Category Archives: Youth
Mission’s first Pee Wee team reflects on memories, being pioneers
December 31st, 2015When Mission Arizona started its hockey program 10 years ago, the jumpstart affiliate had teams that consisted of players who were mainly teenagers. But seven years ago, that all changed when Mission trotted out its first Pee Wee team. The group was a handful of 11 year olds, many of whom who had played here…
Tucson’s ice, inline communities continue to build across all levels
December 24th, 2015As Tucson’s biggest hockey stars finish up, waiting to take their place on the ice on any given weekday afternoon – in front of the sizable Tucson Arena’s thousands of empty seats – is a substantial group of pretty enthusiastic youngsters. Without a community ice rink to call home, every Southern Arizona ice hockey participant…
DYHA reopens Mites program on highly successful note
December 23rd, 2015The Desert Youth Hockey Association (DYHA) has implemented its Jr. Sun Devils Mite team back into full effect after a number of years of dormancy. The team began the 2015-16 with a clean slate, starting with a camp over the spring season to recruit players. The two head coaches, Kayman Wong and John Curry, signed…
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…