Ice Times Magazine March 2010

“Keep your kids out of hot water, put them on ice” MARCH 2010 PRICELE$$

INSIDE For The Good of the Game / Life Lessons on Ice / Cornerstones of a Complete Athlete / Hockey From The Neck Up / The Messenger / MHOA / Behind the Bench

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

Rocky Mountain District Girls Championship Games Coming to Big ‘D’

By Sandy Fielder

It has been a long time since the Dallas / Ft. Worth area has had a chance to see local girls play a hockey game against other girl’s teams. It has been eight years

to be exact, since the last time the Rocky Mountain District girl’s championship games were played in Grapevine. The tournament rotation has landed back in “Big D” for the 2010 version of the Rocky Mountain District Girls and Women’s Championship at the new DPSC McKinney facility. Teams will be headed to McKinney from Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Tournament Director Troy Federspiel presented information on the tournament at the TAHA winter meeting held last month in Euless where he invited everyone out to see the games. “Most folks in this area have never seen the girls play against other girl’s teams” Federspiel said, and then added “This is a great opportunity for the hockey fans around here to come out and see that no-checking does not mean no-contact!” Over the last eight years the local girls playing ice hockey have continued to train, play games against local boy’s teams and travel to the Northern United States and Canada to find games with other all-girl teams. The dedication of the coaches and the support of Alliance youth hockey has put girl’s hockey on the map and drawn notice from college scouts. The Alliance 19U Girls College Prep team is currently ranked third in the US (My Hockey Rankings Tier II Poll Feb 17, 2010) and the players have set their site on a trip to the USA Hockey National Championships. The best of 19U Tier II & 16U Tier I girls and Women’s C teams will be on the ice March 5-7 at the DPSC in McKinney. Games start at 3:00 PM on Friday and finish up with the 19U Championship on Sunday. The winners will advance to the USA Hockey National Championships to be held in April. ■

Alliance 19U Senior PlayersThese players will all be graduating high school this year.

(Left to right) Katherine Wong (F), Flower Mound High School Emily Federspiel (F), Plano Senior High School

Christina Rohe(C), Coppell High SchoolCeleste Colon (F), Plano West High School

(Center) Ashley McManus (G), Haughton High School, Haughton, LA

Garrett Hallford from McKinney, Texas has been selected to an International select hockey team traveling to Riga, Latvia

and Stockholm, Sweden this spring to participate in a 12 and under tournament and educational tour. This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Garrett to take his hockey talents to the next level and provide cultural exchanges with his peers from all over the globe. Garrett will be participating in the World Selects Hockey Invitational featuring teams from USA, Latvia, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland. In addition to the hockey portion of the trip, the team will spend time touring Riga and Stockholm, visiting the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, castles and other historical landmarks throughout Europe. Garrett was one of 72 North America players which were hand selected by scouts to participate in a tryout held in Detroit, MI on New Years Day. From the list of phenomenal participants, there were only 17 spots available. Garrett represented McKinney and Texas well, as he was selected for this elite team. Garrett and his family would really appreciate any sponsorship you can extend to make this trip possible. Every little bit will help make this incredible opportunity a reality. Please contact Garrett’s father, Kent Hallford, at 972-841-9042 or [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities. ■

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

Nick Hill, McKinney Bantam From the goalie’s perspective.

www.playersbench.com

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Hockey Wellness – by Lourdes Regala

The Olympics ended and its athletes were already back in training for the next games. Most started a daily workout regimen in their youth.

Children may not have Olympic aspirations, but regular exercise now can become a valuable habit. The end of our kids’ hockey season, shouldn’t mean the end of their training until next season. Like Olympic athletes, they should maintain a workout routine throughout the year. For all children, a parent’s love and support plays a huge role in their activities and well being.

A great way of promoting a healthy lifestyle for your children is to work out with them. Staying fit is one of the best things a parent can do to influence their child’s attitude about their health. Workout 101 encourages family workout and nutritional programs. By participating in these programs, parents set a great example for their children while becoming physically hardy and youthfully energized.

Call Workout 101 to start off season training in Richardson or downtown Dallas. A perfect exercise and nutritional program is available for you and your family’s needs. Also join our boot camps every Saturday morning.

Call Coach Dan at 214-405-6017, e-mail: [email protected] or visit us on Facebook.

For nutritional information contact Lita Regala, Herbalife Independent Distributor 888-238-2591

or e-mail:[email protected]

Alex Miller of McKinney- BantamPotts at face off withCory Hazelbaker of DJHA- Sleavin in January

Lauren Hinton, Pee Wee Plano Blues, guards the blue line. President’s Day Tourney 2010.

Lance Szeremet (DJHA Mite Prep Black - Weidenbach) getting ready for a penalty shot.

