Category Archives: Columns
New California-based hockey company making sticks that won’t empty wallets
November 3rd, 2020Even in a pandemic, Infamous Hockey was able to come to fruition. After the journey began in 2019, Infamous Hockey was officially founded this year in California, giving youth hockey sticks a louder voice, per se, as the game of hockey slowly gets back to normalcy. “It was apparent at the time (in 2019) that…
From the Trainer’s Room: Have a case of lace bite? Here’s how to treat the condition
October 16th, 2020Lace bite can be a debilitating condition affecting both hockey players and figure skaters. The condition is an irritation in the front of the ankle that can affect the skin and tendons. The cause of lace bite is pressure placed on the anterior ankle from either the skate laces or the tongue of the boot….
From the Trainer’s Room: Dealing with knee MCL injuries in hockey
September 29th, 2020The medial collateral ligament in the knee or MCL was the second most common injury in NCAA hockey in 2013 as stated by Grant, Bedi, Kurz, Bancroft & Miller. The study showed that only concussions had a higher injury rate in male collegiate players. The MCL is one of four ligaments in the knee and…
PUCK HCKY a one-stop shop for hockey fashion
September 23rd, 2020PUCK HCKY is “the coolest hockey-fashion brand on earth,” according to CEO Matt Marini. “Kidding, but not really,” he added. Based in Royal Oak, Mich., about 10 minutes north of Detroit, PUCK HCKY started in 2015 when Marini decided that the hockey world needed a “cool” fashion brand and his partner, PUCK HCKY president Amy…
Taking Liberties With… Valencia native, Jr. Ducks, Jr. Kings alum Ethan Wolthers
September 1st, 2020ETHAN WOLTHERS Position: Forward, Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) Hometown: Valencia California Youth Teams: Anaheim Jr. Ducks, LA Jr. Kings, West Ranch High School Age: 19 California Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up? Ethan Wolthers: My favorite hockey memory growing up was being able to play in the Quebec Pee Wee tournament. Playing in that…
From the Trainer’s Room: Limiting injuries when returning to organized sports
August 30th, 2020After spending time away from organized activities, there will be an understood eagerness to quickly return to previous levels of practice and competition. That being said, young athletes and performers are best protected by realizing that starting with too many or too intense of practices, too, can be a recipe for bone and soft tissue…
From the Trainer’s Room: Differences between training for roller hockey vs. ice hockey
June 2nd, 2020Roller hockey can seem very similar to ice hockey at times but can also seem vastly different. Roller hockey typically has less players on a team than ice and only four skaters on each side during play. One would think less players would mean shorter shifts on the ice, but the opposite is the norm….
Taking Liberties With … Pacific Palisades native, Minnesota State senior captain Nick Rivera
May 26th, 2020NICK RIVERA Position: Forward/captain, Minnesota State University (WCHA, NCAA D-I) Hometown: Pacific Palisades California youth teams: California Wave, Los Angeles Jr. Kings READ OUR LATEST ISSUE California Rubber: Do you have any favorite memories of your time playing youth hockey in California? Nick Rivera: The whole development part of it was pretty special. At that…
From the Trainer’s Room: Offseason planning means staying rejuvenated for next season
April 15th, 2020As the hockey offseason kicks into high gear, this is the time to plan out the coming months to allow for rest, recovery, proper training on and off the ice, and preparation for the next season. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE One way to plan for this hectic time is to print a calendar from now…
Taking Liberties With… Vacaville native, University of Massachusetts forward Niko Hildenbrand
March 17th, 2020NIKO HILDENBRAND Position: Forward/captain, University of Massachusetts (Hockey East, NCAA D-I) Youth Teams: Berkeley Bulldogs, Capital Thunder, Santa Clara Blackhawks Hometown: Vacaville READ OUR LATEST ISSUE California Rubber: What is your favorite memory from playing hockey in California? Niko Hildenbrand: My Pee Wee year, when I played for Santa Clara, we won the national Championship….