#1 Most Searched Today – Heath Mensch Signs With UNLV Rebels…
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Tonight – Thursday – Game Three – NHL Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers – 5 pm pacific
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The UNLV Rebels are signing Las Vegas star goal scorer Heath Mensch who will be rostered for the upcoming season. Heath had 27 goals for the EHL New England Wolves last season and previously 45 goals in a season with the Las Vegas Thunderbirds. Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said “Heath’s hockey IQ is towards the top of any player we’ve seen. He’s going to bring a goal scorer’s touch to our lineup.”
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Bet You Didn’t Know….
By Lee Samuels
Years ago the Las Vegas Ice Center was a roller rink. Big powerful roller teams including the Armadillos from SoCal came into town to take on top Las Vegas teams. In those days the top roller coaches included Oren Galor and for older players the coach was Dennis Parker. And the roller legend coach Larry Sanford was also around with a top team. There were big crowds in the stands when the Las Vegas team took on teams like the powerful hard-skating Orange County Blades roller team coached by Ken Gibo. The hometown team at that rink was called the Las Vegas Titans.
Adam Naglich of Las Vegas was a top roller player then. Teammates called him Stick.
The greatest Las Vegas goal scorers ever in roller hockey include Jason Zucker, Chris Francis, Billy Tufano and Evan Zucker. Jason and Chris had awesome speed, Evan had that too with a close-range scoring touch scoring from all sorts of angles. Tufano was a pure roller player.
A few years ago the great Las Vegas roller hockey coach Curt Weiman named his “five best roller players I ever coached” and the list included in order Nick Robone, Adam Tamura, Eddie Samuels, Billy Tufano and Micah Sanford.
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Bet you didn’t know Micah Sanford of Las Vegas once played for the Las Vegas Blackjacks Jr B at the Sahara Ice Rink. There were a lot of line brawls that season. One of Micah’s linemates was the gifted roller hockey star Leroy Garcia.
Back in 2003-04 the top line in town was Anthony Greener, Kurt Long and Conrad Trimbath on the AA Las Vegas Rebels. The team got off to a 13-0-2 start – a record at that time – and didn’t lose a game until late October. Conrad scored 29 goals that season.
Bet you didn’t know hockey coach Rob Pallin played pro beach roller hockey and was seen on ESPN.
When Alex Redmond of Las Vegas years ago was signed by the Peninsula Panthers Jr B he wore the name ‘Blackjack’ on the back of his jersey. He was a smash hit as a player skating that season on Vancouver Island.
Back in 2001 Travis Roseberry was named Skater of the Year for the AA Las Vegas Mustangs. He was the centerpiece of the Triple Threat Line with Spike Neely and JC Caron.
Before the 2001-02 Las Vegas Mustangs played in the U.S. Nationals coach Rob Pallin took them to Mount Charleston for long mountain runs.
The first to play rock music at hometown games was The Hockey Sister – Jessica Jasek, sister of 61-goal scorer Josh Jasek. Back then the games were played at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena.
The scoreboard at Santa Fe is now at the Sobe Ice Arena. So is one of the Zambonis.
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The new owners of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds announced that head coaches Cory Ward and Hamilton Whyte will be with the team this coming season. New owners include Marco Benuenuti, Joe Micatrotto and Allan Creel – Lee
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To write a story here on Vegas Hockey send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Last season Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator with the NAHL Northeast Generals had these awesome stats: 13-1-1, 1.70 gaa. 93/% save percentage
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The NHL Vegas Golden Knights crushed the Dallas Stars 6-0 and will next play the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. The Golden Knights will play their home playoff games at the T-Mobile Arena.
Monday, June 5: Florida at Vegas- Golden Knights in a magnificant performance win 7-2
Thursday, June 8: Vegas at Florida, 5 pm, TNT
Saturday, June 10: Vegas at Florida, 5 pm TNT
x-Tuesday, June 13: Florida at Vegas, 5 pm TNT
x-Friday, June 16: Vegas at Florida, 5 pm TNT
x-Monday, June 19: Florida at Vegas, 5 pm TNT
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Premier goalie Heath Goldsmith of Las Vegas will play next season at ACHA Stony Brook University
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said the Rebels will play at Grand Canyon on October 13 in Game One, then play them again October 14 on home ice at City National Arena to begin the 2023-24 season.
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Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen and his hockey son Jason Allen will be off on a journey to see Jason’s son Roman play in a big high school football game in September in Texas. Roman plays on the Jarrell High School football team. Roman got the NSCA High School Athlete of the Year in his Texas region. He plays football and runs in track and field.
Jason Zucker of Las Vegas coming off an awesome 27-goal-scoring season with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins
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Skatin’ Rebel Hunter Muzzillo set to return
By Kayla Faasse
The UNLV Hockey team captain Hunter Muzzillo returns to City National Arena for the 2023-24 season with the Skatin’ Rebels.
The 6-foot defenseman appeared in 24 games this past season, tallying two goals and five assists. Throughout his four years, he has racked up a total of 95 games with 50 points.
Muzzillo led the team to Nationals as the No. 4 ranked team for the second consecutive season. Unfortunately, the Rebels fell in the second game to Liberty University ending the year just shy of a national title.
He has only seen the post-season twice, due to the pandemic cutting his first two years at UNLV short. Pushing through adversity, Muzzillo looks at his third attempt with pride and poise.
“There’s unfinished business,” Muzzillo said. “I want nothing more than to win a national championship for this school and this program- for everyone involved. It’s really what gets me up every day. I just want to win, and we haven’t won the big one yet… I’ve got one more year of eligibility to try and get that done.”
The fire within Muzzillo for the national championship, not only for himself but for the city of Las Vegas burns brighter than ever entering his final season with the Rebels.
The UNLV hockey program grows every season, bringing in more top recruits with Muzzillo at the helm to lead the group on and off the ice.
“My only individual goal is to be a good leader, teammate, and a good friend to those who need me,” Muzzillo said. “Individually on the stat sheet, I don’t need that… I just want to win the big dance.”
Stay tuned to watch Hunter Muzzillo lead the Rebels into the new season as UNLV’s hunt for a national title continues.
Follow UNLV Hockey on all social media platforms to stay up to date with the team.
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LET’S NEVER FORGET
Frank Perone
Team Manager (2006-2012)
Frank ‘Gramps’ Perone Sr., for years was the unofficial GM at all UNLV Rebels ice hockey games. Gramps’ grandson, Anthony Vignieri-Greener, is one of the all-time goal scorers and current Head Coach of the UNLV Rebels. Unfortunately, Gramps passed away in May of 2019 but we want to continue to honor him as a member of our staff.
On game nights Gramps would be on the bench near the hockey sticks area where he kept players game-night hockey sticks in order. He was very popular with media and with opposing players as well – a very special, genuine person who loved the sport of hockey, loved talking about the game and loved being on the Rebels bench on game nights.
Frank was involved with the UNLV hockey program from its beginning. He was one of the organizers that started the UNLV hockey club for the 2005-2006 ACHA season.
Gramps had been involved with numerous Las Vegas hockey teams over the years:
1998 Las Vegas Black Jacks
1999-2001 Las Vegas Gold Miners
April 2000 Travel in Italy and Germany with coach Mike Nemic and 16 junior players
2001-2002 Las Vegas Outlaws
2002-2003 Las Vegas Rattlers
2003-2005 Las Vegas Outlaws
Coach Anthony Vignieri- Greener had this to say about “Gramps”, “He was my hero. Growing up with him always being my second Dad and helping and leading my brothers and myself as kids.”
R.I.P. Frank.
Breaker – Michael ‘Mikey’ Yochum, captain of the ACHA D1 Canisus College ice hockey team last season, will graduate there with a Masters in Economics on Saturday, May 20 – Lee
‘Hockey on the Rocks’ – painting by Terrence Fogarty of Minnesota
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At a Sunday brunch with Las Vegas hockey friends and reporters hockey Dad Greg Yochum whose son Mikey was captain of ACHA D1 Canisus College’s hockey team – said the city of Canisus which had a brutal winter with snowstorms and freezing weather still has very large piles of ice and snow in parking lots in town – Lee
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Gregg Drinnan reported this today in his daily hockey notebook:
The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) has announced a new path, continuing its mission to build a world class college-track junior league for players seeking NCAA and U Sports Scholarships and to establish a tier of hockey that to date has not been seen in Canada.
To grow and create more opportunities for players and more excitement for fans, the BCHL’s Board of Governors has voted to not renew the league’s agreement with Hockey Canada, meaning its 18 franchises will operate outside Hockey Canada’s system as of June 1, 2023.
“The BCHL sends more players to NCAA Division I teams than all other junior hockey leagues in Canada combined,” said BCHL Chairman Graham Fraser. “During the past season there were 411 BCHL alumni on NCAA rosters, making up nearly a quarter of all Division I college hockey. That is exciting, but we aspire to do more for players and to provide a higher level of hockey for our fans. Under the current system, that’s just not possible.”
“Our owners and governors are proud of how far we have come in recent years and have a strong desire to continue to grow and make decisions that are in the best interests of young players and families,” added Fraser. “Today, we are entering a new era that will eliminate barriers and change the landscape of junior hockey in Canada.”
//Jason Zucker of Las Vegas had 27 goals, 21 assists this past season with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins.
//Goalie Anthony Bonaldi of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds next season will play for NCAA D3 Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts.…
//Noah Smekal of Las Vegas will play this coming season for NCAA D3 Anna Maria College in Worcester, Massachusetts.
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The hockey plan for Austin Moline of Las Vegas is to play again with defending national champions Shattuck Prep 18u this coming season, then play with NCAA Northern Michigan in 2025-26. Austin is planning on training and doing conditioning work this summer in Las Vegas.
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Gregg Drinnan reports this:
The NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights announced on Wednesday that they and Manny Viveiros, the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, “have mutually agreed to part ways.” . . . Viveiros’s contract expires on June 30. He was the Silver Knights’ head coach through their first three seasons of existence. They went 89-79-11 over that stretch, and 3-4 in two playoff appearances. . . . This season, the Silver Knights finished 29-38-5, good for ninth in the 10-team Pacific Division. They didn’t qualify for the playoffs. . . . Viveiros is a former WHL player and coach. He played four seasons (1982-86) with the Prince Albert Raiders. He was the general manager and head coach of the Swift Current Broncos for two seasons (2016-18) and guided them to the 2018 WHL championship. He also was the head coach of the Spokane Chiefs for the 2019-20 season. . . . Kelly McCrimmon, the Golden Knights’ general manager, was quoted in the news release announcing Viveiros’s departure. Tim Speltz, once the longtime GM of the Spokane Chiefs, is the Silver Knights’ GM. There wasn’t any mention of Henderson assistant coach Jamie Heward or video coach Andrew Doty in the news release. Heward played and coached in the WHL, while Doty once worked with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. . . .
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There is a treasure of Las Vegas hockey stories here – including one years ago when Wally Lacroix was coaching a bantam named Jason Zucker at the Las Vegas Ice Center. And, it was coach Rob Pallin of Las Vegas who worked with Jason Z on skating techniques before Jason was going to the NHL player draft in Los Angeles……
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It wasn’t on the team schedule – so fans of the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds put together a ‘Family Pride Night’ themselves.
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NHL Players’ Player Award — for on/off ice leadership and dedication to team — goes to Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Jason Zucker of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Coaches for the Vegas Jr Golden Knights this season will include Nate Putek, AAA 18u team; Wally Lacroix, AAA 16u, Rob Pallin, AA 16u; Dustin Caldren, AAA 14u team, Chris Migliore, 12u team, Jordan Haysworth, 12u team, Harrison Luce, 10u, Geoff Sneed, 10u, Danny Ferri, Zach Pochiro, 10u Gold Team.
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Best Stats of the Day: Gage Quinney, Las Vegas, AHL Henderson Silver Knights, 24 goals, 37 assists, 61 points.
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greeener confirmed the Rebels will again be playing home games at the City National Arena on Charleston Avenue, right next to the Red Rock Casino Hotel – Lee
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UNLV star player Jayson Dimizio after playing his final game with the UNLV Rebels:
“Enjoy life and make a memory out of this place. Appreciate the hockey aspect of it all because it’ll be over and done with before you know it. So enjoy it and work hard and don’t let it blow by. You’ll graduate before you know it.”—
— By Kayla Faasse, UNLV Rebels star hockey reporter
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National Champions – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u!!!!
LITTLETON, Colo. — A slowly simmering start evolved into a rolling boil Monday morning at the 2023 Chipotle-USA Hockey Youth Tier II 14U National Championships at Edge Ice Arena, as the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights (NV) ultimately came away with a 2-1 shootout victory over Valley Thunder (AK) in the 2A championship game.
The Vegas Jr. Golden Knights struck first, when a rebound off a long shot was put home by Rodrick Reynolds III with 6:25 to go in the second period.
It took most of the remaining time in regulation for the Valley Thunder to equalize, but Tavian Mukaabya was able to convert on a top-shelf shot with 4:09 to go in regulation.
By the time the overtime period came and went, and the shootout went five skaters deep, it was Vegas goalie Vincent Vitale who metaphorically blew the roof off the arena.
After turning away 27 shots in regulation and overtime, Vitale made three consecutive saves during the shootout to kick off celebrations for the Golden Knights following the 2-1 victory.
“We played hard the whole tournament and teams kept getting better and better,” Vitale said. “Overtime, we were all pretty tired but, you know, we won and I couldn’t be happier.”
Although the first period was scoreless, each team had reason for optimism. Vegas possessed more in its attacking third, including a nearly three-minute stretch early in proceedings. Valley had more shots, including a wrister with 8:45 left in the frame that Vitale had to go full-stretch to push the puck wide.
Less than a minute later, the Knights had a long-and-low shot from the blue line that slipped through a maze of skates and the goalie, clanking off the left post as it scuttled away from the frame.
It was another blue line chance that eventually broke the scoreless tie with 6:25 to go in the second. Liam Butsavich fired a shot from deep in the zone and the puck went tumbling over the Valley goalie. Reynolds III got his stick into the scramble and stuffed the puck home.
It was arguably the second-best chance of the period, with the largest opportunity coming a few minutes earlier when Vitale left the crease for a clear attempt. When the clear clipped a Valley player’s stick and landed at the skates of another opponent, the ensuing ricocheted of Vitale’s mask as he stood at least 15 feet from the crease and tumbled over the frame, leading to a scrum behind the cage.
The only mark on Vitale’s stat sheet was the late equalizer, which Mukaabya tucked into the top-left corner after the puck clipped the goalie’s shoulder. Immediately afterwards, several Golden Knights skaters picked up their netminder with words of encouragement and Vitale anchored the team through the remaining regulation, overtime period and shootout.
“His mental toughness is one of the reasons he has a letter on his chest,” Golden Knights coach Dustin Coldren said, referencing Vitale’s assistant captain patch. “He’s just an unbelievable player and great, great kid. He’s incredibly tough and he was probably our best player of the whole tournament.”
There was extra pressure on Vitale’s shoulders, too, as the backup goalie didn’t travel with the team. Per USA Hockey rules, the Golden Knights needed a backup goalie, which local club Littleton Hawks provided in Henry Snow. After the game, Vegas chanted the name of their emergency backup.
“This is exactly what we’ve worked all season for,” Coldren said. “It probably wasn’t our best game and Alaska gave us everything we could handle. A little bittersweet that it had to come down to a shootout but I’m just so proud of the boys.”
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Las Vegas Native, Defender Austin Moline, is playing in the USA National Championship game on Monday, April 3 at 12:30 pm PST. Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u Prep Team takes on the 18U Buffalo Regals from New York.,Austin Moline, has three points so far in the tournament.
https://nationals.usahockey.com/2023youthtieri18u
//Austin Moline and AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s won 10-2 in the gold medal game .
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Sunday – AA South Alabama Thunder wins 3-2 in OT – Ryan Williams and Alfred Bauchrowitz scored for coach Rob Pallin’s AA Las Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
After the game coach Rob Pallin said “we are very proud of the young men on our team. This group of players played the game way over their abilities – not many gave them much of a chance. For me personally I am a very proud coach.”
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On Sunday coach Rob Pallins’s AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u will take on thA Alabama Thunder 16u.
Saturday – Carson Rowe 2 goals, Connor Bintz, Charles Edwards and Braeden Schroeder and Alfred Bauchrowitz scored in a decisive 6-3 win over AA Oregon 16u at the U.S. Nationals.
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Friday Final – AA Delaware Ducks 3, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 2
Joshua Bilharz, Jordan Khoury scored for Las Vegas.
Coach Rob Pallin noted after the game “we didn’t manage pucks very well today. However, the line of Bintz, Edwards and Micali was good.’
Next game will be vs Bend Rapids, Oregon.
Coach Rob Pallin noted their AA Nationals 16u game today was played at…
Northtown Center
1615 Amherst Manor
Williamsville, NY 14221
Goal scorers today for AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u:
Connor Bintz, Ryan Williams, Anze Gudino, Caden Herrera and Tate Morrison. Las Vegas Goalie – Varkis Baligian
Coach Rob said after the game “…..everything starts with your goalie. Varkis played a solid game. Our powerplay was great. Our team played with discipline.”
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On Friday the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u will take on the AA Delaware Ducks 16u at 9:30 am local time.
Austin Moline of Las Vegas and Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep Team in action….
Las Vegas born, 2005 Defenseman Austin Moline, who skates for Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep Team out of Minnesota, will be competing as the 1st place ranked team in the country in the National Tournament taking place San Jose, California March 29-April 3rd. Let’s go Austin Moline and Shattuck St. Mary’s Hockey!!!
