Category Archives: Junior
For Castle Pines native, LHA, T-Birds grad Branish, EHL proving to be right fit for development
November 10th, 2021TJ Branish grew up playing for the Littleton Hockey Association and Colorado Thunderbirds, but after aging out of youth hockey at the end of the 2020-21 season, the Castle Pines native wanted to look at his junior hockey options. Branish found the right fit, going out east this season to play for the Eastern Hockey…
Rampage alum Rapalje making strides in final junior season with NAHL’s Bulls
November 9th, 2021The past two seasons, Carter Rapalje has played in the NAHL for the Bulls, last year in Amarillo and this season, in North Iowa. Both seasons have seen the Colorado Rampage graduate grow his overall game with an eye on playing college hockey starting with the 2022-23 season. “The Rampage organization has a good relationship…
Rampage alum Rapalje tabbed for weekly honors in NAHL after six-point weekend
November 9th, 2021The NAHL announced today that North Iowa Bulls forward Carter Rapalje is the Central Division Star of the Week. Rapalje, 20, helped the Bulls pick up a weekend home sweep of the Bismarck Bobcats. The native of Burlington, Vt., had six points and was plus-5 in the two wins. “Carter has been working very hard…
Trio of Colorado natives pick up monthly accolades from USPHL
November 5th, 2021Three players from Colorado have been named USPHL Premier Players of the Month for October. In the Midwest East Division, the MJDP’s Robert Grasso was named a Forward of the Month. A 2004-born rookie from Broomfield, Grasso is tied for the team scoring lead with 17 points off 10 goals and seven assists in 11…
Castle Pines native, longtime Thunderbirds standout Branish named to EHL roster for inaugural All-Star Classic
November 4th, 2021The Eastern Hockey League (EHL) has announced the names of the 68 players that will be participating in the 1st Annual EHL All-Star Classic on November 21-22 at the Ice Den Arena in Hooksett, N.H. The first installment of the league’s brand-new event will feature a total of 36 forwards, 24 defensemen and eight goaltenders, and with…
Colorado Springs native, Tigers product Gutschick tabbed NA3HL Defenseman of the Month
November 3rd, 2021The NA3HL announced today that Helena Bighorns blueliner Taber Gutschick is the Bauer Hockey NA3HL Defenseman of the Month. Led by the 19-year-old Gutschick, the Bighorns continued their undefeated season with a perfect record in the month of October. The Colorado Springs native tied for the NA3HL scoring lead during the month with 25 points…
Former Thunderbirds standout Kiecker-Olson decides on Maine for NCAA Division I career
November 3rd, 2021Killian Kiecker-Olson is from Minnesota and played AAA hockey for the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 14U and 16U teams before heading off to junior hockey. Since 2018, Kiecker-Olson has played in the NAHL and USHL, skating the 2021-22 season for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. After the season-opening league showcase, Kiecker-Olson committed to continue his hockey career…
EHL players shine in All-Star series vs. NCAA D-III teams Curry, UMass Boston
October 28th, 2021It was back to school for a handful of players across the Eastern Hockey League, as the All-Star team completed its collegiate showcase over the weekend with games against Curry College and UMass Boston. While the score sheet showed two losses for the EHL All Stars, a 5-2 defeat to Curry and 6-1 loss against…
Thunderbirds alum Bottrill makes college choice, decides on NCAA Division I Brown
October 28th, 2021Maryland Black Bears forward Ryan Bottrill has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Brown University (ECAC Hockey). Bottrill, a 2002 birth year, is in his second season of playing in the NAHL and third season of junior hockey overall. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native is currently leading Maryland in scoring with 19 points (four goals, 15…
Louisville native, Bison, RoughRiders product Tillinghast collects weekly USPHL honors
October 28th, 2021The USPHL has announced that Northern Cyclones forward Jackson Tillinghast has been named the New England Division Forward of the Week. The standout forward from last year is just that again this year. With an eight-point performance in his last two games, Tillinghast, a 2001 birth year from Louisville, is sixth in the USPHL Premier in…