California Rubber Magazine - October 2019

VOLUME 13

ISSUE 2

OCTOBER 2019

LAS VEGAS NATIVE RAMOS ROUNDING OUT GAME IN NA3HL

With four California natives on the roster for the 2019-20 NCAA hockey season, and several more on past teams, Colorado College is proving to be a top choice amongst high-end players from the Golden State

OPTIMUM HOCKEY ACADEMY OPENS DOORS FOR 2019-20 JR. GULLS COACH BABIN ENJOYING SAN DIEGO, MAY BE ‘LIFER’ RECENT PWHPA GIRLS EVENT A ROUSING SUCCESS IN SAN JOSE

CARubberHockey.com

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FROM THE EDITOR With hockey booming everywhere, time to buckle up for the ride

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he month of October generally means that summer is in the rearview mirror and until early spring, it’s hockey, hockey, hockey.

Just look around – hockey is everywhere.

All the youth programs are going, in addition to junior, college and pro teams. Many junior and college teams out of state also have a slew of in-state players on their rosters.

Yep – hockey continues to grow. What a time to be involved in this great game!

Make sure your seat belt is fastened. The ride is just beginning!

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) announced its monthly player awards for the month of September, and the Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month is Las Vegas native Joey Allegrini of the Atlanta Capitals.

Allegrini’s first NA3HL campaign is certainly off on the right foot as he paces all active NA3HL defensemen with 10 points in eight games. Allegrini boasts points in seven of his eight games and potted his first goal in just his second game.

He has also netted three multi-point games and is plus-3 through the start of the season. Two of those multi-point games came in his last three outings.

Great job, Joey!

Matt Mackinder

The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) announced its Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performers for the month of September.

The players were selected based upon their performance at the first NAPHL event of the season, which took place in Blaine, Minn., from September 19-22. Stats were based on all games played.

The 18U Apex Peak Performer (goaltender) was Hunter Garvey, a San Diego native playing for the Meijer AAA program in Michigan.

Garvey allowed just one goal in two starts as his team posted a 4-0-0 record in Blaine. He won both his starts, which included a 2-1 shootout win over the Indy Fuel and a 3-0 shutout win over the Chicago Young Americans.

Strong work, Hunter!

Sarah Bier, who coaches the Anaheim Lady Ducks 14U AA team, showed she also has the wheels for inline hockey after helping the United States Senior Women’s National Inline Team win the gold medal in July’s World Roller Games in Barcelona, Spain.

The California transplant finished fourth in team scoring with three goals and two assists as Team USA went undefeated, capping the tournament with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in the championship game. Bier scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in a 5-1 semifinal round win over Spain. She also scored one goal in a 3-0 quarterfinal win over France.

A native of Barnhart, Mo., Bier played three seasons for the St. Louis Lady Blues 19U program (2009-12) before attending NCAA Division III Marian University for four years (2013-17) in Fond du Lac, Wisc.

She competed for the Lady Ducks adult team at the 2019 USA Hockey Women’s Senior C National Championship tournament in April.

Fellow Team USA teammates Laura Veharanta, Ariane Yokoyama, Jennifer Friedeman and Elisa Pogu helped the Lady Ducks win the Women’s Senior B championship.

“This was my first year representing the team and it was an incredible experience,” said Bier. “I’ve played in many roller hockey tournaments throughout my life, but this was by far the coolest one.”

The Western States Hockey League’s (WSHL) Ontario Avalanche has moved from the Ontario Center Ice Arena to The Rinks-Anaheim ICE for the 2019-2020 season.

After multiple years playing out of the Center Ice Arena, the Avalanche will have access to a venue that holds about 1,000 fans.

Anaheim ICE is the former practice facility of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, and is also the same facility where the WSHL holds its annual California Officials Camp.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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

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

California Rubber Magazine is a production of:

Publisher/editor: Matt Mackinder senior designer: Julie Rippy

IRVINE IRONMEN

From left, Mark Wagner, Matt Herrman, Ed Pecson and Brennan Edwards (all Cal Poly SLO alums), Derick Rosas and Matt Tietavainen (both Cal Poly Pomona) and William Cornell (CSU Northridge) gather after competing in a WCRHL alumni ironman tournament Oct. 5 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline. More inline hockey coverage in this issue on Pages 9, 22 and 25.

ON THE COVER The four California natives playing NCAA Division I hockey for Colorado College – top, Ryan Ruck and Brian Williams and bottom, Jack Gates and Chad Sasaki – all grew up playing youth hockey in the state and are now teammates with the Tigers this season. Photo/Casey B. Gibson

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Cali-FOUR-nia Tigers Boosted by quartet of California natives, Colorado College primed for breakout NCAA season

By Chris Bayee

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hings are looking up at Colorado College.

The Tigers reached the NCHC final four for the first time in six seasons this past April and posted their most wins (17) since the 2012-13 season.

And they’ve added two more California-born and –trained players to a roster that already had a pair of contributors. The four – goaltender Ryan Ruck (Coto de Caza), defenseman Chad Sasaki (Cypress) and forwards Jack Gates (Oceanside) and Brian Williams (San Diego) – give the Golden State the second most players of any state (Minnesota has five) on the CC roster.

“All four of them are very impressive young men,” Tigers coach Mike Haviland said. “They’re outstanding in the classroom, they’re great in the community and they’re great teammates.

“Chad and ‘Rucker’ have just come in, but when your older guys come in and say, ‘Wow, they’ve really fit in.’ You know they’re great guys and great teammates.

You’ve got to take your hat off to their parents. They’ve done a great job.

“They’re all Oceanside native Jack Gates is playing his junior season for the Tigers and going to really has been called ‘a terrific teammate.’ Photo/Casey B. Gibson help us.”

Gates and Williams arrived in Colorado Springs, a bookmarked destination of California players over the past couple of decades, two falls ago. They’ve gone through their share of ups and downs with injuries, but when they play, they’re solid conCypress product Chad Sasaki was a top scorer in junior hockey and looks tributors. to keep that momentum going with Colorado College. Photo/Casey B. Gibson “(Gates) is a terrific teammate,” said Sasaki, reunited with his former Anaheim Jr. Ducks teammate. “He’s been very helpful to me since I got here. On the ice, he brings a ton of energy and enthusiasm every day. He can play an up-tempo game, and he’s a lot of fun to play with.”

Gates began playing with the SDIA Oilers and the San Diego Jr. Gulls before making the long commute to Anaheim with a handful of teammates for his Midget 16U years.

“We had this system where whatever parent was driving would stop at various exits along I-5 to pick up and drop off players,” Gates said. “Those were long drives, but in the end it was worth it.”

Gates knew of Williams, who is two years older, from their days growing up in San Diego. The two often train together and will lace up the roller blades occasionally in the offseason for old times’ sake.

“He brings a lot of energy,” Gates said of Williams. “He’s physical, and he’s fun to play with. He’s a very reliable player.

“He’s a hard worker, and he loves to go in on the forecheck and make big hits.”

Haviland said Williams adds another ingredient: “His shot. He’s got a great release and an unbelievably hard shot.”

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Gates appeared in all 37 games as a freshman, a season in which he had six points while playing in the bottom six and killing penalties. A shoulder injury limited him to six games last season.

“Gates, for being a smaller player (he’s 5-foot-7), plays like he’s 6-foot-5,” Ruck said. “He screens the goalie, tips the puck and does everything he needs to.”

Williams, who originally committed to the University of Massachusetts and spent parts of five seasons in juniors, played in 26 games as a freshman and, due in part to injuries, just five last season. Interestingly enough, he had a twogoal game against NCHC rival Miami in each season. Gates set him up on two of the four goals.

“The first year, I got the first goal of my college career and had my first multigoal game against them,” the former SDIA Oiler, Jr. Gull, LA Select and Jr. King said.

“Last year, it happened in my first game of the season, and it just happened to be against them again. There’s nothing particular about Ryan Ruck, a Coto de Caza native, began his NCAA career at Northeastern them, I guess University and will wrap it up this season at CC. Photo/Casey B. Gibson it’s just a weird coincidence.”

Williams’ teammates lauded him for his continuous sense of humor, and the two newcomers have front row seats for it.

“We have the California corner in the locker room,” Ruck said.

“Brian WilBrian Williams, a junior forward for the Tigers from San Diego, is back at full liams has an strength after battling injuries during the 2018-19 season. Photo/Casey B. Gibson unbelievable shot, is a good skater and he’s hilarious. He’s comic relief at times. He helps keep the locker room stress free.”

Speak to Ruck for more than a moment and it becomes pretty clear the masked man has more than a fair measure of California cool in him.

“All of the California guys, but Ruck in particular, are super relaxed,” Sasaki said. “Anyone would enjoy spending time with them.”

While laid back, Ruck honestly assesses situations and makes the best of them. After a leading role at Northeastern University for his first two seasons, he battled injuries and was overtaken by NHL prospect Cayden Primeau the next two. He played so sparingly that he was granted another year of eligibility upon graduation.

Not a trace of bitterness exists, however, about his NCAA journey. As he likes to joke, “I’m sure you haven’t talked to very many 25-year-old college players, have you?”

On a more serious note, Ruck said coming to Colorado College was a relatively seamless decision.

Continued on Page 21

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

CGBHockey.com

New Optimum Hockey Academy opens doors for ’19-20

By Chris Bayee

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s it would be for any parents, finding the proper school fit for their kids was of paramount importance to the Troubh family.

That the school includes elite-level hockey training was icing on the cake.

When Optimum Hockey Academy in Irvine opened its doors in September, Ken Troubh thought it was an environment in which his son, Max, could thrive on multiple levels.

“It’s been a good fit,” Troubh said. “Max loves hockey, and the school is good. They identify where you may have some holes academically early on and work with the children and the parents to fill in the gaps.

“Optimum’s theory with hockey is the same.

They work on skill areas that need it. It’s been a good supplement to Max’s team.”

Alex Kim and Craig Johnson began conceiving the idea for Optimum more than three years ago, Kim said. The tipping point for moving ahead was the opening of The Rinks’ Great Park ICE facility.

“Craig and I had been talking about the hockey landscape around the United States for a while,” said Kim, the school’s director of hockey operations. “There was no facility to launch an academy at until now. We wanted to make sure we had a platform to grow the game and help young athletes play the sport while getting a strong education.”

Optimum works in conjunction with Epic Charter School, which specializes in customizing education

plans to fit students’ individual needs.

Optimum launched with 25 students, ranging from Max’s fourth-grade cohort through eighth grade. Epic brings in teachers each day who specialize in a variety of subjects. Kim envisions the academy becoming an option for players in grades 4-12 whose goal is to play college hockey.

