California Rubber Magazine - April 2016

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 8 APRIL 2016

Attracting the very best youth hockey

programs under the bright lights of

Los Angeles

Tournament SeriesTinseltownHockeyTournaments.com

After a 20-year drought with no rink in Santa Barbara, the brand-new Ice in

Paradise opened last October and the community is rallying around the new

fixture like never before

ROYALS BRING HOME INAUGURAL LAKHSHL CHAMPIONSHIP SLEW OF CALIFORNIA TEAMS SHOW WELL ON NATIONAL STAGE

LA MIRADA’S DE LEO MAKES NHL DEBUT WITH WINNIPEG JETS

SEVEN IN-STATE INLINE SQUADS READY TO PLAY FOR AIHL TITLES

CARubberHockey.com 3

15U AAA TRYOUTSMAY 10-11

ALL AA TEAM TRYOUTSMAY 13-15

You’ve heard about our program – now see what we’re all about!

Experience coaching by some of the best tier coaches in the state

VISIT GOLDENSTATEELITEHOCKEY.ORG/TRYOUTS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

California Rubber Hockey Magazine4

The month of April is always tough for every-one as it means seasons have ended on most

levels.In the NCAA ranks, two California natives –

Soren Jonzzon (Mountain View native, played youth for Blackhawks, Cougars, San Jose Jr. Sharks) and Alex Miner-Barron (Glendora na-tive, played for California Wave, Los Angeles Jr. Kings) – made it to the Frozen Four champion-ship game with Quinnipiac University, only to fall 5-1 to the University of North Dakota back on April 9 down in Tampa, Fla.

On a brighter note, San Diego native and former Jr. Gulls goaltender Thatcher Demko walked away with the Mike Richter Award on April 8 as the top goalie in all of Division I. He

fashioned a 27-8-4 record with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, in addition to 10 shutouts.

At the NCAA D-III level, La Verne native Jono Davis won a national champi-onship with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Pointers defeated St. Norbert College 5-1 on March 26 to claim the title. Davis was fifth in team scoring with 17 goals and 29 points in 28 games.

Also on the national stage, three women’s teams from the state took part in USA Hockey National Championship Tournaments earlier this month in Blaine, Minn.

At the Women’s B level, the Anaheim Lady Ducks and San Jose Lady Sharks represented well, while the SoCal Westside Shockers and L.A. Traffic proved their worth at the Women’s C division.

The Lady Sharks went 3-0 at the event, but fell 5-1 to eventual champion Honeybaked in the quarterfinals, while the Lady Ducks were stymied in their three games and did not pick up a win.

Both the Shockers and Traffic earned berths in the quarterfinals, but lost to the O’Leary Hawks and Midwest Mustangs, respectively. The Traffic finished first in their pool with an overtime win, regulation loss and overtime loss and the Shockers went 1-2-0 in their pool round robin.

Congratulations to both teams on terrific seasons!

Two former Jr. Kings - forward Nolan Stevens and goaltender Evan Sar-thou - were recognized by NHL Central Scouting on its final rankings of 2016 draft-eligibles, which were released in mid-April.

Stevens, who just wrapped up his sophomore season at Northeastern Uni-versity (Hockey East), is listed No. 209 among North American skaters. In 41 games this year, Stevens struck for 42 points on 20 goals and 22 assists.

Sarthou just completed his third season with the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans and is tabbed No. 12 among North American goaltenders. In 60 appearances on the year, Sarthou fashioned a 26-28-2 record to compli-ment a 3.46 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage.

The 2016 NHL Draft will be conducted on June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y.Another ex-Jr. King, forward Kailer Yamamoto, is part of the U.S. National

Under-18 Team competing at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 World Championship from April 14-24 in Grand Forks, N.D.

Yamamoto is also looked at as a potential top pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Corona native Cayla Barnes, who just finished her junior season of prep school hockey at New Hampton School in New Hampshire, was named the All-USA Girls Player of the Year, as selected by USA Today High School Sports.

A slick defender headed to Boston College in 2017, Barnes scored 12 goals and added 23 assists in 28 games while leading the Huskies to the Lakes Region League title and the No. 6 seed in the Division I New England Prep tournament.

What’s more is that Barnes interrupted her season to play for the United States at January’s Under-18 World Championship in St. Catharines, Ont., where she led the tournament with a plus-10 rating and was tied for the tour-nament lead with six assists as Team USA won gold.

Contact Matt Mackinder at [email protected]

At Ice in Paradise, Isabella Brown pulls Kennedy Frisell as part of a sled-pull drill. Both players are part of the Majors in the GYHL Ice in Paradise in-house league (2004 birth years) and also play on the Santa Barbara Islanders tournament team in the Pee Wee age group. Photo/Michael Blake

publisher: Brian McDonoughsenior editor: Matt Mackinder

inline editor: Phillip Brentssenior designer: Julie Wilson

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CHAMPIONS

The Desert Blaze came out on top of the Squirt B Division at the recent CAHA A/B State Championships at Sharks Ice in San Jose. Check out our coverage of the event – and see who the other eight state title winners were – on Pages 8 and 12.

FROM THE EDITOR

ON THE COVER

Matt Mackinder

The national stage continues to shine on California teams, players

On Page 32 in the March issue of California Rubber Magazine, we inadvertently identified the L.A. Traffic as the Women’s C champions at the Pacific District Championships, when in fact the SoCal Westside Shockers were the Women’s C champions. California Rubber Magazine acknowledges and regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience.


By John B. Spigott

Champions have been crowned at all levels throughout the state of California, and with an al-

most even split of winners between north and south, the California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) is happy with the level of competitiveness at the Tier II and A/B levels.

CAHA board member Chris Hathaway said of the 13 age levels ranging from Tier II 18U to Squirt B that held state playoffs, eight champions were from the north and five were from the south, some-thing that Hathaway feels is a good sign for parity on a state-wide level.

“The competitiveness in both the AA and the A/B state playoffs, a lot of those games went into overtime or were one- or two-goal games,” said Hathaway. “The fact AA and A/B is so competitive when you get to state playoffs is a great thing. You want that parity to make the trip worthwhile for ev-eryone, and that seems to be happening, and once the new Player Development Requirement (PDR) rules are instituted, it should mean more parity for ev-eryone.

“I think it shows we’re going in the right direction.”The changes to the PDR (meaning for next sea-

son, at least 25 percent of players in each organi-zation come from within that program) will occur at all levels throughout the state except for 18U. That 25 percent PDR will increase to 50 percent for the

2017-18 season, and is something Hathaway said will further serve to strengthen and develop programs throughout the state.

“The PDR change is a positive because it will help some of the smaller clubs retain their players,” said Hathaway. “The top kids will always be able to find a Tier I team to play on, and we want our Tier I teams to have Tier I players from top to bottom. Now, you can have situations where maybe seven or eight kids are

Tier I caliber, but you have seven or eight others that are probably Tier II.”

An even balance between the north and south wasn’t always the case, and isn’t something Hatha-way is taking for granted. He feels that the emer-gence of Northern California at the A/B level is partly the byproduct of a trickle-down effect that shows that the system is doing a better job of getting players in

California participating at the level that properly re-flects their skill set.

“I think that for a while, Southern California was winning the vast majority of these state champion-ships,” said Hathaway. “But now there is a lot more parity and the north is winning more at the AA and now the A/B level. It’s good to see because that par-ity wasn’t always there.”

One difference between the AA and A/B level that Hathaway would like to take a closer look at is the different tournament formats that are currently in place. The AA state tournaments are all double-elimi-nation formats, meaning that each team is eliminated as soon as they suffer two losses. At the A/B level, those tournaments are still traditional round-robin, guaranteeing teams a minimum of three games.

“What we found at the AA level was that when we do the round-robin, more often than not, the last round-robin game either meant nothing or a team could gain an advantage by losing the game,” said Hathaway. “So we decided to move to a double-elim-ination format where you lose two, you go home. At the A/B level, though, to make some of those teams travel and only play two games where now they are getting three automatically, I kind of feel if we’re do-ing it at AAA and AA, one way we should be doing it that same way at A/B, but we will have to see what happens.”

A full list of state champions is available on the CAHA website.

CAHA pleased with Tier II parity among teams in ’15-16CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

CAHA.com


By Greg Ball

Erik Norton was five years old when he attended his first city council meet-ing, a rabid hockey fan and a budding Mite player who wanted nothing more

than a hometown rink.More than 20 years later, with many stops and starts along the way, that vi-

sion finally became a reality last fall, and Norton intends to fully take advantage of the dream that he and so many others in the Santa Barbara area have been waiting for so long.

The opening last October of Ice in Paradise, a sparkling 46,500 square-foot facility in the Santa Barbara suburb of Goleta, has sparked a boom of interest in hockey and figure skating in not only the greater Santa Barbara area, but also up California’s Central Coast. It has reinvigorated enthusiasts in an area that has a surprising passion for ice sports, and it’s easy to project how the new arena could promote growth in the years ahead.

“Dreams can come true,” said Norton, now the youth hockey director at Ice in Paradise. “My dream, and the dream of a bunch of my friends that I grew up playing hockey with, was to have an ice rink in our town. We have that now, and we’re extremely thankful for all the people that put so much time, money and effort into making this a reality.”

For years, hockey players in the Santa Barbara area, a region with approximate-ly 200,000 people, would have to drive 45 minutes or more - to places like Oxnard or Valencia - to find a sheet of ice, or played roller hock-ey if commuting to a faraway rink wasn’t feasible. Around the early 1990s, some local residents began an effort to build a rink, but various hur-dles kept the project from getting off the ground. Even-tually, businessman and lo-cal hockey supporter Jack Norqual stepped to the forefront of the project and brought in late Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider to spearhead a fundraising campaign.

The efforts and connec-tions of Norqual and Snider, among many others, led to land being donated to the not-for-profit effort, and two years ago, the first shovel went in the ground. The are-na - which features a NHL-sized rink and a smaller sheet of ice, along with all the amenities one would expect in a brand new, world-class facility - opened in October 2015 to swarms of hockey players and figure skaters who couldn’t wait to lace up their skates.

“There were a lot of people waiting with hockey sticks in hand,” said Larry Bruyere, the general manager of Ice in Paradise and a veteran of the hockey world who has managed rinks in Oxnard, Valencia and Van Nuys, among other places, during his nearly three decades in the sport. He noted that the area had a rink through the early 1980s, and while it fell into disrepair and eventually closed, the region’s passion for hockey never waned.

The activity at Ice in Paradise has been nearly non-stop since its doors opened. Its adult league far exceeded expectations for participation, with 24 teams registering. It is the home ice for UC Santa Barbara’s club team and host-ed a college tournament in February. The Santa Barbara Royals of the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League call the rink home, and recently won the league’s first championship.

There is also an in-house youth hockey program, and a new youth program, the Santa Barbara Icehawks, is set to begin play in the Southern California Am-ateur Hockey Association this fall. Bruyere said the Icehawks are expected to

have Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam teams in their first season, and tryouts will be held in June.

In the coming years, the Icehawks could expand to offer teams from Mites to Midgets and possibly grow to offer multiple teams at each age group. Norton can also foresee high school hockey becoming popular enough that the area’s three large high schools each have their own team. Currently, the Royals draw players from each of the three schools.

“It’s hard to say how fast the program will grow, but the only thing that will likely slow us down is available ice time,” Bruyere said. “But we’ll just start ear-lier and finish later every day. And the smaller rink we have is great for doing some of the things that the American Development Model and USA Hockey suggest - it works very well for all levels. We’re a not-for-profit organization, and our goal is to keep things affordable for families.”

When Steve Heinze completed his 12-year NHL career after playing the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, he moved

to Santa Barbara to be close to family. After get-ting his kids into schools and settling in, the Mas-sachusetts native’s next thoughts turned to hock-ey.

“I thought to myself, ‘Where’s the rink? Let me get involved,’” Heinze recalled. “I came across the website for Ice in Par-adise and immediately set up a meeting with John Ewasiuk, who was an

original board member and has become a good friend. I got to know the people in the hockey community here.”

Heinze now coaches the Royals in the Kings high school league, and said he’ll be involved as much as possible in the Icehawks program. He’ll help coach his youngest son, 10-year-old Eli, and will serve as a coach overseeing the devel-opment of all the program’s teams and players.

“Where I grew up, we had three rinks in our home-town, so having this rink here makes it sort of feel

like home for me, and we didn’t have half the population of Santa Barbara,” Heinze said with a laugh. “I think this will benefit generations to come. You can see the energy and the passion for the game. It’s very fulfilling to be part of the whole process and to imagine where it can go from here.”

One unplanned benefit to Ice in Paradise completing its two-decade quest to open its doors is that it comes at a time when the rink in Oxnard is closing. Players in that area have a handful of options for nearby rinks, and some are choosing to play in Goleta.

It would be hard to argue that hockey in the Santa Barbara area has a bright future, and it has the potential to transform an area that has long had a quiet passion for the sport into a hockey hotbed. In March, Norton’s team in top level of the Santa Barbara Adult Hockey League won the league’s first championship playing in the arena that the 27-year-old had dreamed of since he could barely stand on skates. He said it was a surreal experience, and he’s bullish on of hockey in his hometown.

“It’s amazing,” Norton said. “Every day, I wake up with a big smile on my face and it stays with me until I go to bed at night. You can see the passion in the kids that I work with every day, and it brings me back to the excitement I had for the sport as that young kid wanting a place to play.”

Boom TownSanta Barbara area sees explosive growth thanks to new rink 20 years in the making

When Ice in Paradise opened six months ago in Goleta, it did so to an overwhelming, positive response from the Santa Barbara area and surrounding communities. It now houses 24 adult teams and a slew of youth and high school clubs as well. Photo/ /Michael Blake


By Greg Ball

Three teams from California represented the Golden State at the USA Hockey Tier II Youth

Nationals in late April and early March, and while none brought home national championship tro-phies, all represented their state well.

Tier II Boys – 18UGolden State Elite put on a respectable show-

ing in Amherst, N.Y., with a 2-1 record in the na-tional tournament.

The Eagles opened with a 4-1 victory over the Tri-City Eagles from Maryland on March 31, jumping out to a one-goal lead after the first pe-riod and a 3-0 advantage by midway through the second. Benjamin Kottmeier scored two goals and added an assist, while Ryan McAuliffe and Kellen Ireland also found the back of the net. Derek Ellingson contributed two helpers, and Davis Holmes and Tristan Waechter each had one. Carson Murison stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced in goal.

On April 1, Golden State Elite made things interesting, needing to go to a shootout for a 2-1 win over Team Ohio. The Eagles scored first, thanks to a Waechter goal. They kept their op-ponents off the scoreboard until the final 1:04 of regulation when Team Ohio scored a shorthand-ed goal and forced overtime.

The teams went scoreless through the extra period, and the Eagles outscored their opponents 2-1 in the shootout. Murison was a stone wall again in net, saving 25 of 26 shots and giving his teammates a chance to win it in the shootout.

The Eagles’ good fortune ran out the next day, however, when they were eliminated from the tournament with a 2-1 loss to the St. Clair Shores Saints from Michigan, who advanced all the way to the championship game. The Saints scored first in the first period, and the Eagles tied it up on an Ellingson goal in the second. The Saints came back, though, and took the lead later in the second and the Eagles couldn’t catch up.

Tier II Boys – 16UThe OC Hockey Club

went 3-1 in the 16U state tournament in Wayne, N.J.

On March 31, they beat the New Jersey Bandits 4-3 despite trailing by two goals early in the third period. Alec Grace scored on an assist from Hunter Norris in the first period, and Norris stepped up with two third-period goals, including what proved to be the game winner. Isaac Schus-ter also scored in the third. Grace registered two assists and Jared Laba-die stopped 20 shots in goal.

They secured a 5-3 victory over the Howard Huskies from Maryland on April 1, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Grace scored twice, and Smith, Jake Brubaker and Zachary Carnes also lit the

lamp, while goalie Angus Hill made 28 saves.OC Hockey Club’s 1-0 loss on April 2 came

in double overtime, and Labadie kept them alive that long by stopping 25 shots.

Their run came to an end with a 5-4 loss to the eventual state runner-up Oakland Jr. Griz-zlies on April 3. Despite rallying from a two-goal deficit in the third to tie the score, they allowed a late score. Grace, Smith, Norris and Brian Clem

all scored, and Carnes had three as-sists.

Tier II Boys – 14UAt the 14U nationals in

Charlotte, N.C., the Anaheim Jr. Ducks played three close

games, but came home win-less.

On March 31, they suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Tampa Scorpi-ons. John Mulvihill scored on an assist from Parker James.

They dropped a 3-1 decision to the Hershey Jr.

Bears from Pennsylvania on April 1, with the lone goal coming

from Bryson Fletcher and assisted by James and Zachary Lane. Nathan

Lane made 25 saves. On April 2, the Jr. Ducks fell to the Highland Park Falcons of Illinois, 4-3 in overtime. They got goals from Mulvihill, Ty-ler Kurth and Connor McMahan, while Lane stopped 23 shots in goal.

California Tier II boys teams solid on national stages


By Greg Ball

The second weekend in April brought the CAHA State A and B Championships to Sharks Ice in

San Jose, and nine teams went home toting champi-onship banners.

Following is a breakdown of each of those teams and how they were crowned champions.

Midget A 18U - Tri-Valley Blue DevilsThe Blue Devils captured a second consecutive

midget 18U state title with an impressive performance in the state championship tour-nament. The opened on April 8 with a 9-4 win over the Jr. Flyers, then skated to an 11-0 romp over the Heat the next day. Lat-er on April 9, they suffered their only loss of the tournament, a 4-3 defeat to the Blackhawks in a shootout. On April 10, they responded in a rematch with the Blackhawks, securing a 3-1 vic-tory in the championship game.

The Blue Devils roster in-cludes forwards Garrett Fitz-gerald, Jacob Colombo, Alejandro Lorono, Brian O’Connell, Joseph Schott, Jered Stevenson, Parker Stone, Dana Stoneman and Matt Zukoski; defensemen Tyler Asbury, Tiegen Bag-nall, Tyler Dawson, Jeremy Goldhawk and Josh Wood; and goalie Robert Lucas. Coaches John Burgess and Todd Lyijynen were assisted by Mark Goldhawk and Wil-liam Stone.

“I am very proud of everything this team has accomplished this year,” Burgess said. “When we completed our tryouts, we knew we had a good group of play-ers, and as the season unfolded we could see that we had the chance to be part of something very special. We had five return-ing players from our state cham-pionship-winning team from last year and 10 new players to the team. The core of the team has played their entire minor hockey career at Tri-Valley, and we had some players return to Tri-Valley for their final season.”

