ice times magazine june/july 2011

Josh Mehr

Hockey isExpensive

This Magazine is FREE

TryoutTrouble

“Keep your kids out of hot water, put them on ice”

The Official Hockey Magazine of the Texas Amateur Hockey Association

JUNE/JULY 2011

GROWTHEGAME

HockeyWithdrawals? Summer Ideas Inside!

Is TravelHockey Right

For You& Your Child?

A Paradigm Shift

IceTimesMagazine

2 Keep your kids out of hot water – put them on ice! icetimesmagazine.com

Contact Norma or Gina for More Information on our Hockey Fundraising ProgramINTERSTATE BATTERIES FUNDRAISING | 800.830.9011 | interstatebatteries.com/hockey

Contact Norma or Gina for More Information on our Hockey Fundraising ProgramINTERSTATE BATTERIES FUNDRAISING | 800.830.9011 | interstatebatteries.com/hockey

Everyday Products Outrageous Profit Great OpportunityGreat Opportunity CHECK OUT THESE FUNDRAISING POWER PLAYSTEAM SELLERS SALES

Texas Attack Hockey 12 $5,488

McKinney Ice Hockey Club 16 $4,270

Penguin Squirt — Peewee 17 $12,428

JR Scots Hockey 65 $20,515

SCORE BIG:INTERSTATE BATTERIESFUNDRAISING

IceTimesMagazine

888-878-8465 Keep your kids out of hot water – put them on ice! 3

Kyle Russell (Grapevine Jr Wolves Mite Black) Erik Masengill (DSYHL Farmers Branch Mite Sharks) Calgary Glatz (Scots Midget Minor A)

Submit your pictures to [email protected]

IceTimesMagazine


Adventures of a Hockey MomBy Connie Holubar

Connie Holubar is a freelance writer and hockey mom who’d rather be in a rink than just about anywhere else.

It’s summer time, and for hockey parents you know what that means: We get

to laugh when our friends tell us how miserably hot it is to sit through a weekend of baseball. Yes, summer is a great time to pat ourselves on the back for being so smart as to encourage our children toward hockey, especially as the Texas and Oklahoma heat edges up into the 90s and the rink becomes a welcome refuge from the sweltering sun. If your child is taking a break from hockey this summer, and you don’t know what you’re going to do with your free time, here are a few ideas for kicking back, saving a little gas money, and still enjoying some hockey in the comfort of your own home:

- Watch replays of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the NHL Network. - Pull out that tape you made of the U.S. Versus Canada game from the 2010 Olympics and feel that amazing pride.- Download a copy of “Miracle” to your iPad and enjoy Kurt Russell’s portrayal of the legendary Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal winning USA hockey team.- Get your Disney on with that oldie but goody: The Mighty Ducks. - Cheer the underdogs in Mystery, Alaska.- Fall deep into the blue eyes of a 30-something Paul Newman and laugh at the antics of the Bash Brothers with the original Slapshot. (WARNING: there is full frontal female nudity that and some

pretty hefty language in this film. This is NOT a kid movie. Adults only!) - Get a sense of what it is really like in the minor leagues with the Rob Lowe movie from 1986 – Youngblood. This film also features Patrick Swayze in his prime. Again, this is not a movie for young children. There is a lot of fighting and swearing. I’ve only seen it once, but I want to see it again. If that doesn’t do it for you, grab your kid, grab the gear, andhead to the rink.Sometimes the onlyremedy that worksfor a hockey starved hockey momor dad is a trip to the hockey rink. Enjoy the off-season! ■

People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy. Anton Chekhov

IceTimesMagazine


Keith Andresen, Senior Director,

Hockey Programs

Dr. Pepper StarCentersDallas Stars Hockey Club

It’s Tryout Time Again…By Keith Andresen

Before you read any further I want to make one thing crystal clear, I

am a supporter of select/travel hockey. I coach select hockey and truly believe that, under the right circumstances, this level of hockey can truly aid in the development of young hockey players. The problem I have is that many times younger kids are pushed to hard and too fast into situations they are not equipped to handle physically and/or mentally. There is a myth that by spending thousands of dollars your child will get a superior hockey experience than they could receive playing recreational hockey. The reality is that, in many cases, it’s just not true. I’m not talking about the more experienced player who is playing at a high level and has had the opportunity to develop a passion for the game. Skilled players should be playing in high quality, accelerated programs. Even younger players can enhance their development, not only as a player but as a person, by playing in the right program. However, too often young players are made to feel that if they are not playing travel hockey they have no chance to “advance their hockey careers.” What a bunch of hooey. There are any number of NHL players that did not play travel hockey as mites or squirts and their “careers” have not suffered. Beware of the coach who tells your peewee or squirt player that “if he isn’t playing on my team he is going to fall behind”. The best kids at 8U and 10U are rarely the best kids at 18U. Enjoy the journey and don’t worry about the finish too soon or the journey will end before it really starts.

