Here`s

Paradise Valley’s Luke Moffatt
is all smiles developing with
the U.S. National Program
VOLUME 4
ISSUE 7
March 2009
From Kids to Coyotes, the Desert’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey
Tickets start as low as
per month
Season Ticket Holder
Benefits Include:
s4HREE"ONUS'AMES
s0REFERRED0ARKING
s.EVER7ASTE!4ICKET0ROGRAM
s-EETTHE4EAM%VENT
s0URCHASE/PTIONSFOR3ELECT
*OBINGCOM!RENA%VENTS
ArizonaRubber.com
3
Inside
Arizona 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.
In only its first
year, the Arizona
Hockey Union
celebrated a pair
of state championships (see
story on Page
13).
Postmaster: send address changes to:
P.O. Box 24024, Edina, MN 55424
Ph. (612) 929-2171 * Fax (612) 920-8326
E-mail: [email protected]
Express/Overnight Mail:
4524 Washburn Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55410
Subscription Rates: $29.95 USD * Single Copy: $3.95 USD
Mail subscriptions to: P.O. Box 24024 Edina, MN 55424
Subscriptions are non-refundable
REPORT AN ERROR IMMEDIATELY
Arizona Rubber Magazine will not be responsible for more than one
incorrect insertion
Visit our Web site at: www.ArizonaRubber.com
The Phoenix Scorpions took to
Wisconsin last month for the USA
Hockey Pond Hockey Championships
(see story on Page 20).
Main Photo:
DYHA product Luke Moffatt, who
is in his first season with the U.S.
National Team Development
Program
Arizona Rubber Magazine is a production of:
Photo/Robert J. Meyer
Insert Photo:
Desert Vista High School senior
Billy Killian, one of the top
prep players in the state
Photo/Desert Vista Hockey
4
VOLUME 4
ISSUE 7
March 2009
Paradise
Valley’s
is all sm
Luke Mo
ile
ffa
the U.S s developing wi tt
. Nationa
th
l Progra
m
From Kids
to Coyo
tes, the Dese
rt’s Autho
ritative Voice
of Ice and
Inline Hock
ey
publisher: Brian McDonough
editor: Brett Fera
director of new media: Ryan Casey
designer: Julie Wilson
Editor’s Column:
We need the Coyotes as much as they needs us
D
oes anyone really know if gimmicks actually work? http://coyotes.nhl.com/tickets/discount_offers.htm.
Student and military discounts; family packs; food
Here’s hoping.
and drinks included - you name it. Maybe it seems
Phoenix Coyotes principal owner Jerry Moyes
desperate, but the Coyotes are trying to do their part
announced last month that not only is he entertaining
to make hockey fun - and affordable - again.
opportunities for investors to join in and help alleviate
Sure, they’re gimmicks. But as we’re all looking
some of his franchise’s well-publicized financial confor ways to cut back, the Coyotes are just
cerns, but also that interested parties - in
looking for ways to ensure some normalcy,
this economic climate - actually exist.
before it’s too late.
And along with Moyes’ news came reWorking for this magazine - a mouthports earlier in the month from NHL compiece for you, the hockey player, coach or
missioner Gary Bettman that the league
parent - it’s not necessarily my job to work
is not interested in moving the Coyotes out
as a pitchman for a professional sports
of Arizona, as well as the City of Glendale’s
franchise. But it is my job, at least in the
interest in working with the club to keep
context of this publication, to be a pitchit at Jobing.com Arena for the long term.
man for the sport of hockey as a whole.
This is good news.
Growing the game is the No. 1 priorHockey in Arizona needs the Coyotes,
ity of virtually any youth or recreational
and, wouldn’t you know it, the Coyotes
league administrator in Arizona, and
desperately need us, too. And while it’s
Fera
there’s no greater ambassador for the growth
painfully obvious that few of us have much
disposable income anymore, the Coyotes brass is trying of the game moving forward than our own professional hockey club.
to do whatever it can to ensure that fans still fill the
seats, and that there will still be seats to fill beyond
So let’s do our part and keep it that way. ❂
this season.
Go ahead and point your Web browser to this site:
Reach Brett Fera at [email protected]
ArizonaRubber.com
5
Peewee Tier II
Arizona Hockey Union
Bantam Tier II
DYHA Phoenix Firebirds
Midget U16 Tier II
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes
Midget U18 Tier II
Arizona Hockey Union
Midget U18 Tier I
P.F. Chang’s
Rocky Mountain District
Tournament Bound
Boys U12 Tier II (Peewee)
Arizona Hockey Union
VOSHA Mustangs
Boys U14 Tier II (Bantam)
DYHA Phoenix Firebirds
Arizona Hockey Union (host)
Boys U16 Tier II
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes
Arizona Hockey Union ‘92’s (host)
Boys U18 Tier II
Arizona Hockey Union
Boys U12 Tier I (Peewee)
Lemieux Academy
Boys U14 Tier I (Bantam)
DYHA Phoenix Firebirds
P.F. Chang’s
Boys U16 Tier I
P.F. Chang’s
Boys U18 Tier I
P.F. Chang’s
Girls U12
AGYHA
Girls U14
VOSHA Lady Coyotes
Reaching New Heights
Scottsdale’s Samuelsson ready to fly with BC’s Eagles
By Brett Fera
N
o short of a dozen former Boston College hockey players
graced the rosters of NHL clubs at
the start of the 2008-09 season.
In a few years, that group better make way for a hockey legacy
- and fellow Eagle - to join them
at the game’s highest level.
Scottsdale’s Philip Samuelsson, currently in his first USHL
junior campaign with the Chicago
Steel, announced his commitment last month to play for coach
Jerry York and one of American
college hockey’s all-time storied
programs.
“In January, I went
out to visit there and
I fell in love with the
campus,” he said.
“It’s a great school,
has a great coaching
staff, everything.”
Samuelsson admits
that just a few short
months ago, the prospects of playing college
hockey - let alone in
Hockey East for the defending national champions - was nowhere
on his radar.
“College hockey
is a pretty new
thing to me. I
didn’t know that
much about it
growing up,”
he said, adding that his
father, longtime NHL
defenseman
Ulf Samuelsson, played junior
hockey in his homeland of Sweden
complete home care serv ices .
6
rather that college hockey in the
United States.
“Going into this year I was
50/50 between the USHL and the
Western (Hockey) League,” he
said. “College at the beginning
of this year was still a question
mark, but I made the Steel, and
I felt that this would be the best
development tool for me.
“Then I started getting looks
from colleges, and I’ve been hearing
that I could maybe
make
the step and play
next
year,” he added.
