Rubber Hockey - January 2025 by Rubber Hockey Magazines

Mesa product, Jr. Coyotes alum Morrell collects national, CCHA monthly honors at Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech freshman forward Logan Morrell has been named the Hockey Commissioners Association’s Co-Men’s National Rookie of the Month for December as well as the CCHA Rookie of the Month.

Morrell scored a CCHA-leading six goals and added one assist for seven points across six December games for the Huskies, producing a plus6 rating.

The Mesa native recorded 14 shots on goal and had two blocks defensively. Morrell notched at least one point in four or six games, including two multi-point efforts at Bemidji State on Dec. 1314. In the faceoff circle, he won 55 of 106 draws (51.9%).

Back home, Morrell skated with the Jr. Coyotes program during his youth hockey days.

Thunderbirds product, Castle Rock native Hinton coming home with NCAA Division I Air Force commitment

After a stint in Maryland, Castle Rock native and Colorado Thunderbirds alum Trey Hinton is coming home.

Hinton, playing this season for the NAHL’s Maryland Black Bears, recently committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the Air Force Academy (Atlantic Hockey America).

“I would like to thank everyone at the MBB family for their support to start the year,” said Hinton. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity and I’m excited to keep pushing for a championship in Maryland. Go Black Bears.”

As of Jan. 13, the Black Bears sat in third place in the NAHL East Division, just three points out of first place.

Powerhouse Cal men’s ACHA team making noise in college hockey circles

Putting together weekend winning streaks is nothing new this season for the Cal men’s hockey team.

In fact, the Golden Bears have won 21 games in a row this season and have an eye on the ACHA Division 2 national tournament. The Berkeleybased club has already clinched the top spot for the PAC-8 playoffs taking place Feb. 7-9.

Ask Cal players and staff, though, and all the success in 2024-25 is the result of dynamic team chemistry and hard work, both on and off the ice.

“This has been the strongest team that I have been a part of in my three years at Cal,” said Golden Bears captain Tyson Storr. “Besides our undefeated record, the depth of our program and ability to battle adversity has been one of our greatest successes. At a certain point in the first semester, we had over six of our starting players out due to injury or illness. Our newer players were able to step into those roles seamlessly allowing our team to continue having success on the ice.

“I think the team’s bond has certainly contributed to our success. Everyone is highly driven on and off the ice, which creates a certain level of respect in the locker room. Our team is also very diverse across all majors and backgrounds as we have players playing for national teams such as Hong Kong and Brazil.”

Cal head coach Devin Cox noted that it may appear that the winning has come easy, but he explained how it’s been quite the opposite.

“This team has faced a lot of adversity through various injuries and absences from key players yet continues to find ways to win,” Cox said. “Different players have stepped up in clutch moments every step of the way. The guys are having fun, and everyone has bought into the game plan as well as their individual roles within the context of the team. The best part is that even with our current record, the pace and competitive level of practices has stayed at a high

level. These guys want to win it all, don’t get obsessed with personal stats, and are just as good a team off the ice as they are on it.”

While the players play as a team on the ice, the team also gels and bonds away from the Oakland Ice Center.

“What I love most about this team is how much everyone cares about what we’re building together,” said

My teammates have been a huge part of making my first semester in college such a great experience.”

Golden Bears goalie Aidan Comeau added that there is a certain brotherhood with the players on the roster this season.

“The guys have been playing well as a team and having each other’s back,” Comeau said. “We also have

top scoring rookie forward Kodai Mizuno. “The players are not only talented but also heavily invested in making this season successful. We’ve got the chemistry and skill to make this season really special. A lot of my closest friends are on this team, and the atmosphere we’ve built is incredible. Everyone brings great energy and unique personalities, which makes it so much fun to be part of this group.

“This team has also made my transition to college life so much smoother. Coming in after junior hockey was intimidating, and I was definitely nervous at first, but they made it easy to adjust. They’ve not only supported me athletically but also helped me navigate academically, offering advice and guidance whenever I needed it.

amazing support from our crowd. We’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing and keep the wheels rolling.

