VOLUME 12
ISSUE 9
MAY 2019
CALIFORNIA TALENTS TAKEN IN JUNIOR HOCKEY DRAFTS CSU FULLERTON CAPTURES DIVISION II INLINE NATIONALS
With a commitment to player and coach development using a familyoriented atmosphere, the San Diego Jr. Gulls are leading the growth of the game in America’s Finest City
JR. DUCKS GRAD YORK NAMED JUNIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR VEGAS’ CARLO MAKES NCAA COMMITMENT FOR 2019-20 Attracting the very best youth hockey programs under the bright lights of Los Angeles
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FROM THE EDITOR Summer is just about here, so take time to live in the moment
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ell, here we are – it’s late May. Just a handful of junior and pro teams are still on the ice playing meaningful games, while tryouts have started for some youth associations and roller hockey tournaments are in full swing. Hockey truly is the sport that never sleeps. And while the game can 365/24/7, let’s be sure to take time to enjoy the time away from the rink. It’s not a bad thing to get a break from the grind that runs from late August into March. Spend time with family. Go to the beach. Take in a ballgame. Go for a bike ride. Fire up the grill and have an impromptu family gathering. Matt Mackinder Summer is a great time of year (though that late August to March time frame isn’t too shabby!) and with hockey in somewhat of an offseason, do your best to revel in all that life has to offer away from the arenas and practice facilities. It’s so worth it. And it might make you appreciate the game even more. Enjoy the rest of May and June, and we’ll see you in July with our summer issue! Brody Roybal scored 5:08 into overtime to lead the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team to the gold medal at the 2019 Para Ice Hockey World Championship with a 3-2 overtime win over Canada earlier this month. San Pedro native Ralph DeQuebec played for Team USA at the event. “There’s no better way to end the season than as world champions,” said U.S. head coach David Hoff. “Whatever adversity came our way, we dealt with it and, most importantly, we did it together as a team. This is a win these players and staff will remember forever, and I couldn’t be prouder of this group.” With the win, the United States finishes the season with an overall record of 10-1-0-1. The medal gives the U.S. its eighth consecutive medal in the world championship as Team USA has now collected four gold medals (2019, 2015, 2012, 2009), three silver medals (2017, 2013, 2004) and one bronze medal (2008) in tournament play. Awesome job! We also have lots of junior hockey awards for the 2018-19 season to speak of involving California players. The North American Hockey League Goaltender of the Year is San Jose native Matt Vernon of the Aberdeen Wings, the Western Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year is Tustin native and Los Angeles Jr. Kings graduate Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips, Laguna Niguel native and Anaheim Jr. Ducks alum Wiggle Kerbrat took home one of the Eastern Hockey League’s Student-Athlete of the Year honors with the New Hampshire Avalanche, Huntington Beach product and Wildcats Hockey Club grad Sasha Chmelevski won the Ontario Hockey League’s Roger Neilson Memorial Award as the top post-secondary school student with the Ottawa 67’s and San Jose native and Jr. Sharks grad Tyler Blanchard was named the NA3HL’s South Division Forward and Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-NA3HL Rookie First Team. Congratulations, boys! Sticking with juniors, Jr. Sharks’ 18U AAA forward Sohrab Shamloo has signed a tender with the NAHL’s Minnesota Magicians. Shamloo is the second Jr. Sharks’ 18U AAA player to sign a tender agreement this season, joining Barak Braslavski, who signed a tender with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in December. Another NAHL connection has Huntington Beach native and former Jr. King Austin Koss committing to attend and play NCAA Division III hockey this fall at Augsburg University after finishing the season with the Corpus Christi IceRays. “Austin was a great addition for us this season,” said IceRays coach-GM Ryan Cruthers. “He works extremely hard each day and gave us instant leadership in our locker room. We are very happy for him and wish him the best of luck.”
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
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CALIFORNIA CHAMPION
Huntington Beach native Ryan Gil captured the Canalta Cup championship recently with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Battlefords North Stars. More on Gil’s accomplishments on Page 24. Photo/Byron Hildebrand Photography
ON THE COVER Ethan Newell, who played for the San Diego Jr. Gulls’ Pee Wee BB team in 2018-19, is part of the exciting growth the Jr. Gulls youth association has experienced in recent years. Photo/Kelly Newell
www.caha.com Anaheim Hills’ York motivated to be first-round NHL pick pegged as the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft. Growing up, York played for the Jr. Ducks before moving to Minnesota to play at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school. “I had really good coaches with the Jr. Ducks,” York said. “Craig Johnson and Scott Niedermayer
“It’s changed 100 percent,” said York. “I think when I was first trying to get into it, a lot of people he Western United States is quickly becoming a didn’t want to play because hockey wasn’t that hotbed for producing high-end hockey players. popular. Now, with coaches there like Craig and And not just any old hockey players, but bona fide Scott, they’ve done a really great job of bringing kids NHL prospects. in and developing them. It’s really fun to see. Next month in Vancouver, B.C., three “Guys getting drafted from the West California natives look to be taken in the Coast, it’s fun to see and I think it’s good for NHL Draft in Anaheim Hills’ Cam York, the sport and motivates the next generation Tustin’s Dustin Wolf and Irvine’s Ryan when they see guys like that going through Johnson. all this that they can do it for themselves, York, a longtime Anaheim Jr. Duck, too.” figures to be a first-round choice, while So what would York’s dream team be Wolf, a longtime Los Angeles Jr. King, come draft day? should be a mid-round selection. York “I’d have to say that I’d want to go to skated on the blue line this past season a team that’s in contention just because I with USA Hockey’s National Team hate losing,” York said. “I think a team like Development Program (NTDP), committing that already has great players there, so to NCAA Division I University of Michigan they can hopefully push me to be one of along the way, Wolf was the top goaltender the great ones. Maybe a team like Boston for the Western Hockey League’s Everett or even Anaheim, they have teams with a Silvertips, and Johnson skated on the back lot of great players. For the past five years, end for the United States Hockey League’s I haven’t even been close to my home, so Sioux Falls Stampede after a successful going to any team out that way would be youth career with the Jr. Ducks. Cam York skated the past two seasons for USA Hockey’s NTDP, committing to the unbelievable for me.” When he was initially chosen for the University of Michigan earlier this season as well. Photo/Rena Laverty/USA Hockey’s NTDP Wolf is listed No. 12 among North NTDP some two years ago, York saw it as an amazing are both guys that obviously know the game really American goaltenders; Johnson is 33rd among North accomplishment. well. Just learning from Scott defensively, I just took American skaters. “It was crazy,” said York. “Being from California, little things that he does, and I can always pick his In 61 games during the 2018-19 season, Wolf a lot of people don’t really expect you to be there, brain. Craig is a guy that I worked with on my skills, went 41-15-2-2, including seven shutouts, to but I worked for it and I earned it and it was very like stickhandling and stuff like that. I’ve worked with complement a 1.69 goals-against average and a special. Just looking at guys that have come through him a lot on that area of my game.” .936 save percentage. Johnson played 54 games in this program, guys like Patrick Kane and Auston The landscape of youth hockey in California has Sioux Falls and fashioned six goals and 25 points Matthews, I mean, it was a crazy feeling for me.” grown tremendously, even in just the past few years, while also committing last summer to play D-I hockey York’s NTDP teammate, forward Jack Hughes, is said York. at the University of Minnesota.
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Family Matters For the Makrogiannis family, the San Diego Jr. Gulls is much more than a youth hockey organization day if I want and be able to play on my own team or with coaches or clinics or just with my Jr. Gulls friends. I really like playing with my brother and sister. All the famor Phil and Val Makrogiannis, having their three children in the San Diego Jr. ilies in the club really care about each other and you can tell because all the kids Gulls youth program has been a home away from home, as well as a second are nice, and families are all nice, too. Everyone at the club cares about each other.” family. “What I like most about playing with the Jr. Gulls is the great experiences of The oldest, Niko, has been playing ice hockey for seven years, starting in the being coached by professional coaches, playing with top players, playing competLearn to Skate program and progressing to his most recent season playing as a itive games with my team, traveling to tournaments defenseman for the Pee Wee 12U AA1 team coached by Greg Pruden and Geoff and becoming a better player every year,” addLeibl. He will be entering next season as a first-year Bantam. ed Niko. “I really appreciate all the extra time Twins Theo and Ana entered the Jr. Gulls program at different ages. the Jr. Gulls coaches put into me as a Theo, a defenseman, just finished his fourth season as a Jr. Gull on the Squirt player so that I can become a bet12U A team coached by Randy Moy. His previous season, he played ter player. Playing with on the Squirt B team that won a CAHA state championship in the my brother and sister is Squirt 10U B division. awesome because I love Ana joined the hockey world two years ago and is a goaltender. A watching them learn and travel soccer player for six seasons, she went with her brothers one winbe successful. The three ter to an ice hockey tournament in Mammoth and played pond hockey in of us love the same sport boots, as a goalie, and was hooked. Ana finished her first season playing and that means a lot to me in net for both the Jr. Gulls’ boys Squirt 10U B team coached by Reed because we’ll always have Kinsey and on the Jr. Gulls’ girls 10U team coached by Blake Bolden. that one awesome thing in “Seven years ago, our first kid came to us as said, ‘I want to play ice common. It is also something hockey,’ and we had to Google where we could play ice hockey in San every family and every player Diego,” said Val Makrogiannis, who has also been a team manager the at the club has in common. last five seasons. “This led us to the San We love our families, we Diego Jr. Gulls program where we startlove hockey, and we love the Jr. Gulls ed out doing the Learn to Play program club.” and very quickly discovered that the Jr. Other fantastic and committed Gulls program was very kid- and famifamilies in the Jr. Gulls program inly-oriented. Every time we stepped into clude Kaden (14U AA) and Brecken the rink, the Jr. Gulls staff greeted us, (12U) Armstrong, Kai (14U AA) and remembered our children’s names, and Reese (16U) Gowen, Jillian (12U A) always had a fun and encouraging word and Lydia (12U/14U girls) McLaughto every player which, in those younglin, Colton (16U AA) and Ryanne er years, makes such a positive lasting (12U/14U girls) Marcy, Patrick (16U impression on young kids. It makes it a AA) and Brogan (14U AA girls) Gallaplace they want to spend their time. van, Destiny (14U AA girls) and Isa“It also creates a family-oriented, iah (12U) Provencio, Morgan (14U friendly environment where parents as AA girls) and Kaylee (12U/14U girls) well feel comfortable sending their kids Cadez, Maya (19U girls) and Emma and spending their time.” (14U AA girls) Tasevski, Tiffany (19U “We initially were attracted to the Jr. girls) and Tonya (19U girls) AnderGulls program because it offered a posson, Emma (10U girls) and Alexis itive teaching environment for our young (10U girls) Singleton, Kaelyn (10U players,” added Phil Makrogiannis. girls) and Sydney (10U girls) Walters, “Coaches stressed development and Alexander (12U AA) and Kat (10U fun. Our players participated in pracgirls) Dooris, Andrew (12U AA) and tices and games and they wanted more Sydney (10U girls) Smeltzer, Jacob because the coaches took the time to (14U), Kevin (12U) and Cody (12U) get to know each player individually and The ‘Makro Kids’ – Niko, Theo and Ana Makrogiannis – take pride in wearing the San Diego Jr. Gulls Betsch and Kyle (16U AA), Tori (14U stressed that learning and developing colors and simply love the association’s focus on development and family-oriented atmosphere, both AA girls) and Tommy (12U A) Fraser. was more important than anything else. on and off the ice in the Southern California hockey community Photo/San Diego Jr. Gulls “The Jr. Gulls program and all its “We stay with the Jr. Gulls program because as our players have progressed in staff, coaches and all the participating families is a family for us, and every family we the program to higher levels of competition, there continues to be a genuine inter- have encountered will tell you the same thing,” said Phil. “The families in the club are est in developing our players who now have specific strengths and positions. They all bonded by the love for the game, the love of our children, the loyalty for the club, really focus on making sure the players’ skills are developed so whatever the goal and the friendships we have created with the families. We have thoroughly enjoyed of the player, they are met with the optimal amount of structure, instruction, encour- all our fun moments of watching, traveling, hanging out, interacting with the Jr. Gulls agement and development to help our player get to their next level.” program and all the families.” All three Makrogiannis kids are enamored with the Jr. Gulls as well. And as a team manager, Val says that role was something that was meant for her. “One of the best things about the Jr. Gulls club is all the coaches are amazing,” “I have been a team manager for the last five years, and I do it because I love said Ana. “They are all nice, respectful and care about me improving as a player. the planning and caring for a team and the families,” said Val. “I love sports. Being They also just care about me as a person. It is awesome being in the same club as a manager allows me a special opportunity to stay connected to athletics and do my brothers because hockey is a family sport. I get to play with my brothers, they what I love most, which is supporting and watching my kids play a sport they love. I cheer me on and help teach me things. I also get to cheer them on. Everyone at the also thrive in organization and planning, which you need to be able to get everyone club knows us as the ‘Makro Kids’ and everyone is nice and encouraging to us. And where they need to be and on time. we love being encouraging to other players and other families because everyone at “What keeps me coming back for more is that I have been lucky to have Jr. Gulls the club loves hockey and loves family.” teams with great coaches and amazing families. Most recently, I managed the Jr. “The kids in the Jr. Gulls club are great and we are all friends,” noted Theo. “The coaches are great teachers and we get a lot of ice time. I can go to the club every Continued on Page 8
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CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
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California talents drafted by NA3HL, USHL, WHL teams By Matt Mackinder
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he months of April and May signal the end of junior hockey seasons, but the beginning of the next as several leagues hold their annual drafts. In the North American 3 Hockey League Draft on April 18, Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy forward Keith Kaczmarek went in the first round (ninth overall) to the Maine Wild. Later, Vegas Jr. Golden Knights’ 18U AA defenseman Sammy Redoble was taken by the Butte Cobras in the fifth round (149th overall), Santa Margarita Catholic High School defenseman Hunter Voyles was chosen by the Peoria Mustangs in the sixth round (198th overall), Tahoe Academy forward Brett MacNicoll (El Segundo native, Los Angeles Jr. Kings alum) went in the sixth round (215th overall) to the Elmira Jr. Soaring Eagles, San Jose Jr. Sharks’ 18U AAA forward Aleksander Erk was selected in the seventh round (230th overall) by the Gillette Wild and rounding out the California connections was Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 18U AA forward Brendan Carley, who went to Gillette in the eighth round (269th overall). Two players who skated on the Jr. Kings’ 14U AAA team this past season – forward Zane Rowan (Torrance, Regina Pats, third round, 61st overall) and defenseman Pavel Bocharov (Escondido, Saskatoon Blades, eighth round, 160th overall) – were selected in this year’s Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft, which was conducted on May 2. Three current players from the Jr. Sharks’ 14U AAA team also became WHL property, as defenseman Garrett Brown (San Jose, Spokane Chiefs, fourth round,
