Blog
WSHL’s Avalanche stay in-house, tab O’Rourke new bench boss
August 13th, 2016The Ontario Avalanche didn’t have to look far to find their next head coach. Rob O’Rourke, who has spent the last three seasons as the head coach of the 18U AAA Avalanche, will make the jump to the junior ranks for the 2016-17 season. O’Rourke inherits a team that finished fourth in the Western Division…
Yorba Linda’s Nieto tandem compiles 2015-16 seasons to remember
August 12th, 2016What’s almost 12 and a half feet tall, weighs more than 400 pounds and stops nearly everything shot its way? If you guessed an imposing creature in a summer blockbuster monster movie, try again. If you guessed the goaltending Nieto brothers of Yorba Linda, give yourself a gold star. Lest you think we’re exaggerating, realize…
Fedorin Cup finds voice, and the message is loud and clear
August 11th, 2016It’s not uncommon for Phil Hulett to get requests to MC charity events, but he soon discovered this request from the Athletic Sports Fund of America (ASFA) was different. The veteran Southern California broadcaster wears many hats, including public address announcer for the Anaheim Ducks, so helping out with a hockey game was a natural…
Chalk Talk: Light on California girls hockey has never been brighter
August 10th, 2016California girls hockey is growing like never before and in places you wouldn’t believe. After 15-plus years searching out young female players and growing this sport for girls at the grassroots level, the Lady Ducks have hit a new threshold of 14 girls teams for the coming season. This lead to recognition at last month’s…
Tahoe Hockey Academy gaining steam toward late summer opening
August 9th, 2016It’s been years in the making, and now it’s down to the final weeks. Later this month, the Tahoe Hockey Academy will officially open its doors for the first time, and the group of men behind organizing California’s first hockey boarding school couldn’t be more ready. The excitement is palpable in Tahoe, and the momentum…
Jr. Sharks goalie coach Cazares answers USA Hockey’s call
August 8th, 2016There’s no offseason for San Jose Jr. Sharks goaltending director Rick Cazares, and that’s just the way he likes it. Already a mainstay at Sharks Ice working with goaltenders of all ages within the Jr. Sharks organization, Cazares recently took on an additional position with USA Hockey where he will serve as regional development coordinator…
Jr. Ducks alum Urch signs with NOJHL’s Gold Miners
August 8th, 2016The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) have signed forward Taylor Urch for the upcoming 2016-17 season. Urch, an Anaheim native, comes to the Gold Miners from the Anaheim Jr. Ducks 18U AAA team that won a California state championship this past spring. During the last nine years, Urch…
Jr. Kings coach Tartaglione assumes role with USA Hockey
August 5th, 2016Tommy Tartaglione, a coach within the Los Angeles Jr. Kings organization, was recently appointed Southern California’s goaltending development coordinator by USA Hockey. Tartaglione’s multifaceted duties in the newly-created position include mentoring young goaltenders across the region, educating local goalie coaches, meeting with clubs and associations to implement goalie training curriculum and leading USA Hockey’s student…
From The Trainer’s Room: Off-ice training for goalies should be relevant, challenging
August 5th, 2016Off-ice training plays a vital role in the development of hockey players. USA Hockey follows the Long Term Athletic Development principles as the basis of their program. These principles will assist in creating a more consistent training regimen. Today’s training programs should not be based on how hard the program is, but what goals are…
Las Vegas’ NHL team will positively impact Storm youth
August 4th, 2016With the recent announcement that the NHL will have a team in Las Vegas for the 2017-18 season, it’s expected that the youth hockey scene will take off, much like what happened when teams landed in places such as Phoenix, Anaheim, San Jose and even Colorado. The Nevada Storm, a growing youth program with AA…