Rubber Hockey - August 2023

Coyotes owner to buy land in Mesa for ‘potential site for a sports arena and entertainment district’

The Arizona Coyotes issued the following statement on Aug. 9.

“We can confirm that Coyotes Owner, Chairman & Governor Alex Meruelo has executed a Letter of Intent to purchase a parcel of land located in Mesa, Arizona to be the potential site for a sports arena and entertainment district for the Club. The Coyotes remain committed to building the first privately funded sports facility in Arizona history and ensuring the Valley as the Club’s permanent home. In addition to this property in Mesa, the Club will continue to explore other potential sites in the East Valley.

“We appreciate the tremendous support that we have received from many communities, elected officials, and community leaders who have expressed their desire to see the Coyotes remain in the Valley permanently. We would also like to thank NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly for their steadfast support of the Club’s efforts to find a permanent arena solution, and for their recognition that Arizona is a tremendous hockey market.

“Our incredibly loyal and passionate fan base is extremely excited about our team and the incredible additions we’ve made this summer including Matt Dumba, Jason Zucker,

Alex Kerfoot, Nick Bjugstad, Troy Stecher, Sean Durzi and the top prospect in the world, Logan Cooley. In order to ensure that our fans and fans in waiting can experience “Mullet

Magic” and the most exciting environment in the NHL, the Coyotes are very pleased to make available a very limited number of single-game tickets starting August 11.

“We will have no further comment at this time.”

Also inside this newest edition of Rubber Hockey:

-- USPHL announces 202324 regular season schedules for Premier, Elite divisions

-- Vegas native, late bloomer Smejkal excited to make NCAA D-III commitment

-- Checking in this offseason with Compete Sports Performance & Rehab

-- Colorado native Conn takes next step with NCAA D-I choice to UNH

-- From USPHL to NCAA D-I: Benoit decides on Omaha

Determination a key ingredient to Las Vegas’ Smejkal earning NCAA Division III commitment to Anna Maria

Noah Smejkal only started playing hockey when he was 14.

Just seven years later, the Las Vegas native is taking his game to the NCAA ranks after recently committing to Anna Maria College, a Division III school in Paxton, Mass.

“Me and the coaching staff had been talking since the start of the season,” said Smejkal. “They have been keeping track of my games and watched video on me and liked what they saw. They discussed and decided I would be a good fit for the team. I’m proud of how far I have come in a short amount of time, but I know there is so much more work to be done.

Noah Smejkal spent this past season with the GMHL’s Windsor Aces.

Photo/@rizzavisions

“It only gets harder from here.”

Smejkal, who is looking to major in Business Administration at Anna Maria, said he will do anything asked of him on the ice.

“I think I’m a good two-way forward and I want to help out my team at both ends of the ice,” said Smejkal. “At the same time, coming in as a freshman, anywhere will be a learning experience for me, and I think it will boost my development playing with great players and coaches around me. I take the classroom very seriously, and that’ll be an important part of the season as well.”

Growing up in Las Vegas, Smejkal started in house leagues and then

See SMEJKAL on 11

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Words from the publisher...

The new hockey season is right around the corner.

Yippy!

All the road trips, early-morning games and practices, first goals, family and team dinners away from home and even at hotels, yep, it’s that time.

Let me say this to all the hockey parents reading this. Our kids never played hockey. Our sons played travel baseball and lacrosse, but hockey parents are a different breed.

And I mean that in a good way.

Hockey parents are committed 100 percent to being at the games, supporting their kids and teams, and volunteering their time to make it all work.

It’s crazy all the hours you spend at the rink during the season.

And for those that coach and volunteer, even serve as managers or administrators, those are thankless jobs. Yet the people doing those jobs stick with it for the benefit of the kids.

That’s what this is all aboutfor the kids, right?

I’ve been involved in all our kids’ sports growing up and while you read things online about how negative youth sports

can be, it’s been mostly positive for myself.

I enjoy coaching and knowing that the game is secondary to life lessons and just helping these kids become great citizens. If they learn to improve at their sport, that’s a bonus in my eyes.

Sadly, as time goes on and the kids grow up, it means I need to step away and let the “new blood,” so to speak, step in to those roles.

It’s bittersweet, actually. I mean, watching your kids mature to the point where they make their own decisions is fantastic.

But that means that Mom and Dad are now stuck on the side-

lines.

In any event, the season is starting up very, very soon, which means we will be there to write about it all.

And I can’t wait!

Hockey in Arizona, California and Colorado is absolutely booming and showing no signs of slowing down! I love it!

Enjoy the rest of August and I’ll talk to you in a month or so.

As always, remember to keep supporting Rubber Hockey! Contact me any time at (248) 890-3944 (call/text) and by email at matt@rubberhockey. com.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Colorado youth hockey graduate Schmidt off to NCAA Division III Aurora for upcoming 2023-24 season

Samira Schmidt was born in North Dakota and moved to Colorado in 2016.