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Keith Andresen, Senior Director,

Hockey Programs

Dr Pepper StarCentersDallas Stars Hockey Club

For the Good of the GameBy Keith Andresen

Respect the Game

As a columnist for Ice Times I feel fortunate to be able to share

my thoughts with the DFW hockey community every month. Most of you know that my love for the game has very little to do with winning or losing and everything to do with fun, passion, participation and respect. That being said, I want to win every game in which I participate. I believe that winning IS important, but not at the expense of the philosophy that hockey is a way to learn life’s lessons about fun, teamwork, positive attitude, and most of all respect. I have written articles about RESPECT in the past and I believe the message to be so important that I want to remind every player, as playoffs approach, that RESPECT is by far the most important part of playing this great game. As you read these thoughts please remember that we are all part of a large family, the DFW hockey family. We all want essentially the same thing: programs where players can develop and grow as hockey players and people under the guidance of excellent coaches. Respect is often lost in today’s amateur hockey world. Youth and adult

players, coaches, referees, parents, and team officials all too often put winning, emotions and personal goals before respect. If I could wish for one single change in the game today it would be for all involved to take a step back, check their egos, and remember that we are playing a game. If given the opportunity the game will build character, but only if we allow the game to be played with respect. Respect comes f rom understanding. Understanding that the folks involved in the game, including players, officials and coaches, are giving their best effort. More importantly they are learning the game as they play. Everyone involved in the game today must have tolerance. We must have tolerance of an opponent who trips us as we speed toward the net. We must have tolerance of players who miss a pass. We must have tolerance of coaches who make the wrong decisions. We must have tolerance of a referee who misses a call. We must be tolerant of a timekeeper who forgets to turn on the clock. Why must we tolerate? Out of respect

for the game. This tolerance will make participating in the game more enjoyable and satisfying. I’m not willing to accept a second-rate effort. I believe every participant, whether coach, player or official owes it to the game to give their best each time they step inside the glass. However, sometimes even a great effort is not enough to overcome a mistake by a coach, official or teammate. It’s in cases such as these, where best effort isn’t enough, that respect for the game makes us realize that the outcome is not as important as the participation itself. As frustrating and disappointing as mistakes and losing may be, they must be kept in perspective. Hockey is a game, and has been since native North Americans used tree branches to knock a rock around a frozen

pond in Canada over 150 years ago. Let’s respect

the participants, and most of all the game. When you

come to the rink to officiate, play, coach or watch, be prepared and take it seriously. However,

have tolerance and most

of all respect for the game. If you show respect you will get respect and you will enjoy the game more than ever. Just a thought: Play the game from opening face off to the final horn. When it ’s over congratulate your opponent with a sincere handshake. Do not use the handshake line or the lobby to get in the last word or punch. Whether you’re a player, coach, official or parent, respect the game, and when it’s over, no matter the outcome, let it go. ■

Members of the Euless Dallas Stars Selects Midget Minor team prepare for football in the “Niagara Falls Snow Bowl.”

On the CoverMarch 2010Now In Our Fourth Season!On The Cover:Brendan Szeremet (DSS-Plano Squirt – McBey)on a break away.Photo sent in by Freya Szeremet.

Want to be our next cover shot? Visit our website at www.icetimesmagazine.comand click on “send pics.”

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

YOU SHOOT. YOU SCORE… THE KEG!

Monthly ColumnsFor the Good of the Game. . . . . . . . . . . 5Life Lessons on Ice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Cornerstones of a Complete Athlete . . . 10Metroplex Hockey Offi cials Assn. . . . . . 15From the Stands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16The Messenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Hockey From the Neck Up. . . . . . . . . . 18Behind the Bench. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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.

Kim Tinkham, [email protected]

Publisher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tink Ink PublicationsSpecial Thanks to Connie Holubarfor lending us a hand in the Editing Department

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The Very Classy DSS Plano Runners Up!!

Texas Aces #20 Patrick Neiswender waiting for the puck to drop.

Celebration dog pile after the Dallas Scots PeeWee 98 team beat Compuware in the finals of the Chicago Midwinter Classic.

Amazing save by Reid Robertson (DSS-Plano Squirt A - McBey).

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Ice Jets U12 AA players Hunter Frado, Chris Rodo and Bailey Hall supporting their home country during the Olympic Hockey finals.

It’s been a great season and we look forward to many more. We want to thank all of the hockey parents and coaches who sent in pictures during the season, the advertisers who help fund this

magazine and we want to especially thank the players for loving the game of hockey so much that we had to have a magazine in our area to cover it. Congratulations to the teams below following completion of the Tier I and Tier II Texas State Championships. Good luck and safe travels to all teams at 2010 District (Tier I) and National (Tier II) tournaments. MAKE US PROUD!

