely worth the effort. You will be ready to go to college after attending St. Mary’s.”

SaintMarysHighSchool.org

Jr. Ducks graduate Niedermayer commits to NCAA D-I Arizona State

By Chris Bayee

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ackson Niedermayer called playing college hockey a long-time goal.

The forward from Newport Beach also figured out something else early on – he loved scoring goals.

This in spite of growing up in the same house as a Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman, his father Scott.

“Forward always appealed to me more than defense,” he said. “That’s why I worked on shooting so much, doing the little things no one sees, whether it was shooting pucks in the backyard or going to clinics.

“I credit Craig (Johnson) and my dad for my development. I tried to apply all of these things they taught me and continue to teach me.”

So one month to the day before the Anaheim Ducks were scheduled to retire Scott’s jersey (Feb. 17), Jackson, a longtime Anaheim Jr. Duck, committed to play college hockey at NCAA Division I independent Arizona State University.

Jackson, who is playing for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League, is the 21st player with ties to the Jr. Ducks to make an NCAA Division I commitment in the past five seasons, and he becomes the eighth player from the 2001 birth year team – coached by his father and Johnson – to commit.

“It’s really exciting, and I’m glad everything worked out,” Niedermayer said. “We had a lot of guys on our (16U AAA) team getting college offers in the past year, which was great to see. Arizona State was the first team that showed interest in my potential, and they kept in touch.”

His father let Jackson forge his own path on the ice, right down to his college decision.

“We were preaching patience,” Scott said. “We talked about colleges, and he put a lot of thought into this. At the end of the day, he’s old enough and we support him and his decision 100 percent.”

Jackson helped the Jr. Ducks’ 16U AAA team win a bronze medal at the USA Hockey Youth Nationals last April. If he wasn’t on college coaches’ radar before the 2017-18 season, he made sure they knew who he was during it. He racked up 73 points between the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, CAHA and Nationals.

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Lady Ducks alum Reyes reaches NCAA milestone with SLU

By Chris Bayee

games and counting – a remarkable run of durability and toughness.

“She had some adjustments to the speed of college hockey,” Wells said. “She had to make improvements to her strength and speed, and she has.”

Reyes has accomplished this while making incremental improvements to her game.

“I’m much more of a complete player,” Reyes said.

find those offensive opportunities.”

Wells said Reyes’ skill set is complementary off the s much as Justine Reyes tries to pass on attenice as well as on it. tion, it still finds her.

“She’s very quiet, very kind,” he said. “She’s alAnd speaking of passes, the St. Lawrence senior ways one to help her teammates, and she always has had one on Jan. 12 that found its target and then was a smile on her face. deposited in the back of the net.

“We have a really good group in our locker room, That’s nothing new in Reyes’ college career, but and Rey has a certain way about her that adds to that.” her assist on Nadine Edney’s power-play goal gave Reyes came to St. Lawrence having twice been the longtime Anaheim Lady Ducks standout 100 a captain for the Lady Ducks and an assistant a third points in her Division I career. In the process, the season. She values the preparation she received in Chino Hills native became just the 29th player in the Anaheim.

Saints program’s history to reach that milestone.

“Kathy (McGarrigle) and Caroline (March“It was a really cool moment,” said Reyes. “I ant) are so dedicated to helping everyone in the don’t think you can picture how something like colprogram move on to whatever level is appropriate,” lege hockey will play out before you start. I’ve alReyes said. “My teammates really helped me out, as ways wanted to play my best and have fun in the did every coach I had.” process, and I feel I’ve accomplished both of those Reyes said she’s also grateful to have former things.”

Lady Ducks teammates Kayla Nielsen and Lydia Reyes, who received the puck after a teammate Grauer play with her in college as well. But they fished it out of the opposing net, has consistentweren’t a package deal. ly provided offense for the Saints, and the century “Each was recruited separately,” Wells said. mark in points was further validation of that.

“We’re fortunate Caroline Marchant was so aggres“’Rey’ is very consistent, and her game has gotsive in getting them exposure through tournaments ten better every year,” Saints coach Chris Wells in the East. Those trips helped all three.”

Justine Reyes has compiled 100 points – and counting – in her said.

A psychology major, Reyes was selected to the As a freshman, she tied for the team lead with 12 NCAA Division I career at St. Lawrence University. Photo/C A Hill Photo ECAC Hockey All-Academic team last season. The goals. As a sophomore, she was fourth on the team “Let’s just say I came in lacking on the defensive end. options in front of her are plentiful and include, in no with 23 points. She tied for the team lead last season We’ve had the same staff the entire time I’ve been particular order, graduate school and continuing to with 40 points, and through the end of January, was here, so I’ve been lucky in that regard.” play hockey. tops on the team with 20 points.

That struggle is a common one, her coach noted. “(Continuing in hockey) is the goal, but I’m playing As impressive as the offense is, consider this – “A lot of kids you rely on for points aren’t overly in it by ear right now,” she said.

Reyes has never missed a game in her college ca- tune with what to do defensively when they get to colAnd why wouldn’t she? She has two more months reer. Through Jan. 26, she was at 135 consecutive lege,” Wells said. “If they don’t tighten up, they won’t to add to her growing legacy in college hockey.

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Chino Hills’ Estrada set for NCAA D-III challenge at Northland

NCAA D-I Colorado College the next stop for San Jose’s Vernon

By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

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rad Estrada is from Southern California, is playing junior hockey this season in Massachusetts and recently committed to play college hockey in Wisconsin.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

A talented forward, Estrada is playing for the Eastern Hockey League’s Valley Jr. Warriors this season and will skate for NCAA Division III Northland College in 2019-20.

“Playing in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League last season, Northland had the opportunity to watch me play a good amount,” said the Chino Hills native. “We got in touch again this season and we both were very interested and from there on, it was an easy decision that me and my family made.”

Estrada said a great deal appealed to him about the school.

“From a hockey standpoint, there was a lot that they had to offer,” said Estrada.

“They are moving to the WIAC conference, which was a big standout for me because it is a really good conference with a lot of high-end players. The locker room is high-end, which was very intriguing. From the academic standpoint, they have a very good business program, so I know I will get a good education. It is also a smaller school where I know I can get to know my teachers better and understand the lessons a little more.”

Academically, Estrada said he wants to major in business management with a minor in sports management.

Growing up, Estrada played for the Ontario Eagles, OC Hockey Club, LA Selects and Anaheim Jr. Ducks youth programs, as well as for Long Beach High School and the Ontario Avalanche junior team in the Western States Hockey League.

“Coaches Daryl Wademan (Eagles, Jr. Ducks), Joe Burcar (Jr. Ducks) and Rob Orouke (Long Beach High School, Avalanche) always had my best interests in mind and always pushed me to be my best,” noted Estrada. “In the short term, I would like to finish my junior career strong and enjoy the last moments with the boys. And then get my mind and body right for the college game.”

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

att Vernon only lived in San Jose for two years – such is the life of a family in the NHL. Vernon’s father, Mike, won Stanley Cups in 1989 (Calgary) and 1997 (Detroit). The younger Vernon was born in San Jose while Mike was playing for the Sharks.

This season, Vernon is lighting up the NAHL – as a goalie, like his father – with the Aberdeen Wings and recently committed to play at NCAA Division I Colorado College (NCHC) for the 2019-20 season.

“When a player is in a league like the NAHL and your team is successful, teams tend to watch,” said Vernon. “Winning games gets players noticed more than anything no matter what position you play. I know Coach (Scott) Langer and my advisor Brian Schnuriger have done a fantastic job reaching out to schools to get as many teams to watch as possible. Thankfully, CC took interest when they knew they needed to fill a spot.”

Vernon credited playing in the NAHL to pushing him to success.

“The right competition and high-level players in the NAHL make it tough to win every night,” Vernon said. “Aberdeen has been incredible from the support to the way we run everything day to day. We practice short and hard, lift Monday through Wednesday, and if you’re not taking courses, you have to work. I believe the day-to-day details will help make the transition a little bit easier.”

Of course, having an NHL father can certainly help as well.

“With my father last playing in the NHL more than 16 years ago, there are some things that have changed in the position that he can’t help out with as much,” said Vernon. “The technicality of the position has changed so much but I still keep an open mind to his suggestions.

He has been a major help with the mental side of the game and giving me pointers on how to keep a level head and how to prepare to bring my ‘A’ game on a consistent basis.”

L.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Royal Recognition program honors LAKHSHL academic stars

By Greg Ball

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nder the helmets of a number of players in the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League (LAKHSHL), there are some pretty impressive brains.

The league’s Royal Recognition program honors its student-athletes who maintain a grade-point average of 3.8 or higher, and there are currently 55 players who meet the standard and wear the Royal Recognition sticker on their helmets.

Kings president and 19-year NHL veteran Luc Robitaille said it is important to recognize academic success.

“We’re excited to be able to honor our student-athletes’ academic achievement through the Royal Recognition program,” Robitaille said. “It is a top priority for us to ensure that the players in the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League develop as well-rounded individuals and not just hockey players. The fact that so many of our players have maintained such impressive grade point averages is a source of tremendous pride for me and everyone involved with the league.”

The league recognizes a student of the month every 30 days throughout the season and rewards that player with two tickets to a Kings game.

Dylan Durrell is one of the students recognized by the program. A senior at West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch who plays forward for the Wildcats, he has

a 3.7 cumulative GPA. “I think the program is awesome - it’s a great way to motivate students to focus on balancing their education with hockey,” said Durrell, whose career goal is to become a mechanical engineer. “Even if you think you may be going somewhere in sports, having a good academic foundation is important so you have something to fall back on.”

Having posted a 4.0 during

the first semester of his senior year at Heritage Christian High School in Los Angeles, Ryan Delichte also wears a Royal Recognition sticker as a member of the East County Outlaws. He has been accepted to Minot State University in North Dakota, and while he hopes to play hockey (and possibly baseball), his main focus will be studying criminology.

“Academics are important to all of us,” Delichte said.

“Our world is becoming so advanced, and because of that, getting a great education is even more vital. I love hockey, and if I could play it until the day I die, I would.

But I know it’s not realistic to make a career out of it, so

there are other things that I need to do to get to where I want to be in life.”

On the Burbank Cougars’ junior varsity team, freshman Chance Thomasy is already making waves in the academic world. He attends St. Francis High School in La Canada Flintridge and estimates his GPA to be 4.0. He is interested in chemistry and other sciences, as well as history, and hopes to attend a high-level college when that time comes.

“I’d like to play hockey in college, but I’ll definitely put academics first,” Thomasy said. “For a lot of kids in this league, hockey is not going to be their profession, but academics can help them achieve a good job and a good future.”

Derek Armstrong, who played six of his 14 NHL seasons with the Kings and now serves as commissioner of the LAKHSHL, said he and the league’s other leaders realized early on that it was vital to promote academic success.

“High school sports are important for every kid, and education is the most important part of the experience,” Armstrong said. “For kids to get recognized for the academic piece of it as well as being a good athlete, I think that’s really crucial. It’s great for our league.”

LAKLeague.com

www.lakings.com/fantasycamp

OPEN TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY & MIDGET LEVEL PLAYERS www.lakings.com/showcase CARubberHockey.com

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TOYOTA SPORTS CENTER

Off-ice training center another avenue to excel

By Brian McDonough

S

ince the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers left Toyota Sports Center (TSC) a couple of years ago for their new headquarters at UCLA Health Training Center, the Los Angeles Kings have wasted little time making good use of the extra square footage.

During that stretch, the two-time Stanley Cup champions have relocated their entire front and administrative offices back inside TSC and brought the Ontario Reign - their American Hockey League affiliate - in as a full-time practice tenant.

