Category Archives: Columns
INDUSTRY PROFILE: Leeor Shtrom
December 1st, 2015LEEOR SHTROM Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Resides: Gilbert Age: 40 Position/Organization: Director of Hockey Operations for AZ Ice (in Peoria, Gilbert and Arcadia). Arizona Rubber: What brought you to the Phoenix area and how long have you lived here? Leeor Shtrom: I moved here in October 2014 with my family. I was in discussions with…
MISSION STATEMENT: Take crucial steps to create leaders, on and off the ice
December 1st, 2015A total of 13 former Mission Arizona players are now in leadership roles at the next levels with Manny Rowe (Syracuse Stampede/North American 3 Eastern Hockey League), Taylor Knight (Aspen Leafs/Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League), Cory Briody (Northern Arizona University ACHA D-II) and the trio of Chris Eades, Steven Taylor and Trey Gonzalez (NAU ACHA…
THE WHYTE STUFF: Adults should be role models at, away from the rink
November 26th, 2015I recently had lunch with another hockey director from here in the Valley and had a great time talking about the philosophy of our positions. We exchanged many stories, mostly funny ones about players, but there were also some more concerning ones that pertained to the parents. Every year, we as directors, coaches and managers,…
SHOP TALK: Accept the fact that all sticks will eventually break
November 26th, 2015“When I was growing up, we used to get a bundle of (insert name of old wood stick company here) sticks for $25 dollars and they would last us the whole season. How can this stick be $269?” I never get tired of hearing that one from the father of a new hockey player or…
AHU COACH’S CORNER: The ADM approach lets youth players unlock true potential
November 17th, 2015As we move into the holidays, we want to wish everyone in our hockey family a safe and happy holiday season. It is also a time where we begin to think about 2016 and how the last few years have seen continued growth of hockey in the Valley. A cornerstone of the development of our…
TAKING LIBERTIES WITH … Connor Murphy
November 13th, 2015Name: Connor Murphy Age: 22 Hometown: Dublin, Ohio Currently resides: Scottsdale Current team: Arizona Coyotes (NHL) Position: Defense Last Youth Hockey Team: U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Arizona Rubber: What’s the best piece of advice you have for youth hockey players? Connor Murphy: Take every day as a development process and understand it takes…
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…
SHOP TALK: Value of hockey equipment goes past the actual cost
October 20th, 2015About 15 years ago, we got our first shipment of full composite sticks at Behind The Mask with the Easton Synergy ringing in at an unheard of price of $139.99. I remember saying out loud to my co-workers that “there’s no way people are paying $140 for a stick.” Around that same time, we started…
The Business of Hockey: Adam Blossey
October 20th, 2015Adam Blossey Hometown: White Bear Lake, Minn. Resides: Scottsdale Position: Director of Men’s Hockey Operations, Sun Devil Athletics / Arizona State University Arizona Rubber: You coached with ASU’s ACHA program over the past few seasons. How did the opportunity to shift roles to the new NCAA program come about? Adam Blossey: It’s something that definitely…
TAKING LIBERTIES WITH … Amanda Martin
October 15th, 2015Amanda Martin Age: 19 Hometown: Peoria Current team: Minnesota State University (NCAA D-I) Last Arizona team: AZ Runners Midget 16U AA Arizona Rubber: What’s the best piece of advice you have for youth hockey players and their parents? AM: Hockey is a game of mistakes. You will always have an off day, but the key…