California Rubber Magazine - April 2016 by Rubber Hockey Magazines

VOLUME 9

ISSUE 8

APRIL 2016

ROYALS BRING HOME INAUGURAL LAKHSHL CHAMPIONSHIP SLEW OF CALIFORNIA TEAMS SHOW WELL ON NATIONAL STAGE LA MIRADAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DE LEO MAKES NHL DEBUT WITH WINNIPEG JETS SEVEN IN-STATE INLINE SQUADS READY TO PLAY FOR AIHL TITLES

After a 20-year drought with no rink in Santa Barbara, the brand-new Ice in Paradise opened last October and the community is rallying around the new fixture like never before Attracting the very best youth hockey programs under the bright lights of Los Angeles

Tournament Series

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Experience coaching by some of the best tier coaches in the state m–

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VISIT GOLDENSTATEELITEHOCKEY.ORG/TRYOUTS FOR MORE INFORMATION. CARubberHockey.com

FROM THE EDITOR The national stage continues to shine on California teams, players

he month of April is always tough for everyone as it means seasons have ended on most levels. In the NCAA ranks, two California natives – Soren Jonzzon (Mountain View native, played youth for Blackhawks, Cougars, San Jose Jr. Sharks) and Alex Miner-Barron (Glendora native, played for California Wave, Los Angeles Jr. Kings) – made it to the Frozen Four championship game with Quinnipiac University, only to fall 5-1 to the University of North Dakota back on April 9 down in Tampa, Fla. On a brighter note, San Diego native and former Jr. Gulls goaltender Thatcher Demko walked away with the Mike Richter Award on Matt Mackinder April 8 as the top goalie in all of Division I. He fashioned a 27-8-4 record with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, in addition to 10 shutouts. At the NCAA D-III level, La Verne native Jono Davis won a national championship with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Pointers defeated St. Norbert College 5-1 on March 26 to claim the title. Davis was fifth in team scoring with 17 goals and 29 points in 28 games. Also on the national stage, three women’s teams from the state took part in USA Hockey National Championship Tournaments earlier this month in Blaine, Minn. At the Women’s B level, the Anaheim Lady Ducks and San Jose Lady Sharks represented well, while the SoCal Westside Shockers and L.A. Traffic proved their worth at the Women’s C division. The Lady Sharks went 3-0 at the event, but fell 5-1 to eventual champion Honeybaked in the quarterfinals, while the Lady Ducks were stymied in their three games and did not pick up a win. Both the Shockers and Traffic earned berths in the quarterfinals, but lost to the O’Leary Hawks and Midwest Mustangs, respectively. The Traffic finished first in their pool with an overtime win, regulation loss and overtime loss and the Shockers went 1-2-0 in their pool round robin. Congratulations to both teams on terrific seasons! Two former Jr. Kings - forward Nolan Stevens and goaltender Evan Sarthou - were recognized by NHL Central Scouting on its final rankings of 2016 draft-eligibles, which were released in mid-April. Stevens, who just wrapped up his sophomore season at Northeastern University (Hockey East), is listed No. 209 among North American skaters. In 41 games this year, Stevens struck for 42 points on 20 goals and 22 assists. Sarthou just completed his third season with the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans and is tabbed No. 12 among North American goaltenders. In 60 appearances on the year, Sarthou fashioned a 26-28-2 record to compliment a 3.46 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage. The 2016 NHL Draft will be conducted on June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y. Another ex-Jr. King, forward Kailer Yamamoto, is part of the U.S. National Under-18 Team competing at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 World Championship from April 14-24 in Grand Forks, N.D. Yamamoto is also looked at as a potential top pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Corona native Cayla Barnes, who just finished her junior season of prep school hockey at New Hampton School in New Hampshire, was named the AllUSA Girls Player of the Year, as selected by USA Today High School Sports. A slick defender headed to Boston College in 2017, Barnes scored 12 goals and added 23 assists in 28 games while leading the Huskies to the Lakes Region League title and the No. 6 seed in the Division I New England Prep tournament. What’s more is that Barnes interrupted her season to play for the United States at January’s Under-18 World Championship in St. Catharines, Ont., where she led the tournament with a plus-10 rating and was tied for the tournament lead with six assists as Team USA won gold.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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publisher: Brian McDonough senior editor: Matt Mackinder inline editor: Phillip Brents senior designer: Julie Wilson

CHAMPIONS

The Desert Blaze came out on top of the Squirt B Division at the recent CAHA A/B State Championships at Sharks Ice in San Jose. Check out our coverage of the event – and see who the other eight state title winners were – on Pages 8 and 12. On Page 32 in the March issue of California Rubber Magazine, we inadvertently identified the L.A. Traffic as the Women’s C champions at the Pacific District Championships, when in fact the SoCal Westside Shockers were the Women’s C champions. California Rubber Magazine acknowledges and regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience.

ON THE COVER At Ice in Paradise, Isabella Brown pulls Kennedy Frisell as part of a sled-pull drill. Both players are part of the Majors in the GYHL Ice in Paradise in-house league (2004 birth years) and also play on the Santa Barbara Islanders tournament team in the Pee Wee age group. Photo/Michael Blake

CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

CAHA pleased with Tier II parity among teams in ’15-16 By John B. Spigott

hampions have been crowned at all levels throughout the state of California, and with an almost even split of winners between north and south, the California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) is happy with the level of competitiveness at the Tier II and A/B levels. CAHA board member Chris Hathaway said of the 13 age levels ranging from Tier II 18U to Squirt B that held state playoffs, eight champions were from the north and five were from the south, something that Hathaway feels is a good sign for parity on a state-wide level. “The competitiveness in both the AA and the A/B state playoffs, a lot of those games went into overtime or were one- or two-goal games,” said Hathaway. “The fact AA and A/B is so competitive when you get to state playoffs is a great thing. You want that parity to make the trip worthwhile for everyone, and that seems to be happening, and once the new Player Development Requirement (PDR) rules are instituted, it should mean more parity for everyone. “I think it shows we’re going in the right direction.” The changes to the PDR (meaning for next season, at least 25 percent of players in each organization come from within that program) will occur at all levels throughout the state except for 18U. That 25 percent PDR will increase to 50 percent for the

2017-18 season, and is something Hathaway said will further serve to strengthen and develop programs throughout the state. “The PDR change is a positive because it will help some of the smaller clubs retain their players,” said Hathaway. “The top kids will always be able to find a Tier I team to play on, and we want our Tier I teams to have Tier I players from top to bottom. Now, you can have situations where maybe seven or eight kids are

Tier I caliber, but you have seven or eight others that are probably Tier II.” An even balance between the north and south wasn’t always the case, and isn’t something Hathaway is taking for granted. He feels that the emergence of Northern California at the A/B level is partly the byproduct of a trickle-down effect that shows that the system is doing a better job of getting players in

California participating at the level that properly reflects their skill set. “I think that for a while, Southern California was winning the vast majority of these state championships,” said Hathaway. “But now there is a lot more parity and the north is winning more at the AA and now the A/B level. It’s good to see because that parity wasn’t always there.” One difference between the AA and A/B level that Hathaway would like to take a closer look at is the different tournament formats that are currently in place. The AA state tournaments are all double-elimination formats, meaning that each team is eliminated as soon as they suffer two losses. At the A/B level, those tournaments are still traditional round-robin, guaranteeing teams a minimum of three games. “What we found at the AA level was that when we do the round-robin, more often than not, the last round-robin game either meant nothing or a team could gain an advantage by losing the game,” said Hathaway. “So we decided to move to a double-elimination format where you lose two, you go home. At the A/B level, though, to make some of those teams travel and only play two games where now they are getting three automatically, I kind of feel if we’re doing it at AAA and AA, one way we should be doing it that same way at A/B, but we will have to see what happens.” A full list of state champions is available on the CAHA website.

CAHA.com CARubberHockey.com

Boom Town

Santa Barbara area sees explosive growth thanks to new rink 20 years in the making have Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam teams in their first season, and tryouts will be held in June. rik Norton was five years old when he attended his first city council meetIn the coming years, the Icehawks could expand to offer teams from Mites to ing, a rabid hockey fan and a budding Mite player who wanted nothing more Midgets and possibly grow to offer multiple teams at each age group. Norton than a hometown rink. can also foresee high school hockey becoming popular enough that the area’s More than 20 years later, with many stops and starts along the way, that vi- three large high schools each have their own team. Currently, the Royals draw sion finally became a reality last fall, and Norton intends to fully take advantage players from each of the three schools. of the dream that he and so many others in the Santa Barbara area have been “It’s hard to say how fast the program will grow, but the only thing that will waiting for so long. likely slow us down is available ice time,” Bruyere said. “But we’ll just start earThe opening last October of Ice in Paradise, a sparkling 46,500 square-foot lier and finish later every day. And the smaller rink we have is great for doing facility in the Santa Barbara suburb of Goleta, has sparked a boom of interest some of the things that the American Development Model and USA Hockey in hockey and figure skating in not only the greater Santa Barbara area, but also suggest - it works very well for all levels. We’re a not-for-profit organization, and up California’s Central Coast. It has reinvigorated enthusiasts in an area that has our goal is to keep things affordable for families.” a surprising passion for ice sports, and it’s easy to project how the new arena When Steve Heinze completed his 12-year NHL career after playing the could promote growth in the years ahead. 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, he moved “Dreams can come true,” said Norton, now the youth hockey director at Ice to Santa Barbara to be in Paradise. “My dream, and the dream of a bunch of my friends that I grew up close to family. After getplaying hockey with, was to have an ice rink in our town. We have that now, and ting his kids into schools we’re extremely thankful for all the people that put so much time, money and and settling in, the Maseffort into making this a reality.” sachusetts native’s next For years, hockey players thoughts turned to hockin the Santa Barbara area, ey. a region with approximate“I thought to myself, ly 200,000 people, would ‘Where’s the rink? Let have to drive 45 minutes or me get involved,’” Heinze more - to places like Oxnard recalled. “I came across or Valencia - to find a sheet the website for Ice in Parof ice, or played roller hockadise and immediately set ey if commuting to a faraway up a meeting with John rink wasn’t feasible. Around Ewasiuk, who was an the early 1990s, some local original board member and residents began an effort to has become a good friend. build a rink, but various hurI got to know the people dles kept the project from in the hockey community getting off the ground. Evenhere.” tually, businessman and loHeinze now coaches the cal hockey supporter Jack Royals in the Kings high Norqual stepped to the school league, and said forefront of the project and he’ll be involved as much brought in late Philadelphia as possible in the Icehawks Flyers owner Ed Snider to program. He’ll help coach spearhead a fundraising his youngest son, 10-yearcampaign. old Eli, and will serve as a The efforts and conneccoach overseeing the develtions of Norqual and Snider, opment of all the program’s among many others, led to teams and players. land being donated to the “Where I grew up, we not-for-profit effort, and two had three rinks in our homeWhen Ice in Paradise opened six months ago in Goleta, it did so to an overwhelming, positive response from the Santa Barbara area and years ago, the first shovel surrounding communities. It now houses 24 adult teams and a slew of youth and high school clubs as well. Photo/ /Michael Blake town, so having this rink went in the ground. The arehere makes it sort of feel na - which features a NHL-sized rink and a smaller sheet of ice, along with all like home for me, and we didn’t have half the population of Santa Barbara,” the amenities one would expect in a brand new, world-class facility - opened in Heinze said with a laugh. “I think this will benefit generations to come. You can October 2015 to swarms of hockey players and figure skaters who couldn’t wait see the energy and the passion for the game. It’s very fulfilling to be part of the to lace up their skates. whole process and to imagine where it can go from here.” “There were a lot of people waiting with hockey sticks in hand,” said Larry One unplanned benefit to Ice in Paradise completing its two-decade quest Bruyere, the general manager of Ice in Paradise and a veteran of the hockey to open its doors is that it comes at a time when the rink in Oxnard is closing. world who has managed rinks in Oxnard, Valencia and Van Nuys, among other Players in that area have a handful of options for nearby rinks, and some are places, during his nearly three decades in the sport. He noted that the area choosing to play in Goleta. had a rink through the early 1980s, and while it fell into disrepair and eventually It would be hard to argue that hockey in the Santa Barbara area has a bright closed, the region’s passion for hockey never waned. future, and it has the potential to transform an area that has long had a quiet The activity at Ice in Paradise has been nearly non-stop since its doors passion for the sport into a hockey hotbed. In March, Norton’s team in top level opened. Its adult league far exceeded expectations for participation, with 24 of the Santa Barbara Adult Hockey League won the league’s first championship teams registering. It is the home ice for UC Santa Barbara’s club team and host- playing in the arena that the 27-year-old had dreamed of since he could barely ed a college tournament in February. The Santa Barbara Royals of the L.A. Kings stand on skates. He said it was a surreal experience, and he’s bullish on of High School Hockey League call the rink home, and recently won the league’s hockey in his hometown. first championship. “It’s amazing,” Norton said. “Every day, I wake up with a big smile on my face There is also an in-house youth hockey program, and a new youth program, and it stays with me until I go to bed at night. You can see the passion in the kids the Santa Barbara Icehawks, is set to begin play in the Southern California Am- that I work with every day, and it brings me back to the excitement I had for the ateur Hockey Association this fall. Bruyere said the Icehawks are expected to sport as that young kid wanting a place to play.” By Greg Ball

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

California Tier II boys teams solid on national stages By Greg Ball

hree teams from California represented the Golden State at the USA Hockey Tier II Youth Nationals in late April and early March, and while none brought home national championship trophies, all represented their state well. Tier II Boys – 18U Golden State Elite put on a respectable showing in Amherst, N.Y., with a 2-1 record in the national tournament. The Eagles opened with a 4-1 victory over the Tri-City Eagles from Maryland on March 31, jumping out to a one-goal lead after the first period and a 3-0 advantage by midway through the second. Benjamin Kottmeier scored two goals and added an assist, while Ryan McAuliffe and Kellen Ireland also found the back of the net. Derek Ellingson contributed two helpers, and Davis Holmes and Tristan Waechter each had one. Carson Murison stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced in goal. On April 1, Golden State Elite made things interesting, needing to go to a shootout for a 2-1 win over Team Ohio. The Eagles scored first, thanks to a Waechter goal. They kept their opponents off the scoreboard until the final 1:04 of regulation when Team Ohio scored a shorthanded goal and forced overtime. The teams went scoreless through the extra period, and the Eagles outscored their opponents 2-1 in the shootout. Murison was a stone wall again in net, saving 25 of 26 shots and giving his teammates a chance to win it in the shootout.

The Eagles’ good fortune ran out the next day, however, when they were eliminated from the tournament with a 2-1 loss to the St. Clair Shores Saints from Michigan, who advanced all the way to the championship game. The Saints scored first in the first period, and the Eagles tied it up on an Ellingson goal in the second. The Saints came back, though, and took the lead later in the second and the Eagles couldn’t catch up. Tier II Boys – 16U The OC Hockey Club went 3-1 in the 16U state tournament in Wayne, N.J. On March 31, they beat the New Jersey Bandits 4-3 despite trailing by two goals early in the third period. Alec Grace scored on an assist from Hunter Norris in the first period, and Norris stepped up with two third-period goals, including what proved to be the game winner. Isaac Schuster also scored in the third. Grace registered two assists and Jared Labadie stopped 20 shots in goal. They secured a 5-3 victory over the Howard Huskies from Maryland on April 1, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Grace scored twice, and Smith, Jake Brubaker and Zachary Carnes also lit the

lamp, while goalie Angus Hill made 28 saves. OC Hockey Club’s 1-0 loss on April 2 came in double overtime, and Labadie kept them alive that long by stopping 25 shots. Their run came to an end with a 5-4 loss to the eventual state runner-up Oakland Jr. Grizzlies on April 3. Despite rallying from a two-goal deficit in the third to tie the score, they allowed a late score. Grace, Smith, Norris and Brian Clem all scored, and Carnes had three assists. Tier II Boys – 14U At the 14U nationals in Charlotte, N.C., the Anaheim Jr. Ducks played three close games, but came home winless. On March 31, they suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Tampa Scorpions. John Mulvihill scored on an assist from Parker James. They dropped a 3-1 decision to the Hershey Jr. Bears from Pennsylvania on April 1, with the lone goal coming from Bryson Fletcher and assisted by James and Zachary Lane. Nathan Lane made 25 saves. On April 2, the Jr. Ducks fell to the Highland Park Falcons of Illinois, 4-3 in overtime. They got goals from Mulvihill, Tyler Kurth and Connor McMahan, while Lane stopped 23 shots in goal. CARubberHockey.com

Jr. Sharks, Flyers each secure two CAHA A/B state titles By Greg Ball

he second weekend in April brought the CAHA State A and B Championships to Sharks Ice in San Jose, and nine teams went home toting championship banners. Following is a breakdown of each of those teams and how they were crowned champions.

Mitchell Elliott, Cole Montoya, Paul Luo and Stephen Fleck; and goalies Alan Maupas-Reigel and Dylan Kamleiter. “Winning a state championship is the ultimate prize at the A level,” Jr. Sharks coach Tyler Gloski said. “Winning it is the ultimate feeling of accomplishment as a group, and it solidifies the bond you’ve formed over the course of the season. “They have completely gelled as a unit over the course of the year and now they have accomplished the very lofty goals they set for themselves. In five tournaments, we reached the championship game

Mahon and Dominic Pollizzi; defensemen Samuel Gaiduchik, Paul Khayet, Carson Schumm and Brandon M. Villaflor; and goalie Damon Leaf. “These guys really played hard,” Thunder coach Mike Getchel said. “Man for man, we weren’t usually the best team out there, but they played hard and never gave up. We had a real small roster - we had only 10 kids when we won NorCals. Most of the kids were older, which was a big factor because they had been through it before. They really never gave up.”

