California Rubber Magazine - March 2020

VOLUME 13

ISSUE 7

MARCH 2020

BURBANK, EL SEGUNDO WIN 2020 LAKHSHL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Along with a family-type environment, the San Diego Jr. Gulls go above and beyond in providing many special experiences for the club’s players and families, one of which being the prestigious Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament

CARMEN STARR CLASSIC MAY 22 - 25, 2020 18U AAA & AA | 16U AAA & AA 2006 AAA & AA | 2007 AAA & AA 2008 AAA & AA | 2009 AAA & AA 2010 AAA & AA | 2011 AAA & AA 8U A & B For more information & to register, visit

jrkingshockey.com Tournament Series

SLEW OF CALIFORNIA PRODUCTS MAKE NCAA D-I COMMITMENTS TAHOE PREP BASKING IN GLORY AFTER CAPTURING NAPHL TITLE VEGAS NATIVE QUINNEY MAKES NHL DEBUT WITH GOLDEN KNIGHTS

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FROM THE EDITOR Springtime around the rinks can be a bittersweet time for hockey

S

pringtime around the rinks can be a bittersweet time for hockey This happens every year.

The seasons start in September and the grind begins.

Then, seemingly, we blink, and we are at the end of the season.

Yeah, it’s a pretty bittersweet time of the year. On one hand, some wish hockey would go on forever.

On the other hand, some are anxious for the offseason and time to unwind, decompress, get away from the rink.

Hockey season is truly the most wonderful time of the year. No disrespect intended for Andy Williams.

Whether it’s youth hockey, junior hockey, college Matt Mackinder hockey or pro hockey, the game is growing so much that there is literally something happening right here in California 365/24/7. Literally.

That’s awesome to see and I’m so pumped to see it continue.

For those still playing games, best of luck to you! And for those whose seasons have concluded, take the time you need to recharge, and we’ll see you at the rinks soon enough!

February and March mean it’s time to crown state and Pacific District champions.

At CAHA states, Tier I champs were the Los Angeles Jr. Kings (11U, 13O, 14U, 16), Anaheim Jr. Ducks (12U, 15O) and San Jose Jr. Sharks (18U). The Jr. Kings also won 14U and 16U districts, the Jr. Ducks 15O, and the Jr. Sharks 18U. Orange Lutheran won the 1A high school title, the 2B high school championship is March 27-29, Tier II states are March 13-15, and A/B/BB states are March 27-30.

Leave it all out there, everyone!

February was a great month for California-born goalies as Tustin’s Dustin Wolf and Hermosa Beach’s Tomas Sholl (also both Jr. Kings graduates) took home monthly honors in their respective leagues.

Wolf won the award with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips for the second time this season. The Calgary Flames prospect posted a 9-1-0-0 record, 1.41 goals-against average, stopped 215 of 229 shots for a .939 save percentage, and recorded two shutouts.

Sholl bagged the monthly honors for the third time in his career and second time this season with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, finishing on a four-game win streak and boasting a 7-1-0 record to complement a 1.74 goals-against average and .939 save percentage with one shutout.

Great job, fellas!

The NAHL’s Janesville Jets have looked to California for the team’s 2020-21 roster, signing goaltender Owen Millward to a tender contract for next season.

A Davis native, Millward played this season with the Fox Motors 16U AAA program in Michigan. He played with the Jr. Ducks last season and was a ninth-round selection of the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining such a great organization in Janesville,” Millward said. “They have an incredible track record when it comes to developing goalies, and I can’t wait to become a part of that.”

“Owen is a very talented goalie that we’ve had our eyes on all season,” added Jets head coach Corey Leivermann. “He has the ability and upside not only to be an impact goalie in the NAHL but also at the NCAA Division I level.”

Best of luck, Owen!

A total of 49 of the top American hockey players born in 2004 have been invited to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp.

The camp will help select the 2020-21 U.S. National Under-17 Team and takes place March 18-22 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.

Among the six goaltenders is Calabasas native Dylan Silverstein, currently playing prep school hockey at Dexter Southfield in Brookline, Mass.

The 49 players (27 forwards, 16 defensemen, six goalies) will be divided into two teams. The squads will participate in on-ice practices and off-ice training, play in five games and attend two U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Team games at USA Hockey Arena.

Go represent, Dylan!

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.

Postmaster: send address changes to: P.O. Box 373 Goodrich, MI 48438 Ph. (248) 890-3944 Email: matt@rubberhockey.com Subscription Rates: $49.95 USD * Single Copy: $3.95 USD Mail subscriptions to: P.O. Box 373 Goodrich, MI 48438 Subscriptions are non-refundable REPORT AN ERROR IMMEDIATELY California Rubber Magazine will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion Visit our Web site at: www.CARubberHockey.com Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/californiarubber Follow us on Twitter: @CARubberHockey

California Rubber Magazine is a production of:

Publisher/editor: Matt Mackinder senior designer: Julie Rippy

CALIFORNIA COMMITMENTS

Former San Jose Jr. Sharks defenseman Luke Robinson, playing this season for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, is one of several players with California ties to recently make an NCAA commitment, deciding on the U.S. Air Force Academy for his college hockey and academic career. More inside on Pages 19 and 20. Photo/Stephen Gassman

ON THE COVER The San Diego Jr. Gulls once again took part in the Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament, enjoying their time last month in the Canadian province, both on and off the ice. Photo/Hilary Devrome

UNITING. INFORMING. INSPIRING. HOCKEY PLAYERS ACROSS CALIFORNIA

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PCH APPAREL

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Exciting Experiences Playing in Quebec Pee Wee tournament just one special offering Jr. Gulls can provide players, families

By Matt Mackinder

T

he San Diego Jr. Gulls are more than a high-end youth hockey organization.

Creating and sustaining a family-like atmosphere and fostering that environment within the program has helped the organization grow to new heights in 2019-20.

And with the Jr. Gulls’ 2007 birth year team recently returning from the prestigious Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament, having the opportunity to play in that event each year is simply one more offering the Jr. Gulls can give to their players and families.

“I brought the idea of trying to get the Jr. Gulls into Quebec to the hockey director 10 years ago when my oldest son was a Pee Wee,” Jr. Gulls president Geoff Leibl said.

“The idea was shot down as being impossible to get in, so of course, we had to try. We reached out to a lot of hockey people for their support, including NHL executives, coaches and players all of whom had connections to San Diego hockey. We made our presentation to the Quebec tournament selection committee and were fortunate enough to convince them to let us participate.

“We have been able to send four teams over the last eight years and each team has had a different experience, but almost every player who has gone says it is the best youth hockey experience they have had.”

The 2002 team that went to Quebec five years ago finished with the silver medal in their division.

“Very memorable event as a coach,” said Greg Pruden, who was behind the Pee Wee bench in 2015.

“Everything was enjoyed, and the planners and organization were all first class. Playing every game in the Colisee was sensational and even losing in overtime in the finals, the experience of playing in such a tournament is every kid’s dream.”

Max Chu was a player on that team from 2015 now playing in prep school hockey at Ridley College in Canada. His brother Lukas played this year for the 2007 team.

“I remember each time that I would skate onto the Colisee ice and look into the stands, I’d feel my legs get weak with nerves looking at the huge crowd,” Chu said. “Then as I skated my first lap in warmups, those nerves turn into excitement and I would smile with anticipation for the game.”

Away from the rink in Quebec, pin trading is a tradition that has stood the test of time for the 61-year-old tournament.

“Many of the pins that I collected over the course of the tournament are on the walls of my room,” Chu said. “When I take a moment to look over my pins, a flood of vivid memories of the trip come back to me. Then I miss my billet family and hope that they are doing well. In fact, just last year, I played against my billet brother in a hockey 6

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

tournament. After five years of not seeing each other, I recognized him instantly and was ecstatic to catch up with him after our game. Without my billet family, the experience would not have been the same.”

Grady Birk played on the 2000 birth year team, the first Jr. Gulls team to go to Quebec eight years ago, and served as captain for that team.

Birk is now playing junior hockey for the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

“Memories from the Quebec tournament honestly do come up all the time,” said Birk. “Whether it’s going through photos or videos from tubing down a freezing mountain or just playing, it’s a big part of my childhood.

“I think the fact that the Jr. Gulls offer this to the kids really speaks to the family aspect of the hockey community there. It is obviously an investment as a parent to commit to coming, but I truly believe that family comes first in the organization. I remember times with kids where I was either crying or sweating in the locker room, and it’s crazy to look back and say we came from that to where we are now.”

In Quebec, Chantal Gagnon is the Jr. Gulls’ billet coordinator, as all the players live with host families during their time at the tournament.

She said it’s been “an absolute pleasure” working with the Jr. Gulls and cannot wait until the organization makes its next trip to the event.

“It is hard to say what I like the most about the Jr. Gulls organization,” Gagnon said.

“There are a lot of things that I really appreciate and that make this experience so rewarding, not only for me, but for all the people involved. What I can say, after all these years, is that this organization shows a high level of professionalism, respect, kindness and honesty in different ways and they are grateful for everything that is done for the team by either the people of the tournament, the billets or myself.

“And I have to mention that Geoff Leibl’s courtesy and endless dedication has something to do with it. I have a lot of respect for this man who I consider as a friend for life. In fact, my family and I have more and more friends for life in San Diego.”

Alexander Payie skated for the Jr. Gulls’ 2005 team that went to Quebec in 2017.

He echoed past players’ sentiments by saying the event is so much more than hockey.

“Just the energy with the crowd and walking out onto the ice in an NHL-sized arena was something that you could never forget,” Payie said. “It’s an experience like no other and for me, impossible to forget. Although we lost in a shootout, everything else will be memories that I will look upon fondly for the rest of my life.”

Continued on Page 8

UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE

NCDC Combines coming to Detroit, Chicago in April, May

By Joshua Boyd/USPHL.com

T

he United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and its tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) announced in February their 2020 NCDC Combines, set to take place in Detroit, Mich. (April 10-11) and Chicago, Ill. (May 1-2).

These combines will feature guaranteed scouting opportunities by coaches from the Tier II NCDC, along with additional scouting opportunities with other USPHL teams.

Players born between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2004 will be eligible.

Registration costs only $79 for each combine. The USPHL is dedicated to providing a great value to prospective players to show their skills in front of NCDC coaches and begin new relationships.

Players will be guaranteed a minimum of three scrimmage games, and there will be goaltender-specific training sessions at each event. There will also be an informational seminar about the USPHL and its unparalleled USPHL Development Model. Players and their parents will be able to ask questions directly to NCDC coaches as well as other USPHL coaches and league representatives.

The NCDC Detroit Combine will be held at Fraser Hockeyland at 34400 Utica Road, Fraser, Mich., in the northern suburbs of Detroit. It is just over a 30-minute drive from Detroit Wayne County Airport.

Players can stay at the Hampton Inn Detroit/Roseville (33680 Gratiot Ave, Clinton Township, Mich.) with a spe-

cial room rate. The Hampton Inn is an eight-minute drive from Fraser Hockeyland.

Register for the 2020 NCDC Detroit Combine: https://usphlstats.sportngin.com/register/ form/827747933 The NCDC Chicago Combine will be held at the Fifth Third Arena at 1801 West Jackson Blvd., in Chicago, Ill. Fifth Third Arena is the practice facility for the Chicago Blackhawks. Located in downtown Chicago, it is just over a 30-minute drive from O’Hare International Airport and under 30 minutes from Chicago Midway International Airport. There are countless lodging options in the Chicagoland area, all within a short drive of Fifth Third Arena.

Register for the 2020 NCDC Chicago Combine: https://usphlstats.sportngin.com/register/ form/784025157 Invitations to NCDC tryout camps for the 2020-21 season will be offered to select players from each combine. The NCDC Draft will be held on May 15, and NCDC teams will be scouting players for potential selections in that event to be held less than two weeks after the Chicago Combine.

Combine Offerings The cost for each three-day combine is $79, with a three-game guarantee as well as off-ice activities and player evaluations.

Also included: jersey, skate sharpening, laundry, ac-

credited on-ice officials, and medical staff on site.

The USPHL and its tuition-free division, the NCDC, are providing an unparalleled, comprehensive on- and office recruiting opportunity for players from throughout the United States.

Sign up today, as registration will be limited.

About the NCDC The NCDC is the only tuition-free junior hockey league that is fully located in the Northeastern United States, limiting travel to New York, New Jersey, the Philadelphia region and the New England states. This allows players to spend more time on development, both on- and off-ice, than traveling on a bus.

With the unmatched USPHL Showcase Series, NCDC players have several opportunities each season to play in front of several scouts at well-attended multi-day, multi-tiered events.

There were more than 400 former players from the USPHL’s top division skating with NCAA hockey teams during the 2019-20 season. This included individual season-ending award-winners from multiple NCAA Division I conferences.

More than 100 players committed to college hockey out of the 2018-19 NCDC season alone, and more than 30 of those players advanced to NCAA Division I institutions from what was then a 12-team league.

USPHL alumni currently skating in the NHL include players such as Jack Eichel, Charlie Coyle, Brian Dumoulin, Jimmy Vesey and Trevor van Riemsdyk.

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SAN DIEGO JR. GULLS

With yearly Quebec opportunity, Jr. Gulls offer it all Continued from Page 6 Payie’s father Ken played in the tournament some 40 years ago for a team out of Toronto.

“The Quebec tournament is the pinnacle of Pee Wee tournaments,” Ken said. “Having the Jr. Gulls organization promote the participation in this storied event is great representation for the organization and Southern California hockey and provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kids and their parents to experience. These events shape and stay with you for a lifetime.”

This year, Cody Betsch represented the Jr. Gulls in Quebec.

“It was all so fun,” Betsch said. “I’ll most likely never be able to do that stuff again, like pond hockey or eating maple candy straight from the snow. I think everything we did is kind of unforgettable. I think about it a lot and love telling people about it.”

