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The chorus of the vuvuzelas blasting throughout the rink helped the players of the Mosaic Hockey Collective glide across the ice in south Florida in August. The chants of the countries competing at the Amerigol LATAM Cup rang throughout the Florida Panthers Ice Den.
“Argentina!”
“Columbia!”
Passionate fans stood on their feet, opened their vocal chords with pride and waved colorful flags as the athletes of the Mosaic Hockey Collective drank in their praise too.
The Amerigol LATAM Cup is one of the biggest and fastest growing international hockey tournaments with over 20 countries, 44 teams and 750 players participating this year.
Three of the youth teams participating was a joint effort between the Mosaic Hockey Collective, a 501©3 organization and the Hockey Players of Color.
The U14 team took home an impressive second-place finish, which included a win over Team Mexico in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Brielle Clardy was a standout player at the U14 level and earned a tournament MVP award with three goals and one assist.
The Mosaic Hockey Collective started in December 2022. It was a dream of founder Meredith Lang, who wanted her daughter to see that athletes of color not only play hockey, but can have long, successful playing careers as well. Lang, a 2022 finalist for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, started the original program, Minnesota Unbounded, with the intention of creating a team entirely of girls of color, from the players to the coaches. The success of Minnesota Unbounded inspired Lang to expand her program and create the Mosaic Hockey Collective for girls and boys of color.
Even though the program is relatively new, the program has blossomed throughout the Minnesota community, something board member and coach Mike Hafertepe is proud of.
“With Mosaic, we’re up to a little over 120 kids representing about 40 different associations here in Minnesota,” Hafertepe said. “From 5-year-olds all the way up to high school. We even have a high school senior this year.”
Hafertepe noticed the lack of diversity on the ice, a shock for a sport that lives and breathes throughout most Minnesotans.
“You go out on the ice and there’d maybe be one player of color on the team if you’re lucky, so we knew we needed an avenue to develop players and create a community,” Hafertepe said.
Mosaic Hockey Collective has taken steps to create a strong support system throughout the organization, staying true to their overall mission of focusing on empowering players of color with resources to grow the game. The community Mosaic has cultivated transcends hockey. Mosaic has allowed its athletes to create friends on and off the ice, even though many of them compete against each other at various tournaments. The cross-team rivalries of many of the athletes have little effect on the unshakeable bond they’ve curated through Mosaic.
“These kids are all friends now,” Hafertepe said. “They see each other at rinks, they’re high- fiving each other. They’re looking forward to seeing each other at the rinks. If something bad does happen, which we’ve had a couple of instances of kids saying, ‘hey, this happened to me.’ You know, the community’s been there to support and rally behind them. You weren’t alone.”
Community is an integral part of what makes Mosaic Hockey Collective so special. Hafertepe recalls the support the Minnesota hockey community has shown him, showing up in a multitude of different ways, from coaching to player development assistance.
“I sent out emails and talked to some of my friends in the hockey world here in Minnesota, and they came and were guest coaches,” Hafertepe said. “We had access to coaches that kids normally wouldn’t have access to or would have to pay a lot of money to get access to. We had Division I college coaches helping out and being guest coaches.”
Hafertepe is cognizant of the fact that for many athletes an entirely new pathway to success opens up when they’re given extra opportunities to hone their craft working with skating and skill coaches. Hafertepe and the Mosaic Hockey Collective ran on-ice clinics throughout the summer, eagerly hosting about 30-40 athletes each session.
“We know that kids can easily get frustrated in the sport of hockey, especially if you’re a player of color and aren’t treated equally amongst some of your teammates. We wanted to create that community model or community of support.”
Beyond the exciting tournament finish at the Amerigol LATAM Cup, Hafertepe is proud of the way his athletes performed on and off the ice. This is the organization’s second year at the tournament, and he credits their continued participation to the Jaz Miley, director of the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association and member of the Puerto Rican National Hockey Team.
With nine players representing Mosaic Hockey Collective at the Amerigol LATAM Cup, including four players being first-time participants, Hafertepe understands the significance of the tournament. The experience of meeting so many players of color for the first time can be a joyous experience, albeit a little overwhelming in such a high-spirited tournament like the LATAM Cup.
