Pair of California natives making waves in junior hockey, earn monthly recognition
For the month of October - and part of September - two California natives dominated their respective junior hockey leagues and were honored with individual awards earlier in November.
Chino Hills native Jackson Hanson was tabbed a Star of the Month with the EHLP’s New England Wolves,
Jackson Hanson has played a consistent game this season for the EHLP’s New England Wolves. Photo/ Dan Hiickling/Hickling Images
while Mission Viejo native Brock Devlin earned NAHL Defenseman of the Month accolades with the Anchorage Wolverines.
Back home, Hanson played high school hockey for Placentia-Yorba Linda USD and also for the Orange County Hockey Club.
Devlin played for the San Diego
Saints, Anaheim Jr. Ducks and Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
In 15 games, Hanson has tallied 16 points (four goals, 12 assists). He has four multi-point games as a defenseman and is a big reason the Wolves have started 15-0-0-0.
Dating back to a matchup against the Chippewa Steel on Oct. 5, Devlin
has tallied at least one point in every game. His best performance came on Oct. 19 on the road against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, dishing out four assists in a dominant 7-1 Wolverines victory.
Brock Devlin has been a solid force on the blue line this season for the NAHL’s Anchorage Wolverines. Photo/NAHL
NCAA D-I commitment to St. Lawrence means competitive hockey, academics for Parker native, Krivo grad Beddow
Nolan Beddow is playing prep school hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, one of the nation’s best when it comes to player and student development.
Recently, the Parker native committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at St. Lawrence University, an ECAC Hockey school in Canton, N.Y. He’ll play for the Saints after junior hockey. One option is the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets after being drafted by the team in the 10th round (202nd overall) in 2023.
“Being at Shattuck has given me lots of exposure to many scouts throughout the year, scouts from the WHL, USHL and NCAA,” Beddow said. “From the exposure, St. Lawrence had seen me play multiple times and liked me as a player to the point where they gave me an offer. I’m not 100% sure yet when I will head there to go play, but I am for sure going to play a few years of juniors before I go.
“When I went on my visit to St. Lawrence, seeing the facility and campus, I fell in love with it. Knowing they are a great hockey team with great coaches, I knew I wanted to go there. I knew St. Lawrence is also a really good school with smaller class sizes, and lots of 1-on-1 work which would be a big part to me for my academics.”
Beddow noted that hockey and school have always gone together for him.
“Academics have always been a part of me being a student-athlete,” said Beddow. “At Shattuck, it really introduced it to me being on top of my work with getting good grades
Nolan Beddow grew up playing for Krivo School of Hockey Elite (above) and is now playing prep school hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. Shattuck photo/ Mark Sorgaard/Fat Cat Studios
as well as performing at my top level on the ice. I would want to look into a business major, for sure, since my dad had started one to follow his path in life and to take his business over one day.”
Truth be told, hockey is fairly new in the Beddow household.
“My family was a big baseball family – my grandpa got drafted to the MLB and my dad played NCAA Division I baseball,” explained Reddow. “My brothers and I were the first to put the skates on and play hockey in our family. I am the middle child and my older brother was the one who wanted to play hockey after he watched a game. That’s where it all started, so him, me and my little brother all started around the age of three. I fell in love with hockey right
away and never took a stick out of my hands. My older brother plays on the 18s team here at Shattuck and my little brother plays for the Tampa Bulls in Florida.”
In Colorado, Beddow played for the Krivo School of Hockey Elite and said “Krivo is the reason where I am today.”
“The development I got there was the best thing that could’ve happened to me with private lessons in the morning at 5 a.m. and then team practice at 6 a.m.,” Beddow said. “I went to the 5 a.m. lesson almost every day of the week where I worked on skills before team practice at 6 a.m. The coach that really stands out is Andrei Krivokrasov, my head coach at Krivo. He was the one coach that taught me what hockey
was and developed me so much at the 5 a.m. lessons. There have been multiple coaches that really also made a big impact on me, like Dylan Bozeman, Joey Carroll, Mark Popovic, Kevin Clark, Sean Pitcher, and most importantly, every coach here at Shattuck who has taught me how to play hockey the right way.”
Getting to play for Shattuck has been “truly a blessing” for Beddow, who said he’s making daily memories in Faribault, Minn.
