California Rubber Magazine - October 2018

VOLUME 12

ISSUE 2

OCTOBER 2018

JR. SHARKS ALUMNI BACK IN TOWN COACHING PROGRAM’S YOUTH ALVARADO, GUNNOE SHINING EARLY FOR ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL

Now in its third season, the Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy is growing at a rapid pace and is gaining interest – and talented student-athletes – from all across North America as the academy provides an upbeat atmosphere on the ice, in the gym and in the classroom

CALIFORNIA TALENTS JACKSON, NEWELL LEADING ST. CLOUD STATE HEBERT CONTINUES TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITH JR. GULLS

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

Tournament Series

TinseltownHockeyTournaments.com

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FROM THE EDITOR Let’s always find time to enjoy the game, make special memories

S

Matt Mackinder

omeone asked me the other day how old my kids are.

My response was, “They’re 13, 11 and 8.”

I then caught myself thinking, “Where did the time go?”

I remember when my wife and I used to tell people how old our kids were in months. Now, we have two kids in middle school!

There is an old saying that I think everyone knows that says, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Not only does that apply to life, but also to youth hockey. One day, your kids are learning to skate and handle a stick and get on their gear and the next, they’re heading off to junior

hockey and college hockey.

Yes, time does in fact speed up, perhaps faster than we would like to admit or recognize.

So I ask all the parents out there to just do one thing: enjoy the ride.

Kids may not play hockey their whole lives. They may lose interest. They may take up another sport. Whatever the case may be, just take it all in.

Make these times special memories. The kids will look back one day and remember scoring their first goal and looking into the stands and seeing smiles all around.

That’s what matters.

Hockey is the greatest game on the planet with the greatest athletes, parents and supporters. Let’s keep it that way!

The roster for the 2018-19 U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team was announced last month by USA Hockey and features 18 players, including three goaltenders, six defensemen and nine forwards.

One of the forwards is Sarah Bettencourt, a standout with the San Diego Ducks sled hockey program.

The 2018-19 season marks the first season the team is under full governance of USA Hockey.

This year’s selection camp was held in Voorhees, N.J., at the Virtual Flyers Skate Zone as part of the 2018 Girls/Women’s Sled Hockey Development Camp.

Congratulations, Sarah!

The American Hockey League announced late last month that the Ontario Reign has been selected as host of the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic.

The event will be held at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Jan. 26-27, 2020.

“The entire Ontario Reign organization is honored to bring the AHL All-Star Classic to the state of California for the first time,” said Reign president Darren Abbott. “The All-Star Classic will showcase the brightest talent in our league to the Inland Empire and we’re excited to place a spotlight on our franchise throughout North America. Hosting this marquee event is a fitting way to commemorate the fifth season of the AHL in Ontario and was made possible by the dedication shown by our fans.”

The AHL All-Star Classic will include the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, Jan. 26, followed by the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Monday, Jan. 27 and the 2020 AHL All-Star Challenge that evening.

Ticket information, the official event logo and details about other social events to take place during the All-Star Classic will be announced at a later date.

“Ontario has welcomed the AHL into its community with open arms, and we are very excited to bring our celebration of hockey’s best young talent to southern California with our first All-Star Classic on the west coast,” said AHL president David Andrews. “We look forward to working with the Reign organization over the next 16 months to put together a world-class event.”

This looks like it’s going to be one great event!

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Jay Hebert (left) has coached with the San Diego Jr. Gulls since 2005 and can say he coached a Stanley Cup champion in Chad Ruhwedel (center), who won the Cup in 2017 with Pittsburgh and celebrated during that summer with Hebert and his wife, Emily. More on Hebert on Page 10.

ON THE COVER Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy students, from both the varsity and prep teams, train regularly at the Barton Center for Orthopedics and Wellness, a new TPHA partner this year. Photo/Ed Fritz

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Growing A Legacy TPHA building a foundation for elite California hockey development in the Sierra Nevada

supportive coaching staff, the model for player development format and the exposure that players receive from playing in high-profile games across the country are arly into the third year of its young life, the Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy some of the many reasons parents have chosen to send their sons to Tahoe Prep. in South Lake Tahoe is taking all the right steps to build a foundation for a “We are strong believers in the prep school model and what it can do for indilong-lasting future. vidual development that goes beyond the sport, especially for teenage boys,” said Things are rounding into shape nicely as the academy conMike Sechrist, one of the co-founders of Tahoe Prep and the tinues to provide unparalleled hockey development, a rigorous father of a player on the prep team. “It gives them a chance to academic structure and a campus environment that is unlike anydevelop skills they need for life. The ability to work as a team, to thing most of its student-athletes have ever experienced. make decisions and choices on their own, and learn how to folFor the second straight year, Tahoe is icing two teams for the low a coach, are all real-world skills that they will use in whatever 2018-19 season - one at the prep level and a second at the varsifuture career they pursue. It gives them the opportunity to mature in ty level, and there are more than 40 players wearing the academy’s a way that is hard to replicate at home.” striking purple and white uniforms.

Jackie Nordorf, whose son Jacob is a defenseman in his secThe academy’s prep team won nine of its first 12 games playing ond year at Tahoe Prep, said that making the move to the mountains in the North American Hockey League’s Prep division and was sixth from the Los Angeles suburb of Gardena was a difficult decision but in the USA Independent Prep rankings through the first week of ultimately, the right one.

October. Tyler McNeil led the squad with 25 points (15 goals, “We toured other schools,” she said. “We went to Chicago 10 assists), while Jonah Fleisher tallied seven goals and Ziggy and Boston, but I didn’t feel comfortable sending Jacob that far MacNicoll contributed 11 assists. Anthony LoRe registered away. The location really worked for us - I like the fact that if I 141 saves, and Cameron Dunnigan totaled 113. need to, I can get to him quickly, and when we got to Tahoe Tahoe’s varsity squad was off to a 2-2 start in Division I we fell in love with it. I knew with Tahoe Prep that I had a of the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockcoaching staff with integrity that cared more ey League. Alex Boyko led the team with about my kid than just as a hockey player. four goals, and Nikko Escobar had three.

They really care about these boys, and I Chase Sechrist and Brendan Coca each know I couldn’t have done anything better added three assists. Cameron Birchill for my son.” made 66 saves in two games, and Tyler And of course, the academy’s focus on Kitchen had 85 saves to his name in a pair academics isn’t just lip service. The acadof contests. emy has partnered with Lake Tahoe Unified Wins and losses aside, the academy’s School District to offer face-to-face classes veteran coaches make a daily effort to focus on the South Tahoe High School campus as on each individual player’s hockey develwell as online options to support the team’s opment, and that in turn helps improve the practice and travel schedule. teams’ success.

“One of my biggest reservations was the “Players are not going to move on to the online classroom portion, but Jacob has exnext step in their sport or college career as a celled,” Nordorf said. “He struggled a little team,” said Michael Lewis, the head coach bit with time management, but that is a skill and athletic director at Tahoe Prep. “They that will serve him well in college. Because need to be the best they can be as individuof the travel, I like the blended approach. als. If we win as a team because each playHe’s still on campus, so socially he’s around er is developing and improving their skills, other kids, not just the hockey players, and that’s great, but it’s not the focus.” he can take his classroom on the road. I A number of top recruits elected to make know when he leaves there he will be well this academic year and hockey season their equipped for college.” first at Tahoe Prep, including MacNicoll Tahoe Prep has made major strides in who came from the Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ the last 24 months with its gleaming new AAA program - and top California AA playdormitories and facilities. The academy is ers McNeil and Leon Biller. also entering its third season of an Under Leo Fenn, Tahoe Prep’s president and Armour uniform sponsorship and most rehead coach of the varsity team, said that he cently partnered with the new Barton Cenand his fellow coaches aren’t always looking ter for Orthopedic and Wellness. Under the for the most accomplished players when out supervision of performance and wellness on the recruiting trail, but are more interest- Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy students train regularly at the Barton Center for Orthope- coordinator Ryan Carr, a former Division I ed in their character, work ethic and their po- dics and Wellness. The prep team is training five days a week at the center in their per- college athlete and strength and conditionformance athlete program under the direction of performance and wellness coordinator ing coach, Tahoe’s prep team will undergo tential for development.

“Prep school isn’t for everybody - it’s for and former Division I athlete Ryan Carr.. Photo/Ed Fritz performance athlete training year-round. The the serious student-athlete, and that’s the reason we recruit on character and organization is also an official partner of United States Ski and Snowboard Assowork ethic,” Fenn said. “We know that what we do at TPHA works, and we look ciation, and that also brings instant credibility to its relationship with Tahoe Prep. for individuals that have the temperament and drive to develop.”

“We focus on developing the student-athlete to their full potential - on the ice, One of the biggest challenges for the leadership in Tahoe as the academy academically, and for future life success,” Fenn said. “The skills-based model that was first getting off the ground was to convince high school-age hockey play- we offer makes us the best place in North America for kids to pursue their hockey ers and their parents to take a leap of faith and trust their hockey and academic development.” development to an unproven entity. With just two years under their belt, though, Nordorf knew there would be some uncertainty in joining in on the bottom things have changed considerably, and instead of having to sell the concept to floor of Tahoe Prep’s growth, but she couldn’t be happier with how things have families, Fenn and his fellow coaches are being approached on a regular basis. worked out.