Whereas many
U.S. hockey
youngsters grow
up rooting for
the traditional
NCAA powers
- Michigan,
North Dakota, Boston
University and BC,
among so
many
others - Samuelsson
said he benefited
from actually knowing nothing about
the American college
game and having no
prior allegiances.
“That was good for
me because when it
came time to choose,
I didn’t really have
any strong preference,” he said. “I was
able to make the right
Reaching continued / Page 16
Request a
quote on
bundled
services
1 . 8 7 7 . 7 4 8 . 4 6 7 9 today!
Photo/Robert J. Meyer
2009 Arizona State
Champions
ArizonaRubber.com
7
Path to Promise
Moffatt couldn’t be happier donning red, white and blue
By Matt Mackinder
organizations in the league, but
we’ll make the playoffs and I hope
efore this season began for
we can get home-ice advantage as
Luke Moffatt, he knew he
well.”
had the next six years of his life
Last year, Moffatt, who turns
and his hockey career planned and
17 in June, took his sophomore
ready to go.
year of high school in an online
Moffatt had accepted an offer to
capacity, but this year is attending
play for the United States NaAnn Arbor Pioneer High School
tional Team Development Program
with the rest of his Under-17
and then verbally committed to
teammates and the entire
the University of
Under-18 squad.
Michigan starting
“Pioneer is a new school
with the 2010-11
to me and it’s a big school,
season.
so it was very easy at first
A lot for a 16to be intimidated,” said
year-old to digest
Moffatt. “But being there
all at once, but no
with all your teammates is
worries - Moffatt is
cool because it’s like you’re
bringing his family
always with 40 of your best
along for the ride, too.
friends.”
Moffatt, a Paradise
Moffatt’s schooling also
Valley native, moved
has such a routine that it’s
to Michigan to play
directly coordinated with
for the Compuware
the NTDP.
Midget Minor team in
“We take all of our
Plymouth in 2007 and
credits in the morning and
stayed in the area for
then we head to the rink (the
his NTDP and MichiIce Cube) in the afternoon,”
A member of the U.S. National Development Program’s Under-17 Moffatt explained. “We also
gan commitments. His
Luke Moffatt will start his college career at Michigan in the
parents and younger sister Team,
have a lady that helps us out
fall of 2010.
also made the move from
with our work and is like our
the desert in an encouraging show
“Once you put on that USA
own private tutor.”
of support and family bonding.
jersey, you definitely feel a sense
Having a structured schedule
For Moffatt, he wouldn’t want
of pride,” Moffatt said. “It was
does have its pros and cons, acto have it any other way.
always a goal of mine to play
cording to Moffatt.
“Life is just too short,” said
here with the NTDP and follow
“It can be hard to balance everyMoffatt. “You only have so much
in the footsteps of guys like (Mething,” he said. “After practice durtime to be with your family and
sa’s Dave) Spina and (Gilbert’s
ing the week, we usually go home
even that never seems like enough. Dusty) Collins.
and do our homework or have some
It definitely feels like home with
“It’s been a major accomplishsocial time. At the rink, we also do
everyone here. My sister, Cassie,
ment just to make this team and
lots of video work and that’s great
is in eighth grade and I know
playing in the NAHL against a
to be able to watch yourself. We’ve
everyone likes it here, so I imagine lot of 20-year-olds, it’s been a big
been learning new systems and
they’ll stick around even after I go
change from past years. There are
have pretty much learned to play
to Michigan.”
a lot of great players and great
every position, too.”
B
Photo/Robert J. Meyer
On the ice with other top 1992born players from across the country, Moffatt has steadily evolved
his overall game this season. As
of mid-February, the 5-foot-11,
185-pound forward was leading
the NTDP Under-17 Team with 13
goals through 29 games in North
American Hockey League play.
GO
ONLINE!
Watch videos of the AHSHA
playoffs, as well as the Phoenix Coyotes’ visit to the zoo!
8
Another change Moffatt experienced last season and even more
so this year has been something
most Michiganders loathe: winter.
“Yeah, winter last a long time
here,” laughed Moffatt. “It’s been
a cold winter and something new
because back home, we never have
snow. But it was still nice to have
snow for Christmas this year.
That was definitely different.”
Back in Phoenix, where Moffatt
played for the Phoenix Firebirds
and called his Oceanside Arena
and Ozzie Ice his home rinks, the
well-documented stereotype of
hockey in the desert is slowly becoming a thing of the past as elite
players start to ooze from Arizona.
Names like Spina, Collins,
Bryan Esner and now Moffatt
are gradually gaining legendary
status as kids of all ages know
who these players are.
“To be mentioned with those
guys, well that’s pretty cool,”
said a humble Moffatt. “I’ve just
always loved to play hockey.”
But to look in the mirror and
know he’s one of the top 16-yearolds in the country and to have
the maize and blue jersey at
Michigan awaiting him in two
years, Moffatt said it was only in
the last couple of years when he
realized he could lean on hockey
for his future.
“Back home, I always played
‘up’ a year with the ‘91s,” Moffatt
explained. “And I saw that I could
stick with those guys. Now, I have
realistic hopes that one day I’ll be
able to make a living from hockey.
I always looked up to guys like
Spina and Collins and Esner and
to know that kids there now are
looking up to me is very flattering.
“Maybe Arizona is one of those
unnatural hockey regions, but if
I can help change that and give
some of the younger kids in Arizona some hope, I hope that can
show them that they’re not helpless.”
Just remember that two years
ago, Moffatt had hopes of elevat-
ing his game to the NCAA level
and taking the steps to becoming
a Wolverine was something Moffatt said kind of happened rather
quickly a year or so ago.
He can’t officially sign a National Letter of Intent until
November, but he has verbally
committed to Michigan and has
his sights set on college life.
“I had gone to a few games and
even now, when we’re not travelling, I try and go and have met a
few of the players,” said Moffatt.
“The games are fun and the fans
are intense and the student section is just crazy. I just can’t wait
to play at Yost (Arena).”
There is one detail, however,
that will encompass Moffatt’s life
before he makes the cross-town
trek to Yost and that’s the 2010
NHL Entry Draft. Moffatt knows
he’ll get taken, but when and by
what time is anybody’s guess. It’ll
be yet another in a long line of
Path to Promise continued / Page 10
ArizonaRubber.com
9
Phoenix Coyotes
Yandle puts zoo passion to charitable use
By Ryan Casey
W
hen the time came to pick his
cause, there was never a question
in Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith
Yandle’s mind: He would support the zoo.
A self-described animal lover, Yandle
visits the zoo as often as he can, up to two or
three times a week.