“To live with my teammates and go to class with them has really made a true brotherhood where I will be best friends with some of these players the rest of my life,” said Beddow. “Shattuck hockey has given me the best opportunity to be the best player I can be where we have lots of open ice, skills, team workouts, and team practices every day. I’m pushing myself and the person next to me to become our best selves. Shattuck has given me a personality as a player on the ice and from every coach to push me and our team at practice every single day is such a blessing as well. I can’t explain how great Shattuck is; everything about Shattuck more than hockey has made me become such a good person. I can’t wait to keep working hard and finishing this year to give my team and I the best chance to win a national championship.
“My short-term goals are to continue to keep my grades up and have a successful season with nationals this year. My long-term goal is to continue to work to be the best player I possibly can be and make it to the NHL or to study business and take over my dad’s.”
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Words from the publisher...
How are we already just a week or so away from Thanksgiving?
The days on the calendar are just ticking away, seemingly at a rapid pace, aren’t they?
Sheesh!
On the hockey side of things, we are rocking and rolling with the season as all leagues at all levels are in full swing.
Yes, teams are coming together and we have teams winning and losing, but more importantly, those all-important lifelong bonds and memories are being created. Nothing will ever replace those.
Matt Mackinder
A few years back, our oldest son played a season of travel baseball. It was fun for him and his game improved a ton, but the biggest memories he remembers were hanging out at the beach with his teammates in between games at a tournament, gelling as friends on the bench, seeing his game take off, and just enjoying himself and the game.
Unfortunately, he broke his finger that fall playing baseball, then the pandemic happened, and baseball was suddenly a distant
memory.
Nowadays, he’s a trade school graduate and working as an HVAC apprentice. And loving it!
That’s what being thankful means to me - seeing your kids succeed and just be happy. I believe that is the key to life.
My wife and I have been married 20 years and our family is our biggest accomplishment and what our best memories encompass.
That said, let’s hear your favorite hockey stories and accomplishments. I know there is not any shortage of those!
Contact me any time at (248) 890-3944 (call/text) or shoot me an email at matt@rubberhockey.com to discuss potential advertising and publishing partnerships within these pages and online.
-- Matt
Entering fifth year, Arizona Hockey Club’s Spring Into Squirts mite graduation event gaining steam
Every April since 2021, a popular event takes place in the Phoenix area with the Spring Into Squirts mite graduation tournament, a unique event put on by the Arizona Hockey Club.
The weekend is a niche event offering full ice to 8U teams that are moving/graduating into 10U the following fall. This year’s players are 2016 birth years.
“We offer it right after the close of the current season, the conclusion of the USA Hockey National Tournament,” said AHC president Stacy Shupe. “This event is USA Hockey sanctioned. It is the first opportunity to play full-ice games after playing half/cross ice as USA hockey requires for 8U. It really is a fun event where the kids are able to spread out and
learn about more aspects of the game that they haven’t been accustomed to, like offside and icing the puck.
“In our five years doing this, we have had tremendous feedback and are attracting teams from outside the Valley. This spring should be our biggest Spring Into Squirts tournament yet and we’re very excited.”
The event offers 12-minute stop periods and medals for runner-up/champions and a banner for the winning team.
Registration is open now until March. Cost per team is $1,295 for a four-game guarantee.
For more information and to register, visit www.SpringIntoSquirtsHockey.com or email info@SpringIntoSquirtsHockey. com.
Denver native Gordon excited for opportunity to come home with commitment to NCAA D-I Colorado College
Dain Gordon grew up playing hockey in the Denver area and has spent the last several years playing prep school hockey for the Bishop Kearney Selects in Rochester, N.Y.
Recently, Gordon committed to NCAA Division I Colorado College and will head home for his college career in 2027-28 at the earliest.
“I started talking to CC on January 1 of this year and started building a nice connection with them,” said Gordon. “I toured and loved the facilities and great coaches. The 202728 season would be my first year of eligibility to play, but it’s all about when I’m ready to make the jump to college.
“What really shot out to me the most was the amazing coaching staff and strength coach. Those are big parts for me and choosing a school. Also, being close to home is great and they have great academics. Academics have always been a big part for me as they are very important for
Dain Gordon is spending his prep school days playing for the Bishop Kearney Selects in Rochester, N.Y. Photo/RCAH
I am now and set me up for the near future.”
Back home, Gordon said getting involved in the game came naturally.