“We wanted an environment to enrich the learning experience on the ice and in

the classroom,” said Kim. “Character building is a huge component, as is community service. It’s all-inclusive.”

The Troubhs – and most California hockey families – know all too well that navigating travel to games, tournaments and weekly skill sessions on top of school and club practices can require Herculean efforts and sacrifices. Optimum, which convenes Monday through Thursday, afforded the Troubhs some relief on that front.

“Between our sons playing for two different clubs and the amount of travel we have to do for hockey, this allows Max not to miss too much school,” Ken Troubh

said. “This has been a good situation. We live near the Great Park, Max is growing academically, and he’s getting plenty of skill development work to supplement what he gets from his team.”

And that is the other part of Optimum where students gain a massive advantage. Johnson and Kim, both decorated NCAA players in their day, bring more than 25 years combined of professional playing experience and nearly two decades combined of coaching experience. Under their leadership, the Anaheim Jr. Ducks have had 21 players make NCAA Division I college commitments and seen dozens more play junior and ACHA and Division III college hockey.

“The academy focuses on individual skill development,” Kim said. “We are trying to best develop each individual’s skill set. It is open to players from all clubs.

“Just as the students have individualized curriculum in the classroom, they receive that on the ice. Craig and I understand that individual skill development is of the utmost importance, especially at younger ages.”

In addition to Kim and Johnson, Optimum features a deep roster of skill development coaches, including former NHLers Jeff Friesen and Laddy Kohn and numerous other respected former pro and college players, including Jean Labbe, Taylor Love, Craig Lyons and Sasha Voloshin.

Labbe is the academy’s director of player personnel.

The academy also partners with nationally recognized strength and performance consultant Scot Prohaska, owner of the Pro Code training facility inside Great Park ICE. Photos/Optimum Hockey Academy

CARubberHockey.com

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SAN DIEGO JR. GULLS

Jr. Gulls coach Babin takes winding road to San Diego

By Matt Mackinder

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oah Babin grew up playing hockey in Florida, so it only makes sense that he feels at home coaching youth hockey in California.

A coach with the San Diego Jr. Gulls since 2012, Babin has immersed himself in the program and prides himself on being part of a staff that is always doing what’s best for the players.

“We really focus on what is important to long-term development and not wins and losses,” Babin said.

“You would coach very differently depending on your perspective with that. I think on the whole, we measure our success by the number of kids we move on while a lot of other places measure success by trophies and championships. I can assure you that nobody will care in a few years about your record or the tournaments you won. The Jr. Gulls have everything a player needs – good coaches, good people, great facilities and people that care about the kids. If a kid wants to play hockey and really get better, they have more than I ever had in Florida right here in San Diego.”

Babin started playing roller hockey in Florida and eventually moved north to the Detroit area to play 16U AAA hockey for the esteemed Compuware organization.

“I was about as naive of a player as you can get,” said Babin. “We didn’t expect anything when we moved to Michigan. I just played and we thought it would be a good adventure. I eventually played for Little Caesars and

a coach named Chris Coury – a legend in the hockey seasons in the AHL and ECHL before retiring due to a community. I vividly remember my teammates giving me knee injury.

Now, Babin feels he is in Southern California for the a hard time because they said I only played well when the NTDP scouts were at the games. My response was, long haul.

“Every year has been my last year for the last five years, “What is the NTDP?” which everyone always laughed at thinking I was joking, but I never learned until later what so I am starting to think I am just a lifer,” laughed Babin.

“What keeps me with the Gulls is this. the NTDP team was.”

A few years ago, I got to impact a kid Babin played for USA Hockey’s (current Ferris State University captain NTDP program from 2000-02 and Nate Kallen) and help in a small way then played four years of NCAA change his trajectory. When we first Division I hockey at the University of started, there was a day he hit himself Notre Dame. in the head while doing weights, even “The NTDP program was the though I warned him it was too much, opportunity of a lifetime,” said Babin. and he started crying. Fast forward six “I was three years removed from years and he is a Division I athlete and playing hockey in Florida at Midget a great person. I got to go and spend B and men’s league. Looking back, I some time with him this summer as an realize I had zero clue how significant adult. That is really fun stuff. that was.

“The people I have met out here “Notre Dame, as a whole, was in San Diego have been amazing an amazing experience. I met my and it is all through this organization. wife, Kelsey, there, met some of my Noah Babin signed with the NHL’s Carolina best friends there and I truly love the Hurricanes after a four-year NCAA Division Hockey is a great sport and attracts school. What they do and the culture I career at the University of Notre Dame and great people. It is very fun to be involved with that, especially when I behind the scenes that nobody hears saw preseason action with the club. know with my background that I can get kids to buy into about is something very special.”

After his senior season of 2006-07, Babin signed as the important things sports has to offers like discipline, a free agent with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, seeing mental training, being accountable and doing the right preseason action during one stretch. He played three thing.”

JrGullsHockey.com

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Back To School U.S. Junior Inline Team members head off to another year of high school, college Kohler and Max Reeves – on NAU’s WCRHL team.

Kohler served as the Lumberjacks’ team captain in 2018-19 while leading the team in scoring with 22 goals and 28 points in 14 games.

Le said this year’s group definitely felt the pressure of being defending champions.

“Our team had a much bigger target on our back,” Le said of this year’s journey to Spain. “It was something that I had to adjust quickly but it wasn’t that difficult because of the role models we had last year.”

All players expressed pride in representing their country on the international stage.

“There’s definitely a sense of pride not just representing the Stars and Stripes, but in defending

of other countries while playing internationally is certainly different as well, and it’s amazing to see he dozen Californians who competed for the how the sport brings these countries together.”

United States Junior Men’s National Inline Hockey “Representing the USA was a great honor,” Team at this past summer’s World Roller Games in Gengarella added. “To be able to compete at this Barcelona comprised a select group. level against others that represent their countries The chance to represent their country, a once-in-aoffered an experience that was unmatched for all of lifetime opportunity for some on the team, resulted in us. To hear your national anthem before a game and a treasure trove of memories as the young Americans to learn to appreciate your opponents and where returned home with the silver medal. they came from and how we met here, on this rink, for Now it’s time to go back to class, whether that this competition, it is hard to explain the excitement means heading off to college or returning to high you feel. school.

“It was an Olympic-type feeling to be a participant Both the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey in this event. It’s rare to compete on this stage. To League (WCRHL) and Anaheim Ducks Inline win in overtime against Spain (in the semifinals), the Scholastic Hockey League appear to be the host country, then compete against some of prime beneficiaries of this world-class talent. the best players from the Czech Republic in College-bound are San Jose’s Jaden pursuit of the gold medal. It’s hard to top that.”

Guzman (Northern Arizona University), Derek Corona’s Bryce Lorenz and Logan Le (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) and Evan Gallaher are returning for their senior years Gengarella (Chapman University); Tustin’s at Santiago High School while Huntington Grayson Yada (Chapman University) and Beach’s Clay Bozanich is returning to his Jonathan Jogiel (Cal State University Long senior year at Edison High School.

Beach); Corona’s Cody Vadeboncoeur “The event was amazing – the atmosphere (UC Riverside); Irvine’s Jonathan Panisa was like no other tournament I’ve ever played (University of Massachusetts) and San Martin’s in,” recalled Bozanich, an Anaheim Jr. Ducks Patrick Mahoney II (Lindenwood University). ice standout. “The hype leading up to this Northern Arizona, Cal Poly SLO and tournament was an all-time high. I heard Lindenwood University all field inline hockey multiple people talking about how last year was teams. the most fun they have ever had and all great Yada and Gengarella are both interested in stories, so I came in with high expectations helping start a roller hockey team at Chapman Members of the 2019 United States Junior Men’s National Inline Hockey Team and I was surprised that it was even more will be heading back to school this fall for their respective colleges and high amazing than I hoped. Everything was great.

University.

Panisa is committed to playing ice hockey schools. Photo/USA Roller Sports The competition was great the people were at UMass while Orange’s Kurt Yano is playing this the gold as well,” Yada said. “Every team is good, and great and the whole trip was an all-around great time. season in the USPHL for the Jersey Shore Whalers. you always have to play your best game for a chance “The team was very welcoming and it’s amazing Guzman and Panisa tied for top scoring honors to repeat as champions. Last year being a younger how well we got along because I’ve been playing on this year’s Team USA squad with 16 points. player, I looked up to some of our older players for against all the boys my whole life. Being younger Yada, Le, Guzman and Vadeboncoeur were advice and watched how they played. This year being was a great experience because I could learn from members of the 2018 gold medalist U.S. junior men’s that older role model, I tried to put my best game out the older kids and see how they played and react squad that competed in Italy. there and give our younger guys advice on certain to different situations in the game and outside the Guzman will join two players from last year’s USA styles of play and positioning. game.” junior men’s world championship team -- Brayden “Being able to experience the different cultures Lessons resume next summer.

By Phillip Brents

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California once again shines at annual State Wars event

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fter 15 years and some amazing events, State Wars Hockey national director Tim McManus said he was proud to proclaim that this summer’s event in Fort Wayne, Ind., as arguably the best tournament to date.

“The competition continues to rise and the influx of international teams – we had 11 countries represented this summer – add an incredible element and excitement,” McManus said.

“As always, California teams continue to shine at State Wars at all ages and levels. There are very few states that year in and year out produce so many young and talented players, which is a testament to the many great coaches and programs in California.”

This year’s United States Roller Hockey Championships took place July 23-Aug. 5 to wrap up the summer championship season. The event is

organized by birth year, allowing players of the same in the Juggernaut Division.

Women Division’s medalists included Rink Rat age to measure up on the playing court.

Republic (AAA/gold), Pama Labeda Golden Knights California teams collected a total of 19 medals.

(AAA/bronze) and OG Rink Team Southern California Rat Savs (AA/bronze). skated to gold medals in the The Pama Labeda Golden 2006 AA and 2007 AAA Knights won gold medals in divisions, silver medals the Senior AA and Masters 45 in the 2002 AAA, & Over divisions.

2004 AAA, 2008 AA, State Wars continued 2010 AAA and 2011 its pledge to excellence by AAA divisions and a announcing its 2001 birth year bronze medal in the scholarship award winners.

6U division.

Among the 12 awardees were Team Northern five Californians: Southern California struck gold California’s Jonathan Panisa in the 2001 AAA division Team Southern California captured the 2007 while mining a silver medal in AAA division championship at this year’s and Grayson Yada and the 2007 AA division and bronze State Wars U.S. Roller Hockey championships. Northern California’s Dylan Franks, Nathan Durrans and medals in the 2003 AAA and Photo/BC Photo 2008 A divisions.

