Owen Amhaus is leaving his Monument home to go develop his game at Tahoe Prep Academy, the West Coast’s first residential boarding school dedicated to the sport of hockey.

Amhaus is beyond excited to continue his journey with Tahoe Prep starting with this, his sophomore year of high school.

“Tahoe was just amazing when I first heard about it from a friend that went there last year,” said Amhaus. “I was very eager to see what the academy is all about. When I first talked to (president and operating partner) Leo Fenn, I just knew that this would be a place that I would grow so much and make great memories. There were couple things that stood out to me. First is the amount of ice time we get. We are on the ice 5-6 days a week and that is double of a normal AAA program. Another thing that stood out was the dorm that we live in. It is so nice and I love that I am always with my teammates.

“It has been very tough to leave home and all my friends and family, but I know that I will make my family proud. I am making many new friends that will last forever because of the stuff that we are going through together as a team.”

Amhaus said he’s pumped to see what he can accomplish on the ice and in the classroom at Tahoe Prep.

“My expectations this season are just to excel and do everything better than last year,” Amhaus said. “It was a huge sacrifice for my family to send me away, so I knew when I got here I was just going to do school and hockey. That is why I am here, to get away from other distractions. I just know that this academy will push me to my limits and I know that if I take advantage of this opportunity that I have, I will be able to go to places that I have only dreamed of.”

Looking back on earlier in his childhood, Amhaus said hockey has been part of his life for more than 10 years.

“I started playing hockey at age four,” explained Amhaus. “I have an older brother that played and he has always been someone that I look up to so much. He is the reason that I am here doing what I love. The Avs are my home team, a team that I have grown up watching, and I have met some of the players through hockey events over the years. I have always looked up to them and dreamed of playing there one day.”

Playing his entire youth hockey career for the Colorado Rampage, Amhaus said he grew his game on a yearly basis with the Rampage.

“A couple coaches that have help me through my hockey journey have been Al Pedersen, Andrew Sherman, and Joe Stanczyk. I have also had a lot of help and mentorship from Ryan Massa with Elite Edge. He has helped me a lot with developing as a goalie and he is a big part in why I am here today. I have also worked with Matt Zaba in Mountain High Hockey. He offers private lessons specific for goaltending.”

Going forward, Amhaus isn’t 100% sure of his career plans, but definitely wants hockey to be a major part of his life.

“One of my biggest goals is to play college hockey,” Amhaus said. “I have grown up watching the Air Force hockey since I was a little kid and I love the atmosphere there. Also, I just want to play the sport that has shaped me into who I am. I don’t know what I would do without hockey. I want to play as long is I can, wherever that may be.

“As for school, I am still not sure what I want to do, but I have been always interested in sports medicine and personal training.”

Photo/Aidan Sechrist/Tahoe Prep Academy

— Matt Mackinder

(September 28, 2024)