NOVEMBER 2023
RUBBER HOCKEY
RubberHockey.com
Denver native, Korean National Team alum Lee finding time with KIJHL’s Coyotes a positive to rounding out game in crease BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Hayden Lee is developing his game between the pipes this season with the Osoyoos Coyotes, a team in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). So far, the Denver native is enjoying his time north of the border. “The opportunity to play in Osoyoos came from my advisor and also from a positive reference from a coach who saw me at the USAFA Showcase, which was a plus,” Lee said. “What appealed me to the team was the league moving up to Junior A and the opportunities to develop as a hockey player in Canada. “Living away from home has been good. The town is small but has a great community.” Born in Denver, Lee started playing hockey once his family relocated
Hayden Lee played part of his youth hockey career for the Colorado Thunderbirds’ AAA program. Photo/Andrew Lee in Fishers, Ind. I came back to the U.S., the speed “I started hockey after finding out I skating track shut down, so I decided couldn’t continue with speed skating, to try hockey.” which I started in South Korea while Lee then ventured back to Colovisiting grandparents during the rado for his two 18U AAA seasons, summer of 2014,” said Lee. “ When first playing for the Rocky Mountain
RoughRiders and then the Colorado Thunderbirds. “Coach Cam Clemenson along with the whole TPH Denver staff has been very influential with where I am today,” Lee said. “In my time playing in Colorado, I will remember winning the state championship with the RoughRiders in 2021-22. Also, winning IIHF gold playing for the Korean National 18U Team happened between my two 18U seasons in Colorado. This would have not happened without the support of my coaches and TPH.” Looking ahead, Lee has his eye on the future. “My short-term goals are taking it week by week, performing well in games, and doing my best to stand out,” Lee said. “My long-term goal is to play NCAA Division I hockey in the next few years.”
Denver’s Fleet enjoying ‘amazing experience’ on, off ice this season with NAHL’s Mudbugs BY MATT MACKINDER COLORADO HOCKEY HUB Liam Fleet has always been a hockey player that strives to improve using ability and effort. That was evident earlier this year when the Denver native cracked the lineup of the NAHL’s Shreveport Mudbugs, a team located in Louisiana. “I gained the amazing opportunity to play for Shreveport through attending their training camp as a free agent and making the most of it through hard work,” said Fleet. “It was by far the best decision I ever made. The culture there is unmatched. From the first day in Shreveport, it was obvious that not just the team, but the whole community was a giant family who wanted nothing more than to win.” Living away from home has also been something Fleet has become immersed with this season. “It’s been an amazing experience,” Fleet said. “The billets who I’ve
lived with have been nothing short of amazing and welcoming. It was definitely a culture shock when I first moved down to Louisiana, but the amazing people here made the move very easy. I was able to learn a couple new traditions and try new foods as well, which were all amazing. “The coaches and staff have also been amazing in making me into a better hockey player and person. I couldn’t ask for a better environment.” During his youth, hockey became second nature for Fleet. “Growing up in Denver, my family and I went to many DU hockey games,” explained Fleet. “Those games, along with my uncle signing me and my cousins up for skating lessons, definitely piqued my interest and love for the game. I was enamored that there was no other sport like it, which made it all the cooler to play.” As he got into hockey, Fleet played for the Krivo School of Hockey Elite
Denver native Liam Fleet is a rookie this season with the NAHL’s Shreveport Mudbugs. Photo/Shreveport Mudbugs and the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, as well as attending TPH Academy Denver. “Both Krivo and the RoughRiders helped prepare me very well in terms of skill and understanding the game
of hockey,” Fleet said. “I’d have to thank my coaches Andrei Krivokrasov, Leeor Shtrom, Greg Vanover, Doug Smail, and Jordan Pietrus. Thanks to these coaches, I was able to push myself to be the best player I could be. They motivated me and taught me hockey and life lessons along the way. “The connections and friends I made while playing in Colorado are something I will take with me for the rest of my life. In hockey, you can create really strong bonds with teammates that will never break.” Moving forward, Fleet said he has “a lot of goals and dreams.” “A short-term goal would definitely be winning the Robertson Cup this year with Shreveport,” said Fleet. “Long term, I definitely want to play NCAA Division I hockey and proceed to play professional hockey. I want to get a good college education, which I hope to receive while playing hockey, so I will be well set up for success in life as well.”