Games will be live-streamed on USAhockeytv.com
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One of our all-time favorite Las Vegas players is Mikey Yochum who was captain of the ACHA D1 Canisius hockey team. We saw Mikey play for Canisius this past season vs the UNLV Rebels before a sold out City National Arena on a cold winter night. Mikey played before his parents including Greg Yochum.. We briefly said hello to Mikey after the game – not knowing this was his senior season with Canisius. Like his teammates Mikey battled through brutal cold weather and an amazing amount of snow back at college. He made out ok and we were told he has graduated from the Canisius hockey program – Lee
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Here is the Chipolte USA Nationals game schedule for coach Rob Pallin and the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u. Games will be at the Northtown Centre in Williamsville, N.Y.
March 30 – vs Team Wyoming, 1:15 pm
March 31 – vs Delaware Ducks, 10 am
April 1 – vs Bend Rapids, Oregon
April 2 – Final 4
April 3 – Gold medal Game
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener on the ACHA D1 Nationals:
“It was a tough season. Our players worked so hard and for this to end like this hurts – but now this will give them more incentive to work hard this summer.”
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Marlborough, Mass. – Robert McCollum scored the winning goal for UNLV; Caleb Strong 2 goals and Jaxsen Wyatt scored in a game which had a very dramatic finish at the ACHA D1 Nationals.
Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said “We found a way (to win) and that is what great teams do. We are proud of our team. We faced a lot of adversity. Next, we play the winner of the Pitt vs Liberty University game on Sunday.”
//Liberty University won 3-1 over the all-heart UNLV Rebels who were eliminated on Sunday. Paxton Malone scored for the Rebels. ‘Lando’ Pavlisin was goalie.
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BEST STATS TODAY
JASON ZUCKER, LAS VEGAS
NHL PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Goals 24
Assists 20
Points 44
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Danny Webster, writer for the hometown Las Vegas Sun newspaper, wrote an awesome story on the UNLV Rebels titled ‘UNLV Hockey Chases a Championship After Coming so Close Last Year’ – very well written. The Sun newspaper is inserted in the daily Las Vegas Review Journal.
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Breaker – Rebels head coach Anthony Greener noted today he plans to start goalie Landon ‘Lando’ Pavlisin in Game One at the Nationals. “Our plan is to start Lando in the net and roll with him,” coach Greener said.
UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener also said today he and his coaches will watch the Buffalo University vs. Grand Valley State first round game and put together a battle plan to play the winner in the ACHA D1 National Tournament in Marlboro, Mass. on Friday, March 17 – Lee
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M1 Rankings
Final Ranking (Games thru 2/26/23)
| Ranking | Name | M1 Record | Previous Ranking |
| 1 | Minot State University | 24-2-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Ohio University | 28-5-2 | 3 |
| 3 | Adrian College | 31-2-2 | 4 |
| 4 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | 24-3-1 | 2 |
| 5 | Liberty University | 15-11-1 | 6 |
| 6 | University of Central Oklahoma | 28-7-1 | 5 |
| 7 | University of Jamestown | 19-7-0 | 8 |
| 8 | Indiana Tech | 31-3-1 | 7 |
| 9 | Maryville University | 18-9-0 | 9 |
| 10 | Niagara University | 22-8-1 | 10 |
| 11 | University of Arizona | 16-9-4 | 14 |
| 12 | University of Pittsburgh | 20-7-3 | 11 |
| 13 | Grand Valley State University | 32-7-0 | 12 |
| 14 | Calvin University | 22-7-3 | 15 |
| 15 | Illinois State University | 27-6-2 | 13 |
| 16 | Lawrence Tech | 25-7-2 | 16 |
| 17 | University of Utah | 15-10-1 | 17 |
| 18 | Stony Brook University | 16-10-4 | 20 |
| 19 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | 22-11-2 | 18 |
| 20 | Arizona State University | 16-16-4 |
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Best Stats of the Day
NAREK ALEKSANYAN, LAS VEGAS
USPHL PREMIER LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS
Goals – 46
Assists – 55
Points – 101
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Friday, March 10 – Tonight’s big game – Cory Ward’s USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds at USPHL Premier Fresno Monsters begins 6 pm pacific at the Gateway Ice Center in Fresno.
//Flash Final Score – In a stunner T-Birds win 5-4. Goalie – Loic Morin; the mighty Fresno Monsters are eliminated.
T-Birds goals in order
Frederick Pinel
Tristan Nelson
Kevin Hanly
Trystan-Felix Tremblay
Narek Aleksanyan
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Fresno – In a staggering awesome performance Trystan Felix Tremblay of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds scored 4 times – including getting the game-winning goal as coach Cory Ward’s T-Birds beat the Fresno Monsters 5-4 in the opening game of the playoffs at the Gateway Ice Center. It was Gavin Frack who got the assist on the game-winning goal.
T-Birds goalie Sam Peterson had 31 saves. This was the biggest win in the T-Birds hockey history. – Lee
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Thursday, March 9, 2023 – Early Edition
Fresno – This is it – Best of Three – the winner gets USPHL Premier Pacific Division gold medal. Cory Ward’s USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds will take on the Fresno Monsters on their home ice at the Gateway Ice Center. These are two very strong, well-coached teams with star players and goalies who play the game the hard way. This is a Best of Three series – tonight, Thursday, faceoff will be at 7:45 pm pacific. On Friday, 6 pm start time; if needed to play Saturday, 5 pm.
How important are these games really……T-Birds GM Adam Bonaldi says “these are very important games” — the winner of this 3-game series will advance to the USPHL Premier National Championships.“
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Special to Vegas Hockey
Austin Moline of Las Vegas – playing for Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep team – will play for NCAA Northern Michigan University in 2025-26 season – Lee
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This was posted in Gregg Drinnan’s daily hockey notebook today:
The QMJHL’s board of governors will vote in June on whether to ban fighting. . . . Le Journal de Quebec reported Monday that members voted in favour of the move last week, but that a move in that direction would have to be ratified in June. . . . Under the new regulations, according to the newspaper, a fight will result in automatic expulsion, with “certain exceptions,” such as when there is an instigator in a fight. . . . On Sept. 30, 2020, the QMJHL implemented a rule that results in a major and misconduct being given to a fighter. . . . The newspaper reported that during the 2010-11 season, the QMJHL averaged 0.78 fights per game. This season, through 536 games, that number was 0.14 (79 fights in 536 games).
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Adrian, Michigan – This just in – Gia Avalone of Las Vegas and the NCAA D3 Adrian Bulldogs defeated Lake Forest College 2-0 to win the Slaats Cup. Adrian is ranked #3 in the USA. Now Gia and her team are waiting for the winner of the Nazareth College vs St. Norbert College game. The Nationals quarter-final game will be Saturday, March 11.
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Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator was 13-1-1 overall with a shutout win and an awesome 1.70 gaa and a 93.3% save percentage in the net this season for the Northeast Generals junior hockey team – East Division Champions – in Attleboro, Mass.
The Northeast Generals are Regular Season League Champs and heading into the St. Louis for the Fraser Cup Finals this weekend.
Luke is still uncommitted, but he is looking at a few colleges who are very interested.
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Tuesday, March 7, 2023
UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said today he and his coaches will watch the Buffalo U vs. Grand Valley State first round game and put together a battle plan to play the winner in the ACHA D1 National Tournament in Marlboro, Mass. on March 17 – Lee
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Final ACHA D1 Ranking (Games thru 2/26/23)
| Ranking | Name | M1 Record | Previous Ranking |
| 1 | Minot State University | 24-2-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Ohio University | 28-5-2 | 3 |
| 3 | Adrian College | 31-2-2 | 4 |
| 4 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | 24-3-1 | 2 |
| 5 | Liberty University | 15-11-1 | 6 |
| 6 | University of Central Oklahoma | 28-7-1 | 5 |
| 7 | University of Jamestown | 19-7-0 | 8 |
| 8 | Indiana Tech | 31-3-1 | 7 |
| 9 | Maryville University | 18-9-0 | 9 |
| 10 | Niagara University | 22-8-1 | 10 |
| 11 | University of Arizona | 16-9-4 | 14 |
| 12 | University of Pittsburgh | 20-7-3 | 11 |
| 13 | Grand Valley State University | 32-7-0 | 12 |
| 14 | Calvin University | 22-7-3 | 15 |
| 15 | Illinois State University | 27-6-2 | 13 |
| 16 | Lawrence Tech | 25-7-2 | 16 |
| 17 | University of Utah | 15-10-1 | 17 |
| 18 | Stony Brook University | 16-10-4 | 20 |
| 19 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | 22-11-2 | 18 |
| 20 | Arizona State University | 16-16-4 | 19 |
| 21 | Purdue University-Northwest | 20-7-1 | 22 |
| 22 | Grand Canyon University | 13-12-2 | 21 |
| 23 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | 24-6-0 | 24 |
| 24 | Missouri State University | 15-15-2 | 23 |
| 25 | Colorado State University | 14-13-1 | NR |
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Saturday – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and AHL Henderson Silver Knights take on an ultra-strong AHL Abbottsford Canucks team 7 pm faceoff at the Dollar Loan Center Arena in Henderson – Lee
Final Score – Henderson Silver Knights win 2-1 in an OT Shootout.
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Breaker – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas scored his 18th, 19th goals of the season for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in a stunning 5-4 OT win over the hometown Tampa Bay Lighting before 19,092 fans on Friday night. It was the 4th straight win for the Penguins who moved into a playoff spot. Jason played tier hockey years ago at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue.
Saturday, March 4, 2023
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – There is no easy ride to get to the top of the playoff standings as coach Cory Ward’s USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds out-battled the USPHL Ontario Reign 5-1 in a hard, physical game to win a Best of Three playoff series to advance to – guess what – a showdown series of games vs the top dog USPHL Premier Fresno Monsters.
The big game Friday at the Las Vegas Ice Center was tremendously rough and physical. When it was over the T-Birds got the win, the Ontario Reign players and coaches were distraught after the game came to a close- this was the final game of the season for Ontario.
The T-Birds got an awesome effort from goalie Sam Peterson in all three periods.
Here are the T-Birds goal scorers in order.
//Trystan-Felix Tremblay
//Frederick Pinel
//Trystan-Felix Tremblay
//Trystan-Felix Tremblay
//Narek Aleksanyan
Shots on Goal – T-Birds 47-45
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Las Vegas – Playoff hockey is the best hockey, proven by coach Cory Ward and his USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds who gutted it out in a wild 7-5 win over the USPHL Premier Ontario Jr Reign before a big frenzied crowd on the north rink at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Thursday evening. The T-Birds controlled most of the action but Ontario just kept the battle brightly lit. The T-Birds won Game One of a Best of Three playoff series. Game two is Friday night 8:45 pm at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Game three, if needed, would be played in Ontario.
“Ontario is an awesome team, they kept driving towards our net,” coach Cory said after the game. It was a tough, physical game just as coach Cory thought it would be.
The T-Birds however have an army of on-ice sharpshooters and goal scorers.
Loic Morin, the T-Birds goalie, plays the game at an elite level. Narek Aleksanyan is a gifted goal scorer, one of the best in Las Vegas this season.
Las Vegas goals in order:
Frederick Pinel
Kevin Hanly
Narek Aleksanyan
Antoine Tourigny
Nick Bonaldi
Antoine Tourigny
Gavin Frack
Shots on goal – T-Birds 41, Ontario Jr Reign 40
From the Blue Line – UNLV star player Jayson Dimizio was at the game……The big banners of Jason Zucker, Kenny Brooks, Brittany Brooks, Joe Sullivan plus quite a few others were on the arena walls where the big game was played….More good news the Ice Center’s coffee shop was open throughout the game…..Officiating was awesome in such an ultra-heated all out war of a game….Hockey dad Steve Allen says he cannot wait to see Game Two of this series tonight…..Oh, and that was the great hockey dad John McNicholas at the south rinkboards……
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UNLV Rebels breaking news right here tomorrow…….
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Photo of the Day – Chris Francis, tremendous Las Vegas goal scorer
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Wednesday, March 1, 2023
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey announced today it has modified the parameters for tryout dates associated with the 2023-24 season.
Tryouts for all Tier I & II 14U-18U youth and 14U-19U girls teams can now take place any time after 3:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday April 4, 2023. That time frame is 24 hours following the start time of the final game of the 2023 Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships. The previous regulation was 48 hours following the start time of the final game.
No youth or girls Tier I or Tier II team may recruit or solicit players or offer hockey contracts to players for the 2023-24 season, or hold development camps, tryouts, player selections or any activity that could be construed as a tryout/solicitation or recruitment for the 2023-24 season, prior to 3:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
Please note that any violation may subject the coach, team, program and/or responsible administrators to appropriate discipline, or ineligibility of the team or coach, as determined by the USA Hockey Affiliate.
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Las Vegas – The very first giant goal scorer here in town was Micah Sanford who first played roller hockey at his father’s rink ‘The Little House of Champions” Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive. When Micah moved to ice hockey he was signed by HOF coach Harvey Smyl of the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs. Micah had 47 goals, 50 assists in the 2001-02 season. And coach Harvey? Micah said in a very close game coach Harvey had the ability to get the right players onto the ice who could help us the most. What an awesome coach…..“
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Best Stats of the Day
Erik Atchision, NAHL Bismarck Bobcats
Goals – 7
Assists – 12
Points – 19
Plus/Minus – +6
//Erik, a star player, was with Bismarck the second half of this season
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Narek Aleksanyan, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Goals – 46
Assists – 55
Points – 101
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Heath Mensch, Las Vegas, EHL New England Wolves
Goals – 27
Assists – 33
Points – 60
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Vito Carlo, Las Vegas, NCAA3 Franklin Pierce University
Goals – 5
Assists – 6
Points – 11
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ACHA National Tournament @ Boston / Marlboro, MA – March 16-21, 2023
Men’s Division 1: March 16-21, 2023
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Tier 1 National Championships
Tier 1 Youth Hockey 18u
March 29 to April 3
San Jose, Calif.
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Tier 1 Youth Hockey 16u
March 29 to April 3
San Jose, Calif
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Tier 1 Youth Hockey 14u
March 29 to April 3
Plymouth, Michigan
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| 2022-2023 ACHA Men’s Division 1 Ranking #16 | ||||
| Rank | School Name | M1 Record | Previous | Conference |
| 1 | Minot State | 23-1-0 | 1 | INDEP |
| 2 | Nevada-Las Vegas | 22-3-1 | 3 | WCHL |
| 3 | Ohio | 26-5-2 | 4 | CSCHL |
| 4 | Adrian | 28-2-2 | 2 | GLCHL |
| 5 | Central Oklahoma | 26-7-1 | 5 | WCHL |
| 6 | Liberty | 14-10-1 | 6 | INDEP |
| 7 | Indiana Tech | 31-2-1 | 7 | WHAC |
| 8 | Jamestown | 17-7-0 | 8 | MCH |
| 9 | Maryville | 18-9-0 | 9 | CSCHL |
| 10 | Niagara | |||
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Sunday, February 26, 2023
Las Vegas – UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener, after the Rebels worked hard to beat ACHA D 1 Grand Canyon University 4-2 before a sold out crowd on Saturday evening at City National Arena said “this was a great win for our seniors. This will be a long week in practice to see where we finish and what (playoff) bracket we will be in. We will be getting better every single day.” Star goalie Landon Pavlisin was in the net for the Rebels. After the game was over the Grand Canyon players went back onto the ice in a team gathering where they each embraced and congratulated each of their teammates- Lee
UNLV goal scorers
Brendan Manning 7th goal this season
Brenden Fehlig 8th
Jake Berry 3rd
Jayson Dimizio 9th
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Also tonight: Cory Ward’s USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds on the road vs USPHL Premier Bakersfield Roughnecks at the Valley Children’s Hospital Ice Center in Bakersfield, Ca.
//Bakersfield gets the win 5-4 in OT.
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Rebels coach Anthony Greener said after the game “it was great to see us play as a team. Luke Burke really had a good game – “along with a quite of few others. We have to be ready tomorrow’s game (Saturday). Because they (Grand Canyon University) aren’t done yet.”
Rebels goal scorers in order
Jayson Dimizio
Max Johnson
Cole Wyatt
Jaedin Ness – two goals
Robert McCollum
Alec Johnson
Jake Berry
Caleb Strong
Mattias Dal Monte
Jaxsen Wyatt
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The great hockey writer Gregg Drinnan posted this today:
It would seem that you can scratch Chilliwack off the list of potential soft landing spots for a WHL franchise.
Here’s Eric Welsh of the Chilliwack Progress newspaper:
“Is the Western Hockey League returning to Chilliwack?
“That answer is no, according to the owners of the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs. The return of major junior hockey would have to come with the blessing of the Chiefs, who also own and operate the Chilliwack Coliseum. They re-affirmed their commitment to the BCHL and junior A hockey when asked about the rumours this week.
“ ‘We’re flattered being identified as a top junior hockey market in Canada,’ said Barry Douglas, the Chiefs’ vice-president of business operations. “But Chiefs ownership is committed to the BCHL and is thrilled with the support the Chiefs receive in Chilliwack.
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Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and the AHL Henderson Silver Knights got a huge road win last night – 3-2 over the AHL Calgary Wranglers before 3133 at the Scotiabank Saddledome Arena.
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UNLV Rebels coach Anthony Greener on the final home games of the season this weekend:
“It is always emotional playing your last two games at home because it’s the final time our seniors will be there. The only thing we can tell them is to enjoy it and live in the moment. Cherish these times and embrace it.”
