Arizona Rubber

Arizona’s and New Mexico’s Authoritative Voice of Hockey

Category Archives: Youth

Jr. Coyotes product, Phoenix native Suter inks ‘dream come true’ deal with WHL’s Blades

May 30th, 2025

The WHL’s Saskatoon Blades have announced the signing of 2010-born forward Max Suter. The Phoenix product was drafted by the Blades in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2025 U.S. Priority Draft. “Being signed into the WHL by the Saskatoon Blades is a dream come true,” said Suter. “Hearing my name called is a…

Jr. Coyotes standout, Flagstaff native Smith signs with WHL’s Wild ‘to give it my absolute all’

May 21st, 2025

The WHL’s Wenatchee Wild has announced that 2007-born defenseman Drew Smith has signed with the organization. A Flagstaff native, Smith comes to the Wild from the Jr. Coyotes program, playing most recently for the club’s 18U AAA team. “This has been my dream my whole life to play juniors, especially in the WHL,” said Smith….

Ultimate Goalie Showdown has Arizona hockey family coming together to help one of its own

May 14th, 2025

It’s often been said that it’s a small world, and once hockey gets thrown into the mix, that world gets even smaller. In the hockey world, every one is family. And sometimes, that family shows up in ways that go far beyond the rink. Last summer, Valentino “Tino” Beckmann was living every young hockey player’s…

Caravella chosen head coach of AHU 16U AA team, bringing back passion, love for game of hockey

April 18th, 2025

The list of coaches that were nominated for the second annual Arizona Hockey Union Coach of the Year was impressive and made for a tough decision in the end. Once the votes were tabulated by the AHU Board of Directors, one name stood tallest in the end – 16U White coach Mike Caravella. Next season,…

Entering fifth year, Arizona Hockey Club’s Spring Into Squirts mite graduation event gaining steam

November 6th, 2024

Every April since 2021, a popular event takes place in the Phoenix area with the Spring Into Squirts mite graduation tournament, a unique event put on by the Arizona Hockey Club. The weekend is a niche event offering full ice to 8U teams that are moving/graduating into 10U the following fall. This year’s players are…

Approaching 25 years in hockey, AHU president Shupe continuing to help grow game in Valley

October 2nd, 2024

Chances are if you have been involved in hockey at any point or level over the past 25 years in Arizona, you have crossed paths with Stacy Shupe. Now in her 11th year as club president for the Arizona Hockey Union, Shupe continues to be a strong advocate for growing the game in the state,…

Flagstaff native, longtime FYHA standout Bereson taking game to junior ranks with EHL’s Nor’easter

October 1st, 2024

Quinn Bereson has spent his entire hockey career playing in his hometown of Flagstaff. That has changed this year as Bereson is playing junior hockey out east for the EHL’s Connecticut Nor’easter. “The opportunity to sign with the Nor’easter came to me from talking to Coach Espo (Michael Esposito) through NCSA and meeting with him…

Officially on board with AHU, Barnhart bringing drive, motivation, knowledge to Knights

September 12th, 2024

As the head coach for the Arizona Hockey Union’s 10U Silver team this season, Mary Ann Barnhart is starting her first season as an official staff member with AHU. Truth be told, Barnhart has been part of the Union in several capacities for over 15 years. She’s also been a fan of the game for…

Longtime AHU staffer Yubeta an asset to Arizona hockey community, says Knights ‘like a second family to me’

August 11th, 2024

Melissa Yubeta has been involved behind the scenes with Arizona hockey since 2010 and has been enamored with the game even longer. Needless to say, Yubeta is a familiar face in the desert when it comes to hockey in the Valley. And a valuable and important person when it comes to the continued hockey boom…

Scottsdale native, Jr. Coyotes, NDP alum Hordichuk signs agreement with WHL’s Pats

June 2nd, 2024

The Regina Pats have signed 2009-born forward Braden Hordichuk to a Western Hockey League scholarship and development agreement. Hordichuk was drafted by the Pats with the first-overall pick of the 2024 U.S. Priority Draft. The Scottsdale product tallied 32 points (20 goals, 12 assists) in 37 games in 2023-24 with the Jr. Coyotes’ 14U AAA…

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