The interest in Tahoe Prep has grown so rapidly that the academy plans to open “It isn’t easy to be a trailblazer, but all of their hard work is coming to fruition, to international student-athletes starting next fall. and it’s an exciting place to be right now,” she said. “Jacob is having a really good The spectacular location, the challenging academic schedule, the strong and time. The academy has good quality players from all over the country.”

By Greg Ball

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

CGBHockey.com

Vegas broadcaster Gismondi pulling double duty in Colorado

By Matt Mackinder

T

his coming season, you’ll see Nick Gismondi on Vegas Golden Knights broadcasts.

You’ll also see him on the ice helping coach the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 15U AAA team.

As the suburban Detroit native puts it, “hockey has always been a huge part of my life, arguably the biggest part.”

Gismondi filled in a bit last season during Vegas’ inaugural NHL season and parlayed that experience into a bigger role this season.

“Last season really gave me a great opportunity to get familiar with the team and the staff and also the team over at AT&T Sports Network (who broadcasts the games),” explained Gismondi, who now lives in Colorado. “I was still under contract with NBC Sports, so everyone sort of went in a different direction, but this season the opportunity to be the TV pre-game, post-game, and intermission host came up again and I was lucky enough to be considered. When they asked me to come back on for this season, I honestly could not say yes fast enough.

“The team of people on the Vegas Golden Knights side from the players, to GM George McPhee, and president Kerry Bubolz, and their communication team of Eric Tosi, Sage Sammons and Alyssa Girardi are as first-class as it gets. And to have the opportunity to work on air with Brad May, Dave Goucher, Shane Hnidy, Gary Lawless and Aly Lozoff is a dream come true.”

And to do all of this in Las Vegas is just icing on the cake for Gismondi.

“I mean, what a town,” said Gismondi. “The thing that will honestly be the most fun is the fan base.

They are as loyal and as ravenous as any in any sport. And T-Mobile Arena is literally deafening every game all game long. The fans know their hockey and love that team. It’s an environment like no other.

It’s the entertainment capital of the world so it’s got

Nick Gismondi was part of the Vegas Golden Knights broadcast team last season and is back for Year 2 with the NHL club.

this constant electricity to it that has no rival. I love it.”

Back during the late 1990s, Gismondi worked for a local cable outlet covering junior hockey in the Detroit area.

Like some of those players, he’s also moved up to the NHL. “Growing up in Plymouth, Mich., and being a

hockey player myself and being surrounded by so much great hockey certainly was a catalyst,” Gismondi said. “It’s crazy to think this career started for me 23 years ago announcing Compuware Ambassadors games in the NAHL on 88.1 FM and then the Plymouth Whalers (now the OHL’s Flint Firebirds) before joining up with NBC where I spent the last 12 years. So many people gave me chances and believed in me and I owe them everything. (Former Compuware and Plymouth coach) Mike Vellucci (now coaching in the Carolina Hurricanes system) is far and away the guy I owe the most to. He believed in me from the start and to this day, he’s one of my closest and dearest friends. I can vividly remember all those moments on the bus and through Canada and at the Compuware Arena.

“Those moments shaped me into the broadcaster I am and more importantly, the person I am. I still talk to everyone from back in the day, many of which are my closest and best friends now. I owe that beginning everything.”

Now delving into the Thunderbirds’ coaching ranks, it’s simply another aspect to his career that Gismondi is excited to continue.

“I’ve always tried to be involved, but work has really limited my involvement,” Gismondi said. “This year, though, the timing just seemed right and the pieces sort of fell into place and when I was asked to come on as an assistant coach with the 15U team, it was impossible not to say yes, especially with the Thunderbirds. It’s an incredible organization whose track record is off the charts on player development and placement all the way through juniors, NCAA Division I and the NHL.” CARubberHockey.com

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Golden Knights set to kick-start new Lil’ Knights youth program

By Matt Mackinder

T

he Vegas Golden Knights keep proving that hockey belongs in Nevada.

Fresh off a Stanley Cup Final run in June, the team announced over the summer that it has teamed up with the D Las Vegas to help fund the Lil’ Knights program that will be offered at ice rinks throughout Southern Nevada.

The Lil’ Knights program is a cross-ice development program that focuses on individual skills and team elements of hockey. It serves as the final step in the youth hockey development pyramid before joining a team, following the completion of Learn to Skate and Learn to Play initiatives.

Lil’ Knights will be offered at all three ice rinks in Las Vegas, including the City National Arena, Las Vegas Ice Center and Sobe Ice Arena, with youth hockey development coaches teaching the same program on each ice surface.

“We’re excited and proud to have the support of the D Las Vegas in growing youth hockey in our city,” said Golden Knights president Kerry Bubolz. “Each time a kid touches the ice at one of the three rinks in Las Vegas, another hockey journey begins, and our sport captivates another girl or boy. It’s been incredible seeing the enthusiasm for the Golden Knights expand to a passion for the sport, and we look forward to seeing the love of hockey continue to grow in Southern Nevada through the Lil’ Knights program.”

Through sponsorship of the program, the D Las Vegas will provide each child in the Lil’ Knights program a branded jersey.

“Thanks to the Lil’ Knights, kids as young as four are quickly falling in love with hockey,” said the D Las Vegas CEO Derek Stevens. “Being part of the team’s historic inaugural season was an incredible honor, and we’re excited to continue to find new ways to invigorate Southern Nevada’s youth and invest in the city’s passion for the Vegas Golden Knights.”

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

WSHL’s Monsters back at home, will play ’18-19 at Selland Arena

By Matt Mackinder

A

fter spending the last five seasons at Gateway Ice Center, the Western States Hockey League’s (WSHL) Fresno Monsters have announced they will be returning to Downtown Fresno and to familiar home ice at Selland Arena.

The Monsters will play 21 of their 23 home games of the 2018-19 regular season at Selland Arena.

“With Selland Arena, we once again have the ability to bring back that exciting atmosphere, the flexibility to create special promotions, and the opportunity to promote hockey to a larger audience here in the Central Valley,” said Monsters coach-GM Kevin Kaminski.

Selland Arena holds a nostalgia factor for many in the Central Valley as the arena was once home to the Fresno Falcons from 1968-2003 and for a brief period in 2008 after the Falcons returned to downtown following five seasons at Save Mart Center. The Monsters also called Selland home from 2009-13.

The rink opened in 1966 and is currently owned by the city of Fresno. In 2006, the arena underwent a $15 million renovation that included the installation of new seats, a new video replay scoreboard, message boards and a new ice-cooling system specifically for hockey games. The arena currently has a capacity for hockey near 7,600, making it the largest home venue for a current team in the WSHL. “It is truly great for the Monsters and the Western States Hockey League to be returning to play in Selland Arena,” said WSHL commissioner Ron White.

“It’s reminiscent of the first season of the Fresno Monsters and the great crowds that came to watch the Monsters and other WSHL opposing teams compete.”

The change in venue for the Monsters came after a set of three home games played at the arena this past February proved that hockey could once again be a viable source of income to the city of Fresno and help revitalize the surrounding downtown area.

The last two games of the 2018-19 season will be played at the Gateway Ice Center due to scheduling conflicts.

Kings start Beijing program, will grow game in China

By LA Kings Staff

T

he Los Angeles Kings and the NHL are strengthening their presence in China and expanding their relationship with ORG Packaging, a packaging and containers company based in Beijing, with the launch of Beijing Jr. Kings.

The agreement makes the Beijing Jr. Kings the first-ever youth hockey development program created (jointly created with ORG Packaging), owned and operated by the LA Kings outside Los Angeles and the first-ever development initiative for any NHL team in China.

The program will be housed at the new Beijing A.Z. Ice Sports Club and former Kings forward Todd Elik will serve as head coach.

One year ago, the Kings and Vancouver Canucks played the first NHL games in China. Facing off for two preseason games in China – one at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai (Sept. 21, 2017) and one at Wukesong Arena in Beijing (Sept. 23, 2017) – the Kings won both games, and history was made.

“Coming off the success of our trip to China last year, and the numerous clinics and camps we have hosted in China over the years, this is a tremendous announcement for the LA Kings and we are very pleased to not only continue our relationship with ORG but to also expand our relationship with ORG in a very meaningful way,” said Kings president Luc Robitaille. “The goal of the Beijing Jr. Kings is to continue to grow the game of hockey in China at a grassroots level, and to continue to build the LA Kings in China. We are also thrilled that Todd and his

family have moved overseas and are playing an integral role as we create this new, historic opportunity.”

Serving as the Beijing Jr. Kings goalie coach is Mitch O’Keefe, who has spent the last year and a half coaching and evaluating youth hockey for the Black Armour Hockey Program in Beijing where he was assistant coach as well as head goalie coach.

The Kings will support the Beijing Jr. Kings by sending Kings players – current and alumni – to China each year to help teach kids the basics of hockey and to help generate excite-

ment and awareness about the sport on the whole. The Kings will also be heavily involved by hosting coaches training programs, player exchange programs, youth hockey clinics, official LA Kings prospect camps, prospect development camps, tryout opportunities, player development support and international tournament development opportunities.

Registration for the Beijing Jr. Kings has begun. The program is initially expected to have 2-3 teams. The age

range for Beijing Jr. Kings participants is 8-10 years old.