Going home with a second-place medal pales in comparison to the memories made and the entirely new world introduced to them through the Mosaic Hockey Collective.
Hafertepe has big dreams for the organization, narratives to change and cultures to transform. As a large figure behind the bench, he sees how an athlete’s mindset can completely change and their confidence can raise when given something as small as an opportunity to showcase their talents on the ice. Partnering this with an environment where a player feels seen, heard and respected, and the possibilities are endless.
His ultimate goal?
“That we don’t see color in the game, right?” Hafertepe said. “That we see everyone is equal and that we don’t have these stats where, you know, it’s one player of color on the team. Five or six players of color on a high-level Double-A bantam team is accepted and it’s normal, that the game is even a better place than where it is today and that the kids can feel like I can come from any background, whether that’s demographic, economic, and still succeed in playing this great game of hockey.”
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month visit, https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
UTICA, N.Y. – All-session ticket packages for the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship go on sale to the general public today (Sept. 29) at 12 noon ET.
Fans can purchase packages by visiting EmpireStateTix.com or by calling the box office at 315-790-9070.
The 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship will take place April 3-14, 2024, at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, N.Y. The tournament features the best players in the world from the U.S., Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland.
All-session packages give fans access to all 29 games of the tournament, including every playoff and medal-round game.
“With the limited availability, we encourage fans to purchase tickets now,” said Tony Driscoll, assistant executive director of marketing, communications and events for USA Hockey. “It’s not often we get the chance to host a world championship in our country, and between the support of Mohawk Valley Garden, the state of New York, Oneida County, Turning Stone Resort, the city of Utica and many others, fans will be treated to a special experience as we strive to put on the best women’s world championship ever staged.”
The final tournament schedule is set to be released in October. Click here for the official IIHF online home of the championship.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Hockey announced today the 20 players which will make up its U.S. National Sled Hockey Team for the International Para Hockey Cup in Ostrava, Czechia, Oct. 2-8. The roster includes 17 players who were members of the 2022-23 squad that won gold at the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championship in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
“We look forward to starting our season,” said Dan Brennan (Colorado Springs, Colo.), general manager of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “Our team has a great mix of young players and returning veterans and we look forward to a great tournament in Czechia.”
The four-team IPH Cup field includes the U.S., host Czechia, Canada and Team IPH, which will be largely comprised of players from European countries.
Team USA opens preliminary round play Monday, Oct. 2, against Team IPH at Ostravar Arena. Puck drop is at 9:00 a.m. ET and all games in the tournament will be streamed live. For complete tournament information, click here.
“The IPH Cup is an excellent event,” said David Hoff (Bottineau, N.D.), in his sixth season as head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “We’re looking forward to the competition and a chance to see how our group meshes as we begin a new season.”
Highlighting the group of returnees are Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.), Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.), Travis Dodson (Deming, N.M.), Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.), Jack Wallace (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) and Jen Lee (San Francisco, Calif.).
Pauls, in his 16th season with the team and sixth as captain, is a four-time Paralympic gold medalist, as well as a six-time world champion. Alternate captain Farmer, the all-time leader in goals (144), assists (114) and points (258) for the U.S. National Sled Team, is in his 12th season. Fellow alternate captain Dodson enters his seventh campaign after setting career-best marks in goals (10), assists (10) and points (20) in 2022-23.
Roybal, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and four-time world champion, returns for his 11th year after becoming just the second player in team history to reach 200 career points last season. He’s joined by defenseman Wallace, who is returning for an eighth season after tallying a career-high 32 points (12g, 20a) in 2022-23. A three-time Paralympic gold medalist and three-time world champion, goaltender Lee is back for his 11th season between the pipes.