Most recently, by extending and expanding their partnership with HockeyShot, the Kings and the largest online specialty retailer of hockey training equipment worldwide architected and opened a state-of-the-art Off-Ice Training Center inside TSC. The space features a multisport training area and three hockey shooting lanes that’s not only being utilized by the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and LA Lions, but Kings and Reign players as well. It’s also available for private groups and open for public use.

“With the training center, we have the ability to better hone our techniques in a cutting-edge facility,” said Kings president Luc Robitaille. “It’s also an opportunity for us to promote skill development for players at all levels across Southern California.”

Shawn Pitcher, the facility’s director and a well-respected coach within the Jr. Kings program, believes the center can’t help but have a positive impact on the ever-growing local youth hockey segment.

“To have the Kings get behind this kind of initiative is with the Kings from 1990-95. “For our NHL guys, it’s huge not only for our Jr. Kings and Lions players, but any- self-improvement and we want our players to keep getting one who wants improve their skills with a purpose,” said better. And for the Reign guys, they’re trying to make the Pitcher, whose support staff includes Jr. Kings coaches NHL so we’re trying to make every possible improvement Stephane Desjardins, Erik Lektorp, Sam Graham we can with them.

“We’re a big believer in this and it’s an important part and Ian Hoang. “It’s just another developmental option of our development blueprint with both the Kings and we can take advantage of when we’re not on the ice.”

Mike Donnelly agrees. A member of the Kings’ play- Reign, as well as our draft picks, and it’s great the public is able to use the same facility our er development department which players use; it’s a huge benefit for will help oversee the venture, the everyone.” former NHL forward who owns And Donnelly is very much a similar facility back in his home state of Michigan says the training looking forward to working alongcenter will be a difference-maker side Pitcher and the Kings’ hockey development team as they as it relates to skill development at continue to map out a healthy all levels. and productive curriculum for the “In my eyes, it’s like a fourth youth segment. sheet of ice in El Segundo,” said “He’s a big part of this and Donnelly, referring to the three- Mike Donnelly (center), a member of the Los sheet TSC. “It’s a place where Angeles Kings’ player development staff, is a firm we’re excited to have him,” Donnelly said of Pitcher. “I know he’s we can work with kids and teach believer that the brand-new Off-Ice Training Cenkids, but it’s also a place for them ter inside Toyota Sports Center will have a positive got a strong hockey background and lasting impact on players at all levels. and he’s really eager to teach.” to work on their skills themselves.

“To have this setup in our own backyard is exciting to “It’s a place where they’re going to be taught proper fundamentals on shooting and stickhandling and other say the least,” Pitcher added. “It’s no doubt going to have basic fundamentals, and a place where they’re going to a positive impact on the growth and development of our be taught the right way to do things and be challenged to game, locally.” improve their skillset.”

The Off-Ice Training Center is open seven days a week Having the professional players engaged adds more from 2-5 p.m. For more information and pricing, contact credence to the facility’s importance, too, says Donnelly.

Pitcher at shawn.pitcher@toyotasportscenter.com or “No question,” said Donnelly, who skated five seasons (424) 251-5995.

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SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS Congratulations to all the San Jose Jr. Sharks who have advanced from the CAHA Select Camp to the upcoming Pacific District Camp (Boys) and Multi-District Camp (Girls)!

BOYS 2005 FORWARDS Joshua Erickson Nicolas Grigoropoulos Eric Khodorenko Ben Picard Shaun Rios

2003 FORWARDS Max Abene Reese Laubach Zachary Louvelle Will Serverian Vlad Severin Chase LaRiviere (Alt.)

2005 DEFENSEMEN Phillippe Blais-Savoie Zachary Templeman

2003 DEFENSEMEN Christian Codding Joe Sweeney Trenton Jiang (Alt.)

2005 GOALIES Evan Tompkins

2003 GOALIES Matthew Malin

2004 FORWARDS Tyler Dysart Raymond Janik Matthew Ng Benjamin Kim (Alt.)

2002 FORWARDS Owen Bohn Gage Brown Karsen Dorwart EJ Gabriel Cade Herrera Ryan Kopelman Scott McManus Jake Meure

2004 DEFENSEMEN Garrett Brown Kyle Mackintosh Kyle Miller Jon DeGrandpre (Alt.)

2002 DEFENSEMEN Deven Boldway Jeffrey Lee (at prep school) Vaughn Montoya Leyton Stenman Andrew Tortora 2002 GOALIES Andrew Quarles Antonio Tarantino (Alt.)

GIRLS 2005 FORWARDS Jessica Chen Natalie Fu 2005 DEFENSE Kimberly Jung Jenna Sharland 2005 GOALIES Kelly Brockway Ami Douglass (Alt.)

2004 FORWARDS Emili Haratani Erica Paschke Emma Rathje 2004 DEFENSE Megan McDougall 2003 FORWARDS Francesca Carrubba Ella Hedman 2003 DEFENSE Sydney Merritt 2002 FORWARDS Isabelle Arreola Evelyne Blais-Savoie Elizabeth Burke Victoria Scurto (Alt.) Kenzie Fogarty (Alt.) 2002 DEFENSE Evelyn Andrade Jessica Lopopolo (Alt.)

OUT OF ALL THE PLAYERS AT THE BOYS SELECT CAMP:

28% of forwards came from the Jr. Sharks | 30% of defense came from the Jr. Sharks | 33% of goaltenders came from the Jr. Sharks

SJJrSharks.com

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

TAHOE PREP HOCKEY ACADEMY

On The Rise Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy student-athletes continuing to produce on the ice, in the classroom

By Greg Ball

W

ith the Christmas break well in the rear-view mirror and the 2018-19 hockey season and academic year more than halfway complete, the prep and varsity teams at Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy have settled in nicely and are doing exactly what they have always intended - playing great hockey while developing players’ skills.

Tahoe’s prep squad is 6-2 in the NAHL’s Prep division, and the varsity team owns a 14-12 record.

Here is a look at six student-athletes who have made the transition to Tahoe seamlessly and how the experience has helped them improve already.

Anthony LoRe A goalie on Tahoe’s prep team, LoRe came to Lake Tahoe for his junior season after having played for the Northern Cyclones of the United States Premier Hockey League in Hudson, N.H., the last two years. The 16-year-old is a native of Franklin Square, N.Y., and his time with the Cyclones gave him the experience of living with billet families, but he said his move to Tahoe Prep Academy’s dorms in the Sierra Nevada was on a different level.

“I love the mountains, and the scenery and the dorms and facility are amazing,” LoRe said. “This year has been the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey. Living here, I feel we’re like a real family.”

LoRe said the Tahoe Prep’s formula of five days a week on the ice and strength conditioning at Barton’s Center for Excellence is moving him forward toward his goal to play Division I college hockey, and his number one choice is Boston College.

LoRe also credited Tahoe Prep goaltender coach Ed Fritz with improving his mental game.

“The coaches, staff, and the trainers at the Center for Excellence are amazing,” LoRe said. “I’ve become a lot stronger and more focused player. When I decided to come to Tahoe, I just wanted to get better, to develop as a player, and develop as a person, and this has allowed me to do that.”

LoRe started playing hockey at age 10 and has always been a goalie. His other sports passion was baseball, where he played third base. In nine games with the prep team this season, LoRe has a .875 save percentage.

Cade Schiefelbein Schiefelbein is a 17-year-old junior who plays center for the academy’s prep team and is in his first year as a student-athlete at the academy after most recently having played for the Mission

Arizona 16U AA team last season. He committed to attend Tahoe Prep Academy right away without

Anthony LoRe

Cade Schiefelbein

Ryan Meaney

Liam Sutton

Zane Parker

Pablo Honda

even visiting Tahoe, and he said he’s glad he did.

“It’s been such an amazing change - I’ve made lifetime friends here,” he said. “You’re playing at the

highest level against some of the best, and in front of scouts and coaches, and you have to bring it every time you are on the ice.”

In 16 games with the prep team, Schiefelbein has scored six goals and recorded four assists. He’s hoping his time at Tahoe Prep prepares him for the next step of his hockey career.

“I want to play Division I college hockey more than anything,” Schiefelbein admitted. “I’m focused on getting to college hockey, and Arizona State is my top pick right now. Sometimes the load can get a little mentally challenging, but you have to get better every day, and you have to grow up a lot and learn to take on basic adult things like having responsibility for yourself academically and socially.”

Ryan Meaney A 16-year-old sophomore from Valencia, Meaney came to Tahoe from West Ranch High School, where he played for the school’s team in the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League. His goal is to become the best hockey player he can be and play as long as he can, and he said Tahoe Prep’s focus on skill and development aligned with his aspirations.

“I want to play hockey at the highest level that I can, so when I’m done, I can look back and be happy with what I accomplished,” said Meaney, who has learned a lot from his father’s experience as a water polo player in college. “My dad taught me that.

“It was hard the first month, living away from all of my friends and family, but after a while being here, everyone becomes your friends and family. And the part of the program that has helped me the most is the amount of time we have focused on hockey - how many times I’m on the ice every week.”

Meaney said the competition he has faced playing with the prep team has opened his eyes to the next level of hockey, and it hit home at the CCM World Invite tournament in Chicago this past November.

“It’s so different,” Meaney said. “The players are older, more skilled and they are working just as hard as I am. We were playing against 19-year-olds. It just showed me how much quicker and bigger the game is, and I was a little nervous at the beginning of the season, but that went away as we got more into it.

“This year for me is about getting into the game better, learning the game, and working on my shot. I have gotten very close to my goals. It’s constantly being surrounded by the game of hockey and shooting every day.”

Continued on Page 24

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ANAHEIM DUCKS

Ducks’ Fowler, Find Your Grind announce new partnership

By Anaheim Ducks Staff

O

n the ice, Cam Fowler spent the 2017-18 season continuing his growth as a veteran leader on the team’s blue line.

Off the ice, though, he felt something was still missing.

“I felt maybe I wasn’t as involved in the community as I could have been, and the kids playing hockey means a lot to me,” he said.

Armed with a new long-term contract - and the security it brings a player - Fowler and his longtime girlfriend, Jasmine Maggard, honed in on how to give more to the community.

“We’ve always been very passionate about youth in this community, and it’s been fun for us to watch the development of hockey in Southern California,” Maggard said. “We said, ‘You know what? We really want to get involved in this.’ It felt right, and honestly, that’s how it was born.”

Just days before training camp began at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE, Fowler and Maggard unveiled their new charitable program, C4Kids, a program that will provide youth with opportunities to learn, play and love hockey. Fowler’s passion for hockey inspired him to create C4Kids as a platform to feature a variety of activities for children and their families to enjoy and grow their love for the sport.

The two joined with Nick Gross, founder of Find Your Grind, and his wife, Natasha, to announce the program. The Find Your Grind hockey scholarship pro-

gram, announced recently in conjunction with C4Kids, is designed for children with the passion to play hockey who are in need of financial assistance.

“We’re trying to help youth figure out who they are, where they’re going and how to get there,” Gross said.

“The how to get there part is the thing most organizations don’t talk about, don’t touch. We’re trying to create real, tangible moments and experiences that help kids get there. Whether that’s through curriculum we’ve created in high schools, live events or foundational things we’re doing today.”

Participants hit the

ice for a morning of drills, unaware of the surprise waiting in the Ducks locker room. After the drills and celebrations ended, Fowler reflected on the opportunity to give back.

“Personally, we wanted to sink our teeth into something that was important to us, but we didn’t want to jump into it,” he said. “We wanted it to be thoughtful, something that meant a lot to us. The Ducks helped us with this and the C4Kids. They made it easy for us, and

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we’re looking forward to what the future holds.”

