California Rubber Magazine - Summer 2016 by Rubber Hockey Magazines

VOLUME 9

ISSUE 10

SUMMER 2016

CALIFORNIA’S NHL TRIO FINDS YOUNG TALENT AT 2016 NHL DRAFT

Gardena native Beau Bennett is just 24 years old, but tasted the epitome of NHL success recently, raising the Stanley Cup – in his home state of California no less – as the Pittsburgh Penguins captured the NHL’s top prize by downing the San Jose Sharks

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FROM THE EDITOR Sharks’ magical season ends with Stanley Cup Finals loss to Pens

t’s of no consolation more than a month later, but there is always next year for the San Jose Sharks. After an amazing run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Sharks fell in Game 6 to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the SAP Center on June 12. “The end is like hitting a wall,” said San Jose coach Pete DeBoer. “You’ve been going since September, but only one team can win. That doesn’t take anything away from what those guys accomplished. I don’t think anyone should ever question the leadership or the character or the will of the group of men in there. I think it’s been misplaced for a decade. “I thought a lot of questions were answered by that group.”

Matt Mackinder

Former Los Angeles Kings goalie Rogie Vachon will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November. Vachon joined the Montreal Canadiens in 1966 and won three Stanley Cups in his first six NHL seasons. After being traded to the Kings in 1971, he continued his stellar career for 11 more seasons before retiring to become an NHL coach and executive. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Monday, Nov. 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The youth hockey realm is seeing some positive changes this summer. Scott Allegrini, former director of hockey operations at Ice Station Valencia and general manager with the Western States Hockey League’s (WSHL) Valencia Flyers, is now working with the Las Vegas Ice Center and Nevada Storm youth program. In his eight-year tenure as GM, Allegrini helped turn the Flyers into a contender every season. With the Ice Station Valencia, Allegrini was involved with the day-to-day running of all hockey programs at the Flyers’ home ice. The Bakersfield Dragons are now the Bakersfield Jr. Condors and will form an affiliation with the American Hockey League (AHL) club starting with the 2016-17 season. The AHL Condors will provide jerseys for all players in Year 1 and fund a number of scholarships in future years to families needing financial aid. Former Condors serve head coaches at all levels of the Jr. Condors program, including Kevin Barrett, Jamie Cooke, Scott Hay, Mike Hofstrand, Andrew Ianiero, Glen Mears, Paul Rosebush and Paul Willett. “Since 1997, the Kern County Hockey Club has always had an unofficial association with the Bakersfield Condors with our players and families growing up as Condors fans,” said KCHC president Emmanuel Strategos to www.Bakersfield.com. “The time has come to make that association official.”

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

BACK TO MICHIGAN

Nolan Stevens, a former Los Angeles Jr. Kings forward, was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round (125th overall) of this year’s NHL Draft, which was conducted June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y. Stevens completed his sophomore season at Northeastern University (Hockey East), where he struck for 20 goals and 42 points in 41 games in 2015-16 for the NCAA tournament-qualifying Huskies. Another former player for the Jr. Kings, defenseman Cole Souto, has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for St. John’s University (MIAC). “It’s exciting to say that I’ll be playing NCAA hockey next year, especially for an upand-coming program like St. John’s,” said Souto, who had eight goals and 27 assists in two seasons along the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) blue line. Bobcats’ teammate Nick Wallace, a former California Titan and Sun Valley native, will also play D-III hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WIAC). Three 1999 birth year players with California youth hockey ties – forwards Brannon McManus (Newport Beach, LA Selects), Ivan Lodnia (Anaheim, Wildcats Hockey Club) and Sasha Chmelevski (Huntington Beach, Wildcats) – were chosen to play for the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that will compete in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, which will run from Aug. 8-13 in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Bratislava, Slovakia.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

San Diego native Jake Slaker, who captained the USHL’s Bloomington Thunder in 2015-16, played Midget hockey in Michigan in 2013-14 and will head back to the Mitten State next year to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Michigan. More on Page 16. Photo/Bloomington Thunder

ON THE COVER Former Los Angeles Jr. Kings standout Beau Bennett, also a Gardena native, celebrated a Stanley Cup championship with the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 12 after the Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-1 in Game 6 at the SAP Center. Photo/Getty Images

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Beau Knows Stanley Bennett becomes the first California-born and –trained player to raise the Stanley Cup

very driven. He loved to compete. Whereas most kids his age would run around the rink before or after practice, he would sit and watch older kids practice to try ne day with the Stanley Cup could tell you all you need to know about Beau to learn.” Bennett’s priorities. Bennett said his turning point came in 2008 when he was heading into his Bennett became the first California-born and –trained player to be part of a second year of 18U AAA hockey with the L.A. Jr. Kings. Stanley Cup champion when the Pittsburgh Penguins vanquished the Sharks in “My first year of 18 AAA (2007-08), our team had more than 20 guys on it and Game 6 in San Jose on June 13. I didn’t put up big numbers,” he said. “A lot of other players were at the forefront. He and Stanley started their day together on July 1 at a gym, continued to the That summer, I went to a (USA Hockey) Select Festival in Minnesota and just tore Toyota Sports Center for pictures before heading to the beach for the afternoon. it up. I also grew three or four inches (to 6-foot-2) and felt better about my skating. At a party that night at the family’s Gardena home, the first person Bennett intro“The next season, I went back to (coach) Jack Bowkus’ team, and in those duced Stanley to was his 95-year-old grandmother, Ann Bennett. eight months (August to March 2009), things really turned around.” He put an exclamation point on his statement day came when posing for picAnother year of experience and maturity helped Bennett, Bowkus said. tures with anyone who wanted one – all while wearing not a Penguins jersey, “He was a go-to guy his first year, but he came in as a 16 playing with 18s,” but one of the Tidal Waves, his first competitive roller hockey team from the late Bowkus said. “He figured out the game more and took more responsibility at 1990s. both ends of the ice. He didn’t To summarize those priorifocus on his stats. We also had ties: Family, friends, hard work a lot of returning players, and he and fun. got to play with his older broth“Beau is a rare breed – he’s er, Wade.” one of those guys who doesn’t Bennett put up 58 points make it about him, even on one in 46 games that season and of the biggest days of his life,” moved onto the radar of college said Brett Beebe, a lifelong and junior scouts with a perfriend and former Tidal Wave formance against the Chicago player himself. “He goes out of Mission at a Tier 1 Elite Hockey his way to make sure everyone League showcase. his having a good time. “We were down four or five “He has such loyalty to evgoals and he just took the game eryone who went through things into his own hands and eventuwith him.” ally tied it,” Bowkus said. “That The second oldest of the was when he turned into a playfour hockey playing children of er who could control a game.” Kirk and Louanna Bennett, Junior teams in three leagues Beau enjoyed a day in the sun – Penticton (BCHL), Tri-City with Stanley after an injury-chal(USHL) and Calgary (WHL) – lenged season. It was fitting he were salivating, and Bennett held the Cup aloft in the state eventually chose Penticton. The where he and his peers have move worked as he piled up 120 fiercely promoted the sport. points in 56 games, including “It was awesome (to raise 41 goals, and added 14 more in it),” Bennett said. “I put in a lot 15 postseason games. of work over the past four years. That season included a comI would have liked to be part of it mitment to the University of more, not have the injuries, but Denver and was followed by him at the end of the day, we won it Beau Bennett played just 33 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16, but lifted the Stanley Cup in mid-June, becoming the highest-picked took in the victory parade in Pittsburgh days later and then was subsequently dealt to the New Jersey Devils on June as a team, and I’m happy to be a 25. Photo/Pittsburgh Penguins California-born and –trained part of that. player (20th overall) at the 2010 “I’m happy to be the first Southern California person to bring it back home.” NHL Draft at the Staples Center on June 25. In the process, he has added another compelling chapter to a growing story Bennett’s resilience was tested again six years to the day when on Day 2 of about hockey’s growth in the Golden State. the draft and 12 days after their Cup triumph, the Penguins traded him to the New “Honestly, I thought everyone got rejuvenated about hockey here when the Jersey Devils for a third-round draft choice. Kings won the Cup in 2012 and again in 2014,” Bennett said. “It showed anyone “It wasn’t a surprise at all,” Bennett said. “I had a feeling. being from a market where hockey isn’t the No. 1 sport can go on to big things.” “I love the Penguins, they treated me well. I just had a hard time staying healthy. Even though injuries limited him to 33 regular-season games and one playoff Now I have a new opportunity to thrive.” appearance, Bennett said the experience taught him a great deal. In New Jersey, he will be reunited with the general manager, Ray Shero, who “Things might not always go your way, you might not feel your best, but you drafted him, and a coach, John Hynes, for whom he’s played for in the American can still work hard and still be a part of something big,” he said. Hockey League (AHL). That approach comes as no surprise to Beebe, a former Western Michigan “(Hynes) helped me a lot,” Bennett said. “He helped me develop more strucUniversity player who will coach the California Titans’ 16U AAA team this season. ture to my game and raise my compete level.” “He returned from Pittsburgh the Friday after they won the Cup, and he was Shero told NHL.com that Bennett’s upside (he has 45 points in 129 NHL up Monday morning and back at the gym,” Beebe said. “He works hard, but games) is appealing. doesn’t talk about it. The guy just walks the walk.” “I think Beau needs a change,” the GM said. “He’s a young player still. Let’s In addition to being a standout roller hockey player, the 24-year-old Bennett see if he can take advantage of it. When he has played he’s been a real good played with an elite group on the ice. His L.A. Selects Pee Wee team included player and sometimes the best player on the ice, I’ve seen it.” four other players who have reached the NHL – former Anaheim Duck Emerson Gasseau is another who’s seen it, and he believes Bennett’s drive will help Etem, Matt Nieto with San Jose, Matt Konan with Philadelphia and Jason him thrive. Zucker with Minnesota. Several more are playing professionally. “When you get a player like Beau, you want to coach him forever,” Gasseau “He was a strong player from Day 1,” said Sandy Gasseau, who began said. “He is such a competitor.” coaching in California when Bennett was a Mite. “He was very coachable and

By Chris Bayee

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

CAHA endorses time off the ice to explore other sports By Greg Ball

very few weeks, USA Hockey sends out an email newsletter to coaches, hockey directors and others involved in youth hockey across the country offering news and insights helpful to those who oversee the development of young players. A recent topic was the importance of using the summer months to get away from hockey and enjoy other sports, and while the concept may seem counterintuitive to those focused on spending as much time as possible improving, the California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) strongly endorses the idea. Chris Hathaway, a member of the CAHA board, president of the Cupertino-based California Cougars and co-founder of the Golden State Elite Tier I program, emphasized that time away from hockey can be beneficial to player development, especially for younger players not quite ready to begin specializing in one athletic endeavor. “We talked about it at one of our recent CAHA board meetings, and looked at the statistics that show how playing multiple sports helps develop hockey players and how it’s advantageous compared to playing year-round hockey,” Hathaway said. “Even though we’re a hockey board, we realize that it’s important for kids to be getting that cross-training, and we want kids to know they

should be playing multiple sports.” In a video within USA Hockey’s most recent e-newsletter, women’s U.S. Olympian and threetime silver medalist Julie Chu noted that she played soccer, basketball and other sports as a kid, and takes 2-3 months off from serious hockey development every summer. “If you get a chance, definitely play other sports,” Chu said. “You get a chance to develop your skills in other ways and meet new people. We want great athletes that can play different positions and in different situations, and I think playing other sports gets you there.” Hathaway cited intensive research undertaken by USA Hockey and other organizations that helped create the American Development Model (ADM). While the ADM covers all aspects of hockey development, in regards to specialization, its recommendations are clear. In its online manual focusing on long-term athlete development, USA Hockey cites the Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics in stating that “Young athletes who participate in a variety of sports have fewer injuries and play sports longer than those who specialize before puberty. Well-rounded, multi-sport athletes have the highest potential to achieve.” Hathaway noted the contradiction in those who make a living in youth hockey suggesting that players spend less time on the ice. He said

it’s often difficult for coaches to take a step back and realize that young players can benefit from time away to pursue other passions. Ultimately, he said, it’s up to the adults to understand what’s best for players’ long-term development. “From a rink operator’s standpoint, there’s a sense that if you don’t do spring and summer programs, you lose the kids,” Hathaway said. “But we try to keep it to clinics during the week and encourage kids to go play other sports. If you want to be an all-around great hockey player, there are advantages to playing other sports.” Hathaway cited research that shows that baseball improves hand-eye coordination for hockey players. Soccer can improve footwork, and lacrosse features a lot of the same movements as hockey and can help hockey players improve their awareness of how plays develop around them. And then there’s the burnout issue. Getting off the ice for a few months can provide a mental break for hockey players and let them re-charge before the next season. “The research we’ve looked at as a board shows that once an athlete reaches 15 or 16 years old, it may be more advantageous to specialize in one sport,” Hathaway said. “But the science showed that it’s not advantageous to do so at earlier ages. That shows that there’s no proven benefit to playing hockey year-round until you reach that age. We really want parents to know that.”

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Fedorin Cup finds voice, and message is loud and clear By Chris Bayee

t’s not uncommon for Phil Hulett to get requests to MC charity events, but he soon discovered this request from the Athletic Sports Fund of America (ASFA) was different. The veteran Southern California broadcaster wears many hats, including public address announcer for the Anaheim Ducks, so helping out with a hockey game was a natural fit. Hulett soon discovered the Fedorin Cup, which will face off for the 19th time on Aug. 20 at The Rinks-Anaheim Ice, was not a typical hockey game, nor was it a typical charity event. “The first time I did the event it was packed with as many people as the fire marshal would allow,” he said. “What struck me was everyone you met has been impacted by cancer. “So have I, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while.” Yet there was optimism – and a fighting spirit – in the air, just as there is each year when the non-profit ASFA puts on the event to support the fight against cancer and young athletes in need. “No one was sad,” Hulett said. “There was a resilience for a common goal – to beat cancer into the ground.” Eric Fedorin, an Orange County men’s league player, was diagnosed with brain cancer many years ago and his fight inspired the creation of ASFA and the Fedorin Cup. Its namesake passed away just before the second game was played in 1999. The event includes current and former NHL players, as well as numerous players from California who have advanced to various higher levels in the game.