Also back from the 2022-23 squad is Brett Bolton (Rockledge, Fla.), Chris Douglas (Saint Cloud, Fla.), Rob Easley (Denver, Colo.), David Eustace (Stoneham, Mass.), Noah Grove (Frederick, Md.), Malik Jones (Aurora, Colo.), Griffin LaMarre (Haverhill, Mass.), Kevin McKee (Davenport, Iowa), Josh Misiewicz (La Grange, Ill.), Ben Musselman (Amelia, Ohio), and Evan Nichols (Haymarket, Va.).
Kyle Zych (South Hadley, Mass.), a member of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team that captured gold in Beijing in 2022, will be returning to the national team after skating with the U.S. Men’s Development Sled Team in 2022-23.
Liam Cunningham (River Falls, Wis.) and Daniel Malloy (Bowie, Md.) will be making their U.S. National Sled Team debuts at the IPH Cup. Both skated with the U.S. Men’s Development Sled Team in 2022-23.
NOTES: The roster includes players ranging in age from 15 to 38, with an average age of 27… Players hail from 13 different states, with Massachusetts leading the way with three, followed by Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey each with two … Corey Gorder (Bottineau, N.D.) will serve as assistant coach to head coach David Hoff, with other staff members including athletic trainer Mike Cortese (Boynton Beach, Fla.), team physician Dr. Mike Uihlein (Grafton, Wis.), and equipment manager Nick Cortese (Boynton Beach, Fla.).
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The USHL’s Fall Classic, which featured the top Tier I junior hockey players in the country, recently took place for the eighth consecutive season at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township.
“This is the first shot out of the gate,” said Glenn Hefferan, president and commissioner of the USHL. “They had their couple of exhibition games, now it’s go-time and these points matter.”
All 16 USHL teams played two games apiece during the five-day event. The Youngstown Phantoms, which won the 2023 Clark Cup and is located an hour from Cranberry Township, helped kick off the showcase with a game on the first night. The Fargo Force, the 2023 Clark Cup runners-up, left the showcase with a pair of wins along with the Madison Capitols, the Green BayGamblers, the Tri-City Storm and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
The event drew more than 400 scouts from NHL, college and junior teams to the region.
“The fact that all 16 teams can be here is huge,” Hefferan said. “All of Division I college hockey is here, all the NHL teams are here, central scouting is here … to me, it’s all under one roof and that’s probably the biggest benefit for the scouts and the players.”
Hefferan took over his new role as league president and commissioner in July, but he’s certainly familiar with the talent in the USHL.
“This league just keeps getting better and better,” Hefferan said. “It’s exciting to see everything unfold. I’ve dipped in and out of USHL games since 1994. I know what this league was in 1994 and it’s not the league it is today.”
The USHL is the top junior hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and it’s a league that draws the attention of the best youth hockey players in the country.
Some youth hockey players had a chance to watch the showcase games up close, as an elite invitational youth tournament was held simultaneously at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex and other local Pittsburgh area ice rinks.
“A lot of these players don’t get to see a regular USHL game,” Hefferan said. “To be able to bring them here so they can experience it and see first-hand what it takes to play in this league, I think that’s really valuable.”
Frank Butler, the USHL player development coordinator, said that the tournament included 80 elite youth teams and more than 1,600 players broken out across four divisions. The Boston Junior Eagles won the 18U division, while Little Caesars captured 16U, the New Jersey Rockets won the15U and Mount Saint Charles Academy, located in Rhode Island, claimed the 14U championship.
“It’s a really prestigious event,” Butler said. “It’s good for the younger players, some of the best in the country, to play in front of a lot of scouts, both college and the USHL.”
Hefferan said that 98 percent of USHL players eventually play Division I hockey and the 16-team league fuels a little more than 40 percent of Division I hockey.
“The college ranks are loaded with our guys and we’re only 16 teams,” Hefferan said. “If you quantify by dollar amount the amount of scholarship dollars, to NHL dollars, to drafts, we’re the No. 1 junior league in the world.”
Events like the USHL Fall Classic certainly help, as the league not only annually showcases its best players, but also the top junior hockey players from around the country.
“I’ve always been a big supporter of the USHL going back to 1994 and this is always a great event,” Hefferan said. “I always knew that this is a place where we wanted our players to aspire to play and we felt we could best develop our kids.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The gold medal-winning 2022 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, as well as alternate captain, Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.), took home awards today at the 2023 IPC Para Sport Awards in Manama, Bahrain.