“Cam and I have been together since we were 17 years old, so I’ve watched him develop as a player,” Maggard said. “When we came to California, it was really interesting because there’s so much development as a child who plays hockey - or any sport - for that matter. I think children really learn through playing, and it’s something that clicked for Cam and I one day. This is going to be something great.”

The Ducks stress the need to give back, a directive beginning with owners Henry and Susan Samueli.

Maggard noted how this impacted the decision to create C4Kids.

“We’ve only ever been in Anaheim, but I’m very certain in saying Anaheim, the Anaheim Ducks Foundation and the Anaheim Ducks as a team do so much for the community,” she said. “It’s been such a good support for us and such a good inspiration for us as well.”

The pair also surprised participants with a special announcement - a suite at several Ducks games this season, where they’ll watch Fowler and spend some time with him and Maggard following the game.

“I just saw the joy on a lot of the kids; I saw the smiles,” Fowler said. “They looked like they were having fun. It’s great, too, because it’s a different range of ages.

There’s kids from 5-15, all different sorts of skill levels.

Getting to fist bump with all the kids, celebrating their goals, that’s all stuff I loved to do as a kid, too.”

ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Lady Ducks’ college pipeline continues to be alive and kicking

By Chris Bayee

I

f an Anaheim Lady Ducks player wants to continue her hockey career while getting a topflight education, chances are great there will be opportunities to do that.

The Lady Ducks’ 20th season has been a lot like the previous 19 in that they’re continuing to move players on to the college ranks, be that NCAA Division I or III or ACHA. Already this season, the club, which is a USA Hockey Model Association, has had six players make college commitments, and a handful more are expected soon, said Kathy McGarrigle, the Lady Ducks’ director and head coach. Overall, more than 125 girls have moved on to college since the program’s inception.

A trio of current players have committed to D-I schools: 19U AAA forwards Lokelani Antonio (Lindenwood) and Anna Gallagher (Brown) and 16U AA forward Sarah Hirst (Merrimack). Forward Ivy Boric (19U AAA) and goaltender Lila Nease (19U AAA) both committed to D-III Plattsburgh. And Madison Laue (19U AA) will play ACHA hockey at Robert Morris.

When Lady Ducks get to college, they tend to thrive in the classroom and on the ice.

Cases in point – Wisconsin senior Annie Pankowski and St. Lawrence senior Justine Reyes.

Pankowski recently was selected one of five finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, which honors college hockey’s “finest citizen.” Pankowski, a three-time WCHA All-Academic Team pick, has volunteered more than 2,000 hours for OccuPaws, helping train future guide dogs for the visually impaired, and at the UW Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory.

When she isn’t doing that, she’s competed for Team USA on numerous occasions and has scored 190 points in her college career through early February. A Badgers co-captain, she also was the first overall pick in the National Women’s Hockey League Draft by the Metropolitan Riveters in December.

Reyes, who garnered ECAC Hockey All-Academic honors last season, recently surpassed 100 points in her Saints career (for more on Reyes, see page 10).

JrDucks.com

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HOCKEYSHOT

Barkov, Barber Put HockeyShot Synthetic Ice to the Test

T

uesday, January 29. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For the first time in history, a pro hockey shootout happened on a beach! The sun was out, temperatures reached 70 degrees and HockeyShot put on a historic match between an NHL superstar and a stickhandling YouTube star. Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov took to the Extreme Glide Synthetic Ice to go toe to toe with Pavel Barber after the two engaged in a war of words on social media all week. With a crowd watching on, a panel of judges and one sweaty goalie – trying his best to not be intimidated – the two stars took turns making smooth moves on the Synthetic Ice panels to showcase you can truly play ICE hockey anywhere!

Watching Barkov and Barber go head to head in this shootout shows why more players, coaches and trainers choose HockeyShot Synthetic Ice panels for all their training needs. There are a few different synthetic ice surfaces on the market, but we are confident that after trying out the HockeyShot Synthetic Ice – Extreme Glide panels you will agree with the many different players and coaches that have given us their No. 1 recommendation. The Synthetic Ice is the absolute best way to train off the ice because you can practice any time. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, the sun is shining, or the lights need to be turned on, HockeyShot has you covered for all your training needs.

HockeyShot Synthetic Ice will last 7-10 years per side! That means, with proper care, you can have at least 14-20 years of home training and play time with these

panels. That is sure to take a load off your mind in terms of durability, longevity and bang for your buck.

Another reason the Synthetic Ice is a step above the rest is the self-lubricating polymer. This means that you aren’t spending a lot of time or effort in trying to push and get that natural feel and no need f o r any waxes or add-on liquids.

HockeyShot Synthetic Ice is also super easy to install. They come in 4’x4’ or 4’x8’ sheets which are lightweight enough for most people to carry on their own. In fact, our team was spotted carrying up to three at a time when they installed the surface on the beach in Florida. Our Interlocking Dovetail panels significantly outperform traditional spline and square-edge styles and require no extra tools or equipment. You can take the customization one step further by sawing one tile in half to fill in the extra corners and

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

nooks of your home basement hockey training setup.

Another great way to maximize your at-home hockey training setup is to add some shooting tarps and aids to help get you in the scoring zone. The Crowd Goes Wild Shooting Tarp is one of our favorites to help transform your basement into the stadium of your dreams.

It’s every players’ dream to have an efficient and durable at-home training area. With HockeyShot Synthetic Ice, this dream can be a reality. Perfect for any garage, basement or backyard, the Synthetic Ice is the absolute best way to help make sure your game stays in top shape. Have no doubts that HockeyShot products are the best on the market with players such as pro ambassador Aleksander Barkov and stickhandling specialist Pavel Barber recommending them as well as our other testimonials from renowned coaches, players and trainers.

When it comes to HockeyShot, you are getting the highest quality product and best athome hockey training aids out there.

Enjoy this article? Then be sure to visit HockeyShot.com and sign up for their newsletter to get updated on the latest sales, tips, tricks and the best hockey training products on the market! Don’t forget to email synthice@hockeyshot.com to save 10% on your first quote.

NEVADA REPORT Vegas native Atchison learning, Jr. Golden Knights’ 12U AA team developing in WHL rookie season to play prestigious Quebec event

By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

L

T

ast summer when the Spokane Chiefs signed Erik Atchison to a Western Hockey League contract, Chiefs GM Scott Carter said the Las Vegas native impressed him at the team’s training camp to the point where signing the 2002 birth year was the only option.

And now in the home stretch of the season, Atchison has seen to it that Carter made the right move.

“From a personal standpoint, the season has been great, but I want to get more points on the board,” Atchison said. “From a team standpoint, we have a fantastic great group of guys and a great team.”

Atchison was originally selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round (94th overall) of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.

As a talented American player, Atchison had to decide at a young age if he wanted to pursue the NCAA route or take the Major Junior path with Spokane.

In choosing Spokane, Atchison said he has zero regrets.

“I really just loved the pro style of the WHL,” said Atchison. “I liked how many games they play there, how much it’s like the NHL and how good the players are in the league.”

A graduate of the Las Vegas Outlaws and Storm programs back home, Atchison also developed with the Arizona Bobcats AAA program in the Phoenix area.

“Hockey has grown like crazy in Vegas,” Atchison said. “The teams are way better than they were when I played there.”

It was in Nevada, however, that Atchison got the itch to get on the ice.

Down the line, Atchison has lofty goals in mind.

“Short term would probably to be a 20-goal scorer in the WHL and be a main guy and long term, I want to play in the NHL,” Atchison said.

he beat goes on for the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights’ 12U AA team.

First, the squad won a regional Silver Stick championship in December.

And recently, it was announced that the team will participate in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament from Feb. 13-24. This will mark the first time a Vegas Jr. Golden Knights club will travel to and play in the tournament.

“We are proud to represent the Vegas Golden Knights - and all of Las Vegas youth hockey - in the Quebec International Pee-Wee tournament,” said Golden Knights director of hockey operations Misha Donskov. “The Quebec International Pee-Wee tournament is world class - there is not another youth hockey competition around like it. The number of NHL players who have played in the tournament is impressive and we hope to one day see Jr. Golden Knights names listed alongside these current and former NHL stars. We are grateful for Cirque du Soleil’s support in helping make this trip possible.”

Thanks to the partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the club’s travel and tournament expenses will be significantly reduced.

“As a company founded in Quebec and now thriving in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil finds it rewarding to come full circle and support our Vegas Jr. Golden Knights Pee Wee AA team as they compete in our homeland,” said Cirque du Soleil VP of marketing and PR Lou D’Angeli. “Having been a member in the Las Vegas community for more than 25 years, we take great pride fostering the talent in our youth.”

The Jr. Golden Knights’ Pee Wee AA team is comprised of forwards Tyler Atchison, Casey Berninger, Jessie Brewer, Jack Lackas, Chayse Laurie, Finn McNabb, Chase Nehring, Caden Ross and Colin Spencer; defensemen Trevor Abele, Connor Beers, Carson Craig, Daniel Maddison and Kaden Mulcahy; and goaltenders Austin Neill and Logan Perez.

Head coach Kevin Mulcahy is joined on the bench by assistant coach Bo Lackas and the team manager is Kevin Atchison.

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM Looking at hockey MCL injuries – what to expect, how to treat T

he medial collateral ligament in the knee, or MCL, was the second most common injury in NCAA hockey in 2013 as stated by Grant, Bedi, Kurz, Bancroft & Miller.

The study showed that only concussions had a higher injury rate in male collegiate players. The MCL is one of four ligaments in the knee and is located on the inside or medial portion of the knee connecting the femur and Chris Phillips tibia. The ligament’s purpose is to provide support to the inside of the knee helping prevent a valgus or inward movement of the joint.

This ligament can be injured when a player is either hit from the outside of the knee, placing an inward force on the knee, or when the player pivots or twists the knee and the skate sticks into the ice.

Though MCL injuries can be painful and debilitating, they rarely require surgery to repair them. Since the MCL is located outside the joint capsule, unlike the ACL and PCL, it typically gets decent blood flow and heals fairly well. Recovery time usually ranges between 2-8 weeks to a full recovery.

As the ligament heals, the rehab should be focused on linear or straight forward movement that does not place any inward force on the knee. The unfortunate thing here is that skating and shooting does place this type of force on the knee and will be one of the last phases of rehab. Once linear exercises and drills can be performed, lateral movement can be introduced.

As these exercises and drills become pain-free and there is no feeling of instability, the athlete can typically return to the ice and slowly integrate back into playing again.

Chris Phillips is an athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist with over 20 years’ experience in professional hockey, football and soccer. Chris is the owner of Compete Sports Performance and Rehab in Orange County.

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Winternationals start 2019 NARCh season on stellar note

(18U Platinum) and HB Militia’s Luke Benavente (18U Gold). he 2019 NARCh Winternationals faced off Jan. 18-21 Of note, Comeau posted a .967 save percentage at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline with 134 teams while Bach (.964) and Patel (.943) also were nearcompeting in 315 games over a four-day run, making it perfect between the pipes. one of the largest inline hockey tournaments annually in Benavente also won the top goaltender award in the NARCh series. the Junior Division with a .859 save percentage while The Winternationals tournament traditionally kicks off competing for Rink Rat Groove. each new NARCh season. Interest remains high for the Will Volanson of Mavin earned the high scorer event, which first rolled out in 1997. award in the Junior Division while Jono Davis and NARCh president Daryn Goodwin called the 2019 Vince Free of the Golden Knights tied for the high event “awesome.” scorer award in the Men’s Platinum Division.