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Austin Moline, 17, of Las Vegas is playing this season with the Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep team. Next season Austin is committed to play at NCAA Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan…….Beau Ricketts, one of the greatest Las Vegas goal scorers we ever saw is now living in North Dakota where he is playing hockey on a men’s league team……We plan to be at the two season-ending home games this weekend for the UNLV Rebels vs Grand Canyon University this Friday/Saturday at City National Arena. We will be at our usual spot on the north rinkboards – Lee
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Best Stats of the Day
GAGE QUINNEY
Las Vegas
AHL Henderson Silver Knights
Goals – 20
Assists – 17
Points – 37
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Tonight – Thursday – Gage Quinney and the AHL Henderson Silver Knights will be on on the road to play the AHL Calgary Wranglers – Lee
Gia Avalone of Las Vegas scored the decisive goal to help NCAA D3 Adrian College in Michigan win the NCHA women’s hockey championship. Her brother is Steven Avalone, a star player for years – Lee
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Here are the scores – and names of goal scorers – for Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin andd his AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team which recently competed at the NAPHL games in Detroit
Park City Miners 4, VJGK 1
VJGK goal – Caden Ross
Goalie – Varkis Balagian
—
Tampa Bay Crunch 6, VJGK 3
VJGK goals – Ryan Williams, Anzie Gudino, Jordan Koury
Goalie – Shayn Tarolla
—
Rose City Pats 6, VJGK 1
VJGK goal – Carson Rowe
VJGK goalie – Varkis Balagian
—
VJGK 3, Rose City Pats 1
VJGK goals – Ryan Williams 2, Luca Doremus
VJGK goalie – Shayn Tarolla
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Wednesday, Feb 22, 2022
Las Vegas – Cory Ward’s USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds won 10-4 over the visiting San Diego Sabers on Tuesday at the City National Arena. These are two top teams. San Diego came into this game with a 31-9-2 record. The T-Birds are now 33-8-2.
Las Vegas goals – Antoine Tourigny 3 goals, Trystan-Felix Tremblay 2 goals, Gavin Frack 1, Ludovic Martel 1, Alexandre Joanette 1, Frederick Pinel 1, Justin Freeman 1
Shots – San Diego 48-41
Las Vegas goalie – Loic Moran
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FLASHBACK – JASON ZUCKER NAMED ‘GREATEST ROLLER PLAYER OF ALL TIME’ IN LAS VEGAS
=======================================================================================
Vegas Hockey Hall of Fame roller coach Curt Weiman said in 2014 that Jason Zucker, who first walked into the Crystal Palace roller rink at the age of three, the greatest Las Vegas roller player of all time. Jason now plays for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. As a young skater in roller, Jason was a dynamic speeding-fast force. Jason’s signed roller stick and Tour Rebels jersey is framed and hung with care on the East wall of Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive, Las Vegas.
Here are coach Curt’s Top 5 All-Time Las Vegas players in roller
========================================================================================
THE GREATEST ALL-TIME LAS VEGAS PLAYERS IN ROLLER
#1
JASON ZUCKER
#2
EDDIE SAMUELS
#3
ADAM NAGLICH
#4
MICAH SANFORD
#5
CHRIS FRANCIS
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=-==========
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Sunday Flash Update – Wow – it really was a Super Sunday! Anze Gudino scored a dramatic OT/Shootout goal to help coach Rob Pallin’s AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u beat Faith Lutheran H.S. in a thriller 3-2 before a massive crowd at City National Arena.
VJGK Goals in order
1st goal – Ryan Williams
2nd goal – Anze Gudino
3rd goal – game-winner – Anze Gudino
VJGK goalies in this game
Shayn Tarolla – first half
Varkis Baligian – second half/and the shootout
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Meanwhile coach Wally Lacroix and his AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 15u got an awesome game from goalie Kellen Hardy and a game-winning goal from Spencer Collins in a 3-2 OT win over AAA Milwaukee Jr Admirals at the West Fargo Sports Arena. “Great, great effort from our group of young men who battled until the end – no quit!”
Breaker – See what hard work, precise attack runs and outstanding goal-tending can do. UNLV put it all together to take down a proud ACHA D1 Utah team 6-2 last night in a game played at the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson.
Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said “we definitely came out with a hotter start which was huge for us. We got pucks deep and cycled pucks really well. Power play was 3 for 7. And our penalty kill was 100 percent. It was great to see our new players chipping in as well.”
Rebels coach Nick Robone noted goal scorers in order were “Alex Johnson, Brenden Manning, Azzaro Tingley, Cole Wyatt, Nick Flanders and Mattias Delmonte. Our goalie tonight was Landon Pavlisin. He is from Anaheim Hills, California and grew up playing in the Anaheim Ducks organization.”
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Henderson, NV – Rob McCollum, who grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, scored the first two goals for the UNLV Rebels, then Bradley Golant got a dramatic late-game winning goal as the Rebels battled past a rugged ACHA D1 Utah team in a tough, physical game resulting in a 3-2 win at the Dollar Loan Center Ice Arena. It was a hard game in all three periods. The Rebels got awesome play from their star goalie Zach Wickson. The two teams will play again on Saturday evening – Lee
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Coach Matt Johnson and his AAA Vegas Jr Golden Jr Knights 16u are in West Fargo, North Dakota with an interesting weekend schedule:
Friday, October 7, 2022
AAA VGK 16u vs DesMoines Buccaneers
//DesMoines wins 5-2; Carter Adams, Ryan Disbrow scored for AAA VGK 16u; Vegas goalie Jacob Brumm
Saturday, October, 2022 (two games)
//AAA VGK 16u vs United Hockey Federation
//AAA VGK 16u vs Chicago Fury
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Wally Lacroix, head coach of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 15u, and his team are off to a major tournament – the USHL Showcase in West Fargo, North Dakota. “We’ve been practicing hard last few weeks for this. We play against two top teams in our first games – getting focused for such a challenging week ahead of us.”
Friday, October 7 – AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 15u shock AAA Chicago Fury 15u 1-0; Kellen Hardy in net for Las Vegas. “This is big, huge – however you want to describe it,” said coach Wally.
Next game played on Friday – AAA Jr Golden Knights 15u 2, AAA Omaha Mastery 15u 6
“Proud of our effort against a very strong highly-ranked team – Kameron Laskaskas in the net for us,” said coach Wally.
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Breaker – Big goal scorer Heath Mensch of Las Vegas two goals for the EHL New England Wolves….In his first three starts this season Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator has a 2-0-1 record, 0.90 gaa and a shutout win for the NA3HL Northeast Generals in Attleboro, Mass…...Mikey Yochum of Las Vegas and ACHA D1 Canisius take on big rival Buffalo College this coming weekend….Johnny Gold and Peppers, who drives the Zamboni, plan to be at the UNLV vs Utah games this weekend in Henderson…One of our favorite Las Vegas goalies Johnny Ng is playing here in town with the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u..…
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The UNLV Rebels are now focused on invading ACHA D1 Utah University with Friday/Saturday games at the Henderson ice rinks. Game times 7 pm
UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener says “we are preparing for a hard weekend when Utah University comes to town. They put a good product on the ice and they are getting better each year. They will be hungry after two losses in Arizona. Mainly we are just focused on ourselves right now – trying to get better each and every day.”
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Best Quote of the Day: UNLV Rebels coach Anthony Greener talks about the weekend game vs #1 ranked Denver University: “First of all Jayson Dimizio and Zach Whickson of our team played unbeliveable. One thing we noticed about Denver is that they don’t make mistakes; they move the puck with a purpose and everything is quick and fast. There’s a reason why Denver is the Number One in the country.”
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Las Vegas Thunderbirds – Head Coach Cory Ward
Season Record 4-2-0
Top 5 Goal Scorers
9 – Narek Aleksanyan
7 – Ludovic Martel
6 – Antoine Tourigny
3 – Gavin Frack
2 – Michael Normore-Wells
2 – Guillaume Dufour
Next Game – T-Birds vs San Diego Sabers on Friday, October 14 @ Lifeguard Arena, Henderson, NV
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Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin has that magic touch – when he is on the bench his teams invaribly win – starting back in 1999-2000 season when his Triple Line of Travis Roseberry, JC Caron and Spike Neely were the very first Las Vegas tier 18u team to have a winning record. Rob has coached internationaly as well including a pro team in Innsbruck, Austria. So, considering all of this, we asked coach Rob who were your very best players.
#1 John Lammers, Innsbruck forward, 3rd round draft pick, NHL Dallas Stars
#2 Tyler Spurgeon, Innsbruck, brother of Jared Spurgeon, NHL Minnesota Wild
#3 Andrew Clark, Innsbruck, 300 AHL games
#4 Andrew Yogan, Innsbruck, 4th round draft pick, New York Rangers
#5 Eddie Del Grosso, Las Vegas, University of Nebraska Omaha – First Team All America – “very special with the puck.”
Coach Rob is now doing his magical things with the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u.
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Flash Score Saturday from Denver in the third period – #1 ranked NCAA Denver University 7, UNLV Rebels 0, UNLV’s star goalie Zach Wickson started in the net, now Vince Benedetto is now the Rebels goalie. NCAA #1 ranked Denver University wins the game
Saturday – Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas and the NAHL Bismarck Bobcats made his debut vs the historically tough Minot Minotarus. The Bobcats have a record of 3-3-1, Minot was 3-4-1 going into into this game . Minot wins 4-1
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“Great game by both teams – huge crowd at City National Arena – just amazing to see two teams play extremely hard,” said coach Rob Pallin of the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
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Breaker Breaker – UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener plans to start goalie Zach ‘The Wall’ Wickson on Saturday vs the #1 ranked mega power Denver University. “Wickson will start, however as soon we can feel the pace of the game we will be looking to get our other goalie – Vince (Benedetto) into the game as well.” Last season Zach Wickson had a record of 19-3-1, with a 92.0 save percentage for UNLV Rebels.
Game time Saturday will be 6 pm mountain time.
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Friday – Live Flash Update – Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator and the NA3HL Northeast Generals beat Norwich Sea Captains at the Rose Garden Arena in Norwich, Conn…..The NA3HL Generals are now 4-0-0 this season. To Rink2 at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive here in town, the dynamic Aidan Finch, who played for coach Matt Johnson last season, is now the centerpiece this year for the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 18u this season.
The UNLV Rebels are on the move – in Denver and wiring into playing in a historic game vs NCAA #1 ranked Denver University this weekend. “We are going to put a great product onto the ice there and go there to get some respect. We are going to compete with everything we have, every moment of this game. For sure we will practice on Friday and Saturday morning there,” said UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener. Game time Saturday is 6 pm mountain time.
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BEST PHOTO OF THE DAY – JASON ZUCKER OF LAS VEGAS AND THE NHL PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Photo by Amy Irvin – The Hockey Writers
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There is more breaking news today in regards to Las Vegas star goal scorer Erik Atchison who will play for the NAHL Bismarck Bobcats this season
Eric had 6 or so offers within 8 hours from the BCHL and NAHL teams. He chose to go to the Bismarck Bobcats in the NAHL where he will be one of the top forwards in their lineup. He debuts this weekend vs Minot.
Eric’s younger brother Fuzzy Atchison made the All Star game in Edmonton for the Oil Kings and had a big game with 3 points with a goal and 2 assists but ultimately was sent back to Windy City Storm 16U AAA. This weekend the team went to Pittsburgh for the USHL Showcase. 26 of the country’s best 16 UAAA teams. Fuzz helped lead the team to a 5-0 undefeated record including a 1-0 shootout win over powerhouse Honeybaked in the Championship game! Fuzz had 6 assists in the tournament. Logan Perez of Las Vegas had a monster of a weekend going 3-0 including including 2 shootout wins stopping all 5 shots he faced. Logan was the winning goalie in the Championship game with 3-2 final in the shootout!
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Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator is off to a 1-0-0 start with a 1.29 gaa and a 95.8% save percentage with the NA3HL Northeast Generals in Attleboro, Massachusetts – Lee
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THE DAY THE GREAT GOAL SCORER OF LAS VEGAS MICAH SANFORD LEFT TOWN
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – Back in the mid to late 1990s here Micah Sanford was the biggest star goal scorer in roller hockey and in ice hockey. Then he made a decision to play for the AAA Vail Avalanche who were coached by Brad Buetow and Jamie O’Leary. It was a big, staggering story in that era. And other star Las Vegas players followed Micah to Vail, Colorado.
Jamie O’Leary said “when we first met Micah “he was a pretty much a complete package for us that season. Other Las Vegas players who came as well were Evan Zucker, Eddie Samuels and Brad Ellis.
“Evan Zucker had a great shot and excellent puck control. Eddie had great hands and physicality. Brad Ellis was super physical and very fast. What awesome players!,” Jamie said
This season in Colorado coach Jamie said “we’ve taken over for Chance Creger as a hockey director for our program in Hyland Hills. My boys are 12 and 8 years old and we will be coaching them in PWAA and SU Advanced.”
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#1 Most Searched Today – Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin “The Early Years”
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(Eugene, OR)- Faith Lutheran founder Craig Thornton has accepted the position of General
Manager for the University of Oregon, Men’s D1 ice hockey program.
Thornton originally was hired as the V.P. of Hockey Operations, and spent the past 10 months inside the programs administrative operation. “We’ve created quite a buzz in Eugene with the advancement to Division 1 along with our Fan Experience on game days that we will unveil on Opening night,” states Thornton.
“It is an honor to be offered the G.M. position and I will work hard to enhance the program to
the best of my abilities.”
Oregon has a very strong schedule, skating against several top 10 teams this season, and procured a very impressive recruiting class for their Inaugural D 1 season.
“Our recruiting class was among some of the best in the country, and we cannot wait to
get things underway. So far, the group is bonding very well and we are quite pleased with the
caliber of skaters who have arrived in Eugene”.
The new addition of two-time National Champion Kyler Moore as Head Coach has added to an
already positive atmosphere on Campus. “The buzz is growing in Eugene and all over campus
with regard to Oregon Hockey, no doubt about that,” says Thornton.
The Ducks open the season at home on Friday October 7th with a weekend series against a
strong D1 Arizona State program at the 2200 seat Rink Exchange in Eugene.
Also mark your calendars for the much-anticipated rematch against the UNLV Rebels at City National Arena the weekend of December 9-10. “UNLV is among the top 2-3 teams in the country if not the top
team this year,” said Thornton, “We look forward to being tested against the best and eagerly
await a return back to Las Vegas”.
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Saturday Final Score: AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 5, Las Vegas Storm High School Team 0. “Very very proud of our 16AA – Very solid game. We have made huge strides the past five weeks – we will continue to get better with our skating and stick skills,” said Rob Pallin, head coach, VGK 16u. The game was at the Las Vegas Center.
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Breaker – Coach Rob Pallin’s AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u said after a 5-4 win over the Las Vegas Storm High School Team “very good games by both teams in our first game Friday. Outstanding goaltending by the Storm with a willingness to block shots along with a good solid structure – very well coached by Hamilton Whyte.” Game time tonight 5:15 pm.
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Coming here this week – Colorado youth hockey coach – the great Jamie O’Leary – chats about the Las Vegas players years ago with his AAA Colorado Outlaws and AAA Vail Avalanche teams including the great Micah Sanford, Evan Zucker, Brad Ellis and Eddie Samuels – Lee
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The great hockey columnist Gregg Drinnan in Canada broke this story today:
Two junior B leagues — the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and the Pacific Junior Hockey League — have formed a partnership that they are calling the British Columbia Hockey Conference. According to a news release that is right here, the BCHC’s “inaugural season includes two major projects: the creation of a Department of Player Safety that will oversee enhanced supplementary disciplinary procedures for its members, as well as a Prospects Game that will highlight its top young players.” The KIJHL has 19 active franchises in the province’s Interior, while the PJHL has 13 teams centred on the Lower Mainland.
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener “Personally we played in lot big games – quite a few with coach Rob (Pallin) but we never played in a game this big, taking on (NCAA D1) Denver University like we will be doing on October 1. We’ve been doing a lot of filmwork and a whole lot of preparation with our team. We will need our upper classmen to take charge, lead by example. Going against a team like defending champions like Denver isn’t going to be an easy task but it will be good for us. They are the top team in the country – we will see what it takes to play against an awesome team like Denver.”
Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin added today: “I believe Anthony (who was coached as a player by Rob here in town) and the Rebels hockey program has worked very hard to make this opportunity possible. He has put a lot of time on the ice – and probably more time off the ice for this program. Anthony and his team will prepare for this game very well. He’s not just going to show up. We worked with half of his team during the summer and the Rebels players are very excited about this awesome opportunity against Denver.”
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Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u got a big 2-0 win over rival AAA Ontario Jr Reign 16u this past weekend in Blaine, Minnesota. Daniel Madison, Quinn Steffen scored and goalie Kyle Adrian got the shutout win – Lee
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Sunday, September 18 – This just in – After winning today in Blaine, Minnesota coaches Wally Lacroix, Todd and the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 15u are heading home. What an awesome road trip! — Lee…
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Breaking News – Chase Nehring of Las Vegas will play with AAA Shattuck’s St. Mary’s 15u this season. “Chase has played tier hockey from Day One in Las Vegas. He will be a first-year player with Shattuck St. Mary’s 15u,” said Las Vegas Jr Golden Knights coach Wally Lacroix.
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This just in – Friday – Coach Wally Lacroix’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 15u beat the AAA Minnesota Ducks 15u by 5-1 in Blaine, Minnesota. Kellen Hardy goalie for VGK. Coach Wally said “Our young men as a group played a great, awesome game.”
Here on Saturday the AAA VGK 15u will take on AAA Car Shield 15u from St. Louis.
