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USJDP ideal for development, exposure

February 20th, 2015

Now in its 15th year, the U.S. Junior Development Program (USJDP) was founded by Mike Gempeler in 2000 after identifying a need for an elite-level development camp. Gempeler wanted to create a program that would provide Junior A/B and Bantam-Midget AAA/AA-level players the intense training and exposure necessary to better prepare for junior and college hockey. Already…

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Neitenbach brings passion behind Buffs’ bench

February 11th, 2015

Aside from a couple years playing juniors out of state, you might say Jeff Neitenbach has Colorado hockey in his blood. Now in his first year as head coach of the University of Colorado’s American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) team, Neitenbach is nothing but excited to lead the young Division I program to national prominence….

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Former Thunderbird Feno to fly with Falcons

February 4th, 2015

Evan Feno, from Morrison, has committed to play his NCAA Division I hockey at the Air Force Academy beginning next season. Feno, a former Colorado Thunderbird who also played with Front Range, the Foothills Flyers and Littleton Hawks, is in his second season skating with the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) Janesville Jets. Feno has…

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Aspen delivers with 14U AA girls team

February 2nd, 2015

Sometimes it’s not easy finding appropriate developmental opportunities for girls, especially in Colorado’s mountain towns, but Aspen Junior Hockey (AJH) is making it work. A perfect example is its newly created 14U AA team, which sprung to life this season with players being underwhelmed, competitively, at the 12U level and overwhelmed at 19U. AJH hockey…

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Excitement builds for ‘Birds as Quebec nears

January 31st, 2015

With a solid first half of the season under its belt, the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 12U AAA team is looking forward to special appointment north of the border next month. The Thunderbirds, led by first-year head coach Zach Blom and assistants Buddy Blom and Curtis Duffus, will compete in the 56th annual Quebec International Pee Wee…

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RMHS celebrates 20th anniversary

January 27th, 2015

When Mike Gempeler founded Rocky Mountain Hockey Schools (RMHS) back in 1996, never in his wildest dreams did he think the Kittredge-based company would reach its 20th anniversary. But as that milestone emerges, reality has taken over. Gempeler managed and grew the camp for 10 years on a local and national basis and then passed it…

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Holmstrom enjoying steady pro career

January 25th, 2015

Ben Holmstrom got some pretty straightforward instruction right before he took the opening faceoff in his NHL debut almost four years ago. “Win it,” Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger advised Holmstrom back on March 3, 2011 when Philly took on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Colorado Springs product did just that. Holmstrom, a graduate of…

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Tower stands tall on Res Christian’s defense

January 22nd, 2015

Typically, a position change from forward to defenseman signals the end of a hockey player’s days as a regular scorer. For John Tower, it’s been quite the opposite. The Resurrection Christian standout made the switch to defense last year and, in addition to receiving some prestigious postseason recognition, watched his offensive numbers dramatically ramp up….

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Bigger and Boulder

January 19th, 2015

Walker Harris grew up playing in the Boulder Valley Youth Hockey Association (BVYHA), and hasn’t had to travel far to get his first taste of the junior game. Last season, Harris played 10 games for the then-named Boulder Bison of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL), and this year is a key contributor as a…