Colorado Rubber Magazine - February 2017

VOLUME 6

The growth of the girls and women’s game in Colorado has never been brighter and Lakewood native Nicole Hensley has a lot to do with the recent boom

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ISSUE 6

FEBRUARY 2017

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Krivo School of Hockey Elite

SPRING 2017 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Bantam Spring Development Program Birth Year: 2002

Tryouts:

All tryouts and team practice will be held at The Ice Ranch

Saturday, March 18th . Time: 10:40am-11:40am Sunday, March 19th . Time: 8:55am-9:55am

841 Southpark Drive | Littleton, CO 80120

Mite Spring Development Program Birth Years:”2008, 2009, 2010

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Saturday, March 18th . Time: 9:30am-10:30am Sunday, March 19th . Time: 7:45am-8:45am

Coaching Staff: Andrei Krivokrasov, Joseph Carroll, Bogdan Rudenko, Ivan Benevelsky, Kyle Ostrow Goalie Coach: Matt Zaba

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call Andrei Krivokrasov at 312-404-3997 or e-mail akrivo@krivoschoolofhockey.com

TO REGISTER, VISIT WWW.KRIVOSCHOOLOFHOCKEY.COM

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FROM THE EDITOR Lots happening these days when it comes to Colorado, Utah hockey

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here is really no slowing down this time of year.

We’ve got state tournaments, teams prepping for USA Hockey Youth Nationals, associations getting set for spring hockey, college commitments, NHL trade deadline, you name it.

And while winning these events and succeeding is obviously a priority, let’s all remember to have fun and to play the game the right way.

Onward and upward and good luck to all teams, players and coaches!

Colorado Eagles forward Matt Garbowsky was named the MVP of the 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic on Jan. 18.

Matt Mackinder The second-year pro posted two goals and two assists in the contest as the ECHL All-Stars defeated the hometown Adirondack Thunder by a final score of 8-7.

The 2017 Grizz Cup went down Jan. 13-16 and as has become the norm, was a very competitive and exciting four days at five Utah rinks – Cottonwood Heights Ice Arena (Salt Lake City), County Ice Center (Murray), Maverik Center (West Valley City), SL Sports Complex-Steiner (SLC) and the West Valley Acord Ice Center (West Valley City).

Kudos to the Colorado Jr. Eagles (10U B), Montana Thunderblades (10U A), Arizona Hockey Union (12U B), Moses Lake Coyotes (12U A), Montana Thunderblades (12U AA), Salt Lake Lightning (14U B), Colorado Jr. Buffs (14U A), Hyland Hills Jaguars (14U AA), Davis Golden Eagles (16U AA) and Jackson Moose (18U A/High School) on winning championships!

More news out of Utah as the Park City Ice Miners have announced the hiring of Mike Adamek as the next director of hockey.

Adamek will be taking over for the first hockey director in the history of the Ice Miners, Aaron Dufford who had been in his position for the last six years.

Adamek is currently coaching the Ice Miners’ 18U AA team, coached the 16U AA team for the three years prior and won the Utah state championship two of those three years. He also works at the Park City Ice Arena as a supervisor and Hockey Academy coach.

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Colorado Rubber Magazine is a production of:

publisher: Brian McDonough senior editor: Matt Mackinder senior designer: Julie Wilson

HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!

Following the success of their boys Mountain Militia program, Summit Youth Hockey is introducing the first Girls Militia program – a spring team that competes in the High Plains Hockey League against other high school-aged players, mostly from the Front Range.

This is open to any age-appropriate high school player.

Tryouts will be held this month. There will be one practice per week and traditionally, have held games on Sundays, so it should not conflict with spring high school sports.

For more information, contact Chris Miller at chris@summityouthhockey.org.

In mid-January, NHL Central Scouting released its mid-term rankings for players eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

Players with Colorado connections include: Cal Foote, D, Kelowna Rockets/WHL (1st round, 12th overall) – Colorado Thunderbirds alum, Englewood native Zach Walker, F, Boston College/NCAA (7th round, 210th overall) – Colorado Thunderbirds alum Dayton Rasmussen, Tri-City Storm/USHL (6th, North American goalies) – Colorado Thunderbirds alum Jeremy Swayman, Sioux Falls Stampede/USHL (18th, North American goalies) – Pikes Peak Miners alum The 2017 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 23-24 in Chicago.

Some college commitments to acknowledge as Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA goalie Isaiah Saville has committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC), former T-Bird and Highlands Ranch native Noah Prokop has also decided on Omaha and Evolution Elite Hockey Academy’s Arsenii Smekhnov has chosen the University of Connecticut (Hockey East).

Way to go, boys!

On a bit of a down note, Colorado hockey mom Debbie Bukes is battling cancer.

“I don’t take my life for granted,” said Bukes. “I don’t live like I’m dying, but rather, I live to give back. I want others to know to trust their intuition.”

A GoFundMe page that has more information has been set up for the Bukes family https://www.gofundme.com/hockey-mom-strong

Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4

Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine

Jakob Saunders (7) goes top shelf for the overtime game-winning goal to give his Littleton Black the Bantam B title over Woodland Park at the 31st Annual Littleton Hockey Association Slapshot Tournament on Jan. 16 at the Ice Ranch. Saunders was subsequently named the MVP of the Bantam B division.

More on the tournament on Page 14. Photo/Scott Cattelino/Colorado Hockey Hub

ON THE COVER Lakewood native Nicole Hensley has suited up in international competition for the United States in recent times and as a youth, played for the Colorado Select organization.

Photo/Riku Laukkanen

COLORADO AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Mustangs, Ice Wizards welcome developmentally disabled

By Steve Stein

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here's a new hockey team in Colorado for people with developmental disabilities.

The Denver Mustangs held their first practice Nov. 19, only a few weeks after the team's formation, and played in an American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) tournament in California in January.

Team organizers want to get the word out that they're looking for more players.

"It usually takes about six months to organize a team for players with developmental disabilities, but we had our jerseys and started practicing in six weeks," said Mary Lederman, ASHA's Western Regional representative, who started and runs the six-player Mustangs team along with her husband, Don. JoAnn Stephenson is the team's manager and there are six volunteer coaches.

Fundraising and seed money provided by ASHA have gotten the Mustangs off the ground.

Thanks to those funds, they have equipment and ice time through March.

"We hope families will contact us," Stephenson said.

"The only cost for players is an annual registration fee for USA Hockey ($44). We'll work with the players on their hockey skills, provide most of their equipment and ice time."

The Mustangs were born out of necessity. A good necessity. There are a growing number of people with developmental disabilities who are playing hockey in Colorado and another team was needed so families didn't have to

drive long distances to rinks.

Wizards practices before the Mustangs were formed.

Two rinks are home to the Mustangs. They're skating at Sara Stephenson, 34, who has Down Syndrome, the Family Sports Center in Centennial – where the NHL's started playing hockey in 1996. She's a goalie.

Colorado Avalanche hold practice sessions – and the Mag"Sara couldn't skate when she first played, but she loved ness Arena at the University of Denver. hockey," her mother said. "What's great about these teams "We hope to have just one home next season," Ste- is we emphasize the team aspect. Besides practicing and phenson said. "Either the Family Sports Center or the uni- playing, each team gets together for events off the ice." versity would be great."

Doris Donley, CAHA's vice president for adaptive The other USA Hockeyhockey, couldn't be happier and Colorado Amateur Hockabout the formation of the Musey Association-sanctioned tangs.

"USA Hockey and CAHA (CAHA) hockey team for deare thrilled to welcome the velopmentally-disabled players Mustangs to our hockey famin the state is the Colorado ily," she said. "Colorado is a Ice Wizards. That team was hockey state and now these formed in 2010. players have a place to play."

Stephenson, her husband, Donley said the Mustangs' Jim, and Tom Marshall start- The Denver Mustangs gather with smiles all around after their first ed the Ice Wizards. Marshall practice last November at the Family Sports Center in Centennial. goals are similar to CAHA's goals when it comes to adaptive hockey. currently is team president.

"CAHA's goals are to provide people with physical and Why are the Lederman and Stephenson families so involved in hockey for people with developmental disabilities? developmental disabilities the opportunity to play hockey in an environment adapted to their level of ability while promotThe answer is family.

Donnie Lederman, 35, is autistic. He's been playing ing the development of sportsmanship, team spirit, responsibility, confidence and pride," she said. hockey since 1999.

Families interested in learning more about the "The minute Donnie started playing, he knew this was something he wanted to do," his mother said. "There's no Mustangs can contact Stephenson via email at Jstephe887@q.com or by phone at 720-810-2386. doubt hockey has helped him as a person."

For information about the Ice Wizards, visit www.

Hockey is so important to the Lederman family that they were willing to make a three-hour round-trip drive to Ice icewizardshockey.org.

CAHA.co CORubberHockey.com

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Hear Us Roar The girls, women’s game keeps growing in Colorado, shows no signs of letting up

no single association within our community has enough girls to support a stand-alone girls program, so the five associations in the Pikes Peak Region (CSAHA, Colorado reg Johnson has been the vice president of women’s and girls hockey for the Rampage, Air Force, Woodland Park, Pueblo) have opened their doors and allowed Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) for the past four years and has their girls to come together to create the Tigers Girls Program. seen firsthand the tremendous growth of the game for females in the state.

“This, in my opinion, is not the norm for the hockey community at large, which can He said one of the biggest components to continued growth is “keeping the sport be very territorial, but to the credit of these associations, they have shifted their focus fun and affordable for as long as possible.” from what is best for themselves to what is best for their girls.”

“The keys are early entrance in hockey, keeping the experience fun and relatively Still, a couple issues that have seen registration numbers stall at times are the inexpensive, and retention at the critical 14U level where girls try many more sports in financial aspect of high-level youth hockey and when other sports grab the players’ high school,” said Johnson. “Having access and the ability to grow as a player, whether interests. in a boys program or in an all-girls program, is key to have the players build confidence “In the past four years, the growth of girls hockey in Colorado has been somewhat and want to take the next step in progressing their hockey abilities.” problematic,” said Johnson. “CAHA and the associations have done a really good job For the 2016-17 season, both the Colorado Select and Rocky Mountain Lady in running programs to grow the game and showcase the sport to young girls and the RoughRiders field Tier access to hockey opportunities have never been greatI teams – the Select at er for young girls to get involved. The issue is retention, 16U and 19U and the especially moving into the high school years. So many Lady RoughRiders also other sports come into play and keeping girls in hockey at 16U and 19U. And the is sometimes tough as the costs increase and the ability Mountain States Girls to play on challenging teams becomes an issue for some Hockey League (MSplayers and their families.”