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This just in: Beau McCue of Las Vegas is returning as an assistant coach with the WHL Tri City Americans…..Premier goalie Zackary Ortolano of Las Vegas has signed with the NA3HL Mason City Toros in Iowa. Zackary, 6′ 1″ and 180, is one of the greatest tier goalies who has ever played here in town – Lee
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//Head coach Wally Lacroix and assistant coach Todd Owen and the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 15u are off to Blaine, Minnesota on Wednesday to play in a series of tier hockey games in the NAHL Showcase which is a major tournament. “Depart Las Vegas on Wednesday, then play our first game on Thursday,” coach Wally said.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 15u
2022 Season Record
2-4 to Fairmount Prep
2-4 to Santa Clarita Flyers 15u
2-1 over Santa Clarita Flyers 15u
2-2 vs Santa Clarita Flyers 15u
1-5 to Minnesota Moose
5-1 over Minnesota Ducks
2-4 to AAA Car Shield of St. Louis in Blaine, Minnesota
5-1 over Minnesota Voyageurs
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========================
Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2022-23
========================
Erik Atchison, NAHL Bismarck Bobcats
Tyler Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm
Gia Avalone, NCAA Adrian College
Steven Avalone, ACHA D1 Lindenwood
Hunter Barto, ACHA Iowa State
Hannah Baxter, AAA Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19u
Brennan Blasczak, ECHL Savannah Ghost Pirates – Georgia
Anthony Bonaldi, NCAA Nicholas College
Connor Brazil, AJHL Bonnyville Pontiacs – Canada
Skyler Cameron, BCHL Nanaimo Clippers
Mykah Carter, AAA Northwest Stars 18u
Dylan St. Cyr, goalie, NCAA Michigan State
Dominic Ditondo, Niagara Falls Canucks
Jared Dudshus, ACHA D2 Utah State
Brett Harpling, ACHA D2 Marian University – Wisconsin
Brendan Harris, ECHL Jacksonville Icemen
Jo Jo Heinzelman, ACHA Cleary University – Michigan
Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Jersey Hitmen
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 16u
Cooper Matthews, NA3HL Austin Ice Bats
Heath Mensch, EHL New England Wolves
Gunner Moore, NCAA3 University of Wisconsin-Stout
Chase Nehring, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 15u
Dylan St. Cyr, NCAA Michigan State
Heath Goldsmith, goalie, USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders
Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep 18u
Zachary Ortolano, NA3HL Mason City Toros
Jerrett Overland, ACHA D1 Arizona University
Zach Pochiro, ECHL Allen Americans – Texas
Spencer Poscente, ACHA Eastern Michigan
Deric Prier, Tottenham Thunder – Canada
Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville, S.C., Swamp Rabbits
Noah Smejkal, GMHL Windsor Aces – Canada
Andrew Thornton, ACHA University of Oregon
Ian Williams, USPHL NCDC Connecticut Jr Rangers
Micah Williamson, NA3HL Butte Cobras
Mikey Yochum, ACHA Canisius College – Captain
To update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Very Sad News to Report…….
The BCHL Wenatchee Wild family is deeply saddened with the passing of our radio game broadcaster Arch Ecker this morning. He loved to be part of the team. He took so much pride in his work as a broadcaster. His other passion was music. I’m not sure if there was an instrument Arch could not play.
//Arch Ecker was the very best on hockey broadcasts – such awesome energy – and such a nice person as well – RIP Arch……you will never ever be forgotten, Lee
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UPCOMING GAMES
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said ‘This will be our first NCAA game and it’s been a long time coming – our players deserve it. Just a touch on Denver – defending national champions, they have six draft picks on their team and are loaded with talent from top to bottom. For us we want to go there and compete – give it our all we have – and try to earn respect for our program.“
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Rebels Look Sharp in Scrimmage Game…..
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – Well, that didn’t long to get UNLV’s goal scorers speed-burners to get going on Saturday night before a large festive crowd. And one of the great Las Vegas referees Cody Fulwiler was on the ice to keep the game temperature down. UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said he was pleased, as was assistant coach Nick Robone who said the same.
“Quite a few of our players had great games. Lots to look forward to with this team,” Greener said. “For the gray team I thought Jayson Dimizio and Azzard Tingling played very well. For the red team Cole Wyatt and Riley Jenson did well.”
The goal scoring went like this:
First of all the Gray team beat the Scarlet team 5-3.
Gray team goal scorers in order – Caleb Strong, Alec Johnson, Trent Carter, Paxton Malone, Mattias Del Monte
Scarlet team goal scorers – Daniel Fisher, Cole Wyatt, Max Johnson (who had a high octane awesome game)
Goalies – Grey team – Vince Benedetto (outstanding in all that he does in the net); Red Team – Landon Pavilisin
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Vegas Hockey readers voted for best player on the ice – Scarlet team #16 Hunter Muzzillo
Tryouts just ended at Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota and Austin Moline (from Las Vegas 2005) defensive player made the 18U Shattuck Prep team for the 2022/23 Season!
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Las Vegas-born forward Connor Brazil has signed with the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals for the 2022-23 season.
Brazil comes from the Avon Old Farms prep school team, where he posted eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 22 games last year.
“Connor is a crafty forward who is good on his edges and has great creativity,” said Capitals coach-GM Brian Passmore. “He also has a good shot. He’s able to make plays in tight spaces and has a high-level skill set.”
Back home, Brazil played for the Nevada Storm and Las Vegas Jr. Wranglers. (Source – California Rubber)
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Rob Pallin’s VJGK 16AA team takes Silver at Anaheim Summer Escape Tournament.
9/2 VJGK 16AA 3-2 win over Cal Wave 16AA (goals by Jordan Khoury, Caden Ross, Anze Gudino, goalie Varkis Baligian)
9/3 VJGK 16AA 4-0 win over CA Heat 16AA (goals by Carson Rowe, Joshua Bilharz, Jordan Khoury, Caden Ross, shutout for goalie Shayn Tarolla)
9/4 VJGK 16AA 2-6 loss to Empire HC (both goals by Ryan Williams)
9/4 VJGK 16AA semi final 4-3 win over CA Heat 16AA (goals by Ryan Williams, Jordan Khoury, Joshua Bilharz, O/T winning shootout goal by Caden Ross, goalie Shayn Tarolla)
9/5 VJGK 16AA championship loss 0-8 to Empire HC
Next showcase is October in Salt Lake City.
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#16
JASON ZUCKER
LW
| DOB (Age): | 1/16/1992 (30) |
| HT/WT: | 5′ 11″ / 192 lbs. |
| College: | Denver |
| Drafted: | 2010 / Rd. 2 (59) / MIN |
2021-22 Stats
| G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM | TOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 9 | 17 | -2 | 15 | 14:49 |
Next Game: ARI at PIT 10/13 7:00pm ET
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Saturday, December 30, 2017
“Rob Pallin Took the Time to Help Our Special Needs Son”
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – We were at the rinkboards – which is not a bad place to be – and we spotted team mom Rosey Gomez whose son #32 Isaac Gomez of the AAA Arizona Bobcats 18u was cracking into a few of the blue-shirt Central Ontario Wolves in a big game at the Las Vegas Ice Center when all of a sudden – and don’t ask me how because we don’t know – coach Rob Pallin’s name was mentioned on a cold Saturday afternoon.
Rosey, wrapped in a blanket around her, said coach Rob at the SoBe Ice Arena helped tweak the game situation of her son a year or two ago.
“We have a special needs son – our Jonathan,” Rosey said in the cold arena. “Coach Rob had Jonathan do some ice chores around the SoBe Ice Arena. Rob didn’t have to do it. But to our family it was so meaningful. Rob touches, helps someone, then moves on to help someone else. On off days he feeds the homeless. He doesn’t ask or get publicity for it but I wanted to let you know.”
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The newest team in town is the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u who are playing in Arizona this weekend. AAA 18u is a very fierce division. It is easy to report scores – send to leesamuels07@aol.com
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
Weekend Scores
2-3 to AA Arizona Sun Devils 18u
1-9 to AA Arizona Sun Devils 18u
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Weekend Flash Scores
Monday, Sept. 5
AA 16u
Empire Valley 8, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 0
Sunday, Sept. 4
AAA 16u
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 2 vs. AAA LA Jr Kings 15u 6 @ Toyota Center, El Segundo, Ca.
//”We lost but it was a much closer game than the score indicates – penalties got the best of us – overall however we had a good team effort,” said VGK 16u head coach Matt Johnson.
AA 16u
Coach Rob Pallin: “We lost to Inland Valley, a really good team. We now play Empire Valley in a semis game.”
Saturday, Sept. 3
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 2, AAA L.A. Jr Kings 16u 3 @ Toyota Center, El Segundo, Ca.
//Danny Madison, Brandon Cabral scored for VGK16s…..Kyle Adrian goalie for Las Vegas …
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 5, Cal Wave 0 @ Anaheim
Head coach Rob Pallin: “We have three balanced lines who work extremely hard.”
Friday, Sept. 2
AA 16u
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 3, Cal Heat 2 @ Anaheim
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By Wendy Roksvold
Our summer is winding down and what a summer! In May, Gunnar participated in the NAHL Combine in Irvine, CA. Gunnar had been contacted by a few East Coast teams before we went to the NewMass Hockey Experience in Amherst, MA in mid-July. Prior to departing LV, Gunnar was asked to try out while there for one of the teams. He got on the ice on Thursday at UMASS and that night we drove 1.5 hours to Attleboro, MA and he did a try out with a team there. He was back at UMASS on Friday and Saturday. We visited 5 states in 5 days and came home on Sunday. By Monday we were contacted by another MA team, and we started discussions with this new team. He also had an offer from the team he tried out with, but it was for a tournament team – no billeting – and that would mean he would need to travel back East every game weekend. 3 other teams contacted us as well over the next few weeks (1 Boston team even last week- offered him goalie spot and had a billet ready- but he had already signed).
Gunnar has signed with the New England Predators 16U Tier 1 Elite AAA team based out of Lowell/Billerica MA (games at UMASS Lowell) – playing in the NAPHL and the United Tier 1 Hockey League. This team was newly formed when the Spartans were purchased by Lovell Hockey. The players left with the coach and formed NEP. Gunnar’s coach played 7 years pro and is quite respected back East. The team owner’s son even played for the same team as Kyle the year before in AZ for the AHU. We have had so many connections. Gunnar’s first Goalie Coach JP played against his current Coach!
And for Goalie Coaching – the best in the country! Gunnar will be training at SIG (Stop It Goaltending) 1-2 times a week. I have 3 of Brian Daccord’s books and found this bit of news so exciting! Training with the guy who wrote the book on goaltending!
Gunnar has dreamt about playing hockey back East as he wants to go to college back East. THIS experience will give him exposure to the East Coast Scouts/College Coaches. He wouldn’t get the same exposure out West. Plus the level of play is so much higher!
BOSTON – here he comes – he leaves tomorrow!
Wendy
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To all team managers – please send weekend game scores with names of all goal scorers and names of your goalies to leesamuels07@aol.com
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#1 Most Searched Story Today – Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin “His Early Years Coaching in Las Vegas” Coach Rob’s first top scoring line was ‘The Triple Threat Line” with awesome goal scorers Travis Roseberry, JC Caron and Spike Neely in the 1999-2000 season here in Las Vegas.
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Coach Matt Johnson and the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are opening their season vs top teams including the AAA L.A. Jr Kings 16u this weekend at the Toyota Center in SoCal. “These are like exhibition games and a great opportunity for us to see where we are at. Right now we are figuring things out. We have a solid core returning with Hunter Toms, Kaden Mulcahy, Connor Beers, Ryan Disbrow and Jesse Mouzoon who we will rely on to get started. We have two very solid goalies. Jacob Brumm is currently at the Spokane Chiefs camp – he might make it back for the last game or two for this weekend. However, we do have goalie Kyle Adrian holding down the fort for us in the net,” said coach Matt. “We play our games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.”
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The dynamic, high action Erik Atchison, 20, Las Vegas is at the annual pre-season camp with the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League. Only a precious few from Las Vegas have played in the WHL. Last season Erik, who has played four seasons with the Chiefs had 11 goals, 13 assists for 24 points. Erik is wearing jersey #12 in the pre-season camp.
Erik’s younger brother Fuzzy is rostered on the 16UAAA Windy City team but is he is at the WHL Edmonton Oil Kings main camp where he was drafted in hopes of making the team as a young 16 year old.
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AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
Head Coach – Nate Putek
Saturday, Sept 3 – vs AAA Arizona Sun Devils @ Oceanside Arena, Tempe, Az
Sunday, Sept 4 – vs AAA Arizona Sun Devils @ Oceanside Arena, Tempe, Az
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AAA Vegas Jr. Golden Knights 16u
Head Coach – Matt Johnson
Saturday, Sept 3 – vs AAA LA Jr Kings @ Toyota Center, El Segundo, Ca.
Sunday, Sept 4 – vs AAA Golden State Elite @ Toyota Center, El Segundo, Ca.
Monday, Sept 5 – vs AAA Anaheim Ice Dogs @ Toyota Center, El Segundo, Ca.
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Breaker – Star Las Vegas defenseman Connor Haney and his bride Eleni got married in Laguna Beach, Ca. this past weekend. Wedding guests included Gage Quinney, Landon Quinney, Brendan Harris, Jake Horst and proud hockey mom Lori Haney. Connor played three seasons as a top defenseman/captain for the WSHL Seattle Totems and he won many major awards here on Vegas Hockey -Lee
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Guess who is coming to town – Johnny Gold of the LA Eastside Kings and the Barstow Brothers want to wreck the start of the new season in a story here called ‘Just one More Goal’ set at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive – hometown coaches Rob Pallin, Anthony Greener plus Gramps, Dave Francis, hockey dads Tommy Ricketts and Steve Allen are trying to put a stop to all of this. Hockey mom Mary Kate Zurfluh, author of “The Kid Who Never Scored a Goal’, is putting all of this all together – it will have a riveting finish. Want to be in the story – just email me leesamuels07@aol.com
Las Vegas – Jason Allen, a Las Vegas goal scorer years ago with an edge to his game, says his son Roman is now a football player for the Jarrell Cougars High School in Texas. Roman is a running back who also plays defensively when needed.
Jason Allen played hockey here at a high level – he was on coach Rob Pallin’s AAA Las Vegas Outlaws who played home games at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena on North Rancho Drive. Star players on that team included Josh Jasek, J.C. Caron, Spike Neely, Travis Roseberry, Eddie Del Grosso, Eddie Samuels, T.J. Craig and Sean Fox. Cody Fulwiler was a premier-level goalie for this Las Vegas team.
Jason is the son of hockey dad Steve Allen who goes to every home game of the UNLV Rebels over at City National Arena here in town.
In that era – when Jason played – Rob Neumann was the head coach of a very strong AAA San Diego Jr Gulls 18u team.
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Let the big games begin! Matt Johnson, head coach of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u, confirmed the VGK 16u indeed will take on the mighty AAA L.A. Jr Kings 16u on September 3 at the Toyota Center in El Segundo, Ca.
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Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA, Canada and England
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Las Vegas – For the dynamic, all-heart, never-give-up ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas there will be no more ‘big games’ to play. No more all-out practices. No more going onto the ice in a pre-game to warmup with his teammates. No more lockeroom chalkboard stuff to figure out pre-game attack plans. Or for that matter no more games period. Harris, 19, told his parents he will not be playing in ice hockey this season or any other season for that matter.
He is taking a big timeout. He was a star player for coach Wally Lacroix in the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights program over at the SoBe Arena on North Rancho Drive. After graduating from that program Harris played two seasons with the AAA Connecticut Chiefs and then the AAA Northeast Generals in Attleboro, Mass.
Hockey Mom Nancy Whissel added “I will really miss seeing Harris darting around the ice this season.…We have so many precious memories over the years with the Las Vegas hockey family. We are so grateful to everyone who made our hockey journey an amazing rewarding experience. Thank you Vegas Hockey for all that you do for the Las Vegas fans.“
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Las Vegas Ice Center Schedule
https://www.lasvegasice.com/Schedule
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New defenseman for UNLV Rebels……….
By Kayla Faasse
Defenseman Mattias Dal Monte is set to leave Utica College and join the Skatin’ Rebels for the 2022-23 season.
“Personally, I think I didn’t do enough research on where I was going and it kind of came back to bite me,” Dal Monte said. “But I did have a really good year, you know, academically and I met a lot of great friends.”
Dal Monte spent last season with the Utica College Pioneers, where he played in 14 games for one assist and one goal. Overall, the team went 17-0-1 and won their conference championship for the United College Hockey League.
“I made the decision to pursue a new opportunity, and Coach [Anthony Vignieri-]Greener reached out,” Dal Monte said. “I really liked our conversations on the phone and everything we talked about virtually.”
Coming into next season, Dal Monte hopes to bring a form of leadership to the team while being a guy on the team with a positive impact who gets along with everyone. He looks forward to the chance to improve his offensive game and become more threatening on the ice.
“Both Coach Greener and Coach [Nick] Robone- they’re passionate guys with a vision for the program that lines up with what I want to do for the next three years and my college career,” Dal Monte said. “It’s cool, it’s closer to home for me, my folks will get out to visit more. It was kind of a perfect blend.”
Prior to coming to the United States during the pandemic for hockey, Dal Monte grew up playing competitively in Canada to kick start his career.
During his last season in Canada, Dal Monte played for the Swan Valley Stampeders in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He played in 39 games, recording 12 goals and 30 assists (42 points).
In 2020-21, he played in 36 games for the Amarillo Bulls for the Northern American Hockey League, tallying three goals and four assists.
When Dal Monte was 17 years old, he attended a hockey camp with Rebel Jake Berry where the two became friends.