“I can’t think of a better way to start the 2019 NARCh Billy Metcalf of Mavin won the high scorer season,” Goodwin said. “It was very busy. The energy award in Men’s Gold while Raiders Next Gen’s Scott and excitement in the building was incredible. I’m Baba (Men’s Silver) and Cody Bohannon of really looking forward to the upcoming regional Supreme Squadron (Men’s Bronze) also won qualifiers in So Cal and, of course, the NARCh high scorer awards.

Finals in Irvine in July.”

Nevin Iwatsuru posted a .914 save percentage for the Golden Knights to win the Parade of champions top goaltender award on the Men’s Platinum Medals and trophies were presented in 24 Division while the Pure Maple duo of Lane subdivisions.

Hartwell and Max Curie captured the top Youth Division champions included the goaltender award in Men’s Gold.

Bulldogs (6U Gold), Militia (6U Silver), Labeda Jets Jessica Herb and Kevin Prewett (8U Gold), OC Marvel (8U Silver), Pama Cyclones recorded a .902 save percentage for Pure 2008 (10U Gold), So Cal Storm (10U Silver), Maple in Men’s Silver while Jacob Oberschelp HB Militia Grey (12U Gold), Mission Renegades of Squadron Supreme won the top goaltender (12U Silver), Angry Ducks (14U Platinum), KIHA award in Men’s Bronze.

Warriors (14U Gold), Bend Bullets (14U Silver), High scorers also included Rink Rat NCR Konixx Elite (16U Platinum), Raiders OG HC Republic’s Laura Veharanta (Women’s (16U Gold), Revo (18U Platinum) and HB Militia Platinum), Rink Rat Sav’s Samantha Magoon (18U Gold).

(Women’s Gold) and the Redhawks’ Chavira Among the adult divisions, Konixx/Grasshopper (30-over). captured the Junior title, the Pama Labeda Golden Top goaltender award-winners also Knights won Men’s Platinum and Men’s Silver, Rink Rat Republic captured the Women’s Platinum Division title at January’s included the Golden Knights’ Lauren Dahm Red Army won Men’s Gold, Squadron Supreme NARCh Winternationals tournament in Huntington Beach. Photo/NARCh (Women’s Platinum), Rinos’ Marisa Trevino won Men’s Bronze, Rink Rat Republic won Women’s NCR’s Ryan Tuckwood (16U Platinum), Raiders (Women’s Gold) and AKS Empire’s Iwatsuru (30-andPlatinum, Rinos Na-Palm won Women’s Gold and Revive Black’s Jaden Nahoi-Bancar (16U Gold), Pure over).

Redhawks won the 30-and-older division.

Maple’s Jordan Rebagliati (18U Platinum) and Eight teams competed in the NARCh Pro Division in Silicon Valley Quakes’ Nathan Durrans (18U Gold). NARCh nuggets which the Pama Labeda Golden Knights defeated the Youth division top goaltender award-winners also • The Northern California regional is scheduled Tricksters 5-4 in the championship game. included the Bulldogs’ Benton Sherrill (6U), OC March 8-10 at San Jose’s Silver Creek Sportsplex.

The Golden Knights finished the division undefeated in Marvel’s Hunter Valentine (8U Silver), the Jets’ • The Huntington Beach regional is scheduled March six games, including a 3-3 draw against Konixx Pure in the Julie Becerra (10U Silver), Temecula Warriors’ 22-24 at HB Inline. preliminary rounds.

Chad Dobbins (12U Gold) and Trevor Fife (14U • The Irvine regional is scheduled April 25-28 at The Itan Chavira earned high scorer honors in the Silver), Renegades’ Pete Gonzalez (12U Silver), Rinks-Irvine Inline.

NARCh Pro Division with 3.0 points per game while Angry Ducks’ Aiden Comeau (14U Platinum), KIHA’s • The Escondido regional is scheduled June 1-2 at the goaltending tandem of Troy Redmann and Nick Ashton Goble (14U Gold), NCR’s Jasial Patel (16U the Escondido Sports Center.

Wydock posted the top save percentage of .854 in the Platinum), Raiders OG’s Danny Tasigeorgos and • The NARCh West Coast Finals are scheduled July division.

Anthony Vadurrp (16U Gold), Revo’s Ethan Bach 12-21 at Irvine Inline.

By Phillip Brents

Top individuals Cooper Soller of the Cyclones 2008 10U Gold Division champions led all division high scorers with an average of 3.4 points per game while teammate Drake Esquer recorded a perfect 1.000 save percentage to highlight top individual performances in the youth divisions.

Youth division high scorers also included the Bulldogs’ Jordan Sijher (6U), the Jets’ Colin Kim (8U Gold), the Bulldogs Blue’s Jaxon Gillis (8U Silver) and Seth Morris (12U Gold), Slurpee’s Xander Tucker (12U Silver), Angry Ducks’ James Hong (14U Platinum) and Trevor Connelly (14U Gold), HB Militia’s Wallace Stirbu (14U Silver),

T

Winter Wars West rolls into SoCal with 100-plus teams

S

tate Wars Hockey’s United States Roller Hockey Championships follow the birth year format traditionally used to identify ice hockey prospects, which can make for some interesting (and unique) matchups on the inline playing court between players of the same age.

State Wars Hockey selects several all-star teams at its annual summer championship tournament. Team Pride and Team Honor, for instance, are selected based on ballots submitted by coaches who vote on the teams they play against in the round robin. At least one player from every team is represented in the all-star selections.

Team World represents the top 12 players overall in 20

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

a birth year as voted on by tournament staff, according to State Wars national director Tim McManus.

“There can be multiple players from one team and these are the players recognized as the best of the best in the tournament,” McManus said.

Californians filled out a sizable portion of the 2018 State Wars Team World honor roll. Many of those players will be competing at the upcoming 2019 Winter Wars West event Feb. 22-24 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline.

Team World notables included Lucan Albarquez, Colin Kim and Matthew Lewis in the 2010 division; Rocket Welsh, Christian Smith, Sebastian Buckhalter Girvan, Logan Herpin and Mason Ollom in the 2009 division; Caden Albarquez

and Aidan Yu in the 2008 division; Carson Woolcott and Henry Kress in the 2007 division; and Brendan Stirbu, Blake Wozniak and Jolee Savoy in the 2006 division.

Other players to take note of include Kenny Silhan and Lowen Provost in the 2005 division; Brandon Grant and Anthony Yu in the 2004 division; Dominic Hofferber and Zachary Nolte in the 2003 division; Jeremiah Dolmo, Clay Bozanich and Anthony Oveido in the 2002 division; Dylan Franks, Jonathan Panisa, Nathan Durrans, Jaden Guzman, Cody Vadeboncoeur, Grayson Yada, Marisa Trevino and Andrew Barsamian in the 2001 division; and Joe Fordyce and Ethan Bach in the 2000 division.

This year’s Winter Wars West entry list includes 116 teams.

- Phillip Brents

Inter-regional events a barometer for NCRHA nationals

By Phillip Brents

T

he National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) will hold its 21st national championship tournament April 10-14 in Rochester, N.Y. Teams across the country have already started to prepare for the trip by participating in a number of regular-season inter-regional events to gauge the competition in other conferences.

The Western Collegiate Hockey League (WCRHL) has already hosted two inter-regional events this season: Nov. 17-18 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline and Jan. 12-13 at The Rinks-Corona Inline.

Lindenwood University and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Division 1 and Division IV teams participated in the November event. The State University of New York at Cortland’s Division II team and Hofstra University’s Division III team participated in the January event.

The two Lindenwood teams provided a measuring stick for the local WCRHL teams they played. Lindenwood’s Division I team placed runner-up at last year’s NCRHA nationals while Lindenwood’s Division IV team has won eight consecutive national titles.

As a bonus, the November inter-regional event served as a homecoming for several California players on the Lindenwood teams.

WCRHL league director and NCRHA executive director Brennan Edwards said the January inter-regional event went well.

“Having Cortland and Hofstra out was awesome,” Edwards explained. “Both teams split their games with WCRHL opponents, and regardless of the outcomes, it helps all teams prepare for nationals by seeing other styles of play and realizing there is more going on than

the 3-4 teams you play multiple times each season.

“I think all the teams playing in the inter-conference games really get up for those games, get excited, and give it a bigger effort than your typical regular season game.”

Cortland and Hofstra, which both compete in the Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (ECRHA), each finished 2-2 at January’s inter-regional event.

Cortland defeated UC Santa Barbara and Chico State while dropping matchups to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and CSU Fullerton (in overtime).

Hofstra defeated Long Beach State and UCLA and lost to the WCRHL’s top two Division III teams in Cal Poly Pomona and UC-Berkeley.

Saddleback is 8-0-0-1 so far this season while West Valley is 5-11 playing a mix of Division I, Division II and Division III teams.

Cal Poly SLO (11-3-0-1), Chico State (9-6) and Fullerton (8-3-0-1) have locked up the top three Division II playoff berths, leaving San Jose State (2-8-0-1), University of Arizona (2-10) and Northern Arizona University (1-9) to battle for the division’s final playoff berth heading into the final regular season event Feb. 16-17 at Huntington Beach Inline.

“San Jose State plays NAU twice and U of A once, so each team’s postseason fate is in their hands,” Edwards said.

Cal Poly Pomona tops the Division III standings with an 11-1 record. Four teams – Cal-Berkeley (6-3), Long Final conflict Beach State (5-5-0-2), UCLA The WCRHL regional (6-7) and UC Irvine (5-9) – are championship tournament is UCLA and Hofstra University from New York battled it out in separated by just two standscheduled March 2-3 at Co- inter-regional competition as part of a regular season event ings points, with one of them hosted by the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League at not advancing to regionals. rona Inline.

The top four teams in the The Rinks-Corona Inline in January. Photo/WCRHL Arizona State (10-1), UC Division II, Division III and Division IV standings quali- Santa Barbara (6-3-0-1), Arizona (5-5) and Cal Poly fy. The Division I playoffs will consist of a best-of-three Gold (5-6) lead the Division IV standings, followed by championship series between Arizona State University Fullerton (4-6-0-1), NAU (4-6) and Cal Poly Pomona (2(10-1) and UC Santa Barbara (7-5-0-1).

10).

Junior College Division teams will skip the region“There are probably 5-6 teams fighting for the four al event and automatically receive bids to the nation- spots,” Edwards noted. “This season, we don’t have al championship tournament. Saddleback defeated any schools with two Division IV teams, so we know we WCRHL rival West Valley College in last year’s national will have four distinct schools playing for the Division IV championship game. championship.”

CARubberHockey.com

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2018-19 CALIFORNIA/NEVADA ALUMNI E-mail all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com

CALIFORNIA

Chelsea Goldberg (Agoura Hills) – Worcester Blades Rachel Llanes (San Jose) – Shenzen KRS Vanke Rays

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Pheonix Copley – Washington Capitals + Collin Delia (Rancho Cucamonga) – Chicago Blackhawks Thatcher Demko (San Diego) – Vancouver Canucks Adam Erne – Tampa Bay Lightning * Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor) – Nashville Predators Alec Martinez (Santa Clara) – Los Angeles Kings Kevan Miller (Los Angeles) – Boston Bruins Matt Nieto (Long Beach) – Colorado Avalanche Brooks Orpik (San Francisco) – Washington Capitals Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego) – Pittsburgh Penguins Bobby Ryan (El Segundo) – Ottawa Senators Kailer Yamamoto – Edmonton Oilers % Jason Zucker – Minnesota Wild * AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Chase Balisy (Fullerton) – Belleville Senators Mitch Callahan (Whittier) – Bakersfield Condors Eric Comrie (Newport Beach) – Manitoba Moose Chase De Leo (La Mirada) – San Diego Gulls Emerson Etem (Long Beach) – Ontario Reign Matthew Ford (West Hills) – Grand Rapids Griffins Nic Kerdiles (Irvine) – Manitoba Moose Stefan Matteau – Chicago Wolves !