“We go quite a bit,” said Yandle, who maintains
his favorite zoo is in his native Boston. “We spend
a lot of time at the guerilla exhibit, just studying
them and looking at them.”
Naturally, Yandle jumped at the chance to support the zoo as part of Coyotes Causes.
In January, the Coyotes hosted the Phoenix Zoo
with an animal exhibit of reptiles and insects at
Jobing.com Arena during a game. The team also
auctioned off gift baskets and a chance to meet
Yandle. Proceeds went to the zoo.
“It’s always really exciting when one of the players adopt themselves to a cause,” said Sarah Finecey, the Coyotes’ director of community relations and
fan development. “They always have a vested interest in what they’re supporting, which is really cool.
Path to Promise continued from Page 9
humbling achievements for Moffatt when he hears his name called
in late June 15 months from now.
“I think the draft is always in
the back of your head,” said Moffatt. “Either subconsciously or
consciously, you know your time
is coming and it’s then that you
really realize that hockey could be
a career.
“I think I’m a self-motivated
player and I know I have the next
few years planned out. I just want
to get drafted as high as I can and
not take anything for granted.”
Never before this season has
Moffatt travelled as much as he
has, and it’s not the NAHL’s North
Division schedule that has Moffatt
logging the miles. With tournaments in Slovakia and Switzerland, as well as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Port
Alberni, British Columbia, that
10
“They align themselves with things, whether it’s
breast cancer or Special Olympics or autism or the
zoo. That’s always really fun.”
In return, the Phoenix Zoo set up a private tour
for Yandle, members of his family, and other members of the Coyotes organization.
The tour included stops at the Phoenix Zoo’s
Stingray Bay, and behind-the-scenes looks at the
orangutan and elephant exhibits.
The players and their kids took turns “petting”
the stingrays, then, at the orangutan exhibit, the
group learned about the dynamic of how the four
primates live together - and how strong each one
was.
Later, the players and their kids fed the elephants, and watched one mix Gatorade in her trunk.
Yandle, who was filming a spot for PhoenixCoyotes.com along the way, was easily the most inquisitive one of the tour, asking questions of the guides
at each stop along the way.
“I’ve always loved zoos, I’ve always loved animals,” Yandle said, “but I’d say in high school, we
used to just go to the zoo to get away, talk, and just
hang out there, me and my buddy. We both loved it
and we’d just go there.” ❂
aspect of playing for
Team USA has been
very rewarding.
“I had never
been to Europe
before this year,”
said Moffatt. “Playing against other
players from other
countries my age
was a great experience.
“I think any
time you play for
your country it’s a
great experience
and an honor and
this season, every time out has
been just that.
Now that I’m
here (with the
NTDP), I finally
feel like I’ve
made it. But I know it’s not the
end of the road.” ❂
Luke Moffatt will be NHL draft eligible in 2010.
ArizonaRubber.com
11
College Hockey
Polar Ice’s My First Shutout
ASU Ice Devils
Player: Shae Sampson
Age: 12
Team: Warriors
Level: Peewee
Position: Goalie
Rink: Polar Ice Chandler
My First Shutout: There
was a breakaway and it
was just me and him. He
tried to score, but I blocked
it. The buzzer rang and I
looked at the scoreboard, it
was 3-0. We won and I got
a shutout!!! My team raced
off the bench and screamed
and cheered.
Mane of the Month
UA Ice Cats
Player: Spencer Davis
Age: 8
Team: Bruins
Level: Mite House
Position: Goalie
Rink: Polar Ice Chandler
My First Shutout: My
first shutout came in the
Polar Bear Tournament.
I was excited, amazed and
it felt great. My team
came and cheered me on
at the end, too. I love being a goalie!
NAU
Jacob
Schneider
of the
Phoenix Polar
Bears’ Mite A
Team
Jacob wins a FREE composite
stick, compliments of
Warrior Hockey!
To enter, send a photo of your hockey hair
to [email protected]
HOODY HOCKEY:
It only takes a spark to ignite a fire
I
was watching the NHL
All-Star Game and got
a call from former Phoenix Polar Bears great Tyler “Rammer” Ramsey.
Rammer started going on
and on about Jonathan
Toews.
“Can you believe that
kid,” beamed Rammer.
“He started hockey at
your camp 16 years ago,
you coached him for a
season and now he’s an
NHL All-Star and captain
of the Chicago Blackhawks! Can you believe
how great a player and
leader he’s become?”
I believe Rammer was
trying to assign some
responsibility to me for
Jonathan Toews (lol).
Jonathan Toews is a
success because of Jona-
12
without our top
than Toews
player having a
and his family.
positive attitude
Jonathan is a
and providgreat example
ing leadership.
of the 10,000Furthermore,
hour Rule x 10.
he should stop
That young man
thinking and
poured in the
start shooting
hours from a
the puck under
very young age.
Mahood
the bar.”
However, the
Rammer went on to
one guy I might be temptscore a remarkable 165
ed to take some credit
points in 70 games - tops
for is Rammer. Early
in the U.S. for junior
in November of 2001, I
hockey - and led the Polar
received a call: “Hoody, I
Bears to a silver medal at
think I need new linethe national tournament.
mates, my current line
What happened?
has no chemistry.”
What was different?
Rammer had lost
How did Rammer FAIL
patience and was losing
FORWARD rather than
confidence and FAILING
BACKWARD?
BACKWARDS.
Rammer finally
I said to Rammer,
“We’re not changing lines stopped blaming others
and took responsibility.
He stopped repeating
mistakes and learned
from them. He recognized
that failure is a part of
progress. He developed a
positive attitude and was
determined to never fail
again. More importantly,
Rammer didn’t quit; he
persevered!
Tyler Ramsey: a Polar
Bears legend, college
graduate, Phoenix fire
fighter, husband to Megan and an expectant father. On second thought,
just another 10,000-hour
guy x 10! ❂
Harry Mahood is the head
coach and general manager of the Phoenix Polar
Bears’ Junior A team
and the director of hockey
operations at Polar Ice.
Phoenix Polar Bears Junior A
Kelner, Walker return for title run
By Matt Mackinder
A
Kelner played for the Polar Bears
from 2004-06, winning two WSHL
championships and going to a pair
of national tournaments. He played
with the Calgary Hitmen of the
WHL for a season and a half before
being traded to Spokane. Kelner
Photo/Aaron Bell/OHL Images
s if the
Phoenix Polar Bears didn’t
already have
a potent lineup,
veterans Curtis
Kelner and Chris Walker were
added to the team last month
to solidify the club’s run at yet
another Western States League
championship.