“I think this trip was amazing for my boys (twins Cody and Kevin),” added April Betsch. “Thinking about leaving them in a different county, with strangers, was unimaginable. Coach Pierre (Dufour) and Coach Craig (Carlyle) met with us and explained all about what a great opportunity this would be and how much they would grow from it. Knowing that the Jr. Gulls can offer this event is a huge benefit for future Pee Wees.

My boys came home excited and even more in love with the game of hockey.”

Dufour also played in and won the tournament in 1987, and had the chance to bring both his sons, Liam in 2018 and Nolan in 2020, to share in this experience.

“We are so happy as an organization to have been able to offer this experience to our Pee Wees,” said Dufour. “The memories and friend-

ships that our players and families have made as a result of this opportunity is just incredible.

“I heard a good comment when we were there this year from a local hockey fan. They said, ‘winning a hockey game is a bonus, but the real memories are to get the chance to experience and soak in all the activities the

tournament has to offer.’ I agree 100 percent with that sentence.”

Aside from Quebec and playing top-quality competition from all over the state and region, the Jr. Gulls also encourage all of their teams to participate in events that are more than just hockey, ones that will expose the players to different cultures or parts of the country or experiences that are unique and memorable. In the past few years, the Jr. Gulls had a Squirt team play in China, a Bantam team travel to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories and hosted a visiting Czech Republic team.

“Of course, our teams travel to compete and to play hockey, but we look for tournaments that offer more and the ultimate is the Quebec Tournoi for our players,” said Dufour.

“Our families make the Jr. Gulls stand out from other associations. It is amazing how engaged they are in our program and how willing they are to travel.

“Our goal is to give our players every opportunity to be as good as they can be while along the way creating great memories and having fun. We are very fortunate to have families that share this attitude.”

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Women’s inline hockey teams showing continued growth

By Phillip Brents

number of girl goalies playing as well.

“I think this really speaks to the next generation aura Veharanta and Allison Era have both won of players we have that will make up the future of the multiple gold medals with Team USA at the world girls and women’s divisions at these tournaments like championship level and remain respected leaders NARCh and State Wars. within the women’s roller “Over the past two years hockey community. specifically, I’ve noticed a Now a new generation large number of new teams appears to be joining them. make their way into the Veharanta helped lead women’s division at tournaRink Rat Republic to the ments. For the most part, a Women’s AA Division gold lot of us are familiar faces medal at February’s Winter to each other having played Wars West tournament that against and with each other featured eight women’s diviover the years. Now there’s sion teams. new teams and programs “Not only was it awemaking their way into the disome to have eight teams vision. make up the Women’s Di“Programs like the Azvision at a winter tournatecs and Adrenaline are doment, which usually draws ing a great job investing time less than the summer tourand resources into the denaments, but there was a velopment of their women’s noticeable amount of youth teams. I’ve gone out and teams made up of three or joined a few of these teams four girls per team,” Vehaat their practices and I know ranta said. that the girls on these teams “When I first started Rink Rat Republic captured the championship title in the are dedicated to the game. playing these tournaments Women’s AA Division at February’s Winter Wars West It’s really awesome to see. back in the Tour Pacific Cup tournament.

The AA (Platinum) finals and days (playing with the boys), there were usually one A (Gold) finals are always super competitive games.” or two girls on maybe one or two teams in the youth NARCh has added a Girls Division to its finals divisions. I noticed a few teams now had an equal schedule to accommodate this growing segment and number of boys and girls on the team and a huge will offer a Women’s Division at three regional tour-

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naments – Huntington Beach (March 20-22), Irvine (April 23-26) and Escondido (June 5-7).

“In the past, the Women’s Division has really been limited to just the larger winter and summer tournaments,” Veharanta said. “It’s great that the tournaments are creating more opportunities for these women’s teams to develop and compete. I’d also like to give State Wars a shout out for offering a prize pool ($2,500 at the State Wars summer tournament) and the Pro Showdown that offered equal prizing at $5,000 for women this past September.”

Era has played competitive roller hockey since age 6 and became the youngest player at 15 in 2008 to make the Team USA Senior Inline Women’s Team roster.

She served as captain for the 2018 U.S. World Championship team.

“Growing up in Arizona, I didn’t have a choice to play on a women’s team because they didn’t have women’s travel teams,” Era explained. “It taught me a lot to play with the boys. However, there was not as much support for women’s hockey as there is now.

“Now when I go to a tournament, there are at least eight women’s teams alone. This is amazing to see – so many different age groups competing at a very high level.

“I have also been lucky enough to be a part of what some of the NHL teams are doing in terms of helping run clinics for girls and women of all ages. To get support like that with the visibility of fans everywhere makes a huge difference to recognize women’s hockey. I’m excited for the future and to see how we continue to grow the sport and get recognized for it.”

Winter Wars West event showcases Golden State talent

By Phillip Brents

T

he State Wars Hockey caravan made a stop Feb. 2123 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach and The Rinks-Irvine Inline for the 2020 edition of Winter Wars West.

The three-day tournament attracted a large field of 112 teams and proved once again that the Golden State is home to some of the top inline hockey teams in the world.

“Once again, California did not disappoint, as each year we look forward to coming out west and running our Winter Wars event,” State Wars Hockey president Tim McManus said. “The talent level in California is so great and I love seeing so many clubs supporting the sport of inline hockey. We can’t wait to see many of these amazing players out in Michigan this summer at State Wars.”

The tournament crowned champions in 21 sub-divisions from 6U through a 35-and-older Masters Division.

Also included were a men’s pro division and two women’s divisions.

The Pama Labeda Golden Knights defeated Rink Rat 6-1 to win the Pama Pro Division while Rink Rat Republic defeated the Golden Knights 3-0 to win the Women’s AA Division championship.

Konixx Pulsar defeated the Aztecs HC Black 1-0 to win the Women’s A Division title.

Itan Chavira collected three goals and one assist while division Most Valuable Player John Siemer had two goals to lead the Golden Knights in the Pama Pro final.

Jetta Rackleff recorded an 11-save shutout to earn MVP honors in Rink Rat Republic’s championship game victory while Brooke Blaylock scored the game-winning goal for Konixx Pulsar to receive the division MVP award.

Parade of champions slipped past Mavin 4-2 to win the Senior AA title. Mavin Teams traveled from all over Southern California, Revive shut out the Tour Road Runners 4-0 to win the Northern California and Arizona to participate.

Senior A championship while the Golden Knights edged Youth division champions included the Bulldogs the Americans 6-5 in the Masters final.

Grey (6U-AA), Bulldogs Blue (8U-AA), Angry Ducks Division MVPs included Bailey Simpson (Junior), (8U-A), OC Marvel Black (10U-AAA), Champions HC Jeff Kotcher (Senior AA), Marcus Vertun (Senior A) (10U-AA), OC Marvel Yellow (10U-A), Cyclones 08 and Garrett Vaslet (Masters).

(12U-AA), Warrior Revolution (12U-A), Nitrous (14USilver medalists included the Bulldogs Blue (6UAA), Mission Mayhem (14U-A and 18U-A), Angry Ducks AA), Goonies (8U-AA and 10U-AA), Labeda Jets 04 (16U-AA), Temecula (8U-A), Labeda Jets Navy Warriors (16U-A) and NCR (10U-AAA), Labeda Jets Konixx Elite (18U-AA).

Gold (10U-A), Mission MayDivision MVPs (all from hem (12U-AA and 16U-AA), the winning teams) includNext Level (12U-A), HB Milied Jordan Sijher (6U-AA), tia Black (14U-AA), Bulldogs Jaxon Gillis (8U-AA), Finn Yellow (14U-A), Silicon ValLee (8U-A), Logan Herley Quakes (16U-A), Mission pin (10U-AAA), Sam Hoeft Skittles (18U-AA) and Raid(10U-AA), Teegan Tserpes ers HC (18U-A).

(10U-A), Morgan Stickney The State Wars 16 Unit(12U-AA), Luke Rowe (12Ued States Roller Hockey A), Lowen Provost (14UChampionship is scheduled AA), Christopher Wu (14UJuly 21-Aug. 3 at the Taylor AA), Anthony Yu (16U-AA), The Bulldogs Grey came away with the 6U-AA championSportsplex in Taylor, Mich.

Cade Comer (16U-A), Jack ship at February’s Winter Wars West tournament.

The event matches youth Wedoski (18U-AA) and Hudson Fox (18U-A). teams by birth year, similar to ice hockey, and offers Of note, Gillis (six goals), Sijher (five goals) and Her- players the opportunity to showcase their talent against pin (four goals) all racked up multiple goals in the finals peers their own age. while Hoeft had 10 points in two playoff games. Lee and Southern California state tryouts are scheduled May Rowe both notched hat tricks.

2-3 at both The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline and The Stickney stopped 18 of 19 shots in the final for a Rinks-Corona Inline facilities. .947 save percentage.

Northern California state tryouts were scheduled Among adult teams, Konixx Nitrous edged Rink Rat to take place March 1 at San Jose’s Silver Creek 3-2 to win the Junior Division while the Golden Knights Sportsplex.

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Vikings looking to ‘bring a cup home to Silicon Valley’

By Phillip Brents

Men’s National Inline Team to a gold medal at the 2018 International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) World Championship in Italy.

Edwards paced the world champions with 14 goals and 18 points in its six tournament games.

West Valley posted a 5-9-0-2 record (five wins and two overtime losses) while playing an assortment of teams from other competition tiers (two Division I teams, four Division II teams, six Division III teams and one Division IV team).

The Vikings did not have their full roster together for

president and assistant captain Austin Trenner said.

“We are working hard to prepare for nationals in Fort he 2020 National Collegiate Roller Hockey ChampiMyers and looking forward to playing with our full roster onships are scheduled April 15-19 at the Skatium in and hopefully bring a cup home to Silicon Valley.”

Fort Myers, Fla. Despite missing four games this season, Edwards West Valley College will be among the segment of still managed to lead the Vikings in scoring with 32 California teams attending this year’s national champipoints from 22 goals and 11 assists. Coaches refer to onship event sponsored by the National Collegiate Rollhim as a “great lead-by-example player” on the team. er Hockey Association (NCRHA).

James Thompson, another San Jose native, folThe Vikings are no stranger to attending the event lows on the West Valley scoresheet with 24 points (17 nor are they accustomed to returning home empty handgoals and seven assists) in 15 games. Chad Payne, ed. from Sparks, Nev., ranks third on the team in scorWest Valley College finished runner-up to St. ing with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in his final Charles Community College at the 2016 tournaJC season. ment, won the championship title in 2017 over St. Maxwell Rogers and Justin Norcia have shared Charles, and placed runner-up to fellow Golden the goaltending duties this season, with Rogers postState rival Saddleback College in 2018. ing a .742 save percentage and one shutout win.

The Vikings took eight players to last year’s The West Valley College roster features 12 event and, though they failed to win a game, were players, including eight from San Jose and two from competitive in a 7-5 opening-round loss to eventual Santa Clara.

2019 national champion St. Louis Community ColSan Jose State University qualified for the Division lege.

III WCRHL Regional Championships March 7-8 at West Valley is fielding a much deeper and talThe Rinks-Corona Inline by recording three wins in ented roster this season, so the outcome could be the final regular-season event Feb. 15-16 in Huntingdifferent. ton Beach. The Spartans defeated division rivals UC “All JC teams will be extended a bid to nationals Bay Area inline hockey rivals West Valley College and San Jose State Uni- Santa Barbara (8-7) and Nevada-Reno (6-4) while and we hope that they all accept,” NCRHA exec- versity pose together following a recent Western Collegiate Roller Hockey topping West Valley College 9-8 in a rivalry game. utive director Brennan Edwards said. “Not see- League event.

San Jose State finished regular-season play ing the other teams but going on last year’s results and all games this season but the belief is if the team can with a 6-9-1 record to place fourth in the seven-team some results this season, I think they (the Vikings) may have all its rostered players together for April’s trip to division behind Cal Poly Pomona (11-4-0-1), University be the top JC team. The addition of Chase Edwards Florida that it will be in good contention to compete for of Arizona (11-5) and UCLA (8-8). this year is what puts West Valley over the hump.” the national championship.

Christian Jarod Sy led the Spartans in scoring with Chase Edwards, a San Jose native, is no stranger to “They’re not the results we wanted to have this sea- 29 points while Ryan Lothman led the team with 24 elite competition after leading the United States Junior son but we played some really good teams,” WVC club goals.

T

Casey’s Memorial Cup to face off April 11 at Great Park Ice

Fullerton finishes runner-up to ASU in WCRHL Division I standings

By Phillip Brents

By Phillip Brents

T

A

he 2020 Casey’s Memorial Cup 3-on-3 cross-ice charity ice hockey tournament is scheduled to face off April 11 at 7 a.m. at Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena in Irvine.

This will be the second consecutive year the event has been held at the 280,000 square-foot facility.

The tournament honors the memory of Casey Strale, an avid ice and roller hockey player and fan who passed away in June 2013 from a rare form of cancer at the age of 16.

The single-day event serves to raise funds for cancer research, treatment and quality of life. Proceeds benefit adrenocortical cancer research and clinical trials at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (Tgen) in Phoenix, Ariz., an affiliate of City of Hope.

Strale lost his battle to this rare and devastating disease of the adrenal cortex that affects only one to two individuals in a million.

Seventy-two teams of all ages, including four teams from the San Diego Ducks Sled Hockey program, will be competing. This year’s event will also feature the return of the Alumni Division, featuring former NHL players.

The tournament goes with a round-robin format, and the team with most points wins.

The sled hockey division is a new skate category for players who do not have use of their legs.

“The concept is really garnering a lot of interest within the hockey community and the sled players are excited to showcase their action in this type of event,” said Chris Strale, founder of the Casey Strale Foundation along with his wife Traci.

The foundation has raised more than $250,000 since the tournament’s inception in 2015.

