In yet another sign that youth hockey continues to grow in the Valley, the Arizona Titans will take the ice at AZ Ice Arcadia this fall as a new AA association.

The Titans franchise has come together this offseason in remarkable fashion, in large part due to the tireless efforts of Jim Rogers, Justin Rogers and Michael Hensdell. The core foundation put together an application for the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association that was given the green light last month.

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“Our immediate goals are player development focused on skating,” said Hensdell, who will coach the 11U, 15U and 16U teams and will serve as the Titans power skating and skills coach. “The goal is to move players from the AA level to the AAA level and in order for that to happen, they must be trained at that level.”

Hensdell has gathered a solid cast of coaches that also includes Garrett Stephenson (8U, 9U), Steve Majercak (12U), Jarred Smith (14U) and Rob Kerns (18U). Jim Rogers (6U) and Justin Rogers (10U, 13U) will also coach.

The Titans hope to have at least one team at each division and can add more if needed with combo teams for all ages as well.

Jim Rogers has helped structure the organization and create ice time and Justin Rogers has put all the pieces together over the past six weeks.

“It has been a long haul with a very small window to get everything in order, but we are planning on being very competitive in the 2018-19 season,” said Justin Rogers. “We are going to pay very close attention to developing skills and making sure our players have the best environment for having fun.”

— Matt Mackinder

(May 22, 2018)