Arizona Rubber

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NMRHC promotes players, coach to AAA programs

 

The fruits of the New Mexico Renegades Hockey Club’s (NMRHC) labor are starting to produce results in a major way.

As the NMRHC has been a work in progress the better part of the last five or six years, this past offseason saw one coach and five players advance to AAA youth teams in Colorado for the 2015-16 season.

First, NMRHC 14U AA coach Joey Carroll accepted a coaching position with the Colorado Rampage where he will serve as the 16U AAA American team’s head coach.

“I am excited about this opportunity, both personally and for New Mexico players,” said Carroll, who will keep ties open with New Mexico players as he is co-owner of a youth hockey summer skills development camp with NMRHC coach and senior hockey advisor Vladimir Hartinger.

In addition, Zach Ganshaw, Alex Furste and Dane Whittet (all 2000-born players) will join Carroll on the Rampage 16U AAA American squad.

“I enjoy being with my team and on the ice nearly every day,” noted Furste. “I am definitely challenged by the high skill level of the Rampage organization.”

From the 1999 birth year, Nicholaus Weaver and Matthew Orlando are off to the AAA ranks with Weaver set to suit up for the Rampage 16U AAA National team and Orlando joining the 16U AAA Skipjacks Hockey Club in the United States Premier Hockey League.

“I am loving the whole experience, everything from billeting with a great family to the most intense practices I’ve ever skated,” said Weaver. “I cannot wait to get some games in.”

“It is hard to be away from home, but the hockey is very high-level and I am meeting new friends who share my passion for the game,” added Orlando.

Losing these five players and one coach in a small hockey market is a major blow to the Renegades, according to NMRHC coach and advisor Brian Barnes, but there is a silver lining.

“This is a good problem to have,” said Barnes. “It means we are doing our job well.”

— Matt Mackinder

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