Category Archives: Youth
Thunderbirds’ Gerlach decides on Medicine Hat
July 23rd, 2015Max Gerlach, who played for the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 16U AAA National team last season, will suit up for the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2015-16. Originally committed to play his NCAA Division I hockey at the University of North Dakota, the 17-year-old forward was a sixth-round Bantam Draft pick of the Western Hockey League club in…
Assistants add muscle to Renegades program
July 22nd, 2015A strong group of assistant coaches, along with an engaged support staff, is critical to the success of any youth hockey program, and the West Coast Renegades are confident they have all the pieces in place. Renegades director of hockey operations and 16U Tier I coach Adam Bartholomay is nothing but excited with the new…
CAHA’s annual meeting agenda taking shape
July 17th, 2015Come one, come all. That’s the message leaders within the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) are reinforcing as they continue preparations for the organization’s reinvented annual meeting, which will be conducted at Pepsi Center on Saturday, Aug. 1. “We want to encourage anyone who plays any role in hockey across our state – from players…
Colorado Sports Center offers all under one roof
July 8th, 2015Imagine this nightmare scenario: A youth hockey team arrives at the rink, only to be told the ice time it reserved is no longer available. The operations manager relays a convoluted story about plumbing problems at another rink that forced teams to move to this one – or something like that – but the point…
T-Birds’ 16U team holds national title hopes
March 25th, 2015Coming into the season, the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 16U National team set four goals for itself. First was to repeat as the Tier I Elite League champions, then win Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) state and Rocky Mountain District regional titles, culminating with a USA Hockey national championship. Three down, one to go. After winning the…
Hawks’ Bantam AA team off to nationals, again
March 23rd, 2015Littleton Hockey Association’s Bantam AA team is off to the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships. The Hawks punched their ticket to the dance after celebrating the championship in its division at this year’s Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) Tier II State Tournament, which was held earlier this month at Littleton’s South Suburban Ice Arena….
Officiating in good hands with Groothedde
March 5th, 2015It’s never been considered one of the more glamorous jobs in hockey, but nonetheless on-ice officials are as passionate as they come about their trade. Locally, Ron Groothedde, the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association’s (CAHA) supervisor of officials, sees to it. He represents the state’s 800-plus zebras, managing their annual education and certification requirements while constantly…
RoughRiders take pride in local development
March 2nd, 2015It only makes sense – and is quite ironic – that the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders AAA program plays a rough schedule year in and year out. That’s just the way director of hockey operations Derek Robinson likes it. “We can only improve and take giant strides if we continue to play the best teams in…
T-Birds’ captains proving effective as leaders
February 27th, 2015Being a team captain comes with a lot of responsibility, even at the AAA youth level. This season, the Colorado Thunderbirds have a dynamic group of players wearing the “C” for their respective teams: Jacob Tinker and Blake Terry (18U); Keegan Mantaro and Cal Foote (16U National); Matteo Glennon (16U American); Bryan Lockner (14U); Xander…
‘Riders look ahead to spring with anticipation
February 26th, 2015As the curtain begins to close on its sixth season of operation, the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders Tier I organization is already looking ahead to building on its winning developmental formula in 2015-16 through its upcoming spring program. “The goal is to give young players the opportunity to experience elite hockey with elite, experienced coaches while…