California Rubber Magazine - January 2017 by Rubber Hockey Magazines

VOLUME 10

CONDORSTOWN WINTERFEST EVENT DEEMED SUCCESSFUL ON ALL FRONTS WILDCATS’ KAPUSTA KEEPING ONE EYE ON THE ICE, ONE EYE ON EDUCATION SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FAMILIES FIND JOY IN MAKING HOCKEY DAILY ROUTINE JR. SHARKS’ SQUIRTS TAKE OVER CANADA, CAPTURE SILVER STICK CHAMPIONSHIP

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FROM THE EDITOR Past the halfway point, but so much more hockey to go this year

know, it’s hard to believe that we are going into late January wondering where time has gone. It’s the second half of the season and this is always the time of year when things get interesting and the intensity level shifts into “ludicrous speed,” if I can borrow a phrase from the 1987 classic “Spaceballs.” Just check out the action from the recent tournaments – some high-quality youth talent on display there and plenty of names to keep tabs on in the future in California! If your New Year’s resolutions included seeing the growth of hockey continue out West, you’re in luck. So many good things happening not only in the Los Angeles area, but across the state. Matt Mackinder Take it all in, folks – this is a very special time in California when it comes to all levels of hockey. The game is definitely trending skyward with no signs of hitting a plateau. No fooling, but circle April 1 on your calendars for the 3rd Annual Casey’s Cup 3v3 Charity Ice Hockey Tournament at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE. All proceeds benefit rare cancer research. The event, open to all ages and levels, celebrates the life of a truly extraordinary individual for whom the tournament is named – Casey Strale – an avid ice and inline hockey player who battled a rare form of cancer known as adrenal cortical carcinoma until his death at age 16 in June 2013. Early bird registration is $250 until Feb. 13 and the deadline to register is March 13. To register or for more info, visit http://www.helptgen.org/caseyscup. Corona native Cayla Barnes, also a Lady Ducks, Jr. Ducks and LA Jr. Kings graduate, captained the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team to a third straight gold medal (and her third in a row) at the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship on Jan. 14 in the Czech Republic. Los Angeles native Dominique Petrie also represented California on the Team USA roster. Barnes most recently served as team captain for the 2016 U.S. Women’s Under-18 Select Team that competed in a three-game series against Canada from Aug. 18-21 in Calgary. Last month, Barnes made her U.S. Women’s National Team debut as the youngest player on the roster for a pair of exhibition games against Canada. Irvine native and forward Shane McMahan has committed to attend and play his NCAA Division I hockey at Minnesota State University (WCHA) next season. McMahan, who played youth hockey for the Jr. Kings, OC Hockey Club and Jr. Ducks, is now in his third season with the United States Hockey League’s Fargo Force. “Mankato is a great program,” McMahan said. “They’re a contender every year and I fit in well with their systems and style of play.” Last August at the LA Valley Ice Center, a film crew was on site to capture footage of the California Heat Squirt BB and Pee Wee B team for inclusion in the ending outtakes section for the upcoming movie “6 Below” – a film based on the true story of former pro and Olympic hockey player Eric LeMarque (father of Heat Squirt BB player Zach LeMarque) that will be released in early 2017. The movie stars Josh Hartnett and is about an adrenaline seeking snowboarder who gets lost in a massive winter storm in the back country of the High Sierras where he is pushed to the limits of human endurance and forced to battle his own personal demons as he fights for survival. The film ends with real outtakes of Eric and his current involvement in youth hockey. One of the outtakes includes the Heat Squirt and Pee Wee teams during which Eric shares some motivational moments as well as a glimpse into lifelong injuries that he’s overcome.

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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

SHARK SIGHTING IN CANADA

Players from the San Jose Jr. Sharks’ 10U team celebrate after a 2-0 win in the championship game of the International Silver Stick Finals on Jan. 8 in Pelham, Ont. More on the Jr. Sharks’ win at this prestigious event on Page 13.

ON THE COVER The San Jose Inline Sharks took a Pee Wee Gold championship and were among an increasing number of teams from Northern California to win titles at last summer’s NARCh West Coast Finals at The Rinks-Huntington Beach. Photo/NARCh

CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

CAHA Select Camps to showcase top California talent By John B. Spigott

t’s time for the next generation of California talent to shine. The 2017 CAHA Select Camp schedule has been released with both the boys and girls camps set to go the weekend of Jan. 20-22 at The Rinks-Lakewood Ice in Lakewood. The camps feature the state’s top players in four different age groups from 2000born players through 2003-born players. The top performers at the CAHA camps will move on to Pacific Districts, where the best of the best will be a part of the USA Hockey National Player Development Camp in Amherst, N.Y., for the boys and St. Cloud, Minn., for the girls. Last season, CAHA enacted changes to the state camp to feature a three-team format at each age group, something board member Chris Hathaway said was done with the goal of better preparing players for future opportunities at the Pacific and National levels. “The changes allow us to mirror what players will see if they move on to Pacific Districts and as well, it comes with the added bonus that we are able to add a few more players to camp,” said Hathaway. “On top of that, we were able to add a practice by position by age group. Compared to the previous years where we

had two teams playing against each other, this gives evaluators another opportunity to take a look at these individuals, which helps the decision-makers do their jobs.” Each team will consist of 10 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies with approximately twothirds of the participants coming from Southern California and the remaining one-third coming from Northern California. Hathaway said there has been a lot of discussion within CAHA on how

to eliminate any potential bias from evaluators and to make sure that the state is represented by the top players each year. “There’s a lot of effort that’s gone into this thing to try and figure out how to get the best kids and to make it fair,” said Hathaway. “There’s a misconception that only AAA kids are chosen to move on, but that couldn’t

be further from the truth. We’ve worked hard to get evaluators that are doing this fairly and taking the best players on the weekend of the camp. If you play well that weekend, you’ll earn a spot and move on. “It doesn’t matter how many goals you score during the year – it’s how you show up and play on that given weekend.” The evaluators are made up of a combination of different coaches from around the state as well as some representatives from USA Hockey, and Hathaway noted that getting such a diverse cross-section of eyes watching the camp helps to eliminate any potential favoritism. “It’s usually a system where we use five evaluators per age group and lots of times, you’ll get guys who aren’t familiar with some of these kids,” said Hathaway. “The biggest thing we’re trying to stress is that how we select kids is based entirely on playing ability on this particular weekend.” Ultimately, the format change was instituted as a means of getting players as prepared as they possibly can be to have success at the next level. “This camp is about California sending our best representatives – period,” said Hathaway. “It doesn’t matter to us where you play. We just don’t want kids showing up at Pacific Districts being surprised by the different format and not performing to their capabilities.”

CAHA.com CARubberHockey.com

State of Mind Inline hockey maneuvers a few speed bumps, but continues to roll forward in California

There is no shortage of tournaments in which to play. In fact, some might suggest there are an overabundance of tournaments. he potential for the growth of inline hockey appeared limitless at the dawn of the NARCh president Daryn Goodwin believes the sport is not necessarily shrink1990s. ing in California as a whole. He suggested there are other factors involved. Roller Hockey International (RHI), a big-splash professional league, rolled into “The largest two rinks in Southern California – The Rinks-Irvine Inline and The prime time in 1993. Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline – have consistent numbers from what I’ve heard,” he The North American Roller Hockey Championship tournament series (NARCh) said. “At the end of the day, all these rinks are a business and, like any business, if was founded in 1994 and quickly became recognized as the pinnacle of the sport you don’t do a good job, people won’t come back.” played at the amateur level. Goodwin said that, like any youth sport, inline hockey is highly driven by the However, by the end of the decade, RHI had folded amid a sea of massive depth, parents involved. leaving the amateur game to roll on and evolve. “When there are highly motivated parents who are leaders, they usually rally othThe sport received a double whammy at the end of the next decade when the ers and develop teams and programs,” he noted. “When their kids get older, there’s economy took a nose dive and roller skating rinks began closing throughout the state. no longer a reason for them to do it, so they fade away and new parents emerge Statistics suggest the sport is making a comeback, with a 41 percent increase in with younger kids.” participation numbers nationwide from 2011-15, according to information published NARCh, now in its third decade, continues to draw impressive numbers. A total by Statista. Surprisingly, numbers for scholastic inline hockey leagues in California of 214 teams competed in last summer’s NARCh West Coast Finals in Huntington have dropped. Beach. Combined with the NARCh East Coast Finals in Florida, the total field last John Paerels, who serves as the year numbered a whopping 413 teams. league coordinator for the Anaheim Goodwin pointed out this year’s 21st Ducks Inline Scholastic League (ADISL), annual NARCh Winternationals, held the largest organized scholastic inline Jan. 13-16 in Huntington Beach, attractleague in Southern California, noted that ed 140 teams, including eight 8U teams. all of the high school inline leagues stateHe termed that “a great sign.” wide have lost teams in recent years. “Many of these kids play both roll“I think the biggest factor in the deer and ice and it’s also in the middle of clining numbers for high school inline is the ice hockey season, so it shows their not a lack of interest or lower birth rate,” dedication to inline hockey as well,” he explained Paerels, who has been involved said. in inline hockey since 2010 and on the An even larger inline invasion will management side since 2013. “It’s the occur later this summer when the 2017 growth of high school ice hockey – kind NARCh West Coast Finals roll into San of a ‘good news, bad news’ scenario. The Jose from June 16-25. good news is that high school hockey is The best teams still come to play in growing; it’s just mostly on the ice side California because the best teams play of things. here. “When high school inline was at its Inline hockey continues to make peak, there weren’t any opportunities for strides in the Northern California rehigh school students to play ice hockgion. The quality of play took a major ey for their own school, hence 50-plus step forward with the introduction of the teams in the IHF (Interscholastic Hockey NARCh Nor Cal Cup in 2010. Its creFederation) at that time. Now there are A healthy component of talented players and coaches , such as this NorCal Extreme group from last season, ation was driven by new facilities and an 32 high school ice teams (and more than continue to come and support NARCh, an organization founded in 1994 and still going strong as a leading expanding talent base. 500 players) in the Anaheim Ducks High player in the inline hockey community. Photo/NARCh What’s impressive? Seven players School Hockey League from schools/areas that were (and in some cases, still are) on the 2016 Team USA junior men’s national team hailed from the northern end of part of the IHF. the state. “We’re still at 21 teams this season in the ADISL, but that’s down from 25 teams “There’s still a lot of travel teams; our numbers are heading in a good direceach of the past two years for the fall/winter season, which used to be the big season tion,” explained Silicon Valley Quakes youth program director Dave Inouye, who for high school inline. Now the spring season, which used to be ‘developmental,’ is coached the Team USA junior men’s team the last two years at the FIRS Inline the big season. Hockey World Championships. “The good news for high school inline – at least in the ADISL -- is that our numThe Pacific Inline Hockey League, a Nor Cal-based tournament series, will hold bers do go up significantly for the spring season. Last year, we went from 25 teams its finals in early June at the Antioch Indoor Sports Center. in fall-winter to 37 teams in the spring. The high school ice players – and coaches Inline hockey also continues to attract a strong coed participation base, with gen-- who come in for the spring season seem to enjoy the wide-open format of inline as it der-specific divisions for girls and women at tournaments such as those sponsored offers them the opportunity to stay in shape and work on their skills in a more relaxed by NARCh, the Amateur Athletic Union, State Wars and other regional events. USA environment.” Roller Sports, the governing body for inline hockey in the United States, sponsors Brennan Edwards, who serves as the director of both the Western Collegiate junior and senior women’s teams for international competition. Roller Hockey League (WCRHL) and National Collegiate Roller Hockey AssociaCalifornians traditionally comprise a large segment of those rosters. tion (NCRHA), acknowledged a similar downward trend in participation numbers. But not everything is rosy. WCRHL membership has dropped from 40 affiliated teams in 2010-11 to 28 teams Tyler Svoboda, brand manager for Revision Hockey, pointed out that recent participating this season. bankruptcies by major sporting goods companies have shaken the manufacturing “It’s less about the numbers, but how we can, as league directors, help deal with industry as a whole. the dwindling numbers of players,” Edwards explained. “It’s all about offering excite“If the biggest guy on the block – Bauer – was forced into Chapter 11, it says a ment to those one or two individuals per team and getting them jazzed. They, in turn, lot about how unhealthy the industry is from a manufacture perspective,” he said. get their teammates jazzed.” “With that being said, Revision continues to grow and we once again sold more wheels last year than ever before. Other companies are popping up and existing Rolling along companies are trying to get into new categories. However, it is starting rough for There’s no doubt the inline hockey market remains huge in the Golden State. them and only time will tell if they can survive.” By Phillip Brents

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Jr. Ducks play central role in Choi realizing college dream

Draw of the West, plus style of play draws Demin to Denver

By Chris Bayee

atrick Choi’s season with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks changed the trajectory of his hockey career. Choi, who committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Bentley University (Atlantic Hockey) on Dec. 19, lived in Seoul, South Korea, until he was 12, then moved to London, Ont., Canada, by himself in search of hockey opportunities. “I needed to play more hockey,” Choi said. “In Korea, you would play 10 games per year versus 80 or so in North America.” After playing for the London Jr. Knights, he was certain his next step would be Major Junior hockey. But a meeting with Jr. Ducks director of player personnel Alex Kim, who played professionally in Asia, began a course alteration. “Everyone knows who Alex is in South Korea,” Choi said. “My second year of 16U, I wanted a new start with a different team and coach. “I went to his hockey camp in Korea and told him about my situation, and he invited me to try out for his team. The Jr. Ducks helped me find the right track for my hockey career. Alex and the club helped every single player on our team (in 2014-15) and prepared us for the next level.” Choi, a 1998 birth year, has played the past two seasons in the United States Premier Hockey League’s Premier Division in Syracuse and Boston. “Just because a player is done playing for us doesn’t mean we’re done with you,” Kim said. “It takes time for these opportunities to come about for many players. We want to help them find the right program and the right coach.” Choi’s season in Anaheim stood out for several reasons: Not only did the team reach the USA Hockey Youth Nationals, but he gained several friends. “That ’98 team was probably the closest one I’ve ever played for,” Choi said. “We still have a group chat so most of us can stay in touch.” Choi is the fourth Jr. Ducks ’98-born player to make a Division I commitment, joining forwards Justin Dixson (Massachusetts) and Jack Gates (Colorado College) and defenseman Chad Sasaki (Colorado College).