“ORG AZ Rink is very proud to partner with the LA Kings to launch the Jr. Kings program at our rink in Beijing,” said Beijing A.Z. Ice Sport Club general manager Yijun Huang. “We are dedicated to establishing a standardized, durable and sustainable youth hockey training system, and we are committed to growing the sport of hockey among the youth in China. We believe the Jr. Kings program will serve as a perfect platform for that mission.”

The Kings have traveled to China the past three summers and have worked with youth hockey officials, coaches and kids to help grow the game in a country that has had limited exposure to ice hockey. The Kings Hockey Development department has spearheaded these initiatives in conjunction with the Kings Alumni Association.

Also in recent years, kids from China have traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the annual Kings Youth Hockey Camp in El Segundo. The kids from China also participated in scrimmages here against members of the Jr. Kings program.

When the Kings went to China last year, the hockey club placed a heavy emphasis on current players interacting with kids and young hockey players in particular, including several on-ice clinics, player appearances and meet-and-greets. During the 2017-18 NHL regular season, the Kings hosted the club’s first Chinese Heritage Night at STAPLES Center and the Kings will host their second annual Chinese Heritage Night next February.

Photos/LA Kings CARubberHockey.com

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SAN DIEGO JR. GULLS Jr. Gulls’ Hebert making impact on lives of San Diego youth

By Matt Mackinder

J

ay Hebert knows the meaning of the phrase “when one door closes, another one opens.”

After he retired from playing hockey professionally in 2003, Hebert moved to San Diego in 2004 to start his new career as a strength and conditioning coach at a sports performance center.

“I ended up training many of the youth hockey players in the area and met Larry Cahn, who was the coaching director with the Jr. Gulls at the time,” said Hebert. “He offered me a head coaching position with the club in 2005 and I’ve been here ever since.”

This season, Hebert is coaching the Jr. Gulls’ 16U AA team and is the longest-tenured coach in the program.

“Jay has been integral to the growth and continued expansion of hockey in Southern California,” said Jr. Gulls’ 14U AA coach Noah Babin. “He certainly gives his all to assist the kids and have as much success as they can.”

Over the years, Hebert has coached numerous players with the Jr. Gulls who have gone on to play junior, college and pro hockey, including Chad Ruhwedel, who was part of Pittsburgh’s Stanley Cup championship team in 2017.

Hebert, who pulls double duty as the U.S. senior player advisor for Ice Exposure, LLC, has also coached Thatcher Demko (Vancouver prospect) and Tyler Moy (Nashville prospect), as well as pro veteran Jonathan Parker, Michigan commit Josh Groll, former NCAA players Grant Gallo, Nik Olsson, Robert Francis, JT Osborn, Kory Grahl, Steven Sherman and Evan Schmidbauer, and current NCAA players Alec McCrea, Nate Kallen, Dominique Petrie, Evan Plotnik, Eric Wright and Nick Schultze.

“It’s all about the players,” said Hebert. “I love to coach and teach the game and I believe sports are a great tool to teach life lessons. I hope that not only am I able to have an impact on their hockey career, but hopefully on their days after hockey is long gone.”

JrGullsHockey.com

CHALK TALK

Find that strong foundation, don’t let in distractions L

isten to post-game interviews of the most elite athletes and you will hear many one-liners that much of us have learned to tune out.

“I just have to worry about what I can control, and focus on that.”

“Just focusing on Ben Frank staying in the moment and not looking too far forward or dwelling on the past.”

We often don’t pay much attention to these post-game comments as it feels a little disingenuous or pre-constructed things the athletes say just to avoid saying something that could get them in trouble. But many of these comments actually have nuggets of gold in them and I would urge any young athlete to tune in and pay attention to these post-game press conferences and the language they use.

A while back, I read “The Obstacle is the Way”

by Ryan Holiday. It’s an amazing read quickly becoming a cult classic in the sports world and most notably, the NFL. “Stoicism as a philosophy is really about the mental game,” Holiday said. “It’s not a set of ethics

or principles. It’s a collection of spiritual exercises designed to help people through the difficulty of life. To focus on managing emotion; specifically, non-helpful emotion.”

At the highest levels, the pressure and scrutiny and the consequences are so intense that athletes and coaches cling to philosophies and beliefs they can anchor themselves to and repeat over and

over as to not get caught up in all of the chaos, criticism and distractions around them.

To maintain success over a long period of time, they must have a strong foundation they can circle back to as they go through the inevitable ups and downs that come with high-level sports – to be able to look at “fail-

ures” and challenges without becoming mentally defeated, to look at obstacles without emotion and judgement and even as opportunities that could even lead to something better.

For example, getting cut from a team may be a blessing later when finding a better fit someplace else, even though it may have been tough to swallow at the time. Without a foundational belief system, the athlete may take these challenging situations totally differently with disastrous results.

Can you think of all of the times a highly successful athlete gets caught up in all of the fame and distractions around them and seem to spiral off course into total chaos, often never recovering?

RG3 Tiger Woods (until last month!)

Mike Tyson and on and on and on Sustainable success over a long period of time requires a foundational belief system and continuous mental practice and routine to stay focused on the process, on the work, and on task and training.

I would highly recommend “The Obstacle is the Way” to any athlete, coach, or anyone in general pursuing greatness in anything that they do.

Thank you as always for reading and would love to discuss this book if you want to send me a note on it (ben@jrreign.com).

Ben Frank is the president of the Ontario Jr. Reign, a USA Hockey Model Association.

Interested in being a Chalk Talk columnist? E-mail Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com.

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

L.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Kings’ Mountain Town Series camps take to Utah, Montana

By Greg Ball

T

he L.A. Kings High School Hockey League (LAKHSHL) may represent one of the top levels of play for older skaters, but that doesn’t mean the team isn’t also working to develop even younger talent across the country.

The Kings’ hockey development staff had a busy summer traveling across the northwestern United States, continuing a string of camps known as the Mountain Town Series. The staff, joined by team alumni, worked with groups in Montana and Utah.

At the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish, Mont., Kings alum Derek Armstrong - who has been involved with the LAKHSHL in various capacities since it started in 2015 - set the pace for the first camp with an on-ice curriculum that included instruction on shooting, passing, skating and stickhandling. The week-long camp focused on developing all aspects of each participant’s game.

More than 35 players from various states across the West Coast and Canada came together for five days of fun and skill development. Campers celebrated the end of

a successful week with a competitive scrimmage and giveaways of LA Kings signed memorabilia.

“Working with the kids in Whitefish was an awesome experience,” said Kings hockey development coordinator Cody von Rueden. “Hockey is taking off in Montana, and it was really important to provide an elite NHL-

style youth hockey camp in the hockey community there.”

The Kings hockey development team had a rewarding experience working with the youth hockey community in Park City, Utah, at their camp in January, and they returned for the first ever week-long Kings Camp Park City.

Coached by Armstrong and fellow Kings alum Kyle

Calder, the Park City camp included two hours of onice instruction, one hour of dryland instruction and lunch each day.

All players received a camp jersey, a swag bag and the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Armstrong and Calder.

“We have built a fantastic relationship with Park City and the Utah hockey community,” von Ruden said. “To date, we have worked with more than 100 kids during our two camps in that community. The participation rate for hockey in Utah is growing at a rapid rate, and we have been fortunate to help with the growth in the game in that area. The future is bright for the LA Kings and Park City, and we look forward to building new programming for the years to come.”

To continue to build on the momentum built in during their camps in Utah, the Kings added a pre-season game to their schedule against the Vancouver Canucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena in late September.

The day before the game, all youth and adult players were given the rare opportunity to skate on the arena ice during a clinic with the Kings hockey development staff - something that will surely be remembered by young hockey players and their families for many years to come.

LAKLeague.com

www.lakings.com/beginners

www.lakings.com/lilkings CARubberHockey.com

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TOYOTA SPORTS CENTER

Kings, ASEC move forward with new rink in Reseda “We look forward to seeing the shovel in the dirt and watching the Reseda Ice Rink come to fruition. The facility is something that’ll be enjoyed by the community for a long, long time.”

“I’m proud to further cement the bond between Los Angeles and our iconic Kings as we move forward to create this unique and historic facility in the West Valley,” Blumenfield added. “I want to thank the entire Kings organiza-

the venture will enhance the sport on a number of levels.

“One of the core missions of the Kings is to be a strong and active presence and partner in our community, and ore ice rinks in the Los Angeles area? Yes, please. the Kings and AEG playing an integral part of the Reseda Given the escalating squeeze on ice availability across the region in recent years, the announcement Ice Rink initiative is something we believe will greatly benearlier this month that Los Angeles City Councilmember efit not only those who love the game of hockey, but young Bob Blumenfield and Los Angeles Kings president Luc athletes in particular,” said Cheeseman.

Robitaille signed a memorandum of understanding so“The location is ideal and really fits a need; there’s lidifying a new public-private partnership to build and great demand for ice in Los Angeles as our game conoperate the Reseda Ice Rink was surely music to plenty tinues to expand and increase in popularity.” of skating families’ ears.