Casey’s memory is also honored by the Give Blood Play Hockey inline hockey charity tournament in the fall held at The Rinks-Irvine Inline where one of the rinks is named in his honor.

Donations for cancer research can be made at tgen.org/caseystrale.

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

fter winning last year’s Division II national championship, CSU-Fullerton earned promotion to Division I status this season, earning a runner-up finish to Arizona State University in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League (WCRHL) standings with an 8-9-0-1 regular-season record.

The Titans closed out second semester play with a much stronger 6-5 showing after facing off the season 2-4-0-1.

“Their regular season record is not as important as their overall play, practice and conditioning,” WCRHL director Brennan Edwards said. “Conference championships will likely dictate if the two WCRHL Division I teams end up in the top half of Division I at nationals or the bottom half.”

Dylan Kammer led Fullerton offensively with 29 goals and 48 points in 18 games while James Maloney (19 goals, 38 points) and Troy Yano (17 goals, 37 points) followed on the team’s scoresheet. Ethan Flores and Ruslan Patterson both finished with 31 points in a tie for fourth place in team scoring.

Kammer led the team with four game-winning goals and five power-play goals.

Ron Best posted an 8-10-0 goaltending record with a 4.58 GAA and a .791 save percentage.

The Titans finished 0-5 in their season series against division champion ASU (151), though two games were decided by two goals or less.

Mustangs on top Cal Poly San Luis Obispo finished as the Division II regular-season leader with a 13-3 record, followed by Chico State at 10-3-0-3, Northern Arizona University at 10-50-1 and WCRHL newcomer Grand Canyon University at 5-11.

Division II scoring leaders included NAU’s Jaden Guzman (43 goals, 85 points) and Max Reeves (37 goals, 65 points), followed by Chico State’s William Robinson (32 goals, 56 points) and NAU’s Trevor Scott (28 goals, 53 points) and Brayden Kohler (21 goals, 48 points).

Chico State’s Caleb Hermle ranked second in the division with 30 assists while Cal Poly’s Nic Leacox topped division goaltenders with a 2.73 GAA, 12 wins and a .812 save percentage.

CARubberHockey.com

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2020-21 SEASON TRYOUTS AAA MAY 29-31

AA JUNE 5-7

A/BB/B JUNE 12-14

FOR DETAILS & REGISTRATION INFORMATION, VISIT JRKINGSHOCKEY.COM IN THE COMING MONTHS.

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS

Lifetime of Memories

Jr. Sharks’ yearly trip to Quebec for Pee Wee tournament a slew of good times, on and off the ice

By Matt Mackinder

T

he San Jose Jr. Sharks’ 12U AAA team traveled roughly 3,200 miles last month to play in the esteemed Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament.

The event has been around more than 60 years and the Jr. Sharks have taken part the last several years.

And while teams from all over the globe converge on Quebec City, a city that is abuzz for weeks on end in anticipation of the event, the Jr. Sharks see the tournament as a time to bond, a time to create memories.

“This was my third trip to Quebec,” said Jr. Sharks director Curtis Brown. “When I went with the 2002s (in 2015), that was my first trip ever to Quebec. By the time I was playing in the NHL, the Nordiques had already relocated to Denver. The first trip with the kids, we got to play in Le Colisee, which was the last season for such a historic building, one I had never seen, and then the last couple of times, we played in the new Videotron Centre – both uniquely exceptional experiences.”

“I left there this year with mixed emotions because I know the writing is on the wall. My boys have all aged out of eligibility for Pee Wee which personally puts a return to the great people and location up in the air”.

Getting the opportunity to play in the Quebec tournament, Brown said, has been the doing of Jr. Sharks hockey director Robert Savoie, a native Quebecer.

“I knew about the tournament from when I was growing up there,” said Savoie. “I started taking teams there probably 15 years ago because I wanted them to have that experience. It’s such a great tournament. Such a different lifestyle there.”

Brown said going to Quebec is “entering a totally different culture, language included.”

“For the kids coming from California, it’s an entirely different hockey and life experience,” said Brown.

“Not just that the kids will play countless numbers of

outdoor pond hockey games, something that isn’t an option for them back home, but how about wearing clothes that they have never worn before to stay warm?

That’s all part of the experience, living 10 days with a family they just met and with a teammate that they’ve never spent 10 straight days with. Those are just some of the unique things that get

etched into their minds forever.”

Owen Nolan coaches the Jr. Sharks’ 12U AAA team and played for the Nordiques back in the early 1990s. He said prior to the tournament that he was looking forward to going back, and the trip did not disappoint.

“The city has definitely changed,” Nolan said.

“Some parts looked the same and some were different,

but overall, it was a great trip.”

Nolan and his son Dylan, a player on the Jr. Sharks’ 12U team, also took part in a ceremonial puck drop prior to the Jr. Sharks playing the Quebec Jr. Nordiques. He said the fact many people in town still remembered him was “very humbling.”

“That town always treated me very well, was very good to me,” said Nolan. “They have great, passionate hockey fans. It was good to get back and see some faces and really see that hockey hasn’t died there.

“Our kids from California have never experienced hockey outdoors and seeing the passion for hockey in that town is incredible.

It was just a well-run tournament and a great week. These kids, I don’t know how they could ever forget about what they did there. It was a great experience for everyone.”

The players all stayed with local families while in town, an aspect of the trip that makes it all worthwhile.

“I wouldn’t want to do this every year if we stayed in hotels,” Savoie said. “I know guys in their 20s and 30s and when they get asked what their favorite tournament was that they played in when they were younger, they all say ‘Quebec.’”

Nolan noted that everyone involved with making the Quebec trip a reality for the Jr. Sharks has done a tremendous job.

“They coordinate the billets, making sure a great family is going to be taking care of your kids,” said Nolan. “They do everything you need right up until you go to the tournament.

Hands down, it was all done properly.”

As interest grows every year, is helping get the Jr. Sharks a spot in the tournament something Savoie will look to do as long as he can?

“For sure,” Savoie said.

“As long as they take us over there. They turn down over 100 teams each year.

We got lucky that we’ve been accepted every year and hopefully, we’ll keep going.”

Photos/Michael Law, Kris Corneillie, Karen Hackett, Julie Phillips, Phil LoScalzo

SJJrSharks.com CARubberHockey.com

13

L.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Cougars, Strikers each win first-ever LAKHSHL titles

By Greg Ball

T

he date of March 8, 2020 will long be remembered within the Burbank Cougars and El Segundo Strikers families.

That’s because the Cougars skated to their first varsity championship in the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League and the Strikers secured the league’s junior varsity title for the first time.

Burbank capped off a remarkable season in which it won 13 of 15 games with a 4-1 victory over the Kern County Knights in the league final at Toyota Sports Center. After falling behind early in the first period, the Cougars got a short-handed goal from Eamon Julian before the end of the period, then went ahead on Ethan Vernik’s second-period penalty shot and got lamp lighters from Nikita Shibkov and Brian Wong in the third.

Jake Kovinsky earned the win between the pipes, stopping 29 of 30 shots on goal.

“It’s been a long journey over the last four years with this team,” said Dave Holiday, who serves as the Cougars’ co-head coach alongside Brian Cooke. “We went through some adversity with injuries, but we always seemed to have the right guys step up at the right times to fill those vacancies. It meant a lot for our guys to be able to hold that trophy and feel that sense of accomplishment.”

The Cougars’ roster includes Seth Biniamini, Elliot Burg, William Clarke, Aidan Ip, Julian, Arman Khachatryan, Kevin Keinlen, Dean Kossoff, Kovinsky,

Evan Lerman, Michael Masri, Jackson Moore, Carter Sherrit, Shibkov, Tristan Sodkomkum, Piya Tedsana, Chance Thomasy, Jack Weinberger, Wong and Bogdan Yankowski.

For the Strikers, a perfect 16-0 JV season was capped in fitting fashion with their 11-2 championship game win over the West Ranch Wildcats. Brett Wilkinson led the way with four goals, and Jack Dawson contributed five assists.

Cathal McKeown and Oliver Maclean split time in goal to register the historic victory.

Strikers JV head coach Kainoa Russell said a trip to Dallas over Presidents Day Weekend in which his squad played against better teams and got their hats handed to them showed his players just how hard they had to work and proved to be a turning point in their season.

“It really brought everyone together and made us realize how much more the guys wanted to improve on their own and as a group,” Russell said. “We took that into the last part of our schedule and allowed us to play our best hockey at the most important part of the season.”

The Strikers’ junior varsity roster includes Larry Klingaman, Evan Davis, Stephen Jacoby, Matthew Keller, Wilkinson, Nathan Howard, Lucas Green,

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

McKeown, Dominic Aluisi, Maclean, Adam Rytz, Pierce Mayer, Ryan Campbell, Matthew Lennon, Tyler Stickney, Henry Griffin, Aidan Thornton, Dawson and Jake Edwards. Russell is assisted by Chris Rhodes.

The Cougars and Knights will represent the LAKHSHL at the CAHA State Championships in San Jose from March 27-29.

During the festivities surrounding the varsity and JV championship games, the league also announced its individual awards for the 2019-20 season, and it came as no surprise that the Cougars were well represented on the list.

Yankowski was named the Luc Robitaille Freshman of the Year, and Tedsana was the Rob Blake Defenseman of the Year. Knights players honored included Jacob Gagnon (Wayne Gretzky Most Valuable Player for the second straight year and Marcel Dionne Leading Scorer Award) and David Smith (Rogie Vachon Goaltender of the Year). Gabe Altieri of the South Bay Stingrays earned the Dave Taylor Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, Logan Resendez of the West Ranch Wildcats earned the Senior Scholarship Award, and the Santa Barbara Royals’ Steve Heinze was the Darryl Sutter Coach of the Year.

Tahoe Titlists

TAHOE PREP ACADEMY

Using a total team effort, Tahoe Prep Academy skates way to NAPHL prep division title

By Greg Ball

W

hen Tahoe Prep Academy first opened its doors in the fall of 2016, winning championships was likely the farthest thing from the minds of their coaches and staff.

While success on the ice would eventually become a primary goal, the academy needed to build a foundation first and focus on developing individual hockey players who would make just as much progress in the classroom as they would on the ice.

Four seasons later, though, Tahoe Prep can boast of its first championship, as the school’s prep team captured the North American Prospects Hockey League’s (NAPHL) prep division title and Dixon Cup on Feb. 16 in suburban Detroit with a 2-1 shootout win over Pilot Mound Hockey Academy from Manitoba.

Chris Collins, the academy’s prep head coach, said the key to Tahoe Prep’s league championship was the team’s cohesiveness throughout the season, especially when the pressure was ratcheted up in the playoffs.

“Everybody played selfless hockey for five straight games,” Collins said after the championship was secured.

“We had full team buy-in from every player on our roster. There was no bickering on the bench, and nobody crumbled when things got intense down the stretch.”

Collins also said that the championship wasn’t just about what his players did in February, but that it went all the way back to their first practices in Sep-

tember, and even to their offseason workouts last summer. The group grew as a team throughout the months between, and the collection of individuals truly embodied the definition of a team once the season’s most important games came around.

“To get up to this point, there were a lot of meetings, a lot of talking with the team, and a lot of team bonding activities,” Collins explained. “We put in the time to get to know each other, and the kids got to a place where they realized that they had to look internally when they were wrong and just own it. It wasn’t until we reached the playoffs that some of our team’s players really let go of some of the insecurities that had been holding them back.”

Tahoe’s roster for its prep team this season includ-

ed forwards Ben Palmersheim, Ian Bowman, Zach Turner, Koebe Buske, Chase Sechrist, Cade Schiefelbein, Bobby Doukov, Alex Boyko, Nikko Escobar, Kelsen Evenson and Ellis O’Dowd; defensemen Jacob Nordorf, Blake Bishop, Quinn Proctor, Jonathan Gunn, Drew Mazza and Matthew Ward; and goalies Cameron Dunnigan and Gian Buerer.

Tahoe Prep went 4-2-1 in NAPHL regular-season play this year, finishing tied for third out of 12 teams in the league’s prep division. The squad then went on to win four of its five playoff games and take home the title.

Once in the playoffs, Tahoe really found its rhythm.

forcing overtime. Neither squad was able to score through two full overtime periods, sending the contest to a shootout.

Buske registered the winning goal, sniping one high off the left post and in to set off a raucous celebration on the ice complete with helmets and gloves being thrown in the air and coming down on the dogpile like confetti.

The championship game victory was even sweeter for Tahoe Prep because Pilot Mound had knocked them out of the playoffs last season and had beaten them 5-0 earlier this season.

“They are a really tough program to play against,” Collins said. “All the goalies played really well. Cameron Dunnigan was solid.

He stopped the penalty shot during the game and then two rounds of the shootout.”

Tahoe Prep president Leo Fenn said that seeing the school’s prep team come out victorious at the end of a long season in one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive leagues for high school-age players was truly rewarding. Witnessing Tahoe’s student-athletes develop through the prism of athletic success was even more special, though.

“The journey that our team has taken this year has been full of growth - not just in their hockey skills, but in their maturity,” Fenn said. “We are so proud of these boys and what they have accomplished, and we look forward to cheering them on in their next steps.”

Looking back, Collins said that the

The squad opened with a win over perennial rival Fountain Valley. Proctor got Tahoe on the scoreboard first, and the team fed off the energy of that early lead.

After a loss to TRC Hockey Academy in their second game, Tahoe Prep never looked back. They dominated Prairie Hockey Academy in their third game and then earned a measure of redemption by beating TRC Hockey Academy 5-1 to secure a spot in the championship game.

Nordhof’s hat trick led the way for Tahoe in the semifinal victory.

The title game was truly a nail-biter for supporters of Tahoe Prep.

Turner scored the team’s lone goal in regulation, and the boys from Tahoe held Pilot Mound to one goal as well,

last six months has been full of milestones for Tahoe Prep.