85th overall), forward Tyler Dysart (Sunnyvale, Prince Albert Raiders, fourth round, 88th overall), and forward Matthew Ng (Cupertino, Everett Silvertips, fifth round, 100th overall) also were drafted. Other California players who were chosen in the WHL Bantam Draft included Newport Beach native and defenseman Josh Niedermayer (Jr. Ducks, Vancouver Giants, second round, 30th overall), Calabasas native and goaltender Dylan Silverstein (Jr. Ducks, Medicine Hat Tigers, fifth round, 95th overall), Irvine native and forward James Hong (Jr. Ducks, Everett, fifth round, 108th overall), Fullerton native and defenseman Will
Sinclair (Medicine Hat, eighth round, 166th overall), San Jose native and forward Jacob Lize Rochon (Jr. Sharks, Seattle Thunderbirds, eighth round, 176th overall), Huntington Beach native and defenseman Brodrick Williams (Jr. Ducks, Seattle, ninth round, 183rd overall) and forward Cadon Kwiatkowski (Jr. Ducks, Calgary Hitmen, 11th round, 233rd overall). The two-part United States Hockey League Draft (Phase I on May 6, Phase II on May 7) saw more California names selected. In Phase I, three Jr. Kings’ 16U AAA players were taken as forwards Danny Minnehan (Cypress native, Muskegon Lumberjacks, second round, 29th overall),
Parker Murray (Los Angeles, Chicago Steel, seventh round, 102nd overall) and Ean Somoza (Simi Valley, Sioux Falls Stampede, eighth round, 108th overall) were drafted. Laguna Niguel native and former Jr. Kings defenseman Shai Buium went in the sixth round (82nd overall) to the Sioux City Musketeers. The next day in Phase II, California picks included goaltender Mattias Sholl (Hermosa Beach, Jr. Kings, Madison Capitals, sixth round, 89th overall), defenseman Colton Huard (Foothill Ranch, Jr. Kings, Fargo Force, seventh round, 101st overall), forward Joseph Harguindeguy (La Habra, Jr. Ducks, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, ninth round, 132nd overall), forward Nicholas Chmelevski (Huntington Beach, Youngstown Phantoms, 11th round, 164th overall), forward Jacob Brockman (El Segundo, Jr. Kings, Green Bay Gamblers, 12th round, 172nd overall), forward J.T. Halliday (Santa Clarita, California Golden Bears, Cedar Rapids, 13th round, 193rd overall), goalie Ian Shane (Manhattan Beach, Jr. Kings, Chicago, 13th round, 195th overall), forward Matthew Gross (Las Vegas, Tri-City Storm, 13th round, 199th overall), forward David Tolan (Ontario, Jr. Kings, Green Bay, 14th round, 202nd overall), forward Jordan Brisson (Manhattan Beach, Jr. Kings, Chicago, 14th round, 210th overall), defenseman Jack Blake (Manhattan Beach, Jr. Kings, Cedar Rapids, 17th round, 253rd overall), forward Andre Gasseau (Garden Grove, Jr. Kings, Fargo, 18th round, 266th overall), forward Huston Karpman (Manhattan Beach, Jr. Kings, Sioux City, 19th round, 280th overall) and forward Noah Leibl (Del Mar, San Diego Jr. Gulls, Muskegon, 19th round, 288th overall). Moving forward, the North American Hockey League Draft is slated for June 4, while the United States Premier Hockey League’s NCDC Draft was held May 15. CARubberHockey.com
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SAN DIEGO JR. GULLS
Jr. Gulls beam with pride in family-first environment Continued from Page 6 Gulls’ 12U AA1 team. During the season, we spent eight months together – practicing three times per week, games every weekend, traveling all over the state of California and twice to Canada. The players and families are always appreciative and thankful for all I do for the team. Great kids, great families – that’s why I manage and will continue to do so.” On the ice, the Makrogiannis has seen their game taken to new levels since each of them found their passion for hockey. “The Jr. Gulls provides me lots of practices with my own team, but they also give me the opportunity to practice with other teams because I want to get more ice time and improve,” Ana said. “Being able to practice on other teams gives me more instruction, more ice time and I also get to play with other players and coaches, all which make me a better player.” “I have gotten faster, and my skills have all improved because I can skate all the time,” Theo said. “My coach does a great job teaching me the game. I also like that as I get older and get placed on more competitive teams, my coaches teach me more and all that teaching makes me become a better player every year.” “I started playing hockey in the Learn to Skate program, improving every day all the way up to AA hockey all because my coaches all cared about
my development, they committed a lot of their time to me and because I worked really hard every day they also worked hard with me to get me to where I am today,” Niko said “I also know that they will be there with me every day going forward helping me to achieve whatever level of hockey I want to achieve
The San Diego Jr. Gulls took giant steps forward as an organization, both on and off the ice, during the just-completed 2018-19 season. Photo/San Diego Jr. Gulls
in the future.” Both Phil and Val agreed that the Jr. Gulls coaches and administrators are the main reason the family is committed to the Jr. Gulls, naming club president and coach Geoff Leibl and hockey director and coach Craig Carlyle, as well as coaches Noah
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California Rubber Hockey Magazine
Babin, Raf Rodriguez, Jonah Munholland, Pruden, Moy and Kinsey as positive influences. “From Day 1 at the Learn to Skate program all the way through to our current experience playing Tier hockey, every day we are greeted and supported by coaches that truly care about our kids,” said Phil. “We have experienced almost all the coaches one way or the other during our six years in the program. The administration is 100 percent committed to the families of the club. Our registrar, Tori Riley, is the heart to the club, knowing every family and being there for every question throughout the year.” “They have each in their own valuable way taught our kids something important in the game of hockey,” Val said. “Each person is committed and so generous with their time and knowledge, love for the game and that translates into their fun, positive teaching.” When asked how long the Makrogiannis family will play for the Jr. Gulls, Phil said, “the Jr. Gulls program is our home.” “It is a place where my kids feel at home. Our kids want to play hockey for as long as they can, whatever that ends up by being for each kid. The program every year offers great opportunities for advancement for our players. The club has amazing coaches, our kids are learning, having fun, being challenged and progressing as players and for those reasons, the Jr. Gulls program will remain our home.”
California Rubber 2019 Junior Player of the Year Cam York, USA Hockey’s NTDP Under-18 Team
assistant captain, the 1999 had a career-hightying 35 goals and 75 points during the regular he needle continues to point up for Cam season and 29 more points (10 goals) in 16 York. postseason games, which saw the 67s reach the A defenseman for the U.S. National Team OHL championship series. He also represented Development Program, the Anaheim Hills native Team USA at the World Junior Championship, and longtime Anaheim Jr. Ducks player put scoring seven points in seven games, and won the together a season for the ages. Roger Neilson Award as the top post-secondary York amassed an eye-popping 109 points student in the OHL. between his games for the NTDP and Team USA Jared Christy, Austin (NAHL) – The former in international competitions. That was one of Jr. King finished his junior career with a careermany considerations that went into selecting high 50 points, including 21 goals. He was an York as California Rubber Magazine’s 2019 assistant captain for Odessa before being traded Junior Player of the Year. to Austin. Part of a record-setting NTDP cohort, York Takato Cox, Connecticut (NCDC) – A 1998 claimed his own place in the program’s record and former Jr. King, his career-high 54 points books on Jan. 15 when he scored an NTDP-record included 16 goals. seven points in an 11-3 win over Youngstown Rory Herrman, Fargo (USHL) – The RPI in a United States Hockey League game. That commit was off to a solid start in Green Bay (23 effort included his first NTDP hat trick. points in 36 games), got hurt and then got traded. It’s no wonder the Michigan commit and The 1999 played for the San Diego Jr. Gulls and 2001 birth year is drawing raves in what many Jr. Ducks. observers are calling a loaded Ivan Lodnia, Niagara (OHL) 2019 NHL Draft class. An elite – The Minnesota Wild prospect puck mover, York checked was traded last offseason but in as the 12th-ranked North produced 45 points in 41 games American skater in the final before going for a team-best 14 NHL Central Scouting Service more in 11 playoff games. The rankings. He has a chance to 1999 is a former LA Selects and become the highest drafted KHS Ice player. California-born and trained Daylon Mannon, Maryland player in June, an honor Beau (NAHL) – In his first season of Bennett (20th in 2010) holds. junior, the former Titan and Jr. King’s 32 points were third on Here is the rest of the Allthe team and his 17 goals were California Junior Team: tied for second. Jake McGrew, Spokane GOALTENDERS (WHL) – The Sharks prospect Patrick Pugliese, Nipawin set career highs in goals (31) (SJHL) – In his rookie year in and points (54), then added the league, the 1999’s 1.95 seven more points in the playoffs. goals-against average was A 1999, he played for the LA second-best in the league, as Selects and the Jr. Kings. was his .931 save percentage. Jason Robertson, Niagara Only teammate Declan Hobbs (OHL) – The Dallas Stars had better numbers. Pugliese, prospect and 1999 was unfazed a former Jr. Ducks and OC by a midseason trade from Hockey Club player, went an Kingston, putting up career-high incredible 16-2-0-1 in the totals of 117 points and 48 goals. regular season and won two The former Jr. Kings player also of his three playoff starts with With a mind-boggling 109 points this season from the blue line, Cam York is a top prospect for next month’s NHL represented Team USA at the Draft, which will be staged in Vancouver, B.C. Photo/Rena Laverty/USA Hockey’s NTDP 2.01 and .938 numbers. World Junior Championship. Mattias Sholl, Fairbanks (NAHL) – Once Black Bears. He played for the Jr. Kings, Jr. Gulls, Nick Robertson, Peterborough (OHL) – The Sholl got an opportunity to play, he was lights out California Titans and Jr. Ducks. one-time Pasadena Maple Leaf is the 17th-ranked and helped lead the Ice Dogs to the Robertson Kaelan Taylor, Dubuque (USHL) – A 1999, North American skater heading into the NHL Cup finals. The longtime Jr. King went 17-1-0-4 the former Jr. Gull and Jr. King, developed into Draft, and the 2001’s 27-goal, 55-point season is in the regular season with a 1.69 goals-against one of the league’s top shutdown defenseman. one reason why. average and a .934 save percentage (both led the The Clarkson commit added 11 points. Paul Selleck, Cowichan Valley (BCHL) – The league) as well as six shutouts (tied for second). longtime Jr. Duck finished his junior career with a The 2000 was even better in the playoffs, starting FORWARDS career-best 34 points – third best on the Capitals out 6-0-0 with 1.00 and .958 numbers. Joey Cassetti, Waterloo (USHL) – The – and 16 goals, which were second on the team. Dustin Wolf, Everett (WHL) – The 2001 Merrimack commit and former Jr. Sharks standout Murphy Stratton, Wenatchee (BCHL) – The enters the offseason as the No. 12 ranked North emerged as a scoring threat in his second season North Dakota commit finished second on the Wild American goaltender ahead of the June’s NHL of juniors. The 1999 hit the 20-goal plateau and with 46 points and 33 assists. The 1999 played Draft, and with good reason. The longtime Jr. had 37 points. for the Jr. Kings. King won 41 games while amassing a 1.69 goalsDaniel Chladek, Bismarck (NAHL) – A 1999, Brayden Watts, Vancouver (WHL) – The 1999 against average and a .936 save percentage (the the former Jr. Duck scored 19 goals and 30 points helped lead the Giants to the WHL championship latter two numbers were second in the WHL). He in 42 games during his first NAHL season. series by compiling career bests of 18 goals then backstopped Everett into the second round Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa (OHL) – The San and 46 points between the regular season and of the postseason. Jose Sharks prospect excels in every phase. An playoffs combined.
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DEFENSEMEN Ryan Johnson, Sioux Falls (USHL) – The Minnesota commit and longtime Jr. Duck had a banner rookie season. His 25 points tied for second most among first-year blueliners in the league, and the 2001’s plus-24 was secondbest and tops on his team, which is playing for a Clark Cup title. He’s also the 33rd-ranked North American skater for the NHL Draft. Jacob Modry, Wenatchee (BCHL) – The Merrimack commit had a career-high 25 points (three more than his previous two seasons combined) and continued to develop as a shutdown defender. The 1999 is a former Jr. King. Chad Sasaki, Wenatchee (BCHL) – The Colorado College commit led his team’s defensemen in scoring with a career-high 42 points and 14 goals. The 1998 played for the Jr. Ducks. Luc Salem, Maryland (NAHL) – The 1999 emerged in his second season of juniors, posting 21 points, second among defensemen on the
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ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL
Inaugural season ‘a huge success’ for St. Mary’s program By Matt Mackinder
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his time a year ago, the new hockey program at St. Mary’s High School had yet to take the ice in Stockton. A year later, and the Rams finished their first season gaining valuable experience in the NAHL Prep League and the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League According to St. Mary’s assistant coach Zac Lytle, the 2018-19 season was 100 percent positive. “I think our first season was a huge success,” Lytle said. “We played really high-level competition, especially in the North American League’s Prep division. It was very fast hockey that a lot of our kids had never seen before, but they handled it very well. I don’t remember any negatives. We had some logistical challenges that we overcame and that we will learn from to make next year more seamless.” Lytle is already planning on building on Season 1 for Season 2 this coming fall. “For starters, we’re improving our off-ice training – workouts will be more dialed-in this year,” Lytle said. “We’re adding more video instruction and classroom instruction. Sometimes, it takes a season to figure out what you need and now that we have, there are some very good parts coming for next year. Season 1 was about building a culture of expectation and trying to develop patterns and behaviors that made people meet those expectations day after day. We have a number of very good recruits coming in next season,
and now we have a core group from this year that will were great people and a great organization, but St. be leaders to show the incoming players what’s ex- Mary’s with Derek I knew was another step beyond. pected, how things are done and how we prepare for Just like the players that come to play, we’re all trying the hockey. to get better at what we do. I’m trying to improve as a “More importantly, they can show these new stu- coach and who better to learn from than Derek?” Looking ahead to next season, Lytle admitted to dents the school side of things as far as workload and how to manage their time to get assignments done having certain expectations. “We want to surround ourand makeup tests taken care of selves with goal-oriented, driv– the things that we had to learn en, competitive people, and I the hard way the first season.” believe this next season will be Working with Derek Eisler, a real jumping-off point for us the Rams’ head coach, has been an absolute pleasure for Lytle. and having a team full of those “Derek is extremely genertypes,” Lytle said. “When you do have those types of people, ous, which might surprise peothere’s no ceiling to your sucple that don’t know him well,” cess, so we could have a chamsaid Lytle. “He is always willing pionship-caliber season laying to share his knowledge with anyright in front of us.” one that is willing to learn. WorkDown the line, Lytle sees St. ing with Derek is a day-to-day Mary’s being a very sustainable study on program building. Every player is a moving piece to the St. Mary’s High School assistant coach Zac Lytle is program in Northern California. “Being part of a school with bigger picture of the program already putting ideas in place and starting to help and every day, he coaches indi- prepare for the Rams’ 2019-20 season in Stockton. such a long history of academic vidual players within a structure that makes the team success helps,” said Lytle. “Derek has connections at better. He coaches the team to push the program and every developmental level across North America. Our the school farther and it’s pretty cool to see how it all schedule is competitive from start to finish. We praccomes together. tice and train every day. If a high school-age player has “I came to St. Mary’s because of Derek. I coached the goal of playing NCAA Division I hockey, we can with Bellarmine Prep for three years prior to that. They give you every opportunity to reach your goal.”
