Category Archives: Pro
Takings Liberties With… Chad Ruhwedel
December 2nd, 2015Chad Ruhwedel Defenseman, Rochester Americans (American Hockey League) Hometown: Scripps Ranch (San Diego) Last Amateur Team: University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East) Youth Programs: San Diego Stars, La Jolla Jaguars, San Diego Jr. Gulls, Los Angeles Jr. Kings A switch from forward to defense paid dividends for Chad Ruhwedel when he was a Pee Wee, helping…
Sommer right at home with AHL’s Barracuda
November 23rd, 2015Have you heard the one about…? Roy Sommer has. In fact, if the Oakland native hasn’t lived or told the hockey tale, it’s probably not worth telling. The coach of the San Jose Sharks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate has begun his 20th year with the organization and 18th as their AHL coach in locations as varied…
AHL pushing development above all else
November 4th, 2015For the first time in the American Hockey League’s (AHL) 80 seasons, five teams faced off their campaigns in California as part of the league’s new Pacific Division. A month into the 2015-16 season, the move westward appears to have been a good idea. The proximity of AHL teams to their parent NHL clubs has…
Rebirth of AHL’s Gulls big for San Diego hockey
November 1st, 2015When Nick Ritchie scored a power-play goal 15 minutes into the first period of the San Diego Gulls’ season-opener on Oct. 10, it not only marked a new beginning for professional hockey in America’s Finest City, but also sent positive reverberations to rinks from Escondido to Mid-City and everywhere in between. Ritchie’s goal – which…
Taking Liberties With… Ryan Lasch
October 30th, 2015Ryan Lasch Forward, Frolunda Indians (Swedish Elite League) Last Amateur Team: St. Cloud State University (WCHA) Hometown: Lake Forest Local Youth Programs: California Wave, South Coast Sabers, Los Angeles Jr. Kings Where Ryan Lasch goes, points follow. After piling up 147 in 56 games during his final year of juniors in Pembroke, Ontario, Lasch went…
AHL clubs open season on promising note
October 11th, 2015The American Hockey League’s (AHL) new western pod of five California teams faced off their inaugural season the weekend of Oct. 9-10 with high expectations and excitement rippling through opening-night crowds as a new era in professional ice hockey dawned on the West Coast. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE HERE The Bakersfield Condors, Ontario Reign, San…
State’s pro presence stronger than ever
September 27th, 2015Doug Wilson has seen a lot since he first arrived in California. Winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1982, Wilson was traded from the Windy City to the San Jose Sharks in 1991 to provide leadership and stability on the blue line for the expansion team…
Taking Liberties With… Kevan Miller
September 22nd, 2015Defenseman, Boston Bruins Hometown: Canyon Country Last Amateur Team: University of Vermont (Hockey East) Local Youth Programs: West Valley Wolves, Ventura Mariners, Los Angeles Jr. Kings The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is a study in hard work and perseverance. A 1987 birth year, Kevan Miller made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins after his 26th birthday despite…
Fedorin Cup scores in fight against cancer
September 19th, 2015The Fedorin Cup continues to make a difference, one year at a time. Held late last month at The Rinks-Anaheim Ice, the annual charity hockey game and casino night raises money to fight cancer by hosting a day’s worth of activities that allow participants to be immersed in hockey while being part of a great…
AHL going ‘all-in’ on strong California markets
March 3rd, 2015Could it be another turning point in the ongoing growth of hockey in California? If the reaction from the January announcement that the American Hockey League (AHL) has approved the formation of a five-team Pacific Division that would include affiliates of all three California NHL teams is any measure, then it’s a resounding yes. The…