From a program that was just a concept four years ago to a hockey academy that is now producing standout hockey players and students, the tree has borne fruit perhaps even more quickly than he expected. Getting to see his players celebrate the school’s first championship was truly remarkable, especially because it seemed the odds were long.

“What was so remarkable was the celebration that the kids got to enjoy as soon as the final horn sounded,” Collins said. “They were all just in tears because of how happy they were because nobody believed they could do it.”

Photos/Ed Fritz

TahoePrepAcademy.com CARubberHockey.com

15

ANAHEIM DUCKS

All-World Hockey Institute camps coming to THE RINKS

By THE RINKS Staff

G

et the fire inside going, trade the s’mores skewers for hockey sticks and get ready for All World Hockey Camps this spring and summer, hosted by THE RINKS. The All-World Hockey Institute, founded on the philosophy of grassroots skill development, has proudly announced the Spring 2020 Highlight Series at select RINKS facilities and Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena.

The series will feature three of the All-World Hockey Institute’s most popular summer camps for three weeks this spring, including European Puckhandling & Deking, Sniper Shooting, Scoring & Goalie, and the most popular of the All-World camps, Dominant Defenseman, Battles & Scrimmage, designed for forwards and defensemen to emphasize on defensive power skating, coordination and transition.

Not limited exclusively to ice, The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline and The Rinks-Irvine Inline are also holding three-day hockey camps catered to those looking to getting crossover training on wheels.

Follow the Spring 2020 Highlight Series, the Summer 2020 Camp Series will be celebrating its Silver Jubilee, featuring the nine separate programs that annual campers have grown to know and love over the last 25 years. These camps are hosted between The Rinks-Anaheim ICE, Great Park Ice and The Rinks-Poway ICE. The secret to the All-World Hockey Institute’s success throughout the years?

“Make it fun. We build everything around our American Development Model from USA Hockey and build [the participants’] skill sets, making sure they get the most of their ice time,” said Rick Hutchinson, director of hockey for THE RINKS and Great Park Ice. “You want to bring [players] to the rink. You want a good atmosphere. You want them to be comfortable, safe and have fun. They make new friends, they do new things on the ice, and it really brings kids out of their shells. They become really social. It’s a big part of hockey and team sports.”

One of the unique features of the All World Hockey Camps is the variety of classes that are offered throughout the summer. This variety allows us to focus on just a couple aspects of the game at one camp allowing participants to master the skill.

A longtime veteran of running these camps, THE RINKS hockey manager Vince Valles describes his responsibility in these camps is to hone in on every kid’s ability learn to every technique that goes into the aspect of the game the camp focuses on, hoping that they can take something away from the program at the end of the week.

AnaheimDucks.com

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

“We have kids from around the world that come and partake in our variety of classes, so we want to make sure that they’re always on par for where they’re going,” Valles said. “Having fun, loving the sport of hockey, but also learning to take home the proper fundamentals of whatever discipline we are working on and make sure that they become a lethal weapon for their team.”

The fun of hockey camps isn’t limited to its participants, however. The world-class coaches also share in the thrill, as veteran coach Zealin Cronk is no stranger to.

“My favorite part of camp has to be seeing the kids improve, but also trying new drills, doing exciting competitions,” said Cronk. “Letting the kids have fun so that they’re getting better, but also having a smile on their face, that’s probably the best part.”

For Cronk, its ensuring that his coaching has a proper balance of fun and learning.

“I definitely want them to have a love for hockey, right?” Cronk said. “And that’s what we’re trying to do is just make it fun. Teach them something so that they can be successful when they go out because the more successful they are, the more they’re going to have fun doing it.”

Though these camps are hockey centric, there is a lot of growth to be had for its skaters beyond their skills for the game.

For more information on the various camps available during this upcoming spring and summer, visit www.TheRinks.com.

ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Jr. Ducks’ 12U AAA team reaches quarterfinals in Quebec tourney

By Chris Bayee

A

s road trips go, this one was a pretty good one for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 12U AAA team.

The team began its trek to the famous Quebec International Pee Wee Tournament with an exhibition slate, then defeated a couple of top-ranked teams in the nation en route to the quarterfinals.

“The team was really motivated,” coach Dean Caban said. “And we told the boys, ‘In one game, anything can happen.’”

After exhibition wins against the Adirondack Jr. Wings and the KB Slovakia Stars, the Jr. Ducks rallied in the final five minutes to defeat the New York Jr. Rangers.

The Jr. Ducks then won two more exhibitions, including one against No. 3-ranked Detroit Honeybaked.

“We wanted to play good teams in the exhibitions,” Caban said. “That Honeybaked game was by far our most complete game of the year.”

The next tournament game brought the Middlesex Islanders, who had a 59-1-3 record. The teams played to a 1-1 draw, and in 3-on-3 overtime, Rui Han scored to send the Jr. Ducks to the quarterfinals, where they fell to the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins.

In addition to billeting with local families, the Jr. Ducks got to experience local cuisine, including hot maple syrup suckers made in the snow, and culture, pond hockey and tubing down mountains.

The experience also helped galvanize the team further as it headed into the CAHA state tournament. The team began March by winning the Jr. Ducks’ first 12U Tier I state championship.

In addition to Han, team members are Cole Bieksa, Caden Campion, Trace Frieden, Timothy Greenleaf, Alejandro Hassan, Ilya Kabanets, Clarke Nehmens, Kenjia Ni, Garrett Russell, Hayden Russell, Max Silver, Alofa Tunoa Ta’amu, William Urtel and Carson Woolcott, and goaltenders Ryan Denes and Aaron Sachs. Caban is assisted by Mike Banwell and Kevin Bieksa and team manager Amy Nehmens.

JrDucks.com

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17

HOCKEYSHOT

Own the Moment – On the Ice

By John Haime/Hockey Mind Coach

P

lay in the moment There are three potential places your mind could be when you are on the ice – the past, the present or the future.

Of these three places, there is only one place where you can absolutely control performance – the present. This is exactly where noted psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, in his best-selling book “Flow,” made his mark as a researcher. His research demonstrates that people are happiest and most productive when in a state of flow – when they are totally absorbed in the task at hand, and the challenge of the situation is equal to (or just above) their skill level. This is where you must strive to be when playing the game.

The past and future are distractions to performance in the here and now. The past has happened, so dwelling on it is not productive. The future has not happened, so being fearful about what might happen is not productive.

At every opportunity, pull yourself back into the moment you are playing in.

Fall in love with the process; results will follow To help you further with “playing in the moment,”

being focused on your playing process can be a key for you. The key to every plan is not necessarily the ultimate goal or target – but the small steps needed to take you there.

These small steps, often focused on a technique or strategy that you have worked on and tested in practice this year,

keep your mind on your execution on the and not on outcomes like winning – that you have no control over.

In order for you to “own the moment” and stay in the moment, put all of your attention on what’s important to play your best in the moment – great positional play, an aggressive, proactive approach, your best effort on each shift or whatever “your” focuses in practice might

HockeyShot.com

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

be. Fall in love with your process and let the outcomes fall where they may.

This is my time – no one else’s It all comes down to you.

You are the one who can make a difference in the game – or help teammates to make a difference. You accept feedback and instructions from coaches, but ultimately decide how you will use it. You are responsible for your own enjoyment in the game of hockey and determine who impacts that joy.

Will you allow the many distractions in the game to dampen the reasons you play in the first place – because you love it. Owning the moment is about taking responsibility for your playing experience and your performances. Each moment on the ice, whether practicing or playing, is yours – no one else’s.

These are three simple keys to help you own your play. Each “moment” for you on the ice is an opportunity to shine and express your potential, so embrace each opportunity and own it!

Enjoy this article? Then be sure to visit HockeyShot.com for the latest tips, tricks and THE best hockey training products in the world!

Pasadena’s Pugliese lands NCAA Arcadia native Robertson earns D-I opportunity with Niagara NHL call-up, debuts with Stars

By Chris Bayee

By Matt Mackinder

B

J

ouncing from west to east to north and back to east has been no problem for Patrick Pugliese.

He recently decided he’ll remain in the east for the next four seasons, having committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Niagara University (Atlantic Hockey).

The 1999 birth year and Pasadena native had one of his New Jersey Titans (NAHL) teammates commit to the Purple Eagles earlier this season. That gave the coaching staff plenty of looks at him, and after Pugliese played well at the league’s Top Prospects Tournament, an offer followed soon after.

“Our teams’ staffs are close,” said Pugliese, who was second in the NAHL in wins (24) as February ended, helping the Titans to the top of the East Division. “It’s a great opportunity, and the Titans have moved a lot of goalies on to D-I.” Growing up, Pugliese played for the Pasadena Maple Leafs, LA Selects, Ontario Stars, Anaheim Wildcats, Anaheim Jr. Ducks and Orange County Hockey Club.

“Patrick’s a gamer,” said Alex Kim, who coached him for two seasons with the Jr. Ducks. “He’s a good teammate, and he’s very consistent. You knew day to day what you’d get with him.”

After two seasons of prep school hockey at The Loomis Chaffee School – “I wasn’t ready for junior hockey,” Pugliese said – he tried out for the British Columbia Hockey League’s Penticton Vees.

The Vees didn’t have a spot, but their coaching staff recommended him to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Nipawin Hawks.

Canada’s high plains were an eye-opener.

“I’d been to Connecticut and Mammoth, but I’d never experienced anything like that cold,” he said. “From Oct. 31 until mid-March, it was never warmer than 32 degrees. And for two weeks in January, we literally were the coldest place on earth – minus 47 degrees at one point.”

Overall, the Niagara commitment should give Pugliese some steady work in one place for a while.

“When you look at the driving we did in California, distance has obviously been no obstacle,” he said with a chuckle.

ason Robertson didn’t sleep the night before he made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars.

The Arcadia native was called up from the AHL’s Texas Stars on Feb. 12 and played for Dallas the next day in Toronto, a 3-2 win for Dallas over the Maple Leafs. He assisted on Tyler Seguin’s game-winning goal early in the third period skating on a power play.

“I took a shower. I shaved. I had nothing else to do,” Robertson said to the Dallas News. “I was on my phone all night, especially because it was an early flight. It was a 7:45 flight so I’ve got to be up at 5:30. We get to the hotel at 12:30. I only have five hours, then an hour goes by, hour goes by. I look, it’s like 4 o’clock. I’m like ‘I can’t even sleep now. I can’t even try.’”

Last season, Robertson led the Ontario Hockey League in scoring with 48 goals and 117 points split between the Kingston Frontenacs and Niagara Ice Dogs.

He was originally Dallas’ second-round pick (39th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft.

“You can be lackadaisical in juniors but here in pro, you’re always go go go,” Robertson said. “No nights off, that’s something they kind of drill in me in main camp and my first couple months in Texas. These last couple months have been really good for me and I think that’s confidence.”

With Texas, Robertson, who played youth hockey for the Pasadena Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Jr. Kings before moving to suburban Detroit before his teen years, had posted 22 goals and 40 points in 54 games.

Dallas sent Robertson back down to the AHL on Feb. 17.

“I don’t even know,” Robertson said after his NHL debut. “I played last night in Milwaukee and then I come here and play the Maple Leafs. They’re so skilled and it’s so fast out there. I thought I played pretty well and kept up with the pace.

“It’s been a whirlwind, but very exciting.”

NEVADA REPORT

History made as Vegas’ Quinney skates for Golden Knights

By Matt Mackinder

J

ason Zucker was born in California, raised in Las Vegas, and currently plays in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Once the Vegas Golden Knights came into the league in 2017, many wondered how long it would be until a Las Vegas native would play for his hometown team.

That question was answered on Feb. 22 when forward Gage Quinney suited up for the Golden Knights in a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Quinney also became the first Nevada-born player to take the ice in an NHL contest.

“I didn’t nap (that day),” the 24-year-old Quinney said. “The heart was really racing. By the time the puck dropped, it’s just another hockey game. I think I was able to settle in. Seeing all the fans and photos everywhere and the jerseys. Just to know that Vegas is a hockey town now and that I was able to represent them.”

The next day, Quinney picked up his first NHL point, assisting on Patrick Brown’s opening goal in a 6-5 overtime win on the road over the Anaheim Ducks.

Quinney attended West Career and Technical Academy before he moved to Phoenix when he was 15 to play for the Jr. Coyotes AAA program.

“Yeah, I don’t know how many parents helped with the five-hour car rides to California and Arizona every weekend,” Quinney said. “I’m just really thank-

to be able to put this jersey on and play in front of ful that I had supportive parents.”

He then spent three seasons playing Major Ju- the hometown was really exciting. It took me a counior hockey in the WHL with the Prince Albert Raid- ple of shifts to realize that it’s just another hockey ers, Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers, skat- game at the end of the day. Obviously, circumstances are different, but it’s just aning in 182 games from 2013-16 other game.” and recording 119 points on 53 Quinney’s father Ken, a goals and 66 assists. Quinney Quebec Nordiques draft pick won a WHL championship with in the 1984 NHL Draft, played Kelowna in 2015. for the IHL’s Las Vegas ThunUndrafted, Quinney played der from 1993-98, collecting the 2016-17 season in the ECHL 413 points (189 goals, 224 asfor the Wheeling Nailers and sists) in 376 games when the then moved up to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in club played at the Thomas and Mack Center. He also saw ac2017-18. Prior to the 2018-19 tion in 59 NHL games with the season, he signed a two-year Nordiques, registering seven contract with the Golden Knights. goals and 20 points.

“Growing up, people would “Playing in your hometown, laugh if you said you played where you grew up, with the hockey in Vegas, and now it’s a Golden Knights and how pophockey hotbed,” said Quinney. ular they are and how fantastic “Everybody wants to come here of a first couple years they’ve and play. It’s just exciting to see had and everything, it makes the growth and I want to keep seeing what happens.” me so proud of him and it’s Gage Quinney In the Florida game, Quinney got to be a dream for him,” Ken had almost 10 minutes of ice time. He was called Quinney told the Las Vegas Sun. “I know being born up Feb. 21 from the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, where in Nevada and having that chance to play for a pro he had been playing in his second season, and then team that I never thought would probably ever hapsent back down to Chicago on Feb. 23. pen, I’m proud of him and nervous.