Jaden Guzman.

Additionally, Southern California Identity won the gold medal in the Junior Division and the silver medal - Phillip Brents CARubberHockey.com

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Wearing The ‘C’

Trio of California natives serving as captains this season for NCAA Division I programs

By Chris Bayee

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he volume controls might be set at different levels, but Niko Hildenbrand, Nick Rivera and Nate Kallen all can command a locker room.

Their formal titles on their respective teams only serve to confirm that.

The trio of seniors gives California three NCAA Division I hockey captains for the 2019-20 season, and two of them are leading top-five ranked teams. When one adds in the four schools that have alternate captains from California, the state has formal leaders at nearly 12 percent of the 60 Division I programs.

Here is a closer look at the trio, each of whom has been selected a scholar-athlete in his respective conference multiple times: Massachusetts’ Niko Hildenbrand Hildenbrand, who is from Vacaville, found himself in a bit of an uncomfortable situation in 2016. Committed to Massachusetts, he could only sit and watch as the Hockey East program changed coaches, ultimately hiring Greg Carvel. The forward had played three years of junior hockey already, and it was fair to wonder if he would have a spot?

“I didn’t know what was going to happen,” HildenNiko Hildenbrand brand said. “There wasn’t a coach for a short period of time.

“It was one of those things I wanted to stay, stick to my commitment of where I said I was going to go. I breathed a big sigh of relief when I got a call from Coach Carvel and he said, ‘We’re happy to have you, and we’re going to honor the past coach’s commitment.’”

As it turns out, Hildenbrand was a huge part of Carvel’s plans for the program, which after winning eight times in 2015-16, only picked up five W’s in the duo’s first season.

“We underwent a huge culture change, and Niko was a guy we identified as someone who lived life as a Division I player,” Carvel said. “By that, I mean his commitment to his studies and his teammates, his sacrifice, his fitness level.

He’s a model Division I athlete, and he does everything the right way, with integrity.”

Hildenbrand, who primarily played for the Santa Clara Blackhawks, said he did what he’s always done.

“I’ve always been taught to go toward responsibility instead of running away from it,” he said. “I was given the opportunity to come here, so I had to stick to my process and do the things I thought I do well – working hard, keep-

ing my nose down. That translated well for other guys and the coaching staff.”

In his second season, UMass improved to 17 wins.

Before last season’s magical run to the NCAA title game, Hildenbrand was selected captain.

“I immediately thought, ‘How am I going to affect the guys around me?’” he said. “I’ve grown much more comfortable speaking up, especially this year. For me, it’s always started with leading by example. I’ve always truly believed you can’t have a leader who doesn’t walk the walk.”

His walk has been pretty good during the Minutemen’s resurgence. He had 17 points last season and has played in 104 career games through three seasons.

“He’s a very reliable penalty killer, and we count on him in defensive situations,” Carvel said. “He’s consistent. He’s very physical and he can make plays offensively.

“We have had young teams and needed some maturity. Niko has provided that from Day 1.”

Minnesota State’s Nick Rivera The forward from Pacific Palisades is a two-year captain for WCHA powerhouse Minnesota State, and a du-

Nick Rivera

rable one at that. Rivera has played in 116 career games entering this season despite favoring a rambunctious style.

“He has never wanted anything he wouldn’t earn, whether that’s in the classroom, the weight room or on the ice,” Mavericks coach Mike Hastings said. “He provides energy and encourages it and demands it from others.

He’s a hard-nosed guy who keeps others honest.”

Rivera has hit double figures in points every season in college, topped by last season’s 19. But one goal stands out – his overtime winner to finish Minnesota State’s rally in the WCHA title game in March. Those accomplishments aren’t his focus, however.

“I’m on the penalty kill, I play hard minutes,” he said.

“Competing and working hard are my bread and butter.

I don’t have the skill and skating ability of a lot of players.”

Hastings said Rivera brings a unique blend of qualities to the Mavericks.

“There are very few times you have to ask guys to take it down a level, but Nick goes all out every day,” the coach said. “He wants to be at the front of the line, be a leader.

The on-ice versus the off-ice is like heads and tails. His

edge turns into compassion. He’s willing to help others and share the praise.

“That’s a reflection of his family. They embrace the positive.”

Rivera not only cited his family but many of his peers for helping him develop his leadership. Those range from former Los Angeles Jr. Kings captain Ryan Siroky, former Omaha (USHL) teammate Jimmy Schuldt, former Minnesota State teammate CJ Suess, and current Mavericks co-captain Marc Michaelis.

“My dad (Rick) does a good job managing people in a professional way,” Nick said. “All of these leaders I played with taught me something by how they approached the game and their teammates. It’s given me a good road map.”

Ferris State’s Nate Kallen Kallen’s progression to captain has been marked by growth on and off the ice.

For one, the San Diego native has grown two inches at Ferris State, to 6-foot-1. He’s also dedicated himself to weight training, going from 180 pounds to 195.

The results have been measurable – Kallen has gone from seven points to 17 to 24 in his three seasons manning the Bulldogs’ blue line. He’s also been remarkably durable, playing in 111 games through three seasons.

“Nate is respected Nate Kallen by his teammates for his hard work on the ice and in the weight room,” Bulldogs head coach Bob Daniels said. “He is an outstanding student who represents us well in the classroom and in the community.”

Kallen’s 24 points were third most on Ferris State last season, and he led them with four power-play goals. Always gifted offensively and possessing good skating ability, he’s become an every-situation stalwart for the Bulldogs, and one who is extremely disciplined. He’s never taken more than four minor penalties in a season in his college career.

The next step is to help the Bulldogs return to the NCAA Tournament after averaging 12 wins the past three seasons.

“It’s a great honor to be chosen (captain),” Kallen said.

“It’s also a challenge I look forward to. There’s a lot of room for improvement from last year.”

Photos/Massachusetts Athletics (Hildenbrand), Minnesota State Athletics (Rivera), Ferris State Athletics (Kallen)

Alternate Captains Patrick Khodorenko, Michigan State - The senior from Walnut Creek was one of the top players in the Big Ten last season, piling up 18 goals and 37 points. That came after seasons of 18 and 32 points. He’s played in 107 NCAA games through three seasons.

Tyson McLellan, Denver - Wearing an ‘A’ for the second consecutive season, the speedy senior center from San Jose has played in 98 games despite missing more than half of his sophomore year because of a shoulder injury. He excels in the circle.

Matt O’Donnell, Vermont - A senior from Fountain Valley, O’Donnell was a co-captain last season and has played in 79 consecutive games. He has 33 points over the past two seasons, tops among Catamounts defensemen.

Jake Slaker, Michigan - A San Diego native, Slaker brings plenty of production and leadership. He’s had 21 or more points every season of his NCAA career, and he will be wearing an ‘A’ for the third year in a row. He’s played 110 games in his first three seasons.

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www.lakings.com/mammothcamp

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TOYOTA SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTER

National recognition a feather in Lions’ cap

By Brian McDonough

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or the still-burgeoning LA Lions, earning national recognition at its absolute peak speaks volumes about the five-year-old program’s vision to architect a tried-and-true developmental option for hockey-playing girls on the West Coast.

That watermark moment came last month when the club’s top 12U group was billed the top 12U Tier I (AAA) girls team in the entire country by MyHockeyRankings.com, which is widely considered the go-to measuring stick when it comes to labeling teams’ strength across North America.

It’s an accolade that’s well-deserved, says the team’s head coach, Andrew Stone.

“It’s still early in the season, but receiving the No. 1 ranking in the country is a great accomplishment and a huge honor for these girls; they should be proud of their achievement and success,” said Stone. “These girls, though, are incredibly humble and grounded, so they realize they need to continue working on their skills and hockey comprehension if they want to stay on top of the rankings.”

The recognition came a week after the Lions’ flawless performance at September’s Harvard University Showcase where the team went 5-0 against a handful of powerhouse programs on the East Coast. The weekend included 7-1 victories over both the then-No. 3- and -No. 9-ranked 12U AAA teams in the nation.

“They were excited for that opportunity and embraced the challenge,” said Stone.

In between the Lions’ local league schedule - they’re playing a 10-game exhibition slate in the Southern California

Hockey Association (SCAHA) as a 12U AA team - the club Lola Macuiba and Destiny Reed; and goaltenders Danwill also participate in the Anaheim Lady Ducks’ Fall Festival ielle Lerma and Morgan Stickney. over Thanksgiving Weekend and San Jose Jr. Sharks’ Girls/ And as women’s hockey continues to reach new heights Women’s MLK Weekend Tournament in January. The team on a national scale, Stone wouldn’t be surprised to see more has taken home the championship banner at both events than a few of his talented, hard-working girls earn bigger and better on-ice opportunities in the not-too-distant future. every year since its inaugural 2015-16 season.

“I’m confident as many as 10-12 of our local girls have In December, the 2007-2008 birth year team will head to Chicago for another AAA showcase where it’ll again be an excellent chance of playing Division I college hockey, tested against some of the preeminent programs in the and I’m sure that number will continue to grow as our country, including Chicago Mission, Little Caesars, Team program evolves,” said Stone, who also credits the Lady Ducks and Jr. Sharks for helping fuel the growth of girls Illinois and the Chicago Young Americans. hockey on the West Coast. “In “They’re incredibly talented hockey players, but it’s been the more immediate future, I their willingness to work together think this team has the lofty-butreachable goal of competing for and continue to grow as a team, a 14U AAA national championtheir resilience and ability to overship over the next few years.” come adversity on the ice and Stone praises the tireless their supportive and positive attiefforts of Lions president Daryl tude that’s been most impressive Evans, general manager Tori for me as a coach,” said Stone.

LA Lions’ top 12U team made its way to the pinnacle Pizzuto and founder/board “These are competitive and inde- The of the country’s 12U Tier I girls rankings last month afpendent-minded girls, but when ter forging a perfect 5-0 record at the Harvard University member Becki Winckler, as well as the support from Jr. they come together to play they Showcase in Boston.

Kings president Steve Yovetich, executive director Kelalways do what’s best for the team.”

