Category Archives: Youth
Off-ice amenities part of Renegades’ draw
October 14th, 2014By Matt Mackinder When it comes to architecting a successful youth hockey program, having a proper off-ice structure is many times just as important as what happens during games and practices. That fact isn’t lost on the first-year West Coast Renegades (WCR) AAA outfit, which stocks everything an organization needs to help deliver an unparalleled…
Seeds of Success
October 12th, 2014By Paul Willis For a program that’s been around for more than four decades, it’d be easy enough for Aspen Junior Hockey (AJH) to rest on its laurels. The Leafs reside in one of the country’s most notable winter havens, and enthusiasm for the sport will be eternal in this glitzy mountain town. But things…
Evolution a one-stop shop for elite development
October 10th, 2014By Matt Mackinder The Evolution Elite Hockey Academy has broken structure and organization down to a science. With a new junior squad this season competing in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) – the Colorado Evolution – the program now has teams from head to toe from learn-to-skate and learn-to-play all the way up to…
CAHA continues to push the ADM advantage
October 8th, 2014By Brian McDonough Most people associated with youth hockey have at least heard of the American Development Model (ADM). USA Hockey, though, wants to make certain every association understands it to its fullest – so much so that, beginning this season, the nation’s governing body for the sport has recommended that every state affiliate appoint an…
More T-Birds off to high-level junior ranks
October 8th, 2014By Matt Mackinder All high-level AAA hockey programs have the same goals in mind: win games – championships if possible – and advance players to junior hockey and beyond. For the Colorado Thunderbirds, handling both of those tasks on a yearly basis has become par for the course. Thunderbirds director of hockey operations and 16U…
Miners’ 18s regroup after advancements
October 7th, 2014By Matt Mackinder For Greg Vanover, coaching the Pikes Peak Miners’ 18U AAA team can be challenging, but in the end it’s always rewarding. This season is no different, as the program’s Midget Major squad has just two returning players from last year’s team in forward Christian Gums and defenseman Logan Parsley. Vanover will lean…
Plenty of Rampage grads off to juniors
October 3rd, 2014When it comes to developing players for high-level junior hockey, few do it better than the Colorado Rampage. A total of 12 standouts from last season’s 16U AAA and 18U AAA teams have moved on play in the United States Hockey League (USHL), North American Hockey League (NAHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and United…