FROM THE EDITOR: Grahame back home to assist Thunderbirds


A


familiar face is back in the Centennial State as Denver native and former NHL goalten-


der John Grahame was recently hired as the goaltending coach for the Colorado Thunder- birds’ AAA organization. Grahame grew up playing hockey in Den-


Matt Mackinder


ver and, after graduating from Overland High School, played junior hockey for the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Sioux City (Iowa) Musketeers, Division I college hockey at Lake Superior State University (CCHA) and was drafted in 1994 by the Boston Bruins. “I’m very much looking forward to joining a first-class organization like the Thunderbirds


and passing all I’ve learned through my own playing days on to the next generation of hockey players in the Colorado area,” said Grahame. With Boston, Grahame played in the first hockey game ever at Pepsi


Center back in 1999 against the Colorado Avalanche, was a member of the Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning squad in 2004 and was a member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team. “We’re thrilled to bring John on as our goaltending coach,” said Thun-


derbirds director of hockey operations Angelo Ricci. “Not only does he bring a wealth of experience with 14 years as a professional goaltender, but he grew up and played all of his youth hockey in Colorado. “As an organization, we felt it was a perfect fit. All of our players - not


just our goaltenders - will benefit from his knowledge and experience.” Throughout his career, Grahame always wore a Colorado flag on his


mask as a constant reminder of home. Speaking of the Thunderbirds, one of the program’s graduates, Quen-


tin Shore, was pegged as an early candidate to be selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Shore, a forward from Denver, was recognized on NHL Central Scout-


ing’s “Players to Watch” list, which was released last month, as a B pros- pect (a candidate for potential mid-round consideration in the upcoming draft). Shore, who is playing for USA Hockey’s National Team Development


Program’s Under-18 Team this season, has committed to the University of Denver for next season. His two older brothers have already been drafted; Drew, a junior


forward with the Pioneers, was picked in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Florida Panthers, while Nick, a sophomore forward at DU, was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the third round of last summer’s proceedings.


Centennial native Brandon Blandina is wearing an “A” on his jersey


as an assistant captain as a senior at Robert Morris University (Atlantic Hockey), located in suburban Pittsburgh. According to RMU head coach Derek Schooley, a former assistant


coach and associate head coach at the Air Force Academy, Blandina has come full circle. “He’s a very hard worker and plays the game the right way,” said


Schooley. “He’s our top penalty-killer and does all the little things well. He came to RMU a little immature but has really grown as a person, as well as a player. We’re very fortunate to have him.”


Congratulations are in order to the Colorado Select’s 19 AA team that


won the Motown Cup tournament last month in Detroit. After suffering its only loss to Belle Tire in the first round, the Select


team faced Belle Tire again in the championship game and celebrated a thrilling 1-0 win on an overtime goal by Jenna Hofmann. “We’re very proud of this team,” said Select director of hockey Marnie


Hill. “It’s a great start to their season.” Goaltender Meg Nelson was named tournament MVP.


Contact Matt Mackinder at matt@rubberhockey.com 4 magazine


Members of this year’s Colorado Rampage program who’ve been drafted by United States Hockey League teams: Back row, from left, Jared Fiegl (Des Moines Buccaneers/U.S. National Team Development Program), Alejandro Ochoa (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Zach Hartley (Green Bay Gamblers); Front row, Josh Racek (Green Bay), left, and Charlie Donlin (Sioux Falls Stampede)


Luke Salazar has his sights set on ending his college career on a high note as he embarks on his senior season at the University of Denver. See more on the Thornton native on Page 9. Photo/Rich Clarkson & Associates/NCAA Photos


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