GHL) has in-state teams Once players graduate high school and even play a from Aspen, Boulder, season or two on a 19U team, college hockey is an opBreckenridge (Summit), tion.

Colorado Springs, DuJamie Hazelton is the head women’s hockey coach rango, Gunnison, Steamat the University of Colorado and is optimistic that more boat, Telluride and Vail, NCAA Division I women’s teams will see the light of day as well as from the Select in the future. and Lady RoughRiders.

“I am super optimistic for the women's college hockey “These programs (Segame,” said Hazelton. “Girls hockey is one of the fastlect, Lady RoughRiders) est growing sports in America right now and with that is place a handful of girls this competitiveness within these awesome young girls at mostly NCAA Division to get better and be the best athlete they can possibly III schools with a couple be. Because of such a rapid growth in the game, there a year playing D-I,” exis some great optimism for women's college hockey. As plained Johnson. “This is From the youngest of players, including Laney (below) with CSAHA, to Nicole Hensley, a mainstay the talent pool keeps growing, the NCAA isn't expanding good, but the real suc- on recent United States Women’s National Team squads, progression and sustainability of the girls fast enough to give these talented players a place to play, cess is not the few that game in Colorado has cast a positive outlook in all corners of the state. Hensley photo/Riku Laukkanen which is good for associations like the ACHA, which has go on to play D-III or D-I, but rather the majority of serious girls hockey players that doubled the number of teams during the course of a few short years. As we keep play in the ACHA and the college club teams. These girls number in the hundreds and building girls hockey, the talent level in the NCAA D-I and D-II levels and ACHA are come from the mountains, as well as from the Front Range. These girls are keeping going to just keep growing.” their joy of hockey going strong by playing in college leagues and keeping the passion Johnson noted that the future is bright for the continued growth or girls and womstrong.” en’s hockey and the pros by far outweigh any negatives or obstacles.

One of the standouts that made the D-I ranks – Lakewood native and Select alum “Colorado girls hockey does ebb and flow with the number of players and we have been Nicole Hensley – said seeing the girls and women’s game continue to progress only relatively stable with some small growth in certain years,” said Johnson. “There are some big means great things down the line. positives in Colorado girls hockey, including the MSGHL – the premier girls recreation hock“I think the girls game has grown tremendously, especially at the younger age ey league in the Western half of the United States. The MSGHL offers a great league for girls groups,” said Hensley, who graduated in 2016 from Lindenwood University in suburfrom Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah to play. ban St. Louis. “The number of girls playing hockey has increased so much. The Select The girls Tier I and Tier II teams have done a great is a well-known program across the country and now there are other organizations job in leading the Rocky Mountain District and we coming on board with all-girls teams. I think that will help the competition within the now have girls coming from all over the district to state and hopefully push girls hockey to a higher level in Colorado. Not to mention, play high-level hockey in Colorado. more teams means girls can play closer to home, not having to travel across the state “Overall, even lacking huge numbers, he to play on an all-girls team. That will make the sport accessible to more families.” variety and depth of competition in girls hockHensley was also humbled when asked what it’s like to have the Colorado youth ey in Colorado is very high and is a positive looking to her as a role model. sign for the future.”

“It's such an honor to be looked up to by female hockey players,” Hensley said. “It's humbling when I am in Colorado to have girls ask to get a lesson with me. It's really important to me to give back to the game and help it grow in any way I can. I love going to local camps and meeting all of them as well as passing along my knowledge. I hope I can be someone that inspires them to believe in their dreams and go after them.”

For Justin White, the first-year coordinator of girls hockey for the Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association (CSAHA), keeping the game sustainable at the female levels is all about priorities.

“In the recent past, hockey was one size fits all in Colorado from a girls perspective,” White said. “As the girls game grows, we need to look past association boundaries and work hand-in-hand with each other to ensure that girls are provided a hockey experience that best fits their needs. Some will need the highest level, AAA experience, while others will need the more social experience of recreational leagues. For example,

By Matt Mackinder

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Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine

ASPEN JUNIOR HOCKEY NHL legends lending credibility, support to Aspen Leafs hockey

By Shaun Hathaway

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spen Junior Hockey (AJH) was founded by John McBride, a Princeton University standout, a member of the USA Hockey World Championship team and a star for the Aspen Leafs semi-pro team in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

When his kids were old enough to play, he transitioned from player to coach, and founded the Aspen Leafs youth program. For many years, he taught hundreds of kids the skills and character needed to succeed in hockey and life. Growing up in Chicago, McBride developed a strong passion for hockey, and eventually changed the lives of numerous boys and girls in Aspen by selflessly passing on his love for the game.

AJH continues to operate with the same passion and dedication to advancing hockey for all children in the Roaring Fork Valley. Today, the Leafs provide a highly-structured program (6U-20U) featuring world-class training for boys and girls. Staying true to its roots, program costs are kept low to encourage all children to participate. To continue to keep hockey affordable and accessible, as much as 60-70 percent of AJH costs are subsidized through sponsorships and donations.

On a recent weekend, AJH hosted its second annual Hall of Fame fundraising event to celebrate its accomplishments and prepare for the future. To help promote the Leafs program, NHL legends Bobby Hull and Ed Belfour were featured guests in Aspen Feb. 10-12. Both spoke about hockey in a way that quickly revealed the passion that drove their impressive careers as world-class athletes.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, Hull is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He revolutionized the game with his incredible speed and powerful shot. Belfour ranks third all-time with a staggering 484 NHL wins. He is only one of two players in history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold and an NCAA championship.

As the founder of AJH, it’s fitting for McBride to witness two former Chicago legends in Aspen supporting the club he started.

AspenJuniorHockey.com

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PICTURE PERFECT The Hyland Hills Jaguars claimed the 16U A division championship at the Littleton Hockey Association’s 31st Annual Slapshot Tournament with a 2-1 win over Heritage Winter in the title game Jan. 16 at the Ice Ranch. Photo//Scott Cattelino/Colorado Hockey Hub

The Littleton Hawks Black team captured the Squirt B title at the 31st Annual Littleton Hockey Association Slapshot Tournament with a 2-1 double overtime victory over in-house rival Littleton Red at the Ice Ranch on Jan. 16. Photo/Scott Cattelino/Colorado Hockey Hub

Players from the Rocky Mountain Lady RoughRiders’ 14U AA team recently ran 4.4 miles from the Sport Stable in Superior to the lookout point on US 36 and celebrated accordingly.

The Littleton Hockey Association’s Bantam B Black team secured the 31st Annual Slapshot Tournament Bantam B championship with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over Woodland Park on Jan. 16 at the Ice Ranch.Photo/Scott Cat-

The Evolution Elite Hockey Academy was crowned 15U champion at the North American Future Prospects Tournament on Jan. 16 at the Sport Stable in Superior. Photo/NAHL

Utah Grizzlies forward Erik Bradford and team equipment manager Ryan Tall take in the ECHL All-Star Classic on Jan. 18 at the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, N.Y.

telino/Colorado Hockey Hub

Photo/Utah Grizzlies

The Rocky Mountain RoughRiders captured the 13U championship at the North American Future Prospects Tournament on Jan. 16 at the Sport Stable in Superior. Photo/NAHL

Englewood native, Colorado Thunderbirds graduate and current Kelowna Rockets (WHL) defenseman Cal Foote looks for a play during the annual CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, which was showcased Jan. 30 in Quebec City. Photo/SVincent Ethier/CHL Images

Aspen Junior Hockey executive director Shaun Hathaway (left) and Kalle Valiaho, Finland’s manager of youth hockey operations who is working with AJH this season, take in the Winter X Games in Aspen on Jan. 28.

Lakewood native, Colorado Select alum and Lindenwood University graduate Nicole Hensley accepts her NCAA Top 10 award from Lindenwood coach Scott Spencer at the Honors Celebration during the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., on Jan. 18. Photo/Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos

Submit your favorite hockey photos to pictureperfect@rubberhockey.com!

8

Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine

The Evolution Elite Hockey Academy will offer eight Tier I AAA teams for 2017-18 playing season:

Tier I (AAA)

TRYOUTS SCHEDULE:

•Midget 15U, 16U, and 18U Early ID Camp: April 12, 2017 @ 8:30PM | April 13, 2017 @ 7:15PM •10U Team Tryouts - May 12, 2017 @ 7:15PM

Offering Eight Tier I AAA Teams: • • • •

•11U Team Tryouts - May 12, 2017 @ 8:45PM •12U Team Tryouts - May 12, 2017 @ 7:30PM •13U Team Tryouts - May 12, 2017 @ 8:30PM •14U Team Tryouts - May 12, 2017 @ 6:15PM •Main 15U Team Tryouts - May 20, 2017 @ 1:00PM •Main 16U Team Tryouts - May 19, 2017 @ 7:30PM •Main 18U Team Tryouts – May 19, 2017 @ 4:00PM

10U AAA Team (2007) 11U AAA Team (2006) 12U AAA Team (2005) 13U AAA Team (2004)

• 14U AAA Team (2003) • 15U AAA Team (2002) • 16U AAA Team (2001) • 18U AAA Team (2000 - 99)

Register online at www.EvolutionEliteHockey.com

All tryouts @ Big Bear Ice Arena 8580 E. Lowry Blvd. . Denver, CO 80230 Questions? Email EEHA Hockey Director Sergei Bautin at Sbautin@yahoo.com

Evolution is the best hockey program you may ever be a part of!

Colorado pair set to make impact at America’s Showcase will be coached by Ralph Bammert.

"Whatever happens, I can tell you this – both of our teams will be competitive,” Sims said.

Team Colorado's two teams hadn't been selected as of early February, but 31 players, including five goalies, were on the master roster.

Each team that plays in America's Showcase is allowed 25 players.

More players are expected to join Team Colorado from the High Plains Hockey League, which will begin

"It opens doors for lots of good hockey players from across the U.S.," Bammert said. "There are usually t will be Team Colorado times two at America's Show60-80 scouts there from junior and college teams and case. scouts can watch games online."

Two teams will represent Colorado once again Bammert said each Team Colorado player from the April 20-24 in the annual tournament at Robert Morris past two tournaments was contacted by a scout.