Midget A 18U - Tri-Valley Blue Devils The Blue Devils captured a second consecutive midget 18U state title with an impressive performance Bantam B - Santa Rosa Flyers in the state championship tourThe Flyers took off early and nament. The opened on April 8 never looked back en route to with a 9-4 win over the Jr. Flyers, their state championship. A then skated to an 11-0 romp 4-1 victory over the Anaheim over the Heat the next day. LatJr. Ducks got them started on er on April 9, they suffered their April 8, and they surged to a only loss of the tournament, a 6-2 win over the Dragons on lat4-3 defeat to the Blackhawks er that night. A 4-0 defeat to the in a shootout. On April 10, they Colts on April 9 put a wrench responded in a rematch with the in their momentum, but they had Blackhawks, securing a 3-1 vicalready done enough to secure tory in the championship game. second place in their pool, and The Blue Devils roster inthey bounced back to beat the cludes forwards Garrett FitzColts 3-2 in the title tilt on Sungerald, Jacob Colombo, day for the team’s second state Alejandro Lorono, Brian championship in three years. O’Connell, Joseph Schott, The Flyers roster includes Jered Stevenson, Parker forwards Kieran Andrews, Stone, Dana Stoneman and Cole Charbonnier, Mason Matt Zukoski; defensemen Glantz, Jake Herman, JoshTyler Asbury, Tiegen Bag- The Tri-Valley Blue Devils added 10 new players this season, but still won an 18U A state championship earlier this ua Kaspar, Taj Krieger, Toby nall, Tyler Dawson, Jeremy month in San Jose. Petrus, Zander Sadorra, MaGoldhawk and Josh Wood; son Siemsen, Mathew Sigel, and goalie Robert Lucas. Henry Winter and Logan ZimCoaches John Burgess and merman; defensemen Hayden Todd Lyijynen were assisted Bradley, Gordon Brodeur, by Mark Goldhawk and WilAlly Kuehn and Kyle Rideliam Stone. nour; and goalie Colton Lo“I am very proud of everything manto. this team has accomplished this “We knew we had a core year,” Burgess said. “When we of experienced players who completed our tryouts, we knew could take us far, depending we had a good group of playon the development of some of ers, and as the season unfolded the core players,” Flyers coach we could see that we had the Mike Kovanis said. “Things chance to be part of something started to come together well very special. We had five returnas the season progressed. We ing players from our state chamwent to some tournaments that pionship-winning team from last were pretty competitive, but we year and 10 new players to the wanted to push ourselves, and team. The core of the team has knew it would be good for our played their entire minor hockey kids in the long run. They came career at Tri-Valley, and we had Capital Thunder coach Mike Getchel said his Bantam A squad “really played hard” en route to leaving San Jose with a state title to understand what it was like to some players return to Tri-Valley earlier this month. play against tough competition for their final season.” four times (winning the Chicago Midwinter Classic, and in high-pressure games.” and states).” Midget A 16U - San Jose Jr. Sharks Pee Wee A - Channel Islands Riptide The Jr. Sharks won one of their two A/B state titles Bantam A - Capital Thunder The Riptide ripped through the Pee Wee A division by going a perfect 4-0 in the tournament. On April 8, The Thunder didn’t leave much margin for error, at the state championship tournament, outscoring its they opened with a 6-5 triumph over the Jr. Monsters but they rumbled home with a state championship opponents 26-9 over the course of four games. They and on April 9, they secured a 4-1 victory over the banner nonetheless. They had to go to a shootout in kicked it off with a 7-6 victory in overtime over the Cougars. A 6-5 overtime victory later that day against their opening game, a 3-2 win over the SDIA Oilers Blue Devils on April 8, and the next morning, eased to the Jets, their rivals from Vacaville, got them into the on April 8, and on April 9, they edged the Anaheim a 6-1 win over the Black Stars. Later on April 9, they championship game, and the next afternoon, their Jr. Ducks 2-1. They gave themselves some breathing secured the top position in their pool with another power-play exploded for a 6-1 title game win over the room and punched their ticket to the championship 6-1 win, this one over the L.A. Jr. Kings. In Sunday’s Jr. Monsters. game with a 3-0 win over the Jets later on the 9th, championship game, they knocked off the Black Stars The Jr. Sharks roster includes forwards Hen- but in a rematch for the title, they were back to their 7-1. ry Chavez, Todd Thompson Jr., Gio Tarantino, nail-biting ways, skating to a 4-3 triumph. The Riptide are coached by Ryan Kalan, with asMykhaylo Ivchenko, Tyler Jue, J.P. King, Mason The Thunder’s roster includes forwards Francis sistance from Brian Vogel. The roster includes Hackel, Justin Sternad, Erik Larsson and John Flood, Curtis P. Fox, Hunter Getchel, Hunter Luo; defensemen Alex Maass, Carter Tetherow, Hall, Keoni Harris, Hayden Kapanen, Nolan McContinued on Page 12 8

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

La Mirada’s De Leo sleepless prior to NHL debut with Jets By Chris Bayee

ho needs sleep? Chase De Leo didn’t, at least when the Winnipeg Jets called him up to make his NHL debut March 20 against the Anaheim Ducks, the team he grew up rooting for. A first-year pro with the Manitoba Moose (the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate), the forward from La Mirada had just played back-to-back games at Lake Erie on March 18-19. “It was funny,” De Leo recalled. “We had a 4 a.m. flight back to Winnipeg, so we all decided to go out for a late dinner. When I got back to the hotel, there was no point sleeping. I’d be more tired if I slept an hour or two.” Shortly after 6 a.m. on March 20, the team made a connection in the Twin Cities, and that’s when De Leo found out about the callup. “I was so exhausted, but I was so excited, especially when I found out we were playing the Ducks,” he said. “It was super cool to have the opportunity.” De Leo continued to Winnipeg, where the NHL game was, and upon landing, grabbed his sticks and bag and headed to the MTS Center. He finished plus-1 versus the Ducks and played again two nights later at home against Vancouver, a game in which his parents, John and Janie, were able to attend. One of De Leo’s youth coaches, Rick Kelly, watched his protégé’s debut on TV in, ironically enough, Portland, where De Leo played in the Western Hockey League. “Watching him compete was incredible – his jump with no sleep was impressive,” Kelly said. “The amazing thing with Chase is he keeps proving people wrong. I’m so proud of him.” At the close of the regular season, De Leo was tied for the Moose lead in goals (19) and was second in points (40). “Any league you play in, you have to respect, and I knew how tough it was going to be in the AHL, so I used that as motivation,” De Leo. “People are competing to support themselves and their families. It’s helped to keep that in mind. You can’t take a night off.” Especially when the NHL calls.

2015-16 SCAHA A/B Champions Midget 18U A - Valencia Jr. Flyers Bantam A - Anaheim Jr. Ducks 1 Bantam B - Anaheim Jr. Ducks Pee Wee A - Channel Islands Riptide Pee Wee B - Pasadena Maple Leafs Squirt A - Anaheim Jr. Ducks 1 Squirt BB - Ice Dogs Hockey Club 2 Squirt B - Desert Blaze

2015-16 Nor Cal A/B Champions Midget 18U A - Santa Clara Blackhawks Midget 16U A - Vacaville Jets Bantam A - Capital Thunder Bantam B - Stockton Colts Pee Wee A - Redwood City Black Stars Pee Wee B - Santa Clara Blackhawks Squirt A - San Jose Jr. Sharks Squirt BB - San Jose Jr. Sharks 2 Squirt B - Tri–Valley Blue Devils

CARubberHockey.com

Mixed results for California boys at Tier I nationals were able to at that level, I have to think our guys were able to walk away from that tournament feeling good that they are able to go up against the top kids in the country.” In San Jose, the 16U Jr. Kings also went 1-2 in pool play, narrowly missing out on the playoff round. After a 3-2 loss to Detroit Honeybaked in the opener, the Jr. Kings were downed by the

ously, it’s a little disappointing not being able to advance into the playoff round at nationals, but alifornia was well represented at this year’s it was an awesome opportunity for our kids that USA Hockey 16U Tier I Youth Nationals, I think is really going to stay with them for a long sending five teams to compete across three diftime, and it helps them understand the level of ferent age levels. hockey that’s out there.” The Los Angeles Jr. Kings captured the PacifAs hosts of the 16U and 18U tournaments, ic District title and earned the right to represent the Jr. Sharks were able to field teams in both the region in Anchorage, Alaska, from March divisions and while neither team was able 31–April 4, while two California teams parto crack the playoff round, Jon Gustafson, ticipated in each of the 16U AAA and 18U vice president of Sharks Sports and EnterAAA tournaments held in San Jose – the tainment and Sharks Ice, says both teams host San Jose Jr. Sharks joined the Jr. Kings were on the cusp of breaking through. in the 16U division, while the Anaheim Jr. The 16U Jr. Sharks split their first two Ducks and the host Jr. Sharks took the ice games, dropping the opener 7-0 to eventual in 18U. tournament runner-up Victory Honda before In Anchorage, the 14U Jr. Kings played bouncing back to double up the North Jeran extremely tight round-robin with three sey Avalanche 4-2. With a chance to make low-scoring games. The Jr. Kings kicked off the playoffs with a win, the Jr. Sharks fell the tournament with a 2-1 shootout win over 5-0 to Team Wisconsin. the fourth-ranked New Jersey Colonials be“I thought both our teams played exfore dropping a 2-0 decision to the eventutremely well,” said Gustafson. al tournament runner-up Boston Jr. Eagles. At 18U, both the Jr. Sharks and the AnaWith a trip to the playoffs on the line, the Jr. heim Jr. Ducks went winless in the tournaKings fell 2-1 to the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in a ment. The Jr. Sharks fell to Shattuck-St. Los Angeles Jr. Kings goaltender Jagger Denys makes a pad save at the USA Mary’s, to the eventual champion Pittsburgh shootout to end their season. “We didn’t have a lot of offense going in Hockey 16U Tier I Youth Nationals earlier this month in San Jose. Photo/Joe Naber Penguins Elite and to the Chicago Fury. The those three games, but on the defensive side of Colorado Thunderbirds 4-1 before closing out Jr. Ducks dropped three straight to the CCYH the puck, we were really strong,” said Jr. Kings the tournament with a 5-1 win over Team North Selects, Buffalo and Tampa Scorpions. coach Shawn Pitcher. “But that’s the game, Dakota. “We were not out of place at all, and I’m really and that’s part of the whole learning process. “I thought our kids played outstanding,” said happy our kids were able to experience an event This was a big stage for our kids, and I think con- Jr. Kings coach Jack Bowkus. “I thought we of this caliber,” said Gustafson. “At the national fidence-wise, it’s huge because we were right played our best hockey of the season, and it just championship level, everything is kind of kicked with everyone there. came down to a few bad bounces and a little bit up a notch, so for them to be able to be a part of “As a 14-year-old, if you can compete like we of bad luck that kept us out of the playoffs. Obvi- that is something really special.”

By John B. Spigott

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Pacific District Player Development Camp May 5 - 8 . Sharks Ice, San Jose, Calif.

California and Nevada Selections California BOYS 1999

Forwards Brian Adams Lucas Bachofner Ronald Bomberry John Elliott Cole Guttman Cooper Haar Robert Herman Nathan Katzaroff Justin Lebouef Jack Lippis Jesse Lycan Jacob McGrew Cameron Neaylon Dylan Reightley Casey Rhodes Joshua Starks Jake Sujishi Defensemen Blake Howard Nolan McElhaney Jacob Modry Nicolo Rubino John St. Ivany Kaelan Taylor Cameron Ward Ryan Wilson Goaltenders Jagger Denys Patrick Pugliese Sage Zonner

2000 Forwards Nicholas Abernathy Grady Birk Nick Castro Hirotaka Cox Andrew Decarlo Easton Easterson Tanner Ensign Duke Fishman Nicholas Gates Jonah Gold Joshua Harburn Logan Harris Tyler Leibl Gabriel Longshore Preston Park Nicholas Rashkovsky Mitchell Rickert Henri Schreifels Harrison Scott Jordan Skahill Ethan Stibich Jackson Wozniak Defensemen Junior Delgado Stanislav Demin Noah Kim Noah Lee Aidan Metcalfe Callahan Neuroth Luke Robinson Hunter Sansbury

Drake Usher Wyatt Wong Goaltenders Parker Hathaway Mattias Sholl

2001

Forwards Benjamin Biester Barak Braslavski Brendan Brisson Jacob Brockman Hunter Campbell Luc Charbonnier Quinn Emerson Joshua Groll Samuel Hakkarainen Joseph Harguindeguy Connor Kemp Peter Lychnikoff Liam Massie Jackson Niedermayer Kaleb Ross Thomas Sherman Riley Silos David Vieten Drew Vieten Coalson Wolford Defensemen Dylan Bachalo Michael Gallagher Patrick Harrington Ryan Johnson Nicholas Kent Collin Madrid Jarrett Overland Bryan Pan Cole Weinger Cameron York Goaltenders Jackson Glassford Ethan Lahmon Dustin Wolf

2002 # Forwards Tyler Badame Owen Bohn Maksim Bure Samuel Deckhut Dylan Du Gavin Ellis Jacob Gagnon Tommy Gannon Cade Herrera Noah Leibl Ethan Light Brendan Ma Hunter Mckown Tristan Rand Christopher Root Ari Rossi Tyler Silverstein Thomas Stift Tyson Storr Riley West Defensemen Deven Boldway Lucas Constantine

Caleb Cordas Jeffrey Lee Victor Malzahn Bryan McLachlan Maximus Nguyen Kobe Pane Leyton Stenman Robert Zammetti

Marisa Trevino Lilly Yovitech Jace Zapata

Goaltenders Hunter Garvey Kyle Northrup

Forwards Jessie Arons Karena Barrett Evelyn Blais-Savoie Elizabeth Burke Samantha Chock Taylor Freestone Anna Gallagher Emmerson Hayes Elle Rutherford

GIRLS * 1999

Forwards Bella Kang Aubrey Pritchett Paris Suzuki Sarah Takahashi Defensemen Cayla Barnes Emily Burke Tatum Coats Elizabeth Humphrey Christina Kao Cameron Payne Alexandra Stout Goaltenders Danielle Marquez Cierra San Roman

2000 Forwards Juliette Blais-Savoie Ivy Boric Brooke Bryant Angelina Cruzal Kirsten Goode Mikayla Lantto Elyssa Miranda-Lavertu Samantha Smigliani Defensemen Adrienne Aguilar Amelia DiPaola Daniella Dror Tanner Gates Ashley Marchant Goaltenders Angela Hawthorne Madelyn Morgan

2001

Goaltenders Lindsey Labadie Lilia Nease

2002

Defensemen Alexandra Bye Jessica Lopopolo Jordan Loya Goaltenders Elise Coates Christine Steege

Nevada BOYS 1999

Forwards Brenden Fehlig Reiss Jensen Defenseman Michael Yochum

2000 Forwards Zachary McClenahan Aidan McNabb Defenseman Steven Avalone

2001 Forwards Braden LaPlaca Defenseman Seth Knudsen Goaltender Anthony Bonaldi

Forwards Isabella Bowman Eve Campbell Natalia Etter Marissa Gebauer Hannah Labbe Maura Mckeown Dominique Petrie Angelina Rodriguez Alexandra Thanassi

2002

Defensemen Madelyne King Kiana Mohammadian Claire Peterson

Forwards Ashley Printzen

Forwards Erik Atchison Noah McAnalien Jacob Underhill Goaltender Luke Fundator

GIRLS * 2001

# Will participate in the Western Regional Multi-District High Performance Camp, along with other 2002 birth year players from the Rocky Mountain, Pacific and Northern Plains Districts, from June 18-23 in Colorado Springs. * All girls age groups will participate in the Western Regional Multi-District Player Development/Evaluation Camp, along with other girls from the Rocky Mountain, Pacific and Northern Plains Districts, from June 11-16 in Colorado Springs. NOTE: The Land of Enchantment Amateur Hockey Association was unable to release New Mexico’s selections. California Amateur Hockey Association, Nevada Amateur Hockey Association

Jr. Kings, Heat grad Guttman commits to St. Cloud State C

ole Guttman, a member of the Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ Pacific District champion 16U AAA Major team this past season, will attend and play his NCAA Division I hockey at St. Cloud State University following his junior career. A forward from Northridge, the 1999-born Guttman tied for the 16U division lead in Tier I Elite League scoring this year with 48 points (24 goals) in 30 games. Guttman has since joined the Dubuque Fighting Saints for the United States Hockey League team’s playoff run. “I’m very excited about my commitment St. Cloud State,” said Guttman. “They have a successful program, amazing coaching staff and a style of play that fits my game.” Guttman also earned the distinction of playing three games for the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-17 Team Cole Guttman over the holidays. “This is a well-deserved opportunity for Cole, and I couldn’t be happier for him and his family,” said Jr. Kings 16U AAA Major head coach Jack Bowkus. “He took his game to a whole new level this season, on and off the ice, and his continued maturation, both as a player and a person, will be a huge asset to the St. Cloud program.” “I appreciate everything the Jr. Kings organization has done for my development as a player and helping me reach the next level,” Guttman added. “I’m very thankful for my coaches and my teammates.” Guttman also grew up playing for the California Heat where he won a Pee Wee AA national championship in 2011 under the guidance of assistant coach Robbert McDonald, who now coaches in the Jr. Kings program. Forwards Robby Jackson and Patrick Newell, both former Jr. Kings, recently wrapped up their freshman seasons at St. Cloud State. CARubberHockey.com

Nine teams claim CAHA A/B state titles in San Jose event Continued from Page 8 forwards Aidan Anderson, Jacon Miltko, Ellis O’Dowd, Luke Perri, Alex Skenderiajn and Cameron Stone; defensemen Tyler Donovan, William Farrell IV, Nicholas Tivy and Maxwell Vogel; goalies Timothy Barbee Jr. and Brandon Inumerable; and managers Kevin O’Dowd and Dino Inumerable. “I’ve been an assistant coach with most of these guys since they were Mites, so that’s really special,” Vogel said. “This year, it really all came together for them. It was truly a joy to coach these kids - they really worked hard every single practice and games. “Ryan Kalan is the best head coach I’ve worked with yet. He made sure all these guys developed and got better.”

lier, had just enough points to secure the No. 2 position after round-robin play. They faced a formidable Jr. Ducks team in the championship game that had scored 21 goals in its first three games, but came out on top with a 6-4 victory that gave them the championship banner. The Jr. Sharks’ roster includes forwards Donovan Bradford, Rupert Chen, Caden Ghiossi,

react and their faces as the clock ran down was something special that I will never forget.”