“I started playing hockey because my dad loved watching it and got my brother and I into it when we were younger,” remembered Gordon. “I did learn-to-skate lessons in my hometown, Denver, and really started to love hockey.”
Gordon played for the Krivo School of Hockey Elite for seven years and then moved to the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders for two years.
school and in life.”
Gordon said he’s not sure on a major just yet.
Dan Collins, a former NHL draft pick of the Florida Panthers in 2005, is Gordon’s coach this season with the Bishop Kearney Selects’ 16U AAA team.
“Dain is a big, smart and skilled forward,” said Collins. “He possesses the puck very well and has a knack for scoring in tight to the net. We look to Dain to help provide offensive production and leadership.”
“The experience with BK has been so great for me,” noted Gordon. “I’ve really developed and took big steps in my game. The coaching here has really helped me become the player
“My coach with Krivo really helped me develop the fundamentals of skating and stick handling,” Gordon said. “With the RoughRiders, I learned a lot more about the game and developed a higher hockey IQ there.”
Looking ahead, Gordon has goals in mind that he plans to check off his list.
“Short-term goal is to win a national championship this year,” said Gordon. “I want to put on 15-20 pounds before the start of next season and really build my body. I also want to play in the USHL next year (Gordon weas selected last year in Phase I of the USHL Draft by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders). For school, I want to keep a 4.0 average. Long term is to play on a top line in college and ultimately play pro when I’m older. If hockey doesn’t work out, I want to have a job that I love doing.”
Second-year Colorado Grit player Alex German has been named captain for the NAHL franchise. Photo/Kristy Lourance
For Colorado Springs’ German, donning ‘C’ in ‘24-25 for NAHL’s Grit
‘a great honor’ for Rampage grad
Alex German came home in 2023 to play his second season of junior hockey with the NAHL’s Colorado Grit, then a first-year program.
This season, the Colorado Springs native is back for his final season of junior eligibility and was recently chosen to serve as the Grit’s captain for the 2024-25 campaign.
“It’s a great honor being able to represent this team as a captain,” said German. “Everyone is committed to getting better and pushing each other every day, and we all are ready to make a push for playoffs.”
After playing the 2022-23 season out east for the NCDC’s Northern Cyclones, where he also played AAA hockey for the previous two seasons, German decided to see what the Grit was all about.
“I was at a camp in the summer trying to find a new place to play,” German said. “I got a few tender offers and was lucky enough to get one from Colorado. Being a new team and close to home, there was no hesitation choosing to come here. Obviously, last year was our first year so there were plenty of ups and downs, but we had a great group of guys and it was a good year.
“It’s awesome being close to home for juniors. My family can come to
Centennial native, LHA, Regis Jesuit alum Ott collects monthly Atlantic Hockey America honors
Niagara senior forward Shane Ott has been been named Atlantic Hockey America’s Forward of the Month for October after a strong start to the 2024-25 season.
Ott led the team with 10 points in seven games, including two goals and eight assists. The playmaking forward recorded multiple points in four games during October, including a two-assist performance in Niagara’s 4-1 victory over RIT to close out the month.
The Centennial native averaged 1.43 points per game and helped power a Purple Eagles attack that scored four or more goals in four of their seven October games.
games easier and I can go home for holidays very easy as well. Before the Grit was an option, I was in New Hampshire playing, so that was very difficult for my family to see me play.”
Some 16 years ago, hockey became a part of German’s life and he hasn’t looked back.
“My dad is from Canada and my mom is from Minnesota, so I was definitely born into it,” said German.
“I started skating at three years old and playing hockey at four. I played for the Colorado Rampage growing up until I was 15 and then I moved away. The highlights I had playing there were getting the extra practice in the mornings before school and going to showcases with the boys. Andrew Sherman has a good relationship with my family, so he definitely was the coach that had the best impact on me.”
Going forward, German has reachable goals, on the ice and off the ice.
“My short-term goals in hockey for this year are to make a run at the playoffs with this group of guys and commit to play hockey in college,” German said. “In school, I’m going to take either kinesiology or exercise science classes and go to physical therapy school after.”
Back home, Ott played for the Front Range Panthers, Littleton Hawks and Regis Jesuit High School.
Shane Ott has been a key offensive player this season for Niagara. Photo/Robert Hayes
As the 2024-25 Western Collegiate Roller Hockey season is here, coaches and players can look back on the 2023-24 campaign as a watershed moment in the 21-year history of the organization. More at CARubberHockey.com. Photos/WCRHL (Fullerton left, Pomona right).