SaintMarysHighSchool.org
Huntington Beach native Zapata decides on NCAA D-III Utica By Matt Mackinder
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fter three years with the NAHL’s Austin Bruins, Dante Zapata is heading to college. Last month, the Huntington Beach native and talented forward committed to attend and play NCAA Division III hockey this fall at Utica College. Utica plays in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference and is located in Utica, N.Y. “Our assistant spotted Dante immediately at the September showcase,” said Utica head coach Gary Heenan. “We have a specific need for size and smarts through the middle. Dante certainly has that. After speaking with Austin head coach Steve Howard and getting to know Dante in the recruiting process, it became clear that he was a leader with tremendous character. We look forward to introducing Dante to the No. 1 fan base in Division III hockey.” Zapata is tied for sixth all-time in regular-season games played for the Bruins with 154. During the 2018-19 season, Zapata was an assistant captain and finished fourth in team scoring with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists). “Dante played in Austin for three years and he consistently got better each year,” said Howard. “He was one of our leaders and his play mirrored that. We thank Dante for spending his entire junior career in Austin and we are excited to follow his career at Utica College.” “I’m thankful to the Austin Bruins – it was a great three-year run,” added Zapata. “I’ve grown as a player and as a leader over the past three years. I am looking forward to furthering my education and playing hockey at Utica College.” Zapata compiled 74 points (23 goals, 51 assists) during the regular season with the Bruins. During his first season, he totaled 11 total points (five goals, six assists) and followed that up with 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) last year. In 2018-19, Zapata had his best season offensively. He also scored two goals in the playoffs as the Bruins were eliminated by the eventual Robertson Cup champion Aberdeen Wings in the first round.
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SUMMER 2019
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USHL, WHL draft success continues for Jr. Kings The next week, 12 players with ties to the Jr. Kings were selected in USHL Draft. Three members of this past season’s 16U AAA state s one of the premier youth hockey organizations in all of North America, the Los Angeles Jr. Kings reg- champion team - forwards Danny Minnehan, Parker ularly attract scouting attention from elite junior leagues. Murray and Ean Somoza - were selected in Phase I This past season was no exception. of the proceedings, which was reserved for 2003-born Fourteen players with ties to the organization were players. selected in this year’s United States The Muskegon Lumberjacks chose Hockey League (USHL) Draft and Minnehan in the second round; Murray Western Hockey League (WHL) Banwent to the Chicago Steel in the sevtam Draft, both of which were conenth; and the Sioux Falls Stampede ducted earlier this month. landed Somoza in the eighth round. Defenseman Shai Buium, a for“That’s an impressive number, and mer Jr. King, was selected in the sixth each one of these kids and their famround by the Sioux City Musketeers. ilies deserves a lot of credit for the Minnehan, Parker and Somoza hard work and sacrifice they’ve put in were also members of the Jr. Kings’ over the past few years, on and off the 14U AAA team that advanced to the ice,” said Jr. Kings general manager of USA Hockey National Championhockey operations Nick Vachon. “I ships in 2017-18. think the recognition speaks volumes, In Phase II of the draft, which took too, of the high level of coaching and place the next day and was open to all vast developmental resources we Jacob Brockman, who skated on the Los junior-age-eligible players, nine playhave throughout our entire club.” Two players were chosen in the Angeles Jr. Kings’ 18U AAA team this ers with Jr. Kings ties were selected, past season, was one of 14 players with WHL draft, which was reserved for ties to the program selected in this year’s including four who skated in the pro2004-born players: forward Zane USHL and WHL drafts, which were con- gram this past season: forwards Jacob Brockman, Jordy Brisson and Rowan and defenseman Pavel Bo- ducted earlier this month. charov, both of whom skated on the Jr. Kings’ 14U AAA Andre Gasseau and defenseman David Tolan. Brockman, who played on the Jr. Kings’ 18U AAA team this past season. The Regina Pats chose Rowan in the third round, and team in 2018-19, was chosen by the Green Bay Gamblers in the 12th round, while Tolan, who skated for the Bocharov went in the eighth to the Saskatoon Blades.
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Jr. Kings’ 15U AAA team, was selected in the 14th - also by Green Bay. Chicago landed Brisson in the 14th round, and the Fargo Force selected Gasseau in the 18th. Both played for the Jr. Kings’ 15U AAA team last season. A handful of former Jr. Kings were also selected, including goaltender Mattias Sholl, who was the first Californian picked in the draft going in the sixth round to the Madison Capitols. Other graduates of the program selected were defenseman Colton Huard, who was chosen in the seventh round by Fargo; goaltender Ian Shane, picked by Chicago in the 13th round; defenseman Jack Blake, who was taken in the 17th round by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders; and forward Huston Karpman, selected in the 19th round by the Sioux City Musketeers. The USHL and WHL are widely considered two of the top junior leagues in North America. No other circuit trumps the USHL when it comes to developing players for NCAA Division I hockey, and both have groomed countless players for the professional ranks, including the NHL. And with the promising level of young talent continuing to funnel through the Jr. Kings’ pipeline, Vachon expects more of the same in the coming years as it relates to exposing and advancing their players to higher levels of the game. “We’re excited,” said Vachon. “There’s a strong, dedicated group of kids coming through our program at virtually every birth year and our expectations for each of them are extremely high.”
SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS
Jr. Sharks’ WHL picks show staying in San Jose pays off By Matt Mackinder
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hree current players from this past season’s San Jose Jr. Sharks’ 14U AAA team became property of Western Hockey League (WHL) teams earlier this month during the league’s annual Bantam Draft. Defenseman Garrett Brown went to the Spokane Chiefs in the fourth round (85th overall), forward Tyler Dysart was taken by the Prince Albert Raiders three picks after Brown, and forward Matthew Ng was chosen by the Everett Silvertips in the fifth round with the 100th overall selection. All three players see the draft as getting one step closer to their NHL dreams – all while staying in San Jose to Matthew Ng develop with the Jr. Sharks. “It’s awesome to be drafted by Spokane, and it’s a great opportunity,” said Brown. “I want to play at the highest level and where I’ll have the best opportunity. Currently, that option is Spokane. “I wouldn’t be the player I am or can be without the Jr. Sharks program. They provide players with everything they need to grow and develop as an
individual while staying at home. I’ve had many coaches and teammates help in my development. I will continue to train and prepare for the upcoming 15U AAA season here with the Jr. Sharks.” For Dysart, he said being picked by Prince Albert is “an exciting experience.” “It motivates me to keep working hard and encourages me that I have a future in a game I love,”
Tyler Dysart
Dysart said. “I found out I had been drafted when I received a phone call during a class. My teacher let me answer and the class cheered when they found out what happened. I am focused on doing my best so Prince Albert gives me the opportunity to play, and I look forward to evaluating what’s best for me at that time. “Playing for the Jr. Sharks has meant so much to
me. I’ve traveled far to play on good teams in the past but with the Jr. Sharks, I was able to play close to home while still working with coaches that cared about my development.” Ng, like his teammates, said getting selected was an amazing day. “I feel extremely honored and humbled to be drafted by Everett,” Ng said. “Being drafted into the WHL brings me a huge step closer to the dream I have had since I was 3 years old. My dream is to play for the NHL one day. My plan is to play for the Everett, but it is impossible to predict the future. At this point, my goal is to expand my skills and be a big contributor to the Silvertips. “The Jr. Sharks have Garrett Brown definitely helped to shape me into the player that I am today. My coach, Curtis Brown, who has played in the NHL, has provided me with guidance throughout the two years that I have been in the organization. While Curtis ensures that our team stays focused and driven, coach Tyler Shaffar is someone that we can go to for support. His calm demeanor brings a good balance to our coaches.”
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TAHOE PREP HOCKEY ACADEMY
Tahoe Prep quartet reflects on superb 2018-19 season By Greg Ball
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ummer is nearly upon us, and the snowpack from Lake Tahoe’s near-record winter is slowly starting to melt. And while that means winter is a distant memory, it doesn’t mean hockey is long forgotten. At Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy, the sport occupies a prominent spot at the forefront of brain activity every day of the year. With that in mind, here’s a look back at four players who made significant impacts during the 2018-19 season and are eagerly looking forward to returning to campus later this summer. Jack Umphrey Moving from the East Coast to the Sierra Nevada nearly 3,000 miles west of his home made for a bit of culture shock for Umphrey, an 18-year old varsity defenseman from South Orange, N.J. He joined Tahoe Prep as a junior last year, leaving behind the New Jersey Devils youth program to come to the mountains and the promise of extended ice time. In addition to playing for the varsity squad, he also got some minutes with Tahoe’s prep team. “You can’t really beat the daily ice time you get here,” Umphrey said. “My skills have developed beyond anything I could Jack Umphrey have even perceived with my old team. In Tahoe, I have gained so much knowledge of the game.” Umphrey said he has gone from a “pretty casual” player to a serious one under the tutelage of the Tahoe Prep coaches. “They all know their stuff, so you can never really question what they have to say about a play, and it’s great to learn from three different perspectives,” he added. Beyond the opportunity for extra ice time and enjoying the sport itself, Umphrey said his experience moving across the country has come with other benefits - including the travel and seeing more of the country. “I had never been to California and never really been that far from home,” Umphrey said. “Tahoe is a special place for sure – just to get to live here is amazing. The brotherhood and the bonds you build in the program is also part of it. These are some of the best friends I’ll ever make, and I know they will be with me as we go on in life.”
Andrey Shemaykin On the far opposite side of the spectrum, Shemaykin came to Tahoe Prep Academy from … South Lake Tahoe. The 15-year-old freshman was able to stay close to home and get the best hockey and academic training. He started practicing with TPHA as an eighth grader, and thanks to a growth spurt and plenty of hard work, this year the young right-winger saw game time with the varsity team. Shemaykin started playing hockey with the Tahoe Grizzlies as a second-year squirt and had success with his teams at the B level - winning a state championship as a first-year Bantam. Joining Tahoe Prep has given Shemaykin a chance to progress in his goal of playing higher-level hockey. “My hockey goal is to make it to a Division I college hockey team, and to do that I know I have to improve my academics as well as my skills on the ice,” Shemaykin said. “This year my focus was on academics, and it was challenging, but I feel I’ve learned a lot, including respect for my coaches and teachers.
Andrey Shemaykin
Colton Bertagna
“My goal now is to play with the varsity team and work toward prep. To do that, I know I have to give 110 percent, be positive and have a good attitude. It’s all about the hard work you put in.” Shemaykin said his parents are also pleased with his growth this year. “They’re happy to see me succeed in hockey and academics,” he said. Colton Bertagna A few hours northwest of Tahoe, the small college and farming town of Chico is where Bertagna grew up, but his route over the mountains to Lake Tahoe took him on a circuitous route through Canada. The 17-yearold junior started the 2018-19 school year at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland, Ont. He transferred to Tahoe in January. “It just didn’t work for me because it felt like you didn’t get a life outside the academy there,” Bertagna said. “The schools and classroom were all inside the arena, plus the on-ice time was less. We had 50 min-
utes of practice four days a week in Canada.” A former roller hockey player, Bertagna made the switch to ice in August 2018. He said he made the switch because he knew there were more professional opportunities in ice hockey. “Ice hockey is more recognized compared to roller,” he said. “In switching over, using edges and learning the different rules like offsides were some of the biggest challenges.” Bertagna said the Tahoe coaches’ experience converting roller hockey players to ice moved him along quickly. “They are awesome at skill coaching, and they knew everything I needed to fix and were great at explaining it,” he said. “And they definitely care more about each individual player’s development.” As for the move to Tahoe and the blended school schedule with South Tahoe High School, Bertagna said it is more his vibe. “You get to go out and have a life and see people outside of the dorms,” he said. “I like the outdoors, and there are so many things to do here.” Cameron Birchill A 19-year-old goalie originally from Portland, Ore., Birchill has also traveled a long road to find himself at Tahoe Prep. He moved to Las Vegas during his junior year of high school to play for the Las Vegas Storm 16U AAA team. Birchill wanted to Cameron Birchill spend his senior year closer to home so he moved back to play for the Vancouver Jr. Rangers. Now as a post-graduate, he is still pursuing his hockey dream of playing juniors by playing at Tahoe Prep while taking online classes through Portland Community College. Why did he settle on Tahoe Prep? “It’s all hockey, all the time,” Brichill explained. “It’s a grind, but if you love it enough, it doesn’t feel like it.” Birchill has always been a goalie from the age of 10 when he started playing hockey as a second-year Squirt because he liked the gear. While the adjustment to Tahoe from Washington was easy, being one of the older players on campus that took some adjusting. “All along, I usually played up, so I was one of the younger players on the team,” he said. “It’s strange being the one that settles arguments now. I’ve matured so much since I came here. I’ve learned to take care of myself, do all my own things, and be more grown up about situations that I would have in the past. And when I come home, I do the dishes now. That’s kind of weird.”
Summertime camps on tap at Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy T ahoe Prep Hockey Academy will be offering its first girls’ hockey camp July 8-12, before the boys training camp July 22-27. Players can choose to spend the week living in the academy’s dorms or attend as day campers, and the weeklong camps offer three hours of ice time daily, off-ice conditioning and
training as well as fun activities in Tahoe’s outdoors. The camps are based around the fundamentals of individual development. Each age group focuses on the intangibles associated with becoming a more confident and complete hockey player. Campers are provided with an intense, structured environment
that enables them the ability to learn the finer aspects of skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, body contact, and beyond. Players and parents can get more information and can register at http://tahoehockeyacademy.com/ hockey-training-camps/.
