Blog
HPHL proving to be competitive spring hockey option
December 22nd, 2015Hockey in the spring? Why not? The High Plains Hockey League (HPHL) has proven since 2000 that it can be done. The USA Hockey-affiliated high school league gives hundreds of Colorado hockey players an opportunity each year to represent their school and community and play alongside their friends and classmates. A total of 34 varsity…
Taking Liberties With … Francois Beauchemin
December 20th, 2015FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN Position: Defenseman, Colorado Avalanche Hometown: Sorel, Quebec, Canada Last Amateur Team: Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) Age: 35 Colorado Rubber: What advice do you have for a young hockey player and his/her parents? Francois Beauchemin: Enjoy the game. Just go out there and have fun. The game of hockey is fun and you’re not supposed…
Ex-Thunderbirds blueliners Slavin, Olofsson get first taste of NHL
December 18th, 2015From carpooling together as Colorado Thunderbirds and joking about sending clearing attempts into rink ceilings to making their NHL debuts one day apart last month, it’s been quite a ride so far for Gustav Olofsson and Jaccob Slavin. The defensemen, who are such close friends that Olofsson was a groomsman in Slavin’s wedding last summer,…
‘Long shot’ Arapahoe victorious in Quebec Qualifier
December 17th, 2015Going into the 2015 Quebec Qualifier Tournament, Arapahoe Warriors AA coach Sean Leonard considered his squad an underdog to win the 13-team event and represent the Colorado Avalanche at the prestigious Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament in February. After blanking both the Colorado Springs Tigers and NCYH Jr. Eagles to open the tournament, Leonard…
Littleton again emerges as CAHA 18U AA state champions
December 16th, 2015The late Major League Baseball great Yogi Berra once said, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” For the Littleton Hawks 18U AA team, winning the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association state championship has become somewhat routine, as the Hawks took their sixth straight title on Dec. 13 with a two-game sweep of the Evolution Elite…
Bartholomay proving to be backbone of Renegades
December 9th, 2015Once Adam Bartholomay came to the heartbreaking conclusion that his professional hockey career was over some four years ago, he had every ambition to stay involved in the game and found his niche in the coaching ranks. Now the director of hockey operations and 16U AAA National team coach for the second-year West Coast Renegades…
Ockey’s experience at CC mirrors that of his grandfather
December 3rd, 2015It’s hard not to see the similarities between Colorado College freshman Tanner Ockey and his grandfather, Don Stouffer, at least when it comes to their time playing at CC. Over 50 years before Ockey, a 20-year-old Calgary native, set foot on the ice at the World Arena, Stouffer was suiting up for the Tigers. At…
Canadian group offers ideal spring tourney options
December 3rd, 2015Two of the largest and most well-established youth hockey tournaments in Western Canada are ready for another season, and while they’re still a few months away, organizers of the Alberta Champions Cup and Stampede Challenge are encouraging teams to register soon so they don’t miss out. Kip Reghenas, who heads up the team of veteran…
Air Force’s Starrett named AHC Rookie of the Month
December 2nd, 2015Air Force freshman goaltender Shane Starrett has been named the Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Month for November. In eight games, the Bellingham, Mass., native helped lead the Falcons to a 4-3-1 record. Starrett posted a .918 save percentage and a 2.16 goals-against average. He was named the AHC Goalie of the Week after stopping…
Former NCAA teammates Skille, Street reunited with Avalanche
December 1st, 2015When freshmen linemates Jack Skille and Ben Street won the 2006 NCAA championship together at the University of Wisconsin, they were forever joined at the hip. The saying “we walk together for life” rang true. Little did they know that they would again play together, in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche. Street, called up…