“Curtis was a valuable member of the Spokane Chiefs’ WHL
Memorial Cup championship
team last May and to have his
leadership in our locker room is
exciting,” said Polar Bears coach- Curtis Kelner won a Memorial Cup last season as a
member of the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs.
GM Harry Mahood.
earned a full WHL education schol“And we’re thrilled to have Chris
arship and is attending Arizona
return to our program to support
State as a full-time student.
both our team goals and his longterm goal of playing NCAA hockey,”
“When Hoody presented the
Mahood added.
idea of a potential return to the
Polar Bears, I was surprisingly very
excited to play and compete again,”
said the 20-year-old Kelner. “The
thought of winning a Canadian
national championship and the
opportunity to win a U.S. national
championship was very appealing.
“Winning the Memorial Cup was
a memory that I’ll cherish forever,
but playing for the Polar Bears has
been in my blood since I was 11
years old.”
Walker began this season in the
Eastern Junior League with the
Jersey Hitmen, the team he played
for until November.
“I’ve been working out on my
own the last few months and this
just seemed like the perfect fit,”
said Walker of coming back to Phoenix, where he played from 2005-08.
“I love to compete and the Polar
Bears are committed to a WSHL
championship and competing for a
national championship.”
❂
Arizona Hockey Union
By Brian McDonough
I
n its first year as a Tier organization, the Arizona Hockey Union
succeeded in claiming state championship titles in two of its four divisions - Peewee U12 and Midget
U18 - with the Bantam U14 team
pulling in a second-place Tier II
finish.
The program’s Bantam U14’s
and Midget U16 ‘92s will also
compete in the Rocky Mountain
District Championships as host
teams.
“It’s very rewarding to watch all
of our teams have success similar
to the Junior A team,” said Harry
Mahood, direction of hockey operations at Polar Ice.
“This multi-level success is a
true bi-product of developing the
Arizona Hockey Union a year ago
and having five organizations with-
in Polar Ice committed to a common
process of long-term development.”
The U12’s rolled through their
two round-robin games, beating
the VOSHA Mustangs and the Jr.
Coyote ‘96s, before blitzing that
same Jr. Coyotes team in the title
match, 9-2.
“Most of these kids have
dreamed of making it to a national
tournament, and this is our first
step in making that dream a reality,” said head coach Jim Livanav-
age.
The 18U team celebrated its state title in
dramatic fashion, as Alex
Moggel’s overtime goal lifted
the Union to a 4-3 triumph over
Mission Arizona in the championship game.
“This team has had an amazing bond and the team chemistry
of these young players is unbelievable,” said head coach Kurt
Goar.
Mahood is quick to credit the
Union’s coaches and players for
so much success in short time.
“I’ve spent a lot of time around
the coaches and players this season
and they bleed Polar Bear purple,”
he said. “Our goal going forward,
as it was year ago, is to continue
to develop our program and create
unique long-term development opportunities for our players.” ❂
ArizonaRubber.com
13
14
H E A T I N G U P
F O R T A K E O F F.
ArizonaRubber.com
15
P.F. Chang’s Tier 1 Hockey Program
By Brett Fera
D
on’t let all
the goals
or the “A” on
his sweater
fool you.
Conor Clancey is
not a hockey player.
But throw out the first baseman’s mitt and smooth-as-silk
swing, too; this 16-year-old Scottsdale native isn’t a baseball player,
either.
No, he’s an athlete in every
sense of the word, and the prototypical scholar version at that.
At 6-foot-2, 191 pounds, Clancey
is built like both a power forward and a three-hole hitter. P.F.
Chang’s U16 head coach Brendan
Shaw said that it took a little bit
of time for the 16-year-old Horizon
High School junior - he skipped
kindergarten - to grow into his
Reaching continued from Page 17
decision based on the program.”
Samuelsson, a defensemen
standing at 6-foot-2 and 195
pounds, tallied 13 assists in his
first 40 games for Chicago. He’ll
head to Boston in the fall to play
for a program that has produced
dozens of NHL-caliber players, as
well as Tempe’s Dave Spina.
Samuelsson will attempt to follow players like Brian Leetch, a
Hall of Famer who played 18 NHL
seasons, mostly with the New York
Rangers. Leetch even spent four
seasons guarding the Rangers’
blue line alongside Samuelsson’s
father.
“I think hockey is a sport where
you need to dedicate yourself at a
pretty young age to get to the next
level,” Philip said. “Obviously,
having a father playing in the
NHL, he can give me the direction
I need. He knows what’s necessary.”
One thing not lacking from
16
physical frame.
“Last year was kind of a tough
year,” Clancey said. “Brendan really worked with me and this year
it’s kind of come together.”
Athletically speaking, Clancey
admits there are pros and cons to
being ahead of the game academically.
“With baseball, I’m the
youngest kid
on my team,”
said Clancey,
who holds a 3.9
GPA. “But for
hockey, it gives
me a year I can
Conor Clancey
take off between
high school and college where I can
play in the USHL or a league like
that.”
If Prince Albert of the WHL had
its way, Clancey probably wouldn’t
be pondering either option as he
Samuelsson’s resume: experience
already playing big-time hockey
on an international stage. The
P.F. Chang’s graduate was right at
home last month when he helped
Team USA get past Russia, Czech,
Finland and host Sweden - he was
born in the Scandinavian country
– to win the U18 Five Nations
Tournament title before rejoining
Chicago for the season’s stretch
run.
There’s the chance Samuelsson
might be chosen in the upcoming NHL draft, but he said he’s
not ready to start predicting the
future. To that same end, the
wise-beyond-his-years 17-year-old
added that he fully intends to play
at least a year - if not two or more,
he specifies - in Boston.
“I think they know that when
they commit to kids who are highend talent, those kids obviously
have aspirations of moving onto the
next level,” he said. “They make
it so they a have the best environment to develop as a player.” ❂
approaches his senior year of high
school.
“I was drafted in my second year
of Bantams,” Clancey said, adding
that the prospect of playing hockey
- who knows, maybe baseball,
too - in college was more enticing than jumping to Major Junior
right away. “I think [Major Junior]
would be great, but playing college
gives you the education and that
high level of hockey.”
Clancey said he doesn’t know if
there are any schools out there that
will want him for both hockey and
baseball.
But for now, he’s just trying to
figure out the right balance of baseball double-headers on the weekends, hockey practices during the
week, and - oh, yeah - school, too.
“I’d like to push the two sports
at the same time as long as I possibly can,” he said. “I’m having a lot
of fun.” ❂
Avondale’s Beattie
makes D-I plans
Yet another Arizonan is
heading to Hockey East, as
Avondale’s Kyle Beattie recently committed to the University of Maine for the 2010-11
season.