It was in the seven years since that her game on the ice improved to the point where she recently committed to NCAA Division III Aurora University, a school in Illinois.

“Coach Hannah (Westbrook) and I sent film and (Aurora coach) Jackie Kooistra was pleased and we went from there,” Schmidt said. “One of the biggest influences on my decision was the school having my major, Exercise Science, and my head coach Jackie. They are a top D-III team and are continuing to rise and I want to be a part of a competitive team that wants to win.

“To be honest, I’ve always loved hockey more than anything, though I’ve had to learn to make academics a priority.”

Schmidt noted that she first laced

up the skates when she was nine years old.

“My dad had played when he was younger and always thought it would be cool to get his kids involved, so he signed us up,” said Schmidt.

“The Avs have definitely played a role. I became a huge fan when we moved here and have followed them ever since. My two favorite players (Bowen Byram and Mikko Rantanen)

definitely influence my outlook on hockey as I look up to them.”

In Colorado, Schmidt started out playing rec hockey for the Eagles in Northern Colorado and her game blossomed from there.

“During the summer, we found out from a friend there was some summer skates with a female coach,” Schmidt said. “My older sister and I started to attend those morning skates

run by Karen Rickard. She told my parents I should try out for her 14U AAA travel team. The following year, I played on three separate teams - Lady RoughRiders 15U A, Lady RoughRiders 14U AA and Team Colorado 14U AAA. I then moved up to play for Team Colorado AAA all the way until my post-grad year.

“Coach Karen will always stand out to me as she is the reason I am going to play college hockey. I will always thank her for giving me a chance to play the highest level of hockey and always pushing me to be the best player, on and off the ice.”

Now with her college plans ready to go, Schmidt can focus on her future.

“My short-term goals consist of enjoying my years in school and having fun; I don’t want to waste any time away,” said Schmidt. “My longterm goals consist of me focusing on my future, and hopefully starting up my own business with my degree in Exercise Science and Business.”

USPHL Premier, USPHL Elite 2023-24 regular season schedules released

The United States Premier Hockey League has released its 2023-24 regular season schedule for the Premier and Elite Conferences, and these can be found online at USPHLPremier. com and USPHLElite.com.

The USPHL Premier continues to operate from coast-to-coast – Seattle to San Diego, and from Maine to Florida – and in 25 of the 50 United States of America – and with 61 teams remains the World’s Largest Junior Hockey League.

The USPHL Elite has seen expansion to the Midwest for this season, and will field 28 squads, its largest size in its current incarnation since 2017-18. That count of 28 are only the full-time teams, as there will be nine additional teams from Canada’s North American Prep Hockey League that will play between three and 12 games apiece at USPHL Showcase Series events.

2023-24 USPHL Premier Schedule Link: https://www.usphlpremier. com/stats/schedule/all-teams/134/allmonths?league=2

2023-24 USPHL Elite Schedule Link: https://www.usphlelite.com/ stats/schedule/all-teams/135/allmonths?league=3

Points of Interest about the 202324 Season

There will be 1,349 games played at the USPHL Premier level during the 2023-24 regular season, and 649 regular-season games in the USPHL Elite.

The 61 USPHL Premier teams will be divided into nine divisions – Atlantic, Florida, New England, Southeast, Great Lakes, Midwest West, Midwest East, Pacific, Northwest.

The 28 USPHL Elite teams will be divided into five divisions – Atlantic, Florida, New England, Southeast, Midwest.

Two new USPHL Premier teams will make their debut in 2023-24: Bold City Battalion (in Jacksonville, Fla.) and Casper Roughnecks (in Casper, Wyo.)

New USPHL Elite teams include the Bold City Battalion, as well as the entire six-team USPHL Elite

playing at 5 p.m. EST and their Premier teams playing at 7:45 p.m.

The last USPHL Elite and USPHL Premier games take place on Thursday, Feb. 29 (Leap Day 2024), with the Florida Jr. Blades hosting the Palm Beach Typhoon. Their Elite teams play at 12 p.m. EST, followed by their Premier teams at 3 p.m.

A full 202 of 649 USPHL Elite games (for 31 percent) will take place during USPHL Showcase Se-

USPHL Southeast Showcase (Premier, Elite): Oct. 6-9, 2023, Wake Competition Center, Morrisville, N.C.

USPHL Midwest Showcase (Premier): Oct. 26-30, 2023, Fogerty Ice House, Blaine, Minn.

Fort Wayne Showcase (Elite): Nov. 9-11, 2023, SportONE

Parkview Ice House, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Islanders Hockey Club Showcase (Premier, Elite): Nov. 16-20, 2023, Skate 3, Tyngsboro, Mass./Merrimack College, North Andover, Mass.