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ANAHEIM DUCKS
THE RINKS, Great Park Ice succeeding with adult hockey By THE RINKS Staff
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f you have not noticed, hockey in California is growing. With the addition of the largest facility on the West Coast, Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena, the number of new participants is increasing in all ages. While THE RINKS and Great Park Ice offer programming for youth hockey players to experience the sport, including free introduction classes in their Learn to Play program, they also offer the same opportunities for adults, where the demand is just as high. THE RINKS offers an Adult Learn to Play program that allows adults to try the sport of hockey for free while borrowing all of the necessary equipment, including skates for both ice and inline hockey. The free three-week program lays out the foundation for adults to begin their hockey career, no matter their age. At the conclusion of the program, the new adult hockey players have the opportunity to further their skills in the adult skills clinics held at THE RINKS or can also jump in to a Rookie or Novice adult league to experience the thrill and excitement of being part of an actual hockey team in a fun and competitive league. “What makes the Rookie and Novice adult leagues so fun is that the majority of the players in the league went through our Adult Learn to Play program together,”
said THE RINKS marketing coordinator Steven Boddy. “The adult players start to create a friendship and bond while learning the fundamentals together and then they get to play together in the same league, creating a friendly competition between the players. “We have seen a huge increase in our Adult Learn to Play participation and continuation into our adult beginner leagues. Obviously, the new facility created a new buzz about playing hockey, but I believe it was also just the continued growth of hockey in the region finally
getting a break. In the past couple years, Southern California hockey teams have been so successful that the players were always there. Great Park Ice is just allowing more participants to actually participate than before.” Kirstie Bender is an individual who took advantage
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of this opportunity and participated in the Adult Learn to Play program before signing up as a first-time player in a rookie league. “As I grew up, I became more and more of a fan of hockey but always figured it was too late to learn as I was no longer a child,” Bender said. “Then I signed up for the Adult Learn to Play program offered at The Rinks-Lakewood ICE and had a blast. I learned a lot from the coaching staff in the free three weeks and even took advantage of some of the other adult clinics they offered to further my progression. By the time the program was over, I was hooked. I knew I had to continue playing hockey and signed up for the Rookie league. Since then, I’ve been having a blast playing with other adults who I met and became friends with during the Learn to Play and even a few of them are my teammates today. I definitely plan on continuing to improve my skills and continuing to play hockey. “My advice for any adult out there who wants to learn hockey but might be too shy or too scared to try something new would be to take that leap. It might seem intimidating at first with no prior experience, but the staff does an amazing job of wiping those fears away and making the players excited to come to the rink every week to continue to get better.” For more information on starting your adult hockey career, visit www.therinks.com.
ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Junior teams draft five current, former Jr. Ducks standouts By Chris Bayee
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ive players with ties to the Anaheim Jr. Ducks were selected in the recent Western Hockey League (WHL) and United States Hockey League (USHL) junior drafts. Four 2004 birth year players went to WHL teams in that league’s Bantam draft on May 2 – defenseman Josh Niedermayer, center James Hong, goaltender Dylan Silverstein and defenseman Brodrick Williams. Forward Joseph Harguindeguy was selected in the USHL’s Phase II draft on May 7. “Coaches Alex Vasilevsky and David Walker have done a good job developing these kids,” Jr. Ducks director of player personnel Alex Kim said of the 2004s. “Now it’s time to work harder.” Niedermayer was the highest drafted of the players, going in the second round (30th) overall to Vancouver. He played all of his youth hockey with the Jr. Ducks, putting up 32 points (13 goals) in 46 games last season, until his family moved to British Columbia. “His compete level at Bantam and his work ethic were outstanding,” said Walker, who coaches the Jr. Ducks’ 2004s. Hong, who went 108th overall to Everett, led the Jr. Ducks’ Bantam AAA team that qualified for the USA Hockey National Championships in scoring with 22 points in 12 Tier 1 Elite Hockey League games and nine more points in six CAHA games. “He has tremendous speed and quickness and elusiveness,” Walker said. Silverstein, who played Pee Wees for the Jr. Ducks, went 95th overall to Medicine Hat. Two seasons ago, he had a 1.60 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage for the Jr. Ducks. Williams was drafted 183rd overall by Seattle. He played for the club for several seasons, scoring 25 points (10 goals) in 46 Bantam games in 2017-18. Harguindeguy went in the ninth round (132nd overall) to Cedar Rapids. Harguindeguy, a 2001, played this past season with Minot of the North American Hockey League. He had 12 points in 48 games and three more in seven playoff games during his first season of junior.
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HOCKEYSHOT
HockeyShot Tip of the Month: Mohawk Dangles By Coach Jeremy
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f you really want to up the challenge in your off-ice training, use drills like Mohawk Dangles! We worked on the footwork and technique in our last article (“The Crosby Move”), but now let’s take it up a level by adding stickhandling drills. For this drill, just like the last, you will need a pair of roller blades or practice while skating. HockeyShot has the best home-ice options on the market with their Synthetic Ice panels or their Revolution Tiles. For the first drill, we need to practice moving in one fluent motion where your heels are together and toes pointing outward. It may feel uncomfortable, so get your footing and feel down before worrying about speed. Just keep moving in one horizontal direction while in this position and stickhandle with the puck in front of you. Then slide back the other way. Next, you’ll shift on both sides using “The Crosby Move” while continuously stickhandling. A quick re- minder – “The Crosby Move” is when you keep your heels close together, your toes outward and your knees bent. Now instead of just moving side to side in a horizontal line, you are going to start doing figure eights while stickhandling. This will force you to think while moving and
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is a great way to start practicing before using real defenders. If you really want to challenge yourself, try using one hand as if defenders are holding you up with their stick or arms. This may seem impractical but at high levels, you’re always being tied up in the corners and whether it is legal or illegal, you h a v e to keep moving! The third drill
is another similar to the last drill but instead of making semi-circles, you are going to move in a full circle while stickhandling. If you want to work on your dangles even more, try saucing the puck over the HS Speed Deke Trainer while still maintaining puck control – it’s not easy! Jeremy recommends
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doing this on both sides so you get the feel of your backhand and forehand while in motion. It also helps with mastering the toe drag. Jeremy recommends using the HS Green Biscuit that is an ounce lighter than standard pucks. This puck is not meant for shooting but is perfect for stickhandling and passing. Coach Jeremy also uses HockeyShot’s Allstar Dryland Tiles to avoid ruining his stick and moves in a circular motion while keeping the puck on the training surface. This helps improve stickhandling while still implementing “The Crosby Move” and maintaining that leg strength you need to protect the biscuit. If you don’t have a HS Shooting Pad, the HS Green Biscuit is perfect for the pave and other non-ice surfaces. These drills help develop your stamina while stickhandling fluently and remaining in motion at a high tempo. These are the skills you need to get the edge on your opponents! Enjoy this article? Then be sure to visit HockeyShot.com for all your hockey tips, drills and training needs where you can find the best hockey training products on the market!
NEVADA REPORT WSHL’s Thunderbirds hitting Vegas product Carlo commits ground running for ‘19-20 season to NCAA D-II Franklin Pierce By Matt Mackinder
By Matt Mackinder
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hen the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) approved the expansion Las Vegas Thunderbirds for the 2019-20 season in February, the new team has been very active in the months since the initial announcement. The team subsequently named Dave Hyrsky its first head coach and then signed its first player in Wisconsin Prep Hockey League standout defenseman Dylan Neman. This fall, the Thunderbirds will call SoBe Ice Arena its home rink. Hyrsky is a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. After a playing career in Junior A, Canadian university and Europe, he returned home to start a coaching career that included 18U AAA, high school and Canadian university. Hyrsky then headed back overseas to coach professionally in the Alpine League that included teams from Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. During that time, Hyrsky was also the coach of the Serbian National Teams at the 18U, 20U and men’s level, winning a World Championship with the men’s team and a silver with the 18U and 20U teams. He also coached teams in the Elite League in the Netherlands for seven years. “As a former player and coach at both the amateur and professional levels, Dave brings a wealth of experience to our organization,” said Thunderbirds president John Marks. “His connections in North America and Europe are very impressive and I believe they will contribute to the success of our franchise.” For Neman, who skated for the Homestead Highlanders during his high school years, he posted seven goals and 13 points last year to lead the Highlanders in defenseman scoring. “Dylan is good-sized defenseman that skates well, makes good decisions coming out of his end, and has no problem with the physical part of the game,” Hyrsky said. “He does a great job penalty killing and was used up front on the power play where he is one of those players who goes to the net for screens and rebounds. Dylan will be a very useful player for us.”
ito Carlo left his Las Vegas home at the age of 17 to play junior hockey for the NA3HL’s Atlanta Capitals. Three years later, Carlo will be embracing a new home once again, having committed to play NCAA Division II hockey next season for Franklin Pierce University. Franklin Pierce is located in Rindge, N.H., and the hockey team plays in the Northeast-10 Conference. “What really appeals to me about Franklin Pierce University are the great things I’ve heard about the school and academics, as well as the great coaching staff,” said Carlo. “I feel very accomplished making this commitment. I worked very hard to get where I wanted to be, and I’m going to miss juniors 100 percent, but I’m ready for the next chapter In my life doing what I love.” Academically, Carlo hopes to major in psychology. “I am looking forward to challenging myself,” Carlo said. “Being out of school for three years, getting back in the swing of school will be good. I’m willing to put in the work and stay positive.” Named as one of two defensemen to the NA3HL’s All-South Division Team, Carlo also played in the 2019 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament for the South Division, where he had two points in three games. Overall in his three-year NA3HL career, Carlo played in 119 career games and recorded 98 points on 18 goals and 80 assists. “Playing for Atlanta made me the person I am today,” Carlo said. “Moving away from home at 17 across the country helped me mature quickly and to be responsible. My three years in Atlanta were the best three years of my life. “(Atlanta coach) Jason Smith was the most positive influence on my career, always pushing me to work hard, helping me turn into the player I am today. He showed me to always trust the process.” During his youth days back home, Carlo played for the Las Vegas Outlaws from Mites through Squirts and the Las Vegas Storm from Pee Wee through Bantam before going to Utah for Midget AAA with the West Coast Renegades.
FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM Looking at the importance of ankle mobility in hockey, skating H
ave you ever heard a skating coach tell an athlete to get lower or get your knee over your toes? These types of skaters may not physically be able to get lower due to either strength deficits or lack of mobility or flexibility. The end result is a tall skater who bends more at the waist or hips instead of getting low enough by bending the knees and the ankles to get a strong, powerful stride. In the last year, I have run into numerous professional and Chris Phillips amateur hockey players who have injured their ankle and never regained the mobility which is affecting their stride and skating mechanics. Mobility in the ankle is the range of motion in the joint, both weighted and unweighted, and with the knee straight and bent. So how do you know if your ankle mobility is restricted? A simple test is to place your foot flat on the ground and pointing forward with your toes approximately three inches from the wall. You should be able to squat down a bit, bending your ankle forward and touch your knee to the wall without lifting your heel or your ankle rolling inward. In this position, the front leg, which is being tested, should have some weight on it and you should be able to bend down and forward, getting the knee over the toes as in a good skating position. If you are unable to perform this easily, you may have limited ankle mobility. If you have failed this test, use a foam roll or lacrosse ball and roll out your calves from your Achilles all the way up to your knee to loosen the soft tissue. Then repeat ten times, pausing each time you have rocked forward. Add a calf stretch as well by placing your foot flat on the ground behind you with a straight leg. Hold this stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat these steps three times daily. Chris Phillips is an athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist and owner of Compete Sports Performance and Rehab in Orange County. He spent 17 years in professional hockey, including eight in the NHL. Chris is also a preferred sports medicine provider for U.S. Figure Skating.