Midget A 16U - San Jose Jr. SharksThe Jr. Sharks won one of their two A/B state titles

by going a perfect 4-0 in the tournament. On April 8, they opened with a 6-5 triumph over the Jr. Monsters and on April 9, they secured a 4-1 victory over the Cougars. A 6-5 overtime victory later that day against the Jets, their rivals from Vacaville, got them into the championship game, and the next afternoon, their power-play exploded for a 6-1 title game win over the Jr. Monsters.

The Jr. Sharks roster includes forwards Hen-ry Chavez, Todd Thompson Jr., Gio Tarantino, Mykhaylo Ivchenko, Tyler Jue, J.P. King, Mason Hackel, Justin Sternad, Erik Larsson and John Luo; defensemen Alex Maass, Carter Tetherow,

Mitchell Elliott, Cole Montoya, Paul Luo and Stephen Fleck; and goalies Alan Maupas-Reigel and Dylan Kamleiter.

“Winning a state championship is the ultimate prize at the A level,” Jr. Sharks coach Tyler Glos-ki said. “Winning it is the ultimate feeling of accom-plishment as a group, and it solidifies the bond you’ve formed over the course of the season.

“They have completely gelled as a unit over the course of the year and now they have accomplished the very lofty goals they set for themselves. In five tournaments, we reached the championship game

four times (winning the Chicago Midwinter Classic, and states).”

Bantam A - Capital ThunderThe Thunder didn’t leave much margin for error,

but they rumbled home with a state championship banner nonetheless. They had to go to a shootout in their opening game, a 3-2 win over the SDIA Oilers on April 8, and on April 9, they edged the Anaheim Jr. Ducks 2-1. They gave themselves some breathing room and punched their ticket to the championship game with a 3-0 win over the Jets later on the 9th, but in a rematch for the title, they were back to their nail-biting ways, skating to a 4-3 triumph.

The Thunder’s roster includes forwards Francis Flood, Curtis P. Fox, Hunter Getchel, Hunter Hall, Keoni Harris, Hayden Kapanen, Nolan Mc-

Mahon and Dominic Pollizzi; defensemen Samu-el Gaiduchik, Paul Khayet, Carson Schumm and Brandon M. Villaflor; and goalie Damon Leaf.

“These guys really played hard,” Thunder coach Mike Getchel said. “Man for man, we weren’t usually the best team out there, but they played hard and nev-er gave up. We had a real small roster - we had only 10 kids when we won NorCals. Most of the kids were older, which was a big factor because they had been through it before. They really never gave up.”

Bantam B - Santa Rosa FlyersThe Flyers took off early and

never looked back en route to their state championship. A 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Jr. Ducks got them started on April 8, and they surged to a 6-2 win over the Dragons on lat-er that night. A 4-0 defeat to the Colts on April 9 put a wrench in their momentum, but they had already done enough to secure second place in their pool, and they bounced back to beat the Colts 3-2 in the title tilt on Sun-day for the team’s second state championship in three years.

The Flyers roster includes forwards Kieran Andrews, Cole Charbonnier, Mason Glantz, Jake Herman, Josh-ua Kaspar, Taj Krieger, Toby Petrus, Zander Sadorra, Ma-son Siemsen, Mathew Sigel, Henry Winter and Logan Zim-merman; defensemen Hayden Bradley, Gordon Brodeur, Ally Kuehn and Kyle Ride-nour; and goalie Colton Lo-manto.

“We knew we had a core of experienced players who could take us far, depending on the development of some of the core players,” Flyers coach Mike Kovanis said. “Things started to come together well as the season progressed. We went to some tournaments that were pretty competitive, but we wanted to push ourselves, and knew it would be good for our kids in the long run. They came to understand what it was like to play against tough competition

and in high-pressure games.”

Pee Wee A - Channel Islands RiptideThe Riptide ripped through the Pee Wee A division

at the state championship tournament, outscoring its opponents 26-9 over the course of four games. They kicked it off with a 7-6 victory in overtime over the Blue Devils on April 8, and the next morning, eased to a 6-1 win over the Black Stars. Later on April 9, they secured the top position in their pool with another 6-1 win, this one over the L.A. Jr. Kings. In Sunday’s championship game, they knocked off the Black Stars 7-1.

The Riptide are coached by Ryan Kalan, with as-sistance from Brian Vogel. The roster includes

Continued on Page 12

Jr. Sharks, Flyers each secure two CAHA A/B state titles

Capital Thunder coach Mike Getchel said his Bantam A squad “really played hard” en route to leaving San Jose with a state title earlier this month.

The Tri-Valley Blue Devils added 10 new players this season, but still won an 18U A state championship earlier this month in San Jose.


La Mirada’s De Leo sleepless prior to NHL debut with JetsBy Chris Bayee

Who needs sleep?Chase De Leo didn’t, at least when the Winnipeg Jets called him up to

make his NHL debut March 20 against the Anaheim Ducks, the team he grew up rooting for.

A first-year pro with the Manitoba Moose (the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate), the forward from La Mirada had just played back-to-back games at Lake Erie on March 18-19.

“It was funny,” De Leo recalled. “We had a 4 a.m. flight back to Winnipeg, so we all decided to go out for a late dinner. When I got back to the hotel, there was no point sleeping. I’d be more tired if I slept an hour or two.”

Shortly after 6 a.m. on March 20, the team made a connection in the Twin Cit-ies, and that’s when De Leo found out about the callup.

“I was so exhausted, but I was so excited, especially when I found out we were playing the Ducks,” he said. “It was super cool to have the opportunity.”

De Leo continued to Winnipeg, where the NHL game was, and upon landing, grabbed his sticks and bag and headed to the MTS Center. He finished plus-1 versus the Ducks and played again two nights later at home against Vancouver, a game in which his parents, John and Janie, were able to attend.

One of De Leo’s youth coaches, Rick Kelly, watched his protégé’s debut on TV in, ironically enough, Portland, where De Leo played in the Western Hockey League.

“Watching him compete was incredible – his jump with no sleep was im-pressive,” Kelly said. “The amazing thing with Chase is he keeps proving people wrong. I’m so proud of him.”

At the close of the regular season, De Leo was tied for the Moose lead in goals (19) and was second in points (40).

“Any league you play in, you have to respect, and I knew how tough it was go-ing to be in the AHL, so I used that as motivation,” De Leo. “People are competing to support themselves and their families. It’s helped to keep that in mind. You can’t take a night off.”

Especially when the NHL calls.

2015-16 SCAHA A/B Champions

2015-16 Nor Cal A/B Champions

Midget 18U A - Valencia Jr. FlyersBantam A - Anaheim Jr. Ducks 1Bantam B - Anaheim Jr. DucksPee Wee A - Channel Islands RiptidePee Wee B - Pasadena Maple LeafsSquirt A - Anaheim Jr. Ducks 1Squirt BB - Ice Dogs Hockey Club 2Squirt B - Desert Blaze

Midget 18U A - Santa Clara BlackhawksMidget 16U A - Vacaville Jets

Bantam A - Capital ThunderBantam B - Stockton Colts

Pee Wee A - Redwood City Black StarsPee Wee B - Santa Clara Blackhawks

Squirt A - San Jose Jr. SharksSquirt BB - San Jose Jr. Sharks 2

Squirt B - Tri–Valley Blue Devils


By John B. Spigott

California was well represented at this year’s USA Hockey 16U Tier I Youth Nationals,

sending five teams to compete across three dif-ferent age levels.

The Los Angeles Jr. Kings captured the Pacif-ic District title and earned the right to represent the region in Anchorage, Alaska, from March 31–April 4, while two California teams par-ticipated in each of the 16U AAA and 18U AAA tournaments held in San Jose – the host San Jose Jr. Sharks joined the Jr. Kings in the 16U division, while the Anaheim Jr. Ducks and the host Jr. Sharks took the ice in 18U.

In Anchorage, the 14U Jr. Kings played an extremely tight round-robin with three low-scoring games. The Jr. Kings kicked off the tournament with a 2-1 shootout win over the fourth-ranked New Jersey Colonials be-fore dropping a 2-0 decision to the eventu-al tournament runner-up Boston Jr. Eagles. With a trip to the playoffs on the line, the Jr. Kings fell 2-1 to the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in a shootout to end their season.

“We didn’t have a lot of offense going in those three games, but on the defensive side of the puck, we were really strong,” said Jr. Kings coach Shawn Pitcher. “But that’s the game, and that’s part of the whole learning process. This was a big stage for our kids, and I think con-fidence-wise, it’s huge because we were right with everyone there.

“As a 14-year-old, if you can compete like we

were able to at that level, I have to think our guys were able to walk away from that tournament feeling good that they are able to go up against the top kids in the country.”

In San Jose, the 16U Jr. Kings also went 1-2 in pool play, narrowly missing out on the playoff round. After a 3-2 loss to Detroit Honeybaked in the opener, the Jr. Kings were downed by the

Colorado Thunderbirds 4-1 before closing out the tournament with a 5-1 win over Team North Dakota.

“I thought our kids played outstanding,” said Jr. Kings coach Jack Bowkus. “I thought we played our best hockey of the season, and it just came down to a few bad bounces and a little bit of bad luck that kept us out of the playoffs. Obvi-

ously, it’s a little disappointing not being able to advance into the playoff round at nationals, but it was an awesome opportunity for our kids that I think is really going to stay with them for a long time, and it helps them understand the level of hockey that’s out there.”

As hosts of the 16U and 18U tournaments, the Jr. Sharks were able to field teams in both

divisions and while neither team was able to crack the playoff round, Jon Gustafson, vice president of Sharks Sports and Enter-tainment and Sharks Ice, says both teams were on the cusp of breaking through.

The 16U Jr. Sharks split their first two games, dropping the opener 7-0 to eventual tournament runner-up Victory Honda before bouncing back to double up the North Jer-sey Avalanche 4-2. With a chance to make the playoffs with a win, the Jr. Sharks fell 5-0 to Team Wisconsin.

“I thought both our teams played ex-tremely well,” said Gustafson.

At 18U, both the Jr. Sharks and the Ana-heim Jr. Ducks went winless in the tourna-ment. The Jr. Sharks fell to Shattuck-St. Mary’s, to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins Elite and to the Chicago Fury. The

Jr. Ducks dropped three straight to the CCYH Selects, Buffalo and Tampa Scorpions.

“We were not out of place at all, and I’m really happy our kids were able to experience an event of this caliber,” said Gustafson. “At the national championship level, everything is kind of kicked up a notch, so for them to be able to be a part of that is something really special.”

Mixed results for California boys at Tier I nationals

Los Angeles Jr. Kings goaltender Jagger Denys makes a pad save at the USA Hockey 16U Tier I Youth Nationals earlier this month in San Jose. Photo/Joe Naber


Pacific DistrictPlayer Development Camp

May 5 - 8 . Sharks Ice, San Jose, Calif.California and Nevada Selections

# Will participate in the Western Regional Multi-District High Performance Camp, along with other 2002 birth year players from the Rocky Mountain, Pacific and Northern Plains Districts,

from June 18-23 in Colorado Springs.

* All girls age groups will participate in the Western Regional Multi-District Player Develop-ment/Evaluation Camp, along with other girls from the Rocky Mountain, Pacific and Northern

Plains Districts, from June 11-16 in Colorado Springs.

NOTE: The Land of Enchantment Amateur Hockey Association was unable torelease New Mexico’s selections.

California Amateur Hockey Association, Nevada Amateur Hockey Association

CaliforniaBOYS1999ForwardsBrian AdamsLucas BachofnerRonald BomberryJohn ElliottCole GuttmanCooper HaarRobert HermanNathan KatzaroffJustin LebouefJack LippisJesse LycanJacob McGrewCameron NeaylonDylan ReightleyCasey RhodesJoshua StarksJake Sujishi

DefensemenBlake HowardNolan McElhaneyJacob ModryNicolo RubinoJohn St. IvanyKaelan TaylorCameron WardRyan Wilson

GoaltendersJagger DenysPatrick PuglieseSage Zonner

2000ForwardsNicholas AbernathyGrady BirkNick CastroHirotaka CoxAndrew DecarloEaston EastersonTanner EnsignDuke FishmanNicholas GatesJonah GoldJoshua HarburnLogan HarrisTyler LeiblGabriel LongshorePreston ParkNicholas RashkovskyMitchell RickertHenri SchreifelsHarrison ScottJordan SkahillEthan StibichJackson Wozniak

DefensemenJunior DelgadoStanislav DeminNoah KimNoah LeeAidan MetcalfeCallahan NeurothLuke RobinsonHunter Sansbury

Drake UsherWyatt Wong GoaltendersParker HathawayMattias Sholl2001ForwardsBenjamin BiesterBarak BraslavskiBrendan BrissonJacob BrockmanHunter CampbellLuc CharbonnierQuinn EmersonJoshua GrollSamuel HakkarainenJoseph HarguindeguyConnor KempPeter LychnikoffLiam MassieJackson NiedermayerKaleb RossThomas ShermanRiley SilosDavid VietenDrew VietenCoalson Wolford

DefensemenDylan BachaloMichael GallagherPatrick HarringtonRyan JohnsonNicholas KentCollin MadridJarrett OverlandBryan PanCole WeingerCameron York

GoaltendersJackson GlassfordEthan LahmonDustin Wolf

2002 #ForwardsTyler BadameOwen BohnMaksim BureSamuel DeckhutDylan DuGavin EllisJacob GagnonTommy GannonCade HerreraNoah LeiblEthan LightBrendan MaHunter MckownTristan RandChristopher RootAri RossiTyler SilversteinThomas StiftTyson StorrRiley West

DefensemenDeven BoldwayLucas Constantine

Caleb CordasJeffrey LeeVictor MalzahnBryan McLachlanMaximus NguyenKobe PaneLeyton StenmanRobert Zammetti

GoaltendersHunter GarveyKyle Northrup

GIRLS *1999ForwardsBella KangAubrey PritchettParis SuzukiSarah Takahashi

DefensemenCayla BarnesEmily BurkeTatum CoatsElizabeth HumphreyChristina KaoCameron PayneAlexandra Stout

GoaltendersDanielle MarquezCierra San Roman

2000ForwardsJuliette Blais-SavoieIvy BoricBrooke BryantAngelina CruzalKirsten GoodeMikayla LanttoElyssa Miranda-LavertuSamantha Smigliani

DefensemenAdrienne AguilarAmelia DiPaolaDaniella DrorTanner GatesAshley Marchant

GoaltendersAngela HawthorneMadelyn Morgan

2001ForwardsIsabella BowmanEve CampbellNatalia EtterMarissa GebauerHannah LabbeMaura MckeownDominique PetrieAngelina RodriguezAlexandra Thanassi

DefensemenMadelyne KingKiana MohammadianClaire Peterson

Marisa TrevinoLilly YovitechJace Zapata

GoaltendersLindsey LabadieLilia Nease

2002ForwardsJessie AronsKarena BarrettEvelyn Blais-SavoieElizabeth BurkeSamantha ChockTaylor FreestoneAnna GallagherEmmerson HayesElle Rutherford

DefensemenAlexandra ByeJessica LopopoloJordan Loya

GoaltendersElise CoatesChristine Steege

NevadaBOYS1999ForwardsBrenden FehligReiss Jensen

DefensemanMichael Yochum

2000ForwardsZachary McClenahanAidan McNabb

DefensemanSteven Avalone

2001ForwardsBraden LaPlaca

DefensemanSeth Knudsen

GoaltenderAnthony Bonaldi

2002ForwardsErik AtchisonNoah McAnalienJacob Underhill

GoaltenderLuke Fundator

GIRLS *2001ForwardsAshley Printzen

Jr. Kings, Heat grad Guttmancommits to St. Cloud StateCole Guttman, a member of the Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ Pacific District

champion 16U AAA Major team this past season, will attend and play his NCAA Division I hockey at St. Cloud State University following his junior career.

A forward from Northridge, the 1999-born Guttman tied for the 16U division lead in Tier I Elite League scoring this year with 48 points (24 goals) in 30 games.

Guttman has since joined the Dubuque Fighting Saints for the United States Hockey League team’s playoff run.

“I’m very excited about my commitment St. Cloud State,” said Guttman. “They have a suc-cessful program, amazing coach-ing staff and a style of play that fits my game.”

Guttman also earned the dis-tinction of playing three games for the U.S. National Team Develop-ment Program’s Under-17 Team over the holidays.

“This is a well-deserved opportunity for Cole, and I couldn’t be happier for him and his family,” said Jr. Kings 16U AAA Major head coach Jack Bowkus. “He took his game to a whole new level this season, on and off the ice, and his continued maturation, both as a player and a person, will be a huge asset to the St. Cloud program.”

“I appreciate everything the Jr. Kings organization has done for my develop-ment as a player and helping me reach the next level,” Guttman added. “I’m very thankful for my coaches and my teammates.”

Guttman also grew up playing for the California Heat where he won a Pee Wee AA national championship in 2011 under the guidance of assistant coach Robbert McDonald, who now coaches in the Jr. Kings program.

Forwards Robby Jackson and Patrick Newell, both former Jr. Kings, re-cently wrapped up their freshman seasons at St. Cloud State.

Cole Guttman


Continued from Page 8

forwards Aidan Anderson, Jacon Miltko, Ellis O’Dowd, Luke Perri, Alex Skenderiajn and Cameron Stone; defensemen Tyler Donovan, William Farrell IV, Nicholas Tivy and Max-well Vogel; goalies Timothy Barbee Jr. and Brandon Inumerable; and managers Kevin O’Dowd and Dino Inumerable.

“I’ve been an assistant coach with most of these guys since they were Mites, so that’s really special,” Vogel said. “This year, it really all came together for them. It was truly a joy to coach these kids - they really worked hard ev-ery single practice and games.

“Ryan Kalan is the best head coach I’ve worked with yet. He made sure all these guys devel-oped and got better.”

Pee Wee B - Santa Rosa FlyersThe Flyers captured the pro-

gram’s second championship of the weekend thanks to a strong team performance. A 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs got them started on the right foot, and they escaped with a 1-0 overtime win in their Friday night game against the OC Hockey Club. They suf-fered a 1-0 defeat, also in over-time, to the Blackhawks Saturday, but returned to form on Sunday, winning 3-0 over the Maple Leafs to capture the state title.

The Flyers’ roster includes for-wards Ryan Latz, Samuel Pack, Owen Hamblin, Ethan Davis, Jack DiNardo, Ismael Martino, Jake Palm, Hudson Levesque and James Palm; defensem-en Nicholas Meshcheryakov, Ethan Bittner, Ian Hopkins and Jahnyha Kofalk; and goalie Will Cornelius, who faced 79 shots in the state tournament and allowed just two goals.