A graduate of the P.F.
Chang’s program, Beattie, who
is playing this season with the
New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs of
the Eastern Junior League, also
visited Providence, the University of Nebraska-Omaha and
Northeastern, with Michigan
State expressing interest in the
forward as well.
Former Phoenix Coyote Bob
Corkum, the Black Bears’ association head coach, played a
pivotal role in recruiting Beattie
to the Orono, Maine, school.
Chang’s grad Johnson nearing college choice
By Ryan Casey
I
Johnson has been hearing
from a number of schools,
including UMass-Lowell,
Quinnipiac and Notre
Dame.
“It’s kind of all
over the place,”
Johnson said. “It
just really started
going when I got
up here.”
Johnson plans
to take his official
visits after Penticton’s season.
“I’ll probably
have to be pretty
quick on a
decision after
I make my
visits,” he
said. ❂
ArizonaRubber.com
Photo/Glenn Hauptman
n and out of the lineup with the
United States Hockey League’s
Cedar Rapids (Iowa) RoughRiders,
Derik Johnson found himself a
better situation.
Now in the British Columbia
Hockey League and playing everyday for the Penticton Vees, the
defenseman is on the verge of a
Division I scholarship.
“It kind of got to a point where
I was the sixth guy, kind of in and
out sometimes,” Johnson said. “I
just didn’t want to waste a year of
my development going along that
road.”
Johnson - the son of former NHL
defenseman Jim Johnson, who is
now the program director for P.F.
Chang’s program - had attended a
camp in Penticton, located about
four hours east of Vancouver, last
spring for Vees coach Fred Harbinson.
“He gave me a call,” said Johnson, a Chang’s alum. “It was a
great team and they had a brandnew building. It just seemed like a
good situation.
“They’re one of the top
teams in the league. They
have 10 D-I scholarships
already and I’m close to
getting mine here soon.”
Penticton also boasts
a long list of distinguished
alumni: Brett Hull, Paul
Kariya, Duncan Keith,
Chuck Kobasew and Brendan Morrison, to name a
few. Mike DeAngelis, head
coach of the P. F. Chang’s
U18 team, also played his
junior hockey there.
“It’s just a different feel
around town when the
team’s doing well,” Johnson said. “It seems almost
like part of the town lives
off it.”
17
18
Mission Arizona
Mission proud of season’s accomplishments
By Matt Mackinder
A
trio of
Mission Arizona
teams finished the
season on a
successful note,
but not necessarily
where each had hoped.
Head coach Jeremy Goltz’s 18
Red, 18 White and 16 Red teams all
made it to the state championship
game in each of their divisions, only
to fall short.
The 18 Red squad had the big
matchup against P.F. Chang’s and,
though it lost, 4-0 and 4-1, Goltz
said his team “earned respect and
paved the way for future Mission
players to carry the torch.”
Cameron Morgan, Josh
Rademacher, Mike Destafino,
Clay Taylor, Aaron Dmarico and
Tommy Bowman all graduated
from the program to encouraging
words from Goltz.
“I’ve coached some of these kids
since Bantam A and it’s fantastic
to really think how much they’ve
accomplished in their careers,” said
Goltz. “They will be missed.”
Losing in its title game to
CAHA, 5-4, the 16 Red was a surprising team down the stretch.
“They really came from nowhere
and almost sealed our third 16 regional bid in three seasons, but fell
just a bit short,” said Goltz. “Nic
Carrol, a rookie goalie in his first
full year of ice, played in all four
playdown games and really stepped
up big.
“With 60 percent of the guys
being first-year players, we should
be looking good going into next
season.”
Mission’s 18 White contingent
lost in overtime in the semifinals to
Arizona Hockey Union after what
Goltz called “a very good run.”
“That was a tough game to lose,”
noted Goltz.
Sean Tracey, Justin Frausto,
JC Rovie, Travis Szabo, Scott
Bartosik and Matt Wolf all played
their last games in a Mission jersey
as well and, like the 18 Red graduates, leave holes to fill.
“These guys have been building
blocks for our organization and will
be missed,” added Goltz.
Next up for Goltz is some down
time and 1-on-1 player evaluations
to discuss both team and individual
goals for the 2009-10 season.
One goal, obviously, will always
remain the same for Goltz, and it’s
one his program was on the cusp of
this season.
“Three state runner-ups is something to be proud of,” he said. “But
next year, our goal is still the same:
three state titles.” ❂
Ice Den busy over Presidents’ Day weekend
By Brett Fera
F
rom this year forward, good
lucking finding an hour of stick
time at the Ice Den on President’s
Day.
Two tournaments took to the
schedule at the Scottsdale rink
during the February holiday
weekend, with the Arizona Girls
Youth Hockey Association hosting a
seven-team slate - the sixth annual
Arizona Selects Girls Invitational
Tournament - and the Coyotes
Adult Hockey League showcasing
its inaugural President’s Cup Tournament, which pitted eight local
adults teams.
Rick Van Fleet, AYGHA director of hockey, said the turnout
didn’t rival the number of teams
the tournament has seen in years
past, but added that it did once
again manage to put local talent
on the ice against nationally-recognized competition in a two-division
format (U12 and U16/19).
“We’ve always had a good draw,”
Van Fleet said, noting that some
teams that have attended in years
past specifically cited economic
woes for not participating this year.
On the ice, the Selects’ U12
team fell to the nationally ranked
St. Louis Lady Blues in the finals,
marking the fifth title-round appearance in five tournaments so
far this season for the club, which
was scheduled to travel to Littleton, Colo., for the Rocky Mountain
District Championships in early
March.
The Selects’ U16 team also
finished second to the Aspen (Colo.)
Lady Leafs, primarily a U19 group.
Coyotes adult league director
Nate Arthurs said the first year of
his league’s tournament was a success itself, with the Ice Den-based
Red Wings and Ice Hogs winning
advanced and intermediate divisions, respectively.
Arthurs said he hopes to see the
CAHL President’s Cup build on its
modest 2009 turnout in the years
to come.
“It did turn out great,” Arthurs
said. “It was good to get guys playing and against guys they don’t
normally play with.” ❂
NORTH AMERICAN HOLIDAY HOCKEY ADULT & YOUTH TOURNAMENTS
2009 SCHEDULE: ATLANTIC CITY – CHICAGO - FORT LAUDERDALE – HARTFORD - MONTREAL – ORLANDO - SAN DIEGO – VANCOUVER
Phone: 1-800-322-NAHH . E-mail: [email protected] . www.nahhtours.com
ArizonaRubber.com
19
Women’s Hockey Organization of Arizona
Pond tourney brings girls back to roots
By Brian McDonough
A
re you guys really from Phoenix?”