Tier I Champion Runner-up12U Stars Elite 97* Ice Jets 97* 14U Stars Elite 95* Ice Jets 95 16U Alliance-Fry* Stars Elite-Silverman* 18U Stars Elite-Robbins* Texas Tornado* 3rd - Alliance*

* Teams (8) advance to Rocky Mountain Districts Mar 11-14 in Phoenix, AZ

Tier II Champion Runner-up

12U Alliance-Lehtola** Houston Hitmen 14U DJHA-Johnson** DJHA-Fritz 16U Houston Wild-Dibrell** Texas Aces-Steen 18U Texas Aces-Nadolny** Ice Jets-Ramsay**

** Teams (5) advance to 2010 Nationals Apr 7-11

Time to drop the puck for Spring hockey programs in Texas and Oklahoma!

Life Lessons On Ice by Kim Tinkham, Editor

Henry Bradford (Jr. Brahmas - Branum - Mite A) with very creative custom

goalie helmet.

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JPS – Hockey Showcase

• Denver(APEX)MAY21-23,2010• 50Coaches/GM’sinattendance• JPSislikeattending50teamselectioncamps• 4Games&informationsessions(MidgetAAA, Prep,JuniorA,College)

www.JPS-hockey.comGeorge Gwozdecky – Head Hockey Coach, University of Denver WCHA“AttheUniversityofDenverweareproudthat33%ofourhockeyteam is comprised of players from the state of Colorado andtherefore I am supportive of any opportunity that gives younghockeyplayers fromourstatea chance todevelopand receivetheexposure to theJuniorAhockeycoachesaswellascollegehockeyprograms.

Brad Buetow has played and coached at the highest level ofNCAADivision Icollegecompetitionandknowswhat it takes toplayatthislevel.SomeofBrad’sformerplayerswhoarecurrentlyplayingattheUniversityofDenverincludeChrisNutiniandLukeSalazar.”

90’ - 95’ Midget AAA, Prep, Jr A, College Div I-III

Kevin Hartzell – GM/Head Coach Sioux Falls Stampede USHL“BradBuetow,DirectorofJPS,wasmycollegecoachwhenIplayedattheUniversityofMinnesotaandIfeelthatwithBrad’scontactJPSisoneofthetopexposurecampsforjuniors,prep,midget,andcollegescouts.Wewillenjoycomingoutandfeelitisveryworthwhile.CoachBuetow,JPSDirector,hascoachedinDivisionICollegefor20years,scoutedandcoachedintheprosforseveralyearsandwithhisnetworkhehashelpedmycareerimmediately.”

Dean Blais – Head Coach University of Nebraska-Omaha CCHA“We are looking forward to scouting players out of the JPSshowcase.Thecompetitionisexcellentandtherewillbeseveralscouts/coachesfromallthejuniorA/Bandcollegelevels.”

Jon Bonnett – Assistant Coach Colorado College WCHA“I believe Coach Buetow is one of the hardest working youthcoaches/recruiters in the country. Brad is well connected andvisiblewithinthehockeycommunity.Bradismotivatedtodevelopandexposelocalandnon-traditionalhockeyareaplayerstoMidgetAAA,JuniorsandNCAAHockey.Thiscampisthefirststep.”

Luke Salazar and Chris Nutini – Division I Players“BradBuetow,whowasourmidgetcoach,alongwithparticipatinginJPS,wasveryinstrumental ingettingusseenandhavingtheUniversityofDenver(DivisionI)giveusaspotontheirteam.”

Connor Nehls (DSS-Plano Squirt A - McBey) taking charge of the game.

Remington “Sugar” Schugart fights off his attackers.

www.jps-hockey.com

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www.KatherineRobertsonPhotography.com

The Cornerstones of a Complete AthleteBy Kellie Schriver

Kellie Schriver L.C.D.C., AAC(Hockey Mom)Board Certified

Professional Christian Counselor: Contact Kellie at

www.texcansportsconsulting.com or 972-816-4004

Boundaries are an Important Cornerstonefor a Healthy Mind, Body and Spirit!

What are Boundaries? Boundaries are a line or something marking a limit or border. With people, boundaries are

a list of rules, beliefs, and feelings that define how we relate to others. Boundaries keep people separate from others and give them a sense of self. When a person has a boundary issue, they may not know where he or she ends and the other person begins. People with weak boundaries seem to absorb other people’s feelings like a sponge, and not have a true sense of their own feelings and a strong sense of self. We have Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual boundaries. For example: an emotional boundary is having the right to feel however we feel about any situation without the influence of others. Some people will cross an emotional boundary when saying “Well you shouldn’t feel that way.” A physical boundary is what you set for yourself to feel safe within your personal space. An example of this is how close you feel comfortable for a person to stand next to you. You have the right to your own personal space. A Spiritual boundary is having the right to believe the way you want to believe and not having someone try to force

their beliefs on to you. So, how do we know if we have healthy boundaries? And why do we need them?Boundaries are all about protection. We are not born with boundaries; they are learned through social interactions, direct teaching and modeling. When we identify our boundaries and set them with others we are protecting ourselves from being hurt. When we have boundaries we are better able to allow others to safely get close to us, and to integrate our internal self with our external self and differentiate between our feelings and those of others. We need boundaries to feel safe, to protect our true self and to respect other people. Healthy boundaries are firm, yet flexible. When an athlete violates game rules and crosses the boundaries, the referee blows the whistle and states the offense, and what the consequence will be. This is not unlike life. We all need to identify what our personal boundaries are, understand them, and put them into practice. ■