The team’s roster includes (many of the girls play both ly Sorensen and general manager of hockey operations forward and defense): forwards Kylie Atzert, Lincoln Nick Vachon, for helping elevate the entire program to a Brown, Keirstyn Camiolo, Violet Dittman, Macken- brand-new level in short time. zie Fitch, Mackenzie Helms, Ella Johnson, Brooklyn “We believe our 12U team is only the beginning of O’Brien, Reese Negus, Savanna Stamp, Addison what’s to come,” said Stone. “It’s a great group of girls Tremel and Lily Winckler; defensemen Lily Andreassi, to help establish our place among the country’s elite and Jaqueline Gasseau, Alicia Gomez, Brianna Gruber, exemplify what our Lions program is all about.”

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS

‘Thankful For The Opportunity’

PWHPA girls clinic comes to Solar4America Ice at San Jose, earns positive reviews

By Matt Mackinder

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ast month, Bay Area girls hockey players, including many with the San Jose Jr. Sharks, were treated to a Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) clinic at Solar4America Ice at San Jose.

The event was part of a collaboration between the PWHPA, San Jose Sharks, Sharks Alumni Foundation, Jr. Sharks, Cathy’s Power Skating, Tri-Valley Lady Blue Devils and others.

Held back on Sept. 21, players representing the PWHPA, including Kendall Coyne Schofield, participated in two one-hour practice sessions at Solar4America Ice at San Jose with approximately 50 total 10U-14U girls players that were invited. The players were divided into groups of five and spent 10 minutes in each of five stations.

Each station had two coaches and 1-2 PWHPA players.

“My players, coaching staff and parents are all extremely thankful for the opportunity to participate in this event with players representing the PWHPA,” said Jr. Sharks 14U AAA girls

PWHPA PLAYERS WHO ATTENDED SAN JOSE EVENT GOALIES Dani Cameranesi, Plymouth, Minn. - Olympic gold medalist, twoNicole Hensley, Lakewood, Colo. - Olympic gold medalist, two-time time world champion, two-time national champion with University of world champion Minnesota Noora Raty, Espoo, Finland - four-time Olympian, two-time Olympic bronze medalist, five-time world bronze medalist, world silver medalist

head coach Jon Carpenter. “Many of my 14U girls saw Kendall Coyne Schofield make history here in San Jose earlier this year when she became the first woman to compete in the NHL All-Star Game. Kendall skated a lap so fast that it will not be forgotten by anyone who witnessed it.

“This practice session was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these girls to meet the heroes of their sport and it will surely inspire the next generation of female hockey players in the Bay Area. The PWHPA was so gracious to invest time in San Jose with our players and we will be forever indebted. This was an incredible opportunity for girls to meet, interact and learn from some of the best hockey players in the world. And to have female role models to look up to that are working hard to provide future opportunities for these girls that they themselves never had at that age.”

The PWHPA players stayed after the practice as well to sign autographs and spend more time interacting with the girls.

Then on Sept. 22, the PWHPA played an exhibition game versus the Sharks Alumni as part of the San Jose Sharks annual Fan Fest with most of these girls in attendance. The skill and speed of the PWHPA players was on full display and the PWHPA won the game 3-2.

Hannah Brandt, Vadnais Heights, Minn. - Olympic gold medalist, three-time world champion, world silver medalist, three-time national champion with University of Minnesota

DEFENSEMEN Lee Stecklein, Roseville, Minn. - two-time Olympian, Olympic gold and Kelly Pannek, Plymouth, Minn. - Olympic gold medalist, two-time world silver medalist, five-time world champion, three-time NCAA national champion, two-time national champion with University of Minnesota champion with University of Minnesota Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Grand Forks, N.D. - three-time Olympian, Savannah Harmon, Downers Grove, Ill. - Recently competed her first Olympic gold medalist, two-time Olympic silver medalist, six-time year with the U.S. Women’s National Team, two-time national champion world champion, scored the game-winning goal in the shootout of the with Clarkson University 2018 Olympic gold medal game, famously called “Oops, I did it again” Alyssa Gagliardi, Raleigh, N.C. - two-time U.S. National Team member, Gigi Marvin, Warroad, Minn. - three-time Olympian, Olympic gold four-time ECAC champion with Cornell University medalist, two-time Olympic silver medalist, five-time world champion, two-time world silver medalist Kelsey Koelzer, Horsham Pa. - Member of U.S. Under-22 Team, invited to U.S. Women’s Olympic Team tryouts, Patty Kazmaier top-ten Sophia Shaver, Wayzata, Minn. - Team USA Under-18 and Under-22 selection from Princeton University, member of the NHL’s Girls and Team member, national champion with University of Wisconsin, Women’s Advisory Committee entering her first season with the U.S. Women’s National Team Olivia Zafuto, Niagara Falls, N.Y. - Recently completed her four-year career at Colgate University, all-time points leader as a defenseman in Colgate hockey history, entering her first season with the U.S. Women’s National Team

Kendall Coyne Schofield, Palos Heights, Ill. - Olympic gold and silver medalist, six-time world champion, Patty Kazmaier Award winner, first woman to compete in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition at SAP Center on Jan. 25, 2019

FORWARDS Haley Skarupa, Rockville, Md. - Olympic gold medalist, three-time Annie Pankowski, Laguna Hills, Calif. - Longtime member of the world champion, All-American from Boston College U.S. Women’s National Team, three-time world champion, national champion with University of Wisconsin

SJJrSharks.com CARubberHockey.com

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L.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

‘Easy fit:’ Evans takes helm as commissioner of LAKHSHL

By Greg Ball

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rowing up in Toronto, Daryl Evans was not drawn naturally to hockey.

His father, after all, had never laced up a pair of skates. So it was the youth coaches throughout his young life that started him on the road to a successful six-year career in the NHL, followed by a long tenure as the Kings’ radio color commentator - a role he still holds today.

Evans never forgot how important the efforts of all those coaches were to his success, and since retiring after the 1988-89 season, he has stayed involved in the game by coaching and supporting players at the youth level.

His newest role is commissioner of the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League (LAKHSHL).

“I’ve been involved in a lot of things that the Kings organization has done at the youth level, and have been involved in youth hockey going back 25-30 years, so it was an easy fit,” Evans said during a break in his day earlier this month as he prepared to call the Kings’ triple-overtime win over the Flames in Calgary. “I was more than willing to step into the position and help as much as I can.”

Evans follows in the footsteps of Jim Fox and Derek Armstrong, who each served as the league’s commissioner for two years. He has great admiration for the foundation they helped put in place, and he’s bullish on the league and the opportunities it provides for high

league to the great coaches throughout each organizaschool-aged hockey players.

“The league gives kids an opportunity to play the tion. As his schedule allows, he’ll pop in on games and game who might not be able to, or may not want to play practices, and may even find himself on the ice from travel hockey, because of the cost, travel and time com- time to time.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Evans said. “I didn’t start mitment,” Evans said. “And there are some kids who playing hockey until I was eight are coming to hockey at a later years old. Because I couldn’t age. It provides that platform for skate very well, I became a goalie kids to continue to enjoy playing my first year. After that, I was put hockey or to learn to love the into a power skating class the game.” next summer and had and outThe league, now in its fifth standing teacher who had a huge season, couldn’t be healthier. impact on me. I became an all-star With eight varsity teams and the following year, then got into eight more at the junior varsity travel hockey. level, there are more than 300 “I just have such a great apkids throughout the greater Los Angeles area playing hockey at preciation for what somebody did an age when they might not be for me, and I feel that if I can have if not for the LAKHSHL. the opportunity to have a similar “It has been really successimpact on even just one kid, then ful, and it has become almost I’ve hit one out of the park. It never like the other sports that are gets old, and I relish the opporoffered by high schools in this tunity to give back. I’m not necarea, kind of like it is on the East essarily drawn to the superstar Coast and in the Midwest,” Evkids, but I like to find that kid who ans said. “I think it will continue needs a little extra support and Daryl Evans to grow, and I think the level of play will get better and that I can help gain some confidence and improve their better each year.” skills. I go to the rink every day and love being on the ice Evans will oversee the league and some big-picture teaching. I learn so much every day, and it’s something tasks, while leaving the day-to-day management of the that I can pass on.”

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TAHOE PREP ACADEMY

Off and Running Tahoe Prep Academy teams start new 2019-20 hockey seasons on positive notes

By Greg Ball

T

he 2019-20 season is well underway, and both the prep and varsity teams at Tahoe Prep Academy are off to great starts.

Here’s a look at five players already making an impact: Jaxon Call A 16-year-old varsity defenseman, Call said he felt right at home returning to Tahoe Prep for his second school year and hockey season there this fall.

Having re-located from Bountiful, Utah, last year, it didn’t take him long to know he had made the right decision.

“The brotherhood and the experience and the love everyone has here - I wanted to experience it again,” Call said. “I was really excited to come back.

Jaxon Call

“We have a lot of potential that we need to work on.

I believe we can play at a high level.”

Dunnigan was thrilled to return to Tahoe this fall, and said he’s trying to get one percent better every day. He said he’s looking forward to seeing what the world after high school has to offer.

“I want to find a tender for the NAHL by the end of 2019 - that’s a big goal of mine,” he said. “I want to go play juniors next year because, obviously, this is something that I would love to do for a living, but I have to put in the work.”

Prep coach Chris Collins said Dunnigan brings a high level of completion not just to games but also to every practice.

“That’s part of what gives me such confidence in this team is that we have two really good goalies,” Collins said referring to Dunnigan and Gian Buerer.

“These guys can win games for us.”

Cameron “Bryce” Dunnigan

I couldn’t wait.”

Call now sees himself in the role of mentor for his teammates trying to adjust to their first season in Tahoe. He also has set his goals high, aiming to go deeper into the playoffs in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League than last season.

“Last year, we had a good chance in the playoffs but couldn’t close it,” he said. “This year, I’m focused on getting there again and capitalizing on those opportunities.

“My personal goal this year is to score some more goals and get a lot more assists, and help lead this team to a championship.”

Varsity coach Leo Fenn said Call provides great leadership to his team.

“He’s coming off a shoulder surgery last summer, but you would never know it,” Fenn said. “He’s a great young man who plays with so much heart.”

Cameron “Bryce” Dunnigan As a goalie on the prep team, the 17-year-old Dunnigan is excited about what lies ahead. After tackling head on the challenge of playing at a high level, studying at a high level and being away from home for the first time, he was eager to further test his abilities playing in the East Coast Elite League (ECEL) this season.

“I’m excited about the ECEL because the league has a lot of skill that comes out of it,” Dunnigan said.

Cade Schiefelbein

Cade Schiefelbein In his second season at Tahoe Prep, Schiefelbein, an 18-year-old senior, has taken on some added responsibility as captain of the prep team this season. But the center and left wing, who grew up in Minnesota and Phoenix before moving north, said it’s just another thing to add to his plate as he tries to do everything possible to advance his hockey career.

