Blog
AHU teams successful at pre-season Seeding Jamboree
September 22nd, 2015With summer coming to a close, the Arizona Youth Hockey League held its Pre-season Seeding Jamboree for Pee Wee and Squirt teams Sept. 5-7 at AZ Ice Arcadia, Peoria AZ Ice, Ice Den Chandler, AZ Ice Gilbert and Oceanside Ice Arena. The Arizona Hockey Union (AHU) teams were well-represented and came away with renewed optimism…
AAHA Mite Jamborees heading across Arizona this season
September 22nd, 2015What better way to celebrate a child’s introduction into the game of hockey that to do just that – celebrate? Every year, the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) puts on a series of Mite Jamborees across the state. The first one for the current 2015-16 season was hosted by Mission Arizona at AZ Ice Peoria…
Wilson content in Arizona after stellar run with NHL’s Kings
September 21st, 2015Denver Wilson seemingly had it all – a job with a successful NHL team and the chance to live in one of the most desirable locations in the world. But it wasn’t enough for Wilson. Just 10 days after the 2013-14 NHL season ended, a year that saw Wilson earn his second Stanley Cup ring…
IceJacks ready for season after pair of prospect camps
September 21st, 2015The season is just around the corner for the Northern Arizona University hockey program. The IceJacks held a prospect camp Sept. 1-5 in Flagstaff so the 83 players could get used to the altitude. NAU general manager AJ Fairchild said even returning players need time to adjust to the conditions. “It’s to get the guys…
AHSHA sees rapid rise in participation numbers
September 21st, 2015For high school students that want to play hockey, the Arizona High School Hockey Association (AHSHA) is the place to be. And you don’t have to live in the metropolitan Phoenix area, either. Made of up 32 teams, AHSHA welcomes players from as far as Yuma, Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff. The Phoenix area is home…
New Arizona Bobcats 18U coach Gough brings Junior A experience to table
September 21st, 2015When the Arizona Bobcats officially joined forces with the Valley of the Sun Youth Hockey Association this offseason and its list of teams grew near-exponentially, that meant the program’s coaching roster would inevitably expand, too. It’s familiar local faces like Pat Mahan, Jim Livanavage, Mike Hensdell and of course, Bobcats founder and head coach Ron…
Mission Arizona continues to build a hockey powerhouse
September 21st, 2015It’s not about winning games. It isn’t about trophies or banners – or even state or national championship opportunities. OK, fair enough – it’s kind of about all of those things. But on an even grander scale, it’s also been about something else – family, or “the brotherhood.” That’s how Mission Arizona founder and coach-in-chief…
Jr. Coyotes alum Playfair out to make his mark in WHL
September 20th, 2015It’s not easy to be the son of an NHL coach and former player – no one knows that more than Austyn Playfair. Now entering his second season of Major Junior hockey with the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Tri-City Americans, the younger Playfair is proud to be Jim Playfair’s son, but wants to carve out…
Jr. Coyotes’ Boyle commits to NCAA Division I Denver
September 4th, 2015Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 18U AAA defenseman Michael Boyle has committed to play college hockey for the University of Denver starting with the 2017-2018 season. The Pioneers play in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and qualified for the NCAA tournament last season. Boyle, a United States Hockey League (USHL) draft pick of the Sioux City Musketeers…
Record number try out for Lady Coyotes
July 22nd, 2015As their third year draws near, the Arizona Lady Coyotes are working harder than ever to grow the program. Being able to provide a high level of hockey for any girl who wants to participate on an all-female team is the main goal of the Lady Coyotes, so when an overwhelming amount of girls showed…