ASFA president Rick Hutchinson, who also is The Rinks’ hockey director, never has a problem finding players willing to give their time to the event. “Guys reach out to me, which is special,” he said. “Anyone who is in town will say yes. They love playing in it, and it’s for a good cause.” The Fedorin Cup took on added meaning for Hutchinson when his brother, Bob, passed away from cancer two years ago. If anything, that further strengthened Hutchinson’s resolve to get out the message about defeating cancer. “It’s all about making it a family event,” he said. “The sooner kids get their arms around that the better. It could affect their mom or their dad.” As the event has grown, so have the fundraising vehicles. Last year, Mite-aged players could participate in an exhibition game with pros between periods. Stick boy roles are sold, as are a few player spots. Jerseys and Anaheim Ducks memorabilia are auctioned off. A chuck-a-puck contest is held, as is a wildly popular casino night after the game. “We want it to be interactive for families,” Hutchinson said. An army of volunteers helps stage the event each year. “Some you know their back story, some you don’t,” Hutchinson said. “They just want to be a part of something, and like the players they are extremely loyal. They are the backbone of what we do.” Count Hulett, who lost his father to cancer, among that enthusiastic group, and he has put his talents to work to fundraise in a unique way. Last year, the man who popularized the call “Anaheim Ducks goooaaalll scored by …” sold customized goal calls through his

website philhulett.com for a small fee. He raised more than $2500 in a matter of weeks for ASFA. “I was shocked and overwhelmed,” he said, adding that fans should watch for an announcement on philhulett.com in the coming weeks for details about how to get their goal call this year. For more information on ASFA and the Fedorin Cup as well as roster announcements, visit asfafedorincup.com.

2016 Fedorin Cup When: Aug. 20 at The Rinks-Anaheim Ice What: Hockey picks a fight against cancer at the 19th annual charity hockey game and casino night. The Athletic Sports Fund of America will donate all proceeds to worthy causes such as the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer, the American Cancer Society and the USC Norris Cancer Center, as well as to support Southern California families in need.

Participants: Numerous current and former professional players with ties to California Schedule 2:30 p.m. – Check-in and pre-game party 3:30 p.m. – Event doors open 3:45 p.m. – Warmup 4 p.m. – Player introductions 4:15 p.m. – Drop the puck! 6:30 p.m. – Game ends (silent auction ends after second intermission) 6:45 p.m. – Postgame party and VIP casino night

All roads lead west in David’s climb up coaching ladder By Chris Bayee

chance meeting at a USA Hockey camp in Colorado Springs three years ago and a few informal dinners later planted seeds for the biggest coaching move yet in Californian Oliver David’s ascending career. It was there that David, who had just taken a job as an assistant coach with Dubuque of the United States Hockey League (USHL) met Mike Johnston, the successful coach of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and longtime NHL assistant. David served as Dubuque’s associate head coach and assistant general manager during the next three years, when the Fighting Saints went 108-61-2-9 and reached the 2016 USHL Clark Cup Final. Johnston guided the Winterhawks to the WHL finals in 2014 before becoming the Pittsburgh Penguins’ head coach for one and a half seasons. He was rehired as Portland’s coach this past spring. Johnston, in turn, hired David in June. “I left those informal meetings in Colorado Springs saying to myself if the opportunity arose and I can take care of my family I would probably take any position to be around him and learn and listen,” David said. “I’ve been pretty fortunate to have that come to fruition.” The pairing makes complete sense to Larry Bruyere, who knows both men well from his role as USA Hockey’s Pacific District coach-in-chief. Bruyere also played an integral role in David staying in hockey as a young player in Burbank. “(Mike) and Oliver have a lot in common,” Bruyere said. “Mike is well thought of as an educator. To have Oliver working under him is a real feather in his cap.” There are those who rise up through the hockey ranks by going off the beaten path. David had to figure 8

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

out his path, then clear it before he began traveling on it. From there, it was four years coaching with Igor NiIt began at Water City Roller Hockey, a humble rink kulin at LA Hockey Club before landing his first head at Fort Ord in Monterey after he returned from playing coaching job with Kenai River in the North American professional hockey in Europe due to an injury. Hockey League. The Brown Bears went 87-74-17, and “I was trying out for a roller team and afterward, rink David gained a reputation as an astute coach who could operator Mark Tanous came over to me and said, relate well to players and help them advance. ‘We’re going to turn the keys over to you. Do what“It’s a work in progress,” said David. “I’m doing what ever you want’,” David said. “I I love and what I’m meant to do was given an opportunity to – give back to those trying to learn the craft of coaching with reach the pinnacle of the sport. no eyes on me. I started readI have a real pride in working ing and studying and learning with young players. I make sure through trial and error. There as much as possible I’m giving was no judgment. I had full aumy all, just as I’d ask of my playtonomy to create myself as a ers.” coach.” David is a frequent speakTo this day, David carries a er at USA Hockey Pacific Disphoto of one of his first roller trict coaching symposiums that hockey teams to remind him of Bruyere conducts. his start. “He’s well received, and a After more than five years lot of that is because of how in Monterey, David landed in he carries himself,” Bruyere Anaheim, coaching some of said. “He’s humble, but when the top inline teams in the rehe’s called on, he can back up gion. In 2005, he got a job as his points with statistics and an assistant to Mike Lewis trends. Oliver David with the California Wave’s 18U “He’s a self-made student AAA team, which went on to win a USA Hockey na- of the game, which gets a lot of respect from other tional championship the following April. Curt Castag- coaches regardless of their pedigrees. They line up to na was president of the Wave at the time, and David talk to him afterward.” coached his son, Justin, in roller hockey as well as with One of David’s favorite sayings is: “Be true to yourthe Wave. self and be proud of where you come from.” “Curt gave me room to grow; I was allowed to teach A passionate advocate for all things California hockand conceptualize,” David said. “That was huge for my ey, it would be tough to find someone who has taken his development.” own advice so thoroughly.

Ducks, Kings, Sharks draft for the future in Buffalo By Matt Mackinder

alifornia’s three NHL teams started to build for the future and beyond June 24-25 at the annual NHL Draft, held this year in Buffalo, N.Y., at the First Niagara Center. Just the Anaheim Ducks had a first-round pick (two, actually) and came away with London Knights (Ontario Hockey League) forward Max Jones at No. 24 and Regina Pats (Western Hockey League) forward Sam Steel with the 30th overall pick. “It’s been a speechless last couple of months, winning the Memorial Cup and now getting drafted by Anaheim,” Jones said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to share with my family and friends. It’s awesome.” The Ducks selected four additional players to conclude the draft. Beginning in the third round, the Ducks grabbed Red Deer Rebels (WHL) defenseman Joshua Mahura (85th overall), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) forward Jack Kopacka (fourth round, 93rd overall), Gatineau Olympiques (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) forward Alex Dostie (fourth round, 115th overall) and Victoria Royals (WHL) forward Tyler Soy (seventh round, 205th overall). “We are pleased with our draft it its entirety, including the addition of some solid prospects in the later rounds,” said Ducks director of professional and amateur scouting Martin Madden. “We were able to address some needs with respect to adding prospects at the forward position and look forward to developing all six players toward NHL careers.” Los Angeles made four total selections, all on the second day, in rounds 2-7. The Kings opened Day 2 of the draft by selecting defenseman Kale Clague from the Brandon Wheat Kings

of the WHL in the second round (51st overall). Clague round (60th overall). helped lead the Wheat Kings to the WHL campionship Gambrell tallied 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in last year, posting 14 points, a plus-5 rating and eight 41 games with the Pioneers, the 12th-best scoring topenalty minutes in the playoffs. tal by a freshman in DU history. He was named to the Also taken by the Kings were defenseman Jacob NCHC All-Rookie Team, was a finalist for NCHC Rookie Moverare (Sweden, fourth of the Year and also earned round, 112th overall), forward All-Tournament Honors at the Mikey Eyssimont (St. Cloud NCAA West Regional. State University, fifth round, In the fourth round (111th 142nd overall) and defenseoverall), San Jose selected man Jacob Friend (OHL’s forward Noah Gregor, who Owen Sound Attack, seventh scored 28 goals in his first full round, 202nd overall). season with the Moose Jaw This past season, EyssiWarriors (WHL). Then in the mont posted 33 points (14 fifth round with the 150th overgoals, 19 assists) in 40 games all pick, the Sharks snagged at St. Cloud State. He also took German forward and 29-goal home MVP honors at the North scorer Manuel Wiederer Star College Cup in January from the Moncton Wildcats and again during the NCHC (QMJHL). Frozen Faceoff in March while San Jose selected defenhelping lead the Huskies to seman Mark Shoemaker their first-ever NCHC Frozen from the North Bay Battalion Faceoff championship. (OHL) in the sixth round with “Being drafted by an orgapick No. 180. With their final nization like L.A. is just unre- Sam Steel averaged nearly a point per game in 2015-16 selection of the draft in the al,” Friend said to the Owen with the WHL’s Regina Pats and wound up a first-round seventh round (210th overall), Sound Sun Times. “They’ve choice of the Anaheim Ducks at the NHL Draft June 24 in the Sharks chose Swedish forwon two Cups in the last five Buffalo, N.Y.. PhotoAaron Bell/CHL Images ward Joachim Blichfeld from years and they’re a great organization. It wouldn’t have the Malmo Jr. program. mattered to me who picked me, but to get picked by In a draft weekend trade on June 25, Gardena native them is a complete honor.” Beau Bennett was dealt from the Stanley Cup chamThe Stanley Cup-finalist Sharks picked five players, pion Pittsburgh Penguins to the New Jersey Devils for a starting with University of Denver (NCHC) stud fresh- third-round pick (No. 77) in the draft. man forward Dylan Gambrell, who went in the second The 2017 NHL Draft will be held in Chicago. CARubberHockey.com

College Hockey Experience takes players to another level By Chris Bayee

ou’ve got questions? College coaches have answers. The College Hockey Experience, a partnership between Smart Hockey and the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, was held at The Rinks-Anaheim Ice from May 19-22. “It was a great, well-run camp with some of the top programs in the country represented,” said Jr. Ducks director of coaches Craig Johnson. “It was very informative for kids and their parents.” The camp included Bantam Night, the three-day main camp and a goaltender camp. The Bantam and main camps included open question-and-answer sessions with the nine NCAA Division I college coaches in attendance. “The best thing for families was the Q & A with the coaches about the process,” said Louis Pacella, a longtime California Tier I coach and the founder of Smart Hockey. “The Bantam kids and parents in particular brought a lot of great questions.” Educating families about the college hockey experience is the event’s primary goal, and it’s enhanced by the presence of some of the nation’s top Division I programs. This year’s lineup included Arizona State, Colorado College, Dartmouth, Denver, Miami, Minnesota-Duluth, Michigan, St. Cloud State and Vermont. The coaches also ran practices and scrimmages all four days. “What I liked was the kids had the opportunity to practice; it wasn’t just come and have a coach behind the bench,” Johnson said. “This camp gives kids the opportunity to interact with coaches on the ice, see what drills they run in practice and get an idea of what to expect.”

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Pacella added: “This level of involvement makes The Huskies currently have Californians Robby all the difference. The players clearly enjoyed that.” Jackson and Patrick Newell on their roster, and While the camp can serve as a means to familiar- their all-time leading scorer, Ryan Lasch, is from Orize players and their families with specific schools, ange County. the coaches enjoyed the interactions just as much as “A hockey player like Lasch at St. Cloud is like the players. the quarterback at USC “Louis does a fantastic or UCLA,” said Gibbons. job with this,” Arizona State “A great thing with college assistant coach Alex Hicks hockey is it is the biggest said. “It gives Bantam- and sport at a lot of mid-sized Midget-aged players a good schools, and those schools idea of how the college game can compete with, and often works with the first-hand exbeat, the big schools.” posure. Hicks said the Golden “Every one of us likes the State is a primary focus for hands-on aspect of coachthe Sun Devils’ recruiting efing kids on the ice and being forts. able to talk to them on the “It’s so close, so easy for bench during scrimmages. us to scout and watch these It’s a great camp.” players multiple times,” he The camp’s popularity said. “In my personal opinion, shouldn’t come as a surprise having coached against kids given how fertile colleges from California for the past view the California recruiting 10 years, they are as good ground. as anywhere in the country. “What we like about a lot Orange County product Ryan Lasch is St. Cloud State “We have made that a of California players is you University’s all-time leading scorer. More and more Cali- priority for our program, and have to have passion to play fornia natives are seeing themselves on NCAA Division I we’re going to continue to there,” said St. Cloud State rosters. Photo/SCSU Athletic Media Relations scout them heavily.” assistant coach Mike Gibbons. “The drives these The camp draws players from all over the Westkids make just to get to practice, you have to have ern United States and a handful from Canada, and passion to do that day after day. Once these players Pacella has been pleased with the partnership with get to junior or college and have a chance to skate the Jr. Ducks. every day, they tend to shoot up and play even bet“They have the right mindset,” said Pacella. “They ter.” want to promote kids to college.”

