March, 2008 - Rubber Hockey Magazine
Transcription
March, 2008 - Rubber Hockey Magazine
calirubber b com b CAHA’s state champions crowned b Interview: NARCh’s Daryn Goodwin b OC’s Vaughan digs in at Michigan b Limbaga rolling along at 949 Hockey’s Helping Lady Duck Beth Chapman Hand embraces sport’s charitable spirit VOLUME 1 ISSUE 3 March 2008 California’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey THE LINEUP: 4...........Editors Column Rubber Interview...........5 6..........Cover Story Anaheim Ducks..............8 10.........San Jose Sharks Minor Pro Hockey.........11 California Rubber Magazine is published by: Good Sport Media, Inc., P.O. Box 24024 Edina, MN 55424 10 times a year, once monthly September through May and once in the summer. Postmaster: send address changes to : P.O. Box 24024, Edina, MN 55424 Ph. (612) 929-2171 b Fax (612) 920-8326 E-mail: brian@goodsportmedia.com Express/Overnight Mail: 4524 Washburn Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55410 Subscription Rates: $29.95 USD b Single Copy: $3.95 USD Mail subscriptions to: P.O. Box 24024 Edina, MN 55424 Subscriptions are non-refundable REPORT AN ERROR IMMEDIATELY California Rubber Magazine will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion Visit our Web site at: www.calirubber.com 12.........Association Reports College Hockey.............16 17.........Junior Hockey Association Reports......18 19.........Feature: Scooter Vaughan Association Reports......20 24.........Inline Hockey On the cover: calirubber Bcom BCAHA’s state champions crowned BInterview: NARCh’s Daryn Goodwin BOC’s Vaughan digs in at Michigan BLimbaga rolling along at 949 Hockey’s Helping Lady Duck Beth Chapman Hand embraces sport’s charitable spirit VOLUME 1 ISSUE 3 March 2008 Beth Chapman gets ready to whip up some “Bubbles By Beth” (story on Page 6) California’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey California Rubber Magazine is a production of: senior editor & publisher: Brian McDonough editor: Phillip Goodman senior designer: Jennifer Hron associate designer: Jayson Hron 3 Where can you take California Rubber? Want to win a $20 iTunes gift card? It’s easy and fun! Just snap a digital photo of you and the latest issue of California Rubber Magazine at any upcoming tournament, out-of-state tourist hotspot or unique California location and send to phil@calirubber.com with the title: California Rubber Photo Contest We’ll draw the winner and publish their photo in the next issue! Creativity is encouraged and all ages can enter. Good Luck! See page 21 for this month’s winner www Editor Column: Let’s not forget: Safety comes first T he entire sports world was left stunned last month by the freak incident in Buffalo that left Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik clinging to life before a silenced crowd. We’re obviously relieved that Zednik will recover from that potentially tragic accident, but it should serve as a reminder to everyone in the hockey world Goodman that safety can’t be overlooked, no matter how burdensome the task. Obviously, Zednik’s case is an extremely rare occurrence, but the injury still highlights the risks and dangers of playing ice hockey or any other high-contact sport. Fortunately, there were paramedics on standby at that game, as there are for every NHL and pro game. Yet, for many youth and amateur games, a team doctor, let alone an athletic trainer, is not always a guarantee. With that said, it’s up to the coaches, mangers, administrators and parents to take it upon themselves to do what they can to prevent an accident. Whether or not you have a trainer available for your games, a first-aid kit should be in every coach’s bag right next to his clipboard and skates. Make sure it’s filled with gauze pads, tape and sharp scissors (you never know when you may have to cut through a jersey). Cold compresses can be expensive, but a box of plastic baggies cost just pennies a piece. The snack bar at your rink should provide you with ice for your bags. If there is no snack bar, a handful of Zamboni shavings will do the trick. And don’t wait until an ice bag is actually needed during the game; take five minutes before your team hits the ice and prepare a few ice bags ahead of time. No one likes paperwork, but make sure you have an emergency contact list for your team. Put that list in that same emergency kit to ensure you always know where it is. It’s also a good idea to double-check those contacts halfway through your season in case families have changed cell phone providers, addresses, etc. Safety should always be a top priority for our players, coaches and officials. Be careful out there, and, more importantly, be prepared. Reach Phillip Goodman at phil@calirubber.com b ca l i r u b b e r b c o m Stars down Golden Bears in 24-Hour Game T he California Stars’ Mite B team (Stars) doubled up the California Golden Bears’ Mite B squad (Stripes), 6-3, in the California segment of USA Hockey’s 24-Hour Game, which was played at Center Ice Arena in Ontario last month. Former Duck Anatoli Seminov dropped the game’s ceremonial first puck. Nationwide, the Stripes were the overall winners. The Stars jumped out to a 68-51 lead through the first period (opening eight hours), but the Stripes rallied to dominate the final two 4 periods and overtime (the Alaska and Hawaii games) culminating in a 198171 victory at the first-ever event. The Stripes teams won 24 of the 50 games played across the United States. The Stars won 16 contests and 10 ended in a tie. “This was a very exciting event for California and the California Stars’ and California Golden Bears’ Mite B teams,” said California Amateur Hockey Association president Charles Fuertsch. “It was also a great tie-in with USA Hockey’s Hockey Weekend Across America.” To top off the HWAA event, CAHA received a letter from Governor Schwarzenegger honoring the California hockey community in celebration of the weekend. USA Hockey is already planning for next year’s HWAA event, which is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of February 20-22, 2009. “I hope the 24-Hour Game concept is continued as part of next year’s event,” Fuertsch added. b Wave Makers b Two Californians were named to the U.S. Women’s National Team preliminary roster for the IIHF World Women’s Championship, which will be held April 4-12 in Harbin, China: forward Jessica Koizumi (Simi Valley) and goaltender Chanda Gunn (Huntington Beach). b The Anaheim Ducks raised close to $120,000 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) at the Anaheim Ducks Wives and Significant Others Fashion Luncheon held last month in Newport Beach (see more on Page 14). b Matt Tennyson, a former Pleasanton resident and member of the San Jose Jr. Sharks program, has committed to Western Michigan University. This season, the defenseman is playing for the Texas Tornado of the NAHL. b Ashley Hanley was named the recipient of the ninth annual Michael Jund Sports Media Scholarship Award. A Communications major at USC, Handley will receive a $2,500 scholarship towards her education. Jund was a Kings media relations assistant when he passed away in 1998 at the age of 22. b Forward Casey Wellman, from Brentwood, has committed to the University of Massachusetts (Hockey East) for next season. This year, the former Jr. Shark is skating with the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) RoughRiders of the USHL. b Senior forward David Eddy, from California, scored two goals, including the game-winner, and two assists in an 8-2 win over Rosemount in last month’s section finals to lead Woodbury High School to the prestigious Minnesota state tournament. b The San Jose Sharks’ 2-0 win over St. Louis on March 1 marked a milestone for coach Ron Wilson who, with the victory, became San Jose’s franchise leader in wins by a coach with 193. Rubber Interview with Daryn Goodwin North American Roller Championship President A fixture in the inline hockey community, Daryn Goodwin has grown his North American Roller Championship (NARCh) tournament series into the largest and most successful in all of North America. California Rubber’s Brian McDonough caught up with Goodwin to learn more about his passion for inline hockey. California Rubber: How and when did you get involved in the roller hockey scene? Daryn Goodwin: In 1991 I started a roller hockey league in Visalia. I was playing ice for the Fresno Falcons semi-pro team and messed around a few times with some kids on the city tennis courts. The city got mad since it messed up the courts, so the kids were kicked off. I rented some rink time at the roller rink and moved everyone inside and started to advertise a league and it just grew from there. CR: Talk about the inception of NARCh and how it has evolved over the years? DG: The first event was in 1994 with 37 teams in St. Louis. NARCh was really the first event that all of the sponsors got behind. It’s really evolved in every aspect: size, competition level, expectations, etc. CR: In your estimation, what has made NARCh such a success? DG: Vision, consistency and the fact that we don’t cut corners are a few things we take pride in. Every employee is totally dedicated to the sport and we try to never be complacent. What really makes NARCh special are the teams and dedication that they show year after year. CR: How is the growth of roller hockey progressing in California? DG: I’ve seen peaks and valleys. In the beginning, there were no roller hockey facilities, only roller rinks. In the mid- to late-90’s, they started popping up everywhere. Since then, we’ve seen a lot of them either fail or just disappear due to the price of land increasing. Things have started to stabilize and most of the rinks that are open now have a better understanding of the sport and what it takes to be successful. CR: How about nationally, what does roller hockey need to do to gain more widespread acceptance? DG: My short