USPHL Detroit Showcase (Premier, Elite): Nov. 16-20, 2023, Mount Clemens Ice Arena, Mount Clemens, Mich.

USPHL Florida College Showcase (Premier, Elite): Dec. 15-18, 2023, Hertz Arena, Estero, Fla.

USPHL Las Vegas Showcase (Premier): Dec. 18-20, 203, City National Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.

USPHL Tampa Showcase (Premier, Elite): Jan. 3-6, 2024, AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel, Fla.

Midwest Division: Chicago Cougars, Chicago Crush, Decatur Blaze, Fort Wayne Spacemen, Metro Jets Elite, Motor City Gamblers.

The USPHL Elite’s nine North American Prep Hockey League (NAPHL) Division teams will compete in select regular season games during Showcase Series events and earn standings points along with their opponents, but will not compete in the USPHL Elite playoffs.

The first USPHL Elite and USPHL Premier games take place on Friday, Sept. 8, featuring the Columbia Infantry playing host to the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, with their Elite teams

ries events.

A total of 292 out of 1,349 USPHL Premier games (for 22 percent) take place during USPHL Showcase Series events.

There will be 11 USPHL Showcase Series events during the 2023-24 regular season for the Premier and Elite Conferences.

Exact Dates Subject To Change

Boston Junior Bruins Shootout (Premier, Elite): Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023, New England Sports Center, Marlboro, Mass.

Jersey Hitmen Classic (Premier, Elite): Oct. 5-9, 2023, Ice Vault, Wayne, N.J.

Northern Cyclones Showcase (Premier, Elite): Feb. 9-12, 2024. Cyclones Arena, Hudson, N.H. Playoffs for the USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite will begin in March, and the USPHL National Championships will be held in late March. Watch this space for details on the 2024 Playoffs and Nationals Coming Soon!

Once again, every USPHL Premier and Elite regular season game will be broadcast on FloHockeyTV, beginning in September and continuing straight through to the National Championship Game for each conference.

From the Trainer’s Room

Offseason check-in

How is your offseason training plan coming along?

Are you getting ready for the upcoming season?

Let’s check the list to see where you are.

— Did you take time off at the end of last season to recover from injuries?

— Did you take time off the ice to get away on vacation?

(Still a little time left.)

— Did you go through some corrective exercise and general preparation phases of a program to build strength and a balanced body?

— Did you work on your aerobic endurance to aid in recovery between on-ice shifts?

— Is your diet full of clean whole foods and are you getting the proper number of servings of macronutrients to fuel your body for sport? (More on this in another column.)

as the “specific preparation” phase that can last approximately until the end of August.

Our goal in this phase is power and anaerobic development. Players need to focus more on training for speed. Generally, the workout intensity goes up as the overall volume goes down. Training will be less general and more specific in nature to benefit the hockey player’s needs.

Ice time will also become more important as training becomes more focused on the needs of being a hockey player.

Now is the time for hockey players to start training as hockey players.

Mike Hannegan

If you answered “no” to any of these, don’t worry, but the season will be upon us soon, and we need to train accordingly.

We are now shifting into Phase 4 of the offseason training plan. We spent Phases 1-3 building strength and increasing lean muscle mass. Ice time was not as important except for some stick time sessions to keep up on perishable skills.

We now move into what is known

Don’t forget the foundations of getting good sleep, good nutrition, and proper care of injuries.

Mike Hannegan is an athletic trainer and strength coach with 10 years of experience in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. He is currently the director of the Compete Sports Performance and Rehabilitation facility inside The Rinks-Yorba Linda Ice, located in beautiful Orange County, Calif.

He can be reached at mike@competeperformance.com.

Core stability isn’t just sit-ups

When most people think about core or abdominal exercises, they think

sit-ups and planks.

Though these exercises can be effective, can we do it better?

Many of the most popular core exercises are performed on the floor.

The issue is that most of the sports we play occur standing up.

With this in mind, adding core exercises in a standing position, either in a squat, split-squat or single-leg position can improve the benefit of core stability exercises.

The result of standing core exercises is a more stable athlete that can hold off an opponent, provide a better base for movement and reduce injuries.

There is an infinite amount of core exercises that can be performed in a standing position and be extremely effective.

One simple exercise that needs little equipment is the Palloff Press.

It is a great antirotational exercise that works the abdominals, low back and hip musculature and helps create a more stable athlete.

Start with a resistance band attached to a fixed point. Facing 90 degrees from the band, start in a squatted or athletic position with the band in both hands and pulling your body sideways or laterally.

With the hands at your chest, press the arms out, extending the elbows all the way. The resistance of the band will pull back towards the fixed point.

The objective is to resist this force. The resistance does not have to be too high.

The biggest focus is to stay nice and stable as the arms extend directly in front of you.