Avalanche stay in-house, tab O’Rourke as new coach By John B. Spigott

he Ontario Avalanche didn’t have to look far to find their next head coach. Rob O’Rourke, who has spent the last three seasons as the head coach of the 18U AAA Avalanche, will make the jump to the junior ranks for the 2016-17 season. O’Rourke inherits a team that finished fourth in the Western Division of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) last year with a 28-23-0-1 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. “When I found out that the position was open, I was definitely interested,” said O’Rourke. “I was looking for stability and so was (Avalanche owner) Tom (Meyer). I think my track record with the 18U team is pretty good. I think they were happy with what I accomplished at the Midget level.” In his three years coaching the 18U Avalanche, O’Rourke led the club to both a state and district championship and a trip to the national championships in 2014-15. “Obviously going from minor hockey – which is all I’ve ever coached – to juniors is a different animal,” said O’Rourke. “I understand I have a lot to learn, especially on the recruiting front. Recruiting can be a feeding frenzy – there’s so many teams looking at these kids – but at the end of the day, you’re putting your program up against everybody else’s. You have to have a good product that you feel good about, and I believe in the program that we have here.” With the season opener less than four months away, the roster is obviously far from a finished product, but O’Rourke has already confirmed some

returning players for the upcoming campaign. DeOnce the puck drops, O’Rourke won’t have fenseman Simon Anderberg will be back in the the luxury of easing into the schedule with a few fold along with last year’s Most Improved Player in easy wins. The Western Division was the most talTommy Campbell and Sebastian Gruhler. ented in the WSHL last season, and despite fin“We’ll have a clearer picishing five games over .500, ture of what we’ve got returnthe Avalanche still finished a ing by the end of July,” said distant fourth behind Fresno, O’Rourke. “The advantage I a 45-win Valencia team, and have is that I have a guy in the eventual division champs (general manager and direcfrom Long Beach, who have tor of player personnel) Rick the potential to return 18 Roberts that spends a ton of players from last year’s team. time not only recruiting these But don’t expect for kids, but also getting them off a second that an O’Roto college. We have a great urke-coached team will bow track record here and I hope down to anyone. to continue to improve that.” “I’ll get the best players I So what can the WSHL can get and go coach, but at expect from an O’Rothe end of the day, I’m comurke-coached team? petitive and I want to beat “I plan on coaching similar everyone, especially teams to what I did in Midget, which like Fresno, Valencia, and means this will be an exLong Beach,” O’Rourke said. tremely hard-working team,” “I’m as competitive a person said O’Rourke. “The good as you’ll meet, so I’m definews is that now I have four nitely thinking about playing days a week for two hours a those teams. My goal already day to work on all the things is nothing short of winning I want to work on and imple- Ontario’s Tommy Campbell is one of several return- this division and doing some ing players new head coach Rob O’Rourke will lean ment the system that I want. on in his first season behind the Avalanche bench. damage in the playoffs beI never had that coaching Photo/Mark Mauno yond that. I’m not coming into Midget. bare cupboards or anything. I have confidence in “These guys are going to be battling for playing the guys that we’ll have on the ice, and I have contime and if they want the ice time, they’re going to fidence in my coaching ability. have to earn it.” “I want to win the whole thing.” CARubberHockey.com

Jr. Kings’ St. Ivany decides to take Ivy route with Yale J

ack St. Ivany, a member of the Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ Pacific District-champion 16U AAA Major team last season, has committed to attend and play his NCAA Division I hockey at Yale University following his junior career. St. Ivany, a 1999-born defenseman, connected for three goals for 13 points in 31 Tier I Elite League games in 2015-16. “I’m very excited,” said St. Ivany. “I spent a lot of time the past few seasons checking out different schools, and I just felt that Yale was the best fit for me. My family and I have always valued education, so that played a big factor into what school I was eventually going to choose.” This season, St. Ivany will play for the Sioux Falls Stampede - the team that selected the Manhattan Beach native in Phase II of this year’s United States Hockey League Draft (fifth round, 73rd overall). “This is a well-deserved opportunity for Jack, and I couldn’t be Jack St. Ivany happier for him and his family,” said Jr. Kings 16U AAA head coach Jack Bowkus. “On top of being an exemplary student, he’s dedicated himself to improving all facets of his game and I have no doubt he’ll stay the course as he continues to prepare for what should be a promising career at Yale.” “The Jr. Kings have helped a lot with my development, and playing in the Tier I Elite League helped expose me to so many D-I coaches,” St. Ivany added.

Voyer’s California Referee School gets maximum results Hockey Junior Officiating Development Program, as well as the California and Southern California Amateur Hockey Associations. “We teach them how to handle themselves, on and off the ice, and also want them to understand the importance of fitness and nutrition,” said Voyer. “All of it makes for becoming a better official.” This year’s school will also include USA Hockey

road at high-level tournaments,” said Stevens. “I will say that, if someone’s serious about becoming an official or ith the abundance of youth hockey talent being improving as one, it’s a great investment in their future.” cultivated out west - along with its ever-growing There’s no question the school gets results; its professional presence - the level of officiating needs to alumni include NHL officials Brandon Gawryletz, keep pace. Mark Lemelin and Lyle Seitz. Nobody recognizes that fact better than Michel Not to mention California-bred graduates Tanner Voyer. Nua, Steve Walsh, J-M McNulty, Brent Tubbs, The director of officiating at El Segundo’s ToyBrett Martin, James Parker, Greg McAlpine, ota Sports Center, Voyer is also the founder and Anthony Falette, Mike McBain, Alexander Ledirector of the highly regarded California Referee dovskiy and Andrew Norris - all of whom work in School, which serves to educate, train and evaluate the AHL - and ECHL officials Neil Campbell and officials of all levels with a concentrated purpose Andrew Wilk (Campbell also works in the AHL). of growing and improving a capable and reputable Nua, Tubbs, Walsh, Martin and Wilk will serve stable of zebras on the West Coast. as instructors at this year’s school, along with NHL Now in its 28th year of operation, the school officials Mike Leggo, Shane Heyer and Jake is conducted annually during a weekend over the Brenk and AHL official Steve Berry. summer at Toyota Sports Center, and this year will In addition to Stevens, NHL supervisors Rob run from Aug. 5-7. Shick and Bob Hall, along with Jonathan Mor“I want to see more officials and better officials rison (supervisor coordinator of transportation and working out here, and that’s been the purpose of logistics for USA Hockey’s Junior Officiating Dethe school since its inception,” said Voyer. “And velopment Program), Don Adam (director of offiit’s not exclusive; whether you’re a veteran or just California Referee School founder and director Michel Voyer, pictured third ciating of the NCAA Division I National Collegiate getting started, we work hard to ensure we have from left with, from left, Don Adam (NCHC director of officiating), Mike Leggo Hockey Conference) and Kevin Muench (director something for everyone during all of our class and (NHL official), Rob Shick (NHL officiating supervisor) and Shane Heyer (NHL of officiating of the Western Hockey League), will official), wants nothing more that to see the level of officiating continue to serve as supervisors. on-ice sessions.” evolve on the West Coast. That includes learning the psychology of the Other representatives from the AHL and ECHL game, how to communicate effectively with players and Level 3 and 4 certification seminars led by Pacific Dis- will also be in attendance, said Voyer. coaches and teamwork amongst the entire officiating trict referee-in-chief Steve Stevens and California ref“It’s no secret the game has gotten bigger and betcrew. The school also puts an emphasis on analyzing eree-in-chief Dan Ellison. ter out here at all levels, and we, as officials, have a regames situations through video sessions. Stevens, for one, is bullish on Voyer’s school and sponsibility to do the same,” Voyer added. “Collectively, In addition to on-ice instruction and seminars, scrim- what it provides in terms of improving and raising the we need to be best we can be for the betterment of the mage games are showcased during which officials are awareness of officiating at all levels. sport and its future out west.” evaluated and recruited by supervisors from the Amer“What’s amazing is how many of these young offiFor more information on the California Referee ican Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, NCAA and USA cials who’ve come through the school I meet down the School and to register, visit CARefSchool.com. By Brian McDonough

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Registration . 9:00 AM Continental Breakfast

Shotgun Start . 11:00 AM Lunch . 12:00 PM Hosted Reception . 4 PM Appetizers . Raffle

Evening Program . 5 PM Awards

For more info and to register, visit

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Ticket Holder . $35 The Player . $175 The Assist . $350 Hat Trick Sponsor . $1,500 Player of the Game Sponsor . $2,500 Hall of Fame Sponsor . $5,000

CARubberHockey.com

SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS

Jr. Sharks goalie coach Cazares answers USA Hockey’s call By John B. Spigott

here’s no offseason for San Jose Jr. Sharks goaltending director Rick Cazares, and that’s just the way he likes

it.

Already a mainstay at Sharks Ice working with goaltenders of all ages within the Jr. Sharks organization, Cazares recently took on an additional position with USA Hockey where he will serve as regional development coordinator working with goaltenders and coaches throughout Northern California. In his new role, Cazares reports directly to USA Hockey on his day-to-day work with, in addition to setting up coaching clinics to better help coaches understand how best to work with their goalies. “A big part of this is helping teach coaches,” said Cazares. “Coaching goaltenders is often an overlooked aspect of hockey, and it’s not anyone’s fault because there just isn’t that many goalie guys out there, but if we can start teaching coaches within the organization, we can better develop goalies along the West Coast.” For Cazares, the offer to work with USA Hockey sounded almost too good to be true. “When Phil Osaer (the American Development Model manager of youth goaltending at USA Hockey) reached out and asked if I’d be interested in the project, that’s an easy question – of course I’m going to jump on that,” said Cazares. “Someone from USA Hockey comes and asks me if I want to be a part of something that I believe in – it’s the second best thing to playing for USA Hockey.” The coordinator position is part of a larger goal within USA Hockey that Cazares describes as the 51-30 model. By better developing young goaltenders, the hope is that by

2030, USA-born goaltenders can account for 51 percent “We shared so much. I’ve already implemented a bunch of the minutes played in the NHL. of different drills from other coaches in my day-to-day work “Right now, we’re at something like 23.8 percent, so with the Jr. Sharks. The biggest thing for me is to talk about we’ve got a ways to go,” said Cazares. “With this program, all of this stuff so I can reaffirm the things I’m doing right we’re exposing more kids and and fix the things I’m doing sharing more ideas among wrong.” the coaches. We’re all on the While the workload is same page now, and instead significant, Cazares has a of wondering how they are difficult time suppressing his doing it in different parts of enthusiasm for the work he’s the country, now we do it the doing, both with the Jr. Sharks same everywhere.” and with USA Hockey. As part of his new “I don’t think I could have position, Cazares attended come into this at a better the Warren Strelow National time,” said Cazares. “I’m so Team Goaltending Camp in grateful that the organization Plymouth, Mich., in May to has helped me so much, work with some of the top anything I ask for from the Jr. goaltending prospects in the Sharks they have given me, nation and brainstormed with and now being able to work minds like USA National Team with USA Hockey. This past goaltending coach Kevin year has affirmed my love of Reiter and ex-NHL netminders coaching, and now I’m able to John Vanbiesbrouck and Ty translate that to these young Conklin. goalies and teach them with “It’s like Disneyland for San Jose Jr. Sharks goaltending director Rick Cazares is all the help of the backing and goaltenders,” said Cazares. smiles about his new role with USA Hockey, where he serves support of an organization like as a regional development coordinator working with goalten“It’s pretty much the greatest USA Hockey. ders and coaches throughout Northern California. place in the world. All the big “We can make a dogs were there, and I really felt like I was part of something difference – that’s what I’m most excited about. There’s special. You get to bounce ideas off of all these guys and so much opportunity for our kids to get better now, and we get their input, and then you take those ideas and apply have a community that we believe in and we are going to them on the ice to all these talented goaltenders. work together to achieve our goal.”

SJJrSharks.com

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

TAHOE HOCKEY ACADEMY

Tahoe Hockey Academy gaining steam toward grand opening By Greg Ball

t’s been years in the making, and now it’s down to the final weeks. Next month, the Tahoe Hockey Academy will officially open its doors for the first time, and the group of men behind organizing California’s first hockey boarding school couldn’t be more ready. The excitement is palpable in Tahoe, and the momentum is contagious. “This started out as an idea, but we’ve learned that this boarding school model resonates with so many different families,” said Leo Fenn, the academy’s president. “To hear story after story about the sacrifices families make to keep their children in hockey and school only reinforces our belief that this is a sound solution. After only a few conversations, we’ve realized this isn’t a localized problem. We’ve heard from parents from the East Coast, Midwest and even Canada about the concern for juggling high-end athletics and academics, and doing so all at an affordable price. We’re proud to have that philosophy be the foundation behind Tahoe Hockey Academy.” Fenn, athletic director Mike Lewis, head coach J.J. James and the rest of the Tahoe Hockey Academy team have been working tirelessly to get all the elements in place for the academy not only to be successful in its first year, but to build the foundation to do so many years into the future. Countless hours have been spent designing the academic and housing fa-

cilities, planning the team’s on-ice and off-ice training schedule, developing relationships with the local community and more. Lewis, a veteran Orange County youth hockey coach, said the approach is to find those families who believe that there’s a benefit for what the academy has to offer. “We’re extremely blessed to have the support of our board of directors, which can offer financial support to so many of our families,” Lewis said. “Hockey can be extremely restrictive financially, and to know that a player can now achieve the academic and athletic development necessary to achieve their goals is life changing. This offers a viable way for so many families to break the cycle of paying money to sit in traffic or be out of the classroom.” The task of starting an academy from the ground up has seemed overwhelming at times, but the team behind the effort has continued pushing forward and has methodically taken each step as it has come. Because the group spent so much time conceptualizing and planning the academy, it was in

good position to act on its plans when the time came. It has also helped that the team assembled to lead the effort has a wide variety of experience not only in the hockey and academic worlds, but the financial and business spaces as well. As the excitement grows, so does the anticipation for the players already selected to be a part of the unique opportunity to study and play at the Tahoe Hockey Academy. “Our players are chomping at the bit to get started,” James said. “It obviously takes a lot of effort and energy to get all those things done, but we want to do this right from Day 1. From the locker rooms to our team bus to our on-ice learning and our approach, we want this to be a world-class experience for our players.” It won’t be long before Tahoe Hockey Academy makes its way to Southern California to compete in its first game in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League. If the team on the ice is anything like those behind this endeavor, the future would seem bright for the players who call the academy home.