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NARCh Finals to command draw of top California teams (18U Gold), Silicon Valley Quakes (18U Silver and Junior/Mens Silver) and Revo 01 (Junior/Mens Gold). Bryson Pence of the Voodoo Quakes (6U) led all division high scorers with 13 goals and 18 points while Tony Pitner of the Jokers (12U) racked up 12 goals and 16 points. Top goaltender award-winners included Mikey Sijher of the Silicon Valley Quakes (10U) with a .928 save percentage, Dax Mydral of the Mayhem EB (14U) with a .906 save percentage and Marisa Trevino of the Jokers (18U) with a .901 save percentage. The Huntington Beach regional took place March 22-24 and attracted 54 teams. Division champions included the Mission Renegades (8U Gold and 14U Silver), OC Marvel
(10U) collected eight goals and 15 points. Nathan TePas of the Konixx Outcasts (18U) alifornia-based inline travel teams will have two led top goaltender award-winners with a .911 save chances to win a coveted NARCh championship percentage while Don Post of Labeda Fire (Mens) this summer. posted a .909 save percentage. The NARCh East Coast Finals are scheduled for Traditionally the largest regional tournament takes June 21-30 at the Taylor Sportsplex in Taylor, Mich., place in Irvine. This year’s event, held over four days followed by the NARCh West Coast Finals July 12-21 from April 25-28, lived up to past standards with 100 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline. teams entered. Enthusiasm remains high for the largest amateur Besides the Golden State, teams also came from inline hockey tournament in the world. Arizona, Nevada and Colorado and from as far away All one has to do is check out the venerable as the Cayman Islands. tournament series’ social media outlets to understand “The 6U Division was awesome in Irvine,” Goodwin its ongoing popularity. said. “Any of the four teams could have won, all close “It’s pretty large and we are very active,” NARCh games. The 14U Division was awesome, too, with 20 president Daryn Goodwin said of the company’s teams.” extensive social media presence. Division champions included the NARCh Players Facebook and Rancho Cucamonga FireDogs (6U NARCh Players Instagram boast an array Gold), Labeda Jets (6U Silver), Labeda of photos, videos and podcasts. NARCh Jets AA (8U Gold), Temecula Warriors even has its own YouTube channel. (8U Silver and 12U Silver), Pama Due to this international exposure, Cyclones 08 (10U Gold), Mission NARCh continues to draw from beyond Mayhem (10U Silver), Angry Ducks 06 the borders of North America. Teams (12U Platinum), Slurpee’s (12U Gold), from South America have become Pama Labeda Golden Knights (14U commonplace. Interest is now coming Platinum), San Diego Rockets (14U from continental Europe. Gold), Mission Mayhem 04 (14U Silver), Goodwin noted seven teams from Sour Skittles 02 (16U Platinum), Konixx the Angels program in France will be Outcasts Black (16U Gold), Mission attending the NARCh Finals this year. Skittles (18U Platinum), Konixx Outcasts Both NARCh Finals will feature a full (18U Gold), Sin City Barons (18U spectrum of competition from Cub (6U) Silver), Warrior Revo (Junior), Mavin division through a 40-over division and, Revive (Men’s Pro/Platinum), Mavin of course, the NARCh Pro Division. (Men’s Gold) and Raiders HC (Men’s Divisions include sub-divisions and Silver). tiers to accommodate all skill levels. Jaxon Cover of the Cayman Islands (10U) led all division high scorers with Game on 17 goals and 25 points. The Nor Cal Jokers captured the 12U Gold Division championship in March at the NARCh San NARCh will hold four regional Jose regional tournament. Photo/NARCh Becker Blaise and Lucas Mertes tournaments in California before the puck drops on Yellow (8U Silver), San Diego Rockets (10U Gold of the Outcasts Black shared the top goaltender award the NARCh Finals. and 14U Gold), SoCal Storm (10U Silver), Angry in the 14U Division with a .973 save percentage. The opening NARCh regional faced off March Ducks 06 (12U Gold), HB Militia (12U Silver), Raiders Mavin’s Mike Erving led Men’s Division goaltenders 8-10 at San Jose’s Silver Creek Sportsplex with 56 OG HC (16U Gold), Angry Ducks (16U Silver), Konixx with a .958 save percentage. participating teams. Outcasts (18U), Grasshopper Gamewear (Junior), Warrior Revo’s Ethan Bach and Sam Iwanaga Division champions included the Voodoo Quakes Rink Rat Groove (Mens Gold) and Blades of Steel combined for a .941 save percentage to top the 18U (6U), Bulldogs Blue (8U Gold, 10U Gold and 12U (Mens Silver). Division. Silver), Marvel (8U Silver), Mission Mayhem (10U Aidan Yi of the Angry Ducks 06 (12U) led division The final NARCh regional tournament is scheduled Silver), Nor Cal Jokers (12U Gold and 14U Silver), high scorers with nine goals and 17 points while for June 1-2 at the Escondido Sports Center in Mission Mayhem 04 (14U Gold), Bulldogs White Casey Martin of the Renegades (8U) tallied 12 goals Northern San Diego County. The twin-rink complex is (16U Gold), Bend Bullets (16U Silver), NCR Elite and 15 points and Riley Schmitz of the Rockets easily accessible from Orange County. By Phillip Brents
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Annual parade of summer inline hockey events on tap I
t’s summer, so it’s time to get ready for the annual glut of inline hockey championship tournaments. The 2019 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) West Coast Nationals face off May 25-27 at The Rinks-Corona Inline. This tournament will qualify teams for the Western Inline Hockey League (WIHL) Finals in June and the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Kapolei, Hawaii, July 5-14. Divisions include 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U (A-AAA in all age groups), Junior, Women’s and Men’s. Teams are guaranteed a minimum of four games. The WIHL Finals are spread over two weekends. 20
California Rubber Hockey Magazine
Teams in the 8U, 12U, 16U and Junior divisions will play June 22-23 at Corona Inline while teams in the 6U, 10U, 14U and 18U divisions will play June 29-30 at Huntington Beach Inline. The 2019 AAU Junior Olympic Games will take place at the Kapolei Inline Hockey Arena and feature youth and adult club divisions as well as international play. Team USA youth regional teams will also be selected and compete in the international division. Teams are guaranteed a minimum of five games in all youth divisions and four games in all adult divisions. skills competition will also be offered.
Entry deadline is June 1. The International Federation of Roller Sports (FIRS) will unveil the second edition of the World Roller Games July 4-14 in Barcelona, Spain. Some 4,000 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to compete in world championship events in 11 roller sports disciplines, including rink hockey and roller hockey. The United States will field inline hockey teams in the men’s and women’s Senior divisions and men’s and women’s Junior divisions. Details can be found on the website at www.teamusa.org/USA-Roller-Sports. The State Wars 15 United States Roller Hockey Championships are scheduled for July 23-Aug. 5 in Fort Wayne, Ind. - Phillip Brents
National inline champ CSU Fullerton realizes season goal of pool play. The Titans were perfect from there on, finishing 2-1 in pool play and cementing their national championship with three elimination-game victories before topping Grand Valley State 5-2 in a championship rematch to enact a measure of revenge. “Heading into the single-game elimination playoffs, I knew that any of the 16 teams could walk away with the title,” Han explained. “Our team had solid depth and good experience in big tournaments. Not taking any team for granted, it was time for every one of us to elevate our game. “Roller hockey is typically a high-scoring affair, especially in college when the games are three
quarterfinals. Flores, Matthew Bodge and Andrew Wong SU Fullerton and UC Berkeley’s inline hockey (shorthanded) each scored to stake Fullerton to a teams both made statements for the Western 3-0 lead in the championship game against Grand Collegiate Roller Hockey League (WCRHL) at the Valley State, which had eliminated Cal Poly 5-3 in 2019 National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association the semifinals. Grand Valley State scored a pair of (NCRHA) Championships April 10-14 in Rochester, power-play goals to make it 3-2 with eight minutes left N.Y. in regulation but Dylan Kammer secured the victory Fullerton won the Division II national championship with a pair of empty-net goals in the final 35 seconds. while the Cal Bears came home with a second-place “We killed off a 4-on-2 power play which trophy in Division III. really gave us some momentum,” Han explained. The national championship title is the third for “Our goaltender Ron Best really took over in the Fullerton in six years after the Titans previously won championship game to help us win the tournament. championships in 2014 and 2017. He made some amazing saves and stopped three Fullerton coach Matt Han, breakaways.” who played on Fullerton’s 2014 Ultimately, it was a team national championship team and effort. has been coaching the Titans “What I think separated us since 2016, termed the program’s from the other teams was our latest national championship depth,” Han said. quest “an interesting journey.” Yano, who netted five goals “Since the beginning of the and an assist in the NCRHA season, it was our goal to bring tournament, earned Division II home a national title,” Han said. Most Valuable Player honors “Three of our returning players while Best, who posted a .902 were on the team that won in save percentage in seven 2017 – Ron Best, Troy Yano games, earned recognition as and James Lovberg. Four the division’s Most Valuable of our players had started on Goaltender. the ‘B’ team and worked their Both Kammer and Cal Poly’s way onto the Division II team Daniel Kumata were named through ambition, hard work to the Second Team. Division II and consistency. The remaining All-Tournament Team honorable four players all began to play for mentions included San Jose State’s CSUF within the last year. Jacob Hickey and Cal Poly’s Nic “During the regular season, CSU Fullerton team members accept the Division II national championship trophy to cap play at the 2019 Leacox and Alex Waddel. we traded wins with the best NCRHA Championships in Rochester, N.Y. last month. Photo/NCRHA UC Berkeley finished with a teams in the WCRHL. We had a strong regular 12-minute stop-clock periods. To win the title, we 4-3 record in Division III, winning three consecutive season and ended with a nine-game winning streak. would have to rely on a heavy forecheck and have to elimination games before coming up short 5-3 in the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo would end up with the best focus on the defensive side of the game.” championship game to Endicott College. regular season record, and they also went on to beat A shining example of that was Fullerton’s clutch Cal’s Delfino Varela collected 13 goals and 12 us in the West Coast regional final 7-1.” 2-1 overtime win over Kennesaw State in the assists to earn the Division III Playmaker Award. “The tough loss helped our team realize that we semifinals in which the Titans trailed 1-0 until James Berkeley’s Darien Oliver earned a First Team needed to do more if we wanted a shot at winning Maloney sent the game into overtime on a one-time All-Tournament selection while teammates Cal the national title. I encouraged the team to up their shot off a pass from teammate Ethan Flores with McCleery and Conner Taherian were both Second cardio by riding bicycles and to spend more time at 2:31 to play in regulation. Team picks. the rink aside from practice. That preparation fueled Yano won the game at 2:07 of overtime on an Semifinalist Cal Poly Pomona had three Allour confidence heading into Rochester.” unassisted power-play goal. Tournament Team selections: Ian Duffy (Second Fullerton’s only loss in seven games in Rochester Fullerton shut out defending national champion Team) and honorable mentions Jacob Oberschelp was 6-1 to Grand Valley State in the opening game Rochester Institute of Technology 2-0 in the and Derick Rosas. By Phillip Brents
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Strong showing at nationals has WCRHL trending upward W
ith one division champion, one runner-up and three more teams finishing their seasons in the semifinals, it was an exceptionally strong showing by the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League (WCRHL) at April’s National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Championships in Rochester, N.Y. “In Divisions I, II and III, the WCRHL had a very strong showing, better than they have in many years,” WCRHL director Brennan Edwards said. “Typically, we have one team go the distance or close to it, and this year with Arizona State in the DI Final Four, CSU Fullerton and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo both in the DII Final Four and UC Berkeley and Cal Poly Pomona both in the DII Final Four, it shows that the WCRHL has teams that can compete with the best of the best in each division.” Edwards pointed out the WCRHL even had a shot
in both Division II and Division III for an all-WCRHL championship game. “We were very close to that in Division II with Cal Poly SLO ahead early in the semifinal game against Grand Valley State, a very talented team that illustrated their comeback potential,” Edwards said. CSU Fullerton defeated Grand Valley State 5-2 to win the Division II title while Endicott College used two late goals to slip past UC Berkeley 5-3 in the Division III final. Endicott defeated Pomona 10-2 in the preceding semifinal round. “Each summer, there are teams that shift divisions up or down slightly, and with one or two potential
moves, such as Endicott a likely candidate to move up to Division II, it puts our teams even closer to the top of their division or even a national championship,” Edwards noted. Pomona coach John Paerels received this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Collegiate Roller Hockey award, presented by the NCRHA. The award honors a player, coach, staff member or other contributor from each NCRHA conference who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the rink and has made a noteworthy contribution to the advancement of collegiate roller hockey. - Phillip Brents CARubberHockey.com
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2018-19 CALIFORNIA/NEVADA ALUMNI E-mail all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com
CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Pheonix Copley – Washington Capitals + Collin Delia (Rancho Cucamonga) – Chicago Blackhawks Thatcher Demko (San Diego) – Vancouver Canucks Adam Erne – Tampa Bay Lightning * Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor) – Nashville Predators Alec Martinez (Santa Clara) – Los Angeles Kings Kevan Miller (Los Angeles) – Boston Bruins Patrick Newell (Thousand Oaks) – New York Rangers Matt Nieto (Long Beach) – Colorado Avalanche Brooks Orpik (San Francisco) – Washington Capitals Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego) – Pittsburgh Penguins Bobby Ryan (El Segundo) – Ottawa Senators Josh Wilkins – Nashville Predators % Kailer Yamamoto – Edmonton Oilers % Jason Zucker – Minnesota Wild * AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Chase Balisy (Fullerton) – Belleville Senators Mitch Callahan (Whittier) – Bakersfield Condors Eric Comrie (Newport Beach) – Manitoba Moose Chase De Leo (La Mirada) – San Diego Gulls Emerson Etem (Long Beach) – Ontario Reign Matthew Ford (West Hills) – Grand Rapids Griffins Robby Jackson (Alameda) – San Antonio Rampage Nic Kerdiles (Irvine) – Manitoba Moose Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach) – Grand Rapids Griffins Stefan Matteau – Chicago Wolves ! Alec McCrea (El Cajon) – Grand Rapids Griffins Tyler Moy (San Diego) – Milwaukee Admirals Andrew Oglevie (Fullerton) – Rochester Americans Gustav Olofsson – Laval Rocket ! Nolan Stevens – San Antonio Rampage % Matt Tennyson (Pleasanton) – Rochester Americans Evan Weinger (Los Angeles) – San Jose Barracuda ECHL Arthur Brey (Yorba Linda) – Adirondack Thunder Taylor Crunk (San Jacinto) – Fort Wayne Komets Chase Golightly (Temecula) – Brampton Beast Dennis Kravchenko (Laguna Niguel) – Adirondack Thunder Merrick Madsen (Acton) – Norfolk Admirals Brandon Marino (Riverside) – Brampton Beast Nikolas Olsson (Escondido) – Adirondack Thunder Zach Pochiro – Allen Americans % Matt Robertson (Rohnert Park) – Kansas City Mavericks Scott Savage (San Clemente) – Maine Mariners Tomas Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Idaho Steelheads Keoni Texeira (Fontana) – Wichita Thunder Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose) – Greenville Swamp Rabbits Justin Woods – Jacksonville IceMen + SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Stefan Brucato (Riverside) – Knoxville Ice Bears Paul Fregeau (Sylmar) – Fayetteville Marksmen Josh Harris (Torrance) – Birmingham Bulls Mitchell Mueller (Bakersfield) – Quad City Storm Brantley Sherwood (San Anselmo) – Pensacola Ice Flyers John Siemer (Baldwin Park) – Macon Mayhem Zac Sikich (Oak Park) – Knoxville Ice Bears FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Daniel Chang (Woodland Hills) – Port Huron Prowlers Josh Colten (Los Angeles) – Port Huron Prowlers Matt Graham (Rancho Cucamonga) – Port Huron Prowlers Taylor Love (Mission Viejo) – Carolina Thunderbirds Parker Moskal (San Diego) - Mentor Ice Breakers Sean Reynolds (Covina) – Elmira Enforcers Jacob Walters (San Diego) – Carolina Thunderbirds OVERSEAS Sena Acolatse (Hayward) – Germany Taylor Aronson (Placentia) – Germany Beau Bennett (Gardena) – Belarus Jonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Russia Matt Caito (Coto de Caza) – Austria Robbie Earl (Los Angeles) – Switzerland Shane Harper (Valencia) – Sweden Cory Kane (Irvine) – Russia Miles Koules (Los Angeles) – Finland Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles) – Russia Ryan Lasch (Lake Forest) – Sweden Colin Long (Santa Ana) – Italy Tyler Moy (La Jolla) – Switzerland Darren Nowick (Long Beach) - Sweden Austin Ortega (Escondido) – Sweden Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach) – Sweden Liam Stewart – United Kingdom % * C.J. Stretch (Irvine) – Austria Mitch Wahl (Seal Beach) – Austria Casey Wellman (Brentwood) – Switzerland Matt White (Whittier) – Germany
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California Rubber Hockey Magazine
NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Kaliya Johnson – Boston Pride $ Kelly Nash (Bonita) – Metropolitan Riveters Elena Orlando (Chico) – Connecticut Whale Brooke White-Lancette (Berkeley) – Minnesota WhitecapsCANADIAN
NEWHA Anna Estes (Whittier) – Post University Gabby Monaco (La Verne) – St. Anselm College Kalena Mueller (San Ramon) – Post University Frankie Sanchez (Lake Elsinore) – Sacred Heart University
CANADIAN WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Lizzie Aveson (West Covina) – Worcester Blades Chelsea Goldberg (Agoura Hills) – Worcester Blades Rachel Llanes (San Jose) – Shenzen KRS Vanke Rays COLLEGE HOCKEY
WCHA Lauren Boyle (Los Gatos) – Ohio State University Brooke Bryant (Linden) – Minnesota State University Tatum Coats (Lakewood) – St. Cloud State University Leila Kilduff (San Jose) – Minnesota State University Annie Pankowski (Laguna Hills) – University of Wisconsin
NCAA DIVISION I – MEN
NCAA DIVISION II – MEN
ATLANTIC HOCKEY Elijiah Barriga (West Covina) – American International College Jake Hamacher (Corona) – Rochester Institute of Technology Trevin Kozlowski (Valencia) – Army West Point Tayor Maruya (Westchester) – Army West Point Jared Pike – American International College % Evan Plotnik (Capistrano Beach) – American International College Blake Weyrick (Los Angeles) – Canisius College
NORTHEAST-10 Khalil East (Los Angeles) – Assumption College Matthew Toombs (Pleasanton) – Franklin Pierce University
BIG TEN Nathan Burke – University of Minnesota % Will Johnson (Santa Barbara) – University of Wisconsin Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek) – Michigan State University Brannon McManus (Newport Beach) – University of Minnesota Dakota Raabe (Capistrano Beach) – University of Michigan Jake Slaker (San Diego) – University of Michigan
CCC Aaron Aragon (Whittier) – University of New England Paul Boutoussov (Dana Point) – Salve Regina University Adam Canepa (Santa Cruz) – University of New England Justin Dixson (Sunnyvale) – University of New England Tyler Forest (Simi Valley) – Becker College Cody Foster (Saugus) – Becker College Carter Horwitz (Tustin) – Endicott College Evan Nyhus (Dove Canyon) – Nichols College Evan Schmidbauer (San Diego) – Salve Regina University Joseph Thielen (Huntington Beach) – Curry College
ECAC HOCKEY Alec Mehr (Los Angeles) – Brown University Sam Morton (Benicia) – Union College Gavin Nieto (Yorba Linda) – Brown University Jack St. Ivany (Manhattan Beach) – Yale University HOCKEY EAST Niko Hildenbrand (Vacaville) – University of Massachusetts Matt O’Donnell (Fountain Valley) – University of Vermont Ryan Ruck (Coto de Caza) – Northeastern University Eetu Selanne (Coto de Caza) – Northeastern University Ryan Tait (Santa Clarita) – Providence College NCHC Devin Cooley (Los Gatos) – University of Denver Lawton Courtnall (Westlake Village) – Western Michigan University Slava Demin (Cypress) – University of Denver Jake Durflinger (Walnut Creek) – University of Denver Jack Gates (Oceanside) – Colorado College Cole Guttman (Los Angeles) – University of Denver Ben Lown (Newport Coast) – Miami University Kyle Mayhew (Anaheim Hills) – University of Denver Tyson McLellan (San Jose) – University of Denver Erik Middendorf – Colorado College % Ryan Orgel (Los Angeles) – University of Denver Jake Rosenbaum (Trabuco Canyon) – University of Minnesota Duluth Rourke Russell (Long Beach) – Miami University Ryan Siroky (Manhattan Beach) – Miami University Brian Williams (San Diego) – Colorado College WCHA Vincent de Mey (Los Angeles) – Northern Michigan University Niko DellaMaggiore (Gilroy) – University of Alaska-Fairbanks Zak Galambos (Walnut Creek) – Minnesota State University Brendan Harris – Bemidji State University + Nate Kallen (San Diego) – Ferris State University Shane McMahan (Irvine) – Minnesota State University Nicholas Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Minnesota State University Tyler Rockwell (San Jose) – Michigan Tech University Ethan Somoza (Simi Valley) – Bemidji State University NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN CHA Lillian Marchant (Tustin) – Lindenwood University Leah Marino (South Lake Tahoe) – Robert Morris University Baylee Trani (Huntington Beach) – Rochester Institute of Technology ECAC HOCKEY Katherine Beaumier – Clarkson University $ Bailey Bennett (Gardena) – Colgate University Keiko DeClerck (San Jose) – Princeton University Kendra Farole (Irvine) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Tanner Gates (Oceanside) – Colgate University Lydia Grauer – St. Lawrence University $ Bella Kang (Los Gatos) – Cornell University Vivian Lu (Studio City) – Brown University Keely Moy (San Diego) – Harvard University Kayla Nielsen (Laguna Hills) – St. Lawrence University Dominique Petrie (Hermosa Beach) – Harvard University Justine Reyes (Chino Hills) – St. Lawrence University Tia Stoddard (La Mesa) – Clarkson University HOCKEY EAST Cayla Barnes (Eastvale) – Boston College Nicole Dunbar (Coto de Caza) – University of New Hampshire Joo Hyung (Las Crescenta) – Boston University
D-II INDEPENDENT Niko Grollman (Laguna Niguel) – Post University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN
SUNYAC Max Blitz (Chino Hills) – Fredonia State University Mike Freeman (Rancho Cucamonga) – Fredonia State University Doc Gentzler (Manhattan Beach) – Brockport State University Jasper Korican-Barlay (Oakland) – Fredonia State University Sean Lincoln (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Brockport State University Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Fredonia State University UCHC Cory Anderson (Bakersfield) – Manhattanville College Sean Dickson (Millbrae) – Utica College Tyler Dill (South Lake Tahoe) – Utica College Andrew Frojelin (San Jose) – Nazareth College Brian Hodges (Yorba Linda) – Stevenson University Aaron Murray (Chino) – Stevenson University T.J. Sneath (Chino) – Lebanon Valley College Felix Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) – Lebanon Valley College Chad Watt (Riverside) – Stevenson University Colin Woods (Yorba Linda) – Stevenson University D-III INDEPENDENT Alec Grollman (Laguna Niguel) – Bryn Athyn College William Ma (Anaheim) – Canton State University Jack Sitzman (Redondo Beach) – Anna Maria College NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN COLONIAL HOCKEY Lexie Anderson (San Francisco) – Salve Regina University Taylor Chisholm (Discovery Bay) – Salve Regina University Madison Maloney (Clovis) – Becker College Cameron Payne (Rancho Cucamonga) – Becker College Ally Stout (Stockton) – Canton State University Anastasia Thompson (Riverside) – Becker College Jensen Wurm (Arvada) – Nichols College
MASCAC Connor Cooley (Simi Valley) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Drake Longaker (San Jose) – Plymouth State University Cameron Mack (Long Beach) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Connor McPherson (Lancaster) – Fitchburg State University Kyle Orgel (Los Angeles) – Plymouth State University Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills) – Worcester State Univeersity Nicholas Short (Los Angeles) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
MIAC Valerie Brown (San Martin) – St. Thomas University Jessica Jones (El Cajon) – St. Mary’s University
MIAC Don Carter (Antioch) – Hamline University Carter Dahl (Fresno) – St. Mary’s University Chase Di Bari (Ladera Ranch) – Bethel University Nick Klishko (San Diego) – Gustavus Adolphus College Chandler Madry (Bakersfield) – Augsburg College Dallas Marvin (Newbury Park) – Bethel University Nick Nast (Oxnard) – St. Mary’s University Kyle Rimbach (Encinitas) – St. Olaf College Cole Souto (Yorba Linda) – St. John’s University Alex Stoley (Manteca) – Concordia University (Minn.)
NEHC Sierra Donahue (San Jose) – Suffolk University Mackenzie Kennedy (Brea) – Plymouth State University Brooke Maggy (Alhambra) – Plymouth State University Cortney Reyes (Chino Hills) – New England College Kiley Searles (San Jose) – Suffolk University Maisie Tatum-Borich (Newport Beach) – New England College Morgan Tefft (Redwood City) – Norwich University Tara Turcotte (Huntington Beach) – New England College
NCHA Andrew Behsid (Los Angeles) – Lake Forest College Rock Boynton (Lomita) – Milwaukee School of Engineering Connor Chilton (Oak Park) – Aurora University Lonnie Clary (Riverside) – Marian University Tanner Dalton (Bakersfield) – Milwaukee School of Engineering Dakota Delbridge (Tracy) – Concordia University (Wis.) Zach Feldman (San Diego) – Lake Forest College Kyle Gonzalez (Chino Hills) – Northland College David Marabella (Clovis) – Milwaukee School of Engineering James Mathias (Ontario) – Marian University Connor Melton (Chico) – Northland College Danny O’Donnell (Ventura) – Aurora University Liam Stirtzinger (Simi Valley) – Aurora University Chris Timm (Dublin) – Trine University Nick Trefry (Upland) – Northland College Taylor Urch (Anaheim) – Lawrence University Quinton Wunder (Simi Valley) – Lake Forest College NEHC Coby Downs (Montclair) – Norwich University Conor Ferrera (Trabuco Canyon) – Southern Maine University John Garrity (Dublin) – Suffolk University Keenan Haase (Mission Viejo) – New England College David MacGregor (Azusa) – University of Massachusetts-Boston Ryan Ng (Manhattan Beach) – Castleton State University Adam Papayoanou (Valencia) – Southern Maine University Will Platt (San Francisco) – New England College Mark Shroyer (Fresno) – Castleton State University Corey Sikich (Hermosa Beach) – Castleton State University Nick Wardstrom (Discovery Bay) – Suffolk University Matt Wiesner (Newport Beach) – Babson College Eric Wright (Poway) – Suffolk University NESCAC Jake Camel (Palos Verdes) – Hamilton College Evan Johnson (Huntington Beach) – Williams College Tyler Levine (Laguna Beach) – Wesleyan University Marcus Mollica (Dove Canyon) – Williams College Sean Ross (San Diego) – Wesleyan University Nick Schultze (San Diego) – Tufts University
NCHA Abby Kolek (San Marcos) – Finlandia University Julieana Tarantino (San Diego) – Lake Forest College Jordyn Tomaszewski (Daly City) – Aurora University
NESCAC Michelle Behshid (Saugus) – Bowdoin College Colleen Castro (Redwood City) – Wesleyan University Kai-Lilly Karpman (Playa del Rey) – Trinity College Danielle Marquez (Long Beach) – Bowdoin College Alicia Nickolenko (Encinitas) – Wesleyan University Cierra San Roman (Orange) – Colby College Sarah Takahashi (Pleasanton) – Wesleyan University Kiara Vazquez (La Quinta) – Middlebury College Emily Williams (Fallbrook) – Hamilton College NEWHL Emily Burke (San Jose) – Potsdam State University Angelina Cruzal (Campbell) – Buffalo State University Lindsay Reyes (Chino Hills) – Cortland State University Samantha White (Oceanside) – Potsdam State University Olivia Wilburn (Stockton) – Cortland State University UCHC Mary Deyell (Glendale) – King’s College Devyn Gilman (Yorba Linda) – Elmira College Savannah Gutierrez (Huntington Beach) – Utica College Bella Hanson – Elmira College $ Victoria Lahey (Fairfield) – Lebanon Valley College Ashley Marchant (Orange County) – Chatham University Amy Templeman (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Lebanon Valley College Tristen Tolan – Elmira College $ CANADIAN UNIVERSITY Keanu Yamamoto – McGill University % JUNIOR HOCKEY ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Tyler Browning (Huntington Beach) – Drayton Valley Thunder Stewart Pond (San Diego) – Lloydminster Bobcats Jackson Wozniak (Cypress) – Grand Prairie Storm BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Brian Adams (San Ramon) – Wenatchee Wild Blake Bargar (Torrance) – Wenatchee Wild Ryan Fischer (Anaheim Hills) – Victoria Grizzlies P.J. Fletcher (Dana Point) – Wenatchee Wild Andre Ghantous (Glendale) – Penticton Vees Jacob Modry (El Segundo) – Wenatchee Wild
Landon Pavlisin (Orange) – Nanaimo Clippers Brett Roloson (Newport Beach) – Merritt Centennials Henri Schreifels (Agoura Hills) – Victoria Grizzlies Chad Sasaki (Cypress) – Wenatchee Wild Paul Selleck (Laguna Hills) – Cowichan Valley Capitals Murphy Stratton (Los Angeles) – Wenatchee Wild Drake Usher (Upland) – Wenatchee Wild Ryan Wilson (San Diego) – Wenatchee Wild CENTRAL CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE Jesse Lycan (San Diego) – Navan Grads Lucas Yovetich (Beverly Hills) – Hawkesbury Hawks CANADIAN PREMIER JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Dante Petrini (Bakersfield) - Scarborough Wexford Raiders EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Jonathan Aguilar (Pasadena) – Valley Jr. Warriors Quinn Baker (Santa Monica) – Philadelphia Little Flyers Hayden Dalton (Bakersfield) – New York Applecore Isaac Espinosa (Roseville) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Brad Estrada (Chino Hills) – Valley Jr. Warriors Ethan Gill (Santa Clarita) – Connecticut Chiefs (Premier) John Grealish (Bakersfield) – Boston Jr. Rangers Jake Humble (San Ramon) – North Carolina Golden Bears Christian Kazoleas (Irvine) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Wiggle Kerbrat (Laguna Niguel) – New Hampshire Avalanche Cole Madzey (Alamo) – Connecticut Chiefs Dakota Pitts (Rancho Cucamonga) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Bryan Verna (Lake Forest) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Justin Vickers (Orange County) – New Jersey 87’s GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Austin Kane (Milpitas) – Bradford Rattlers Luis Mendoza (Newark) – Tottenham Steam KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Logan Berggren (Cypress) – Creston Valley Thunder Cats MANITOBA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Jakob Besnilian (Whittier) – Swan Valley Stampeders Michael Boutoussov (Dana Point) – Neepawa Natives Parker Brakebill (Yorba Linda) – Virden Oil Capitals Greg Lee (Aliso Viejo) – Waywayseecappo Wolverines Zach Pires (Orange) – Neepawa Natives NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Sam Anzai (Los Angeles) – Jamestown Rebels Brandon Bergado (San Jose) – Maryland Black Bears Daniel Chladek (Anaheim) – Bismarck Bobcats Jared Christy (Cypress) – Austin Bruins Andrew DeCarlo (Huntington Beach) – Lone Star Brahmas Josh Fricks (Laguna Niguel) – Odessa Jackalopes Joseph Harguindeguy (La Habra) – Minot Minotauros Colton Huard (Foothill Ranch) – Aberdeen Wings Noah Kim (Fullerton) – Austin Bruins Mason Kohn (San Diego) – Corpus Christi IceRays Austin Koss (Huntington Beach) – Corpus Christi IceRays Ethan Lahmon (Yorba Linda) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Daylon Mannon (Fresno) – Maryland Black Bears Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda) – Janesville Jets Luc Salem (Los Angeles) – Maryland Black Bears Mattias Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Fairbanks Ice Dogs Connor Smith (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Topeka Pilots Jake Sujishi (Lake Forest) – Maryland Black Bears Julian Timba (Oceanside) – Bismarck Bobcats Lukas Uhler (Upland) – Jamestown Rebels Matt Vernon (San Jose) – Aberdeen Wings Dante Zapata (Huntington Beach) – Austin Bruins NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Ian Acuna (Glendora) – Peoria Mustangs Chance Anderson (Poway) – Peoria Mustangs Riley Anderson (Malibu) – Missoula Jr. Bruins Trevor Arsenault (Huntington Beach) – New England Stars Tyler Blanchard (San Jose) – Texas Brahmas Nick Castro (Redondo Beach) – Yellowstone Quake Nolan Conrad (Corona) – Gillette Wild Jack Cooper (Santa Cruz) – Texas Brahmas McKenna Cooper (Thousand Oaks) – Atlanta Capitals Ryan Cortez (Norco) – Long Beach Sharks Trent Cowden (Simi Valley) – Great Falls Americans Luc Cross (Anaheim) – Helena Bighorns Dylan Davenport – Milwaukee Power % Mason Evans (Danville) – Milwaukee Power Cherokee Fox (Perris) – Oswego Stampede Ryan Gridley (Santa Monica) – Long Beach Sharks Kellen Ireland (Turlock) – Texas Brahmas Wayne Jones (Simi Valley) – Atlanta Capitals Brad Larson (San Diego) – Peoria Mustangs Michael Lempiainen (Corona) – New England Stars Tyler Nelson (Pleasanton) – New Ulm Steel Hunter Norris (Mission Viejo) – New England Stars Jake Pisarcik (Oak Park) – Atlanta Capitals Jack Radley (San Diego) – Peoria Mustangs Luke Richesin (Clovis) – Great Falls Americans Alexander Rogers (Anaheim) – Helena Bighorns Connor Rollo (Camarillo) – Willmar WarHawks Enzo Rolon (Huntington Beach) – Yellowstone Quake Bryce Runyan (Riverside) – Texas Brahmas Nate Simpson (Claremont) – Great Falls Americans Jared Slay (Ventura) – College Station Spirit James Spaargaren (San Diego) – New Ulm Steel Riley Stern (Simi Valley) – Atlanta Capitals Stanislav Struthers (Shadow Hills) – Louisiana Drillers Jake Sumner (Alta Loma) – Willmar WarHawks
