Blog
THA breaking away from the traditional hockey academy
September 13th, 2017Hockey in California has come a long way since it was first played in the state many years ago. Countless players from the Golden State who cut their teeth playing for youth teams here have gone on to compete in junior leagues, colleges and minor pro organizations, with a handful advancing to the NHL. READ…
Shop Talk: Hockey growth in Arizona due to very passionate people
September 13th, 2017Recently, after one of the Arizona Coyotes prospect camps at AZ Ice Peoria, I met with Matt Shott, the director of amateur hockey development for the Coyotes, and Sean Whyte, who is the Southwest regional director of the “Learn to Play” program with the NHL. Matt has been working to grow hockey statewide since he…
AHU Coach’s Corner: Playing within your role helps with being a team player
September 13th, 2017Every team needs to become a family with players that are willing to do whatever it takes for the betterment of the team. Knowing your role as a player is something that kids have trouble with, but that makes a better team. The more realistic a player is with himself or herself, the better player…
In A Devilish Mood: Parents, relax and enjoy the youth sports experience
September 12th, 2017As a parent of three youth athletes, I understand the strong desire that we have as parents that our young athletes are going to someday play professionally. I can’t even count how many times I have been speaking with parents and I hear the phrase, “We are just hoping that our child will get a…
His pro career a wrap, Cunningham finds silver lining with new Coyotes job
September 5th, 2017Last Nov. 19 was a day Craig Cunningham will never forget – if he could remember it. That night, the Tucson Roadrunners captain collapsed on the Tucson Convention Center ice during pregame warm-ups prior to an American Hockey League game against the Manitoba Moose. He was motionless and as it later turned out, near death…
Ice Dens hosting prestigious T1EHL showcase in December
August 29th, 2017This December, the best of the best will converge on the Ice Den Scottsdale and Ice Den Chandler as the two rinks will host Arizona’s first-ever Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL) Super Showcase. The event will run Dec. 15-18 at the home arenas of the Jr. Coyotes. Marc Fritsche, the Jr. Coyotes Elite Program…
Jr. Coyotes alum Samuelsson chosen to play in 2017 All-American Prospects Game
August 23rd, 2017USA Hockey announced Wednesday the 42 players who will compete in the sixth annual CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game set for Sept. 21 at KeyBank Center, home of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and site of the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE “This event allows some of the best…
Coyotes youngsters defy obstacles, hope for NHL success
August 22nd, 2017On the path to the NHL, players can incur several roadblocks. Some spend several years in the minors, others overcome physical liabilities, some are caught in “a numbers game” for a roster spot and others simply have difficulty implementing coaching instruction. Driven by the desire and lure of donning an NHL sweater, skating into an…
New chapter for Coyotes as Doan not returning to club
August 22nd, 2017The Arizona Coyotes will have a decided new look next season. Mike Smith will not be between the pipes, traded to the Calgary Flames in mid-June, and then in a move that raised plenty of eyebrows, longtime captain Shane Doan was not offered a contract to play the 2017-18 season for the only NHL franchise…
Matthews completes superb NHL rookie season with Calder Trophy win
August 14th, 2017To say that the last 12 months for Auston Matthews have been a whirlwind is truly an understatement. First, the Scottsdale native was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft, making headlines in the process as a player going No. 1 that wasn’t from Canada or any of the…