Blog
SDIA a proven winner down south
December 30th, 2014They come in droves to the unassuming rectangular building tucked among a sea of tract homes, schools and retail establishments along one of suburban San Diego’s busiest corridors: minivans, SUVs and other vehicles packed full of kids and their hockey gear. The doors open and out spill multiple siblings of different ages, or friends and…
Q & A: Jon Gustafson, VP, Sharks Ice
December 30th, 2014Jon Gustafson wears many hats. As vice president of Sharks Ice, LLC, he oversees Sharks Ice facilities in San Jose, Fremont and Oakland. He also oversees all of the Sharks merchandise operations and serves as vice president of Sharks Minor Holdings LLC, which oversees the business operations for the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey…
Ex-‘mates Power, Hoshaw riding Wave out east
December 17th, 2014Longtime friends and former California Wave teammates Troy Power and Steven Hoshaw ran into each other again recently. That two Californians would face off in NCAA Division I hockey is nothing new, but the circumstances leading up to their meeting in Amherst, Mass., last month – their second college game against each other in less…
Wildcats excited for expansion to Carlsbad
December 16th, 2014After many months of planning, construction and anticipation, Wildcats Hockey Club is looking forward to finally being able to put teams on the ice as at a second facility: Carlsbad Icetown in north San Diego County. The Wildcats, formerly of Anaheim, relocated to Riverside this season, and also will have teams playing starting next season…
Jr. Ducks’ Gates decides on Colorado College
December 13th, 2014Anaheim Jr. Ducks 16U AAA forward Jack Gates has committed to play his NCAA Division I hockey at Colorado College. Gates, 16, is in his first season in his first season playing in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) and second overall for the Jr. Ducks. “It’s a big step forward for the Anaheim…
Who are these masked men?
December 13th, 2014John Blue almost doesn’t recognize the goaltender position these days. The first – and thus far only – goalie from California to reach the NHL is amazed when he looks between the pipes. “The way the game has evolved, size is necessary; 5-10 isn’t going to cut it anymore,” said Blue, who played 46 games…
Gamez commits to Providence
November 21st, 2014Former Los Angeles Jr. King Garrett Gamez has committed to play his NCAA Division I hockey at Providence College beginning next season. “I felt Providence was the best offer for me, and I’m really excited to attend. I liked the atmosphere there,” said Gamez, a forward playing this season with the Tri-City (Neb.) Storm of the United…
Vacaville’s Mite program ready for takeoff
November 14th, 2014By Greg Ball There’s something exciting going on at Vacaville Ice Sports northeast of San Francisco, and it’s bringing more and more young players into the Vacaville Jets program. The Jets have traditionally had trouble putting a full Mite team on the ice, yet this season they have enough players to ice two teams. The…
Taking Liberties With… Shane Harper
October 28th, 2014Forward, Chicago Wolves (AHL) Hometown: Valencia Last Amateur Team: Everett Silvertips (WHL) Youth Programs: Valencia Flyers, California Wave, Los Angeles Jr. Kings California Rubber: What’s the best piece of advice you have for a youth hockey player or parent? Shane Harper: When I think back to why I was successful, it’s because I had fun…
Jr. Sharks score with Model Association status
October 28th, 2014By Greg Ball It’s been more than a year since the San Jose Jr. Sharks were first named a Model Association by USA Hockey, and the program is enjoying the benefits. On the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 1, the Jr. Sharks hosted a group of officials from USA Hockey, who put on a series of…