Before you get caught up in the travel tryout maelstrom, take a close look at your options and have a plan. You have to decide what the best option is for your child and family. There are a number of travel hockey clubs in the area that participate in the North Texas Hockey League. The Dallas Stars Youth Hockey League offers a very strong recreational program which is an excellent alternative. Is your child ready for a more demanding program where ice time is not a guarantee but instead has to be earned? Earning ice time through hard work is certainly a different concept than the entitled ice time kids get playing in the recreational programs. However many young players are not ready to make that commitment. There are young players who are still building a passion for the game and nothing can deflate a child faster than sitting on a bench. Be sure your young player is ready to work hard and compete before you sign up to play select hockey. I’ve made the statement in past columns that “no single person can have a greater impact on your child’s passion for hockey than the coach”. Coaches have to be teachers, psychologists, motivators and mentors. They have to lead by example and they have to be able to train kids to be better hockey players and better people. It takes years of experience to handle all of the dynamics that make someone a good coach. Knowing the game is not enough for a youth coach today. Playing travel hockey does not guarantee that you will get superior coaching. Travel hockey has become so diluted over the years

that the coaching has suffered. There are coaches who know hockey but don’t know how to deal with the total person. On the other hand there are nice guys coaching travel teams that don’t know how to line up for a face-off. I think many of the coaches in the recreational leagues are just as skilled at developing young people and building a passion for the game. Coaches who can help teach life’s lessons while developing hockey skill are few and far between. Winning is important but for a mite or squirt it can be less important than what the snack is after the game. Coaches who set realistic goals that are based on fun, skill development, teamwork, discipline and positive attitude will always be successful no matter how many games are won or lost. This is especially true at the younger age groups, 12U, 10U and 8U. Playing travel hockey will absolutely get your child more practices and games. However you have to weigh the quality of the ice as well as the quantity. Effectively run practices and making every player, no matter the skill, feel a part of the team are critical to a successful season. If practices are boring, passion for the game will fade quickly. If every player does not play in every game, cracks in the team chemistry will quickly divide the team. There is no guarantee that the additional ice that travel hockey offers will make your child a better player or help develop a passion for the game. No matter what you think is best for you child make sure you get their input. Even 8-10 year old kids are smart enough

to know if they want to go to the rink 2 times a week or 5 times a week. If your child has multiple interests, be careful not to become involved in a program that demands a commitment level that is beyond what your child can endure. Very few young players can handle a program that demands 4-6 commitments per week. There is plenty of time for that level of commitment when they are older. Fun is a very important, and often overlooked, ingredient to a team’s success. If you’ve ever watched an NHL team practice you’ll notice that there are smiles at 95% of the practices. As the game becomes more serious and the stakes get higher, fun becomes even more important. It’s the fun that comes from a love and passion for playing the game. Developing that passion and making every visit to the rink fun is the most important lesson of all. ■

Kenneth Ros Bantam A Houston Wild.Mac Markovich of the Euless Predators Mite making a wrap around goal.


On the CoverJune/July 2011Now In Our Sixth Season!

On The Cover:Josh Mehr, Alliance Bantam AA skating to the net.

Want to be our next cover shot? Send in your high resolution picture to [email protected]

Cover Shot Contest! PARENTS: Send in your picture and if it makes our Cover Shot of the Month you will win a gift certificate to

YOU SHOOT. YOU SCORE… THE KEG!

Monthly ColumnsAdventures of a Hockey Mom . . . 4For The Good of The Game . . . . 5Grow The Game . . . . . . . . . . . 17Strong Hockey . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Behind the Bench . . . . . . . . . . 20Adult Hockey . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Ice Times Magazine is published monthly by Tink Ink Publications, LLC & distributed free of charge at ice rinks and pro-shops. Copy and Photographs are welcome and must be submitted by the 20th of the month prior to publication. ITM reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. Reproduction in whole or part without express written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.

Scott Tinkham, [email protected] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tink Ink PublicationsGraphic Artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara SparrowgroveSpecial Thanks to Connie Holubar for lending us a hand in the Editing Department

Advertising Opportunities . . . . . [email protected]

To submit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.icetimesmagazine.com• Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . click on “send info”• Photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . click on “send pics”

Advertise in theONLY

amateurHockey

magazine in Texas and Oklahoma!