“I love how close the team is and the commitment we have to each other. Our bond is as close as I’ve seen a hockey team and the culture we’ve built among our group strengthens that.”

Earlier this season, Cal and Stanford faced off in the annual “Big Freeze” game in Oakland, defeating the Cardinals 17-5 on Nov. 15.

“One of the moments that made me realize I made the right choice coming here was playing in the ‘Big Freeze’ against Stanford,” Mizuno said. “Having the school band at the rink and playing in front of hundreds

of fans was something I’d never experienced before.”

Cox added that the wins have been great, but he feels the team has more to give once the season starts back up Jan. 25 for the “Battle of the Bay” game against San Jose State at the Oakland Ice Center.

“This team hasn’t seen its own ceiling during any game this season,” said Cox. “They have all the right pieces - high-end talent, consistent secondary scoring, and strong twoway play up and down the lineup. Combine that with excellent goaltending, and this team is capable of winning the PAC-8 and more. We’re taking things one step at a time, but our group can skate with anybody in the league and intends to do damage at regionals and potentially even make a run to the national championship playoffs at the end of the season.”

With marked success and making an impact in the community as well, the Golden Bears can potentially grow to levels not seen since the team was an NCAA Division I squad from 1928-49.

“Being a hockey team in Northern California, winning matters when it comes to gaining attention and spreading influence,” Cox said. “Having the success we have seen this season has certainly spread waves in the local hockey community, especially with the Oakland Bears youth organization. Our goal is to continue showing that talented players in the Bay Area can stay in California and play high level, competitive hockey, rather than be forced to leave to find success.

“If we can string together enough seasons of consistent winning, we hope we can spark conversations of elevating Cal to an NCAA D-I hockey program and follow the footsteps of fellow West Coast school Arizona State to become a national powerhouse. If that were to happen, the impact on the growth of hockey in California would be incredible to watch.”

Cal players take the ice and celebrate a recent victory. Photo/Spencer Lee

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Words from the publisher...

How is it already January?

We’re more than halfway through the hockey season with nationals coming up in late March and early April.

How?

I guess it’s true that time flies when you are having fun.

It’s funny, though. The seasons change on a whim here in Michigan, literally. It can be 90 degrees and sunny one day and less than a week later, we get snow.

It’s crazy.

With the holidays now all wrapped up and in the

rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking of spring and summer.

Matt Mackinder

And a high school graduation.

Our second oldest graduates this year, two years after our oldest and three years before our youngest.

That fact itself makes my wife and I feel older and older each day. How do we have kids on the verge of heading into the “real world?” They were just babies,

right? Well, not any more. I know that we shouldn’t rush through winter because, let’s face it, winter is all about hockey.

And hockey is what Rubber is all about.

This season marks our 19th in business. While we started small back in 2006 and grew right up until COVID when we had to take a step back and figure out a new strategy, we’re still here.

And that’s what matters. We are still here to tell those stories that you want to share and to highlight teams and players on their accomplishments.

It’s what we do. But we can’t do it all alone.

Contact me any time at (248) 890-3944 (call/text) or shoot me an email at mackindermedia@yahoo. com to discuss potential advertising and publishing partnerships within these pages and online.

Have a great rest of your January and we’ll see you back here in a month.

-- Matt

Timnath native, Team Colorado AAA star Robinson chooses NCAA D-III Concordia for future destination

Mia Robinson will soon be leaving home for her college hockey and academic career, but the Timnath native won’t be in unfamiliar territory.

Late last month, the second-year Team Colorado AAA standout committed to NCAA Division III Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

“When I first started looking at NCAA Division III schools, Concordia’s location was a key factor as I have lots of family in that area because my parents grew up just a hour north of there,” Robinson said. “So when visiting family this past summer, I had the opportunity to get in contact with Coach Gregoire and got a full visit of the campus and community.

“Concordia has a lot of opportunities academic-wise and had exactly what I was looking for, which was marketing and human resources. It also stood out to me that because of the school’s small size, there would be lots of opportunities for connections with teachers and support of being a student-athlete. For the hockey program, I could see right away how sports were very valued and the student body is very close and supportive of all programs. In addition, the team was very well supported and connected, so I could easily see myself playing there.”