Tyler Moy (San Diego) – Milwaukee Admirals Andrew Oglevie (Fullerton) – Rochester Americans Gustav Olofsson – Laval Rocket !

Nolan Stevens – San Antonio Rampage % Matt Tennyson (Pleasanton) – Rochester Americans Evan Weinger (Los Angeles) – San Jose Barracuda ECHL Taylor Crunk (San Jacinto) – Fort Wayne Komets Chase Golightly (Temecula) – Brampton Beast Dennis Kravchenko (Laguna Niguel) – Adirondack Thunder Merrick Madsen (Acton) – Norfolk Admirals Brandon Marino (Riverside) – Brampton Beast Nikolas Olsson (Escondido) – Adirondack Thunder Zach Pochiro – Allen Americans % Matt Robertson (Rohnert Park) – Kansas City Mavericks Scott Savage (San Clemente) – Maine Mariners Tomas Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Idaho Steelheads Keoni Texeira (Fontana) – Wichita Thunder Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose) – Greenville Swamp Rabbits Justin Woods – Jacksonville IceMen + SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Stefan Brucato (Riverside) – Knoxville Ice Bears Paul Fregeau (Sylmar) – Fayetteville Marksmen Josh Harris (Torrance) – Birmingham Bulls Mitchell Mueller (Bakersfield) – Quad City Storm Brantley Sherwood (San Anselmo) – Pensacola Ice Flyers John Siemer (Baldwin Park) – Macon Mayhem Zac Sikich (Oak Park) – Knoxville Ice Bears FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Daniel Chang (Woodland Hills) – Port Huron Prowlers Josh Colten (Los Angeles) – Port Huron Prowlers Matt Graham (Rancho Cucamonga) – Port Huron Prowlers Taylor Love (Mission Viejo) – Carolina Thunderbirds Sean Reynolds (Covina) – Elmira Enforcers Jacob Walters (San Diego) – Carolina Thunderbirds OVERSEAS Sena Acolatse (Hayward) – Germany Taylor Aronson (Placentia) – Germany Beau Bennett (Gardena) – Belarus Jonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Russia Matt Caito (Coto de Caza) – Austria Robbie Earl (Los Angeles) – Switzerland Shane Harper (Valencia) – Sweden Cory Kane (Irvine) – Russia Miles Koules (Los Angeles) – Finland Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles) – Russia Ryan Lasch (Lake Forest) – Sweden Colin Long (Santa Ana) – Italy Tyler Moy (La Jolla) – Switzerland Darren Nowick (Long Beach) - Sweden Austin Ortega (Escondido) – Sweden Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach) – Sweden Liam Stewart – United Kingdom % * C.J. Stretch (Irvine) – Austria Mitch Wahl (Seal Beach) – Austria Casey Wellman (Brentwood) – Switzerland Matt White (Whittier) – Germany NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Kaliya Johnson – Boston Pride $ Kelly Nash (Bonita) – Metropolitan Riveters Elena Orlando (Chico) – Connecticut Whale Brooke White-Lancette (Berkeley) – Minnesota WhitecapsCANADIAN CANADIAN WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Lizzie Aveson (West Covina) – Worcester Blades 22

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Elijiah Barriga (West Covina) – American International College Jake Hamacher (Corona) – Rochester Institute of Technology Trevin Kozlowski (Valencia) – Army West Point Tayor Maruya (Westchester) – Army West Point Jared Pike – American International College % Evan Plotnik (Capistrano Beach) – American International College Blake Weyrick (Los Angeles) – Canisius College BIG TEN Nathan Burke – University of Minnesota % Will Johnson (Santa Barbara) – University of Wisconsin Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek) – Michigan State University Brannon McManus (Newport Beach) – University of Minnesota Dakota Raabe (Capistrano Beach) – University of Michigan Jake Slaker (San Diego) – University of Michigan ECAC HOCKEY Arthur Brey (Yorba Linda) – St. Lawrence University Alec McCrea (El Cajon) – Cornell University Alec Mehr (Los Angeles) – Brown University Sam Morton (Benicia) – Union College Gavin Nieto (Yorba Linda) – Brown University Jack St. Ivany (Manhattan Beach) – Yale University HOCKEY EAST Niko Hildenbrand (Vacaville) – University of Massachusetts Matt O’Donnell (Fountain Valley) – University of Vermont Ryan Ruck (Coto de Caza) – Northeastern University Eetu Selanne (Coto de Caza) – Northeastern University Ryan Tait (Santa Clarita) – Providence College Josh Wilkins – Providence College % NCHC Devin Cooley (Los Gatos) – University of Denver Lawton Courtnall (Westlake Village) – Western Michigan University Slava Demin (Cypress) – University of Denver Jake Durflinger (Walnut Creek) – University of Denver Jack Gates (Oceanside) – Colorado College Cole Guttman (Los Angeles) – University of Denver Robby Jackson (Alameda) – St. Cloud State University Ben Lown (Newport Coast) – Miami University Kyle Mayhew (Anaheim Hills) – University of Denver Tyson McLellan (San Jose) – University of Denver Erik Middendorf – Colorado College % Patrick Newell (Thousand Oaks) – St. Cloud State University Ryan Orgel (Los Angeles) – University of Denver Jake Rosenbaum (Trabuco Canyon) – University of Minnesota Duluth Rourke Russell (Long Beach) – Miami University Ryan Siroky (Manhattan Beach) – Miami University Brian Williams (San Diego) – Colorado College WCHA Vincent de Mey (Los Angeles) – Northern Michigan University Niko DellaMaggiore (Gilroy) – University of Alaska-Fairbanks Zak Galambos (Walnut Creek) – Minnesota State University Brendan Harris – Bemidji State University + Nate Kallen (San Diego) – Ferris State University Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach) – Northern Michigan University Shane McMahan (Irvine) – Minnesota State University Nicholas Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Minnesota State University Tyler Rockwell (San Jose) – Michigan Tech University Ethan Somoza (Simi Valley) – Bemidji State University NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN CHA Lillian Marchant (Tustin) – Lindenwood University Leah Marino (South Lake Tahoe) – Robert Morris University Baylee Trani (Huntington Beach) – Rochester Institute of Technology ECAC HOCKEY Katherine Beaumier – Clarkson University $ Bailey Bennett (Gardena) – Colgate University Keiko DeClerck (San Jose) – Princeton University Kendra Farole (Irvine) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Tanner Gates (Oceanside) – Colgate University Lydia Grauer – St. Lawrence University $ Bella Kang (Los Gatos) – Cornell University Vivian Lu (Studio City) – Brown University Keely Moy (San Diego) – Harvard University Kayla Nielsen (Laguna Hills) – St. Lawrence University Dominique Petrie (Hermosa Beach) – Harvard University Justine Reyes (Chino Hills) – St. Lawrence University Tia Stoddard (La Mesa) – Clarkson University HOCKEY EAST Cayla Barnes (Eastvale) – Boston College Nicole Dunbar (Coto de Caza) – University of New Hampshire Joo Hyung (Las Crescenta) – Boston University

NEWHA Anna Estes (Whittier) – Post University Gabby Monaco (La Verne) – St. Anselm College Kalena Mueller (San Ramon) – Post University Frankie Sanchez (Lake Elsinore) – Sacred Heart University WCHA Lauren Boyle (Los Gatos) – Ohio State University Brooke Bryant (Linden) – Minnesota State University Tatum Coats (Lakewood) – St. Cloud State University Leila Kilduff (San Jose) – Minnesota State University Annie Pankowski (Laguna Hills) – University of Wisconsin NCAA DIVISION II – MEN NORTHEAST-10 Khalil East (Los Angeles) – Assumption College Matthew Toombs (Pleasanton) – Franklin Pierce University D-II INDEPENDENT Niko Grollman (Laguna Niguel) – Post University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN CCC Aaron Aragon (Whittier) – University of New England Paul Boutoussov (Dana Point) – Salve Regina University Adam Canepa (Santa Cruz) – University of New England Justin Dixson (Sunnyvale) – University of New England Tyler Forest (Simi Valley) – Becker College Cody Foster (Saugus) – Becker College Carter Horwitz (Tustin) – Endicott College Evan Nyhus (Dove Canyon) – Nichols College Evan Schmidbauer (San Diego) – Salve Regina University Joseph Thielen (Huntington Beach) – Curry College MASCAC Connor Cooley (Simi Valley) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Drake Longaker (San Jose) – Plymouth State University Cameron Mack (Long Beach) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Connor McPherson (Lancaster) – Fitchburg State University Kyle Orgel (Los Angeles) – Plymouth State University Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills) – Worcester State Univeersity Nicholas Short (Los Angeles) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth MIAC Don Carter (Antioch) – Hamline University Carter Dahl (Fresno) – St. Mary’s University Chase Di Bari (Ladera Ranch) – Bethel University Nick Klishko (San Diego) – Gustavus Adolphus College Chandler Madry (Bakersfield) – Augsburg College Dallas Marvin (Newbury Park) – Bethel University Nick Nast (Oxnard) – St. Mary’s University Kyle Rimbach (Encinitas) – St. Olaf College Cole Souto (Yorba Linda) – St. John’s University Alex Stoley (Manteca) – Concordia University (Minn.)

NCHA Andrew Behsid (Los Angeles) – Lake Forest College Rock Boynton (Lomita) – Milwaukee School of Engineering Connor Chilton (Oak Park) – Aurora University Lonnie Clary (Riverside) – Marian University Tanner Dalton (Bakersfield) – Milwaukee School of Engineering Dakota Delbridge (Tracy) – Concordia University (Wis.) Zach Feldman (San Diego) – Lake Forest College Kyle Gonzalez (Chino Hills) – Northland College David Marabella (Clovis) – Milwaukee School of Engineering James Mathias (Ontario) – Marian University Connor Melton (Chico) – Northland College Danny O’Donnell (Ventura) – Aurora University Liam Stirtzinger (Simi Valley) – Aurora University Chris Timm (Dublin) – Trine University Nick Trefry (Upland) – Northland College Taylor Urch (Anaheim) – Lawrence University Quinton Wunder (Simi Valley) – Lake Forest College NEHC Coby Downs (Montclair) – Norwich University Conor Ferrera (Trabuco Canyon) – Southern Maine University John Garrity (Dublin) – Suffolk University Keenan Haase (Mission Viejo) – New England College David MacGregor (Azusa) – University of Massachusetts-Boston Ryan Ng (Manhattan Beach) – Castleton State University Adam Papayoanou (Valencia) – Southern Maine University Will Platt (San Francisco) – New England College Mark Shroyer (Fresno) – Castleton State University Corey Sikich (Hermosa Beach) – Castleton State University Nick Wardstrom (Discovery Bay) – Suffolk University Matt Wiesner (Newport Beach) – Babson College Eric Wright (Poway) – Suffolk University NESCAC Jake Camel (Palos Verdes) – Hamilton College Evan Johnson (Huntington Beach) – Williams College Tyler Levine (Laguna Beach) – Wesleyan University Marcus Mollica (Dove Canyon) – Williams College Sean Ross (San Diego) – Wesleyan University Nick Schultze (San Diego) – Tufts University