“Santa Rosa isn’t exactly a hot-bed for youth hockey, so we don’t have a ton of kids playing, but if they stick with it from year to year, they get a lot better quickly be-cause they get a lot of ice time,” Flyers coach Greg Cornelius said. “Two years ago, these kids didn’t win a regular-season game, but they stuck with it and started to understand the game the way it’s supposed to be played. They really learned to play as a team, and it really was a team effort the whole season. It was great to watch.”

Squirt A - San Jose Jr. SharksThe second of the Jr. Sharks’ state titles

wasn’t nearly as easy as the first. The Jr. Sharks lost an overtime heartbreaker, 6-5, to open the tournament on April 8, and followed that with an 8-3 defeat to the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. They bounced back with a 4-1 win over the Colts on April 9, and thanks to their overtime defeat ear-

lier, had just enough points to secure the No. 2 position after round-robin play. They faced a formidable Jr. Ducks team in the championship game that had scored 21 goals in its first three games, but came out on top with a 6-4 victory that gave them the championship banner.

The Jr. Sharks’ roster includes forwards Don-ovan Bradford, Rupert Chen, Caden Ghiossi,

Max Oppenheim, Nayan Pai, Patrick Fast, Micah Knecht, Vilho Lahtela and Aden Valen-cia; defensemen Shaun Rios, Dash Nakahata, Cormac Grebe, Zachary Phillips, Philippe Blais-Savoie and Robert Zhang; and goalies Evan Tompkins and Brett DeVincent.

“Growing up in California and playing for the Jr. Sharks, I was never able to win a state ti-tle as a player, so for me, being able to coach these kids and see them grow as a team and help achieve their goal is amazing,” Jr. Sharks coach Salvatore Barranco said. “Seeing those kids

react and their faces as the clock ran down was something special that I will never forget.”

Squirt BB - Jr. Ice DogsThe Ice Dogs started hot, cooled off and then

responded when everything was on the line. They opened the state tournament with a 6-2 victory over the Jr. Sharks on April 8, and later that af-

ternoon, rolled to an 8-1 win over a second team from the Jr. Sharks program. On April 9, they suf-fered a 4-3 defeat to the Dragons in overtime, but the next morning, answered the bell and secured a 4-3 championship game triumph in a rematch with the Dragons.

The Ice Dogs roster includes forwards Jack Anderson, Car-ter Ashby, Nuallan Crawford, Zach Ellis, Aidan Grant, Rich-ard Kvists, Freddie Nelson, Tatum Ramos and Jack Ri-ley; defensemen William Bis-set, Preston Hargrove, Cohen Krudwig and Tyler McGowan; and goalie Dylan Newton. Da-kota Eveland, Ruben Rumbaut and Jackson Wozniak served as assistants to head coach Sean Riley.

“This was a new team that hadn’t been together before,” Ri-ley said. “As far as our expecta-tions were, we definitely exceed-ed them.

“A lot of our success can be attributed to the fact that we had 100 percent buy-in from the par-ents, which led to the players really buying in. We also had an incredible group on our coaching staff, and we got a lot of support from the KHS staff in getting this team started.”

Squirt B - Desert BlazeWith a perfect 4-0 record, the

Blaze stormed through the state championship tournament. A 9-3 win over the Grizzlies sparked their momentum on April 8, and they skated to a 5-2 victory over the Blue Devils later in the day. They beat the Jr. Flyers 4-1 on Saturday and eased to an 8-5 vic-tory in a rematch on championship Sunday.

The Blaze’s roster includes forwards Calvin Ruggiero, John Martino, Sheldon Alexander,

Tanner Magri, Parker Graham, Ryen Gabuya, Tevin Stokes and Derek MacDougall; de-fensemen John Ruggiero, Cooper Letendre, Sergei Pickowitz, Ryan Mackie and Trevor MacDougall; and goalie Maverick Avent.

“Our guys are very excited,” Blaze coach Jeff Larson said. “This is just our fourth year as a program, and when these guys started as Mites, we were getting beat badly every game and scored only one goal in that first season, I think. But the kids stuck with it, got better, and it’s rewarding to win a state championship.”

Nine teams claim CAHA A/B state titles in San Jose event

For the Santa Rosa Flyers’ Pee Wee B team that was crowned state champions earlier this month in San Jose, the team came together as the season wore on, and when it mattered most.

The Channel Islands Riptide outscored their opponents 26-9 over the four-game slate and won a Pee Wee A state title in San Jose in mid-April.


By Brian McDonough

The Los Angeles Jr. Kings get it.While grooming young men and women to become

better hockey players is obviously their core competency, those within the club know full well the odds of reaching the NHL - or making a living playing at any level long term - are slim.

L.A. also firmly believes that excelling academically is equally important - given there’s a far greater chance a sound education will translate into more opportunities as their players thrust into adulthood - and there’s no better poster boy who’s embraced that mature line of thinking than Jr. Kings lifer Tomas Sholl.

A junior goaltender at Bowl-ing Green State University, Sholl was recently named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for his efforts in the classroom this year.

It marks the second time Sholl, who was rooted in the Jr. Kings pro-gram from Mites through his Midget 16U AAA years, has been recognized with the honor as a member of the Ohio-based school.

“It’s a great feeling, because at the end of the day that’s the reason I wanted to play college hockey over less-aca-demically-focused alternatives,” said Sholl, who holds a 3.96 GPA while working towards his degree in business administration with specializations in finance and applied economics.

“Education was always stressed when I was growing up,” added Sholl, who credits his parents, Brad and Britt,

for helping him stay the course, both on the ice and in the classroom. “It was made clear to me that school came first and, if I wanted to play hockey, I’d have to make sure my schoolwork didn’t suffer as a result.”

Being a part of the Jr. Kings family also yielded plenty of

benefits for the Hermosa Beach native.“I learned everything about what it means to be a mem-

ber of a team and how to work towards a solitary goal for the good of the team,” said Sholl, who played two years of junior hockey with the North American Hockey League’s Fresno

Monsters before heading to Bowling Green. “I had excellent coaching that prepared me physically, but more importantly they taught me a lot about the type of person someone has to be to be successful not just in hockey, but all aspects of life.”

Sholl’s value to the Falcons program certainly isn’t lost on Bowling Green head coach Chris Bergeron.

“Tomas embodies what a student-athlete is supposed to be through his academic success and hard work,” said Bergeron. “He has a willingness to be great in everything he does, and he’s someone who makes our program better.”

While balancing the rigors of a full academic workload coupled with the demands that come with being an NCAA Division I athlete has its challenges, Sholl wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.

“There are so many benefits of being a student-athlete,” he said. “On top of the education and being able to play hockey at such a high level, I can say, too, that since I’ve been here at Bowling Green I’ve made lifelong relationships with so many people and the best friends I could ask for.”

And in the end, growing and evolving as a person, as well as a player, is what the game is all about, according to Sholl.

“Hockey is the greatest game in the world, so no matter what level you play it should be fun,” said Sholl, who’s lean-ing towards a career in finance upon graduation next year if a professional playing opportunity doesn’t present itself. “The lessons you learn playing the game are priceless and make you a better person.

“Playing college hockey is an honor and a privilege, and if someone has the opportunity to do it I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling experience to pursue.”

Tomas Sholl, a junior goaltender at Bowling Green State Uni-versity who grew up playing for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for the second time during his career with the Falcons.

Jr. Kings alum Sholl making the grade at Bowling GreenTOYOTA SPORTS CENTER

ToyotaSportsCenter.com


By John B. Spigott

For the first time in USA Hockey history, the USA Hockey 16U and 18U Tier I Youth Nationals were

held west of the Rockies, from Mar. 31-Apr. 4 at Sharks Ice in San Jose.

According to one of the driving forces behind it all, the event couldn’t have gone any better.

“I’m very, very pleased,” said Jon Gustafson, vice president of Sharks Sports and Entertainment and Sharks Ice. “We got amazing feedback not only from USA Hockey, but most importantly, the customers that came out to San Jose. The bar is always high when you’re dealing with the types of teams that travel not only all across North America, but the world. It was great to hear they loved San Jose as much as they did.

“They loved the building, the ice was good, and I think it shows we can hold these types of events on the West Coast.”

With 16 teams participating in each division, Sharks Ice was a hub of activity over the five-day event, with 32 teams, personnel, fans and scouts flocking to see the next wave of American hockey talent. The 16U AAA national championship was won by perennial powerhouse Shattuck-St. Mary’s of Faribault, Minn., who scratched out a 2-1 win over Victory Honda from Plymouth, Mich. In the 18U AAA final, the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite blanked Culver (Ind.) Military Academy 3-0.

“The level of detail these kids play at is crazy,” said Gustafson. “They are big, strong and fast. The tournament as a whole goes to show what a great future USA Hockey has. There are so many great kids playing

the game, and it’s very exciting to see.”Gustafson estimated no fewer than 120 scouts,

including 14 from the NHL, were in attendance over the course of the tournament.

“That kind of hits you over the head a bit, but as far as I was concerned, every major NCAA Division I program

was represented here,” said Gustafson. “Recruiting these kids is competitive and it’s great to see the opportunity for these kids that are out there.”

Neither the 16U nor 18U Jr. Sharks made the playoffs. After a 7-0 loss to eventual runner-up Victory Honda, the 16U club bounced back with a 4-2 win over the North

Jersey Avalanche before falling 5-0 to Team Wisconsin with a trip to playoffs on the line. The 18U Jr. Sharks played Shattuck-St. Mary’s tough in a 4-1 opening night loss before losing 6-0 to the eventual champions from Pittsburgh and falling 6-4 to the Chicago Fury on Saturday.

“For a lot of the teams that were here, their edict is to win championships,” said Gustafson. “Not that we don’t want to win championships, but we want to develop our kids first and foremost to have that love of the game and hopefully prepare them for their next steps. I’m proud of our kids, I’m proud of our club, and I’m proud of our volunteers who did such a good job showing people what we can do out west.”

Going forward, Gustafson says the success of this event will only help the image of an exploding hockey market in California, and helps to prove that events that in the past have been held in traditional hockey markets can work just as well in non-traditional markets.

“This event was very important, both for our organization and for the state as a whole,” said Gustafson. “The NHL has been wildly successful on the West Coast, hence the reason to bring five AHL teams this way. The number of USA Hockey registrants in California has the highest growth rate of any state in the country. With that said, it’s important

we can show not only that our kids can compete, but that we get it.

“We understand the nuances of the game and we appreciate the game, whether it’s in Southern California or Northern California, this state is a hockey market now.”

Jr. Sharks glowing after hosting Tier I national tournament SAN JOSE JR. SHARKS

SJJrSharks.com

San Jose Jr. Sharks goaltender Morgan Kelly makes a save with traffic in front of the net at the USA Hockey 18U Tier I Youth Nationals in San Jose. Photo/Joe Naber


Board of directorsCALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

BOYSTier I

Midget 18U - Anaheim Jr. Ducks

Midget 18U - San Jose Jr. Sharks

Midget 16U - Los Angeles Jr. Kings

Midget 16U - San Jose Jr. Sharks

Bantam - Los Angeles Jr. Kings

Tier II

Midget 18U - Golden State Elite Eagles

Midget 16U - Orange County Hockey Club

Bantam - Anaheim Jr. Ducks

GIRLSTier I

19U - Anaheim Lady Ducks16U - California Wave

14U - Anaheim Lady Ducks

HIGH SCHOOLJSerra

Orange Lutheran

WOMENSenior B - Anaheim Lady DucksSenior B - San Jose Lady Sharks

Senior C - L.A. TrafficSenior C - SoCal Westside Shockers


JSerra, OLu up compete level at high school national tourneyBy Andrew Turner

When the playoffs come around, the pressure is on, a concept not lost among California’s representatives in the USA Hockey High School Na-

tional Championships in Reston, Va., last monthJSerra and Orange Lutheran had the experience of reaching this stage in re-

cent years, and after a fight through the California Amateur Hockey Association state tournament, they felt ready to challenge the country’s elite.

With the release of the draw, JSerra knew that it was in for a gut check. The Lions had landed in a group that included the past two national champions in Bethel Park (Pa.) and Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.). The fourth team was eventual national champion Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn).

“It was kind of crazy when we first saw the bracket that we were going to be in,” Lions captain Zach Fiedler said. “To have names like that, we were all tex-ting the group shot. We knew what we had to do to go on, and we knew that if we could get out of group play, we’d definitely have a shot at winning the whole thing.”

JSerra emerged from the group after dropping its opener to Wayzata, 3-2. The Lions shut out defending-champion Regis Jesuit 2-0 before defeating Bethel Park 5-2 to advance to the quarterfinals where Wayzata dispatched the Lions 7-1.

Orange Lutheran suffered the disappointment of being eliminated in group play for the third straight year. The Lancers fell to tournament finalist Edina (Minn.) 3-1 in their opener.

In the second game against Downingtown East (Exton, Pa.), the Lancers ral-lied from a 3-0 deficit in the third period before losing in a shootout 4-3.

“When it did go to a shootout, everyone was pretty confident because we’ve got solid goal scorers and really good goalies,” Lancers coach Dan Adams said. “It just kind of proves that wasn’t our week, and the pucks weren’t bouncing our way. I don’t remember the last time we lost in a shootout.”

Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) beat Orange Lutheran 6-4 in the final game of group play.

“We certainly thought that we were going to do better,” Adams said. “Those three games did not define our overall success.”


By Jason Effertz

During the summer months, hockey often takes a back seat to other activities, whether it is baseball, swim-

ming, or just enjoying a day in the sun.Any true hockey player, however, knows that the sum-

mer months provide an opportunity to get better and im-prove your game before next season. That little bit of extra training can make the difference in separating a player from their competition. The Rinks is proud to announce the return of the Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp as well as the All-World Hockey Institute collection of camps this summer.

The Youth Camp is designed for kids between the ages of 5-12 and is open to any skill level with only ba-sic skating skills required. In this camp, kids will spend an unforgettable four days with professional coaches, learn-ing all aspects of the game of ice hockey at The Rinks–Anaheim ICE, the official practice facility of the Anaheim Ducks. Each day of the camp consists of on and off ice skills, drills, scrimmage, fun and games.

Going into its 21st annual season of summer camps, the All-World Hockey Institute has set the standard in Southern California for the education and development of the complete hockey player. The variety of camps within the All-World Hockey Institute feature challenging pro-grams with professional instruction for all levels of players from novice to AAA.

“Summer is the best time to focus on skill develop-ment,” said All-World Hockey Institute camp director Rick

Hutchinson. “Our last several summers have been ex-tremely successful, offering a variety of specialized camps from dominant defenseman to sniper shooting and scor-ing. These options to focus training on specific skill sets results in accelerated learning and builds confidence in the players resulting in a well-rounded hockey player.”

“What separates the camps we offer here at The Rinks is the variety of camps we have available, each of which focuses on different skill sets or offers something unique,” added The Rinks marketing associate Craig Appleby. “Rather than a general camp where players are grouped up and work on a wide collection of skills regardless of whether they are a forward or de-fenseman, we have camps that focus on specific positions and focus on specific skills. From our body contact and battle scrim-mage camp to our goalie nation camp, one of our camps will fit what you are trying to work on this summer.”

The Rinks marketing manager Jesse Chatfield men-tioned how the camps are family-friendly, too.

“The camp that stands out to me the most is the Par-ent/Child Camp, which provides the opportunity for a player to participate in a camp and grow as a player right next to their mom or dad – there aren’t a lot of camps out

there that offer an opportunity like that,” said Chatfield.As camp director, Hutchinson takes pride in the ability

to offer camps for all skill levels.“For beginners or newcomers to the game of hockey,

we have the Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp and for highly skilled players, we have our most challenging All-World Hockey Institute European Puckhandling and Deking

camps,” Hutchinson said. “Re-gardless of what level of hockey the player has played, we have a camp that will challenge them and push them and help them grow as a hockey player.”

Hutchinson believes the focus on core values explains why the All-World Hockey Institute’s collection of camps has been so successful over the past 20 years.

“The All-World Hockey Insti-tute’s continued success is found-ed on the philosophy of grass roots development,” said Hutchinson. “The programs emphasize skill

development, proper techniques, game knowledge and sportsmanship. This approach allows players the oppor-tunity to reach their highest potential.”

The Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp and all of the All-World Hockey Institute camps are set to begin in June.

For more information on the camps and how to regis-ter, visit www.the-rinks.com/summercamps.

ANAHEIM DUCKS

AnaheimDucks.com

Exciting camps to start soon at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE

Back again this summer at The Rinks-Anaheim ICE are the highly successful Anaheim Ducks Youth Camp (ages 5-12) and a variety of camps within the All-World Hockey Institute (levels novice to AAA). Photo/Anaheim Ducks


ANAHEIM JR. DUCKSJr. Ducks bring in alum Aikento coach 18U AAA squad By Chris Bayee

Few people have the perspective on Tier I hockey in California that August Aiken has.The new coach of the Anaheim Jr. Ducks Midget 18U AAA team was a member

of the state’s first team to win a Tier I USA Hockey Youth Nationals championship. The former forward was also a member of the L.A. Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee AAA team that won it all in 2000.

Aiken brings that perspective as well as a playing career that spans the ranks of junior, Division I college and professional hockey to the Jr. Ducks.

“We are excited to have August leading our 18 team,” Jr. Ducks director of coaches Craig Johnson said. “He brings both experience as a player and as a coach after helping our 16U AAA team to two state titles and a trip to nationals.

“August also cares for the development of each and every player on and off the ice and is a person who players will enjoy playing for.”

Aiken has been a Jr. Ducks assistant coach on the Midget 16U Major team the past two seasons, and has worked with 16U coach Alex Kim, also the club’s director of player personnel, for four years at various camps around the world.

“I’m excited to get started and very fortunate to get this opportunity with the Jr. Ducks,” Aiken said.

After playing youth hockey in California, Aiken played three seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League, twice finishing as his team’s second-leading scorer (in 2007 for Westside and 2008 for Trail). He then played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) before embarking upon a four-year pro career in the ECHL, Southern Profes-sional Hockey League and Federal Hockey League.

David Walker, a longtime pro player who coached the Jr. Ducks Bantam Minor team to a 2016 CAHA state title, will be Aiken’s assistant.

The Jr. Ducks’ 18U AAA team won a Pacific District title last month and advanced to nationals for the first time in program history.

JrDucks.com

CHALK TALK

What are the keys

to success in hockey and how do we translate those to essen-tial life skills?

The expo-nentially increas-ing demands of ice hockey as a player advances through age lev-els presents new opportunities for growth. When I

speak to athletes and parents about what it takes to stay in this game, I feel there is always a responsibility to give a complete answer instead of something as ob-vious as hard work, dedication, talent, and so on.

Persistence is an empowering character trait that encompasses all the essential life skills developed through hockey and is required to succeed in the sport, as well as life. So with that, here is how I break down persistence as it relates to success.