“It’s definitely stressful,” he admitted. “You’re applying to colleges as a backup plan, while maintaining your GPA, and I’m trying to figure out even what country I’m going to live in next year. I’d really like to get my college commitment, but I’m also super excited about getting a junior contract.”

The 6-foot-4 inch forward said he is using this year to focus on gaining some weight to prepare for the physical challenges of playing at the next level.

Collins said Schiefelbein is a role model on and off the ice.

“He’s not the most vocal leader, but what he brings is a demand on and off the ice, and he influences solely by his actions,” Collins said. “They all respect him for his work ethic, so when he does talk, they listen.”

Quinn Proctor Towering over most of his opponents and teammates at 6-feet-6, Proctor is an imposing force on the blue line for Tahoe’s prep team this year. The 17-year-old senior moved up from the varsity squad, though he’ll pull

double duty this season and get some additional ice time with the varsity.

Proctor, a South Lake Tahoe native, credits the program and Tahoe Prep method with revolutionizing his game.

“My first year helped me develop into a AAA player,” he said. “Skating five days a week and working out every day helped my game tremendously. It is an amazing opportunity. It’s allowed me to play hockey at a higher level without having to move away from home.

“My goal this year is to find success at this level, which will hopefully get me noticed by junior teams. I also want to help my teammates and everyone around me find success while improving my own game. Being big is helpful, but I’m working on improving my footwork and speed.”

Collins said he enjoys watching players like Proctor advance quickly with the program.

Quinn Proctor

Liam Sutton

“I’ve watched Quinn turn into a Tier I player, and it’s awesome,” he said. “It’s really cool seeing someone take advantage of the resources and putting a lot of effort into wanting to become better.”

Liam Sutton The 16-year-old junior is off to a hot start this season, having already scored more goals than he did all of last year. A varsity right-winger from Santa Fe, N.M., he has also improved his grade-point average to 4.0, and is thriving academically and athletically at Tahoe Prep.

“I think the improvement was from my effort,” Sutton said. “I wanted to get better. With the program here, it’s kind of impossible not to get better. They give you a lot of tools.”

Fenn said Sutton’s work has developed him several levels above his starting point.

“I’m looking forward to Liam developing into a AAA player and seeing him attend and play in the NCAA someday,” Fenn said.

Beyond helping his team reach the finals, Sutton is focused on maintaining his academics and enjoying his high school experience.

“I need to work on trusting my puck handling and having more confidence and as a person, I need to work on keeping calm and not worrying about everything,” Sutton said. “One of my goals with high school is to get more involved. I want to try and get some of my high school life back.”

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ANAHEIM DUCKS

Ducks, THE RINKS host Girls Try Hockey for Free events

By Anaheim Ducks Staff

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ack on Oct. 5, and again on Oct. 12, the Anaheim Ducks and THE RINKS, in conjunction with USA Hockey, hosted Girls Try Hockey for Free events at Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena and at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline.

Over the course of the two events, 65 girls aged 4-12, all new to the game, were outfitted with equipment and taught the basics of ice and inline hockey from THE RINKS coaching staff and a few special guests.

At Great Park Ice, participating girls were joined on the ice by 12U and 14U Anaheim Lady Ducks players and special guest coach, Annie Pankowski of the U.S. Women’s National Team. During the hour-long session, participants took part in skating, stickhandling and shooting drills, and even a few scrimmage games.

“It’s always great to run this day and to have the support of USA Hockey behind us,” Lady Ducks director Kathy McGarrigle said. “They may be first-timers, but you can see the impact these events have on their decision to continue with hockey and have had on the growth of girls hockey. Just look at our volunteers. So many of our Lady Ducks players who come back to help at Girls Try Hockey do so because this is where they started, this is where they fell in love with the game.

“To have Annie back to help as well, to show all players involved how far they can go in the game, that really is something special.”

Pankowski – a three-time world champion with the U.S. Women’s National Team, NCAA champion, and former Lady Duck – is no stranger to giving back to her youth hockey roots. This past summer, Pankowski joined the Lady Ducks coaching staff at the Girls and Women Elite Training camp at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE. “I am honored to have been a part of the amazing growth of women’s hockey in California, especially through the Lady Ducks organization,” Pankowski said.

“I am excited to see what the future holds for them and

where they continue to grow from here.”

The following weekend at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline, participants were joined by members of the Women’s National Inline Hockey Team, who just brought home the gold from the World Roller Games in Barcelona, Spain.

“It’s really great to see THE RINKS put resources into growing the game of hockey, especially from the inline side,” said team member Celeste Loyatho. “This was a very fun event for us to see unfold. It is rare for the USA women to get to interact with young girls in our sport. We

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want to see a new generation take our spot someday and I think these women did a great job at this event sparking the idea that one day that could be possible. Even if they are just learning. The team was generous enough to share their time with these girls helping them get dressed, work through drills on the rink, and take pictures with them after with their 2019 World Roller Games medals and jerseys.”

“The best part of hosting these events is knowing that there is more we can do to continue to grow the game,” added THE RINKS marketing coordinator Amber Willis, who comes from an inline hockey background.

“At the end of day, hockey is hockey. The great part of knowing that is that we have an opportunity to continue growth from all angles, rather than just focusing on one segment of the sport.”

The growth of hockey in California is no longer a surprise in the hockey community. Per USA Hockey, California is still one of the fastest growing markets in the country.

“It’s great to see that our programs and initiatives are having such an impact in our community,” said THE RINKS marketing associate Kirstie Bender. “With how much exposure and success the U.S. Women’s National Team has had in the last couple of years, there is a demand now for more girls-specific programming, which is key to growing programs like the Lady Ducks.

“Having players who are at the top of their game, like Annie and Celeste, to show these girls what they can achieve through the game at the highest levels is tremendous.”

ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Quartet of Jr. Ducks teams get exposure at USHL Fall Classic

By Chris Bayee

A

good portion of the hockey world converged on suburban Pittsburgh during the last week in September, and the Anaheim Jr. Ducks were no exception.

Four Jr. Ducks AAA teams – 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U – participated in the fourth annual USHL Fall Classic, one of the sport’s ultimate see-and-be-seen events. More than 300 scouts attended, representing junior, college and professional hockey. All 16 USHL teams participated as well.

“Besides Nationals, you’re not going to get that many scouts in one place,” said Jr. Ducks 18U coach August Aiken. “Every USHL team was represented, 12 NAHL teams were there, as was every single Division I college and NHL team.

“You can’t get better exposure.”

Jr. Ducks director of player personnel and 16U coach Alex Kim added that the tournament includes a bit of a paradigm shift.

“Of course, you want your team to do well because you’re playing the top teams in the country, but the scouts are there to look at individuals,” Kim said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for players to get on teams’ radar at the next levels.”

“This helps them get going for the season,” Aiken added. “When I get players at 18s, they’re a bit more mature having come through our 16s. My job is to make sure they’re focused and ready to take advantage of this opportunity.”

“Junior teams have been reaching out. Having Ryan Johnson drafted in the first round only one year out from playing in our club has really helped.”

Aiken also watched Jr. Ducks alumni Cody Sherman make his USHL debut with the Tri-City Storm.

“It was a real joy as a coach to see a young man who played for our club in his first USHL game,” Aiken said. “Cody was not drafted and made their roster after attending a series of camps. The sky is the limit for him now.”

JrDucks.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-

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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.

NEVADA REPORT

Jr. Golden Knights grad Ramos loving NA3HL experience tried out. I was most definitely not the best out there and, in my opinion, was pretty low on the list. I had only been skating and playing hockey for about a year and ast year, Las Vegas native Danny Ramos left the these guys around me had been playing since around bright lights for the town of Gillette, Wyo., to play junior hockey in the NA3HL. 2-3 years of age.

Now in his second season with the Gillette Wild, “I still gave it my all as my dad told me, ‘What’s the the 19-year-old defenseman is enamored with the worst that could happen? They cut you. Then you junior hockey experience provided by the program. keep working until next year.’ Surprisingly to me, I “Two years ago, I participated in the Global Showmade the team.” case in Las Vegas where I was scouted and talked to Ramos went on to play for the Nevada Storm and by many teams,” explained Ramos. “It was definitely with the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights high school team. a big confidence booster and (Gillette coach) Steve “The coaches that stand out to me were Evan Zucker and Dave Fehlig, who were my first coachKruk was one of many who was waiting behind the es in travel hockey,” said Ramos. “They believed in boards waiting to talk to me after a game. After exme and had the confidence in me I didn’t have yet. changing information, we continued to stay in con“Another coach I could never forget and can’t tact and after doing some research, I knew Gillette thank enough would be Nick Robone (current aswas a great place to go. sistant coach for UNLV). He coached me through my “What appealed to me was how the program Midget years and saw my full potential and worked was ran and all the attributes that came along with with me and helped me understand the game way it. The program definitely strives for a family mentalibetter than I ever could’ve on my own.” ty within the team, as all teams should, but this was Looking ahead, Ramos has short-term and longunlike most. The team would always be helping out one another on and off the ice and helping out the Las Vegas product Danny Ramos is enjoying his second NA3HL season term aspirations, including going home to play for community of Gillette any chance that arose. It was playing on the Gillette Wild blue line. Photo/Gillette Wild UNLV “I want to help lead this group to help dominate our definitely welcoming. The team and billet family definiteHe then started ice skating at age 12, played house ly made the transition from being home to coming into league at Las Vegas Ice Center for two seasons and division and get to nationals, as I believe we have a great opportunity to do so this season,” Ramos said. this town as an individual way less stressful and as easy then joined the travel program at the rink. as possible.”

“My second house league season just ended, and “Hockey has been my gateway to an immense amount Ramos’ interest in hockey started while watching they were hosting open tryouts for the Bantam AA/AAA of opportunities in my life. I couldn’t thank those I’ve met the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers some 10 years ago. travel team,” remembered Ramos. “I thought it was a and have helped me along the way enough, especially “My family and I would do our best to make it to long shot, but after being convinced by my parents, I my parents for making it all possible.”

By Matt Mackinder

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every home game and after watching a few games, I was hooked,” Ramos said. “I told my parents (Michael and Tatyana) I wanted to quit soccer and play hockey, which I’m sure definitely wasn’t an easy transition, but they somehow found a way to make it work and I couldn’t thank them enough for it.”

Pacific Ridge Hockey Club making strides on West Coast diminished.