The IPC honored the U.S. Paralympic Hockey Sled Team with the Para Sport Best Team Award. At the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, the squad skated to a 4-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record, outscoring its opponents 30-1 over four contests.
“I’m absolutely thrilled for our team and Declan Farmer to receive these two prestigious honors,” said Dan Brennan, general manager of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team. “Both awards are due in part to a tremendous team culture, created by our staff, coaches and players.”
Farmer, who received the Para Sport Award for Best Male Winter Athlete, led all skaters in assists (11) and points (18) in Beijing, both of which are Paralympic records. The forward also tallied seven goals on his way to his third Paralympic gold medal. Farmer is the first sled hockey athlete to ever receive an individual Para Sport Award.
NOTE: The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, which includes Farmer, will play in the IPH Cup in Ostrava, Czechia, from Oct. 2-8 to open its 2023-24 campaign. More information, including live streaming details, can be found here.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Garrett Raboin (Detroit Lakes, Minn.), who is in his first season as head coach of the inaugural Augustana University men’s ice hockey team, will serve as an assistant coach of the 2024 U.S National Junior Team, it was announced today by USA Hockey.
Team USA will play in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship December 26, 2023 – January 5, 2024, in Gothenburg, Sweden. The U.S. is in Group B alongside Czechia, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland, and will play its preliminary round games at Frölundaborg Arena.
Prior to arriving at Augustana, Raboin spent four seasons as an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at the University of Minnesota with a trip to the NCAA Division I Men’s Frozen Four in 2023. During his time with the Gophers, he helped lead Minnesota to a Big Ten championship in 2022, and three NCAA tournament appearances (2021, 2022, 2023).
Prior to joining the Gophers, Raboin spent six seasons as an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at his alma mater, St. Cloud State University, and helped guide the Huskies to five NCAA tournament appearances, including a spot in the 2013 Frozen Four, along with three regular-season NCHC championships.
As a player, Raboin was a two-time All-WCHA selection and led St. Cloud State to three NCAA tournament berths. He went on to play professionally in Europe for two seasons.
Raboin joins the U.S. National Junior Team coaching staff that is led by head coach David Carle(Anchorage, Alaska/University of Denver) and includes assistant coaches Brett Larson (Duluth, Minn./St. Cloud State University), Steve Miller (Sun Prairie, Wis./University of Minnesota) and David Lassonde (Durham, N.H./USA Hockey), and video coach Travis Culhane (Kalamazoo, Mich./University of Denver).
Camryn Heon Diaz De Leon first stepped onto the ice to play hockey at about 4 years old.
Heon Diaz De Leon, who grew up going to every single NAHL El Paso Rhinos game from the time she was a baby, remembers she didn’t like anything about being on the ice. It was too cold, and it hurt too much when she fell on it. She didn’t know how to skate and was “just miserable,” said her dad, Corey Heon.
“She was out there for literally maybe 15 minutes and absolutely hated it,” said Heon, the general manager of the El Paso Rhinos.
A year or two later, she gave it another go when a friend’s dad took them to the rink in El Paso, Texas. Then, Heon Diaz De Leon noticed that there were a few other girls on the ice learning, too. That gave her some comfort that she could do it, too, and really got her interested in hockey.
“Honestly, if it wasn’t for my childhood friends who started playing hockey when I did, I probably wouldn’t be where I am,” Heon Diaz De Leon said.
Now 17 years old, Heon Diaz De Leon — who has dual citizenship in Mexico and the United States — has developed quite a hockey career, having already played for Mexico’s junior and senior national teams.
Earlier this year, she won bronze with the Mexico women’s team in the Division II Group A Women’s World Championship in Mexico.
When she’s not playing internationally, Heon Diaz De Leon plays hockey at Culver Girls Academy, a boarding school in Indiana.