TahoeHockeyAcademy.com

CARubberHockey.com

Sled star Bettencourt honored with USA Hockey award By Steve Stein

led hockey is much more than a game for San Diego resident Sarah Bettencourt. “There are many stories of how playing sled hockey changed lives,” she said. “I found sled hockey at a very crucial time of my life and it did more than change my life. It saved it.” A rare neurological disorder that first afflicted her in 2008 while she was in the U.S. Marine Corps forced Bettencourt to medically retire from the Marines as a captain in 2012 with 100 percent disability. “I went from serving our country and making a difference in the world to nothing,” the Maryland native said. “I lost my independence, mobility, place in society, passion and Marine Corps family and I had no idea how to get back in the world.” Then she played sled hockey in early 2014 at an adaptive sports winter camp. She discovered the full-contact sport satisfied her physical, social and competitive needs. “While I was on the ice, I was no longer disabled – I was a hockey player,” she said. But not just a hockey player. She was a hockey player with a mission. There was no local sled hockey team in her area so she founded the San Diego Ducks sled hockey club, supported by the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, and later became a member of the U.S. women’s sled hockey team. She serves as the Ducks’ director, manager and team captain, drawing on the leadership, communication and perseverance she learned in the Marines to guide the team with high standards and a long-term vision for both the club and disabled hockey. “I’m once again able to serve our society through the

San Diego Ducks and represent our country through the husband, Matt Bettencourt, her high school sweetheart U.S. team,” she said. who is now a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy ReShe’s also helped organize the Pacific Sled Hockey serves, have a son Tyler who turned one on July 12. League and created a sled hockey division within the Sarah Bettencourt’s neurological disorder hasn’t Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League. She’s been diagnosed. The current working diagnosis, she hosted numerous sled hocksaid, is cerebral inflammatoey clinics and speaks to orry disorder. ganizations about disabled “Essentially, I have lehockey. sions of inflammation in my “My perspective changbrain,” she explained. “They es as I look back and see cause the part of my body things I wasn’t able to see that part of the brain controls a year or two ago,” Bettento stop working properly.” court said. “Now I’m able to Her permanent sympfind humor in the events that toms are sensation loss and caused me the most pain, weakness in her hands and lessons in the circumstancfeet, loss of balance and es I thought were meaningconstant vertigo, and coorless, and relationships in the dination loss. Her transient experiences I thought were symptoms can affect any individual.” part of her body and range Bettencourt wants to from vision loss to partial paestablish standing/amputee ralysis to loss of conscienand blind/visually impaired San Diego Ducks sled hockey club founder Sarah Bettencourt was tious or seizures. hockey programs and high recently honored as USA Hockey’s 2016 Disabled Athlete of the Dealing with all these school and collegiate dis- Year and was formally honored in Colorado Springs in June. symptoms has a silver lining, abled hockey leagues. believe it or not. Her tireless efforts on behalf of disabled hockey hav“I have a unique perspective because I’ve experienced en’t gone unnoticed. Bettencourt was named USA Hock- several types of disabilities, even if only for a short period ey’s 2016 Disabled Athlete of the Year and was honored of time,” she said. “That has allowed me to connect with last month at the organization’s Night of Tribute Awards a lot of people.” Dinner, a highlight of the organization’s Annual Congress There’s one another dose of good medical news. in Colorado Springs, Colo. “Thankfully, my transient symptoms have been in reIt was quite a night for the new mother. She and her mission since I became pregnant and now breastfeeding

San Diego’s Slaker finds success, NCAA chance in USHL said. “Both my sisters (Kristin and Lauren) played. We were a hockey family through and through.” The family moved back to San Diego when Jake was seven, and that was the first time he went on the ice. “I’d never been on the ice, but I knew I needed to

one of his first. “I played in a house league out of the UTC mall, hen the expansion Bloomington Thunder and I played on both the Mite and Squirt teams,” he searched for building blocks it found an importrecalled. “I’d have games on the same night, and my ant one in Jake Slaker. dad would put me on his back with my skates and The University of Michigan commit emerged as helmet on and carry me to the car. Then he’d carry me a force up front for the United States Hockey into the other rink so I could play both games. League club, helping it reach the Clark Cup “That shows the commitment he and my Eastern Conference final in its second season. mom (Lori) had, and it meant a lot. We had such “We’ve been leaning on Jake to be our capa love for the game.” tain and the face of our team,” said Thunder That love drives Slaker, who put up 42 points coach-GM Dennis Williams. “He has a great (including 21 goals) in 57 games, then added sense of leadership and pride.” 12 more in Bloomington’s 10 playoff games. Slaker’s path has featured many twists and “Jake did whatever it took for the team to turns, ones he said made him the person and win,” Williams said. “He loves the game and it the player he is today. shows in how hard he works.” “I try to look at everything in the most posi“I knew I was never going to be the biggest tive way,” he said. “A lot of kids don’t have the guy,” the 5-foot-10, 186-pound Slaker added. opportunities and resources to play I did. I didn’t “A lot of people told me I would never be good want to leave anything behind. I realize nothing enough to play AA, then AAA, then junior. is promised to us in life, so we have to adapt “I wanted to prove people wrong.” and not worry about what we can’t control.” That Slaker landed in Bloomington for the His father Dirk’s family moved to San DiThunder’s launch is a testament to the closeego from Michigan in 1960, and Dirk became ness of the hockey world. hooked on hockey in 1966 when the San Diego “I can’t take credit for trading for him,” WilGulls of the old Western Hockey League de- Jake Slaker skated two seasons with the USHL’s Bloomington Thunder and will stay in liams said. “Our former director of scouting, buted. He learned to play and made the Univer- the Midwest next season as he begins his college career at the University of Michigan of Jesse Davis, who had a history with Jake at the Big Ten. Photo/Bloomington Thunder sity of San Diego’s club team. Belle Tire, insisted we get him. It didn’t take After medical school in Georgia, he later became because like every little kid, I grew up wanting to be a Jake long to find his spot.” the team physician for the Atlanta Knights of the Amer- pro,” he said. Williams would not be surprised to see his second ican Hockey League. He also was part owner of an inSlaker played for the UTC Jaguars, San Diego Bloomington captain succeed with the Wolverines. line hockey rink, a perk all of his five children, of which Saints, SDIA and LA Hockey Club before playing for “He could eventually be a captain for Michigan,” Jake is the youngest, took advantage of. the Lemieux Hockey Academy in Arizona and the Chi- he said. “He doesn’t get too high or too low. Once “My older brothers (Kurt and Zach) were very good cago Fury. He finished his Midget career with Detroit people see his work ethic, they will gravitate toward roller players, and I really looked up to them,” Jake Belle Tire. Slaker’s favorite memory from California is him.” By Chris Bayee

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

NEVADA STORM

Las Vegas’ NHL team will positively impact Storm youth By Matt Mackinder

ith the recent announcement that the NHL will have a team in Las Vegas for the 2017-18 season, it’s expected that the youth hockey scene will take off, much like what happened when teams landed in places such as Phoenix, Anaheim, San Jose and even Colorado. The Nevada Storm, a growing youth program with AA and AAA teams for the 2016-17 season, has seen its organization explode organically, but adding an NHL team to town can only be a benefit. “This means a lot for the growth of hockey,” said Storm hockey director Gabe Gauthier. “There will be new families and kids that will be getting involved with the sport with the addition of having more learn to play hockey events here at the Las Vegas Ice Center.” (See more on the NHL team on Page 20.) A Southern California native (Torrance), Gauthier saw first-hand during his youth days the impact the NHL can have on the younger generation. “When I was a kid, the Los Angeles Kings were heroes and role models for me and other young hockey players in SoCal,” Gauthier said. “This will be the same case with the Vegas players in the NHL and on the youth side, there will be role models and heroes to our youth. You will see the NHL players interacting with the young kids on and off the ice and will be educating the kids on how great this game is.” Sounds like a win-win situation for sure. Gauthier added that even with the inaugural season

more than a year away, his players can’t wait to see what shakes out. “The Storm kids are already very excited to go to games and are very anxious to see who will be on the team,” said Gauthier. “There will be more and more kids wanting to join hockey and pursue the game in hopes to be on the same stage as the players they once watched.”

With an NHL team soon to call the T-Mobile Arena home for the 2017-18 season, the local youth hockey scene will reap the numerous benefits.

Like in California with the Jr. Kings, Jr. Ducks and Jr. Sharks programs, the NHL club could very well have a youth affiliation in Las Vegas. “Obviously, the NHL team has a lot of things they have to take care of from an organizational standpoint,” Gauthier

said. “We have had talks with them about a Jr. name-ofVegas-team program, but we plan on being the Storm for the 2016-17 hockey season.” The Storm program has shown that high-level youth hockey can be sustainable in a market like Las Vegas, so can the NHL work in Vegas as well? “Our motto of ‘Building Champions On and Off the Ice’ has been the reason for the success, along with the owners (John and Kirk Brooks), the coaches from house league to Junior A and families that we have in the organization,” explained Gauthier. “Hockey can be sustainable in areas where the owners, coaches and managers are putting in the effort and have the ability to communicate with the kids and families. In my mind, there is no doubt that the NHL will work here in Vegas. The ownership group is driven and ready to make this work. It will be a group effort from the NHL team and from the youth organization to educate and have an exciting product on and off the ice. Being involved with the schools and community service will be a big part of the education and growth to build a fan base.” As a former pro player who saw time with the Kings, Gauthier knows what’s in store with the NHL. “It’s the greatest game on Earth,” said Gauthier. “Watching a live NHL game is so much different than watching on television. As a fan, you will have a true appreciation for how talented these players are and being able to make the plays they make at high speed.”

NVStorm.com

CARubberHockey.com

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Summer King of The Rinks event the ‘perfect tournament’ By Jonathan Watanabe

t’s hard for many to imagine a time when “hockey” and “California” were never used in the same sentence. The quality and quantity of talent coming out of California continues to increase at a rapid pace. This seemingly sudden explosion in popularity of the sport may be attributed to initiatives such as the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play program, which gives children and adults the opportunity to try the sport for free. It could also be due to superstars like Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry bringing their talent to the state, or the fact that between the three NHL clubs that call the Golden State home, there are now three Stanley Cups. As the sport of hockey has grown and gained more popularity here in California, The Rinks created a tournament which is unlike any other, combining both the ice and inline side of the sport. The King of The Rinks tournament is back for its third straight year at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE and The Rinks-Irvine Inline. Over the July 23-24 weekend, players from all over the state will hit both the ice rink and inline rink to show that their team has what it takes to be crowned King of The Rinks. This hybrid ice and inline tournament allows players to see how their skills stack up against the rest of the California hockey community. However, unlike most tournaments, participants will need to prepare for both ice and inline games. Here in California, the hockey community rallies be-

hind both forms of this great game and The Rinks want to see which teams truly are the most well-rounded. The tournament features youth and adult divisions, and a four-game guarantee (two ice, two inline) with the championship game being played as an inline game. When asked about last year’s tournament experience, The Rinks marketing associate Craig Appleby

The annual King of The Rinks event runs July 23-24 on the ice and on the floor at two separate rinks. Three new divisions will join the three youth divisions already part of the event. Photo/Anaheim Ducks

said, “King of The Rinks is a great tournament and The Rinks does a great job hosting it. When I first heard about the idea of an ice and inline hybrid tournament, I was extremely excited because I had played inline when I was younger and transitioned to ice later on.

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

“I was really surprised with how many players enjoyed the crossover. Traditionally, you think of hockey players as either ice guys or inline guys, but this tournament allows participants to simply be hockey players. I think that’s the biggest draw – there really isn’t anything else like it out there and with so many players in California having experience with both ice and inline, it really is the perfect tournament.” The third annual tournament will feature three new divisions. Adding to the three youth divisions already in place, this year will introduce a High School division for birth years 1999-2003. With the explosion in popularity of the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League, now in its eighth season and consisting of 48 teams, this is a great opportunity for high school players to get on the rink with their teammates and have fun before their season gets underway. On the adult side, The Rinks is opening up both a Rookie and an Over 40 division. Grass roots initiatives like the Anaheim Ducks Adult Learn to Play program have enabled adults to experience hockey for the first time and get into the game. The Rinks runs Over 40 leagues and wants to give players the opportunity to compete in a tournament atmosphere without having to worry about those young ringers buzzing around. Participants may register as individuals (free agents) or as a team. For more information and to register for King of The Rinks, visit the tournament website at www.the-rinks.com/kingoftherinks.

ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Jr. Ducks continue trend of advancing players to juniors By Chris Bayee

t least seven players who played this past season with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks will join five former players who were in the club during the 2014-15 season in junior hockey this fall. Three Midget 18U AAA players – defenseman Julian Timba (Salmon Arm) and forwards Andre Ghantous (Trail) and Jack Sitzman (Trail) – made teams in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Four members of the Midget 16U AAA team - defenseman Slava Demin (Wenatchee/BCHL), forwards Cooper Haar (Bismarck/NAHL) and Rory Herrman (Green Bay/USHL) and goaltender Carl Stankowski (Seattle/WHL) – also earned roster spots. “We’re proud of them as an organization,” Jr. Ducks director of player personnel Alex Kim said. “There’s a process and they’re going through it. These young men made it happen. They never expected it. They just kept working hard to move one step closer to their goal of playing college hockey. (New 18U AAA coach) August Aiken is a BCHL alumni and helped several of the players get opportunities. It expands our network as an organization, plus it’s a West Coast league closer to home. It’s a big step for our club.” Five of their former teammates are entering their second season of juniors: forward Patrick Choi (Syracuse/USPHL Premier), forward Justin Dixson (Tri-City/USHL), forward Jack Gates (Janesville/NAHL), goaltender Timothy Huxen (New Jersey/EHL Premier) and defenseman Chad Sasaki (Wenatchee). Herrman sealed his spot with a strong week at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival in early July. “There were four of (Green Bay’s) ‘99s there, and they were only going to take three,” the Arizona State commit said. “It was a great honor that I was one of them.” Dixson (Massachusetts), Gates (Colorado College) and Sasaki (Colorado College) also have made college commitments.