hen Slava Demin was considering college choices, he followed one of the primary rules of real estate – location, location, location. So the former Anaheim Jr. Ducks and Wildcats defenseman committed to play NCAA Division I college hockey at the University of Denver (NCHC) shortly before Christmas. “First off, it’s in Colorado, close to home,” said Demin, a Cypress native. “I loved the campus and the coaches, and the way the team plays fits my style.” In his first season of junior, Demin had 17 points through 33 games for the Wenatchee Wild of the British Columbia Hockey League. He plans to enroll at Denver in 2018. He said playing last season in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League elevated his game. “I’m grateful for my time with the Jr. Ducks and the good coaches I had,” the 2000 birth year said. “Last year, I played for a good (16U) team and it was the first year in the Tier 1 league. “It was fun to go into such a highly competitive league and play in different cities. It was a good year for my development.” The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Demin, who played three seasons with the Jr. Ducks as a Bantam and Midget 16U, is the tenth player with ties to the club to make a D-I commitment in the past two years. His 16U AAA team won a CAHA state title in 2016, and his Bantam AAA team won state and district titles and went to the USA Hockey Youth Nationals in 2015. Demin played for Team USA at the U17 Five Nations Tournament in August after participating in USA Hockey’s National Team Development Evaluation Camp last spring, an event that drew the top 48 prospects in the 2000 birth year. Jr. Ducks director of player personnel Alex Kim, who coached Demin last season, said the defenseman has a diverse skill set that fits well with the college game. “Slava skates very well and has very good hands,” Kim said. “Defensively, he has a very good stick. His upside is big.” CARubberHockey.com

Whether he’s on the dirt or on the ice, Wolthers excels By Chris Bayee

than Wolthers isn’t like most young athletes. He retired from his first career (BMX bike racing) at age nine after winning six world and three national championships. Next it was football, which he played until he was 12. Four years ago, Wolthers knew next to nothing about hockey. Suffice to say, he’s come a long way since then. The 2001 birth year was one of the leading scorers on the Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 15U AAA team heading into the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League playoffs, which isn’t bad considering he’d never put on skates until he went to a birthday party at Ice Station in Valencia. “One of my friends invited me,” Wolthers said. “While we were there, my dad (Marcel) discovered a weekend camp called Hockey 101. I went for two weeks and then he put me on an in-house team. “I loved it. I didn’t know how to skate, but I tried to get as much ice time as I could.” He improved rapidly enough that he made a Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee AA team that fall, after skating for six months. The next season, Wolthers played Bantam AA for the Jr. Kings and last season, for West Ranch High School in the Los Angeles Kings High School Hockey League. This past summer, he made Darryl Tiveron’s Jr. Ducks’ 15U team. “At tryouts, he seemed to be a natural in that he skated well, moved the puck well and saw the ice

well,” Tiveron said. “He has a good skill set – his shot, his hands. He came out of nowhere on the second day of our tryouts.” Wolthers’ journey from dirt tracks to ice rinks followed a familiar pattern – countless hours of hard work to keep up with his big brother, Nicholas, who is four and a half years older. Ethan also has a twin sister, Jessica.

“We took Nicholas to a BMX track and Ethan would watch. Then as a two-year-old, he would ride for hours and hours. When he was two years and seven months, he became the youngest rider ever in a national racing event.” Ethan “played up,” beating six-year-olds at four and winning U.S. and world age-group championships at six, seven and eight. “His talent was incredible,” Marcel said. “Our family (including his wife, Monica) traveled the world going to races, and he had bike and helmet sponsors. “USA Cycling put him on their 18U team as a six-year-old – that’s how good he was.” At nine, Wolthers decided he was done with it. Football became the next focus and he starred as a safety. He dabbled in lacrosse. Then he found hockey, or it found him. “His brain is wired to focus on something and dedicate all of his energy to it,” Marcel said. The leap to AAA hockey is also a source of pride. “When I first made the team, I was Ethan Wolthers won world and national titles on a BMX bike, but these days, he’s angling to help his Anaheim Jr. Ducks squad reach so excited to play my first AAA game,” success in the rink. Wolthers said. “It was really fast com“When Ethan was 18 months and Nick was six, pared to high school hockey. I’ve adjusted to the everything Nick wanted to do, Ethan wanted to do,” speed, the skill level.” Marcel said. “When Nick learned to ride a bike, Said Tiveron: “It’s pretty amazing how he plays Ethan would point and say, ‘Bike, bike.’ By his sec- for the limited experience he has. You watch his ond birthday, we took his training wheels off and he reads and there is something there. I see it as a went zipping around and around. coach and I hope others notice it.”

Jr. Kings-hosted 2003 West Coast Erne makes NHL debut, recalls Showdown hits on all cylinders stint in Los Angeles as ‘awesome’ By Brian McDonough

By Chris Bayee

utside of national tournaments, it isn’t often elite-level youth hockey clubs from across North America venture out to the West Coast to flex their competitive muscle. That’s what made this month’s 2003 West Coast Showdown Exhibition Series so unique - and one that delivered plenty of high-end skill as some of America’s best-andbrightest players took to the ice. The Los Angeles Jr. Kings-hosted event, which ran from Jan. 13-16 at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, featured four of the country’s top-ranked teams in the 2003 age bracket, including No. 1-ranked Chicago Mission, No. 2-ranked Belle Tire and the No. 3-ranked Jr. Kings, along with the No. 17-ranked Long Island Gulls. “Opportunities to attract and host competition like this are few and far between, so we were extremely fortunate and certainly embraced the challenge,” said Jr. Kings head coach Jeff Turcotte, who’s assisted behind the bench by James Gasseau and Glen Murray. “Not only was this an important weekend for our club on the ice, but also in terms of proving ourselves - the Southern California hockey community - as worthy hosts.” “Given how difficult it can be to draw teams out west, there was definitely a lot of planning and preparation that went into pulling the weekend together,” added Gasseau. “It’s all worth it, though, knowing how valuable the experience was for all of the players and their families.” And with the Western, Ontario and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and United States Hockey League drafts just a couple of years away for the participating 2003 athletes, it’s a safe bet many of them will be playing junior, NCAA and even professional hockey in the not-too-distant future. “On top of the talent on display, we hope this weekend helps open more doors at it relates to attracting high-level programs of all age groups out west,” added Jr. Kings general manager of hockey operations Nick Vachon. 8

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

here is little question in Adam Erne’s mind that his time in California with the LA Selects helped lay the foundation for his NHL call-up in early January. Erne, who made his NHL debut for Tampa Bay on Jan. 3, played four games with the Lightning before sustaining a broken foot blocking a shot. The 1995 birth year played in Southern California from 2008-10 for his Bantam AA and AAA seasons, a stretch he recalled fondly. “Those two years were awesome,” he said from Syracuse, where he plays in the American Hockey League. “We won a lot of tournaments, won nationals (in 2009). It wasn’t too often we lost.” He said the coaching of Rick Kelly, Bill Comrie and Sandy Gasseau helped him take his game up a couple notches. “Before I got there, I didn’t know much about systems or defensive play,” he said. “They taught me systems, how to play defense. They rounded out my game.” The now 6-foot-1, 214-pound forward brought a unique combination of size, speed and a wicked shot, even as a Bantam. “Bill and I saw him play in Florida at a tournament when he was a Pee Wee,” Kelly said. “We’re standing behind the net and all of a sudden, this kid has the puck and goes end to end and roofs it – every shift. And he’s enormous. “He must have scored five or six goals right in front of us. He was probably the best Pee Wee hockey player I’d ever seen.” After another season playing close to his New Jersey home Erne came to California to further hone his game. His shot was ready-made, thanks to “shooting about a million pucks a day in my driveway,” he said. After one season in the United States Hockey League as a 15-year-old, Erne played four years for Quebec of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, averaging nearly 30 goals per season. The Lightning was impressed, picking him in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. The second-year pro had 18 points in 31 games at the time of his call-up.

Condorstown Winterfest in Bakersfield gets high marks By Greg Ball

appeal of the events. By the time Griffin Reinhart scored the overtime game-winner for the Condors on Jan. 7, the rink at Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium was dry and puddle free, and there was only one other day of rain during the amateur tournaments. Sherer said the ice held up well to the rain, and a

growing up in Boston, Minnesota and Canada, young hockey players in the Golden State don’t ockey fans may have seen the widely-circulated spend winter afternoons and weekends skating on video of the American Hockey League’s (AHL) frozen ponds or in backyard rinks. Bakersfield Condors and Ontario Reign playing “I can’t count how many emails, text messagthough a heavy rainstorm in their outdoor game on es and phone messages I received from coaches Jan. 7 and assumed that the entirety of Bakersfield’s telling me what a great time their kids had,” Sherer Three-Way Chevrolet Condorstown Winterfest said. “So many people have sent me pictures. was a wash. You know it’s a successful tournament when That was hardly the case, though, as the teams that didn’t win their divisions are taking weather was clear for most of the 18-day event, pictures at center ice after their last game. The and tournament organizers say the various amplayers, coaches and families really enjoyed it.” ateur tournaments held during those two-plus There were seven division champions weeks were a rousing success. crowned at the tournament. The Capital ThunThe series of tournaments were run by Inder took home the high school varsity gold title, ternational Hockey Events, produced by Goldand the Utah Jr. Grizzlies won the high school en State Hockey Rush and hosted by the varsity silver division. The California Heat was AHL’s Condors. Sanctioned by USA Hockey, the only program to win two banners, topping they ran from Dec. 21-Jan. 7, with a pair of the 1U 6AA and 14U A divisions. The OC two-day breaks for Christmas and New Year’s. Hockey Club’s team, coached by Scott Shand, There was a session before Christmas for adult won the 14U AA title, the Ontario Eagles capteams, followed by Midget and high school tured the 12U A crown and the Jr. Condors’ competition, and divisions for 10U, 12U and BB team was the 10U champ. 14U between Dec. 26-31. Sherer said he’s already in the planning “Absolutely my expectations were exceed- Playing under the lights at Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium was a stages for a series of outdoor tournaments ed on the quality of the ice, which of course is unique sight for a hockey game during the nearly three-week Three-Way during the holidays in 2017-18, and is planthe most important thing,” said Barry Sher- Chevrolet Condorstown Winterfest. ning to take the concept to the L.A. area. He er, the managing director of International Hockey bigger challenge for players not used to skating out- believes that by moving the tournaments around the Events. “We were extremely fortunate from a tour- doors was the sun in a few of the mid-day games. In state from year to year - the events were in Sacranament standpoint, because we really only had one at least one game, the teams switched sides in the mento last year, and could be in San Diego in future day of significant rain, and we played five straight middle of the third period to make it fair for the goal- years - it ensures that the novelty of playing outdoor games through the rain, with very few issues what- ies who were battling the glare reflecting off the ice. games doesn’t wear off in one location. soever.” Otherwise, it was a fun and unique experience “I think that’s how you keep it fresh,” Sherer With any outdoor hockey game, the elements for so many players from California to get to play said. “I think if you were in the same location year can be a factor, but in many ways, that adds to the outdoors for the first time in their lives. Unlike kids after year, it wouldn’t have the same appeal.”

CARubberHockey.com

Mainland Tournament features unique Canada-USA Showcase By Greg Ball

he concept went over so well last year that tournament organizers couldn’t possibly not bring it back, and they decided to one-up themselves in 2017 by expanding it to a second division this year. The Canada vs. USA Showcase was the highlight of last year’s Mainland Tournament, and it is expected to be even more of a draw this year. “It was fantastic last year - the teams loved it, and the kids thought it was amazing,” said Chris Herie, the tournament director now in his seventh year running the Mainland Tournament, which celebrates its 23rd year this spring. “They really loved representing their countries in the championship game.” The concept started with the Pee Wee Major level last year, and will also include the Pee Wee Minor division this year. The winning team from the Canadian pool and the winning team from the American pool in those two divisions will square off Sunday in a pair of games that make up the Canada vs. USA Showcase. Best of all, teams will be outfitted in their country’s jerseys, pants shells and socks, and players will take home the entire kit at the end of the tournament. Herie said the showcase was a big motivating factor for players and teams last year, and he’ll consider adding more divisions to the showcase in future years. “We do it right – we announce the players’ names over the public-address system, play the national anthems and all that stuff,” Herie said. “I think this will be the niche that makes our tournament unique going 10

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

forward.” The Mainland Tournament will be held April 7-9 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Coaches can register their teams at www.MainlandHockey.com, and Herie emphasized that while all divisions are still open, they will fill up fast. There are divisions for Novice Minor (2009 birth year), Novice Major (2008), Atom Minor (2007), Atom Major (2006), Pee Wee Minor (2005), Pee Wee Major (2004), Bantam Minor (2003), Bantam Major (2002) and Midget (1999-2001). Herie said he expects to

goes home with a tournament gift that’s a keepsake of their trip to Vancouver. Every team is guaranteed at least four games, and with so many divisions, a majority of the teams will be playing for something on Sunday. The tournament will be hosted by Planet Ice Delta, and some games may be played at the Richmond Ice Center. Herie said the easy part of his job is getting Canadian teams to register. It’s a little harder to get U.S. teams to travel to Vancouver, but he makes a big push every year in California and Nevada, partly because they’re close geographically, but also because there is so much good youth hockey being played in those states. “We usually have a good contingent of teams from Seattle and other parts of Washington,” Herie said. “The makeup of our tournament is usually about 80 percent Canadian and 20 percent U.S. I’m hoping that by creating this showcase event, we’re giving U.S. teams a little extra motivation to want to come north of the border and play in our event. The have between 50 and Nine divisions highlight the 23rd annual Mainland Tourna- chance to represent their country a premier showcase event this April that takes place 60 teams registered in ment, and be outfitted in their country’s in Vancouver, British Columbia. the nine divisions. gear is something that I think will attract more teams. One of the things that players, coaches and parents “One of the programs that played in the tournament like so much about the Mainland Tournament is how for the first time in 2016 - Compete Hockey out of Spowell the staff treats its visitors. In addition to champi- kane, Wash. - brought two teams last year and have deonship trophies for each division, there are first-place cided to bring seven this season. Their team made it to medallions and runner-up medallions, and every player the showcase, and their players were just ecstatic.”