Look no further than the Kings’ recent efforts to afGroundbreaking on the $26 million facility, which ford more playing opportunities at virtually every level. In addition to the continued success of the Jr. Kings prowill be funded by the city and the Kings, is expected gram, the NHL club’s investment in the burgeoning LA to begin early next year with an anticipated opening in Kings High School Hockey League and LA Lions girls 2020. In addition to the NHL-sized ice sheet, the projprogram, along with other figure skating, recreational ect will include a roller hockey rink. and learn-to-play initiatives, has the three-sheet TSC When completed, the city’s first-ever, year-round bursting at the seams. recreational ice facility will be owned by the Department Other rinks in the LA area are in the same boat, and of Recreation and Parks and managed by the Kings and another facility located within striking distance of so American Sports Entertainment Company (ASEC), the many local hockey-playing families backed by the Kings largest independent owner-operator of ice rinks in the United States which oversees 19 facilities across the Members of the Los Angeles Kings’ front office, the City of Los Ange- and led by a first-class rink management outfit in ASEC nation, including El Segundo’s Toyota Sports Center les and ASEC announced earlier this month a partnership to build the can’t help but ease the ice burden while opening more (TSC) - the official training facility of the two-time Stan- Reseda Ice Rink, a one-sheet facility that will serve kids and residents doors for current and future players and their families.

“It’s huge, and not just for our club but all the other ley Cup champions and home of the Los Angeles Jr. of the West Valley and the entire region.

Kings. tion for their partnership on this project and dedication to programs in the area, too, that are doing such a great job “This is a tremendous opportunity for the Kings to con- our city, ensuring that future generations of Angelenos will introducing more kids to the game and helping them develop a love for the sport,” Jr. Kings general manager of tinue to grow the game of hockey in Los Angeles,” said have access to learn and love hockey and skating.”

Robitaille. “We’d like to thank Councilmember BlumenKelly Cheeseman, COO of the Kings and AEG hockey operations Nick Vachon said of the rink in Reseda. field and Reseda for their hard work and diligent efforts in Sports, is also excited to see another ice facility take shape “Collectively as we keep moving the game forward, the helping make this a reality. over the next couple of years and nothing but confident more ice we have to work with the better.”

By Brian McDonough

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ToyotaSportsCenter.com

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SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS

Home again: Jr. Sharks grads back coaching youth teams

By Matt Mackinder

F

or eight San Jose Jr. Sharks coaches, the adage “you can’t go home again” is not very accurate.

Greg Angus, Jacquie Audet, Chris Buchanan, Ryan Gaynor, Roy Grandov, Vaughn Reuter, Will Shukait and Theo Tydingco all grew up playing for the Jr. Sharks and are back coaching in the club this season after being away playing junior hockey and college hockey at various locations across the country.

Audet, who is an assistant for the 12U AAA and 14U AAA girls teams as well as serving as a goalie coach in the association, played NCAA hockey at St. Cloud State and Lake Forest College.

“I’ve always had a huge passion for coaching,” said Audet. “From the end of my youth career and throughout my college career, it’s something that I’ve made sure to invest and become better in. I knew that I wanted to coach after retiring, so when I moved back home, it just made sense to reach out to the Jr. Sharks and give back to the program that has helped shape me not only as a hockey player but a person as well. I grew up in that rink, and it feels like

home.”

A graduate of the NAHL and EHL, as well as Wesleyan University, Tydingco is the club’s 15U AAA assistant coach this season.

“I’ve known for a while that I wanted to stay in the game, and I wanted to give back to the club that gave me every opportunity to play,” Tydingco said. “John Beaulieu called me after my season had just ended at Wesleyan asking if I could coach 15U AAA with him and I couldn’t pass it up. Playing AAA was a blast growing up in San Jose and so far, it’s been the same way being able to coach it. Tons of talent in the Bay Area, and I’m excited to be a part of that development and watch these players and the club grow as a whole.”

Tydingco also noted that some things have changed since he played for the Jr. Sharks.

“There’s a substantial difference in the way we treat off-ice training now,” said Tydingco. “Jay Thomas and John Germaine have done a tremendous job to change the landscape with how we think about training, injury prevention, and gaining that edge over the summer, which is something I see many people look past.”

Buchanan, the Jr. Sharks’ 16U AAA assistant coach this year, played in the NAHL and USHL and later for

NCAA Division I Bentley.

“The Jr. Sharks gave me an amazing work ethic,” said Buchanan. “We have a gym that’s open almost all day with great trainers, coaches that will help you out individually at any time, and people at the rink that make you feel comfortable to be around so much. They gave me the confidence to dream and achieve whatever I wanted, all while maintaining my work ethic to get there.”

Reuter is the 16U AAA and 18U AAA assistant and went to Boston College for academics.

“Choosing to come back to the Jr. Sharks program was easy,” Reuter said. “The familiarity of the facility as well as members of the hockey department and coaching staff made the transition seamless. The commitment of the Jr. Sharks to develop life skills for young people through the sport of hockey aligned with my personal belief of positive mentorship through coaching and sports.”

An assistant with the 14U AAA team, Gaynor attended the University of Colorado-Boulder for academics.

“The Jr. Sharks focus on hard work and pushing each individual and team to achieve more than what they believe they can,” Gaynor said. “This mindset of never being satisfied has always stuck with me, and helped me realize that anything is possible on and off the ice, as long as you put the work in.”

Grandov (16U AAA, 18U AAA assistant, played NA3HL, NAHL, University of Arizona), Shukait (18U AA coach, Squirt A coach, travel goalie coach, played Jr. Sharks 18U AAA) and Angus (first-time coach, Squirt B, in-house coach, played Jr. Sharks house) round out the impressive list of alumni.

SJJrSharks.com

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www.caha.com

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

TAHOE PREP HOCKEY ACADEMY

Young SoCal talents finding benefits to playing at TPHA

By Greg Ball

A

pair of Southern Californians are making themselves at home quickly at Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy (TPHA).

Tyler McNeil and Leon Biller both made the jump from playing for the Valencia Jr. Flyers last year to joining TPHA this season, and the pair of 16-yearold junior forwards have already established themselves as integral members of the school’s prep team playing in the North American Prospects Hockey League’s (NAPHL) 18U division.

Both left wings, McNeil is from Santa Clarita and Biller was born in Sweden but raised in Valencia. They each had their own reasons for making the switch to studying and playing hockey in Tahoe, and their decisions had a lot to do with putting their development as players on the fast track.

“I wanted to advance my career and do bigger and better things,” explained McNeil, who played for the Jr. Flyers and Anaheim Jr. Ducks previously and was the top scorer at the 16U AA level in CAHA last season. “My dream right now is to play Division I college hockey - I want to go to Boston University.”

McNeil has come to love the environment at TPHA, noting that he now has more time for academics than when he was playing travel hockey and that he’s getting more time on the ice to improve his skills than he ever has in his youth hockey career. Even with five days a week scheduled on the ice, he rou-

tinely stops by the rink on off days to work on his shot or do other drills.

“I hate even missing a couple days,” he said. “I always want to get on the ice.”

Scott McNeil, Tyler’s father, said that their family made the decision to attend Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy without ever having set foot on the campus.

Leon Biller

Tyler McNeil

Of course, when they finally made it there and saw the facilities, they knew they had made the right decision.

“Tyler is one of the most competitive, driven people I know, and he is passionate about the sport,” he said. “Attending Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy was something he wanted to do.

“Travel hockey can be hard on academics. When

he was traveling with the Ducks, he missed so much school. At TPHA, he is getting the benefit of the social skills from going to his face-to-face classes as well as the flexibility to develop. Mom and Dad get their dream of preparing him for college while he gets to pursue his dream on the ice.”

Biller was also among the top scorers at the 16U AA level in CAHA last year, totaling 53 goals and 45 assists in just 47 games. After experiencing so much success, he felt he needed to challenge himself even more if he wanted to continue improving.

“Coming to Tahoe was another step on the ladder for me,” he said. “We go to some really big tournaments and get a lot of exposure. My goal is to play pro hockey, but right now I really want to make it to college and I really want to play at Boston University.”

Biller’s father, Curt, played Division I hockey in Sweden and has exposed his son to some of the same top hockey camps that he attended as a youth in his native country. He said that when it came time to decide if Leon would attend TPHA, there were plenty of positives, both in terms of hockey and academics.

“I liked the focus on development in all areas,” Curt Biller said. “The kids practice hockey in the morning, then go to school, do some training in the afternoon, and then they’re done. They have time to study without having to go late into the night.”

While it’s still early in the 2018-19 season, McNeil and Biller have already combined for five points in just three NAPHL games.

TahoeHockeyAcademy.com

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ANAHEIM DUCKS

THE RINKS, Lady Ducks boosting girls hockey in the state

By THE RINKS Staff

W

e all know that hockey is growing in Southern California, but the one thing that you may not notice is how much of that growth is from female hockey players.

According to USA Hockey’s 2017-2018 Final Registration Report, California contains the eighth-most female hockey players under the age of 18 in the country. With over 1,800 registered last year, one of the many reasons why California is within the top ten states in girls hockey is because of THE RINKS’ own highly-acclaimed Anaheim Lady Ducks program.

Continuing to outpace the USA Hockey projected growth for girls programs in the country, the Lady Ducks now field 14 girls teams, including two track-level SCAHA 8U teams. While the on-ice accomplishments are incredible, the off-ice accomplishments are even more outstanding as over 100 players have been signed to scholarships at the Division I and III collegiate levels as the program focuses on developing not only good hockey players but molding the individual as well.

So when the time came to give back to the community and help build the base for the next group of female hockey players, you knew that they would play a part.

