Blog
Jr. Coyotes sweep Bobcats to win trio of Tier I states
February 19th, 2016The Phoenix Jr. Coyotes are Arizona Amateur Hockey Association Tier I state champions three times over. In late January, the Jr. Coyotes’ Elite AAA 14U, 16U and 18U teams all captured state titles with best-of-three series wins over Arizona Bobcats teams. For Mike Vukonich’s 18U team, it took until the deciding Game 3, a 6-1…
AAHA continues growth with Yotes’ support, influence
February 18th, 2016Even with the success of the Arizona Coyotes for the past 20 years, Arizona State University making the move to NCAA Division I and the numerous positives with junior and youth teams, the game of hockey is still going through a huge growth spurt in the desert. Perhaps the biggest factor in hockey’s progress out…
SHOP TALK: Why NOT support local businesses?
February 18th, 2016Whether it be for batteries, shoes, or hockey equipment, shopping has changed dramatically in the past decade. It’s hard to remember what it was like before the Internet. With all the options available now, you can literally spend hours searching dozens of e-retailers, list out the positives and negatives, availability, shipping costs and time in…
THE WHYTE STUFF: Accountability crucial for all aspects of hockey
February 18th, 2016I was recently reminded of an analogy that relates a table and the game of youth hockey. The table consists of four legs, and all of them must be equal and strong for it to remain stable. The same can account for youth hockey – there are four legs that must all hold their weight…
AHU COACH’S CORNER: Teaching hockey sense is a worthwhile process
February 18th, 2016Hockey sense. We want all kids to develop it, but it takes maturity and practice. Hockey sense is when a player can anticipate what is about to happen on the ice and then read and react sooner than other players. I’ve heard parents talk about how some kids have hockey sense, how it can’t be…
In Memory – Micah Lieb: 2000-2016
February 15th, 2016Last month, the Arizona youth hockey community tragically lost one of its own. On Jan. 15, promising Arizona Hockey Union (AHU) goalie Micah Lieb took his own life. He was just 15. “Micah very mild mannered, very respectful of adults, coaches, other teams, just carried himself very well – quite mature for a boy of…
Lady Coyotes seeing growth and development, gaining prestige
February 12th, 2016The Arizona Lady Coyotes grew from an idea on a plane ride home to an organization recognized by USA Hockey. Lady Coyotes founder Sarah Dennee was on her way home from a USA Hockey National Tournament in March 2013 when her daughter, Emily, was playing 16U hockey. It was born out of hopes for an all-female…
Mission AZ teams thriving in second year of CSDHL play
February 12th, 2016Two years into one of its most ambitious undertakings, the Mission Arizona hockey club appears to be thriving. Mission AZ is in its second season icing two teams in the elite Central States Developmental Hockey League (CSDHL), and in Year 2, the program’s Midget Major 18U and Midget Minor 16U clubs are adjusting nicely to…
Haveman bolsters already-dynamic ASU inline squad
February 9th, 2016And the strong get stronger. The Arizona State University Division I inline team added veteran Jayme Haveman at the semester break and the longtime inline player looks to help strengthen the team that sits in first place in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League. Haveman admitted that his maturation process after high school was lackadaisical,…
Former P.F. Chang’s star Vallis earns weekly WCHA award
February 9th, 2016Max Vallis tied for the NCAA lead with three goals and led all Division I players with two game-winning markers, leading No. 14 Michigan Tech University to a sweep of Lake Superior State University and its 45th Winter Carnival championship last weekend. The senior from Santa Clara, Calif., who played for the P.F. Chang’s organization…