Plano Mite Blues in the Presidents Day Tournament defending against the Plano Mite Blackhawks. Sam Armitage of the Alliance Bulldogs lowers his

shoulder into a check against an Austin Roadrunner.

www.texcansportsconsulting.com

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Plano Blues, Pee Wee Green Champions.“Crash” Satoru Emery (DSYHL Frisco Rangers -

Mite) ready for some hockey.

www.stonebriarstorm.org

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Harry Hood, McKinney Bantam and Hayden Rodgers of Star Select Euless setup for the face off.

Dylan Nessman, a senior at Horn High School in Mesquite and an assis-tant captain with the Mesquite Colts of the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League, will report to the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, GA on June 29th. Dylan has signed up for four years of active duty, with his goal to become a field medic and paratrooper, jumping into areas where people need help the most. Dylan is shown here with his proud parents: Paul and Stacy Nessman. Paul is the team manager for the Mesquite Colts High School Hockey Club.

WANTED!Writer for Adult Hockey column.

Must be willing to write for the prestige of being published (in other words you won't get paid).

Contact [email protected] if you are interested.

www.laurastamm.net

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Goalie Cody Philips and Ray MArtinez of the Dallas Scots Bantam against Alliance Mewitt.

Austin Thorn, DYHA Dragons PeeWee AA with his Dragons Hockey Snowman.

Shea Spainer, Penguins 98 “stares down the puck.”

www.dallasscots.com

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SPRING BREAK CAMPMarch 15-19, 2010Sportsplex invites you to participate in our Sport Specific 4 hour clinicsorEnjoy our ALL DAY Sports CampSport Specific TrainingGrades 2nd - 8thVolleyball • Soccer Baseball • BasketballSpring Programs Now Registering!5702 Alpha Rd., Dallas, Texas 75240

972.385.5416www.SportsplexVV.com

SPRING BREAKSMALL GAMESCAMPMarch 15-19, 2010“Small Games Camp” for theMite, Squirt and Peewee age groups. The “Small Games Camp” is designed just for that… to let the kids have fun. This camp will include numerous games that will allow players to work on and develop their individual skills and creativity on the ice.

Spring Leagues Now Registering!522 Centennial Blvd.Richardson, Texas 75081972.680.7825www.IceTrainingCenter.com

Texas Aces #8 Jessica Brooks Keeping a stride ahead of the OKC defense.

Ryan Priest (DJHA Mite Prep Black - Weidenbach) makes his way up the ice.

www.sportsplexvv.com

www.icetrainingcenter.com

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Metroplex Hockey Officials Association

Ken ReinhardPresident, MHOA

Local Area Supervisor of Officials, North Texas

USA Hockey

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Reasons to be Sporting events/concerts: One word… PARKING. Let’s face it, if the traffic doesn’t stress you out, the parking will. We’ll drop you off in front and we will be there when you’re ready to go.

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Senior driving limitations: Our service is particularly helpful for senior citizens who choose not to drive or cannot drive. Our service provides the opportunity for seniors to maintain their independence, to get out and visit friends, go shopping, go to dinner, etc. in their own vehicles, without inconveniencing friends or relatives.

I can’t believe Kim had to email again to remind me I am late again with my article. Each month I resolve

to get this to her on time so I don’t have to waste her valuable time sending me a reminder. Each month Kim sends me a reminder and I get right to it…like tonight…on a flight from Dallas to Washington, DC. I have been up to my whistle in hockey stuff; where did the time go? We have just concluded the TAHA Tier I and Tier II State playoffs. The winners will go onto regional and national championships. That is great for our teams from Texas and we congratulate them all. But there are also other winners to be congratulated. USA Hockey has selected five officials, all from Dallas/Ft. Worth, to work assignments in the regional and national championships. That says a lot about the good things we are doing here with our officials. I can tell you that being selected is a very big deal to us. It is tough enough to be selected to work a state playoff game, but to be selected to work these regional and national championships is pretty heady stuff. It means that you have worked hard; that your evaluated performances have been top notch, and the overall body of your work during the season has been outstanding. For two officials, this is

the second year in a row they have been selected for nationals. Trust me, as the coaches and teams know, it is hard to repeat. Working a regional or national championship is an exciting experience for any official. In addition, every move you make, on and off ice, at those events is under the microscope of the supervisors assigned. You develop relationships and camaraderie with new friends. Teamwork and cooperation happen quickly. Each game is competition for assignments building to the championships games. I can tell you as a supervisor from last year’s 14U national, that picking the crews for the semis and then finals was a difficult process – sort of like picking pepper off a beach or splitting hairs, so to speak. The vast majority of officials will never work a playoff game in their careers: to be assigned to a regional or national tournament is the high point and a memorable experience for any on ice official. Congratulations to all our local officials who made it! Going to the 16U Tier II are Brett Johnston and Tudor Floru. Going to the High School Nationals is Nate Farkas and going to the RMD Tier I Regionals is Steve Henderson and Ravi Chhabra. ■

www.drivendfw.com

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From the STANDS IceTimesMagazine hears from its readers.