Advertise inICE TIMESMAGAZINE!

888.878.8465

Ice Times Magazine is distributed within the first week

of each month and is entirely supported by

advertising revenue. Please spend your money with

the businesses that advertise with us.

It is their advertisements that make this

publication possible.

Thank you!

In stands 30+ days

and online for7 months!

WIN A PRIZE!!F i n d D o r i g h t somewhere in the magazine. It ’s not easy.

Email us his location to [email protected] and be entered in for a drawing for a prize.

Kim Tinkham (1957 - 2010)

Ice Times Magazine is dedicated to the memory of Kim Tinkham.

Kim lost her brave battle with breast cancer Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Kim was a hockey mom, wife, youth hockey enthusiast, and editor and publisher of Ice Times. She will be greatly missed.

IceTimesMagazine


EARLIEST TRYOUT DATES for the2011-12 Season for all TAHA Associations

Sat 5/28 - All Girls Teams (Tier I, Tier II, House/Rec)Sat 6/4 - 12U Tier I - 14U Tier ISat 6/11 - 10U House/Rec - 12U Tier II & House/Rec - 14U Tier II & House/RecFri 6/17 - 18U Tier ISun 6/19 - 16U Tier ISat 6/25 - 16U Tier II & House/Rec - 18U Tier II & House/Rec

USA Hockey only recognizes youth teams classified as Tier I, Tier II, and House/Rec, which in no way refer to any AAA, Prep, AA, A, or B team status.

TAHA has announced that the following associations have been granted Tier I status for this coming season 2011-2012. These will be the only associations allowed to register teams as Tier I.

Alliance Youth HockeyDallas Stars Elite

For exact dates and times of try outs go to www.AllianceBulldogs.org

Alliance Hockey Association Announces it’sTeams & Coaches for 2011-2012...The Alliance Youth Hockey Association is pleased to announce ourteams and head coaches for the 2011-2012 hockey season.

Alliance will field a total of 17 teams next season, adding four new boys teams and

dropping Mites for a total of 13 boys teams, and adding one girls team which will bring our total to four girls teams. Ut i l iz ing the exper ienced and accomplished staff currently in place at Alliance, 16 of the 17 teams will be head coached by a well-known and established Alliance coach with significant achievements as part of their resume in Dallas youth hockey. One former Alliance parent that spent quite a few years with the program, when seeing the list of coaches for next season, commented...

“That is by far, from top to bottom, the most impressive and talented line-up of coaches ever put together at Alliance. There is not one coach or team that I wouldn’t want my kid to play for and with. Looks like a banner year for the Bulldogs next season.” Alliance is introducing one new head coach in Alex Paine, who will lead our 16U Tier II Midget Minor AA team. Alex has spent the last two seasons at Alliance as an assistant coach under the tutelage of Steve Lamere, and as an assistant with the Plano West Varsity. Alex was a top player during his youth hockey career with the Dallas Storm, and went on to Juniors in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the

Teams and Coaches for the2010-2011 Season: Tier I Teams & Head Coaches:18U Tier I (‘93/94) - Chris Kostopoulos16U Tier I (‘95/96) - David Fry14U Tier I (‘97/98) - Steve LaMere12U Tier I (‘99/00) - Stan Tugolukov

Tier II Teams & Head Coaches:18U Tier II (‘93/94) - Stan Tugolukov16U Tier II (‘95/96) - Alex Paine15U Tier II (‘96 Pure) - Ty Hennes14U Tier II (‘97/98) - Chris Kostopoulos13U Tier II (‘98 Pure) - Jouni Lehtola12U Tier II (‘99/00) - David Fry11U Tier II (‘00 Pure) - Ty Hennes10U Squirt (‘01/02) - Steve LaMere10U Squirt (‘01/02) - Wes Rose

Girls Program Head Coaches:19U - Stan Tugolukov16U - Kasie Strong14U - Karen Rickard12U - Kasie Strong

Springfield Jr. Blues. To complete our offering at the Tier I level, Alliance has added a 12U Tier I PeeWee AAA team, to complement our three other Tier I teams at the 18U, 16U, and 14U age levels. Well known and experienced head coach Stan Tugolukov will lead this new Tier I Bulldog team. On the Girls side of the program, Alliance will bring in a new 16U team to complete a full complement of girls teams at each age level, in preparation for hosting the Tier II USA Hockey National Championships in 2012. Coming back to Alliance to lead that 16U team, as well as the 12U team will be Kasie Strong.