answer is that rinks need to do a better job of marketing, especially to 5-8-year-olds. There’s a lot of different sports to choose from, so rinks need to make it public knowledge within their community that roller hockey is a great sport and a blast to play. Once they’re in the door, they also have to have a fun, organized atmosphere so the kids really fall in love with the sport. CR: Talk about inline hockey and its relation to ice. Can both benefit from each other? DG: This is really a hot button for me. I’ve been preaching this to the ice community ever since I got involved in roller hockey. Most people have finally accepted that both sports complement each other, even more than roller supporters that play ice realize. Interview Continued / Page 20 5 By Steve Stein I t began as a nice father-daughter project, something they could do together because dad felt he was spending a lot of time with his hockeyplaying son. Five years later, the soap bars that Bill and Beth Chapman make and sell, called “Bubbles by Beth,” have become a Christmas-time godsend for area charities. And Beth has become a heck of a hockey player. A defenseman, she’s a key member of the reigning USA Hockey girls 12-and-under national champion Anaheim Lady Ducks’ team. The Lady Ducks are part of the Anaheim Ducks’ Jr. Ducks youth hockey program that was formed in 1999. Beth and her teammates became the first Junior Ducks team to win a national championship last year when they defeated perennial powerhouse Assabet Valley (Mass.), 3-1, in San Jose for the title. The Lady Ducks have a chance to make it two national titles in a row when they compete in the 12U national tournament next month in Westchester, Pa. But back to the soap. Beth and her dad made so much of it in their first effort that they didn’t know what to do with it. So Bill Chapman came up with the idea of selling it and using the money to help those less fortunate. “We made $160 that first year,” Bill Chapman said. “Beth loves to read, so we decided to buy books for a promotion Barnes & Noble does for the kids at Hannah’s Children’s Homes.” Hannah’s Children’s Homes is a not-for-profit organization that provides foster care, adoption services and residential care for abused and disadvantaged children. Kids served by Hannah’s Children’s Homes have a wish list of books they want that Barnes & Noble grants. The annual Spark of Love toy drive has become Beth’s charity of choice. The Anaheim Ducks organization is very active in the drive. One year, Beth received an autographed JeanSebastian Giguere jersey for her toy-drive efforts. Sales of “Bubbles by Beth” raised $600 this past holiday season, not bad 6 A Big Assist Talented on the ice, young Beth Chapman is also a proven winner in the community for two weeks’ worth of production. The most the soap sales has generated was $1,300 in 2006. Manufacturing the soap has now become a family project, with Beth’s mom, Lyne Chapman, lending a hand. “I’ll bet we’ve made 25 different scents through the years,” Bill Chapman said. “We usually do eight or 10 each year. One of the favorites is always almond oatmeal.” Soaps are sold at Anaheim Ice, the Junior Ducks’ home rink, and Beth’s karate school (she hopes to earn her black belt by the end of the year). Family and friends also buy soap, and plenty is sold through word-ofmouth. “Bubbles by Beth” isn’t Beth’s only charitable effort. She’s donated her hair to Locks of Love three times, and plans to do it a fourth time next year. Based in Lake Worth, Fla., Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that provides hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children under age 18 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. Because of her achievements on and off the ice, Beth was named the Junior Duck of the Month for January. She won tickts to an Anaheim Ducks game at the Honda Center, a Zamboni ride, and she was recognized with an announcement during the game. Between the monumental time commitment required to play top-level youth hockey and her charitable work, Beth has found enough time to be a straight-A student. She’s a sixthgrader. “Beth just doesn’t like to fail at things,” Lyne Chapman said. “We never have to watch her and make sure she’s doing what she needs to do. She’s very self-motivated.” Bill and Lyne Chapman are both teachers. Bill is a middle school computer teacher, and Lyne is a fifth-grade teacher. Clay, 14, Beth’s brother, is in eighth grade and he’s still playing hockey. The family lives in Rancho Cucamonga. Like the launch of the soap business, Clay had an indirect role in how Beth got interested in playing hockey. When she was 6, Beth stopped by while Clay was helping out at a hockey camp at Anaheim Ice. Paul Kariya visited the camp, bringing his gold medal from the 2002 Winter Olympics with him. “My dad took pictures of my brother and me wearing Paul Kariya’s gold n of o i t c u d o r in the p g n i z i l y rinks a e i k c o h Spec e c hetic i t n y s r o o outd “We love our ice rink...the boys go out in the morning and skate until after dark.” John Rockwell, Coach of the Jr. Sharks, Pee Wee AA ‘96 phone: 408.348.5859 Fax: 408.395.7535 Email: info@pacificice.net www.pacificice.net medal. That’s when I knew I wanted to play hockey. I want to win an Olympic gold medal, too,” Beth said. “Yep, she gave up ballet and dance and started playing hockey,” Bill Chapman said. Even though she just turned 12 on Valentine’s Day, Beth is one of the Lady Ducks’ assistant captains. Coach Kathy McGarrigle had no hesitation making the decision to give Beth that responsibility. “Beth is very coachable and a hard worker,” McGarrigle said. “She’s also a chatterbox who’s always smiling and friendly, and quite a storyteller.” Don’t let the chatterbox, smiling, friendly, storytelling Beth give you the wrong impression. She’s also tough as nails on the ice. There’s no intentional bodychecking in girls hockey, but Beth has shown she can handle physical play when she’s played in a boys league the Lady Ducks play in and at summer camps. Her father said Beth impressed coaches with her toughness at the Okanagan Hockey School’s International Development Tournament last summer in Penticton, British Columbia. Beth played for the 10U and 12U Lady Ducks last year. She’s taken a more active role in the Lady Ducks’ offense this season, including seeing time on the power play. Most importantly, though, she boasts a goodhearted spirit that everyone wants to be around. Beth Chapman gave up dance “Her teammates love her,” and ballet to start playing hockey. said McGarrigle. b 7 Anaheim Ducks Ducks coming out of hibernation T he Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, a giant of a team filled with skilled scorers, tough hitters and defenders, furious fighters and an elite goaltender, arose slowly this season. “I used this analogy earlier in the season, but watching our team come together has been like watching a bear wake up at the zoo,” said Ducks GM Brian Burke after the Feb. 26 trade deadline had passed. “He shakes out one limb, then another limb. It’s a lengthy process, but when he’s awake he’s a bear.” The bear that is the Ducks awakened slowly this season, its hibernation a brief one after winning the Stanley Cup for the first time last June. By the end of September, the creature was awake, albeit groggy. The Ducks had a short offseason due to their championship run. A 4-7-2 start followed. Restoring the championship club to elite status took months of uncertainty, as top defenseman Scott Niedermayer and top forward Teemu Selanne contemplated retirement. Niedermayer didn’t return to the club until Dec. 16, Selanne on Feb. 5. Prior to their returns, the club had failed to catch a tread offensively, its second line having particular difficulty scoring. Burke went so far as to deal center Andy MacDonald to St. Louis for Doug Weight in a salary cap-era attempt to make room for Niedermayer, then Selanne. Ducks coach Randy Carlyle tried youngsters such as Brian Sutherby, Brandon Bochenski (since dealt to Nashville), Geoff Platt, Bobby Ryan and Jason King amidst his top six forwards in an attempt to jumpstart the offense. Todd Bertuzzi took a while to produce points consistently after suffering a concussion early in the season. The drama was heightened when Ilya Bryzgalov was dealt to Phoenix shortly after star netminder Jean-Sebastian Giguere returned from injury. Surely, slowly, similar to the bear that Burke describes, the Ducks began to stretch their limbs and rise to their feet. An upward trajectory from late December to the present followed. “I believe that we put this group together slowly,” said Burke. “Scotty came back late. Teemu came back late. We haven’t had the whole group, let alone been hitting on all eight cylinders.” From late December through February, the club has been running like a well-oiled machine. After the return of Selanne and Niedermayer, the Ducks crafted winning streaks of six games, five games and, on two occasions, four. Soon, the awakening bear was challenging Dallas for top spot in the Pacific Division. At the deadline, conventional wisdom pegged Burke to make a play for big names such as Marian Hossa, Olli Jokinen or Mats Sundin. Those who follow Burke, however, know that he’s smarter than the average bear. “Anaheim could have been the star easily of the trade deadline today by putting the Edmonton pick in play,” said Burke of the 2008 first-round pick acquired from Edmonton 8 after the Dustin Penner signing. “We could have blown any other deals out of the water. “We could have made all the headlines and grabbed all the hype. In my mind, it wasn’t prudent to do it for two reasons: one because we do believe in our group; and two, I think that pick is going to end up having tremendous value to this franchise over the next decade.” For Burke, the trade deadline is too often a day for GM’s to make grand mistakes. As it was 12 