College in Pittsburgh that gives junior and senior high "Everyone at the tournament gets scouted," said school hockey players across the country an opportunity Sims, who was proud to note that two of last year's to show scouts from NCAA Division I and Division III, Team Colorado players -- forwards Charles StewAmerican Collegiate Hockey Association, prep school art and Dalton Klein -- are now with the Forest Lake and junior programs what they can do on the (Minn.) Lakers and New York Aviators junior ice. teams.

This is the fourth year Colorado is involved in Team Colorado's master roster includes the tournament and the second straight year it Forwards Jackson Birdsall (Resurrection will have two teams.

Christian), Blake Bolger (Ralston Valley), The number of Colorado players has inBlake Buchanan (Valor Christian), Nicholas creased each year, thanks mainly to word of DiPonio (Heritage), Corbin Divita (Heritage), mouth, and the players now come from across Keenan Forkner (Frontier Academy Greeley), the state instead of only the Metro Denver area.

Shawn Herlihy (Cheyenne Mountain), BrenFourteen Colorado players participated in nan McFarland (University), Kyler Medleythe tournament in 2014 and 19 players particiWallis (Ralston Valley), Matthew Moore pated in 2015. The number jumped to 36 play(Heritage), Kyle Nelson (Regis Jesuit), Loers in 2016, so organizers put together Burgungan Plemons (Ralston Valley), Henry Raabe dy and White teams.

The Tahoe Hockey Academy prides itself on giving its student-athletes the perfect com- (Cherry Creek), Parker Rothey (Summit), "We had a good amount of guys who were bination of hockey, academics and social time. Photo/Joe Naber Jake Sheffer (Ralston Valley) and Matthew interested in playing last year, so we said, 'Let's have competition at the end of March.

Trubacz (Ralston Valley); defensemen Cade Alcock two teams.' That's happened again this year," said Team "We found last year that putting together our teams (Regis Jesuit), Keegan Barker (Heritage), Joseph Colorado manager and assistant coach Jeremy Sims. is like doing a puzzle," Sims said. "We look to form lines Caputo (Cherry Creek), Drew Cronin (Rocky MounThere are three pools of eight teams each in the tour- and defensive pairings. And we look to see which play- tain), Sean Gurlea (Summit), Dakota Henn (Communament, separated by skill level. The top two teams in ers click with each other. There can't be more than four nity Prep), Christopher Kiser (Green Mountain), Jack each pool move on to bracket competition. players from the same high school on a team, so that's Lebar (Heritage), Lucas Mayer (Jefferson Academy) Last year Colorado Burgundy was in the B Pool and another factor." and Tyler O'Brien (D'Evelyn); and goalies Beau Foos Colorado White was in the C Pool. Sims said he hopes Bammert, who is vice president of high schools for (Coronado), Brandon Hanson (Castle View), Alec both Colorado teams can be in the B Pool this year. the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association, and Sims Martinez (Regis Jesuit), Ryan McCann (Cheyenne Burgundy will be coached by Jeff Mielnicki. White are big fans of America's Showcase.

Mountain) and Jesse Thuerk (Lakewood).

By Steve Stein

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New Kid on the Block

Avalanche nab Barberio from NHL waiver wire, D-man quickly finds niche on Colorado back end said. “It has a mini-kitchen, so I’m able to cook for myself. It’s got everything I need – including a hot tub ewly acquired Colorado and a pool. It’s a good setup.”

Avalanche defenseman Barberio’s acquisition was interesting because Mark Barberio was picked up less than a week after Montreal placed him on waivoff waivers from the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 2 ers, he was playing against the Canadiens in Denver. and reported to practice the following day in Colora- Colorado beat the Habs 4-0 on Feb. 7 and Barberio do. had two assists.

He travels light.

“It’s just funny how things like that work,” Barbe“I’m out here solo,” said Barberio, rio told the Denver Post. “Change who is single and without children. teams and you’re playing your old This spring, Barberio hopes to team a few days later.” make a home in Denver and become Avs coach Jared Bednar said part of the Avs’ blue line facelift. Alof Barberio: “Obviously, he can though he’s currently living out of a skate. So when he goes back for Denver-area hotel, he’s under conpucks, and even in the neutral zone tract through next season and alwhen he picks up pucks, he’s ready looking like a building block. In got such good feet, he his first three games with Colorado, gets himself facing up he logged 20:31, 18:31 and 20:25 the ice right away of ice time as the Avs went 2-1. and he can look at “When they picked me up, they his first, second told that I was going to get an opand third option and portunity and to be ready,” Barberio then decide where said after his third game with the Avhe wants to move alanche on Feb. 9, a 4-1 loss to the the puck. He didn’t Mark Barberio visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. “I just force too many want to prove I can play top minutes and kind of earn plays and turn them over. He was simmy next shift.” ple with the puck and moved it efficiently.

Barberio, 26, is more concerned about his next And then he did a good job defensively.” shift than his own place in Colorado. The Montreal naBarberio played junior hockey in his native Quetive digs his hotel digs in Cherry Creek. bec and was a late-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay “Just playing it day-by-day. If they tell me to find Lightning in 2008. After a healthy minor-league deI place, I’ll look for one, but I’m fine at the hotel,” he velopment stint, he played two seasons for the Bolts,

By Mike Chambers

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ending in 2015 when they lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Chicago Blackhawks. Barberio played 52 regular-season games in 2014-15, but just one in the postseason.

When free agency began July 1, 2015, Barberio signed with his hometown Canadiens. The dreamcome-true scenario led to a 56-game stint with the Habs in 2015-16 and this season, but he was forced to the minors Feb. 2 and Colorado – which has first pick on the waiver wire – snatched the two-way defenseman. Two days later, Barberio made his debut with the Avalanche in a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

“It was fun,” Barberio said of his first game with the Avs. “It was fun to get the win. That’s my third time I’ve had a debut with a new team, and my third win. It’s not easy with new systems and getting used to playing with new guys, but I thought whoever I was out there with was doing a good job of communicating and making my life pretty easy.”

Barberio has a year remaining on a two-year, $1.5 million contract, so the Avalanche’s waiver claim was more of a commitment than when it claimed winger Matt Nieto from San Jose in early January. Nieto, 24, has a one-year, $735,000 deal, so he is playing under audition conditions as a restricted free agent.

Grizzlies vet Stoflet proving that Eagles cashing in with ECHL veteran Register on the blue line there is no place like home

By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

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att Register won an ECHL Kelly Cup last season with the Allen Americans and saw that same opportunity last summer when he signed with the Colorado

Eagles.

A six-year pro, Register said he decided to join the Eagles’ back end after experiencing the game-night atmosphere over the years as a visitor.

“From the front office to the coaching staff, everyone is so professional and does whatever they can to help the team succeed,” said Register. “On a personal level, I think I'm having one of my best seasons yet because of the work I put on this past offseason. I worked with a new trainer for my off-ice workouts and I can tell a difference in the way I move and feel on the ice this year.

“Throughout the course of this season, we've definitely developed a good team chemistry that's resulted in the success we're experiencing.”

Register also spoke to the team’s collective attitude that has lent to notches in the win column.

“I think the fact that we all show up at the rink every day with the attitude that no one will out-battle us is a huge factor contributing to our success this season,” said Register. “Every night, we go out there wanting to win and I think that shows when we have so many different guys on the scoresheet most nights.”

Undrafted by an NHL team, enjoying the game this year makes Register realize that his NHL dreams have not subsided.

“You go into each season wanting to make the most of it and I feel like that is true of this season for me,” Register said. “I do all I can to help my team win every night, I try to be a leader and positive example in the locker room, and I work hard off the ice to keep myself prepared both physically and mentally.

Of course, my ultimate goal is earning the opportunity to play in the NHL, so I plan on continuing to work my hardest and we'll see what happens.”

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ack in 2008 when Evan Stoflet signed to play for the Utah Grizzlies, it was a homecoming of sorts as Stoflet has lived in Salt Lake City since he was 12 years old.

The same thing happened in 2012 when Stoflet chose to return to West Valley City and then when last summer came around, it was time for a third goround with the ECHL club.

Now 32 and a captain with the Grizzlies, Stoflet said it never gets old coming home.

“My role has changed completely every time I come back,” said Stoflet. “This year, being an older guy, it’s more of a leadership role and helping the younger guys out getting used to the pro game to try and have some success at this level.

“It’s always nice to come home, especially after playing overseas. I spend a lot of time in Salt Lake City in the offseason, so this is a unique experience as well.”

Stoflet played the past two seasons in China and the 2013-14 season in Denmark. He’s also played another season in Denmark and several others in the ECHL since starting his pro career after graduating from the University of Vermont in 2007.

Originally from Madison, Wis., Stoflet’s family moved to Utah in 1996 when his father’s lumber company job was transferred.

As a youth in Utah, Stoflet played his second-year Pee Wee season for Team Utah, which became the Jr. Grizzlies the next season, his first year of Bantams.

“It’s pretty cool to see all the growth now,” Stoflet said. “When I first came out here, there were two rinks and a third being built. It wasn’t quite what it is today with all these teams at different levels. We always had to go to Arizona, California and the Denver area to play and there wasn’t as much interest back then, but I think now, people are realizing what Utah and the Salt Lake area can offer.”

TAHOE HOCKEY ACADEMY

Tahoe Hockey Academy a stellar mix of school, hockey

By Greg Ball

I

f it’s February, that must mean that youth hockey teams across the country are chasing down playoff spots as their 2016-17 seasons begins to wind down.

Similar to many of those teams, the Tahoe Hockey Academy (THA) is gearing up for its big push in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League playoffs, but as the last whistle sounds and seasons to come to an end, the lives of the student-athletes at THA go on.

“We’re a hockey academy that incorporates hockey development, academics and the social dynamic where our players attend the local high school,” Tahoe Hockey Academy president Leo Fenn said. “Our students are able to continually train like world-class athletes without sacrificing the academic portion or the high school social interactivity that traveling Tier I and Tier II players sometimes have to give up.”

A look into the daily lives of a Tahoe Hockey Academy player reveals a rather regimented schedule.

“To be a Tahoe Hockey Academy athlete requires a certain amount of discipline and work ethic,” head coach Mike Lewis said. “We’re spending upwards of two hours on the ice every day and also incorporating training from an NCAA strength and conditioning coach in the gym. Add in hours of academics, social life and travel hockey, and it’s safe to say that success comes from those that truly gravitate toward a structured environment.”

With THA being an academy dedicated to hockey

That sentiment isn’t taken lightly, as the THA admindevelopment, it’s easy for outsiders to wonder if it’s “all hockey, all the time” on the Tahoe campus, but a istration’s mission is to develop young men, improved glimpse into daily life there shows a well-rounded mix hockey players and well-rounded academic students.