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CHALK TALK

Light on California girls hockey has never been brighter C

alifornia girls hockey is growing like never before and in places you wouldn’t believe. After 15-plus years searching out young female players and growing this sport for girls at the grassroots level, the Lady Ducks have hit a new threshold of 14 girls Kathy McGarrigle teams for the coming season. This lead to recognition at last month’s USA Hockey Annual Congress receiving the Pacific District’s Female Honors Award as a leader in growth, development and promotion of ice hockey for females. Veteran programs like Lady Ducks or Sharks girls are far reaching as these teams compete around California rinks. Learn to Play-Hockey, Girls Try Hockey Days and USA Hockey American Development Model programs have expanded many existing programs and have helped to spawn new teams at 8U through 14U for the first time. The San Diego Lady Gulls and Santa Barbara Monarchs are just two examples of brand-new teams for 2016-17.

Why play girls hockey? The distance to the nearest girls hockey team/program may be daunting, but we have all seen families bypass their local rink for a “best fit” for their son on a youth team. So maybe girls deserve that same experience. Having fun, providing challenging development among peers, confidence, team building, locker room experiences and lifelong friendships are all reasons to play sports. A future college experience, the Olympics or National Women’s Hockey League are the stuff of which dreams are made. So why not give your daughter the BEST opportunity to grow her game? Here are a few statistics to help understand the benefits of a female team experience. On a girls team: A female aged 6-12 is significantly (three times) more likely to touch the puck every shift. Girls are 4-8 times more likely to receive a pass (depending on age). Power play and penalty kill time is increased. Girls are far more likely to get a shot on net. Parents often fear that a serious athlete needs to play with boys to get better. One could argue that maybe training with some boys in clinics or lesson formats help “push” a player, but statistically, many more girls today are heading to the NCAA from female programs compared to 10 years ago (when skilled girls teams were harder to find). Much like the “player-up” myth in youth hockey, playing on

a youth/boys team often reduces puck touches, ice time, and positive, engaged shift experiences while learning the game. Almost all of the last dozen or so Lady Ducks who went on to play Division I hockey did not roster on a youth/boys team after Squirt, and some never played boys hockey. For example, U.S. Women’s National Team and Wisconsin junior, Annie Pankowski, St. Lawrence graduate, Jessica Hon, Princeton graduate Alison Pankowski, Yale junior Kara Drexler, Penn State graduate Celine Whitlinger, St. Lawrence sophomores Justine Reyes and Kayla Neilsen and Lindenwood freshman Lilli Marchant, as well as more than two dozen Division III student-athletes currently on women’s college hockey rosters, were on allgirls teams at 10U and beyond. Forming a girls program So you want to start a girls team. Keep in mind, it’s not about AAA. If you build it, they will come. It is about growing the game. The Lady Ducks started in 1999 with 28 girls who were looking to join a girls team as college-hockey hopefuls. But that isn’t why we are alive and well today. We took a handful of girls to form Mite, Squirt and Pee Wee house teams. Sometimes, we had a brother or two until the rosters grew into pure girls teams after a season or so. Since 2003, we have added almost a team every year, proving it can be done with a long-term vision and a little patience.

Kathy McGarrigle is a 26-year veteran middle school teacher, former Division I tennis player, and coach, director and head of coaches for the Anaheim Lady Ducks. Interested in being a Chalk Talk columnist? E-mail Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com. CARubberHockey.com

NEVADA REPORT New Las Vegas team the NHL’s Las Vegas’ Garcia makes NCAA commitment to D-I Air Force first expansion since ‘00-01 By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

n the eve of the NHL Awards, NHL Draft and July 1 start of free agency, perhaps no news was bigger than the league awarding an expansion franchise to Las Vegas. The yet-to-be-named team will begin play in the NHL for the 2017-18 season at T-Mobile Arena, a new arena that will have a capacity north of 17,000 for hockey, and named former Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee its first GM on July 13. The Las Vegas franchise will pay a $500 million expansion fee. The expansion marks the first NHL expansion since 1997, when the NHL added four franchises – Nashville (1998-99), Atlanta (1999-00), Columbus and Minnesota (2000-01). NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was all smiles in announcing the addition of Las Vegas. “In the fall of 2017, when we celebrate the 100th birthday of the NHL, we will do so as a league of 31 teams,” Bettman said. “We are pleased to welcome Bill Foley and the city of Las Vegas to the league and are truly excited that an NHL franchise will be the first major professional sports team in this vibrant, growing, global destination city.” “On behalf of the Las Vegas Founding 75, our 14,000 season-ticket holders and the entire Las Vegas community, I would like to thank Commissioner Bettman, the NHL staff and the team owners for their support during this process and the confidence they have placed in Las Vegas by awarding this franchise,” added Foley. “I also would like to thank everyone who supported us through this incredible journey. As I’ve said many times over the past year, Las Vegas is a hockey town and we look forward to cheering on our home team.” The last pro hockey team to call Las Vegas home was the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers, a franchise that folded after the 2013-14 season. The Las Vegas franchise will play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. An expansion draft will be held in June 2017. 20

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om Garcia calls it a blessing to make an NCAA Division I commitment. Even better when the school is somewhat close to home. A Las Vegas native, Garcia played for the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) Aston Rebels last year and recently gave the nod to the United States Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey). Garcia’s commitment begins in the fall of 2017. The 19-year-old Garcia had three points (goal, two assists) in eight NAHL playoff games for Aston. He led the team with a plus-10 rating. In 49 games during the regular season, Garcia posted 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) and at the end of Aston’s season, Garcia was named the team’s Most Improved Player and Hardest Working Player. He was named Honorable Mention for NAHL Forward of the Month for March, and he also was named the East Division Star of the Week for the week ending March 20 after he scored three goals in two games. Prior to Aston, Garcia skated three seasons at Culver Military Academy in Indiana. “I am blessed to soon be able to attend a school like the Air Force Academy,” said Garcia. “I cannot thank my coaches, teammates and family enough for their continued support.” Back in May, Garcia was taken by the Sioux City Musketeers in the 16th round (247th overall) of Phase II of the United States Hockey League Draft. “I could not be happier or more proud of Dom,” added Rebels coach Joe Coombs. “He had a terrific year and just got better and better. With the discipline that Dom lives his life, he is a great fit for the Air force. I could not be happier to coach him and have him in my life. He makes my life easier with his leadership skills.” The Falcons finished with an overall record of 18-12-5 record in 2015-16 and finished second in the AHC.

L.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

LAKHSHL growing, expanding for ‘16-17 high school season By Greg Ball

he L.A. Kings High School Hockey League (LAKHSHL) may have just finished its inaugural season, but that doesn’t mean the league isn’t already looking forward. The Kings league will expand for the 2016-17 season, as it plans to add six new teams to the eight it had in its inaugural season - two varsity squads and four junior varsity teams. All eight varsity teams from the first season will return - the champion Santa Barbara Royals, the Kern County Knights, the West Ranch Wildcats, the South County Aviators, the East County Outlaws, the El Segundo Strikers, the Burbank Cougars (formerly the San Gabriel Valley Cougars) and the Santa Clarita Cobras. Joining them in the varsity division will be the Torrance Destroyers and Valencia High School. The new junior varsity division will be made up of the East County Outlaws, Santa Barbara Royals, Kern County Knights and Torrance Destroyers. “Adding more teams is definitely a positive, but we are very careful to make sure that we are growing at a rate that everyone can handle,” said Kings alumni, TV analyst and league commissioner Jim Fox. “I think the JV programs are a very important part of our growth. We must make sure that the foundation is

strong before we add teams just for the sake of adding teams. We have to make sure that the proper structure is in place as far as coaching, skill development and continuing to build the team pride that we feel is very important or our plan. “Our first goal is to make sure that hockey is an option for anyone who wants to continue playing, but we must stress the necessary skills and game knowledge, as well as making sure we have the necessary ice time to ensure our growth. If we operate quality programs, we will grow. But the quality has to be there first.”

Brandon Convery will take over as the head coach of the Destroyers as they move from the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League to the LAKHSHL a move that makes sense for the team geographically. A 14-year pro who suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Kings in the NHL, he coached for six seasons at the AAA level with the L.A. Jr. Kings and started a hockey school after his playing career. He now runs a company that specializes in motivation and leadership, and was eager to get back

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into the hockey world when the opportunity came up with the Destroyers. “This allows me to give back to the local communities and help out with what the Kings are trying to develop,” Convery said. “I’ll bring along the assistant coach (Jeff Bain) that I worked with at the Jr. Kings. We had a lot of success developing players and providing a great experience for players and families, and that’s what we’ll continue to focus on.” Fox said he’s proud of the effort that the Kings staff has put behind efforts to make their high school hockey league successful. That’s already bearing fruit, though he knows there is still plenty of work to be done. “Our staff commits endless hours to ensure that we are operating as efficiently as possible, and it goes beyond that,” Fox said. “The relationships that have been built and nurtured during our first year will last a lifetime and beyond, and our staff understands the importance of building relationships and working with people. “We feel that our goals and the steps that need to be taken to accomplish these goals are in place and we have a long-term plan to reach these goals, but we also realize that not everyone is in agreement with us or on the same timeline. We ask those people for their patience as we strive to make our high school program a positive, well-rounded experience for everyone involved.”

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AAU West Coast Nationals kick off summer tourney season

FIRS event in Italy sees solid California talent on display

By Phillip Brents

total of 67 teams gathered over Memorial Day Weekend at The Rinks-Corona Inline to help start the summer inline hockey travel team championship season as part of the 2016 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) West Coast Nationals. Teams from throughout California and Arizona competed for awards in 18 sub-divisions, ranging from 6U through adult men’s and women’s divisions. The CCM Corona Bulldogs program paced the field with three first-place finishes (6U, 12U-A, Men’s), three second-place finishes (8U-AA, 16U-AAA, Midget AA) and one third-place finish (10U-Tier 1). Corona Inline general manager Ken Murchison said he was “very proud” of the way the entire Bulldogs program represented itself at this year’s AAU West Coast Nationals, which as a qualifier for the AAU Junior Olympic Games inline hockey championships in Kapolei, Hawaii (July 6-18). “The growth of each team from the start of the season to now has exceeded our expectations and we can’t wait to see how things finish this year and lead into the 2016-17 season,” he explained. “It was a great way to head into the WIHA (Western Inline Hockey Association) Finals, NARCh Finals and Junior Olympic Games.” The Pama Cyclones (8U-AA, Midget-AA), San Jose Inline Sharks (10U-Tier 1, 16U-A), Delta River Rats (10U-Tier 2, 12U-AA), HB Militia (14U-AA, Midget-AAA), Raiders HC Yellow (16U-AA, Midget-A) and Revision Vanquish (Women’s, Junior Men’s) each skated home with two division championships from the West Coast Nationals. Division champions also included the Alkali High Rollers (8U-A), Temecula Warriors (14U-A) and Cowboys (16U-AAA). Rocket Welsh of the Bulldogs (6U) led all division high scorers with 15 goals and 26 points. Leah Erkle and Taylor Huynh recorded a perfect 1.000 save percentage for the Revision Vanquish’s Women’s team, while Aaron Gittings captured top goaltender honors in two divisions. Gittings recorded a .911 save percentage for the HB Militia (Midget AAA) and a .900 save percentage for the CAZ Stars (Junior Men’s).

alifornia had significant representation on the three Team USA squads that competed at the 2016 Federation of International Roller Sports (FIRS) inline hockey world championship tournament June 12-25 in Asiago and Roana, Italy. The Team USA senior women’s team came home with a silver medal, while the U.S. senior men’s team placed fourth and the U.S. junior men’s team finished eighth. A total of 27 countries and 55 teams competed at this year’s event. La Verne’s Laura Veharanta, one of five Californians on the U.S. senior women’s squad and a six-year veteran, she said she and her teammates were “looking forward to the opportunity for some redemption” after placing runner-up to the Czech Republic at last year’s tournament. However, the Americans fell one step short again this year by dropping a 3-1 decision to Team Canada in the championship game. Veharanta finished second on the team in scoring with five goals and two assists in six games. Other Californians included Lyndi Bell (Long Beach), Celeste Loyatho (San Juan Capistrano), Elisa Pogu (Corona) and Ariane Yokoyama (Van Nuys). The U.S. senior men’s team featured four Californians on its roster: Charles Baldwin (Santee), Brian Ganz (Sunnyvale), Cody Page (Dana Point) and goaltender Blake Ducker (Orange). Baldwin led the team in scoring with five goals and two assists. The Americans lost, 5-2, to France in the bronze medal game. Team USA junior men’s squad boasted eight Californians, but a low playoff seed was difficult to overcome as the Americans won their opening two games in the tournament but dropped their final four contests. Team USA lost 11-2 to Team Canada in the seventh-place game. Californians on the U.S. roster included Joe Blakewell (Davis), Joseph Cascarano (San Jose), Joey Chimienti (San Jose), Zachary Claunch (San Jose), Caleb Hermle (Yolo), Brayden Kohler (Corona) and goaltenders Nathan Fein (Los Gatos) and Nichola Leacox (Woodland). Blakewell tied for the team scoring lead with 10 points (five goals, five assists).