IceTimesMagazine


A Paradigm Shiftby Scott Tinkham

The Cookie Thiefby Valerie Cox

A woman was waiting at an airport one night,With several long hours before her flight.She hunted for a book in the airport shops.Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see,That the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be.Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between,Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies and watched the clock,As the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,Thinking, “If I wasn’t so nice, I would blacken his eye.”

With each cookie she took, he took one too,When only one was left, she wondered what he would do.With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh,He took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, as he ate the other,She snatched it from him and thought... oooh, brother.This guy has some nerve and he’s also rude,Why he didn’t even show any gratitude!

She had never known when she had been so galled,And sighed with relief when her flight was called.She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate,Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat,Then she sought her book, which was almost complete.As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise,There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.

If mine are here, she moaned in despair,The others were his, and he tried to share.Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

How many times in our lives,have we absolutely knownthat something was a certain way,only to discover later thatwhat we believed to be true ... was not? Source: Chicken Soup for the Soul,copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor HansenAuthor: Valerie Cox

Dear readers, my wife Kim always had a different way of looking at things and giving people the benefit of the doubt. This story is about that, a paradigm shift if you will. We would be driving and I would be in a hurry as usual for no reason and some inconsiderate jerk would be holding me up driving 10mph below the speed limit and Kim would tell me to relax “you don’t know whats going on with that guy, he could have just lost his job or is coming back form the doctors with bad news and is wondering how to beak the news to his wife” I would feel so bad I would slow down and change lanes and sit there in silence feeling sorry for the guy who most likely was being inconsiderate but there was a chance Kim was right. With that said read this story and enjoy your paradigm shift.

Note to readers: I have asked the ITM staff not to correct any of my typos, misspelled words or improper word usage etc. This is who I am this is how it comes out, I’m an old hockey player and coach not a journalist and I am here to tell you it’s all about the passion so take a step back when you see ”IT”, it’s becoming rare, enjoy it and feel that smile appear across your face. ■

IceTimesMagazine


James Chegwidden of the Euless Predators Mite and McKinney Bluejacket Mite both have their eye on the puck.

Brenden Coon (Frisco Mites Flyers), rips a shot towards the net.

A.J. Wozniak, Grapevine Wolves PeeWee

Peri Donaldson and her Elisabeth Hill after a save.

Noah Mehr (Midget Minor) scoring the winning goal in theColorado Springs championship game.

IceTimesMagazine


OKC Youth Hockey AssociationSends Player to USA Hockey Select FestivalMaci Hoskins advances to the USA Hockey Select Festival Camp...

USA Hockey Select Festival Camp where she and the other U.S. athletes will showcase their best talent in front of many scouts from Division I & III colleges, as well as Junior teams and Prep Schools from around the country.Congratulations and Good Luck Maci! Each summer USAH conducts Select Player Development Camps for young athletes (PW, Bantam, Midgets) from throughout the country. The athletes are chosen from tryouts conducted within USAH Districts. The goal is to attract the best players, in their specific age group, to the USAH national

The Oklahoma City Youth Hockey Association sends 1 player to the USA Hockey National

Select Festival. Congratulations and good luck to Ms. Maci Hoskins (1997) for being selected to advance to the USA Hockey National Select Festival. Caleb Thompson, Jarrod Guffey and Maci Hoskins all participated in the Texas Affiliate Camp in March and were selected from the pool of players to advance to the Rocky Mountain District Camp where the top 3% of the players in the District participated in skill evaluation sessions with hopes of advancing to the USAH Select Festival. Maci Hoskins was selected to advance to the

program. The purpose of the camps is to identify, train, educate and evaluate the nations best athletes. Individuals are selected by Districts to attend the week-long Select Festival event. During this week players are evaluated by the USAH national scouting program, college and junior recruiters and professional scouts. The competition gives each player the opportunity to measure themselves against others his/her age, gain knowledge about his/her development and to be exposed to outstanding coaching. ■

Ken Hatley Photographywww.kenhatleyphotography.com

214.718.0263

Specializing in Team, Individual and Action photos.

Reserve your date now!

Easy to see ads – delivered to prominent places.Call today and reserve your space in

If you are reading this, you’re probably not the only one!

Place your ad here and it will get read, too!

888.878.8465

Maci Hoskins in action.

IceTimesMagazine


Submit your pictures to [email protected]

214-478-8980 [email protected]

Luxury Homes • Certified Staging

Travel Hockey Mom for over 5 years in NTXHL to son, Franklin.

Call or email to get your free copy—

Top Tips for Selling or Buying Your Home in Today’s Market

Helping hockey families with their next move.