“We have student-athletes from all across the counof fun, relaxation and just being a normal high school try and from varying levels of hockey,” associate coach student.

“I like being able to have social interaction with girls Chris Collins said. “We strive to improve each player’s ability to compete by building and other guys outside of our confidence and composure team,” THA assistant captain on the ice as well as off the Jordan Finney said. “It resemice.” bles a normal life where we’re With the Tahoe Hockey able to break up the training with other high school classes.”

Academy being the first resiAdd in the beautiful scenery dential prep school dedicated of Lake Tahoe and you’ll find to hockey in California, there’s the team snowboarding on the no question the school is slopes on off days or taking in blazing a trail into uncharted movies, watching other high territory. school athletic contests or at“We knew going into this tending dances. that we would be sole entity “I like being around more in our state forging this path,” people of different backgrounds The Tahoe Hockey Academy prides itself on giving its Fenn said. “Our students are outside of hockey,” THA forward student-athletes the perfect combination of hockey, doing an amazing job repreacademics and social time. Photo/Joe Naber senting our program on and Matt Odom said.

Judging by the success of the first-year program, it off the ice, and it shows in the way we’ve been received would seem that the Tahoe Hockey Academy model is by our peers throughout the country.”

The school year is in full swing, and so is the acaproducing great results.

“I really like how we focus on development so much,” demic and athletic program in South Lake Tahoe.

Whether in school, on the ice or on the road, the THA center Jared Shuter said. “I believe the coaches want to see their players go far in their careers, whether young men who call THA home continue to lead a wellrounded life that is reflected in their development. that’s in hockey or just in life in general.”

TahoeHockeyAcademy.com

CORubberHockey.com

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Impressive Freshmen

Colorado College’s Class of 2020 has shown poise, potential for Tigers this season orado College visited Denver on Dec. 3, Leclerc had a .837 save percentage and a 4.68 goals-against average.

When the teams met Feb. 10-11, Leclerc carried a .900 save percentage and a 3.15 GAA into the series.

“Alex has been lights out,” CC assistant captain Luc Gerdes said. “He’s a mature kid who knew things would come around when he found his game. He works unbelievably hard. Every day, he comes to the rink trying to be better, and he is the same was as he was before he

he’s a rock back there and we feed off him.”

The freshmen forwards, which also include Kade n any given night, Colorado Kehoe, Max St. Pierre and Bryce Van Horn, have a College is dressing 15 or brought a bit of everything.

16 underclassmen, and half are “Berardinelli, Halloran and Makara have speed and often from a freshman class that is providing the Tigers skill and can make things happen,” Haviland said. “Van present encouragement and future promise.

Horn and St. Pierre are big wingers, and Kehoe and Three of CC’s top nine scorers are freshmen – Alex (Westin) Michaud (who missed his freshman season Berardinelli (11 points, third), Nick Halloran (9, tied due to injury) play with a lot of energy.” fourth) and Branden Makara (7, ninth). Three of the Haviland made a point of recruiting more speed for top seven defensemen in terms of games played are the lineup, and Gerdes said that was the first thing that freshmen – Kristian Blumenschein, Cole Josefstood out from Day 1 of practice. chak and Alex Pernitsky.

“They were good from the start,” the senior said.

And that doesn’t include the Tigers’ undisputed “They came in with a lot of confidence, and they were MVP – goaltender Alex Leclerc – who stepped in at never worried about the speed of the game, especially the start of the season while sophomore Jacob NeBerardinelli and Halloran. They’re already faster than hama recovered from hip surgery and returned shortmost guys. It’s about mentally being able to pick up ly thereafter when Nehama sustained an upper-body the pace.” ailment.

The Tigers’ system demands two-way play, someAll Leclerc has done since mid-December is win thing Berardinelli and his cohort quickly learned. the NCHC Rookie of the Week award twice and be “We have to be responsible in the ‘D’ zone beselected the league’s Goaltender of the Week twice. cause we’re a defense-first team.”

The Tigers went 4-6-2 in that span with wins over The freshman defensive trio joined a group that then-No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth and then-No. 12 North usually includes one junior and two or three sophoDakota after a 3-11 start. mores.

“Alex got thrown into the fire and like any fresh“I like the progression of all three,” Haviland said.

College freshman goaltender Alex Leclerc has been a pleasant surman, had his ups and downs,” Tigers coach Mike Colorado “Josefchak (6-1, 209) and Pernitsky (6-0, 191) bring prise for the Tigers this season and has collected several conference awards Haviland said. “He’s a worker and his hard work has from the NCHC along the way. Photo/Casey B. Gibson more size. Blumenschein is more of an offensive, skatpaid off. He gives us a chance to win every night. started winning all these (NCHC) awards. ing defenseman.

“He’s emerging as a leader and I’m happy to see him “He gives the rest of the team more confidence be“We knew it was going to be a learning curve for all get rewarded. He could have been overwhelmed – all of cause we know he can bail us out. We are able to try of the freshmen and they’re getting better. We’re going a sudden, he’s the guy. But he’s settling in and he makes more things.” to make mistakes because we’re young, but when your us better as a team.”

Added Berardinelli: “Every night, you know what you goalie is backing you up like Alex is, it gives you a chance How much of a run has Leclerc been on? When Col- get from him. Sometimes, we rely on him too much, but in every game.”

By Chris Bayee

O

Rookies step up for Falcons’ DU freshmen bring a variety of playoff push as injuries mount skills, add depth to Pioneers

By Chris Bayee

By Chris Bayee

I

njuries are part of college hockey, but they’ve taken a disproportionate role at Air Force this season as the Falcons have had as many as six regulars out of their lineup at times.

One reason they entered February tied for first place in Atlantic Hockey was the play of their freshmen class, which had its learning curve expedited.

“I think they’re doing well,” coach Frank Serratore said. “All of those freshmen have helped.”

Center Brady Tomlak played in 24 of the Falcons’ first 28 games and had 12 points, including three goals. Trevor Stone had dressed in 17 games, adding four goals and eight points, Pierce Pluemer suited up for 20 games, adding five points, and Erich Jaeger played 10 games. On defense, Mathew Burchill played when the back end was decimated by injuries to senior co-captain Johnny Hrabovsky and junior Jonathan Kopacka.

“Tomlak has scored some key goals; he’s evolved into a good player for us,” Serratore said. “The others have done what we’ve asked.”

Unfortunately, the injury bug also bit a freshman who was projected to be the Falcons’ top incoming player – forward Matt Pulver – who had shoulder surgery Feb. 2.

“Generally, we have a few injuries, but this has been unusual,” Serratore said.

“Our depth is better, which is a credit to (assistant coaches) Joe (Doyle) and Andy (Berg).”

Air Force returned 10 forwards and was high on its incoming group, so Tomlak knew opportunities to crack the lineup might be tough to come by.

“You knew it was going to be tough, seeing some of the guys they’d recruited,” he said. “I’d played against a lot of them, so I knew they were all good players and there would be good competition.

“I knew if I got my shot and they got their shot we had to perform and contribute any way we could. It’s been nice getting in with some other freshmen, but hopefully, we get fully healthy down the stretch.”

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ther than a two-week stretch in mid-October, the University of Denver has spent the entire season ranked in the top three nationally, and each of the Pioneers’ six freshmen has played a role helping them stay there.

The most noticeable addition has been center Henrik Borgstrom. The 6-foot-3 Finn has lived up to his billing as a first-round NHL draft pick, leading the Pioneers in goals and points most of the season and emerging as a power-play weapon. He’s done that despite missing six of the first 28 games due to illness and the World Junior Championship.

“Henrik Borgstrom has some nights been the best player in the game and some nights, the consistency hasn’t been there,” DU coach Jim Montgomery said. “But the production has been pretty amazing for a freshman.”

Up front, Liam Finlay, Tyson McLellan and Kevin Conley, who have been lineup mainstays, have joined him.

“I would group them together,” Montgomery said. “They’ve had really impactful moments where they’ve helped us win games, and they’ve been inconsistent at times where we’ve had to pull back their playing time. That is the next piece for this group to have a great year. We need those three to relish their roles and become impactful every night.”

Defensively, Michael Davies has stepped into the No. 2 pair with Tariq Hammond while playing every game.

“Davies has really become an impact player,” Montgomery said. “He plays a lot of significant minutes, plays both special teams and has really become a confident college hockey player.

“Erich Fear has made really good strides for us. He hasn’t played that much, but he’s been getting a lot better.”

DU captain Will Butcher likes what Davies and Fear have brought to the blue line.

“They both stepped in and played great,” said Butcher. “Fear, when he’s played, has stepped in and played well. Michael has played really well since Day 1. He can skate really well, and he’s got a good awareness out there.”

COLORADO SPRINGS AMATEUR HOCKEY From youth player to coach: Ayers comes full-circle with Tigers

By Matt Mackinder

A

ll it took was a phone call with the lone promise of a cup of coffee.

Last summer when Kevin Holmstrom was named the head coach of the Colorado Springs Tigers’ 18U AAA team, he knew who he wanted behind the bench with him: Cody Ayers.

“I received a message during the summer from Kevin asking me to meet for coffee,” said Ayers. “At that time, we discussed the opportunity for me to be his assistant coach for the 18U team during the upcoming season.”

Ayers actually played for Holmstrom during his playing days for the Tigers in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

“There are so many memories that it's hard to narrow them down,” said Ayers, now 29.

“The opportunity to play with players like Trevor Lewis, Ben Holmstrom, Mike Testwuide and Jeff Dimmen, just to name a few, that have gone on to have so much success in the sport, is definitely special to me.”

After a two-year junior career in Canada’s Central Junior Hockey League, Ayers went on to play NCAA Division III hockey at Castleton State College, where he majored in Business Marketing with a focus on Sports Administration, and two years of pro hockey in the Federal Hockey League.

Now, he’s back in his hometown.

“It's amazing and I am honored to now be on the other side of things and see what happens behind the scenes,” Ayers said. “From what I have learned over the last few months, it makes me appreciate even more all of the things that Kevin did for us as players growing up. I am also thankful to our director Brian Copeland for giving me this opportunity to learn from him as well.”

So is coaching something Ayers wants to pursue as a career?

“I would love the opportunity to make coaching my career,” said Ayers. “I feel like there is a lot I can give back to the game and the association that gave me all of my opportunities.”