months ago, Burke dealt for depth. Last year, it was Brad May. This season, defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron joins the Ducks defensive corps and will jockey for ice time with Joe DiPenta and Kent Huskins. Many Duck fans have wondered aloud whether 2006 first-round pick Bobby Ryan would finally get a full-time opportunity in the NHL after scoring three goals and two assists in 13 games. Burke noted that Ryan garnered much interest from other clubs during trade talks leading to the deadline and has concluded that after two years in juniors plus two more in the American League, Ryan will be called up from the AHL’s Portland Pirates, the Ducks’ AAA affiliate, if Anaheim needs a top-six forward. “It’s his time,” says Burke of Ryan. b Photo / Anaheim Ducks / Debora Robinson By Josh Brewster Scott Niedermayer’s return to the ice is trouble for Pacific Division foes. Register online @ www.bismarckbobcats.com Contact Bismarck Bobcats for more info: 701-222-3300 or bisbobcats@aol.com May 9 - 11 . Apex Ice Arena ARVADA, COLORADO June 27 - 29 . Dakotah Sports Center PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA Register now! START HERE! www.bismarckbobcats.com . Guaranteed spots at final camp (Minimum of 10 per camp invited to final camp for no additional charge) . Last season, 40 players from open camps invited to final camp / five made the Bobcats’ team . One-time fee: $250 . We provide jersey, meal and constructive feedback . The number of players is limited to 80 per camp 9 San Jose Sharks Long road trip tests Sharks’ mettle By Zach Plaza T 10 called ‘Blaze.’ After I finish those, I better hit the bookstore to buy some more because I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately.” Some players prefer movies, especially while flying. “I usually just grab a DVD from the case that we have on the plane,” said Mitchell. The long road trips also afford the opportunity for the team to come together and bond on a personal level, which is a key ingredient to any team success. “This team is my second family when I’m not at home with my wife and kids,” said Sharks veteran defenseman Craig Rivet. “Ninety-five percent of my time is spent with these guys on the team. “When we’re on the road, we eat together. When we’re not at the rink, we watch movies together, just hang out with each other.” With the trip behind them, the Sharks can now look forward to a more home-friendly schedule as they continue their run at a Pacific Division title. b Photo / San Jose Sharks Don Smith he HP Pavilion was without its San Jose Sharks for much of February, as the team embarked on an eight-game road trip that took them to the East Coast and the Midwest for 16 days. It wasn’t the longest trip in Sharks history - that was a 10-game swing during the 1998-99 season - but it was certainly the longest for many of the team’s younger players. “I’ve only been on a road trip that was four or five days long,” said rookie forward Torrey Mitchell. “It was only two games and I was playing for the University of Vermont at the time. We went to Alaska for five days, so that was the longest one I’ve been on.” The Sharks started the road trip, which kicked off on Feb. 17 at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers, slow, losing their first three contents. San Jose rebounded on the second half of the trip, however, reeling off five straight wins before returning to California. The finale - a 2-0 win over St. Louis on March 1 – marked a milestone for Sharks coach Ron Wilson who, with the victory, became San Jose’s franchise leader in wins by a coach with 193. Despite all the travel, NHL players are accustomed to life on the road. They know what’s required to stay healthy and focused on the task at hand. “A lot of us have played in the minors before where you have to take long road trips,” said right wing Jonathan Cheechoo. “Guys know you have to take care of yourself. You have to get the right amount of sleep. You have to drink a lot of fluids, lots of Gatorade and water to stay hydrated.” Second-year defensemen MarcEdouard Vlasic says the secret to any success away from home is to relish the downtime. “You really need to get your rest, that’s the key,” Vlasic noted. “If you have time off you can do some stuff, but the key is getting enough rest. Take it easy. Get your rest early and you’ll be in good shape for the entire trip.” Long road trips have their advantages and disadvantages. They are an ideal opportunity to bond with teammates. On the other hand, if the team isn’t winning, it’s hard to find any joy. The Sharks haven’t had that problem this season. They held the league’s best road mark heading into their extended trip and ended it with a 22-83 record away from HP, still the best in the NHL. Another highlight of the trip was a 3-2 win over Western Conference rival Detroit, which holds the league’s best record, on Feb. 29. With a lot of free time between games and practices, reading is a popular pastime among the Sharks on the road. “I have a couple different books right now,” said Cheechoo. “One by Matthew Rowley, his new one that just came out. I also have one by Stephen King The Sharks had plenty to celebrate during their recent eight-game road trip. Minor Pro More pucks to Reign on California C alifornia will welcome its fourth mi- sense for so many reasons,” said Jusmany years to come.” nor-professional team to the state The Reign will play in the new tin Kemp, executive VP of business next season, as the ECHL’s Board of state-of-the-art Citizens Business Bank development for the Reign. “We will in Governors recently approved a transfer Arena, a $130 million multi-purpose essence be ‘reigning’ an empire, led by of membership from its current team facility with 9,736 seats as well as 36 our affiliate the ‘Kings.’ in Beaumont, Texas (the Wildcatters), suites, a continuous concourse and a “We look forward to getting the to Ontario for the start of the 2008-09 VIP club. creative juices flowing and developcampaign. The ECHL already has teams playing a sensational logo and marketing The team will be called the Ontario ing in Bakersfield (Condors), Fresno campaign for the upcoming season and Reign. The name was cho(Falcons) and Stockton sen from over 600 sugges(Thunder). tions received, with Mike “We’re pleased to finally officially welcome Brewster of Fontana Ontario to the ECHL,” submitting the winning said ECHL commisentry. He will receive two season tickets to the 2008sioner Brian McKenna. 09 regular season, slated to “This outstanding facilbegin in October. ity and a terrific market The name Reign is a great addition to our conjures up the image of western geography.” strength, size, longevity Managed by AEG, and royalty incorporatCitizens Business Bank Arena will not only be ing the region of Ontario, home to the newest known as the Inland Emprofessional hockey pire, as well as the Los team, but also host to a Angeles Kings, who are the variety of other sporting affiliate. activities, world-class “We were very excited concerts, family shows when we came across this Ontario’s Citizens Business Bank Arena will seat well over 9,000 for hockey. name because it makes and special events. b Subscribe Online Using at www.calirubber.com YES! Sign me up for 10 action-packed issues of California Rubber Magazine, California’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey for only $29.95! Name: _________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: ________________________________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________________________ Make Check or Money Order to: California Rubber Magazine . P.O. Box 24024 . Edina, MN . 55424 11 Anaheim Jr. Ducks Jr. Ducks, LA Selects unite for worthy cause T wo of the premier Bantam Tier I ice hockey teams in Southern California honored U.S. veterans by turning their rivalry into a charity effort. The Anaheim Jr. Ducks and LA Selects Bantam AAA teams donated all proceeds from two games this season to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). “The two teams united to do something good for a worthy cause,” said Jr. Ducks Bantam AAA co-manager Sharon Keeney. “Many of the kids have parents or grandparents who are veterans, but have limited experience with war and the results to the soldiers.” The WWP’s mission is to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid to benefit service men and women coming home from battle severely injured. WWP assists those of the armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world. The first game took place back on Nov. 17 at Anaheim Ice. After the Star Spangled Banner was played by the U.S. Military band, everyone, including the hundreds of fans in attendance, paused for a moment of silence for all veterans. The Jr. Ducks won the first game, 2-1, thanks to goals by Matthew Sullivan and Zachary Wallace. The LA Selects’ goal was scored by Matthew Caito. With more than $5,000 was raised after Game 1, the second game took place on Dec. 8. The Selects won that contest, 3-2. Chad Goldberg scored two goals (one shorthanded) and Nick Newman added another, while William Alberto and Chris Parker scored for the Ducks. The total proceeds from the two games totaled over $8,600. “It was great to see the rivals work together in the context of the hockey games,” Keeney said. - Joshua Boyd The Anaheim Jr. Ducks and the LA Selects raised over $8,600 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Anaheim Wildcats Lodnia quickly molding a winner A naheim has a new hockey club in town that is creating quite a buzz. Based on the North American Hockey League’s Junior A Wichita Falls (Texas) Wildcats, head coach and owner of KHS Ice Arena, Konstantin Lodnia, formed the Anaheim Wildcats in 2006 for children ages 6-16. In just over two seasons, it’s clear Lodnia had formed something special. Additionally, several of the players have flown across the globe to Russia, where they