L.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Vikings on right path as second ‘pure’ team in LAKHSHL seasons to develop. “It has been awesome for these kids to represent their school, and I think that’s somet has been a long and difficult road for the Valencia thing that could entice more players to join us next year. Vikings in their first year as part of the L.A. Kings High It’s a great school for hockey.” School Hockey League, but when they look at the bigThe Ice Station had offered a high-school league ger picture, the bumps and bruises are seeming to be in the past, but it was relatively unstructured and not worthwhile. nearly as competitive as the Kings league. The Vikings are just the second “pure” team among “I have really liked it,” Byers, a senior, said. “It’s awethe 10 varsity squads in the two-year-old league, joinsome playing against all these great teams in the Kings ing the West Ranch Wildcats. All the Vikings’ league. “With our team being pretty young, guys players attend Valencia High School, which are going to get a lot of time playing together, is located directly across the street from their and I think they’re just going to get better and home rink at Ice Station Valencia. better. There’s only one way to go, and it’s up.” While their roster is smaller than that of othMercier, a sophomore, said the experience er teams and wins have been hard to come by, of playing for the Vikings has been a great one, simply getting on the ice and getting the proand he’s looking forward to two more seasons. gram started has been an accomplishment this “I’m having a lot of fun with the guys, and winter. Players and coaches hope that they’re this is the first year we get to represent our setting the foundation for a program that will be school,” he said. successful in future seasons. The team’s managers are Anthony Achi“It’s been a great experience for the kids,” masi, Kelly Iles and Lisa Mercier. Iles said said head coach Andrew Yi, who grew up playthat while there have been plenty of challenges, ing at Ice Station Valencia, played roller hockey As a “pure” team, meaning all the players attend the same high school, the Valencia she has already seen lots of progress and had at UC Irvine and returned to coach the Vikings Vikings are the definition of progress and improvement in the LAKHSHL this season. enjoyed being part of the first season of a proand a Squirt B team with the Valencia Flyers travel pro- hadn’t won a game yet, but had five more contests on gram that she hopes gets better each season. gram. “This has been a big jump up because most of their schedule through Feb. 24, and Yi said they have “It has been a wonderful learning experience,” Iles our guys were recreational or in-house players, and this been improving every day. said. “We’re trying to build the team from the ground has been a learning experience for all of us. “I think right now. we have developed most of the up. We’ve made significant strides every single week. “Even though the results don’t show in the stand- pieces and we’re just missing one key piece,” Yi said, The parents are extremely supportive, since so many of ings, the kids have made tremendous progress. It has noting that the team’s roster features a lot of sopho- them have always wanted to see hockey offered at the been an incredible transformation, and I’m really proud mores, which allows the core of the squad two more high school.”

By Greg Ball

of the team.” The team’s roster includes forwards Tim Achimasi, Clay Byers, Hunter Ishimoto, Kole Jensen, Luke Rowe, Trevor Sunday and Tyler Waldman; defensemen Daniel Hong, Jacob Mercier, Sophia Pitsch, Nick Ramirez, Alec Tiengerd and Corbin Zada; and goalies Brandon Iles and Nathan Schwimmer. As of the end of the calendar year, the Vikings

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TOYOTA SPORTS CENTER

Pair of Jr. Kings Pee Wee teams ready for Quebec By Brian McDonough

or a select few and fortunate Pee Wee teams from around the globe, February marks a signature event on the hockey calendar and, once again, the Los Angeles Jr. Kings will be well represented. Now in its 58th year, the fabled Quebec International Pee Wee Tournament will welcome two Jr. Kings teams the 2004 Major AAA and AA1 squads - for what expects to be a memorable 10 days-plus for the participating players and their families, both on and off the ice. Sure, there’s the hockey, but what makes the worldwide tournament, which this year will run from Feb. 8-19, so unique is everything the teams experience away from the rink - from sightseeing to pin-trading to dogsledding to snow tubing to settling in with their French-Canadian billet families, with whom some of the players will reside during their stay. Shawn Pitcher gets the hype. The Jr. Kings’ 04 Major AAA head coach has led two teams at the tournament during his decorated California coaching tenure, guiding a LA Selects squad to the Elite AAA division championship in 2012. “It’s a special environment, no question,” said Pitcher. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids to play in front of big crowds, and you have the best teams in the world there - not just North America - so it definitely sets itself apart.” The Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee AA1 coach, Robbert McDonald, has also done Quebec, leading the club’s Pee Wee AA1 squad at the showcase in 2014. He, like Pitcher, can’t wait to relive the experience. “Seeing how that town gets behind the tournament - ev-

erywhere you go banners are up, people see your jackets and ask you about the tournament, share stories of their experiences, and just how many locals come and watch the kids play - is something else,” said McDonald. “It’s a long trip, but experiencing how the city gets behind a youth hockey tournament is amazing.”

Both the Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ 2004 Major AAA (pictured top) and AA1 teams will compete at this year’s Quebec International Pee Wee Tournament, which will be showcased from Feb. 8-19.

In addition to the official tournament games - at least one of which will be played at the newly minted Centre Videotron, which opened in 2015 and seats over 18,000 for hockey - the teams will play a handful of exhibitions and surely fit in some pond hockey, too.

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But with the eager anticipation leading up to the tournament comes plenty of planning and preparation. Just ask the teams’ managers - Wendy DiAntonio of the 04 Major AAA squad and Trevor Small of the AA1 club. Both say that while they’re nothing but excited for their teams to take on Quebec, budgeting, organizing team activities and relentless fundraising efforts have been nonstop since last summer. “I’ve needed a lot of hands on deck this season and my parents, along with (team general manager) Andrew Cohen, have been instrumental in helping get it all done,” said DiAntonio. “We have a great group of families and they all pitched in to help pull everything together.” “Our families are perhaps the best possible group a manager could ask for when it comes to fundraising and always willing to go the extra mile,” Small said. “As a firsttime manager, it’s been an exciting learning opportunity and shown me how incredibly supportive the hockey community can be.” As for the players, they can’t wait to sink their teeth into what promises to be an experience of a lifetime. “It’s my first time traveling out of the U.S., and I’m glad my first place to visit will be Quebec City,” said Michael Schwartz, a defenseman on the 04 Major AAA team. “I’ve been waiting for this trip for a very long time.” “Playing at the Videotron Center was great, and so was the pond hockey,” added AA1 forward Sebastien Brockman, who participated in the event last year also as a member of the Jr. Kings’ AA1 team. “It’s so cool, from the hockey to everything else we don’t get to do here in California.”

SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS

Jr. Sharks’ Squirts romp en route to Silver Stick championship those games everyone is going to remember for a long time, and to be able to go on the next day and finish or many members of the San Jose Jr. Sharks’ 10U it off with a win (2-0 over Lincoln, Neb.) was just the Squirt team, their first trip north of the border was perfect way to cap it all off.” one to remember. While coming home from a tournament with the After dropping their first game at the 18th annual championship trophy is always the best-case scenario, International Silver Stick Finals tournament in and Barranco noted that at such a young age being able around Pelham, Ont., the Jr. Sharks were unstoppable to grow and develop off the ice is just as important as the rest of the tournament, racking up five what happens on it. straight wins while outscoring their opponents “A lot of what these kids are going to by a margin of 22-8 to capture the Atom/Squirt remember most is the stuff that happened off Tier I championship. the ice,” said Barranco. “There were a few of “All the games were pretty tight, and the these kids that had never seen snow before. In competition was great,” said Jr. Sharks coach a lot of ways, building that camaraderie off the Salvatore Barranco. “It was just an incredible ice and getting the feeling of what it means to experience for the boys. Being able to come home be part of a team is most important.” with a championship is great, but when you add The 10U Jr. Sharks are made up of in all the other experiences that happened off the skaters Jayden Balan, Griffin Brown, ice. Having a chance to be around that and see Isaiah Castro, Thomas Corneillie, Tanner how excited they were made it really enjoyable.” Fast, Colten Fazio, Tanner Ford, Daniel The 16-team tournament featured a mix of Hemming, Andrei Nabokov, Dylan Nolan, teams from Canada and the United States, and Jack O’Connor, Joshua Phillips, Carrick Barranco said traveling a great distance for a Stevens, Steven Wang and Jaydn Yee and tournament of such high caliber played a factor goaltenders Christopher Dean and Bennett in dropping a 3-0 decision to Oakridge, Ont., in The San Jose Jr. Sharks’ 10U team celebrates on the ice after capturing the Law. Barranco is joined behind the bench the tournament opener. championship at the prestigious International Silver Stick Finals in early January by assistant coaches Alex Azevedo, Curtis “This was kind of the first long cross-country in the Toronto area. Brown, Evgeni Nabokov and Owen Nolan. road trip for most of the boys, and they deserve all the We were down 5-4 with 30 seconds left and we pulled “There’s a lot of strong hockey teams coming out of credit in the world,” said Barranco. “We lost the first the goalie and for most of our guys, it was the first time California at all ages right now, and I think we showed game, and it would have been easy to just say that we they were in a situation where the goalie was pulled to some of that at this tournament,” said Barranco. “Even were in trouble at a tournament like this, but they really try and tie up a game. at this young age, we hold ourselves to a certain responded well and were able to come out strong the “But we ended up scoring to tie it up and we won standard and if we don’t reach that standard, then we next game, and that carried through the rest of the it on a shorthanded goal in overtime. It was just one of need to keep pushing ourselves to get there.”

By John B. Spigott

tournament.” Wins over Chicago and a pair of Ontario teams put the Jr. Sharks in the semifinals against Whitby, Ont., a game that Barranco said ended up being the game of the tournament. “The semifinal was just an incredible game,” said Barranco. “It was one of those games that ended up giving us so much momentum heading into the finals.

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PICTURE PERFECT The Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 06 AAA team represented California at the Detroit Tier 1 Elite Hockey League Showcase on Dec 16-18 and went undefeated, outscoring their opponents 51-10 in the team’s first year of eligibility for the showcase.

Members of the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and LA Lions represented the Los Angeles Kings and the NHL at this year’s Rose Parade, which was showcased earlier this month in Pasadena prior the Rose Bowl college football game.

Players from the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda (top left) helped out on Jan. 10 with the San Jose Jr. Sharks’ in-house Mite Bruins and Sabres teams during practice. Photo/@heatherylaine

The California Heat 16U AA team captured their division’s championship at the Condorstown Winterfest event held outdoors at Memorial Stadium on the campus of Bakersfield College on Dec. 27.

Jack Robinson tops West Valley College’s JC Division team in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League with a 3.15 goals-against average and .863 save percentage while playing teams in higher-level divisions this season. Photo/ Ed Salazar

San Jose Barracuda players Nikolay Goldobin and Nikita Jevpalovs take time to meet Alex Gravink from the San Jose Jr. Sharks’ girls 10U 2 team on Jan. 10 after practice.Photo/Eric Gravink

The Anaheim Jr. Ducks came home with the Squirt A banner after winning the AZ Coyotes Cup Holiday Hockey Festival in Scottsdale, Ariz., over New Year’s Weekend at the Ice Den Scottsdale.

Central Coast High School Hockey League coordinator Ivan Girling presents San Luis Obispo’s Houston Crawfis with the Fastest Skater Award during the league’s junior varsity skills competition in December.

Back on Nov. 26, the Los Angeles Kings unveiled their 50th anniversary monument outside of STAPLES Center. The 12-foot high monument, made of bronze, granite and glass, also has every Kings team’s roster etched in granite and features images of key moments in the franchise’s storied history. Photo/Aaron Poole/Bernstein Associates

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TAHOE HOCKEY ACADEMY

Tahoe Hockey Academy: What a difference a year makes By Greg Ball

he beginning of a new year is a time when most people make resolutions to improve in the year ahead while reflecting on what they have achieved in the previous 12 months. The staff at the Tahoe Hockey Academy (THA), although off to a great start in its inaugural season and school year, is hard at work putting together plans for its 2017 recruiting class. “Our goal right now is to continue establishing an awareness about our brand and also introduce ourselves to student-athletes who could benefit from what Tahoe Hockey Academy has to offer,” THA president Leo Fenn said. “At this point last year, we were nothing more than an idea, a concept of what could be. To see where we are now is a testament to the hard work and support of our staff, parents and players.” Unlike most club teams or even high school teams in California, Tahoe Hockey Academy is a full-time resident academy that focuses on both academics and athletics. “I grew up playing hockey in Southern California, and up until this past year there were zero options for a California player to attend a resident hockey prep school locally,” associate coach Chris Collins said. “To be a part of the Tahoe Hockey Academy, where we provide the daily development and instruction needed to advance our players’ games, shows just how far hockey has grown over the last 10 years.” With that growth comes additional expectations.

