Blog
AHU COACH’S CORNER: Game-day prep a necessary component during the season
November 13th, 2015We practice to learn new skills and prepare for games, but it is also important to make sure you have the right pre-game ritual to perform on game day. This is especially important during tournaments, when you are likely to play at least two games in one day. A solid game-day routine is unique to…
Former Jr. Coyotes defenseman Kiraly commits to Alaska-Fairbanks
November 10th, 2015Former Phoenix Jr. Coyotes defenseman Daniel Kiraly has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks beginning with the 2016-17 season. The Nanooks are members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). “Alaska was the right choice because of their style of play,” said Kiraly. “I like the coaches and I…
Longtime Arizona youth coach Shott remembered as humble, genuine
November 5th, 2015Even after getting a cancer diagnosis, Chuck Shott still found a way to maintain his unique sense of humor. Shott, who coached youth hockey teams in Arizona the better part of 1986-2006, passed away Sept. 22 at the age of 62 in the Phoenix area after a 14-month battle with lung cancer. He leaves behind…
From Gilbert to Glendale, Mite to Jr. A, the ‘Union’ has the Valley’s puck scene covered
November 4th, 2015There are philosophies that hold a place in the lexicon of almost all good coaches, and at the top of every up-and-coming team’s goals: Always keep improving, and never sit satisfied with where you were yesterday. So it’s hardly a coincidence, then, that those same mantras could be applied to how the Arizona Hockey Union…
Vermette brings Cup-winning ways back ‘home’ to Arizona
November 2nd, 2015When he had his appointed time with the Stanley Cup this summer, Antoine Vermette took Lord Stanley to a children’s hospital near his hometown in Saint-Agapit, Quebec, and later filled it with ice cream for a more private family party. Now, having returned from the Chicago Blackhawks back to the Arizona Coyotes as a free…
AHU advances seven from 18U AA “Dream Team”
October 28th, 2015Seven players from the 2014-15 Arizona Hockey Union (AHU) 18U AA team are not back with the team this season, but that’s perfectly fine with the organization. The “Dream Team” has moved on goaltenders Aaron Gittings and Tanner Ronning, defenseman Kevin Savela and forwards Ashton Amaya, Isaac Lee, Alexander Shupe and Alex Storjohann from the…
Valley native Young one of ASU’s inaugural NCAA captains
October 26th, 2015The official attendance figure may have checked in at a raucous, mostly maroon and gold clad 6,396. But let’s not fool ourselves here. On Oct. 3, at 7:17 p.m. local time, on a most historic night in Glendale, it would be healthy to wager that one particular group of about two dozen Arizona State University…
IHAAZ ‘expecting a fun year’ with growth, new talent
October 24th, 2015The Inline Hockey Association of Arizona (IHAAZ) is expanding this season, another sign that the sport of inline hockey continues to grow in popularity. The Phoenix Knighthawks are the newest organizations to join the league, which now has a total of eight programs involved. The Stealth program, also located in Phoenix, has also shown interest…
Lady Coyotes coaches committed to improvement
October 23rd, 2015The Arizona Lady Coyotes 16U and 19U AA teams are working together to progress through the annual grind of a hockey season. With the current season well underway, showing progress and improving on a daily basis is at the top of the to-do lists for Lady Coyotes coaches. While the teams are limited in players,…
Former Firebirds, Polar Bears star Walker commits to Arizona State
October 21st, 2015Johnny Walker is going home. The current Minot Minotauros and North American Hockey League (NAHL) leading scorer has committed to play his college hockey at NCAA Division I Arizona State University for the 2017-18 season. In his third season with the Minotauros, the Phoenix-born Walker has 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points through…