That was the question heard
over and over again by Phoenix
Scorpions players Sheri Jones,
January Johnson, Mary Schlatter, Ally Jenner and Kristin
Heffern as they braved the cold
last month to compete in the USA
Hockey Pond Hockey Championship in Eagle River, Wis.
“The thing is, none of our pond
players are actually from Phoenix,”
said Heffern, noting that all five
grew up in cooler climates playing
on ponds and outdoor rinks.
The Wisconsin spectacle, in
which 200 teams participated in
12 age divisions, brought the girls
back to their roots, and it’s an experience they’re not soon to forget.
“The pond tournament is the
most fun we have playing all year
long,” Heffern added, “but now it’s
time to get serious.”
That’s because the USA Hockey
Women’s National Tournament is
less than a month away, and the
Women’s Hockey Organization of
Arizona (WHOA) is preparing to
take both of its women’s teams to
Rochester, N.Y., for the March 2729 event.
To get ready, the WHOA has
invited travel teams from Utah,
Colorado, Missouri and Idaho to
Phoenix to help both teams prepare for the formidable competition
they’ll face in Upstate New York.
“We made an organizational
decision to bring teams to Arizona
instead of spending all of the money
and time traveling to four different
states,” said Heffern. “With the
economy the way it is right now,
we have to make smart decisions
about where and how we’re going to
spend our hockey dollars.”
The Over-30 team
that will represent Arizona and the Rocky Mountain District at Nationals includes:
Mary Ann Beath, Mary Benner,
Dusty DeLange, Diane Genco,
Melissa Jessup, Jones, Elspeth
Killinger, Cheryl Marks, Dawn
Proefrock, Sabrina Woods, Erin
Young, Deb Carnell, Katy Scienski and Amanda Wentland.
This marks the first year the
USA Hockey Women’s Nationals
will field an Over-30 division. In
all, seven districts will send teams,
with host Rochester rounding out
the eight-team division.
The Scorpions, who won the
bronze medal in Buffalo in 2006,
will represent Arizona and the
Rocky Mountain District for the
fifth straight year.
“This is an exciting time of year
for us,” said Heffern. “We’re ready
to go.” ❂
Phoenix Polar Bears
Presidents’ Day event sees record turnout
By Brett Fera
I
t wouldn’t be surprising to think
that some would see the results
of the ninth annual Phoenix Polar
Bears Presidents’ Day Invitational
tournament and think it was a
“bad” weekend for Arizona hockey.
Oh, quite the contrary.
There was, in fact, 14 divisions,
and yet just one Arizona team - the
Peewee A 96 Phoenix Polar Bears
- managed to earn a championship
banner to hang from the rafters of
its home rink.
But that’s just it, said tournament director John Quinn, who,
alongside fellow director Chuck
Allen, helped organize one of the
largest invitational tournaments
the state of Arizona has ever seen,
as 98 teams from 10 states and two
Canadian provinces stormed the
Valley’s three Polar Ice facilities
20
(Chandler, Peoria and Gilbert).
“In a lot of ways, having outof-town, out-of-state, out-of-country teams win it is kind of a good
The Polar Bears’ Peewee A 96’s were the only
Arizona team to take home a banner at last
month’s President’s Day showcase.
thing,” Quinn explained. “They all
want to come back and defend their
championships the next year.
“We had 14 divisions this year,
and we had one Polar Bears team
and four or five Canadian teams
win. It makes our tournament that much more
competitive.”
And as for those 96 Polar Bears?
Well, for starters, head coach
Keith Hicks joked that the tournament organizing committee didn’t
do his team any favors.
“Wow, these tournaments are
getting more and more difficult to
win,” he said with a laugh.
But Hicks’ team deserved
its banner, battling to win four
straight games to take the title after opening up its tournament run
with a barn-burning 7-7 tie against
the San Diego Jr. Gulls.
“Every player, every skater, had
at least one point,” said Hicks. “I
don’t know how everybody else’s
team did, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s quite an achievement
to have every player involved in at
least one goal.” ❂
VOSHA Lady Coyotes
‘Play Hockey for a Cure’ returns
By Brian McDonough
A
fter raising over $4,000 last year, the
VOSHA Lady Coyotes are gearing up
for their second annual Play Hockey for a
Cure 4-on-4 Tournament with all proceeds
again benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an
organization that supports breast cancer research.
The event will be held the weekend of April 18 at
Arcadia Ice Arena.
“This year, we’re going bigger and expanding the
tournament to accommodate all players,” said Lady
Coyotes head coach Gayle Shalloo.
For more details and to register, visit ShallooSkills.
com. All registrations and donations are 100 percent
tax deductible.
The Lady Coyotes will also host a Girls 3-on-3
League (April 30) and an Elite Girls Camp (July 22),
as well as participate in the Buffalo Showcase (June 2)
and the Chowder Cup Showcase (July 25). Registration is open for all events.
Last month, the Lady Coyotes’ U17 team finished
second at the Charles River Presidents’ Day Tournament in Boston.
For up-to-date information on teams, tryouts and
summer camps, visit LadyCoyotesHockey.com. ❂
Arizona State University
No regrets for Barry as career ends
By Brian McDonough
T
he lone senior on Arizona State
University’s hockey team, Kyle Barry
has nothing but fond memories as his college days come to an end.
“ASU was great,” he said. “It’s allowed from some
great memories and even better friends, and I’ve also
learned a lot of things I can take beyond the rink.”
A Minnesota native, Barry started his college days
at the University Wisconsin-Stout (NCAA Division
III) before finishing that season in junior hockey.
From there, the decision for Barry, who craved a
big-school atmosphere with a respected hockey program, to attend ASU was an easy one.
“I could play college hockey in near-perfect weather
and receive a great education,” said Barry, who plans
to graduate in May with a degree in Economics.
Despite and up-and-down 2008-09 campaign,
Barry, an assistant captain, did take a lot out of his
leadership role this season and has high hopes for the
program in the coming years.
“This team has tremendous potential,” he said.
“I’ll miss it tremendously, but I’m looking forward to
the next step.” ❂
Arizona Hockey
Medics will take
care of YOU!
For your team or
tournament
medical needs,
contact Dana Toporek
480-313-7473
[email protected]
ArizonaRubber.com
21
Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association
State title a true team effort for U16’s
to working hard not
only during practices,
but also with their off-ice
f someone told Dennis Leclair
workouts,” said Leclair.
at the beginning of the season
And healthy camaraderie, both
that his Jr. Coyotes’ U16 Tier II
on and off the ice, helped ignite
team would be state champions, he
that one-for-all, all-for-one
would’ve countered with a
environment.
funny look.