Away from the rink, Robinson ex-

Salt Lake City native

Jack Squibbs, playing this season for CarShield’s 18U AAA team, has signed an NAHL tender for the 2025-26 season with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Photo/NAHL

plained how academics have always been a priority in her life, saying, “school has always been super important to me.”

Growing up just east of Fort Collins, Robinson played competitive soccer, basketball and softball, “and I loved playing all of them, but I started to love hockey more.”

Robinson started playing hockey when she was 12 and played on a co-ed team for two years with the NCYH Jr. Eagles. She then played 15U girls hockey at Boulder, 14U AA and 16U AA girls hockey with the Rocky Mountain Lady RoughRiders and then ultimately landing with Team Colorado AAA, playing on the 19U team the past two years.

With the Jr. Eagles, Lady RoughRiders and Team Colorado, Robinson said her most influential coaches have been Jim Mullin, Steve Wiggins, Molli Mott, Chris Lockrem, Buzz Tryggeseth, Shelby Butler, Dru Burns, Karen Rickard, Vanessa Taylor, Tatum Gietl and Greg Sodbinow, for a variety of reasons.

Now with her college commitment set, Robinson can start to look ahead.

“I am looking excited to begin my next chapter and see where hockey goes,” said Robinson. “I am also excited to continue my educational goals of pursuing a degree in marketing and human resources.”

Mia Robinson takes a faceoff during a game earlier this season. Photo/Be Feral Media

Mission Viejo native, Jr. Ducks, Saints, SMCHS alum Devlin commits to NCAA Division I Dartmouth

Anchorage Wolverines veteran defenseman Brock Devlin has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey with Dartmouth College (ECAC Hockey).

“Myself, coaches, and entire team are ecstatic for Brock’s commitment to Dartmouth,” Anchorage head coach Nick Walters said. “We all knew it was only a matter of time before college teams were chomping at the bit to lure Brock to their school.”

The Mission Viejo native grew up playing under the Anaheim Jr. Ducks organization, playing AAA hockey since his 15U season. He also played for the San Diego Saints and Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

“I would like to thank my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for making this possible,” Devlin said. “#GoBigGreen.”

Devlin’s junior hockey career started last season in the NAHL with the Wolverines, where he helped the

team to their second Robertson Cup appearance, only to be beat out in the semi-finals against the Lone Star Brahmas.

“What Dartmouth is getting is a defenseman that does special things with the puck offensively. Some of those offensive instincts I don’t believe can be taught,” Walters said.

“They’re getting a player that can run the power play, break pucks out with his passing or skating, and create offense on a consistent basis.”

Devlin has played in 78 games for the Wolverines, putting up 60 points through the season and a half.

“He’s a true student of the game,” Walters said. “Craves information to be a better player. What makes this commitment even more special, is Brock set the goal for himself to play at an Ivy League school, and he stuck with it, and now he’s achieved that goal. Again, we couldn’t be more happy for him.”

Liam Lane is stopping pucks in ‘24-25 for the EHL’s New York Apple Core. Photo/

Spot with NCDC’s Bulls has Denver’s Friedman sharpening goaltending game close to home

Noel Friedman said the start of the 2024-25 season “has been pretty crazy for me.”

With things simmering down a bit, the Denver native is focusing on rounding out his game between the pipes with the NCDC’s Pueblo Bulls.

“I originally was planning on being at Pueblo, but then I got drafted by a different NCDC team before I could sign with them,” Friedman said. “Then I ended up going a different path and chose the MJHL where I stayed there for a while but got let go. Through all of this, I stayed in touch with the goalie coach Marty Wakelyn here in Pueblo. After I got cut, I went to the Atlanta Nad Hatters in the USPHL Premier and had some good games there. Then Marty called me saying a spot in Pueblo opened up so I packed everything and got here and have been here ever since.

“For me, Pueblo was always a positive option in my head because it is

Noel Friedman has found recent success between the pipes with the NCDC’s Pueblo Bulls. Photo/Jackson Tuneberg/@jtunesmedia

super close to home, which has been very beneficial for my family and I. It has also been great seeing the league develop and the skill that comes from the league as well. Pueblo itself has been great and the atmosphere at games makes it extremely fun to be a part of. It’s been unbelievable being close to home and makes it super easy to see my family a lot more often than the past years.”