Nick Torres (Long Beach) – Great Falls Americans Nick Vardon (Long Beach) – Maine Wild ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE Sasha Chmelevski (Huntington Beach) – Ottawa 67’s Ivan Lodnia (Anaheim) – Niagara IceDogs Sahil Panwar (Cerritos) – London Knights Jason Robertson (Arcadia) – Kingston Frontenacs Nick Robertson (Arcadia) – Peterborough Petes ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Nick Kent (Ladera Ranch) – Buffalo Jr. Sabres SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Ryan Gil (Torrance) – Battlefords North Stars Patrick Pugliese (Pasadena) – Nipawin Hawks Wyatt Wong (Glendale) – Melville Millionaires SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Tyler Leibl (Del Mar) - Weyburn Red Wings SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Mason McIntosh (Los Angeles) – Thief River Falls Norskies Carson Murison (Half Moon Bay) – Dryden GM Ice Dogs UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Joe Cassetti (Pleasanton) – Waterloo Black Hawks Josh Groll (San Diego) – Chicago Steel Cooper Haar (Huntington Beach) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Rory Herrman (Poway) – Fargo Force Ryan Johnson (Irvine) – Sioux Falls Stampede Jonathan Panisa (Irvine) – Central Illinois Flying Aces Dylan Peterson (Roseville) – U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team Ryan Savage (Scottsdale) – Omaha Lancers Kaelan Taylor (Oceanside) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Ethan Wolthers (Valencia) – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Cam York (Anaheim Hills) – U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Matthew Ayers (Calabasas) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite) Nareg Balian (Tustin) – Decatur Blaze (Premier) Guillaume Bose (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Luke Bowman (Los Gatos) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Matthew Brown (Los Angeles) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (Premier) Anthony Capraro (Hacienda Heights) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Dean Carden (Costa Mesa) – Northern Cyclones (Elite) Jack Carter (San Diego) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Kenny Cavers (San Jose) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (Premier) Halen Cookston (Santa Clarita) – Philadelphia Hockey Club (Premier) Takato Cox (Redondo Beach) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (NCDC) Cole Demchuk (Murrieta) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Joe DiGiulio (San Jose) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Premier) Dante DiNapoli (Moss Beach) – New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Raymond Fleming (Palo Alto) – Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Premier) Luc Fox (Valencia) – Charlotte Rush (Elite) James Gagan (Mission Viejo) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Donovan Garcia (San Jose) – Islanders Hockey Club (Premier) Weston Goodman (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Mason Hackel (San Jose) – Philadelphia Hockey Club (Premier) Anthony Hagiu (Riverside) – New York Aviators (Elite) Hunter Hansen (Vacaville) – Minnesota Blue Ox (Premier) Dylan Hernandez-Ramirez (Costa Mesa) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Timothy Kovacevic (Huntington Beach) – New York Aviators (Premier) Jordan Labbe (Pasadena) – Jersey Hitmen (Premier) Georg Landro (Riverside) – Potomac Patriots (Premier) Ryan Lanpheer (San Diego) – Atlanta Jr. Kings (Premier) Erik Larson (San Jose) – Boston Bandits (NCDC) Justin Lebouef (Canyon Country) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Jason Lee (Thousand Oaks) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Cullen MacNicoll (El Segundo) – New York Aviators (Elite) Collin Madrid (Los Angeles) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier) Cam Manory (Simi Valley) – Boston Bandits (Premier) Connor Matthews (Redondo Beach) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Adam Mazurowski (Modesto) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Adam McGill (Santa Margarita) – Boston Bandits (Premier) John Moffat (South Lake Tahoe) – Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier) Collin Moore (Orange County) – Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Premier) Josh Morrison (San Diego) – Minnesota Moose (Premier) Ryan Newman (Bakersfield) – Charlotte Rush (Premier) Bryan Pan (Fremont) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite) Simon Perkic (Riverside) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Nicolas Privitera (Sun Valley) – Rochester Monarchs (Premier) Ismael Ralsten (Huntington Beach) – Islanders Hockey Club (NCDC) Casey Rhodes (Huntington Beach) – Jersey Hitmen (NCDC) Mitch Rickert (Santa Rosa) – New Jersey Rockets (NCDC) Hunter Rogers (Simi Valley) – Philadelphia Hockey Club (Premier) James Sandberg (Thousand Oaks) – Jersey Hitmen (Elite) Brendan Schulte (Fullerton) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Phillip Shemyakin (Mission Viejo) – Charlotte Rush (Premier) Ryan Sheridan (Orange County) – Northern Cyclones (Elite) Jered Stevenson (Stockton) – Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Premier) Mischa Subotin (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Spencer Taylor (Venice) – Richmond Generals (Elite) Egan Wolford (San Jose) - New York Aviators (Premier) VANCOUVER ISLAND JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Grady Birk (Carlsbad) – Victoria Cougars WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Hunter Campbell – Calgary Hitmen % Jake McGrew (Orange) – Spokane Chiefs Luke Ormsby – Moose Jaw Warriors % Carl Stankowski (Laguna Hills) – Calgary Hitmen Brayden Watts (Bakersfield) – Vancouver Giants Dustin Wolf (Tustin) – Everett Silvertips
WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Joseph Aguirre (West Covina) – Ontario Avalanche Tristan Baker (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Ethan Bock (Los Angeles) – Ontario Avalanche Dominic Bosetti (Long Beach) – Long Beach Bombers Ryan Brown (South Lake Tahoe) – Steamboat Wranglers Christian Bundschuh (Newport Coast) – Utah Outliers Christopher Cantillo (Covina) – Ontario Avalanche Gabe Cognac (Orange County) – Fresno Monsters Riley Cryan (Carlsbad) – San Diego Sabers Declan Curtis (Fontana) – Ontario Avalanche Lucas Demsar (South Lake Tahoe) – Valencia Flyers Quinn Deshler (Torrance) – Ontario Avalanche Sean Devaney (San Diego) – San Diego Sabers Cole Diamond (Hesperia) – Seattle Totems Dylan Dix (Scotts Valley) – Utah Outliers Connor Duffy (Orange County) – Ontario Avalanche Eric Easterson (Canyon Country) – Valencia Flyers Matthew Genter (Midway City) – Long Beach Bombers Shane Gilbert (Huntington Beach) – Ogden Mustangs Michael Gomez (Visalia) – Fresno Monsters David Grindstaff (Sacramento) – San Diego Sabers Samuel Hernandez (Fontana) – Ontario Avalanche Taylor Hiatt (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Jonathan Holguin (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Hayden Hoyt (Yorba Linda) – Ontario Avalanche Max Kamper (Aliso Viejo) – El Paso Rhinos Mason Kaprelyan (Yorba Linda) – Long Beach Bombers Samuel Kapusta (Irvine) – San Diego Sabers Jacob Mabaquaio (San Diego) – Bellingham Blazers Christopher Maghakian (Santa Clarita) – West Sound Admirals Tate Martishius (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers Cameron Maycock (Claremont) – Ontario Avalanche John McNamara (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers Alex Neverve (San Jose) – Ogden Mustangs Nicklas Oda (Yorba Linda) – Steamboat Wranglers Michael Onda (Saugus) – Valencia Flyers Ethan Racz (Carlsbad) – Ogden Mustangs Adam Rousselo (Santa Clarita) – West Sound Admirals Brett Ruiz (Rancho Cucamonga) – Ontario Avalanche Emmett Rupert (Santa Barbara) – Fresno Monsters Dylan San Agustin (Santa Clarita) – Valencia Flyers Joel Short (Long Beach) – Long Beach Bombers Todd Thompson, Jr. (San Jose) – Dallas Snipers Jarrett Townsend (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Valencia Flyers Tanner Turcotte (Huntington Beach) – Ontario Avalanche Jeremy Van Dyke (Corona) – Ontario Avalanche Jack Walsh (Oceanside) – Utah Outliers Tristan Warr (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers PREP SCHOOL Max Abramson (Pacific Palisades) – Kent School Chris Alexander (Valencia) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s John Alexander (Valencia) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Colton Bertagna (Chico) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Leon Biller (Valencia) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Jack Blake (Manhattan Beach) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Jordan Bonner (Huntington Beach) – Albany Academy Alexander Boyko (Rocklin) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Brendan Brisson (Manhattan Beach) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Miles Brodey (Pasadena) – The Lawrenceville School Noah Dahlen (Orange) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Jared Day (Orange) – Brooks School Cameron Dunnigan (Bakersfield) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Corey Eaton (San Marcos) – Tilton School Tanner Ensign (Tustin) – Holderness School Nikko Escobar (Ventura) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Dennis L. Y. Franklin (Oakland) – The Taft School Ezra Gale (Pomona) – Hoosac School Aidan Garcia (Burbank) – The Groton School Michael Gilerman (Encino) – Proctor Academy Jonah Gold (Rolling Hills Estates) – The Groton School Alec Grace (Laguna Hills) – New Hampton School Jacob Gunderson (Valencia) – Lakeville South J.T. Halliday (Valencia) – St. Paul’s Tyler Herr (Huntington Beach) – Culver Academy Pablo Honda (Bishop) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Lily Humphrey (Huntington Beach) – New Hampton School Grant Kaplan (Sherman Oaks) – Brooks School Leo Kaplan (Sherman Oaks) – Brooks School Huston Karpman (Manhattan Beach) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Nathan Katzaroff (Anaheim) – Milton Academy Jaxon Kennedy (South Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Tyler Kitchen (Bakersfield) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Matt Kors (Los Angeles) – Shawnigan Lake School Alexander Krause (Calabasas) – Loomis Chaffee Ty Krivtsov (Valencia) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Tristan Lam (Arcadia) – Bishop’s College School Jeffrey Lee (San Jose) - Milton Academy Nicholas Lee (Los Angeles) – Salisbury School Noah Lee (Los Angeles) – Salisbury School Tae Lee (Irvine) – The Governor’s Academy Koby Leeman (Napa) – Culver Academy Noah Leibl (Del Mar) – Shawnigan Lake School Cobi Lennex (Valencia) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Mathias Long (Marina del Rey) – Lake Forest Academy Brett MacNicoll (El Segundo) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Brandon McDonald (Los Angeles) – Vermont Academy Kyle McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – Tilton School Nolan McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – Cushing Academy Seth McKenna (Moorpark) – Tilton School Tyler McNeil (Santa Clarita) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Ryan Meaney (Santa Clarita) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Nathan Moffat (Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Zach Mojarro (Bishop) – The Gunnery Brian Morse (Fresno) – The Gunnery
Josh Niedermayer (Newport Beach) – Okanagan Hockey Academy Jacob Nordorf (Gardena) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Ellis O’Dowd (Santa Barbara) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Zane Parker (Hawthorne) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Luke Peterson (Moorpark) – The Gunnery John Pratt (Laguna Niguel) – Berkshire School Jayden Price (Coto de Caza) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Quinn Proctor (South Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Alexander Rogers (Anaheim) – Williston Northampton Ross Roloson (Newport Beach) – Shawnigan Lake School Hunter Sansbury (Lomita) – The Gunnery Chase Sechrist (Santa Rosa) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Ian Shane (Manhattan Beach) – Westminster School Andrey Shemaykin (South Lake Tahoe) – Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy Jordan Skahill (San Dimas) – South Kent Steven Soos (Pasadena) – The Winchendon School Daniel Thomas (Irvine) – Hotchkiss School Simon Thue (San Jose) – Millbrook School Daniel Ton-That (Laguna Hills) – Tilton School Weston Turner (Granite Bay) - The Groton School Lukas Uhler (Upland) – New Hampton School Brent Valentine (Newport Beach) – Choate Rosemary Hall Bradley Wang (Arcadia) – Choate Rosemary Hall Ryan Wilson (San Diego) – Milton Academy Eric Yagubyan (Glendale) – Tilton School Billy Zegras (San Diego) – The Berkshire School
NEVADA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Jason Zucker (Las Vegas) – Minnesota Wild AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Gage Quinney (Las Vegas) – Chicago Wolves ECHL Chris Francis (Las Vegas) – Tulsa Oilers Zach Pochiro (Las Vegas) – Allen Americans Joey Raats (Las Vegas) – Utah Grizzlies Joe Sullivan (Las Vegas) – Manchester Monarchs Cory Ward (Las Vegas) – Manchester Monarchs SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Derek Sutliffe (Las Vegas) – Macon Mayhem OVERSEAS Bryce Reddick (Las Vegas) – United Kingdom CANADIAN WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Megan Myers (Las Vegas) – Worcester Bladess COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN WCHA Brendan Harris (Henderson) – Bemidji State University D-I INDEPENDENT Dominic Garcia (Las Vegas) – Arizona State University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN NESCAC Brenden Russ (Las Vegas) – Connecticut College JUNIOR HOCKEY GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Nathan Skala (Las Vegas) – Northumberland Stars MARITIME HOCKEY LEAGUE Landon Quinney (Las Vegas) – Valley Wildcats NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Vito Carlo (Las Vegas) – Atlanta Capitals Dylan Davenport – Milwaukee Power @ Caleb Day (Las Vegas) – Gillette Wild Brenden Fehlig (Las Vegas) – College Station Spirit Bryce Gould (Las Vegas) – Butte Cobras Gunner Moore (Las Vegas) – Atlanta Capitals Danny Ramos (Las Vegas) – Gillette Wild Gabriel Testa (Las Vegas) – Long Beach Sharks SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Steven Avalone (Las Vegas) – Kindersley Klippers UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Ty Gartzke (Las Vegas) – Decatur Blaze (Premier) Deric Prier (Las Vegas) – Florida Jr. Blades (Elite) Gage Roberts (Las Vegas) – Carolina Eagles (Premier) Cameron Sylvester (Las Vegas) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) Ethan Van Muyden (Henderson) – Boston Bandits (Elite) WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Erik Atchison (Las Vegas) – Spokane Chiefs WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Cody Printzen (Las Vegas) – Fresno Monsters Anthony Rodriguez (Henderson) – Long Beach Bombers % former Los Angeles Jr. King + former California Titan * former LA Select
