Category Archives: Youth
Jr. Ducks’ 16U AAA team making tracks to top of CAHA, Tier 1 Elite League
December 21st, 2017Championships aren’t won in December, but the Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 16U AAA team has put itself squarely on the national radar with a start that didn’t include a regulation loss in nearly 30 games. The Jr. Ducks soared to the top ranking by myhockeyrankings.com in early December with just two losses – one in overtime…
THE RINKS-Poway ICE celebrates grand re-opening to rave reviews
December 20th, 2017The San Diego Gulls and the Anaheim Ducks introduced a familiar facility with a brand-new name as on Sept. 1, the Ducks announced the addition of THE RINKS-Poway ICE to the association’s development program. Formerly known as Poway Ice Arena, Poway ICE is the official practice facility of the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Gulls and…
Jr. Sharks’ strength and conditioning program molds the complete athlete
December 19th, 2017The San Jose Jr. Sharks have a staff of five trainers that oversee and work with all the program’s players on a full-time basis. Head strength coach Jay Thomas has been working with the Jr. Sharks for nearly 10 years and has seen his job evolve with the times. In fact, a personal injury of…
Cunningham named new Jr. Reign Carlsbad program director
December 19th, 2017Every once in a while, the stars align just right in life. For Matt Cunningham, it happened when his wife landed a good job in the San Diego suburb of Carlsbad and less than a year later, he was hired to run the Ontario Jr. Reign’s program there. READ OUR DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE The manager…
Jr. Kings celebrate pair of NHL Youth Cup championships
December 18th, 2017It might still be in its infancy, but the NHL Youth Cup tournament has wasted little time solidifying its footing on the national stage. What started five years ago as an eight-organization, eastern-based event has since evolved into a nationwide festival with a number NHL-affiliated youth hockey programs competing against each other at the Squirt…
Longtime Jr. Gull, current Jr. Duck Groll commits to Michigan
November 29th, 2017A weekend in Pittsburgh at the end of September helped determine Josh Groll’s future course. The performances by the Anaheim Jr. Ducks center and his 16U AAA team at the United States Hockey League (USHL) Fall Classic drew a lot of attention from college coaches, including the University of Michigan, which Groll ultimately committed to…
Frozen Fairgrounds hockey festival coming to San Diego in December
November 28th, 2017When you think of San Diego, the first thought that comes to mind isn’t usually hockey. After all, with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees year-round, finding a frozen pond with kids playing pickup games in the winter is out of the question, and rinks aren’t nearly as plentiful as they are in other parts of…
Grimm, Cafrelli goalie coach tandem boosting Jr. Sharks
November 28th, 2017It’s one thing to have a youth hockey organization bring aboard top-notch goalie coaches. It’s another to have those coaches be graduates of that program and do their part to give back to the organization that gave them that extra push as youths. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Nick Cafrelli and Geoff Grimm are San Jose…
Jr. Kings launch new Web site, fundraising program
November 22nd, 2017Ever since the Los Angeles Kings assumed operations of the Los Angeles Jr. Kings over a year ago, the organization has been provided with countless resources in an effort to help push the club to new heights. Another case in point: The recent launch of the Jr. Kings’ brand-new Web site. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE…
‘Tis the season for THE RINKS All-World Winter Camps
November 21st, 2017Winters in Southern California are not your typical wintery wonderland as children play and have snowball fights while schools are out for a snow day. Instead, Christmas lights are wrapped around palm trees, Christmas music is on the radios of beachgoers, and the chillingly cold of 60-degree weather makes some people put on a light…