CSAHA.com

Thunderbirds alum Ortega rocketing up NCAA record books

By Chris Bayee

T

hat Austin Ortega is continuing to score points in bunches for the University of Nebraska-Omaha is no surprise.

The senior has always had a knack for that, whether helping the Colorado Thunderbirds win a Midget 16U AAA national championship, in junior in the United States Hockey League or in NCAA Division I hockey.

This season, there are subtle differences to his game that have made him an even more effective player and have him on the brink of setting an NCAA career record for game-winning goals.

“This year he’s done a better job playing in his defensive zone,” Mavericks coach Dean Blais said.

“He’s reliable on the penalty kill now. We’ve got him to block shots.

“I think he’s not cheating as much on the ice and looking for offense. He’s working for it.”

That notoriety extends to his teammates and opponents as well.

“The guys love it when he’s killing because he’s such a skilled player, and when one of your skilled players blocks a shot or throws a big hit, it gets the momentum of the game changed,” said Omaha captain Justin Parizek.

Ortega relishes the added responsibility.

“I like that coach puts me on the penalty kill now; I’m not just out there for offensive opportunities,” he said. “Helping out defensively is something I’ve gotten to do more, whether we have a one-goal lead or we’re tied.”

Rounding out the defensive side of his game certainly hasn’t hurt Ortega’s offense. He had career

highs in assists (20) and points (27) after 30 games.

“If we win a game and he hasn’t got any points, he’s not upset he hasn’t got any points,” Blais said.

“Scorers like to score. Two years ago, if he wasn’t getting any points, he thought he played a poor

Nebraska-Omaha senior forward and Colorado Thunderbirds graduate Austin Ortega is one goal away from setting the NCAA record for career game-winning goals. Photo/Mark Kuhlmann/Omaha Athletics

game.”

One of just three seniors on UNO (Parizek and Ian Brady are the others), Ortega also has grown into a leadership role for the Mavericks.

“He’s a good teammate,” Blais said. “He’s a leader off the ice, but he’s more of an on-ice leader in

practice this year for us.”

Added Parizek: “Whenever you’re a great player, leadership is there because guys look up to you. He’s got over 100 points so guys look up to him. Off the ice, he’s a hard worker. He’s obviously doing well in academics and hockey. He’s striving hard to get a professional contract.”

That work is paying dividends for Ortega and UNO. His three game-winning goals through the first weekend in February gave him 23 for his career, tied with Colorado College’s Brett Sterling (2002-06) and Minnesota’s Kyle Rau (2011-15).

“When the game’s on the line, I like to be that guy who is looked to. I’m extra motivated to get that goal,” Ortega said.

Desire and motivation are one thing, but Ortega’s skill set lends itself to the clutch play, his coach said.

“All those game-winning goals, it’s pretty incredible,” Blais said. “There’s a lot of good players in college hockey, but he’s found a way to score in shootouts, in overtime. When we need the goal, he’s around the puck.

“He gets the goals when the game’s on the line and the next goal wins.”

And as good as Ortega’s numbers are, they could be even better, Blais added.

“We want him to shoot it more,” said Blais. “He’s unselfish. This year, part of our success on the power play is part of his success shooting the puck because he’s got a real good shot. Sometimes, people don’t know it because you only see him going in and sniping goals from 10 feet out. They don’t see that slap shot from the top of the circle – he’s got a rocket.”

It’s one that’s taking him to the top of the NCAA record books.

CORubberHockey.com

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LHA’s 31st Annual Slapshot Tournament does not disappoint

By Matt Mackinder

F

or 31 straight years, the Littleton Hockey Association’s annual Slapshot Tournament has boasted talented players and unmatched competitiveness and the 2017 edition, which culminated Jan. 16 at the Ice Ranch in Littleton, was more of the same.

Four champions were crowned at the Squirt B, Pee Wee B, Bantam B and 16U A levels.

Squirt B – Littleton Squirt B Black

In a battle of two Littleton squads, the Squirt B Black team earned bragging rights here with a 2-1 come-from-behind, double-overtime win over the LHA Squirt B Red team.

Littleton Red's Cameron Manahan scored to give his team a 1-0 advantage just before the halfway point of the first period, but Littleton Black's Evelyn Latka evened things up in the third at 3:57 to force overtime.

In the second extra session, Latka potted the game-winner at 1:54 to clinch the Squirt B title for Littleton Black. She was subsequently named Squirt B MVP for the tournament.

Both Latka (seven goals, nine points) and Manahan (five goals, nine points) were tied for the leading point scorers in the Squirt B division with nine points apiece.

In goal, Tyler Picha’s 10 saves earned him the win, while Jacob Harris kicked out 23 for the LHA Red team.

Pee Wee B – NM Warriors

The New Mexico Warriors scored three goals in the

first period and cruised to a 4-1 win over the Vernon Hills Ice Dogs in the Pee Wee B championship game.

Coulter Barnes, Zane Irion and Gavin Richards posted goals in the first period, while the game was actually tied 1-1 at one point when Vernon Hills' Joey Mavilla scored for the Ice Dogs at the 6:11 mark.

The Warriors’ Aaron Thomas notched the only goal of the second and third periods and Harrison Coe finished with 11 saves to grab the win between the pipes for the Warriors.

cob Babin notched a power-play goal for the lone tally of the second period to make it 1-0 heading into the third.

Littleton roared back with two goals 77 seconds apart from Rory Bartlett and Dillan Patel to put the Hawks up 2-1 before Babin struck again for his second of the game at 7:21 for Woodland Park to tie it at 2-all and send the contest into overtime.

In the extra session, Littleton's Jakob Saunders went in on a breakaway and went top shelf on Garrett Richardson for the game-winner at 1:31 to give the Hawks a 3-2 championship victory.

Richardson finished with 16 saves for Woodland Park.

Colby Crooks made a dozen stops for Littleton.

16U A – Hyland Hills Jaguars

The Littleton Squirt B Black team celebrates after downing inhouse rival Littleton Squirt B Red in double-overtime of the Squirt B championship game of the Slapshot Tournament on Jan. 16.

Photo/Scott Cattelino/Colorado Hockey Hub

For the Ice Dogs, Andrew Smoller turned aside 30 shots in suffering the defeat.

Bantam B – Littleton Bantam Black

It was a certified battle between Littleton and the Woodland Park Bantam Selects and regulation time was not enough.

After a scoreless first period, Woodland Park's Ja-

Goals were few and far between Hyland Hills and Heritage Winter, but it still made for an exciting championship final.

Ryan Iwanski scored to give Hyland Hills a 1-0 lead just over three minutes into the game, but Heritage Winter answered back less than three minutes later on a goal from Labrash Lucas to tie it up at 1-1 after one period.

Collin Meyers scored what proved to be the game-winning goal on the power play at 12:18 of the second period to give the Jags a 2-1 lead – a lead they held through the third period.

Andrew Matthias picked up a pair of assists for the Jaguars.

Dylan Sheets made 14 saves in goal for Hyland Hills, while Myles Mitchell stopped 19 at the other end for Heritage.

UTAH REPORT WSHL to experience Ogden fan Team Utah coming together, base during Thorne Cup Finals prepping for America’s Showcase

By Matt Mackinder

By Matt Mackinder

T

E

he best of the best in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) will descend on the Ice Sheet in Ogden this April to battle it out for Thorne Cup supremacy.

The league announced in late January that the 2017 Thorne Cup Finals will be played in Ogden with the Ogden Mustangs as the host team.

The event will take place April 12-16 and will feature the final six WSHL teams remaining in the Thorne Cup Playoffs. The finals will be a six-team, round-robin format.

“We are absolutely thrilled to host the finals this season,” said Mustangs owner Lori Miller. “It is a testament to our players, coaches, staff, facility and community that we’re in a position to do this and I can’t wait to be able showcase the unique things we can offer here in Ogden.”

“It means a lot in regards to how far this organization has come,” added Ogden coach Jake Laime. “Six years ago, this team was relocated from Bakersfield, Calif., in an effort to promote hockey in the state of Utah and provide a better experience to the player and fans alike. We have worked very hard to provide and promote a fantastic venue and look forward to representing the WSHL with the utmost professionalism.”

Hosting the Thorne Cup means the host team has an automatic bid, but Laime wants to earn the right to play for a league title.

“Our focus is to win as many games as possible and put an emphasis on winning them the right way,” Laime said. “We play in front of what is arguably the most passionate fan base in the league. We have watched our organization grow and we have seen a huge increase in community support through the years. Playing at home is an advantage to all in the pure fact that our players are comfortable and sleeping in their own beds.

“Partner that with our overwhelming attendance and premier game-day operations and we believe we have created a very intimidating venue to call home.”

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very April, some of the top high school players in the nation converge on Pittsburgh for the annual America’s Showcase event.

The Showcase is a prestigious tournament that runs April 20-24 where scouts from college and junior hockey teams alike take in the 50-plus games at the RMU Island Sports Center (boys games) and Baierl Ice Complex (girls).

Team Utah coach Wayne Woodhall feels his squad will be competitive right from the get-go and has already begun focusing on team chemistry.

“As coaches, we have encouraged the kids to get together outside of the rink setting with their teammates as much as possible,” Woodhall said. “We have organized team parties and joined tournaments so the players can get used to playing with each other and also bond together outside of the rink. The coaches have worked hard to make all the players feel like one team instead of a bunch of players from different teams and it has been great to watch them develop friendships outside of their local high school team.”

The current roster is comprised of forwards Brandon Coover, Michael Despiegelaere, Trevor Fisher, Aaron Fugal, Adam Hill, Kasten Jones, Alex Osborne, Tristan Schetzel and Tanner Walker; defensemen Wade Barnhill, Travis Buffi, Zack Fain, Kayden Glines, Daric Newman and Brendan Wiersma; and goaltenders Cole Stivers and Trevor Tilk. Joining Woodhall on the coaching staff are Chad Fain, Matt Osborne and Jeff Tilk.

Woodhall also noted that the tournament has more to it than simply wins and losses.

“Seeing the way this team has come together over the season, I predict that these kids will do better than other Utah teams have done in the past,” said Woodhall. “This tournament is not about winning or losing the tournament. This tournament is about the players being exposed to scouts from all over the United States and Canada. I know that the players participating in this tournament will get exposure that they would not usually get within our own state and I like the fact that they are given to the opportunity to advance their hockey careers by participating at the Showcase.”

Rampage program bonding time for Beaudette, two sons

By Steve Stein

C

olorado Rampage hockey is a family affair for Dan Beaudette and his two sons.