On Oct. 7, as part of the IIHF and USA Hockey’s World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend, THE RINKS hosted nearly 100 new female hockey players for a special Girls Try Hockey For Free Day at three different sessions held at

The Rinks-Lakewood ICE, The Rinks-Irvine Inline and The Rinks – Poway ICE. The participants, most with little to none hockey skating experience, were given the chance to learn the fundamentals of hockey for free. To make the experience special, members of the Lady Ducks organization came out to form almost the entire coaching base. “(THE RINKS) are not just looking to provide the chance for these new hockey players to try

hockey, but we also want to make the experience a memorable one,” said THE RINKS marketing coordinator Kirstie Bender. “Sometimes, hockey can mistakenly be referred to as a man’s sport and that stereotype alone can intimidate girls from coming to try it. Having players and coaching staff from the Lady Ducks organization made the world of a difference to new players. Not only did we see the new players instantly become comfortable having another girl coach them, we also saw their exactment when they realize how good their coaches were and how good they could

AnaheimDucks.com

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be with just some more work.”

After the hour-long session, the experience was made even more memorable as all the participants were invited to watch the Anaheim Ducks take on the Arizona Coyotes with their new friends and coaches later in the season where they will be recognized in front of the entire crowd.

“It is nice to tie in everything by bringing all the participants to the Ducks game together,” said THE RINKS marketing director Jesse Chatfield. “From the bottom to the top, the Anaheim Ducks know the importance in growing the game through grassroots programs and embracing the sport for both boys and girls. To have their support to not only provide an opportunity to play the sport for free, but also attend a game for free, just shows how value the growth of hockey in the community.”

While the day provided a special opportunity to try hockey out once, THE RINKS continue to offer multiple programs designed for new hockey players of all ages and for both boys and girls alike. As part of another USA Hockey initiative, THE RINKS will take part in USA Hockey Try Hockey For Free Day with multiple sessions that will be available throughout Southern California on Nov. 10. Meanwhile, THE RINKS will always continue to offer the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play Hockey program all year long.

For more information on how you can get your son or daughter to start playing hockey at THE RINKS, visit www.therinks.com.

ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Pair of former Jr. Ducks make the grade with NHL Central Scouting

By Chris Bayee

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ess than four months after having a product of the Anaheim Jr. Ducks selected in the NHL Draft, the program has two more strong candidates for the same honor in 2019, according NHL Central Scouting’s recently released Players to Watch list.

Former Jr. Ducks defensemen Cam York and Ryan Johnson appeared on the watch list. York received an ‘A’ rating, meaning he is a candidate to be selected in the first round, while Johnson garnered a ‘B’ rating, indicating he is a candidate to be picked in the second or third round.

Slava Demin, a freshman defenseman at the University of Denver, in June became the club’s first NHL pick since it started its Tier I program when he went in the fourth round (99th overall) to the Vegas Golden Knights.

York, who played eight seasons with the Jr. Ducks, is a 5-foot-11, 171-pound defenseman who is in his second season with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP).

The 2001 birth year had 52 points in a combined 92 games for the NTDP’s Under-17 and Under-18 teams last season. York also has represented Team USA on the international stage, helping the Americans win a silver medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship in Russia in April. He had six assists in seven games there.

Johnson, who is in his first season playing for Sioux Falls of the USHL, helped the Jr. Ducks’ 16U AAA team win bronze at April’s USA Hockey Youth Nationals.

He was the highest ever Californian chosen in Phase I the USHL Draft, when the Stampede took him third overall in 2016.

Johnson had 45 points in 35 Tier 1 Elite Hockey League games and another 15 in 10 CAHA games this past season.

The University of Minnesota commit won a gold medal as part of Team USA’s U17 team at the Five Nations Cup in 2017.

JrDucks.com

CARubberHockey.com

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HOCKEYSHOT

Pavel Barber’s Top 10 Hockey Training Tips: Part 1 of 2

By HockeyShot’s Stickhandling Specialist Pavel Barber 10. Use a Notebook: Those with more awareness will build skill at a faster rate. We all know those moments where we’ve been working so hard on a skill, and we make one small tweak and it finally clicks. I would get so excited as a kid when these moments happened that I would need to write down the details in a notebook. This way, I would never forget that small point that made me successful. To get truly great at something, you have to immerse yourself in the trial and error process. The failures and the disappointment will actually be the glue that will allow these points to stick so you won’t forget. Capture these moments, enjoy them, and continue to build.

9. Focus on Yourself: It’s easy to get distracted by what others are doing, especially when they are better than us.

Sometimes that leads to us feeling insecure, and that’s OK. We all learn at different paces, and we need to understand that the only way to get better at the fastest rate possible is to focus on ourselves. We are constantly in competition with our former selves. That means we aren’t looking at

how fast someone beside us in line is going through a drill.

What you’ll find is that when learning a new skill, going slower will actually get you to learn the skill faster. Focus on your own development.

ing. It needs to be fun. When we have free time, we seek fun activities to do. When we enjoy it, it’s easier to stay in the present moment for longer, and we will undoubtedly train more if we love doing it.

8. Have Fun: When we’re training, there is a lot of pres-

7. Read: There are so many books to complement your development and help make you aware of all the competitive advantages you can use to gain skill faster. You’ll notice most of my advice above is about mental skill rather than physical. This is because the quality of the physical skill you perform will be influenced by the mindset you have going into that training session. A few great reads are “The Talent Code,” “Mind Gym,” “The Power of Now,” “The Cellestine Prophecy” and “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.”

sure. There’s a lot of expectations. When it comes down to it, we want to be the best we can be and do the best with what we have. In order to put in the ungodly amount of deep, focused hours needed to be the best we can be, we have to fall in love with the game. We need to have a positive relationship with train-

6. Put in the Work Off the Ice: These hours add up.

And you don’t need much. Whether it’s a carpet floor and a golf ball, a backyard stickhandling zone, a driveway, and outdoor rink or a parking lot, you can get a lot done off the ice to supplement your on-ice skills. I didn’t have much money growing up, and the only way for me to get my hours of deep focused practice in was to stickhandle at home and stickhandle at an outdoor rink near my house. In your shoes is great, but adding rollerblades is a great way to take your skills and challenge them at speed and with edge work.

Join us next month for Pavel Barber’s Top 10 Training Tips: Part 2, or visit www.HockeyShot.com now for the latest tips, tricks and the best hockey training products on the market at an affordable price.

HockeyShot.com

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

NEVADA REPORT

Jr. Golden Knights grad Day makes jump to NA3HL’s Wild mainly the facilities,” Day said. “Obviously, being with the team now there’s much more than that. The staff is also aleb Day admits his path to the NA3HL’s Gillette top-tier in terms of junior teams. I wouldn’t necessarily say I was excited to leave home, but I knew it was someWild was unconventional.

Equally unique is the story of thing that had to be done if I how the 18-year-old Las Vegas wanted to progress in hockey. I native chose hockey as his sport do like the small-town life comof choice. pared to the big city life, though At the end of the day, though, – way less traffic.”

Day said he wouldn’t have his In getting his start story written any other way. in hockey, Day “This is actually an interestsaid his tale is “a strange ing way to get on a junior team one.”

– didn’t have a tryout, nothing like “Basicalthat,” said Day. “There’s a yearly, I had startly exposure camp in Las Vegas ed watching called Globals, and I attended it hockey since this year. The deal was that if I had before I received no offers or feedback could refrom teams, I’d have to go to colmember, lege. By the fourth day, I had no and I would offers until a AAA team and (Gilget these long lette coach) Steve Kruk came and talked to me. Kruk offered me foam tubes and a little foam a roster spot not too long after Las Vegas product Caleb Day played the 2017-18 puck-shaped pad, and I’d shoot the camp. It was a tough deci- season for the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights and now around like I was a hockey player,” explained Day. “It wasn’t sion, but ultimately going to play skates for the NA3HL’s Gillette Wild. until I was 10 that I started skating. A family friend gave juniors now was the best thing I could’ve done.”

Now firmly immersed with the Wyoming-based fran- money to start up hockey, so we got some gear and chise, Day is enjoying his junior hockey experience so far. went through a little introduction to skating at the Las “The thing that appealed to me about the team was Vegas Ice Center. I started playing because at the time,

By Matt Mackinder

C

I wanted to get one of those cool goalie masks that I saw on the TV all the time. Goalie equipment, as we all know, is expensive, so I just started playing hockey as a forward.

“It was a great time once I started getting better.”

And like most young budding hockey stars, Day began in the house leagues. He eventually moved up to travel hockey with the Las Vegas Jr. Wranglers and Nevada Storm before skating last season with the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights.

“Some of my standout coaches would have to include Ken Quinney, as he was my first coach and helped pave the way for stuff I do to this day,” said Day. “Another standout coach would have to be Dell Truax.

He had coached lower levels in the past, but with what he was given, he really did well in his position. A huge part of my development this past offseason has been Brian Salcido, and I believe I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

Moving forward, Day has his goals set at a realistic pace.

“My short-term goal right now is to be a great teammate in Gillette and to learn from the vets and coaches as much as I can, as development is basically the biggest part of this level of hockey,” Day said. “Winning a Frontier Division championship wouldn’t be too bad, either. In terms of long-term goals, in a perfect world I’d like to play college hockey for UNLV and maybe move on from there.

In terms of schooling and life, I’d like to attend school and study psychology, as I feel it could impact the world positively while also being a very flexible job in terms of location.”

