Category Archives: Youth
Littleton native, Colorado youth hockey grad DiPonio sets NAHL course for ’21-22 with Anchorage tender
May 28th, 2021For Kory DiPonio, he had nothing but positive feelings when approached about starting his junior hockey career next season in Alaska. DiPonio, a Littleton native, signed a tender agreement last week with the Anchorage Wolverines, an NAHL expansion franchise set to begin play with the upcoming 2021-22 season. “The opportunity with Anchorage began when we…
Carbondale product, Aspen, Thunderbirds alum Scott signs NAHL tender with returning Jr. Blues
May 20th, 2021The Springfield Jr. Blues sat dormant during the 2020-21 NAHL season due to the ongoing pandemic. That won’t be the case in 2021-22 as the Jr. Blues have been on the recruiting trail and signing prospective players for next fall. One recent signee was Carbondale native Fisher Scott, a 2004-born defenseman who grew up playing…
Thunderbirds standout, Centennial native Raftery makes plans for ’21-22, tenders with NAHL’s Wilderness
April 29th, 2021Patrick Raftery is playing with his Colorado Thunderbirds’ 16U AAA team at the USA Hockey National Tournament this week, that event serving as his priority at the moment. Two weeks back, though, the Centennial native solidified his 2021-22 season by signing an NAHL tender agreement with the Minnesota Wilderness. Wilderness assistant coach Brendan Phelps has…
RoughRiders’ DenHartog earns AJHL opportunity after two stellar hockey seasons in Colorado
April 22nd, 2021Coming from Iowa, Breckin DenHartog was very familiar with higher levels of hockey after the youth game. Now, after two seasons with the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, the 6-foot-3 defenseman has earned the opportunity to play junior hockey next season in Canada. The Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Junior Hockey League announced last week that the…
Parker native, two-year Tigers’ 18U youth standout Ring earns NAHL tender with Ice Wolves
March 26th, 2021Brayden Ring has spent the last two seasons honing his game with the Colorado Springs Tigers and has seen his efforts result in a junior hockey opportunity. Last week, Ring signed an NAHL tender agreement with the New Mexico Ice Wolves. “I am extremely excited to join the team and I believe the Ice Wolves…
RoughRiders’ big-time player Cox-Smith heading home with Minot tender for ’21-22 season
March 19th, 2021Liam Cox-Smith grew up in Minot, N.D., and came to the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders prior to his 15U season three years ago to fast-track his development in the game of hockey. And NAHL teams have noticed Cox-Smith’s skill. Last summer, the Minnesota Wilderness selected Cox-Smith in the first round (14th overall) of the NAHL Entry…
Season with RoughRiders sees Georgia native Davis earn NAHL tender with powerhouse Aberdeen
March 11th, 2021Joining the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders’ 18U AAA team in November may have given Chase Davis a late start to the team’s season, but he quickly found his role and made his mark on the team. And the NAHL took notice, too. Earlier this week, the Aberdeen Wings announced they signed Davis to a tender for…
Westminster native, longtime Thunderbirds star Valdez has ‘dream come true’ with CC commitment
February 9th, 2021Michael Valdez is playing 16U hockey this season, but already has junior hockey plans and an NCAA commitment to Colorado College in the bag. Needless to say, the Westminster native is seeing his hard work pay off exponentially. “I have been talking to CC for a while and developing a relationship with them,” said Valdez,…
Tigers graduate, NA3HL standout Reed commits to NCAA D-III Saint John’s for current season
January 21st, 2021Jaeger Reed spent his last season of junior hockey eligibility with the NA3HL’s Texas RoadRunners during the 2019-20 season. And while the 1999 birth year hasn’t played this season, he’ll soon get a shot as the Colorado Springs Tigers graduate recently committed to NCAA Division III Saint John’s University. Saint John’s plays in the MIAC…
Thunderbirds standout, Denver native Valis makes plans for future, signs with WHL’s Pats
January 13th, 2021Borya Valis was born in Los Angeles but has developed his hockey skills in Colorado with the Littleton Hawks and Colorado Thunderbirds. Last February, the 2004 birth year was listed by the WHL’s Regina Pats and this past week, signed with Regina for the 2021-22 season. “Regina saw me at the end of 2019 playing…