Category Archives: Columns
From The Trainer’s Room: Know, recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion
February 1st, 2016Over the last 10 years, concussions have become a hot topic in youth and professional sports and for just cause. The media is constantly showing violent hits in sports and the injuries have sparked medical research and education into concussions and the long-term effects they may cause. Many changes in the way concussions are handled…
Taking Liberties With… Annie Pankowski
January 26th, 2016Annie Pankowski Forward, University of Wisconsin (Big Ten) Hometown: Laguna Hills Youth Programs: Anaheim Lady Ducks, North American Hockey Academy The sophomore is at it again this season. One year after leading all NCAA Division I freshmen in scoring (43 points) and being selected the National Rookie of the Year, Annie Pankowski went into the…
Chalk Talk: Larger goal nets not the answer
January 21st, 2016With scoring down in the NHL, there’s actually a movement afoot these days to enlarge the goal nets. When you initially start to think about it, such a consideration seems pretty dramatic, but it is worth giving the idea some merit. Certainly there’s an extreme difference in the average size of today’s NHL goalies versus…
Industry Profile: Chris Phillips, Compete Sports Performance
January 17th, 2016Chris Phillips cut his teeth working in hockey, but after a decade and a half living a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, he was ready for a change. The head athletic trainer for the Anaheim Ducks from 1999-2005, Phillips spent a total of 15 years in the game between stints in the American Hockey League (AHL),…
Editor’s Column: Sacramento’s outdoor experience a winner
January 17th, 2016Best known as home of the Sacramento River Cats – the AAA affiliate of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants – Raley Field was recently transformed into a playground for ice hockey enthusiasts. An American Hockey League game played on Dec. 19 between the Stockton Heat and Bakersfield Condors kicked off the outdoor festivities –…
Industry Profile: Patrick Demsey, Integral Hockey
December 30th, 2015For years, breaking a hockey stick brought with it not only the frustration of losing your favorite tool of the trade, but also a significant expense to replace the stick with a brand-new one. Various methods have been tried over the years to repair broken sticks, but none were effective enough to make the repaired…
Editor’s Column: Silver Stick qualifier a winner
December 29th, 2015Fifty-four teams from Northern and Southern California, Arizona and British Columbia converged on Sharks Ice-San Jose over Thanksgiving Weekend to compete in this year’s International Silver Stick Western Regional Qualifier. Champions were crowned in eight divisions: Midget 18U A (British Columbia’s New Westminster Royals); 16U A (Vacaville Jets); Bantam A (Redwood City Black Stars); Bantam…
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…
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…
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…