Words from the publisher...

Summer is in full swing.

And while this time of year is typically down time for hockey, the game doesn’t stop.

There are prospect and prep camps, skills skates, drop-in hockey, you name it.

Hockey is a year-round sport, and for those that choose to partake, have at it, you know?

Personally, summer is a time to (kind of) relax. We used to publish Rubber Hockey 10 months of the year (no June or August), but we are now yearround as well to keep up with the game at all levels and all we can do to promote hockey in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

We are looking to grow into the Midwest as well.

On the home front, our oldest graduated high school back in May and we had his graduation party/open house this past weekend. It was a blast. Our yard was filled with family and friends and the weather was perfect!

He also signed paperwork last week to start at an HVAC trade school in October. My wife and I cannot be more thrilled.

At the same time, yes, we are getting old, right?

People always say to enjoy the ride, and while we have, these milestones just keep happening.

At the open house, the inside of our garage was plastered with pictures of Ethan from the time he was born to just a few weeks ago.

Where does the time go?

I mean, shoot, I’m 45, and there are days I feel like I just graduated high school. Then there are days I feel like I am 75.

Ugh.

Life goes on, though. Now, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the summer and all that goes with it.

Time flies when you are having fun. It’s so true.

Even as I write these words, all three kids are scattered spending time with friends. It’s crazy.

Like I have said in this space before, probably ad nauseum, just enjoy life. Focus on the positive. If you dial in on the negatives, you are missing out on the positives.

And the positives outweigh the negatives. Just keep your eyes and ears open.

As always, remember to keep supporting Rubber Hockey! Contact me any time at (248) 890-3944 (call/text) and by email at matt@rubberhockey. com.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Draft

Continued from Page 1 derbirds and Foothills Flyers and said one of his biggest highlights with the Flyers was winning the Quebec Qualifier and representing the Colorado Avalanche at the Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament. He also played in Syracuse, N.Y., with the Syracuse Nationals. ***

In his final season of draft eligibility, Harris went in the fifth round (133rd overall) to the Montreal Canadiens.

An alternate captain during the 2022-23 season, Harris led the Stampede with 30 goals and 26 assists in 56 games during his second season with the Herd. During his career in Sioux Falls, Harris totalled 46 goals and 45 assists for 91 points. He also played in the World Junior A Challenge, netting two goals in six games, and the BioSteel All-American Game, where he scored a goal.

Harris will start his NCAA Division I career in 2023-24 at the University of Denver.

Lipinski was selected by the Cal- gary Flames in the fourth round (112th overall) after a solid season with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. This past season, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound center finished third on the Giants in scoring with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) in 66 games, a 34-point improvement from his rookie season. His breakout 2022-23 campaign consisted of a team-leading five game-winning-goals, eight pow- er-play goals (second on Vancouver) and a 51 percent clip in the face-off circle (460 wins).

The Scottsdale, Ariz., native was also named the Bublé Iron Man of the Year and Save-On-Foods High School Scholastic Player of the Year in 2022-23 with the Giants.

“The Vancouver Giants organization would like to congratulate Jaden and his family on his selection by the

Calgary Flames in the NHL Draft,” Giants GM Barclay Parneta said. “His improvement from Day 1 to today speaks volumes to his work ethic and high upside. We look forward to working alongside the Flames to help further his development.”

Giants head coach Michael Dyck added that Lipinski just kept getting better and better as the season went on.

“He’s got the ability to finish around the net,” Dyck said. “Reliable both ways. Since he’s got to Vancouver, he has improved a lot.”

Lipinski was signed by the Giants in April of 2021, following a season in which he played for the Jr. Coyotes with current Giants teammate Colton Langkow. The right-shot forward has appeared in 134 career regular-season games for Vancouver, compiling 27 goals and 41 assists for 68 points. Additionally, he has played in 16 playoff games, registering four points (goal, three assists).

Celebrini was chosen in the sixth round, going 171st overall to the Vancouver Canucks.

A native of North Vancouver, B.C., Celebrini dressed in 47 games durSee DRAFT on 7

Draft

Continued from Page 5

ing the 2022-23 season, tallying 21 points (five goals, 16 assists). He finished eighth in AJHL rookie defenseman scoring and was named to Team Canada West at the 2022 World Junior A Challenge. In 15 AJHL playoff games, he had three assists. He added one assist in six games at the 2023 Centennial Cup, helping the Bandits win their fourth national championship.

Next season, Celebrini will suit up alongside his younger brother Macklin Celebrini, also a Jr. Sharks alum, at NCAA Division I Boston University. The younger Celebrini is expected to be a top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

The New York Rangers used the 183rd overall pick in the sixth round to select Henricks. A mid-season pickup for the Lumberjacks from the Fargo Force,

Henricks is a force to be reckoned with on the ice, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in north of 200 pounds.

Last season with Fargo and Muskegon, Henricks collected nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points in 47 games.

Henricks is committed to playing NCAA Division I college hockey at Western Michigan University.

Photos/Celebrini (Chad Goddard), Harris (Adam Thury Photography, Lipinski (Rob Wilton), Henricks (Muskegon Lumberjacks)

Congrats to all!