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM Let’s look at ways to stay fresh, vary your in-season training W

ith the NHL season underway and the NBA season right around the corner, it’s time to look at how to vary your in-season training.

Just because games have started doesn’t mean that you stop training – you just have to modify what you do. It is important to know your needs at this time of the year. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What does your schedule look like, as this will also affect your in-season program. Typically, maintaining or Chris Phillips gaining strength, mobility and flexibility as well as continuing injury prevention exercises are key elements of your program during the season.

Looking at your practice and game schedule will help decide how to devise your program. Using a calendar to help you visually see what days and weeks will be busy and which times will work best can definitely be beneficial when putting together a plan. As a general rule, I think strength and injury prevention exercises should be performed twice a week and flexibility and mobility exercises performed every practice and game day.

On heavier weeks when you play more games or travel more, you may have to lighten the strength exercises, picking some basic moves that will help maintain strength and keep you healthy and add in more prevention and recovery work. On lighter weeks, you can go after it a little more and try to improve strength gains. On these weeks, it’s OK to feel sore the next day because you have a light week, where as on a heavier schedule week, the goal may be to help your body feel better.

In upcoming columns, I will go into some more specific exercises to add to your in-season program.

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

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ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL

Pair of Rams standouts find balancing act at St. Mary’s

By Matt Mackinder

A

nthony Alvarado and Alex Gunnoe are key cogs in the first-ever program at St. Mary’s High School this season in Stockton.

Alvarado, a freshman defenseman, and Gunnoe, a senior blueliner, are excited to see what the 2018-19 season brings, both on and off the ice.

“We are playing high-quality 18U AAA teams and prep hockey teams,” explained Alvarado. “The season seems like it’s really challenging balancing school and hockey every day. Right now, we are just focusing getting our team ready to go so we are ready when we go into those games. So far, the team has gotten really close and we are basically all brothers.”

“In this season so far, I feel like as an individual and as a team, we have become very close, on and off the ice,” Gunnoe said. “I also think we have improved a lot but there is still a lot of room for improvement. For the next few weeks, I really want to focus on my consistency in the upcoming games and trying to put forth more effort in practices.”

On tap, the Rams play their first games in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League and NAHL Prep League.

“The coaches expect a lot from us as a group and the caliber of hockey is great for a first-year team,” said Alvarado. “This isn’t your regular type of high school hockey, especially in California, because of the amount of challenging teams on our schedule.”

“I think St. Mary’s is very good program because of the coaching,” Gunnoe said. “Both coaches (Derek Eisler, Zac Lytle) are caring and knowledgeable and seem to care a lot about the success for the team as well as us as individuals.”

And in playing for Eisler, a veteran coach with time on an NHL bench on his resume with the San Jose Sharks, both Alvarado and Gunnoe see the benefits in learning from a hockey mind.

“I’ve been playing for Derek for some seasons

Anthony Alvarado

Alex Gunnoe

now and he’s been the best coach I’ve ever had,” Alvarado said. “Whenever he talks, everyone listens and especially now, he is always talking about creating a culture about how we do things for St. Mary’s hockey.”

“I love playing for Coach Derek because he really understands what I need to do to get better and

pushes me every practice to make sure I’m at the top of my game,” noted Gunnoe.

When it comes to balancing academics with the rigorous hockey schedule, the staff at St. Mary’s has been second to none in helping with this aspect.

“The school obviously expects a lot from the students, but the teachers are good at helping to make sure you succeed,” said Gunnoe. “Having practice every day makes it a lot easier to work on the little things you need to get better at, so I think it is making me a much better hockey player overall. The combination of hockey and academics make for a pretty busy schedule, so it is helping me with time management.”

“Being a college preparatory school, the teachers expect a lot from us as student-athletes,” Alvarado said. “The school and people are the great and the students are nice to be around every day. St. Mary’s is preparing all of us for college hockey because we are on the ice every day, balancing school and going on trips every other week.”

Moving forward, Alvarado and Gunnoe have their goals and priorities in order.

“My short-term goals are to get better than I was yesterday, get stronger every day and to get all my work done every single day and not slack off on school work because I’m tired,” Alvarado said. “My long-term goals to is play NCAA Division I college hockey and to graduate with a 3.6 GPA or higher.”

“I just want to get as much better as I can and to play hockey after I leave St. Mary’s,” said Gunnoe.

SaintMarysHighSchool.org

Orange native, Jr. Kings alum NHL Pacific Division stronger with McGrew inks NHL deal with Sharks newcomers Pacioretty, Karlsson

By Brian McDonough

By Matt Mackinder

I

A

t’s onward and upward for Orange native Jake McGrew.

The former Los Angeles Jr. King signed a standard, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks last month.

McGrew, a 19-year-old forward, spent last season playing for the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He’ll skate there again for the 2018-19 season after originally being an eighth-round pick (168th overall) of the Chiefs in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

After missing the 2016-17 campaign recovering from knee surgery, McGrew scored his first career WHL goal on his first shift in his first career game. He registered 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points during the 201718 season, ranking second among rookie skaters in goals and seventh in points while also finishing tied for second in power-play goals with five.

“Jake is an exceptional skater who’s a threat to shoot San Jose GM Doug Wilson from anywhere on the ice,” Sharks general manager welcomes California product Jake McGrew to the Doug Wilson said. “He always seems to be around the Sharks organization. Photo/ net, ready to outwork his opponent for the puck.”

San Jose Sharks The 5-foot-10, 190-pound McGrew, who also tallied two goals and four assists in seven postseason contests with the Chiefs, was selected by San Jose in the sixth round (159th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, which was staged in Chicago.

“He really took his game to the next level during the WHL playoffs last season and carried that into Team USA’s World Junior Selection Camp this summer before a strong showing in both the rookie tournament in Vegas and our NHL training camp last month,” Wilson added. “He’s continued to exceed expectations, both on and off the ice, and we’ve been very impressed with his development under Spokane head coach Dan Lambert.”

In his final season with the Jr. Kings in 2015-16, McGrew helped the program’s 16U AAA team capture a Pacific District championship.

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s the summer wound down and NHL training camps kicked into high gear, the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights decided to make blockbuster trades within days of one another.

First, the Golden Knights acquired Montreal Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty – and abruptly signed him to a four-year contract extension through the 202223 season – and then the Sharks added former Norris Trophy winner and Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson.

Both are excited to bring their games to the West Coast.

“When (Montreal) came here and we played them, it was one of the most amazing hockey experiences in my life,” Pacioretty said. “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a first-class organization that I’m proud to be a part of.”

Erik Karlsson Max Pacioretty “I feel I have the opportunity right now to just get back to what I loved doing as a kid, and that’s just going out there and having fun and playing hockey.”

For Karlsson, in the last season of a six-year contract, a fresh start is just what he was looking for.

“I see this as an extremely motivating challenge to grow as a player and as a person,” Karlsson said. “I think, from everything so far, I’m going to have a great opportunity to do that here.”

Karlsson, who is entering the final season of a six-year deal and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2019, has not spoken publicly on the possibility of signing a long-term contract extension to stay in San Jose.

“That’s the big thing that’s resonated with me,” San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said. “He’s not worried about anything else. He just wants to get in and be a good teammate and get going.”

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WCRHL to sport radically different look for new season teams (previously designated as Division III).

The Junior College Division will see no changes and existing programs will continue to participate in their own division for regular-season standings and postseason play.

Following the divisional realignment, the NCRHA will now hold national championship playoffs in the Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV and JC Division tiers.

The new Division II tier is expected to be highly competitive and include somewhere between 25-30 teams nationwide and an anticipated division of 16-20 teams at the national championships.

The new classification system opens doors of

Barbara and Arizona State University.

The Gauchos and Sun Devils will have an he Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League opportunity to match up against traditional WCRHL (WCRHL) will face off its 2018-19 season with its rivals during the regular season as well as get a chance annual Kick-Off Event Oct. 27-28 at San Jose’s Silver to test traditional national powerhouse programs in Creek Sportsplex. inter-regional competition.

Teams in all divisions will participate in this first ASU program director Nick Boyarsky said his regular-season event. team will make the trek to Illinois in January to compete The WCRHL will also have a new look in 2018in an inter-regional tournament to face such teams 19, as will all member conferences in the National as Lindenwood University (last season’s Division Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA), after I finalist), Grand Valley State (last year’s Division I a divisional reorganization over the offseason in an semifinalist) and Michigan State (a quarterfinalist along effort to promote more parity among teams at differing with the Sun Devils and Gauchos at last year’s national organizational and competition levels. championship tournament in North Dakota).

Division I remains the top tier in the “Hopefully this is a good preparation for us NCRHA, though it now becomes an opt-in going into nationals,” Boyarsky said. division that will feature less than a dozen The WCRHL’s Division II tier includes teams nationwide. seven teams this season: Cal Poly San Luis Division II and Division III tiers will Obispo, University of Arizona, Chico State, encompass the majority of primary teams, San Jose State, CSU Fullerton, Long Beach while Division IV receives a new classification State and Northern Arizona University. for secondary teams.

Cal Poly SLO, Fullerton and Chico State The divisional realignment serves to foster were all Division I members last season. a more competitive and enjoyable experience The Division III tier includes five teams: Cal during the regular season and at the national Poly Pomona, UC San Diego, UC-Berkeley, championship tournament for all primary teams, UC Irvine and UCLA. according to a press release announcing the Pomona, Cal, UC Irvine and UC San Diego changes. were all Division II members last season.