Squirt BB - Jr. Ice Dogs The Ice Dogs started hot, cooled off and then responded when everything was on the line. They opened the state tournament with a 6-2 victory over the Jr. Sharks on April 8, and later that afternoon, rolled to an 8-1 win over a second team from the Jr. Sharks program. On April 9, they suffered a 4-3 defeat to the Dragons in overtime, but the next morning, answered the bell and secured a 4-3 championship game triumph in a rematch with the Dragons. The Ice Dogs roster includes forwards Jack Anderson, Carter Ashby, Nuallan Crawford, Zach Ellis, Aidan Grant, Richard Kvists, Freddie Nelson, Tatum Ramos and Jack Riley; defensemen William Bisset, Preston Hargrove, Cohen Krudwig and Tyler McGowan; and goalie Dylan Newton. Dakota Eveland, Ruben Rumbaut and Jackson Wozniak served as assistants to head coach Sean Riley. “This was a new team that hadn’t been together before,” RiThe Channel Islands Riptide outscored their opponents 26-9 over the four-game slate and won a Pee Wee ley said. “As far as our expectaA state title in San Jose in mid-April. tions were, we definitely exceeded them. “A lot of our success can be attributed to the fact that we had 100 percent buy-in from the parents, which led to the players really buying in. We also had an incredible group on our coaching staff, and we got a lot of support from the KHS staff in getting this team started.”

Pee Wee B - Santa Rosa Flyers The Flyers captured the program’s second championship of the weekend thanks to a strong team performance. A 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs got them started on the right foot, and they escaped with a 1-0 overtime win in their Friday night game against the OC Hockey Club. They suffered a 1-0 defeat, also in overtime, to the Blackhawks Saturday, but returned to form on Sunday, winning 3-0 over the Maple Leafs to capture the state title. The Flyers’ roster includes forwards Ryan Latz, Samuel Pack, Owen Hamblin, Ethan Davis, Jack DiNardo, Ismael Martino, Jake Palm, Hudson Levesque and James Palm; defensemen Nicholas Meshcheryakov, Ethan Bittner, Ian Hopkins and Squirt B - Desert Blaze Jahnyha Kofalk; and goalie Will With a perfect 4-0 record, the Cornelius, who faced 79 shots in Blaze stormed through the state the state tournament and allowed championship tournament. A 9-3 just two goals. win over the Grizzlies sparked “Santa Rosa isn’t exactly a hottheir momentum on April 8, and bed for youth hockey, so we don’t they skated to a 5-2 victory over have a ton of kids playing, but if the Blue Devils later in the day. they stick with it from year to year, They beat the Jr. Flyers 4-1 on they get a lot better quickly beSaturday and eased to an 8-5 viccause they get a lot of ice time,” tory in a rematch on championship Flyers coach Greg Cornelius Sunday. said. “Two years ago, these kids The Blaze’s roster includes didn’t win a regular-season game, but they stuck with it and started For the Santa Rosa Flyers’ Pee Wee B team that was crowned state champions earlier this month in San Jose, the forwards Calvin Ruggiero, John Martino, Sheldon Alexander, to understand the game the way team came together as the season wore on, and when it mattered most. it’s supposed to be played. They really learned to Max Oppenheim, Nayan Pai, Patrick Fast, Tanner Magri, Parker Graham, Ryen Gabuya, play as a team, and it really was a team effort the Micah Knecht, Vilho Lahtela and Aden Valen- Tevin Stokes and Derek MacDougall; decia; defensemen Shaun Rios, Dash Nakahata, fensemen John Ruggiero, Cooper Letendre, whole season. It was great to watch.” Cormac Grebe, Zachary Phillips, Philippe Sergei Pickowitz, Ryan Mackie and Trevor Blais-Savoie and Robert Zhang; and goalies MacDougall; and goalie Maverick Avent. Squirt A - San Jose Jr. Sharks “Our guys are very excited,” Blaze coach The second of the Jr. Sharks’ state titles Evan Tompkins and Brett DeVincent. “Growing up in California and playing for the Jeff Larson said. “This is just our fourth year wasn’t nearly as easy as the first. The Jr. Sharks lost an overtime heartbreaker, 6-5, to open the Jr. Sharks, I was never able to win a state ti- as a program, and when these guys started as tournament on April 8, and followed that with tle as a player, so for me, being able to coach Mites, we were getting beat badly every game an 8-3 defeat to the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. They these kids and see them grow as a team and help and scored only one goal in that first season, I bounced back with a 4-1 win over the Colts on achieve their goal is amazing,” Jr. Sharks coach think. But the kids stuck with it, got better, and April 9, and thanks to their overtime defeat ear- Salvatore Barranco said. “Seeing those kids it’s rewarding to win a state championship.” 12

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

TOYOTA SPORTS CENTER

Jr. Kings alum Sholl making the grade at Bowling Green By Brian McDonough

he Los Angeles Jr. Kings get it. While grooming young men and women to become better hockey players is obviously their core competency, those within the club know full well the odds of reaching the NHL - or making a living playing at any level long term - are slim. L.A. also firmly believes that excelling academically is equally important - given there’s a far greater chance a sound education will translate into more opportunities as their players thrust into adulthood - and there’s no better poster boy who’s embraced that mature line of thinking than Jr. Kings lifer Tomas Sholl. A junior goaltender at Bowling Green State University, Sholl was recently named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for his efforts in the classroom this year. It marks the second time Sholl, who was rooted in the Jr. Kings program from Mites through his Midget 16U AAA years, has been recognized with the honor as a member of the Ohio-based school. “It’s a great feeling, because at the end of the day that’s the reason I wanted to play college hockey over less-academically-focused alternatives,” said Sholl, who holds a 3.96 GPA while working towards his degree in business administration with specializations in finance and applied economics. “Education was always stressed when I was growing up,” added Sholl, who credits his parents, Brad and Britt,

for helping him stay the course, both on the ice and in the classroom. “It was made clear to me that school came first and, if I wanted to play hockey, I’d have to make sure my schoolwork didn’t suffer as a result.” Being a part of the Jr. Kings family also yielded plenty of

Tomas Sholl, a junior goaltender at Bowling Green State University who grew up playing for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for the second time during his career with the Falcons.

benefits for the Hermosa Beach native. “I learned everything about what it means to be a member of a team and how to work towards a solitary goal for the good of the team,” said Sholl, who played two years of junior hockey with the North American Hockey League’s Fresno

Monsters before heading to Bowling Green. “I had excellent coaching that prepared me physically, but more importantly they taught me a lot about the type of person someone has to be to be successful not just in hockey, but all aspects of life.” Sholl’s value to the Falcons program certainly isn’t lost on Bowling Green head coach Chris Bergeron. “Tomas embodies what a student-athlete is supposed to be through his academic success and hard work,” said Bergeron. “He has a willingness to be great in everything he does, and he’s someone who makes our program better.” While balancing the rigors of a full academic workload coupled with the demands that come with being an NCAA Division I athlete has its challenges, Sholl wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. “There are so many benefits of being a student-athlete,” he said. “On top of the education and being able to play hockey at such a high level, I can say, too, that since I’ve been here at Bowling Green I’ve made lifelong relationships with so many people and the best friends I could ask for.” And in the end, growing and evolving as a person, as well as a player, is what the game is all about, according to Sholl. “Hockey is the greatest game in the world, so no matter what level you play it should be fun,” said Sholl, who’s leaning towards a career in finance upon graduation next year if a professional playing opportunity doesn’t present itself. “The lessons you learn playing the game are priceless and make you a better person. “Playing college hockey is an honor and a privilege, and if someone has the opportunity to do it I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling experience to pursue.”

ToyotaSportsCenter.com

CARubberHockey.com

SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS

Jr. Sharks glowing after hosting Tier I national tournament the game, and it’s very exciting to see.” Gustafson estimated no fewer than 120 scouts, including 14 from the NHL, were in attendance over the course of the tournament. “That kind of hits you over the head a bit, but as far as I was concerned, every major NCAA Division I program

Jersey Avalanche before falling 5-0 to Team Wisconsin with a trip to playoffs on the line. The 18U Jr. Sharks or the first time in USA Hockey history, the USA played Shattuck-St. Mary’s tough in a 4-1 opening Hockey 16U and 18U Tier I Youth Nationals were night loss before losing 6-0 to the eventual champions held west of the Rockies, from Mar. 31-Apr. 4 at Sharks from Pittsburgh and falling 6-4 to the Chicago Fury on Ice in San Jose. Saturday. According to one of the driving forces behind it all, “For a lot of the teams that were here, their edict the event couldn’t have gone any better. is to win championships,” said Gustafson. “Not that “I’m very, very pleased,” said Jon Gustafson, vice we don’t want to win championships, but we want to president of Sharks Sports and Entertainment and develop our kids first and foremost to have that love Sharks Ice. “We got amazing feedback not only from of the game and hopefully prepare them for their next USA Hockey, but most importantly, the customers that steps. I’m proud of our kids, I’m proud of our club, and came out to San Jose. The bar is always high when I’m proud of our volunteers who did such a good job you’re dealing with the types of teams that travel not showing people what we can do out west.” only all across North America, but the world. It was Going forward, Gustafson says the success of great to hear they loved San Jose as much as they did. this event will only help the image of an exploding “They loved the building, the ice was good, and I hockey market in California, and helps to prove that think it shows we can hold these types of events on events that in the past have been held in traditional the West Coast.” hockey markets can work just as well in non-traditional With 16 teams participating in each division, markets. Sharks Ice was a hub of activity over the five-day “This event was very important, both for our event, with 32 teams, personnel, fans and scouts organization and for the state as a whole,” said flocking to see the next wave of American hockey Gustafson. “The NHL has been wildly successful talent. The 16U AAA national championship was on the West Coast, hence the reason to bring five won by perennial powerhouse Shattuck-St. Mary’s San Jose Jr. Sharks goaltender Morgan Kelly makes a save with traffic AHL teams this way. The number of USA Hockey of Faribault, Minn., who scratched out a 2-1 win over in front of the net at the USA Hockey 18U Tier I Youth Nationals in San registrants in California has the highest growth rate of Victory Honda from Plymouth, Mich. In the 18U AAA Jose. Photo/Joe Naber any state in the country. With that said, it’s important final, the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite blanked Culver (Ind.) was represented here,” said Gustafson. “Recruiting we can show not only that our kids can compete, but Military Academy 3-0. these kids is competitive and it’s great to see the that we get it. “The level of detail these kids play at is crazy,” opportunity for these kids that are out there.” “We understand the nuances of the game and we said Gustafson. “They are big, strong and fast. The Neither the 16U nor 18U Jr. Sharks made the playoffs. appreciate the game, whether it’s in Southern California tournament as a whole goes to show what a great future After a 7-0 loss to eventual runner-up Victory Honda, the or Northern California, this state is a hockey market USA Hockey has. There are so many great kids playing 16U club bounced back with a 4-2 win over the North now.”

By John B. Spigott

SJJrSharks.com

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

CARubberHockey.com

BOYS Tier I Midget 18U - Anaheim Jr. Ducks Midget 18U - San Jose Jr. Sharks Midget 16U - Los Angeles Jr. Kings Midget 16U - San Jose Jr. Sharks Bantam - Los Angeles Jr. Kings Tier II Midget 18U - Golden State Elite Eagles Midget 16U - Orange County Hockey Club Bantam - Anaheim Jr. Ducks

GIRLS Tier I 19U - Anaheim Lady Ducks 16U - California Wave 14U - Anaheim Lady Ducks HIGH SCHOOL JSerra Orange Lutheran WOMEN Senior B - Anaheim Lady Ducks Senior B - San Jose Lady Sharks Senior C - L.A. Traffic Senior C - SoCal Westside Shockers

Board of directors CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

JSerra, OLu up compete level at high school national tourney By Andrew Turner

hen the playoffs come around, the pressure is on, a concept not lost among California’s representatives in the USA Hockey High School National Championships in Reston, Va., last month JSerra and Orange Lutheran had the experience of reaching this stage in recent years, and after a fight through the California Amateur Hockey Association state tournament, they felt ready to challenge the country’s elite. With the release of the draw, JSerra knew that it was in for a gut check. The Lions had landed in a group that included the past two national champions in Bethel Park (Pa.) and Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.). The fourth team was eventual national champion Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn). “It was kind of crazy when we first saw the bracket that we were going to be in,” Lions captain Zach Fiedler said. “To have names like that, we were all texting the group shot. We knew what we had to do to go on, and we knew that if we could get out of group play, we’d definitely have a shot at winning the whole thing.” JSerra emerged from the group after dropping its opener to Wayzata, 3-2. The Lions shut out defending-champion Regis Jesuit 2-0 before defeating Bethel Park 5-2 to advance to the quarterfinals where Wayzata dispatched the Lions 7-1. Orange Lutheran suffered the disappointment of being eliminated in group play for the third straight year. The Lancers fell to tournament finalist Edina (Minn.) 3-1 in their opener. In the second game against Downingtown East (Exton, Pa.), the Lancers rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the third period before losing in a shootout 4-3. “When it did go to a shootout, everyone was pretty confident because we’ve got solid goal scorers and really good goalies,” Lancers coach Dan Adams said. “It just kind of proves that wasn’t our week, and the pucks weren’t bouncing our way. I don’t remember the last time we lost in a shootout.” Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) beat Orange Lutheran 6-4 in the final game of group play. “We certainly thought that we were going to do better,” Adams said. “Those three games did not define our overall success.” CARubberHockey.com

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Exciting camps to start soon at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE By Jason Effertz

uring the summer months, hockey often takes a back seat to other activities, whether it is baseball, swimming, or just enjoying a day in the sun. Any true hockey player, however, knows that the summer months provide an opportunity to get better and improve your game before next season. That little bit of extra training can make the difference in separating a player from their competition. The Rinks is proud to announce the return of the Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp as well as the All-World Hockey Institute collection of camps this summer. The Youth Camp is designed for kids between the ages of 5-12 and is open to any skill level with only basic skating skills required. In this camp, kids will spend an unforgettable four days with professional coaches, learning all aspects of the game of ice hockey at The Rinks– Anaheim ICE, the official practice facility of the Anaheim Ducks. Each day of the camp consists of on and off ice skills, drills, scrimmage, fun and games. Going into its 21st annual season of summer camps, the All-World Hockey Institute has set the standard in Southern California for the education and development of the complete hockey player. The variety of camps within the All-World Hockey Institute feature challenging programs with professional instruction for all levels of players from novice to AAA. “Summer is the best time to focus on skill development,” said All-World Hockey Institute camp director Rick

Hutchinson. “Our last several summers have been ex- there that offer an opportunity like that,” said Chatfield. As camp director, Hutchinson takes pride in the ability tremely successful, offering a variety of specialized camps from dominant defenseman to sniper shooting and scor- to offer camps for all skill levels. “For beginners or newcomers to the game of hockey, ing. These options to focus training on specific skill sets results in accelerated learning and builds confidence in we have the Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp and for highly skilled players, we have our most challenging All-World the players resulting in a well-rounded hockey player.” “What separates the camps we offer here at The Hockey Institute European Puckhandling and Deking camps,” Hutchinson said. “ReRinks is the variety of camps we gardless of what level of hockey have available, each of which the player has played, we have a focuses on different skill sets or camp that will challenge them and offers something unique,” added push them and help them grow as The Rinks marketing associate a hockey player.” Craig Appleby. “Rather than a Hutchinson believes the focus general camp where players are on core values explains why the Allgrouped up and work on a wide collection of skills regardless of World Hockey Institute’s collection of camps has been so successful whether they are a forward or deover the past 20 years. fenseman, we have camps that “The All-World Hockey Instifocus on specific positions and focus on specific skills. From our Back again this summer at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE are tute’s continued success is foundbody contact and battle scrim- the highly successful Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp (ages ed on the philosophy of grass roots mage camp to our goalie nation 5-12) and a variety of camps within the All-World Hockey development,” said Hutchinson. “The programs emphasize skill camp, one of our camps will fit Institute (levels novice to AAA). Photo/Anaheim Ducks development, proper techniques, game knowledge and what you are trying to work on this summer.” The Rinks marketing manager Jesse Chatfield men- sportsmanship. This approach allows players the opportioned how the camps are family-friendly, too. tunity to reach their highest potential.” “The camp that stands out to me the most is the ParThe Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp and all of the Allent/Child Camp, which provides the opportunity for a World Hockey Institute camps are set to begin in June. player to participate in a camp and grow as a player right For more information on the camps and how to regisnext to their mom or dad – there aren’t a lot of camps out ter, visit www.the-rinks.com/summercamps.

AnaheimDucks.com

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Jr. Ducks bring in alum Aiken to coach 18U AAA squad

By Chris Bayee

ew people have the perspective on Tier I hockey in California that August Aiken has. The new coach of the Anaheim Jr. Ducks Midget 18U AAA team was a member of the state’s first team to win a Tier I USA Hockey Youth Nationals championship. The former forward was also a member of the L.A. Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee AAA team that won it all in 2000. Aiken brings that perspective as well as a playing career that spans the ranks of junior, Division I college and professional hockey to the Jr. Ducks. “We are excited to have August leading our 18 team,” Jr. Ducks director of coaches Craig Johnson said. “He brings both experience as a player and as a coach after helping our 16U AAA team to two state titles and a trip to nationals. “August also cares for the development of each and every player on and off the ice and is a person who players will enjoy playing for.” Aiken has been a Jr. Ducks assistant coach on the Midget 16U Major team the past two seasons, and has worked with 16U coach Alex Kim, also the club’s director of player personnel, for four years at various camps around the world. “I’m excited to get started and very fortunate to get this opportunity with the Jr. Ducks,” Aiken said. After playing youth hockey in California, Aiken played three seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League, twice finishing as his team’s second-leading scorer (in 2007 for Westside and 2008 for Trail). He then played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) before embarking upon a four-year pro career in the ECHL, Southern Professional Hockey League and Federal Hockey League. David Walker, a longtime pro player who coached the Jr. Ducks Bantam Minor team to a 2016 CAHA state title, will be Aiken’s assistant. The Jr. Ducks’ 18U AAA team won a Pacific District title last month and advanced to nationals for the first time in program history.

