Jack Couch has been the ultimate epitome of what the Arizona Hockey Union is all about, both on and off the ice.

The Chandler native is also the truest definition of what loyalty means, starting with AHU as an 8U Mite player and prepping for his final youth hockey season in 2025-26 with the Union’s 18U AA squad.

Truth be told, staying at AHU for the entire duration of youth hockey is rare, but Couch said he was hooked from the beginning.

“After learning to skate and ultimately play hockey at the Gilbert rink, playing out of there became a normal thing to me, especially after playing on house-league teams there,” said Couch, who will serve as captain for the 18U team. “When we found out about the AHU travel program based out of Gilbert as well, I pushed to make it onto that team as it seemed like the next big step to take while currently playing at Gilbert. After playing at AHU for a few years, it became very comfortable for me, and I really enjoyed everything the program provided for me as a player.

“The thought of leaving AHU never even crossed my mind to be honest because I was always happy there and used to playing in the Knights community. This is why I have always remained loyal to AHU all these years.”

Couch added that it wasn’t hard to find his passion for the game of hockey once he hit the ice for the first time.

“My dad has always been a big hockey fan since I was young, so hockey was on TV in the house very frequently and our family always enjoyed watching it,” remembered Couch. “One day, my dad asked me if I wanted to try playing hockey myself by attending a ‘Learn to Skate’ program at then-Polar Ice Gilbert. I was excited to try it out, especially after watching the pros play on TV and going to Coyotes games.”

Ryan Vert will be behind the bench of the 18U team this year, his third year coaching Couch, and he can’t wait to see what he will accomplish, even though it may be bittersweet as the months start to roll on.

“He will be wearing the ‘C’ for us this year because of his dedication to his teammates, the game of hockey, coaches and to AHU,” Vert said. “Jack has been skating with AHU his whole career and has always shown dedication and commitment to this club with his work ethic, on and off the ice. He has never once talked about or tried out at another organization and to me that speaks volumes about his character and his commitment to his teammates and to AHU. He always will help the club with volunteering at events, whether it’s tournaments or events outside of hockey. His family has always been supportive of his hockey commitments and to AHU and his family is one of the best families I have been around since I have been with AHU.”

Another AHU coach, Matt Esaena, echoed Vert’s sentiments about the overall character exuded by Couch and his upbringing.

“I had Jack on my team for three seasons and he and his parents have the attitude that is any coach’s dream,” Esaena said. “Jack is always on time and one of the most coachable players to ever come to the AHU organization. The fact that he has been with only one team speaks volumes about him as a person, as travel hockey in Arizona always has people in and out of different rinks. Couch is an extremely well-liked teammate. He’s always a locker room favorite on every team he’s ever been on. And let’s not forget about his contributions on the ice. Jack has always been a goal scorer. He has great intuition on how to get open in the offensive zone and is a smart shooter. AHU has been so lucky to have Couch and his parents around all these years. Not one time have his parents ever approached a coach with unwanted feedback or negativity.”

As his skills developed over the years, Couch realized that it was far from a one-man show. He credits the high-quality coaching at AHU as the biggest reason why his name appears consistently on game scoresheets.

“I really can’t say that I’ve had a bad coach at AHU, or one that didn’t motivate me and try to make me the best player I could be,” Couch said. “They have all helped me in numerous ways and I wouldn’t swap them out for anyone else. The two that stand out to me the most are Scott Gusso and Ryan Vert. These two are a huge reason why I have remained playing in this program all these years and even remained playing hockey as a whole.

“Coach Gusso helped me to discover a true, deep passion for hockey, one that I didn’t even really know I had until that point. After being coached by him for two seasons, I can truly say that I became a completely different player, and even a different person off the ice. A few years later, I had the privilege of being coached by Ryan Vert, who I still play for today. Coach Vert, similarly to Coach Gusso, gave me a true passion to play. He’s someone that is not just a coach pushing me to be my best on the ice, but in life also. He has taught me numerous skills that don’t just apply for hockey, but for life out in the world. He is the reason I am still playing hockey today and has kept the passion that I have for the game right now alive.”

Longtime AHU team manager Melissa Yubeta added that “Jack has been a dedicated member of the Arizona Hockey Union since he first laced up his skates as a Mite.”

“This season, I am super excited Coach Vert selected him to wear the ‘C’ for the 18U AA team for Jack’s final season of youth hockey,” Yubeta said. “As a team manager with AHU for the past 17 seasons, I can confidently say Jack is one of the best AHU kids I’ve had the pleasure to work with. He is polite, respectful, and always the first to volunteer, whether it’s for something I need, something the club needs, or opportunities to serve the community. He’s a great teammate and a loyal friend and truly embodies what it means to be an all-around role model for our program.”

When asked to describe his style of play, Couch again showed a humble, mature aspect of his personality.

“My style of play is not necessarily about pounding my stats or scoring all the goals I can, but it’s trying my best to make the right play in each situation and to benefit my team in every way I can,” said Couch. “I would say I model my play after Sidney Crosby, who I would describe in the same way – always looking to help the team and doing the right thing in every on ice situation. At the end of the day, it’s not the stats that I remember each year, it’s how we as a team did, and how we played together.”

With the new season around the corner, Couch is amped to finish his youth hockey days on a high note, while also keeping an eye on the future.

“This year, my main goal is to have a memorable season,” Couch said. “I want us to do the best we can in each game and have successful results to back that up. I have played long enough to learn what works and what doesn’t in a team and I want to use what I have learned to make this season special and successful. On a personal level, I want to perform to the best of my ability each game and practice. I don’t want to take any moment for granted and want to treat every play like it’s my last.

“For short-term goals, I am focused on the current season and making it the best season I can. I’m also focused on my senior year in high school and like this season, I don’t want to take any moment this year for granted, as it’s not going to last forever. As far as long-term goals, nothing is set in stone yet. I plan to further my education in the particular field I decide to go into, and plan to put myself in position to be successful years down the line. For hockey, I am keeping my options open and am just living in the moment. I am willing to consider any hockey opportunities that I may have in the future.”

Still, the AHU staff is hoping the 2025-26 season takes its time getting to next spring.

“AHU is sad that the days are numbered,” Esaena said. “Having the Couch family around has been the perfect display of what a hockey family in Arizona should be.”

Photos provided by Jack Couch

— Matt Mackinder

(August 12, 2025)