! former San Jose Jr. Shark $ former Anaheim Lady Duck @ former Nevada Storm
CARubberHockey.com
23
Torrance’s Gil says Canalta Cup win a ‘surreal feeling’ By Greg Ball
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yan Gil’s road to a hoisting a championship trophy took many twists and turns along the way, but the 20-year-old forward from Torrance couldn’t be more pleased with the results after he and his Battlefords North Stars captured the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Canalta Cup last month. Gil was the only player from California on the North Stars roster, but that didn’t deter him from excelling during his time in Central Canada. In fact, it motivated him to play harder and prove himself to his teammates, coaches and scouts. “Growing up, when we’d play in a tournament back east, other players and teams would look down on you because of where you’re from, figuring you couldn’t be much of a player if you were from California,” Gil said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have some great coaches along the way, and they basically told me that I had to work twice as hard as kids from Minnesota, Michigan and places like that.” Gil put together a solid second season north of the border in 2018-19. In 55 games with the North Stars, he tallied 19 goals and 20 assists, then added three scores and three helpers in 13 postseason contests as Battlefords downed the Melfort Mustangs in a fivegame final. The North Stars clinched the cup with a convincing 7-2 victory in the fifth game, ending the postseason with a 12-4 record. “Having us come back and win that Game 7 in the first series after losing three straight played a big part in motivating us for the rest of the postseason,” Gil said. “Overcoming that adversity was probably the hardest
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California Rubber Hockey Magazine
thing that I, and my teammates, had to overcome. “After that first series, we had a certain level of confidence going into the next two series. I wasn’t really
Ryan Gil posted 39 points during the regular season for the SJHL’s Battlefords North Stars, helping the team to a Canalta Cup championship last month. Photo/Byron Hildebrand Photography
worried - I don’t want to sound arrogant, but you could feel that special swagger walking into the locker room. It was outstanding to have that level of confidence. It was such a surreal feeling to win the cup. I’m not an emotional guy, but I definitely teared up a couple times. As of right now, it’s definitely one the best moments of
my life.” Gil grew up in the South Bay of Los Angeles and played hockey with clubs all over Southern California throughout his development. He started with the Long Beach Ice Dogs, then jumped to the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, L.A. Hockey Club and back to the Jr. Kings. Gil’s family started making the drive south for him to skate with the Orange County Hockey Club and then with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks - a tough pill to swallow for a lifelong Kings fan. During his second-to-last-year of youth hockey, he moved across the country to play for a prep school, Cheshire Academy, in Connecticut before bouncing back to the Jr. Ducks for his final Midget season. That brought him to junior hockey where in 201718, he played for Battlefords as well as teams in the USPHL’s National Collegiate Development Conference, the North American Hockey League and the Western States Hockey League. Gil established himself this season as one of the North Stars’ most consistent players. “Getting the chance to practice every day, especially with the high level of players they have in that league, makes a big difference in your development,” Gil said. “I feel like I got so much better this season, especially with new coach Brayden Klimosko, who was awesome to play for. I can’t complain about anything - I really had a great year.” Gil plans to go back to school next fall. While he hasn’t officially made up his mind, he hopes to attend Arizona State University and play ACHA hockey for the Sun Devils. “Winning a championship makes me very content,” Gil said. “I think it’s time to move on.”
UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE
Palo Alto’s Fleming elated with St. Olaf College choice By Jim DenHollander/USPHL.com
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alo Alto native Raymond Fleming spent two seasons perfecting his game at the junior level with the USPHL’s Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings. Next, he is taking his act to St. Olaf College, in Northfield, Minn. The 20-year-old defenseman first laced up his skates as a youth in the Silicon Valley, but moved on to hockey in British Columbia, with the Okanagan Valley Hockey Academy as a Bantam and then to the Wenatchee Wild for his Midget seasons from 2015-17. In the summer of 2017, Fleming met Marty Quarters, head coach of the Riverkings, and the next two seasons were massive for the blueliner who transformed into a complete player who was a threat at both ends of the ice. The 10 goals (five on the power play) and 24 assists Fleming put up this past season was his highest total since Minor Midgets. “Raymond really matured,” Quarters said. “When he came in, he was pretty introverted, but very driven. He has a very strong inner drive. He works extremely hard. You know, he took it upon himself that one of the main reasons he wanted to come back was that he saw Eric Schuette, Tom McManus and Austyn Quarters give so much more back to the community, and that really meant a lot to him.” Schuette, McManus and Quarters are all former Riv-
erkings players themselves. Schuette played last sea- Fleming. “I did it last year, so I might as well do it again. son at Concordia University in Wisconsin and Quarters I got the rookies and a couple of returners from the year before to do it with me.” played at Robert Morris in Illinois. Quarters said when the season ended for the River“Raymond wasn’t sure who was going to do that if he didn’t come back, so he really made that a priority,” kings, one win shy of a return trip to the USPHL Premier National Championship Tournasaid Quarters. “He bought into our ment, Fleming was one of the playbelief of giving more than you reers that spoke in the locker room, ceive in life. He really bought into something he is not normally comthat and he commanded it from the fortable with. He urged the returnplayers. His first season, he was ers to follow the same aggressive just trying to find his own place and off-ice routines in future seasons in the second year, he was a leadthat has made the Riverkings so er. He was on guys in a positive popular with the fans and commuway, but in a way that there was no questioning it. nity in general. Fleming is also a 3.9 student “He’s a player that’s out earwho scored a 1480 on his SAT. ly and stays late at practice. He He started looking at schools pushes guys at practice. He’s reearly on and performed in front of ally cautious about his eating. He Fleming spent two seasons with the scouts at three different USPHL has a belief that everything you do, Raymond USPHL’s Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings and is you earn, so to eat food, he would now off to play NCAA hockey in Minnesota. Showcase events with the Riverkings during the season. work out to earn his meals. He’s a Photo/Nieman Photography “Yeah, I looked at some other schools, but St. Olaf guy that wouldn’t just work out hard after practice, but was the first one that kind of met academically what I he would work out after games.” Fleming agreed he learned from the players in his was looking for,” said Fleming. The Oles are coached by Mike Eaves, a former rookie junior season and he was ready to fill that role when he returned, adding he wasn’t sure if any of the NHL player and former coach at the University of Wisconsin, winning a NCAA Division I national championother returners were interested in taking that role. “I thought, you know what, I can just do it,” said ship under his watch.
USPHL.com
Tahoe Prep taps Collins as head coach for ‘19-20 campaign By Greg Ball
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his long-held admiration for the new athletic director has only grown during their time together in Lake Tahoe. “When I was growing up in Southern California. you always saw him (Lewis), and you always knew about him,” Collins said. “He was always ahead of the
ince it first opened its doors along the shores of majestic Lake Tahoe in 2016, the Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy has grown to sign its first international player and join two new leagues. Next season the academy will again have two independent teams at the prep and varsity levels. To ensure that the academy’s growth is supported and to open doors for continued growth into the future, former prep team head coach Mike Lewis has been elevated to Tahoe Prep’s first full-time athletic director, while Chris Collins, a veteran coach who has been with Tahoe since the academy was still in the planning stages, will take over the reins as head coach of the prep team. “This gives us the best of all worlds now, with Mike heading up the academy as athletic director and still helping Chris on the bench as an assistant coach with the prep team,” said Leo Fenn, Tahoe Prep president and varsity coach, adding that the change will also help with the addition of a women’s volleyball prep program scheduled to begin in Aug. 2020. “Chris brings energy, passion and youth- Chris Collins brings ‘energy, passion and youthfulness’ to the Tahoe Prep fulness to the bench that is incredible. This is Academy bench, according to TPHA president Leo Fenn. the role we have groomed him for. We all complement curve in terms of coaching, which is why he has had each other with our coaching strengths.” so much success. There is a lot that he brings to the Collins joined with Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy table, and there are a lot of things that he has taught in its inaugural season back in 2016, after previously me away from the game – how to carry yourself as a coaching the Tahoe Icemen, a Junior A team in the head coach, how your demeanor matters, how not to Western States Hockey League. He came on board talk too much so when you do talk, your players listen.” with a lot of respect for Lewis and his reputation, and Along with these lessons, Collins said Lewis has
encouraged his creativity. “What we do a really well at Tahoe is not just teach skill but teaching skill in a way so the players understand how to utilize it correctly,” Collins said. “Our emphasis is on teaching skills in the context of the game, so players will understand when a certain move will work in a game situation and when to use it.” Collins has a deep-seated passion for hockey. “I spend a lot of time being a student of the game, which includes a lot of late nights watching hockey - not NHL so much, but junior hockey,” Collins said, admitting he does it so much he drives his wife a little crazy. “We know our development model works. We see it in the improvement our kids achieve in as little as one season. What I love the most is how excited a player is to go home at Christmas break and skate with his old team to see how much they have improved in a short time.” Looking forward to the 2019-20 season and his first year behind the bench in the head coach’s role, Collins said he’s especially happy about the additional exposure that Tahoe Prep’s players will get by playing Hockey in the Tier I East Coast Elite League in addition to the NAHL Prep League. Between the two leagues, the academy’s athletes will get to face top-level programs from across the country, and the added element of competition will only help them develop their skills. Collins lives in South Lake Tahoe with his wife and two daughters, who are three years old and one month old. CARubberHockey.com
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TROY LOGGINS
Position: Forward, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Hometown: Huntington Beach Last Amateur Team: Northern Michigan University (WCHA, NCAA D-I) Youth Teams: Anaheim Jr. Ducks, LA Hockey Club/Selects, California Wave California Rubber: When a college free agent is facing a decision where to sign a pro contract, what types of things factor into that? Trog Loggins: Opportunity is a big one. Where do you think you’re going to have best opportunity to play and move up to the next level? Who’s interested? Money’s a factor as well. For me, it was just knowing who I’m signing with and the interest they’ve had for the past year-plus. CR: What was your favorite hockey memory growing up? TL: When we were younger, we (LA Hockey Club) went to USA Hockey Nationals (in 2010 at Bantam AA) and took second place. That was a highlight for me. CR: What is your favorite memory in the game since leaving California? TL: Definitely winning the USHL Clark Cup championship (with the Sioux Falls Stampede) and obviously, signing with Grand Rapids as well. In the Clark Cup run, my whole line had an unreal playoffs. CR: Who have been the biggest influences on you, on and off the ice? TL: My biggest influences are my parents (Phil and Kim). They’ve been really supportive, always letting me make my own decisions where to play. It was an interesting path, and we went with whatever came. CR: What advice do you have for young hockey players? TL: Show up to the rink every day ready to work and try to be the best player on the ice every day. If you can do that, you can move up through the levels. It’s all about putting in the dedicated time. CR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play? TL: Roller hockey. I do a little bit of surfing since I’m from a beach city. On weekends we didn’t have games growing up, in the morning, we’d be surfing. That was my hobby. When I go back, I still go from time to time. CR: Are there are any pieces of gear you’re particular about? TL: I’m pretty picky about my sticks. They have to have the right curve, flex and grip, that kind of stuff. Gear-wise, I like to have new gloves a lot. I don’t like having old gloves. Everything else, I’m pretty normal. Everything I use is CCM because that’s what we got in college and now we have that in the AHL. I’m always trying new stuff. CR: Given your goal-scoring prowess, how many sticks would you use in a typical season? TL: If our college season was 40 games, I’d say 20-plus sticks a year break. I shoot the puck a lot. I always have three on my rack, maybe four. When one breaks, I’ll grab a new one and only use that for games. CR: When you’re back in California, do you have a favorite meal or restaurant? TL: This place called Mahe has great sushi. My parents and neighbors will have a big dinner there when I get back or before I leave. CR: Did you have a favorite player growing up? TL: Patrick Kane. He’s another little lefty. The stuff he can do with the puck is pretty special. I was always out in the driveway trying to copy his moves. CR: If you weren’t playing pro hockey, what do you think you’d be doing? TL: That’s a tough one. I’d probably be working an average job, using my economics degree. Just living in California, going surfing with my friends. It’s hard to see life without hockey because I’ve been doing it since I was 5. Photo/Northern Michigan Athletics
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California Rubber Hockey Magazine
- Compiled by Chris Bayee
AY
Attracting the very best youth hockey programs under the bright lights of Los Angeles!
CARMEN STARR CLASSIC May 22-25, 2020
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