JrDucks.com

CHALK TALK

Persistence – a useful life skill developed through hockey W

hat are the keys to success in hockey and how do we translate those to essential life skills? The exponentially increasing demands of ice hockey as a player advances through age levels presents new opportunities for growth. When I Jerry Hotarek speak to athletes and parents about what it takes to stay in this game, I feel there is always a responsibility to give a complete answer instead of something as obvious as hard work, dedication, talent, and so on. Persistence is an empowering character trait that encompasses all the essential life skills developed through hockey and is required to succeed in the sport, as well as life. So with that, here is how I break down persistence as it relates to success. Set Goals: What is your goal in the sport? Almost all high school age athletes I work with tell me, “I want to play college hockey.” An excellent goal that pres-

ents a long road with countless obstacles ahead. Yes, you have to be good and yeah, you have to work hard and dedicate yourself. But above all else, you need to be relentless in your pursuit. Persistence is defined as “firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition,” and that is precisely what you need to achieve success. Prepare for Obstacles: Ice hockey is notorious for developing mental toughness and learning the value of preparation is an essential life skill that is required when a new challenge presents itself. An obstacle can come in many forms internally and externally – preparing to play a heavy team, getting ready for tryouts or select camps, regular season versus playoff hockey, and so on. Make the preparation phase a life forming habit and apply this to any process by identifying what has to be done followed by a linear progression of how to execute a purposeful plan. Taking Initiative: Taking initiative demonstrates a level of maturity that can positively resonate amongst the entire team. Great leaders all understand the power of having the confidence to take initiative and is widely recognized by coaches. It can be applicable to changing the momentum of a game with a hard-nose play, as well as having the guts to pick up the phone and call a junior coach to express your desire to play for their team. The 3 Rs - Review, Re-evaluate, Revise: Such as the game

of hockey is constantly evolving, players and coaches must also evolve with it. It is critical to stay open-minded and receptive to new concepts and strategies as it pertains to every facet of the game. It is considered a limitation when a player or coach lacks perspective. Have the courage to be your own toughest critic with assessments and implementation of a new approach if necessary. This mindset can be developed through watching game tape, exercising the mind through sports psychology practices, and being receptive to different perspectives from coaches and peers. Garner Support and Encouragement: The power of positivity has an enormous effect on the confidence of players and coaches. Hanging out with the wrong crowd can create a whirlwind of difficulty that can pose a serious hindrance to development. Surround yourself with positive influences that validate your purpose. Conclusion: Practice these essential life skills with the persistence of a strong-willed human being. Find ways to apply these practices in various elements of the game – the possibilities are endless. You will find this process to be highly effective while enhancing your core values as a person. I strongly believe that the sport of ice hockey is one of the greatest teachers in the development of character and integrity. Therefore, it can only be concluded that essential life skills required in the sport are paramount in achieving long term success as an athlete and a person.

Jerry Hotarek is the owner of Strength Edge Athletics in Belmont and is also a private coach. Interested in being a Chalk Talk columnist? E-mail Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com. CARubberHockey.com

2015-16 All-California NCAA Division I Men’s Team

School/Yr.: Northeastern/Fr. Home/Clubs: Coto de Caza/OCHC, LAHC

MATTHEW CAITO

CHASE GOLIGHTLY

School/Yr.: Cornell/Fr. Home/Club: El Cajon/Jr. Gulls

School/Yr.: Robert Morris/Sr. Home/Clubs: Temecula/Wave, Jr. Kings

Game On: 22 points were 3rd most by D in AHA, went plus-13 and blocked 56 shots

ALEX MINER-BARRON

DEFENSE

ALEC MCCREA

DEFENSE

Game On: Played in all situations, had 11 points and blocked 40 shots for rebuilding RedHawks

DEFENSE

Game On: Went an unreal 19-2-2 in 2nd half, sparking NCAA run; 2.36 GAA and .909 SPCT overall

DEFENSE

Game On: ’13 Flyers pick emerged, going 18-7-3 with .931 SPCT (8th/D-I), 1.99 GAA and 4 shutouts

School/Yr.: Miami/Sr. Home/Clubs: Coto de Caza/Jr. Ducks, LAHC

School/Yr.: Quinnipiac/Gr. Home/Clubs: Glendora/Wave, Jr. Kings

SEAN O’ROURKE

SCOTT SAVAGE

FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD DEFENSE

Game On: Steadying force on Frozen Four team’s blue line; 6 points, 44 blocks, just 8 PIM

FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD DEFENSE

Game On: Led Big Red D in scoring (15 points) as a freshman and added 47 blocks

School/Yr.: Ferris State/Sr. Home/Clubs: Alta Loma/Riv. Jets, Wave, LAHC

School/Yr.: Boston College/Jr. Home/Club: San Clemente/LA Hockey

Game On: Career-high 12 points, blocked 40 shots and alternate captain for Elite Eight team

Game On: Tied career high in points (18), was plus-6 and blocked 32 shots for Frozen Four team

BRETT GERVAIS

ROBBY JACKSON

School/Yr.: Clarkson/So. Home/Clubs: Corona/Jr. Ducks, Beach City, OCHC

School/Yr.: St. Cloud St./Fr.

Photo/Rich Gagnon/Boston College Athletics

THATCHER DEMKO, BOSTON COLLEGE

Few players from California have ever put together the type of college season that Boston College junior Thatcher Demko has. The former San Diego Jr. Gull won the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA’s top goaltender, was a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and was selected Hockey East’s co-player of the year while leading the Eagles to the Frozen Four. His 10 shutouts were the second most in NCAA history, and his 27 wins were second in Division I. His .936 save percentage tied for second in the nation, and his 1.85 goals-against average was seventh best. A second-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2014, the 6-foot-4 Demko also has represented Team USA several times, including twice at the World Junior Championships.

SOREN JONZZON

School/Yr.: Quinnipiac/Sr.

Game On: More than doubled his output to 17 points and was plus player on re-emerging program

Home/Clubs: Alameda/Blackhawks, LAHC, Jr. Kings Game On: Scored 10 goals, including first one three times, plus-13 for NCHC powerhouse

Home/Clubs: Mt. View/Blackhawks, Cougars, Jr. Sharks Game On: Career-high 20 points (10 goals, 2GWG) for captain of Frozen Four team

DENNIS KRAVCHENKO

GABE LEVIN

TREVOR MOORE

School/Yr.: Massachusetts/Soph. Home/Clubs: Laguna Niguel/Jr. Ducks, LAHC

School/Yr.: Denver/Sr. Home/Clubs: Marina del Rey/Jr. Kings, Titans

School/Yr.: Denver/Jr. Home/Club: Thousand Oaks/LA Hockey

Game On: Scored 28 points (12 goals), usually in bunches, and won 53% of faceoffs

Game On: Key faceoff man (56%), 13 points and every situation player for Frozen Four team

Game On: Erupted for 34 2nd-half points (44 overall), added PK duties, plus-18 on Frozen Four team

TYLER MOY

PATRICK NEWELL

DARREN NOWICK

School/Yr.: Harvard/Jr. Home/Club: San Diego/Jr. Gulls

School/Yr.: St. Cloud St./Fr.

Game On: Nashville pick is a consistent, every situation contributor (19 points) for NCAA team

Home/Clubs: Thousand Oaks/LAHC, Jr. Kings, Titans Game On: His 22 points were 3rd among freshmen on NCHC tourney champ; also plus-20

AUSTIN ORTEGA

MATT ROBERTSON

School/Yr.: Nebraska-Omaha/Jr. Home/Clubs: Escondido/Jr. Gulls, LA Hockey

Game On: His 36 points and 21 goals included an NCAA-best 8 GWG, giving him 19 in two seasons

RYAN RUCK

FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD

GOALIE

School/Yr.: Harvard/So. Home/Clubs: Acton/WV Wolves, Heat

GOALIE

MERRICK MADSEN

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

California Rubber Magazine is proud to announce its second annual All-California NCAA Division I Men’s Team for the 2015-16 season. The list was compiled by senior writer Chris Bayee with significant input from Division I coaches and scouts. It weighs such factors as individual statistics, team success, level of competition and sustained excellence. All statistics presented are through the NCAA Tournament Regional finals.

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

School/Yr.: Ferris State/Sr.

School/Yr.: Northern Michigan/Sr. Home/Clubs: Long Beach/Jr. Ducks, Jr. Kings Game On: All-WCHA second-team pick led team with 32 points (14 goals) and in face-off PCT (55.2).

SHANE SOOTH

Home/Clubs: Rohnert Park/Santa Rosa, Berkeley, Vacaville

School/Yr.: Northern Michigan/Jr. Home/Club: Canyon Country/LA Hockey

Game On: The versatile forward had 19 points and was a plus player on an Elite Eight team

Game On: Wildcats’ captain was strong on draws (54 percent) and a power-play force

L.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Santa Barbara Royals capture first LAKHSHL championship By Greg Ball

arch 19 was without a doubt a special day for the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League, as it crowned its first champion, handed out league awards and capped off a stellar inaugural season. The Santa Barbara Royals skated to a 4-0 victory over the Kern County Knights in the league’s first championship game, contested at the Staples Center the afternoon before a Kings victory over the Boston Bruins later that night. It was a fitting end to the league’s debut campaign, as the Royals had been its most dominant team all season and concluded with a bang. “I am proud of how our players consistently came ready to play,” said Royals coach Steve Heinze, the former Kings forward and NHL standout. “With their success, long breaks between games, distractions of playing at Staples Center, there was ample opportunity to let down or get distracted or complacent, but this team never let down. They let up only one goal in the first period in 17 games - that is a sign of a focused, committed group.” The Royals roster includes forwards Ben Essig, Chris Ewasiuk, Jared McMullen, Harrioson Del Bonnis, Nicholas Poire, Annelle Mackintosh-Ratcliffe, Brett Knowles, Jacob Watkins and Collin Del Bonis; defensemen Jack Johnson, Emmett Rupert, Daniel Solomon, Ayden Klock and Ryan McMullen; and goalies William Hahn and Brady Rotondo. The Royals won 16 of their 17 games, with their only loss coming in overtime just four games into the season.

They recorded seven shutouts and held their opponents to two goals or less 14 times. Johnson led them in scoring with 46 points (33 goals, 13 assists), while Rotondo and Hahn split time in goal and allowed just 18 goals all season. Johnson scored twice in the championship game, while Ewasiuk had a goal and an assist and Collin Del Bonnis scored once. Rotondo played 26 perfect min-

With an impressive 4-0 win over the Kern County Knights on March 19, the Santa Barbara Royals claimed the first-ever Los Angeles Kings High School Hockey League championship.

utes, and Hahn added 19 minutes. League commissioner Jim Fox, also a TV analyst for the L.A. Kings who played nine seasons for the NHL club, said it was validating to see the success the league experienced in its first year. “I was very proud of the work put in by the Kings’ hockey development department, led by Chris Crotty and Ilyse Wolfe,” he said. “The entire day was first-class all the way. The awards ceremony was handled like they

LAKLeague.com

would in the NHL, and the parents, coaches, managers and players all had a great experience. The way the award winners handled themselves in the remarks they gave in their acceptance speeches is a great sign that the league is in good hands.” The league handed out a number of awards following the championship game. The Wayne Gretzky MVP Award went to Johnson (from San Marcos High School) and Heinze was named the Darryl Sutter Coach of the Year. Other Royals honored were Hahn from Santa Barbara High (Rogie Vachon Goalie Award) and Ewasiuk of San Marcos High (Dave Taylor Sportsmanship Award). Tristan Warr of the West Ranch Wildcats earned the Luc Robitaille Freshman of the Year Award and was the Marcel Dionne Scoring Leader. The Knights’ Paul Daley, from Liberty High, earned the Rob Blake Defenseman of the Year Award. Next on the agenda is tryouts for the 2016-17 season. Students in grades 9-12 this September are eligible and tryouts will be held between May 7 and June 13. Specific dates and locations for each of the league’s 11 teams for next season are available at www.lakleague. com. “The first season was an outstanding success,” Fox said. “We will grow, but we will analyze our first year, make adjustments where they need to be made and then move forward. We will have more teams next year and we especially hope to increase the number of our pure school teams. As with most organizations, ice-time is our biggest challenge, and we are working toward making sure we can expand as quickly as possible.”

CARubberHockey.com

2015-16 All-California NCAA Women’s Team ANNIE PANKOWSKI, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

GOALIE

School/Yr.: Buffalo State (D-III)/So. Home/Club: El Monte/Lady Ducks

Game On: The ECAC West’s co-defensive POY went 12-7 with .940 SPCT (2nd/D-III), 1.81 GAA (4th)

CELINE WHITLINGER

GOALIE

School/Yr.: Penn State/Sr. Home/Club: Garden Grove/Lady Ducks

KARA DREXLER

DEFENSE

Game On: A 2nd-team all-CHA pick, her .947 SPCT was third in D-I, 1.51 GAA sixth; 4 shutouts a PSU record

School/Yr.: Yale/So. Home/Club: Manhattan Beach/Lady Ducks

KALIYA JOHNSON

FORWARD FORWARD DEFENSE

As good as Annie Pankowski was during her freshman season at Wisconsin, the former Lady Duck took it up a notch during her sophomore campaign. The 5-foot-9 forward from Laguna Hills was selected a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, a second-team All-American and a first-team All-WCHA pick after scoring 58 points in 40 games for the Frozen Four-bound Badgers. Pankowski’s point total was the seventh best in Division I, as were her 36 assists. Her 22 goals tied for 12th most, and they included four power-play strikes, two short-handers and three game-winners. That came on the heels of 42 points in 39 games a season ago, meaning she raised her production by 32 percent.

School/Yr.: Boston College/Sr. Home/Club: Los Angeles/Lady Ducks

LAUREN KILROY

School/Yr.: Mercyhurst/Sr. Home/Club: Cypress/Lady Ducks

FORWARD FORWARD DEFENSE

JUSTINE SILVA

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

California Rubber Magazine is proud to announce its second annual All-California NCAA Women’s Team for the 2015-16 season. The list, which includes Division I and III players, was compiled by senior writer Chris Bayee with input from coaches. It weighs individual statistics, team success and sustained excellence. All statistics presented are through the end of the season.

Game On: She was plus-44 and added career-high 17 points as Eagles reached NCAA title game

Game On: Posted career-high 11 points, blocked 82 shots and was plus-7 for NCAA tourney team

LEXI ROMANCHUK

BRIDGET BAKER

LYDIA GRAUER

FORWARD DEFENSE

Game On: Became a lineup fixture, getting six points and finishing as a plus player on a sub-.500 team

School/Yr.: Providence/Sr. Home/Clubs: San Jose/Jr. Sharks, LDs

School/Yr.: Vermont/Jr.

Game On: The Friars’ captain scored a career-high 20 points (7 goals), fourth-best on team

Home/Clubs: Los Gatos/Santa Clara, Jr. Sharks, LDs Game On: Her 13 points (6 goals, including a GWG and GTG) were third best on Catamounts

JORDAN LIPSON

JUSTINE REYES

School/Yr.: SUNY-Plattsburgh (D-III)/Jr. Home/Club: Davis/Jr. Sharks Game On: 35 points (8th/D-III) for three-time NCAA champs; her 10 PPG led D-III

School/Yr.: St. Lawrence/Fr. Home/Club: Chino Hills/Lady Ducks

Game On: Tied for Saints lead in goals (12); her 19 points were most for team’s first-year players

School/Yr.: St. Lawrence/Fr. Home/Club: Chino Hills/Lady Ducks

Game On: Played every game, getting 12 points, blocking 40 shots and finishing as plus player

MEGAN WHIDDON

School/Yr.: Mercyhurst/Jr. Home/Clubs: Corona/Lady Ducks, LA Selects Game On: Career-high 13 points (6 goals, 2 GWG) for an NCAA Tournament team

Pankowski, Demko earn spots as CA Rubber’s top NCAA stars By Chris Bayee

ur players of the year for California Rubber Magazine’s AllCalifornia men’s and women’s NCAA teams put together seasons for the ages in 2015-16. Boston College junior goalie Thatcher Demko became just the second California-born and trained player to be honored in the Hobey Hat Trick as one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. Ryan Lasch was the first in 2008 for St. Cloud State. Wisconsin sophomore Annie Pankowski was a secondteam All-American and a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award. She then helped the U.S. Women’s National Team capture gold at the recently completed World Championships in Kamloops, British Columbia. Thirteen players made repeat appearances on the All-California NCAA men’s team this season, but among that outstanding group, the 6-foot-4 Demko (San Diego, Jr. Gulls) stood tallest. Demko finished a season in which Boston College reached the Frozen Four with 10 shutouts, two behind the NCAA record, and 27 wins, which were second-most in Division I. His save percentage of .935 tied for fourth in the nation and was 2/1,000th behind the leader, and his 1.88 goals-against average was seventh. A 2014 second-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Demko entered the season coming off of hip surgery. 22

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

“His competitiveness is unmatched,” said BC teammate Scott Savage of San Clemente. “Coming back from hip surgery took a lot of work, but he made such a quick recovery because of his work ethic and his will to win. “That’s what set him up for success. He hates to get scored on, even in practice, and will do everything he can to help his team win.” Savage, Miami’s Matthew Caito, Robert Morris’ Chase Golightly and Quinnipiac’s Alex Miner-Barron are the four defensemen to repeat on the squad. Ferris State’s Sean O’Rourke and Cornell’s Alec McCrea join them. Eight forwards also appeared again, including Minor-Barron’s teammate Soren Jonzzon, the Bobcats’ captain. The others were Denver’s Gabe Levin and Trevor Moore, Northern Michigan’s Darren Nowick and Shane Sooth (the Wildcats’ captain), as well as Massachusetts’ Dennis Kravchenko, Harvard’s Tyler Moy and Nebraska-Omaha’s Austin Ortega. The newcomers up front included St. Cloud State’s Robby Jackson and Patrick Newell, Clarkson’s Brett Gervais and Ferris State’s Matt Robertson. Joining Demko in net are Harvard Merrick Madsen, who went from playing one game as a freshman to starting 29 as a sophomore and putting up some of the best numbers in the country, and freshman Ryan Ruck, who won 19 of his final 23 starts to lift Northeastern into the NCAA tournament. The men’s team is a veteran group as 14 of the 21 players are seniors (eight) or juniors (six). There were just three sopho-

mores and four freshmen (Jackson, McCrea, Newell and Ruck). Five of the team’s six defenseman are upperclassmen; three are seniors and Miner-Barron is a graduate student. The forwards are comprised of four seniors, four juniors and two each of sophomores and freshman. Pankowski highlights an NCAA women’s team included eight of the 12 players repeating from last season. Pankowski, who also was a first-team All-WCHA pick, piled up 58 points in 40 games for a Frozen Four semifinalist. Her point total and assist total (36) were seventh best in Division I. Her 22 goals were 12th-most. She is joined by several familiar faces on the women’s team. Goaltenders Justine Silva of Buffalo State and Celine Whitlinger of Penn State return, as do defensemen Kaliya Johnson of Boston College, Lauren Kilroy of Mercyhurst and Providence captain Lexi Romanchuk. Yale’s Kara Drexler rounds out the D core. In addition to Pankowski, forwards Bridget Baker of Vermont and Megan Whiddon of Mercyhurst make their second appearance in a row. The newcomers up front include a pair of St. Lawrence freshmen – Lydia Grauer and Justine Reyes – and Plattsburgh State’s Jordan Lipson, who led Division III in power-play goals (10) and was eighth in points (35) for a threetime national champion. One third of the team is seniors, including three of the four defenseman, and there are three each of juniors and sophomores in addition to the St. Lawrence duo.

