Category Archives: Youth
Mick named first hockey director, head coach, executive director for new Fire ‘N’ Ice Sports Arena
April 7th, 2026Fire ‘N’ Ice Sports Arena in Phoenix, opening this August, has announced the appointment of Troy Mick as the organization’s first hockey director, head coach and executive director. Mick will oversee all hockey operations at the arena, including player development, coaching leadership, program growth, and the overall direction of the hockey department. A native of…
From Mites to Midgets, AHU standout Couch looking to finish Knights’ career on high note in 2025-26
August 12th, 2025Jack Couch has been the ultimate epitome of what the Arizona Hockey Union is all about, both on and off the ice. The Chandler native is also the truest definition of what loyalty means, starting with AHU as an 8U Mite player and prepping for his final youth hockey season in 2025-26 with the Union’s…
Jr. Coyotes product, Phoenix native Suter inks ‘dream come true’ deal with WHL’s Blades
May 30th, 2025The 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, 2025The 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, 2025It’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, 2025The 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, 2024Every 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, 2024Chances 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,…