“I think it was a good first game and hopefully, he “It’s just exciting,” said Quinney. “I’m feeling just happiness. I still don’t have words to describe it, but just keeps getting stronger.”

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Air Force Academy gets pair of California commitments

By Chris Bayee

T

he U.S. Air Force Academy will get a little bit of everything from two of its recent recruits with ties to California.

Both are 2000 birth years, both are defensemen on highly successful teams, and both were drawn to the Atlantic Hockey school by its elite academics.

However, the similarities end there.

Longtime Southern California player Noah Kim, a Fullerton native, is enjoying a breakout offensive season for the Okotoks Oilers, who finished first in the South Division of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), while former San Jose Jr. Shark Luke Robinson is anchoring a stingy defense for one of the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) top teams, the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Kim, who is 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, started out playing roller hockey and played for the Anaheim Wildcats before moving on to the LA Selects, which then merged into the Los Angeles Jr. Kings. He played under coach Jeff Turcotte for five seasons for the latter two organizations, and the veteran coach said the Falcons are getting a heady, skilled blueliner.

“Noah’s always been talented,” Turcotte said. “He moves the puck well and he makes smart plays. He’s also a really good skater. When you look at where the game is going in terms of speed and moving the puck, he came along at the right time.”

Kim found his footing this season after his first two junior seasons. He spent 2017-18 in the British Columbia Hockey League and split last season between

the NAHL and AJHL. “This is my third year of juniors and playing part of last season in the AJ helped me become familiar with the league,” Kim said. “The coaches here have helped my game a lot, as has the league’s playing style. The success of our team has played a role in it, too.”

Kim has designs on becoming an engineer, and that

Noah Kim

Luke Robinson

played a big role in his decision to commit to Air Force.

“When you look at how good that school is and all the opportunities they have there, it was an easy choice,” he said.

Robinson, who was born in Tennessee and played hockey there until he was 14, can relate.

“Growing up where I did, I never had a dream school for hockey,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was looking for, so for me, academics were a big factor. I wanted an Ivy League-caliber education, and

Huntington Beach native Haar decides on NCAA D-I Canisius

NCAA D-I St. Lawrence the next stop for San Diego’s Deckhut

By Chris Bayee

By Chris Bayee

I

S

n the eight years since his LA Selects 1999 team won the Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament, Cooper Haar has watched one teammate after another from that team go on to bigger things.

For starters, four players became NHL draft picks and another (Cayla Barnes) won an Olympic gold medal. Others have started college careers. In late February, it was Haar’s turn.

“You don’t think about it at the time when you’re 12, but you look back and realize what an amazing group that was,” said Haar, who has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey).

The commit came in Haar’s fourth season of junior hockey, a journey that has taken him to four teams in two leagues.

“It’s great to see him get rewarded,” said Shawn Pitcher, his longtime coach with the Selects and the Los Angeles Jr. Kings. “He stuck with it.”

Haar’s game has come together since being traded to the NAHL’s Aberdeen Wings earlier this season. Haar, who also played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, had 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) through 46 games.

“I had lacked a bit of confidence until I got here,” Haar said. “Coach (Scott) Langer has instilled that in me. He relies on me to put up points and be a leader in the locker room. That’s what I’ve tried to do.”

Canisius is getting a player who brings size (6-foot-3, 209 pounds), skill and a high hockey IQ, Pitcher said. “’Coop’ was always a bigger kid, and it can take more time for them to develop,” he said. “From an early age, you could see he was smart with the puck and had a lot of potential. The other thing is he’s a good kid and a good teammate who always plays hard.”

Haar, who is taking 12 credits of online college courses this semester, is excited to resume taking classes in person this fall, even if it is more than 2,500 miles from his hometown of Huntington Beach.

“Canisius is a great opportunity for me,” he said. “Buffalo is a good area, and the school is very good academically. Those were important factors.”

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

I realized I could play a sport I loved and get an education.”

While Kim excels at producing offense, the 6-foor-3, 215-pound Robinson has embraced a different mission – defense.

“I try to use my size to my advantage,” he said. “I want to be matched up against the top lines and not make it easy on them.

“The USHL was a huge draw for me because you’re playing against NHL draft picks and future college and pro players. My role is defense first, but I have to break the puck out well and have my teammates backs.”

His coach, California native Oliver David, called Robinson “the anchor of our defense.”

Robinson, who is an alternate captain, has brought plenty of value off the ice as well.

“He’s the only one like him,” David said.

“He’s mature, driven, and self-motivated. He’s all about the team, and he’s a big reason Dubuque has had the success it has the past two seasons.

“His character and his passion for improvement are off the charts. He’s a model for what we’d want to recruit every time.”

At times, winning can take a back seat in junior hockey. After all, college and pro careers are within sight. That’s not the case with Robinson, who played 16U AAA with the Jr. Sharks in 2015-16.

“He totally buys into the concept of making the most of what’s in front of you,” David said. “And he brings everyone along. He’s the example of doing things right every day.”

Both are on track to begin their careers this fall.

t. Lawrence University checked a lot of boxes for San Diego native Sam Deckhut.

“I liked the coaches, and I knew (head coach) Brent Brekke from his time at Miami,” said Deckhut, who committed to the NCAA Division I Saints (ECAC Hockey) in mid-February. “I like that it’s a smaller school, the academics are strong, the new rink looks awesome, and they’re trying to build a family culture.”

Deckhut, who is a junior at Salisbury Prep in Connecticut, is a 5-foot-10 forward who plays the game with pace and a playmaker’s eye. That, however, doesn’t come at the expense of other areas of the game.

“I’ve worked hard to develop my 200-foot game,” he said.

Deckhut, a 2002 birth year, began playing for the San Diego Saints out of the Kroc Center. He also skated for the La Jolla Jaguars and the Anaheim Jr. Ducks before playing three seasons for the San Diego Jr. Gulls.

He called Jr. Gulls coaches Craig Carlyle, Phil Bateman and Noah Babin huge influences on helping him grow his game.

“He’s a great leader, but he does it more by example than being loud,” said Carlyle, who coached Deckhut at 13U AAA. “He’s not real big, but nobody could hit him. He was slippery, a very shifty skater. His agility stands out, and he has great hockey sense, but he’s not a one-dimensional player. He always was very good on defense.”

The 2002 Jr. Gulls group won the 14U CAHA Tier I state title in 2017.

“That was a pretty special group,” recalled Carlyle, the club’s hockey director. “And Sam was a big part of that. He was our most talented player, and he had been for a few years.”

It was with the Jr. Gulls that he experienced his favorite California hockey memory – playing in the Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament in 2015.

“Even though we lost in the final, it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Deckhut said. “I enjoyed my host family there a lot and playing the final game in an NHL rink was incredible.”

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM Offseason planning means recharging for the next season A

s the hockey season winds down and offseason kicks into high gear, this is the time to plan out the coming months to allow for rest, recovery, proper training on and off the ice, and preparation for the next season.

One way to plan for this hectic time is to print a calendar from now until September when the season starts to kick into full swing. There will be events that need to be input right away, such as tryouts, camps, showcases, Chris Phillips vacations. Once these events are on the calendar, you can start to plan the offseason.

For example, you may need to increase ice time and decrease other activities in the weeks prior to tryouts or limit ice time and increase your time in the gym when there are no important events in the near future.

Some key points that need to be addressed in your offseason program: define aspects of your game on and off the ice that need to be improved, highlight major events during the offseason where you have to play at your best (tryouts and showcases are the major events where you will be seriously evaluated), plan out time to improve off the ice with such aspects as strength and power development, and plan some time away from the rink, which is key to maintaining your health and avoiding burnout.

The off season can be hectic so don’t let it get out of control with too many things on your plate. Remember, this is the time to improve specific aspects of your game and get some rest and time away from the rink so you are rejuvenated and excited to start next season.

Chris Phillips is an athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist with over 25 years’ experience in professional sports, including eight seasons in the NHL with the Ducks and Capitals. He is the owner of Compete Sports Performance and Rehab in Orange County.

CARubberHockey.com

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2019-20 CALIFORNIA/ CALIFORNIA/NEVADA NEVADA ALUMNI Email all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com

CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY Sena Acolatse (Hayward) - Straubing Tigers (Germany) Taylor Aronson (Placentia) - Cologne Sharks (Germany) Lizzie Aveson (West Covina) - Adelaide Rush (Australia) Chase Balisy (Fullerton) - Straubing Tigers (Germany) Beau Bennett (Gardena) – Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) Henry Berger (Claremont) - Mentor Ice Breakers (FPHL) Jonathon Blum (Long Beach) - Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden) Arthur Brey (Yorba Linda) – Idaho Steelheads (ECHL)) Stefan Brucato (Riverside) - Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL) Matthew Caito (Coto de Caza) - KooKoo Kouvola (Finland) Mitch Callahan (Whittier) - Augsburg Panthers (Germany) Sasha Chmelevski (Huntington Beach) - San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Eric Comrie (Newport Beach) – Manitoba Moose (AHL) Pheonix Copley – Hershey Bears (AHL) + Taylor Crunk (San Jacinto) - Rapid City Rush (ECHL) Collin Delia (Rancho Cucamonga) – Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Chase De Leo (La Mirada) - Anaheim Ducks (NHL) Thatcher Demko (San Diego) – Vancouver Canucks (NHL) Robbie Earl (Los Angeles) - Langnau Tigers (Switzerland) Mitch Eliot (Orange County) - Utica Comets (AHL) Adam Erne – Detroit Red Wings (NHL) * Matthew Ford (West Hills) - Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Paul Fregeau (Sylmar) - Peoria Rivermen (SPHL) Kyle Gonzalez (Chino Hills) - Danbury Hat Tricks (FPHL) Matt Graham (Rancho Cucamonga) - Port Huron Prowlers (FPHL) Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor) – Nashville Predators (NHL) Shane Harper (Valencia) - Orebro HK (Sweden) Josh Harris (Torrance) - Birmingham Bulls (SPHL) Robby Jackson (Alameda) – San Antonio Rampage (AHL) Cory Kane (Irvine) - Kunlun Red Star (Russia) Nate Kallen (San Diego) - Maine Mariners (ECHL) Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek) – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) Leila Kilduff (San Jose) - Metropolitan Riveters (NWHL) Miles Koules (Los Angeles) - Bakersfield Condors (AHL) Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles) - Magnitogorsk Metallurg (Russia) Alex Krushelnyski (Los Angeles) - Indy Fuel (ECHL) Ryan Lasch (Lake Forest) - Frolunda HC (Sweden) Rachel Llanes (San Jose) - KRS Vanke Rays Shenzhen (Russia) Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach) - Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Colin Long (Santa Ana) - Lustenau EHC (Italy) Evan Mackintosh (San Jose) - Delaware Thunder (FPHL) Merrick Madsen (Acton) - Rapid City Rush (ECHL) Alec Martinez (Santa Clara) – Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) Stefan Matteau – Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) !

Frankie McClendon (Oakland) - Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL) Alec McCrea (El Cajon) – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Michael McNicholas - Maine Mariners (ECHL) * Brett Menton (Monrovia) - Delaware Thunder (FPHL) Kevan Miller (Santa Clarita) – Boston Bruins (NHL) Trevor Moore (Thousand Oaks) – Los Angeles Kings (NHL) Parker Moskal (San Diego) – Columbus River Dragons (FPHL) Tyler Moy (La Jolla) - Lausanne HC (Switzerland) Patrick Newell (Thousand Oaks) – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) Bryce Nielsen (Laguna Hills) - Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL) Matt Nieto (Long Beach) – Colorado Avalanche (NHL) Darren Nowick (Long Beach) - Vasterviks IK (Sweden) Andrew Oglevie (Fullerton) - Rochester Americans (AHL) Gustav Olofsson – Laval Rocket (AHL) !