SUNYAC Max Blitz (Chino Hills) – Fredonia State University Mike Freeman (Rancho Cucamonga) – Fredonia State University Doc Gentzler (Manhattan Beach) – Brockport State University Jasper Korican-Barlay (Oakland) – Fredonia State University Sean Lincoln (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Brockport State University Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Fredonia State University UCHC Cory Anderson (Bakersfield) – Manhattanville College Sean Dickson (Millbrae) – Utica College Tyler Dill (South Lake Tahoe) – Utica College Andrew Frojelin (San Jose) – Nazareth College Brian Hodges (Yorba Linda) – Stevenson University Aaron Murray (Chino) – Stevenson University T.J. Sneath (Chino) – Lebanon Valley College Felix Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) – Lebanon Valley College Chad Watt (Riverside) – Stevenson University Colin Woods (Yorba Linda) – Stevenson University D-III INDEPENDENT Alec Grollman (Laguna Niguel) – Bryn Athyn College William Ma (Anaheim) – Canton State University Jack Sitzman (Redondo Beach) – Anna Maria College NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN COLONIAL HOCKEY Lexie Anderson (San Francisco) – Salve Regina University Taylor Chisholm (Discovery Bay) – Salve Regina University Madison Maloney (Clovis) – Becker College Cameron Payne (Rancho Cucamonga) – Becker College Ally Stout (Stockton) – Canton State University Anastasia Thompson (Riverside) – Becker College Jensen Wurm (Arvada) – Nichols College MIAC Valerie Brown (San Martin) – St. Thomas University Jessica Jones (El Cajon) – St. Mary’s University NCHA Abby Kolek (San Marcos) – Finlandia University Julieana Tarantino (San Diego) – Lake Forest College Jordyn Tomaszewski (Daly City) – Aurora University NEHC Sierra Donahue (San Jose) – Suffolk University Mackenzie Kennedy (Brea) – Plymouth State University Brooke Maggy (Alhambra) – Plymouth State University Cortney Reyes (Chino Hills) – New England College Kiley Searles (San Jose) – Suffolk University Maisie Tatum-Borich (Newport Beach) – New England College Morgan Tefft (Redwood City) – Norwich University Tara Turcotte (Huntington Beach) – New England College NESCAC Michelle Behshid (Saugus) – Bowdoin College Colleen Castro (Redwood City) – Wesleyan University Kai-Lilly Karpman (Playa del Rey) – Trinity College Danielle Marquez (Long Beach) – Bowdoin College Alicia Nickolenko (Encinitas) – Wesleyan University Cierra San Roman (Orange) – Colby College Sarah Takahashi (Pleasanton) – Wesleyan University Kiara Vazquez (La Quinta) – Middlebury College Emily Williams (Fallbrook) – Hamilton College NEWHL Emily Burke (San Jose) – Potsdam State University Angelina Cruzal (Campbell) – Buffalo State University Lindsay Reyes (Chino Hills) – Cortland State University Samantha White (Oceanside) – Potsdam State University Olivia Wilburn (Stockton) – Cortland State University UCHC Mary Deyell (Glendale) – King’s College Devyn Gilman (Yorba Linda) – Elmira College Savannah Gutierrez (Huntington Beach) – Utica College Bella Hanson – Elmira College $ Victoria Lahey (Fairfield) – Lebanon Valley College Ashley Marchant (Orange County) – Chatham University Amy Templeman (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Lebanon Valley College Tristen Tolan – Elmira College $ CANADIAN UNIVERSITY Keanu Yamamoto – McGill University % JUNIOR HOCKEY ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Tyler Browning (Huntington Beach) – Drayton Valley Thunder Stewart Pond (San Diego) – Lloydminster Bobcats Jackson Wozniak (Cypress) – Grand Prairie Storm BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Brian Adams (San Ramon) – Wenatchee Wild Blake Bargar (Torrance) – Wenatchee Wild Ryan Fischer (Anaheim Hills) – Victoria Grizzlies P.J. Fletcher (Dana Point) – Wenatchee Wild Andre Ghantous (Glendale) – Penticton Vees Jacob Modry (El Segundo) – Wenatchee Wild Landon Pavlisin (Orange) – Nanaimo Clippers

Brett Roloson (Newport Beach) – Merritt Centennials Henri Schreifels (Agoura Hills) – Victoria Grizzlies Chad Sasaki (Cypress) – Wenatchee Wild Paul Selleck (Laguna Hills) – Cowichan Valley Capitals Murphy Stratton (Los Angeles) – Wenatchee Wild Drake Usher (Upland) – Wenatchee Wild Ryan Wilson (San Diego) – Wenatchee Wild CENTRAL CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE Jesse Lycan (San Diego) – Navan Grads Lucas Yovetich (Beverly Hills) – Hawkesbury Hawks CANADIAN PREMIER JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Dante Petrini (Bakersfield) - Scarborough Wexford Raiders EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Jonathan Aguilar (Pasadena) – Valley Jr. Warriors Quinn Baker (Santa Monica) – Philadelphia Little Flyers Hayden Dalton (Bakersfield) – New York Applecore Isaac Espinosa (Roseville) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Brad Estrada (Chino Hills) – Valley Jr. Warriors Ethan Gill (Santa Clarita) – Connecticut Chiefs (Premier) John Grealish (Bakersfield) – Boston Jr. Rangers Jake Humble (San Ramon) – North Carolina Golden Bears Christian Kazoleas (Irvine) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Wiggle Kerbrat (Laguna Niguel) – New Hampshire Avalanche Cole Madzey (Alamo) – Connecticut Chiefs Dakota Pitts (Rancho Cucamonga) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Bryan Verna (Lake Forest) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Justin Vickers (Orange County) – New Jersey 87’s GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Austin Kane (Milpitas) – Bradford Rattlers Luis Mendoza (Newark) – Tottenham Steam KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Logan Berggren (Cypress) – Creston Valley Thunder Cats MANITOBA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Jakob Besnilian (Whittier) – Swan Valley Stampeders Michael Boutoussov (Dana Point) – Neepawa Natives Parker Brakebill (Yorba Linda) – Virden Oil Capitals Greg Lee (Aliso Viejo) – Waywayseecappo Wolverines Zach Pires (Orange) – Neepawa Natives NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Sam Anzai (Los Angeles) – Jamestown Rebels Brandon Bergado (San Jose) – Maryland Black Bears Daniel Chladek (Anaheim) – Bismarck Bobcats Jared Christy (Cypress) – Austin Bruins Andrew DeCarlo (Huntington Beach) – Lone Star Brahmas Josh Fricks (Laguna Niguel) – Odessa Jackalopes Joseph Harguindeguy (La Habra) – Minot Minotauros Colton Huard (Foothill Ranch) – Aberdeen Wings Noah Kim (Fullerton) – Austin Bruins Mason Kohn (San Diego) – Corpus Christi IceRays Austin Koss (Huntington Beach) – Janesville Jets Ethan Lahmon (Yorba Linda) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Daylon Mannon (Fresno) – Maryland Black Bears Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda) – Janesville Jets Luc Salem (Los Angeles) – Maryland Black Bears Mattias Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Fairbanks Ice Dogs Connor Smith (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Topeka Pilots Jake Sujishi (Lake Forest) – Maryland Black Bears Julian Timba (Oceanside) – Bismarck Bobcats Lukas Uhler (Upland) – Jamestown Rebels Matt Vernon (San Jose) – Aberdeen Wings Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach) – Austin Bruins NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Ian Acuna (Glendora) – Peoria Mustangs Chance Anderson (Poway) – Peoria Mustangs Riley Anderson (Malibu) – Missoula Jr. Bruins Trevor Arsenault (Huntington Beach) – New England Stars Tyler Blanchard (San Jose) – Texas Brahmas Nick Castro (Redondo Beach) – Yellowstone Quake Nolan Conrad (Corona) – Gillette Wild Jack Cooper (Santa Cruz) – Texas Brahmas McKenna Cooper (Thousand Oaks) – Atlanta Capitals Ryan Cortez (Norco) – Long Beach Sharks Trent Cowden (Simi Valley) – Great Falls Americans Luc Cross (Anaheim) – Helena Bighorns Dylan Davenport – Milwaukee Power % Mason Evans (Danville) – Milwaukee Power Cherokee Fox (Perris) – Oswego Stampede Ryan Gridley (Santa Monica) – Long Beach Sharks Kellen Ireland (Turlock) – Texas Brahmas Wayne Jones (Simi Valley) – Atlanta Capitals Brad Larson (San Diego) – Peoria Mustangs Michael Lempiainen (Corona) – New England Stars Tyler Nelson (Pleasanton) – New Ulm Steel Hunter Norris (Mission Viejo) – New England Stars Jake Pisarcik (Oak Park) – Atlanta Capitals Jack Radley (San Diego) – Peoria Mustangs Luke Richesin (Clovis) – Great Falls Americans Alexander Rogers (Anaheim) – Helena Bighorns Connor Rollo (Camarillo) – Willmar WarHawks Enzo Rolon (Huntington Beach) – Yellowstone Quake Bryce Runyan (Riverside) – Texas Brahmas Nate Simpson (Claremont) – Great Falls Americans Jared Slay (Ventura) – College Station Spirit James Spaargaren (San Diego) – New Ulm Steel Riley Stern (Simi Valley) – Atlanta Capitals Stanislav Struthers (Shadow Hills) – Louisiana Drillers