Academics: Most important is Pacific Ridge’s acaver the past four years, Carlsbad’s Pacific Ridge demic program. The school deliberately embraces the School has been quietly changing San Diego’s terms “student-athlete” and “scholar-athlete,” as acayouth hockey landscape. demics come first, and athletics are an integral part of And building a powerhouse team in the process. the whole.

Back in 2015, youth coach Todd Cadieux saw an Instead of sitting in rows of desks facing a blackboard, opportunity to build a unique program combining the Pacific Ridge students sit with their teacher around a competitiveness of club hockey with an emphasis on large, oval table, called a Harkness Table, where everyacademics and balance. He teamed up with Pacific one is in “the front row” and actively develops speaking, Ridge’s former athletic director Hans Richter and listening, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. longtime youth hockey coach Juan Trevino to creAn average class size of 15 ensures that students ate the Pacific Ridge Hockey Club (PRHC). are fully engaged.

“We’ve seen so much imbalance in players’ “Classrooms at Pacific Ridge feel like teams,” lives and educations because of club hockey,” said said varsity head coach Juan Trevino.

Cadieux, now PRHC program director. “We envi“Students get the support and feedback they sioned a program that would address these issues, need to excel.” and Pacific Ridge was the perfect partner.”

Arguably the most popular part of the school’s PRHC is currently the only San Diego high curriculum for students is global travel. At the end school whose players are all enrolled students at of each school year, roughly 90 percent of Pacific the school. The school plays in Division I of the Ridge’s 615 students travel around the country and Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League The Carlsbad-based Pacific Ridge Hockey Club will play in the ADHSHL and NAPHL the world for academic, linguistic and cultural (ADHSHL) and will compete in the North American during the 2019-20 season. Photo/PRHC study.

Prospects Hockey League as well. ample opportunities for extracurricular activities such Pacific Ridge also offers individualized college guidFor players, skating for their school is a big deal. as clubs, service learning, musicals, etc. Pacific Ridge ance services to students – services that are available to “It’s great being able to go to class with your team- builds these activities into the school day, thus giving players before and after they play junior hockey. mates, eat lunch with them – everything you don’t get to players a chance to pursue a variety of interests.

“We continue to push the Pacific Ridge hockey prodo with a club team,” said Patrick O’Donnell, a senior Cost: Being a private school without religious affilia- gram to offer the best possible combination of competiwho was last year’s ADHSHL Goalie of the Year. “We’re tion, Pacific Ridge charges a typical independent school tion and exposure for our players, all while keeping edumore than just teammates. We’re friends here and the tuition and offers substantial tuition assistance to families cation first,” said Trevino. bond goes deeper.” with a wide range of incomes. Because of the availability “You don’t have to sacrifice your academics and Last season, the varsity team won the ADHSHL Divi- of tuition assistance and because hockey is integrated high school experience in order to play top-tier hockey, sion II regular season and reached the Division II finals of into the total costs of a comprehensive independent or vice versa,” added Cadieux. “We’ve got the whole the CAHA tournament. school experience, hockey costs for families are greatly package.”

By Kris Captanis

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Several factors make playing for PRHC and attending Pacific Ridge appealing to players and their families.

Balance: A practice schedule similar to other high school sports and a rink 10 minutes from campus gives players more time for studying, socializing, family, and sleep. The team holds three on-ice practices and two cross-training sessions per week, with games on weekends. Essentially, Pacific Ridge allows hockey players all the same benefits other varsity and JV athletes enjoy.

Opportunity: Beyond athletics, the school provides

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Four California products dot Colorado College roster Continued from Page 6 “After I got hurt my junior season, I continued to struggle with injuries,” said Ruck, who played roller hockey only until he was 14. “I lost my starting job to an unbelievable goalie in Cayden Primeau. He was so much younger than I am, but I learned so much from him.

“It was time to turn a page. I was going to go on a few visits, but the first time I came to Colorado, I absolutely fell in love with it. It reminds me of California in a sense – 300 sunny days a year and everyone’s so friendly.

“As soon as I saw the campus and the rink, I knew it was where I wanted to go. And the coaching staff here is unbelievable. They’re so friendly and open. You can tell they truly care about who you are as a person.”

The fit was ideal for both sides, Haviland said.

“He’s won a Hockey East title and he’s played games in the NCAA Tournament,” the coach said.

“We were looking for a goalie and were fortunate enough to get him. He gives you that veteran presence in net. He’s looking to continue playing and he needed a place to play (after just 12 games in the past two seasons).”

The 6-foot-2 Ruck, who played for the LA Selects, brings a nice mix of athleticism and technique to the Tigers’ net.

“He’s very technically sound,” Haviland added.

“But he’s a big guy who’s athletic. When you think he’s out of a play, all of a sudden he’ll make some saves out of nowhere.”

While Ruck’s move happened quickly, Sasaki had to wait five years after committing to the Tigers.

“He played a lot of junior hockey (four seasons) – he’s won a championship and seasoned himself in junior hockey,” Haviland said. “That’s helped him step right in and play very well.

“He’s a very, very smart player who goes about his work every day. I think he’s going to be a warrior and a guy you can with because he’s not the flashy guy, but he does everything right.”

The wait was hard at times, but Sasaki has no regrets.

“I don’t think the timing could have worked out better,” he said. “It was tough at times going through juniors. You can get impatient and want to go to school, but I think had I come in at any point before this in terms of hockey and overall maturity, I don’t think I would have been quite there. I came in as prepared as I could be.”

Gates said it would be a mistake for foes to underestimate Sasaki’s game because of his size (5-foot-7, 150 pounds). After all, Sasaki left the Wenatchee Wild as the BCHL team’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen.

“He’s very quick and very smart,” Gates said.

“He’s very shifty. He’s not the biggest defenseman, but his hockey IQ and puck-moving ability make him a very good playmaker. I think he’s going to play a major part for us because of how smart he is and how quick he is.”

They took different paths to Colorado College, but the California quartet is grateful to land where they did. The feeling is mutual.

“Whatever role each of them has been put in they’ve accepted,” Haviland said. “It’s a tough thing sometimes to accept that, but how they’ve handled that speaks to their character.

“We’ve very fortunate to have all four.”

California Connections

Colorado College has a long tradition of recruiting players from California. Several have gone on to big things in hockey.

Los Angeles native Brett Sterling captured an AHL Calder Cup championship with the Chicago Wolves in 2008. Photo//Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves

Noah Clarke, a La Verne native, played 21 games in the NHL between 2003-08 and also saw action in more than 300 AHL games, including 47 with the Lowell Devils. Photo//Lowell Devils

Forward Guy Hildebrand (1969-73) – Averaged more than a point per game in three of his four seasons at CC and finished with 94 points in 91 games. Played a half dozen seasons of pro and semi-pro hockey after that.

Defenseman Eric Sanford (1980-83) – The defenseman brought some offense, scoring 33 points in 76 career games at CC before beginning a brief pro career.

Forward Berk Nelson (1996-2000) – The power forward played 101 games at CC. Forward Justin Morrison (1997-2001) – The state’s first draft pick on this list scored 112 points and played in 159 games. Blessed with 6-3 height and excellent skating ability, he played 10 seasons of pro hockey.

Forward Noah Clarke (1999-2003) – The first California-born and –trained player to play for the L.A. Kings had an excellent career at CC, topped by a 70-point eruption in 2002-03. His 164 points are 14th in program history, and his 113 assists are 11th. He also played in 164 games, incredible durability for a smaller player. He went on to play in 21 NHL games during his 10 seasons of pro hockey.

Forward Alex Kim (2000-02) – After two seasons at Miami, Kim scored 73 points in two seasons at CC before launching a lengthy pro career that took him throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Like Morrison and Clarke, an elite skater.

Forward Nick Tsiantar (2001-03) – He played in 26 games over two seasons at CC before finishing his college career at UMass Boston in Division III. Forward Brett Sterling (2002-06) – The one-time Atlanta Thrashers draft pick was a huge scorer at CC, piling up 108 goals (third all-time) and 184 points (11th all-time). An All-American in 2005 and 2006, Sterling was a Hobey Hat Trick finalist in 2005. He was the AHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2007 and played 30 NHL games in his 12 seasons of pro hockey.

Defenseman Brian Salcido (2003-06) – The first California-born and –trained player to play for the Ducks, who drafted him in 2005, Salcido had 69 points in sophomore and junior seasons at CC. He played 12 years of pro hockey, including a two-game stint with the Ducks in 2009 and was an AHL All-Star twice.

Forward Andreas Vlassopoulos (2005-10) – Career ended prematurely because of a severe knee injury, but he was a disciplined, versatile forward who could score (60 points in 99 games).

Forward Dan Quilico (2006-10) – Played 21 games during his four seasons at CC after a productive BCHL career in Trail.

Defenseman Joe Marciano (2009-13) – Excellent defensive defenseman who played 152 games for CC and went on to a four-year pro career.

Like Sterling and Vlassopoulos, he also played for the U.S. NTDP. Defenseman David Radke (2015-17) – He played 10 games at CC from 2015-17. He finished his college career in Canada at the University of Waterloo.

Forward Jack Gates (2017-present) – A plug and play forward who is excellent defensively. After playing 37 games as a freshman, he was limited to six last season because of major shoulder injury.

Forward Brian Williams (2017-present) – A hard-nosed forward with a good shot. He played in 26 games as a freshman, but also battled injuries last season.

Goaltender Ryan Ruck (2019-present) – A graduate transfer from Northeastern, Ruck began this season as the starter in net.

Defenseman Chad Sasaki (2019-present) – In the lineup right away as a freshman. He finished his junior career as the all-time, top-scoring defenseman in Wenatchee’s history.

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ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL

Academics a major part of growing program at St. Mary’s

By Matt Mackinder

F

or the hockey players at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, the school has gone the extra mile this year to churn out the next group of well-rounded individuals.

St. Mary’s has provided tutors for the hockey team, as well as study hall four days a week, giving the players an extra hour to do schoolwork or get help. Jacki Montijo, a St. Mary’s math teacher, presides over study hall. Once the team starts traveling, Wendy Petroni, a teacher with the Oakdale Unified School District, will go with them and hold study hall during away games.

“Academics is No. 2 at St. Mary’s behind spirituality,” said Adam Lichter, the school’s athletic director.

“Academics will help these young men have an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level someday. At St. Mary’s, we believe in the student-athlete.

“It is refreshing to see the time management skills that are utilized by our players. They have a set schedule to help guide these young men. They have great host parents that understand the importance of balancing academics and hockey.”