Set Goals: What is your goal in the sport? Almost all high school age athletes I work with tell me, “I want to play college hockey.” An excellent goal that pres-

ents a long road with countless obstacles ahead. Yes, you have to be good and yeah, you have to work hard and dedicate yourself. But above all else, you need to be relentless in your pursuit. Persistence is defined as “firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition,” and that is precisely what you need to achieve success.

Prepare for Obstacles: Ice hockey is notorious for de-veloping mental toughness and learning the value of preparation is an essential life skill that is required when a new challenge presents itself. An obstacle can come in many forms internally and externally – preparing to play a heavy team, getting ready for tryouts or select camps, regular season versus playoff hockey, and so on. Make the preparation phase a life forming habit and apply this to any process by identifying what has to be done followed by a linear progression of how to execute a purposeful plan.

Taking Initiative: Taking initiative demonstrates a lev-el of maturity that can positively resonate amongst the entire team. Great leaders all understand the power of having the confidence to take initiative and is widely recognized by coaches. It can be applicable to chang-ing the momentum of a game with a hard-nose play, as well as having the guts to pick up the phone and call a junior coach to express your desire to play for their team.

The 3 Rs - Review, Re-evaluate, Revise: Such as the game

of hockey is constantly evolving, players and coaches must also evolve with it. It is critical to stay open-mind-ed and receptive to new concepts and strategies as it pertains to every facet of the game. It is considered a limitation when a player or coach lacks perspective. Have the courage to be your own toughest critic with assessments and implementation of a new approach if necessary. This mindset can be developed through watching game tape, exercising the mind through sports psychology practices, and being receptive to different perspectives from coaches and peers.

Garner Support and Encouragement: The power of positivi-ty has an enormous effect on the confidence of players and coaches. Hanging out with the wrong crowd can create a whirlwind of difficulty that can pose a serious hindrance to development. Surround yourself with pos-itive influences that validate your purpose.

Conclusion: Practice these essential life skills with the persistence of a strong-willed human being. Find ways to apply these practices in various elements of the game – the possibilities are endless. You will find this process to be highly effective while enhancing your core values as a person. I strongly believe that the sport of ice hockey is one of the greatest teachers in the de-velopment of character and integrity. Therefore, it can only be concluded that essential life skills required in the sport are paramount in achieving long term success as an athlete and a person.

Persistence – a useful life skill developed through hockey

Jerry Hotarek

Jerry Hotarek is the owner of Strength Edge Athletics in Belmont and is also a private coach.

Interested in being a Chalk Talk columnist? E-mail Matt Mackinder at [email protected].


2015-16 All-California NCAA Division I Men’s TeamCalifornia Rubber Magazine is proud to announce its second annual All-California NCAA Divi-sion I Men’s Team for the 2015-16 season. The list was compiled by senior writer Chris Bayee with significant input from Division I coaches and scouts. It weighs such factors as individual sta-tistics, team success, level of competition and sustained excellence. All statistics presented are through the NCAA Tournament Regional finals.

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MERRICK MADSENSchool/Yr.: Harvard/So.Home/Clubs: Acton/WV Wolves, HeatGame On: ’13 Flyers pick emerged, going 18-7-3 with .931 SPCT (8th/D-I), 1.99 GAA and 4 shutouts

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RYAN RUCKSchool/Yr.: Northeastern/Fr.Home/Clubs: Coto de Caza/OCHC, LAHCGame On: Went an unreal 19-2-2 in 2nd half, sparking NCAA run; 2.36 GAA and .909 SPCT overall

MATTHEW CAITOSchool/Yr.: Miami/Sr.Home/Clubs: Coto de Caza/Jr. Ducks, LAHCGame On: Played in all situations, had 11 points and blocked 40 shots for rebuilding RedHawks

CHASE GOLIGHTLYSchool/Yr.: Robert Morris/Sr.Home/Clubs: Temecula/Wave, Jr. KingsGame On: 22 points were 3rd most by D in AHA, went plus-13 and blocked 56 shots

ALEC MCCREASchool/Yr.: Cornell/Fr.Home/Club: El Cajon/Jr. GullsGame On: Led Big Red D in scoring (15 points) as a freshman and added 47 blocks

ALEX MINER-BARRONSchool/Yr.: Quinnipiac/Gr.Home/Clubs: Glendora/Wave, Jr. KingsGame On: Steadying force on Frozen Four team’s blue line; 6 points, 44 blocks, just 8 PIM

SEAN O’ROURKESchool/Yr.: Ferris State/Sr.Home/Clubs: Alta Loma/Riv. Jets, Wave, LAHCGame On: Career-high 12 points, blocked 40 shots and alternate captain for Elite Eight team

SCOTT SAVAGESchool/Yr.: Boston College/Jr.Home/Club: San Clemente/LA HockeyGame On: Tied career high in points (18), was plus-6 and blocked 32 shots for Frozen Four team

BRETT GERVAISSchool/Yr.: Clarkson/So.Home/Clubs: Corona/Jr. Ducks, Beach City, OCHCGame On: More than doubled his output to 17 points and was plus player on re-emerging program

ROBBY JACKSONSchool/Yr.: St. Cloud St./Fr.Home/Clubs: Alameda/Blackhawks, LAHC, Jr. KingsGame On: Scored 10 goals, including first one three times, plus-13 for NCHC powerhouse

SOREN JONZZONSchool/Yr.: Quinnipiac/Sr.Home/Clubs: Mt. View/Blackhawks, Cougars, Jr. SharksGame On: Career-high 20 points (10 goals, 2GWG) for captain of Frozen Four team

DENNIS KRAVCHENKOSchool/Yr.: Massachusetts/Soph.Home/Clubs: Laguna Niguel/Jr. Ducks, LAHCGame On: Scored 28 points (12 goals), usually in bunches, and won 53% of faceoffs

GABE LEVINSchool/Yr.: Denver/Sr.Home/Clubs: Marina del Rey/Jr. Kings, TitansGame On: Key faceoff man (56%), 13 points and every situation player for Frozen Four team

TREVOR MOORESchool/Yr.: Denver/Jr.Home/Club: Thousand Oaks/LA HockeyGame On: Erupted for 34 2nd-half points (44 overall), added PK duties, plus-18 on Frozen Four team

TYLER MOYSchool/Yr.: Harvard/Jr.Home/Club: San Diego/Jr. GullsGame On: Nashville pick is a consistent, every situation contributor (19 points) for NCAA team

PATRICK NEWELLSchool/Yr.: St. Cloud St./Fr.Home/Clubs: Thousand Oaks/LAHC, Jr. Kings, TitansGame On: His 22 points were 3rd among freshmen on NCHC tourney champ; also plus-20

DARREN NOWICKSchool/Yr.: Northern Michigan/Sr.Home/Clubs: Long Beach/Jr. Ducks, Jr. KingsGame On: All-WCHA second-team pick led team with 32 points (14 goals) and in face-off PCT (55.2).

AUSTIN ORTEGASchool/Yr.: Nebraska-Omaha/Jr.Home/Clubs: Escondido/Jr. Gulls, LA HockeyGame On: His 36 points and 21 goals included an NCAA-best 8 GWG, giving him 19 in two seasons

MATT ROBERTSONSchool/Yr.: Ferris State/Sr.Home/Clubs: Rohnert Park/Santa Rosa, Berkeley, Vacaville

Game On: The versatile forward had 19 points and was a plus player on an Elite Eight team

SHANE SOOTHSchool/Yr.: Northern Michigan/Jr.Home/Club: Canyon Country/LA HockeyGame On: Wildcats’ captain was strong on draws (54 percent) and a power-play force

Photo/Rich Gagnon/Boston College Athletics

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THATCHER DEMKO, BOSTON COLLEGEFew players from California have ever put together the type

of college season that Boston College junior Thatcher Demko has.

The former San Diego Jr. Gull won the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA’s top goaltender, was a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and was selected Hockey East’s co-player of the year while leading the Eagles to the Frozen Four.

His 10 shutouts were the second most in NCAA history, and his 27 wins were second in Division I. His .936 save percent-age tied for second in the nation, and his 1.85 goals-against average was seventh best.

A second-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2014, the 6-foot-4 Demko also has represented Team USA several times, including twice at the World Junior Championships.


By Greg Ball

March 19 was without a doubt a special day for the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League, as it

crowned its first champion, handed out league awards and capped off a stellar inaugural season.

The Santa Barbara Royals skated to a 4-0 victory over the Kern County Knights in the league’s first cham-pionship game, contested at the Staples Center the af-ternoon before a Kings victory over the Boston Bruins later that night.

It was a fitting end to the league’s debut campaign, as the Royals had been its most dominant team all season and concluded with a bang.

“I am proud of how our players consistently came ready to play,” said Royals coach Steve Heinze, the former Kings forward and NHL standout. “With their suc-cess, long breaks between games, distractions of play-ing at Staples Center, there was ample opportunity to let down or get distracted or complacent, but this team nev-er let down. They let up only one goal in the first period in 17 games - that is a sign of a focused, committed group.”

The Royals roster includes forwards Ben Essig, Chris Ewasiuk, Jared McMullen, Harrioson Del Bonnis, Nicholas Poire, Annelle Mackintosh-Rat-cliffe, Brett Knowles, Jacob Watkins and Collin Del Bonis; defensemen Jack Johnson, Emmett Rupert, Daniel Solomon, Ayden Klock and Ryan McMullen; and goalies William Hahn and Brady Rotondo.

The Royals won 16 of their 17 games, with their only loss coming in overtime just four games into the season.

They recorded seven shutouts and held their opponents to two goals or less 14 times. Johnson led them in scor-ing with 46 points (33 goals, 13 assists), while Rotondo and Hahn split time in goal and allowed just 18 goals all season.

Johnson scored twice in the championship game, while Ewasiuk had a goal and an assist and Collin Del Bonnis scored once. Rotondo played 26 perfect min-

utes, and Hahn added 19 minutes.League commissioner Jim Fox, also a TV analyst

for the L.A. Kings who played nine seasons for the NHL club, said it was validating to see the success the league experienced in its first year.

“I was very proud of the work put in by the Kings’ hockey development department, led by Chris Crotty and Ilyse Wolfe,” he said. “The entire day was first-class all the way. The awards ceremony was handled like they

would in the NHL, and the parents, coaches, manag-ers and players all had a great experience. The way the award winners handled themselves in the remarks they gave in their acceptance speeches is a great sign that the league is in good hands.”

The league handed out a number of awards follow-ing the championship game. The Wayne Gretzky MVP Award went to Johnson (from San Marcos High School) and Heinze was named the Darryl Sutter Coach of the Year. Other Royals honored were Hahn from Santa Bar-bara High (Rogie Vachon Goalie Award) and Ewasiuk of San Marcos High (Dave Taylor Sportsmanship Award).

Tristan Warr of the West Ranch Wildcats earned the Luc Robitaille Freshman of the Year Award and was the Marcel Dionne Scoring Leader. The Knights’ Paul Daley, from Liberty High, earned the Rob Blake Defen-seman of the Year Award.

Next on the agenda is tryouts for the 2016-17 sea-son. Students in grades 9-12 this September are eligible and tryouts will be held between May 7 and June 13. Specific dates and locations for each of the league’s 11 teams for next season are available at www.lakleague.com.

“The first season was an outstanding success,” Fox said. “We will grow, but we will analyze our first year, make adjustments where they need to be made and then move forward. We will have more teams next year and we especially hope to increase the number of our pure school teams. As with most organizations, ice-time is our biggest challenge, and we are working toward making sure we can expand as quickly as possible.”

Santa Barbara Royals capture first LAKHSHL championshipL.A. KINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE

LAKLeague.com

With an impressive 4-0 win over the Kern County Knights on March 19, the Santa Barbara Royals claimed the first-ever Los Angeles Kings High School Hockey League championship.


2015-16 All-California NCAA Women’s TeamCalifornia Rubber Magazine is proud to announce its second annual All-California NCAA Women’s Team for the 2015-16 season. The list, which includes Division I and III players, was compiled by senior writer Chris Bayee with input from coaches. It weighs individual statistics, team success and sustained excellence. All statistics presented are through the end of the season.

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CELINE WHITLINGERSchool/Yr.: Penn State/Sr.Home/Club: Garden Grove/Lady DucksGame On: A 2nd-team all-CHA pick, her .947 SPCT was third in D-I, 1.51 GAA sixth; 4 shutouts a PSU record

KALIYA JOHNSON School/Yr.: Boston College/Sr.Home/Club: Los Angeles/Lady DucksGame On: She was plus-44 and added career-high 17 points as Eagles reached NCAA title game

LEXI ROMANCHUK School/Yr.: Providence/Sr.Home/Clubs: San Jose/Jr. Sharks, LDsGame On: The Friars’ captain scored a career-high 20 points (7 goals), fourth-best on team

BRIDGET BAKER School/Yr.: Vermont/Jr.Home/Clubs: Los Gatos/Santa Clara, Jr. Sharks, LDsGame On: Her 13 points (6 goals, including a GWG and GTG) were third best on Catamounts FO

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ELAUREN KILROY School/Yr.: Mercyhurst/Sr. Home/Club: Cypress/Lady DucksGame On: Posted career-high 11 points, blocked 82 shots and was plus-7 for NCAA tourney team

LYDIA GRAUERSchool/Yr.: St. Lawrence/Fr.Home/Club: Chino Hills/Lady DucksGame On: Played every game, getting 12 points, blocking 40 shots and finishing as plus player

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JUSTINE SILVASchool/Yr.: Buffalo State (D-III)/So.Home/Club: El Monte/Lady DucksGame On: The ECAC West’s co-defensive POY went 12-7 with .940 SPCT (2nd/D-III), 1.81 GAA (4th)

KARA DREXLERSchool/Yr.: Yale/So.Home/Club: Manhattan Beach/Lady DucksGame On: Became a lineup fixture, getting six points and finishing as a plus player on a sub-.500 team

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School/Yr.: SUNY-Plattsburgh (D-III)/Jr.Home/Club: Davis/Jr. SharksGame On: 35 points (8th/D-III) for three-time NCAA champs; her 10 PPG led D-III

JUSTINE REYESSchool/Yr.: St. Lawrence/Fr.Home/Club: Chino Hills/Lady DucksGame On: Tied for Saints lead in goals (12); her 19 points were most for team’s first-year players

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School/Yr.: Mercyhurst/Jr.Home/Clubs: Corona/Lady Ducks, LA SelectsGame On: Career-high 13 points (6 goals, 2 GWG) for an NCAA Tournament team

ANNIE PANKOWSKI, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINAs good as Annie Pankowski was during her freshman season at Wisconsin,

the former Lady Duck took it up a notch during her sophomore campaign.The 5-foot-9 forward from Laguna Hills was selected a top-10 finalist

for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, a second-team All-American and a first-team All-WCHA pick after scoring 58 points in 40 games for the Frozen Four-bound Badgers.

Pankowski’s point total was the seventh best in Division I, as were her 36 assists. Her 22 goals tied for 12th most, and they included four power-play strikes, two short-handers and three game-winners.

That came on the heels of 42 points in 39 games a season ago, meaning she raised her production by 32 percent.

By Chris Bayee

Our players of the year for California Rubber Magazine’s All-California men’s and women’s NCAA teams put together

seasons for the ages in 2015-16.Boston College junior goalie Thatcher Demko became

just the second California-born and trained player to be honored in the Hobey Hat Trick as one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. Ryan Lasch was the first in 2008 for St. Cloud State.

Wisconsin sophomore Annie Pankowski was a second-team All-American and a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award. She then helped the U.S. Women’s National Team cap-ture gold at the recently completed World Championships in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Thirteen players made repeat appearances on the All-Cali-fornia NCAA men’s team this season, but among that outstand-ing group, the 6-foot-4 Demko (San Diego, Jr. Gulls) stood tall-est.

Demko finished a season in which Boston College reached the Frozen Four with 10 shutouts, two behind the NCAA re-cord, and 27 wins, which were second-most in Division I. His save percentage of .935 tied for fourth in the nation and was 2/1,000th behind the leader, and his 1.88 goals-against aver-age was seventh.

A 2014 second-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Demko entered the season coming off of hip surgery.

“His competitiveness is unmatched,” said BC teammate Scott Savage of San Clemente. “Coming back from hip sur-gery took a lot of work, but he made such a quick recovery be-cause of his work ethic and his will to win.

“That’s what set him up for success. He hates to get scored on, even in practice, and will do everything he can to help his team win.”

Savage, Miami’s Matthew Caito, Robert Morris’ Chase Golightly and Quinnipiac’s Alex Miner-Barron are the four defensemen to repeat on the squad. Ferris State’s Sean O’Rourke and Cornell’s Alec McCrea join them.

Eight forwards also appeared again, including Minor-Bar-ron’s teammate Soren Jonzzon, the Bobcats’ captain. The others were Denver’s Gabe Levin and Trevor Moore, North-ern Michigan’s Darren Nowick and Shane Sooth (the Wild-cats’ captain), as well as Massachusetts’ Dennis Kravchenko, Harvard’s Tyler Moy and Nebraska-Omaha’s Austin Ortega.

The newcomers up front included St. Cloud State’s Robby Jackson and Patrick Newell, Clarkson’s Brett Gervais and Ferris State’s Matt Robertson.

Joining Demko in net are Harvard Merrick Madsen, who went from playing one game as a freshman to starting 29 as a sophomore and putting up some of the best numbers in the country, and freshman Ryan Ruck, who won 19 of his final 23 starts to lift Northeastern into the NCAA tournament.

The men’s team is a veteran group as 14 of the 21 players are seniors (eight) or juniors (six). There were just three sopho-

mores and four freshmen (Jackson, McCrea, Newell and Ruck).Five of the team’s six defenseman are upperclassmen; three

are seniors and Miner-Barron is a graduate student. The for-wards are comprised of four seniors, four juniors and two each of sophomores and freshman.

Pankowski highlights an NCAA women’s team included eight of the 12 players repeating from last season.

Pankowski, who also was a first-team All-WCHA pick, piled up 58 points in 40 games for a Frozen Four semifinalist. Her point total and assist total (36) were seventh best in Division I. Her 22 goals were 12th-most.

She is joined by several familiar faces on the women’s team.Goaltenders Justine Silva of Buffalo State and Celine

Whitlinger of Penn State return, as do defensemen Kaliya Johnson of Boston College, Lauren Kilroy of Mercyhurst and Providence captain Lexi Romanchuk. Yale’s Kara Drexler rounds out the D core.

In addition to Pankowski, forwards Bridget Baker of Ver-mont and Megan Whiddon of Mercyhurst make their second appearance in a row. The newcomers up front include a pair of St. Lawrence freshmen – Lydia Grauer and Justine Reyes – and Plattsburgh State’s Jordan Lipson, who led Division III in power-play goals (10) and was eighth in points (35) for a three-time national champion.