“Basically, the NCRHA created another The reclassified Division IV tier (Division division for primary teams, and all conferences III last season) is for secondary teams. It is needed to adopt the new divisional structure,” a division where primary teams can develop WCRHL director and NCRHA executive players, akin to a junior varsity level. director Brennan Edwards explained.

Division IV members for 2018-19 include “So Division I is an opt-in, high-talent and ASU, Arizona, Pomona, Santa Barbara, San organization division.

Luis Obispo, West Valley College, Fullerton “The next two divisions have the bulk of and NAU. the teams. Due to splitting the teams up this The Junior College Division remains way, teams will play across the divisions in the Saddleback College’s Jackson Faught (left) and George Godinez hoist the 2018 Na- unaffected by the divisional reorganization. regular season, and Division I team schedules tional Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Junior College Division national Saddleback College and West Valley College are made to accommodate more travel out of championship trophy. will renew their rivalry for a second consecutive conference to play the other Division I teams, not just opportunity for some programs. Teams that were year after Saddleback defeated West Valley to win last playing them at nationals.” previously classified in the former Division IV tier can season’s NCRHA national championship.

The new Division II tier will contain most of the now be eligible for selection to participate in national Other WCRHL regular season events include those former Division I teams and upper-level Division II championships as members of the newly reclassified scheduled Nov. 17-18 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach programs from last year whereas the newly reclassified Division III tier. and Feb. 2-3 at the Barney Family Sports Complex in Division III tier will contain the remaining teams from Queen Creek, Ariz. last season’s Division II lineup, plus teams from the West Coast facelift The WCRHL conference championship tournament former Division IV tier (which played limited schedules).

The new-look WCRHL divisional alignment features is scheduled for March 2-3, 2019, at The Rinks-Corona The new Division IV tier will consist of secondary just two teams in Division I this season: UC Santa Inline.

By Phillip Brents

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ADISL faces off 2018-19 season with 25 inline teams

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he Anaheim Ducks Inline Scholastic Hockey League (ADISL) will face off its 2018-19 fall/ winter season with a collection of 25 high school and junior high school teams.

It is the largest inline scholastic league in Southern California.

Membership in the high school division includes 17 teams: Beckman (two teams), Crossroads Christian, Cypress, Edison (two teams), El Toro, Huntington Beach United, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Mater Dei, Mission Viejo, Norco, Pacifica, Santiago, Villa Park and Woodbridge.

Regular-season play starts Oct. 28 following a slate of preseason evaluation games. ADISL coordinator John Paerels expects the high school league to include 3-4 divisions.

Playoffs are scheduled Feb. 8-10, 2019.

Eight teams are slated to compete in two tiers in the junior high division’s fall season: Isaac Sowers 22

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

ADISL alumni included Brayden Kohler, Cody Vadeboncoeur, Max Reeves and Noah Auerlich, all from Santiago High School, as well as Grayson Yada and Hayden Maxwell, both from Beckman. Boddy served as the U.S. team’s assistant coach.

Paerels, of course, was elated.

“I think it really shows the strength of the top division of the ADISL,” he said. “From what I’ve seen, top teams Gold standard in the other California high school The ADISL scored major leagues are competitive with the international prestige points over the second or third tier of the ADISL, but summer as six players with ties to the top ADISL squads — especially the league, plus one coach (Norco’s in the spring season when the ice Steven Boddy), won a gold medal players return — are on a different with the United States national junior Hayden Maxwell men’s team at July’s International level.”

Federation of Roller Sports (FIRS) inline hockey world championship tournament in Italy.

- Phillip Brents (two teams), Jeffrey Trail, Lakeside (two teams), Irvine Combo, Rancho San Joaquin and Rancho Santa Margarita.

The new season faced off Sept.

28 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline with a pair of overtime contests. “We’re looking forward to another fun, exciting season,” Paerels said.

Californians push Team USA to success at inline worlds with five goals and nine points in the team’s six games.

Printzen led the team in scoring with nine goals and 16 points.

The young Americans proved competitive, dropping two games by one goal (3-2 each to Colombia and Italy), tying one game (2-2 against New Zealand), and losing by three goals in another (4-1 to Finland).

“Aside from Finland in our pool, all of our games were very close,” Era noted. “I know we would have beaten Great Britain and Australia (in the other pool).”

Era said the final pool game against Italy tested the

it was really impressive to watch. We came out aggressively attacking the puck and actually led most of f the four teams that represented the United States the game. We could not keep up the aggressive pace at this summer’s International Federation of Roller that put us in the lead with only eight skaters and Italy Sports (FIRS) inline hockey world championships in sneaked back in to win 3-2 with a few minutes left.

Italy, the U.S. junior women’s team turned in perhaps “Italy celebrated the win like a gold medal and every the most underrated performance. one of our girls cried and were emotionally drained.

The team, comprised of players ranging from 13-19 These girls represented the USA very well and I was years old, including three from California, was making very proud of each of them and the way they played.” its first appearance in the division since 2014. The The two games against India were 14-0 and 16-0 U.S. squad did not come home with a medal, though routs for the U.S. squad. its players did bring back a lot of lasting “The focus of the two games was to make memories and a keen desire to perform sure we won (to rank the highest possible better the in future. that we could) and to ensure that every The team officially skated off the floor player on the team recorded a goal and both in Asiago and Roana with a ninth-place goalies recorded assists,” Era recounted. finish among the 10 teams competing in “The team made sure that happened in both the division. The U.S. team’s only victories games.” came against India, which finished 10th in Spain defeated Finland 4-2 to win the the team standings. gold medal while Chinese Taipei blanked But with a little luck, the young American Italy 2-0 to finish third. squad could have written a different ending “Spain, Finland and Chinese Taipei were for itself. definitely the top three teams,” the U.S. “Our ladies played better each game,” coach said.

U.S. head coach Greg Era stressed. “Our Era said this year’s young Team USA pool was tight and highly competitive.” entry was a team built with the future in mind.

The 2018 U.S. junior women’s squad was “We had a few in each age group (13among the more unique fielded by the United 19) which I felt was important to develop the States for international competition with all junior women’s team and not have a one and 10 players on the roster hailing from the done,” he said.

West Coast. Besides the three Californians – Era said the focus at the tournament was San Jose’s Kristin Vavaroutsos, Corona’s for each team to represent its country with Lilie Pogu and West Covina’s Anamary pride. He said that happened “from the top Pulgar (goaltender) – the team’s roster also The United States national junior women’s team, braced by three Californians, proved team to the bottom team.” highly competitive despite its ninth-place finish at July’s International Federation of Roller included four Arizona natives, one Nevada Sports (FIRS) inline hockey world championships in Italy.

“I had players and families contact me product and two players from Oregon. days after we got back to the States and Arizonans on the roster included Yuma’s Isabella team’s resolve. they told me it was the best hockey experience they Clark, Scottsdale’s Lauren Power, Ahwatukee’s “We had already calculated that our final round ever had, much different from what they expected,” Era Macy Eide and Phoenix’s Tatum Proud (goaltender). robin game against Italy was numerically insignificant to summed up. “It’s hard to explain to people the pride you Las Vegan Ashley Printzen represented Nevada while make it as a top four team in our pool before we played feel representing your country at a world championship Kylie Brown and Lexus Ace both hailed from Oregon. them,” Era said. “Lyndsey and I asked our ladies to not in your sport.

Era and assistant coach Lyndsey Fry, both treat this as a throwaway game but to show that pride “There is nothing like putting on the USA uniform, Arizonans, reinforced the team’s West Coast theme. and heart of playing for the USA. standing for your national anthem and then competing Vavaroustsos paced the Golden State contingent “Our ladies gave everything they had in that game; for your country.”

By Phillip Brents

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Loyalty drives annual Give Blood Play Hockey tournament W

hile the Give Blood Play Hockey charity inline hockey tournament has dedicated itself to raise funds to fight pediatric cancer, the tournament has built its reputation on the efforts of dedicated staff.

This year’s 12th annual tournament, scheduled for Oct. 18-21 at The RinksIrvine Inline, is poised to reach the $1 million mark in ongoing donations.

Tournament co-founder Mary Korus specifically offers praise to the loyalty that fans, players and supporters have for the event that has made it a community celebration.

Grayson Yada, who won a gold medal with the United States national junior men’s team at July’s International Federation of Roller Sports (FIRS) inline hockey world championships in Italy, serves as a student chair.

He sums up the event as “one of the most fun tournaments every year, all for such an important cause.”

“Give Blood Play Hockey means a lot to me,”

Yada explained. “They made me feel so welcome when I joined the team last year. In every meeting,

everyone is so excited to make the event fun for the players and to help in the fight against pediatric cancer. It is really inspiring that such a great community has come together because of their genuine love for others and hockey.

“Everyone involved in this organization is an amazing, thoughtful person and has shown me the true meaning of giving back. I really look forward to the future of Give Blood Play Hockey because I know their impact grows bigger and bigger every year.”

Brian Wong has been volunteering at the GBPH tournament for six years. He has chaired the blood drive for three years.

“The blood drive is truly the heart of the entire event,” Wong said. “GBPH has the most spirited, compassionate group of people who have taught me the value of giving and helping others. I feel so fortunate to be part of such a great organization. I see myself being part of GBPH throughout my life.”