Ginger Tabora serves as the hockey team’s manager and is responsible for arranging travel transportation, accommodations and meals. She keeps track of the team budget provided by the school, organizes team fundraisers, communicates with the team and their families, handles social media and performs administrative duties for the team pertaining to the ADHSHL, CAHA,

athletics.” and NAPHL. “I think many of them have gotten time back going “But at the end of the day, the most important part my job is to make sure my players are happy and have a to and playing for St. Mary’s, which has helped them good experience,” Tabora said. “First and foremost, St. maintain a balance between hockey and school,” addMary’s is a college preparatory school and has been ed- ed Tabora. “Before coming to St. Mary’s, many of them ucating high school students since 1876. Their priority got home from practice after 9 p.m. because they were is to provide an excellent academic education in a spir- commuting anywhere from 30 minutes to upwards of itual environment. They want to instill the value of edu- an hour and a half to get to and from the rink. Now, cation, faith, and community service in all their students. they all live in, go to school, and practice and train in the same city and no longer have “Athletics is important to St. long commutes. On most days, Mary’s because it allows the stuthey are home by 6:30 p.m. at dents to develop leadership skills, the latest, which allows them to time management skills, and work eat, do homework, and sleep at in a team environment. It’s essena decent time. tial for them to be the best stu“Academics have taught dent-athletes they can be. Many of them how to advocate for themthem aspire to play college-level selves, manage their time acsports, so they’re very aware that cordingly, and become more it’s imperative to perform well acaresponsible as a whole. They demically and athletically.”

For hockey players at St. Mary’s High School, taking Lichter added that he has seen part in study hall sessions gives them time to get push and support each other, academics help mold the hockey help on schoolwork or to catch up on assignments. not just with their sport, but with Photo/Ginger Tabora academics as well.” players into better individuals.

Facing challenges head-on has also been a point of “This program is the whole package,” Lichter said.

“Academics isn’t just science, math and English. We of- pride for Lichter.

“They have to make very good use of their time,” fer electives that challenge our students. Broadcasting and band are just two electives that our hockey play- Lichter said. “Unlike the typical student, they have ice ers participate in. We believe in character building at time, team workouts, film and chalk talk and lots of travel.

St. Mary’s which leads with spirituality, academics and “They are exceeding my expectations.”

SaintMarysHighSchool.org

WCRHL opening up 2019-20 roller campaign in San Jose

By Phillip Brents

T

he Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League (WCRHL) made a statement at April’s National Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships in Rochester, N.Y., as Cal State Fullerton won the Division II championship and UC-Berkeley finished as the Division III runner-up.

Additionally, Arizona State University (Division I), Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Division II) and Cal Poly Pomona (Division III) advanced as far as the semifinals to conclude a robust showing by California teams.

Teams will get a preview of the league’s strength in 2019-20 when they face off regular-season play Oct. 19-20 at San Jose’s Silver Creek Sportsplex.

The University of Nevada-Reno will be the WCRHL’s newest member to be showcased at the annual kickoff event.

Fellow league newcomers Chapman University and Grand Canyon University are scheduled to make their debuts at the Nov. 16-17 regular-season event in Huntington Beach.

“We are really excited to have the University of Nevada-Reno and Chapman University back and Grand Canyon University for the first time,” WCRHL director Brennan Edwards said.

Reno last competed in WCRHL play during the 2007-08 season while Chapman last competed in the league in 2008-09.

WCRHL membership will once again be spread across five competition tiers, including three varsity divisions, one junior college division and one development division.

Some minor adjustments to the league’s divisional alignment in 2019-20 are expected. Most notably, Fullerton moves up from Division II to Division I while the 22

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

University of Arizona moves from Division II to Division III. UC Santa Barbara moves from Division I to Division II. The shifts are expected to result in a more competitive schedule.

“CSU Fullerton was asked by the NCRHA and WCRHL to participate in Division I where they should fit much better based on previous results and returning roster,” Edwards said.

Arizona State won last season’s Division I regional championship, so there is no lack of competition there.

Cal Poly SLO returns to defend its Division II title after defeating Fullerton last year.

Team members from CSU-Fullerton celebrate the Division II National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association national championship to conclude the 2018-19 season. Photo/NCRHA

The Mustangs hope to replenish some of their scoring ability with young talent while remaining strong in the defensive end, according to Cal Poly club president Joe Blakewell.

“Playmakers Nathan Katzaroff and Matt Akins return to the team this season after missing the majority of last season,” Blakewell said. “With their added firepower and with returning shutdown goaltender Nicholas Lea-

cox, we feel confident about our opportunity to reclaim the cup.”

However, there appears to be no shortage of challengers.

“This year’s team has a few new faces that we are really excited about,” Chico State club president Will Robinson said. “We think that this might be our best team that’s been a part of Chico State, so we’re hoping for a lot of success this year.”

Impact players include goaltender Josh Meyberg and defenseman Connor Melton.

“We’re also expecting a huge addition for the spring semester, so we’re very excited about that,” Robinson added.

Northern Arizona University and San Jose State will also have something to say about which team wins this year’s Division II title.

Last season’s Division III regional championship featured an upset as the Cal Bears topped regular-season leader Pomona. Both teams, however, went on to make statements at the ensuing national championship tournament.

The addition of Arizona and Nevada-Reno should make the division even more competitive in 2019-20.

West Valley College rounds out the lineup in the junior college division. Seven programs will field teams in the Division IV development tier.

On a roll An inter-regional event is scheduled Nov. 2 in Lakewood, Colo. Several slots are available for out-of-conference teams.

The University of Colorado Buffaloes will travel west to play four WCRHL opponents at the San Jose event.

Regular-season action heads east to the Tucson Indoor Sports Center Dec. 7-8.

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FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM Taking a look at the steps to prevent groin injuries in hockey A

successful hockey season filled with wins, goals, assists and enjoyment can be easily derailed with a groin strain.

The groin musculature, or adductor group, is located on the inside of the thigh and brings the thigh back into the midline of the body. This is an important group of muscles during skating as they elongate, allowing the player to obtain a full stride and contract quickly to recover and bring the skate back beneath the hips to prepare for another powerful stride.

Chris Phillips If the muscle group is tight, it can limit full extension of the stride, slowing the athlete down. It also leaves the muscles more susceptible to injury as they may get overstretched or torn as the athlete tries to obtain a full stride.

In the case of the adductors being too weak, they can be injured by the repetitive force needed to return the leg to its starting point after the stride is completed.

In order to prevent groin injuries, it is imperative to obtain and maintain good flexibility and strength.

Numerous studies in the NHL have shown that a quality groin injury prevention program will decrease the incidence of these injuries.

So how do you get started? Implementing a foam roll and stretching program that targets the groins, hip flexors and gluteal musculature will help obtain proper flexibility. There are many ways to implement a groin strengthening program, but I would suggest starting with something as simple as squeezing a Pilates ring or squeeze ball while lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Perform three sets of 15-25 reps 2-3 times per week.

Groin injuries will occur in hockey but taking the simple steps of improving flexibility and strength can aid in the prevention.

Chris Phillips is the owner of Compete Sports Performance and Rehab in Orange County. He was an athletic trainer in the NHL with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Washington Capitals and is a preferred provider for U.S. Figure Skating.

CARubberHockey.com

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TAHOE PREP ACADEMY

Tahoe Prep’s Nordorf expands horizons at national camp

By Greg Ball

W

hat does it take to be in the top one percent of hockey players?

Tahoe Prep defenseman Jacob Nordorf found out this year on his road to the 2019 USA Hockey Boys Select 17 Player Development Camp, which was held in June in Amherst, N.Y. The camp provided the United States’ top players born in 2002 with on-ice and off-ice training, coaching from elite-level instructors and the opportunity to compete against their peers from across the country.

The camp is also used to select the roster for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that competes at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup each August.

But before his journey to upstate New York, Nordorf’s journey almost ended at the CAHA camp that feeds players to the Pacific District finals.

“After CAHA, I was named an alternate for Pacific District,” Nordorf said, recalling his disappointment in not being selected outright. “I was very frustrated, but then a couple weeks later, my mom got an email saying that I got a bid and I was going to Pacific Districts.”

Nordorf was returning to Tahoe from the Pacific District camp in Las Vegas when he got a text in the Reno Tahoe International Airport that he had made it to the national camp.

“It was crazy – I was jumping around and scream-

ing,” Nordorf said. “And I realized that I was going to get the most exposure that I’ve ever gotten in my life.”

Nordorf knew the camp would give him a shot to be noticed by some of the best Division I college hockey programs in the country.

“I went in kind of nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, and it was kind of shocking how good everybody was,” he said.

“The camp itself was laid back, but when they told us that we represented the

top one percent in the nation of our age group, I was like, ‘Wow, that’s crazy.’”

Nordorf’s Gold team won three of their five games at the camp, and Nordorf scored a goal from the point

in his first game. A hard hit in his final game irritated a previous shoulder injury, but Nordorf finished out the game.

Tahoe Prep head coach Chris Collins wasn’t surprised by Nordorf’s strong performance at the camp.

“His demeanor and his ability to stay calm in high pressure situations, where a lot of players will fumble, is part of what makes him such a good player,” Collins said. “He will rise above and maintain and make a play out of that situation.”

Nordorf said that after the camp he felt his outlook change on the ice.

With a national camp under his belt, for his senior year with Tahoe Prep, Nordorf said he would like to get the most points in the NAPHL as a defenseman and add that accolade to his resume as he continues on his hockey journey.

“I always knew I was a good player, but the experience gave me confidence,” he said. “A lot of different schools started reaching out to me, and I made connections with NAHL teams.”

TahoeHockeyAcademy.com UNITING. INFORMING. INSPIRING. HOCKEY PLAYERS ACROSS CALIFORNIA

Palm Springs lands AHL team, brand-new arena for 2021-22

By Phillip Brents

H

Follow us here: @PCH_APPAREL

@PCH_APPAREL

PCH APPAREL

www.productofcahockey.com 24

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

ockey’s continued growth in the state of California was further evidenced by the announcement on Sept. 30 by American Hockey League president-CEO David Andrews that the league’s Board of Governors had awarded an expansion franchise to Palm Springs.

The new club becomes the AHL’s 32nd team and its sixth in California, joining the San Jose Barracuda, Stockton Heat, Bakersfield Condors, Ontario Reign and San Diego Gulls.

The Palm Springs team, which will serve as the AHL affiliate for the as-yet unnamed NHL Seattle team, will play in a new downtown 10,000-seat arena to be built on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. The $250 million project is expected to break ground in early 2020 and open in the fall of 2021.