McClain Beaudette is playing for the Rampage 15U AAA team. Wil Beaudette is playing for the Rampage 13U AAA team. Their father is an assistant coach for the 15U team and is helping with other Rampage teams.

"It's great having Dan around the rink," said Rampage chairman Andrew Sherman. "He always has a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Like all of us involved with the Rampage, he's grateful to be on the ice every day."

Dan Beaudette, 48, played four years of college hockey at NCAA Division I Miami (Ohio) from 198690 and one season (1991-1992) of professional hockey with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. He played in 134 games at Miami, compiling 21 goals and 36 assists. He had eight goals and 10 assists in 31 games with the Cyclones. He was selected by the New York Islanders in the 11th round of the 1986 NHL Draft.

The St. Paul, Minn., native is now in the commercial insurance industry after earning bachelor's and master’s degrees from Miami, but hockey isn't far from his heart and he loves the Rampage philosophy.

"Do we want to win every time we play? Heck, yes. But there is a balance," he said. "There's a focus on skill development, on creating a love for the game and realizing it's a privilege to play hockey. All those components are there."

Then there's the Rampage' home, the Monument Ice Rinks.

"What a beautiful setting," Beaudette said. "The

facility is nestled on the edge of the Rockies and in pine trees – it's vintage Colorado."

Both of his sons are happy to be playing for the Rampage.

McClain, 15, a freshman at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, said he's become a better hockey player and a better person during his nearly two seasons in the Rampage program.

Why a better person?

Dan Beaudette (middle) is flanked by his 15-year-old son, McClain, on the left and by his 13-year-old son, Wil, on the right.

"Because everyone is always there for me," he said.

He's a 6-foot-3, 190-pound stay-at-home defenseman who apparently will be taller than his 6-3 father when he stops growing.

"My doctor says I'll probably be 6-5 or 6-6," McClain said. "I've always been tall for my age."

He said being tall has its advantage and disadvantages when it comes to playing hockey.

"It helps for my strength and having a long reach," he said. "But sometimes it's tough staying low to the ice."

Now, about his first name.

"It's unique," he said with a laugh. "I've been told I was named after an actor on the 'M*A*S*H' television show."

That would be the late McLean Stevenson, who played Lt. Col. Henry Blake.

This is Wil's first year in the Rampage program.

McClain and Wil were in the Arapahoe Warriors program for several years before coming to the Rampage so they could get the full AAA experience.

"Arapahoe is a great organization, but my sons wanted the challenge of playing AAA hockey," Dan Beaudette said.

Wil, 13, is a seventh-grader at Ava Maria Catholic School in Parker. He's a right wing who is nearly a foot shorter than McClain at 5-5.

He also enjoys playing for the Rampage.

"The coaches focus on not only your development, but team development, too," he said. "They want you to improve so you move on to a higher level.

And they teach you life lessons, like the importance of hard work."

Wil played last year for the Arapahoe Warriors AA team that represented the Colorado Avalanche in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in February 2016. He said playing AAA hockey at the 13U level has been an eye-opener.

"The game seems a lot faster," he said.

CORubberHockey.com

15

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

COLORADO

Colin Staub (Colorado Springs) – University of Denver Troy Terry (Denver) – University of Denver

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Brandon Carlo (Colorado Springs) – Boston Bruins Seth Jones – Columbus Blue Jackets & Trevor Lewis – Los Angeles Kings @ Gustav Olofsson – Minnesota Wild # Nick Shore (Denver) – Los Angeles Kings Jaccob Slavin (Erie) – Carolina Hurricanes AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Darik Angeli (Lakewood) – Tulsa Oilers Richard Bachman – Utica Comets & Mat Clark (Lakewood) – San Antonio Rampage Josiah Didier (Littleton) – St. John’s IceCaps Ben Holmstrom (Colorado Springs) – Bridgeport Sound Tigers Josh Holmstrom (Colorado Springs) – Bridgeport Sound Tigers Dominic Turgeon (Cherry Hills Village) – Grand Rapids Griffins ECHL Grant Arnold (Centennial) – Quad City Mallards Austin Block (Denver) – Orlando Solar Bears Daniel Doremus (Aspen) – Manchester Monarchs Ryan Massa (Littleton) – Orlando Solar Bears Sean O’Rourke – Kalamazoo Wings * Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood) – Alaska Aces Luke Salazar (Thornton) – Colorado Eagles Colton Saucerman (Colorado Springs) – South Carolina Stingrays Michael Sdao (Niwot) – Colorado Eagles Quentin Shore (Denver) – Manchester Monarchs Sean Zimmerman (Denver) – Colorado Eagles SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Kyle Brodie (Northglenn) – Columbus Cottonmouths Cody Dion (Colorado Springs) – Peoria Rivermen Phil Tesoriero (Boulder) – Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUE A.J. Tesoriero (Boulder) – Danville Dashers Daniel Turgeon (Centennial) – Danville Dashers EUROPE Collin Bowman (Littleton) – Austria Drayson Bowman (Littleton) – Germany Ryan Dingle (Steamboat Springs) – England Drew Shore (Denver) – Switzerland Mike Testwuide (Vail) – South Korea COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Dylan Abood (Centennial) – U.S. Air Force Academy Jackson Barliant – Sacred Heart University @ Sammy Bernard (Lafayette) – Sacred Heart University Alec Butcher – Sacred Heart University @ Jason Cotton – Sacred Heart University # Adam Durkee (Nederland) – Sacred Heart University Evan Feno (Morrison) – U.S. Air Force Academy Sean Giles (Colorado Springs) – Robert Morris University Tyler Ledford (Colorado Springs) – U.S. Air Force Academy Ian Mansfield (Lakewood) – U.S. Military Academy Kevin Patterson (Colorado Springs) – Niagara University Tyler Pham (Fort Collins) – U.S. Military Academy Logan Smith (Littleton) – College of the Holy Cross ECAC Jared Fiegl (Parker) – Cornell University Will Graber (Longmont) – Dartmouth College Kyle Hayton (Denver) – St. Lawrence University Sam Rappaport (Aspen) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Dean Shatzer (Castle Rock) – Dartmouth College Austin Shaw (Denver) – Princeton University Brendan Smith (Centennial) – Cornell University Landon Smith (Greenwood Village) – Quinnipiac University Cam Strong - Dartmouth College * HOCKEY EAST Kris Carlson – Providence College # Matias Cleland (Longmont) – University of New Hampshire Hayden Hawkey (Parker) – Providence College Garrett Metcalf – University of Massachusetts-Lowell * Cale Morris (Larkspur) – University of Notre Dame Rob Nichols – University of Connecticut # Jacob Townsend (Highlands Ranch) – University of Mass.-Lowell NCHC Evan Cowley (Arvada) – University of Denver Mikey Eyssimont (Littleton) – St. Cloud State University Andrew Farny (Steamboat Springs) – Colorado College Dylan Gambrell – University of Denver # Nick Halloran – Colorado College * Brad Hawkinson (Aurora) – University of Denver Christian Heil (Westminster) – Colorado College Rudy Junda (Denver) – University of Denver Evan McCarthy (Castle Rock) – Miami University Scott Moldenhauer – Western Michigan University # Fredrik Olofsson – University of Nebraska-Omaha # Austin Ortega – University of Nebraska-Omaha # Evan Ritt (Lakewood) – University of Denver Derek Shatzer (Highlands Ranch) – Colorado College

16

WCHA Evan Anderson (Littleton) – Michigan Tech University Dan Billett (Highlands Ranch) – Bemidji State University Cole Huggins (Centennial) – Minnesota State University Nick Kossoff – Lake Superior State University # Matt Meier (Highlands Ranch) – Bowling Green State University Tyler Poulsen (Arvada) – University of Alabama-Huntsville NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN ECAC Brooke Ahbe (Centennial) – Dartmouth College Nikki Friesen – Harvard University % Ali Peper (Arvada) – Harvard University Ava Reynolds (Aurora) – Union College Val Turgeon (Denver) – Harvard University HOCKEY EAST Ariana Buxman (Glenwood Springs) – Providence College Katie Shannahan (Colorado Springs) – Boston University Kyra Smith (Littleton) – University of New Hampshire

NEHC Kat Armstrong (Boulder) – University of Massachusetts-Boston Rebecca Brown (Steamboat Springs) – Norwich University Kristen Embrey (Highlands Ranch) – University of Mass.-Boston Tatum Gietl (Littleton) – University of New England Emily Harris (Littleton) – University of Massachusetts-Boston Taryn Harris (Morrison) – Manhattanville College Maura Kieft (Littleton) – St. Anselm College Sydney Linnick (Highlands Ranch) – Plymouth State University Lanie Matsumoto (Fort Collins) – Franklin Pierce University Julie Matthias (Thornton) – College of the Holy Cross Caley Mueller (Littleton) – St. Anselm College Kelsey Roy (Fort Collins) – Plymouth State University Lizzy Saxer (Colorado Springs) – University of Massa.-Boston Taylor Shrode (Craig) – Plymouth State University Kayla Trujillo (Pueblo) – Franklin Pierce University Jensen Wurm (Arvada) – Nichols College NESCAC Kylie Davis (Superior) – Hamilton College Caroline Godfrey (Aspen) – Bowdoin College Jamie Meroz – Hamilton College % Hannah Oganeku (Castle Pines) – Trinity College JUNIOR HOCKEY