“[Dal Monte] is super skilled for how big he is and can handle the puck really well,” Berry said. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice with him.”
Fun Facts about Mattias Dal Monte
Dal Monte is from the Vancouver area, so naturally he is a Canucks fan. However, his favorite player and friend in the NHL is Dylan Coghlan so he cheers for the Golden Knights as well.
His favorite hockey movie is Miracle.
For pre-game, Dal Monte likes to keep it loose and listen to classic rock like Nickelback and Creed in the locker room.
He is missing a front tooth.
Dal Monte is a big movie buff with some of his favorite movie directors being Wes Anderson, Denis Villeneuve, and David Fincher. He likes to watch all the classics.
“I think a lot of the classic Scorsese Caucho movies people should watch. Everyone should have seen the first two Godfathers, Goodfellas, Casino… I think Sicario is really good. Everyone should see Fantastic Mr. Fox. That’s all I got,” Dal Monte said.
Hockey Nicknames
“I honestly just usually get called by my last name. I don’t really know if I’ve had one that’s really stuck. You kind of get different ones everywhere you go, but mostly just my last name. Just Monte or the whole thing.”
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Breaker – Matt Stang, who coached hockey years ago in Las Vegas, has been hired as a scout for the Calgary Hitmen. Matt, with Richie Crossley and Arturo Castro, were coaches of an AA Las Vegas Ice Cats 18u team which played at the SoBe Arena on North Rancho Drive.
Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and NHL Pittsburgh Penguins has dealt with injuries, playing 41 games last season and 38 games in the 2020-21 season. He says this summer for him is about spending time with his family, and focusing on his health for the new season.
“For me this is just about getting healthy, kind of refocusing on my training and the rehab side of things and just getting ready for next season. I’m really excited for it,” Zucker said.
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Meanwhile in Canada the great hockey writer Gregg Drinnan posted this:
The Kamloops Blazers made it official on Tuesday morning — Don Hay is back in the organization as associate coach. Hay, 68, is the winningest head coach in WHL history. He spent the past four seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, three as an assistant coach and last season as assistant coach. . . . Of course, if you’re a regular here, you weren’t surprised by the announcement. Because here’s what you read in this space on July 26:
“The Kamloops Blazers . . . have an opening after associate coach Mark Holick left the club on June 10, citing personal reasons. Now there are rumblings that Don Hay, the winningest head coach in WHL history, is returning to the Blazers to work alongside Shaun Clouston, the general manager and head coach.”
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UNLV REBELS – We’re Hiring!
All internships will be an incredible opportunity to work in college athletics and further boost your resume for sports related careers. We’re looking for team first and culture driven applicants for the following positions. These positions may be compensated via payment or merchandise.
COMMUNITY REALTIONS AND EVENT MANAGER
–Required to be at all home games
-Manages and oversees all aspects of UNLV Hockey Tailgates at City National Arena
-Oversees all execution of event interns for set up and breakdown of tailgates and events
-Responsible for selling tailgate sponsorship opportunities
-Work with Director of Community Relations on Major Events- UNLV Golf Tournament, Skate with the Rebels, Sendoff/ Gala, Rebel Hockey Mixers, etc.
-Handles all VIP Box sales, organization, and Mackenzie River communication for set up and game day
-Responsible to ensure Box Office has check in list for all VIP guests each game
-Works with Director of Community Relations on partnership sales
-Assists in selling of UNLV Rebel Hockey Member’s Wall Pucks
COLOR COMMENTATOR ANNOUNCER
-Required to be at all home games
-Have pregame notes, quotes and stats ready for both teams
-Work with Broadcast Team to set up and take down equipment for each home game
Please send resume and contact Coach Nick Robone at nrobone@rebelhockey.com to apply.
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MYHockey Rankings Retweeted
Coaches who care about players will:
Hold players accountable to personal/team standards
Give players constant & honest feedback
Be consistent with all players
Enforce boundaries
Have difficult conversations when necessary
Know each player’s potential, push them to reach it
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Breaker – Goalie Anthony Bonaldi of the hometown USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds is heading to play for NCAA Nichols College in Dudley, Mass. this coming season. Anthony told a reporter he had an “awesome time” playing for the T-Birds last season.
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The ultra-skilled Austin Moline of Las Vegas is reporting to his AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep 18u tier hockey team this season. After he graduates from Shattuck, Austin will then play at NCAA D1 Northern Michigan University…….
Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA, Canada….
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It’s official – The very popular Steven Avalone of Las Vegas will play this season with ACHA D1 Lindenwood – an awesome power every season – and his sister Gia Avalone will play for NCAA D3 Adrian College in Michigan….Looking for the whereabouts of an awesome player – Ashley Printzen – who played at Curry College last season…..Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA and Canada…To contact Vegashockey.net send an email to leesamuels07@aol.com….
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2022-23
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Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
Tyler Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm
Gia Avalone, NCAA Adrian College
Steven Avalone, ACHA D1 Lindenwood
Hunter Barto, ACHA Iowa State
Hannah Baxter, AAA Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19u
Anthony Bonaldi, NCAA D3 Nichols College
Nick Bonaldi, NCDC Boston Advantage
Connor Brazil, BCHL Cowichan Capitals
Dylan St. Cyr, goalie, NCAA Michigan State
Dominic Ditondo, Niagara Falls Canucks
Brett Harpling, ACHA D2 Marian University – Wisconsin
Brendan Harris, ECHL Jacksonville Icemen
Jo Jo Heinzelman, ACHA Cleary University – Michigan
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 16u
Gunner Moore, NCAA3 University of Wisconsin-Stout
Dylan St. Cyr, NCAA Michigan State
Heath Goldsmith, goalie, USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders
Heath Mensch, NCDC Utica Comets
Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep 18u
Jerrett Overland, ACHA D1 Arizona University
Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville, S.C., Swamp Rabbits
Andrew Thornton, ACHA University of Oregon
Ian Williams, USPHL NCDC Connecticut Jr Rangers
Micah Williamson, NA3HL Butte Cobras
Mikey Yochum, ACHA Canisius College – Captain
To update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Enforcer Darian Skeoch, who last season played for the ECHL Allen Americans, has signed with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights. Darian, 25, is 6’4″ 225. He is from New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada.
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Breaker – USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds goalie Anthony Bonaldi signed by NCAA Nichols College in Massachusetts – Lee
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Las Vegas – The very popular Gage Quinney of Las Vegas has re-signed with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights, the top affiliate with the hometown NHL Vegas Golden Knights. Gage, 26, will begin his third season with the Silver Knights. Going into this season as a top pro player Gage has 22 goals, 28 assist for 60 points. Gage grew up playing tier hockey here in town at the Las Vegas Ice Center.
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Vincent Dekumbis, an awesome goal scorer for the WSHL Las Vegas Storm two seasons at the Las Vegas Ice Center, has signed to played for the SPHL Macom Mayhem in Georgia. Vincent, 24, is from Switzerland. While playing in Las Vegas in the 2014-15, 2015-16 era he won many ‘fastest skater’ awards while scoring 48 goals for the Las Vegas Storm in his two junior hockey level seasons here at the Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue.
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The Athletic did a breakdown of starting lines for this coming season in the NHL.
Here is how it looks for Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins:
| Second line | Jason Zucker | Evgeni Malkin | Bryan Rust |
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Here is where coach Matt Johnson AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights graduating players will be this coming season. Aidan Finch, an extraordinary athlete and hockey player, is on this list:
Aidan Finch, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 18u
Gavin O’Hara, AAA New Jersey Avalanche 18u
Jacob Webb, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
Keynes Lake, AAA North Shore Academy 18u
Mason Jackson, AAA Shipjacks Hockey Club 18u
Mason Smith, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
Nathan Moore, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
Spencer Foster, AAA North Shore Academy 18u
Ryan Pavlinsky, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
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https://www.gofundme.com/f/joeys-path-for-cancer-treatment-and-recovery
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Breaker – Star goalie Logan Perez of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u has signed with the AAA Windy City Storm 16u in Chicago whose roster includes big goal scorer Tyler ‘Fuzzy’ Atchison of Las Vegas. Logan had a 2.24 gaa last season vs strong Western tier teams. Logan is one the best Las Vegas goalies in tier hockey history. Last season with the AAA VGK 16u, Logan had 12 wins, 2 losses, 2.24 GAA, .914 save percentage as well as being selected to the 16u All-Star game as a 15 year old. Logan decided to stay home last season and play up a berth year as a 15 year old playing in net for the first Tier 1 Vegas Jr. Golden Knights 16U team, returning home from 2 seasons with the Arizona Bobcats Tier 1 team after they merged their Tier 1 program with the Jr. Coyotes and limited out of state players.
While all of this was going on head coach Matt Johnson of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u announced the signing of top tier goalies Jacob Brumm and Kyle Adrian. “Both are very good goalies with a strong desire to get even better. Willing to put in the work. Strong character as well. Looking forward to seeing them between the pipes this coming season.”
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas re-signs with ECHl Greenville Swamp Rabbits for 2022-23
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Here is the UNLV Rebels 2022-23 Game Schedule:
https://rebelhockey.com/site/?page_id=10#schedule
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Star player Aidan Finch, who played for the Matt Johnson-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u last season, has signed with the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 18u. Aidan is a special high speed all-heart player – one of the best we have seen here in Las Vegas – Lee
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NEW ECHL AFFILIATION FOR NHL VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Las Vegas – Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced that the organization has entered an affiliation relationship with the ECHL’s Savannah Ghost Pirates, making the Ghost Pirates the official ECHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights and Henderson Silver Knights.
The Ghost Pirates are based in Savannah, Georgia and were officially named in October 2021 after the ECHL approved the expansion franchise in January of 2021. Under the terms of the affiliation arrangements, Vegas and Henderson will be able to transfer players to and from Savannah during the 2022-23 season.
Rick Bennett has been named the first head coach in franchise history of the Ghost Pirates. Bennett served as one of the top collegiate coaches in the country at Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he won a National Championship in 2014, three ECAC regular season titles (2012, 2014, 2017) and three ECAC Conference titles (2012, 2013, 2014). He compiled a 168-126-41 record over 11 years with Union.
“This affiliation with Savannah gives us alignment from the ECHL level through Henderson and up to the NHL,” said McCrimmon. “We are excited to lead the hockey operations and have a proven developer of talent as a head coach in Rick Bennett.”
The Ghost Pirates will begin play of their 36-game home schedule at the new Enmarket Arena beginning in October. Fans can follow @SavGhostPirates on Twitter and Instagram today for more information on the ECHL’s newest club.
The Golden Knights previously partnered with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets beginning prior to the 2018-19 season.
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By: Kayla Faasse
Coming off an awesome season with the Las Vegas Thunderbirds junior hockey team, Caleb Strong is joining the roster for the Rebel Hockey program as a center.
The Thunderbirds concluded their 2021-22 season with a 29-14 record, with Strong participating in 42 games while being team captain. Throughout those games, he scored 38 goals and 52 assists.
With Strong’s high offensive skills on the ice, he finished eighth overall in the league for most points (90) and second on the team for points. The team tallied 213 goals during the season, and Strong contributed to 42.25% of them.
Strong helped to lead the team to a second place finish in the Pacific division.
In April of 2021, Strong was announced as a part of the USPHL Premier Pacific Division All-Stars, voted upon by coaches and league media staff.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do after or before this year,” Strong said. “Then I talked with the T-Birds’ coaches and they got me in contact with the Rebel coaches.”
Thunderbird general manager Hamilton Whyte and head coach Joe Sullivan assisted Strong in getting into contact with UNLV’s head coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener and assistant coach Nick Robone.
From there, Greener and Robone went out to a couple of games and became interested in seeing Strong in the Scarlet & Gray.
“All of the coaches involved- for the Rebels and the T-Birds, especially the T-Birds coaches- they put a lot of respect into the UNLV program,” Strong said. “There’s a lot of respect for where it started and where it’s going. That really caught my eye of what’s happening and ultimately made me decide to go to UNLV.”
Strong is a Minnesota Native, who grew up following in the footsteps of his father, Mark Strong who played college hockey. He was only three years old when he put on his first pair of skates, playing hockey the following year.
Coming to UNLV, Strong looks at being an additional upbeat player on the team who can get the puck in the back of the net when needed. He looks forward to joining the fast-paced environment of Rebel Hockey and is anticipating improving that aspect of his offensive game.
Fun Facts about Caleb Strong
Strong’s favorite NHL team is the Minnesota Wild and his favorite player is Cale Makar from the Colorado Avalanche.
One of his favorite hockey memories is placing second at the Minnesota High School State Tournament during his sophomore year in 2018.
Although Strong doesn’t have any pre-game rituals, he’s a big country guy and will typically listen to Morgan Wallen or Kenny Chesney in the locker room before a game.
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Breaker – Big game goal scorer Brett Harpling of Las Vegas is confirmed to play for ACHA D2 Marian University in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin this coming season – Lee
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Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas has re-signed for another season with the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits who play home games at the 15,591-seat Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville, S.C.
Bryce, 32, had 5 goals, 12 assists for 17 points last season. He is the hockey son of the famous Pokey Reddick who played in the NHL and has coached here in Las Vegas. Bryce’s re-signing was posted and confirmed on the elite hockey prospects website.
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This Just In….
MY FIRST GOAL
MIKEY YOCHUM
Las Vegas
Captain ACHA D1 Canisus
“The first goal we remember was in the Mites at the Escondido Ice-Plex. We were six or seven years old playing for the Las Vegas Ice Cats. Do not remember who we were playing but it was awesome moment to get the goal.”
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To contact Vegas Hockey – send scores, updates to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2022-23
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Gia Avalone, NCAA Adrian College
Steven Avalone, ACHA D1 Lindenwood
Hunter Barto, ACHA Iowa State
Hannah Baxter, AAA Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19u
Anthony Bonaldi, NCAA D3 Nichols College
Nick Bonaldi, NCDC Boston Advantage
Connor Brazil, BCHL Cowichan Capitals
Dominic Ditondo, Niagara Falls Canucks
Brett Harpling, ACHA D2 Marian University – Wisconsin
Brendan Harris, ECHL Jacksonville Icemen
Joe Heinzelman, ACHA Cleary University – Michigan
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes
Dylan St. Cyr, NCAA Michigan State
Heath Goldsmith, goalie, USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders
Heath Mensch, NCDC Utica Comets
Jerrett Overland, ACHA D1 Arizona University
Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville, S.C., Swamp Rabbits
Andrew Thornton, ACHA University of Oregon
Ian Williams, USPHL NCDC Connecticut Jr Rangers
Micah Williamson, NA3HL Butte Cobras
Mikey Yochum, ACHA Canisius College – Captain
To update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
=================
Best Story of the Day
| Woman discovers the vintage skates she bought online belonged to her 40 years ago |
| While growing up in Nova Scotia, Renée Forrestall loved roller skating, enjoying the peace and quiet that came as she sped past the waterfront. She sold her beloved skates 40 years ago during a yard sale, but always regretted it, so to celebrate her 60th birthday, she recently decided to pick the hobby back up. As she explained on TikTok, Forrestall didn’t like the new skates she bought, and after returning them, set off to find some vintage skates. She began browsing online, and discovered a pair of old skates that had just been put up for sale two hours earlier. The seller wasn’t sure of the size, but Forrestall liked that they looked like her original pair, and bought them. When they arrived at her home, it was a “Cinderella slipper moment,” she told Today. It soon became clear why they fit her perfectly: her name was written inside each skate. She couldn’t believe that her old skates had found their way back to her, four decades later. “It reeled me right back to my youth,” Forrestall said. |
Source – The Week – The Good Newsletter
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Coaches for Vegas Jr Golden Knights for 2022-23 Season
2022-23 VJGK COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT
Greetings to all players and parents:
We are proud to announce the VJGK Travel Team coaches for the upcoming season:
Sheri Hudspeth (14U, 12U Girls)
Adam Miller (VJGK/FL HS)
Nate Putek (18U AAA)
Matt Johnson (16U AAA)
Nick Brusa (16U AA)
Wally Lacroix (15U AAA)
Dustin Coldren (14U AA)
Ryan Mattison (14U A)
Brian Salcido (12U AA)
Ivan Macheras (12U A)
Darren Eliot (12U HSK)
Rob Pallin (10U AA)
Jordan Hayworth (10U A)
Darren Eliot (10U HSK)
Adam Miller (8U VGK All-Stars)
Geoff Sneed (8U HSK All-Stars)
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6’6″ defenseman Connor Haney, 30, of Las Vegas checks in. Years ago he was captain of the WSHL Seattle Totems. He has won many awards here on Vegas Hockey. “Playing now on a men’s league team called ‘The Banquet’ in Vacaville, California. Hello to all of our hockey friends in Las Vegas.“
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To RinkRat2 over at the Pepsi Arena – During UNLV Rebels pre-game warmups on game nights coach Nick Robone on the Rebels bench looks at small piece of paper while looking at the visiting team – he is making sure the biggest and best #1 enemy goal scorer is on the line he is supposed to be – Lee
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Best Photo of the Day – Jason Zucker, who grew up playing roller hockey, then ice hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue, is a star goal scorer for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. His last Las Vegas hockey coach was Wally Lacroix. Just before the NHL Draft years ago Jason did conditioning skates with coach Rob Pallin of Las Vegas.
Monday, June 27, 2022
Anthony Greener, UNLV Head Coach “My First Goal” –
“The first year we played hockey was for the Las Vegas Flames squirt team. Earl Brady and my Dad Sean Greener were my coaches. I scored in my very first game. I wasn’t the best skater but we could score. It was a breakaway. Once we scored that goal we knew hockey was for me.”