Colorado Thunderbirds Jarrett Stark hit by a Pike Peak Miner

The official team pictures of the Alliance Girls 12U team at nationals in Anaheim, California. One is the nice version, the other is the goofy version.

Peewee Trey Peterson makes a save in a recent game.

IceTimesMagazine


Jacob Mehr, Plano Redwings, skatingtoward the blue line.

Connor Caldwell #43 Alliance Bulldogs Bantam AA - “Connor searching for the puck”

Garrett Finn (Scots Midget Minor A)

IceTimesMagazine

888-878-8465 Keep your kids out of hot water – put them on ice!13

IceTimesMagazine


IceTimesMagazine


Stu Barnes to Help Coach the Stars Elite U11’sFormer NHL Dallas Stars player Stu Barnes

has announced that as time permits he’ll help coach the Dallas Stars Elite U11 (2000 birth year) youth hockey team with Head Coach Trevor Hanas for their fall season. When not traveling as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars, Stu helped teach skills in practices with the team last year. His successful career included 1,346 games with Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars. He also skated in 116 career Stanley Cup Playoff games over 12 postseasons, 38 of those games with Dallas. “These players are some of the best in the country for their age group and I look forward to sharing what I learned over the years with them,” commented Barnes. Coach Hanas added, “Stu takes a real interest in their personal development along with their hockey, and the whole organization feels fortunate to have his contribution.” ■

Justin Robidas (Dallas Stars Selects Mites)

IceTimesMagazine


Hockey Summer StrengtH andconditioning Program

June 20 to August 128 weeks, 6 weeks or 4 weeks

You choose the weeks you want to attend and the location!

Take your hockey game to the next level this summer. Elite Hockey Coaches and Crull Fitness bring you the most advanced hockey strength and conditioning program ever offered in Dallas.

For more information email program director Luke Beltrand at [email protected]

Peri Donaldson battling with a Sabres player.

Congratulations to the champion DSYHL Frisco Mite Flyers!

Christopher Samatas, Grapevine Wolves PeeWee Dominique Hernandez El Paso Rhinos Mite

IceTimesMagazine


Courtney Welch is the USA Hockey Program Services Manager for Texas. Courtney has worked as an administrator in hockey for 12 years.

GROW THE GAME By Courtney Welch

The 2010-11 season was an exci t ing one with 1,094

boys and girls ages 8 & under in Texas enjoying their time on the ice. What was your favorite memory of the 2010-11 season? Tell us at www.Facebook.com/ComePlayYouthHockey. I wanted to share some of the highlights:- Hockey Day in Texas on October 30 introduced 374 kids to the sport. Another 530 boys and girls tried youth hockey as part of Hockey Weekend Across America.- Participation at the 8 & under age group increased 16.5% to 1,094,

including a 25.4% increase in girls to 74.- Tw o l o c a l a s s o c i a t i o n s Roadrunner/Chaparral Ice and Jackalopes Amateur Hockey Association – were the only ones to accomplish the 2 & 2 Challenge of acquiring two additional players than they did the year before and retaining two additional players than they did the year before. We are already looking ahead to 2011-12 for some great new opportunities, including:- A new Come Play Youth Hockey Campaign: Artwork is for rink/local association to use to promote

youth hockey programs. To see the new artwork, visit www.usahockey.com/programservices.- Welcome Back Week: Keep your friends in the game by making sure they know they are welcome back. Assist your association with the Retention Phone Call program by visiting www.usahockey.com/programservices. - Try Hockey for Free Day on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011: To host a clinic, visit www.TryHockeyForFree.com. ■

A new ad from the Come Play Youth Hockey campaign geared towards girls.

IceTimesMagazine


Plano West Varsity Gold at USA Hockey High School Nationals Tournament

John Wayne - Texas Aces

Keir Ross named Captain at CornellKeir Ross is an 89-birth year defenseman. For

the 2011-2012 season he will be a senior and the Captain at Cornell. He has been appointed to the Red Key athletic honor society at Cornell as well. Keir began his hockey career playing house league as a Mini-Mite at Iceoplex in Addison. He played Mite through Midget with DJHA, the Storm, Alliance Bulldogs and the Dallas Stars . From there he played for two years with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL. The Lancers won the league championship in his second year at Omaha and he lead the league in +/- that year with a +39. He was selected to the ECAC All-Rookie team in his first year at Cornell and has received several team awards as well. Keir also played in-line hockey at Slapshot for a number of years, winning several tournaments and making it to the semi-finals at USA Hockey in-line Nationals. As well as playing hockey, Keir has been successful academically. He has done several summers of scientific research at Cornell working on bone marrow studies in the Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine. He hopes to start medical school in 2013. Keir exemplifies the student-athlete. At Omaha and Cornell he has played with two defensive partners who already have NHL game experience and another who was a first

round draft pick. While dedicated to hockey, he has never lost his focus on school, studies and learning. Keir’s career proves that, players from Texas, can play hockey at an excellent D1 school while also laying the foundation for a sucessful post-hockey career. ■

