Blog
Handful of Arizona products selected during 2022 NAHL Entry Draft
June 27th, 2022The NAHL held its annual entry draft June 15 as member teams selected players to bolster rosters for the 2022-23 season. A handful of Arizona players were taken by NAHL clubs. 1st round (18th overall) – Dean Noonan (Chandler), D, Odessa Jackalopes 4th round (94th overall) – Aidan Coupe (Gilbert), F, Maine Nordiques 5th round…
For Scottsdale’s Kamin, special 2021-22 season yields trio of Arizona state championships
June 22nd, 2022The term “triple crown” is well known around sports circles. In horse racing, it means one horse wins the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. In baseball, it means one player leads the league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in. In Arizona hockey it can only mean one thing – when…
Scottsdale product, Maple Leafs standout Matthews named NHL MVP
June 22nd, 2022Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the 2021-22 recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy, presented “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Matthews, a Hart Trophy finalist for the second straight year after finishing second in voting in 2020-21, is…
From the Trainer’s Room: Availability – the best attribute for an athlete
June 22nd, 2022When we look at what makes an athlete superior, we look at speed, strength, and power. Some will look at how the athlete performs under pressure like scoring an overtime goal or striking out a batter with the bases loaded. Others may look at winning such as an elite player who makes teammates better around…
Phoenix native, Bobcats national champ Willcoxson to continue career with USPHL’s Mullets
June 17th, 2022Ben Willcoxson had the experience of a lifetime in 2021-22, winning state and national championships at the 18U level with the Arizona Bobcats. Now, the Phoenix native will get to bring that winning mentality to the USPHL after recently signing with the Minnesota Mullets. “Coach (Chris) Walby reached out to me after nationals and I…
Flagstaff native, Jr. Coyotes, Northstars standout Forsberg to join USPHL powerhouse Jets program
June 17th, 2022A top Arizona youth player is heading to the Midwest to begin his junior hockey career. Oka Forsberg, a Flagstaff native, has signed with the USPHL powerhouse Metro Jets program for the 2022-23 season. Forsberg played for the Jr. Coyotes’ 18U AAA team last season and has also played for the Flagstaff Northstars youth association…
IHAAZ wraps 2022 campaign with eight teams winning titles at State Finals event
June 16th, 2022The 2022 IHAAZ season culminated the weekend of June 10-12 with the annual State Finals event. This year’s tournament was held at the new Wheelhouse Sports Complex in Prescott Valley. Eight champions were crowned as the tournament proved to be the ultimate conclusion to a season that was the most competitive in years. “This was…
From the Trainer’s Room: Getting stronger, not bigger
June 13th, 2022All the hype on social media today stresses how cool it is to be huge and lift heavy weights. You can’t look at Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok without seeing some pro athlete or someone trying to be a pro athlete lifting an outrageous amount of weight one time and showing how big or “jacked” they…
Jr. Coyotes, Bobcats alum, NA3HL standout Gross signs NAHL tender with Amarillo
June 13th, 2022The NA3HL’s El Paso Rhinos have announced that forward Matthew Gross has signed an NAHL tender agreement with the Amarillo Wranglers of the NAHL’s South Division. Gross, 18, just completed his first season of junior hockey in the NA3HL with the Rhinos. The Las Vegas native played in 31 regular-season games in the 2021-22 season for El…
Arizona players, connections selected during 2022 NCDC Entry Draft
June 9th, 2022The USPHL held its annual NCDC Entry Draft last month as member teams selected players from the 2005 and 2006 birth years. Many Arizona players and those with ties to the state were taken by NCDC clubs. 2nd round – Alex Hebblethwaite (Canada native, Jr. Coyotes), F, Boston Advantage 2nd round – Joey Melo (Canada…