Tahoe Hockey Academy is paving the way as the first school of its kind in the state. “We want to evolve and continue to find the best ways to help our student-athletes advance,” Fenn said. “We want to make sure that 2017 is better than the year before it, so we can continue to provide the best experience possible for our students.” If past achievements are any indication of what the

Players at the Tahoe Hockey Academy are not only excelling on the ice in the program’s inaugural season, but progress on the academic side is also a positive for THA. Photo/Joe Naber

future holds for the staff in Tahoe, then 2017 is already shaping up to be a promising season. “We have some unfinished business so far from the 2016 season with the WPHL Championships this month, the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League playoffs and various tournaments, so we’re focused on

preparing our teams to compete,” Collins said. “We also understand that it’s the relationships we establish, and the communications we set up with potential prospects, that will allow us to continue to build our program. We’ve performed well in our league as well as the showcases we’ve attended, so that’s a great way to show potential prospects what Tahoe Hockey Academy can offer.” As the staff turns its attention to the class of 2017, THA has a busy schedule ahead. “The model works - we’re a development-first type of program that offers our athletes up to 10 hours of ice each week while providing a dedicated academic environment,” Fenn said. “The program isn’t for everyone, as it does take a dedicated and self-driven student-athlete to succeed, but the proof is in our improvement on the ice as well as in the classroom, as each of our players have increased their overall GPA since Day 1.” The early part of 2017 will see THA off to Colorado, the University of Notre Dame and many points in between. Then it’s summer camps, prospect tournaments and showcases while the staff hits the trail looking for the right players for the program. “It’s an exciting time of year to meet new prospects and parents to discuss the possibilities for 2017,” Fenn said. “In the end, we’re hockey people, but we’re also parents who understand the rigors of travel hockey and the social dynamics of being in high school.” With one foot in the present and another in the future, THA continues to make positive strides in establishing itself locally and nationally.

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ANAHEIM DUCKS

Like father, like son: Hockey families blooming in SoCal By Tanner Privia

hen the Anaheim Ducks and The Rinks launched the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play program, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, a commitment was made to help grow the sport of hockey in Southern California. This and the newly-created Little Ducks Hockey Initiation programs are designed to create new, free or low-cost channels of entry for beginning youth hockey players to get involved in the sport and learn about the game. Years later, the hard work and dedication by the franchise has clearly shown with new hockey families continually coming through the doors at The Rinks facilities or the Honda Center to watch a hockey game. In 2010, Kelly Roush and her family moved close to The Rinks-Westminster ICE, not realizing how much time they would actually spend there. While Kelly and her son, Austin, were attending one of their first Ducks games, the jumbotron displayed a free learn to play hockey program and caught Kelly’s eye. Coincidentally, later that night, she received a call from a friend who just signed up her child, and wanted her to join the program, too. “We knew very little about hockey – we had only been to two Ducks games before and that was only because we were given tickets,” Kelly recalled. Despite her lack of knowledge about the sport, she signed up Austin for the class anyway.

At the time, Austin liked ice hockey, but not enough all the hockey action and started playing in the Street to commit to the next steps. Kelly decided to have Aus- Hockey League offered at The Rinks-Huntington tin try an inline session of Learn to Play as well and from Beach Inline. “The Learn to Play and Hockey Initiation programs the beginning of the class, he was hooked. He continued playing inline hockey for a couple more months in were pivotal in us being part of the sport,” said Ron. “We had struggled financially the Hockey Initiation program, an infor several years and the idea of the troductory program that gives skaters free program at the beginning was instruction on the basic hockey skills perfect. The free gear that came before going into a league. He loved with Initiation played a huge part in the program so much that he decided keeping us playing hockey.” to give ice another chance. The second time around, he found ice hockey Ron was also quick to point out to be much easier, thanks to the skills that the introductive programs, The he learned playing inline. Rinks and the Ducks offer, not only Several months later, while watchhelped the family became hockey ing Austin zip around the ice, the rest players, but also hockey fans. They of the family started to get intrigued. have become dedicated Ducks His father, Ron, decided to join in fans and often watch many Ducks on the fun (even though the last time games together and attend a couRon ice skated was 25 years ago) and ple each year. joined the Anaheim Ducks Adult Learn “I never imagined us as a hockey family, but we are all in,” Kelly to Play program. Just like Austin, he proclaimed. “We have built a hockenjoyed his experience so much that he continued in the Adult Develop- The Roush family is just one of many fam- ey family of friends throughout this ment program (a program similar to ilies in the Southern California region that process and we couldn’t be happithe youth Hockey Initiation in develop- has made the sport of hockey part of their er and it’s all thanks to The Rinks everyday lives. Photo/The Rinks and the Anaheim Ducks.” ing new hockey players’ skills before For more information on all the programs The joining an Adult League) and is currently playing in his Rinks offers, visit www.the-rinks.com. third season at The Rinks-Westminster ICE. Meanwhile, Austin’s brother, Evan, also got in on

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ANAHEIM JR. DUCKS Jr. Ducks’ Squirt A group tasting victories as 2017 opens By Chris Bayee

irst, CAHA and Detroit, now North America. For the second year in a row, the Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ Squirt A team coached by Eugene Kabanets advanced to the championship game of its age group at The Cup North American Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. from Jan 13-15. The tournament, for 2002-07 birth years, featured more than 40 of the top 2006 teams in North America, evenly split between the United States and Canada. The Jr. Ducks won their four round-robin games and quarterfinal and semifinal matchups by a combined 34-11 before falling to Team Illinois in the final. They defeated the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs 4-1 in the quarters and knocked off the Vaughan Kings 3-2 in the semifinals. The Buffalo run came on the heels of a 9-3-1 start in CAHA, where the 2006s are playing up in the Pee Wee AA division, and an undefeated weekend (5-0) at a Tier 1 Elite Hockey League showcase in Detroit in mid-December. “This team has been together for three years, and we have a good core that we’ve built around,” Kabanets said. “They played up a lot so they know how to play against older players. It was hard at the beginning of the season, but the good competition has helped raise the bar. “The last two months, they’ve raised their speed and the compete level. The AA competition absolutely helped and it shows. It’s helped them compete nationally and internationally.” The 2006s also were dominant at the Tier 1 showcase, outscoring foes like Detroit Victory Honda, the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, Soo Greyhounds, Cleveland Barons and Ohio Blue Jackets 44-9 in the five games. The 2006 roster includes: Brady Andrews, Cameron Appelbaum, Rodion Arishin, Edward Balazs, Lucas Baldwin, Ty Chung, Logan Fessenden, Taygen Gilmer, Alejandro Hassan, Ilya Kabanets, Dylan Lazaroffv Clarke Nehmens and Luka Zoretic. Kabanets is assisted by Scott Connelly, Albert Yi and Tom O’Sullivan.

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CHALK TALK

Improving hockey awareness boils down to two questions I

Larry Cahn

t’s common to hear coaches, parents, and players all talking about what can be done away from the rink to help player development. We hear all about stickhandling, shooting, sprint/plyo programs, weight lifting, and sometimes we hear

about watching video. In the NHL today, we are seeing many young players jump into the league and are impact players right from Day 1. This is attributed to their off-ice preparation, as well as their accelerated hockey awareness on the ice. This trend will become the norm very shortly, and it will be very important for all young players to push themselves in every area of player development to accomplish their goals. Most coaches talk about speed and skill, which are two areas that are very important in order to succeed in this game. However, all the best players are skilled and fast! What are you going to do to differentiate yourself from the pack? The one consistent thing I see about the

best players is the fact that they have the puck – a lot! That being said, what are you doing on your own time to figure out how to get the puck more? There are lots of stats out there that claim a player only has possession of the puck 30 seconds to a minute during the course of the game. So what can a player do during the rest of the time on the ice to raise their possession time? Training with the puck is very common, but putting time into developing your game away from the puck will be the difference in making it to the next level. I believe the answer is simple; watch video! Well, maybe not that simple, you need to watch video of your games asking yourself simple questions while you are on the ice. 1 - Where could you have gone to get the puck? 2 - What could you have done differently to keep the puck? Those two simple questions applied correctly can help create awareness for the player. I have also noticed that players who do their own individual video in this manner develop a greater ability to read and react on the ice, which is a necessary skill to possess to move on in this game.

Self-evaluation is a key element in becoming the best player you can. To be able to maximize your time with video review, you need to be able to look through coach’s eyes as you break down your game. The players that can objectively break down their game understand their areas of weakness and can help correct the issues. The players that don’t have realistic self-evaluation ever feel they need to improve. Once a player understands what is necessary to raise their game, it is 100 persent up to them to apply the knowledge learned. The ability to play off the puck is one of the most important aspects of becoming a great player. It’s not about only working hard, it’s about working smart. Anticipating the play, progressing your position, disappear and reappear – these are all tactics to become better off the puck. These are also concepts to apply while watching video. Remember: 1 - Where could you have gone to get the puck? 2 - What could you have done differently to keep the puck? Once you understand how to answer these questions, your game and hockey awareness will exponentially excel.

Larry Cahn is the director of hockey for the Vacaville Jets and the head coach for the Golden State Elite 12U AA2 and 14U AA2 teams. Interested in being a Chalk Talk columnist? E-mail Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com. CARubberHockey.com

NEVADA STORM

At midway point, Storm teams displaying daily progress By Matt Mackinder

he holidays have passed and the second half of the season has begun in earnest for the Nevada Storm program. With 11 youth programs at the AA, AAA and high school levels, many of the Storm’s coaches have reason to be confident moving forward after successful first halves. “The highlight of the season has been watching the growth of each individual player and watching as they have continued to learn what it means to be a team,” said 8U Mite 1 coach Brian Fox. “We ask our kids two questions in the locker room after games and practices: “Did you have fun?” and “Were we better today than we were yesterday?” For 8U Mite 2 coach Mike Milton, his team is on the upswing. “The highlight was that not only did Mites 2 take second place in their first tournament ever (Thanksgiving Extravaganza in Escondido, Calif.), but they also won the skills competition,” said Milton. “As the team continues to learn how to play together as a team, we hope to place well in the final two tournaments of the season, including the Cal State Games in San Diego.” Dell Truax, who coaches the 12U A and 12U AA teams, his teams had numerous reasons to be excited in the first half. “For our 12U A team, our top highlight for the first half of the season is the players’ improvement both individu-

ally and as a team,” Truax said. “The team has improved and is becoming more and more competitive as time goes on. For most players, it is their first experience with travel and competitive hockey and they are all moving in the right direction. “The highlight of the first half of the season for our 12U AA team was being selected to the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in Quebec this February. The players are working hard and improving with every ice touch. They are excited to be involved in such a great event in a true hockey community.” Eric Lacroix coaches the Bantam AA team and has reasonable expectations. “The first half has been good in the sense of seeing the growth in our younger, first-year players and the leadership of our older guys,” Lacroix said. “We are looking forward to (USA Hockey Youth) Nationals and will put everything into perspective at that time.” The Las Vegas Sports Academy Storm high school team has made great strides with the skill development of the players and finished the 2016 calendar year by winning four of its last five games. “Like a jigsaw puzzle, the team needed a few months to get all the pieces organized and working together,”

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said high school coach Jeff Bruckner. “The team is now at the point in the season in which the pieces are fitting together and the team puzzle is coming into full view. One of the highlights was the opportunity to play against the Nevada Jr. Wolfpack high school team, which was the first time in the history of hockey in Nevada in which two high school teams from Nevada competed against each other.” The game was played on an outdoor rink in Mammoth Lakes. Rick Berninger’s Squirt B team had a productive first half. “We had a front-loaded schedule with a lot of early games,” said Berninger. “We have a young team and just learning and adapting to a full-ice game were our early challenges. We practice on ice three hours a week with two and half hours focused on skills and a half hour working on team concepts. Our primary focus for team concepts was in three main areas – forecheck, breakouts and defensive-zone coverage.” At the Squirt A level, Bo Lackas said his team “has been a pleasure to watch.” “The first half of our season, the highlight has been to see the boys gel together as a team,” Lackas said. “During the second half, we will continue to work on development and to keep moving forward as a team.”

Wildcats’ Kapusta adds role at prestigious Excel Academy By Greg Ball

omas Kapusta has spent most of adult life dedicated to playing hockey and coaching kids in the sport he loves, but that doesn’t mean his only interests are on the ice. Kapusta is also passionate about teaching, and is combining his interests as an education specialist with Excel Academy - a role in which he aims to help dedicated young hockey players pursue their schooling in a flexible independent-study education. A former professional center and Czech Republic National Team member, Kapusta has served as the AAA and High Performance director, as well as the Bantam and Midget age-group manager, for the Wildcats Hockey youth program in Paramount, Riverside and Carlsbad since 2012 and will continue in those positions. He recently discovered the opportunity to work with Excel Academy, and felt that it was a smart way to approach education for kids and their families that focus a lot of their time and energy on travel hockey. Kapusta - a graduate of Cal State L.A. who earned a teaching credential from Cal State Long Beach in 2009 - will deliver and facilitate a focused and efficient educational plan. “I believe that my background as a hockey coach for the past 14 years and as a credentialed teacher allows me to think creatively about education and support the unique educational needs of student athletes,” Kapusta said. “This provides me with the unique ability to simultaneously be involved with student-athletes both as a personal on-ice trainer and a teacher supporting an online education model.” With all of the work completed in a homeschool at-

mosphere and in the online environment, students have the freedom to take their classes and do their coursework in hotel rooms, airports, cars or anywhere they can access a computer, and they aren’t tied to the normal schedule of the traditional school day. The biggest benefit, Kapusta said, is that students don’t have to miss classroom hours to travel for hockey. “When I started talking with the people at Excel Academy, I realized that this could be a great option for hockey players who are serious about their education and are able to study independently,” Kapusta said. “I’ve been thinking about an option like this for a number of years. Because I’ve spent so much of my time coaching, I haven’t been able to teach in a physical school, but I’ve been looking for a way to apply my teaching credential within the hockey world.” The program is open not just to Wildcats players, but to all hockey players across all associations, and Kapusta will oversee students in six Southern California counties - San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Imperial and Kern counties. Kapusta said parents have had plenty of questions on how the program works. Excel Academy is a tuitionfree program of California Pacific and Community

Collaborative Charter Schools and offers students in grades 6-12 personalized learning options through Edgenuity (www.edgenuity.com), an A-G approved all-online curriculum. Students work at their own pace from home with the support of a highly-qualified single-subject online teacher in all core subjects (English, math, social studies and science). Edgenuity allows studentathletes to complete all California state requirements at each grade level while at the same time prioritizing time and growth on the ice. Once a month, Kapusta will meet with each student and his or her family to collect work samples and discuss online progress. The friendly, supportive monthly meeting is designed to encourage and support Excel students and families on their homeschool journey. “My primary role as an education specialist is to work together with the parents to execute an appropriate course of study, help the student meet or exceed grade-level requirements, and ultimately, work toward graduation from high school,” Kapusta said. “I am committed to tailoring customized learning for each student and family.” Students and parents interested in learning more can visit www.excelacademy.education or can contact Kapusta at tkapusta@excelacademy.education.