But she got her start in her hometown of El Paso, watching the Rhinos and developing her game as a defenseman starting at about 5 or 6 years old. She played with boys until the U16 level before training with the national team in Mexico and playing U16 with a girls’ team in Colorado.
Heon Diaz De Leon lists her speed, aggressiveness, competitiveness and her shot as her top features as a player. She’s also well-conditioned and plays 30-32 minutes a game, “which is unheard of,” Heon said.
Heon always hoped his daughter would play hockey.
“But I never in a million years thought she would have gone this far,” Heon said. “Just to see your daughter … fulfill her dreams and have fun doing it is the best thing in the world for my wife and I.”
Along with her hockey accolades, Heon Diaz De Leon’s education is a priority. She carries a GPA above 4.28 and is part of the National Honor Society. Her goal is to attend an Ivy League school – Harvard being her dream school– and pursue a journalism degree. She’d also love to play hockey in the Olympics.
Her hometown of El Paso was put on the hockey map in 2020 when online votes helped it beat out cold-weather cities in North Dakota, Kansas and Wisconsin to be named Kraft Hockeyville USA. Hearing about something like this, they didn’t expect to be a winner, Heon said. But El Paso rallied with local support and backing from the Rhinos, its youth hockey program, government officials and hockey families.
“Everybody had this buzz about them,” Heon said. “Thinking, ‘How could we, in El Paso, Texas … in the middle of the desert, win something like this?’” Heon said.
The Rhinos received a $150,000 grant and $10,000 in new equipment as part of the Kraft Hockeyville USA recognition. The money went toward new lighting, a new roof, upgraded restrooms and upgrades to the concourse of the El Paso County Events Center. The equipment funding went toward the Rhinos Learn to Play and youth program for skates and equipment.
Heon Diaz De Leon marvels when she sees so many young boys and girls playing hockey or learning to skate at the El Paso rink. Kraft Hockeyville USA helped expose people in El Paso to the sport, and that it’s open for everyone, she said.
“I personally am very thankful for Kraft Hockeyville and how much it’s changed hockey in our community that people are more aware of it now,” Heon Diaz De Leon said.
The money went a long way to help the arena, the Rhinos and developing the youth program, according to Heon. They’ve also seen new hockey fans emerge and boosts in season ticket holders, he added.
“It’s put really El Paso sort of on the road map, if you will, on the professional level as far as sporting goes,” Heon said. “We’re in the desert. And let’s just be honest, football is the number one sport in Texas. For us to be fortunate to win this, people see the state now and really, El Paso is just kind of a hockey spot.”
Winning Kraft Hockeyville USA helped open people’s eyes, even within the city, about hockey’s presence in their own backyard.
Heon maintains El Paso is a great place to raise youth and includes a lot of sports to get involved in, hockey included. Even though it’s not common to hear about a kid from Texas making productive waves for a national team, Heon Diaz De Leon stresses the importance of young girls and boys knowing that it doesn’t necessarily matter where they come from.
“The thing that matters is the hard work that you put into it,” Heon Diaz De Leon said. “The hard work can get you to anywhere and any dream that you want.”
Heon Diaz De Leon takes pride in stating she’s from El Paso and is also Mexican and plays for Mexico’s national team. She knows both locations have given her some incredible opportunities.
“One thing I’ve grown to learn is that I love when people underestimate me and where I’m from and my abilities,” Heon Diaz De Leon said. “Like, ‘Oh, you’re from Texas? You shouldn’t even be playing hockey. How do you even have ice there?’
Heon Diaz De Leon does not let those stereotypes or misperceptions deter her pride in her hometown either.
“It’s an incredible thing to say that I am from where I am from,” she concluded.
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month visit, www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov
The professional path of Colgate University Women’s Hockey Assistant Coach Chelsea Walkland is an apt example that development is rarely linear. It requires dedication and diligence, regardless of the industry we choose.
Walkland, who had worked as a youth hockey coach while in high school and college, aimed to pursue a career in sports. Following her playing days at Robert Morris University, she scored a graduate assistant opening in hockey operations at her alma mater, to launch it.
“That was what got my foot in the door to the coaching world,” she said.