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Las Vegas roller hockey star Adam Tamura of Las Vegas
“My first goal was at our first game we played roller hockey over at Larry Sanford’s Crystal Palace roller rink when we were just 8 years old. We played for the Scrappers and we came down the right side against the Bad Boyz. I remember we shot as hard as we could from the top of the circle. The puck basically arced up and fell towards the skates of the goalie Tim Ashbaugh. However he couldn’t close the 5-hole fast enough – we didn’t know the puck went into the net until the goalie reacted. We had both of our hands in the air when we knew the puck was in the net. Never forgot that shot!”
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Nick Robone, UNLV Rebels coach
Four-Time Vegas Hockey Roller Player of the Year Nick Robone was a star performer for years with the Las Vegas Tour Rebels travel roller teams and with UNLV.
“My first goal was at Larry Sanford’s house league at the Crystal Palace roller rink. My team was called the Rattlers. I was on a team with Nick Dobranich. I think Landon Kraige was the goalie. Nick sent over a pass in the slot area and I put the puck in the 5-hole. Will never forget it.”
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Legendary goal scorer Micah Sanford of Las Vegas
Micah is one of the all-time goal scorers in Las Vegas in ice and roller and the first to be inducted into the Vegas Hockey Hall of Fame.
“I scored my first goal in house league roller at my Dad’s roller rink. “I believe I shot a muffin on the ground and it went in. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky I guess. I don’t remember the name of our team but my Dad (Larry Sanford) was coaching me. I was 10 years old.”
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Jason Allen of Las Vegas scored goals on every level he played. His very first goal was at the ‘Little House of Champions’ Crystal Palace of North Rancho Drive. “Ed Lewis was my head coach,” Jason said.
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Chris Francis is one of the greatest goal scorers of all-time in Las Vegas. Last season he was the head coach of the AA Texas Jr Stars 14u. This coming season he will be on the coaching on the staff with NAHL Odessa Jackalopes.
“We were six years old playing house league roller hockey at the Boulder Highway rink where they used to have hockey. I played for the Vipers when I scored my first goal – a wrist shot, right in front of the net. You never forget your first goal.”
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Richie Crossley – Years ago he and Devin Lane were voted ‘Best Defensive Pair’ in Las Vegas.
“We were six years old playing at the old Sports Park here in town for a team called the Thunder. We were a forward and in true Richie fashion we crashed the net, my teammate shot the puck, we accidently ran into the goalie and somehow, someway my stick hit the puck and somehow, someway the puck went into the net. We will never forget our first goal. In regards to being ‘Best Defensive Pair’ with Devin, we both had good chemistry and helped out each other.”
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Roy Henderson, founder of the Global Showcases and one of the owners of the BCHL Langley Rivermen.
Roy years ago was a top player. “I scored my first goal for a team called the PNE all-Stars in Vancouver back in 1957. We were six years old. It was our first game.”
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Hockey Dad John McNicholas first goal
“We were 8 years old. The year was 1970. We were playing for Coast Cities against Bay Harbor at the Bay Harbor rink. Dana King was on our team. He just scored his first goal and yelled to his Dad “I just scored!” We left our point, skated to the net and whacked in a rebound. Like Dana we hollered ‘Dad, I just scored.” He responded and said “I am expecting two goals from you tomorrow!”
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Hockey coach Matt Johnson, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
“We were playing for Norwich University against Southern Maine University. Our D man picked off a pass and started a rush up the left side. We transitioned and went wide right sneaking past their D, cut towards their net where my d man had laid out a beautiful no look back door pass for my tap in goal.”
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Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and currently with the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets.
Hockey Dad Steve said Zach scored his first goal at the age of four. “Zach played for the Icemen. His coach was Dennis Nolan. Zach scored against the Mustangs. The game was at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena over on North Rancho Drive.”
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Eddie Samuels – Three-time Playmaker of the Year when he played hockey for the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u. “I was playing for the Falcons squirt team at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena when I got my first goal. I was at the blue line and took a wrist shot – the puck lifted and went through the goalie’s five-hole – it was very exciting.”
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Friday, June 24, 2022
Las Vegas – Head coach Matt Johnson, whose AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u were an awesome constructed team which played with a giant edge to their game in their debut season, said that all-heart and fiercely competitive Aidan Finch, has graduated and will skate for the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 18u this coming season.
Here is where coach Matt’s graduating players are heading for the 2022-23 season.
Nate Moore, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
Mason Smith, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 18u
Aidan Finch, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 18u
Reese Bynam, to be decided
Spencer Foster, AAA North Shore Hockey Academy
Mason Jackson, AAA Skipjacks 18u in Maryland
Gavin O’Hara, AAA North Jersey Avalanche 18u
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You can circle this date – October 1 – that is when the UNLV Rebels will play an exhibition game vs NCAA D1 Denver University at the Magness Arena in Denver…Bet you didn’t know: Ryan Getzlaf, 37, of the NHL Anaheim Ducks has been team captain the last 12 seasons – Lee
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2022-23 Season
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Hunter Barto, ACHA Iowa State
Hannah Baxter, AAA Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19u
Nick Bonaldi, NCDC Boston Advantage
Connor Brazil, BCHL Cowichan Capitals
Brendan Harris, ECHL Jacksonville Icemen
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes
Dylan St. Cyr, NCAA Michigan State
Heath Goldsmith, goalie, USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders
Heath Mensch, NCDC Utica Comets
Jerrett Overland, ACHA D1 Arizona University
Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville, S.C., Swamp Rabbits
Andrew Thornton, ACHA University of Oregon
Ian Williams, USPHL NCDC Connecticut Jr Rangers
Micah Williamson, NA3HL Butte Cobras
Mikey Yochum, ACHA Canisius College – Captain
To update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
Big goal scorer Chris Francis of Las Vegas is now making his mark in the world of coaching – he will be an assistant hockey coach for the NAHL Odessa Jackalopes this coming season. He was the head coach last season with the AA Texas Jr Stars 14u team. “We got a phone call and were told they were looking for an assistant we said yes absolutely. Now that we are done playing we really want to coach -we will work with the Odessa defense and their powerplay.”
Chris’ team is affiliated with the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals, NA3HL Texas Roadrunners and the NAPHL Colorado Spring Tigers.
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OUR FATHER’S DAY’S STORIES
Las Vegas – UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said “it’s definitely a great honor to be a father. Best thing we’ve ever done in our life. We love living here too in such a great hockey community.“
Rob Pallin, a long-time hockey coach here dating to the 1999-2000 season, “spending time with our family today will be the first without my Dad. He raised nine children, a great loving Dad, well respected in our community in Minnesota and a Korean War veteran.“
Coach Nick Robone added “Anthony and I are so grateful to have a Dad who has given us every opportunity to succeed in life. He’s always in our corner in anything we decide to pursue. We lean on our Dad all the time for advice. Without him we would not have the same passion for hockey – a sport that continues to keep our family together.
Las Vegas hockey dad Greg Yochum said “yes, we are going to celebrate Father’s Day with a nice barbecue fired up in our back yard. Mikey is in Buffalo for the summer and his brother TJ is home.”
Big goal scorer Chris Francis’ father – Dave Francis – was an expert at blade sharpening in Las Vegas pro shops. When he sharpened your skate blades he always said “that’s good for two goals tonight!” Chris said “My father was always there for me – he did everything he could to help me succeed. He was so generous to every person who walked into the hockey rink – he always made every person feel welcome and enjoyed their time.”
Then there is the totally awesome late great Tommy Ricketts, one of the popular hockey dads all time. His wife Charla said “Tommy was the father of five kids. He loved them and supported and encouraged them to do whatever they wanted to do. Our girls were into soccer, volleyball and dance. The boys were into ice hockey, roller hockey and lacrosse. Before he got sick he was mostly into hockey and loved watching Beau and Blade play. Tommy was outgoing and made friends whereever he went. However, he got sick, spent a lot of time in hospitals and care centers. One time we walked into a rink and he was asked to tape a hockey stick – it made his day. We will miss him so much on Father’s Day. Beau will be celebrating his first Father’s Day with his baby girl Everlee. Tommy and I have 7 grand children, six of them under 18. Oh, how he would have loved the little ones. Thank you for thinking of us.”
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Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and ECHL Fort Wayne Komets
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Friday, June 17, 2022 – The ECHL announced that Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and the Fort Wayne Komets and Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits are each on their team’s ‘roster protected list’ for the 2022-23 season……Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA and Canada…
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Best Tweet of the Day
UNLV Rebels
We’ve officially signed our final
@NCAAIceHockey game for the ‘22-‘23 season against
@DU_Hockey on 10/1/22 in Denver, Co. The DU matchup will round out a four game exhibition schedule that includes 3 games with @UAAHockey – including one game in Las Vegas.
==================
Back in the 1999-2000 hockey season coach Rob Pallin of Las Vegas put together the very first mighty top line – the Triple Threat Line – with Travis Roseberry, JC Caron and Spike Neely at the Santa Fe Station Ice Arena which was on North Rancho Drive. This was the very first Las Vegas AA 18u tier hockey team to have a winning record vs tier teams like the mighty LA Jr Kings, San Diego Gulls, Bay Harbor Red Wings and San Jose Jr Sharks. Spike Neely said “coach Rob never messed with the referees during a game, never once raised his voice at us after a tough loss – instead he taught us what winning hockey was all about.” Rob has coached at many different levels in the sport including pro hockey, UNLV Rebels hockey and tier hockey. Presently he is now a coach in the Vegas Jr Golden Knights youth program – Lee
=========================
UNLV Rebels All-Time Goal Scorers
=========================
136 goals – Mike Zenzola
100 goals – Cody Williams
96 goals – Anthony Greener
83 goals – Sam Braniff
67 goals – Chris Jones
Source – Elite Hockey Prospects
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Some time ago when Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin was away from home with a team we asked him what would one of his team practices/workout look like – Lee
Here we go – lace up your skates, get ready, get set:
#1 – Warm-up goalies with a pace – a very high pace.
#2 – A very competitive 2 x 2 or 3 x 3 game to set the tone of practice
#3 – 1 on 1 drill
#4 – 2 on 1 high speed
#5 – Skating drill
#6 – 2 on 2 high speed
#7 – 3 on 2 high speed
#8 – Skating Drill
#9 – 3 on 3 very very competitive drill
#10 – Skating Drills
#11 – Coaches are looking for very competitive players
#12 – Great effort/attitude
Coach Rob
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The WHL Edmonton Oil Kings won the gold last night in a 2-0 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds. The series went six games, with the Oil Kings winning the gold medal……. Bet you didn’t know: Gage Quinney of Las Vegas had 27 goals, 23 assists for the 2015-16 WHL Kamloops Blazers. He now plays for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights –Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA, Canada, Finland and Germany……
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UNLV Rebels Twitter
“We’ve officially signed our final
@NCAAIceHockey game for the ‘22-‘23 season against
@DU_Hockey on 10/1/22 in Denver, Co. The DU matchup will round out a four game exhibition schedule that includes 3 games
@UAAHockey – including one game in Las Vegas.”
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Tristan Nelson, a very skilled Las Vegas defenseman with a grit to his game, will return to the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds according to eliteprospects.com.
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Breaking News – The UNLV Rebels have signed quick, hockey-smart defenseman Jaxsen Wyatt who played previously in two major programs – the NCDC South Shore Kings and the NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club. “He’s a really mobile defenseman who can create while making the first pass – he is definitely going to help us offensively from the point area,” said UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greeener. “Adding him helps us on both sides of the ice.”
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Beau Ricketts of Las Vegas was a mighty 30-goal scorer for the WSHL Las Vegas Storm junior hockey 21u team years ago at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Ave. Beau is now living in Minot, ND.
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2022-23 Season
====================================
Hunter Barto, ACHA Iowa State
Hannah Baxter, AAA Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19u
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes
Dylan St. Cyr, NCAA Michigan State
Heath Goldsmith, goalie, USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders
Brendan Harris, ECHL Jacksonville Icemen
Andrew Thornton, ACHA University of Oregon
Ian Williams, USPHL NCDC Connecticut Jr Rangers
Micah Williamson, NA3HL Butte Cobras
Mikey Yochum, ACHA Canisius College – Captain
To update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Special to Vegashockey.net
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON HIRES FAITH
LUTHERAN FOUNDER AS NEW V.P. OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Las Vegas – Faith Lutheran hockey program founder, Craig Thornton, has accepted the position of the Vice President of Hockey Operations with the University of Oregon.
“We talked for well over a year about this opportunity, and everything just fell into place,” Thornton said.
“Sky’s the limit” is how the new VP of Operations describes Craig Thornton sees the Ducks ACHA D1 hockey program. “The University of Oregon has long been known for its exceptional sports programs and I am confident hockey will be no exception.” said Thornton who recently joined Oregon Hockey after a 5-year relationship with Faith Lutheran and City National Arena in Las Vegas where he built a very successful and highly recognized high school hockey program at Faith Lutheran.
Thornton hit the ground running once accepting the position. “We’ve made a lot of headway in a short amount of time – and we’ve only just begun,” said Thornton. “Our 1400 sq ft locker room and player lounge is scheduled for a fall completion and will certainly add to the attraction of Ducks D1 hockey for years to come.
“Our goal is quite simple,’ said Thornton, ‘to represent the University of Oregon proudly and professionally in all that we do. Recruiting, resources available to our skaters, and a winning atmosphere is the foundation we’ve structured. The rest will fall into place.”
“The ACHA is a great association and we feel confident we will contribute to their ongoing success.”
The Ducks will embark on their 2022-23 inaugural D1 season with their home opener on Friday, October 7 against Arizona State at the 2200 seat Rink Exchange in Eugene.
“Between the incredible coaching staff and myself we will continue to build on the momentum our team is experiencing and plan to come at Ducks Hockey.”
The Ducks 2022-23 season schedule is due to be released on June 5 with 5 home series in Eugene and visits back to Medford and Bend as well. Our Oregon Ducks will also visit City National Arena in Las Vegas on December 9-10 against San Diego State and the UNLV Rebels in a pair of weekend games.”
.
The UNLV Rebels care for their fans and take a timeout here to read with their youngest fans
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WHL Gold Medal Playoffs
Friday Score – WHL Seattle Thunderbirds 2, WHL Edmonton Oil Kings 1
Sunday score – WHL Edmonton Oil Kings 5, WHL Seattle Thunderbirds 4
Tuesday score – WHL Edmonton Oil Kings 4, WHL Seattle Thunderbirds 0
Wednesday score – WHL Edmonton Oil Kings 3, WHL Seattle Thunderbirds 2
//Edmonton scored winning goal as the clock was ticking down with just 0:01 left in the game
Edmonton leads best of seven 3-1
//Next game – Saturday, June 11 – WHL Edmonton Oil Kings at WHL Seattle Thunderbirds
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NARCH FINALS HOST HOTELS
If you’re participating in the NARCh FINALS you should get your hotel room booked ASAP! July is the busiest month in Irvine and rooms go fast!
Here are some great options!
If you have questions about host hotels or need to enquire about a larger team block, contact Adam Ashton at adam.ashton@eventconnect.io
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Friday, June 3, 2022
A LOOK AT VEGAS HOCKEY COACH ROB PALLIN
Years ago hockey coach Rob Pallin helped turned Las Vegas hockey around, putting it on a national map. He has coached on the AA midget 18u/16u level, AAA midget 18u, UNLV college hockey, the ECHL level with the Las Vegas Wranglers. He is a Seven-Time Vegas Hockey Coach of the Year.
Here is a look at his ‘early years’ of coaching when the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u were coming off a 4-21-0 season.
=====================
Coach Rob began skating at the age of three on ponds in Chisholm, Minnesota. He is the youngest of nine children. His father was a math and science teacher at a Catholic high school in Minnesota. Rob skated on local teams and then was recruited by Frank Serratore, now the head coach at the Air Force Academy, to skate on his Junior A team – the Austin, Minnesota, Mavericks. Rob, at 16, was one of the youngest skaters on the team.
While skating Junior A hockey, the Mavericks won the 1984-84 USHL championship and Rob was named to the U.S. National Junior team. He was recruited by many colleges and played initially at Minnesota-Duluth and later transferred to Western Michigan.
Following college, he skated in Germany and then found his way to Las Vegas when he played professionally for the Las Vegas Aces who played out of the now-closed Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena. Rob also skated roller professionally on the Pro Beach Hockey’s Heavy Metal team whose games were televised on ESPN and later with the Las Vegas Coyotes.
Serratore said Pallin was one of his best players.
”I picture Rob, and always will, as the up and coming youngster with the wonderful skills,” Serratore told author Joe McCauley who wrote about Rob in the book ‘Puck Dreams & Other Stories’ published by 1st Books Library in 2003.
Here is Rob’s Las Vegas midget major coaching record:
ROB PALLIN EARLY YEARS COACHING RECORD
2000-01
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..36-15-3
//Rob puts together the Triple Threat Line featuring Travis Roseberry, J.C. Caron and Spike Neely which was one of the most powerful lines in the West.
//A young Eddie Del Grosso plays defense for the first time.
2001-02
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..60-11-3
//Powerful ‘Red Line’ of Josh Jasek, Adam Naglich and Eddie Samuels set 10 team scoring records. Each advanced to Jr. A level hockey. This was the very first AA Las Vegas team to play the U.S. Nationals.
//Cody Fulwiler and Paul Lowden are the two best goalies in the West. Combined, the two had a club-record 10 shutouts.