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM Know the details of the new concussion law in California A

new concussion law in California was enacted on Jan. 1, 2017 – an amendment of a previous law that covered high school athletes that now covers all athletes under the age of 18. The purpose is to provide specific safety protocols to protect athletes from injury. “This bill places California at the forefront of improving concussion management at the youth sports level,” said Mike Chisar of the California Athletic Trainers Association. “It will help ensure Chris Phillips the appropriate steps are taken so our coaches, parents and athletes are educated on the signs and symptoms of concussion, and help minimize the risk of serious injury.” The new law aims at making sports safer by using education and preparation in regards to the signs and symptoms of concussion, as well as proper management and return to play protocols. The bill states that educational material must be provided to all athletes, coaches and parents on a yearly basis. This material must include: head injuries and their potential consequences, signs and symptoms of a concussion, best practices for removing an athlete after a suspected head injury, and steps for returning an athlete to school and athletic activity after a suspected concussion. Currently in California, an athlete suspected of having a concussion must be removed from play for the rest of the day or until evaluated by a licensed health care provider and may not return to athletic activity until they receive written clearance by a licensed health care provider. If an athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, he or she must go through a graduated return to play protocol of no less than seven days under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. The gradual return is a step-bystep process to ensure a safe return and starts with light aerobic exercise progressing through sport specific exercises under the guidance of qualified personnel.

Chris Phillips ATC, CSCS, is a former athletic trainer in the NHL with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Washington Capitals and currently owns Compete Sports Performance and Rehab. CARubberHockey.com

Big Time

There’s nothing minor league about West Valley College’s inline hockey program (WCRHL), the Vikings must compete primarily against Division I and Division II teams to fill out a regular-season schedule. West Valley finished 8-7 against WCRHL competition in 2015-16. The Vikings posted seven wins against Division II teams. West Valley started the 2016-17 season with a feather in its cap by handing Division I WCRHL member Long Beach State a 6-1 defeat at the

By Phillip Brents

II teams. Thomas Hartshorn paced the Vikings in team scoring at the midpoint of the season with 14 points, followed by Swanson with 12 points, Tyler Gulan with eight points, Danny Salazar with seven points and Jarrit Baker with six points. Swanson leads the team with eight goals, including three game-winning goals. Robinson, who has played the bulk of the minutes in the net, is 3-2 with a 3.15 goalsagainst average and a .863 save percentage. West Valley returns to action Jan. 21 in a second-semester WCRHL regular-season event hosted by Chico State.

est Valley College drew national attention last year by finishing runner-up in the Junior College Division at the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) national championship tournament held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Vikings dropped a best-of-five championship series, three games to one, to St. Charles Community College from Cottleville, Mo., in a hotly-contested series. St. Charles won the opening game by a score of 5-2, but West Valley rebounded to win the second game 5-1. The Cougars won the final two games – and the national championship – by edging the Double the fun Vikings by scores of 4-2 and 4-3. West Valley Because of the JC team’s success at had tied the fourth game 3-3 before losing on nationals last season, word spread throughout a shorthanded goal. In the 4-2 setback, the the Northern California hockey community and Vikings held an early 2-1 lead. enough interest was generated to form two NCRHA executive director Brennan teams this season. Edwards said there are three teams fielding West Valley initially formed a Division IV teams nationally in the JC Division this season: team to start this season. This is a division West Valley College, St. Charles Community with no playoffs and where teams play a College and St. Louis Community College. limited number of events, typically those close Edwards pointed out that St. Charles is the to home. winningest JC Division team in NCRHA history However, the Vikings’ secondary team has with 15 national championships. since landed several more players, enough “The main reason for their success and to fill out two lines, and has been elevated to longevity is that the school has supported Division III status. This division typically fields them since the beginning, in the same way junior varsity teams and does include playoffs that many Division I schools are supported,” at both the regional and national levels. Edwards explained. “Junior colleges across West Valley sits in second place in the the country typically do not have club sports, Matt Swanson leads West Valley College’s JC Division team heading into WCRHL’s Division III standings with a 6-2-0 so it is very hard to get club sports started, the second semester of play in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League record, trailing division leader Arizona State and even when someone does, the players with three game-winning goals. Photo/Ed Salazar (8-0-0) by four points in the standings. UC are typically leaving the JC every 2-3 years due to annual WCRHL Kick-Off event in October. Santa Barbara (5-3-0) sits in third place in the transferring to four-year colleges.” The Vikings swept all three stars of the game standings – two points behind the Vikings. West Valley College, which is located 15 miles awards in the win over the Forty-Niners. Matt There are 28 players on the two teams this from the state-of-the-art Silver Creek Sportsplex Swanson earned first-star honors with two goals, season — 14 players on each team, including two in San Jose, is now in its second generation after while Joseph Cascarano received second- goaltenders per team. Both teams are coached by being revived last year following a four-year hiatus. star honors for scoring twice. Goaltender Jack Jose Mondragon. The team is only possible due to a few passionate Robinson was selected the game’s third star Division III team leaders include Brady individuals who would not take no for an answer after making 19 saves on 20 shots (.950 save Schmidt with 20 points (14 goals, six assists), and were willing to put in more legwork than almost percentage). Joseph Furtado with 17 points (nine goals, eight any other team across the country to get the club West Valley skated into the holiday break with assists) and Justin Furtado with 15 points (12 started and to continue, according to Edwards. a 5-3 record. Other wins have come against Cal goals, three assists.) Because there are no other JC Division teams Poly Pomona, UC San Diego, University of Arizona WVC goaltender Jordan Speno leads the in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League and the University of Northern Arizona, all Division division with five wins and a 3.21 GAA.

El Segundo Inline Hockey Association opens winter season

he El Segundo Inline Hockey Association provides co-ed recreational hockey for players ages 4-17 and the volunteer organization supports approximately 100 players in four divisions, including all skill levels. The league serves the South Bay region of Los Angeles County and nearby areas of Los Angeles. Games are held at the El Segundo Recreation Park hockey rink (south side of the park at Sheldon Street, just north of Grand Avenue). Registration is also open to players from outside El Segundo. Divisions include Instructional, Mites (ages 5-8), Squirts (ages 9-11) and PeeWee (ages 12-14). “For the first time in over five years, we have 99 kids playing -- usually it’s in the 75-85 range,” noted league president Jeff Tiddens. “We have 17 Instructional players – the most ever -- four Mite teams of nine 20

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

(soon to be 10 each when we bring up kids from the Instructional division), three Squirt teams and two Pee Wee teams.” Besides Tiddens, board members include Eddi McRoberts (treasurer), Abby Frank (secretary), Mike (Smidi) Smith (registrar/CTO), Rob Bryant, (scheduler), Lori Rico (auxiliary) and David Kopecky (equipment). Two separate seasons are organized each year. The winter season runs from November through mid-February and the summer season runs from June through mid-August. The current season faced off Nov. 8 and will

conclude Feb. 4. Each team will play 10 games over the course of season, plus at least one playoff game. Practices are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday or Friday evenings. There is one one-hour practice per team per week. Games are played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and also on Saturdays. Instructional players (subject to enrollment) meet only on Saturdays and do not play games. For more information, call (310) 936-3425 or email to jeff@esiha.org. - Phillip Brents

Club inline scholastic leagues rolling toward playoffs By Phillip Brents

“SB Blue has often played short this season due to injury and conflicts with the ice schedule, but those are resolving themselves and I expect them to win a few more games soon.” Girling reports the league’s junior varsity season is also going well. The division held it skills competition in December. SLO’s Houston Crawfis earned the Fastest Skater Award, while Arroyo Grande’s Bryce Tencati

Duck call

The Anaheim Ducks Inline Scholastic League faced he Central Coast High School Hockey League off the second half of its 2016-17 season with games had to compact its 2016-17 season somewhat Jan. 6. due to competition from a new high school ice hockey Top teams coming off the holiday break included program in the area (Goleta’s new Ice in Paradise rink). Beckman (I) and Santiago (I) in Division 1/Varsity A, both But the long-lived inline scholastic league is still with 5-1-0 records, as well as Woodbridge in Division rolling and having an eventful season, according to 2/Varsity B with a 3-2-0 record, Edison (I) in Division 3/ league coordinator Ivan Girling. Junior Varsity A with a 5-1-0 record, Marina (II) in Division “We are having a very good season – almost 4/Junior Varsity B with a 3-1-0-2 record and Santiago all the games are decided by two goals or fewer,” (II) in Division 5/Junior Varsity C with a 5-1 record. Girling explained. “Both Santa Barbara teams are League coordinator John Paerels noted that short due to competition from the ice rink’s own high Beckman (I) had scored the most number of goals school season. I would not be entirely surprised to (45) and the least number of goals allowed (10) at the see some of those players drift back to our league winter break. in future seasons, as the novelty of ice wears off and Individual scoring leaders included Noah the greater time and travel commitments become Shoemaker of Santiago (II) with 26 points (19 burdensome.” goals, seven assists) in five games, Mater Dei’s Dylan Santa Barbara Gold and San Luis Obispo led the Hadfield with 25 points (20 goals, five assists) in five-team varsity division heading into the final week seven games, Bryce Lorenz of Santiago (II) with 23 of regular-season competition on Jan. 14. Santa points (14 goals, nine assists) in five games and El Maria, Santa Barbara Blue and Arroyo Grande Toro’s Travis Alexander with 20 points (10 goals, followed in the standings. 10 assists) in six games. SB Gold’s Fedyk twins --Hans and Kees – Top goaltenders included Josiah Simmons of have had a major impact in the varsity division this Central Coast High School Hockey League coordinator Ivan Girling pres- Santiago (II) with a 1.40 goals-against average and season. ents Arroyo Grande’s Bryce Tencati with the Sniper Award during the five wins and Max Del Rossi of Beckman (I) with a “They are really tearing it up this season,” Girling league’s junior varsity skills competition in December. 1.59 GAA and five wins. assessed. “SLO is a pleasure to watch. There is no one won the Sniper Award. Prizes were donated by Inline Mater Dei’s Cameron Araiza, Justin Lakin of star on the team, but they get the job done with good Warehouse. Santiago (I) and Pierce Thibert of Edison (I) also sported team play. The Santa Maria program is fielding two The league’s championship playoffs are scheduled five wins. varsity teams this season – Santa Maria and Arroyo for Jan. 28 at the Central Coast Sports Arena in Santa Paerels said the league would like to start its playoffs Grande. Considering that they didn’t have any varsity Maria. on Feb. 10. However, he cited a number of potential teams last season, they are doing very well. I expect The varsity skills competition and a coaches all-star conflicts that could push that date back. them to become a dominant force in the near future. game were scheduled to be played Jan. 14. The spring season is scheduled to start March 3-5.

California teams playing well as AIHL hits halfway point By Phillip Brents

he American Inline Hockey League (AIHL) reached the midpoint of its 2016-17 season following its Jan. 7-8 tournament at the Las Vegas Roller Hockey Center. Remaining tournaments are scheduled March 4-5 in Peoria, Ariz., and April 14-15 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline. The Arizona Outcasts jumped out to a 4-1 start to face off the Elite Division season Dec. 10-11 in Irvine. The OC Rocket Flex followed with a 3-1-0-1 record (three wins, one loss, one overtime loss) while the Las Vegas Aces finished 3-2 and the Arizona Ghostriders finished 0-5. The Mavin Outlaws topped the Minor Division standings with a 4-1 record, followed by the OC Rocket Flex Green (3-1), OC Rocket Flex Blue (2-1), Arizona Ghostriders (2-2), Arizona Outcasts (2-3), Arizona Lady Ghostriders (1-3) and Las Vegas Aces Blue (1-4). OC Rocket Flex is a new team, not necessarily a continuation of the OC Alliance that captured Elite and Minor Tier 1 national championships two years ago, though some continuity remains from the previous group. “Our Elite team is comprised of some of the past Minor players who have worked their way up – Kyle Sharke, Martin Flores, Andrew Lau and Kevin Tanaka,” OC’s Tyler Svoboda said. The infusion of younger players into the AIHL program has Svoboda, who is serving double duty as player-coach, feeling very optimistic. “With this new Elite group, we don’t have the

firepower or star talent we had with the OC Alliance,” Rob Sudduth posted a 3-1-1 record, 3.17 goalshe explained. “Don’t get me wrong, we have talent, against average and a .846 save percentage. but the days of showing up and spotting other teams Minor Division leaders for OC Rocket Flex 4-5 goals before we dug in and started playing hard included Mitch Faas on the Green team with nine and still came out with the wins is over. Our Elite points (four goals, five assists) in four games and team is going to be in top of the division mix as this Tucker Deluca on the Blue team with nine points group will only improve as the season goes on. (three goals, six assists) in three games. “The Minor teams are Tony Nasca went 3-1 both talented and it will be with a 3.25 GAA and .814 a coin toss each time they save percentage for the play each other.” Rocket Flex Green team Svoboda said what he while Jason Entwistle noticed the most about posted a 4.67 GAA and a the Elite Division at the .770 save percentage for first event was the balance the Rocket Flex Blue team. between the teams. Of note, Team USA “Every team can beat senior women’s team each other on any given veteran Celeste Loyatho day,” he said. “In the past, competed on the OC that just wasn’t the case. Rocket Flex Blue team and The lesser talented teams tallied one goal and one in Elite make up for that in assist. She scored one of effort and it is not easy to the team’s game-winning play against anyone willing Kyle Sharke is representing the OC Rocket Flex Elite team goals. to go that hard for a full during the 2016-17 American Inline Hockey League seasonSeveral members Photo/Revision Hockey game. of last season’s San “That balance I am referring to should make for a Diego Tron Hosers AIHL team are suiting up for fun season.” the Outlaws this season, including Billy Metcalf, Top performers for OC Rocket Flex’s Elite team Morgan Capps, Vito Vaiasuso and goaltenders at the season opening event included Tanaka with Casey Peterson and Doug Irwin. seven goals and 11 points and Svoboda with eight San Diegan Parker Moskal led the team points (four goals, four assists). with 18 points (15 goals, three assists) in the Tanaka, Gerry Oskterkamp and Tristan opening tournament, while Peterson went 4-0-0 Gonzalez each notched game-winning goals, while with a 3.25 GAA and a .806 save percentage. CARubberHockey.com