One third of the team is seniors, including three of the four defenseman, and there are three each of juniors and sopho-mores in addition to the St. Lawrence duo.

Pankowski, Demko earn spots as CA Rubber’s top NCAA stars


By Matt Mackinder

The term “March Madness” took on a whole new positive meaning in Las Vegas recently.The Las Vegas Flames youth organization is now no

more, but no worries as the program has successfully merged with the established Nevada Storm program, which is adding a 16U Tier I component to the organi-zation in 2016-17.

Everyone involved feels the merger will show how two organizations can come together to form one orga-nization that will benefit from two facilities (Las Vegas Ice Center, Sobe Ice Arena) as they work together to take youth hockey in the Valley to new levels of coop-eration and development.

The youth organizations will join and will play under the Storm name, practice, play games and host tourna-ments at both the Las Vegas Ice Center (LVIC) and the Sobe Ice Arena.

In March, Flames president Bill Calhoun and Sobe Ice Arena director Wally Lacroix met with the Storm’s Gabe Gauthier, John Brooks and Kirk Brooks and discussed how to make Las Vegas hockey grow and improve the development and education of the kids. The obvious answer was to merge the two organizations into one for the benefit of the kids.

“The opportunity to merge was the best decision for all the children here in Las Vegas,” said Calhoun. “I am so grateful that I was able to work with John, Gabe and

the Nevada Storm to make hockey stronger today than it was yesterday. The two facilities will be home to the all players and there will be games, practices, skills ses-sions and coaching under the common goal of building champions on and off the ice with a coaching staff that rivals the best in the nation.”

John Brooks, co-owner of the Storm and the Las Vegas Ice Center, is eager to start the transition imme-diately.

“I really look forward to the opportunity to work with Bill, Wally and the excellent coaches that the Flames bring and to take the Las Vegas hockey community in a single positive direction,” said Brooks.

There once was a time where Las Vegas had strong competitive hockey that contended nationally under mul-tiple organizations and now those players are either play-ing professional or collegiate hockey. In order to get back

to this level, the organizations believe the right decision is to play as one organization. This will allow more players to play on the team most appropriate for their skills, get on the ice for more practices, work together for a common goal and most importantly, avoid the dissention that has truly been the enemy of youth hockey over the past few years.

Gauthier, who serves as the Storm and LVIC hockey director, is right there with Brooks about the new direc-tion.

“I have seen youth hockey take many positive steps since I moved to Las Vegas two years ago and now I really feel like bringing it all together is the next logical step to put Las Vegas hockey on the national map,” said Gauth-ier. “With the junior team in the Western States Hockey League and the Tier I Midget team this fall, we now will offer Las Vegas youth unprecedented opportunities to de-velop as young players and leaders without leaving home.”

In addition, Gauthier will be looking to continue the Las Vegas High School Hockey League to form a team and participate in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League.

The coaches for the 2016-17 season are Brian Fox and Jim Nyznyk (Mite Track 1 & 2), Scott Rensmon and Jeff Bruckner (Squirt B), Bo Lackas (Squirt A), Dell Truax (Pee Wee A), Bruckner (Pee Wee AA), Evan and Adam Zucker (Bantam A), Eric Lacroix (Bantam AA), Wally Lacroix (16U AA), Micah Sanford (16U AAA) and Gauthier (junior).

Vegas youth footprint changes with Storm-Flames mergerNEVADA STORM

NVStorm.com


By Phillip Brents

Is “spectacular” too bold a word to describe this year’s California State Cup inline hockey championship

tournament?If you happened to be on one of the participating

teams from the Central Coast region or San Diego County, then it isn’t.

This year’s event took place March 19-20 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline and featured high school varsity and junior varsity teams from four separate scholastic leagues from within the state: the host Anaheim Ducks Inline Scholastic League (five teams), the Central Coast High School Hockey League (three teams), Temecula Valley Inline Hockey Association (two teams) and San Diego Section CIF-Metro Conference (one team).

Championship playoffs took place in three divisions and one had to be amazed at the performance by the out-of-area teams. The Escondido Charter White Tigers from San Diego finished second in the Varsity Division championship game to La Verne’s powerful Damien High School, while the Junior Varsity-1 tier final proved to be an all-Central Coast affair with the San Luis Obispo Tigers pulling off a 7-4 upset win over its league rival Santa Barbara Gold.

In the Junior Varsity-2 championship game, Temecula Valley earned some respect with its runner-up finish following a 2-1 overtime loss to Villa Park from the ADISL in the championship game.

“The tournament went very well; we had more teams from outside the area than in past years,” explained John Paerels, who serves as league coordinator for the ADISL, the State Cup’s host league. “In the Varsity Division, Damien was definitely the strongest team, but Escondido Charter gave them a good game. Temecula, with its two teams, was a newcomer to the State Cup, but their teams were competitive and they look forward to returning next year.

“It was also a lot of fun to see an all-Central Coast

league final in the JV-1 division, with San Luis Obispo pulling off the huge upset of rival Santa Barbara, and in JV-2, we ended up with two overtime games for the playoffs, allowing the teams that had struggled in round robin to end up with a very competitive finish won by Villa Park.”

This marks the second consecutive year that a team from the Central Coast region has come home with the State Cup JV-1 championship trophy. Santa Barbara Gold won the division last year while SLO earned the bragging rights this year after previously winning the JV-2 title in 2012.

Tigers coach Darrell Goo said that with the exception of Kai Tomaszewski, one of the two graduating seniors from the 2012 JV-2 championship team, none of the SLO players had ever been in a tournament away from home.

“They soon discovered how fierce the competition is outside our own community,” Goo explained. “After losing their first game, our players dug deep and won the next three heavily contested matches to finish in the second-seeded position (for the playoffs). They proved that hard work and dedication can be both rewarding and fun.”

Damien entered the State Cup fresh off a second-

round Division 2 playoff appearance in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League, the ADISL’s sister scholastic ice hockey league. The Spartans won all five of their games in this year’s State Cup varsity field.

Top-seeded Damien defeated fourth-seeded Temecula Valley 9-5 in the semifinals and Escondido Charter 7-2 in the title game.

The White Tigers, with a 2-1 round-robin record, edged third-seeded Santa Margarita Catholic 3-2 in the semifinals.

“The Escondido Charter High School roller hockey team went up there and gave it their all,” explained

White Tigers coach Jake Pribble, whose team finished 3-2. “It was very challenging playing against other schools that we had no knowledge on – either their players or skill level. It definitely was a hard-fought second place.

“I hope it does give a lift to all San Diego teams, knowing that we have the skill to challenge all other schools in the state. I’m also hoping that other San Diego high school teams see us playing in the State Cup tournament and next year, more San Diego schools will enter in and represent our county in this tournament.”

Top-seeded Santa Barbara Gold took a 5-0-0 record into the JV-1 championship game after slipping past fourth-seeded Woodbridge from the ADISL, 3-2 in the semifinals,

while San Luis Obispo blanked Central Coast rival Santa Barbara Blue 2-0 on the strength of two goals by Oliver Kibbe and shutout goaltending by Bryce Tencati.

SB Gold had defeated the Tigers 9-1 two weeks earlier in the Central Coast High School Hockey League championship game, but SLO received two goals each from Sam Wetzel and Joe Headrick to enact some revenge in the State Cup final.

Fifth-seeded Villa Park pulled out the victory in the JV-2 championship game over sixth-seeded Temecula Valley on a goal by Brad Parker at the 3:20 mark of overtime.

In the Junior Varsity-1 championship final at last month’s California State Cup, San Luis Obispo knocked off the favored Santa Barbara Gold team. Photo/California State Cup

Leaving It All On the FloorCalifornia State Cup inline tournament big on bold finishes

Santa Margarita Catholic ‘ices’ State Cup appearanceThe California State Cup inline hockey

championship tournament isn’t reserved just for inline hockey players.

The tournament takes place at a time when ice hockey teams are finishing their season, and ice hockey players are thus able to strap on inline skates.

After being hired this past summer at Santa Margarita Catholic High School to coach the school’s ice hockey program, K.C. Groon was also approached to take over the school’s roller hockey program. He wasted little time in putting his team on wheels at last month’s State Cup tournament in Irvine.

“Since I graduated from Santa

Margarita in 2009, the roller program at the school has been dwindling with the introduction of ice hockey in high schools in Southern California, with Santa Margarita being a top competitor and one of the originals in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League,” Groon explained.

While most of the players on Santa Margarita’s State Cup team were, in fact, on the school’s ice hockey team this season and had been participating in predominantly ice hockey the past recent years, Groon said the transition was not particularly hard.

“Many of the kids have played roller

hockey and most of them actually started their hockey careers on top of wheels,” Groon explained. “The roller style of game actually frees these players up to have a bit more fun and creativity, and they bring a style of competitiveness and structure from ice hockey that makes the transition much easier. I think the hardest part for them was getting used to having less rules on the rink.

“All in all, they had a tremendous amount of fun and are really excited to participate in the spring season at The Rinks-Irvine Inline in the varsity division. I’m very excited for the future of our program and expect that we should be one of the top competitive teams in high school roller hockey in the near future.”

- Phillip Brents

K.C. Groon pulls double duty coaching with both the ice and in-line programs at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Photo/Santa Margarita Catholic High School


FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM

For most hockey players, the season has ended.It’s time to get a little rest and let the body and

mind recover. The season can be a grind with lots of games, practices, lessons and travel and taking some time away from the ice can do a ton of good. For teen-age hockey players, I suggest a break of 2-4 weeks. This may be tough depending on tryouts and showcas-es, but try and find some time to stay away. The repet-itive nature of skating can develop certain weaknesses

and limitations that can lead to injury, so take some time to let these muscles recover.

I am a big believer that your offseason program should work on main-taining your strengths while minimizing your weaknesses. Make a list of three things that you are good at and how you will maintain them. Then make list of three weaknesses and how you will eliminate them. Not sure what these strengths and weaknesses are? Ask your parents, coaches or scouts for their opinion. Compare yourself to other players.

Now, come up with a plan for the offseason. Whether its choosing a skating coach to improve your speed or shooting 100 pucks a day to hit the corners better, set a schedule and stick to it.

Obtain your goals off the ice as well. Find a strength coach or athletic trainer that is certified and knowledgeable about hockey and have them help you plan out a program that fits your specific needs. The program should address your needs and then it’s up to you to put in the work and get to that next level.ptoms and management of concussions to secure a safe and positive outcome.

Chris Phillips

What offseason goals for hockey players should entail

Chris Phillips is a certified athletic trainer and strength andconditioning specialist and a former NHL athletic trainer.


Khodorenko chooses Michigan State as NCAA D-I destinationBy Chris Bayee

Michigan has agreed with Patrick Khodorenko , so much that the forward from Walnut Creek made a verbal commitment to play col-

lege hockey at Michigan State University (Big Ten) recently.Khodorenko, who has skated for the U.S. National Team Development

Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor and Plymouth, Mich., the past two sea-sons after playing Midget 16U AAA for Detroit Honeybaked, cited sever-al factors in his decision, not the least of which was his fondness for the area and familiarity with several of his future teammates and classmates.

“A bunch of kids from my high school are here and some kids from my Honeybaked team are going there,” he said. “But the coaching is biggest factor.”

Tom Anastos is entering his sixth season as MSU’s head coach.Khodorenko played for the Oakland Bears, Santa Clara Blackhawks,

San Jose Jr. Sharks, Anaheim Wildcats and L.A. Selects growing up in California. He will join a Spartans team that offers a prime opportunity for playing time. Four of Michigan State’s regular forwards were seniors and a fifth – junior Mackenzie MacEachern – signed with the St. Louis Blues.

“I have a chance to play in every situation,” said Khodorenko, who had 13 points, including seven goals, in 43 games against junior and college competition with the NTDP’s Under-18 squad this season. “I should get a lot of opportunities there.”

The 6-foot, 197-pound forward will spend the next few months re-habilitating a broken foot, which he sustained in late March when he blocked a shot.

“I should be back skating in a month or so,” he said. “Fortunately, everything is healing straight and no surgery is needed.”

Khodorenko, who said he also strongly considered the University of Minnesota during the recruiting process, is a late 1998 birth year who is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft. He had 20 points in 34 games against United States Hockey League competition this past season.

Tier I girls nationals features three talented California teamsBy Greg Ball

A trio of California teams traveled to Blaine, Minn., in late March and early April for the USA Hockey Tier I girls Youth Nationals.

Tier I - 19U: The Anaheim Lady Ducks went 1-2 in their trip to nationals.The opened with a 3-2 defeat to the Minnesota Elite White. Lillian Marchant

had a goal and an assist and Devyn Gilman scored. Tia Stoddard added an assist and Kai-Lilly Karpman made 29 saves.

On April 1, they secured a 2-1 victory over Mid-Fairfield. Stoddard got them on the board in the first period, and Marchant scored the game winner on an assist from Isabel Hanson in the third. Karpman stopped 22 shots.

The Lady Ducks fell 2-1 in overtime to the Massachusetts Spitfires on April 2. Stoddard’s third-period goal forced overtime.

Tier I - 16U: The California Wave turned in a solid showing, advancing to the quarter-finals in the 16U bracket.

The Wave lost 4-1 to the Minnesota Elite Sky on March 31, Aubrey Pritchett with the lone goal. Their 5-3 win over Detroit Little Caesars on April 1 was sparked by four first-period goals. Tanner Gates, Mikayla Lantto, Brooke Bryant, Pritch-ett and Samantha Smigliani all scored. Danielle Marquez stopped 28 shots.

On April 2, they skated to a 6-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons. Bryant scored twice and added an assist, while Gates, Elizabeth Humphrey, Kiersten Goode and Smigliani also found the back of the net and Julieana Tarantino made 12 saves. Their run came to an end on April 3 with a 5-1 loss to the Boston Jr. Eagles, Lantto getting the goal.

Tier I - 14U: The Lady Ducks won one of their three games at nationals.They dropped a 2-0 decision to the Pittsburgh Pens Elite on March 31 and on

April 1, fell 4-0 to the Chicago Young Americans. On April 2, the Lady Ducks se-cured a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues. Jennifer Russell lit the lamp on an assist and Anna Gallagher also scored. Lindsey Labadie and Lilla Nease combined on the 26-save shutout.

By Phillip Brents

Nine teams from the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League (WCRHL) made the trek to Cedar

Rapids, Iowa, April 6-10, to compete in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) nation-al championship tournament.

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas (Division I) and West Valley College (Junior College Division) both came home with runner-up trophies.

But the big story turned out to be Californians al-ready playing collegiate inline hockey in the Midwest. Nine of them, in particular, helped guide Missouri’s Lin-denwood Gold team to its sixth consecutive Division III NCRHA national championship title.

The Lions’ Golden State roll call includes forward Cy Jewell from Saratoga in Santa Clara County; forwards Chad Wolterman, Spenser Marquiss and Chris Visico, all from San Jose; defender Jason Novak and goaltender Charles Robinson, both from Chico; and the San Diego County trio of forward Jon Gauthier and defenders Jake Escarcega and Thompson Teague.

“We’re a band of brothers,” explained Marquiss, a junior, who can claim membership on the last three Lin-denwood Gold national championship teams.

“It’s almost like Team California,” Lions head coach Jon Hilke admitted.

Lindenwood Gold finished 6-0 at this year’s NCRHA tournament. The Lions defeated Michigan State 4-3 to secure its latest national championship after turning aside challenges in the playoffs from the University of Missouri (10-1 win in the quarterfinals) and Bethel (7-1 win in the semifinals).

The team’s California contingent had a major impact

on the division title game with eight points (four goals, four assists). Californians swept the three star of the game awards: Robinson earned first star honors by stopping 32 of 35 shots for a .914 save percentage, Marquiss received the second star award by scoring two goals, while Wolterman earned third star honors with one goal and one assist.

Visico, who paced the team with seven goals in pool play, also recorded a goal and assist in the champion-ship game, while Teague and Gauthier each chipped in with assists.

Marquiss, the team’s reg-ular-season scoring leader, collected seven goals and six assists in the six games at na-tionals and Escarcega netted four goals and eight assists.

“Over half the team is from California and I hope we can keep getting players from that state,” Hilke said. “We have a good mix of the more phys-ical, body up, slower-paced style from the Midwest and the California ‘reckless (good reckless)’ style -- it makes for a really good mix on our squad.

“California is a hotbed for us and we have a spot for everyone to play.”

JC DivisionSanta Clara County’s West Valley College faced

off against Missouri’s St. Charles Community College in a best-of-five championship series to determine this year’s national Junior College Division champion.

The teams appeared evenly-matched in their initial two encounters on April 8. St. Charles opened the se-ries with a 5-2 win, but West Valley quickly countered with a 5-1 victory.

However, St. Charles captured both contests by narrow margins on April 9 to win the series 3-1.

In the third game, West Val-ley moved out to a 2-1 first-pe-riod lead on goals by Kyle Aldrich and Matt Swanson but the Cougars scored the game’s final three goals to win 4-2 and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Facing elimination in the fourth game, West Valley ral-lied from a 2-0 deficit to twice tie the score – 2-2 and 3-3 – before St. Charles capitalized on a short-handed goal by Zach Micks with 3:13 remain-ing to boost the Cougars to a 4-3 series-clinching win and their seventh consecutive na-tional championship title.

Aldrich led the Vikings (9-10) with nine points (four goals, five assists) in the four games at nationals. Al-drich and Jerrit Baker each had a goal and assist in the series finale, while teammate Patrick Barnes picked up one goal. (With files from Bob Gauthier)

California-led Lindenwood wins sixth straight NCRHA title

The Lindenwood Gold Lions’ nine Californians pose with the NCRHA’s Division III national championship banner. Back row, pictured left to right, are Chris Visico, Thompson Teague, Chad Wolterman, Jonathon Gauth-ier and Jason Novak. Bottom row, pictured left to right, are Spenser Marquiss, Charlie Robinson, Jake Escarce-ga and Cy Jewell. Photo/Bob Gauthier


By Phillip Brents

The American Inline Hockey League (AIHL) features 19 teams on its Elite Division roll call

this season – 10 of them based on the West Coast, and seven of them in California.

The league’s championship tournament is scheduled for May 20-22 in Bethpage, N.Y. Representatives from the league’s four geographic regions will be vying to win a national championship.

The Ripon Valley Stars, East Bay Jawz, Nor Cal Red Army, Sonora, Marina Mantas and Oakland Dragons comprise the Pacific North Division. Teams will gather April 16-17 at the Verbero Powerplay Sports Arena in Ripon for championship playoffs to determine which teams will head east to compete in the AIHL Finals.

