Category Archives: Youth
Multiple gigs keep Gempeler busy in Colorado hockey circles
February 25th, 2016A typical work week is far from routine for Mike Gempeler. After all, when you’re the founder/director of the CCM Hockey Showcase, founder/director of the U.S. Junior Development Program (USJDP), co-founder/partner of the 9280 Pond Hockey Tournament and the commissioner of the first-year Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL), it’s definitely not a routine 9-5…
9280 Pond Hockey Tournament yields ‘an amazing environment’
February 23rd, 2016On its own, Keystone Lake is a beautiful part of Colorado’s natural landscape. Add 700 hockey players with smiles and full gear, and the lake takes that beauty to a whole other level. From Jan. 22-24, the second annual 9280 Pond Hockey Tournament and 93 youth and adult teams graced the lake from dawn until…
Halloran continues Rampage pipeline to NCAA D-I ranks
February 15th, 2016Nick Halloran headed to the Pacific Northwest this season to play junior hockey, but his heart clearly never left the Rockies. The Salt Lake City native, who played three seasons of youth hockey in Colorado and said it transformed his outlook on the game, committed in early January to return next season and play for…
Skrzypek father-son combo embracing sled hockey venture
February 12th, 2016It was always a dream of Eric Skrzypek to play hockey with his son. Growing up and constantly being involved in sports, it just became an accepted fact that if he was fortunate to have a son, they would bond together through that avenue. Eric was indeed fortunate and had a son, Luke. He hoped…
Evolution Elite Hockey Academy fast making name for itself
February 2nd, 2016In just six short years, the Evolution Elite Hockey Academy (EEHA) has gone from a small organization with three teams to a program with 13 teams, learn to skate options and a Junior A team in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). Not too shabby for something that was originally created to simply provide an…
RoughRiders send talented bunch to NAPHL, ECEL All-Star Games
January 21st, 2016Several Rocky Mountain RoughRiders players were recently recognized as league All-Stars in the North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL) and East Coast Elite League (ECEL). The ECEL 16U and 18U All-Star Games were played on the campus of Yale University on Dec. 19, while the PHL’s 16U game was Dec. 5 in Blaine, Minn., and…
Pikes Peak trio of NAPHL All-Stars on development fast track
January 19th, 2016Smash Mouth’s major 1999 hit “All Star” directly applies to the Pikes Peak Miners 18U AAA trio of goaltender Jeremy Swayman and forwards Brendan Doyle and Trevor Paradise. All three played at the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) All-Star Game Jan. 9 in the Detroit suburb of Troy, Mich., and represented the Miners well….
‘Special and unique’ Rampage coaches create family-like culture
December 29th, 2015Whether one is building a hockey team or developing a hockey player, it’s a process. It’s no different with building a club, but the process – particularly the teaching part – is something the Colorado Rampage embraces. “A school is good because they have a reputation for having good teachers,” said Andrew Sherman, the club’s…
‘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…