NEVADA STORM

Vegas youth footprint changes with Storm-Flames merger By Matt Mackinder

he term “March Madness” took on a whole new positive meaning in Las Vegas recently. The Las Vegas Flames youth organization is now no more, but no worries as the program has successfully merged with the established Nevada Storm program, which is adding a 16U Tier I component to the organization in 2016-17. Everyone involved feels the merger will show how two organizations can come together to form one organization that will benefit from two facilities (Las Vegas Ice Center, Sobe Ice Arena) as they work together to take youth hockey in the Valley to new levels of cooperation and development. The youth organizations will join and will play under the Storm name, practice, play games and host tournaments at both the Las Vegas Ice Center (LVIC) and the Sobe Ice Arena. In March, Flames president Bill Calhoun and Sobe Ice Arena director Wally Lacroix met with the Storm’s Gabe Gauthier, John Brooks and Kirk Brooks and discussed how to make Las Vegas hockey grow and improve the development and education of the kids. The obvious answer was to merge the two organizations into one for the benefit of the kids. “The opportunity to merge was the best decision for all the children here in Las Vegas,” said Calhoun. “I am so grateful that I was able to work with John, Gabe and

the Nevada Storm to make hockey stronger today than it was yesterday. The two facilities will be home to the all players and there will be games, practices, skills sessions and coaching under the common goal of building champions on and off the ice with a coaching staff that rivals the best in the nation.” John Brooks, co-owner of the Storm and the Las Vegas Ice Center, is eager to start the transition immediately.

“I really look forward to the opportunity to work with Bill, Wally and the excellent coaches that the Flames bring and to take the Las Vegas hockey community in a single positive direction,” said Brooks. There once was a time where Las Vegas had strong competitive hockey that contended nationally under multiple organizations and now those players are either playing professional or collegiate hockey. In order to get back

to this level, the organizations believe the right decision is to play as one organization. This will allow more players to play on the team most appropriate for their skills, get on the ice for more practices, work together for a common goal and most importantly, avoid the dissention that has truly been the enemy of youth hockey over the past few years. Gauthier, who serves as the Storm and LVIC hockey director, is right there with Brooks about the new direction. “I have seen youth hockey take many positive steps since I moved to Las Vegas two years ago and now I really feel like bringing it all together is the next logical step to put Las Vegas hockey on the national map,” said Gauthier. “With the junior team in the Western States Hockey League and the Tier I Midget team this fall, we now will offer Las Vegas youth unprecedented opportunities to develop as young players and leaders without leaving home.” In addition, Gauthier will be looking to continue the Las Vegas High School Hockey League to form a team and participate in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League. The coaches for the 2016-17 season are Brian Fox and Jim Nyznyk (Mite Track 1 & 2), Scott Rensmon and Jeff Bruckner (Squirt B), Bo Lackas (Squirt A), Dell Truax (Pee Wee A), Bruckner (Pee Wee AA), Evan and Adam Zucker (Bantam A), Eric Lacroix (Bantam AA), Wally Lacroix (16U AA), Micah Sanford (16U AAA) and Gauthier (junior).

NVStorm.com

CARubberHockey.com

Leaving It All On the Floor

California State Cup inline tournament big on bold finishes league final in the JV-1 division, with San Luis Obispo pulling off the huge upset of rival Santa Barbara, and in JV-2, we ended up with two overtime games for the playoffs, allowing the teams that had struggled in round robin to end up with a very competitive finish won by Villa Park.” This marks the second consecutive year that a team from the Central Coast region has come home with the State Cup JV-1 championship trophy. Santa Barbara Gold won the division last year while SLO earned the bragging rights this year after previously winning the JV-2 title in 2012.

round Division 2 playoff appearance in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League, the ADISL’s sister s “spectacular” too bold a word to describe this year’s scholastic ice hockey league. The Spartans won all five California State Cup inline hockey championship of their games in this year’s State Cup varsity field. tournament? Top-seeded Damien defeated fourth-seeded If you happened to be on one of the participating Temecula Valley 9-5 in the semifinals and Escondido teams from the Central Coast region or San Diego Charter 7-2 in the title game. County, then it isn’t. The White Tigers, with a 2-1 round-robin record, This year’s event took place March 19-20 at The edged third-seeded Santa Margarita Catholic 3-2 in the Rinks-Irvine Inline and featured high school varsity semifinals. and junior varsity teams from four separate scholastic “The Escondido Charter High School roller hockey leagues from within the state: the host Anaheim Ducks team went up there and gave it their all,” explained Inline Scholastic League (five White Tigers coach Jake teams), the Central Coast Pribble, whose team finished High School Hockey League 3-2. “It was very challenging (three teams), Temecula Valley playing against other schools Inline Hockey Association (two that we had no knowledge on – teams) and San Diego Section either their players or skill level. CIF-Metro Conference (one It definitely was a hard-fought team). second place. Championship playoffs took “I hope it does give a lift to place in three divisions and all San Diego teams, knowing one had to be amazed at the that we have the skill to performance by the out-of-area challenge all other schools in teams. The Escondido Charter the state. I’m also hoping that White Tigers from San Diego other San Diego high school finished second in the Varsity teams see us playing in the Division championship game State Cup tournament and next to La Verne’s powerful Damien year, more San Diego schools High School, while the Junior will enter in and represent our Varsity-1 tier final proved to be county in this tournament.” an all-Central Coast affair with Top-seeded Santa Barbara the San Luis Obispo Tigers Gold took a 5-0-0 record into pulling off a 7-4 upset win over the JV-1 championship game its league rival Santa Barbara after slipping past fourthIn the Junior Varsity-1 championship final at last month’s California State Cup, San Luis Obispo knocked off the favored Gold. seeded Woodbridge from the Santa Barbara Gold team. Photo/California State Cup In the Junior Varsity-2 ADISL, 3-2 in the semifinals, championship game, Temecula Valley earned some respect Tigers coach Darrell Goo said that with the while San Luis Obispo blanked Central Coast rival with its runner-up finish following a 2-1 overtime loss to Villa exception of Kai Tomaszewski, one of the two Santa Barbara Blue 2-0 on the strength of two goals Park from the ADISL in the championship game. graduating seniors from the 2012 JV-2 championship by Oliver Kibbe and shutout goaltending by Bryce “The tournament went very well; we had more teams team, none of the SLO players had ever been in a Tencati. from outside the area than in past years,” explained tournament away from home. SB Gold had defeated the Tigers 9-1 two weeks John Paerels, who serves as league coordinator for “They soon discovered how fierce the competition earlier in the Central Coast High School Hockey League the ADISL, the State Cup’s host league. “In the Varsity is outside our own community,” Goo explained. “After championship game, but SLO received two goals each Division, Damien was definitely the strongest team, but losing their first game, our players dug deep and won from Sam Wetzel and Joe Headrick to enact some Escondido Charter gave them a good game. Temecula, the next three heavily contested matches to finish in the revenge in the State Cup final. with its two teams, was a newcomer to the State Cup, second-seeded position (for the playoffs). They proved Fifth-seeded Villa Park pulled out the victory in the but their teams were competitive and they look forward that hard work and dedication can be both rewarding JV-2 championship game over sixth-seeded Temecula to returning next year. and fun.” Valley on a goal by Brad Parker at the 3:20 mark of “It was also a lot of fun to see an all-Central Coast Damien entered the State Cup fresh off a second- overtime. By Phillip Brents

Santa Margarita Catholic ‘ices’ State Cup appearance T

he California State Cup inline hockey championship tournament isn’t reserved just for inline hockey players. The tournament takes place at a time when ice hockey teams are finishing their season, and ice hockey players are thus able to strap on inline skates. After being hired this past summer at Santa Margarita Catholic High School to coach the school’s ice hockey program, K.C. Groon was also approached to take over the school’s roller hockey program. He wasted little time in putting his team on wheels at last month’s State Cup tournament in Irvine. “Since I graduated from Santa 24

K.C. Groon pulls double duty coaching with both the ice and inline programs at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Photo/Santa Margarita Catholic High School

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Margarita in 2009, the roller program at the school has been dwindling with the introduction of ice hockey in high schools in Southern California, with Santa Margarita being a top competitor and one of the originals in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League,” Groon explained. While most of the players on Santa Margarita’s State Cup team were, in fact, on the school’s ice hockey team this season and had been participating in predominantly ice hockey the past recent years, Groon said the transition was not particularly hard. “Many of the kids have played roller

hockey and most of them actually started their hockey careers on top of wheels,” Groon explained. “The roller style of game actually frees these players up to have a bit more fun and creativity, and they bring a style of competitiveness and structure from ice hockey that makes the transition much easier. I think the hardest part for them was getting used to having less rules on the rink. “All in all, they had a tremendous amount of fun and are really excited to participate in the spring season at The Rinks-Irvine Inline in the varsity division. I’m very excited for the future of our program and expect that we should be one of the top competitive teams in high school roller hockey in the near future.” - Phillip Brents

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM What offseason goals for hockey players should entail F

or most hockey players, the season has ended. It’s time to get a little rest and let the body and mind recover. The season can be a grind with lots of games, practices, lessons and travel and taking some time away from the ice can do a ton of good. For teenage hockey players, I suggest a break of 2-4 weeks. This may be tough depending on tryouts and showcases, but try and find some time to stay away. The repetChris Phillips itive nature of skating can develop certain weaknesses and limitations that can lead to injury, so take some time to let these muscles recover. I am a big believer that your offseason program should work on maintaining your strengths while minimizing your weaknesses. Make a list of three things that you are good at and how you will maintain them. Then make list of three weaknesses and how you will eliminate them. Not sure what these strengths and weaknesses are? Ask your parents, coaches or scouts for their opinion. Compare yourself to other players. Now, come up with a plan for the offseason. Whether its choosing a skating coach to improve your speed or shooting 100 pucks a day to hit the corners better, set a schedule and stick to it. Obtain your goals off the ice as well. Find a strength coach or athletic trainer that is certified and knowledgeable about hockey and have them help you plan out a program that fits your specific needs. The program should address your needs and then it’s up to you to put in the work and get to that next level.ptoms and management of concussions to secure a safe and positive outcome.

Chris Phillips is a certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist and a former NHL athletic trainer. CARubberHockey.com

California-led Lindenwood wins sixth straight NCRHA title By Phillip Brents

ine teams from the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League (WCRHL) made the trek to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 6-10, to compete in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) national championship tournament. The University of Nevada-Las Vegas (Division I) and West Valley College (Junior College Division) both came home with runner-up trophies. But the big story turned out to be Californians already playing collegiate inline hockey in the Midwest. Nine of them, in particular, helped guide Missouri’s Lindenwood Gold team to its sixth consecutive Division III NCRHA national championship title. The Lions’ Golden State roll call includes forward Cy Jewell from Saratoga in Santa Clara County; forwards Chad Wolterman, Spenser Marquiss and Chris Visico, all from San Jose; defender Jason Novak and goaltender Charles Robinson, both from Chico; and the San Diego County trio of forward Jon Gauthier and defenders Jake Escarcega and Thompson Teague. “We’re a band of brothers,” explained Marquiss, a junior, who can claim membership on the last three Lindenwood Gold national championship teams. “It’s almost like Team California,” Lions head coach Jon Hilke admitted. Lindenwood Gold finished 6-0 at this year’s NCRHA tournament. The Lions defeated Michigan State 4-3 to secure its latest national championship after turning aside challenges in the playoffs from the University of Missouri (10-1 win in the quarterfinals) and Bethel (7-1 win in the semifinals). The team’s California contingent had a major impact

on the division title game with eight points (four goals, off against Missouri’s St. Charles Community College four assists). Californians swept the three star of the in a best-of-five championship series to determine this game awards: Robinson earned first star honors by year’s national Junior College Division champion. The teams appeared evenly-matched in their initial stopping 32 of 35 shots for a .914 save percentage, Marquiss received the second star award by scoring two encounters on April 8. St. Charles opened the setwo goals, while Wolterman earned third star honors ries with a 5-2 win, but West Valley quickly countered with a 5-1 victory. with one goal and one assist. However, St. Charles captured both contests by Visico, who paced the team with seven goals in narrow margins on April 9 to pool play, also recorded a goal win the series 3-1. and assist in the championIn the third game, West Valship game, while Teague and ley moved out to a 2-1 first-peGauthier each chipped in with riod lead on goals by Kyle assists. Aldrich and Matt Swanson Marquiss, the team’s regbut the Cougars scored the ular-season scoring leader, game’s final three goals to win collected seven goals and six 4-2 and take a 2-1 lead in the assists in the six games at naseries. tionals and Escarcega netted four goals and eight assists. Facing elimination in the “Over half the team is from fourth game, West Valley ralCalifornia and I hope we can lied from a 2-0 deficit to twice keep getting players from that tie the score – 2-2 and 3-3 – state,” Hilke said. “We have before St. Charles capitalized The Lindenwood Gold Lions’ nine Californians pose a good mix of the more phys- with the NCRHA’s Division III national championship on a short-handed goal by ical, body up, slower-paced banner. Back row, pictured left to right, are Chris Visico, Zach Micks with 3:13 remainstyle from the Midwest and Thompson Teague, Chad Wolterman, Jonathon Gauth- ing to boost the Cougars to a the California ‘reckless (good ier and Jason Novak. Bottom row, pictured left to right, 4-3 series-clinching win and are Spenser Marquiss, Charlie Robinson, Jake Escarcereckless)’ style -- it makes for ga and Cy Jewell. Photo/Bob Gauthier their seventh consecutive naa really good mix on our squad. tional championship title. “California is a hotbed for us and we have a spot for Aldrich led the Vikings (9-10) with nine points (four everyone to play.” goals, five assists) in the four games at nationals. Aldrich and Jerrit Baker each had a goal and assist JC Division in the series finale, while teammate Patrick Barnes Santa Clara County’s West Valley College faced picked up one goal. (With files from Bob Gauthier)

Khodorenko chooses Michigan State as NCAA D-I destination

Tier I girls nationals features three talented California teams

By Chris Bayee

By Greg Ball

ichigan has agreed with Patrick Khodorenko, so much that the forward from Walnut Creek made a verbal commitment to play college hockey at Michigan State University (Big Ten) recently. Khodorenko, who has skated for the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor and Plymouth, Mich., the past two seasons after playing Midget 16U AAA for Detroit Honeybaked, cited several factors in his decision, not the least of which was his fondness for the area and familiarity with several of his future teammates and classmates. “A bunch of kids from my high school are here and some kids from my Honeybaked team are going there,” he said. “But the coaching is biggest factor.” Tom Anastos is entering his sixth season as MSU’s head coach. Khodorenko played for the Oakland Bears, Santa Clara Blackhawks, San Jose Jr. Sharks, Anaheim Wildcats and L.A. Selects growing up in California. He will join a Spartans team that offers a prime opportunity for playing time. Four of Michigan State’s regular forwards were seniors and a fifth – junior Mackenzie MacEachern – signed with the St. Louis Blues. “I have a chance to play in every situation,” said Khodorenko, who had 13 points, including seven goals, in 43 games against junior and college competition with the NTDP’s Under-18 squad this season. “I should get a lot of opportunities there.” The 6-foot, 197-pound forward will spend the next few months rehabilitating a broken foot, which he sustained in late March when he blocked a shot. “I should be back skating in a month or so,” he said. “Fortunately, everything is healing straight and no surgery is needed.” Khodorenko, who said he also strongly considered the University of Minnesota during the recruiting process, is a late 1998 birth year who is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft. He had 20 points in 34 games against United States Hockey League competition this past season. 26

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

trio of California teams traveled to Blaine, Minn., in late March and early April for the USA Hockey Tier I girls Youth Nationals.