Elena Orlando (San Jose) - Connecticut Whale (NWHL) Austin Ortega (Escondido) - Berlin Polar Bears (Germany) Zach Pochiro – Esbjerg EfB Ishockey (Denmark) % Kyle Quick (Los Angeles) - Battle Creek Rumble Bees (FPHL) Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach) - Frolunda HC (Sweden) Justine Reyes (Chino Hills) – ESC Planegg Penguins (Germany) Sean Reynolds (Covina) - Elmira Enforcers (FPHL) Jason Robertson (Arcadia) - Dallas Stars (NHL) Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego) – Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) Bobby Ryan (El Segundo) – Ottawa Senators (NHL) Kerby Rychel (Torrance) - Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik (Russia) Scott Savage (San Clemente) - Maine Mariners (ECHL) Brantley Sherwood (San Anselmo) - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (SPHL) Tomas Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Texas Stars (AHL) Nolan Stevens – San Antonio Rampage (AHL) % CJ Stretch (Irvine) - Budapest MAC (Slovakia) Matt Tennyson (Pleasanton) – New Jersey Devils (NHL) Keoni Texeira (Fontana) - Indy Fuel (ECHL) Michael Thomas (Long Beach) – Battle Creek Rumble Bees (FPHL) 22

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose) - Fayetteville Marksmen (SPHL) Mitch Wahl (Seal Beach) - Crimmitschau ETC (Germany) Jacob Walters (San Diego) - Elmira Enforcers (FPHL) Evan Weinger (El Segundo) – San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Casey Wellman (Brentwood) - Rapperswil-Jona Lakers (Switzerland) Matt White (Whittier) - Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik (Russia) Brooke White-Lancette (Berkeley) - Minnesota Whitecaps (NWHL) Josh Wilkins – Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) % Alyssa Wohlfeiler (Saugus) - Boston Pride (NWHL) Justin Woods – Laval Rocket (AHL) + Kailer Yamamoto – Edmonton Oilers (NHL) % Jason Zucker – Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) *

COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN Elijiah Barriga (West Covina) - AIC (Atlantic Hockey) Nathan Burke – Minnesota (Big Ten) % Devin Cooley (Los Gatos) - Denver (NCHC) Lawton Courtnall (Westlake Village) - Western Michigan (NCHC) Vincent de Mey (Los Angeles) - Northern Michigan (WCHA) Slava Demin (Cypress) - Denver (NCHC) Jake Durflinger (Walnut Creek) - Denver (NCHC) PJ Fletcher (Dana Point) - Quinnipiac (ECAC) Jack Gates (Oceanside) - Colorado College (NCHC) Andre Ghantous (Glendale) - Northern Michigan (WCHA) Cole Guttman (Northridge) - Denver (NCHC) Jake Hamacher (Corona) - RIT (Atlantic Hockey) Brendan Harris – Bemidji State University (WCHA) + Drew Helleson - Boston College (Hockey East) % Rory Herrman (Poway) - RPI (ECAC) Niko Hildenbrand (Vacaville) - Massachusetts (Hockey East) Ryan Johnson (Irvine) - Minnesota (Big Ten) Trevin Kozlowski (Valencia) - Army (Atlantic Hockey) Jackson LaCombe - Minnesota (Big Ten) % Ben Lown (Newport Coast) - Miami (NCHC) Kyle Mayhew (Anaheim Hills) - Denver (NCHC) Nolan McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – New Hampshire (Hockey East) Tyson McLellan (San Jose) - Denver (NCHC) Shane McMahan (Irvine) – Minnesota State (WCHA) Brannon McManus (Newport Beach) - Minnesota (Big Ten) Alec Mehr (Los Angeles) - Brown (ECAC) Erik Middendorf – Colorado College (NCHC) % Jacob Modry (El Segundo) - Merrimack (Hockey East) Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda) - Union (ECAC) Gavin Nieto (Yorba Linda) - Brown (ECAC) Matt O’Donnell (Fountain Valley) - Vermont (Hockey East) Jared Pike – AIC (Atlantic Hockey) % Dakota Raabe (Capistrano Beach) - Michigan (Big Ten) Nick Rivera (Pacific Palisades) - Minnesota State (WCHA) Tyler Rockwell (San Jose) - Michigan Tech (WCHA) Jake Rosenbaum (Trabuco Canyon) - Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) Ryan Ruck (Coto de Caza) - Colorado College (NCHC) Rourke Russell (Long Beach) - Miami (NCHC) Chad Sasaki (Cypress) - Colorado College (NCHC) Jake Slaker (San Diego) - Michigan (Big Ten) Ethan Somoza (Simi Valley) - Bemidji State (WCHA) Jack St. Ivany (Manhattan Beach) - Yale (ECAC) Matt Vernon (San Jose) – Colorado College (NCHC) Brian Williams (San Diego) - Colorado College (NCHC) Cam York (Anaheim Hills) - Michigan (Big Ten) NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN Cayla Barnes (Eastvale) - Boston College (Hockey East) Katherine Beaumier - Clarkson (ECAC) $ Bailey Bennett (Gardena) - Holy Cross (Hockey East) Brooke Bryant (Linden) - Minnesota State (WCHA) Nicole Dunbar (Coto de Caza) - New Hampshire (Hockey East) Anna Estes (Whittier) - Post (NEWHA) Kendra Farole (Irvine) - RPI (ECAC) Tanner Gates (Oceanside) - Colgate (ECAC) Kiersten Goode (La Habra) - Yale (ECAC) Katherine Hughes (La Canada) - Harvard (ECAC) Lily Humphrey (Huntington Beach) - Vermont (Hockey East) Bella Kang (Los Gatos) - Cornell (ECAC) Vivian Lu (Studio City) - Brown (ECAC) Lillian Marchant (Tustin) - Lindenwood (CHA) Leah Marino (South Lake Tahoe) - Robert Morris (CHA) Gabby Monaco (La Verne) - St. Anselm (NEWHA) Keely Moy (San Diego) – Harvard (ECAC) Kalena Mueller (San Ramon) - Post (NEWHA)

Claire Peterson (San Jose) - Connecticut (Hockey East) Dominique Petrie (Hermosa Beach) - Harvard (ECAC) Frankie Sanchez (Lake Elsinore) - Sacred Heart (NEWHA) Sammy Smigliani (La Jolla) - Colgate (ECAC) Tia Stoddard (La Mesa) - Clarkson (ECAC) Elissa Taylor (Pasadena) - LIU (NEWHA) Baylee Trani (Huntington Beach) - RIT (CHA) Ellie Zweber (Santa Barbara) - Cornell (ECAC)

Taylor Urch (Anaheim) - Lawrence (NCHA) Nick Wardstrom (Discovery Bay) - Suffolk (NEHC) Chad Watt (Riverside) - Stevenson (UCHC) Matt Wiesner (Newport Beach) - Babson (NEHC) Egan Wolford (San Jose) - Fitchburg State (MASCAC) Colin Woods (Yorba Linda) - Stevenson (UCHC) Eric Wright (Poway) - Suffolk (NEHC) Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach) - Utica (UCHC)

NCAA DIVISION II – MEN Khalil East (Los Angeles) - Assumption (Northeast-10) Niko Grollman (Laguna Niguel) - Post (Northeast-10) Matthew Toombs (Pleasanton) - Franklin Pierce (Northeast-10)

NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN Lexie Anderson (San Francisco) - Salve Regina (Colonial Hockey) Michelle Behshid (Saugus) - Bowdoin (NESCAC) Ivy Boric (Newport Beach) - Plattsburgh (NEWHL) Emily Burke (San Jose) - Potsdam (NEWHL) Colleen Castro (Redwood City) - Wesleyan (NESCAC) Angelina Cruzal (Campbell) - Buffalo State (NEWHL) Mary Deyell (Glendale) - King’s (UCHC) Katarina Diehr (Fullerton) - Johnson and Wales (NEHC) Sierra Donahue (San Jose) - Suffolk (NEHC) Isabella Fiedler (Redondo Beach) - Stevenson (UCHC) Marissa Gebauer (Mission Viejo) - Lake Forest (NCHA) Devyn Gilman (Yorba Linda) - Elmira (UCHC) Savannah Gutierrez (Huntington Beach) - Utica (UCHC) Erika Hansen (Vacaville) - Anna Maria (Independent) Bella Hanson – Elmira (UCHC) $ Jessica Jones (El Cajon) - St. Mary’s (MIAC) Kai-Lilly Karpman (Playa del Rey) - Trinity (NESCAC) Abby Kolek (San Marcos) - Finlandia (NCHA) Victoria Lahey (Fairfield) - Lebanon Valley (UCHC) Ashley Marchant (Orange County) - Chatham (UCHC) Hannah Marmorstein (Los Olivos) - St. Olaf (MIAC) Danielle Marquez (Long Beach) - Bowdoin (NESCAC) Maura McKeown (San Leandro) - Oswego (NEWHL) Kennedy Miedema (San Jose) - St. Catherine (MIAC) Madelyn Morgan (Riverside) - Becker (Colonial Hockey) Tate Murphy (Jamul) - Lebanon Valley (UCHC) Lilla Nease (Lake Forest) - Plattsburgh (NEWHL) Alicia Nickolenko (Encinitas) - Wesleyan (NESCAC) Cameron Payne (Rancho Cucamonga) - Becker (Colonial Hockey) Alethea Perez (Los Angeles) - Stevenson (UCHC) Cortney Reyes (Chino Hills) - New England College (NEHC) Lindsay Reyes (Chino Hills) - Cortland (NEWHL) Samantha Rodriguez (Corona) - Anna Maria (Independent) Cierra San Roman (Orange) - Colby (NESCAC) Kiley Searles (San Jose) - Suffolk (NEHC) Iman Shepard (San Marino) - Lake Forest (NCHA) Ally Stout (Stockton) - Cortland (NEWHL) Sarah Takahashi (Pleasanton) - Wesleyan (NESCAC) Julieana Tarantino (San Diego) - Lake Forest (NCHA) Morgan Tefft (Redwood City) - Norwich (NEHC) Amy Templeman (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Lebanon Valley (UCHC) Alexandria Tillemans (Bishop) - Endicott (Colonial Hockey) Tristen Tolan – Elmira (UCHC) $ Jordyn Tomaszewki (Daly City) - Aurora (NCHA) Marisa Trevino (San Jose) - Aurora (NCHA) Tara Turcotte (Huntington Beach) - New England College (NEHC) Kiara Vazquez (La Quinta) - Middlebury (NESCAC) Samantha White (Oceanside) - Potsdam (NEWHL) Olivia Wilburn (Stockton) - Cortland (NEWHL)

NCAA DIVISION III – MEN Sam Anzai (Los Angeles) - UW-River Falls (WIAC) Aaron Aragon (Whittier) - University of New England (CCC) Quinton Baker (Santa Monica) - New England College (NEHC) Andrew Behshid (Los Angeles) - Lake Forest (NCHA) Max Blitz (Chino Hills) - Fredonia (SUNYAC) Guillaume Bose (San Jose) - Wentworth (CCC) Paul Boutoussov (Dana Point) - Salve Regina (CCC) Rock Boynton (Lomita) - MSOE (NCHA) Adam Canepa (Santa Cruz) - UW-River Falls (WIAC) Don Carter Jr. (Antioch) - Hamline (MIAC) Connor Chilton (Oak Park) - Aurora (NCHA) Jared Christy (Tustin) - University of New England (CCC) Carter Dahl (Fresno) - St. Mary’s (MIAC) Tanner Dalton (Bakersfield) - MSOE (NCHA) Dakota Delbridge (Tracy) - Concordia, Wis. (NCHA) Chase Dibari (Ladera Ranch) - Bethel (MIAC) Sean Dickson (Millbrae) - Utica (UCHC) Tyler Dill (South Lake Tahoe) - Utica (UCHC) Dante DiNapoli (Moss Beach) - Framingham State (MASCAC) Justin Dixson (Sunnyvale) - University of New England (CCC) Coby Downs (Montclair) - Norwich (NEHC) Zach Feldman (San Diego) - Lake Forest (NCHA) Tyler Forest (Simi Valley) - Becker (CCC) Cody Foster (Saugus) - Becker (CCC) Andrew Frojelin (San Jose) - Nazareth (UCHC) John Garrity (Dublin) - Suffolk (NEHC) Doc Gentzler (Manhattan Beach) - Brockport (SUNYAC) Alec Grollman (Laguna Niguel) - Bryn Athyn (Independent) Keenan Haase (Mission Viejo) - New England College (NEHC) Brian Hodges (Yorba Linda) - Stevenson (UCHC) Evan Johnson (Huntington Beach) - Williams (NESCAC) Carson Kelley (Portola Valley) - Geneseo (SUNYAC) Wiggle Kerbrat (Laguna Niguel) - Wesleyan (NESCAC) Nick Klishko (San Diego) - Gustavus (MIAC) Jasper Korican-Barlay (Oakland) - Fredonia (SUNYAC) Austin Koss (Huntington Beach) - Augsburg (MIAC) Gregg Lee (Aliso Viejo) - Fredonia (SUNYAC) Tyler Levine (Laguna Beach) - Wesleyan (NESCAC) Sean Lincoln (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Brockport (SUNYAC) Drake Longaker (San Jose) - Plymouth State (MASCAC) William Ma (Anaheim) - Canton (Independent) Cameron Mack (Long Beach) - UMass Dartmouth (MASCAC) David Marabella (Clovis) - MSOE (NCHA) Aaron Murray (Chino) - Stevenson (UCHC) Nick Nast (Oxnard) - St. Mary’s (MIAC) Ryan Ng (Manhattan Beach) - Castleton (NEHC) Evan Nyhus (Dove Canyon) - Nichols (CCC) Danny O’Donnell (Ventura) - Aurora (NCHA) Kyle Orgel (El Segundo) - Plymouth State (MASCAC) Ryan Orgel (El Segundo) - UW-Stevens Point (WIAC) Adam Papayoanou (Valencia) - Southern Maine (NEHC) Ismael Ralsten (Huntington Beach) - Bryn Athyn (Independent) Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills) - Worcester State (MASCAC) Kyle Rimbach (Encinitas) - St. Olaf (MIAC) Brendan Schulte (Fullerton) - Plattsburgh (SUNYAC) Nick Schultze (San Diego) - Tufts (NESCAC) Eetu Selanne (Coto de Caza) - Curry (CCC) Nicholas Short (Los Angeles) - UMass Dartmouth (MASCAC) Mark Shroyer (Fresno) - Castleton (NEHC) Jack Sitzman (Redondo Beach) - Anna Maria (Independent) Cole Souto (Yorba Linda) - St. John’s (MIAC) Liam Stirtzinger (Simi Valley) - Aurora (NCHA) Alex Stoley (Manteca) - Concordia, Minn. (MIAC) Felix Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) - Lebanon Valley (UCHC) Joseph Thielen (Huntington Beach) - Curry (CCC)

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY Takato Cox (Redondo Beach) – Simon Fraser (BCIHL) Steven Owre (Rocklin) – Alberta (CWUAA) Murphy Stratton (Los Angeles) – British Columbia (USports) Keanu Yamamoto – McGill (USports) %

JUNIOR HOCKEY Nicholas Abernathy (Etiwanda) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Brian Adams (San Ramon) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Joey Allegrini (Valencia) - Atlanta Capitals (NA3HL) Noah Altman (Los Angeles) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Armen Arabyan (Los Angeles) - Skipjacks Hockey Club (USPHL Premier) Alan Austria-Garcia (Redwood City) - Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL Premier) Thomas Avila (Escalon) - Steele County Blades (USPHL Premier) Matthew Ayres (Calabasas) - Connecticut Jr. Rangers (USPHL Premier) Everett Bailey (Rialto) - Decatur Blaze (USPHL Premier) William Baird (Ontario) - San Diego Sabers (WSHL) Tristan Baker (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters (WSHL) Nareg Balian (Tustin) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Joseph Barnabee (Long Beach) - Potomac Patriots (USPHL Premier)

