Category Archives: Youth
AHU’s Pee Wee Black team finds off-ice outreach rewarding
December 22nd, 2015For the Arizona Hockey Union’s Pee Wee Black team, implementing a new team building activity such as giving back to the community has been a key component to the program this season. Head coach Chris Rees and assistant Scott Wallis want the players to understand hard work goes beyond hockey and this has been evident…
Flagstaff coaches balance different levels of hockey
December 19th, 2015Coaches at the high school and college levels spend hours upon hours dedicated to helping their team improve and come together. But what’s it like when the same coaches have to flip the switch and help a group of kids who are just learning how to skate? That’s the fun challenge that three Flagstaff-based coaches…
VOSHA’s Mite Jamboree gives youngsters chance to learn, play
December 9th, 2015For hundreds of kids, it was their Stanley Cup moment. The Valley of the Sun Hockey Association (VOSHA) hosted its annual Mite Jamboree on Nov. 8 at AZ Ice Arcadia, a five-hour event that saw plenty of memories and laughs. “At that age, they don’t get to travel and go to all of the big…
Jr. Coyotes 16U forward Ormsby signs with WHL’s Thunderbirds
December 5th, 2015The Phoenix Jr. Coyotes announced Dec. 4 that 16U AAA Elite forward Luke Ormsby has signed a standard player contract with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. Ormsby has been playing for head coach Shawn McCosh this year and has contributed eight goals and two assists for 10 points in 18 games. “It’s…
Three with Arizona ties named to Team USA Youth Olympic Team
December 3rd, 2015USA Hockey announced on Dec. 3 the 17-player roster for the U.S. Youth Olympic Team that will compete in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games from Feb. 12-21, 2016, in Lillehammer, Norway. Created by the International Olympic Committee, the Youth Olympic Games bring youth athletes from around the world together through sports and the Olympic…
Billeting experience a win-win for AHU, Junior A Knights players
December 3rd, 2015It’s not uncommon for junior hockey players to move out of state, maybe even out of the country, and live with a family during their hockey seasons. What’s also not uncommon is that it’s an experience for not only the player, but the family who houses them as well. One of the Phoenix Knights Junior…
Bird family finds their nest at the hockey rink
November 20th, 2015The Bird family lives 10 minutes away from AZ Ice Peoria. Perhaps no family visits the ice rink as often as Carolyn and her husband, George, parents of three hockey-playing sons – Kevin, 15, Scotty, 14, and Jersey, 11. The family spends most nights on the ice as the trio all plays for the Mission…
DYHA has busy, but successful and fun October
November 19th, 2015The DYHA had a busy month of October where, along with the successful Pucktoberfest fundraiser, its 16U AA and 16U Combo teams participated in prestigious tournaments. Prior to Pucktoberfest on Oct. 24, the 16U Combo team went to Las Vegas for a CAN/AM tournament Oct. 9-11 where the Jr. Sun Devils went 3-1 and defeated…
Grant money to enhance Flagstaff coaching skills
November 16th, 2015It’s no secret that players excel and grow through strong coaching, but last summer, a question popped up in Flagstaff. Who coaches the coaches? “A lot of the time, what you have is well-meaning parents,” said Nick Karastamantis, head coach of the Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association’s (FYHA) Pee Wee travel team. “And while that’s great,…
Longtime Arizona youth coach Shott remembered as humble, genuine
November 5th, 2015Even after getting a cancer diagnosis, Chuck Shott still found a way to maintain his unique sense of humor. Shott, who coached youth hockey teams in Arizona the better part of 1986-2006, passed away Sept. 22 at the age of 62 in the Phoenix area after a 14-month battle with lung cancer. He leaves behind…