Tier I - 19U: The Anaheim Lady Ducks went 1-2 in their trip to nationals. The opened with a 3-2 defeat to the Minnesota Elite White. Lillian Marchant had a goal and an assist and Devyn Gilman scored. Tia Stoddard added an assist and Kai-Lilly Karpman made 29 saves. On April 1, they secured a 2-1 victory over Mid-Fairfield. Stoddard got them on the board in the first period, and Marchant scored the game winner on an assist from Isabel Hanson in the third. Karpman stopped 22 shots. The Lady Ducks fell 2-1 in overtime to the Massachusetts Spitfires on April 2. Stoddard’s third-period goal forced overtime. Tier I - 16U: The California Wave turned in a solid showing, advancing to the quarterfinals in the 16U bracket. The Wave lost 4-1 to the Minnesota Elite Sky on March 31, Aubrey Pritchett with the lone goal. Their 5-3 win over Detroit Little Caesars on April 1 was sparked by four first-period goals. Tanner Gates, Mikayla Lantto, Brooke Bryant, Pritchett and Samantha Smigliani all scored. Danielle Marquez stopped 28 shots. On April 2, they skated to a 6-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons. Bryant scored twice and added an assist, while Gates, Elizabeth Humphrey, Kiersten Goode and Smigliani also found the back of the net and Julieana Tarantino made 12 saves. Their run came to an end on April 3 with a 5-1 loss to the Boston Jr. Eagles, Lantto getting the goal. Tier I - 14U: The Lady Ducks won one of their three games at nationals. They dropped a 2-0 decision to the Pittsburgh Pens Elite on March 31 and on April 1, fell 4-0 to the Chicago Young Americans. On April 2, the Lady Ducks secured a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues. Jennifer Russell lit the lamp on an assist and Anna Gallagher also scored. Lindsey Labadie and Lilla Nease combined on the 26-save shutout.

Game On!

AIHL playoffs on horizon for Pacific North, Pacific Southwest division teams By Phillip Brents

AIHL Minor Tier 2 Finals. The Valley Stars are a combination of former Ripon Savage players, mixed in with a few former East Bay Jawz players. The team has jelled behind its veteran experience (both inline and ice), according to Tyler Kruenegel, who had collected 11 goals and 18 points in the team’s opening 11 games to rank third in team scoring behind teammates Nic Robinson (16 goals, five assists) and Kyle Kruenegel (five goals, 15 assists). Modesto’s Kyle Amant, who helped Team USA earn a fifth-place medal at the 2002 IIHF In-

such as the NARCh Winternationals and NARCh Finals),” he said. “It gives us an opportunity to play competitive hockey every weekend.”

he American Inline Hockey League (AIHL) features 19 teams on its Elite Division roll call this season – 10 of them based on the West Coast, Southern exposure and seven of them in California. The Las Vegas Aces hosted the Pacific South/ The league’s championship tournament is Southwest Division championship playoffs April 16scheduled for May 20-22 in Bethpage, N.Y. 17 after finishing one point ahead of the San Diego Representatives from the league’s four geographic Tron Hosers in the final regular-season standings. regions will be vying to win a national championship. The four teams in the division have made for an The Ripon Valley Stars, East Bay Jawz, Nor Cal interesting mix with two teams from Arizona, one from Red Army, Sonora, Marina Mantas and Oakland Las Vegas and one from San Diego. The competition Dragons comprise the Pacific North Division. has proven tight, with the top three teams Teams will gather April 16-17 at the Verbero separated by just one point in the standings Powerplay Sports Arena in Ripon for three-quarters of the way through the season. championship playoffs to determine which The Hosers’ bugaboo this season has been teams will head east to compete in the AIHL fielding a full squad. San Diego dressed a Finals. skeleton crew for the March 19-20 tournament Divisional play faced off March 13 with a in Las Vegas and paid the price with a 1-4-1 tournament in Ripon, followed by a two-day showing. event March 19-20 at the High Country Sports “We had seven skaters, which is too few Arena in Sonora. when you have six games total in a weekend,” Those six teams wrapped up regularHosers manager Steve Baldwin explained. season play April 9 at another tournament in The San Diego team, which had skated to Ripon. the top of the division standings at midseason, Though the division schedule has been fared better at the final regular-season compact, it’s not been short on excitement. tournament April 2-3 in Las Vegas by winning Teams are playing a 15-game regular four of its six games, including an 11-2 victory season schedule. Through 11 games, Ripon against the Arizona Outcasts. But it wasn’t Valley had compiled a division-best 10-1 enough to catch the Aces. record and .909 winning percentage, followed Baldwin said he expects the Hosers to field by East Bay with a 9-2 record and .818 winning Stefan Demopoulos of the San Diego Tron Hosers breaks on the offensive in an a full lineup for the playoffs. American Inline Hockey League Pacific South/Southwest Division game earlier percentage. “If all my top guys show up, we have a very this season against the Arizona Ghostriders. Photo/Phillip Brents Marina and Nor Cal were tied with 6-5 good chance of winning the division playoffs records, followed by Sonora at 2-9 and Oakland at Line Hockey World Championships in Nuremberg, and then going to New York,” he said. 0-11. Germany, had collected eight goals and seven The Aces, Outcasts and Arizona Ghostriders All teams qualify for the playoffs, but due to the assists to match teammate Brenton Ratley with 15 would like to think they have something to say about abbreviated season, the playoff structure is modified. points. that, however. The top two teams in the regular-season standings Tyler Kruenegel and younger brother Kyle have Stefan Demopoulos paced the Hosers with 18 will meet in a best-of-five series to determine which both won multiple junior hockey championships in goals and 28 points through 18 games to rank team advances to the AIHL Elite Division Finals, the Western States Hockey League with the Idaho behind Las Vegas’s Darren Corsatea, who led the while the third- and fourth-place teams will meet in Jr. Steelheads. division with 21 goals and 41 points despite playing another best-of-five series to determine which team Tyler Kruenegel said the AIHL offers a chance in just 16 games. advances to the AIHL Minor Tier 1 Finals. to play competitive hockey beyond the in-house Aces goaltender Brandon Corsatea owned Similarly, the fifth- and sixth-place teams in the setting. a 2.84 goals-against average and .861 save regular season standings will meet in a best-of-five “Without it, we’d get to play only a couple percentage in 16 appearances – best among the series to determine which team advances to the weekends of hockey each year (at tournaments division’s Elite teams.

Teams roll out for Huntington Beach NARCh regional event

t’s time to stow all that ice hockey gear in the back stage June 16-26 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach. of the closet because the next three months will be The NARCh East Coast Finals are scheduled July all about roller hockey – NARCh roller hockey, that 13-24 in Estero, Fla. is. NARCh President Daryn The NARCh caravan Goodwin called the 141landed in Huntington Beach game Huntington Beach Inline April 1-3 with 60 teams tournament “a solid event.” The participating in the first of three Irvine Inline event sold out three Southern California regional weeks in advance. “Irvine is going to be nuts,” championships. Awards were Goodwin noted. presented in 14 sub-divisions, Division champions at the plus individual awards for high HB Inline event included HB scorer and top goaltender by division. The HB Militia Black captured first place in the Militia (Atom), Pama Cyclones Additional Southern Pee Wee Gold Division at the first of three South- (Mite Gold, Squirt Gold, Bantam California regionals are ern California NARCh regional championship Gold), San Diego Rockets 05 scheduled April 22-24 at The tournaments April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington (Mite Silver), Arizona Stealth Beach Inline. Photo/NARCh Hockey Club (Squirt Silver), HB Rinks-Irvine Inline and June 3-5 at the Escondido Sports Center in San Diego County. Militia Black (Pee Wee Gold), Huntington Beach The 2016 NARCh West Coast Finals will take center Hurricanes (Bantam Silver), Revision Vanquish (Pee

Wee Silver, Midget Silver), Pama Prospects (Midget Gold), Konixx Outcasts (Junior), South Coast Savage (Men’s Gold) and Verbero Lynx (Men’s Silver). Among the individual award-winners, the Cyclones’ Christian Kim (Mite) led all division high scorers with 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists), while AKS 05’s Ethan Woolcott (Mite) paced all top goaltender award-winners with a perfect 1.000 save percentage. Squirt Division high scorer winner Anthony Yu of the Cyclones collected 19 points on 12 goals and seven assists to also showcase his offensive skills at the three-day event. Other notable top goaltender award-winners included HB Militia Black’s Tyler Kitchen (Bantam) with a .923 save percentage and HB Militia Red’s Joey Mataviesko (Pee Wee) with a .907 save percentage. - Phillip Brents CARubberHockey.com

2015-16 CALIFORNIA/NEVADA ALUMNI

E-mail all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com Haroutiun Sarkisian (Encino) – Nichols College Michael Freeman (Rancho Cucamonga) – Fredonia State Univ. COLLEGE HOCKEY

CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY

NCAA DIVISION I – MEN

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Beau Bennett (Gardena) – Pittsburgh Penguins Emerson Etem (Long Beach) – Vancouver Canucks Alec Martinez (Santa Clara) – Los Angeles Kings Stefan Matteau – New Jersey Devils ! Kevan Miller (Los Angeles) – Boston Bruins Matt Nieto (Long Beach) – San Jose Sharks Bobby Ryan (El Segundo) – Ottawa Senators Matt Tennyson (Pleasanton) – San Jose Sharks Jason Zucker – Minnesota Wild *

ATLANTIC HOCKEY Chris Buchanan (San Jose) – Bentley University Ryan Doucet (San Jose) – U.S. Air Force Academy David Gandara (Canyon Lake) – American International College Chase Golightly (Temecula) – Robert Morris University Taylor Maruya (Westchester) – U.S. Military Academy Mitch Mueller (Bakersfield) – American International College

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Sena Acolatse (Hayward) – Portland Pirates Taylor Aronson (Placentia) – Milwaukee Admirals Chase Balisy (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Portland Pirates Mitch Callahan (Whittier) – Grand Rapids Griffins Eric Comrie (Newport Beach) – Manitoba Moose Pheonix Copley – Chicago Wolves + Chase De Leo (La Mirada) – Manitoba Moose Shane Harper (Valencia) – Portland Pirates Matthew Ford (West Hills) – Bakersfield Condors Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor) – Portland Pirates Cory Kane (Irvine) – Texas Stars Nic Kerdiles (Irvine) – San Diego Gulls Kyle MacKinnon (Walnut) – San Diego Gulls Corbin McPherson (Folsom) – Albany Devils Gustav Olofsson – Iowa Wild ! Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego) – Rochester Americans Scooter Vaughan (Placentia) – Chicago Wolves

ECAC Max Becker (Orange) – Princeton University Arthur Brey (Yorba Linda) – St. Lawrence University Lonnie Clary (Riverside) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Brett Gervais (Corona) – Clarkson University Soren Jonzzon (Mountain View) – Quinnipiac University Brandon Kirk (La Verne) – Dartmouth College Sean Lawrence (Granite Bay) – Quinnipiac University Jonathan Liau (Burbank) – Princeton University Alec McCrea (El Cajon) – Cornell University Alex Miner-Barron (Glendora) – Quinnipiac University Tyler Moy (San Diego) – Harvard University

ECHL Austin Block (Northridge) – Manchester Monarchs Dennis Brown (Cypress) – Tulsa Oilers Garrett Haar (Huntington Beach) – Alaska Aces Matt Konan (Tustin) – Tulsa Oilers Miles Koules (Los Angeles) – Quad City Mallards Joe Marciano (Alta Loma) – Norfolk Admirals Brandon Marino (Riverside) – Brampton Beast Tyler Maxwell (Manhattan Beach) – Alaska Aces Max Nicastro (Thousand Oaks) – Orlando Solar Bears Jonathan Parker (Solana Beach) – Allen Americans Zach Pochiro – Quad City Mallards % Troy Power (Camarillo) – Manchester Monarchs Troy Redmann (Brea) – Alaska Aces Adam Reid (Chino Hills) – Orlando Solar Bears Liam Stewart (Hermosa Beach) – Alaska Aces Steve Weinstein (Los Angeles) – Cincinnati Cyclones Matt White (Whittier) – Manchester Monarchs SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Daniel Gentzler (Hermosa Beach) – Macon Mayhem Steven Hoshaw (Vista) – Fayetteville FireAntz Alex Hudson (Corona) – Louisiana IceGators Mark Pustin (Northridge) – Mississippi RiverKings Jeff Sanders (San Jose) – Macon Mayhem Matt Zenzola (San Diego) – Pensacola Ice Flyers FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE August Aiken (Whittier) – Berlin River Drivers Justin Alonzo (San Jose) – Port Huron Prowlers Lester Brown (Citrus Heights) – Dayton Demolition EUROPE Charles Baldwin (Santee) – Czech Republic Brett Beebe (Redondo Beach) - Germany Kyle Bigos (Upland) – England Jonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Russia Robbie Earl (Los Angeles) – Sweden Ryan Hollweg (Downey) – Czech Republic Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles) – Finland Ryan Lasch (Lake Forest) – Sweden Colin Long (Santa Ana) – Sweden Shane Madolora (Salinas) – Italy Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach) – Sweden Brett Sterling (Los Angeles) – Austria C.J. Stretch (Irvine) – Germany Mitch Wahl (Seal Beach) – Sweden Casey Wellman (Brentwood) – Russia NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Jessica Koizumi (Simi Valley) – Connecticut Whale Kourtney Kunichika (Fullerton) – Buffalo Beauts Rachel Llanes (San Jose) – Boston Pride Elena Orlando (San Jose) – New York Riveters Jenny Scrivens (Camarillo) – New York Riveters Cherie Stewart (Lake Forest) – New York Riveters Alyssa Wohlfeiler (Saugus) – Connecticut Whale 28

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

BIG TEN Will Johnson (Santa Barbara) – University of Wisconsin

HOCKEY EAST Collin Delia (Rancho Cucamonga) – Merrimack College Thatcher Demko (San Diego) – Boston College Robert Francis (San Diego) – University of Massachusetts-Lowell Garrett Gamez (Chino Hills) – Providence College Dennis Kravchenko (Laguna Niguel) – Univ. of Massachusetts Michael McNicholas (Manhattan Beach) – Univ. of New Hampshire Andrew Oglevie (Fullerton) – University of Notre Dame Nikolas Olsson (Escondido) – Boston University Ryan Ruck (Coto de Caza) – Northeastern University Scott Savage (San Clemente) – Boston College Dan Senkbeil (Fremont) – University of Vermont Ryan Tait (Santa Clarita) – Providence College NCHC Matthew Caito (Coto de Caza) – Miami University Grant Gallo (San Diego) – University of Nebraska-Omaha Robby Jackson (Alameda) – St. Cloud State University Gabe Levin (Marina del Rey) – University of Denver Trevor Moore (Thousand Oaks) – University of Denver Patrick Newell (Thousand Oaks) – St. Cloud State University Austin Ortega (Escondido) – University of Nebraska-Omaha J.T. Osborn (Alpine) – Western Michigan University David Radke (Orinda) – Colorado College Ryan Siroky (Manhattan Beach) – Miami University WCHA Brandon Carlson (Huntington Beach) – Univ. of Alabama-Huntsville Ben Greiner (Newport Beach) – Bowling Green State University John Keeney (Twin Peaks) – University of Alaska-Fairbanks Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach) – Northern Michigan Univ. Chandler Madry (Bakersfield) – Minnesota State University Luke McColgan (Manhattan Beach) – Univ. of Alaska-Anchorage Darren Nowick (Long Beach) – Northern Michigan University Sean O’Rourke (Alta Loma) – Ferris State University J.D. Peterson (Orange) – University of Alaska-Fairbanks Matt Robertson (Rohnert Park) – Ferris State University Tomas Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Bowling Green State University John Siemer (Baldwin Park) – Northern Michigan University Shane Sooth (Canyon Country) – Northern Michigan University Max Vallis (Santa Clara) – Michigan Tech University INDEPENDENT Michael Cummings (San Bernardino) – Arizona State University David Jacobson (Calabasas) – Arizona State University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN ECAC NORTHEAST Matt Audet (Campbell) – Western New England University Stefan Brucato (Lake Elsinore) – Johnson & Wales University Kevin Chilton (Oak Park) – Nichols College Carter Horwitz (Tustin) – Endicott College David Kann (Lafayette) – Becker College Devin Linker (Fresno) – Becker College Nicholas McKee (Bakersfield) – Becker College Luke Miller (Lancaster) – Suffolk University Nick Newman (Saugus) – Wentworth Institute of Technology Adam Plonski (San Bernardino) – Becker College Cameron Randles (Santa Clarita) – Endicott College Basil Reynolds (Covina) – Becker College

Evan Schmidbauer (San Diego) – Salve Regina University Cole Semchak (Bakersfield) – Western New England University Stanton Turner (San Francisco) – Suffolk University Brian White (Santa Ana) – Curry College ECAC WEST Cory Anderson (Bakersfield) – Manhattanville Jon Neal (Encinitas) – Hobart College Brad Robbins (Murrieta) – Hobart College Casey Rogers (Moreno Valley) – Neumann University Jordan Watt (Corona) – Neumann University Mitch Wiebe (McGregor) – Neumann University Matt Zendejas (Upland) – Neumann University