competed against top teams. In December, some of the Wildcats and their families hosted Russian youth hockey players, where they were able to train, practice and scrimmage players under Lodnia’s supervision. More remarkably, four of the six Wildcat teams played in this month’s Southern California Amateur Hockey Association playoffs, including the Squirt 98 team, on which Lodnia’s son, Vanya, plays. The squad was looking to repeat as SCAHA champions. - Joshua Boyd 12 Above, Rourke Russell of Anaheim Wildcats’ Squirt 98 team about to take a faceoff. Below, Anaheim Wildcats Squirt 98 team with Russian Team Silver Lions 98 during their December visit to the U.S. Photos / LG All of the Anaheim teams have competed in numerous tournaments throughout the nation, including the Detroit Little Caesars AAA Tournament, the Bell Capital Cup and the Cougar Selects in Chicago. Los Angeles Hockey Club San Diego Saints LA developing top-end talent Saints making strides in short time ften times, the biggest flag a youth organization can fly is the players they’ve developed and moved on to higherlevel organizations. ithin less than four seasons of developing its local talent, the Saints hockey program has sent three players to Division I prep schools with some form of scholarship. O The LA Hockey Club has three such distinguished alumni: Dakota Eveland, William Wrenn and Matt Konan. Two will eventually be seen in the Division I hockey circles, while the other has chosen the Major Junior Western Hockey League in Canada. Eveland, 1991-born Anaheim product, had seven goals for 15 points after 36 games with the USHL’s Omaha (Neb.) Lancers this season. He has committed to Colorado College for a four-year full ride, which he will begin either in 2009 or 2010. Eveland will be staring down former LA Hockey Club defenseman Wrenn when Wrenn is at the University of Denver, Colorado College’s in-state rival. Wrenn, originally from Anchorage, is playing this season for the U.S. National Development Program’s Under-17 Team where he has five assists after 35 games in the NAHL. Born one day after Eveland, Konan is from Tustin. He’s playing this season for the Medicine Hat (Saskatchewan) Tigers. W A couple of former Saints have gone on to play for schools in Canada, and five players have advanced to Junior A hockey programs. The Saints program has won over eight tournament championships, one league championship (Southwest Hockey League) and has competed in international events in such places as Ottawa, Vancouver, Niagara Falls and Toronto. The program is the home to the only all-girls program in San Diego and south of Irvine County – the Lady Saints. With a 14U team in place already, next year the Lady Saints are planning to expand with a 10U-aged team. The Saints also require that each travel hockey player meets with their coaches at least twice to assure that each athlete meets the eligible grade-point average in order to compete in games. In addition, each team within the Saints organization - ages 9 and older - is guided by a non-parent coach. - Joshua Boyd - Joshua Boyd San Diego Ice Arena Sterling spurs youth development T he San Diego Ice Arena youth hockey program continues on its winning streak. This winter, the Squirt B SDIA Oilers took gold in the California State Games with SDIA teams at all levels participated in the prestigious tournament. SDIA has developed a great youth hockey program that has enabled its teams to be competitive and achieve great success at all levels of youth hockey. Under the direction of Craig Sterling, the program has teams at the recreational level from beginner skills development to mini-mites through the Midget age groups. What’s more, SDIA fields tournament and travel teams in the B, A and AA levels from Mite B to Midget U16A. For individual player development, Sterling offers Friday night and Saturday morning skills development clinics, Sunday morning power-skating classes and multiple off-ice training opportunities. Sterling also has many great coaches with tremendous hockey experience in which to tap into. One such example is Martin St. Amour, a former professional player and coach of the San Diego Gulls. San Diego Ice Arena’s Squirt B team are all smiles after winning gold at the California State Games. - Joshua Boyd 13 Ducks’ charity event benefits CHOC T he Anaheim Ducks raised approximately $120,000 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) at the 2008 Anaheim Ducks Wives and Significant Others Fashion Luncheon held last month in Newport Beach. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the creation of a new teen room on the oncology floor at CHOC. The sold-out event was attended by over 250 guests, including players, coaches and the club’s executive management team. “The new teen room is a wonderful announcement for our partnership with CHOC,” said Ducks owner Susan Samueli. “It will symbolize our common goals to support children and families, while facilitating positive change in our community.” The garden party-themed luncheon was emceed by CBS 2’s Laura Diaz, a 10-time Emmy award-winning journalist in the Los Angeles market and acclaimed comedienne Cindy Burns. Spring 2008 collections from various American and European designers were presented by Nordstrom in the informal fashion show. Nordstrom models were joined by three very special guest models: Ducks goaltender J.S. Giguere, center Ryan Getzlaf and right wing Teemu Selanne. “The Anaheim Ducks Family is committed to supporting the community,” said Event Chair Caroline Marchant, wife of Ducks center Todd Marchant. “We, as wives and significant others, felt strongly about establishing our own event and are thrilled with the success of our inaugural fashion luncheon benefiting CHOC. We expect to make this successful event an annual addition to the Ducks community calendar.” Tables for the event cost $2,500 and up, based on level of sponsorship package purchased. Guests also helped raise funds for CHOC by bidding on a variety of exciting live and silent auctions. Highlighted live auction items included a meet and greet with Michael Bublé following his concert at Honda Center on May 10, dinner at The Cannery in Newport Beach with J.S. and Kristen Giguere and Todd and Caroline Marchant, and a day of golf with Teemu Selanne at the private Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club. Top silent auction items included use of Ducks executive VP-GM Brian Burke’s suite for an upcoming Ducks game, a weekend getaway to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and a Hawaiian vacation. b Channel Island Riptide Riptide making positive strides but surely, the Channel Islands Riptide is putting Slowly itself in an advantageous situation. The program is now proud to be partial owners of its own rink, running the Channel Islands Ice Center, along with the ChanFrom left, CHOC president-CEO Kimberly Cripe, Ducks executive nel Islands Figure Skating Club, as a non-profit entity. VP-COO Tim Ryan, Event Chair Caroline Marchant, Ducks right wing “This is an exciting opportunity for the potential growth and Teemu Selanne and Ducks senior VP-CMO Bob Wagner prosperity of the Riptide membership,” said Riptide president Jim Meaney. This season, Channel Island added another team to the fold, brining the total to number to five. In addition to the 18U Southern California Amateur Hockey Association championship, Channel Island teams have brought home five banners this season, which are proudly displayed in its home rink. The Riptide is also looking to leap into Tier competition next season and possibly fielding a sixth and seventh team. The club also recently hired a new director of youth hockey and continues to add more programs for the growth of the sport for the local community. “We hope that this will increase the overall level of play in Ventura County,” said Meaney. - Joshua Boyd 14 2008 CAHA Tier I & II State Champions Tier I 18U - LA Selects Tier I 16U - San Jose Jr. Sharks Tier I 14U - LA Selects Tier II 18U - California Stars Tier II 16U - California Stars Tier II 14U - LA Hockey Club Tier II 12U - LA Hockey Club See individual standings / leaders on Page 26 The official camp of JEFF SEROWIK’S PRO AMBITIONS HOCKEY, INC. NATIONWIDE BATTLE DAY CAMPS BOARDING CAMPS BOSTON UNIVERSITY AAA KENTS HILL SCHOOL, ME NHL FANTASY, GIRLS OLYMPIC STRATTON MOUNTAIN, VT HOCKEY OUTWARD BOUND HOCROSSE, HOCKEY/GOLF UNIVERSITY OF RI SURF/HOCKEY, GIRLS OLYMPIC SO. LAKE TAHOE, CA LAKE TAHPRO MILTON ACADEMY, MA BATTLE BOARDING GOALIE DEFENSEMAN CAMPS WITH JEFF SEROWIK WWW.PROAMBITIONS.COM Yorba Linda Blackhawks Squirt B squad having banner season E ntering March, the Yorba Linda Blackhawks’ Squirt B team, a former in-house Mite team from affiliate rink Aliso Viejo Ice Palace, was heating up the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association standings. In the process, the team has also brought home championships banners from the likes of Anaheim’s Early Bird Tournament, Anaheim’s Thanksgiving Tournament and, most recently, the 31st Annual President’s Day Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo., where it went undefeated. “These young kids take the ice with the goal of playing like a team and knowing that’s the only way to produce results,” said head coach Matt Beaty. Beaty is assisted by Jay Alexandrovich, Jim Brunelle and Mike Pagani. Beaty’s coaching style consists of teaching the players the fundamentals of the game of hockey along with teamwork, discipline and personal development which has helped define the club’s success. The overall dedication, commitment and hard work of the players led the team to a perfect 15-0 record in SCAHA play and a 33-0-1 mark overall. In that timeframe, the Squirts struck for an impressive 102 goals while only allowing 15. Yorba Linda’s Squirt B team celebrated another tournament championship last month in Colorado Springs. - Joshua Boyd 15 College Hockey By Phillip Goodman W ith 16 freshmen on this year’s San Jose State University roster, many people had doubts the Spartans would maintain their presence as a champion contender. Despite a rocky start, the Spartans gelled and entered the Western Regional Tournament in February as the No. 9 seed thanks in part to freshman goaltender Alessandro Mullane. “Even our coach didn’t expect us to do this well,” said Mullane. “We didn’t think it was a rebuilding year. We said, ‘Let’s make it to Nationals. Let’s do everything we can do because we know we can do it.’” Mullane emerged this season as the top netminder for his Spartans, bringing his squad within one game of the national tournament. In 25 games, he maintained a .887 save percentage and a goals-against average of 3.50 – respectable to say the least for the sharp-shooting Western Region of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. 