The Five Top Reasons Not to Yell During a Hockey GameBy Anonymous (aka Jim Pikl)

Hockey is a fast-paced game that is purposefully designed to excite

the spectators more than perhaps any other sport. Getting a rush from watching hockey, especially when one of the players is a friend or relative of yours, is about as natural as getting wet when you stand in the rain. But this natural and predictable excitement can, and often does, lead to a person yelling – even screaming – at the participants in the game. Here are five reasons not to do that. There are probably others.

1. It’s a waste of energy, because the participants cannot hear you. Hockey is a loud, noisy game. Skates make a lot of noise cutting up the ice, as do whacking and clacking sticks, helmets banging together, the rush of wind through the helmet, and the

players’ equipment striking the boards, the ice, and other players’ equipment. Also, players are yelling at each other over the noise on the ice, loudly at times, so as to overcome all of the above as well as other noises in the game such as coaches yelling and officials commenting on play and calling signals to each other and the players. You only hear part of that noise behind the glass, and it is pretty noisy even to you, right? Combine this with the fact that the players are moving at high speed in often dangerous situations such that their attention is intensely focused on what they are doing, and the fact that the barrier between you and the players is ½ inch of plexiglass – not the most pourous substance in the world – and you have a physical situation where the players on the ice simply cannot hear what you are saying except as random echoes off the ceiling. You should realize

that all the yelling in the world is, at best, just more noise to the players on the ice. As noise goes, applause is much better than yelling.

2. Even if the participants hear you, they are not listening. The players are coached to listen to the coach. That is why you are paying the coach: to direct the players in the game. Even if the players hear what you are saying, they have been instructed to do what the coach says, and to ignore what they hear from the other team’s players or from the stands. Would you really have it any other way? Even if they hear you, they are not listening, and that is a good thing.

3. Even if the participants are listening, they cannot do what you say. Imagine yourself in an environment where the noise level is around 90 decibels, full of echoes, where you are trying to maintain your balance and your playing position and listening to calls from other players and your coach, and all of a sudden you get a random voice in your head saying something profound like: “skate!” or “pass the puck!” or “go to the net!” Now, you have .8 seconds: do you think you could immediately interrupt what you are doing and thinking, evaluate the instructions as to whether they are helpful or unhelpful, decide whether or not they are in keeping with the play your coach has laid out and whether it is physically possible to follow the commands given your assigned position and game/play responsibilities? Ya, they can’t either. Instead, you would process out that noise as not important. So do they, and this is a good thing, too, because if they were trying to do everything everyone is yelling for them to do, their heads would explode.

4. Even if the participants are listening, they will not do what you say. Mostly, and there are rare exceptions, but the coach of your child’s team knows more about hockey than you do. And unless you can read his or her mind,

coaches usually know more than you do about what plays, strategies, and game situations they are trying to accomplish at any given time in the game. You have appointed the coach to be the director of the team, and if you are smart and want the team to succeed to the best of its abilities, you will encourage the coach to “take charge” of the team and direct the play on the ice. People cannot simultaneously do opposite or conflicting things. So, when it comes to a choice between doing what you are yelling from the sidelines and doing what the coach has told them to do, good players always follow the coach’s direction. Even if they hear you, even if they listen, even if you are right, and even if they physically can do what you are telling them to do, they won’t. And that’s a good thing, too.

5. You exhibit poor sportsmanship by yelling. All fans in every sport will universally tell you that there is nothing more irritating than a screaming parent during the game. This is true whether the parent is screaming at their own child, at the coach, at the officials, at other spectators, or – in the worst possible case – at someone else’s child (people get beat up for this last one). You may think you are being helpful or just letting off steam or even being witty, but believe me, everyone around you thinks you are a jerk, including the other people on your team and even your spouse. Even if you don’t care what other people think of you, consider this: it is very poor sportsmanship for a spectator to have an improper effect, for better or for worse, on the game being played. If your yelling happens to change something in the game, you have dishonored the sport. Do not feel slighted or insulted when the players don’t listen to you as you scream from the sidelines. It’s not personal; it is natural and beneficial for your yelling to go nowhere. Instead, gain some self-control and stop doing it. Everyone will be better off for it – including you. ■

www.outreachpr.com

IceTimesMagazine


Mike Schwarz, Team Manager, thinks the sport of ice hockey is pretty cool.