2016-17 CALIFORNIA/NEVADA ALUMNI E-mail all additions, deletions and corrections to alumni@rubberhockey.com

CALIFORNIA

COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Beau Bennett (Gardena) – New Jersey Devils Emerson Etem (Long Beach) – Anaheim Ducks Shane Harper (Valencia) – Florida Panthers Alec Martinez (Santa Clara) – Los Angeles Kings Kevan Miller (Los Angeles) – Boston Bruins Matt Nieto (Long Beach) – Colorado Avalanche Bobby Ryan (El Segundo) – Ottawa Senators Jason Zucker – Minnesota Wild *

ATLANTIC HOCKEY Chris Buchanan (San Jose) – Bentley University Taylor Maruya (Westchester) – U.S. Military Academy Jared Pike – American International College % Blake Weyrick (Los Angeles) – Canisius College BIG TEN Will Johnson (Santa Barbara) – University of Wisconsin Patrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek) – Michigan State University Jake Slaker (San Diego) – University of Michigan

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Sena Acolatse (Hayward) – Springfield Thunderbirds Chase Balisy (Fullerton) – Springfield Thunderbirds Mitch Callahan (Whittier) – Grand Rapids Griffins Eric Comrie (Newport Beach) – Manitoba Moose Pheonix Copley – Chicago Wolves + Chase De Leo (La Mirada) – Manitoba Moose Thatcher Demko (San Diego) – Utica Comets Adam Erne – Syracuse Crunch * Matthew Ford (West Hills) – Grand Rapids Griffins Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor) – San Antonio Rampage Nic Kerdiles (Irvine) – San Diego Gulls Kyle MacKinnon (Walnut) – San Diego Gulls Stefan Matteau – St. John’s IceCaps ! Trevor Moore (Thousand Oaks) – Toronto Marlies Gustav Olofsson – Iowa Wild ! Zach Pochiro – Bakersfield Condors % Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego) – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Brett Sterling (Los Angeles) – Chicago Wolves Matt Tennyson (Pleasanton) – Charlotte Checkers Scooter Vaughan (Placentia) – Chicago Wolves Matt White (Whittier) – Milwaukee Admirals

ECAC Max Becker (Orange) – Princeton University Arthur Brey (Yorba Linda) – St. Lawrence University Brett Gervais (Corona) – Clarkson University Sean Lawrence (Granite Bay) – Quinnipiac University Merrick Madsen (Acton) – Harvard University Alec McCrea (El Cajon) – Cornell University Tyler Moy (San Diego) – Harvard University Gavin Nieto (Yorba Linda) – Brown University

ECHL Kyle Bigos (Upland) – Idaho Steelheads Dennis Brown (Cypress) – Tulsa Oilers Matt Caito (Coto de Caza) – Toledo Walleye Taylor Crunk (San Jacinto) – Fort Wayne Komets Daniel Gentzler (Manhattan Beach) – Toledo Walleye Chase Golightly (Temecula) – Florida Everblades Garrett Haar (Huntington Beach) – Tulsa Oilers Miles Koules (Los Angeles) – Atlanta Gladiators Dennis Kravchenko (San Clemente) – Adirondack Thunder Matt Leitner (Los Alamitos) – Manchester Monarchs Brandon Marino (Riverside) – Brampton Beast P.J. Musico (Orange) – Fort Wayne Komets Max Nicastro (Thousand Oaks) – South Carolina Stingrays Darren Nowick (Long Beach) – Missouri Mavericks Sean O’Rourke (Alta Loma) – Kalamazoo Wings Troy Redmann (Brea) – Utah Grizzlies Steve Weinstein (Los Angeles) – South Carolina Stingrays

NCHC Lawton Courtnall (Westlake Village) – Western Michigan University Grant Gallo (San Diego) – University of Nebraska-Omaha Robby Jackson (Alameda) – St. Cloud State University Tyson McLellan (San Jose) – University of Denver Patrick Newell (Thousand Oaks) – St. Cloud State University Austin Ortega (Escondido) – University of Nebraska-Omaha David Radke (Orinda) – Colorado College

SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE David Gandara (Canyon Lake) – Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Josh Harris (Torrance) – Peoria Rivermen Steven Hoshaw (Vista) – Evansville Thunderbolts Mark Pustin (Northridge) – Knoxville Ice Bears Jake Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Knoxville Ice Bears Jeff Sanders (San Jose) – Macon Mayhem Brantley Sherwood (San Anselmo) – Mississippi RiverKings John Siemer (Baldwin Park) – Macon Mayhem Matt Zenzola (San Diego) – Pensacola Ice Flyers

NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN

FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Lester Brown (Citrus Heights) – Berlin River Drivers Daniel Chang (Woodland Hills) – Danbury Titans Darius Cole (Aurora) – Danville Dashers Branden Parkhouse (Rancho Cucamonga) – Port Huron Prowlers EUROPE Taylor Aronson (Placentia) – Russia Jonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Russia Robbie Earl (Los Angeles) – Sweden Ryan Hollweg (Downey) – Czech Republic Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles) – Russia Ryan Lasch (Lake Forest) – Switzerland Colin Long (Santa Ana) – Italy Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach) – Sweden Brian Salcido (Hermosa Beach) - Germany Liam Stewart (Hermosa Beach) – United Kingdom C.J. Stretch (Irvine) – Germany Mitch Wahl (Seal Beach) – Finland Casey Wellman (Brentwood) – Sweden NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE Kourtney Kunichka (Fullerton) – Buffalo Beauts Kaliya Johnson – Connecticut Whale $ Rachel Llanes (San Jose) – Boston Pride Elena Orlando (San Jose) – New York Riveters Jenny Scrivens (Camarillo) – New York Riveters Cherie Stewart (Lake Forest) – New York Riveters Alyssa Wohlfeiler (Saugus) – Connecticut Whale 22

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

HOCKEY EAST Collin Delia (Rancho Cucamonga) – Merrimack College Garrett Gamez (Chino Hills) – Providence College Niko Hildenbrand (Vacaville) – University of Massachusetts Michael McNicholas (Manhattan Beach) – University of New Hampshire Matt O’Donnell (Fountain Valley) – University of Vermont 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 Nolan Stevens – Northeastern University % Ryan Tait (Santa Clarita) – Providence College

WCHA Brandon Carlson (Huntington Beach) – University of Alabama-Huntsville Niko DellaMaggiore (Gilroy) – University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nate Kallen (San Diego) – Ferris State University Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach) – Northern Michigan University Chandler Madry (Bakersfield) – Minnesota State University Nicholas Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Minnesota State University Tomas Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Bowling Green State University Shane Sooth (Canyon Country) – Northern Michigan University

CHA Hannah England (Simi Valley) – Penn State University Lillian Marchant (Tustin) – Lindenwood University Megan Whiddon (Redondo Beach) – Mercyhurst University ECAC Hana DeClerck (Menlo Park) – Brown University Keiko DeClerck (San Jose) – Princeton University Kara Drexler (Manhattan Beach) – Yale University Monica Elvin (Penryn) – Brown University Kendra Farole (Irvine) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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 Nicole Dunbar (Coto de Caza) – University of New Hampshire Alexandra Lersch (Manhattan Beach) – University of Connecticut WCHA Leila Kilduff (San Jose) – Minnesota State University Annie Pankowski (Laguna Hills) – University of Wisconsin NCAA DIVISION III – MEN COMMONWEALTH David Anderson (Stevenson Ranch) – Nichols College Matt Audet (Campbell) – Western New England University Stefan Brucato (Lake Elsinore) – Johnson and Wales University Adam Canepa (Santa Cruz) – University of New England Garrett Geane (Fullerton) – Wentworth Institute of Technology Carter Horwitz (Tustin) – Endicott College Joseph Kaszupski – Endicott College % Nicholas McKee (Bakersfield) – Becker College Christian Merritt (Thousand Oaks) – University of New England Luke Miller (Lancaster) – Suffolk University

Cameron Randles (Santa Clarita) – Endicott College Haroutiun Sarkisian (Encino) – Nichols College Evan Schmidbauer (San Diego) – Salve Regina University Stanton Turner (San Francisco) – Suffolk University ECAC WEST Cory Anderson (Bakersfield) – Manhattanville College Ben Greiner (Newport Beach) – Hobart College Sean Haltam (Medina) – Lebanon Valley College Brian Hodges (Yorba Linda) – Stevenson University Cameron Mack (Long Beach) – Elmira College Brenden Manquen (Rolling Hills) – Lebanon Valley College Jon Neal (Encinitas) – Hobart College Kyle Penn (Mission Viejo) – Stevenson University Jordan Watt (Riverside) – Stevenson University Chase Wilson (Riverside) – Lebanon Valley College Colin Woods (Yorba Linda) – Stevenson University Matt Zendejas (Upland) – Neumann University MASCAC Kyle Baker (Fresno) – Worcester State University Jake Carter (El Segundo) – Westfield State University Connor Cooley (Simi Valley) – University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Khalil East (Los Angeles) – Worcester State University Drake Longaker (San Jose) – Plymouth State University Andrew McAvoy (Valencia) – Salem State University Connor McPherson (Lancaster) – Fitchburg State University Kyle Orgel (El Segundo) – Plymouth State University Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills) – Worcester 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 Dallas Marvin (Newbury Park) – Bethel University Chris Nuth (Trabuco Canyon) – Augsburg College J.T. Paine (Rancho Santa Margarita) – St. Olaf College Kyle Rimbach (Encinitas) – St. Olaf College Steven Sherman (San Diego) – St. Olaf College Cole Souto (Yorba Linda) – St. John’s University J.T. Walters (Escondido) – Gustavus Adolphus College NCHA Anthony Annunziato (Alta Loma) – Lake Forest College Henry Berger (Claremont) – Northland College Zach Feldman (San Diego) – Lake Forest College Kyle Gonzalez (Chino Hills) – Northland College James Mathias (Ontario) – Marian University Peter Megariotis (Anaheim Hills) – College of St. Scholastica Travis Meyer (Corona) – Marian University Sean Reynolds (Anaheim) – Lawrence University Nick Trefry (Upland) – Northland College Quinton Wunder (Simi Valley) – Lake Forest College

Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose) – Potsdam State University WIAC Jono Davis (La Verne) – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point David Henry (Foster City) – University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eric Shand (San Dimas) – University of Wisconsin-Superior D-III INDEPENDENT Devin Day (Fontana) – Post University Kyle Matsumoto (Walnut) – Canton State University Jarrett Stark (San Bernardino) – Daniel Webster College Chris Timm (Dublin) – Daniel Webster College NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN COLONIAL HOCKEY Danielle Comorre (Tujunga) – Endicott College Madison Maloney (Clovis) – Becker College Savannah Sommers (Corona) – Stevenson University Anastasia Thompson (Riverside) – Becker College ECAC WEST Bri Carroll – Buffalo State University $ Megan Crandell (Fullerton) – Plattsburgh State University Hannah Kiraly (Newport Beach) – Plattsburgh State University Eva Kristof (Pleasanton) – Cortland State University Jordan Lipson (Davis) – Plattsburgh State University Justine Silva (El Monte) – Buffalo State University Hannah Tarr (Los Angeles) – Buffalo State University Laura Thacker (San Jose) – Oswego State University MIAC Valerie Brown (San Martin) – St. Thomas University Jessica Jones (El Cajon) – St. Mary’s University Kylie Kramer – College of St. Benedict $ NCHA Jacqueline Audet (Campbell) – Lake Forest College Allie Girard (Folsom) – Lake Forest College Rachael Goodrow (Rancho Santa Margarita) – St. Norbert College Bailey Robertson (Orange) – Adrian College NEHC Alexandra Anderson (San Anselmo) – Salve Regina University Lizzie Aveson (West Covina) – University of Massachusetts-Boston Taylor Chisholm (Discovery Bay) – Salve Regina University Mackenzie Kennedy (Brea) – Plymouth State University Demi Latham (Redwood City) – New England College Brooke Maggy (Alhambra) – Plymouth State University Kateri McClellan (Rancho Palos Verde) – University of Mass.-Boston Kristi Peters (Newport Beach) – Manhattanville College Tori Polehonka (Chino) – New England College Maisie Tatum-Borich (Newport Beach) – New England College Tara Turcotte (Huntington Beach) – New England College

NEHC Sam Bloom (Davis) – Skidmore College Scott Cornfield (Brea) – New England College Conor Ferrera (Trabuco Canyon) – University of Southern Maine Keenan Haase (Mission Viejo) – New England College Bryan Hodges (La Palma) – University of Southern Maine Brett Kilar (Coto de Caza) – New England College David MacGregor (Azusa) – University of Massachusetts-Boston Jon Manlow (Murrieta) – New England College Bryce Nielsen (Laguna Hills) – New England College Will Platt (San Francisco) – New England College Mark Shroyer (Fresno) – Castleton State University Corey Sikich (Hermosa Beach) – Castleton State University

NESCAC Candace Lu (Studio City) – Williams College Hailey Sholty (Malibu) – Wesleyan University Emily Williams (Fallbrook) – Hamilton College