Keir Ross

IceTimesMagazine


Kasie Strong is a former collegiate hockey player who has coached and played professionally in Europe. A native of Groton, Massachusetts, Kasie coaches for the Alliance Girls Hockey Program and promotes youth hockey in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth Area.

Tryout TroubleBy Kasie Strong

Strong Hockey is sponsored by Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons, 3600 Gaston Ave., Suite 755, Dallas, Texas 75246214 - 826-1730 • Dr. Paul Freudigman, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

I don’t know how to tryout because I never have to...

I’m starting to see an increased number of talented young players who don’t know how to tryout. With a growing

number of spots being “promised” to players and parents weeks before tryouts, I have to stop and ask myself, “What are we teaching our players?”. The moment players begin to trickle in on tryout day, I can see it in their eyes; they are too comfortable. Many of these players already know what team they’re going to play for and tryouts are not being taken seriously. What is going to happen when our players have to participate in tryouts that really matter? They are going to struggle, and we are partly to blame. To avoid tryout trouble, players have to learn the art of trying out, just like they learn any other skill. Coaches have a responsibility to teach players how to be physically and mentally prepared and to explain that every tryout is an opportunity to practice for the bigger and better tryouts that will inevitably come. How to physically and mentally prepare for tryouts: Physical preparation entails getting enough sleep, properly hydrating and eating healthy foods that provide

sustained energy. Players should also inspect and prepare their equipment. Do not get your skates sharpened the day of tryouts and skate at least one time before tryouts on freshly sharpened blades. Remember, if you want to look fast, wear white. If you want to look big, wear black. Also, “I haven’t skated in a few weeks and I’m rusty” is never a good excuse for a poor tryout performance. Mental preparation means being positive while having realistic expectations. If you expect to get cut, then sure as water is wet, you will get cut! Before tryouts, sit down and make a list of do’s and don’ts. Do align yourself with top players, do listen to all coaches, do work your hardest and never give up. Don’t be a drill buster, don’t sit on the boards, don’t lean on the boards and don’t be overly chatty with your friends. Don’t be last in line and never be late for tryouts. Let’s change the way we look at tryouts and treat every tryout like it means something. Promising spots is essentially saying you don’t have to prepare. An opportunity to perfect your tryout then becomes lost and this is a disservice to our players who we ultimately want to see succeed at any tryout. ■

Preston Lamm (Dallas Penguins, Atkinson - PeeWee B) Aces goalie Chris Neukranz, holding the puck, waits for the referee’s whistle to stop play.

IceTimesMagazine


BEHIND THE BENCHBy Mark Dyslin

Mark Dyslin has been coaching youth sports for over 15 years and coaching youth hockey since 1999. He is currently one of the coaches for St. Mark’s Junior Varsity Hockey Team.

Heya! Vic Arious filling in for that other guy this month. He’s on vacation, says he needs a break from hockey. I

can’t think of anything lamer. So I’m taken over and settin’ things right. Read and learn. A great man once said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last”. And you know what? That’s just the way it is. If your kid is gonna go pro then hockey is a 24/7/365 gig. I am here to tell you how true that really is. My boy will be a second year Mite AA, Major-Major. He was AAA, Major-Major last year, but we didn’t have a solid tryout this go ‘round. See, we HAD to go on vacation (the wife threatened to dump me if we didn’t). We missed over eight days of ice time. Eight days! All he did was swim, play mini-golf and baseball, and drive that stinkin’ bike all over his Gegegram and Pawpaw’s neighborhood. Over those eight days we missed 5 different stick and pucks, 6 open hockey’s, and 16 private lessons (5 for skating,

2 for puck handling/shooting, and 9 for aggressive play). So thanks to his mom and her “vacation”, he dropped down a level. Oh yeah, it hurts. But I bet the Behind the Bench weasel would say gettin’ away from hockey for the summer is a good thing. That gettin’ him to play other sports will actually help his hockey game. What a load of moose muffins! How can swingin’ a baseball bat possibly help my kid’s slapshot?! The boy has enough distractions with school for 9 months of the year. I need his physical and mental focus during the summer. We can spend more than 5 hours a day on the ice for 3 months. I don’t need to waste developmental time with vacations and...baseball! If I am willing to make the sacrifice, then the whole family needs to step it up. That’s right, Pain in the Bench boy, it’s a family thing. Ain’t you always preachin’ that? ■

Hunter Donaldson #19 from the Nytex Fire.. Brydon Gillilan (MIHC PeeWee Minor)

Brendan Szeremet working the Hockey Treadmill atZOOM (Frisco Dr. Pepper Star Center) with John Kasa.