Divisional play faced off March 13 with a tournament in Ripon, followed by a two-day event March 19-20 at the High Country Sports Arena in Sonora.

Those six teams wrapped up regular-season play April 9 at another tournament in Ripon.

Though the division schedule has been compact, it’s not been short on excitement.

Teams are playing a 15-game regular season schedule. Through 11 games, Ripon Valley had compiled a division-best 10-1 record and .909 winning percentage, followed by East Bay with a 9-2 record and .818 winning percentage.

Marina and Nor Cal were tied with 6-5 records, followed by Sonora at 2-9 and Oakland at 0-11.

All teams qualify for the playoffs, but due to the abbreviated season, the playoff structure is modified. The top two teams in the regular-season standings will meet in a best-of-five series to determine which team advances to the AIHL Elite Division Finals, while the third- and fourth-place teams will meet in another best-of-five series to determine which team advances to the AIHL Minor Tier 1 Finals.

Similarly, the fifth- and sixth-place teams in the regular season standings will meet in a best-of-five series to determine which team advances to the

AIHL Minor Tier 2 Finals.The Valley Stars are a combination of former Ripon

Savage players, mixed in with a few former East Bay Jawz players. The team has jelled behind its veteran experience (both inline and ice), according to Tyler Kruenegel, who had collected 11 goals and 18 points in the team’s opening 11 games to rank third in team scoring behind teammates Nic Robinson (16 goals, five assists) and Kyle Kruenegel (five goals, 15 assists).

Modesto’s Kyle Amant, who helped Team USA earn a fifth-place medal at the 2002 IIHF In-

Line Hockey World Championships in Nuremberg, Germany, had collected eight goals and seven assists to match teammate Brenton Ratley with 15 points.

Tyler Kruenegel and younger brother Kyle have both won multiple junior hockey championships in the Western States Hockey League with the Idaho Jr. Steelheads.

Tyler Kruenegel said the AIHL offers a chance to play competitive hockey beyond the in-house setting.

“Without it, we’d get to play only a couple weekends of hockey each year (at tournaments

such as the NARCh Winternationals and NARCh Finals),” he said. “It gives us an opportunity to play competitive hockey every weekend.”

Southern exposureThe Las Vegas Aces hosted the Pacific South/

Southwest Division championship playoffs April 16-17 after finishing one point ahead of the San Diego Tron Hosers in the final regular-season standings.

The four teams in the division have made for an interesting mix with two teams from Arizona, one from Las Vegas and one from San Diego. The competition

has proven tight, with the top three teams separated by just one point in the standings three-quarters of the way through the season.

The Hosers’ bugaboo this season has been fielding a full squad. San Diego dressed a skeleton crew for the March 19-20 tournament in Las Vegas and paid the price with a 1-4-1 showing.

“We had seven skaters, which is too few when you have six games total in a weekend,” Hosers manager Steve Baldwin explained.

The San Diego team, which had skated to the top of the division standings at midseason, fared better at the final regular-season tournament April 2-3 in Las Vegas by winning four of its six games, including an 11-2 victory against the Arizona Outcasts. But it wasn’t enough to catch the Aces.

Baldwin said he expects the Hosers to field a full lineup for the playoffs.

“If all my top guys show up, we have a very good chance of winning the division playoffs

and then going to New York,” he said.The Aces, Outcasts and Arizona Ghostriders

would like to think they have something to say about that, however.

Stefan Demopoulos paced the Hosers with 18 goals and 28 points through 18 games to rank behind Las Vegas’s Darren Corsatea, who led the division with 21 goals and 41 points despite playing in just 16 games.

Aces goaltender Brandon Corsatea owned a 2.84 goals-against average and .861 save percentage in 16 appearances – best among the division’s Elite teams.

Stefan Demopoulos of the San Diego Tron Hosers breaks on the offensive in an American Inline Hockey League Pacific South/Southwest Division game earlier this season against the Arizona Ghostriders. Photo/Phillip Brents

Game On!AIHL playoffs on horizon for Pacific North, Pacific Southwest division teams

Teams roll out for Huntington Beach NARCh regional eventIt’s time to stow all that ice hockey gear in the back

of the closet because the next three months will be all about roller hockey – NARCh roller hockey, that is.

The NARCh caravan landed in Huntington Beach April 1-3 with 60 teams participating in the first of three Southern California regional championships. Awards were presented in 14 sub-divisions, plus individual awards for high scorer and top goaltender by division.

Additional Southern California regionals are scheduled April 22-24 at The Rinks-Irvine Inline and June 3-5 at the Escondido Sports Center in San Diego County. The 2016 NARCh West Coast Finals will take center

stage June 16-26 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach.The NARCh East Coast Finals are scheduled July

13-24 in Estero, Fla.NARCh President Daryn

Goodwin called the 141-game Huntington Beach Inline tournament “a solid event.” The Irvine Inline event sold out three weeks in advance.

“Irvine is going to be nuts,” Goodwin noted.

Division champions at the HB Inline event included HB Militia (Atom), Pama Cyclones (Mite Gold, Squirt Gold, Bantam Gold), San Diego Rockets 05 (Mite Silver), Arizona Stealth Hockey Club (Squirt Silver), HB

Militia Black (Pee Wee Gold), Huntington Beach Hurricanes (Bantam Silver), Revision Vanquish (Pee

Wee Silver, Midget Silver), Pama Prospects (Midget Gold), Konixx Outcasts (Junior), South Coast Savage (Men’s Gold) and Verbero Lynx (Men’s Silver).

Among the individual award-winners, the Cyclones’ Christian Kim (Mite) led all division high scorers with 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists), while AKS 05’s Ethan Woolcott (Mite) paced all top goaltender award-winners with a perfect 1.000 save percentage.

Squirt Division high scorer winner Anthony Yu of the Cyclones collected 19 points on 12 goals and seven assists to also showcase his offensive skills at the three-day event.

Other notable top goaltender award-winners included HB Militia Black’s Tyler Kitchen (Bantam) with a .923 save percentage and HB Militia Red’s Joey Mataviesko (Pee Wee) with a .907 save percentage.

- Phillip Brents

The HB Militia Black captured first place in the Pee Wee Gold Division at the first of three South-ern California NARCh regional championship tournaments April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline. Photo/NARCh


2015-16 CALIFORNIA/NEVADA ALUMNIE-mail all additions, deletions and corrections to [email protected]

CALIFORNIAPROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEBeau Bennett (Gardena) – Pittsburgh PenguinsEmerson Etem (Long Beach) – Vancouver CanucksAlec Martinez (Santa Clara) – Los Angeles KingsStefan Matteau – New Jersey Devils !Kevan Miller (Los Angeles) – Boston BruinsMatt Nieto (Long Beach) – San Jose SharksBobby Ryan (El Segundo) – Ottawa SenatorsMatt Tennyson (Pleasanton) – San Jose SharksJason Zucker – Minnesota Wild *

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUESena Acolatse (Hayward) – Portland PiratesTaylor Aronson (Placentia) – Milwaukee AdmiralsChase Balisy (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Portland PiratesMitch Callahan (Whittier) – Grand Rapids GriffinsEric Comrie (Newport Beach) – Manitoba MoosePheonix Copley – Chicago Wolves +Chase De Leo (La Mirada) – Manitoba MooseShane Harper (Valencia) – Portland PiratesMatthew Ford (West Hills) – Bakersfield CondorsRocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor) – Portland PiratesCory Kane (Irvine) – Texas StarsNic Kerdiles (Irvine) – San Diego GullsKyle MacKinnon (Walnut) – San Diego GullsCorbin McPherson (Folsom) – Albany DevilsGustav Olofsson – Iowa Wild !Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego) – Rochester AmericansScooter Vaughan (Placentia) – Chicago Wolves

ECHLAustin Block (Northridge) – Manchester MonarchsDennis Brown (Cypress) – Tulsa OilersGarrett Haar (Huntington Beach) – Alaska AcesMatt Konan (Tustin) – Tulsa OilersMiles Koules (Los Angeles) – Quad City MallardsJoe Marciano (Alta Loma) – Norfolk AdmiralsBrandon Marino (Riverside) – Brampton BeastTyler Maxwell (Manhattan Beach) – Alaska AcesMax Nicastro (Thousand Oaks) – Orlando Solar BearsJonathan Parker (Solana Beach) – Allen AmericansZach Pochiro – Quad City Mallards %Troy Power (Camarillo) – Manchester MonarchsTroy Redmann (Brea) – Alaska AcesAdam Reid (Chino Hills) – Orlando Solar BearsLiam Stewart (Hermosa Beach) – Alaska AcesSteve Weinstein (Los Angeles) – Cincinnati CyclonesMatt White (Whittier) – Manchester Monarchs

SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEDaniel Gentzler (Hermosa Beach) – Macon MayhemSteven Hoshaw (Vista) – Fayetteville FireAntzAlex Hudson (Corona) – Louisiana IceGatorsMark Pustin (Northridge) – Mississippi RiverKingsJeff Sanders (San Jose) – Macon MayhemMatt Zenzola (San Diego) – Pensacola Ice Flyers

FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUEAugust Aiken (Whittier) – Berlin River DriversJustin Alonzo (San Jose) – Port Huron ProwlersLester Brown (Citrus Heights) – Dayton Demolition

EUROPECharles Baldwin (Santee) – Czech RepublicBrett Beebe (Redondo Beach) - GermanyKyle Bigos (Upland) – EnglandJonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita) – RussiaRobbie Earl (Los Angeles) – SwedenRyan Hollweg (Downey) – Czech RepublicBrandon Kozun (Los Angeles) – FinlandRyan Lasch (Lake Forest) – SwedenColin Long (Santa Ana) – SwedenShane Madolora (Salinas) – ItalyRhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach) – SwedenBrett Sterling (Los Angeles) – AustriaC.J. Stretch (Irvine) – GermanyMitch Wahl (Seal Beach) – SwedenCasey Wellman (Brentwood) – Russia

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUEJessica Koizumi (Simi Valley) – Connecticut WhaleKourtney Kunichika (Fullerton) – Buffalo BeautsRachel Llanes (San Jose) – Boston PrideElena Orlando (San Jose) – New York RivetersJenny Scrivens (Camarillo) – New York RivetersCherie Stewart (Lake Forest) – New York RivetersAlyssa Wohlfeiler (Saugus) – Connecticut Whale

COLLEGE HOCKEY

NCAA DIVISION I – MEN

ATLANTIC HOCKEYChris Buchanan (San Jose) – Bentley UniversityRyan Doucet (San Jose) – U.S. Air Force AcademyDavid Gandara (Canyon Lake) – American International CollegeChase Golightly (Temecula) – Robert Morris UniversityTaylor Maruya (Westchester) – U.S. Military AcademyMitch Mueller (Bakersfield) – American International College

BIG TENWill Johnson (Santa Barbara) – University of Wisconsin

ECACMax Becker (Orange) – Princeton UniversityArthur Brey (Yorba Linda) – St. Lawrence UniversityLonnie Clary (Riverside) – Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteBrett Gervais (Corona) – Clarkson UniversitySoren Jonzzon (Mountain View) – Quinnipiac UniversityBrandon Kirk (La Verne) – Dartmouth CollegeSean Lawrence (Granite Bay) – Quinnipiac UniversityJonathan Liau (Burbank) – Princeton UniversityAlec McCrea (El Cajon) – Cornell UniversityAlex Miner-Barron (Glendora) – Quinnipiac UniversityTyler Moy (San Diego) – Harvard University

HOCKEY EASTCollin Delia (Rancho Cucamonga) – Merrimack CollegeThatcher Demko (San Diego) – Boston CollegeRobert Francis (San Diego) – University of Massachusetts-LowellGarrett Gamez (Chino Hills) – Providence CollegeDennis Kravchenko (Laguna Niguel) – Univ. of MassachusettsMichael McNicholas (Manhattan Beach) – Univ. of New HampshireAndrew Oglevie (Fullerton) – University of Notre DameNikolas Olsson (Escondido) – Boston UniversityRyan Ruck (Coto de Caza) – Northeastern UniversityScott Savage (San Clemente) – Boston CollegeDan Senkbeil (Fremont) – University of VermontRyan Tait (Santa Clarita) – Providence College

NCHCMatthew Caito (Coto de Caza) – Miami UniversityGrant Gallo (San Diego) – University of Nebraska-OmahaRobby Jackson (Alameda) – St. Cloud State UniversityGabe Levin (Marina del Rey) – University of DenverTrevor Moore (Thousand Oaks) – University of DenverPatrick Newell (Thousand Oaks) – St. Cloud State UniversityAustin Ortega (Escondido) – University of Nebraska-OmahaJ.T. Osborn (Alpine) – Western Michigan UniversityDavid Radke (Orinda) – Colorado CollegeRyan Siroky (Manhattan Beach) – Miami University

WCHABrandon Carlson (Huntington Beach) – Univ. of Alabama-HuntsvilleBen Greiner (Newport Beach) – Bowling Green State UniversityJohn Keeney (Twin Peaks) – University of Alaska-FairbanksTroy Loggins (Huntington Beach) – Northern Michigan Univ.Chandler Madry (Bakersfield) – Minnesota State UniversityLuke McColgan (Manhattan Beach) – Univ. of Alaska-AnchorageDarren Nowick (Long Beach) – Northern Michigan UniversitySean O’Rourke (Alta Loma) – Ferris State UniversityJ.D. Peterson (Orange) – University of Alaska-FairbanksMatt Robertson (Rohnert Park) – Ferris State UniversityTomas Sholl (Hermosa Beach) – Bowling Green State UniversityJohn Siemer (Baldwin Park) – Northern Michigan UniversityShane Sooth (Canyon Country) – Northern Michigan UniversityMax Vallis (Santa Clara) – Michigan Tech University

INDEPENDENTMichael Cummings (San Bernardino) – Arizona State UniversityDavid Jacobson (Calabasas) – Arizona State University

NCAA DIVISION III – MEN

ECAC NORTHEASTMatt Audet (Campbell) – Western New England UniversityStefan Brucato (Lake Elsinore) – Johnson & Wales UniversityKevin Chilton (Oak Park) – Nichols CollegeCarter Horwitz (Tustin) – Endicott CollegeDavid Kann (Lafayette) – Becker CollegeDevin Linker (Fresno) – Becker CollegeNicholas McKee (Bakersfield) – Becker CollegeLuke Miller (Lancaster) – Suffolk UniversityNick Newman (Saugus) – Wentworth Institute of TechnologyAdam Plonski (San Bernardino) – Becker CollegeCameron Randles (Santa Clarita) – Endicott CollegeBasil Reynolds (Covina) – Becker College

Haroutiun Sarkisian (Encino) – Nichols CollegeEvan Schmidbauer (San Diego) – Salve Regina UniversityCole Semchak (Bakersfield) – Western New England UniversityStanton Turner (San Francisco) – Suffolk UniversityBrian White (Santa Ana) – Curry College

ECAC WESTCory Anderson (Bakersfield) – ManhattanvilleJon Neal (Encinitas) – Hobart CollegeBrad Robbins (Murrieta) – Hobart CollegeCasey Rogers (Moreno Valley) – Neumann UniversityJordan Watt (Corona) – Neumann UniversityMitch Wiebe (McGregor) – Neumann UniversityMatt Zendejas (Upland) – Neumann University

MASCACKyle Baker (Fresno) – Worcester State UniversityJake Carter (El Segundo) – Westfield State UniversityGordon Ceasar (Oak Park) – Plymouth State UniversityCameron Coburn (Fresno) – Framingham State UniversityConnor Cooley (Simi Valley) – Univ. of Massachusetts-DartmouthSean Haltam (Medina) – Worcester State UniversityConnor McPherson (Lancaster) – Fitchburg State UniversityCody Slocum (Temecula) – Worcester State UniversityCrissostomos Villareal (Corona) – Worcester State University

MIACPeter Barral (Berkeley) – Bethel UniversityTyler Gonzales (West Covina) – Hamline UniversityMitch Hughes (Laguna Niguel) – Bethel UniversityDallas Marvin (Newbury Park) – Bethel UniversityJohnny Morales (Torrance) – St. Mary’s UniversityKevin Novakovich (Saratoga) – Hamline UniversityChris Nuth (Trabuco Canyon) – Augsburg CollegeJ.T. Paine (Rancho Santa Margarita) – St. Olaf CollegeJustin Plate (Rancho Santa Margarita) – St. Olaf CollegeSteven Sherman (San Diego) – St. Olaf CollegeJ.T. Walters (San Diego) – Bethel University

NCHAAnthony Annunziato (Alta Loma) – Lake Forest CollegeMatt Bartels (Sun City) – Aurora UniversityHenry Berger (Claremont) – Northland CollegeDarius Cole (Aurora) – Northland CollegeKyle Gonzalez (Chino Hills) – Northland CollegeJames Mathias (Ontario) – Marian UniversityPeter Megariotis (Anaheim) – Adrian CollegeTravis Meyer (Corona) – Marian UniversitySean Reynolds (Anaheim) – Lawrence UniversityAlec Rounds (Laguna Beach) – Finlandia UniversityNick Trefry (Upland) – Northland CollegeStorm Wahlrab (Laguna Nigiel) – St. Norbert CollegeQuinton Wunder (Simi Valley) – Lake Forest College

NEHCCassidy April (San Diego) – University of New EnglandSam Bloom (Davis) – Skidmore CollegeScott Cornfield (Brea) – New England CollegeBilly Faust (Alta Loma) – University of Massachusetts-BostonConnor Ferrera (Trabuco Canyon) – Univ. of Southern MaineBryan Hodges (La Palma) – University of Southern MaineBrett Kilar (Coto de Caza) – New England CollegeDavid MacGregor (Azusa) – Univ. of Massachusetts-BostonAaron Madsen (Trabuco Canyon) – New England CollegeJon Manlow (Murrieta) – New England CollegeKyle Manlow (Murrieta) – New England CollegeChristian Merritt (Thousand Oaks) – University of New EnglandEaston Miller (Mission Viejo) – St. Anselm CollegeBryce Nielsen (Laguna Hills) – New England CollegeWill Platt (San Francisco) – New England CollegeCorey Sikich (Hermosa Beach) – Castleton State UniversityTanner Tinoco (La Puente) – University of Southern Maine

NESCACKendall Culbertson (Laguna Niguel) – Bowdoin CollegeKai Frankville (La Jolla) – Colby CollegeRyan Glantz (Tarzana) – Connecticut CollegeChad Goldberg (Agoura Hills) – Tufts UniversityAustin Ho (Chino Hills) – Amherst CollegeMarcus Mollica (Dove Canyon) – Williams CollegeRyan Mowery (Rancho Santa Fe) – Connecticut CollegeXavier Louis Reed (Oakland) – Amherst CollegeWyatt Rees (Los Angeles) – Wesleyan UniversityJaren Taenaka (Rosemead) – Wesleyan UniversityOliver Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) – Tufts UniversityTheo Tydingco (Newark) – Wesleyan University