NESCAC Nick Balboa (San Francisco) – Tufts University 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 Evan Johnson (Huntington Beach) – Williams College Marcus Mollica (Dove Canyon) – Williams College Ryan Mowery (Rancho Santa Fe) – Connecticut College Sean Ross (San Diego) – Wesleyan University Oliver Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) – Tufts University Theo Tydingco (Newark) – Wesleyan University

ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Sam Anzai (Los Angeles) – Drayton Valley Thunder Alec Grollman (Laguna Niguel) – Grand Prairie Storm Robert Jacobson (Calabasas) – Bonnyville Pontiacs Tyler Levine (Laguna Beach) – Brooks Bandits

NORTHEAST-10 Matthew Toombs (Pleasanton) – Franklin Pierce University SUNYAC Max Blitz (Chino Hills) – Fredonia State University Kevin Chilton (Oak Park) – Brockport State University Michael Freeman (Rancho Cucamonga) – Fredonia State University Paul Fregeau (Los Angeles) – Cortland State University Doc Gentzler (Manhattan Beach) – Brockport State University David Jacobson (Calabasas) – Oswego State University Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Fredonia State University Zac Sikich (Oak Park) – Brockport State University T.J. Sneath (Chino) – Oswego State University

D-III INDEPENDENT Emilia Aguilar (Los Angeles) – Post University Sydney Conrad (Temple City) – Post University Anna Estes (Whittier) – Post University Victoria Lahey (Redwood City) – Lebanon Valley College Kalena Mueller (San Ramon) – Post University JUNIOR HOCKEY

BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Elijiah Barriga (West Covina) – Salmon Arm Silverbacks Austin Chavez (Corona) – Wenatchee Wild Devin Cooley (Los Gatos) – Wenatchee Wild Slava Demin (Cypress) – Wenatchee Wild Justin Dixson (Sunnyvale) – Chilliwack Chiefs Andre Ghantous (Glendale) – Trail Smoke Eaters Trevin Kozlowski (Santa Clarita) – Salmon Arm Silverbacks Jacob Modry (El Segundo) – Wenatchee Wild Eric Pinsky (San Jose) – Wenatchee Wild Dakota Raabe (Capistrano Beach) – Wenatchee Wild Tyler Rockwell (San Jose) – Wenatchee Wild Chad Sasaki (Cypress) – Wenatchee Wild Jack Sitzman (Redondo Beach) – Trail Smoke Eaters Julian Timba (Oceanside) – Salmon Arm Silverbacks Jared Turcotte (Moorpark) – Salmon Arm Silverbacks Brian Williams (San Diego) – Wenatchee Wild EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Michael Adelson (Claremont) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Adam Bedford (Hawthorne) – Boston Bandits (Premier)

Paul Boutoussov (Dana Point) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Declan Curtis (Fontana) – New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Thomas Dyreng (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Elite) Jason Epperly (Lakewood) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Brendan Gilligan (San Jose) – Northern Cyclones (Elite) John Grealish (Bakersfield) – Boston Jr. Rangers (Elite) Nicholas Harris (Glendale) – Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (Premier) Tim Huxen (Bakersfield) – New Jersey Rockets (Premier) Jagr Larson (Palm Springs) – East Coast Wizards (Premier) Sean Lincoln (Orange County) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Sawyer Lockleis (Stanford) – Vermont Lumberjacks (Premier) Julian Madison (Pasadena) – New York Applecore (Premier) Robby McClellan (Palos Verdes) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Ryan Miller (Manhattan Beach) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Zach Morel (Oceanside) – Boston Jr. Rangers (Elite) Tyler Nelson (Danville) – Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier) Ryan Ng (Manhattan Beach) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier) Shane Noviello (Mission Viejo) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Evan Nyhus (Dove Canyon) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Ricky Pacciorini (Winters) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Adam Papayoanou (Valencia) – Connecticut Nighthawks (Premier) Eric Phillips (Portola Hills) – Walpole Express (Elite) Sean Plonski (San Bernardino) – Walpole Express (Premier) Brian Sanzone (Santa Monica) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Connor Schwarz (Oakdale) – Boston Bandits (Elite) Ryan Sheridan (Mission Viejo) – Northern Cyclones (Elite) Felix Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) – Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier) Jake Takashima (Torrance) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Elite) Chad Watt (Corona) – Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier) Eric Wright (San Diego) – Walpole Express (Premier) GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Eric Bampenchow (Laguna Hills) – Bradford Rattlers Don Carter, Jr. (Antioch) – Bradford Bulls Brandon Chapin (Santa Clara) – Bradford Rattlers Steven Colombo (San Jose) – Seguin Huskies Bryan Hochberg (Woodland Hills) – Parry Sound Islanders Austin Kane (Milpitas) – Bradford Rattlers Mark Klasen (San Diego) – New Tecumseth Civics Nico Wilton (Redondo Beach) – Temiscaming Titans KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Ethan Bock (Upland) – Golden Rockets Stephen Gaughran (Lake Elsinore) – Golden Rockets Ruslan Katsnelson (West Hills) – Golden Rockets Blake Norman (Redondo Beach) – Spokane Braves Mark Pretorius (San Diego) – Spokane Braves MANITOBA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Dylan Dix (Scotts Valley) – Winkler Flyers MARITIME HOCKEY LEAGUE Ezekiel Estrada (Anaheim) – Yarmouth Mariners NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Connor Chilton (Oak Park) – Fairbanks Ice Dogs Jayson Dimizio (Goleta) – Corpus Christi IceRays Zak Galambos (Walnut Creek) – Johnstown Tomahawks Jack Gates (Oceanside) – Janesville Jets Cooper Haar (Huntington Beach) – Bismarck Bobcats Carson Kelley (Portola Valley) – Lone Star Brahmas Nick Klishko (San Diego) – Odessa Jackalopes Austin Koss (Huntington Beach) – Minot Minotauros David Marabella (Clovis) – Lone Star Brahmas Kyle Mayhew (Anaheim Hills) – Aberdeen Wings Robby McClellan (Rancho Palos Verdes) – Minot Minotauros Aaron Murray (Chino) – Northeast Generals Garrett Nieto (Yorba Linda) – Springfield Jr. Blues Ryan Orgel (El Segundo) – Wichita Falls Wildcats Jake Rosenbaum (Trabuco Canyon) – Topeka RoadRunners Evan Somoza (Simi Valley) – Northeast Generals Hunter Stanley (Camarillo) – Lone Star Brahmas Alex Stoley (Manteca) – Lone Star Brahmas Matt Wiesner (Newport Beach) – New Jersey Titans Connor Yawney (Orange) – Corpus Christi IceRays NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Tristan Ayoubi (Orange) – Syracuse Stampede Brady Boudreau (Anaheim) – New Ulm Steel Ryan Brown (South Lake Tahoe) – Billings Bulls Zach Brunelle (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Louisiana Drillers Anthony Cathcart (Northridge) – Willmar WarHawks Chase Di Bari (Ladera Ranch) – Granite City Lumberjacks Bailey Dorf (Palm Springs) – Glacier Nationals Bradley Estrada (Chino Hills) – Helena Bighorns Hayden Funk (Valley Glen) – Willmar WarHawks Daniel Goodwin (Fresno) – Euless Jr. Stars Ryan Gridley (Santa Monica) – Atlanta Capitals Nicholas Gustafson (Walnut Creek) – Point Mallard Ducks A.J. Hoyt (Yorba Linda) – Breezy Point North Stars Campbell Jackson (Hermosa Beach) – Northeast Generals Ben Kottmeier (San Francisco) – Helena Bighorns Malik Lamotte-Stokes (Westminster) – Syracuse Stampede Michael Lempiainen (Corona) – New England Stars Nick Nast (Oxnard) – Great Falls Americans Matt Newberger (South Lake Tahoe) – Billings Bulls Ryan Newman (Bakersfield) – Northeast Generals Danny O’Donnell (Ventura) – Great Falls Americans Teagan Poliseno (Valencia) – Atlanta Capitals Tristen Poliseno (Valencia) – Atlanta Capitals Kane Toriumi (Westlake Village) – Willmar WarHawks Collin Tripp (Prunedale) – Chicago Bulldogs

Alex Werdmuller (Laguna Hills) – St. Louis Jr. Blues NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Arshia Mitchell (Aliso Viejo) – Blind River Beavers Joseph Thielen (Huntington Beach) – Cochrane Crunch Riley William (Manhattan Beach) – Elliot Lake Wildcats ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE Sasha Chmelevski (Huntington Beach) – Ottawa 67’s Ivan Lodnia (Anaheim) – Erie Otters ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Rock Boynton (Lomita) – Lindsay Muskies Kyle Moore (Sunnyvale) – Burlington Cougars QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Matthew Boucher (Los Angeles) – Quebec Remparts SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Christian Bundschuh (Orange County) – Thief River Falls Norskies SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Aaron Aragon (Whittier) – Melville Millionaires Dakota Delbridge (Tracy) – Flin Flon Bombers Coby Downs (Montclair) – Battlefords North Stars Michael Maple (Fullerton) – Nipawin Hawks Brett Pickler (Villa Park) – Flin Flon Bombers Evan Plotnik (Capistrano Beach) – Melville Millionaires Nick Schultze (San Diego) – Melfort Mustangs UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Jacob Acton (Livermore) – Omaha Lancers Joey Cassetti (Pleasanton) – U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team Vincent de Mey (Los Angeles) – Madison Capitols Jake Durflinger (Walnut Creek) – Bloomington Thunder Cole Guttman (Los Angeles) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Jacob Hamacher (Corona) – Dubuque Fighting Saints Rory Herrman (Poway) – Green Bay Gamblers Ben Lown (Newport Coast) – Omaha Lancers Shane McMahan (Irvine) – Fargo Force Brannon McManus (Huntington Beach) – Chicago Steel Alec Mehr (Irvine) – Bloomington Thunder Jack St. Ivany (Manhattan Beach) – Sioux Falls Stampede Rourke Russell (Long Beach) - Green Bay Gamblers Eetu Selanne (Coto de Caza) – Madison Capitols Ethan Somoza (Simi Valley) – Bloomington Thunder UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Jonathan Aguilar (Pasadena) – Islanders Hockey Club (USP3 Patrick Choi – Boston Jr. Bruins (Premier) #) Pierce Bartolo (Belmont) – Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Nash Berkowitz (San Jose) – Eugene Generals (USP3) Brendan Burns (San Carlos) – Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Jordan Carrasco (San Jose) – Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Nikolai Cherednichenko (Berkeley) – PAL Jr. Islanders (Premier) Severin Corallo (San Diego) – Tampa Bay Juniors (USP3) Ryan Cortez (Norco) - Palm Beach Hawks (Elite) Paul Daley (Bakersfield) – Forest Lake Lakers (Elite) Hayden Day (Oak Park) – Boston Jr. Bruins (USP3) Sean Dickson (Millbrae) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) Tyler Dill (South Lake Tahoe) – Charlotte Rush (Elite) Jason Footlick (Redondo Beach) – River Falls Renegades (Elite) Andrew Frojelin (San Marcos) – Charlotte Rush (Elite) Cody Fulkerson (Los Angeles) – Florida Jr. Blades (USP3) Liam Gallant (Santa Barbara) – Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) John Garrity (San Francisco) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Ethan Gill (Santa Clarita) – Florida Eels (USP3) Dylan Gluck (San Juan Capistrano) – Jersey Hitmen (Premier) Brooks Hatfield (Tracy) – South Shore Kings (Elite) Sam Hernandez (Fontana) – Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Frank Horowitz (Beverly Hills) – Connecticut Jr. Rangers (Premier) Adam Hulsey (Bakersfield) – Atlanta Jr. Knights (USP3) Bryce Hunt (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Richmond Generals (Elite) Rob Ivy (Bermuda Dunes) – Richmond Generals (Elite) Austin Lechtanski (Rancho Cucamonga) – Syracuse Stars (Elite) Jeremiah Levitt (Simi Valley) – West Sound Warriors (USP3) Daniel Luyten (Chino Hills) – Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) Colin Markoski (Corona) – Hampton Roads Whalers (USP3) Joshua Miller (Paramount) – Kalkaska Rhinos (USP3) Brennan Newton (Santa Fe Springs) – West Sound Warriors (USP3) Sven Nilsson (Culver City) – Florida Eels (Elite) Robert Norwalk (Fremont) – Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) David Quast (Long Beach) – River Falls Renegades (Elite) Dylan Robello (Salida) – Florida Eels (USP3) Dalton Teeter (Dublin) – Bay State Breakers (Elite) Taylor Urch (Anaheim) – Richmond Generals (Elite) Tristan Waechter (Fairfield) – Bay State Breakers (Elite) Jacob Ward (Murrieta) – Hampton Roads Whalers (USP3) Nick Wardstrom (San Francisco) – Islanders Hockey Club (Elite) Michael Wiggins (Temecula) – Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite) VANCOUVER ISLAND JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Colton Rhodes (Coachella) – Campbell River Storm WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Blake Bargar (Torrance) – Victoria Royals Jake McGrew (Orange) – Spokane Chiefs Steven Owre (Rocklin) – Medicine Hat Tigers Evan Sarthou – Tri-City Americans % Carl Stankowski – Seattle Thunderbirds # Murphy Stratton (Los Angeles) – Calgary Hitmen Keoni Texeira (Fontana) – Portland Winterhawks