To add difficulty, change from a squatted position to a split-squat position.

Chris Phillips is a certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist with over 25 years’ experience working with amateur, professional and Olympic athletes. Chris is the owner of Compete Sports Performance and Rehab with locations in Lake Forest, Yorba Linda and Westminster, Calif.

He can be reached through the Compete Perfprmance website at www.competeperformance.com.

Centennial’s Conn moving up hockey ladder with commitment to NCAA D-I New Hampshire

Reid Conn has played junior hockey in the NAHL and USHL the past two seasons.

After one more USHL campaign in 2023-24, the Centennial native will head to NCAA Division I hockey after recently committing to the University of New Hampshire.

“I went on a visit (to New Hampshire) and it checked the boxes for what I was looking for,” said Conn, who was born in Alaska before moving to Colorado when he was six. “I thought the location, academics, and size of the school are great. A lot appealed to me on the hockey side of things, including the resources, the program in general, the conference, staff, and the current players. I believe it’s important to have something to fall back on if hockey eventually

Reid Conn will return to the USHL’s Chicago Steel for the 2023-24 season. Photo/Chicago Steel Hockey Team

ends.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me to this point, current and former coaches, teammates, and especially my family.”

Conn said his plan at UNH is to major in Business.

In 2021-22, Conn played for the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness before spending the 2022-23 season in the USHL with the Fargo Force and Chicago Steel. He’ll head back to Chicago for the 2023-24 season before starting at UNH in ‘24-25.

“Playing in the USHL really helped me develop to become the player I am today,” Conn said. “The resources and facilities we have in Chicago are next level, as everyone knows. You’re going to develop no matter what if you are willing to put in the work.”

Back in Colorado, Conn played for the Krivo School of Hockey Elite, Foothills Flyers, Colorado Evolution and Colorado Thunderbirds.

“In Anchorage, Alaska, that’s where I started, skating on ponds and the frozen rinks outside ever since I could walk,” said Conn. “The Avs played a role my second Pee Wee year when my team won the Quebec Qualifier and we got to go represent that Avs in the Quebec tournament. I had great coaches that have all been great influences, including Milan Hejduk, Jan Hejda, Ken Klee, John Mitchell, and David Clarkson.”

Moving ahead, Conn has simple goals in mind.

“In the short term, I want to focus on getting better every day the rest of this summer,” Conn said. “Long term, I want to develop into a strong and reliable college hockey player.”

Breckenridge native, Tigers alum Theriault taking game to junior level with NA3HL’s Bighorns, starting with 2023-24 campaign

Finn Theriault grew up in the Colorado mountains and advanced his game each season, even coming down to Colorado Springs for a spell.

Next season, the Breckenridge native will take the junior hockey route after recently signing an NA3HL tender with the Helena Bighorns.

“The opportunity to sign with Helena came during my last year of 18U hockey in Colorado Springs (with the Tigers),” Theriault said. “After having an injury-plagued season, the CSAHA director and GM of Helena, Mike Greene, who’s been seeing me play for the three previous years, believed in my skill and talent and gave me the opportunity to sign a tender with the Bighorns as a Tier III option for the 2023-24 season.

“It’s extremely excited to be able to continue my path in hockey. Obviously, anyone who makes the decision to pursue junior hockey has goals and aspirations to play NCAA and pro hockey, which is something I’m chasing as well, but I’m also extremely blessed and honored to

continue to play the sport I love and to continue to compete at a high level and be the best I can be.”

Theriault said he did his research on the NA3HL and liked what he found out about the league.

“From what I’ve heard and have seen, the NA3 is a good developmental league in Tier III,” said Theriault.

“I think it has a lot of bright spots and a lot of good talent in it and I think as time moves on, it will continue to grow into a big powerhouse junior league. I’m excited to be a part of the Bighorns organization as I know that they are a talented squad and a team that’s always in the run-

ning for a Fraser Cup. I’m a big fan of how the NA3 is an affiliate with the North American Hockey League and how many guys can get callups to Tier II and get seen by many NCAA Division III schools, so I believe that it’s a great opportunity for me and that options and paths will be put in front of me if I’m playing my best.

“I think it’s something that I will enjoy every day.”

Growing up, Theriault started skating at the age of two and playing hockey at the age of four, playing for the Summit Lightning all the way until his 14U year. He also played with

the Mountain Militia and for Summit High School his freshman year when he chose to venture to the AAA realm with the Tigers.