16 Rob Soul, the Spartans’ play-byplay voice for the last two seasons, expressed optimism about Mullane’s ability while taking over for Ryan Lowe, who finished second in Spartans history for all-time wins. “It’s conceivable [Mullane] could pass Lowe in overall wins,” said Soul. “His GAA will probably improve, too. If he can keep his head on straight and Only a freshman, Alessandro Mullane has a bright future in store at San Jose State. keep his focus, for [Mullane] the sky’s the limit.” Born in New York City, Mullane relocated to San Diego at age 5 and then to San Jose around sixth grade. He switched from roller hockey to ice at age 8, playing forward until he was 14 before becoming a goaltender with the Jr. Sharks’ Bantam team. Mullane then spent a season in juniors with the Revelstoke Grizzlies in Vancouver. The next year, he stopped pucks for the Calgary Canucks’ Junior A team. Now a Business and Kinesiology major at SJSU, what does Mullane want to do after graduation? “Become a firefighter or see where hockey takes me,” he said. Until then, Mullane will continue his quest for a national title as a Spartan. “The word we use in the locker room is ‘Believe,’” said Mullane. “We believe in each other and we believe we can make it and get as far as we can get.” b Photo / Sue Vaughan / Hockeyshots.com Mullane steady between San Jose’s pipes Junior Hockey Thunder already gearing up for 2008-09 By Matt Mackinder T hough the Capital Thunder finished the regular season with a paltry 18-32-1 record, it could have been a lot worse considering the team did something it had never done before. The Thunder went with a youth movement this year after going with a team primarily stocked with older players the past couple of seasons. And the result was a drop in the Western States Hockey League standings and a sub-.500 record. “It’s so tough to recruit,” Thunder GM Bob Armando said. “We only had two [20-year-old players] on the roster this year and some teams had as many as 13. This was the first year in the five years we’ve owned the team that we went young. “We kept some AA and AAA kids that maybe should have stayed and played Midget hockey this year, but we hope to develop those kids next year when they return. By having a younger team, we didn’t think it would bite us in the butt as much as it did losing 32 games.” There were some positives, however. Second-year defenseman Scott McNally, a Port Huenume native who turns 20 this month, is off to play college hockey next season at Division III Minnesota-Crookston and leading scorer Zack Graydon, an alternate captain from Roseville, also had an offer from Crookston, but turned it down to pursue other interests. “We’re still moving kids,” said Armando. A goal of the Thunder every season is to defeat all of their opponents, including the Phoenix Polar Bears and El Paso Rhinos, two teams that are the benchmark for success in the WSHL. “We always want to give those teams, especially Phoenix, some good games,” said Armando. “Those Phoenix games are a great measuring stick and, in past years, we’ve always found a way to beat them, but not this year.” Thus, the focus on the 2008-09 season and the expectations that arise with the Thunder becomes more prevalent. Armando reiterated the fact that more than a handful of players from the just-finished season will be back a year older, a year wiser and more accustomed to the league. “Our aim is to field as competitive a team as we can,” said Armando. “We want to compete with the top teams and though that doesn’t mean we will, we’ll definitely try our best and give it everything we’ve got.” b WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE Commissioner/President: Ron White • wshloffice@aol.com 1000 E. Cerritos Ave. • Anaheim, CA 92805 • (714) 502-9185 x 240 • www.wshl.org WESTERN DIVISION Bay Cities Bombers Glacial Gardens Arena 2400 E. Carson Ave, Lakewood, CA Contact: Nick Ganga E-mail:nickganga21@hotmail.com Phoenix Polar Bears Polar Ice Arena 2001 W. Alameda Dr. Chandler, AZ 85282 Contact: Tyler Ramsey E-mail: tramsey@phoenixpolarbears.com Valencia Flyers Ice Station Valencia 27745 N. Smyth Rd. Valencia, CA 91355 Contact: Larry Bruyere E-mail: bruyere444@aol.com San Diego Surf IceoPlex 555 N. Tulip St Escondido, CA 92025 Contact: M.F. Schurman E-mail: mfschurman@cs.com Capital Thunder Skatetown Ice Arena 1009 Orlando Ave. Roseville, CA 95661 Contact: Bob Armando E-mail:shark006@hotmail.com MIDWESTERN DIVISION Dallas Hawks Addison Square Garden 15100 Midway Rd. Addison, TX Contact: Brad Lason E-mail: Brad@playershockey.com Cajun Catahoulas Louisiana Hockeyplex 3607 N.W. Evangeline Thruway Carencro, LA 70520 Phone: (337) 896-2040 E-mail: hands09@att.net Tulsa Rampage Oilers Ice Center 6413 South Mingo Tulsa, OK 74133 Contact: Julie Wilson Email:julie@tulsarampage.com Colorado Outlaws 10710 Westminster Blvd Westminister, CO 80020 Phone: (303) 499-9610 Contact: Jeremy Chatman E-mail: hockeylife102000@yahoo.com San Antonio Diablos Ice Center @ Northwood 17530 Henderson Pass San Antonio, TX 78232 Contact: Ryan Egan E-mail: coachegan@diabloshockey.net El Paso Rhinos 4100 E. Paisonia El Paso, TX 79905 Phone: (915) 479-Puck Contact: Cory Herman E-mail: cherman@elpasohockey.org Junior A Tier III 17 Ventura Mariners Beach City Lightning Mariners moving players on Talented pair garners recognition he second year for the SoCal Titans AAA program has gone very well indeed. The Midget Major and Midget Minor teams for the Titans, closely associated with the Mariners, continue to move kids on to Junior A hockey. arch means playoff time for Beach City Lightning teams. The Peewee, Bantam and Midget teams were looking for their share of success after returning from tournament action in New York, Colorado, Phoenix and Chicago. T M The Fairbanks (Alaska) Ice Dogs of the North American League is one team that has been very impressed with what has gone on in Ventura. The Squirts were competing in Las Vegas, while the Bantam A team was looking to defend its league and state titles from last season. Former Mariner Austin Block posted 16 points in 37 games with the Ice Dogs as of mid-February. More recently, Mark Pustin accepted a tender to play in Alaska next year. Bantam AA player Andrew “Sarge” Daehlin was recognized on the USHL Prospect list this year after helping his team to a banner season. The USHL is considered the top junior league in the U.S. “He’s a dedicated player. He was a captain for the Majors last year, as well as this year,” said Mariners president-Titans secretary David Marzullo. “We have a pretty good relationship with (Titans president) Scott Yorkison, who knows the guys in Alaska pretty well.” “I’m very proud of all the boys and parents, and I’m very much looking forward to another great season next year with our group,” said coach Doug Sheridan. “Our Bantam AA coach Mike Perkins coached Junior A in Wichita Falls, Texas, and he’s been working to get kids moved on as well.” Off the ice, Arren Bustamante, of the Lightning Bantam B 94’s, not only kept up his schoolwork, but currently holds an impressive 4.15 GPA and has been accepted to the prestigious California Academy of Math and Science on the California State University of Rancho Dominguez campus for his four years of high school. - Joshua Boyd - Joshua Boyd The Mariners also have a connected coach at the Bantam level. Scout Speak with Chuck Grillo cope with adversity in the future. Parents need to understand their role W hile it’s difficult to describe an over-involved parent, I do know this: When you meet one, you know you’ve just met one. Over-involved parents have a way of turning people off. I don’t know too many coaches who want a 2-for-1 deal where the parents - and sometimes grandparents - come with the players. Coaches appreciate the parents who support and believe in the program through the good times and the bad. Mentoring and parenting all comes down to providing opportunity, creating awareness, recognizing assets, managing liabilities, problem solving and being able to tell their son or daughter, “Just play, have fun, do something out of the ordinary and make it happen.” 