The Messenger: Tales of a Team ManagerBy Mike Schwarz

JR Brahma Mites take 1st place at the Presidents Day weekend Tournament.

With the season drawing to a close as the post-regular season

tournaments end, I’ve taken a few quick glances into the rear view mirror. It’s the time of year where we all should take some time to reflect on what’s gone by, so that we can plan for our next youth-hockey season. This applies whether you are a parent, a coach, or a player. In my case I can declare unequivocally the season was a success, although it was certainly a different experience without Goalie Son playing here. While my team didn’t run the table, it was a great deal of fun watching them deliver a very competitive season. I enjoyed victories, and was less than enamored with defeats. My focus, though, was on the games themselves, with none of the drama involved with being a parent of a player. (OK, true, I’m a team manager, we specialize in dealing and addressing the behind the scenes parental drama, but you know what I mean. It was simple third-party drama to me!) As I noted in my December column I went to Spokane to see my son play a couple of games. I also snuck up in January for two more games, including seeing a shoot-out victory. (That was for the goalie parents out there.) Save for those visits, my hockey weekends

would start first thing Saturday morning, looking at my Blackberry for the text of Friday night’s score from college. Goalie Son would text me from the locker room after every game, but given that his games usually ended around 1:30am Pacific Time, I was fast asleep. Getting a text was better than nothing, but it didn’t scratch the hockey itch. This was driven home for me during my January visit up North. I was sitting with some Gonzaga parents who had driven six hours from Bozeman, Montana to watch their son play. We swapped youth hockey stories and talked about how we’d watch our sons play from pee-wees on up. The dad looked at me and said, “Ya know, this hockey thing is kind of addictive!” Exactly. And that explains why I enjoyed my team’s season so. I got to remain involved in hockey for another season. Unlike many of you who through accident of birth geography were born into the sport, I’m a rather late convert to the ice sport. I’ve been hooked on this game for eight years now, and for that I must thank my son, who gave me the gift of hockey. Even though I grew up in Little League baseball, and enjoyed every second, I can now enthusiastically declare that hockey is the greatest game,

for so many reasons. I remember our first House league season, where we didn’t even know how to tie his goalie pads to his skates. There were so many games with a start time of 5:50 a.m. It always amazed me that I could have my weekend organized sports parental obligations complete before Saturday breakfast! How cool a sport is that?? Try that with baseball or soccer. But my late hockey arrival comes complete with a knowledge data base that is severely lacking. That forced me to learn something every game, often times many things. At this point I’ve even started reading the USA hockey rule book. (Ok, I’ll admit that is obsessive behavior, even for me.) But, after every game this Team Manager always asks his Coach some question that requires an explanation of the rules. With an abundance of patience, Coach, who is the most knowledgeable hockey person I know, explains the answers to this never ending student. I’m not sure if I’ll ever figure out where face-offs are taken, especially after an icing call. But the pursuit of these answers will be grand! Thank you, Coach, for sharing your wisdom. I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank my team’s players and their parents

for sharing their season with me. Each of them in their own unique ways (some more unique than others) contributed to my participation in hockey for yet another season. I have no hockey skills, nor enough knowledge to contribute to their season, but I do write a mean email! Guess, I got the better end of that deal? They helped me satisfy the hockey addiction, for which I am grateful. And as you close out the books on your season, whether you are a parent, or a player or a coach, think back on how enjoyable it was, even if you didn’t win every game, nor a trophy. You got to play or participate in the greatest game. Who do you have to thank for your gift of hockey? To be continued… ■

IceTimesMagazine


Hockey From the Neck Upby Paul O’Donnell

Let’s Play Hockey Jeopardy

Paul O'Donnell currently writes for the Hockey Stop Magazine. He has been coaching in the Chicagoland Area for the past 25 years. Paul grew up in The Greater Boston Area and played college hockey for Salem State College in Massachusetts.

Welcome back to our final round of- Let’s Play Hockey Jeopardy.

In last place is know-it-all Hockey Dad, whose misinformation and outdated knowledge of the game of hockey has put him so far back that he has absolutely no chance of winning. In second place are our placating Hockey Parents, who have absolutely no points because their wishy-washy helicopter style of parenting has enabled their seven-year-old to make all the decisions. And in the first place is well-informed Hockey Mom who is well on her way to winning this contest because of her willingness to seek out pertinent information from knowledgeable hockey sources Our final hockey Jeopardy answer, in the category of Hockey Sticks is: It is one of the better ways to help a new hockey player decide which way they should stick handle and shoot the puck. You have 30 seconds to write down your answer. Doo-da-doo-da -doo-da-doo … do-da-do-da-do… do…do ..do ..do We’ ll start with know-it-all Hockey Dad who is in third place. Your response is: What is, opposite to the way they write or swing a baseball bat because my good friend Bobby Hull

