ARIZONA MAGAZINE


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As Mite division champions, the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes were one of five Arizona teams to take home banners from the Sonoran Youth Hockey League-hosted Coyotes Cup tournament over the holidays. See more on the showcase on Page 13.


Arizona Rubber Magazine is a production of:


Members of the Bobcats AAA program: Back row, from left: Jonathan Dube (98 team), Ethan Roswell (98), head coach Ron Filion, Phillip Knies (98) and Auston Matthews (97); Front row: Jake Forman (97), Michael Mahan (97), Trey Porter (98), German Samval (98), Jake Durflinger (97) and assistant coach Pat Mahan


publisher: Brian McDonough managing editor: Matt Mackinder editor: Shane Dale


senior designer: Julie Wilson cover photo: Dave Getz/A-ZPhoto.com


EDITOR’S COLUMN: Expectations high for America’s Showcase team C


oach Jeremy Goltz is settling for nothing less than the best as he leads the Arizona High School Hockey Association to America’s Showcase, a national


high school all-star event that will take place from April 11-15 in Pittsburgh. Goltz, who also serves as coach-in-chief for Mission Arizona’s travel hockey orga-


nization, said 45 kids tried out for 20 spots on the team. “My expectations are really simple: to win,” he said. “The challenge with an


all-star team is to get the kids to focus on the team first, but that’s a tone we’ve already set. I expect nothing less than walking away with a trophy for our team and respect for our state.” Seniors named to the squad include: forwardsScott Farr (Moun-


tain Ridge 5A),Shane Fitzpatrick (Highland 3A),Tyler Harcus (Desert Mountain 3A),Connor Koper (Notre Dame 5A),Andrew Swanson (Hamilton 4A),Steven Swanson (Highland 3A) and Steven Taylor (Cactus Shadows 3A); defensemenMichael Carrier (Hamilton 4A),Trevor Reckell (Notre Dame 5A),Ryan Ricci (Bro- phy 5A) andMarcus Velasco (Mountain Ridge 5A); and goaltenders Matt Hill (Pinnacle 5A) andZach Purcell (Mountain Ridge 5A). Juniors include: forwardsHayden Baardsen (Horizon 4A),Zach


Bryant (Pinnacle 5A),Kristian Fontaine (Pinnacle 5A),Connor O’Hare (Notre Dame 5A) andTanner Tuohy (Brophy 5A) and defenseman Blake Waldersen (Pinnacle 5A). Alternates named were: senior forwardsAlec Martin (Pinnacle 5A) andEric


Calcavecchia (Desert Vista 5A) and defensemanTerran Donnelly (Flagstaff 4A); and junior forwardsKyle Erwin (Mountain Ridge 5A) and Jesse Esposito (Arcadia-Saguaro 3A) and defensemanTrevor Smith (Pinnacle 5A).


Speaking of scholastic hockey, Arizona State University’s Division I team is up to its old tricks again.


4 magazine After finishing last season with a No. 10 national ranking in the American Col-


legiate Hockey Association, the Sun Devils held an impressive 19-2-2 record and No. 3 ranking heading into the New Year. “We have a special group of players,” said ASU head coachGreg Powers. “The


chemistry is unbelievable and obviously it helps that we’re a very talented team, too.”


A number of players delivered strong first-half performers, but


team captainColin Hekle has risen above the rest. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime all-around talent at our level,” Powers


said of the sophomore forward from Winnipeg. Members of the North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL),


the Phoenix Firebirds’ 18U AAA team, led by coachTodd Collins, put forth an impressive effort at the circuit’s fourth showcase of the season in Dallas over the holidays. The Firebirds went 4-0-1 to improve their record to 12-5-1 overall


Dale


and a tie for fourth place in the 17-team 18U division. ForwardHector Majul struck for three goals and five assists in Dallas and, in early December, was named the PHL’s Peak Performer


in the 18 division after scoring seven goals in four Firebird wins at the league’s third event in Darien, Ill. “Since coming to play for us four years ago, Hector’s improvement level is off the


charts,” Collins said of the Mexico City native. Congratulations to former Phoenix Coyotes forwardKeith Tkachuk, who was


inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Dec. 12 in Chicago. An original Coyote, Tkachuk scored 538 goals in 19 seasons with the Coyotes/ Winnipeg Jets franchise, St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers.


Reach Shane Dale at shane@rubberhockey.com


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