Blog
NoCo’s landscape boosted by pro, college, junior, youth programs
November 2nd, 2015Tucked away in the reaches of Northern Colorado is a vibrant hockey landscape that includes pro hockey, as well as ACHA college hockey, Junior A hockey and a growing youth association. Add that all up and the Colorado Eagles (ECHL), Colorado State University (two ACHA clubs at Division I and III), Colorado Jr. Eagles (Western…
Colorado sees high school numbers trending skyward
October 28th, 2015The Colorado Prep Hockey League (CPHL) continues to experience growth on various levels. Two years ago, the CPHL had just six teams and after growing to 13 teams in 2014, the league now boasts 22 varsity programs for the 2015-16 season. Four junior varsity squads have also been added to the mix this year. The…
NCAA leadership is a full-time job for Rampage alum Patterson
October 26th, 2015There is more to Kevin Patterson than statistics and his junior coach, Scott Langer of the Topeka RoadRunners, made sure Niagara University associate coach Tim Madsen knew it during his recruiting visits. “When it came to decision time, Scott said, ‘Take this kid. He will be a captain for you at Niagara,’” Purple Eagles coach…
Rocky Mountain Challenge attracts talent, scouts
October 23rd, 2015Another year, another successful Rocky Mountain Challenge. The East Coast Elite League (ECEL) event, hosted by the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders organization Oct. 2-4 at the Ice Centre at the Promenade in Westminster, saw a wealth of talent on the ice and numerous junior and college hockey scouts and coaches in the stands to take in…
Taking Liberties With… Dominic Turgeon
October 19th, 2015DOMINIC TURGEON Forward, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Hometown: Denver Last Youth Team: Colorado Thunderbirds AAA Colorado Rubber: What is the best piece of advice you have for youth hockey players and parents? Dominic Turgeon: I would say the best advice is to enjoy playing the game. You should be grateful for what everyone is doing for…
Denver captain Arnold sets the tone for Pioneers
October 15th, 2015The large task in front of the University of Denver isn’t small: replace seven graduated seniors who played vital roles in the Pioneers’ run to the final eight of the NCAA Tournament this past spring. Meeting that challenge of breaking in a large freshman class will require strong leadership outside – and inside – the…
Pee Wee Quebec Qualifier Tournament on tap for November
October 7th, 2015Mid-November holds an opportunity for young hockey players in the state of Colorado unlike any other. Every year since 2003, the Colorado Avalanche has hosted the Quebec Qualifier Tournament, which is open to all competitive Pee Wee teams in the state of Colorado (excluding non-tournament teams and AAA squads for competitive purposes). And the prize…
Second-year Renegades program growing youth game in Utah
October 6th, 2015The West Coast Renegades youth program enters the 2015-16 season finding itself well on its way to becoming a source of pride in the hockey realm for the state of Utah. During the summer months, the Renegades staff was hard at work tying together pieces that had fallen apart and derailed prior Utah youth hockey…
Thunderbirds fortify coaching lineup with Combs, Blatchford
October 5th, 2015Colorado hockey has long held an appeal to Nick Combs and Brett Blatchford. Combs grew up playing hockey in Colorado Springs, while Blatchford enjoyed one of the highlights of his career here. Though they traveled different paths before joining the Colorado Thunderbirds AAA coaching staff this season, both bring similar attributes to the program –…
Avalanche reloads through trades, draft, free agency
October 2nd, 2015A good guess of the Colorado Avalanche’s worth this season is somewhere in the middle, the medium of the last two seasons. The Avs probably weren’t as good as their 112-point season of 2013-14, and they were likely better than their 90-point campaign last year. The 22-point difference was startling, yet educational. In Year 3…