Danny Barry (Sunnyvale) - Texas Brahmas (NA3HL) Cam Beltran (Nuevo) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Premier) Matthew Berezowski (Irvine) - Chippewa Steel (NAHL) Logan Berggren (Cypress) - Creston Valley Thunder Cats (KIJHL) Leon Biller (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Grady Birk (San Diego) - Melville Millionaires (SJHL) Tyler Blanchard (San Jose) - Texas Brahmas (NA3HL) Owen Bohn (San Jose) – Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Michael Boutoussov (Dana Point) - South Shore Kings (USPHL NCDC) Parker Brakebill (Yorba Linda) - Wisconsin Lumberjacks (SIJHL) Barak Braslavski (San Jose) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) Griffin Briquelet (Huntington Beach) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Brendan Brisson (Manhattan Beach) - Chicago Steel (USHL) Jacob Brockman (El Segundo) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Rhett Bruckner - Las Vegas Thunderbirds (WSHL) % Ben Buium (Laguna Niguel) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Shai Buium (San Diego) – Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) Hunter Campbell - Everett Silvertips (WHL) % Chris Cantillo (Los Angeles) - Great Falls Americans (NA3HL) Anthony Capraro (Hacienda Heights) - Northern Cyclones (USPHL Premier) Joey Cassetti (Pleasanton) – Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) Kenneth Cavers (San Jose) - Connecticut Jr. Rangers (USPHL Premier) Kameron Chan (Valencia) - Northern Cyclones (USPHL Elite) Henry Chavez (San Jose) - Great Falls Americans (NA3HL) Daniel Chladek (Anaheim) - Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) Nicholas Chmelevski (Huntington Beach) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Jared Coday (Irvine) - St. Louis Jr. Blues (NA3HL) Nolan Conrad (Corona) - Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) Halen Cookston (Santa Clarita) - Philadelphia Hockey Club (USPHL Premier) Jack Cooper (Camino Vista) - Texas Brahmas (NA3HL) Caleb Cordas (Newport Beach) - Islanders Hockey Club (USPHL NCDC) Jacob Cordas (Newport Beach) - Islanders Hockey Club (USPHL Premier) Clayton Cosentino (San Carlos) - Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) Evan Cronkhite (Aliso Viejo) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Premier) Riley Cryan (Escondido) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Jesse Cusick (La Puente) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Noah Dahlen (Lake Forest) - Pueblo Bulls (WSHL) Drew DeCarlo (Huntington Beach) - Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL) Lucas Demsar (South Lake Tahoe) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Brandon Derdiger (Los Angeles) - Springfield Pics (USPHL Premier) Quinn Deshler (Torrance) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Dylan Desilva (Boulder Creek) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Elite) Joe DiGiulio (San Diego) - Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL Premier) Wil Dillard (Bishop) - Gillette Wild (NA3HL) Kaigen Douglass (Mountain View) - Connecticut Chiefs (EHL) Devon Dunn (Los Angeles) - Gillette Wild (NA3HL) Ryan Elleraas (San Diego) - Northern Cyclones (USPHL Elite) Blake Emerson (Manhattan Beach) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Quinn Emerson (Manhattan Beach) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Arturo Escamilla (Rancho Cucamonga) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Isaac Espinosa (Lincoln) - Valley Jr. Warriors (EHL) Noah Etter (Sunnyvale) - Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) Mason Evans (Danville) - Texas RoadRunners (NA3HL) Bryan Fetz (Vacaville) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Bryson Fletcher (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Great Falls Americans (NA3HL) Luc Fox (Valencia) - Charlotte Rush (USPHL Premier) Alexander Fraboulet (Anaheim) - PAL Jr. Islanders (USPHL Premier) James Gagan (Mission Viejo) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Premier) Hunter Garant (Valencia) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Dalton Garcia (San Jose) - Wisconsin Lumberjacks (SIJHL) Hunter Garvey (San Diego) – Jamestown Rebels (NAHL) Matthew Gerst (Los Altos) - Springfield Pics (USPHL Premier) Shane Gilbert (Huntington Beach) - Ogden Mustangs (WSHL) Jackson Glassford – Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) !

Jonah Gold (Rolling Hills Estates) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (USPHL NCDC) Hayden Goldstein (Los Angeles) - Walpole Express (EHL) Michael Gomez (Visalia) - Valley Jr. Warriors (EHL) Bryan Gowin (Valencia) - Carolina Jr. Hurricanes (USPHL Premier) Alec Grace (Laguna Hills) - Northern Cyclones (USPHL Premier) Ryan Green (Huntington Beach) - Wisconsin Lumberjacks (SIJHL) Ben Greenlee (Temecula) - Boston Jr. Rangers (EHL) Josh Groll (San Diego) - Lincoln Stars (USHL) Alex Gunnoe (Modesto) - New York Apple Core (EHL) Dylan Gutierrez (Santa Ana) - New Jersey 87s (EHL) Cooper Haar (Huntington Beach) - Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) Keigo Hachisuka (San Diego) - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) Mason Hackel (Morgan Hill) - Railers Jr. Hockey Club (EHL) Dylan Hadfield (Westminster) - Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) Jacob Hahn (Lake Forest) - Potomac Patriots (USPHL Premier) Hunter Hansen (Vacaville) - Minnesota Blue Ox (USPHL Premier) Jackson Hansen (Vacaville) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Elite) Joseph Harguindeguy (La Habra) - Minot Minotauros (NAHL) Luke Heimann (Ventura) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (USPHL NCDC) Dylan Hernandez-Ramirez (Costa Mesa) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Elite) Taylor Hiatt (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters (WSHL)

Daniel Hong (Valencia) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Aidan Hreschuk (Long Beach) - U.S. Under-17 Team (USHL) Colton Huard – Chicago Steel (USHL) % # Peyton Hughes (Northridge) - L/A Nordiques (NA3HL) Jacob Iida (Yorba Linda) - New Hampshire Avalanche (EHL) Peter Jacobs (Carlsbad) - Austin Bruins (NAHL) Parker James (Westminster) - Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) Austin Kane (Milpitas) - Twin City Thunder (USPHL Premier) Sean Kanervisto (San Diego) - North Okanagan Knights (KIJHL) Samuel Kapusta (Irvine) - San Diego Sabers (WSHL) Zakary Karpa (Newport Beach) - U.S. Under-18 Team (USHL) Huston Karpman (Manhattan Beach) - Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) Grant Kawamoto (San Jose) - Jersey Hitmen (USPHL Premier) Tanner Kelly (La Jolla) - Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) Connor Kemp (Placentia) - New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL) Nicholas Kent (Ladera Ranch) - Vernon Vipers (BCHL) Noah Kim (Fullerton) - Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) Tyler Kitchen (Bakersfield) - Pueblo Bulls (WSHL) John Klus (Santee) - New Ulm Steel (NA3HL) Simon Krbashyan (Fresno) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Jared Labadie (Huntington Beach) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Premier) Jordan Labbe (Pasadena) - Jersey Hitmen (USPHL Premier) Ethan Lahmon (Yorba Linda) - Amarillo Bulls (NAHL) Nicholas Lanza (Santa Clarita) - Charlestown Colonials (USPHL Elite) Erik Larsson (San Jose) - Boston Bandits (USPHL NCDC) Justin Lebouef (Canyon Country) - New Hampshire Avalanche (EHL) Tyler Leibl (Del Mar) - Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL) Michael Lempiainen (Corona) - New England Stars (NA3HL) Cobi Lennex (Valencia) – Fresno Monsters (WSHL) Ivan Lodnia (Anaheim) - Niagara IceDogs (OHL) Gabel Longshore (Davis) - New York Apple Core (EHL) Jesse Lycan (San Diego) - Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) Peter Lychnikoff (Los Angeles) - Northern Cyclones (USPHL NCDC) Chris Maghakian (Santa Clarita) - West Sound Warriors (WSHL) Jake Maley (San Ramon) - Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (EHL) Daylon Mannon (Fresno) - La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL) Colton Marcy (Carlsbad) - Butte Cobras (NA3HL) Tate Martishius (Valencia) - San Diego Sabers (WSHL) Liam Massie (Claremont) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Cameron Maycock (Claremont) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Adam Mazurowski (Modesto) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Elite) Kyle McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – Islanders Hockey Club (USPHL Premier) Adam McGill (Rancho Santa Margarita) - South Shore Kings (USPHL Premier) Derek McGrew (Orange) - Southern Oregon Spartans (WSHL) Jake McGrew (Orange) - Spokane Chiefs (WHL) Mason McIntosh (Los Angeles) - Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) Isaiah McKinney (Menlo Park) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (USPHL Premier) Hunter McKown (San Jose) - U.S. Under-18 Team (USHL) Tyler McNeil (Santa Clarita) – Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL) Aidan McPhee (Brea) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Ryan Meaney (Santa Clarita) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Aidan Metcalfe (Rancho Palos Verdes) - Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) Ulysses Mikhailov - Fresno Monsters (WSHL) !

Cameron Miller (Anaheim) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Eric Moran (Artesia) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Sam Morton (Benicia) – Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) John Mulvihill (San Juan Capistrano) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (USPHL NCDC) Ty Murchison (Corona) - U.S. Under-17 Team (USHL) Carson Murison (Half Moon Bay) - Bradford Bulls (GMHL) Kiel Nance (Bakersfield) - Las Vegas Thunderbirds (WSHL) Cameron Neaylon (Newark) - Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL) Tyler Nelson (Pleasanton) - Espanola Express (NOJHL) Ryan Newman (Bakersfield) - Charlotte Rush (USPHL Premier) Sean Nichols (Fontana) - Connecticut Chiefs (EHL) Jackson Niedermayer (Newport Beach) – Penticton Vees (BCHL) Harley Nyhuis (Rancho Mirage) - Great Falls Americans (NA3HL) Liam Okanski (Villa Park) - Twin City Thunder (USPHL Premier) Michael Onda (Saugus) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Luke Ormsby - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) % Jerrett Overland - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) # Jonathan Panisa (Irvine) - Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) Sahil Panwar (Cerritos) - London Knights (OHL) Preston Park (Rancho Palos Verdes) - Northern Cyclones (USPHL NCDC) Cole Parker (San Diego) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Landon Pavlisin (Orange) - Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) Dylan Peterson (Roseville) - U.S. Under-18 Team (USHL) Zachary Pires (Orange) - Ogden Mustangs (WSHL) Jake Pisarcik (Oak Park) - Atlanta Capitals (NA3HL) Dakota Pitts (Rancho Cucamonga) - Railers Jr. Hockey Club (EHL) Adam Plager (Cypress) - Mid Cities Jr. Stars (NA3HL) Stewart Pond (San Diego) - Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL) Jayden Price (Dove Canyon) - Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) Nicholas Privitera (Sun Valley) - Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) Patrick Pugliese (Pasadena) - New Jersey Titans (NAHL) Ethan Racz (Carlsbad) – Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)

Seamus Radley (San Diego) - St. Louis Jr. Blues (NA3HL) Quentin Rahimi (Tracy) - Walpole Express (EHL Premier) Tristan Rand (Valencia) - New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL) Alexander Randall (San Diego) - Decatur Blaze (USPHL Premier) Nick Rashkovsky (Los Angeles) - Twin City Thunder (USPHL NCDC) Kurt Reger (Los Gatos) - Utica Jr. Comets (USPHL Premier) Alex Reyes (Anaheim Hills) - Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL Premier) Casey Rhodes (Huntington Beach) - Jersey Hitmen (USPHL NCDC) Luke Richesin (Clovis) - Great Falls Americans (NA3HL) Mitchell Rickert (Santa Rosa) - Connecticut Chiefs (EHL) Nick Robertson (Arcadia) - Peterborough Petes (OHL) Luke Robinson (Dublin) – Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) Hunter Rogers (Simi Valley) - Philadelphia Hockey Club (USPHL Premier) Kanyn Rogers (Luumsden) - Pueblo Bulls (WSHL) Cole Rorick (Anaheim) - San Diego Sabers (WSHL) Kaleb Ross (Visalia) - Pueblo Bulls (WSHL) Bryce Runyan (Riverside) - Texas Brahmas (NA3HL) Emmett Rupert (Santa Barbara) - Fresno Monsters (WSHL) Luc Salem (Santa Monica) - Topeka Pilots (NAHL) Miles Salzgeber (Sherman Oaks) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) James Sandberg (Thousand Oaks) - Jersey Hitmen (USPHL Elite) Hunter Sansbury (Lomita) - Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) Henri Schreifels (Agoura Hills) - Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) Isaac Schuster (Westminster) - Westshore Wolves (VIJHL) Harrison Scott (San Jose) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Leevi Selanne (Coto de Caza) - Texas Brahmas (NA3HL) Jackson Seltenreich (San Jose) - Cold Lake Hornets (WSHL) Sohrab Shamloo (San Jose) - Rochester Monarchs (USPHL NCDC) Ian Shane (Manhattan Beach) - Chicago Steel (USHL) Tyler Shea (Stevenson Ranch) - Austin Bruins (NAHL) Phillip Shemyakin (Mission Viejo) - Charlotte Rush (USPHL Premier) Cody Sherman (San Diego) - Tri-City Storm (USHL) Tyler Shetland (Laguna Hills) - Wisconsin Lumberjacks (SIJHL) Mattias Sholl (Hermosa Beach) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) Liam Smiley (San Diego) - Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL Elite) Connor Smith (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Neepawa Natives (MJHL) Cooper Smyl (Fairfield) - Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) James Spaargaren (San Diego) - Rochester Monarchs (USPHL NCDC) James Stefan (Laguna Beach) - Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Riley Stern (Simi Valley) - Atlanta Capitals (NA3HL) Jered Stevenson (Stockton) - Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (USPHL Premier) Chad Storey (South Lake Tahoe) - Steamboat Wranglers (WSHL) Jake Sumner (Alta Loma) - Willmar WarHawks (NA3HL) Logan Sutton (Huntington Beach) - Utica Jr. Comets (USPHL Premier) Kaelan Taylor (Oceanside) - Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) Dante Terramani (Monterey Park) - New Jersey 87s (EHL) Todd Thompson, Jr. (San Jose) - Dallas Snipers (WSHL) Nicholas Tivy (Ventura) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Nick Torres (Long Beach) - Great Falls Americans (NA3HL) Tanner Turcotte (Huntington Beach) - Ontario Avalanche (WSHL) Drake Usher (Upland) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Brent Valentine (Newport Beach) - East Coast Wizards (EHL) Justin Vickers (Murrieta) - New Jersey 87s (EHL) Greg Viehmeyer (Del Mar) - Carolina Jr. Hurricanes (USPHL Elite) David Vieten (Calabasas) - West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) Drew Vieten (Calabasas) - West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) Alex Villa (Anaheim) - Kerry Park Islanders (VIJHL) Hunter Voyles (Aliso Viejo) - Boston Bandits (USPHL Elite) Jack Walsh (Oceanside) - Connecticut Jr. Rangers (USPHL Premier) Tristan Warr (Valencia) - Valencia Flyers (WSHL) Brayden Watts (Bakersfield) - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) Jakob Wepman (Studio City) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (USPHL NCDC) Dustin Wolf (Tustin) - Everett Silvertips (WHL) Coalson Wolford (San Jose) - Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) Ethan Wolthers (Valencia) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Wyatt Wong (Glendale) - Rockets Hockey Club (USPHL Premier) Jackson Wozniak (Cypress) - Grand Prairie Storm (AJHL) Kurt Yano (Orange) - Lansing Wolves (USPHL Premier) Lucas Yovetich (Los Angeles) - London Nationals (GOJHL) Alan Yu (Baldwin Park) - Cochrane Crunch (NOJHL)