Jake Sumner (Alta Loma) – Willmar WarHawks Nick Torres (Long Beach) – Great Falls Americans Nick Vardon (Long Beach) – Maine Wild ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE Sasha Chmelevski (Huntington Beach) – Ottawa 67’s Ivan Lodnia (Anaheim) – Niagara IceDogs Sahil Panwar (Cerritos) – London Knights Jason Robertson (Arcadia) – Kingston Frontenacs Nick Robertson (Arcadia) – Peterborough Petes ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Nick Kent (Ladera Ranch) – Buffalo Jr. Sabres SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Ryan Gil (Huntington Beach) – Battlefords North Stars Patrick Pugliese (Pasadena) – Nipawin Hawks Wyatt Wong (Glendale) – Melville Millionaires SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Tyler Leibl (Del Mar) - Weyburn Red Wings SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Mason McIntosh (Los Angeles) – Thief River Falls Norskies Carson Murison (Half Moon Bay) – Dryden GM Ice Dogs UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Joe Cassetti (Pleasanton) – Waterloo Black Hawks Josh Groll (San Diego) – Chicago Steel Cooper Haar (Huntington Beach) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Rory Herrman (Poway) – Green Bay Gamblers Ryan Johnson (Irvine) – Sioux Falls Stampede Jonathan Panisa (Irvine) – Central Illinois Flying Aces Dylan Peterson (Roseville) – U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team Ryan Savage (Scottsdale) – Omaha Lancers Kaelan Taylor (Oceanside) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Ethan Wolthers (Valencia) – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Cam York (Anaheim Hills) – U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Matthew Ayers (Calabasas) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite) Nareg Balian (Tustin) – Decatur Blaze (Premier) Guillaume Bose (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Luke Bowman (Los Gatos) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Matthew Brown (Los Angeles) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (Premier) Anthony Capraro (Hacienda Heights) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Dean Carden (Costa Mesa) – Northern Cyclones (Elite) Jack Carter (San Diego) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Kenny Cavers (San Jose) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (Premier) Halen Cookston (Santa Clarita) – Philadelphia Hockey Club (Premier) Takato Cox (Redondo Beach) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (NCDC) Cole Demchuk (Murrieta) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Dante DiNapoli (Moss Beach) – New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Raymond Fleming (Palo Alto) – Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Premier) Luc Fox (Valencia) – Charlotte Rush (Elite) James Gagan (Mission Viejo) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Donovan Garcia (San Jose) – Islanders Hockey Club (Premier) Weston Goodman (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Mason Hackel (San Jose) – Philadelphia Hockey Club (Premier) Anthony Hagiu (Riverside) – New York Aviators (Elite) Hunter Hansen (Vacaville) – Minnesota Blue Ox (Premier) Dylan Hernandez-Ramirez (Costa Mesa) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Timothy Kovacevic (Huntington Beach) – New York Aviators (Premier) Jordan Labbe (Pasadena) – Jersey Hitmen (Premier) Georg Landro (Riverside) – Potomac Patriots (Premier) Ryan Lanpheer (San Diego) – Atlanta Jr. Kings (Premier) Erik Larson (San Jose) – Boston Bandits (NCDC) Justin Lebouef (Canyon Country) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Jason Lee (Thousand Oaks) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Cullen MacNicoll (El Segundo) – New York Aviators (Elite) Collin Madrid (Los Angeles) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier) Cam Manory (Simi Valley) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Connor Matthews (Redondo Beach) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Adam Mazurowski (Modesto) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Adam McGill (Santa Margarita) – Boston Bandits (Premier) John Moffat (South Lake Tahoe) – Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier) Collin Moore (Orange County) – Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Premier) Josh Morrison (San Diego) – Minnesota Moose (Premier) Ryan Newman (Bakersfield) – Charlotte Rush (Premier) Bryan Pan (Fremont) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite) Simon Perkic (Riverside) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Nicolas Privitera (Sun Valley) – Rochester Monarchs (Premier) Ismael Ralsten (Huntington Beach) – Islanders Hockey Club (NCDC) Casey Rhodes (Huntington Beach) – Jersey Hitmen (NCDC) Mitch Rickert (Santa Rosa) – New Jersey Rockets (NCDC) Hunter Rogers (Simi Valley) – Philadelphia Hockey Club (Premier) James Sandberg (Thousand Oaks) – Jersey Hitmen (Elite) Brendan Schulte (Fullerton) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Phillip Shemyakin (Mission Viejo) – Charlotte Rush (Premier) Ryan Sheridan (Orange County) – Northern Cyclones (Elite) Jered Stevenson (Stockton) – Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Premier) Mischa Subotin (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Spencer Taylor (Venice) – Richmond Generals (Elite) Egan Wolford (San Jose) - New York Aviators (Premier) VANCOUVER ISLAND JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Grady Birk (Carlsbad) – Victoria Cougars WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Hunter Campbell – Calgary Hitmen % Jake McGrew (Orange) – Spokane Chiefs Luke Ormsby – Moose Jaw Warriors % Carl Stankowski (Laguna Hills) – Calgary Hitmen Brayden Watts (Bakersfield) – Vancouver Giants

Dustin Wolf (Tustin) – Everett Silvertips WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Joseph Aguirre (West Covina) – Ontario Avalanche Tristan Baker (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Ethan Bock (Los Angeles) – Ontario Avalanche Dominic Bosetti (Long Beach) – Long Beach Bombers Ryan Brown (South Lake Tahoe) – Steamboat Wranglers Christian Bundschuh (Newport Coast) – Utah Outliers Christopher Cantillo (Covina) – Ontario Avalanche Gabe Cognac (Orange County) – Fresno Monsters Riley Cryan (Carlsbad) – San Diego Sabers Declan Curtis (Fontana) – Ontario Avalanche Lucas Demsar (South Lake Tahoe) – Valencia Flyers Quinn Deshler (Torrance) – Ontario Avalanche Sean Devaney (San Diego) – San Diego Sabers Cole Diamond (Hesperia) – Seattle Totems Dylan Dix (Scotts Valley) – Utah Outliers Connor Duffy (Orange County) – Ontario Avalanche Eric Easterson (Canyon Country) – Valencia Flyers Matthew Genter (Midway City) – Long Beach Bombers Shane Gilbert (Huntington Beach) – Ogden Mustangs Michael Gomez (Visalia) – Fresno Monsters David Grindstaff (Sacramento) – San Diego Sabers Samuel Hernandez (Fontana) – Ontario Avalanche Taylor Hiatt (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Jonathan Holguin (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Hayden Hoyt (Yorba Linda) – Ontario Avalanche Max Kamper (Aliso Viejo) – El Paso Rhinos Mason Kaprelyan (Yorba Linda) – Long Beach Bombers Samuel Kapusta (Irvine) – San Diego Sabers Jacob Mabaquaio (San Diego) – Bellingham Blazers Christopher Maghakian (Santa Clarita) – West Sound Admirals Tate Martishius (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers Cameron Maycock (Claremont) – Ontario Avalanche John McNamara (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers Alex Neverve (San Jose) – Ogden Mustangs Nicklas Oda (Yorba Linda) – Steamboat Wranglers Michael Onda (Saugus) – Valencia Flyers Ethan Racz (Carlsbad) – Ogden Mustangs Adam Rousselo (Santa Clarita) – West Sound Admirals Brett Ruiz (Rancho Cucamonga) – Ontario Avalanche Emmett Rupert (Santa Barbara) – Fresno Monsters Dylan San Agustin (Santa Clarita) – Valencia Flyers Joel Short (Long Beach) – Long Beach Bombers Todd Thompson, Jr. (San Jose) – Dallas Snipers Jarrett Townsend (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Valencia Flyers Tanner Turcotte (Huntington Beach) – Ontario Avalanche Jeremy Van Dyke (Corona) – Ontario Avalanche Jack Walsh (Oceanside) – Utah Outliers Tristan Warr (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers PREP SCHOOL Max Abramson (Pacific Palisades) – Kent School Chris Alexander (Valencia) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s John Alexander (Valencia) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Leon Biller (Valencia) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Jordan Bonner (Huntington Beach) – Albany Academy Alexander Boyko (Rocklin) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Brendan Brisson (Manhattan Beach) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Miles Brodey (Pasadena) – The Lawrenceville School Noah Dahlen (Orange) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Jared Day (Orange) – Brooks School Cameron Dunnigan (Bakersfield) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Corey Eaton (San Marcos) – Tilton School Tanner Ensign (Tustin) – Holderness School Nikko Escobar (Ventura) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Dennis L. Y. Franklin (Oakland) – The Taft School Ezra Gale (Pomona) – Hoosac School Aidan Garcia (Burbank) – The Groton School Michael Gilerman (Encino) – Proctor Academy Jonah Gold (Rolling Hills Estates) – The Groton School Jacob Gunderson (Valencia) – Lakeville South J.T. Halliday (Valencia) – St. Paul’s Tyler Herr (Huntington Beach) – Culver Academy Pablo Honda (Bishop) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Lily Humphrey (Huntington Beach) – New Hampton School Grant Kaplan (Sherman Oaks) – Brooks School Leo Kaplan (Sherman Oaks) – Brooks School Huston Karpman (Manhattan Beach) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Nathan Katzaroff (Anaheim) – Milton Academy Jaxon Kennedy (South Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Tyler Kitchen (Bakersfield) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Matt Kors (Los Angeles) – Shawnigan Lake School Alexander Krause (Calabasas) – Loomis Chaffee Ty Krivtsov (Valencia) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Tristan Lam (Arcadia) – Bishop’s College School Jeffrey Lee (San Jose) - Milton Academy Nicholas Lee (Los Angeles) – Salisbury School Noah Lee (Los Angeles) – Salisbury School Tae Lee (Irvine) – The Governor’s Academy Koby Leeman (Napa) – Culver Academy Tyler Leibl (Del Mar) – Shawnigan Lake School Cobi Lennex (Valencia) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Mathias Long (Marina del Rey) – Lake Forest Academy Brett MacNicoll (El Segundo) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Brandon McDonald (Los Angeles) – Vermont Academy Kyle McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – Tilton School Nolan McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – Cushing Academy Seth McKenna (Moorpark) – Tilton School Tyler McNeil (Santa Clarita) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Ryan Meaney (Santa Clarita) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Nathan Moffat (Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Zach Mojarro (Bishop) – The Gunnery

Brian Morse (Fresno) – The Gunnery Jacob Nordorf (Gardena) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Ellis O’Dowd (Santa Barbara) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Zane Parker (Hawthorne) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Luke Peterson (Moorpark) – The Gunnery John Pratt (Laguna Niguel) – Berkshire School Jayden Price (Coto de Caza) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Quinn Proctor (South Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Alexander Rogers (Anaheim) – Williston Northampton Ross Roloson (Newport Beach) – Shawnigan Lake School Hunter Sansbury (Lomita) – The Gunnery Chase Sechrist (Santa Rosa) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Andrey Shemaykin (South Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Jordan Skahill (San Dimas) – South Kent Steven Soos (Pasadena) – The Winchendon School Daniel Thomas (Irvine) – Hotchkiss School Simon Thue (San Jose) – Millbrook School Daniel Ton-That (Laguna Hills) – Tilton School Weston Turner (Granite Bay) - The Groton School Lukas Uhler (Upland) – New Hampton School Brent Valentine (Newport Beach) – Choate Rosemary Hall Bradley Wang (Arcadia) – Choate Rosemary Hall Ryan Wilson (San Diego) – Milton Academy Eric Yagubyan (Glendale) – Tilton School Billy Zegras (San Diego) – The Berkshire School

NEVADA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Jason Zucker (Las Vegas) – Minnesota Wild AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Gage Quinney (Las Vegas) – Chicago Wolves ECHL Chris Francis (Las Vegas) – Tulsa Oilers Zach Pochiro (Las Vegas) – Allen Americans Joey Raats (Las Vegas) – Utah Grizzlies Joe Sullivan (Las Vegas) – Manchester Monarchs Cory Ward (Las Vegas) – Manchester Monarchs SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Derek Sutliffe (Las Vegas) – Macon Mayhem OVERSEAS Bryce Reddick (Las Vegas) – United Kingdom CANADIAN WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Megan Myers (Las Vegas) – Worcester Bladess COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN WCHA Brendan Harris (Henderson) – Bemidji State University D-I INDEPENDENT Dominic Garcia (Las Vegas) – Arizona State University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN NESCAC Brenden Russ (Las Vegas) – Connecticut College JUNIOR HOCKEY GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Nathan Skala (Las Vegas) – Northumberland Stars MARITIME HOCKEY LEAGUE Landon Quinney (Las Vegas) – Valley Wildcats NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Vito Carlo (Las Vegas) – Atlanta Capitals Dylan Davenport – Milwaukee Power @ Caleb Day (Las Vegas) – Gillette Wild Brenden Fehlig (Las Vegas) – College Station Spirit Bryce Gould (Las Vegas) – Butte Cobras Gunner Moore (Las Vegas) – Atlanta Capitals Danny Ramos (Las Vegas) – Gillette Wild Gabriel Testa (Las Vegas) – Long Beach Sharks SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Steven Avalone (Las Vegas) – Kindersley Klippers UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Ty Gartzke (Las Vegas) – Decatur Blaze (Premier) Deric Prier (Las Vegas) – Florida Jr. Blades (Elite) Gage Roberts (Las Vegas) – Carolina Eagles (Premier) Cameron Sylvester (Las Vegas) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) Ethan Van Muyden (Henderson) – Boston Bandits (Elite) WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Erik Atchison (Las Vegas) – Spokane Chiefs WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Cody Printzen (Las Vegas) – Fresno Monsters % former Los Angeles Jr. King ! former San Jose Jr. Shark Anthony (Henderson) – Long BeachAnaheim Bombers + former Rodriguez California Titan $ former Lady Duck * former LA Select

@ former Nevada Storm

CARubberHockey.com

23

UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE

San Jose native Wolford follows zigzag road to Brooklyn

By Joshua Boyd/USPHL.com

E

gan Wolford is only 20 years old, but it seems like he’s already seen and experienced more than some octogenarians out there.