2016 NARCh West Coast Finals Honor Roll Gold Medals Cub Gold: HB Militia Cub Silver: Labeda Jets Atom Platinum: Pama Cyclones Atom Gold: Bulldogs Black Atom Silver: Temecula Valley Warriors Mite Platinum: Pama Cyclones 05 Mite Gold: HB Militia Grey Mite Silver: Konixx Outcasts Mite Club: Pama Cyclones Squirt Platinum: LA Winterhawks Squirt Gold: San Jose Inline Sharks Squirt Silver: Avalanche Roller Hockey Club Squirt Club: Bulldogs Black Pee Wee Platinum: HB Militia Black Pee Wee Gold: San Jose Inline Sharks Pee Wee Silver: Pama Cyclones 01/02 Pee Wee Club: Nor Cal Wild Bantam Platinum: HB Militia Black Bantam Gold: HB Militia Black 01 Bantam Silver: Huntington Beach Hurricanes Bantam Club: Konixx Outcasts Midget Platinum: Pama Prospects Midget Gold: NorCal Extreme Midget Silver: Delta Force Elite Junior Platinum: Pama Prospects Junior Gold: Verbero Voltage Division 1: Labeda Pama Cyclones Men’s Platinum: Labeda Pama Cyclones Blue Men’s Gold: NorCal Extreme Men’s Silver: The Militia 30 & Over: Pama Labeda Legends 40 & Over: HB Crew Women’s Platinum: Labeda Pama Cyclones Women’s Gold: Revision Revolution Silver Medals Cub Gold: Pama Cyclones Cub Silver: Revision Revolution Atom Platinum: Revision Revolution Atom Gold: Pama Cyclones 08 Atom Silver: Arizona Outlaws Mite Platinum: San Diego Rockets 05 Mite Gold: High Rollers Mite Silver: Bulldogs Black Mite Club: Bend Bullets

Squirt Platinum: Delta River Rats Squirt Gold: Terminators Squirt Silver: San Diego Rockets 04 Squirt Club: Bend Bullets Pee Wee Platinum: Revision Revolution 01 Pee Wee Gold: NCR Tour Elite Pee Wee Silver: Labeda Jets Pee Wee Club: HB Militia White Bantam Platinum: Revision Vanquish Bantam Gold: Konixx Outcasts Blue Bantam Silver: HB Militia White Bantam Club: Raiders Green Midget Platinum: HB Groove Midget Gold: San Diego Hosers Midget Silver: Pama Cyclones Black Junior Platinum: Kamagraf Knights Junior Gold: Raw Steel Division 1: Revision Vanquish Men’s Platinum: Soul Skaters Men’s Gold: Team XDH Men’s Silver: New England Insanity 30 & Over: NCR Elite 40 & Over: Labeda Pama Cyclones Women’s Platinum: OC Blades Women’s Gold: Labeda Jets Bronze Medals Cub Gold: Bulldogs Atom Platinum: San Jose Inline Sharks Atom Gold: High Rollers Atom Silver: San Diego Rockets Mite Gold: Notion Mite Silver: San Diego Rockets 06 Mite Club: Verbero Voodoo Squirt Platinum: Pama Cyclones Black Squirt Gold: Pama Cyclones Red Squirt Silver: San Diego Selects Squirt Club: Yuma Blaze Pee Wee Platinum: North Shore Zulu Pee Wee Gold: Revision Vanquish Pee Wee Silver: Chico Firebirds Pee Wee Club: Revision Revolution Red Bantam Platinum: San Jose Inline Sharks Bantam Gold: Bulldogs Blue Bantam Silver: Revision Revolution 00s Bantam Club: Avalanche Roller Hockey Club

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Midget Platinum: Revision Vanquish Midget Gold: Pama Cyclones Gold Midget Silver: San Jose Inline Sharks Junior Platinum: Supa Hot Junior Gold: San Diego Selects Division 1: Konixx Outcasts Men’s Platinum: South Coast Savings Men’s Gold: Rink Rat Grimreefers IHC Men’s Silver: Verbero Lynx Silver 30 & Over: Paul Newell Home Loans Killers 40 & Over: Rockets Women’s Platinum: Republic Women’s Gold: Revision Vanquish TOP INDIVIDUALS High Scorer Awards Cub Division: Grady Schaefer (Pama Cyclones) Atom Division: Aidan Yu (Pama Cyclones 08) Mite Platinum: Christian Kim (Pama Cyclones 05) Mite Gold: Dillan Rud (Notion) Mite Silver: Domonic Barber (Konixx Outcasts) Mite Club: Michael O’Neil (Verbero Voodoo) Squirt Platinum: Ean Somoza (LA Winterhawks) Squirt Gold: Aihden Martinez (San Jose Inline Sharks) Squirt Silver: Bryan Jimenez (Avalanche RHC) Squirt Club: Liam Culligan (Bulldogs Black) Pee Wee Platinum: Jason Chu (North Shore Zulu) Pee Wee Gold: Dominic Hofferber (San Jose Inline Sharks) Pee Wee Silver: Anthony Yu (Pama Cyclones 01/02) Pee Wee Club: Tommy Lang (HB Militia) Bantam Platinum: Casey Rhodes (Revision Vanquish) Bantam Gold: Dylan Reightley (Puckhog 99s) Bantam Silver: Evan Stapleton (HB Hurricanes) Bantam Club: Marco Rodriguez (Avalanche RHC) Midget Platinum: Evan Somoza (Revision Vanquish) Midget Gold: Nolan Fitch (San Diego Hosers) Midget Silver: Alex Grace (Delta Force Elite) Junior Platinum: Evan Somoza (Revision Vanquish) Junior Gold: Paul Hermle (Verbero Voltage) Division 1: Parker Moskal (San Diego Sprung Hosers) Men’s Platinum: Shawn Gawrys (Pama Labeda Cyclones Blue) Men’s Gold: Marvin Simmons (Oxy-Pow Youngbloods) Men’s Silver: Matt Maricic (Riskvision Red Army) 30 & Over: Vinny Free (Pama Labeda Legends) 40 & Over: Dylan Brunton (HB Crew) Women’s Platinum: Kourtney Kunichika

Women’s Gold: Tia Stoddard (Revision Vanquish) Top Goaltender Awards Cub Division: Kaeden Tate (HB Militia) Atom Division: Max Castagnoli/Sage Legaspi (Pama Cyclones) Mite Platinum: Sky Willer (Pama Cyclones 05) Mite Gold: Jolee Savoy (High Rollers) Mite Silver: Ella Park (San Diego Rockets 06) Mite Club: Santiago Bohorquez (High School Hockey H2S) Squirt Platinum: Lucas Massie (L.A. Winterhawks) Squirt Gold: Evan Haley (San Jose Inline Sharks) Squirt Silver: Seth Miskiewicz (San Diego Selects) Squirt Club: Darrian Deshong (Bulldogs Black) Pee Wee Platinum: Marissa Trevino (Revision Revolution 01) Pee Wee Gold: Jaisal Patel (San Jose Inline Sharks) Pee Wee Silver: Evan Pawluk (Bulldogs Black) Pee Wee Club: Luke Yubeta (Konixx Outcasts) Bantam Platinum: Kavan Johnson/Tyler Kitchen (HB Militia Black) Bantam Gold: Maxwell Muller (San Jose Inline Sharks) Bantam Silver: Alan Maupas-Reigel (Revision Revolution 00) Bantam Club: Jacob Craig (AKS) Midget Platinum: Connor Duffy (Pama Prospects) Midget Gold: Nicholas Leacox (NorCal Extreme) Midget Silver: Matt Dunton (Raiders Yellow) Junior Platinum: Connor Duffy (Pama Prospects) Junior Gold: Kasey Kunichika (Raw Steel) Division 1: Leksie Zendejas (Revision Vanquish) Men’s Platinum: P.J. Musico (Pama Labeda Cyclones Blue) Men’s Gold: Chris McWhorter (Team XDH) Men’s Silver: Michael Wood (Marina Serpents) 30 & Over: Marcus Vertin (Pama Labeda Legends) 40 & Over: Tim Tobin (Labeda Pama Cyclones) Women’s Platinum: Danielle Stanard (Labeda Pama Cyclones) Women’s Gold: Leah Erkle (Revision Vanquish) Skills Competition Winners Cub Division Fastest skater: Grady Schaefer (Pama Cyclones) Sniper: Jackson Schaefer (Pama Cyclones) Top goaltender: Kaeden Tate (HB Militia) Atom Division Fastest skater: Daniel Xiao (Revision Revolution) Sniper: Aidan Yu (Pama Cyclones 08) Top goaltender: Bennett Law (Revision Revolution)

Mite Platinum/Gold Division Fastest skater: Christian Kim (Pama Cyclones 05) Sniper: Talen Garcia (San Diego Rockets 05) Top goaltender: Owen Crudale (San Diego Rockets 05) Mite Silver/Club Division Fastest skater: Chase Franks (Revision Revolution 05) Sniper: Domonic Barber (Konixx Outcasts) Top goaltender: Santiago Bohorquez (Hockey High School) Squirt Platinum/Club Division Fastest skater: Phillipe Lalonde (AKS 04) Sniper: Michael Schwartz (Pama Cyclones Black) Top goaltender: James Roberts (Revision Vanquish) Squirt Silver/Club Division Fastest skater: Pasha Bocharov (San Diego Rockets) Sniper: Talen Garcia (San Diego Rockets) Top goaltender: Amber McQuarry (Albuquerque Coyotes) Pee Wee Silver/Club Division Fastest skater: Max Pollock (Chico Firebirds) Sniper: Allen Yu (Pama Cyclones Red 01/02) Top goaltender: Anamary Pulgar (Labeda Jets) Bantam Platinum/Gold Division Fastest skater: Christian Acosta (HB Militia Black) Sniper: Jeffery Payne (San Jose Inline Sharks) Top goaltender: Austin Bogdanovich (Puckhogs 99’s) Bantam Silver/Club Division Fastest skater: Cory Mater (HB Militia White) Sniper: Joe Fordyce (Revision Revolution 2000) Top goaltender: Alan Maupas (Revision Revolution 2000) Midget Platinum/Gold Division Fastest skater: Parker Moskal (San Diego Hosers) Sniper: Christian Sy (NCR Elite) Top goaltender: Cameron Houde (NCR Elite) Midget Silver Division Fastest skater/sniper: Ian Beermann (Norcal Wild) Top goaltender: Dexter Hamilton (San Jose Inline Sharks)

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM Off-ice training for goalies should be relevant, challenging O

ff-ice training plays a vital role in the development of hockey players. USA Hockey follows the Long Term Athletic Development principles as the basis of their program. These principles will assist in creating a more consistent training regimen. Today’s training programs should not be based on how hard the program is, but what goals are in mind and are you progressing. When training for a sport, the program should be devised Chris Phillips with the following in mind: • Is the program age specific? • Is the program based on meeting the demands of the sport which the athlete plays? • Are proper techniques being used? • Does the program include fundamental movements that progress to more complex ones? • Does the program address injury prevention exercises that relate to the sport? There is an unlimited amount of exercises that can be used with goalies that will improve performance on the ice. Some key exercises that can be implemented into your goalie training program include lateral lunges, lateral bounds, resisted shuffles, mini band exercises for hip strength, rear foot elevated split squats, medicine ball Russian twists, dumbbell forward, diagonal and lateral shoulder raises, dumbbell rows and alternate ball toss with a partner. The way you train off the ice directly affects the way you perform on the ice. Take a step-by-step approach with long-term athletic development in mind. Have goals in mind with proper technique and progression as the basis of your program to maximize performance and limit injuries.

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

12 champions crowned at Carmen Starr Classic A

record-high 79 teams from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, Canada, as well as Russia, converged on three Southern California rinks recently to compete in the seventh annual Los Angeles Jr. Kings-hosted Carmen Starr Memorial Day Classic, which ran from May 27-30. Champions were crowned in 12 divisions: 2002 Elite (AK Blast); 2003 Elite (Langley Jr. Rivermen); 2003 AAA (Canwest Knights); 2004 Elite (Jr. Kings); 2004 AAA (Jr. Kings); 2005 Elite (Vancouver Warriors); 2006 Elite (California Patriots); 2006 AAA (Anaheim Jr. Ducks); 2007 Elite (Jr. Kings); 2007 AAA (Jr. Ducks); 2008 Elite (Jr. Rivermen); and 2009 Elite (Jr. Ducks). “It hasn’t taken long for this event to solidify itself as the premier spring showcase on the West Coast, and we expect it to become even bigger and better in the coming years,” said tournament director Brian McDonough. “There was plenty of great competition in every division this year, and that speaks volumes about the effort each player, coach, team manager and family put forth to make the weekend such a success.” Most Valuable Player awards were recognized in the 2002 through 08 divisions with each receiving a gift card, compliments of HockeyMonkey: 2002 Elite (Hunter Strand, AK Blast); 2003 Elite (Adam Grenier, Jr. Rivermen); 2003 AAA (Jacob Klassen, Canwest Knights); 2004 Elite (Jaden Lipinski, Jr. Kings); 2004 AAA (Dylan Cornforth, Jr. Kings); 2005 Elite (Jamison Sluys, Vancouver Warriors); 2006 Elite (Patrick Fortune, California Patriots); 2006 AAA (Oliver Clarke, Anaheim Jr. Ducks); 2007 Elite (Mason Fleece, Jr. Kings); 2007 AAA (Ethan Barela, Jr. Ducks) and 2008 Elite (Nate Ramos, Jr. Rivermen). All division champions were also awarded a banner and trophy, and all players on the championship teams received medals. Players on the runner-up teams in each division also received medals. This year’s Carmen Starr games were contested at Toyota Sports Center (El Segundo), The Rinks-Lakewood Ice (Lakewood) and KHS Ice Arena (Anaheim). “We can’t thank enough the staffs at our satellite facilities, as well as all of our volunteers, for making this tournament the most successful in its short history,” McDonough added. “We’re lucky to have so many great, selfless people on our team to help make events of this scope hit on all cylinders.”