“We created a close bond
“I would’ve thought they
between one another through
were crazy,” said Leclair, the
the time we spent together,”
club’s coach.
said defenseman and capBut fast forward six
tain Nathan Kundla. “We
months and the Jr. Coyotes
weren’t afraid to motivate
are indeed the best in Arieach other.”
zona, winning all four games
“This team has easily
at last month’s state playbeen the tightest-knit I’ve
downs, including a spirited
ever been on, and it really
5-4 affair over Mission Arishowed,” echoed co-captain
zona Red in the championThe Jr. Coyotes’ U16 Tier II team went undefeated during its
and fellow blueliner Tomas
ship game.
Abrate.
With one of the youngest state championship run.
The Jr. Coyotes began setting
Chicago, the coach realized he has
teams in both the state and the enteam goals, which not only included
something special on his hands.
tire Rocky Mountain region at the
U16 level - the Jr. Coyotes dress
“They bought into the team-first
State Title continued / Page 23
three 1992-borns, 16 93’s and one
concept and dedicated themselves
By Brian McDonough
I
94 - Leclair knew his club would
endure its fair share of growing
pains.
But, after a strong Labor Day
tournament and competitive showings at events in St. Louis and
AWAY FROM THE RUBBER:
Fitness not lost on officials, either
W
h I watch
hen
hah
hockey
k
game, I can admire
both teams’ skill, conditioning and teamwork on
the ice.
However, there’s a
third
d team I marvel at
regularly for the exact
same characteristics - one
that requires a different
level of conditioning and
exceptional mental acuity
and reasoning skills from
the opening faceoff to the
final buzzer.
On-ice officials - referees and linesmen - take as
much pride in their preparation and practice as the
players. Every year, they
must attend seminars and
take tests to keep them
up to speed with rules and
emphases.
22
Similar
Si
il to
iin poor condidi
players, they
tion will tire
work their way
quickly, not be
up from the
able to keep up
youngest age
with play, and
groups. If they
possibly make
excel at those
more mental
levels, several
mistakes.
may be selected
I was fortuBahn
to work district
nate to attend
and regional games. USA
the Western Hockey
Hockey holds regional and League’s officiating camp
national select camps in
in Calgary several years
the summer which asago, and, every morning,
piring officials attend to
we’d have a run at 6 a.m.!
further develop their skills During the week, we had
and knowledge.
scheduled yoga sessions,
Off-ice conditioning
off-ice workouts, and one
and preparation at the
day was devoted entirely
higher levels of officiating
to physical testing, which
is taken just as seriously
included a timed run
for aspiring officials as it
around the Olympic Oval
is for elite players, if not
and pull-ups and sit-ups,
more so. An official who is
just to name a few of the
tests.
On-ice tests were also
held to assess an official’s
ability to keep up with the
play and skate for prolonged periods of time.
Many of the officials took
their off-ice preparation
very seriously. They were
there to be noticed for
future jobs and left absolutely nothing to chance.
They were in fabulous
condition and carried
themselves like professionals, on and off the ice.
Seeing such dedication
elevated my appreciation
and respect for officials
and their craft. ❂
Mike Bahn is the Coyotes’
strength and conditioning
coordinator.
ARIZONA ICE RINKS
Alltel Ice Den
9375 E. Bell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
ph. (480) 585-7465
Arcadia Ice Arena
3853 E. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
ph. (602) 957-9966
Desert Schools Coyote Skating
Center Chandler
7225 W Harrison Street.
Chandler, AZ 85226
ph. (480) 598-9400
Desert Schools Coyote Skating
Center Gilbert
2305 E. Knox
Gilbert, AZ 85296
Desert Schools Coyote Skating
Center Peoria
15829 N. 83rd. Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85383
ph. (623) 334-1200
Jay Lively Recreation Center
1650 N Turquoise Dr # B
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
ph. (928) 774-1051
Jobing.com Arena
9400 W Maryland Ave
Glendale, AZ 85305
Oceanside Ice Arena
1520 N. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
ph. (480) 941-0944
Ozzie Ice
10443 N. 32nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85028
ph. (480) 488-6122
Tim’s Toyota Center
3201 N. Main Street
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
ph. (928) 772-1819
Tucson Convention Center
260 S Church Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
ph. (520) 791-4101
US Airways Center
201 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
State Title continued from Page 22
a state championship, but also a run at a regional
title, which would then open the door for a national
tournament bid.
And within months, the Jr. Coyotes had a target
on their back as the team to beat in Arizona.
Leclair and his staff challenged his group every
step of the way by playing higher levels of competition with scrimmages and tournaments at the Tier
I level, as well as several games at the U18 Tier II
level.
“What the kids learned from this experience was
that although stepping out of their comfort zone was
difficult, they could compete at just about any level as
long as they played as a team,” said Leclair.
“Coach Leclair pushed us all season and the guys
worked hard to get here,” said forward Mike Davis.
“It’s been an amazing year.”
In the end, winning the championship made all
the sacrifice worth it.
“It makes up for all the parties we’ve missed, all
the school dances we haven’t been able to go to, all
the Friday nights we gave up so we could practice
hard on Saturday mornings, all the off-ice training
and all the times we did conditioning skates until we
could barely move,” said Abrate.
“It’s a memory I’ll never forget,” added Kundla. ❂
ArizonaRubber.com
23
24
Head of the Class
Cheek, Killian, St. Thomas making waves in prep ranks
By Ryan Casey
Desert Vista and Desert Mountain
each trying to notch their own.
“That kid, Cheek?” Desert Vista
coach Steve McGinn queried after
a game against Desert Mountain
earlier this season in which Cheek
had two goals. “Oh man. Big,
strong. He’s exactly what they told
us. I mean you saw him in the allstar game. That’s why he was the
MVP.”
All three have slightly differing
styles. Whereas Cheek will stick-
A
ArizonaRubber.com
Photo/Desert Vista Hockey
so I put him to the ground.”
After the goal, Killian pointed
senior, a junior, a sophomore.
toward the penalty box - not toward
Billy Killian, John St. Thomthe opposing player, but to the man
as and Trevor Cheek are the top
who opens and closes its door.
players for the top three teams in
“The guy in the penalty box was
the Arizona High School Hockey Aslike, ‘20 seconds until live, go out
sociation.
there, don’t do anything stupid,
Killian, the senior, led Desert
play the puck, get a breakaway and
Vista with 38 points on 24 goals
score,’” Killian said. “So that’s why I
after 20 games.
pointed at him when I scored. That
St. Thomas, the junior, led Notre
was for him.”
