Blog
Rampage’s legacy of captains based on coaching, consistency, character
June 3rd, 2016The big picture always trumps any small market obstacles the Colorado Rampage might face. As the 14-year-old club, based out of the Colorado Sports Center (CSC) in Monument, has matured, it has made long-term development its major point of emphasis. “Our goal is to take groups of players and move them all the way through…
Utah contingent takes strides at America’s Showcase event
June 2nd, 2016On and off the ice, USA Hockey’s America’s Showcase was a successful tournament for Team Utah. Let’s talk on the ice first. Team Utah went 1-3 at Robert Morris University’s Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, beating Team Oregon 4-2 in its last game, but there’s more to the story. “In most of our games, we…
Avalanche continues to grow, build the game with CAHA youth
May 31st, 2016As part of the local hockey community, the players from the Colorado Avalanche are held as role models for Colorado’s growing number of youth players. And in recent years, the NHL organization, which celebrated its 20th season in Denver during the 2015-16 season, has taken great strides with the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), working…
RoughRiders add longtime youth coach Vanover to stable
May 30th, 2016For the first time in eight seasons, Greg Vanover will not be coaching the 18U age group. Vanover, a longtime coach with the Pikes Peak Miners, recently joined the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders staff and will guide the program’s 13U AAA team in 2016-17. He’ll also serve as an assistant on the 18U AAA team under…
Arapahoe Pee Wees find ‘privilege’ in playing Little Avs
May 26th, 2016The losing coach was more than gracious in defeat. “This is another example of how powerful the game of hockey is,” said Sean Leonard, coach of the Arapahoe Warriors Pee Wee AA team, after the Warriors were belted 8-1 on April 30 by the national champion Little Avs youth sled hockey team in an exhibition…
Lady RoughRiders take giant step with nationals berth
May 26th, 2016Even though the Rocky Mountain Lady RoughRiders’ 16U AA team came home with a 1-3 mark at the USA Hockey Youth Nationals last month in Burlington, Vt., no one was about to sulk. Lady RoughRiders hockey director Marcus Scarafoni called the experience nothing short of amazing. “Nationals is a great way for our players to…
Cleland takes hold of captaincy role with New Hampshire
May 26th, 2016This fall, Matias Cleland will still have “UNH” on the front of his jersey, but there will be one big addition below his left shoulder. The letter ‘C.’ Cleland, a Longmont native, will serve as team captain for the University of New Hampshire during his senior season with the Wildcats as they trudge through the…
WSHL success fuels Jr. Eagles’ hunger for more in ’16-17
May 23rd, 2016In just three years’ time, the Colorado Jr. Eagles have made major strides in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). After two successful seasons to start their run in the WSHL, the Jr. Eagles went all-in for the 2015-16 season, finishing 43-7-0-2 in the regular season and advancing to the Thorne Cup championship series against…
Grizzlies bounce Eagles in 6 before bowing to Fort Wayne
May 23rd, 2016Sometimes, the playoffs are like that. After the Utah Grizzlies eliminated the Colorado Eagles in a tight six-game series to open the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, the Grizzlies then lost four straight to the Fort Wayne Komets in the second round to abruptly see their season come to a close. Utah coach-GM Tim Branham found…
Exposure key for Colorado squads at America’s Showcase
May 23rd, 2016For Team Colorado Burgundy and Team Colorado White, the trip across the country last month was well worth it. Each squad participated in USA Hockey’s annual America’s Showcase in Pittsburgh, a tournament that gives high school junior and senior players a chance to display their talents for coaches from prep school, AAA, junior and college…