NCAA DIVISION III – MEN COMMONWEALTH Pippen Weisbeck (Golden) – Endicott College ECAC WEST Jacob Gerson (Colorado Springs) – Utica College Oliver Janzen (Denver) – Nazareth College MASCAC Quinn Wold (Aurora) – Fitchburg State University MIAC Reid Brown (Superior) – Gustavus Adolphus College Ryan Cagnoni (Arvada) – Augsburg College Jake Hebda (Firestone) – St. Mary’s University Dylan Meier (Highlands Ranch) – Augsburg College Trevor Stewart (Highlands Ranch) – Augsburg College Chris Wilhite (Colorado Springs) – St. Mary’s University NCHA Justin Gregory (Franktown) – Lawrence University Reed Gregory (Franktown) – Lawrence University Josh Racek (Colorado Springs) – Northland College Alex Sanchez (Crested Butte) – Aurora University Zach Simpson (Parker) – Milwaukee School of Engineering Jerad Tafoya (Highlands Ranch) – Milwaukee School of Engineering Brett Wagner (Centennial) – Milwaukee School of Engineering NEHC Kyle Arenson (Fort Collins) – New England College Colin Biebel (Roxborough Park) – St. Michael’s College Hadan Jordan (Colorado Springs) – St. Michael’s College Michael Washington (Denver) – University of Southern Maine NESCAC Mark Knowlton (Colorado Springs) – Trinity College Sage Marshall (Telluride) – Wesleyan University NORTHEAST-10 William Bailey (Highlands Ranch) – Stonehill College SUNYAC Ryan Bochert (Denver) – Morrisville State University Philip Middleton (Vail) – Plattsburgh State University Jimmy Morgan (Highlands Ranch) – Fredonia State University Max Ross (Arvada) – Fredonia State University Nate Werhane – Buffalo State University ^ Jared Young (Pueblo West) – Morrisville State University WIAC Jono Davis – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point * D-III INDEPENDENT John Drummond (Littleton) – Post University Dylan Kaufman (Larkspur) – Post University NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN COLONIAL HOCKEY Julia Johnson (Littleton) – Becker College Madison Maloney – Becker College % ECAC WEST Emily Coope – Utica College % Elizabeth Dohner (Highlands Ranch) – University of Mass.-Boston Taylor Osowski (Highlands Ranch) – Utica College Natasha Steinle (Morrison) – Buffalo State University Nicole Watson (Highlands Ranch) – Potsdam State University MIAC Margeaux Cohen (Aspen) – St. Olaf College Drue Engleman (Denver) – St. Olaf College Jessica Jones – St. Mary’s University % Jena Kosley (Colorado Springs) – Hamline University Kacee Medved (Littleton) – College of St. Benedict NCHA Sara Martin (Durango) – Finlandia University

Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine

ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Nolan Carothers (Castle Rock) – Lloydminster Bobcats Demetrius Kambeitz (Parker) – Okotoks Oilers Nicholas Leeseberg (Parker) – Fort McMurray Oil Barons BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUE Scott Allan (Thornton) – West Kelowna Warriors Alex Bates (Highlands Ranch) – Wenatchee Wild Ty Pochipinski (Colorado Springs) – Cowichan Valley Capitals Jackson Ross (Denver) – Surrey Eagles A.J. Vanderbeck (Monument) – Wenatchee Wild CANADIAN PREMIER JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Avery Albert (Arvada) – Seaforth Generals EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Holden Biebel (Denver) – Walpole Express (Premier) Blake Bosick (Highlands Ranch) – Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (Premier) Blake Bride (Broomfield) – Boston Jr. Rangers (Premier) Tanner Broschat (Castle Pines) – Vermont Lumberjacks (Premier) Noah Cunniff (Colorado Springs) – Walpole Express (Elite) Keegan Davis (Superior) – Connecticut Oilers (Premier) Eli Hernandez (Parker) – New England Wolves (Premier) Tyler Hinchcliffe (Boulder) – Connecticut Nighthawks (Premier) Sylas Kalyan (Lyons) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier) Michael Karas (Parker) – Vermont Lumberjacks (Elite) Nicholas Kukuris (Littleton) – Connecticut Oilers (Premier) Jacob Morgan (Littleton) – New England Wolves (Premier) Joe Morgan (Highlands Ranch) – New England Wolves (Premier) Brady Nelson (Arvada) – Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (Premier) Ben Roberts (Centennial) – Vermont Lumberjacks (Premier) Jackson Shanley (Vail) – Northern Cyclones (Premier) Casey Shannahan (Boulder) – Connecticut Nighthawks (Premier) Kirk Underwood (Littleton) – Connecticut Nighthawks (Premier) Jacob Weatherly (Castle Rock) – New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier) Austin Wheatly (Castle Rock) – New York Applecore (Premier) Carter Yang (Littleton) – Boston Bandits (Premier) GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Calvin Gosser (Denver) – Bradford Bulls Justin Simon (Hot Springs) – Almaguin Spartans Aidan Westbrook (Aurora) – Parry Sound Islanders GREATER ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Tyler Hawk (Colorado Springs) – Fort Erie Meteors KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Brennan Conner (Castle Rock) – Grand Forks Border Bruins Donny Nordstrom (Denver) – Kelowna Chiefs Anders Saarela (Denver) – Princeton Posse MANITOBA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Sean O'Leary (Windsor) – Steinbach Pistons Stephon Perreault (Greenwood Village) – Swan Valley Stampeders NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE James Crossman (Denver) – Minnesota Wilderness Brendan Doyle (Colorado Springs) – Topeka RoadRunners David Fessenden (Denver) – Northeast Generals Trystan Isenhour (Loveland) – Aberdeen Wings Matt Nehls (Boulder) – Amarillo Bulls Kevin Ness (Broomfield) – Bismarck Bobcats Nicholas Ness (Broomfield) – Bismarck Bobcats Jared Resseguie (Arvada) – Bismarck Bobcats Matthew Thielemann (Highlands Ranch) – Kenai River Brown Bears Alex Truscott – Amarillo Bulls * NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Michael Ballard (Loveland) – Louisiana Drillers Cade Boreing (Littleton) – Gillette Wild Bryce Dirscherl (Highlands Ranch) – Missoula Jr. Bruins Andrew Garcia (Thornton) – Texas Jr. Brahmas Sam Gartner (Denver) – Point Mallard Ducks Jeremy Hamerquist (Woodland Park) – Toledo Cherokee Andrew Hanson (Loveland) – Gillette Wild Austin Knoebel (Arvada) – Euless Jr. Stars Dillon Lindholm (Westminster) – Glacier Nationals John Meakins (Colorado Springs) – Point Mallard Ducks

Liam Miller (Durango) – Bozeman Icedogs Connor Moore (Colorado Springs) – Gillette Wild Tyler Myers (Thornton) – Texas Jr. Brahmas Josh Perez (Parker) – St. Louis Jr. Blues Cody Pisciola (Broomfield) – Point Mallard Ducks Dylan Plsek (Denver) – Jersey Shore Wildcats Tim VanTuinen (Longmont) – Glacier Nationals SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Garrett Graham (Pueblo) – Dryden GM Ice Dogs Cameron Jones (Colorado Springs) – Thief River Falls Norskies Austin Storm (Colorado Springs) – Thief River Falls Norskies SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Zach Goberis (Arvada) – Estevan Bruins UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Colby Bukes (Littleton) – Muskegon Lumberjacks Bryce DeFazio (Colorado Springs) – Waterloo Black Hawks C.J. Dodero (Highlands Ranch) – Sioux City Musketeers Jack Doremus (Aspen) – Sioux Falls Stampede Anea Ferrario – Sioux City Musketeers # Bo Hanson – Muskegon Lumberjacks * Brian Hawkinson (Aurora) – Tri-City Storm Garrett Klee (Morrison) – Waterloo Black Hawks Phillip Knies – Sioux City Musketeers # Zack LaRocque (Arvada) – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Ben Lown – Omaha Lancers # Keegan Mantaro (Monument) – Sioux City Musketeers Austin Park (Highlands Ranch) – Omaha Lancers Dayton Rasmussen – Tri-City Storm # Baker Shore (Denver) – Chicago Steel Josiah Slavin (Erie) – Tri-City Storm Jeremy Swayman – Sioux Falls Stampede @ Bryan Yoon (Parker) – Tri-City Storm UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Colton Crabtree (Brighton) – Florida Eels (Elite) Gabe Eccher (Longmont) – Seattle Ravens (USP3) A.J. Giordano (Westminster) – Florida Eels (USP3) Blake Hoffman (Centennial) – Florida Eels (Elite) Dalton Klein (Denver) - New York Aviators (Elite) Keegan Lewis (Louisville) – Palm Beach Hawks (Elite) Gavin Medina (Lakewood) – Florida Eels (USP3) J.P. Nolette (Colorado Springs) – Syracuse Stars (Premier) Tyler Seltenreich (Littleton) – Syracuse Stars (Premier) Adam Shimamoto (Thornton) – Eugene Generals (USP3) Kyle Smith (Broomfield) – Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Elite) Ethan Solat (Centennial) – Syracuse Stars (Premier) Jeremy Solat (Centennial) – Syracuse Stars (Premier) Cam Spicer (Erie) – Islanders Hockey Club (Premier) Charles Stewart (Littleton) – Forest Lake Lakers (Elite) Daniel Stoneberg (Crested Butte) – Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Nick Vitale (Denver) – Carolina Eagles (USP3) Travis Volmert (Parker) – Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite) VANCOUVER ISLAND JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Brandon Fushimi (Thornton) – Saanich Braves Branden Tangney (Denver) – Westshore Wolves WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE Scott Eansor (Englewood) – Seattle Thunderbirds Cal Foote (Englewood) – Kelowna Rockets Nolan Foote (Englewood) – Kelowna Rockets Max Gerlach – Medicine Hat Tigers # Jake Gricius (Colorado Springs) – Portland Winterhawks Caleb Jones – Portland Winterhawks & Brian King (Golden) – Everett Silvertips Bryan Lockner (Windsor) – Regina Pats Quinn Martin – Red Deer Rebels # Alex Overhardt (Cherry Hills Village) – Portland Winterhawks WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Hampus Akesson (Erie) – Superior RoughRiders Danny Armstrong (Littleton) – Butte Cobras Jensen Baehr (Evergreen) – Lake Tahoe Icemen Paden Clark (Loveland) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Dakota Coleman (Aurora) – Arizona Hawks Nick Davidson (Fort Collins) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Cooper Davis (Castle Rock) – San Diego Sabers Sean DeKramer (Aurora) – Superior RoughRiders Isaac Diasabeygunawardena (Boulder) – Phoenix Knights Davis Dryden (Denver) – Arizona Hawks Reiker Edstrom (Fairplay) – Arizona Hawks Jacob Felser (Castle Rock) – San Diego Sabers Trent Fleming (Broomfield) – Superior RoughRiders Cameron Gardner (Longmont) – Superior RoughRiders Zachery Hargis (Highlands Ranch) – Las Vegas Storm Ryan Heck (Aurora) – Superior RoughRiders Trent Hines (Fort Collins) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Matt Jung (Aurora) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Mark MacDonald (Greeley) – Bellingham Blazers Cameron Madrid (Fort Collins) – Seattle Totems Damon Maruska (Elizabeth) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Vincent Mastrandrea (Frederick) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Duncan McIntosh (Denver) – Superior RoughRiders Alex Meisner (Arvada) – Superior RoughRiders Jack Nevicosi (Breckenridge) – Springfield Express C.J. Nitchen (Pueblo) – Superior RoughRiders Ben Novy (Lafayette) – Superior RoughRiders Cody Oakes (Aurora) – Superior RoughRiders Ashton Opperman (Littleton) – Superior RoughRiders Mattijs Ossorio (Lafayette) – Superior RoughRiders Reilly Quinn (Parker) – Colorado Jr. Eagles