18 It comes down to dealing with the hand you’re dealt. I don’t care if the perceived wrong team, in your eyes, drafts you at any level. Take your poison and learn to live with it. It’s in your best interest to go where you’re wanted. Every time a parent overly protects their child from adversity, they create more problems than they solve. Young people have to accept the fact that adversity is here to stay. Protecting a child from any adversity is delaying the inevitable. Hiding from adversity at a young age will make it difficult to There are plenty of examples of young athletes whose parents felt that a certain program wasn’t in their best interest. They would spend a whole season lobbying to go somewhere else, and when they get there, they lobby to get their child on the right line or defensive combination. There has been more than one instance where the team they didn’t like went on to win a division, league or national title, and that player went from being a 1-2 guy to a bubble guy. The bottom line is that the parents’ role should be to provide every opportunity and work towards raising a competent, competitive and confident child with the composure to put a bad mistake or game behind them. b Chuck Grillo is an amateur scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the owner of Minnesota Hockey Camps (www.mnhockeycamps.com). Hungry Wolverine By Tom Morelli Photo /University of Michigan Media Relations C harles “Scooter” Vaughan hasn’t played hockey competitively in the Golden State for a few years now, but the Placentia native certainly hasn’t forgotten his roots. “I like to go to out to California for a couple weeks every summer and play some beach volleyball,” said Vaughan, now a freshman at the University o Michigan. “I usually drop by rinks in my neighborhood, where I’m bound to bump into old friends.” Vaughan was first introduced to the sport during his elementary school years. With the Arrowhead Pond (now Honda Center) just 10 minutes from home, Vaughan’s curiosity for pucks began to grow. He began his ascension up the hockey ranks at age 5 playing in roller leagues. After playing on a couple of house teams, Vaughan moved onto the Orange County Blades, where he was coached by Ken Gibo. With rinks sprouting up in neighborhoods everywhere as roller hockey’s popularity spread across the state, Vaughan took comfort in his neighborhood hangout, Stewart’s Roller World. With some experience under his belt, Vaughan was ready to trade in his rollerblades for ice skates. While some folks turned their kids away from ice hockey because of equipment costs, Vaughan’s did just the opposite. “My parents were real supportive when I told them I wanted to play ice hockey,” said Vaughan. “They weren’t Scooter Vaughan shocked at all. I think my got his start on skates with the parents were willing to Anaheim Jr. Ducks make a sacrifice and let and the California me try hockey because Wave. they knew it’d make me happy.” After a couple years of playing for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, Vaughan Orange County’s Vaughan settling in at Michigan moved onto the California Wave, where he played for coach Jack Bowkus from Peewees through Bantams. It was with the Wave where Vaughan was part of some major success. In his last year of Bantam, the Wave had an enduring run through two high-profile tournaments. The first was in British Columbia, where it won an invitational hosted by the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers. Vaughan then traveled to Pittsburgh, where the Wave made it to the AAA finals against Detroit Honeybaked. Unfortunately, the Wave lost by a 3-2 margin, but Vaughan had caught the attention of his opponents. Consistently one of the top Midget AAA teams in the country, Honeybaked was relentless in its pursuit of Vaughan. Barely old enough to drive, Vaughan left the calming Southern California weather for the cold, snowy Midwest. Vaughan was in some unfamiliar territory in Michigan, but it didn’t take long for him to acclimate to his new surroundings. “You get into the team pretty quick, especially when you practice four times a week,” said Vaughan. “As soon as I got to know my teammates, everything else just kind of came with it.” After a couple seasons with Honeybaked, Vaughan transitioned to the junior ranks in the North American Hockey League, where he played for Jon Cooper’s St. Louis Bandits. Last season, he was named to the All-NAHL Second Team after totaling eight goals and 27 assists in 58 games while helping the Bandits to an NAHL championship. The next stop for Vaughan? Back to Michigan, where he’d skate for perennial power Michigan after accepting a scholarship offer from the school while in St. Louis. He is one of 12 freshmen on the Wolverines’ roster this season. Vaughan has been rotated in and out of the lineup for much of his freshman year, but coach Red Berenson is confident he will see more ice time in the future. “Scooter’s a young, raw defenseman who I believe in time can add some offense,” said Berenson. “He’s a smart player who plays physically defensively, and I’m real impressed with his level of maturity.” And while Vaughn skills continue to blossom, his passion has always been there. He doesn’t take his current success for granted, and remembers where his love of the game first began. “I definitely remember where I came from and coaches who have helped me along the way,” he said. “California is somewhere I’ll always want to go and hopefully move back to, and it’s great to see how hockey has really come along there.” b 19 Interview from Page 5 CR: Talk about the importance of pro leagues like PIHA and the old Roller Hockey International? DG: PIHA and RHI are totally different. I played RHI and it was truly treated as a professional sport with big-time owners and we played in big venues. We were paid, housed, etc. Most guys that played were pro ice players that converted. PIHA is different. It’s driven by people who are in this sport trying to create a higher level of inline hockey for the young players to aspire to with very limited budgets. Most of the team owners are also rink owners. I’m a supporter of anyone who is trying to grow the sport. CR: Is there a need for more inline facilities across the state? DG: Yes, but it’s very tough to open an inline hockey facility and make it a viable business with the current price of land in most cities in California. It can be done, but the owners must have a great business sense and truly under- stand the sport. City-donated or -leased land is probably the direction that most new rinks will have to go. CR: Is there anything new and exciting in store for NARCh this year? DG: 2008 should be a great year for NARCh and, hopefully, the whole sport. This year will mark the first time ever that the NARCh Finals will be held in California. It will take place from July 11-27 at the Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose. Anticipation for the Finals has never been higher. CR: When you’re not thinking inline hockey, what else keeps you busy and entertained? DG: Hockey consumes most of my life. I play golf, surf and take a few trips with my family when it’s not my busy season. I’m lucky to be able to make a living in something I’m passionate about and enjoy. b Daryn Goodwin, pictured above at a tournament in Toronto, still stays active on the roller hockey floor. Bay Harbor Red Wings West Valley Wolves Bay Harbor a staple in SoCal Mentor program pays dividends T he Bay Harbor Minor Hockey Association is in its 42nd year as a youth hockey club in Southern California. Current NHL players John Grahame (Carolina Hurricanes) and Richard Park (New York Islanders) got their starts as members of the Red Wings program. The Red Wings play out of the old Skating Edge Arena in Harbor City, where SCAHA and CAHA banners hang to remind players of the club’s past glory. Over the last several years, the Red Wings have survived after seeing the loss or merger of other area clubs. This year, the Red Wings were able to field three teams, with returning players and the help of the Palos Verde In-House program and the Torrance Wilson Park Roller Hockey Recreation League. The Peewee and Squirt B teams are learning as the coaching staff is introducing first-year roller and in-house players to the rigors of travel ice hockey. T he West Valley Wolves want to “keep it in the organization” when it comes to coaching. The organization features a Mentor program that was started this season by Midget AA head coach Ryan Kravetz to help prepare players who age out of the program to become Wolves youth coaches. “This gives players a chance to give back to the organization and gain valuable skills towards their futures and to prepare some of the older players who may attend a local college after they finish youth hockey to be assistant coaches,” Kravetz said. Midget players can volunteer to help at practices for Bantam-and-younger-level teams. “Each Mentor spends over 25 hours with an assigned team helping the coach of that team run a smoother practice and dryland session by helping with pucks, cones, water, drill demonstration and keeping the younger players’ attention on the coaches,” said Kravetz. The Mite team is the pride of the Red Wings and is coached by former LA Kings Rookie of the Year Vic Venasky. The Mentors not only become positive role models to the younger players, but they can also use the time to fulfill community service requirements. - Joshua Boyd - Joshua Boyd 20 We want to see it! Mane of the Game Contest Submit a digital photo of yourself showing off your lovely locks to maneofthegame@calirubber.com and be sure to include your name, hometown and team you play for! We’ll publish your photo in the next issue of California Rubber Magazine, and you’ll receive a FREE composite stick, compliments of Warrior Hockey. One winner will be announced each month. San Jose Jr. Sharks Where Can You Take California Rubber? U16AAA team makes history T he San Jr. Sharks program ended the season with their best finishes at the California Amateur Hockey Association state tournament. The U16 AAA team went 3-1 during the event, defeating the top-ranked California Wave twice - 2-0 in the round robin and 5-3 in the finals - to win the Northern California Junior Hockey Association’s first Tier I state championship. The team was led by goaltender Luka Hernandez, who played every minute while making key saves in every game. This month, the U16 AAA’s headed to Alaska to play for the right to compete in April’s national championships. The U18 AAA team rebounded from a disappointing state tournament at the prestigious Gold Medal Classic in Madison, Wis., where it went 1-0-2 in the round robin to set up a matchup with top-ranked Shattuck-St. Mary’s. The Jr. Sharks downed Shattuck, 3-1. “This was a huge win for our program,” said