- Phillip Brents CARubberHockey.com

23

Starring at St. Cloud State California natives Robby Jackson, Parick Newell looking to carry Huskies during senior seasons “He’s very gifted with the puck,” the coach said.

“He could score more because he has such a quick release. He needs to shoot it more.”

Playing on such a talent-laden roster, Newell really hasn’t had to.

His production has been remarkably consistent regardless of his linemates. The former Jr. King, LA Hockey Club, California Titan and California Wave

excel.

“He’s one of the better skaters in our league,” hen you first talk with Robby Jackson and Gibbons said. “And he’s a puck stealer. He’s got Patrick Newell, they seem like unlikely cansuch a quick stick that he can separate the puck didates to be roommates, much less best friends. from guys.

Yet that is exactly what the St. Cloud State Uni“And he is the type of guy that can really bring it versity senior forwards are. when it counts. He has to be our leading scorer in The loquacious Jackson, who is from Alameda, the playoffs.” regularly displays every bit of the broadcast comIt doesn’t always go noticed by those outside munication major that he is. For further evidence the program, but those around him realize it. of his media prowess, check out the clips from the “He’s a guy who flies under the radar a bit, recent NCHC media day in which he hosted inand he gets lost in the shuffle at times, but he terviews with all eight schools’ coaches and capdeserves a lot more credit than he gets,” Jackson tains, trading friendly and sometimes hilariously said. “I hope he gets 50 points, 70 points this seapointed banter with friends and foes alike. son. He’s fun to watch.”

The business-like and business-majoring NewJackson and Newell entered their senior seaell, a three-time All-NCHC Academic Team pick son with a renewed sense of focus, and just as from Thousand Oaks, meanwhile, maintains a their personalities are different, so, too, is how this calm, even demeanor on and off the ice. purpose is manifest.

Yet there is no NorCal vs. SoCal conflict beFor Jackson, a first-round loss in the NCAA tween two players with opposite but apparently Tournament in March (as the No. 1 seed, to Air complementary personalities.

Force, the No. 16 seed) and coach Bob MotzTheir games have complemented whomever ko’s departure for Minnesota were tough pills to they’ve played with, and they played key roles in swallow. helping the Huskies stay at or near the top of the “I created a big chip on my shoulder,” Jackson polls nearly all of last season. said. “I was upset with the loss and I was upset Jackson led an offense that finished fourth in Motzko went to the Gophers. We talked through Division I hockey in scoring with 42 points, includit.” ing 15 goals (second on the team). He fired 111 Those disappointments could have greased shots, third most on the team, while seven of his the skids for Jackson to sign a pro contract. Afgoals came on special teams. ter all, he had attended prospect camps with the But there is much more to Jackson’s game than San Jose Sharks in 2015-16 and with Montreal in offense, said longtime Huskies assistant coach Alameda native Robby Jackson recorded 15 goals and 42 points last 2017. But that was not the case.

Mike Gibbons.

“It was an easy decision to come back,” he season for St. Cloud State, leading a potent offense. Photo/St. Cloud “Robby is strong, tough to get off the puck,” State Athletic Communications said. “At St. Cloud, we’ve won every trophy exGibbons said. “He’s one of our top two penalty cept the one that matters.” killers. He and Ryan (Poehling, a first-round pick That’s on Newell’s mind as well. of the Montreal Canadiens) are tenacious, intelli“Our senior class has tried to take hold of the gent and coachable. team since we were sophomores,” he said. “We “The game is changing. Today, penalty killers have been really focused on the ice.” have to be instinctive and have a good feel for It’s apparent to the coaching staff, which inthe game. And Robby has some deception to his cludes Gibbons, a holdover from Motzko’s staff, game, how he sets up shots and sets up teamand new head coach Brett Larson and assistant mates.

Nick Oliver.

“When he’s on, his tenacity on the forecheck “I think they’re as excited as they’ve ever been and in front of the net causes problems for the for a season,” Gibbons said. “When you’re a other team.” freshman, four years can seem like forever. Now Jackson has gone from 17 points as a freshthey see this is their last season. Their focus is on man to 21 points his second season to last seathe team and they’re driven to have a memorable son’s breakout performance. season.

The improvement has been notable to JackFor all of their on-ice successes, complementason’s roommate. ry playing styles and familiarity, it’s interesting that “The first thing I think of with Robby is his conthe Huskies have virtually never deployed Jackson fidence,” Newell said. “His game has gotten more and Newell together in the past three seasons. refined as the years have gone by. His shot is bet“It’s a weird thing, in practice our chemistry is ter, his agility with the puck is better.” great,” Newell said. “I definitely wish there were Jackson, who played for the Santa Clara Blackmore opportunities over the years. Hopefully, that hawks, LA Hockey Club and the LA Jr. Kings growhappens this year.” ing up, credits his teammates as much as anything Added Jackson: “Our games definitely complefor his offensive eruption in 2017-18.

Patrick Newell, a Thousand Oaks product, has tallied 73 points over the ment each other. Could you put in a word with our “It didn’t hurt playing with a first-round pick course of his first three seasons at St. Cloud State. Photo/St. Cloud State coaches?”

(Poehling) and (star freshman Easton) Brodzins- Athletic Communications Consider it done. Gibbons said the duo probaki,” Jackson deadpanned. “Then I had an all-Amer- player has put up 22, 24 and 27 points, respectively, bly would thrive together for a few reasons. ican defenseman with me (Jimmy Schuldt) on the in his first three college seasons.

“They’ve shown they can play well with a variety power play. How could I not score a lot of points?

“My dad (John) was on me about the mental part of players,” said Gibbons. “Another factor is they like “Seriously, a lot of credit goes to those guys. I of the game, thinking quickly, when I was growing playing together. That makes a difference.” like to shoot but I’ll be the first one to say I’m not up,” Newell said. “You can get a feel for guys pretty That’s also why Jackson and Newell, from oppoupset when they shoot.” quickly usually. It helps that our team has such good site ends of California, have a chance to be differAnd that is something Newell could do a bit more chemistry.” ence makers for what is projected to be one of the of, Gibbons said.

A couple of other abilities have helped Newell top teams in college hockey this season. ​​

By Chris Bayee

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

CARubberHockey.com

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TAYLOR MARUYA

Position: Forward, Army West Point (Atlantic Hockey) Hometown: Westchester Youth Teams: LA Jr. Kings, Bay Harbor Red Wings California Rubber: You were recently selected one of Army’s captains. What was your reaction when you found out?

Taylor Maruya: I’m lucky enough to have been selected. I get to be a co-captain with Dalton MacAfee. I’m happy my teammates and coaches trusted me with this. I’m looking forward to doing the best that I can.

CR: Who are some of the leaders you’ve looked up to?

TM: Playing here the past couple of years, guys like Tyler Pham, Ryan Nick and Joe Koziak have been great role models for me. I always like watching Anze Kopitar of the Kings. He’s a really humble player. I always liked how hard he played at both ends of the ice.

CR: You haven’t always been a forward. Please tell us more.

TM: I started as a goalie with Bay Harbor as a first-year Mite. I’ve been a forward ever since then when I started playing with Jr. Kings.

CR: Would you borrow a goalie’s gear for an Army practice?

TM: No way.

CR: You didn’t have the typical college athlete summer schedule. What did you do?

TM: I got a week off after school ended. I came back to West Point for CLDT – a three-week field exercise with all the rising juniors and seniors. It’s basically some Army stuff out in the woods. I had two weeks off, then flew out to Germany for CTLT (Cadet Troop Leader Training), shadowing a lieutenant in the Army for three weeks. You get to see what the actual Army is like.

CR: What would you tell a player who might be hesitant to consider playing at a military academy?

TM: I hadn’t heard anything about West Point until an assistant contacted me at a showcase. I’d recommend coming to visit. It might not be what you think it is.

If I was able to make it this far, there isn’t another who can’t do the same.

CR: During your time at home, what is your go-to meal?

TM: The first thing I do is when I get off the airplane is go to In-N-Out. I get the Double Double with grilled onions and lemonade.

CR: Do you have any superstitions?

TM: A couple. The first one is it doesn’t matter what piece of equipment it is, if there is a left and a right, I’m putting the left on first. When I am walking out at home games, walk through stick room and training room to the hallway, always hit the last door twice in training room. If I don’t, I just don’t feel right. And I always have to play sewer ball with a soccer ball before the game with my teammates.

CR: Do you have a favorite piece of gear?

TM: Skates. I’ve used Bauer Supremes for 4-5 years. I’ve tried on different kinds of Bauers, but there is no skate that feels right for me except the Supremes.

CR: Do you have a favorite hockey road trip?

TM: Probably my favorite is to go to Rochester (N.Y.) to play RIT. Playing at that rink is one of the best experiences I’ve had. Their fans are crazy. They have a decent amount of fans and they have all their mid-game chants and the student chants.

CR: Do you have a favorite sport other than hockey?

TM: College football. I’m always watching on Saturday. I’m always pulling for the USC Trojans.

CR: What if California schools followed Arizona State’s lead and added D-I college hockey?

TM: It would be great for the sport, and for the kids playing there in youth hockey, it gives them something else to shoot for. If they don’t want to leave California, they can play and get a good education.

Photo/Army Athletic Communications

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

- Compiled by Chris Bayee

www.WSHL.org