Golden product, Colorado girls star Jones decides on NCAA D-III New England College as next destination
Molly Jones excels on the ice and off the ice.
Playing the 2024-25 season for Team Colorado AAA, the Golden native recently committed to NCAA Division III New England College for the 2025-26 season.
NEC is located in Henniker, N.H., and Jones can’t wait to get there.
“I worked with Women’s College Hockey Recruiting and was randomly introduced to NEC pretty early on in my recruiting process,” Jones said. “After that, I was able to make it out to campus for a visit and met Coach (Mackenzie) Meegan. I absolutely
Team Colorado AAA standout Molly Jones is getting her game to be college-ready in time for the 2025-26 season.
demics have always been her top priority.
“I take pride in my academic performance,” she said. “Right now, I’m planning on getting a double major in biology and kinesiology.”
Back home, Jones’ hockey career began innocently enough.
“Originally, I was a figure skater, but my older brother played hockey,” Jones said. “I thought hockey was way better than figure skating so I begged my parents to switch. I started playing hockey with the Littleton Hockey Association.”
In addition to the Hawks and Team
loved the campus and academic programs offered at NEC. A few months later, I was offered a spot on the team and did an overnight visit where I got to meet a lot of the girls before deciding to ultimately commit there.
“Very few Division III programs offer kinesiology programs or other specific health science programs, so that was definitely a very appealing part of NEC. I also enjoy the fact that the classes at NEC are pretty small and allow students to build a stronger relationship with the staff. As for hockey, I was very impressed by the on-campus facilities and I really enjoy Coach Meegan’s coaching philosophy. I am very excited to be a part of the program and see how it grows throughout my collegiate career.”
In the classroom, Jones said aca-
Colorado, Jones has also played for the Colorado 14ers.
“I have had a lot of amazing coaches, but Jeff Towle, Hannah Westbrook, and Karen Rickard have had such a positive impact on my hockey career,” said Jones. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Going forward, it’s full steam ahead for Jones.
“I hope to become a valuable player at NEC and contribute to the success of that program,” Jones said. “I also want to finish off my senior year at TC strong and hopefully play at nationals. As for school and life, I hope to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in both biology and kinesiology and, hopefully, attend medical school after to become a physician or physical therapist.”
Photo/Be Feral Media
Arizona, California, Colorado products earn monthly honors from NCDC, USPHL
The USPHL has announced its monthly player awards for October, with a slew of California, Arizona and Colorado names earning the honors.
On the California side, Jason Zaccari of the South Shore Kings is the NCDC New England Division Defenseman of the Month, San Diego Sabers forward Liam Krupcyznski is the Pacific Premier Forward of the Month, Lake Tahoe Lakers’ Carver Alford is the Pacific Premier Defenseman of the Month, Potomac Patriots forward Yovanni Flores is the Southeast Premier Division Forward of the Month, Tampa Bay Juniors goalie Shane Passaro is the Florida Elite Division Goaltender of the Month, Northern Cyclones blueliner Matteo Johnson is the New England Elite Division Defenseman of the Month, Cycloes netminder Nick Cowles is the New England Elite Goaltender of the Month, and Hampton Roads Whalers goalie Janic Kennedy is the Southeast Elite Division Goaltender of the Month.
Zaccari (‘05/Santa Ana) is a returning Dineen Cup champion and he’s looked every bit the part, putting up three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in just 12 games to stand as the top scorer among defensemen league-wide. Zaccari has helped keep the Kings on a 13-game winning streak since they fell in their Sept. 19
TOP FROM LEFT: Jason Zaccari, Liam Krupcyznski, Carver Alford, Yovanni Flores. BOTTOM FROM LEFT: Shane Passaro, Matteo Johnson, Nick Cowles, Janic Kennedy.
opener. The Kings defense has given up only 25 shots on goal per game on average, the best number in the NCDC.
Back home, Zaccari skated for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks.
A third-year junior veteran with
two prior years of Tier II experience, Krupcyznski (‘04/San Marcos) has been a massive offensive force for the Sabers, adding nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points in 15 games from Day 1. He only missed the scoresheet once in the Sabers’ first 15 games, giving him an average of 2.13 points per game. He also led the league in shorthanded goals as of Nov. 1 with three.