//Southwest League Champions
//Pacific District Regional Champions
//5-0-0 at Pacific District Championships
//3-1-0 at U.S. Nationals
2002-03
AAA Las Vegas Outlaws………………..33-24-5
//First Las Vegas AAA midget level team.
//Cody Morin top goal scorer.
//Vancouver Sun Silver Division Champions
//First Las Vegas team nationally rated
//2-2-1 at Pacific District Championships including a riveting 6-5 OT win over the Alaska All-Stars in a game played in Fairbanks.
2003-04
AA Las Vegas Rebels…………………….30-19-9
//Huge season for top line of Anthony Greener, Conrad Trimbath and Kurt Long.
//Opened season 13-0-2, a club record
//3-1-0 record at Pacific District Championships
2004-05
AA Las Vegas Outlaws……………………31-24-3
//First team to skate at new Fiesta Stations Ice Arena
//Beat Arvada in 4-3 thriller to win Holiday Blast Tournament on home
ice.
//Silver medalists at Richmond, B.C. Tournament
//Beat AAA L.A. Jr. Kings minors in thriller 3-2 and then defeated AA Long Beach midget majors 3-0 to capture Tier 1 Southwest League Championship.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker were leading goal scorers – with 31 apiece. Conrad Trimbath is named MVP.
2005-06
AA Las Vegas Rebels……………………………56-11-4
//For the 6th straight season, Las Vegas wins its opening game of the season. The Rebels beat the So-Cal Vipers 9-0.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker set a club record by recording back-to-back hat tricks during the Labor Day Blast at Las Vegas.
//In 5 away games, the Rebels score 45 goals and win all 5 games at the Duel in the Desert in Phoenix.
//On Oct. 4, Las Vegas defeats the Cal Cougars 4-2 for coach Rob’s 200th career win.
//Las Vegas wins all 5 games in Southwest League competition in Peoria, Arizona and is unbeaten in 10 straight.
//Ryan King has 16-point weekend as Rebels go 4-1-0 in Southwest League action at the Glacial Gardens. Chris Francis gets his 5th hat trick of the season, tying record held by Adam Naglich.
//Chris Francis scores 7 goals as Las Vegas wins all five games to capture the gold medal at the Silversticks Regionals in Portland during Thanksgiving weekend.
//On Dec. 22, Rebels beat the Alumni skaters 7-4 before a big crowd in their annual charity game.
//On Dec. 26, the Rebels beat the Phoenix Firebirds 2-0 win a Southwest League game and won their 30th game of the season. The Rebels, with Pallin as head coach, have won 30 or more games six straight seasons.
//On Dec 29, the Rebels beat the L.A. Jr. Kings 6-5 to win all five SWYHL games and raise their unbeaten record to a team-record 18-0-1.
//On Dec 31, coach Rob is named the 2005 Las Vegas ‘Coach of the Year’
//On Jan 16, the Rebels beat Cal North Stars 7-2 to win MLK tournament, raise record to 40-6-1 and extend unbeaten record to 24 straight.
//Rebels go unbeaten 27 straight games, a new team record.
//Rebels beat L.A. Hockey Club AAA 16u 3-2 to win the gold medal at Kings Challenge Cup during President’s Day weekend in El Segundo, Calif.
//Rebels go 5-0-0 including thrilling 5-4 OT win over Cal North Stars in gold medal game to win the Pacific District Regional Championship.
//Rebels 3-2-0 at U.S. Nationals, beating New Jersey Devils 6-5 OT in Final Eight game before losing 3-2 to Butler Valley, Pa. in a thrilling Final 4 game in Pittsburgh. Rebels broke over a dozen records this season including most goals, 404, and had nine skaters with 20+ goals for the year. Chris Francis was top scorer at U.S. Nationals with 7 goals, 6 assists.
Las Vegas Career Record……………………………………………..247-94-26
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Las Vegas – It’s Game On for the Anthony Greener, Nick Robone-coached ACHA D1 UNLV Rebels who will take on NCAA Alaska Anchorage three times this coming season. The Rebels social media team hinted at this – then Alaska Anchorage posted it on their hockey website.
“It’s another step in the right direction – baby steps at first, but we worked hard for this and everything is beginning to pay off,” said Rebels head coach Anthony Greener.
The Rebels will play at NCAA Alaska Anchorage on October 14-15 at the Seawolf Sports Complex in Anchorage. Then NCAA Alaska Anchorage will come to Las Vegas to take on the Rebels on Wednesday, November 16. The next game will be the the following night when NCAA Alaska Anchorage takes on ACHA D1 Liberty University in Las Vegas. Liberty, a mighty power in ACHA D1, plays their home games in Lynchburg, Va.
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Monday, May 30, 2022 – It is Memorial Day
Most Searched Today – Micah Sanford, Rob Pallin, Adam ‘Stick’ Naglich; Anthony Greener, Aidan Finch, The Triple Threat Line; Josh Jasek, Leroy Garcia, Hockey dad Steve Allen, coach Matt Johnson, Hunter Barto, Bethany Drysdale – reporter, Johnny Gold, Rinkrat2 at Pepsi Arena……
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2022-23 Season
====================================
Hunter Barto, ACHA Iowa State
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes
Dylan St. Cyr, NCAA Michigan State
Ian Williams, USPHL NCDC Connecticut Jr Rangers
Micah Williamson, NA3HL Butte Cobras
Mikey Yochum, ACHA Canisius College – Captain
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To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Bet you didn’t know – Brenden Fehlig, who played for the UNLV Rebels last season, was the captain of two of his previous teams – NA3HL College Station Spirit and NA3HL Texas Roadrunners – Lee
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THE GREATNESS OF MICAH SANFORD
======
By Lee Samuels
Micah Sanford of Las Vegas was our first star player – in ice and roller – here in Las Vegas.
He was the first from Las Vegas to leave home and play on the AAA level ice hockey with the AAA Vail, Colorado, Avalanche midget 18u team, the first to play in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs Jr A in Canada, and the first to play on a college scholarship at NCAA Division One Nebraska Omaha.
Micah launched his career here in Las Vegas in roller hockey which is the same route star players such as ice hockey stars Jason Zucker, Adam Naglich, Chris Francis, Eddie Samuels and Eddie Del Grosso also took.
Micah’s father Larry Sanford was the head roller hockey coach who took Las Vegas teams to major tournaments throughout the country. Big rivals for Las Vegas back then included the Orange County Blades, Brea Bulldogs, Arizona Stars and the Northern Colorado Blast.
When Micah was 16, he was named the National Roller Hockey Player of the Year.
“My Dad (Larry) played a lot of roller hockey when he was in his early 20’s,” said Micah. “He played for a team out of Louisana that was one of the best in the nation. He held the scoring title nationwide for about five years. We moved to Las Vegas because my folks thought roller rinks would do well here in town.”
That big roller rink was called Crystal Place built on North Rancho Drive. They call it “The Little House of Champions.”
“My favorite teammates in roller hockey were Freddie Young, Patrick Stevenson, Travis Gunderson and Leroy Garcia. We really meshed well together and we were all work horses – never getting out-competed,” Micah said.
That roller team – the Las Vegas Rolling Thunder – was an unstoppable force on a national level.
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MICAH’S GREATEST HOCKEY COACH
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Micah Sanford had many great coaches starting with his father Larry in roller hockey. Larry is a six-time Vegas Hockey Roller Coach of the Year.
Micah’s first travel ice hockey team was the AAA Vail Avalanche 18u in Colorado. Brad Buetow was the head coach. Brad was a former head coach at the Minnesota University and Colorado College hockey programs.
To get to Vail, Colorado, Micah packed up his gear in his pickup truck, then he drove back to the Crystal Palace roller rink where he grew up in Las Vegas. There was a group of younger players and hometown hockey moms and dads who were there and who wished him well and watched him drive off on North Rancho Drive. Micah was the first to leave Las Vegas to play the game and it was big news in the world of hometown hockey.
Micah also played for one of the greatest coaches in Harvey Smyl, a legend with the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs in Canada. When Micah played for Chilliwack hockey dad Larry Sanford would wear his black and yellow-striped Chilliwack jacket at Crystal Palace.
When Micah was at Chilliwack he told Vegashockey.com in 2000 “…I could always stick-handle and score but they worked on my skating and made me more of a complete player.”
After his first season with Chilliwack Micah went to the Peter Twist Skating School in Vancouver.
But who was Micah’s best coach?
“Harvey Smyl at Chilliwack was the best coach I ever had on the bench during a game. But Brad Buetow was the best coach I ever had at running a practice and teaching skills.
“Harvey was great managing his bench, knowing game situations and who to put onto the ice.
“Brad Buetow was the best at motivating his players and getting the best out of them,” said Micah.
Brad Buetow retired a few years ago, as did Harvey Smyl.
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MICAH’S ASTOUNDING GOAL-SCORING IN 2001-02 PLAYOFFS
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When Micah played for the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs in Canada hometown fans back in Las Vegas listened to the play by play on radio from the Chiefs two great announcers Barry Douglas and Richard Brew who called the game from the press boxes no matter where the Chiefs were playing. And little did Barry and Rich know – and their radio listeners – they were about to go onto the biggest ride of their lives.
Chilliwack finished the regular season with a record of 46-10-4. Micah, on the top line, led the team with 47 goals. He was 19 years old. His linemates and best rink friends were Kaleb Betts with 35 goals and Matt Gibbons with 28 goals.
On this same Chilliwack team was 17-year-old Gabe Gauthier the former GM/head coach of the WSHL Las Vegas Storm and the Hockey Director at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Gabe had 37 goals that season for Chilliwack. Gabe’s linemates were David Van Der Gulik, 38 goals, and Jeff Tambellini with 46 goals.
Micah always played on top lines. When he was with AAA Vail midget majors he was on the number one line with the great Teddy O’Leary.
Micah was now in his second season with Chilliwack and suddenly – and no one, including him – knows how and why Micah Sanford began scoring so many goals in the playoffs.
While Chilliwack was winning the Nowat Cup and the Doyle Cup and qualifying for the grand finale – the Royal Bank Cup in Halifax – Micah had racked up 31 playoff goals. When he was interviewed by me at Vegashockey.com (the old site, not this one) Micah said….
“I’m not doing anything differently. It’s like everything I shoot – no matter what part of the net – the puck goes right into the net. I cannot explain it.”
On the Chiefs radio Barry Douglas and Richard Brew were going insanely wild calling the games. Gauthier said “…it was unreal, so intense.”
At the Royal Bank Cup in Halifax – the one last crown to capture – Micah and the Chiefs worked their way to the Final 4.
They took on the OCN Blizzard from the Manitoba Hockey League. It was a close, tight game, right down to the final buzzer at the Halifax Forum.
OCN won 4-3.
When the game was over – and maybe it was the pressure of winning so many times – the Chiefs players collapsed onto the ice in all parts of the arena.
On the radio Barry and Richard lost it – they both wept.
They were trying to describe and capture in their own words the final time this great Chilliwacks Chiefs team would ever be on the ice.
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Micah scored 31 goals during the playoffs. For the season he had 78 goals, 80 assists – by far the most goal and assists and points by any Las Vegas skater on any level of the game.
Gauthier said “this was such a great team. Micah was a big part of it. I counted 12 of our players who went to NCAA Division 1 teams.
Chilliwack coach Harvey Smyl sized it all up when he said “Micah was a man among boys with his determination and strength.”
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Micah got a scholarship to play at Nebraska-Omaha. After four years he played professionally signing with the ECHL Bakersfield Condors.
In 2009 Micah retired as an active player.
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MICAH SANFORD CAREER ICE HOCKEY RECORD
1997-98 – Las Vegas Mustangs Midget A
1998-99 – Las Vegas Blackjacks Jr B
1999-20 – AAA Vail Avalanche midget major – 49 goals/35 assists
2000-01 – BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs Jr A – 12 goals/9 assists
2001-02 – BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs Jr A – 78 goals/80 assists
2002-03 – Nebraska-Omaha 8 goals/9 assists
2003-04 – Nebraska-Omaha 1 goal/0 assists
2005-05 – Nebraska-Omaha 1 goal/6 assists
2005-06 – Nebraska-Omaha 1 goal/0 assists
2008-09 – ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers 0 goals/0 assists
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Opportunities always abound at the USPHL NCDC Combine Series, which has been run since 2019 to offer players the chance to skate in front of Tier II National Collegiate Development Conference coaches in Chicago and Detroit.
The knock on the door was loud and clear for Las Vegas native Ian Williams, whose performance at the Combine was so impressive that he was able to sign an NCDC Tender at the event, guaranteeing himself a spot at the Connecticut Jr. Rangers’ Main Camp and finding a spot on their 70-Man Protected List, which includes players certain to make the 2022-23 roster plus future prospects for coming years.
Williams, a 2003-born native of Las Vegas, Nev., was certainly happy with his choice to go to the USPHL NCDC Combine this year.
“I learned about the USPHL NCDC Combine series by looking up the NCDC camps online and saw the one in Chicago. I thought it would be a good opportunity,” said Williams, who attended the Chicago Combine held at the Fifth Third Arena in downtown Chicago, Ill., a facility that also serves as the Practice Home Of The Chicago Blackhawks.
“I had a positive experience at the combine. I got a lot of ice in and also some off-ice work,” he added. “The off-ice portion of the Combine was a nice addition to the usual game setup of combines and provided another opportunity to excel and stand out.”
The off-ice part of the Chicago Combine was run by Paul Goodman, who is the Blackhawks’ Strength and Conditioning Coach and also runs the Goodman Elite Training facility on the premises.
It was after his third of three guaranteed games at the Combine that Williams was approached by Connecticut Jr. Rangers Head Coach Jim Henkel.
“He approached me after my last game at the camp,” said Williams. “My individual performance at the Combine was good. I felt I played pretty well and I think my confidence and skills from the past two seasons developing in Wenatchee (not only with the U18AAA team but also with the time I spent participating in the BCHL practices) helped me stick out to the Connecticut staff.
“I thought it was a great opportunity and I enjoyed the camp a lot,” added Williams. “There were numerous scouts and coaching staff from all over the USPHL and NCDC in attendance, which is why you go to these things.”
Watch for the announcements for the 2023 USPHL NCDC Combine series in February 2023.
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Las Vegas – Coach Rob Pallin of Las Vegas goes onto the ice and works with a number of skaters each week over at City National Arena – some are playmakers, long-range snipers and there is a very special goal scorer – Jack Lackas, just 15 years old – who gets his goal-scoring radar locked in the moment he gets onto the ice. He has the ability to feint, get around fire-breathing defenseman and makes goal scoring look so easy. Last season Jack scored 56 goals – more than any other goal scorer here in town. Jack plays for the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u.
Jack said when he breaks down the ice he scans for routes to get closer to the net for scoring opportunities.
Coach Rob said “….what I like about Jack is that he is so creative with the puck – his stick skills are at a very high level, his vision is excellent and he plays with an edge to his game. He has so many high level players his age to train with him in Las Vegas which is such an advantage.”
Jack’s favorite NHL player is Patrick Kane.
Next season? “We are planning to skate again with the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes,” Jack said.
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Austin Moline, from Las Vegas and a 2005 defenseman, advanced from the Pacific District 17u camp held at City National Arena on May 6-8 to attend the USA 17u National Camp being held in Amherst-Buffalo, NY in late June, 2022. Austin, last season with AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u team, had 7 goals, 36 assists. He has won many awards here on Vegashockey.net.
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Looking for the whereabouts of all-heart, dynamic Aidan Finch who last season was a star player for coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u – Lee
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Saturday, May 21, 2022
Here is the #1 most searched story of all-time on Vegashockey.net, a story which is searched for here every single day. The photos are somewhere in cyberspace but here is the story we filed that day – we will never forget the greatest games at the Santa Fe Station Ice Arena. The “Hockey Sister” playing music was Jessica Jasek, sister of big goal scorer Josh Jasek. The Hockey Sister was the first to play rock music at the big games – Lee
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May 17, 2004
SPECIAL REPORT: SANTA FE STATION ICE ARENA IS HISTORY…
By Lee Samuels
LAS VEGAS – That’s it. It’s all over at the Santa Fe Ice Arena.
The figure skaters whirled about at center ice. The hockey skaters, in multi-colored jerseys, did laps around the outside lanes. Rinkboard parents sipped coffee in paper cups and were bunched near the south end. The music was nice and loud.
And all of a sudden, at 4:00 pm, it was over.
There will be no more skating at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena which has been opened since 1991.
No more enemy teams coming in. No more big hockey tournaments with those invading, imposing, hard-hitting AAA teams in town. No more Buddy Caron on the Zamboni. No more clanging gates. No more Hockey Sister spinning CDs at faceoffs. No more heading to the Food Court and asking for a slice of the good stuff from Village Pizza. No more walking to Starbucks for a pre-game cup.
Even the big Pepsi scoreboard was dark.
Rink manager Rob Pallin, wearing his new Fiesta Ice Arena Manager badge, proudly showed off new blueprints of the new rink which will open on Rancho Drive this fall.
John J. James, general manager of the Fiesta, said the Santa Fe rinkboards, the thick rink glass and one Zamboni will be heading to a rink in Utah.
And the sheet of ice?
“There are 30,000 gallons of water out there,” said James, peering through the rink glass and looking at the sheet of ice. “So you have start shaving down the ice maybe a half-inch at a time, then begin to melt it down.”
It’s a process which will begin in a day or two.
Meanwhile, no more ice time is scheduled.
“The sign company YesCo will take down the Santa Fe scoreboard and take it to the Fiesta,” James said. “We’ve bought a new Zamboni and we’re taking one from here. We plan to get a front-loader, lift the Zamboni and drive it over to the Fiesta.”
Pallin will work out of his office here for the next several weeks before heading to the Fiesta.