Colby Schaeffer (Brighton) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Austin Shea (Thornton) – Ogden Mustangs Jordon Stone (Parker) – Utah Outliers Bronson Sudberry (Denver) – Superior RoughRiders Andre Talarico (Broomfield) – Las Vegas Storm John Tower (Fort Collins) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Dylan Van Leuwen-Hall (Boulder) – Superior RoughRiders Cade Warner (Windsor) – Colorado Jr. Eagles PREP SCHOOL Nate Clurman (Boulder) - Culver Academy Jordan Finney (Boulder) – Tahoe Hockey Academy Noah Prokop (Highlands Ranch) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Zack Savarise (Golden) – Tahoe Hockey Academy

UTAH PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Trevor Lewis (Salt Lake City) – Los Angeles Kings AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Richard Bachman (Salt Lake City) – Utica Comets COLLEGE HOCKEY NCAA DIVISION I – MEN ATLANTIC HOCKEY Jared Pike (Sandy) – American International College Nash Worden (Kaysville) – U.S. Military Academy HOCKEY EAST Garrett Metcalf (Salt Lake City) – University of Mass.-Lowell NCHC Nick Halloran (Draper) – Colorado College WCHA Daniel Brickley (Sandy) – Minnesota State University NCAA DIVISION III – MEN ECAC WEST Jordan Haskell (Stansbury Park) – Hobart College NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN DIVISION III INDEPENDENT Samantha Griswold (Park City) – Post University JUNIOR HOCKEY ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Angus Scott (Salt Lake City) – Camrose Kodiaks GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUE Cameron Arsenault (Layton) – Seguin Huskies NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE Ryan Solomon (Salt Lake City) – Aston Rebels Alex Truscott (Draper) – Amarillo Bulls NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUE Landon Anderson (Murray) – Gillette Wild Lindros Beard (Copperton) – Binghamton Jr. Senators Colby Birch (Vernal) – Missoula Jr. Bruins Robbie Brennan (Sandy) – Gillette Wild Chayo Goodwin (Hyrum) – Billings Bulls Kody Goodwin (Hyrum) – Billings Bulls Dallas Paxton (Sandy) – Gillette Wild Cody Thomson (South Jordan) – Helena Bighorns Dustin Truex – Great Falls Americans = Spencer Vockel (Layton) – Glacier Nationals Riggs Zeidler (Centerville) – Glacier Nationals SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Logan Jackson (Riverdale) – Thief River Falls Norskies Sheamus Stoyle (Herriman) – Minnesota Iron Rangers UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Anea Ferrario (Ogden) – Sioux City Musketeers UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE Brett Armstrong (Sugar House) – Alpena Flyers (USP3) Ben McCleery (West Valley City) – Alpena Flyers (USP3) Julian Miranda (Salt Lake City) – Charlotte Rush (USP3) Kory Palmer (Salt Lake City) – Eugene Generals (USP3) WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Trace Farr (Springville) – Utah Outliers Brayden Mannek (Salt Lake City) – Colorado Jr. Eagles Matt Psaras (Salt Lake City) – Lake Tahoe Icemen Andrew Pyper (Salt Lake City) - Utah Outliers Alex Randazzo (Eden) – Ogden Mustangs Austin Tautfest (North Ogden) – Utah Outliers * former Colorado Rampage & former Littleton Hawk @ former Pikes Peak Miner # former Colorado Thunderbird % former Colorado Select

^ former Rocky Mountain RoughRider = former West Coast Renegade $ Former Utah Jr. Grizzly

CHALK TALK

Utah making progress in developing D-I college players T

Steve Metcalf

he progress of hockey in the Western United States clearly reached a pinnacle with the overall No. 1 NHL draft pick last summer in Arizona’s Auston Matthews.

It’s an amazing accomplishment. However, another Western state is quietly making

progress as well.

Utah will likely never be a “hotbed of hockey” and Trevor Lewis will likely remain Utah’s favorite son.

However, the Beehive State can now boast as it now has seven players committed to or playing Division I college hockey.

Ryan Solomon recently announced his commitment to Northeastern University and Anea Ferrario (Brown University) both begin their college careers next season. The pair joins five other Utah players: Nash Worden (Army), Daniel Brickley (Minnesota State University), Jared Pike (American International College), Garrett Metcalf (University of Massachusetts-Lowell) and Nick Halloran (Colorado College).

This group all started and played several years of youth hockey in Utah and used the Rocky Mountain District Camp to increase their exposure. Their paths are varied and each is an amazing story within itself.

The steps included stops in the USHL, NAHL, BCHL and CCHL. The year 2015 was a whirlwind of a year for Metcalf. It started by being invited to the Madison Capitols’ main USHL camp and being selected for the team. It was a real battle as there were 15 other goaltenders at the camp. During the next six months – and after being recruited by several schools, Metcalf committed to UMass-Lowell. Four months later, the Anaheim Ducks selected Metcalf in the sixth round of the NHL Draft.

“I know it will mean nothing if I don’t continue to work hard and get better every day,” Metcalf said.

Brickley is another standout who has really started to gather interest from NHL teams. Brickley attended NHL development camps the last two summers and was recently named as the No. 2 NCAA free agent prospect.

The development of these players comes back to being involved with and coached by true development coaches. Two of those type coaches, Jon Solomon and myself, have sons on the list of seven and both have continued to coach once our sons moved on to higher levels of play. Solomon and I are both involved

with the West Coast Renegades program. Solomon is the Tier I Bantam coach and I am the director of youth development. I also coach the Utah Golden Eagles’ Tier II Bantam team.

It really is a process and it takes a lot of patience.

The journey for these players and any player has a ton of ups and downs. The secret is not to get too high or too low and work to get better every day. You also have to enjoy the ride. Develop not only your skills, but enjoy the relationships you make with players, coaches and parents. If a player is not enjoying the game and the process, he’s not going to stick with it.

Parents, as well, have to maintain perspective and be supportive. It’s important to support your player, but also support his team and the organization he plays for.

I’ve always been told to find a program with integrity – along with a coach who has perspective and can teach not only on-ice lessons, but life lessons off the ice. The reality is those seven players are not only skilled hockey players, they’re also quality people with character and integrity.

While Utah is still a long way away from an overall No. 1 draft pick, we are proving we can develop high-level players. Arizona should certainly be proud of the accomplishments of Auston Mathews, but Utah can follow seven Division I college players and say, “Hey, I know that kid.”

Steve Metcalf is currently the director of youth development for the West Coast Renegades and the head coach of the Utah Golden Eagles Bantam AA team. He operates Evolution Hockey, which has annual hockey camps, and works with youth players from Mites through Midgets.

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

17

Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine

MIKKO RANTANEN Position: Forward, Colorado Avalanche

Hometown: Nousiainen, Finland Age: 20 Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 211 pounds Acquired: Colorado’s first-round pick (10th overall) in 2015 NHL Draft Colorado Rubber: What's your favorite hockey memory growing up?

Mikko Rantanen: Probably all those tournaments -- the first road trips with the team. We went to Helsinki with the Pee Wee team. It was really fun. I remember playing those games.

CR: What advice do you have for a hockey player and his/her parents?

MR: To be able to play hockey, you need your parents, obviously. Not just because of it money-wise, but what's most important is the commitment from parents. My parents enjoyed being at the rink and you need a lot from parents to be able to get to all the practices. For the players, you have to enjoy it. It can't be fun if you don't really enjoy it.

CR: Who has been the biggest influence on you, on and off the ice?

MR: My parents. Hard to say which one has done more. Like I said, both have a done an incredible job when I was younger. When I got older, I didn't want to listen to my mom very much, but my dad was helping me a lot on those little things. He played hockey when he was younger and played floorball (street hockey) and he knows the game. My parents (father Hannu, mother Hannamaija) are most important.

CR: What's your favorite sport besides hockey?

MR: Soccer. I played soccer when I was younger and I think every Euro (European) likes soccer. It's the biggest thing in Europe. Everybody follows it.

CR: What piece of equipment are you really particular about?

MR: Probably skates and sticks. I don't like my skates super sharp, but more sharp than dull. Not too sharp. I like to stop and start, but if you have them too sharp, you're going to fall every time. For my sticks, last year I went more flexible. I had 100 (flex) when I played my last year in Finland and last year I took 90. You break more sticks, but I think it's better. The wrist shot is better.

CR: What are your essential items on a road trip?

MR: I like to read good books about some athletes. Right now, I'm reading the life story about Jarkko Ruutu, who played in Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Vancouver. He wrote a story about his career. It's pretty interesting. He was the kind of player who was chirping all the time. Funny to read his stories.

CR: What's your favorite restaurant in Denver and what are you ordering?

MR: White Chocolate Grill in Park Meadows. It's really good, especially the desserts. I usually order the rib-eye there. Good mushroom sauce on it, and with broccoli and mashed potatoes. I start with the wedge salad.

CR: Who was your favorite hockey player growing up?

MR: When I was under 10, it was Peter Forsberg. Sounds weird because I'm Finnish -- we should hate Swedish guys. But, yeah, it was Forsberg. And then when (Sidney) Crosby came into the league, I started to follow him. I really like how he plays.

CR: What's the most challenging aspect of playing in the NHL? MR: Probably the battling – you have to pay the price to go to the dirty areas. In front of the net, you have to get there if you want to score goals. Sometimes, you have to get ice packs to get to the front of the net, so I would say it's the battling.

Photo/Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images 18

Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine

- Compiled by Mike Chambers

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

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND February 17-20, 2017

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND May 26 -29, 2017

Application Deadline: April 21, 2017

Midget Open . 2003 Elite & AAA 2004 Elite & AAA . 2005 Elite & AAA 2006 Elite & AAA . 2007 Elite & AAA November 24 - 27, 2016 2008 Elite & AAA September 2 - 5, 2016 .

II & I k Mite Track I (Cross Ice) Trac 2009 Mite .

B BB, A, rt Squi . Pee Wee AA, A, BB, B B .

A, AA, tam Ban . ol Scho High AA/A 2010 Mite Track II (Cross Ice) Midget 18U AA/A - Midget 16U

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