In California, Krupcyznski played for the Jr. Ducks and San Diego Saints.
The 2005-born South Lake Tahoe native Alford was one of the many reasons why the Lakers were No. 1 in
points, tied with the Charlotte Rush at the top of the Premier pack, to close October. Alford put up a 5-2227 line in 17 games through the end of October, giving him an average of 1.59. He led the league’s defensemen in points, assists and shorthanded goals (two).
Prior to junior hockey, Alford played for Tahoe Prep Academy, the Golden State Elite Eagles and Vegas Jr. Golden Knights. He also spent part of the 2023-24 USPHL season with the Las Vegas Thunderbirds (now Henderson Force) and the Lakers. Flores (‘04/Los Angeles) put up 14 goals and added five assists for
19 points in his first 16 games of the season. The third-year Patriot exited October as the USPHL Premier leader in power play goals with six, including a league-best three PPG in one game on Oct. 5.
Prior to junior hockey, Flores played for the California Wave and Los Angeles Jr. Kings.
Passaro (‘04/Palm Springs) returned this year and has been in midseason form from the start, going 4-0-0 with two shutouts and a .941 save percentage. He stopped 96 of 102 shots through the end of October and held a 1.47 GAA. Leaderboardwise, he was fourth in GAA and second in shutouts. For his career, he is 17-4-0-0 with a .917 save percentage.
Johnson (‘05/Laguna Niguel) has been a fantastic addition to the defending national champion Northern Cyclones. Johnson has maintained a point-per-game average since joining the team, posting a 2-7-9 line in nine games. He also saw call-ups for two games to the Cyclones Premier team. He and teammate Jackson Bulthaup were both tied for sixth in Elite defenseman scoring.
Back home in California, Johnson played for the Goldrush, Capistrano United High School and the Jr. Ducks.
Cowles (‘05/Irvine) is an Elite veteran goaltender who came out of Oc-
tober still undefeated at 6-0-0, tying for No. 1 in Elite wins. He also had a save percentage of .924 off of 145 saves on 157 shots this season so far. Cowles joined from the Anaheim Jr.
Continued from Page 10
Ducks program, where he was once a teammate of Johnson and three additional current Cyclones.
In addition to the Jr. Ducks, Cowles also played high school hockey for JSerra and Irvine United.
Kennedy (‘04/Mission Viejo) went 7-3-0-0 over 632 minutes, stopping an amazing 329 of 349 shots for a .943 save percentage to lead the Southeast Division. He also already has two shutouts to match his 202324 full season output, including an absolute jewel of a 46-save showing against the Charlotte Rush on Oct. 26.
Kennedy has also spent time with the Jr. Ducks and Saints.
Arizona wise, Charlotte Rush blueliner Logan Walz is the Southeast Premier Division Defenseman of the Month.The second-year Premier veteran Walz (‘05/Phoenix) registered
three goals and six assists for nine points and his all-around play was a huge reason the Rush were tied for first place in the USPHL Premier as of Nov. 1. For his two-season Premier career, he has 42 points in 62 games. Back home, Walz skated for the Arizona Bobcats.
From Colorado, Bold City Battalion forward Sebastian Elrod is the Florida Premier Division Forward of the Month.
Elrod (‘04/Colorado Springs) was out of the gate like a slingshot for the Battalion, putting up six goals and five assists for 11 points in his first nine games of his second season in Jacksonville.
He improved his career total to 62 points in 54 games overall, and he enjoyed a run of 10 points in five straight games already.
Prior to junior hockey, Elrod starred for the Colorado Rampage.
For Rampage alum Pai, commitment to NCAA D-I Air Force ‘will help
Nayan Pai is a California native that played three seasons of AAA hockey with the Colorado Rampage. This season, Pai is playing junior hockey with the BCHL’s Blackfalds Bulldogs, but for the 2026-27 season, will head back to Colorado Springs after he recently committed to NCAA Division I Air Force (Atlantic Hockey America).
“This opportunity started to come at the end of last season when Air Force was out for some of my games with the Rampage,” said Pai, a native of Redwood City, Calif. “We started talking as summer came around and then I attended the Air Force Showcase. After the showcase, I went on a visit and that went really well.
