Blog
Lady Coyotes’ Big Sister/Little Sister program makes memories
September 29th, 2015Starting in 2014, the Arizona Lady Coyotes implemented a Big Sister/Little Sister program where younger players were paired up with older players to be role models within the organization. The program was so successful that it continues in 2015. “It’s for the younger girls to have someone to call for whatever they need,” Lady Coyotes…
Editor’s Column: The Auston Matthews NHL Draft watch has started
September 22nd, 2015Former Arizona Bobcats AAA forward Auston Matthews, a player that many believe will be the No. 1 pick in next June’s NHL Entry Draft, had a decision to make after playing the 2014-15 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s (NTDP) Under-18 Team. Would be commit to a powerhouse NCAA school or go play…
THE WHYTE STUFF: Cheering works, but must be done in a positive way
September 22nd, 2015Besides winning, the greatest part about playing a sport is hearing the fans cheer you on and although I am not a fanatical, paint-my-face, scream-at-the-top-of-my-lungs, pom pom-waving, cheerleading fan, I do appreciate those that completely support their team and pour their heart and soul into the players they root for. With that being said, it…
Balanced attack leads Outcasts to summer Jr. Olympics crown
September 22nd, 2015Many times, team chemistry is a major contributor to championship-contending teams and can be the difference between first and second place. The Outcasts 23U inline team traveled to The Rinks in Corona, Calif., back on July 9-19 for the Amateur Athletic Union-USA Roller Sports Jr. Olympics and returned home with the top prize – first-place…
DYHA Bantam A team hits San Diego, wins Fun In The Sun tourney
September 22nd, 2015The DYHA’s Bantam A Jr. Sun Devils team started off their season on a high note, dominating and winning the Fun In The Sun Tournament over Labor Day weekend in San Diego, Calif. The team was undefeated throughout the tournament, winning in the finals 4-0 against a talented local San Diego team. “We started out…
WSHL season on tap for confident, excited Knights
September 22nd, 2015Phoenix Knights coach-GM Chris Walker wants bygones to be bygones. During the 2014-15 Western States Hockey League (WSHL) season, the Knights won just 10 games and finished out of a Thorne Cup playoff berth. This season, Walker said renewed optimism and a solid lineup should produce more wins for the Knights. “I expect nothing less…
Growth, coaching two major reasons for IHAAZ success
September 22nd, 2015The old adage “if you build it, they will come” has never been truer than it is right now in the Valley of the Sun as the new Phoenix Knighthawks inline hockey program is elevating the game’s growth in the area once again. At its peak, Phoenix and the surrounding Valley made up 75 percent…
MISSION STATEMENT: Today’s children must learn failure to learn success
September 22nd, 2015I always said I should do a case study of how kids are changing as I have been working with the same age groups for 20 years now. Here is what I have noticed over this time period. Instant Gratification On a recent morning, my daughter was looking up phrases in Swahili just because she…
AHU COACHES’ CORNER: Small-area games are an important tool for all ages
September 22nd, 2015Hockey is played on a large sheet of ice – one of the only sports where the playing field is the same size for youth and professional players. However, the game of hockey is actually played in small areas of the ice. College and NHL teams participate in station-based practice drills because they deliver more…
SHOP TALK: Getting skates to fit perfectly takes time, patience
September 22nd, 2015“My skates are too tight.” Yes, the one thing every hockey parent cringes when they hear. Right away, you start envisioning the money literally disappearing from your bank account, but before that time comes, there are a couple things to consider. First off, are the skates really too tight? What went on during that last…