Category Archives: Youth
Vacaville works hard to grow the game
January 12th, 2015It’s not easy developing a hockey hotbed in the middle of a football town. But that hasn’t stopped Bill Bowers and a number of dedicated volunteers in Vacaville who are focused on growing the game of hockey and perhaps stealing a bit of the spotlight from the gridiron at the same time. In Vacaville, a…
Jr. Kings pushing ADM advantage to fullest
January 6th, 2015While their success developing, exposing and advancing their elite players to higher levels of the game traditionally grabs the lion’s share of the headlines, the Los Angeles Jr. Kings haven’t taken their eye off the ball when it comes to restocking the cupboards at the youngest age groups. Icing three Mite (8U) teams this season…
SDIA a proven winner down south
December 30th, 2014They come in droves to the unassuming rectangular building tucked among a sea of tract homes, schools and retail establishments along one of suburban San Diego’s busiest corridors: minivans, SUVs and other vehicles packed full of kids and their hockey gear. The doors open and out spill multiple siblings of different ages, or friends and…
Wildcats excited for expansion to Carlsbad
December 16th, 2014After many months of planning, construction and anticipation, Wildcats Hockey Club is looking forward to finally being able to put teams on the ice as at a second facility: Carlsbad Icetown in north San Diego County. The Wildcats, formerly of Anaheim, relocated to Riverside this season, and also will have teams playing starting next season…
Jr. Ducks’ Gates decides on Colorado College
December 13th, 2014Anaheim Jr. Ducks 16U AAA forward Jack Gates has committed to play his NCAA Division I hockey at Colorado College. Gates, 16, is in his first season in his first season playing in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) and second overall for the Jr. Ducks. “It’s a big step forward for the Anaheim…
Who are these masked men?
December 13th, 2014John Blue almost doesn’t recognize the goaltender position these days. The first – and thus far only – goalie from California to reach the NHL is amazed when he looks between the pipes. “The way the game has evolved, size is necessary; 5-10 isn’t going to cut it anymore,” said Blue, who played 46 games…
Vacaville’s Mite program ready for takeoff
November 14th, 2014By Greg Ball There’s something exciting going on at Vacaville Ice Sports northeast of San Francisco, and it’s bringing more and more young players into the Vacaville Jets program. The Jets have traditionally had trouble putting a full Mite team on the ice, yet this season they have enough players to ice two teams. The…
Jr. Sharks score with Model Association status
October 28th, 2014By Greg Ball It’s been more than a year since the San Jose Jr. Sharks were first named a Model Association by USA Hockey, and the program is enjoying the benefits. On the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 1, the Jr. Sharks hosted a group of officials from USA Hockey, who put on a series of…
Jackson, Texeira tabbed NHL draft prospects
October 13th, 2014By Chris Bayee The co-captains went their separate ways in the fall of 2013 – Keoni Texeira to the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Robby Jackson to the United States Hockey League (USHL). But if NHL Central Scouting’s “Players to Watch” list is to be believed the former LA Selects and Los Angeles Jr. Kings teammates…
Jr. Kings embrace new philosophy
October 11th, 2014By Brian McDonough Scour the rosters of high-level junior, NCAA and minor-professional teams over the last 10 years and you won’t have a hard time finding your fair share of Southern California-groomed players. Thing is, it won’t take long to count the very few who’ve stuck in the NHL, either, and Kelly Sorensen, the Los…