“Air Force has always been a school of interest for me. At first, I was a little bit hesitant with the military side but as I found out more about the academy, it really turned out to be something that I really want to be a part of. Not only is the hockey great, but the school and culture all around is outstanding and will help set me up for life in so many different ways.”
Pai said he won’t be the first in his
set me up for life in so many ways’
family in the military as his grandfather served in the U.S. Marines.
“Nayan is a player who skated with us last spring and someone we jumped at to sign immediately,” said
Blackfalds head coach Doug Quinn.
“He is a great skater who is highly skilled. The speed and the intensity he works at makes him a difficult player to play against.
Colorado Rampage alum Nayan Pai is skating the 2024-25 season for the BCHL’s Blackfalds Bulldogs. Photo/Scott Stimson
“Nayan is a great teammate and we are excited to have him. His commitment to Air Force is well deserved.” Bulldogs director of hockey operations Al Parada also chimed in, saying, “We’re very excited about Nayan’s commitment to Air Force. He has worked hard this summer for his D-I commitment. We are excited for him to be a part of the Bulldogs and continue his hockey journey as we get him prepared for the next level of hockey.”
So far this season with the Bulldogs, Pai is adjusting to the junior hockey game and has his eye on improving daily.
“Now it’s time to keep developing and getting better every day,” Pai said. “It’s definitely less stressful now with having my commitment, but the work never stops. I always want to work harder every day and be the best version of myself that I possibly can. I also want to help my team win a championship in junior hockey.”
Logan Walz Sebastian Elrod
Westminster native McKernan finding right fit for start of junior hockey career in Wyoming with NA3HL’s Wild
At the end of the 2023-24 hockey season, Michael McKernan had a goal to play junior hockey for the 2024-25 season.
Enter the NA3HL’s Gillette Wild.
“The GM (Ethan Hayes) had reached out to me and it felt like a great fit,” said McKernan of the Wyoming-based team. “The year before, they had a great year going into the semifinals for the league championship. My billets are great and they made it feel just like home, so there was no adjustment needed.
“We started the year with a rough start but have found our groove. Personally, I’ve been thriving because of the play style and physicality of the league. Both fit right into my own play style.”
Growing up in Westminster, McKernan got the itch for the game at a young age.
“My sisters both played hockey, so I was always dragged to the rink and that made me fall in love with the game,” McKernan said. “I’ve always been an Avs fan so growing up, the dream was always to play for them one day.”
Playing for the Hyland Hills Jaguars, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders and Colorado Thunderbirds, McKernan said coaches Peter Cardasis, Tyson Davis and Gary Pedigo were always positive influences on him.
Above all, McKernan said “my teammates” are what he’ll remember most about youth hockey back home.
Looking ahead, McKernan said his goals are to play college hockey and get a degree.
Colorado youth hockey graduate Michael McKernan has found his niche at the junior hockey level playing the 2024-25 season with the NA3HL’s Gillette Wild. Photo/Molly Diderrich
Junior hockey with USPHL’s Battalion bolstering Parker native Woolverton’s game between pipes
Born in Denver, Kael Woolverton grew up in Parker and worked to solidify his game as a goaltender.
After his 15U season, a few setbacks left him without a team, so Woolverton sought an opportunity in Florida.
This season, he has stayed in Florida to play junior hockey with the USPHL’s Bold City Battalion, a team based in Jacksonville.
“The opportunity to play with Bold City happened when I met the current coach at a tryout in Tampa for another junior team,” said Woolverton. “I personally reached out to him for any feedback from the tryout and stayed in touch with him. When I finished my youth career, I was looking for a team and reached out about any open goalie spots for the upcoming year. He invited me to a couple of skates and afterwards during an interview with him, he mentioned how I had
improved since the first time he saw me and wanted me to sign with the team.
“Since I have been on the team, I have loved the competitiveness of the players, on and off the ice. The team atmosphere and camaraderie are great to show up to every day at the rink. The coaches are great and have really helped my game progress.”
Last season with the South Florida Golden Wolves program, Woolverton found success in many areas.
“My last season was really good,” Woolverton said. “My team went 469-2 and won our state tournament and went to nationals. It was a great year for development on the ice and as a person. I looked forward to every day I was on the ice and being around my teammates. During the season, I learned a lot about myself and how to grow as a person. I learned how to be a better teammate, family member,
and person in society.”
Truth be told, hockey wasn’t always Woolverton’s No. 1 sport.