“When I decided to make the jump to play AAA hockey, I chose to billet and play in Colorado Springs for the Tigers since I had friends and connections on that team,” Theriault said. “Eventually, I met new friends and teammates who are my friends for life. I stayed playing for the Tigers because of that family aspect the program promoted. I’ve had many coaches who have pushed me to be better and have had a big impact on my life. Chris Miller and Joey Otsuka for Summit are two coaches that impacted me as a hockey player and as a person. A big coach from back home in Breckenridge who continues to push me to be better is Dan Autenreith, a skills and developmental coach/advisor in Breckenridge working with many kids in the game up here to develop and find their potential. I’m one of the kids he’s been working with me for many years and is a big reason for my passion and See THERIAULT on 12

SMEJKAL

Continued from Page 3

worked his way up to the old Nevada Storm teams and finishing off with the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights his junior and senior years of high school.

“Some of the coaches that have always been there for me and helped me from Day 1 would be Kenny Brooks and Jordan Van Son,” Smejkal said. “Another positive influence was Scott Allegrini. They’ve always given me advice and helped me along the way.”

At the end of the 2019-20 season, Smejkal was named the recipient of the Mark Workman Scholarship, an award given to a current high school senior in the Jr. Golden Knights program who best exemplifies passion, sportsmanship, team play, work ethic, discipline, community service and academic achievement.

Workman was a scout for the

NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights who passed away in 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.

“Receiving this award means so much to me,” said Smejkal at the time. “I’m happy to represent the Jr. Golden Knights and see youth hockey in Las Vegas continuing to expand. Getting the Mark Workman Scholarship is a huge honor and a very humbling experience for me.”

Smejkal went on to play junior hockey for the NA3HL’s Northeast Generals, SIJHL’s Wisconsin Lumberjacks and GMHL’s Windsor Aces. Going forward, Smejkal has lofty aspirations, on and off the ice.

“I want to play hockey as long as possible and continue developing within the game,” said Smejkal. “It’s something I love to do and something that excites me every single day. Obviously, I want to get my degree as well, and I think I’m in an environment at Anna Maria to accomplish both of those goals.”

THERIAULT

Continued from Page 10

commitment to the game of hockey. Another coach with a big impact was Kevin Holmstrom with the Tigers as he guided me through AAA and through the junior process and helped me get to where I’m at today. I owe a lot of credit to him and other members of the Tigers staff.”

The 2022-23 season with the Tigers’ 18U team was a turning point for Theriault.

“This past season prepared me for juniors by continuing to be and act like a professional every day I walked in to the rink, gym, and lockeroom,” said Theriault. “I challenged

myself to be an influence and a leader to my teammates. I knew that by doing these things they would help me be successful at the junior level. I had some struggles during the season as I broke my hand early in the year, which threw my game off for the most part, but I learned to battle through adversity and have a smile on my face walking in the rink even on my worst days to be a bright spot for the boys.

“This all helped me get ready for the next levels in hockey by understanding the rehab process and by knowing my role off the ice.”

Going back further, Theriault said hockey has been a major part of his life as long as he can remember.

“I grew up in Breckenridge in

Summit County, which has a fabulous rink and a strong hockey community, and I grew up learning to play there,” explained Theriault. “My dad grew up playing hockey in Massachusetts and after moving to Summit County, he gave back to the community by coaching youth hockey and teaching my brother and I and many of my friends not just the game of hockey, but the importance of being a good person outside of the rink. The Colorado Avalanche is my favorite team, like it is for many kids in Colorado. They had a huge impact on my love for the game, growing up watching games on Altitude and watching guys like Matt Duchene, Paul Stastny, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan O’Reilly, and now Cale Makar

really carved my love for the game and my aspiration to play at the highest level I can play at.”

His junior hockey path set, Theriault can now look a bit ahead.

“My short-term goals as of right now in hockey are to continue to keep working and try and play Tier II junior hockey and to continue to work to play NCAA hockey,” Theriault said. “My long-term goal in the game is to play competitively as long as I can, no matter where that may be. As long as I’m playing, then I’ve achieved my goal. My goal in school is to graduate from university, no matter where that may be, and to hopefully take on a career in the journalism field and travel and live my best life.”

Canada native Kenny uses time with Tigers as springboard to NA3HL powerhouse Bighorns

HOCKEY HUB

Kieran Kenny came all the way from Ardrossan, Alberta, to play for the Colorado Springs Tigers’ 18U AAA team during the 2022-23 season.

This coming season, Kenny will stay in the United States after recently signing to play for the NA3HL’s Helena Bighorns.

“I am humbled with the opportunity to sign with the Helena Bighorns,” Kenny said. “The reputation the club has within the NA3HL proves it is one of the finest places to play in the league. I am honored and excited with the potential opportunity within the club and team.”

“Kieran Kenny is a high-character young man that is a really good teammate and a very coachable player,” added Bighorns owner-GM Mike Greene. “Those attributes alone will take Kieran to good places in hockey, but he is also a very good player, a big body that knows how to defend and can play the physical side of the game and has the awareness and puck skills that makes him a good puck mover.

“Kieran can see the ice in all three zones and has the potential to be an impact player right away.”