Looking back, Friedman said he is the first person in his family to play hockey, “so the love for the game was kind of found on my own.”

“I went to one Colorado Avalanche game when I was around seven years old and since then, I wanted to learn to ice skate and play hockey,” said Friedman.

Brock Devlin has been a top player this season for the NAHL’s Anchorage Wolverines. Photo/NAHL

Jr. Ducks, Saints alum, San Diego native Crudale gloves monthly accolades from NAHL

The NAHL has announced that Philadelphia Rebels goalie Owen Crudale is the NAHL Goaltender of the Month for December.

The San Diego native showed off his ability between the pipes for his squad as Crudale continues to be a cornerstone for the Rebels.

Out of Philadelphia’s 12 wins on the season, 11 of those victories came with Crudale between the pipes. For December, he walked away with a .950 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average. Every win he picked up in December for the Rebels was a huge victory as they were against top teams in the East Division.

Head coach of the Rebels Justin Hale explains the work he has seen Crudale put in.

“Very happy for Owen,” Hale said. “He continues to put in the work every day, both on and off the ice. The guys love playing in front of him. He has made some big saves and helped the team earn some important wins this last month.”

Back home, Crudale played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks and San Diego Saints.

Starting on Dec. 6, the Rebels were facing the previously ranked No. 2 squad in the division, the Maine Nordiques. During the game, he saved 39 of 41 shots, allowing the Rebels to earn a 4-2 victory. The 19-yearold topped his performance the next night with a season-high of 48 saves as the Rebels edged out a 2-1 win against the Nordiques.

Crudale shares his appreciation for his teammates during this month of matchups.

“It is an honor and I could not have done it without the team in front of me, so all the credit in the world to them,” Crudale said. “I think I really dialed in on the little details that I have been working on all season so far. It is starting to show now.”

The ‘05 goaltender produced his first shutout of the season on Dec. 21 against the Maryland Black Bears. Crudale handled the pressure as this matchup moved into a shootout with both squads scoreless. He prevented Maryland from scoring and allowed Philadelphia to pick up their first shootout win of the season.

Owen Crudale has been solid in the blue paint this season for the NAHL’s Philadelphia Rebels. Photo/Philadelphia Rebels

SPRING & SUMMER HOCKEY

Jr. Ducks, Jr. Kings alum, Manhattan Beach native Koenig garners monthly EHL accolades

The EHL has announced that Express Hockey Club goalie Alex Koenig is the December Goaltender of the Month.

The ’04 native of Manhattan Beach had an undefeated month, going 5-0-0 in five starts. Three of the five wins were shutouts and he allowed just two goals in impressive fashion.

Koenig has been a huge part of the Express’s success as in 16 appearances, he has gone 13-1-0 with an astounding 1.32 GAA in 865 minutes played. Back home, Koenig played for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks and Los Angeles Jr. Kings.

Alex Koenig has been enjoying a tremendous 2024-25 season with the EHL’s Express Hockey Club. Photo/Dan Hickling/ Hickling Images

Paige Zimiga has been a top player this season for the Team Colorado 19U AAA team. Photo/Be Feral Media

Team Colorado star Zimiga decides on Jamestown for college hockey, academic career

Paige Zimiga is from Rapid City, S.D., but has spent the 2024-25 season developing her game on the blue line with the Team Colorado 19U AAA team.

Next season, Zimiga will again advance her game after recently committing to play college hockey for the University of Jamestown, an ACHA team located in Jamestown, N.D.

“The Jamestown coach (Hannah Griffin) first saw me at a state development camp,” said Zimiga. “After that, we communicated through email and text until she offered me a position on their team. The school has an extremely good program for my major. They have a very impressive rates of getting their students into medical school. I like that their hockey team is competitive and also on the rise. Along with this, their school was able to offer a very good financial package.

“Academics have been my top priority in choosing a college. I’m planning on majoring in biology on the pre-med track.”