That foot in the door led to a memorable one-year coaching stint at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where Walkland was part of a national championship team. She followed that immediate success with two years at Oswego State, before returning to Robert Morris for five successful seasons. That led her to Colgate, where she has been behind the bench since 2019, helping lead the Raiders to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Yet another door opened this past July, as Walkland was chosen to serve as a guest coach for the Buffalo Sabres development camp, one of 11 women to guest coach at NHL camps over the summer.
Walkland, also an assistant for the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team, took the time to share some highlights from her own career journey, described her coaching philosophy and also offered some valuable tips for youth coaches just getting started.
USA Hockey: What has your coaching development path been like?
Chelsea Walkland: I have coached at a handful of different places and I can confidently say that I have learned and developed at each and every stop. With every opportunity, I try to be where my feet are and learn as much as I possibly can. For example, my Director of Hockey Operations year was great because I was able to learn so much of the ins and outs that go into running a hockey program. As a player I did not realize how much there was that went into it! I learned everything from travel and meal planning to equipment ordering and skate sharpening.
USA Hockey: What coaches have really influenced you?
Walkland: Two coaches really stick out for me are Diane Dillon, who was the Head Coach at Oswego State, and Brian Durocher, the former Head Coach at Boston University. Diane provided me with an incredible amount of mentorship early on in my career that was truly invaluable. I was paired up with Brian Durocher at my first-ever USA Hockey Development Camp as an intern coach. His advice to me as a young coach was to be my genuine self and not try to be anyone else.
USA Hockey: What do you love about coaching?
Walkland: The people, the relationships, the pursuit of attaining goals and the opportunity to be a part of someone’s journey with them.
USA Hockey: What are your coaching goals?
Walkland: My ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on the players and program that I am a part of and learn as much as I possibly can to help be ready for any opportunity that comes my way. In addition to coaching at the collegiate level, I have aspirations to continue to coach in the international game.
USA Hockey: How was your experience at the Buffalo Sabres development camp?
Walkland: That experience was absolutely incredible. The Buffalo Sabres’ leadership group, from Terry Pegula, Kevyn Adams, Don Granato and Seth Appert, created the most welcoming environment and shared so much with us. The camp took place in early July. What stood out most to me was the way the organization created a culture that allowed players to do their best work. They were able to be themselves, try new things, and feel valued.
USA Hockey: What is your coaching philosophy – what are your priorities?
Walkland: My coaching philosophy is to create an environment where players can do their best work and to use the sport of hockey to help them grow and develop into their best selves both on and off the ice.
USA Hockey: What things do you value most in players (on and off the ice)?
Walkland: On the ice, I value dynamic skating, a puck possession mentality, creativity, and competitive fire. Off the ice, I value high character, great teammates and internal drive.
USA Hockey: What are you most excited about with your current role/upcoming season?
Walkland: I am excited for the group of people that we have on our roster for the upcoming season and the opportunity to get better every day. We have a great mix of players with veteran experience, some players looking to take on new roles, and some really talented first years that will add a lot to our group both on and off the ice.
USA Hockey: Do you have any advice for coaches who are just starting their own career paths?
Walkland: My biggest advice for new youth hockey coaches is to be your genuine self, network and be a sponge and learn as much as you possibly can every day. Try to make the game fun and try to foster a love for the game at a young age. Design practices that are age-appropriate for your group, promote decision-making and puck possession, and competitive.
BLAINE, Minn. – Before passing through the automatic sliding doors at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota, hockey personnel and fans are met with plenty of branded signage to indicate they’re arriving at the annual NAHL Showcase.
Beyond the entry inside, a large staircase sits in the middle, leading upstairs where hockey fans and scouts can take their pick of multiple NAHL games happening at once.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the NAHL Showcase. Held Sept. 13-16, it continued a long run of success for the 32-team league starting its season playing in packed rinks and in front of the eyes of hundreds of scouts. It also attracts more than 9,000 fans overall.
“When scouts and coaches and hockey people come in here and they walk up the stairway to hockey right there, they know the season’s starting,” said Mark Frankenfeld, NAHL commissioner. “And everybody’s here. Everybody knows each other. It’s like a class reunion of every year gone by all just smashed together in hockey.