told me so 40 years ago? eeennn. Oh I’m sorry that’s incorrect. Let’s move on to our contestants in second place, the placating Hockey Parents. What is your final Jeopardy response: What is-take the little tyke to a hockey rink Pro Shop and allow him to pick out their own 200 dollar Synergy hockey stick, all by themselves? Eeennn. Oh, I’m sorry, that is also incorrect. But you were right about taking your child to a local hockey rink Pro shop to buy their stick. And our final contestant, who is in first place and well on her way to being a terrific hockey parent, our Well-Informed Hockey Mom. What is your final well thought out response? What is: give a push broom to the novice hockey player and tell them to sweep, because how they hold and sweep with the broom can be a good indication of how they should shoot? Ding-ding-ding-ding. Congratulations, you are correct! Johnny, tell our well-meaning hockey parents what could possibly be in store for their future hockey prodigies.For the child of our third-place finisher, name dropping Know It All Hockey Dad, you can expect your childhood hockey experience to be embarrassing and miserable because of your pond

skating father consistently second-guessing your coaches training practices and telling you how to play hockey his way. You will probably be lucky if your meddlesome father doesn’t drive you to hate hockey by the time you reach high school. For the child of our second place contestants, the placating Hockey Parents, you will be lavishly doted on during your hockey childhood. Your every hockey need will be fulfilled because of your parents inability to say no to you. There will be no need to worry about making the hockey team that you’re hoping for, because even if you’re not talented enough to succeed, your helicopter parents will maneuver themselves into a position of power within the hockey organization to see that your dreams are fulfilled. The fact that your parents were unwilling to establish limits on you, or allow you to succeed and fail on your own during your childhood, should be of little comfort to you, as you reach adulthood and nobody can stand being around you because you grew up a spoiled brat who was used to getting their way. And last but not least, the child of our new Hockey Jeopardy Champion,

well-informed Hockey Mom! Due to your mother’s caring and common sense approach to hockey parenting as well as her ability to make you understand that it’s only a game, you will be given the ability to enjoy the greatest game on earth. Although, your mom’s exceptional performance here today is no guarantee of future hockey stardom, you are quite possibly well on the way to playing this great game of hockey for the rest of your life. I would like to thank all of you in our Hockey Parent 101 audience for playing along with our first installment of Let’s Play Hockey Jeopardy. ■

No goal! Euless Dallas Stars Selects defend the net against the El Paso Rhinos.

IceTimesMagazine


Texas Aces #10 Kyle Mills Looking to get past the OKC defense.

Warriors – I-League Major, last season as this team…Names, from the top, L-R, are A.J. Ferriero, Travis Lehr, Dallas Lehr, Tim Marra, Frank Caspersen, Bobby Michelaides, Lisa Michelaides. Second row from Left are Tim Brady, Kent Taub, Derek Tillemans, Danny Grimes, Damon Lacey, Mitch Gnatowsky. Bottom three are (Goalie) Matt Reid, Chris Dolbee, Scott Dolbee.

Jack Parker playing for the Coppell High School JV team.

U18 Tier One State Championship Jacob Stafford with the Texas Tornado.

IceTimesMagazine


BEHIND THE BENCH By 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.

One of my sons, in addition to playing hockey, also runs cross

country for his high school. He has struggled this year with injuries. (I know, right...cross country people get hurt?) His pace was slowing and it got to the point where it was too painful to run. So we finally put him in rehab – again, this is for cross country trauma! During those few weeks of physical therapy, I learned cross country is actually very hard on teenage knees, tendons, and shins. So now I bear the guilt of making my child suffer needlessly. Sigh. After all the doctors and physical therapists were done with him (and my wallet), he went back to running the long, lonely road. Upon his return, the coach commented how nice it was to see my son laughing at practice again. Now, if you knew this guy, that was an amazing comment. Up to that point I always thought fun was verboten in distance running. I figured it was some kind of

strategy to be a sour puss. You know, look tough so no one jacked with you as you jumped over logs and mushrooms (and the occasional small, furry woodland creature). Hearing this guy actually recognize the value of laughter was surprising and wonderful all at once! Then it hit me: can laughter actually impact a student athlete positively? Methinks so. Loma Linda University researchers have shown laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, and increases muscle flexion. Flexion. That... sounds functional (Google it and see if it makes sense to you...and throw in extension and saggital plane for even more anatomy fun). Even Shakespeare gave thought to the salubrious values of laughter in The Taming of the Shrew, “And f rame your mind to mirth and merriment, which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.” So I started wondering if I put enough effort into making practices fun?