Brayden Watts (Bakersfield) – Vancouver Giants Evan Weinger (El Segundo) – Portland Winterhawks Kailer Yamamoto – Spokane Chiefs % Keanu Yamamoto – Spokane Chiefs % WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Joseph Aguirre (Los Alamitos) – Ontario Avalanche Joseph Allegrini (Valencia) – Las Vegas Storm Wolfgang Boehringer (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Domenic Bosetti (Long Beach) – Long Beach Bombers Rhett Bruckner (Huntington Beach) – Las Vegas Storm Brad Budman (Foothill Ranch) – Bellingham Blazers Sean Buffardi (Westminster) – Long Beach Bombers Evan Camba (Orange) – El Paso Rhinos Thomas Campbell (Riverside) – Ontario Avalanche Carter Dahl (Fresno) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Quinn Deshler (Torrance) – Ontario Avalanche Blake Duarte (Mission Viejo) – Ontario Avalanche Michael Dwyer (Clovis) – Fresno Monsters Morgan Diamond (Moorpark) – Arizona Hawks Michael Fary (Anaheim) – Utah Outliers Greg Figg (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers Jake Fleischman (Valencia) – Valencia Flyers Sage Fleming (Costa Mesa) – Ogden Mustangs Nicholas Gary (Palo Alto) – Fresno Monsters Tadeh Grigorian (Burbank) – Ontario Avalanche Tyler Hagen (Granada Hills) – Valencia Flyers Taylor Hiatt (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Jackson Hill (Monterey) – Ontario Avalanche Jonathan Holguin (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Riley Hummitsch (Chino Hills) – El Paso Rhinos Logan Jalynski (Riverside) – Ontario Avalanche Taylor Jolly (Saugus) – Valencia Flyers Cody Key (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Thomas King (Rancho Cucamonga) – Ontario Avalanche Garret Kingsbury (Bakersfield) – Valencia Flyers Mason Kohn (San Diego) – San Diego Sabers Jason Lee (Thousand Oaks) – Valencia Flyers Nathan Lloyd (Los Alamitos) – Arizona Hawks Gabel Longshore (Davis) – Lake Tahoe Icemen William Ma (Anaheim) – Ontario Avalanche Manny Mancha (Rosemead) – Ontario Avalanche Alexander Marbach (Stevenson Ranch) – Valencia Flyers Connor Melton (Chico) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Luis Mendoza (Newark) – Lake Tahoe Icemen John Moffatt (South Lake Tahoe) – Lake Tahoe Icemen Cole Parker (San Diego) – San Diego Sabers Andrew Pellegrino (Fresno) – Fresno Monsters Michael Perez (Fresno) – El Paso Rhinos Jonathon Pichedwatana (Lakewood) – Long Beach Bombers Connor Rickabus (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Tulsa Jr. Oilers Dylan San Agustin (Santa Clarita) – Valencia Flyers Nicholas Short (Los Angeles) – Long Beach Bombers Christopher Sohl (Riverside) – Ontario Avalanche Sam Taferner (Santa Clarita) – Valencia Flyers Braydon Thompson (Roseville) – Lake Tahoe Icemen Bryan Verna (Lake Forest) – Phoenix Knights John Wilshire (Temecula) – Arizona Hawks Aleksandr Zendejas (Mission Viejo) – El Paso Rhinos PREP SCHOOL Alan Austria-Garcia (Redwood City) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Lucas Bafoner (Los Angeles) – Albany Academy Cayla Barnes (Corona) – New Hampton School Brandon Bedient (Stevenson Ranch) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Grady Birk (Carlsbad) – Shawnigan Lake School Noah Dahlen (Orange) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Liam Dauphinee (Newport Beach) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Jared Day (Orange) – Brooks School Zachary Dill (Tahoe) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Tanner Ensign (Tustin) – Holderness School Riley Fenn (Newport Beach) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Ryan Fischer (Anaheim Hills) – South Kent Dennis L. Y. Franklin (Oakland) – The Taft School Shane Gilbert (Newport Beach) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Jonah Gold (Rolling Hills Estates) – Groton School Niko Grollman (Mission Viejo) – The Gunnery Tyler Herr (Huntington Beach) – Culver Academy Nathan Katzaroff (Anaheim) – Milton Academy Nicholas Kent (Ladera Ranch) – Delta Hockey Academy Noah Kim (Fullerton) – Cushing Academy Indigo Kinzey (Pacifica) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Matt Kors (Los Angeles) – Shawnigan Lake School Jordan Labbe (Pasadena) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Erik Larsson (Los Altos) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Nicholas Lee (Los Angeles) – Salisbury School Noah Lee (Los Angeles) – Salisbury School Tae Lee (Irvine) – The Governor’s Academy Tyler Leibl (Del Mar) – Shawnigan Lake School Roan Linvill (Berkeley) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Jack Lippis (Mission Viejo) – The Gunnery Mathias Long (Marina del Rey) – Lake Forest Academy Brandon McDonald (Los Angeles) – Vermont Academy Kyle McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – Tilton School Nolan McElhaney (Yorba Linda) – Cushing Academy Adam McGill (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Keely Moy (San Diego) – Kent School Matthew Odom (Elk Grove) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Zach Pires (Villa Park) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Steven Plante (Valencia) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Patrick Pugliese (Pasadena) – Loomis Chaffee Casey Rhodes (Huntington Beach) – Albany Academy

Alexander Rogers (Anaheim) – Williston Northampton Brett Roloson (Newport Beach) – Shawnigan Lake School Ross Roloson (Newport Beach) – Shawnigan Lake School Hunter Sansbury (Lomita) – The Gunnery Chase Sechrist (Santa Rosa) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Blake Selden (Santa Clara) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Jordan Skahill (San Dimas) – South Kent Daniel Thomas (Irvine) – Hotchkiss School Daniel Ton-That (Laguna Hills) – Tilton School Jackson Tuszynski (Valencia) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Lukas Uhler (Upland) – New Hampton School Brent Valentine (Newport Beach) – Choate Rosemary Hall Cam York (Anaheim Hills) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep Billy Zegras (San Diego) – The Berkshire School

NEVADA PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Jason Zucker (Las Vegas) – Minnesota Wild AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Zach Pochiro (Las Vegas) – Bakersfield Condors ECHL Kenny Brooks (Las Vegas) – Colorado Eagles Chris Francis (Las Vegas) – Quad City Mallards Gage Quinney (Las Vegas) – Wheeling Nailers Jacob MacDonald (Fernley) – Toledo Walleye Ross McMullan (Las Vegas) – Wheeling Nailers Cory Ward (Las Vegas) – Manchester Monarchs SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Chris Rial (Las Vegas) – Columbus Cottonmouths COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ECAC Joe Sullivan (Las Vegas) – St. Lawrence University D-I INDEPENDENT Joey Raats (Las Vegas) – Arizona State University NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN CHA Sarah Robello (Las Vegas) – Mercyhurst University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN COMMONWEALTH Joseph Kaszupski (Henderson) – Endicott College Alec Mono (Las Vegas) – Curry College NCHA Derek Sutliffe (Las Vegas) – College of St. Scholastica SUNYAC Ryan Chiasson (Henderson) – Plattsburgh State University D-III INDEPENDENT Tanner Todd (Henderson) – Daniel Webster College JUNIOR HOCKEY BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Brendan Harris (Las Vegas) – Wenatchee Wild GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Richard Prekop (Las Vegas) – South Muskoka Shield NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Dom Garcia (Las Vegas) – Aston Rebels NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Michael Cichy (Las Vegas) – Atlanta Capitals Kyle Truax (Las Vegas) – Gillette Wild NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Adrian Nicholas (Las Vegas) – French River Rapids QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Landon Quinney (Las Vegas) – Saint John Sea Dogs UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Spencer Poscente (Henderson) – Tri-City Icehawks (USP3) Gage Roberts (Las Vegas) – Carolina Eagles (Elite) Ethan Van Muyden (Henderson) – Tri-City Icehawks (USP3) WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Seth Bergeron (Las Vegas) – Las Vegas Storm Vito Carlo (Las Vegas) – Las Vegas Storm Brenden Fehlig (Las Vegas) – Las Vegas Storm Reed Lequerica (Reno) – Lake Tahoe Icemen Jake McKenna (Las Vegas) – Las Vegas Storm Kyle Molony (Las Vegas) – Las Vegas Storm Eric Williams (Henderson) – Ontario Avalanche % former LA Jr. King + former California Titan * former LA Select

! former San Jose Jr. Shark # former Anaheim Jr. Duck $ former Anaheim Lady Duck

CARubberHockey.com

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

Could pro hockey be coming to Vegas’ Mono taking his game Reno in the very near future? to next level at Curry College By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

irst, it was the NHL placing an expansion team in Las Vegas and christening it the Vegas Golden Knights. Now, according to a recent report, professional hockey could soon land in Reno. The city council last fall allowed the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) and Reno Puck Club to begin negotiations with the long-range goal being minor league hockey in town. An ECHL team is the prime topic. “Reno is a winter sports market that doesn’t have a winter sports team,” Reno Puck Club partner Ken Lehner told www.MyNews4.com. “We talk about the Tahoe region and what goes on in that market, but we need to have a winter sports team here in Reno.” The Reno Puck Club has aspirations to take over operations and management of the Reno Events Center and invest nearly $6 million in improvements. According to Lehner, the ice would be installed beneath the existing floor to allow the venue to continue to be used for concerts and the Reno Bighorns of the National Basketball Association Development League. Locker rooms would ideally be located at the back end and the north end of the building, Lehner noted. At the city council meeting, Mayor Hillary Scheive explained that money from the city’s general fund would not be used to contribute to the effort, but if the Reno Puck Club takes over operation and management of the Reno Events Center, the RSCVA could then provide funding. For hockey, the arena would seat approximately 5,300 spectators. “There’s a low roof there in that building,” said Lehner. “We think this place will be very loud, and when you add some LCD screens and color to the inside of the building, I think we’ll make it a tough place to play.” If the deal does in fact go through, Reno’s ECHL team would more than likely partner as an affiliate with an NHL team, with Las Vegas or San Jose the obvious targets.

hen Alec Mono committed to NCAA Division III Curry College last season, he said he chose the school “because of the rich hockey culture it has.” Now halfway through his freshman season, Mono is experiencing that culture firsthand, manning the blue line for the Colonels, part of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). “So far, my season at Curry has been going well,” the 20-year-old Las Vegas native said. “I feel comfortable on the back end and playing good minutes.” Curry is located in Milton, Mass., about 10 miles south of Boston. Last season, Mono played for the New Jersey Rockets of the Eastern Hockey League, racking up 22 points in 41 games. “The transition from juniors to college was a slight game at the start of the season,” said Mono. “College is a lot quicker, more skill, and much more physicality. As I kept playing, I became acclimated to the change and started to feel comfortable with myself and how I was playing.” As a youth, Mono skated with the Las Vegas/Nevada Storm association from Mites to Pee Wees and then captaining the 16U team in 2012-13. He said coaches Eldon Reddick, Ken Quinney and Rob Pallin had a positive influence on his career. The hot topic in Vegas these days is the NHL’s Golden Knights, something that has Mono excited. “The Golden Knights coming to town is huge for the Las Vegas community,” said Mono. “This will help grow the sport of hockey in the desert. Many people don’t think of Las Vegas as an ideal place to play hockey, but there are numerous players competing at high levels, as well as a growing number in the community. This will be a huge success in town.” As Curry enters the home stretch of the season, Mono wants to keep the success coming. “My personal expectations are to keep doing what I do best and the rest will follow,” said Mono. “Team goals are to win the CCC and have the shot to play in the NCAA Tournament.” CARubberHockey.com

CHASE DE LEO

Hometown: La Mirada Last amateur team: Portland Winterhawks, Western Hockey League Youth teams: Norwalk Knights, LA Jr. Kings, LA Hockey Club California Rubber: What is your favorite hockey memory growing up? Chase De Leo: II enjoyed getting to travel to a lot of places at a young age – Silver Sticks in Detroit, The Brick in Edmonton, Quebec Pee Wees. Looking back, you don’t realize how much money it is and the sacrifices your parents make. CR: What is your favorite memory in the game since leaving California? CDL: When I got called up (last season by the Winnipeg Jets) we got to go to Nashville. I thought Nashville was pretty cool. It was fun to be a part of that and travel and stay in the five-star hotels. I also got to go to Boston, Philadelphia and Minnesota, all great hockey markets. CR: Who have been the biggest influences on you on and off the ice? CDL: Starting in Portland, I’d say (head coach) Travis Green was. I was coming from LA Hockey Club and played a lot of minutes and in every role. I was 16 and he said, “This is where things are going to start being different. Don’t expect anything to be given to you. You’re going to have to earn everything.” I’ve carried that with me. And Mike Keane (Winnipeg’s player development assistant). He’s been really good to me and helps me out a lot. Any time I need to talk he’s there. He’s won Cups and gets it. He and his wife drove me to my first NHL game (against his hometown team, the Anaheim Ducks, on March 20, 2016). CR: What advice would you give young hockey players? CDL: Be super thankful because a lot of kids don’t get the chance to play the sport. Now it’s more popular. We were pretty lucky as kids who have parents who can afford it and sacrifice time on their jobs to do it. Be super grateful for your family’s support. Hockey-wise, you’ve got to have fun. You should be excited every single time. Work hard – you have to eat right, get to sleep at a good time and have your priorities straight. It’s more than showing up to the rink and screwing around with your friends. CR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play? CDL: This a running joke with my teammates – I’m the least athletic person. All I did was play hockey. CR: Are there are any pieces of gear you’re particular about? CDL: I’ve always been a guy who believes if you look good, you feel good and you play good. For Christmas, I’d always ask for new gloves and a new stick. Our equipment guy would say I’m pretty high maintenance. I think new equipment helps you perform better. CR: When you’re back in California, do you have a favorite meal or restaurant? CDL: It has to be any one of my mom’s meals. She makes really good tacos and my dad makes really good barbecued steaks. I appreciate it more now that I have to grocery shop and cook for myself – not my favorite things. CR: Did you have a favorite player growing up? CDL: Luc Robitaille on the Kings and Paul Kariya on the Ducks. In Portland, Paul’s brother Steve was a volunteer video coach during my second-to-last year. I got to meet him and talk to him. Colorado’s Joe Sakic was my all-time favorite player growing up. CR: What is the most challenging aspect of playing pro hockey? CDL: My biggest thing I need to work at and continue to is just the mental side of the game. Guys are always getting called up and sent down. You can’t think too much about it. You have to be ready at all times. It makes it more difficult to stay in the moment. You could get a phone call any time. - Compiled by Chris Bayee Photo/Jonathan Kozub/Manitoba Moose

California Rubber Hockey Magazine

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