How many people can say they rode their bikes from their California house to an NHL arena, before relocating to Saskatchewan and coaching First Nation Canadian children, and then a year later, experience the ringing bells of Wall Street and hustle and bustle of Brooklyn life?

Before he almost certainly moves on to the NCAA Division III hockey realm next year, Wolford hopes to add a junior hockey championship in the USPHL Premier Division with the New York Aviators to his impressive resume of life experiences.

“Honestly, I don’t think any team can beat us – we can only beat ourselves,” said Wolford, a defenseman for the Aviators, who were in fourth place overall in the 51-team league in early February. “Nobody can beat us when we move our feet. We’re one of the fastest teams in the league. We’re also the hardest-working team.

We’ve bonded, we play like brothers, we go to war together every night.”

Wolford was born in 1998 in San Jose. Now, when he says he’s from San Jose, he doesn’t mean he’s from Campbell or Alum Rock or Milpitas. He means San Jose.

“It was probably one of the best places to grow up.

I lived a mile from the rink (today’s Solar4America Ice at

San Jose), and our family would ride our bikes to Sharks he helped me out on the ice with my footwork. Travis games,” said Wolford. “It’s such a nice area, a very pe- McEwen did a lot of video work with me that was also destrian-friendly city. My friends and I would go around a huge help.”

His next step, however, came via a trade. He was sent the city, riding our bikes or skateboarding.”

Another California pastime, rollerblading, also ap- to the La Ronge Ice Wolves, also in the SJHL. Find Saspealed to Wolford and he actually started his hockey ca- katoon on a map and look about 250 miles north of there, in the lake-dotted northern woodlands reer on wheels. of the province.

“My dad tried to teach all the neigh“It was such a different culture,” said borhood kids hockey and he signed me Wolford. “I worked with a lot of First Naup for roller hockey, which I played untions people there, and I even coached til I was 12,” said Wolford. “I definitely the Pee Wee team in the town there. think it helped me. Roller hockey is very It was a cool experience. I don’t know fast-paced, with lot of skill. It helped me how many kids from California can say in terms of being able to read the play and use my hands. It’s flowing.” they lived that far north in Canada.”

For his final junior season, however, After one year with Albany Acadehe was looking for more exposure, so my, Wolford was looking to get his juhe made the trip thousands of miles to nior career underway. the south and east. His journey took him His brother Coalson, an ‘01, was from small-town Canada to the United recruited by the Notre Dame Academy States’ biggest city, New York.

Hounds in Wilcox, Sask., to play for “I was cut during preseason from an their Midget program. Egan made the Egan Wolford trip with his brother to the open plains of Saskatchewan NCDC team, and I got a call from the Aviators coach and figured he’d try out for the Hounds’ junior team in the Mike Stanaway, and he laid out the details about the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and see Aviators,” said Wolford. “They’re about a lot more than hockey. The GM Jon Dreher works on Wall Street, and what happened.

“I enrolled in school at Notre Dame, tried out for the he brought me and a couple guys with him to work and junior team and made it,” said Wolford. “Clint Mylymok we got to see Wall Street and the traders on the floor.

- who’s originally from Long Beach - was my coach and There are not a lot of programs that could offer that.”

USPHL.com

Tahoe Prep players improving athletically, academically Continued from Page 15 As for the rest of the Tahoe experience, as a Southern California native, Meaney said he just can’t quite get over having evergreen trees on a beach.

Liam Sutton Moving from his hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico to Tahoe could have been a shock to the system for Sutton, but the 16-year-old sophomore has adjusted nicely to his new surroundings. For the right winger on Tahoe’s varsity squad, the ability to succeed academically while advancing his hockey skills made Tahoe Prep the right fit. He said his experience this year is a big change from his freshman year at home, and it shows in his current 3.8-grade point average and on the ice.

“School never met with hockey,” he explained of his previous experience trying to mesh athletics and academics.

“Being able to go out and make these trips for games and still stay caught up at school is a privileged-but-earned experience. You have to be disciplined and stay on top of your classes, but the support is also here. Our academic supervisor does a really good job. I like to picture her as the reality check.”

Sutton said his hockey goal this year is to make the prep team, and all the time he is spending on the ice is paying off. He said he noticed the changes in his game when he practiced with his old team during Christmas 24

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

break.

“The level of play is extremely different from what I was used to - picture NASCAR compared to Formula One racing,” he joked. “I appreciate the experiences I’m getting from hockey and the travel, getting to see so much of the country.”

Sutton said he is especially appreciative of his parents for making Tahoe Prep possible for him.

on-ice and strength training is helping him achieve that.

“I’ve noticed it in my speed and preparation for games,” he said.

Parker said it’s also about the atmosphere created by his teammates.

“If someone asked me if they should consider attending THA, I’d 100 percent say go and do it,” he raved. “You become a better, as a player and a person.”

“I want to get a scholarship for college and pay them back for how hard they worked to get me here,” he said.

Pablo Honda Making the decision to attend Tahoe Prep was a relatively easy one for Honda and his family. The 15-yearold freshman who plays for the varsity team is from the remote mountain town of Bishop. With no local yearround rink, he and his parents commuted two and a half hours each way along the Eastern Sierra, often through snowstorms, for a couple years to allow Honda and his brother to play with the Tahoe Grizzlies. With high school on the horizon and no other teams to consider nearby, it seemed like hockey wasn’t going to work.

“The more I played the more I wanted to advance and having this opportunity to come to Tahoe Prep made me feel like I could have a bigger goal with hockey,” Honda said.

Making the jump from B-level hockey to the varsity team was tough, but it has been made easier by Tahoe Prep’s coaches and players, Honda said.

“It was hard at first - the speed is so different, but you are constantly improving and the coaches care, and the whole team was super welcoming,” he said. “They didn’t hold it against me. With this program, you are practicing every day for like 10 months out of the year.

You can’t get that development anywhere else.”

Zane Parker Having played hockey since he was just six, Parker - now a 15-yearold sophomore - knew how much he loved the game. When his coach with the California Heat knew he was looking to advance, he connected him with coach Leo Fenn at Tahoe Prep, and after trying out with the academy during a school break, Parker was in.

“My main goal was to focus on getting better and to grow up as a person,” said Parker, a defenseman on the varsity team from Inglewood. “In the beginning, it was rough being away from my family, but the team has turned into family and I love it. And you do grow up quicker - we each have our own jobs every day around the dorm, cleaning tables, drying the dishes and doing our own laundry.”

Parker said he is focused on trying to get as far as he can in the sport, and the five-day-a-week schedule of

Spring hockey happenings galore at Ice Center Cupertino

By Mike Benesh

T

he California Cougars and the Golden State Elite Eagles, in conjunction with the Ice Center of Cupertino, is expanding the spring hockey program again this year.

After a sellout 2018 spring program, the 2019 spring program will offer more of what made last year’s program so well received, as well as adding a few additional options.

First, there are the spring leagues.

New this year, the Norcal Spring Series is geared toward A/B travel-level players.

It will include games against other Norcal Spring Series clubs as well as registration on a Memorial Weekend Tournament team and a few team practices. We are again offering the Tier Spring Elite League, where our teams will play against other local tier hockey teams while including admission to a number of our S3 and High Intensity Clinics.

Next comes our S3 (skating, shooting and skill development) camps, all taught by travel and tier coaches. These were sold out last year, so this spring, we

are offering a total of 12 weeks of camps, each week consisting of three sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. As in previous years, all clinics are further organized along recognized NorCal/USA Hockey age groupings.

We also offer a week of High Intensity Training geared to getting players ready for the GSE tier tryouts the following week. For Cougars players, we offer five sessions of Pre-Tryout Clinics in the two weeks leading up to the Cougars tryouts for the NorCal A/B League.

As with the High Intensity Training, the Pre-Tryout Clinics are set up to get players ready for the upcoming Cougars tryout weekend that follows.

For the high school-aged players, we are offering the High School Skate, and that is being expanded to

two sessions per week. This is a skills and drills format open to all high school or Midget-aged players looking to have some fun in the summer while keeping their skills sharp.

As we did last year, we will offer significant discounts for various combinations of our spring hockey programs. The more classes you register for, the larger the percentage discount, including a very hefty discount for doing what we call the Super Duper Combo, which includes one of the spring leagues, all of the S3 weeks, the High Intensity Training week and the Pre-Tryout Clinic sessions.

The California Cougars, the Golden State Elite Eagles and the Ice Center of Cupertino welcome players of all ages and skill levels to join us for spring hockey, a fun and exciting way to keep your hockey skills sharp between seasons as well as learn and develop new skills to carry forward throughout your hockey career.

More details available at www.californiacougars. org and www.norcalspringseries.com.

Ice Center Cupertino

10123 N. Wolfe Road | Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 446-2906

CARubberHockey.com

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RYAN SIROKY

Position: Forward, Miami University (NCAA Division I) Hometown: Manhattan Beach Youth Teams: LA Hockey Club/LA Selects, LA Jr. Kings California Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?

Ryan Siroky: The (USA Hockey youth) national championship games with LA Hockey – the double-overtime games we won and lost. Those were pretty big. Going to the Brick when I was really young was a cool experience playing in a mall and having all those people watch you. Quebec (Pee Wee tournament) was another one of the coolest, going to the finals and playing in front of all those people. In juniors, my first USHL game and then going to the Clark Cup final (with Muskegon) during my third year. That was a good experience with a good group of guys. My first college game against Providence when they were coming off the national championship. And my first college goal was against Minnesota Duluth.

CR: You suffered a devastating leg injury when you were a Bantam. What was the key to overcoming that and advancing in the game as you have?

RS: That was tough. My recovery took 10 months. One key was staying positive. My parents helped me out a lot; they were with me every single day. I didn’t know if I was going to play again. I had to learn to do everything again – walk, run, skate. I had a couple of surgeries. All I could do was take it one day at time. It helped me overcome a lot of things. It helped me a lot with hockey.

CR: You’ve been recognized by the NCHC for your academics multiple times.

How does a high-level athlete balance that with the academic side?

RS: Being a college athlete, you really have to learn time management skills. Being in the business school, you tend to have a lot of homework.

You have to find time to prepare for school and for hockey. Learning this is going to help me down the road especially. It’s been a lot of fun.

I’ve learned a lot. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. It teaches you how to overcome.

CR: Who were your big hockey influences?

RS: My coaches growing up, Sandy Gasseau and Louis Pacella, were big influences. When I was really young, I looked up to Brett Beebe (a former player at Western Michigan). He’s obviously a couple years older.

We followed the same path – same schools growing up, the USHL and college. His family was great along the way.

CR: Did you have a favorite team and/or players growing up?

RS: Obviously, the LA Kings, for sure, and Dustin Brown. I liked to model my game after him. He’s a big power forward who likes to take the body but also can take the puck to the net and score. When I was really young, it was Ziggy Palffy. That’s why I wore No. 33 when I was little. Then the goalies took that. I’ve been No. 24 for a long time. There’s no special reason for 24. I always liked the number.

CR: Do you play other sports?

RS: I like to golf a lot. I’m not the greatest. In the spring and summer, we go a lot. I played a lot of sports growing up. I was competitive in lacrosse.

I played a year in high school.

CR: You’re heading for the home stretch of your senior season at Miami.

Have you thought about what’s next?

RS: I definitely want to play pro next year. I don’t know where that’s going to be. We’ll have to talk about that at the end of the year. It’s always been a dream of mine. I don’t know how long or how far it will take me.

- Compiled by Chris Bayee Photo/Miami University Athletics

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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