Category Archives: Youth
Little Howlers program a major boon to youth hockey growth
March 31st, 2017Great minds think alike. Just ask Matt Shott, who is the Arizona Coyotes’ director of amateur hockey development. At the same time the NHL and the NHL Players Association developed the “Learn to Play Initiative” aimed at developing youth hockey in NHL markets, Shott and his team were well at work to plan for and…
Jr. Coyotes sweep en route to four Tier I state titles
March 29th, 2017Four new banners now reside with the Jr. Coyotes as the organization captured all four Arizona Amateur Hockey Association Tier I championships for the 2016-17 season. On top of that, the 14U and 15 Only Tier I USA Hockey Youth Nationals will be hosted by the Jr. Coyotes from April 6-10. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE…
Bobcats’ experience at Quebec Pee Wee tournament proves memorable
March 27th, 2017It’s been more than a month since they returned from the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, but Arizona Bobcats players, parents and coaches are still basking in the excitement of what many describe as a milestone event in any hockey player’s youth hockey experience. The Bobcats’ Pee Wee team spent more than a week in…
Mission AZ snags pair of AZYHL state championships
March 22nd, 2017Two new state championship banners will be hanging on the walls of AZ Ice in Peoria soon. Mission AZ’s Pee Wee Red (pictured above) and Squirt Red teams recently won Arizona Youth Hockey League state titles, and the program couldn’t be prouder. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE “Both of these teams were consistent all year,” said…
Exciting times on tap in Flagstaff with new hire, new programs
March 22nd, 2017Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association (FYHA) president Kevin Tye has reason to say his association is “really excited.” READ OUR LATEST ISSUE A recent tournament championship, a soon-to-be-named hockey director and a full slate of spring and summer programs will have that effect on someone. While not 100 percent official, Tye said the Northstars’ impending hockey…
Spring camp, summer clinics on tap for Jr. Sun Devils
March 22nd, 2017The 2016-17 season may be coming to a close for the Desert Youth Hockey Association (DYHA), but the Jr. Sun Devils are already starting to focus on the 2017-18 season. Running from March 19-April 29 at Oceanside Ice Arena, the DYHA’s Spring Elite Camp is for all youth age groups from Mite to 18U, while…
Arizona crowns hard-working trio of Tier II state champs
March 21st, 2017Late February and early March led to the crowning of three Arizona Amateur Hockey Association state champions at the Tier II level. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE The Jr. Coyotes team out of Scottsdale claimed the 14U title, while the Jr. Coyotes, also from Scottsdale, captured the 16U championship and the DYHA Jr. Sun Devils skated…
Bobcats place significant emphasis on developing goaltenders
March 2nd, 2017As someone who has played and coached hockey at nearly every level, from Mites to the pros, Ron Filion knows just how challenging it can be to properly train goalies. The position is so different from any other on the ice, and requires not only specialized skills and training, but also a mental approach that…
Hey Coach, it’s the third period and we’re really tired!
March 1st, 2017Every hockey player knows fatigue begins to take hold in the third period. Well, hockey families across the nation are in the third period of their season as well. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Similar to the waning minutes of any game, by now during the season, there have been ups and downs. There have been…
Growth of Bobcats program made possible by rock-solid foundation
February 23rd, 2017Ten years ago, when the Arizona Bobcats were just getting started and director of hockey Ron Filion was overseeing just three teams, it would have been hard to imagine what the program would become in 2017. Back then, the program was known as the Valley of the Sun Hockey Association (VOSHA) Mustangs. It didn’t have…