Do I remember to play games? Do I remember to encourage the kids to laugh? Do I bear in mind that this is a game? We go to work/school and put up with “stuff ” all day. I'd like to think we are enlightened enough to say before each practice, “what a miserable, stinkin’ day...time for frippery and jest.” Listen, I know there's pressure to win, but there is a nexus between having fun and winning. Why do you think people like Chris Chelios never want to leave the game? Because it is fun and he doesn't want to grow up! So why would we run our young'un's through practices that age them prematurely? One more thing: look up the word “frivolity” in a thesaurus. Among others, you will see the words “sport” and “game.” Coincidence? Methinks not! ■

Dads and Lads from the Euless Dallas Stars Select Midget Minor team took time away from hockey to participate in the “Snow Bowl”during their trip to Niagara Falls. They can’t agree who won…

IceTimesMagazine

Keep your kids out of hot water, put them on ice! 1

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 210.788.8286Stew Carson 817.253.7022 Michael Beck 972.571.7760Christophe Crossley 817.201.6211Chris Shakesby 214.597.1907Justin Walters 405.413.8623

Goaltending

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

Power SkatingRob Warner 214.478.6605Ramil Sarkulov 817.805.0002David Horn 972.740.5513

PRivATe LessOns*ASSOCIATIONSAerodrome Ice Hockeyaerodromes.com

Alliance Bulldogsalliancebulldogs.org

Arctic Wolf Ice Centerarticwolfice.com

at&t Metroplex High School Hockey Leaguedrpepperstarcenter.com

Austin Roadrunnerswww.chaparralice.com

Bay Area Houston Houndshoundsicehockey.org

Corpus Christi Youth Hockeycoastalbendhockey.com

Dallas Stars AAAdallasstarsaaa.com

Dallas Ice Jetsicejets.com

Dallas Stars Selectsdallasstarsselects.com

Dallas Stars Youth Hockey Leaguedrpepperstarcenter.com

DJHA Penguinsdjha.com

DMHA Titansdmhahockey.orgDragons Youth Hockeydyhadragons.com

El Paso Hockeyelpasohockey.org

Grapevine Wolvesgrapevinestarcenter.com

Houston HERricanes Girlswww.houstonherricanes.com

Houston Hitmen Hockeyhoustonhitmen.com

Houston Hurricane Hockeyhoustonhurricanehockey.com

Houston Jr Aeros Hockeyjunioraeros.com

Houston Wild Hockeyjunioraeros.com

ICE at the Parks Hockey817-419-0095

Ice Skate USA Hockeyskatememorialcity.com

Ice Sports DirectoryInterscholastic Hockey Leagueishl.orgSouthwest Texas areasanctioned high school league and association

Jackalopes Amateur [email protected]

Killer Bee Foundationkillerbeehockey.com

McKinney Ice Hockey Clubmckinneyicehockey.com

Oklahoma City Youth Hockey Association -www.okcyha.org

Pegasus Flyers Inlinepegasusflyers.org

Polar Ice Housepolaricehousegrapevine.com

Rio Grande Valley Youthrgvyouthhockey.com

River City Hockeyrivercityhockey.org

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 at

[email protected] with your information.

Ice Sports Directory


IceTimesMagazine


Plano Mite Blues the President Day Tournament Mite Green Champs!!!

Brendan O’Reilly (Age 12) and Michael O’Reilly (Age 14) with the Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club celebrate with their younger brother Ryan after their respective teams won both of the USA Hockey Tier One Texas State Championships for the U-14 and U-12 age groups.

Carson Platt and Johnny Sadowski of the Dallas Scots PeeWee 98 team celebrate a goal against the Houston Wild.

Ice Jets defense Nikhil Guddati (23) and Chandler Cravey (89) trying to stop Plano Blues.

Bad boys, bad boys...whatcha gonna do? Mason Vandesteeg and Walker Dyess serve penalties during Silver Sticks in Canada.

IceTimesMagazine


Moments In Time Video Productions“The Best of Times… The Best of You”• Commercial Business Advertising• Marketing - Promotional Consulting• Training • Corporate• Music Videos• Special Events • Weddings• Video to DVD Transfers• DVD Authoring & Duplication• SD/HD Post Production

Joel Brooks • 817-771-8347jbrooks@mitvideoproductions.comwww.mitvideoproductions.com22 years experience in video and post production

Joel Brooks has produced video for national television programs DATELINE NBC, REAL TV, and HARD COPY,plus for organizations such as United Way, churchesand local television stations.

Dear Ice Times Magazine, Though I’m a little late getting this to you I thought it worthy of printing. This picture is from the January 15-17,

2010 Colorado Cup tournament in Colorado Springs, CO. These boys played like never before to win this tournament! Going into the tournament they were second to last in the league. But they went to the Colorado Cup ready to play for Anthony, their Assistant Coach who died on January 13th, just 2 days before the start. The boys loved Anthony! As a volunteer coaching

assistant, he challenged them and yet encouraged them, tempting them with peanut M&M’s if they played well. At the tournament when the boys huddled for their rallying cry they yelled out in unison Anthony’s name. Both on and off the ice these boys were a team. Their win was definitely a positive that came from the tragic loss of their assistant coach. Thank you, in advance, for honoring these boys with the printing of this picture. — Sincerely, Joni Strobel-McLean

www.mitvideoproductions.com

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Ice Times Magazine March 2010