Category Archives: Junior
Knights captain Ericsson ‘what every team needs’
January 14th, 2016At the start of each season, most teams have their leadership group in place with captains and assistant captains. This year for the Western States Hockey League’s Phoenix Knights, Jim Ericsson wears the ‘C’ and Davis Dryden, Vojtech Zemlicka and Dominik Synek are the assistants. Ericsson said he knows his role and relishes it to…
Paradise Valley’s Lemieux takes home monthly OHL honors
January 6th, 2016Winnipeg Jets prospect Brendan Lemieux of the Windsor Spitfires is the Ontario Hockey League Player of the Month after recording 12 goals, six assists and 18 points in nine games between Windsor and the Barrie Colts. Lemieux recorded points in all nine of his December contests, helping Windsor play to a 5-1-1-0 record following his…
Coyotes prospect Dvorak garners weekly OHL, CHL awards
December 14th, 2015The Ontario Hockey League on Monday announced that Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak of the London Knights is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending Dec. 13 and then Tuesday, was also awarded the same honor for the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The CHL encompasses the OHL, Western Hockey League…
Former Jr. Coyotes defenseman Kiraly commits to Alaska-Fairbanks
November 10th, 2015Former Phoenix Jr. Coyotes defenseman Daniel Kiraly has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks beginning with the 2016-17 season. The Nanooks are members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). “Alaska was the right choice because of their style of play,” said Kiraly. “I like the coaches and I…
Former Firebirds, Polar Bears star Walker commits to Arizona State
October 21st, 2015Johnny Walker is going home. The current Minot Minotauros and North American Hockey League (NAHL) leading scorer has committed to play his college hockey at NCAA Division I Arizona State University for the 2017-18 season. In his third season with the Minotauros, the Phoenix-born Walker has 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points through…
Phoenix native, Fairbanks forward Burgess wins monthly NAHL honor
October 8th, 2015The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced its monthly player awards for the month of September on Oct. 6 and there was certainly some Arizona flavor. Todd Burgess from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs took home the Easton Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month laurels after posting 13 points in eight games, in addition to a…
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…
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…
Jr. Knights right at home in Gilbert
November 7th, 2014By Matt Mackinder After not having a true home rink the past couple seasons, a new five-year contract will see the Phoenix Jr. Knights of the Western States Hockey League call AZ Ice Gilbert home for the foreseeable future. “We’re very excited to have the junior team anchored in Gilbert with the youth club,” said…