SUNYACEddie Cordero (Saugus) – Fredonia State University

Michael Freeman (Rancho Cucamonga) – Fredonia State Univ.Paul Fregeau (Sylmar) – Plattsburgh State UniversityKyle Herring (Valencia) – Cortland State UniversityTom Plese (Orange County) – Potsdam State UniversityJake Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Potsdam State UniversityLuke Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Fredonia State UniversityZac Sikich (Oak Park) – Brockport State UniversityT.J. Sneath (Chino) – Oswego State UniversityDylan Vander Esch (San Jose) – Potsdam State University

WIACBrandon Brossoit (Seal Beach) – Univ. of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireJono Davis (La Verne) – University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointZach Dixon (Huntington Beach) – Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens PointDavid Henry (Foster City) – University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireChristian Salvato (La Verne) – University of Wisconsin-StoutEric Shand (San Dimas) – University of Wisconsin-Superior

INDEPENDENTKyle Matsumoto (Walnut) – Canton State University

NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN

CHAMicayla Catanzariti (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Penn State Univ.Hannah England (Simi Valley) – Penn State UniversityLauren Kilroy (Cypress) – Mercyhurst UniversityJetta Rackleff – Rochester Institute of Technology $Sarah Robello – Rochester Institute of Technology $Megan Whiddon (Redondo Beach) – Mercyhurst UniversityCeline Whitlinger (Garden Grove) – Penn State University

ECACDylanne Crugnale (Laguna Niguel) – Harvard UniversityKeiko DeClerk (San Jose) – Princeton UniversityKara Drexler (Manhattan Beach) – Yale UniversityMonica Elvin (Penryn) – Brown UniversityLydia Grauer – St. Lawrence University $Kayla Nielsen (Laguna Hills) – St. Lawrence UniversityErin Ozturk (Huntington Beach) – Harvard UniversityJustine Reyes (Chino Hills) – St. Lawrence University

HOCKEY EASTBridget Baker (Los Gatos) – University of VermontAlice Hughes (La Canada) – University of ConnecticutKaliya Johnson – Boston College $Alenandra Lersch (Manhattan Beach) – Univ. of ConnecticutLexi Romanchuk (San Jose) – Providence College

WCHALeila Kilduff (San Jose) – Minnesota State UniversityAnnie Pankowski (Laguna Hills) – University of WisconsinNina Rodgers – University of Minnesota $

NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN

CHCMegan Alexander (Redondo Beach) – Stevenson UniversityAlexandra Bloom – Canton State University $Danielle Comorre (Tujunga) – Endicott CollegeSavannah Sommers (Corona) – Stevenson UniversityAnastasia Thompson (Riverside) – Becker College

ECAC WESTRachel Carranza (San Ramon) – William Smith CollegeBri Carroll – Buffalo State University $McKenna Farole (Irvine) – Elmira CollegeJenny Jones – Chatham College $Eva Kristof (Pleasanton) – Cortland State UniversityNicole Langley (Huntington Beach) – Utica CollegeJordan Lipson (Davis) – Plattsburgh State University

NESCACEmma Tani (Orange) – Trinity College

JUNIOR HOCKEY

BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUEElijiah Barriga (West Covina) - Salmon Arm SilverbacksAustin Chavez (Corona) - Wenatchee WildAaron Murray (Chino) - Wenatchee WildGarrett Nieto (Yorba Linda) - Wenatchee WildDakota Raabe (Dana Point) - Wenatchee WildTyler Rockwell (San Jose) - Wenatchee WildAlex Stoley (Manteca) - Prince George Spruce KingsJared Turcotte (Moorpark) - Salmon Arm SilverbacksCENTRAL CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUEJaylon Gorman (San Jose) – Smiths Falls BearsKyle Orgel (Los Angeles) – Brockville Braves


Ryan Orgel (Los Angeles) – Brockville Braves

EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUEMax Blitz (Chino Hills) - Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier)Paul Boutoussov (Dana Point) – Valley Jr. Warriors Chandler Cole (Laguna Hills) - Vermont Lumberjacks (Premier)Jared Day (Orange) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite)Dakota Delbridge (Tracy) - East Coast Wizards (Premier)Zach Feldman (San Diego) - Walpole Express (Premier)Garrett Geane (Fullerton) - Walpole Express (Premier)Doc Gentzler (Manhattan Beach) - Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier)Brendan Gilligan (San Jose) - Northern Cyclones (Elite)Brian Hodges (Yorba Linda) - East Coast Wizards (Premier)Timothy Huxen (Bakersfield) - New Jersey Rockets (Premier)Riley Kraemer (Villa Park) - Boston Bandits (Elite)Hunter Laslo (Irvine) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier)Daylan Lipanovich (Dana Point) - New Jersey Rockets (Premier)Drake Longaker (San Jose) - Northern Cyclones (Premier)Cameron Mack (Long Beach) - Connecticut Nighthawks (Premier)Matthew Maple (Fullerton) - New England Wolves (Elite)Garrett Mello (Agoura Hills) - New England Wolves (Premier)Shane Noviello (Mission Viejo) - Northern Cyclones (Premier)Evan Nyhus (Los Angeles) - Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier)Kris Onizuka (Mission Viejo) - Northern Cyclones (Elite)Ricky Pacciorini (Winters) - Boston Bandits (Elite)Justin Pierce (San Diego) - Boston Jr. Rangers (Elite)Josh Racataian (San Diego) - Walpole Express (Elite)Josh Reinstein (Los Angeles) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Premier)Devin Sadovnick (Studio City) - New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (Elite)Jordan Smith (Palo Alto) - Walpole Express (Elite)Felix Takacsi-Nagy (Los Gatos) - Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (Premier)Matthew Donald Toombs (Pleasanton) - New England Wolves (Premier)Chad Watt (Riverside) - Philadelphia Little Flyers (Premier)Matt Wiesner (Newport Beach) - Valley Jr. Warriors (Premier)Eric Wright (San Diego) - Walpole Express (Elite)

GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUERyan Cortez (Corona) – Bobcaygeon StormNoah Griffith (Bakersfield) – Komoka DragonsJames Kilgore (La Verne) – Haliburton WolvesHolden Melgoza (Torrance) – Parry Sound IslandersLuis Mendoza (Newark) – Parry Sound IslandersNick Spindola (Menlo Park) – Seguin HuskiesJohn Tomlinson (San Jose) – Norfolk VikingsJoshua Vaughan (San Jose) – Parry Sound Islanders

KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Cleary Ambrose (San Diego) – Kamloops StormAaron Aragon (Whittier) – Revelstoke GrizzliesTrevor Dilauro (Huntington Beach) – Spokane BravesKeenan Haase (Mission Viejo) – Kimberley DynamitersBlake Norman (Redondo Beach) – Spokane BravesDanny O’Donnell (Ventura) – Sicamous Eagles

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUEBen Baker (Rancho Santa Margarita) - Minnesota MagiciansAdam Canepa (Santa Cruz) - Corpus Christi IceRaysAlex Cathcart (Northridge) - Amarillo BullsNiko Della Maggorie (Gilroy) - Springfield Jr. BluesDylan Dix (Scotts Valley) - Corpus Christi IceRaysEzekiel Estrada (Newport Beach) – Kenai River Brown BearsZak Galambos (Walnut Creek) - Johnstown TomahawksJack Gates (Oceanside) - Janesville JetsJacob Hamacher (Corona) - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton KnightsNick Klishko (San Diego) - Kenai River Brown BearsBen Lown (Newport Coast) - Wichita Falls WildcatsDavid Marabella (Clovis) - Lone Star BrahmasNick Nast (Oxnard) - Kenai River Brown BearsGavin Nieto (Yorba Linda) - Fairbanks Ice DogsJake Rosenbaum (Irvine) - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton KnightsRussell Rourke (Long Beach) - Wichita Falls WildcatsChad Sasaki (Cypress) - Coulee Region ChillEvan Somoza (Simi Valley) - Fairbanks Ice DogsCole Souto (Yorba Linda) - Bismarck BobcatsLiam Stirtzinger (Moorpark) - Fairbanks Ice DogsNick Wallace (Sun Valley) - Bismarck BobcatsBlake Weyrick (Malibu) - Janesville Jets

NORTH AMERICAN 3 EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUENolan Bivolcic (Los Gatos) - Wilkes-Barre MinersMichael Fary (Lake Forest) - Jersey Shore WildcatsAugie Onorato (San Pedro) - New York Aviators

NORTH AMERICAN 3 HOCKEY LEAGUEJosh Allan (Los Angeles) - Glacier NationalsEvan Camba (Orange County) - Atlanta CapitalsJack Cleaver (San Jose) - Atlanta CapitalsChase Di Bari (Ladera Ranch) - Granite City LumberjacksBradley Estrada (Chino Hills) - Helena BighornsJay Forbes (San Diego) - Helena BighornsStephen Frank (Pleasant Hill) - Bozeman IcedogsWilliam Garrity (Dublin) - Nashville Jr. PredatorsAlec Hooper (San Jose) - Breezy Point North StarsRiley Hummitsch (Chino Hills) - Atlanta Capitals

Connor Melton (Chico) - Billings BullsBrandon Mills (San Dimas) - Helena BighornsArshia Mitchell (Aliso Viejo) - St. Louis Jr. BluesNick Nisbet (Scotts Valley) - La Crosse FreezeKyle Rimbach (San Diego) - Atlanta CapitalsHayden Smer (Mission Viejo) - St. Louis Jr. BluesNicholas Stellmack (San Jose) - Billings BullsColin Tripp (Prunedale) - Billings BullsDylan Wattles (Burbank) - Atlanta CapitalsAlex Werdmuller (Laguna Hills) - St. Louis Jr. BluesAleksandr Zendejas (Mission Viejo) - Atlanta Capitals

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUEParker Moskal (San Diego) – Cochrane CrunchJoseph Thielen (Huntington Beach) – Cochrane Crunch

NORTHERN PACIFIC HOCKEY LEAGUENash Berkowitz (San Jose) - Eugene GeneralsKarson DeRego (Huntington Beach) - Bellingham BlazersKevin Duncan (Los Angeles) - Bellingham BlazersRaymond Fleming (Palo Alto) - Wenatchee WolvesMark Klasen (Poway) - Bellingham BlazersJohnny Schacher (Bakersfield) - Wenatchee WolvesChristopher Sohl (Riverside) - West Sound WarriorsSam Vizenor (Anaheim) - Bellingham Blazers

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUEMatthew Boucher (Los Angeles) – Quebec Remparts

SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUECoby Downs (Montclair) - Battlefords North Stars Jacob Fricks (Laguna Niguel) - Weyburn Red WingsIgor Leonenko (Santa Cruz) - Battlefords North StarsRobby McClellan (Palos Verdes) - Estevan BruinsEvan Plotnik (Capistrano Beach) - Melfort MustangsOwen Sikich (Hermosa Beach) - Notre Dame Hounds

UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUEJoey Cassetti (Pleasanton) – U.S. NTDP Under-17 TeamDevin Cooley (Los Gatos) – Muskegon LumberjacksLawton Courtnall (Westlake Village) – Sioux Falls StampedeJustin Dixson (Sunnyville) – Tri-City StormJake Durflinger (Walnut Creek) – Bloomington ThunderNathaniel Kallen (San Diego) – Muskegon LumberjacksPatrick Khodorenko (Walnut Creek) – U.S. NTDP Under-18 TeamTyson McLellan (San Jose) – Madison CapitolsShane McMahan (Irvine) – Fargo ForceBrannon McManus (Newport Beach) – Omaha LancersAlec Mehr (Irvine) – Bloomington ThunderNick Rivera (Pacific Palisades) – Omaha LancersJakob Romo (Fullerton) – Dubuque Fighting SaintsEetu Selanne (Coto de Caza) – Madison CapitolsEthan Somoza (Simi Valley) – Bloomington ThunderJosh Wilkins (Laguna Hills) – Sioux City MusketeersBrian Williams (San Diego) – Omaha Lancers

UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUEDavid Adams (San Ramon) - Boston Jr. Bruins (Elite)Eric Anderson (Riverside) - Potomac Patriots (Elite)Justin Apodaca (Valencia) - Carolina Eagles (Elite)Eric Bampenchow (Laguna Hills) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Pierce Bartolo (Belmont) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (USP3)O’Had Beck (Cupertino) - Boston Jr. Bruins (USP3)Brady Boudreau (Anaheim) - Potomac Patriots (USP3)Rock Boynton (Lomita) - Richmond Generals (Elite)Jordan Carrasco (San Jose) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3)Kevin Cole (San Jose) - Traverse City Hounds (Midwest)Braxton Davis (Hermosa Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest)Devin Day (Fontana) - Charlotte Rush (Elite)Jayson Dimizio (Goleta) - Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite)Kohl Donovan (Sacramento) - Boston Jr. Bruins (Elite)Khalil East (Inglewood) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite)Jason Footlick (Redondo Beach) - St. Croix Valley Magicians (Midwest)Andrew Frojelin (San Marcos) - Charlotte Rush (Elite)Cody Fulkerson (Long Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest)Johnny Garrity (Dublin) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3)John Grealish (Bakersfield) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite)Brooks Hatfield (San Jose) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite)Samuel Hernandez (Fontana) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3) Bryan Hochberg (Woodland Hills) - Boston Jr. Bruins (USP3)Frank Horowitz (Los Angeles) - Springfield Pics (Premier)D.J. Howell (Saratoga) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite)Adam Hulsey (Bakersfield) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (USP3)Shane Johnson (Bakersfield) - Decatur Blaze (Midwest)Jasper Korican-Barlay (Oakland) - South Shore Kings (Elite)Brad Lemelin (Rancho Cucamonga) - Florida Eels (USP3)Zach Lemelin (Rancho Cucamonga) - Florida Eels (USP3)Alex Lofink (San Jose) - Boston Jr. Bruins (Elite)Daniel Luyten (Chino Hills) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite)Adrian Maass (Long Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest)Manny Mancha (Rosemead) - Potomac Patriots (Elite)Jordan Manning (San Jose) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite)Avery McDonnell (Chino Hills) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite)Harrison Mills (Redwood City) - Islanders Hockey Club (Elite)

Kyle Mugica (West Covina) - Marquette Royales (Midwest)Cole Nelson (Pasadena) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3)Adam Papayoanou (Valencia) - Carolina Eagles (Elite)Cameron Platzman (Huntington Beach) - Bay State Breakers (Elite)Tristen Poliseno (Stevenson Ranch) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest)Sean Tannenbaum (San Jose) - Hampton Roads Whalers (Elite)Nick Tolin (Torrance) - Blaine Energy (Midwest)Nick Wardstrom (Discovery Bay) - Islanders Hockey Club (USP3)Daniel Wesolek (Seal Beach) - Forest Lake Lakers (Midwest)Michael Wiggins (Temecula) - Atlanta Jr. Knights (Elite)

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUEBlake Bargar (Torrance) – Moose Jaw WarriorsTy Comrie (Newport Beach) – Vancouver GiantsTaylor Crunk (San Jacinto) – Vancouver GiantsIgor Larionov II (San Jose) – Portland WinterhawksSteven Owre (Rocklin) – Medicine Hat TigersEvan Sarthou – Tri-City Americans %Keoni Texeira (Fontana) – Portland WinterhawksBrayden Watts (Bakersfield) – Moose Jaw WarriorsEvan Weinger (El Segundo) – Portland WinterhawksBrian Williams (Claremont) – Regina PatsKailer Yamamoto – Spokane Chiefs %Keanu Yamamoto – Spokane Chiefs %

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUEBasel Assaf (Rancho Cucamonga) - Valencia FlyersWolfgang Boehringer (Fresno) - Fresno MonstersDominic Bosetti (Long Beach) - Long Beach BombersSean Buffardi (Huntington Beach) - Long Beach BombersMichael Caruso (Rancho Cucamonga) - San Diego SabersBrody Cavataio (San Diego) - San Diego SabersTerrence Cheeseboro (Sacramento) - Southern Oregon SpartansNathan Churchill (Lafayette) - Fresno MonstersSteve Columbo (San Jose) - Arizona HawksCarter Dahl (Fresno) - Fresno MonstersMichael Dwyer (Clovis) - Casper CoyotesNathan Fournier (Rancho Cucamonga) - Las Vegas StormLiam Gallant (Santa Barbara) - San Diego SabersNicholas Gary (Palo Alto) - Fresno MonstersNiklas Giers (Simi Valley) - Valencia FlyersDaniel Goodwin (Fresno) - Fresno MonstersDoug Gutierrez (San Jose) - Southern Oregon SpartansTaylor Hickman (Saugus) - Valencia FlyersMitchell Hodges (La Palma) - Idaho Jr. Steelheads Kody Holmes (San Diego) - Las Vegas StormJack Kelly (Redondo Beach) - Long Beach BombersCody Key (Fresno) - Fresno MonstersGarrett Kingsbury (Bakersfield) - Valencia Flyers Austin Lechtanski (Rancho Cucamonga) - San Diego SabersKyle Ljunggren (Castaic) - Valencia FlyersNathan Lloyd (Irvine) - Long Beach BombersBrian Martinez (Bakersfield) - Valencia FlyersTereck Morales (Filmore) - Valencia Flyers Conner Osborne (Temecula) - Fresno MonstersAndrew Pellegrino (Fresno) - Fresno MonstersJoe Pichedwatana (Lakewood) - Long Beach BombersLuke Richesin (Fresno) - Fresno MonstersChase Roques (Menifee) - San Diego SabersNick Short (Los Angeles) - Long Beach BombersMark Shroyer (Fresno) - Fresno MonstersEric Siegel (Valencia) - Valencia Flyers Bailey Simpson (Placentia) - Salt Lake City MooseChris Sudnicki (Bellflower) - Long Beach BombersSamuel Taferner (Canyon Country) - Valencia FlyersChase Thesman (Pacific Palisades) - Valencia Flyers Wes Varrasso (San Diego) - San Diego SabersJared Waldman (Los Angeles) - Valencia FlyersCody West (Valencia) - Valencia FlyersLuc Whyte (Saugus) - Valencia FlyersNicholas Wilton (Redondo Beach) - Valencia Flyers