Jr. Kings coach Tartaglione assumes role with USA Hockey T

ommy Tartaglione, a coach within the Los Angeles Jr. Kings organization, was recently appointed Southern California’s goaltending development coordinator by USA Hockey. Tartaglione’s multifaceted duties in the newly-created position include mentoring young goaltenders across the region, educating local goalie coaches, meeting with clubs and associations to implement goalie training curriculum and leading USA Hockey’s student goaltending coach programs. “Twenty years ago in California, the only way to learn about goaltending was by watching a rare game on television,” said Tartaglione, a Torrance native. “Now, with the American Goaltending Development Program, every goalie from California will have the chance to learn the position the right way.” Rick Cazares, a coach in the San Jose Jr. Sharks organization, was named Northern California’s coordinator (see more on Cazares on Page 14). “Adding more resources and support for goaltenders, both on the national level and the local level, is a priority for USA Hockey and our American Development Model (ADM),” said Phil Osaer, USA Hockey’s ADM manager for goaltending. “The goaltending development coordinators will play an important role in that process, giving young goalTommy Tartaglione tenders support and guidance from experienced coaches with a wealth of goaltending experience. “(The California Amateur Hockey Association) has really prioritized goalie development, which is important.” A former Jr. Kings goaltender who also excelled locally playing high-level inline hockey, Tartaglione is entering his third season coaching in the club. “Tommy brings something unique, too, with his roller and ice hockey backgrounds,” Osaer added. “I think that could be vital for goalie identification in Southern California.” “There’s so many promising young goaltenders in our state, and I’m looking forward to not only being a part of their continued development, but other goaltenders and coaches around the country as well,” Tartaglione said. CARubberHockey.com

Hot In The City

NARCh West Coast Finals set the pace for intense championship summer division championships in Squirt Gold and Pee Wee Gold. The Nor Cal Wild (Pee Wee Club), Delta Force Elite (Midget Silver), Verbero Voltage (Junior Gold) and Revision Revolution (Women’s Gold) also excelled by winning NARCh gold medals. The Cyclones left their mark with division titles in Atom Platinum, Mite Platinum, Mite Club, Pee Wee Silver, Division 1, Men’s Platinum, 30 & Over and Women’s Platinum. Add to that two more titles by the Pama Prospects in the Midget Platinum and Junior Platinum divisions. The HB Militia mined championships in the Cub Gold, Mite Gold, Pee Wee Platinum,

on 16 goals and nine assists. However, he wasn’t the only player wielding a magic he 2016 NARCh Finals are halfway to the finish line stick. and when the final horn sounds, some 413 teams Christian Kim of the Mite Platinum champion will have participated in more 1,130 games from coast Pama Cyclones 05 team racked up 18 goals and 23 to coast. points, while Aidan Yu of the Atom Gold runner-up The NARCh West Coast Finals wrapped up June Pama Cyclones 08 team recorded 18 goals and 22 26 with 214 teams competing over an 11-day stretch points. Grady Schaefer of the Cub Gold runner-up that featured 576 games at Huntington Beach Inline; Pama Cyclones collected 16 goals and 20 points. the NARCh East Coast Finals are scheduled to wrap Evan Pawluk of the Pee Wee Silver up July 24 at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla. A total of Division Bulldogs Black team posted 199 teams are scheduled to compete there to finally the top save percentage of .925 to put an exclamation mark on 23 days of competition in lead all division top goaltender two states in what remains the world’s largest amateur award-winners at this year’s inline hockey championship tournament. NARCh West Coast Finals. “The West Coast Finals were There seemed to be a fantastic,” NARCh president Daryn definite emphasis on top-level Goodwin enthusiastically explained. goaltending at this year’s finals. “It was great having teams that have Evan Haley of the Squirt some new programs from out-of-state Gold champion San Jose Inline that have never played NARCh before, Sharks posted a .917 save as well as those that play every year. percentage, while Alan MaupasYou really can’t go wrong with an event Reigel of the Bantam Silver Division in Huntington Beach since there’s so Revision Revolution 00 squad and much to do away from the rink when Michael Wood of the Men’s Silver teams aren’t playing. Division Marina Serpents both posted “I’m very happy that 413 total teams .916 save percentages. are competing in NARCh this summer.” Nicholas Leacox of the Midget Gold champion NorCal Extreme and Best in the West Chris McWhorter of the Men’s Gold Teams from California, Arizona, runner-up Team XDH both recorded Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, British .915 save percentages, while Connor Columbia, Japan, Brazil and Colombia The Revision Revolution captured the Women’s Gold Division championship at June’s NARCh West Coast Duffy of the Junior Platinum champion attended the NARCh West Coast Finals. Photo/NARCh Pama Prospects posted a .914 save Finals, which faced off June 16. Teams percentage. received awards in a whopping 34 sub-divisions from Bantam Platinum and Bantam Gold divisions while the Danielle Stanard of the Women’s Platinum 6U through adult divisions. California teams dominated, CCM Corona Bulldogs scored division championships champion Labeda Pama Cyclones recorded a .913 winning 31 division titles. in Atom Gold and Squirt Club. save percentage, while P.J. Musico of the Men’s The Pama Cyclones program led the way with 10 The Labeda Jets (Cub Silver), Temecula Valley Platinum champion Pama Labeda Cyclones Blue division championships (in 14 finals appearances) Warriors (Atom Silver), LA Winterhawks (Squirt registered a .903 save percentage and Tim Tobin of while the HB Militia program was not far behind with Platinum), Huntington Beach Hurricanes (Bantam the 40 & Over runner-up Labeda Pama Cyclones had a five division titles and two second-place finishes. Silver), Militia (Men’s Silver) and HB Crew (40 & Over) .902 save percentage. While Southern California teams continued to make also won coveted NARCh division championships. a statement, equally impressive were the showing The Konixx Outcasts from Arizona won two titles Beast in the East turned in by teams from Northern California. Teams (Mite Silver and Bantam Club). California teams will have a definite presence at the from the state’s northern region continued their upward NARCh East Coast Finals with representation in eight development by collecting eight division championships Top individuals divisions in an international field comprising the United and six additional runner-up medals. Anthony Yu of the Pee Wee Silver champion Pama States, Canada, France, Colombia and the Cayman The NorCal Extreme won titles in Midget Gold and Cyclones 01/02 team topped all division high scorers Islands. Men’s Gold, while the San Jose Inline Sharks scored at this year’s NARCh West Coast Finals with 25 points For updates, visit www.narch.com.

By Phillip Brents

Give Blood Play Hockey event celebrates 10th anniversary T

his year’s Give Blood Play Hockey inline hockey charity tournament, scheduled Oct. 20-23 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline, is special in that it marks the tenth anniversary of the event, which owns distinction as the largest inline hockey charity tournament in the world. “This year we hope to hit the $750,000 mark on the way to our goal of $1 million donated to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) for research into clinical trials and the genomics of diseases like cancer and blood disorders,” GBPH tournament co-founder Mary Quayle explained. “As it is our 10th year, we are going to be really stepping up the fundraising. We are launching a “$10 for 10” campaign – if everyone can get 10 people to donate $10 for our tenth annual event, we would be able to meet our goals.” 24

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Quayle noted that 100 percent of all proceeds go directly to CHOC. She encourages everyone to participate. The easiest way to do that, she said, is through www. giveblooodplayhockey.org. Tournament organizers expect to surpass the 2,500th pint of donated blood at the 2016 event. Quayle noted that each pint of blood can save up to three lives. She remains amazed at the life-saving potential the tournament has provided to the community. “Do the math,” she said. “GBPH has given enough blood to potentially save 7,500 lives. We have first-

time donors to donors who have given all 10 years.” Bloodmobiles will be on site Oct. 21-23. Quayle said more than 100 teams will be participating in this year’s tournament. The early registration team fee (prior to Sept. 16) is $500 and increases to $550 after Sept. 16. There is a $25 team discount for two blood donors. Divisions range from 6U through 18U, plus high school varsity and junior varsity teams, college, women’s, men’s and coed divisions. Skill levels are beginner to advanced. For more information, email gbph4choc@gmail.com.

Leaving Their Mark

California teams make noise at AIHL national championship tournament By Phillip Brents

hile a national championship eluded participating teams from Pacific-North and Pacific-South divisions at the American Inline Hockey League (AIHL) finals played May 20-22 at the Skate Safe America rink in Old Bethpage, N.Y., players admitted it was a definite thrill to be part of the event. “Playing at nationals was so much fun,” San Diego Tron Hosers Black defenseman George Godinez explained. “The facility was great, the competition was very competitive. The only thing that hurt us was our roster. We went in with eight skaters and a goalie and the other teams had about 12-13 on their roster and two goalies. “We played very well. If we had our whole squad, I’m sure we could’ve had a better chance to win it, although we came very close with just eight guys.” Four teams from California and one each from Arizona and Nevada participated in this year’s tournament on Long Island. The East Bay Jawz and Arizona Outcasts competed in the top-tier Elite Division, while the Marina Mantas and Las Vegas Aces participated in the Minor Tier 1 Division and the Oakland Dragons and Hosers competed in the Minor Tier 2 Division. Pacific-South region champion Arizona paced the western complement of teams with a runner-up finish in the Champions Cup Finals to the Mid-Atlantic Division’s Revision Delco Demons from Springfield, Pa., while the Mantas and Hosers both pushed their semifinal series to the limit before bowing out of the tournament. The Hosers were eliminated on a dramatic turn-offortune goal scored by the Atlantic zone’s New Jersey Alliance with just 14 seconds left in the teams’ deciding playoff game after the San Diego team had powered to an early 3-0 lead. “It was a very exciting game,” Godinez recalled. “Both teams were taking great chances and the goalies were solid. We were exhausted but not giving up. It was a very heartbreaking loss to end the playoffs.” The Mantas also lost a narrow deciding playoff game 3-2 to the Atlantic zone’s Philadelphia Liberty, while the Jawz, Aces and Dragons all were swept by their semifinal opponents.

Eastern horizons

This year’s national championship tournament featured a user-friendly format. Teams from the four geographic zone qualifiers – Pacific-South, PacificNorth, Mid-Atlantic and New England – played a four-team round-robin format on the opening day of competition. Teams then were seeded first through fourth by order of finish for the next day’s best-ofthree semifinals. Semifinal winners then advanced to the final

George Godinez was among the players on the San Diego Tron Hosers Black team who competed at May’s American Inline Hockey League national championship tournament on Long Island. Photo/NARCh

day of competition in best-of-three championship series. The Outcasts made a statement by winning their opening five games before dropping both matchups in the finals to the Demons. The Hosers finished tournament play with a record of two wins, three losses and one shootout loss while the Mantas finished with a 2-4 record. The Jawz, Aces and Dragons all finished 0-5.

The Hosers faced off round-robin play with a 7-0 win over Pacific-North champion Oakland, then lost to the New Jersey Alliance 4-3 in a shootout before closing out the round-robin with a 3-2 loss to the Hartford Fire Ants from the New England Division. The Hosers drew New Jersey in the semifinals, losing two games to one. The Hosers won the first game 2-1 in overtime, but dropped the second game by a score of 6-3 to set up the deciding third game. Hartford defeated New Jersey by scores of 6-2 and 3-2 to claim the AIHL Minor Tier 2 national championship. “Overall, it was a great experience,” explained Godinez, who collected four goals and two assists in the team’s six games in New York. “It was a great time playing, a good little mini-vacation for us -definitely need to go back to see more of New York City.” Dylan Davidson led the Hosers in scoring at the AIHL nationals with 10 points (five goals, five assists), while goaltender Doug Irwin turned in a very respectable 2.89 goals-against average and a .830 save percentage in playing all the minutes between the pipes. Pacific-North champion Marina faced off play with a 5-1 victory against Pacific-South champion Las Vegas. However, the Mantas could not maintain their momentum with consecutive losses to the Long Island 495ers Blue (5-3) and the Philadelphia Liberty Blue (7-1) to close out round-robin play. The Mantas bounced back with a 3-2 overtime win over the Liberty to start the semifinals. However, the Philadelphia team rallied with 5-0 and 3-2 victories to advance to the division finals. Danny Salazar racked up nine points (four goals, five assists) to lead the Mantas in tournament scoring, while Thomas Hartshorn led the team with six goals, including the OT winner over the Liberty in the semifinals. Long Island went on to defeat Philadelphia two games to one to win the AIHL Minor Tier 1 Division championship. The Demons swept the Outcasts by scores of 7-3 and 5-0 to win the Elite Division.

