Category Archives: Columns
Mission Statement: Sorting through the madness of junior hockey marketing
May 15th, 2017Having worked with 16- and 18-year-old players now for so many years, I have seen a dramatic change in the intensity and increased amount of junior hockey recruiting and prospects camps, which are adding both pressure and confusion to the process for youth parents and players. With the increased number of junior leagues and teams,…
Taking Liberties With… Brendan Perlini
April 18th, 2017BRENDAN PERLINI Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes Hometown: Guildford, Great Britain Acquired: Coyotes’ first-round pick (12th overall) in 2014 NHL Draft Age: 20 READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up? Brendan Perlini: Playing for the Detroit Belle Tire team in my Bantam season (2010-11). We won the national championship, so…
The Whyte Stuff: So many signs that hockey is growing in Arizona, U.S.
April 17th, 2017As a kid growing up in Northern Ontario, hockey was everything. Pretty much everyone played, whether it be organized hockey in the arenas, or at very least on the frozen rinks or streets. Although it is easy to say that’s all we knew, we did play other games and competed in such sports as baseball,…
Shop Talk: Very rewarding to see AZ high school hockey keep growing
April 13th, 2017The Arizona High School Hockey state championships back on Saturday night, Feb. 4, was the place to be. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE The four championship games were held on two rinks at the Ice Den in Scottsdale. The crowds arrived early and boy, did they arrive. Finding a parking spot would have been easier on Black…
Taking Liberties With… Christian Fischer
March 14th, 2017CHRISTIAN FISCHER Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes/Tucson Roadrunners Acquired: Drafted by Coyotes in the second round (32nd overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft Hometown: Wayne, Ill. Age: 19 READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up? Christian Fischer: I’d probably say in 2010 when the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup….
The Whyte Stuff: A tribute to all of our hockey volunteers everywhere
March 10th, 2017I was recently shown a video called “So God Made A Hockey Mom” and it really moved me. All I could think about was the countless hours that my mom was there for me in all my hockey highs and lows, how she cheered louder than almost any other parent, and was always positive towards…
Mission Statement: What are reasonable expectations for your hockey player?
March 10th, 2017A major component of a players’ development as they get older is the ability of players to learn how to show up day in and day out and to be held accountable to a high standard. Most players have the ability to bring enthusiasm to games and tournaments, but it is the day-to-day preparation and…
AHU Coach’s Corner: We must work to ensure hockey growth, not hockey survival
March 10th, 2017Hockey survival. That is what the sport does when individual organizations only aspire to have the best and majority of the players in any given geographical area. They may have some of the most dedicated and efficient leaders in the organization, as well as some of the best coaches. Their teams are always top notch…
Shop Talk: These times they are a-changing – and for the better
March 8th, 2017After we opened our Behind the Mask Scottsdale location in 2010, due to the proximity to the PGA Superstore located in the same plaza a few doors down from us, we got a lot of new people stopping in our store. Many were from the Midwest, back East and across Canada. They saw our store…
Taking Liberties With… Peter Holland
February 14th, 2017PETER HOLLAND Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes Hometown: Toronto, Ont., Canada Acquired: Traded from Toronto Maple Leafs for sixth-round pick in 2018 NHL Draft on Dec. 9, 2016 Drafted: Anaheim Ducks’ first-round pick (15th overall) in 2009 NHL Draft Age: 26 READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up? Peter Holland:…