MASCAC Kyle Baker (Fresno) – Worcester State University Jake Carter (El Segundo) – Westfield State University Gordon Ceasar (Oak Park) – Plymouth State University Cameron Coburn (Fresno) – Framingham State University Connor Cooley (Simi Valley) – Univ. of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Sean Haltam (Medina) – Worcester State University Connor McPherson (Lancaster) – Fitchburg State University Cody Slocum (Temecula) – Worcester State University Crissostomos Villareal (Corona) – Worcester State University MIAC Peter Barral (Berkeley) – Bethel University Tyler Gonzales (West Covina) – Hamline University Mitch Hughes (Laguna Niguel) – Bethel University Dallas Marvin (Newbury Park) – Bethel University Johnny Morales (Torrance) – St. Mary’s University Kevin Novakovich (Saratoga) – Hamline University Chris Nuth (Trabuco Canyon) – Augsburg College J.T. Paine (Rancho Santa Margarita) – St. Olaf College Justin Plate (Rancho Santa Margarita) – St. Olaf College Steven Sherman (San Diego) – St. Olaf College J.T. Walters (San Diego) – Bethel University NCHA Anthony Annunziato (Alta Loma) – Lake Forest College Matt Bartels (Sun City) – Aurora University Henry Berger (Claremont) – Northland College Darius Cole (Aurora) – Northland College Kyle Gonzalez (Chino Hills) – Northland College James Mathias (Ontario) – Marian University Peter Megariotis (Anaheim) – Adrian College Travis Meyer (Corona) – Marian University Sean Reynolds (Anaheim) – Lawrence University Alec Rounds (Laguna Beach) – Finlandia University Nick Trefry (Upland) – Northland College Storm Wahlrab (Laguna Nigiel) – St. Norbert College Quinton Wunder (Simi Valley) – Lake Forest College NEHC Cassidy April (San Diego) – University of New England Sam Bloom (Davis) – Skidmore College Scott Cornfield (Brea) – New England College Billy Faust (Alta Loma) – University of Massachusetts-Boston Connor Ferrera (Trabuco Canyon) – Univ. of Southern Maine Bryan Hodges (La Palma) – University of Southern Maine Brett Kilar (Coto de Caza) – New England College David MacGregor (Azusa) – Univ. of Massachusetts-Boston Aaron Madsen (Trabuco Canyon) – New England College Jon Manlow (Murrieta) – New England College Kyle Manlow (Murrieta) – New England College Christian Merritt (Thousand Oaks) – University of New England Easton Miller (Mission Viejo) – St. Anselm College Bryce Nielsen (Laguna Hills) – New England College Will Platt (San Francisco) – New England College Corey Sikich (Hermosa Beach) – Castleton State University Tanner Tinoco (La Puente) – University of Southern Maine NESCAC Kendall Culbertson (Laguna Niguel) – Bowdoin College Kai Frankville (La Jolla) – Colby College Ryan Glantz (Tarzana) – Connecticut College Chad Goldberg (Agoura Hills) – Tufts University Austin Ho (Chino Hills) – Amherst College Marcus Mollica (Dove Canyon) – Williams College Ryan Mowery (Rancho Santa Fe) – Connecticut College Xavier Louis Reed (Oakland) – Amherst College Wyatt Rees (Los Angeles) – Wesleyan University Jaren Taenaka (Rosemead) – Wesleyan University Oliver Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) – Tufts University Theo Tydingco (Newark) – Wesleyan University SUNYAC Eddie Cordero (Saugus) – Fredonia State University

Paul Fregeau (Sylmar) – Plattsburgh State University Kyle Herring (Valencia) – Cortland State University Tom Plese (Orange County) – Potsdam State University Jake Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Potsdam State University Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Fredonia State University Zac Sikich (Oak Park) – Brockport State University T.J. Sneath (Chino) – Oswego State University Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose) – Potsdam State University

WIAC Brandon Brossoit (Seal Beach) – Univ. of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jono Davis (La Verne) – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Zach Dixon (Huntington Beach) – Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point David Henry (Foster City) – University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Christian Salvato (La Verne) – University of Wisconsin-Stout Eric Shand (San Dimas) – University of Wisconsin-Superior INDEPENDENT Kyle Matsumoto (Walnut) – Canton State University NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN CHA Micayla Catanzariti (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Penn State Univ. Hannah England (Simi Valley) – Penn State University Lauren Kilroy (Cypress) – Mercyhurst University Jetta Rackleff – Rochester Institute of Technology $ Sarah Robello – Rochester Institute of Technology $ Megan Whiddon (Redondo Beach) – Mercyhurst University Celine Whitlinger (Garden Grove) – Penn State University ECAC Dylanne Crugnale (Laguna Niguel) – Harvard University Keiko DeClerk (San Jose) – Princeton University Kara Drexler (Manhattan Beach) – Yale University Monica Elvin (Penryn) – Brown University Lydia Grauer – St. Lawrence University $ Kayla Nielsen (Laguna Hills) – St. Lawrence University Erin Ozturk (Huntington Beach) – Harvard University Justine Reyes (Chino Hills) – St. Lawrence University HOCKEY EAST Bridget Baker (Los Gatos) – University of Vermont Alice Hughes (La Canada) – University of Connecticut Kaliya Johnson – Boston College $ Alenandra Lersch (Manhattan Beach) – Univ. of Connecticut Lexi Romanchuk (San Jose) – Providence College WCHA Leila Kilduff (San Jose) – Minnesota State University Annie Pankowski (Laguna Hills) – University of Wisconsin Nina Rodgers – University of Minnesota $ NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN CHC Megan Alexander (Redondo Beach) – Stevenson University Alexandra Bloom – Canton State University $ Danielle Comorre (Tujunga) – Endicott College Savannah Sommers (Corona) – Stevenson University Anastasia Thompson (Riverside) – Becker College ECAC WEST Rachel Carranza (San Ramon) – William Smith College Bri Carroll – Buffalo State University $ McKenna Farole (Irvine) – Elmira College Jenny Jones – Chatham College $ Eva Kristof (Pleasanton) – Cortland State University Nicole Langley (Huntington Beach) – Utica College Jordan Lipson (Davis) – Plattsburgh State University NESCAC Emma Tani (Orange) – Trinity College

JUNIOR HOCKEY BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Elijiah Barriga (West Covina) - Salmon Arm Silverbacks Austin Chavez (Corona) - Wenatchee Wild Aaron Murray (Chino) - Wenatchee Wild Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda) - Wenatchee Wild Dakota Raabe (Dana Point) - Wenatchee Wild Tyler Rockwell (San Jose) - Wenatchee Wild Alex Stoley (Manteca) - Prince George Spruce Kings Jared Turcotte (Moorpark) - Salmon Arm Silverbacks CENTRAL CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE Jaylon Gorman (San Jose) – Smiths Falls Bears Kyle Orgel (Los Angeles) – Brockville Braves

Ryan Orgel (Los Angeles) – Brockville Braves EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Max Blitz (Chino Hills) - Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier) Paul Boutoussov (Dana Point) – Valley Jr. Warriors Chandler Cole (Laguna Hills) - Vermont Lumberjacks (Premier) Jared Day (Orange) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite) Dakota Delbridge (Tracy) - East Coast Wizards (Premier) Zach Feldman (San Diego) - Walpole Express (Premier) Garrett Geane (Fullerton) - Walpole Express (Premier) Doc Gentzler (Manhattan Beach) - Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier) Brendan Gilligan (San Jose) - Northern Cyclones (Elite) Brian Hodges (Yorba Linda) - East Coast Wizards (Premier) Timothy Huxen (Bakersfield) - New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Riley Kraemer (Villa Park) - Boston Bandits (Elite) Hunter Laslo (Irvine) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier) Daylan Lipanovich (Dana Point) - New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Drake Longaker (San Jose) - Northern Cyclones (Premier) Cameron Mack (Long Beach) - Connecticut Nighthawks (Premier) Matthew Maple (Fullerton) - New England Wolves (Elite) Garrett Mello (Agoura Hills) - New England Wolves (Premier) Shane Noviello (Mission Viejo) - Northern Cyclones (Premier) Evan Nyhus (Los Angeles) - Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Kris Onizuka (Mission Viejo) - Northern Cyclones (Elite) Ricky Pacciorini (Winters) - Boston Bandits (Elite) Justin Pierce (San Diego) - Boston Jr. Rangers (Elite) Josh Racataian (San Diego) - Walpole Express (Elite) Josh Reinstein (Los Angeles) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier) Devin Sadovnick (Studio City) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite) Jordan Smith (Palo Alto) - Walpole Express (Elite) Felix Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) - Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier) Matthew Donald Toombs (Pleasanton) - New England Wolves (Premier) Chad Watt (Riverside) - Philadelphia Little Flyers (Premier) Matt Wiesner (Newport Beach) - Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Eric Wright (San Diego) - Walpole Express (Elite) GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Ryan Cortez (Corona) – Bobcaygeon Storm Noah Griffith (Bakersfield) – Komoka Dragons James Kilgore (La Verne) – Haliburton Wolves Holden Melgoza (Torrance) – Parry Sound Islanders Luis Mendoza (Newark) – Parry Sound Islanders Nick Spindola (Menlo Park) – Seguin Huskies John Tomlinson (San Jose) – Norfolk Vikings Joshua Vaughan (San Jose) – Parry Sound Islanders KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Cleary Ambrose (San Diego) – Kamloops Storm Aaron Aragon (Whittier) – Revelstoke Grizzlies Trevor Dilauro (Huntington Beach) – Spokane Braves Keenan Haase (Mission Viejo) – Kimberley Dynamiters Blake Norman (Redondo Beach) – Spokane Braves Danny O’Donnell (Ventura) – Sicamous Eagles NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Ben Baker (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Minnesota Magicians Adam Canepa (Santa Cruz) - Corpus Christi IceRays Alex Cathcart (Northridge) - Amarillo Bulls Niko Della Maggorie (Gilroy) - Springfield Jr. Blues Dylan Dix (Scotts Valley) - Corpus Christi IceRays Ezekiel Estrada (Newport Beach) – Kenai River Brown Bears Zak Galambos (Walnut Creek) - Johnstown Tomahawks Jack Gates (Oceanside) - Janesville Jets Jacob Hamacher (Corona) - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Nick Klishko (San Diego) - Kenai River Brown Bears Ben Lown (Newport Coast) - Wichita Falls Wildcats David Marabella (Clovis) - Lone Star Brahmas Nick Nast (Oxnard) - Kenai River Brown Bears Gavin Nieto (Yorba Linda) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Jake Rosenbaum (Irvine) - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Russell Rourke (Long Beach) - Wichita Falls Wildcats Chad Sasaki (Cypress) - Coulee Region Chill Evan Somoza (Simi Valley) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Cole Souto (Yorba Linda) - Bismarck Bobcats Liam Stirtzinger (Moorpark) - Fairbanks Ice Dogs Nick Wallace (Sun Valley) - Bismarck Bobcats Blake Weyrick (Malibu) - Janesville Jets NORTH AMERICAN 3 EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Nolan Bivolcic (Los Gatos) - Wilkes-Barre Miners Michael Fary (Lake Forest) - Jersey Shore Wildcats Augie Onorato (San Pedro) - New York Aviators NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Josh Allan (Los Angeles) - Glacier Nationals Evan Camba (Orange County) - Atlanta Capitals Jack Cleaver (San Jose) - Atlanta Capitals Chase Di Bari (Ladera Ranch) - Granite City Lumberjacks Bradley Estrada (Chino Hills) - Helena Bighorns Jay Forbes (San Diego) - Helena Bighorns Stephen Frank (Pleasant Hill) - Bozeman Icedogs William Garrity (Dublin) - Nashville Jr. Predators Alec Hooper (San Jose) - Breezy Point North Stars Riley Hummitsch (Chino Hills) - Atlanta Capitals

Connor Melton (Chico) - Billings Bulls Brandon Mills (San Dimas) - Helena Bighorns Arshia Mitchell (Aliso Viejo) - St. Louis Jr. Blues Nick Nisbet (Scotts Valley) - La Crosse Freeze Kyle Rimbach (San Diego) - Atlanta Capitals Hayden Smer (Mission Viejo) - St. Louis Jr. Blues Nicholas Stellmack (San Jose) - Billings Bulls Colin Tripp (Prunedale) - Billings Bulls Dylan Wattles (Burbank) - Atlanta Capitals Alex Werdmuller (Laguna Hills) - St. Louis Jr. Blues Aleksandr Zendejas (Mission Viejo) - Atlanta Capitals NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Parker Moskal (San Diego) – Cochrane Crunch Joseph Thielen (Huntington Beach) – Cochrane Crunch NORTHERN PACIFIC HOCKEY LEAGUE Nash Berkowitz (San Jose) - Eugene Generals Karson DeRego (Huntington Beach) - Bellingham Blazers Kevin Duncan (Los Angeles) - Bellingham Blazers Raymond Fleming (Palo Alto) - Wenatchee Wolves Mark Klasen (Poway) - Bellingham Blazers Johnny Schacher (Bakersfield) - Wenatchee Wolves Christopher Sohl (Riverside) - West Sound Warriors Sam Vizenor (Anaheim) - Bellingham Blazers QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Matthew Boucher (Los Angeles) – Quebec Remparts SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Coby Downs (Montclair) - Battlefords North Stars Jacob Fricks (Laguna Niguel) - Weyburn Red Wings Igor Leonenko (Santa Cruz) - Battlefords North Stars Robby McClellan (Palos Verdes) - Estevan Bruins Evan Plotnik (Capistrano Beach) - Melfort Mustangs Owen Sikich (Hermosa Beach) - Notre Dame Hounds UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Joey Cassetti (Pleasanton) – U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team Devin Cooley (Los Gatos) – Muskegon Lumberjacks Lawton Courtnall (Westlake Village) – Sioux Falls Stampede Justin Dixson (Sunnyville) – Tri-City Storm Jake Durflinger (Walnut Creek) – Bloomington Thunder Nathaniel Kallen (San Diego) – Muskegon Lumberjacks Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek) – U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team Tyson McLellan (San Jose) – Madison Capitols Shane McMahan (Irvine) – Fargo Force Brannon McManus (Newport Beach) – Omaha Lancers Alec Mehr (Irvine) – Bloomington Thunder Nick Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Omaha Lancers Jakob Romo (Fullerton) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Eetu Selanne (Coto de Caza) – Madison Capitols Ethan Somoza (Simi Valley) – Bloomington Thunder Josh Wilkins (Laguna Hills) – Sioux City Musketeers Brian Williams (San Diego) – Omaha Lancers UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE David Adams (San Ramon) - Boston Jr. Bruins (Elite) Eric Anderson (Riverside) - Potomac Patriots (Elite) Justin Apodaca (Valencia) - Carolina Eagles (Elite) Eric Bampenchow (Laguna Hills) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Pierce Bartolo (Belmont) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (USP3) O’Had Beck (Cupertino) - Boston Jr. Bruins (USP3) Brady Boudreau (Anaheim) - Potomac Patriots (USP3) Rock Boynton (Lomita) - Richmond Generals (Elite) Jordan Carrasco (San Jose) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Kevin Cole (San Jose) - Traverse City Hounds (Midwest) Braxton Davis (Hermosa Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest) Devin Day (Fontana) - Charlotte Rush (Elite) Jayson Dimizio (Goleta) - Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) Kohl Donovan (Sacramento) - Boston Jr. Bruins (Elite) Khalil East (Inglewood) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Jason Footlick (Redondo Beach) - St. Croix Valley Magicians (Midwest) Andrew Frojelin (San Marcos) - Charlotte Rush (Elite) Cody Fulkerson (Long Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest) Johnny Garrity (Dublin) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) John Grealish (Bakersfield) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Brooks Hatfield (San Jose) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Samuel Hernandez (Fontana) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Bryan Hochberg (Woodland Hills) - Boston Jr. Bruins (USP3) Frank Horowitz (Los Angeles) - Springfield Pics (Premier) D.J. Howell (Saratoga) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Adam Hulsey (Bakersfield) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (USP3) Shane Johnson (Bakersfield) - Decatur Blaze (Midwest) Jasper Korican-Barlay (Oakland) - South Shore Kings (Elite) Brad Lemelin (Rancho Cucamonga) - Florida Eels (USP3) Zach Lemelin (Rancho Cucamonga) - Florida Eels (USP3) Alex Lofink (San Jose) - Boston Jr. Bruins (Elite) Daniel Luyten (Chino Hills) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Adrian Maass (Long Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest) Manny Mancha (Rosemead) - Potomac Patriots (Elite) Jordan Manning (San Jose) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Avery McDonnell (Chino Hills) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Harrison Mills (Redwood City) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite)

Kyle Mugica (West Covina) - Marquette Royales (Midwest) Cole Nelson (Pasadena) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Adam Papayoanou (Valencia) - Carolina Eagles (Elite) Cameron Platzman (Huntington Beach) - Bay State Breakers (Elite) Tristen Poliseno (Stevenson Ranch) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest) Sean Tannenbaum (San Jose) - Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) Nick Tolin (Torrance) - Blaine Energy (Midwest) Nick Wardstrom (Discovery Bay) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Daniel Wesolek (Seal Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest) Michael Wiggins (Temecula) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite)

NEVADA

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Blake Bargar (Torrance) – Moose Jaw Warriors Ty Comrie (Newport Beach) – Vancouver Giants Taylor Crunk (San Jacinto) – Vancouver Giants Igor Larionov II (San Jose) – Portland Winterhawks Steven Owre (Rocklin) – Medicine Hat Tigers Evan Sarthou – Tri-City Americans % Keoni Texeira (Fontana) – Portland Winterhawks Brayden Watts (Bakersfield) – Moose Jaw Warriors Evan Weinger (El Segundo) – Portland Winterhawks Brian Williams (Claremont) – Regina Pats Kailer Yamamoto – Spokane Chiefs % Keanu Yamamoto – Spokane Chiefs %

SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Chris Rial (Las Vegas) – Columbus Cottonmouths

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Basel Assaf (Rancho Cucamonga) - Valencia Flyers Wolfgang Boehringer (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters Dominic Bosetti (Long Beach) - Long Beach Bombers Sean Buffardi (Huntington Beach) - Long Beach Bombers Michael Caruso (Rancho Cucamonga) - San Diego Sabers Brody Cavataio (San Diego) - San Diego Sabers Terrence Cheeseboro (Sacramento) - Southern Oregon Spartans Nathan Churchill (Lafayette) - Fresno Monsters Steve Columbo (San Jose) - Arizona Hawks Carter Dahl (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters Michael Dwyer (Clovis) - Casper Coyotes Nathan Fournier (Rancho Cucamonga) - Las Vegas Storm Liam Gallant (Santa Barbara) - San Diego Sabers Nicholas Gary (Palo Alto) - Fresno Monsters Niklas Giers (Simi Valley) - Valencia Flyers Daniel Goodwin (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters Doug Gutierrez (San Jose) - Southern Oregon Spartans Taylor Hickman (Saugus) - Valencia Flyers Mitchell Hodges (La Palma) - Idaho Jr. Steelheads Kody Holmes (San Diego) - Las Vegas Storm Jack Kelly (Redondo Beach) - Long Beach Bombers Cody Key (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters Garrett Kingsbury (Bakersfield) - Valencia Flyers Austin Lechtanski (Rancho Cucamonga) - San Diego Sabers Kyle Ljunggren (Castaic) - Valencia Flyers Nathan Lloyd (Irvine) - Long Beach Bombers Brian Martinez (Bakersfield) - Valencia Flyers Tereck Morales (Filmore) - Valencia Flyers Conner Osborne (Temecula) - Fresno Monsters Andrew Pellegrino (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters Joe Pichedwatana (Lakewood) - Long Beach Bombers Luke Richesin (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters Chase Roques (Menifee) - San Diego Sabers Nick Short (Los Angeles) - Long Beach Bombers Mark Shroyer (Fresno) - Fresno Monsters Eric Siegel (Valencia) - Valencia Flyers Bailey Simpson (Placentia) - Salt Lake City Moose Chris Sudnicki (Bellflower) - Long Beach Bombers Samuel Taferner (Canyon Country) - Valencia Flyers Chase Thesman (Pacific Palisades) - Valencia Flyers Wes Varrasso (San Diego) - San Diego Sabers Jared Waldman (Los Angeles) - Valencia Flyers Cody West (Valencia) - Valencia Flyers Luc Whyte (Saugus) - Valencia Flyers Nicholas Wilton (Redondo Beach) - Valencia Flyers