West Valley College players double up at NCRHA, AIHL A

trio of players from the Marina Mantas – Danny Salazar, Thomas Hartshorn and Tyler Gulan – along with Kyle Aldrich from the Arizona Outcasts had the honor of playing in two inline hockey national championship tournaments in the span of a month when they suited up for their respective teams at May’s American Inline Hockey League (AIHL) national finals on Long Island. Prior to that, the talented quartet led California’s West Valley College to a runnerup finish (to Missouri’s St. Charles Community College) in the Junior College Division at April’s National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) national finals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hartshorn (eight goals, four assists), Salazar (six goals, six assists) and Gulan (five goals, four assists) led the Mantas in scoring during the team’s eight AIHL playoff games. Aldrich tallied four goals and two assists in the

Outcasts’ 12 playoff games, including two goals in a 5-1 semifinal series-clinching victory against the PacificNorth regional champion East Bay Jawz at the AIHL nationals. The Outcasts finished 5-2 at the AIHL nationals and 9-3 overall in the playoffs, including regional wins over the San Diego Tron Hosers and Las Vegas Aces. San Clemente’s Will Heinze led the Outcasts with four goals and six assists in three roundKyle Aldrich had the honor of playing in two robin games at the AIHL national championship tournaments in the nationals. span of a month when he suited up for the While the Jawz failed to win Arizona Outcasts at May’s American Inline a game at the AIHL nationals, Hockey League national championship tournament on Long Island. Photo/NARCh the scores did not tell the whole story. After dropping a 5-2 round-robin

opener to the Outcasts, the Jawz came up on the short end of a 3-2 shootout loss to the New England Division’s Empire State Legends and lost 5-1 to the eventual national champion Revision Delco Demons. Ryan Daubenmire paced the Jawz in overall playoff scoring with seven goals and nine points. Darren Corsatea of regular season Pacific-South Division champion Las Vegas led the AIHL’s Elite Division in scoring with 72 points (34 goals, 38 assists) in 24 regular-season games. - Phillip Brents CARubberHockey.com

2015-16 CALIFORNIA/NEVADA ALUMNI E-mail all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com

CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Beau Bennett (Gardena) – New Jersey Devils 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 * 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 ECHL Austin Block (Northridge) – Manchester Monarchs Dennis Brown (Cypress) – Tulsa Oilers Chase Golightly (Temecula) – Florida Everblade 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 J.T. Osborn (Alpine) – Quad City Mallards 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 Josh Harris (Torrance) – Peoria Rivermen 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 26

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Jenny Scrivens (Camarillo) – New York Riveters Cherie Stewart (Lake Forest) – New York Riveters Alyssa Wohlfeiler (Saugus) – Connecticut Whale

COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Chris Buchanan (San Jose) – Bentley University Ryan Doucet (San Jose) – U.S. Air Force Academy David Gandara (Canyon Lake) – American International College Taylor Maruya (Westchester) – U.S. Military Academy Mitch Mueller (Bakersfield) – American International College BIG TEN Will Johnson (Santa Barbara) – University of Wisconsin 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 Merrick Madsen (Acton) – Harvard University Alec McCrea (El Cajon) – Cornell University Alex Miner-Barron (Glendora) – Quinnipiac University Tyler Moy (San Diego) – Harvard University 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 Nolan Stevens – Northeastern University % 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 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 Haroutiun Sarkisian (Encino) – Nichols 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

Michael Freeman (Rancho Cucamonga) – Fredonia State Univ. 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 ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE Sasha Chmelevski (Huntington Beach) – Sarnia Sting Vanya Lodnia (Anaheim) – Erie Otters 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 Niko Hildenbrand (Vacaville) – Fargo Force 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) 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 % 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

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

PICTURE PERFECT The Los Angeles Jr. Kings celebrated the 2004 AAA division championship at this year’s Jr. Kings-hosted Carmen Starr Memorial Day Classic, which was showcased from May 27-30 at three Southern California ice rinks.

The California Patriots staked claim to the top prize in the 2006 Elite AAA division at this year’s Los Angeles Jr. Kings-hosted Carmen Starr Memorial Day Classic, which was contested from May 27-30 at three Southern California ice rinks.

The Anaheim Jr. Ducks celebrated the 2009 Elite AAA division championship at this year’s Los Angeles Jr. Kings-hosted Carmen Starr Classic, which was showcased from May 27-30 at three Southern California ice rinks. Kale Clague from the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (51st overall) at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y., on June 25. Photo/Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Max Jones of the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round (24th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y., on June 24. Photo/Aaron Bell/CHL Images

The Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 2005 team brought home the championship goodies at the Montreal Meltdown event held the first weekend in June. The Jr. Ducks blanked the Arsenal Roussillion 4-0 in the title game. The Los Angeles Jr. Kings took home the top prize in the 2007 Elite AAA division at this year’s Jr. Kings-hosted Carmen Starr Memorial Day Classic, which was showcased from May 27-30 at three Southern California ice rinks.

Fairbanks Ice Dogs goaltender and Yorba Linda native Gavin Nieto lifts the Robertson Cup after the Ice Dogs won their third NAHL championship in team history on May 15 as they defeated the Wichita Falls Wildcats 2-0 at the Braemar Ice Arena in Edina, Minn. Nieto made 31 saves in the shutout and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Photo/Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Moorpark native and California Titans graduate Liam Stirtzinger hoists the Robertson Cup as part of the NAHL champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The Ice Dogs upended the Wichita Falls Wildcats 2-0 in Edina, Minn., back on May 15 to claim the league’s top prize. Photo/Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Noah Gregor of the Moose Jaw Warriors meets the media throng June 25 at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y., after the Western Hockey League forward was chosen in the fourth round (111th overall) by the Stanley Cup finalist San Jose Sharks. Photo/Aaron Bell/CHL Images

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California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Brothers In Arms

Yorba Linda’s Nieto tandem compiles 2015-16 seasons to remember Gavin started playing with the Jr. Ducks as a Mite and for Squirts, he joined a strong group of 96s with the West Valley Wolves in Panorama City, more than 60 miles away from home. Garrett, meanwhile, started and stayed with the Jr. Ducks for Mites and Squirts, while Gavin shifted to the Wave in Artesia – a mere 22 miles away – for Pee Wees and Bantams. Garrett joined him there for Pee Wees, giving the Nietos a bit of a break, and Tom helped coach Gavin’s teams. Gavin’s move to the Jr. Kings coincided with Garrett’s back to the Jr. Ducks, setting the table

the year,” Gavin said. “We played Lone Star, considered a favorite to win it all, to a 0-0 tie and won hat’s almost 12 and a half feet tall, weighs in a shootout. The way we handled ourselves told more than 400 pounds and stops nearly evme we knew what we were capable of.” erything shot its way? Gavin’s play sparked the Ice Dogs’ special seaIf you guessed an imposing creature in a sumson, one of his closest observers said. mer blockbuster monster movie, try again. “I’ve watched him play goal for 12 years,” GarIf you guessed the goaltending Nieto brothers rett said. “He was very good. We watch each othof Yorba Linda, give yourself a gold star. er’s games and give feedback. He helped make my Lest you think we’re exaggerating, realize Gavin adjustment to junior easier.” (1996 birth year) goes 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds Garrett landed in Wenatchee after playing 16U while younger brother Garrett (a ’98) is 6-3 and for the Jr. Kings. But he stepped in as a No. 2 to 235. RPI commit Chase Perry. That part about stopping just about “This was his first year of juniors, everything? No exaggeration either. and he understood the role he was in,” Gavin went 33-5-1 with a 1.71 goalsWenatchee goaltending coach Chris against average and a .929 save perClark said. “His teammates love him. centage in the regular season, then You have to be a good person to hanupped that pace (1.37 GAA and .945) in dle being the second guy in a tandem as helping Fairbanks win the North Ameriwell as he did. can Hockey League’s Robertson Cup. “He is the last one on the ice on Fittingly, Gavin ended it with a shutout nights he isn’t playing because he will – his third of the playoffs and ninth overwork with his teammates as long as they all this past season. want. Guys see that and when he does Garrett, meanwhile, played for play they’re willing to do anything for Wenatchee of the British Columbia him.” Hockey League and had a 2.09 GAA Garrett’s positive attitude was one and .911 save percentage while making attribute that set him apart. Another was the BCHL All-Rookie Team. his size, which says middle linebacker, Colleges took note. In late Decemnot hockey player. But looks can be deber, Gavin committed to Brown Uniceiving. versity (ECAC), and Garrett followed “For a kid to be that big to have that by committing to Lake Superior State amount of athleticism is unbelievable (WCHA) in mid-April. – his lateral mobility is unbelievable,” The sigh of relief you heard was from Clark said. “He’s aggressive, too. When Tom and Jen Nieto, who not only no you’re 6-3 and come out of the net to longer will have to purchase two sets of cut down an angle, there isn’t much to goalie gear for growing boys, but might see. actually be able to take trips together. “His athletic ability combined with Such is the life for parents of multiple his gift of size and his competitiveness travel hockey players. – all three are off the charts. His com“I don’t know if we’ve ever been on a petitiveness separates him.” trip together,” Tom said. “The years they But he kept news of college decision both played AAA were tough.” on the down low. The rewards are more obvious now. “I had the impression schools were “No. 1, this is an all-around great famlooking at him, but I had no idea about ily,” said Louis Pacella, who coached any offers,” Gavin said. “Then one day both boys with the Los Angeles Jr. he tells me, ‘Oh yeah, I committed to Kings. “Tom and Jen did everything you Garrett Nieto (left) and Gavin Nieto (right) take a moment to share the Robertson Cup, won by Lake State this morning.’ I had to ask could ask for as hockey parents. Tom Gavin this past May in Edina, Minn., with the NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs. him for more details.” coached at the Wave, Jen managed teams for me for Gavin’s first Nationals experience. But Gavin’s The sons of Tom and Jen could also be called for two years, and they billeted kids. They support- 2011-12 season wasn’t without a hitch. sons of Wayne or Luc or Marty, or any other Kings ed their kids and others’.” “Gavin tried out for my Jr. Kings team in 2011, of the early 1990s. The Nietos did get to see their sons play at the but we were committed to Thatcher Demko, and I “The Cup run in ’93 hooked me,” Tom said. “I’d USA Hockey Youth Nationals together in 2013 in told Gavin he wouldn’t play much,” Pacella said. never played until I joined an adult league. I fell in Anchorage, Alaska, when Gavin was with the Jr. “He should focus on going somewhere he could love with the game.” Kings Midget 16U AAA team and Garrett was on play all the time and get in better shape. He reThe boys learned to skate early and found the the Anaheim Jr. Ducks Bantam AAA team. turned to the Wave, where he played 16AA. When net not long after that. The net result is furthering That Nationals run was particularly memorable Thatcher went to the USHL, Gavin was the first their hockey careers. for Garrett, who bounced back from a loss to the goalie I called. “Our parents were always there for us,” Garrett Jr. Kings at Pacific Districts to make 56 saves in “I didn’t recognize him when I saw him – he’d said. “They both drove us everywhere. Now they’re a 4-3 triple-overtime win to clinch the Nationals grown and thinned out. I could not believe the able to watch.” berth. transformation. He shut out Shattuck-St. Mary’s at Added Gavin: “This past year has been pretty Gavin made his Nationals debut the season be- Nationals, which put him on the radar. I couldn’t be surreal – a year ago you’d never thought we’d both fore with the Jr. Kings 16U AAA team. happier for that guy, to go from 16U AA to NCAA commit to D-I schools. It has come out of nowhere “That was the first time I noticed all the scouts Division I in just a few years – a total late bloomer. for both of us, and I can’t thank my parents enough in the stands,” he said. “It’s pretty crazy how many He was really dedicated to his training.” for all they did. They sacrificed a lot – financially guys from our team are playing Division I hockey or Gavin moved on to Kimball Union prep school and their time – to support us.” will be soon.” and spent time with Dubuque of the United States Tom and Jen’s work isn’t quite finished. Their The brothers’ path to college included a lot of Hockey League before landing in Fairbanks. daughter Megan is a standout basketball player enroad work. “I think we knew we had a good team early in tering her sophomore year in high school. By Chris Bayee

CARubberHockey.com

MATTHEW CAITO

Position: Defenseman, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Hometown: Coto de Caza Last Amateur Team: Miami University (NCHC) Youth Teams: Costa Mesa Comets, Anaheim Jr. Ducks, L.A. Selects California Rubber: What is your favorite hockey memory growing up? Matthew Caito: One of my favorite memories was during Bantam AAA. In the state championship game, we were up 3-1 against a team we beat the night before. With about 1:30 left, they came back. Everyone was nervous, then there was the excitement of us winning in overtime. People crying. I was so excited. I could still tell you exactly what happened on the good plays and the goals. CR: What is your favorite memory in the game since leaving California? MC: My junior year at Miami, winning our playoff championship (NCHC). That was one of the best feelings I’ve had in college hockey. Another one my freshman year was when we won the last CCHA regular-season championship. CR: You played for your father, Paul, growing up. How was that experience? MC: It was a lot of fun. Your father puts a lot more pressure on you to do certain things. It helped me down the road. He was doing it out of love. He pushed me to succeed. He’s a great coach who really loves the game and knows a lot about it. He played in high school in the Massachusetts area and still plays hockey today. He was coaching ’98s with Igor (Nikulin) for a while. CR: What was your first taste of pro hockey like? MC: I got the opportunity to play for Toledo (ECHL) after (Miami’s) season. Unfortunately, we lost in Game 7 of the quarterfinals. It was good to see the lifestyle, and to be living on your own. It wasn’t like being in college where you see your buddies every minute of every day. I got to see the pro vibe and what it takes. CR: What advice would you give young hockey players? MC: I had that opportunity being around my dad’s second group of kids, and it was keep working hard. Listen to your coach. Doing things to the fullest. Be a great teammate. All you can do is care about that, and you’ll succeed individually. CR: Who has been the biggest influence on you on and off the ice? MC: My grandfather (Thomas Caito) is still a big influence to me. He was a high school football coach in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and is in all the halls of fame. He was one of my role models, along with my dad; someone who works hard and loves the game. He shares a passion in similar things. He loves hockey. CR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play? MC: I played baseball in high school at Tesoro. Those were all my buddies in high school. I kept with it in boarding school. I was a catcher because I loved being part of every play and being the vocal leader. CR: What is your game-day routine like? MC: I always put my gear on left side first. I jump rope before games and like to play a little soccer so I get certain amount of touches. I always eat chicken and pasta. CR: Are there are any pieces of gear you’re particular about? MC: My skates, which are Grafs. It’s gotta be a half inch (hollow) and sharp all the time. I’m a little prima donna with my edges. CR: When you’re back in California, do you have a favorite meal or restaurant? MC: I love when my mom (Julie) cooks. My favorite dish is a shrimp, broccoli and ziti one. CR: Did you have a favorite player growing up? MC: My favorite player was Scott Niedermayer. Watching him when the Ducks got him was the best gift I’ve ever received. CR: If you weren’t playing hockey, what do you think you’d be doing? MC: I’d probably be doing something with baseball or working with a sports team in some way. Photo/Miami University

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

- Compiled by Chris Bayee

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