Kenny said his season with the Tigers was a turning point in pushing him to be ready for junior hockey.

“The overall schedule throughout the year was demanding and gave me a taste of what to expect for the upcoming season at the junior level,” Kenny said. “In addition to this, living away from home in a billet house allowed to experience all of the positive’s that come with living with another family. Both of my coaches (Kevin Holmstrom and Will English) have been excellent coaches as well as mentors for me. Their dedication to not only build hockey players, but also strong young men, does not go unnoticed. I am grateful for the work

they have put into me and the opportunities they have given me.”

Now off to the NA3HL, Kenny said it’s another challenge for him to tackle.

“I am excited to continue to develop and pursue my goals in hockey,” said Kenny. “The opportunity to keep playing is most exciting, with the potential benefits of being exposed to college hockey all the more to look forward too. The NA3 does an excellent job advancing its players to the next level. Player advancement was important to me in regards to finding where I wanted to continue my hockey career. This, along with the outstanding reputation of the Helena

Bighorns, were the main reasons I decided to sign with the club.”

Growing up in Canada, Kenny said he started playing hockey when he was four years old.

“It is no secret that hockey is played my many up here,” Kenny said. “I started playing hockey in the Camrose Minor Hockey Association, and hockey has taken me across the country to Vancouver Island where I attended boarding school to further my education and hockey development. After graduating high school, I needed to find a place to play. When the opportunity to play within the Tigers organization was presented to me, I jumped on it. Playing in Colorado was amazing, I have positive memories and experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Set to play in Montana next season, Kenny is elated with the opportunities in front of him.

“My short-term goals in hockey are to continue to develop and become the best player I can be with my time in junior hockey,” said Kenny. “Long term, my goal is to use hockey to help me gain a higher-level education. Using hockey to get me an education has been a goal of mine since I started playing and still is to this day.”

Tigers alum Bloom decides on NCAA future with commitment to D-II Saint Michaels for ‘23-24 season

Tyler Bloom rounded out his game the past two seasons with the NA3HL’s Helena Bighorns, playing for his hometown team and wearing the ‘C’ during the 2022-23 campaign. This coming fall, the Colorado Springs Tigers alum will start his college career at NCAA Division II Saint Michaels College, a school located in Colchester, Vt.

“The coach at Saint Michaels (Damian DiGiulian) is friends with my coach in Helena (Damon Hanson) and watched some games and offered me,” said Bloom. “The school has everything I need from a solid hockey program to academics that will challenge me. I got to speak to a lot of guys on the team and it seems

like a super close group of guys. I am very excited to spend the next four years there.

“School was always the end goal and hockey is a great means to get there. Truly excited to get an education and get to be able to play a sport I love so much.”

In the classroom at Saint Michaels, Bloom plans on double majoring in International Relations and Political Science.

Bloom noted that playing for the Bighorns prepared him for college hockey.

“Over the past two years, I can say

that I have learned the most about hockey than I ever have in my entire life,” Bloom said. “The coaches and owners gave me everything I needed to succeed and grow as a player. The small things, like letting us have extra ice to practice and watching oneon-one film to critique your shifts, were huge.”

A Helena native who left home to play AAA hockey with the Tigers for his 15U and 16U seasons, Bloom relished his time coming home to skate for the Bighorns.

“Growing up watching the Bighorns, they were the heroes of the town, so it was awesome to become a role model for some of the younger kids,” said Bloom. “The team is just surrounded by people that have

Continued from Page 13

helped me out in the past or even coaches that coached me at all differ-

ent ages. The community is so close and helps the team out so much. It makes all the guys on the team want to give it their all for home games.”

Moving forward, Bloom has his goals in order, both on and off the

ice, as he gets set to begin a new chapter in his life.

“Right now, my short-term goal for school is to get used to the school grind and just try and play as many minutes I can coming in as a fresh-

man,” Bloom said. “Long term, I hope to graduate and go to law school, and if hockey is still an option, I would love to still play afterwards.”

Chino Hills native, OCHC, Jr. Ducks alum Gines commits to NCAA D-III Framingham State

Nate Gines, a forward for HC Rhode Island in the EHL, has committed to Framingham State University for the fall of 2023.

The 2002-born native of Chino Hills spent a pair of seasons under the #EShow umbrella, working his way up the ladder from the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP) to the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and now onto NCAA hockey.

“We are all very proud and excited for Nate and what the future holds for him,” said Rhode Island head coach James Mello. “He came in early in the year and had said he very much wanted to play in the MASCAC. To see his growth as a player and young man throughout the season, we could not be happier that he was able to achieve his goal. Like all our players in Year 1, he helped us build a strong foundation for the future and will always hold a special place in the

HCRI hockey family.”

Gines moved to Rhode Island following the 2021-22 season that was spent with the New England Wolves.