Zimiga said she grew up as a figure skater and then started playing hockey as well in fifth grade.

“I started playing because my figure skating coach was moving away and I thought that there wouldn’t be another coach that was qualified to coach me,” Zimiga said. “Luckily, a new coach moved in, but I continued

Mosaic is a newly formed advisory service for players that creates a digital profile that will be used to evaluate and promote them to various organizations.

The profile will be live and continuously updated with an opportunity for these players to opt into an in-person evaluation with on and off-ice evaluations performed.

From there, the players open up a marketplace of resources with which they can access at their discretion to better support their personal development.

Everything from academic, mental, nutrition, skating, off-ice, video review etc. They essentially create their own “Development Mosaic” to support their individual needs.

For more, visit mosaicsportsco.com.

California, Colorado products earn monthly accolades from USPHL

The USPHL has announced its monthly awards for December, with five players from California and one from Colorado being honored.

Potomac Patriots blueliner Cooper James is the Southeast Premier Division Defenseman of the Month, while Ventura Vikings forward Kai Tsoar and San Diego Sabers forward Liam Krupcyznski are Pacific Premier Division Forwards of the Month, Henderson Force goalie Nicholas Perry is the Pacific Premier Division Golatender of the Month, and Potomac defenseman Rafe Armstrong is the Southeast Elite Division Defenseman of the Month.

James (‘04/Huntington Beach) scored nine points over eight games in December, helping the Patriots finish out 2024 on top of the Southeast Division standings. The blueliner is the highest-scoring defenseman for his team, with 14 points across 16 games in his third season. He recently surpassed a milestone of 50 career games, with 53 and counting. He has 28 career points, with six goals and 22 assists.

Back home, James skated with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks and California Wave and in the high school ranks for Beach Cities.

Tsoar (‘04/Calabasas) averaged a massive 3.13 points per game in December, scoring 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points across eight games. In his first Premier season, Tsoar is on an 11-game points streak, scoring in all but one of 14 games played so far this season. He has 35 points to his name, with 16 goals and 19 assists.

Prior to the Vikings, Tsoar played for the California Golden Bears, California Titans and

Ventura Mariners.

Krupcyznski

(‘04/San Marcos) is making statements in his first Premier season, just one point behind franchise points leader Knut Hornkvist. This month, he scored 21 points across seven games for an average of three points per game. He has registered points in all but three of 28 games played this season, with 26 goals and 40 assists for 66 total points.

Back home, Krupcynzski played for the San Diego Saints and Jr. Ducks.

Perry (‘05/ Chino Hills) went 3-0 in December with a .950 save percentage. He performed a career-first 26save shutout on Dec. 18, securing a win for the Force against the Columbus Mavericks. In his second season, he has made 463 saves on 506 shots. He has a

career .909 save percentage.

Back home, Perry played for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, high school hockey for Mater Dei and Placentia-Yorba Linda USD, and for the Sabers.

Armstrong (‘07/Long Beach) put up three goals and three assists for six points for 0.75 points per game average – and half of his 12 total points – in December.

In California, Armstrong skated for the Empire Hockey Club and Beach Cities.

On the Colorado side, Colorado Fighting Elk forward Braden Wilson is the Northwest Premier Division Forward of the Month. Wilson (‘06/Fort Collins) joined the Fighting Elk from the Bellingham Blazers during the month of October and has been a great addition for the first-year Colorado squad. In 16 games with Colorado, he has 10 points, and that includes a 6-2-8 line in his seven December games, giving him a 1.14 points per game average.

Back in Colorado, Wilson skated for the Hyland Hills Hockey Association.

-- USPHL Staff

Braden Wilson

Clockwise from top left, Kai Tsoar, Cooper James, Rafe Armstrong, Nicholas Perry and Liam Krupcyznski.

Hockey journey continues for Morrison native Taylor with NCDC’s Grizzlies

Reid Taylor spent last season with the Littleton Hawks’ 18U AA team, making it all the way to USA Hockey Youth Nationals.

This season, the Morrison native has made the jump to the NCDC’s Rock Springs Grizzlies, a team based in Wyoming, after signing a tender agreement with the club in March.