As teams played a variety of opponents each day, only the Northeast Generals finished the event with a 4-0 record. Joseph McGraw scored twice, including the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory over the Janesville Jets on Saturday to seal the perfect weekend.
The South Division finished with a 19-12-2 record, East Division 20-14-2, Central Division 12-12-0 and Midwest Division 12-15-5.
When the NAHL Showcase started 20 years ago, Frankenfeld was an NAHL coach. The following three seasons, he was part of the NAHL hockey operations department before taking over as commissioner in 2007.
Over the years, the NAHL has stuck to the core principles of the league’s DNA. They’ve done things that are best for the players, the league, teams and the league’s brand. The NAHL Showcase simply kept growing as the league expanded from 20 to 32 teams.
“I don’t think we ever sat down and said, ‘This is what we want to grow this into,’” Frankenfeld said. “We just kept going. We just kept working down the court of the journey, and the path kind of emerged. All just from the core DNA.”
The showcase provides exposure for players and scouts all under one roof. With so many games happening at once, it can be challenging to be in multiple places at once, Frankenfeld acknowledged. But he added that the scouts are good at scheduling and have chances over the four days to watch as many teams and players as possible.
Due to the amount of action packed into four days, the showcase eventually became dubbed with the tagline “The Greatest Show On Ice.”
While many sports leagues see their biggest events happen at the end of a season — think Stanley Cup, Super Bowl or World Series — the showcase is the NAHL’s biggest event, one of its best and it kicks off the hockey season. It’s the most attended NAHL event by scouts, with more than 300 of them checked into this year’s event.
“When you bring everybody under one roof, it just creates this environment of, the word that scouts use the most is overwhelming,” said Alex Kyrias, NAHL director of communications, sales and marketing. “Because they’ll bring two or three coaches from their staff, and there’s so much hockey to cover, that that’s the word I hear most often. It’s a spectacle, and it’s overwhelming.”
The NAHL’s Robertson Cup, also held in Blaine at Fogerty Ice Arena, “is an equally important event,” Frankenfeld said. However, the showcase is still the biggest event, very powerful and all part of the process of getting everyone together so scouts can identify the teams and players early on in order to track them throughout the season before they go watch them in their own markets. The NAHL expects college commitments for players after each of their big events, including the Top Prospects Tournament in February.
With the NAHL being partners with USA Hockey and the NTDP since its existence, the NTDP teams have also played a couple of exhibition games at the showcase for the past six years.
Rink 4 was filled to the rafters with fans and scouts for the Friday and Saturday exhibition games with the NTDP Under-17 team this year. The U17s defeated the El Paso Rhinos 5-3 on Friday after taking a 3-0 lead in the first period. Saturday, the New Mexico Ice Wolves represented the NAHL well with a 7-3 victory over the U17s when they erased a 2-0 first-period deficit by getting six consecutive goals from six different players.
“This building was packed,” Frankenfeld said. “It’s the first time they’ve played in front of that type of crowd. It’s really good for our guys to play against that level of skill, and compete, and let those scouts watching see how our guys compare now.”
Seeing the rink packed with fans is the most rewarding feeling for Frankenfeld and it gives him feelings of pride for the NAHL and its owners.
The Super Rink and its eight sheets of ice have hosted all 20 NAHL Showcases, which is helpful from many standpoints, including the ease of access to players for the scouts, Frankenfeld said, adding that the players win in that regard.
Kyrias said the league is in a golden era right now.
“There’s a fine line between making it as big as it can be but keeping the quality,” Kyrias said of the showcase. “That’s something that we’ve really focused on, especially the last 10 years.”
As far as how to continue to grow the showcase in the future, Frankenfeldsaid that’s a tough question.
“I just want it to keep being great,” Frankenfeld concluded. “And if growth is part of that, great. But the level of hockey’s high, everybody’s in good spirits and again, like I said, it’s the stairway to hockey. Everybody knows the season’s starting.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.