“I started wrestling when I was about four, following in my dad’s footsteps, and after the first season, I had to have a surgical procedure to repair a hernia and decided wrestling was not my passion,” he said. “I had also tried soccer, but it was one day when I was at the rec center in Parker and saw some kids playing roller hockey and thought it looked fun, so my parents signed me up for a learnto-skate program when I was six and the following year, I was playing 8U intermediate hockey for the Littleton Hawks.”
When he looks back on his days in Colorado, Woolverton can’t help but smile.
“While I was playing in Colorado, I made a lot of great friendships and memories,” said Woolverton. “One of my favorite memories was when
I played my first AAA game during a showcase in Arizona. I was nervous, but I knew I had what it took to play great and win. At the end of the game, we lost, but I was still happy with how I played and how the team did. I also remember the first time ever playing at Magness Arena and playing on the same ice as my favorite college team.”
With the 2024-25 USPHL season in full swing, Woolverton has attainable goals in mind going forward.
“My goal for this season is to help my team make it to nationals and, hopefully, win a national title,” Woolverton said. “As part of that goal, I want to be one of the top goalies for the USPHL Elite level. My current longer-term goal is to play college hockey and acquire skills that will help me both on and off the ice throughout my life.”
Read more at CORubberHockey.com and ColoradoHockey.net!
Kael Woolverton has been improving his junior hockey game in Florida with the USPHL’s Bold City Battalion. Photo/Chris Grafton
Elrod improving game with USPHL’s Battalion as Colorado Springs native enjoying Year 2 down in Jacksonville
Sebastian Elrod saw everything fall into place last season when the Colorado Springs native advanced to junior hockey with the USPHL’s Bold City Battalion.
This season, he’s back for his second season with the Jacksonville, Fla.-based franchise.
“(In 2023), I was looking for a USP team and saw there was a team in Jax,” said Elrod. “I happened to have family in Jax and who wouldn’t want to play in Florida? The thing that stands out the most is probably how close our team is off the ice.
“Last year was one of the most fun years I’ve had on a team level. It was like a family last year. On a personal level, I think I grew as a person so much. It was pretty cool.”
Elrod said he started out years back in roller hockey and the passion grew
from there.
“I started by just skating around at Skate City and my first coach Jesse Tuttle asked me if I wanted to play rec,” said Elrod. “I played for the Colorado Rampage my whole life.
I had a lot of coaches help me out, honestly. CJ Yoder, Andrew Sherman, Brett Clark, and Mario Puskarich from that program really stood out and helped me more than anyone grow as a person and a player.
“I think I’ll remember playing at Rampage the most and relationships I made from playing there.”
Looking ahead, Elrod has goals that he wants to chase.
“Short-term goal would be to win nattys this year; our team has been a wagon recently,” Elrod said. “Long term is to just get paid to play at some point. That’d be sick.”
Sebastian Elrod gets pumped after scoring a highlight-reel goal earlier this season for the USPHL’s Bold City Battalion. Photo provided
Fort Collins native, NCYH,
Tigers alum Marvici developing game at junior hockey level with USPHL’s Whalers
Blake Marvici wound up playing junior hockey last season for the USPHL’s Hampton Roads Whalers in Virginia by way of a connection from back home in Colorado.
This season, the Fort Collins native is back with the Whalers.
“My coach here with Hampton (CJ Sweigart) coached with the Colorado Tigers my first year of 18U,” said Marvici. “He wasn’t my coach during that year; he was with the 16U team. When he left and came over to Hampton, he offered me a spot a few months later and I saw it as a good opportunity to move on to junior hockey from youth hockey and begin that next chapter of my career. The unlimited ice time we have at the rink was a huge deal when I was deciding where to play. Over two hours of practice and tons of open ice we have has been big for my development. The staff we have here has been incredible, too.
“Leaving home for the first time last year was not an easy thing to do. It was a huge adjustment having to figure a lot of things out on my own. My billet family has been great and treated me like I’m a part of their family. That made everything so much easier for me.”
Back home, Marvici said he started playing hockey at the age of seven and was instantly hooked. Marvici played youth hockey for NCYH in his early days and then AAA hockey in Colorado Springs for the Tigers.
Read the rest at CORubberHockey.com and ColoradoHockey.net!
Blake Marvici is seeing his game take off with the USPHL’s Hampton Roads Whalers. Photo/Home & Away Photos