coach Tony Zasowski. “It showed our team and the AAA community that players from NorCal can compete with anyone in the U.S.” B akersfield Condors fan Keira Marsh, 13 months, enjoys some couch time with the February issue of California Rubber Magazine. She wins a $20 iTunes gift card! - Brian McDonough 21 Oakland Bears U16’s skate to Winterfest title I t didn’t come easy, but the Oakland Bears’ U16 team nailed down the championship at the 16th Annual Winterfest Tournament held at Glacial Gardens in Lakewood over President’s Day weekend. The Bears finished with a perfect 5-0 record, with Oakland coming from behind in three of those five contests. “It was an unbelievable run,” said coach Bob Burrows. “Those were five straight hard-fought, hard-won victories. The boys showed incredible poise, courage and character.” “I knew we were never out of any game,” said defenseman Tyler Young. “We proved early on that we could win.” Oakland opened the tournament with a 2-1 triumph over the Arizona Thunder before disposing of the Ogden (Utah) Wildcats by the same 2-1 count. The Bears then took down the Aurora (Colo.) Front Range Panthers, 6-4, and Ogden again, 5-2. In the championship game, Oakland bested Aurora, 5-2, with Michael Gomez notching the gamewinning goal. “This team has been battling all season long,” said Burrows. “Winning any championship is an accomplishment, and this one was no easy ride. This team found its identity at that tournament and should be proud of how they battled to win the big prize.” With 10 different Bears lighting the lamp over the weekend, Zach Mckeithan led the offensive charge with six goals and an assist. Defensively, Young, Capital Thunder Adam Griese, Nic Borges and Ryan Louie impressed, while netminder Gabe Elvin held down the fort in goal. “Everyone on the team contributed, which is what you need in marathons like this,” said Burrows. “We worked hard as a team in every game and it paid off with a championship win in the end,” said forward Tyler Hutchings. Forward Michael Melka believes the tournament win should give the Bears confidence to compete with other teams across the state. “That was one of the sickest hockey experiences, and we won,” he said. “I was talking to some of the guys on the team about getting into more tournaments. I thought this was a great idea because now we know we’re competitors, and not just in NorCal." - Brian McDonough The Oakland Bears’ U16 squad persevered its way to a Winterfest win in Lakewood last month. Squirt A’s perfect in Colorado he Capital Thunder’s Squirt A team traveled to Colorado T Springs, Colo., over President’s Day Weekend to compete in the prestigious Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association’s President’s Day Cup and it didn’t disappoint. The Squirts forged a perfect 5-0 run through the tournament, beating the Aspen Leafs in a tightly contested championship game, 3-2. Along the way, the Thunder downed teams from Yorba Linda and Valencia, as well as Oklahoma City, Okla. Coach Brian Coulson couldn’t have been more proud of his club’s overall performance. “It was a great team effort,” he said. “We got excellent goaltending, we had great control of the puck in our zone and played stellar defensively. Seth Lipson (left) and Shawn Catudal celebrate after scoring. 22 “It’s amazing what a group of kids can accomplish when everyone does their job, works hard and focuses on the task at hand.” The championship marks the second winner’s trophy in as many months, as the Squirt A squad also won the I-80 Classic in Vacaville in January. “This group of players has been together for a few years now and it’s great to see their persistence and hard work paying off,” said Coulson. - Brian McDonough The Thunder’s Squirt A team went 5-0 to win the President’s Day Cup. Chalk Talk with Tony Zasowski of a showcase is to market yourself further, so you need to go where the scouts are. Start weighing summer options now As the season wrap up, every player is faced with the same question: What should I do in the offseason to make myself a better player? There isn’t any shortage of options out there, from summer tournament teams to camps to hockey schools to showcases to junior tryouts. What’s most important is that you do something. The offseason is where the greatest strides are made, so spending the summer playing video games and hanging out with your friends all day probably isn’t the best path for continued development. First and foremost, players & parents need to get together and decide on the summer’s purpose: Is it to stay on the ice, get scouted, or simply have fun? In my opinion, hockey camps give kids an activity everyday from 9-5. They aren’t necessarily bad, but are they developmental? Hockey schools have more of a focus and give players an opportunity to work on weak spots in their game. They might not be the most fun, but might be the most beneficial. Midget players must decide if they’re going to attend showcases and junior tryouts. Showcases can be beneficial, but it’s important to select ones that have an established track record for scouting attendance. The point As for junior tryouts, they are a great tool to gauge where a player’s game is at and what they need to do to reach the next level. I recommend that Midget-aged players eventually wanting to play juniors attend a tryout the year before they think they truly want to make a team to see how much they need to improve that next season. The summer is an important time of year for young players. Ask a local coach to help you choose the right path for your offseason. And don’t forget, playing other sports and taking some time off is a good thing, too! b Tony Zasowski is the director of coaching and the U18 AAA head coach of the San Jose Jr. Sharks 23 Inline Hockey P i r a t e s’ Spain stays close to hom e By Lorri DeKeyrel ample and who will let the results do the talking. Kelly is just such he San Jose Pirates might be a player.” one of the four teams to debut With Rollin’ Ice his home since in the Pacific Inline Hockey 1993, local fans have had the Association’s (PIHA) Pabenefit of watching cific Division this year, but Spain grow up right there’s nothing new about before their eyes. local icon Kelly Spain. “I’m thrilled to play for a pro team The first overall pick in the Bay Area, in Pacific Division’s representing the city I grew inaugural draft, Spain up in,” Spain said. “I’ve been is a world-class roller playing hockey for 15 years and hockey player who holds was able to play for my high a number of individual school, my college, and now my scoring awards and team championships. city and state. It’s incredible.” “When drafting players Most recently, Spain for our first season, I was lookhas been showcasing his skills on the ice with San Jose State ing to build a team around a University. In his first season strong, motivated, superiorly in 2004, he earned the Steve talented core,” said Pirates owner-GM Adam Stich Award as the team’s most DeKeyrel. “It improved player and, in 2005takes a certain 06, he led the Spartans with 13 power-play goals while type of player From ice to roller, Kelly Spain to build a tradiamassing 34 points. has played all of his hockey in tion around, a player that the Bay Area. Though he only played is willing to lead by ex28 games in 2006-07, he T accumulated 40 points and 18 goals. Kelly’s smooth hands and accurate shot, combined with an innate ability to maintain puck possession even while under double- and sometimes triplecoverage, make him one of the Pirates’ most formidable offensive threats. “Kelly will be one to watch,” said DeKeyrel. “As the team develops its own synergy, there’s no doubt that Kelly’s experience and style will become a driving force in the overall character of the Pirates organization.” For Spain, one of the Pirates’ assistant captains, his first passion is on wheels. “I’ve played ice hockey and roller hockey, and roller hockey just feels like home for me,” he said. Kelly believes the inception of PIHA will help grow the sport in more ways than one. “The best thing about the Pirates and the PIHA Pacific Division is that it gives kids something to aspire to, something to play toward since the (defunct) RHI (Roller Hockey International) collapsed,” he said. “It really gives the kids someone to look up to.” b Hawkins called to lead Mustangs’ charge By Doug Wallace I nline hockey returned to the Bay Area this year with the Professional Inline Hockey Association’s Pacific Division. One of those PIHA teams, the Northern California Mustangs, is owned and operated by Mario Sousa, who also serves as the team’s head coach, and Gary Brown, the assistant coach. With the Mustangs’ first pick in the draft this year, they selected 28-year-old Travis Hawkins, who was named captain of the Northern California squad. Hawkins brings leadership and experience to the Mustangs. He played NARCh Pro for many years as well as for the San Jose Rhinos of the defunct Roller Hockey International (RHI) 24 league. growing as a club week in Hawkins grew up in the and week out, that makes it beach community of Santa all the more worthwhile.” Cruz and started playing Souza didn’t have to roller think long hockey before at age naming 13. He Hawkins played his captain. some ice “I was hockey, extremely but his excited to love make Travwas on wheels. is our team “My captain,” passion he said. for the “I’ve influenced Tragame vis in roller has been Travis Hawkins grew up playing roller hockey rekindled hockey in Santa Cruz. for many by my years now, but I’ve never teammates who play hard and are dedicated to winning had the opportunity to coach every game,” said Hawkins. him at this level.” On and off the rink, “If I can be a leader on this Hawkins is a role model team and show that we’re for players of all ages. His leadership on the rink is a motivating factor as he’s always willing to stick up for a teammate. He also brings a dominating and intimidating style to the game that comes from years of experience. These days, Hawkins devotes the majority of his time to his hockey career. His love for the game and his attitude are in the right place because he wants to take full advantage of his opportunity to play at the professional level again. Being named the captain of the Mustangs’ Pro team was an honor for Hawkins, as he skates and leads by example for not only for his team, but Northern California’s Minor squad as well. “My passion for the game is stronger than ever now,” he said. b Inline Hockey 949’s Limbaga more than just an owner By Danny Bernardini bigger guy we would be paying more.’ That’s kind of the story. They needed someone who’s committed and dedicated. I’m fortunate.” After a while, Limbaga stepped away from the hockey community to dabble in real estate and the automotive industry. While doing it he ran into several past associates from the roller hockey community who helped him out along the way. After rekindling some of the relationships, he soon gravitated back towards the rink. “It’s a reminder how small the guy, what does he know?’” What he knew is how to both lead From the time Eddie Limbaga was voland participate with the folks he is unteering for the city’s sports leagues directing. He said the work ethic that in Rancho Cucamonga, he had his eyes kept him plugging along while he got locked on moving up the ladder. passed up for promotions is what still At the age of 18, Limbaga left the drives him as owner of 949. world of volunteering to coach and Now Limbaga has four managers referee in recreation leagues and began and 35 employees underneath him. But working at Stuart’s Roller World where like his bosses before him, he knows he took his first real job as assistant how to get the most out of employees. manager for the facility. He said he is still adjusting to being the With the move came learning a one in charge. whole new craft, which entailed office “I could probably hire a couple more work, organization management positions, but then skills and a lot of I’ve got to pay behind the scene’s work. more,” he said. “Volunteer“I’m still rolling ing is great, but I with it. So far wanted to make it’s working out. money, too,” LimThat’s the way I baga said. “At that was. That’s the point in time, I way I am. I’m a was moving up the do-it kind of guy. ranks.” Whenever it’s In fact, Limtime to do work, baga kept moving it’s not me trying to point the up and eventually finger and telling went on to own people what to 949 Roller Hockey do.” Center in Irvine. So with his The three-rink facility offers hockey subordination instruction and behind him, Limbaga opened his leagues for anyone own rink to give young and old who kids a place to can skate. play - something “We want to he never had as get the hockey a youngster until player from A to rinks opened. Z,” Limbaga said. He said “We can get them Eddie Limbaga has gone from volunteering his time at roller facilities to becoming the propri- he would play consumed with the etor of 949 Roller Hockey Center in Irvine. hockey world is. My success was due on porches and patios. Even when it love we have for the game.” to the community of hockey,” he said. opened, Stuart’s was just a rink in a The 30-year-old’s passion and dedication to roller hockey drove him from “Everywhere I went, I knew someone warehouse. But Limbaga’s vision was employee to owner. Limbaga said it from hockey.” to offer something for anyone who was a good work ethic instilled in him This time he started working with wanted to be a part of hockey. Which, that kept him motivated. What kept the Gretzky Center in Upland. He said in California, isn’t always an easy task. him employed was his willingness to although he did a lot of the chores of “There is a little bit of a stereotype of a fair-weathered fan-base,” work cheap. those in higher positions, it wasn’t easy he explained. “You have your core of “I was fortunate and ambitious to to move up. hardcore fans, but it’s different. When go all the way,” he said. “I kind of went “I’d outlive three or four general you go elsewhere, the fans are a little from assistant manager to running the managers,” he said. “I look young, and more rambunctious. We’re into it, just whole place. It was putting in the time. I’m still young at heart. Back when I’m not crazy and painting our bodies.” b My boss would say, ‘Here’s a young guy 20 years old, of course they are going to who is cheap. He can do as much as a pass me up. They’d say, ‘He’s the young Become a fan of on 25 2008 CAHA State Championship Results Top Scorers Midget 16 AA Team California Stars Yorba Linda Blackhawks West Valley Wolves 1 San Diego Gulls GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA +/- Name GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA +/- Name GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA +/- Name GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA +/- Name GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA +/- Name GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA +/- Name GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA +/- Name 4 4 0 0 0 4 2 2 0 0 3 1 0 0 2 3 0 3 0 0 8 4 4 0 13 7 11 12 5 6 5 9 6 -1 -1 -4 Jarrett Stark John Siemer Tyler Gonzales William Toro San Jose Jr. Sharks California Wave LA Jr. Kings Los Angeles Selects 4 4 3 3 3 1 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 6 11 9 2 4 9 8 1 3 7 6 1 2 2 6 -4 Los Angeles Selects LA Jr. Kings California Stars San Jose Jr. Sharks San Diego Gulls Los Angeles Hockey Club1 Inland Valley Wild California Stars 4 4 3 3 4 0 0 2 2 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 8 20 9 11 4 9 11 -2 2 7 10 -3 1 6 12 -6 Los Angeles Selects San Jose Jr. Sharks SOCAL Ice Dogs Los Angeles Hockey Club1 San Diego Gulls San Jose Jr. Sharks 2 Santa Clara Blackhawks 4 4 3 3 3 1 0 3 1 0 1 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 18 8 10 6 17 8 9 2 8 10 -2 0 3 20 -17 California Stars California Wave LA Jr. Kings San Jose Jr. Sharks 26 Team GP Spencer McLay John Hyland Greg Hamm Justin Chavez Justin Campbell CS CS WVW YLB SDG LAS LAS LAS LAS 6 3 2 3 4 10 3 6 4 6 2 5 CW LJK SJS LAS CW 1 0 1 0 7 14 10 4 4 11 10 1 3 6 12 -6 2 12 11 1 CS LAS LAS CS LJK 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 6 10 2 5 2 5 3 5 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 10 7 3 5 11 7 4 2 5 7 -2 2 4 9 -5 Kyle Kranzky Ryan Flores Aaron Damico Sean Dieterich Logan Monje 5 5 5 5 5 5 7 7 3 2 7 12 3 10 3 10 6 9 7 9 SDG LAH IVW LAH Brendan Jensen Tyler O’Donnell Mark Schiller Matt Mahony Brenden Manquen GA 4 4 4 4 4 3 0 2 4 3 6 3 8 6 6 5 Sean Tannenbaum Jake Blazier Nathan Churchill Jon Manlow .949 .929 .921 .911 .907 2 2 3 2 S GA Sv% S GA Sv% S GA S GA 76 5 .934 51 4 .922 96 10 .896 32 4 .875 Team GP LAS LAS SJS SID SID 3 65 4 .938 2 22 2 .909 4 113 14 .876 1 16 2 .875 4 159 21 .868 Team GP SCB SJS SJS SDG 2 36 2 1 13 1 3 139 12 4 84 8 Sv% .944 .923 .914 .905 Goalkeepers Team GP G A PTS Name 4 4 4 4 4 Sv% 2 2 7 8 11 Goalkeepers Team GP G A PTS Name CW CS CW CS CS S Goalkeepers Top Scorers 4 4 3 3 Sv% 1 39 1 28 3 89 2 90 4 188 Team GP Ryan Hicks David Jacobson Collin Delia Cole Jodzio Team GP G A PTS Name SDG LAH LAH LAH GA Goalkeepers Team GP G A PTS Name Tyler Moy Chase Reddin Robert Tirea James Andrews S 2 56 3 .946 3 106 6 .943 4 103 9 .913 3 79 7 .911 3 48 6 .875 Team GP Eric Chiccone Brett Lopez PJ Musico Garrett Ruckle William Faust Top Scorers 3 0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 Sv% Team GP Chris Kyame Peter Megariotis Luke Hernandez Cameron Bigelow Vincent Albanese Top Scorers 4 4 3 3 GA Goalkeepers 4 4 4 4 LAS 5 5 0 0 0 10 38 6 32 Kyle Buffardi LAS 5 2 3 0 0 4 13 22 -9 Adam Reid 4 0 4 0 0 0 4 27 -23 Haroutiun Sarkisian LAS Frasier Haber LAS Matthew Caito LAS S 3 57 3 .947 2 57 4 .930 3 109 8 .927 6 143 13 .900 1 30 3 .900 Goalkeepers Team GP G A PTS Name Dennis Kravhenko LAH Nikolas Olsson SDG Evan SchmidbauerSDG Luke McColgan LAH Midget 18 AA Team 5 5 4 4 Top Scorers Peewee AA Team 3 4 1 3 Team GP G A PTS Name Taylor Holstrom David McKenna Jon Parker Brett Mohler Bantam AAA Team 2 1 3 1 Top Scorers Bantam AA Team 4 4 4 4 Jordan Bledsoe LJK 3 3 1 4 Jordan Philips SJS 4 3 1 4 Max Vallis SJS 4 3 1 4 Vahe Zakaryan CW 4 3 1 4 Paul Kazarnovsky SJS 4 2 2 4 Daniel Senkbeil SJS 4 0 4 4 Midget 18 AAA Team CS CS CS YLB Top Scorers Midget 16 AAA Team Goalkeepers Team GP G A PTS Name 6 5 3 1 1 3 0 2 3 3 9 5 5 4 4 Nigel Hinson Nick Jones Trevor Wada Chris Vonderach Bryon Berryhill Team GP LAK CS CW SJS LAK Sv% 1 26 0 1.00 4 162 7 .957 4 141 6 .957 3 105 9 .914 3 48 5 .896 K`]ÛDgklÛ:gehj]`]fkan]ÛJB@CCÛ;<M<CFGD<EKÛGIF>I8DÛafÛEgjl`Û8e]ja[Y AGES CTIC PRA *ULYTO!UG ES E M A ' ULE ED SCH -ARCHTO "MMQMBZFSTTUBZ*/3&4*%&/$& "MMQMBZFSTTUBZ BUUIF8PSME)PDLFZ$FOUSF 2008_Youth Ad_Jan08.indd 1 12/31/07 1:17:47 PM 2nd Summer Hockey Skills Training Camp DEDICATED TO YOUTH HOCKEY PLAYERS June 30 - July 25, 2008 Park City Ice Arena . Park City, Utah 4 - 1 WEEK SESSIONS Camp features: . Professional on-ice instruction for both skaters and goaltenders . Instructors are players and coaches throughout all levels of pro hockey, including four-time Stanley Cup Champion and former Conn Smythe Trophy award winner Claude Lemieux Weeks 1& 2 Exclusively for AAA level players born in 1995, 96, or 97 50% deposit required at time of registration and balances due May 1, 2008. $650.00 per week This elite camp focuses on providing instruction for youth hockey participants under three major themes: . Individual skills . Overall system and fundamentals . Game application Visit www.lemieuxacademy.com for more info Week 3 & 4 Open to all players of all levels $625.00 per week Founded by NHL veteran Claude Lemieux, the Lemieux Academy emphasizes the development of future hockey prospects in the areas of sportsmanship, leadership and discipline. 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