Dame with 47 points and 22 goals
St. Thomas, meanwhile, is just
in 20 games.
an overall athlete. He
And Cheek, the
had been a two-sport
sophomore, led Desstar for Notre Dame,
ert Mountain with
playing on the Saints
19 goals and had
basketball team up
27 points in just 12
until January and
games.
averaging 6.2 points
All three were
and 4.2 rebounds.
on the ice during
“John St. Thomas
AHSHA’s all-star
is a leader,” said
festivities in late
Notre Dame coach
January, with Killian
Mark Ciaccio. “He
winning the Hardest
can fly, he can move.”
Shot competition and
He even won two
scoring a goal and
state championships
assisting on another;
on the same weekend
St. Thomas handing
two years ago. After
out two assists; and
winning the state
Cheek notching a
basketball championRough-and-tumble Billy Killian, left, has led Desert Vista’s offensive charge for
hat trick and taking much of the season.
ship at Jobing.com
home the game’s
Arena at 5 p.m., St.
MVP award.
handle through traffic, then deke
Thomas hurried over to the Ice Den
“I had to redeem myself,” Cheek
the goalie to score, Killian is more
where he helped the Saints win
said with a smile after the game,
of a power forward, sticking his
their opening-round game at 8:45
referencing a failed attempt during
nose wherever he can.
p.m.
the skills competition held an hour
After a tussle with another
St. Thomas recently decided,
earlier in which he tried to flick a
player in the all-star game, Killian
though, to focus solely on hockey.
puck into the air and bat it into the
drew a two-minute roughing pen“There’d be games, a Saturday
net during the Breakaway competialty, but also goated the opposition
night game, he’d have like two,
tion.
into a five-minute major. Later, as
three basketball games that day
“It was cool to get all the best
he stepped out of the penalty box,
and then come and play hockey,”
players out there,” he added. “More
Killian broke in alone and scored a
Ciaccio said. “Nobody can take that.
challenging, I like that.”
goal that cut the lead to one.
So he’s got some real rested legs
The trio were all set to face one
“That kid tried to nail me - and
(now).
another as the league’s playoffs got
it’s an all-star game,” Killian said.
“He’s a captain and he’s taking
underway earlier this month, with
“I was like, ‘What are you doing?’
it on his shoulders, he sets the tone
Notre Dame trying to win its third
and he winked at me. I said, ‘I’ll get and that’s what a captain should
state championship in a row, and
you back.’ He was charging at me,
do. He hustles his butt off.” ❂
25
BTM/Arizona
Rubber Test
Team Mission
of the Month
Test Team Member:
OVERVIEW: It’s a nice, big bag.
It has a nice zipper pouch under
the flap, which is good for smaller items so they don’t get lost.
It’s definitely big and roomy on
the inside with a divider in the
middle. It also has an adjustable
strap with a pad for the shoulder.
FUNCTIONALITY: The bag
is very nice and everything fits
well. The only drawback is that
it doesn’t have wheels, which
made it impossible for an 8-yearold like me to carry. I had to have
my mom or dad carry it, which
they weren’t too excited about.
Mason Parker
Teams: Ozzie Bears Mite B
Ice, Mission Stars-8U Inline
Product: Shock Doctor
“Power Dry” Core Gear Bag
BELLS & WHISTLES: The big
feature on this bag is the drying
system. It comes with a fan that
you just hook up to the side of
the bag and plug in. Mom and
dad say it’s easy to use and not
too bulky. It worked really well;
all my stuff was dry. Honestly, I
didn’t do it, but my mom and dad
say it was great.
DURABILITY: We had the bag
for a couple of months and it held
up well despite the wear-and-tear
of it being thrown around. There
weren’t any problems with any
of the straps or zippers, and the
dryer was still good.
SUMMARY: Overall, I loved the
bag and recommend it. Although
it’s not cheap, my mom and
dad say it’s worth the price. It
would’ve been much better for me
if it had wheels, because it’s just
too big for me to carry, but the
guys at BTM tell us they have
wheeled versions now, too. ❂
Inline Hockey
Competition stiff in American Inline League
By Alex Dodt
T
he American Inline Hockey
League has replaced PIHA in
Arizona and throughout the country this year as the top elite league
in North America.
In the Southwest Division, however, the changes go beyond a new
name. Last year’s PIHA national
champion Phoenix Dragons and
the Tucson Desperados have both
seen their rosters change drastically.
Phoenix has returned only
two of its nine players who won a
national championship together
last year. They haven’t missed
a beat though, bringing in new,
young talent as well as acquiring
Jeremy VanBuskirk, the leading
scorer of last year’s Arizona Strike.
“With our changing lineup, we
knew we needed to add a 40 -goal
scorer this season,” said Dragons
head coach Dave Marmorstein.
26
“Jeremy is one of those players
and fills the void we had at forward.”
The two remaining Dragons
from last year’s championship
team, Danny Marmorstein and
Duane Jones, have both helped
carry more of the load this season.
Jones is scoring more than a goal
per game while Marmorstein paces
Phoenix with more than three
points per game.
“After recovering from a shoulder injury, Duane has really
picked up his game,” Dave Marmorstein added. “And Danny has
been playing a lot of minutes so he
can fill the void left by our MVP
last year, Josh Laricchia.”
While several Dragons players
moved out of state, three players, including starting goaltender
Cody O’Reilly, joined the Desperados. Last season, O’Reilly posted
a 25-6-0 record to help Phoenix
win the national title.
“Cody has been a great addition to the team,” said Desperados
head coach Jay Turner. “It shows
the strides we’ve made that the top
players in the state want to be a
part of our organization.”
Injuries to Tucson’s top forwards, Keith Patterson and
Jerald Zivic, has slowed the Desperados out of the gate. They’ve
showed the potential to make a
run for the division title, however,
winning their home-opener over
the Dragons. The win was only the
second time Tucson has defeated
Phoenix in 14 meetings.
“That first win against Dragons
was really important,” said Tyler
Koressel, Tucson’s leading scorer
and former Dragons player. “After
seeing how we play with a full
lineup, I think we can win the division if we stay healthy.” ❂
Get more inline coverage at
ArizonaRubber.com!
cut here
HOW TO LOOK LIKE THE ALL-STAR MVP*
1.
2.
3.
CUT OUT MASK.
GLUE TO FACE.
USE AK27 STICK & GLOVES.
* NOTE: Warrior is not responsible for any injuries or embarrassment that may result
from pretending to be Alexei Kovalev, the 2009 All-Star MVP. warriorhockey.com
ArizonaRubber.com
25
28