Category Archives: Youth
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…
Littleton proud of 18U AA’s yearly dominance
February 25th, 2015The Littleton Hockey Association is in the midst of a dynasty. With five consecutive Colorado Amateur Hockey Association state championships at Midget 18U AA, the Hawks have seemingly cornered the market on the level in recent years. Brian TenEyck, Littleton’s hockey director who coached both the 2010-11 and this year’s title-winning teams, says the club…
Excitement builds for ‘Birds as Quebec nears
January 31st, 2015With 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…
Terry, Walker embrace opportunity with NTDP
January 10th, 2015Few individuals are as hyper-focused about building a career in hockey than Troy Terry. Former Colorado Thunderbirds teammate Zach Walker comes pretty close. Well, they’re in the right place to cultivate that ambition. Terry and Walker have joined USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor, Mich., this season – a common a…
T-Birds’ Gerlach commits to North Dakota
January 3rd, 2015Colorado Thunderbirds 16U National forward Max Gerlach has committed to play his NCAA Division I hockey at the University of North Dakota (National Collegiate Hockey Conference) at the conclusion of his junior career. Since 2012, Gerlach, a 1998-born from Flower Mound, Texas, has resided with Adam and Jenn Foote as his host family while playing…
Littleton, Hyland Hills win Midget AA states
December 30th, 2014Two Colorado Amateur Hockey Association state champions were crowned earlier this month as the Littleton Hawks’ 18U AA team won the title in its division, while the Hyland Hills Jaguars took home the 16U AA state championship. The 18U tournament was held at Boulder Valley Ice in Superior and wrapped up on Dec. 13, and…
T-Bird goalie grads shine between the pipes
December 16th, 2014Recently, Colorado Thunderbirds director of hockey operations and 16U AAA coach Angelo Ricci and goaltending instructor Cam Clemenson struck up a conversation relating to the number of graduates now stopping pucks in the high-level junior and NCAA ranks. The list is pretty impressive, to say the least. “The Thunderbirds have always had a solid base…
RoughRiders to host ECEL showcase
October 14th, 2014By Matt Mackinder Programs from more than 10 states and parts of Canada will converge on Westminster’s Ice Centre at the Promenade from Nov. 21-23 for an East Coast Elite League (ECEL) showcase event – the Rocky Mountain Challenge – that’s sure to generate plenty of interest from junior and college scouts and coaches. The…