PREP SCHOOL

Cayla Barnes (Corona) – New Hampton Prep Bailey Bennett (Gardena) – North American Hockey Academy Brad Budman (Foothill Ranch) – Williston Northampton Vincent de Mey (Los Angeles) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Drew Douglas (Huntington Beach) – Pomfret School Christian Figliola (San Diego) – Pomfret School Evan Gray (Huntington Beach) – Kent School Blake Howard (Coto de Caza) – New Hampton Prep Evan Johnson (Huntington Beach) – The Gunnery Trevin Kozlowski (Valencia) – The Gunnery California Kromelow (Burlingame) – Hotchkiss School Keely Moy (San Diego) – Kent School Kyle Penn (Mission Viejo) – Pomfret School David Quast (Long Beach) – Proctor Academy Brandon Schellin (Las Flores) – Avon Old Farms Max Torrez (Anaheim Hills) – Westminster School Keelan Ulnick (Laguna Niguel) – The Gunnery Billy Zegras (San Diego) – The Berkshire School

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Jason Zucker (Las Vegas) – Minnesota Wild ECHL Jacob MacDonald (Fernley) – Elmira Jackals Zach Pochiro (Las Vegas) – Quad City Mallards

FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Cody Milligan (Las Vegas) – Dayton Demolition

COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN BIG TEN Kenny Brooks (Las Vegas) – Penn State University ECAC Ross McMullen (Las Vegas) – St. Lawrence University Joe Sullivan (Las Vegas) – St. Lawrence WCHA Cory Ward (Las Vegas) – Bemidji State University INDEPENDENT Joey Raats (Las Vegas) – Arizona State University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN ECAC NORTHEAST Tyler Auricchio (Henderson) – Becker College Joseph Kaszupski (Henderson) – Endicott College MASCAC Nick Govig (Las Vegas) – Fitchburg State University NCHA Derek Sutliffe (Las Vegas) – College of St. Scholastica SUNYAC Ryan Chiasson (Henderson) – Plattsburgh State University NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN CHA Sarah Robello (Las Vegas) – Mercyhurst University NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN

JUNIOR HOCKEY BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Brendan Harris (Las Vegas) - Wenatchee Wild EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Alec Mono (Las Vegas) - New Jersey Rockets (Premier) GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Zane Branson (Las Vegas) – Orangeville Ice Crushers NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Brennan Blaszczak (Las Vegas) - Springfield Jr. Blues Dom Garcia (Las Vegas) - Aston Rebels NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Daniel Nicholas (Las Vegas) – Espanola Express ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Riley Jones (Las Vegas) – Colorado Rampage Brenden Russ (Las Vegas) – Breckenridge Bucks SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Eric Williams (Henderson) - Melville Millionaires UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Michael Cichy (Las Vegas) - Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Midwest) WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Gage Quinney (Las Vegas) – Kamloops Blazers Landon Quinney (Las Vegas) – Moose Jaw Warriors WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Jake McKenna (Las Vegas) – Las Vegas Storm * Former L.A. Select ! Former San Jose Jr. Shark % Former L.A. Jr. King

$ Former Anaheim Lady Duck + Former California Titan

CARubberHockey.com

Levin caps DU career with NCAA Frozen Four, law school years. Levin long thrived setting up teammates, but on Dec. 5, he set himself up for the future. That day he took the LSAT in Grand Forks, N.D., (where DU was playing North Dakota) and scored in the 99th percentile. He played that night after sitting

First, he received the NCHC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award and the conference’s inaugural postgradabe Levin should be used to the recruiting prouate scholarship in March. Then earlier this month, he cess by now. captured the NCAA Elite 90 Award because he had He grew up in Southern California playing Tier I the highest GPA (3.96 in finance and legal studies) travel hockey for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and Caliamong all players at the Frozen Four. fornia Titans. That’s it. And that’s part of his appeal, teamWhile fashioning a stellar junior career with the mates said. Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey “I’ve gained so much respect for Gabe in my League, he navigated the college hockey recruitfour years here,” Pioneers senior captain Grant Arment process, eventually landing at then-WCHA nold said. “He’s become one of my close friends and now-NCHC power University of Denver. on the team. I look up to him. The guy is so smart, That was good preparation for the next recruithe works so hard. ing battle – where to go to law school, where the “I’ve never heard a cocky word out of his mouth. likes of Harvard, Columbia and others are competHe’s very humble. He’s getting all these awards, ing for the late 1991 birth year from Marina del Rey. he’s getting into Harvard Law School, Columbia, all The conclusion of that battle will be the icing these great schools, and it took someone else to on the cake of a sumptuous college career for the tell us. At the same time, the dude will get in the talented center. dirty areas on the ice. He wants to win.” The 5-foot-8 Levin established himself as one His linemates raved about his impact as well. of DU’s more reliable players over the course of his “He’s been a great example for me to learn from career, not only contributing points, but key faceoff and to guide me to where I am with my game right wins on a perennial NCAA team. But many of his now,” freshman Colin Staub said. “I attribute a lot contributions aren’t quantifiable by numbers. of that to him.” “The first thing is his intelligence – how we want Added junior Emil Romig: “I’ve played with to play, where he needs to be, how we want to exGabe on and off for three years, and we compleecute our game plan to a ‘T,’” said Jim Montgom- University of Denver senior and Marine del Rey native Gabe Levin improved ment each other really well. He’s unbelievable with ery, his coach the past three seasons. “His commu- on the ice each season with the Pioneers, but will soon trade in his skates the puck, finding open guys and making plays. for law school in preparation for his future off the ice. Photo/DU Athletics nication with his teammates. Those are the things “Off the ice, he’s such an awesome kid. He’s so that jump out to me. When I got here, he was a guy out the opener of the series on Dec. 4 to study. The smart and everyone loves him. He’s such a fun guy to who naturally fit how we were going to play.” absence ended the NCHC’s ironman streak at 129 be around.” Levin’s numbers surged under Montgomery, going games. Levin takes it all in stride. from nine points as a freshman to 21 and 19 the next His play and that of his teammates, who went on “It’s been an amazing four years,” he said. “I two seasons and 14 this past season, when the Pio- an 18-3-4 surge to close the season, helped him gain couldn’t have asked for a better time or better teamneers reached the Frozen Four for the first time in 11 notice for two major awards. mates.” By Chris Bayee

INDUSTRY PROFILE: A.J. BOLDAN – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PAC-8 HOCKEY High. I came out here to University of Utah, and didn’t play until I was in graduate school in 2007. My second year with the program, they were struggling with leadership and some of the guys came to me, and I’ve been the general manager since then. The program had struggled, but in 2009, we made some coaching changes, which brought better players, and it snowballed to what the program has become today. In 2011, Utah joined the PAC-8 and I was elected to my current position in 2014.

A.J. BOLDAN

Hometown: Rochester, Minn. Resides: Salt Lake City, Utah Age: 36 Position/Organization: Executive Director, PAC-8 Hockey; President/GM/Assistant Coach, University of Utah Hockey California Rubber: What’s your background in hockey, and how did you get to where you are today? A.J. Boldan: I went through the youth program in my hometown in Minnesota and graduated from John Marshall 30

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

CR: How would you describe your duties and responsibilities with the PAC8? AB: I think it’s all about vision and direction. Our program at Utah has been successful because we’ve been actively recruiting, which takes a lot of time and effort. What I’ve learned through my experiences at Utah, I have applied with the PAC-8, which is where the idea for our recruiting camp came from. CR: Tell us about your recruiting camp and the idea behind it. AB: The camp is June 15-18 in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. and is designed for players entering their final year

of high school to be matched with ACHA Division 1 and 2 programs. Players can register at http:// pac8hockey.com/pac-8-announces-2016-college-recruiting-camp/. We want teams to plan ahead as much as possible, and we think this is a great way to let them do that. Once we’re able to do this for a few years, the talent is going to get better, teams are going to be better, and the league is going to be better. My ultimate goal is to have the PAC8 evolve into the PAC-12 NCAA hockey conference, which could be the best hockey conference in the country. Combined with the reach and quality of the PAC-12 television network, these top-notch academics programs would become the next hotbed of college hockey. CR: What are you expecting for a turnout at this year’s recruiting camp? AB: Last year, we had about 30 kids, and a lot of them were local, but we considered it a great success. We are expecting 96 high school athletes this June. After last year’s camp, we spent several days improving the format of the camp and how we can really get kids interested in college hockey if they don’t know

that the American Collegiate Hockey Association exists. We know that in a lot of parts of the country, college hockey is the NCAA. But the ACHA offers a wonderful college hockey experience, and depending on the program, it is in some ways superior and more enjoyable. CR: Where do you see the PAC-8 fitting into the world of college hockey? AB: Hockey is growing in the West, and the PAC-8 has a huge opportunity to weave the conference into the consciousness of people in California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The colleges in our league offer great opportunities to be successful on and off the ice. We want every one of our programs to be competing for recruits for NCAA Division III teams. We’re trying to prove to these kids that there are very few difference in the quality of the programs and they will get more playing time with a better academic value. For more information on PAC-8 Hockey, see the advertisement on Page 15. - Compiled by Greg Ball

NEVADA REPORT Storm tandem finds positives UNLV rolls to runner-up finish at USA Hockey Nationals at 2016 NCRHA tournament

By Phillip Brents

By Matt Mackinder

he University of Nevada-Las Vegas advanced to the Division I championship game at this year’s National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) national championship tournament, April 6-10, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Rollin’ Rebels have clearly made the NCRHA finals a showcase for their program with five consecutive Final Four appearances, including two runner-up finishes (2012 and 2016). UNLV’s 4-1 championship game loss to defending national champion Neumann University proved to be very tight and very competitive. Austin Shannon put the Rollin’ Rebels on the scoreboard with 1:30 gone in the third period to trim Neumann’s lead to 2-1. The game remained up for grabs until the Knights (35-1) broke through with two goals in the final 2:48, including an empty-net goal by P.J.Martino, the game’s star with three goals, with 1:22 to play. UNLV finished the 2015-16 season with a 27-4 record that included a 14-2 regular season finish at the top of the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League’s (WCRHL) Division I standings and a WCRHL regional championship. Andrew Tamura topped the Rollin’ Rebels with 75 points (36 goals, 39 assists) in 30 total games played, while Shannon tallied 65 points (34 goals, 31 assists) in 31 games. UNLV assistant coach Jared Joerger noted that every player on the roster contributed both offensively and defensively to the team’s successful season. “We have had a lot of good moments,” Joerger explained. “Several players developed and stepped into big roles faster than we expected, the team has developed great chemistry, and they stepped their game up more and more as the national tournament went on. Each guy has risen to the occasion at different points in the season and played a big role in our victories. We have had sensational goaltending from Terry Martin all year long. He has established himself as one of the top college goaltenders in the country. “Our success has come from strong team play. We have a lot of individual talent on this team, but everyone has played an unselfish, complete team game that has led to our successes this season.”

o national championship? No problem for a pair of Nevada Storm teams at USA Hockey Tier II Youth Nationals earlier this month. Matt Johnson’s 14U AA team made it to the semifinals out in Charlotte, N.C., but fell 4-3 to eventual national champion Team Wyoming. The Storm won once in regulation, twice in a shootout and then the semifinal defeat. “At nationals, we played very well from the net out,” said Johnson. “When it comes down to it, the other team’s depth is what separated us from them. Everyone on the team fought until the end and I am proud at the effort and success these boys achieved.” Johnson added that “everyone pitched in” the entire season. “We had great goaltending all year from Luke Fundator and Blaze Katz and on defense, we had a solid performances from John Hallett, Sammy Redoble, Seth Knudsen and Trent Carter,” Johnson said. “Up front, forwards Hunter Barto, Braden LaPlaca, Joe Heinzelman, Tucker Norman, Joey Terrana, Noah McAnallen, R.C. Angelil, Jacob Underhill and Mick Corrigan provided us with clutch scoring, especially in shootouts.” At the 16U AA event in Wayne, N.J., the Storm group went 2-1-0 with wins over the Atlanta Phoenix and Alaska Jr. Avalanche. “Overall, our team had a great experience at nationals,” said Storm 16U AA coach Micah Sanford. “Our team got to play in high-level hockey games and really learned a lot about what it takes to bring home a national championship. The week had its up and downs, but I believe our players learned a lot about themselves throughout the entire week.” Sanford said he had a few players that really elevated their game during the national experience, including defenseman Steven Avalone and forwards Tyler Brooks, Cody Prinzten and Jacob Wrizienski. “I believe that a trip to nationals can energize an entire program for the next season,” said Sanford. “After the tournament, my players were hungrier than ever before to improve their game so maybe in the future, we might have another opportunity to compete at nationals.” CARubberHockey.com

PICTURE PERFECT Back on April 2, the Jr. Ice Dogs’ Squirt BB team out of Anaheim downed the Bakersfield Dragons 5-0 to win its division at the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association championships at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo. Jack Riley scored two goals and Cohen Krudwig, Zach Ellis and Aidan Grant one each as Dylan Newton picked up the shutout in goal.

The South Coast Savage captured first place in the Men’s Gold Division April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline at the first of three Southern California NARCh regional championship tournaments. Photo/NARCh

With a 5-2 win over the OC Hockey Club on April 2 at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, the Pasadena Maple Leafs celebrated a Southern California Amateur Hockey Association Pee Wee B championship. A week later, the Maple Leafs took second at the CAHA State Championships. Photo/ActionPhotos.net

The Nevada Storm 14U AA traveled to Charlotte, N.C., to partake in the USA Hockey Youth Nationals from March 31-April 4. (More on Page 31)

The Konixx Outcasts claimed first place in the Junior Division at the first of three Southern California NARCh regional championship tournaments back on April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline. Photo/NARCh

The Pama Cyclones captured first place in the Squirt Gold Division at the first of three Southern California NARCh regional championship tournaments April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline. Photo/NARCh

Newport Beach native Brannon McManus posted 17 goals and 39 points this season with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, good for tops among all 16-year-old players in the league. Photo/USHL

The Nevada Storm 16U AA club journeyed to Wayne, N.J., for the USA Hockey Youth Nationals, which were showcased from March 31-April 4. (More on Page 31)

The Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ 16U AAA Minor squad celebrated the championship at this year’s 15U/16U National Invitational Tournament, which was showcased last month just outside of Pittsburgh.

After previously winning a SCAHA championship the week before, the Jr. Ice Dogs Squirt BB squad won a CAHA state title April 10 at Sharks Ice in San Jose with a close 4-3 win over the Bakersfield Dragons in the final game.

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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BLAKE WEYRICK

Position: Goalie, Janesville Jets (NAHL) Committed: Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey) Hometown: Malibu Youth programs: Channel Islands Riptide, Anaheim Jr. Ducks, L.A. Selects California Rubber: You committed in early March to play your college hockey at Canisius - what did you like about the program? Blake Weyrick: I really love the coaching staff. They were very personable, and I developed some great relationships during the recruiting process. I really like the direction that they’re taking the program. I think there’s a great opportunity for me to develop as a player and receive a great education. I think it’s a great place to try to win a championship and work toward becoming a professional hockey player. CR: How do you think playing at Canisius will help you improve and prepare for your ultimate goal of a career in the NHL? BW: Playing at that level, the competition is very good. Especially for goaltenders, playing college hockey really helps develop you and prepare you for the transition to the pro game. I think the experience of playing at a high level day in and day out is really going to help me improve. CR: You’ve played some very high-level hockey, first with Shattuck-St. Mary’s, then with the U.S. national U17 and U18 teams, in the USHL and now the NAHL. Who have you learned the most from along the way? BW: I’d definitely say that Larry Clemens, who is the goalie coach in Janesville, has been huge for me. He’s really helped me a ton with my game, and working with him has helped me make significant strides and personal gains, so I have to thank him a lot. Also, the goalie coaches with the national team, Kevin Reiter and Mike Ayers, were both unbelievable. I think just getting to work with a lot of great coaches, going back to Shattuck-St. Mary’s, has really helped me develop. CR: Has there been one stop along the way that you feel has been the most significant in your development as a player? BW: I’d probably say coming to Janesville this season has been the biggest thing in my development. We have a great group of guys in the locker room, and this is an amazing opportunity to show what I’m capable of and prove my abilities. Just in this season alone, I think I’ve matured a lot, and the mental side of the game has become very important for me. CR: What do you feel is the best attribute as a hockey player, and what are you working on to improve? BW: I think my strongest point now is that I really love to compete and enjoy the game, and that helps keep me motivated to work hard all the time on my game and get in the weight room. I never get tired of playing hockey. Some of the things I’m trying to work on right now are playing the puck and my rebound control. That’s something I’m constantly working on, as well as the fundamentals. Focusing on the fundamentals is something I do every day, and I think that’s something I’ll be doing for as long as I play hockey. CR: Are there certain players that you have modeled your game after as you’ve grown up in hockey, or that you look up to as goalies? BW: I was born and raised a Kings fan, so I’ve always watched and admired Jonathan Quick. I’m a huge fan of Carey Price, too - I love to watch him play. Seeing a lot of the NHL’s Western Conference goalies growing up influenced me - Antti Niemi, Corey Crawford and others. I love seeing different goalies with different styles. CR: How often do you get home to California, and what do you miss about it when you’re gone? BW: I usually get back for Christmas and the summers. I think I miss the people - just being away from my family and people that I’ve grown up with. - Compiled by Greg Ball Photo/Gametime Sports Photos

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