PREP SCHOOLCayla Barnes (Corona) – New Hampton PrepBailey Bennett (Gardena) – North American Hockey AcademyBrad Budman (Foothill Ranch) – Williston NorthamptonVincent de Mey (Los Angeles) – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Drew Douglas (Huntington Beach) – Pomfret SchoolChristian Figliola (San Diego) – Pomfret SchoolEvan Gray (Huntington Beach) – Kent SchoolBlake Howard (Coto de Caza) – New Hampton PrepEvan Johnson (Huntington Beach) – The GunneryTrevin Kozlowski (Valencia) – The GunneryCalifornia Kromelow (Burlingame) – Hotchkiss SchoolKeely Moy (San Diego) – Kent SchoolKyle Penn (Mission Viejo) – Pomfret SchoolDavid Quast (Long Beach) – Proctor AcademyBrandon Schellin (Las Flores) – Avon Old FarmsMax Torrez (Anaheim Hills) – Westminster SchoolKeelan Ulnick (Laguna Niguel) – The GunneryBilly Zegras (San Diego) – The Berkshire School

NEVADAPROFESSIONAL HOCKEY NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEJason Zucker (Las Vegas) – Minnesota Wild

ECHLJacob MacDonald (Fernley) – Elmira JackalsZach Pochiro (Las Vegas) – Quad City Mallards

SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEChris Rial (Las Vegas) – Columbus Cottonmouths

FEDERAL HOCKEY LEAGUECody Milligan (Las Vegas) – Dayton Demolition

COLLEGE HOCKEY

NCAA DIVISION I – MEN

BIG TENKenny Brooks (Las Vegas) – Penn State University

ECACRoss McMullen (Las Vegas) – St. Lawrence UniversityJoe Sullivan (Las Vegas) – St. Lawrence

WCHACory Ward (Las Vegas) – Bemidji State University

INDEPENDENTJoey Raats (Las Vegas) – Arizona State University

NCAA DIVISION III – MEN

ECAC NORTHEASTTyler Auricchio (Henderson) – Becker CollegeJoseph Kaszupski (Henderson) – Endicott College

MASCACNick Govig (Las Vegas) – Fitchburg State University

NCHADerek Sutliffe (Las Vegas) – College of St. Scholastica

SUNYACRyan Chiasson (Henderson) – Plattsburgh State University

NCAA DIVISION I – WOMEN

CHASarah Robello (Las Vegas) – Mercyhurst University

NCAA DIVISION III – WOMEN

JUNIOR HOCKEY

BRITISH COLUMBIA HOCKEY LEAGUEBrendan Harris (Las Vegas) - Wenatchee Wild

EASTERN HOCKEY LEAGUEAlec Mono (Las Vegas) - New Jersey Rockets (Premier)

GREATER METRO HOCKEY LEAGUEZane Branson (Las Vegas) – Orangeville Ice Crushers

NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUEBrennan Blaszczak (Las Vegas) - Springfield Jr. BluesDom Garcia (Las Vegas) - Aston Rebels

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUEDaniel Nicholas (Las Vegas) – Espanola Express

ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUERiley Jones (Las Vegas) – Colorado RampageBrenden Russ (Las Vegas) – Breckenridge Bucks

SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUEEric Williams (Henderson) - Melville Millionaires

UNITED STATES PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUEMichael Cichy (Las Vegas) - Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings (Midwest)

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUEGage Quinney (Las Vegas) – Kamloops BlazersLandon Quinney (Las Vegas) – Moose Jaw Warriors

WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUEJake McKenna (Las Vegas) – Las Vegas Storm

* Former L.A. Select! Former San Jose Jr. Shark% Former L.A. Jr. King

$ Former Anaheim Lady Duck+ Former California Titan


INDUSTRY PROFILE: A.J. BOLDAN – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PAC-8 HOCKEY

A.J. BOLDANHometown: Rochester, Minn.Resides: Salt Lake City, UtahAge: 36Position/Organization: Executive Director, PAC-8 Hockey; President/GM/Assistant Coach, University of Utah Hockey

California Rubber: What’s your back-ground in hockey, and how did you get to where you are today?A.J. Boldan: I went through the youth program in my hometown in Minneso-ta and graduated from John Marshall

High. I came out here to University of Utah, and didn’t play until I was in graduate school in 2007. My sec-ond year with the program, they were struggling with leadership and some of the guys came to me, and I’ve been the general manager since then. The program had struggled, but in 2009, we made some coaching changes, which brought better players, and it snowballed to what the program has become today. In 2011, Utah joined the PAC-8 and I was elected to my current position in 2014.

CR: How would you describe your du-ties and responsibilities with the PAC-8?AB: I think it’s all about vision and direction. Our program at Utah has been successful because we’ve been actively recruiting, which takes a lot of time and effort. What I’ve learned through my experiences at Utah, I have applied with the PAC-8, which is where the idea for our re-cruiting camp came from.

CR: Tell us about your recruiting camp and the idea behind it.AB: The camp is June 15-18 in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. and is designed for players entering their final year

of high school to be matched with ACHA Division 1 and 2 programs. Players can register at http://pac8hockey.com/pac-8-announc-es-2016-college-recruiting-camp/. We want teams to plan ahead as much as possible, and we think this is a great way to let them do that. Once we’re able to do this for a few years, the talent is going to get bet-ter, teams are going to be better, and the league is going to be better. My ultimate goal is to have the PAC-8 evolve into the PAC-12 NCAA hockey conference, which could be the best hockey conference in the country. Combined with the reach and quality of the PAC-12 television network, these top-notch academics programs would become the next hotbed of college hockey.

CR: What are you expecting for a turn-out at this year’s recruiting camp?AB: Last year, we had about 30 kids, and a lot of them were local, but we considered it a great success. We are expecting 96 high school athletes this June. After last year’s camp, we spent several days improv-ing the format of the camp and how we can really get kids interested in college hockey if they don’t know

that the American Collegiate Hockey Association exists. We know that in a lot of parts of the country, college hockey is the NCAA. But the ACHA offers a wonderful college hockey experience, and depending on the program, it is in some ways superior and more enjoyable.

CR: Where do you see the PAC-8 fit-ting into the world of college hockey?AB: Hockey is growing in the West, and the PAC-8 has a huge opportu-nity to weave the conference into the consciousness of people in Califor-nia, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The colleges in our league offer great opportunities to be successful on and off the ice. We want every one of our programs to be competing for recruits for NCAA Division III teams. We’re trying to prove to these kids that there are very few difference in the quality of the programs and they will get more playing time with a better academic value.

For more information on PAC-8 Hockey, see the advertisement on Page 15.

- Compiled by Greg Ball

By Chris Bayee

Gabe Levin should be used to the recruiting pro-cess by now.

He grew up in Southern California playing Tier I travel hockey for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and Cali-fornia Titans.

While fashioning a stellar junior career with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League, he navigated the college hockey recruit-ment process, eventually landing at then-WCHA and now-NCHC power University of Denver.

That was good preparation for the next recruit-ing battle – where to go to law school, where the likes of Harvard, Columbia and others are compet-ing for the late 1991 birth year from Marina del Rey.

The conclusion of that battle will be the icing on the cake of a sumptuous college career for the talented center.

The 5-foot-8 Levin established himself as one of DU’s more reliable players over the course of his career, not only contributing points, but key faceoff wins on a perennial NCAA team. But many of his contributions aren’t quantifiable by numbers.

“The first thing is his intelligence – how we want to play, where he needs to be, how we want to ex-ecute our game plan to a ‘T,’” said Jim Montgom-ery, his coach the past three seasons. “His commu-nication with his teammates. Those are the things that jump out to me. When I got here, he was a guy who naturally fit how we were going to play.”

Levin’s numbers surged under Montgomery, going from nine points as a freshman to 21 and 19 the next two seasons and 14 this past season, when the Pio-neers reached the Frozen Four for the first time in 11

years.Levin long thrived setting up teammates, but on

Dec. 5, he set himself up for the future.That day he took the LSAT in Grand Forks, N.D.,

(where DU was playing North Dakota) and scored in the 99th percentile. He played that night after sitting

out the opener of the series on Dec. 4 to study. The absence ended the NCHC’s ironman streak at 129 games.

His play and that of his teammates, who went on an 18-3-4 surge to close the season, helped him gain notice for two major awards.

First, he received the NCHC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award and the conference’s inaugural postgrad-uate scholarship in March. Then earlier this month, he captured the NCAA Elite 90 Award because he had the highest GPA (3.96 in finance and legal studies) among all players at the Frozen Four.

That’s it. And that’s part of his appeal, team-mates said.

“I’ve gained so much respect for Gabe in my four years here,” Pioneers senior captain Grant Ar-nold said. “He’s become one of my close friends on the team. I look up to him. The guy is so smart, he works so hard.

“I’ve never heard a cocky word out of his mouth. He’s very humble. He’s getting all these awards, he’s getting into Harvard Law School, Columbia, all these great schools, and it took someone else to tell us. At the same time, the dude will get in the dirty areas on the ice. He wants to win.”

His linemates raved about his impact as well.“He’s been a great example for me to learn from

and to guide me to where I am with my game right now,” freshman Colin Staub said. “I attribute a lot of that to him.”

Added junior Emil Romig: “I’ve played with Gabe on and off for three years, and we comple-ment each other really well. He’s unbelievable with the puck, finding open guys and making plays.

“Off the ice, he’s such an awesome kid. He’s so smart and everyone loves him. He’s such a fun guy to be around.”

Levin takes it all in stride.“It’s been an amazing four years,” he said. “I

couldn’t have asked for a better time or better team-mates.”

Levin caps DU career with NCAA Frozen Four, law school

University of Denver senior and Marine del Rey native Gabe Levin improved on the ice each season with the Pioneers, but will soon trade in his skates for law school in preparation for his future off the ice. Photo/DU Athletics


NEVADA REPORTUNLV rolls to runner-up finishat 2016 NCRHA tournamentBy Phillip Brents

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas advanced to the Division I championship game at this year’s National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) national champi-

onship tournament, April 6-10, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.The Rollin’ Rebels have clearly made the NCRHA finals a showcase for their program

with five consecutive Final Four appearances, including two runner-up finishes (2012 and 2016).

UNLV’s 4-1 championship game loss to defending national champion Neumann Uni-versity proved to be very tight and very competitive.

Austin Shannon put the Rollin’ Rebels on the scoreboard with 1:30 gone in the third period to trim Neumann’s lead to 2-1. The game remained up for grabs until the Knights (35-1) broke through with two goals in the final 2:48, including an empty-net goal by P.J.Martino, the game’s star with three goals, with 1:22 to play.

UNLV finished the 2015-16 season with a 27-4 record that included a 14-2 regular season finish at the top of the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League’s (WCRHL) Division I standings and a WCRHL regional championship.

Andrew Tamura topped the Rollin’ Rebels with 75 points (36 goals, 39 assists) in 30 total games played, while Shannon tallied 65 points (34 goals, 31 assists) in 31 games.

UNLV assistant coach Jared Joerger noted that every player on the roster contribut-ed both offensively and defensively to the team’s successful season.

“We have had a lot of good moments,” Joerger explained. “Several players developed and stepped into big roles faster than we expected, the team has developed great chem-istry, and they stepped their game up more and more as the national tournament went on. Each guy has risen to the occasion at different points in the season and played a big role in our victories. We have had sensational goaltending from Terry Martin all year long. He has established himself as one of the top college goaltenders in the country.

“Our success has come from strong team play. We have a lot of individual talent on this team, but everyone has played an unselfish, complete team game that has led to our successes this season.”

Storm tandem finds positives at USA Hockey NationalsBy Matt Mackinder

No national championship? No problem for a pair of Nevada Storm teams at USA Hock-ey Tier II Youth Nationals earlier this month.Matt Johnson’s 14U AA team made it to the semifinals out in Charlotte, N.C., but

fell 4-3 to eventual national champion Team Wyoming. The Storm won once in regulation, twice in a shootout and then the semifinal defeat.

“At nationals, we played very well from the net out,” said Johnson. “When it comes down to it, the other team’s depth is what separated us from them. Everyone on the team fought until the end and I am proud at the effort and success these boys achieved.”

Johnson added that “everyone pitched in” the entire season.“We had great goaltending all year from Luke Fundator and Blaze Katz and on

defense, we had a solid performances from John Hallett, Sammy Redoble, Seth Knudsen and Trent Carter,” Johnson said. “Up front, forwards Hunter Barto, Braden LaPlaca, Joe Heinzelman, Tucker Norman, Joey Terrana, Noah McAnallen, R.C. Angelil, Jacob Underhill and Mick Corrigan provided us with clutch scoring, especially in shootouts.”

At the 16U AA event in Wayne, N.J., the Storm group went 2-1-0 with wins over the Atlanta Phoenix and Alaska Jr. Avalanche.

“Overall, our team had a great experience at nationals,” said Storm 16U AA coach Micah Sanford. “Our team got to play in high-level hockey games and really learned a lot about what it takes to bring home a national championship. The week had its up and downs, but I believe our players learned a lot about themselves throughout the entire week.”

Sanford said he had a few players that really elevated their game during the national experience, including defenseman Steven Avalone and forwards Tyler Brooks, Cody Prinzten and Jacob Wrizienski.

“I believe that a trip to nationals can energize an entire program for the next season,” said Sanford. “After the tournament, my players were hungrier than ever before to improve their game so maybe in the future, we might have another opportunity to compete at na-tionals.”


The South Coast Savage captured first place in the Men’s Gold Division April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline at the first of three Southern California NARCh regional championship tournaments. Photo/NARCh

PICTURE PERFECT

Back on April 2, the Jr. Ice Dogs’ Squirt BB team out of Anaheim downed the Bakersfield Dragons 5-0 to win its division at the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association cham-pionships at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo. Jack Riley scored two goals and Cohen Krudwig, Zach Ellis and Aidan Grant one each as Dylan Newton picked up the shutout in goal.

The Pama Cyclones captured first place in the Squirt Gold Division at the first of three Southern California NARCh regional championship tournaments April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline. Photo/NARCh

After previously winning a SCAHA championship the week before, the Jr. Ice Dogs Squirt BB squad won a CAHA state title April 10 at Sharks Ice in San Jose with a close 4-3 win over the Bakersfield Dragons in the final game.

With a 5-2 win over the OC Hockey Club on April 2 at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, the Pasadena Maple Leafs cele-brated a Southern California Amateur Hockey Association Pee Wee B championship. A week later, the Maple Leafs took second at the CAHA State Championships. Photo/ActionPhotos.net

The Konixx Outcasts claimed first place in the Junior Di-vision at the first of three Southern California NARCh re-gional championship tournaments back on April 1-3 at The Rinks-Huntington Beach Inline. Photo/NARCh

The Nevada Storm 16U AA club journeyed to Wayne, N.J., for the USA Hockey Youth Nationals, which were showcased from March 31-April 4. (More on Page 31)

The Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ 16U AAA Minor squad celebrated the championship at this year’s 15U/16U National Invitational Tournament, which was showcased last month just outside of Pittsburgh.

Submit your favorite hockey photos to [email protected]!

The Nevada Storm 14U AA traveled to Charlotte, N.C., to partake in the USA Hockey Youth Nationals from March 31-April 4. (More on Page 31)

Newport Beach native Brannon McManus posted 17 goals and 39 points this season with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, good for tops among all 16-year-old players in the league. Photo/USHL


Photo/Gametime Sports Photos

BLAKE WEYRICK Position: Goalie, Janesville Jets (NAHL)Committed: Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey)Hometown: MalibuYouth programs: Channel Islands Riptide, Anaheim Jr. Ducks, L.A. SelectsCalifornia Rubber: You committed in early March to play your college hockey at Canisius - what did you like about the program?Blake Weyrick: I really love the coaching staff. They were very personable, and I developed some great relationships during the recruiting process. I really like the direction that they’re taking the program. I think there’s a great opportunity for me to develop as a player and receive a great educa-tion. I think it’s a great place to try to win a championship and work toward becoming a professional hockey player.

CR: How do you think playing at Canisius will help you improve and prepare for your ultimate goal of a career in the NHL?BW: Playing at that level, the competition is very good. Especially for goal-tenders, playing college hockey really helps develop you and prepare you for the transition to the pro game. I think the experience of playing at a high level day in and day out is really going to help me improve.

CR: You’ve played some very high-level hockey, first with Shattuck-St. Mary’s, then with the U.S. national U17 and U18 teams, in the USHL and now the NAHL. Who have you learned the most from along the way?BW: I’d definitely say that Larry Clemens, who is the goalie coach in Janesville, has been huge for me. He’s really helped me a ton with my game, and working with him has helped me make significant strides and personal gains, so I have to thank him a lot. Also, the goalie coaches with the national team, Kevin Reiter and Mike Ayers, were both unbeliev-able. I think just getting to work with a lot of great coaches, going back to Shattuck-St. Mary’s, has really helped me develop.

CR: Has there been one stop along the way that you feel has been the most significant in your development as a player?BW: I’d probably say coming to Janesville this season has been the biggest thing in my development. We have a great group of guys in the locker room, and this is an amazing opportunity to show what I’m capable of and prove my abilities. Just in this season alone, I think I’ve matured a lot, and the mental side of the game has become very important for me.

CR: What do you feel is the best attribute as a hockey player, and what are you working on to improve?BW: I think my strongest point now is that I really love to compete and enjoy the game, and that helps keep me motivated to work hard all the time on my game and get in the weight room. I never get tired of playing hockey. Some of the things I’m trying to work on right now are playing the puck and my rebound control. That’s something I’m constantly working on, as well as the fundamentals. Focusing on the fundamentals is something I do every day, and I think that’s something I’ll be doing for as long as I play hockey.

CR: Are there certain players that you have modeled your game after as you’ve grown up in hockey, or that you look up to as goalies?BW: I was born and raised a Kings fan, so I’ve always watched and admired Jonathan Quick. I’m a huge fan of Carey Price, too - I love to watch him play. Seeing a lot of the NHL’s Western Conference goalies growing up influenced me - Antti Niemi, Corey Crawford and others. I love seeing different goalies with different styles.

CR: How often do you get home to California, and what do you miss about it when you’re gone?BW: I usually get back for Christmas and the summers. I think I miss the people - just being away from my family and people that I’ve grown up with.

- Compiled by Greg Ball

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For more information, contact tournament directorBrian McDonough at (612) 220-4402 or [email protected]

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THANKSGIVINGWEEKEND

November 24 - 27, 2016

PRESIDENTS’ DAYWEEKEND

February 12-15, 2017 Midget Open . 2003 Elite & AAA

2004 Elite & AAA . 2005 Elite & AAA2006 Elite & AAA . 2007 Elite & AAA

2008 Elite & AAA2009 Mite Track I (Full Ice)

2010 Mite Track II (Half Ice)

Midget 18U AA/A - Midget 16U AA/A . High School . Bantam AA, A, B . Pee Wee AA, A, B . Squirt A, BB, B . Mite Track I & II

LABOR DAYWEEKENDSeptember 2 - 5, 2016

MEMORIAL DAYWEEKENDMay 26 -29, 2017

California Rubber Magazine - April 2016

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Transcript of California Rubber Magazine - April 2016