Nate Gines spent the 2022-23 junior hockey season with the EHL’s HC Rhode Island. Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

Gines is grateful for the path he took, as it ultimately led him to this proud moment in his hockey career.

Combining the two years, Gines finishes his junior hockey career with 22 points in 23 games in the EHLP, and 38 points in 65 games in the EHL.

“HC Rhode Island was an incredible experience to be a part of, being in its first season in the EHL,” said Gines. “From Day 1, it did not feel like your average junior hockey team. Instead, it felt like a family and that we were playing for something bigger than ourselves. Throughout our highs and lows during the season, I was proud to put on the HCRI jersey every day and go to battle with my brothers, while setting a foundation of a franchise that most will never be able to say they did. I am extremely grateful to the entire staff for their commitment and guidance which led me to the decision to attend Framingham State University and play for Coach (Mike) Bailey and the Rams.”

Back home, Gines skated for the Orange County Hockey Club and Anaheim Jr. Ducks.

Parker native, Chaparral grad Kolczynski off to further development with NA3HL’s Woodsmen

After four years of high school hockey, Hayden Kolczynski is heading to junior hockey this fall with the NA3HL’s Wisconsin Woodsmen.

Kolczynski, a Parker native, spent his high school years playing for Chaparral High after stints with the Arapahoe Warriors and Colorado Evolution.

“The opportunity to play for the Woodsmen came from when I was playing on Team Colorado at the CCM NIT and they approached me

after the tournament,” Kolczynski said. “It will be very exciting. I always wanted to play at the next level, so this opportunity is one I couldn’t miss.”

During his youth hockey days, Kolczynski skated for Arapahoe up until 12U and then played AAA with the Evolution before Chaparral.

“My (Chaparral) coach Ryan Finnefrock was a great help to my game and helped me switch from offense to defense, where I have gotten much better,” said Kolczynski. “Last season wasn’t what the team was

hoping for because we got knocked out in the quarterfinals of the state tournament, but the season for me was pretty good. I made All-State and Team Colorado, which gave me these opportunities.”

His junior career fast approaching, Kolczynski has reasonable goals in my mind as he starts the climb up the hockey advancement ladder.

“My short-term goal is to move up to the NAHL from the NA3HL,” Kolczynski said. “My long-term goal is to hopefully to play NCAA D-I somewhere and go to school.”

Bakersfield All-Star forward, future Jr. King Benoit commits to NCAA Division I Omaha

All it took was one year of junior hockey for 2007-born Robin Benoit to prove he could play with anyone, at any age.

That one year of junior hockey took place in Bakersfield, as Benoit signed on with the 2022-23 USPHL Premier expansion team, the Bakersfield Roughnecks. The youngest player in the USPHL Premier last year led his team with 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points in 43 games, earning Pacific Division All-Star honors.

Now, he’s been granted an even bigger honor – an NCAA Division I commitment.

Benoit committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, currently for the 2026-27 season.

“(I liked) all the faculties and the campus and where I’m going to live, and what I’m going to do,” said Benoit, from his home in St-Felicien, Que. “It makes me very comfortable and I want to be comfortable where I’m going to play.”

That certainly lines up with what brought him to the San Joaquin Valley city of Bakersfield last year.

“The Roughnecks were very nice when they were talking to me at the beginning of the year. I learned I could play golf and hockey around the same time. I also wanted to learn English and study in English, and that’s also what they could bring to me,” said Benoit, who was in some cases a full five years younger than many of his teammates. “I was not nervous, I just wanted to play. All my teammates said, ‘Don’t worry about your age, we’re here for you, just put the puck in the net and have fun.’”

The Mavericks saw that he could obviously put the puck in the net, with his USPHL Premier output, something the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers also saw. He was drafted in the 2023 USHL Draft by the Gamblers (10th round, 144th overall), which went hand-in-hand with draft selections of Benoit by the NCDC’s Provo Predators and the QMJHL’s

Sherbrooke Phoenix this past spring.

“Right before the USHL draft, Omaha called me and told me they were interested, so that was the first time we’d talked. They knew I’d be moving on to the USHL,” he said. “I talked to (Omaha associate head coach Dave Noel-Bernier). He is from Quebec and speaks French, so we spoke about my season and what the university can bring to me, and what I’m going to do after hockey. They just wanted to help me.”

Even at this young age, Benoit hopes that “after hockey” is a long way off. He has pro aspirations for his time after UNO.

The Mavericks and the Gamblers are getting to know what the Roughnecks already know.

“I’m an offensive guy, but I also play a little bit of defense, a complete player,” Benoit said. “I can score, block shots, skate and help my teammates to be better.”

Neither UNO nor Green Bay will see Benoit much this year, though he may play some games with Green Bay as an affiliate player having been drafted this year. Instead, he’s returning to California to play with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ 16U AAA squad. For now, at least, he can’t stay away from California hockey.

