Category Archives: Youth
Coppola lighting it up for Mission AZ 18U Red squad
December 20th, 2018Nicolas Coppola has been skating with the Mission AZ youth hockey program outside Phoenix since he was a Pee Wee, and as he approaches the end of his run with Mission, he’s in position to leave the program as one of its best players ever. Coppola, a 17-year-old forward on Mission’s 18U AA Red team…
FYHA coaches a positive mix of knowledge, patience, attitude
December 20th, 2018As the coaching coordinator for the Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association, Travis Johanson has an enjoyable role when it comes to the Northstars coaches. Johanson said it’s a position that takes a lot of time but is well worth it for the good of the FYHA players. “A lot of our coaches have ties to FYHA…
AHU Bantam Black squad gives back to Chandler community
December 18th, 2018The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to reflect on what individuals and families – and yes, even hockey teams – are thankful for heading into the holiday season. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE For the Arizona Hockey Union’s Bantam Black team, those players, coaches and families instead chose to give back to the Chandler community during…
T1EHL spotlight again shining on Jr. Coyotes, Ice Den
December 13th, 2018As the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL) continues to be a sustainable AAA youth league that stretches across the United States, that reach is evident in Arizona as the Jr. Coyotes, Ice Den Scottsdale and Ice Den Chandler host the T1EHL Super Showcase this month for the second time in as many years. After…
Bobcats making smooth transition to Ice Den Chandler
December 4th, 2018There was perhaps a certain degree of uncertainty last offseason as to what would happen when the Arizona Bobcats moved their program to the Ice Den Chandler. Fast forward to mid-November and the transition has been phenomenal and beneficial to both the Bobcats and the Ice Den Chandler itself. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE “The Ice…
Finding the formula: Player retention, development with FYHA
November 29th, 2018At the youngest ages of hockey, the biggest key is to get as many players included and involved as possible. At the Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association (FYHA), the Northstars recognize this and realize that this formula works best and have been utilizing it for years in their program. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Flagstaff’s 8U House…
AHU Mite White wins off the ice, gives back to local community
November 27th, 2018The Arizona Hockey Union Mite White team is the youngest team in the organization, with players ranging from age 6-8 years old. As part of the development of these young players, the coaches and managers are committed to teaching the kids not just about being a good teammate and hockey player, but also being a…
Mission’s Squirts digging challenge playing at new level
November 23rd, 2018When the Mission AZ youth hockey program experienced an unusually high turnover rate with its Squirt team after last season, coaches turned to the in-house program at AZ Ice Peoria to recruit players, and the results have been remarkably positive. Mission’s hockey director, Jeremy Goltz, said he and his fellow coaches invested some time in…
Jr. Sun Devils take in Coyotes game, name DYHA Superstars
November 22nd, 2018Last month at Gila River Arena, the Arizona Coyotes continued their string of theme nights with DYHA Jr. Sun Devils Night on Oct. 27 as the Coyotes hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to the game, each DYHA team selected a player from each of its 12 teams – a DYHA Superstar – and the…
Mission AZ remains pillar of consistency, has ‘great continuity from the bottom to the top’
November 7th, 2018Jeremy Goltz, the director of hockey operations for the Mission AZ youth hockey program in the Phoenix suburbs, likes to say that the program is consistently boring. What he means by that is that there is little drama, the coaching staff remains consistent year after year, kids return to the program and he and his…