Both the expansion AHL and NHL teams will begin play concurrently in the 2021-22 season.

The Palm Springs franchise was officially awarded to NHL Seattle and owners Oak View Group.

“Palm Springs has all the makings of an outstanding hockey market and will further strengthen the growing base of our sport in California,” said Andrews.

NHL Seattle president-CEO Tod Leiweke said placing an affiliate in the AHL was “mission critical” to the NHL team’s master plan for future player development.

“This is a unique partnership that will forever change the face of sports and entertainment in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley,” Tribal chairman Jeff Grubbe said. “We are creating a healthy community gathering place for Coachella Valley families and visitors from around the world to celebrate, play and experience diverse entertainment opportunities in a state-of-the-art arena.”

Palm Springs has become an entertainment hotbed in recent years. The region is known for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and country music’s Stagecoach Festival as well as the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

But the Palm Springs AHL team will be the region’s first professional sports team.

Leiweke said about two years of time and energy have gone into the project. He called it a “brave, daring vision” to create a privately-funded destination point and entertainment venue.

UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE

Dana Point’s Boutoussov racking up points for Kings

By Joshua Boyd/USPHL.com

F

rom Los Angeles’ South Shore to Boston’s South Shore, Michael Boutoussov’s 3,000-plus mile move across the continent is paying massive dividends.

A 1999-born newcomer for the South Shore Kings of the USPHL’s National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), Boutoussov has been clutch with three goals and 10 points in his first 10 games.

“It’s going so far so good,” said the Dana Point native. “We’re just trying to build chemistry throughout the year and progress as we go on. The junior hockey experience here is great. There are a lot of schools on the East Coast, and it’s great exposure.”

Through the first 10 games, he’s never gone more than one game without a point, missing the scoresheet on only three occasions. He had a goal and four assists in his first four October games for the Kings, who were 4-5-1-0 through Oct. 12. “‘Bouts’ is a massive asset to our team with his speed and decision-making. He has a great shot with a sneaky, fast release,” said Kings head coach Drew Omicioli. “I see Michael being an impact player at whatever level he plays because of his abilities and tenaciousness. He plays a fearless style and enjoys

the physicality. It’s a joy to coach a player like ‘Bouts.’”

While Los Angeles has its own Kings, it was actually the other team in the immediate vicinity - the Anaheim Ducks - that the Boutoussov family became drawn to.

“My father came here from Russia and he saw the [former] Mighty Ducks and got into hockey,” said Boutoussov. “He got my older brother on skates, then

my younger brother, then me.”

He was an impressionable young Mite player at the age of eight when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup. “It was an amazing run,” he recalled.

Years later, he would find himself in the orange and black of the Ducks’ new colors, playing many years

with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. After posting 18 points in 15 Tier 1 Elite Hockey League games in 2015-16 with the Ducks’ 15U team, he posted 27 more in 32 contests with their 18U squad in 2016-17.

“It was a great organization – we made it to Nationals,” said Boutoussov, who scored five points in three Tier 1 Nationals games in April 2017. “I loved it there.”

Over the next two seasons, Boutoussov moved away from the sun and surf of Dana Point for the wide-open spaces of the Canadian prairie provinces, playing in the Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba junior leagues.

“It was good, gritty hockey, and they compete very hard,” noted Boutoussov. “I played in small towns, so it was fun to get some fans up there. I have nothing bad to say about it there, but I’m glad I came here.”

As much as he is enjoying the East Coast hockey scene, he certainly loves his hometown.

“I live a minute or two from the beach.

It’s just an unbelievable town. I love where I live,” said Boutoussov. “It’s not a big hockey community. Where I played, everyone had to come 30 minutes to two hours for practice.”

For Christmas break, he’ll be able to put away his jacket and break out the shorts and flip-flops and stroll on down to the beach. Given what he’s done already, it’ll surely be a well-deserved rest.

Photos/USPHL.com

USPHL.com

Broncos aim to bust out of corral during 2019-20 season “With Nevada-Reno being a new team and unknown commodity, it’s hard to know exactly how things are going to go for the regular season. Cal and UCLA are both returning, and the University of Arizona is dropping down and should have a very strong team.

It should be an interesting year.”

Paerels said the goal for the program’s Division IV squad is to field a competitive team and work to improve as the season progresses.

“The preseason event went well for us,” Paerels said. “We have seven returners and one solid new al Poly Pomona turned in nothing short of a player on the Division III roster. Overall, we looked dream season in 2018-19. good. Our Division IV team has five returning players, The Broncos finished as the top team in the Westfive new players and a solid goalie. While the team ern Collegiate Roller Hockey League’s (WCRHL) Diwent 0-3, they looked better than last year, and all vision III regular-season standings with a near-perfect three losses were against teams from higher divisions, 14-1 record and dominating 109-31 goal differential. so our Division IV team should be competitive this In rolling to its best finish since its restart in 2015year. They are also very enthusiastic about playing.”

16, Pomona finished 3-2 in the ensuing regionThe WCRHL’s annual kickoff event is schedal playoffs, dropping both games to the UC uled for Oct. 19-20 in San Jose.

Berkeley Bears to finish as regional runners-up.

Returning players on the Broncos’ Division III Perhaps the best was yet to come for the team include Derick Rosas, Ian Duffy, Kevin Broncos, however, as they navigated the field Erving, Taylor Paerels, William Lade-Millat the 2019 National Collegiate Roller Hockey er, Richard Cota and Nathan Jimenez, along Championships in Rochester, N.Y., to a semiwith last season’s No. 2 goaltender Jake Oberfinal finish. Pomona defeated James Madison schelp. Benjamin Snyder joins the group this University 10-1 in its opening playoff match and season. tacked on a 7-1 quarterfinal win over Temple to Rosas has been a proven scorer the past advance to the division’s Final Four. two seasons. The team missed Duffy in last The Broncos ended their season with a season’s regional final.

10-2 loss to eventual national champion Endi“That definitely hurt us in that one,” Paerels cott College in an otherwise season chock full said. “He’s very important to our success.” of memories.

WCRHL director Brennan Edwards said Endicott went on to top Cal 5-3 in the na- Cal Poly Pomona, which enjoyed unbridled success in 2018-19, is looking to top the league is hoping to bridge the past and those accomplishments during the 2019-20 season. tional championship game. present by including alumni ironman tournaPomona will be fielding two teams in 2019-20 – “We are also hoping to make regionals and, po- ments in the season schedule, giving old friends and the Division III varsity squad and the Division IV de- tentially, nationals as we did in 2018,” Paerels said. teammates a chance to reunite. velopmental squad.

Both Bronco teams participated in the WCRHL’s The WCRHL alumni gathered at the Oct. 5 preThe Broncos hope to be represented at the 2020 preseason event Oct. 5 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline. season event in Irvine, posting a 1-2 record in matchNational Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships in The Division III team defeated division rival UCLA 8-2 ups against varsity teams.

Fort Myers, Fla. while splitting with a pair of Division II teams (a 7-0 “It’s been fun so far and we are looking forward “For the Division III team, the goal is to return to win over San Jose State and a 5-2 loss to North- to more of these, likely one in Northern California and nationals and go even farther than last year’s semi- ern Arizona University). Pomona’s Division IV team one in Southern California each season,” Edwards final loss,” Pomona head coach John Paerels said. finished 0-3. said.

By Phillip Brents

C

CARubberHockey.com

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JESSICA KOIZUMI Position: Associate head coach, University of Vermont (Hockey East, NCAA D-I) Hometown: Simi Valley Youth Teams: California Thunder, Ventura Mariners, Team LA, Cal Selects Playing Experience: U.S. Women’s National Team, Connecticut Whale (NWHL), Montreal Stars (CWHL), Boston Pride (CWHL) Last Amateur Team: University of Minnesota Duluth (WCHA, NCAA D-I)

California Rubber: How were you recruited to Minnesota Duluth?

Jessica Koizumi: My senior year in high school, I was set up to go to Tabor for prep school because I didn’t think I would get recruited. But my head coach at that time, Scott Plumer, whom I owe so much of my career success to, convinced me to stay. He said there’s no doubt I would get recruited. And sure enough, I had several college choices. I gained so much of my game and skill through different people from California.

CR: You honed your game in California in some unconventional ways.

JK: I really started to develop my game at these midnight skates that Ronnie White ran at Skate Zone in Huntington Beach on Friday and Saturday nights. His little brother ended up playing Division I and pro in Europe. I learned so much about skills and competing.

CR: You actually billeted within Southern California one year.

JK: My senior year, I moved to Huntington Beach to be closer to my team.

I lived with the Bartz family, and I can’t thank them enough. I trained before school started and I trained after school every day. (Former Olympian) Chanda Gunn’s parents owned the rink at the time, and they were so generous giving us ice time. That’s also when I started giving lessons. I put my coaching hat on and started that journey. I was very fortunate to have them in my life and have those resources available.

CR: Who were some other big influences?

JK: When I was younger, Scott helped me with the recruiting process. Ronnie was a big influence through all of those skates. And my college coach, Shannon Miller, is a huge influence. She’s the best coach I’ve ever had.

I grew so much as a player and a person through her. I learned so much about myself as a coach by just playing for her. Something that sets her apart is her ability to inspire and motivate.

CR: What sparked your interest in coaching?

JK: I was 11 or 12 years old on the ice in Minnesota, and I started directing other kids on drills. That passion was there – I wanted to be a coach. Throughout my childhood and into college, I knew what classes I wanted to take, what internships I wanted, and started my own hockey school when I was a senior in high school. I can’t tell you what motivated me to do it, but I’m so glad I did it because of the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve been able to help.

CR: What is your favorite hockey experience since you moved from California?

JK: After a pretty tough junior year in college, we had a huge change in our dynamic, almost a whole new team. That team overachieved. We ended up finishing second to a very good Wisconsin team. The team chemistry we had was incredible. Those freshmen won two national championships after I graduated but all of them will say that was their favorite season because of how well we got along and how we overachieved.

CR: You had to make a big comeback to play in the postseason in 2007.

JK: A week before Senior Night, I tore my MCL and doctors told me I was done playing. I rehabbed twice a day and was able to come back in two and a half weeks. They could have cut my leg off and I still would have found a way to play. I ended up having a good postseason. Through that, I ended up getting an invite to the U.S. Women’s National Team. I thank God for that every day. It has molded me as a person to be able to go through anything. I was set to be retired after I graduated, but I was able to continue my career so much longer than I thought I would be able to.

Photo/Brian Jenkins

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

- Compiled by Chris Bayee