Blake Campbell (Grapevine Wolves Squirt Major)at NTXHL Squirt A Championship game.

IceTimesMagazineIce Sports Directory


Love Ice Times Magazine and want to help support it? You can donate to our cause of supporting the growth and success of amateur ice hockey in Texas & Oklahoma. Visit our web site and donate what you can to help with the print costs. Thanks so much.

DFW MetroplexAddison Sq Gdn 972-960-7465Starbucks 972-238-1563 .3miOlive Garden 972.239-9096 .1miER CareNow 972-387-8900 2.1mi

The Allen Event Center972-678-4646www.alleneventcenter.com

American Airlines CenterHome of the Dallas Starsfor tickets 214.Go-Stars

Dr Pepper StarCenterEuless 817-267-4233Starbucks 817-684-7943 1.1miOlive Garden 817-251-0222 8.0miER CareNow 817-428-7300 5.0mi

Dr Pepper StarCenterFarmers Branch 214-432-3131Starbucks 972-406-8289 3.4miI Fratelli 972-501-9700 3.5miER CareNow 972-387-8900 5.9 mi

Dr Pepper StarCenter Frisco 214-387-5600Starbucks 972-668-9520 .9miOlive Garden 469-633-0406 .8miER 1st Choice 214.618.6800 1.8mi

Dr Pepper StarCenter McKinney at Craigs RanchMcKinney 469-675-8325Starbucks 214-383-4095 1miCareNow 972-599-0077 8mi

Dr Pepper StarCenter Plano 972-758-7528Starbucks 469-229-0100 .4miOlive Garden 972-578-8576 3.5miER 1st Chioce 214-291-0101 2.1mi

Dr Pepper StarCenter PSA 972-208-5437Starbucks 972-758-9565 .5 miOlive Garden 972.633.0406 3.2miER 1st Chioce 214-291-0101 2.1mi

Dr Pepper StarCenter Valley Ranch 972-831-2453Starbucks 972-304-1985 1miSiena Pasta 972-462-0499 1miCoppell EmCare 972-745-8097 3.6mi

ICE at Stonebriar 972-731-9600Starbucks 972-668-1750 0.1miOlive Garden 469-633-0406 .8miER 1st Choice 214.618.6800 2.4mi

rinks with closest Starbucks, Italian Food and ER Centers and associations (things change, please call before making the trip)

ICE at The Parks 817-419-0095www.IceAtTheParks.netStarbucks in mall outside of rinkOlive Garden 817-283-3121 11miER CareNow 817-465-4928 1.7mi

Ice Training CenterITC Richardson 972-680-7825Starbucks 972-238-1563 .3miOlive Garden 972-234-3292 2.0miER CareNow 972.387.8900 4.7mi

Polar Ice House Grapevine 972-874-1930Starbucks 972-874-1394 .6miOlive Garden 817-251-0222 4.1miCoppell EmCare 972-745-8097 2.6mi

HoustonAerodrome Ice Skating ComplexHouston 281-84-SKATEStarbucks 832-237-7586 .25 miOlive Garden 281- 890-0784Methodist Willowbrook Hosp.281-477-1000 across from rink

Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center281-265-7465Starbucks 281-265-8911Papa LaRosa Flying Pizza in rink281-313-3500Methodist Sugar Land Hospital 281-274-7000

Space City Ice StationFriendswood 281-486-7979www.spacecityice.netOlive Garden 281-488-1022Starbucks 281-488-9800ER Clear Lake l 281-332-2511

AustinChaparral Ice Centers - Austin512.252.8500

Oklahoma CityBlazers Ice Centre -405-631-3307

Arctic Edge Ice Arena - 405-748-5454

StarStuff Locations in all Dr Pepper StarCenters Rinks(except Valley Ranch)

Players BenchRichardson 972.808.9991Coppell 972.393.2777

pro shops*

Forwards/DefenseDavid Ambler 817.905.4561David Fry 817.832.2847Phil Chaney 214.537,6997Cliff Cook 469.831.5441Sergey Deshevyy 214.498.6967Danny Force 817.903,5442Ryan McLean 469 525 1985 Stew Carson 817.253.7022 Michael Beck 972.571.7760Christophe Crossley 817.201.6211Chris Shakesby 214.597.1907Justin Walters 405.413.8623Corey Clarks 360.961.7162