“I like the opportunities that I have had here and love the opportunity for development given the coaching staff and consistency within the program,” Taylor said. “When it comes to being away from home, I have a great billet family thats feels like a second home so it has been an amazing fit.”

Taylor has also seen time this year with the Iron County Yeti, the Grizzlies’ affiliate team in the USPHL Premier division.

“Because I am one of the youngest players on the team, I don’t dress for every game with Rock Springs, so they send me down to our affiliate to get games in, especially when they play better teams such as Vernal, who hasn’t lost a game this year,” explained Taylor.

Taylor noted that while the 202324 season at the start wasn’t what he envisioned, the end result was a definite positive.

“Last season was good overall as it got me where I wanted to be,” Taylor

said. “However, it wasn’t my first option as I was dealing with injuries around the time of tryouts last year. In the end, it worked out for the best. I had a good experience and successful year as we made it to nationals.”

Growing up, Taylor said his passion for the game started some 16 years ago.

“My hockey journey started when I was two,” said Taylor. “I first learned how to skate at the Ice Ranch in Littleton. The NHL didn’t have a major impact on me starting hockey. It mainly started because my dad was in the hockey industry and wanted me to try it out.

“While in Colorado, the things I will remember the most are winning a state championship, qualifying for International Silver Sticks, and going to nationals. I also am thankful and will remember all the friends that I have met playing hockey growing up.”

Back home, in addition to the Hawks, Taylor skated for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, Boulder Hockey Club and Monarch High School.

www.CaliforniaDreaminHockeyTournaments.com

Reid Taylor is showing he belongs in the NCDC this season with the Rock Springs Grizzlies.

Photo/Abby St. Marie

RUBBER HOCKEY

Colorado Springs native, Thunderbirds, Miners alum Gricius loving college hockey career north of the border in Calgary

Jake Gricius played his junior hockey in the WHL and then decided to stay in Western Canada for his college hockey career with the University of Calgary.

Now in his fourth season with the Dinos, the Colorado Springs native has loved every minute north of the border.

“The opportunity came kind of in the midst of COVID,” said Gricius. “I had just finished up a short stint with Allen in the ECHL and faced a decision between waiting for another job to open up in the coast or utilizing my WHL scholarship and getting an education. I ultimately decided that getting a degree was the best option for me. Choosing to go to Calgary was pretty much based off a few former teammates recruiting me who played there and doing some research on the city and the school. I couldn’t visit any schools because of COVID.

“The experience has been great, the University of Calgary is a great school, Calgary is a beautiful city and I have loved my time out here so far. As far as being from a different country, unless someone knows me personally, I think they all just assume I’m Canadian.”

Gricius added that USports teams and Canadian university hockey is “super underrated.”

“The hockey is super physical and competitive,” Gricius said. “Most of the league is made up of former WHL players, some who were NHL draft picks that just need some more development. There has been a lot of players from USports that go on to play pro hockey in either North America or Europe. A few guys even sign NHL contracts, so it definitely doesn’t get enough credit in my opinion.”

As someone who had to choose between WHL and NCAA, Gricius offered his thoughts on the new rule allowing major junior players to now play NCAA Division I hockey.

“I think it’s amazing that WHL

players can now go play in the NCAA and further their hockey careers and academics,” said Gricius, who skated for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL. “I think school is so important for players to have in their back pocket just in case something goes wrong or they don’t pan out or whatever the case may be. I selfishly wish this rule got changed back when I was in the WHL, but I

think it’s great that players don’t have to choose between one or the other any more. That being said, I think USports will look different in a few years than it does now, as players will most likely choose NCAA programs over Canadian universities.”

Majoring in communications and media studies in college, Gricius has ambitions to keep playing the game he loves as long as he can.

“My future hopefully allows me to play pro hockey as long as it makes sense,” Gricius said. “My decision to get my education was made so that if hockey doesn’t work out, then I have a degree to fall back on and utilize.”

Jake Gricius has been a topend player this season for the University of Calgary. Photo/Calgary Dinos Men’s Hockey Instagram

RUBBER HOCKEY