PREP SCHOOL Max Abramson (Pacific Palisades) – Bishop’s College School Carter Anastasia (Sierra Madre) - Tahoe Prep Academy Colby Arioto (Fresno) - Tahoe Prep Academy Colton Bertagna (Chico) - Tahoe Prep Academy Blake Bishop (Temecula) - Tahoe Prep Academy Ian Bowman (Palm Desert) - Tahoe Prep Academy Alexander Boyko (Rocklin) – Tahoe Prep Academy Zev Buium (San Diego) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Max Chu (San Diego) - Ridley College Sam Deckhut (San Diego) – Salisbury Prep Bobby Doukov (Seal Beach) - Tahoe Prep Academy Tyler Dunkel (Burbank) - Tahoe Prep Academy Cameron Dunnigan (Bakersfield) – Tahoe Prep Academy

Nikko Escobar (Ventura) – Tahoe Prep Academy Ezra Gale (Pomona) – Hoosac School Aidan Garcia (Burbank) – The Groton School Andre Gasseau (Los Angeles) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Jacob Halliday (Valencia) – St. Paul’s Tyler Herr (Huntington Beach) – Culver Academy Grant Kaplan (Sherman Oaks) – Brooks School Leo Kaplan (Sherman Oaks) – Brooks School Tristan Lam (Arcadia) – Bishop’s College School Noah Leibl (Del Mar) – Shawnigan Lake School Drew Mazza (Mission Viejo) - Tahoe Prep Academy Seth McKenna (Moorpark) – Tilton School Zach Mojarro (Bishop) – The Gunnery Brian Morse (Fresno) – The Gunnery Josh Niedermayer (Newport Beach) – Okanagan Hockey Academy Jacob Nordorf (Gardena) – Tahoe Prep Academy Ellis O’Dowd (Santa Barbara) – Tahoe Prep Academy Ben Palmersheim (Palm Springs) - Tahoe Prep Academy Luke Peterson (Moorpark) – The Gunnery Quinn Proctor (South Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Academy Garrett Reagan (San Jose) - Tahoe Prep Academy Ross Roloson (Newport Beach) – Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep Kai Schumann (Sacramento) - Tahoe Prep Academy Chase Sechrist (Santa Rosa) – Tahoe Prep Academy Dylan Silverstein (Calabasas) – Dexter Southfield Steven Soos (Pasadena) – The Winchendon School Simon Thue (San Jose) – Millbrook School Weston Turner (Granite Bay) - The Groton School Bradley Wang (Arcadia) – Choate Rosemary Hall

NEVADA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY Michael McNicholas (Reno) - Maine Mariners (ECHL) Zach Pochiro (Las Vegas) – Esbjerg EfB Ishockey (Denmark) Gage Quinney (Las Vegas) – Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) Joey Raats (Las Vegas) - Briancon (France) Bryce Reddick (Las Vegas) - Cardiff Devils (United Kingdom) Joe Sullivan (Las Vegas) - Indy Fuel (ECHL) Derek Sutliffe (Las Vegas) - Evansville Thunderbolts (SPHL) Cory Ward (Las Vegas) - Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) Jason Zucker (Las Vegas) - Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)

COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN Brennan Blaszczak (Las Vegas) – Alaska (WCHA) Dominic Garcia (Las Vegas) - Arizona State (Independent) Brendan Harris (Henderson) - Bemidji State (WCHA) Graham McPhee (Las Vegas) - Boston College (Hockey East) NCAA DIVISION II – MEN Vito Carlo (Las Vegas) – Franklin Pierce (Northeast-10) NCAA DIVISION III – MEN Gage Roberts (Las Vegas) – Nazareth (UCHC)

JUNIOR HOCKEY Erik Atchison (Las Vegas) - Spokane Chiefs (WHL) Steven Avalone (Las Vegas) - Kindersley Klippers (SJHL) Hunter Barto (Las Vegas) - Minnesota Moose (USPHL Premier) Rhett Bruckner (Las Vegas) - Las Vegas Thunderbirds (WSHL) Caleb Day (Las Vegas) - Cold Lake Hornets (WSHL) Brenden Fehlig (Las Vegas) – Coulee Region Chill (NA3HL) Luke Fundator (Las Vegas) - Sheridan Hawks (NA3HL) Ty Gartzke (Las Vegas) - Decatur Blaze (USPHL Premier) Bryce Gould (Las Vegas) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (USPHL Premier) Aidan McNabb (Las Vegas) - Carolina Jr. Hurricanes (USPHL Premier) Hunter Meyer (Las Vegas) - Northern Cyclones (USPHL Elite) Gunner Moore (Las Vegas) - Atlanta Capitals (NA3HL) Jackson Oleson (Stateline) - Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) Jerrett Overland (Las Vegas) - Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Cody Printzen (Las Vegas) - Fresno Monsters (WSHL) Danny Ramos (Las Vegas) - Gillette Wild (NA3HL) Caesar Redoble (Las Vegas) - Las Vegas Thunderbirds (WSHL) Anthony Rodriguez (Henderson) - Las Vegas Thunderbirds (WSHL) Cameron Sylvester (Las Vegas) - Hampton Roads Whalers (USPHL Elite) Blade Taylor (Las Vegas) - Las Vegas Thunderbirds (WSHL) Joe Terrana (Las Vegas) - Las Vegas Thunderbirds (WSHL) Gabe Testa (Las Vegas) - South Muskoka Shield (GMHL) Matthew Valdez (Las Vegas) - Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (EHL) % former Los Angeles Jr. King + former California Titan * former LA Select

! former San Jose Jr. Shark # former Anaheim Jr. Duck $ former Anaheim Lady Duck

CARubberHockey.com

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TAHOE PREP ACADEMY

Tahoe Prep secures first two NCAA college commitments

By Greg Ball

T

he overriding and long-term goal at Tahoe Prep Academy has always been about one thing and one thing only - preparing its student athletes to take the next steps in their lives after high school.

For some, that means playing junior hockey, and for others, it means continuing their hockey careers in college.

Even if the academy’s student-athletes enroll in college but choose not to continue playing hockey, the coaches and administrators know they have paved the way for those that have come through their doors to become productive adults.

As their motto goes, student-athletes come to Tahoe as boys and leave as men.

There is a tremendous amount of pride permeating the campus this spring as Tahoe Prep has produced its first college hockey players since opening its doors in 2016.

Forward Shane Gilbert has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey at SUNY-Fredonia in New York, and forward Erik Larsson has signed to play at Salem State University, a Division III school in Massachusetts.

In addition, a handful of players from Tahoe Prep have been accepted to various colleges and may continue their hockey careers once they decide on a school. Matt Ward has been accepted to Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, and Alex Boyko has received an acceptance letter from Arizona State University. Quinn Proctor is choosing between Arizona State University, Chico State University and Sacramento State University, and has been accepted by

all three. director of skill development. “The best thing about Shane Many of Tahoe Prep’s top players are also in the midst is who he has become as a person.” of attending prospect camps for the various junior leagues Collins recalled a time when Gilbert reached out to a across the U.S. and Canada, as the timeline for junior com- new recruit who was unsure about coming to Tahoe to remitments generally falls a few months after college commit- assure him and welcome him to the campus, without any ments. prompting from coaches.

“This is what it’s all about,” Tahoe Prep president Leo “That shows his character, at 17 years old, to go out Fenn said. “This is why they skate of his way for someone else,” Colevery day and do their strength and lins said. “Adding that to the fact that conditioning every day, to have these he’s great at hockey and is a really types of opportunities. I think it realgood leader, that just impresses you. ly inspires the current students at Shane is a great teammate.”

Tahoe Prep when they see guys who Larsson was part of the first class have come through our doors finding of student-athletes at Tahoe Prep success as the next levels. when the academy opened four years “To have our first players commit ago. His time in Tahoe propelled him to play in college, we’re so excited to three seasons with the Boston Jr. and can’t wait to see them on the ice Bandits in the United States Premier playing NCAA hockey. We’re incredHockey League.

“Erik’s passion for the game is ibly proud of the boys and their famphenomenal,” Fenn said. “His desire ilies and the work they have put in to to compete is off the charts. From the get to this point.” first time I saw him on the ice, I felt like Gilbert played two seasons for Former Tahoe Prep forward Erik Larsson was the Ogden Mustangs in the Western part of the first class back in 2016 and will play he was going to go somewhere and States Hockey League after passing NCAA D-III hockey in the fall at Salem State that he would have a chance to play college hockey.” through Tahoe Prep, a key step in his University. Photo/Tahoe Prep Academy Even after Larsson left Tahoe, he returned each summer development.

“Shane is another guy who is just obsessed with his to train with his former coaches.

“As we say, once you’ve worn the Tahoe jersey, you’re craft - everything he has become is because he has worked for it,” said Chris Collins, Tahoe’s prep head coach and part of the brotherhood for life,” Fenn said.

TahoePrepAcademy.com

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

CARubberHockey.com

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NIKO HILDENBRAND

Position: Forward, University of Massachusetts (Hockey East, NCAA D-I) Youth Teams: Berkeley Bulldogs, Capital Thunder, Santa Clara Blackhawks Hometown: Vacaville California Rubber: What is your favorite memory from playing hockey in California?

Niko Hildenbrand: My Pee Wee year, when I played for Santa Clara, we won the national Championship. Martin Dennis was the coach.

CR: It’s probably not difficult to guess your favorite memory since then.

NH: Easily last year when (UMass) went to the Frozen Four. Along the way, winning at Merrimack to win the regular-season Hockey East championship.

We were down 2-0 going into the third period on the road at a place that’s difficult to win at. It’s even more sweet when no one’s expecting it.

CR: When you return to California during the summer, do you have a go-to stop?

NH: Going to the downtown San Francisco area is something we always do. Lake Tahoe is a nice spot I like to go to during the summer. The obvious one is In-N-Out, and I’m sure a lot of players tell you that, but I grew up with it so it isn’t as big a deal.

CR: Did you have a favorite team or player growing up?

NH: The Sharks easily. I loved to watch Jonathan Cheechoo. He ripped it up for a few years.

CR: Who were your biggest influences?

NH: No question, my mom (Kathy) and dad (Todd). My dad was a runner in high school, and he was very, very good. He said he didn’t get total support, and he preached to me, “Work hard and you’ll attain your goals, even if it’s hockey in California.” It was something I wanted, and he told me go for it. When I went to Chicago (to play Midget hockey), my mom dropped everything for a year to go with me. I was 15.

CR: What is one thing about college hockey that people don’t realize?

NH: The strength of every team you play. Playing hockey in Hockey East is one thing, but college hockey especially, no matter who is playing on what night, it’s always going to be a battle. As a hockey player, you the love the competition.

CR: In the Northeast U.S., you’re on the bus quite a bit for trips, so what are the essentials to take along?

NH: For those short ones, maybe a pillow. If anything, it’s a one-night stay so you don’t need much, sometimes just sweatpants, a change of clothes and what you’re wearing to the game. That and my phone and headphones are usually it. Maybe a computer if I have homework to finish.

CR: Are you particular about your gear?

NH: The only thing I’m really particular about is my skates. The pads have changed a lot so that doesn’t matter to me. Coming from the USHL, we wore CCM. My freshman year, the school had a deal with Bauer, then CCM and now Bauer again. I’ve always worn Bauer skates. I wore Vapors growing up, switched to Supremes last year, and now am back to Vapors. The Bauer rep scanned my foot and recommended the skates.

I’ll use whatever (brand) sticks the school uses and we can have them customized.

CR: Is there a funny hockey prank that stands the test of time?

NH: One that comes to mind is the water cup under the helmet, especially at practice at the beginning of the year. Usually, it’s a new guy who pulls it off the shelf and gets drenched right before he goes on the ice.

CR: If you hadn’t pursued hockey, what might you have done?

NH: My first thing would be baseball. Going into high school, I had to choose between hockey and baseball. Hockey was my choice. I played high school golf as well. I enjoyed a lot of sports. I still play golf when I can.

Photo/ University of Massachusetts Athletics

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

- Compiled by Chris Bayee