Goaltending

Francois Lemay 469.766.1981Billy Pye 817.845.0133Andrew Norton 817.896.5084Cam MacDonald 817.800.2130Chris Whitley 214.664.3468

Power SkatingRob Warner 214.478.6605Ramil Sarkulov 817.805.0002David Horn 972.740.5513

private lessons*ASSOCIATIONS

Aerodrome Ice Hockeyaerodromes.com

Alliance Bulldogsalliancebulldogs.org

Arctic Wolf Ice Center

at&t Metroplex High School Hockey Leaguedrpepperstarcenter.com

Austin Roadrunnerswww.chaparralice.com

Bay Area Houston Houndshoundsicehockey.org

Corpus Christi Youth Hockeycoastalbendhockey.com

Dallas Ice Jetsicejets.com

Dallas Oilersdallasoilershockey.com

Dallas Stars AAAdallasstarsaaa.com

Dallas Stars Elite dsehc.com

Dallas Stars Selectsdallasstarsselects.com

Dallas Stars Youth Hockey drpepperstarcenter.com

DJHA Penguinsdjha.com

El Paso Hockeyelpasohockey.org

Grapevine Wolvesgrapevinestarcenter.com

Houston HERricanes Girlswww.houstonherricanes.com

Houston Hitmen Hockeyhoustonhitmen.com

Houston Hurricane Hockeyhoustonhurricanehockey.com

Ice Sports Directory

Houston Wild Hockeyhoustonwildhockey.com

ICE at the Parks Hockey817-419-0095

Ice Skate USA Hockeyskatememorialcity.com

Interscholastic Hockey Leagueishl.org

Jackalopes Amateur [email protected]

Killer Bee Foundationkillerbeehockey.com

McKinney Ice Hockey Clubmckinneyicehockey.com

Oklahoma City Youth Hockey Association -www.okcyha.org

Polar Ice Housepolaricehousegrapevine.com

Rio Grande Valley Youthrgvyouthhockey.com

San Antonio Youth Hockeysanantonioyouthhockey.com

Scots Hockeydallasscots.com

Senior Stars Hockey Leaguedrpepperstarcenter.com

Sugar Land Ice & Sportssugarlandice.com

Texas Aces Hockey Clubtexasaceshockey.com

Texas Tornado Hockeytornadohockey.com

Tulsa Youth Hockeywww.tyha.com

Univ. of Texas Ice Hockeytexasicehockey.com

Wichita Falls Wildcatswfwildcatshockey.com

Want to be listed as an instructor? You must be a member of good

standing with USA Hockey. Contact [email protected]

You must have a valid USA Hockey membership number

Pro Shops are listed for free with purchase of a regular ad.

Contact us today to place an ad.

[email protected]

Readers, we need a little assist here. Don’t see your rink or

association listed, see something that isn’t correct?

Email us today [email protected]

with your information.

IceTimesMagazine


ADULT HOCKEYWe are starting an exciting new section of Ice

Times Magazine. It is going to be all about adult hockey. With approximately 10 rinks in the DFW Metroplex, despite the lack of snow and ice in Texas, adult hockey continues to be a means of adult recreation in the area. Upcoming articles will be discussing the different leagues in the area, different levels of play as well as what local rinks are doing to help grow the game. In addition, we are interested in hearing about the topics you are interested in. So submit your topics, questions and photos to pics [email protected]. Check back in August for first full article on adult hockey. Brad Aho

Easy to see ads – delivered to prominent places.Call today and reserve your space in

If you are reading this, you’re probably not the only one!

Place your ad here and it will get read, too!

888.878.8465

IceTimesMagazine


Michaela Fearey (Grapevine Jr Wolves Mite Red)

Blake Elliott, Houston Hitmen pee wee travel team.

USA Adult Hockey Texas Classic Silver Division Champs “Blackson Brickers”

U16 Alliance Chad Guderian 44 and Drew Gannon 61 Sergey Barkin 10 vs U16 Phoenix Jr.

Coyotes Captain Max Miller 8Texas Aces players Hood and Hammond

Caitlin Ahlstedt(Grapevine Wolves Girls 12U)

ice times magazine june/july 2011

Documents

hockey parents

jr scots hockey

usa hockey team

hockey mom whod

mckinney ice hockey

hot water

summer time

summer ideas