Category Archives: Junior
Six with California ties taken in annual NAHL Draft
June 7th, 2016A half dozen players with connections to California were selected in the annual North American Hockey League Draft, which was conducted on June 7, including two that were taken in the first round. Devin Cooley (Los Gatos), G – Springfield Jr. Blues (1st round, 12th overall) – Jr. Sharks alum Shane McMahan (Irvine), F –…
San Diego’s Slaker commits to storied Michigan program
May 26th, 2016San Diego native and Bloomington Thunder captain Jake Slaker announced recently that he will play for the University of Michigan (Big Ten) for the 2016-17 season. “The opportunity there is great for me to step in and try to make an impact right away,” said Slaker. “I think overall it is just going to be…
Khodorenko will stay in Michigan, commits to Michigan State
May 12th, 2016Michigan has agreed with Patrick Khodorenko, so much that the forward from Walnut Creek made a verbal commitment to play college hockey at Michigan State University recently. Khodorenko, who has skated for the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor and Plymouth, Mich., the past two seasons after playing Midget 16U AAA for…
Jr. Kings grad Souto recognized with NAHL Community Service Award
April 28th, 2016Cole Souto, a former Los Angeles Jr. King, was recognized with this year’s North American Hockey League (NAHL) Community Service Award as a member of the Bismarck Bobcats. As co-captain of the NAHL club, Souto, 20, organized all of the Bobcats’ community service efforts – not only spending his own time in the community, but…
Long Beach wins WSHL Western Division, falls in league semifinals
April 19th, 2016It wasn’t the perfect ending, but after the best season in franchise history, there is still much to celebrate for the Long Beach Bombers. After piling up 39 regular season wins – which included a 23-2-1 run from the start of 2016 – the Bombers captured their first Western States Hockey League Western Division championship…
San Jose prospect Labanc bags two OHL season awards
March 21st, 2016The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2015-16 regular season. San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts captured the league’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy and Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy presented to the top scoring right…
Valencia flying high with sights set on WSHL top seed
February 29th, 2016As the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) season enters the stretch run, the first-place Valencia Flyers are aiming to prove the adage true that defense wins championships. Backed by an MVP-caliber season from rookie goaltender Linus Ryttar and a lockdown defensive unit that had allowed only 91 goals through 49 games, Flyers general manager Scott Allegrini…
Sharks prospect Labanc tabbed OHL Player of the Month
February 4th, 2016The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for January 2016, and Barrie Colts standout and San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc is the league’s Player of the Month. Labanc recorded 12 goals, 18 assists and 30 points in 13 games, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-20 for the…
Six named to NAHL Top Prospects Tournament
January 26th, 2016Six players with California and Nevada ties – forwards Jacob Hamacher (Corona), Brennan Blaszczak (Las Vegas) and Joey Cassetti (Pleasanton); and defensemen Cole Souto (Yorba Linda), Zak Galambos (Walnut Creek) and Rourke Russell (Long Beach) – were selected to compete in the upcoming North American Hockey League (NAHL) Top Prospects Tournament, which will be showcased…
Skilled McManus blazing a trail in the Midwest
January 23rd, 2016Several hockey coaches should send thank you cards to Ryan and James Anderson if they haven’t already. They’re the ones who inspired younger brother Brannon McManus to play hockey, and 1999 birth year from Newport Beach has spent the past several years blazing a trail through the sport. “My brothers got me into it, and…