Blog
Lady Ducks program a blueprint for success
December 29th, 2015The numbers are staggering, and even for those who’ve witnessed the growth of the Anaheim Lady Ducks program over the years, seeing them for the first time truly hammers the point home. According to USA Hockey, participation in girls and women’s hockey programs across the country grew by 36 percent in the decade from the…
CIF-Metro Conference rolls out 16th season
December 29th, 2015The CIF-Metro Conference rolled out its 16th season on Nov. 30 with four games at Escondido Sports Center. The defending Kiwanis Cup champion Rancho Bernardo Broncos opened defense of their CIF championship by defeating the St. Augustine Saints, 17-0, in one of the non-league contests. Broncos second-year coach Joe Gelsomino said his team is looking…
Taking Liberties With… Rocco Grimaldi
December 27th, 2015Rocco Grimaldi Center, Portland Pirates (American Hockey League) Hometown: Rossmoor Last Amateur Team: University of North Dakota Youth Programs: California Wave, Little Caesars (Detroit) From California Wave to riding the waves of pro hockey, Rocco Grimaldi has experienced the highs (winning USA Hockey national championships and World Junior gold) and lows (season-ending knee surgery in…
Yorba Linda’s Nieto decides on Brown University
December 27th, 2015Yorba Linda’s Gavin Nieto will attend and play his NCAA Division I hockey at Brown University following his junior career. A goaltender for the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) Fairbanks Ice Dogs this season, Nieto leads the league with a 1.74 goals-against average and holds the sixth-best save percentage at .927. Nieto, a former Los…
Chalk Talk: Hockey is the greatest team sport
December 26th, 2015I might be biased, but in my opinion hockey is the best team sport on the planet – without a doubt. There are so many reasons why I can’t list them all, but here are a few: The Locker Room: It’s where the team collects before the game and the banter starts. It’s a sanctuary…
Jr. Ducks’ Pee Wee AAA1 team readies for Quebec
December 26th, 2015Jean Labbe grew up in Montreal and played in the Quebec International Pee Wee Tournament as a youth, but the longtime coach has never stood behind the bench at the legendary event. That will change in February when his Anaheim Jr. Ducks Pee Wee AAA1 team takes the ice in Quebec City. “I’m very excited…
Scholastic inline leagues face off around the state
December 26th, 2015The Central Coast High School Hockey League remains one of the state’s longest-running scholastic club organizations, with teams spread throughout the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo regions. This season’s lineup includes four teams in the varsity division and three in the junior varsity bracket. League play started last month and will run until mid-February….
Mainland offers unique spring tourney experience
December 26th, 2015Every spring for the past two decades, youth hockey teams from all over British Columbia have flocked to the Vancouver area to compete in one of the region’s most beloved tournaments. The Mainland Hockey Tournament will be back for its 22nd year in 2016, and is expected to draw up to 100 teams – many…
Texeira, Weinger stay the course with Winterhawks
December 26th, 2015The novelty of being named as potential picks in the NHL Entry Draft has worn off slightly for Keoni Texeira and Evan Weinger. Despite cracking the Central Scouting Service’s rankings as potential fourth- to sixth-round draft picks for the second consecutive year, both former Los Angeles Jr. Kings (Texeira also played for the LA Selects)…
Jr. Sharks, ‘Hawks grad Olofsson gets taste of NHL
December 24th, 2015Gustav Olofsson and his family haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade, but his experiences playing hockey in the Bay Area for four years remain fresh in his mind. “I have tons of memories,” said Olofsson, who made his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild on Nov. 19. “I had such amazing coaches growing…