“It’s amazing weather and just being able to do everything all year there. I don’t want to play just hockey all season, I want to play golf, be at the beach,” Benoit said. “I want to have fun with my teammates, but not in the snow.”

Valor product, Highlands Ranch native Maronna excited for move to junior hockey in ‘23-24 with EHL’s Avalanche

HUB

Nick Maronna grew up playing hockey in Colorado and spent the last few years at Valor Christian High School.

For the upcoming season, the Highlands Ranch native will make the jump to junior hockey with the EHL’s New Hampshire Avalanche.

“The opportunity came up through my advisor talking around to people,” said Maronna. “Eventually, we landed on New Hampshire. Something that stood out to me was the welcoming community of the team and the coach Chris Cerrella. How the coach was able to go about buisness on the ice and off the ice and still be there

for you in your personal life, there’s not a time you won’t walk into the rink without a smile on your face.”

Heading into the 2023-24 season, Maronna said he will do whatever it takes to get the two points each night.

“My expectations this year in a team aspect are to play a role on the team, whatever that is, whether it’s being a grinder or shooter, whatever comes to me,” Maronna said. “On a personal level, my goals this season are to be able to get noticed enough to where I can advance up into the NAHL or USHL, and hopefully in the future receive an NCAA Division I offer.”

Back home, Maronna also played for the Littleton Hawks, Colorado Thunderbirds and Colorado Ram-

page.

“It was pretty typical the way I started playing hockey,” said Maronna. “I grew up watching the Avs on TV and eventually fell in love with the game. I went skating with my dad and it was the best moment ever. Coaches that have stood out to me throughout my hockey journey are George Gwozdecky, Adrian Veideman, Ian Glupker, Jeff Martin, and

Kyle Hull. Without these coaches and their life lessons leading into hockey, I wouldn’t be in this position today.”

Looking ahead, Maronna wants to settle for nothing but the best.

“My short-term goal in hockey this season is to win the whole league, and I think we can do it this year,” Maronna said. “We have an amazing group of guys and an outstanding coaching staff. Along with that, my long-term goal is to play D-I hockey and if life takes me there, I would like to make it to the NHL. In life, my short-term goal is to always work hard and come home with a smile. In the long-term world, if hockey doesn’t work out, I would like to become an orthopedic surgeon or dentist.”

Castle Pines native, Littleton, Thunderbirds alum Branish uses EHL as pathway to NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce in ‘23-24

TJ Branish, a two-year defenseman for the EHL’s New Jersey 87’s, has committed to NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce University for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

The native of Castle Pines spent the past two seasons with the 87’s and over the course of 89 career regular-season and playoff games in the EHL, Branish compiled 27 points on five goals and 22 assists.

“He is what we are at the 87’s. He’s a champion, he’ll always have that as he goes to Franklin Pierce,” said 87’s head coach and general manager Adam Houli. “We fell short this past year, and it really affected him because he wanted to be able to get back to the Frozen Finals and try to do it again, and you could see it on him when we lost, and that’s who he is and that’s what he meant to our program. He felt it, he really lived it, you hear it all the time, he was what we call the 87 way.”

As Houli mentioned, Branish was beyond proud of the title he helped his team win back in the 2021-22 season. Despite getting knocked out prior to the Frozen Finals this past

year, Branish still made the trip to Providence, R.I., this time in support of his brother Tyler as New Jersey won the 2022-23 title in the Eastern Hockey League Premier this past March.

“My two years with the 87’s were crucial in my development,” said Branish. “Coach Houli has a lot of experience moving guys to the next level and to be able to play for him was a great experience, and I grew not only as a hockey player but as a

person. The energy around the rink was awesome and to be a part of two winning seasons and a championship run really prepared me on how to compete every day and to never be satisfied. It meant even more to be back in Providence this past March, watching my brother create his own history with the EHLP team.”

Houli went on to talk more about Branish, and just how impactful his presence was on the program.

“It’ll be sad that he won’t be on

the ice with us next season, but we’re super happy he’s playing college hockey,” said Houli. “He’ll forever be a part of this program and we’re excited for him, but he’s a guy we’ve really enjoyed having in our program for two years, and he can leave saying he’s a champion, and that’s something special.”

Branish is excited for his commitment and commented on what it means to join the Ravens in the fall.

“It feels amazing to commit,” said Branish. “I’ve worked to achieve something like this for years, so it’s a great feeling. All the hard work and sacrifices made not just by myself, but by my family, coaches, and mentors, paid off and I’m so grateful to everyone who’s helped get to me to where I am today. I’m very excited to be able to get a chance to play at a great program like FPU and compete in the NE-10 conference.”

During his youth hockey days, Branish skated for the Littleton Hawks and Colorado Thunderbirds.

For more info:

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