“So many things to do,” said Rob. “We’re in a shutdown phase and we need to move a lot of things to the new arena.”
The banners, including the coveted, giant 2001-02 Mustangs Pacific District Champions one, have been taken down and carefully packed.
“The Fiesta is going to a vibrant, brilliant ice arena,” said James, speaking to the rinkboard parents. “We are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a snack bar. Wait until you see it. We will have a community trophy case, on the right side as you walk in. We will have a First Aid Station. We will have 500 seats in the bleachers. The new Arcade will have 23 machines. Hot coffee? We have a contract with Boyd’s and it’s good stuff.
“We’ve got new nets coming in too,” James added.
Still, for many rinkboard parents, who huddled about making small talk here, the rink closure is a total shock.
We’ve been coming into this ice-cold, refrigerator-like arena for years, for practices and for games.
When the Final Skate was almost over, Tanya Root – a Team Mom for so many hockey teams here – took one last look towards the ice and said “I’m heading for Starbucks in the casino…..for one last cup.”
Final Rinkboard Notebook at the Santa Fe – There were over 100 skaters on the ice….then, some of the older skaters stayed over for a pickup game. Sammy Micco was the goalie….Chris Francis, Ryan Krametbauer, Eddie Del Grosso, Eddie Samuels, Josh Odoms, Chad Butcher, Sean Stackhouse, Jeff Root were among those on the ice…Also skating was coach Rob who actually looked pretty sharp….
In the bleachers, for the record, Patty DeGrosso was the last to take photographs….
There are 3 men’s leagues games scheduled to start at 6:00, 7:30 and 9:00 pm Sunday and that’s it – no more games at the Santa Fe….
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Las Vegas – Back in the 2012-13 season C.J Stubbs of Utah was a top player for the AAA Las Vegas Storm 18u which was based over at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo. Joey DiBenedetto was also on that team. The top goal scorer was none other than the great Gage Quinney of Las Vegas who had 24 goals – Lee
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‘Late Skate’ – painting by the awesome Terence Fogarty of Minnesota
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NAHL Tryout Dates, Locations Right Here
http://nahl.com/play-in-the-nahl/tryouts/
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#1 Most Searched Today – Years ago Wally Lacroix was the last Las Vegas ice hockey coach to coach Jason Zucker when he was a bantam 14u level player over at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue. Later coach Rob Pallin did intensive skating drills with Jason years ago when he was wiring in for the NHL Player Draft in Los Angeles.
Here in town Jason initially skated in roller hockey for coach Larry Sanford who owned ‘The Little House of Champions’ Crystal Palace Roller Rink on North Rancho Drive – Lee
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2022-23 Season
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Hunter Barto, ACHA Iowa State
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes
Dylan St. Cyr, NCAA Michigan State
Ian Williams, USPHL NCDC Connecticut Jr Rangers
Mikey Yochum, ACHA Canisius College
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Sunday, May 15, 2022
New York City
When the playoff game was over Jason Zucker, always a true sportsman, and his Penguins linemates went to center ice, lined up and congratulated each of the Rangers. Jason also spoke to quite a few of the Rangers and wished them good luck for the rest of the playoffs – Lee
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New York – Artemi Panarin scored in OT for the NY Rangers who beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 before a sold out frenzied Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. Jason Zucker of Las Vegas was awesome firing quite a few shots on goal for the Penguins throughout this dramatic game. The Rangers won the best of seven series 4-3.
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Breaker – Sidney Crosby, the Penguins captain and premier goal scorer who was badly injured earlier in a playoff game vs the NY Rangers, practiced with the Pens yesterday and said he wants to play in Game Seven vs the NY Rangers at MSG on Sunday -Lee
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Friday, May 13, 2022
Pittsburgh – The NY Rangers scored late to break a 3-3 tie, then added an empty goal to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 to tie the heated Best of Seven 3-3. Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the Penguins now return to Madison Square Garden in NYC for the decisive Game Seven on Sunday.
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Jason’s teammate – the awesome big game scorer ultra-skilled Sidney Crosby – took a bad hit vs the Rangers in the previous game and cannot play tonight – Lee
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New York – The NHL New York Rangers, in a brutal physical playoff game beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 at MSG. Pens captain Sidney Crosby took a hard check in the second period and had to leave the game. Jason Zucker of Las Vegas got a lot of playing time in this game. Jason and the Penguins will go at it vs New York Rangers on Friday in Pittsburgh. The Penguins lead the Best of Seven series, 3-2.
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No. 2 New York Rangers vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh 4, New York 3 (3 OT)
New York 5, Pittsburgh 2
Pittsburgh 7, New York 4
Pittsburgh 7, New York 2
New York 5, Pittsburgh 3
New York 5, Pittsburgh 3
*Sunday at New York, Madison Square Garden
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Special to Vegas Hockey
Megan Myers ’14
Ice Hockey Student-Athlete
From the moment she first took the ice in Utica, it was easy to see that Megan Myers would set herself apart. Between her hometown of Las Vegas, where ice hockey did not yet enjoy the popularity it does today, and her skill set on the ice, it rapidly became clear that she was of a unique breed. That she was destined to blaze new trails and achieve greatness.
Myers is still doing both of those things currently, and a decorated playing career here at Utica College proved to be a vital step on her path in the game of hockey, and in life.
In four years, the 2013 AHCA CCM Second Team All-American put together one of the most offensively dominant careers in the history of Utica College Women’s Hockey and the ECAC Women’s West Conference.
Arguably the greatest hockey player ever born in the state of Nevada, Myers was a four-time All-Conference pick at Utica. She was named to the first team twice.
Myers routinely left onlookers stunned with a brilliant combination of skill, finesse, and energy. Myers never failed to lead the team in scoring in each of her four years, finishing with 143 points on 74 goals and 69 assists in 104 career games. She is tied for the program’s all-time goal scoring lead alongside Pioneer Hall of Famer Deana Wiegand, is second all-time at Utica in career points. She led UC to 56 wins, three playoff appearances, and notched fifteen game-winning goals. The Las Vegas native was awarded the Dick Miller award at the 2014 Pioneer Hall of Fame dinner following her senior season.
After an exceptional college career, Megan has never stopped setting a superior example for the next generation of women in hockey. Following her senior year, she became the first Utica College women’s hockey player to be drafted into the Canadian Women’s Hockey League when she was selected by the Boston Blades. While playing alongside Olympic greats Brianna Decker, Hilary Knight, Monique Lamoureux, Kacey Bellamy, and Meghan Duggan, Myers and the Blades went on to capture the 2015 Clarkson Cup Championship. She played a total of five seasons with the franchise and became its captain. She also played on the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association Dream Gap Tour.
Today, Myers spends her time encouraging others to grow and improve in the game she loves through coaching opportunities. She spent several years assisting fellow Utica alumna Eliza Kelley at Becker College, and is now working as an assistant coach for the new Division I hockey program at Stonehill.
Megan graduated from Utica with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation.
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Next game for Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the Pittsburgh Penguins – at New York Rangers Wednesday @the famous Madison Square Garden.
No. 2 New York Rangers vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh 4, New York 3 (3 OT)
New York 5, Pittsburgh 2
Pittsburgh 7, New York 4
Pittsburgh 7, New York 2
Wednesday at New York, 4 p.m., ESPN
*Friday at Pittsburgh, TBD
*Sunday at New York, TBD
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Breaker – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas dealt an assist for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in a crushing 7-2 win over the New York Rangers on Monday. Jason and the Penguins were on home ice – the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Jason played on this line:
Jason Zucker – Jeff Carter – Brock McGinn
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Hockey dad Leroy Garcia, a star roller player who years ago played on the top line with Micah Sanford, sends this….
We are looking to possibly open up tryouts for the ice hockey 18u division for this upcoming Fall season. We have created a survey for those parents who may be interested in it. Please fill it out asap as we plan to make a decision soon on possibly opening up tryouts for this division.
https://sobeicewarriors.sportngin.com/regi…/form/339630496
Email us if you have any questions: lasvegasicewarriors@hockeyforkids.org
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ACHA Iowa State has announced Hunter Barto of Las Vegas will be on their roster for the 2022-23 season. Hunter, 20, played the last three seasons with the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose. He had 21 goals last season – Lee
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https://www.hendersonsilverknights.com/news/
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Henderson Silver Knights (35-28-5) vs. Colorado Eagles (39-22-7)
Best of Three Playoff Series
All games at Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado
Game 1 —Colorado 5, Henderson Silver Knights 2
Game 2 – Colorado 5, Henderson Silver Knights 2
Colorado Eagles win best of three, 2-0
//Gage Quinney of Las Vegas has 12 goals this season with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights
Breaking news today – Jack Lackas, 15, of Las Vegas and the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes, was drafted by the USHL Madison Capitals. Jack, who had 15 goals, 9 assists according to elitehockey.com, was picked in Round 4. This is an awesome achievement – Lee
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Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and the ECHL Ft. Wayne Komets are now tied 3-3 in their Best of Seven. One more game to play tonight!
Fort Wayne Komets vs. Wheeling Nailers
Best-of-7
(Wheeling Nailers win series 4-3)
Game 1: Wheeling 1, Komets 0
Game 2: Wheeling 4, Komets 2
Game 3: Komets 4, Wheeling 1
Game 4: Komets 4, Wheeling 3 (OT)
Game 5: Wheeling 3, Komets 2
Game 6: Komets 4, Wheeling 3 (OT)
Game 7: Wheeling 3, Komets 2 (OT)
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
56 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
31 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u
31 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers
29 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
26 – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u
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Breaker – Matthew Gross of Las Vegas 29 goals this season for the NA3HL El Paso Rhinos…….Skyler Cameron three goals this season for the BCHL Naniamo Clippers – only a precious few skaters from Las Vegas have played in the BCHL……Kenneth Curtis lll 3 goals for USHS Santa Margarito Catholic High School – Lee
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Monday ECHL Playoff Game
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Florida Everblades
//Florida Everblades led Best of Seven 3-2; beat Bryce Reddick and Greenville Swamp Rabbits 5-1 to win the best of seven.
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Sunday, April 31, 2022
The Pacific District Select Camp is being held this coming weekend May 6-9 at City National Arena. Vegas born players Defenseman Austin Moline, Dexter Kichline and Goalie Johnny Ng (2005) have been selected to participate in this 40 man camp event with players also selected from Alaska, California, Alaska, and Oregon. They will play three games competing for a chance to advance to the district camp in Buffalo, NY. Games start Friday, May 6 at 4:00 pm for the 17U 2005 born players at City National Arena.
There are also 16u and and 15u players participating as well.
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These Las Vegas players are still active this season:
Jason Zucker, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins
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Friday, April 29 Playoff Game
WHL
Final Score
Kamloops Blazers 3, Spokane Chiefs 0 w/Erik Atchison of Las Vegas
//Kamloops wins Best of Seven 4-0
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ECHL
Friday, April 29, 2022
Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and Fort Wayne Komets at Wheeling Nailers
//Zach and Fort Wayne Komets win 4-3 OT
Florida Everblades vs Bryce Reddick Greenville Swamp Rabbits
//Florida Everblades win 2-1
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Wednesday, April 28 Playoff Games
ECHL
Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and Ft. Wayne Komets vs Wheeling Nailers
//Zach and Ft Wayne Komets win 4-1; Wheeling Nailers lead Best of Seven, 2-1
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Florida Everblades
//Florida Everblades win 4-3 in OT
//Best of Seven tied 1-1
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Monday, April 25, 2022- Coach Matt Johnson and his AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team will have a new awesome look this season. “Our returning players will include Connor Beers, Jesse Mouzon, Kaden Mulcahy and Hunter Toms. We will be competing again in the NAPHL. We will also be going to go to two USHL Showcases in Fargo and Omaha.
“We will be hosting a Western Exposer series event as well as the playmaker series with the North Shore Academy. We have been invited to Anchorage, Alaska for their Labor Day Showcase. We will have our 14u, 15u, 16u and 18u teams going there. This is a great way to start the season and bond as a group,” coach Matt said.
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Monday, April 25 Playoff Scores
WHL
Erik Atchison of Las Vegas and Spokane Chiefs vs Kamloops Blazers
//Erik Atchison scored for WHL Spokane Chiefs in a 5-1 loss to the powerful Kamloops Blazers. Kamloops leads the Best of Seven, 3-0.
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Wednesday, April 27 Playoff Scores
ECHL
Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and Ft. Wayne Komets vs Wheeling Nailers
//Wheeling Nailers lead Best of Seven, 2-0
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Florida Everblades
//Best of Seven tied 1-1
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Saturday, April 23, 2022 – Flash Updates..….
AHL
Final Score – Henderson Silver Knights 5, San Jose Barracuda 2 @ Dollar Loan Center Arena in Henderson
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WHL – Western Hockey League
Erik Atchison of Las Vegas and WHL Spokane Chiefs vs Kamloops Blazers
//Kamloops has a 3-0 lead. Kamloops won the first game in this best of seven. Final Score Kamloops Blazers 6, Spokane Chiefs 2.
ECHL
Saturday
Final Score Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits 5, Florida Everblades 3
//Bryce and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits win to make it 1-1 in this best of seven series.
Saturday
Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and Fort Wayne Komets vs Wheeling Nailers – Game Two in this playoff series…Final Score – Wheeling Nailers win 4-2, take 2-0 lead in a best of seven.
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Here are the flash scores in Friday night games:
AHL Final Score
Gage Quinney of Las Vegas 2 goals for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights in a 6-4 win over the San Jose Barracuda at the Dollar Loan Center Arena in Henderson.
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WHL – Western Hockey League
Kamloops 9, Eric Atchison and Spokane Chiefs 0
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ECHL – Playoff Games
Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets lost 1-0 to the ECHL Wheeling Nailers in Game One. The crowd at Memorial Arena in Fort Wayne was 5949.
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits lost 4-3 in OT to the Florida Everblades in their first game of their playoff series.
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Friday
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Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets take on the Wheeling Nailers in a Best of Seven while Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits begin a best of seven vs the Florida Everblades on Friday.
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Friday Playoff Games
Game One, Best of Seven
ECHL Wheeling Nailers vs Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and Fort Wayne Komets
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas and Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Florida Everblades
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Erik Atchison of Las Vegas and the WHL Spokane Chiefs begin a playoff series tonight – Friday – vs the Kamloops Blazers at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, BC – Lee
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Gregg Drinnan in Canada posted this in his daily hockey notebook ….
Manny Viveiros, a former WHL player and coach, is on leave from his position as head coach of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights as he progresses into “the next steps of his recovery,” according to a news release. Viveiros is fighting prostate cancer. . . . In his absence, assistant coach Jamie Heward takes over as interim head coach. . . . Viveiros was the general manager and head coach of the Swift Current Broncos, with Heward as assistant coach, when they won the WHL’s 2017-18 championship. . . .
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
56 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
31 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u
31 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers
29 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
26 – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u
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21 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
21 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
16 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Ft. Wayne Komets
13 – Michael Yochum, Captain, Canisus College
11 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
10 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
9 – Trent Carter, USPHL Chicago Cougars
8 – Cody Williams, Evry-Viry, France3
7 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u
6 – Gunner Moore, NAHL Shreveport Mudbugs
6 – Ash Printzen, NCAA Curry College
5 – Shane Dean, Gentry Academy
5 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Swamp Rabbits
4 – Caden Grestini, AAA Boston Academy 14u
3 – Steven Avalone, ACHA D2 Lindenwood
3 – Antonio Buck, ACHA lll Northern Arizona University
3 – Skyler Cameron, BCHL Nanaimo Clippers
3 – Vito Carlo, NCAA3 Franklin Pierce University
3 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Long Beach Shredders
3 – Spencer Poscente, ACHA Eastern Michigan
2 – Gabriel Testa, CAJHL Vernal Oilers
Updated May 9, 2022
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Friday -Hometown goal scorer Gage Quinney, who played his tier hockey years ago at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue, scored the first goal of the game for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights in a 4-2 win over the Stockton Heat before a big crowd of 5036 at the Dollar Loan Center Arena in Henderson, NV.
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It’s Easter Weekend! -The AHL Henderson Silver Knights, 29-28-4 this season, have clinched a playoff spot. Tonight – Friday – the Silver Knights vs Stockton Heat @ Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, NV at 7 pm local time…. Adam Stio, who has coached a number of ice and roller hockey teams in Las Vegas, is presently the GM of a city ice arena in Rock Springs, Wyoming…..Adam is one of the great ones in the sports of ice hockey and high-level roller hockey….
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The great hockey writer Gregg Drinnan in Canada posted this among his hockey notes today:
JUNIOR JOTTINGS: The USHL’s Chicago Steel has landed one of hockey best young prospects in F Macklin Celebrini, 15, who will be eligible for the 2024 NHL draft. He was born in Vancouver, but moved to California after his father joined the NBA’s Golden State Warriors as their director of sports medicine and performance. Macklin played one season of minor hockey in San Jose and has spent the past two seasons at Shattuck St. Mary’s. The Seattle Thunderbirds selected Macklin with the first-overall pick in the WHL’s U.S. draft on Dec. 8. . . . The SJHL’s Nipawin Hawks have named Dana Dirks as their assistant general manager. He spent this season as an assistant coach with Tad Kozun, the general manager and head coach.
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Thursday, April 14, 2022
Las Vegas star players chat about ‘My Best Teammate’
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Jason Allen played tier ice hockey in Las Vegas quite a few seasons ago: “My best linemate was Jeff Root. We both defensively liked to rock those star goal scorers. Pete Riccardo was our head coach.”
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Anthony Greener, head coach, UNLV Rebels: “We played with a lot of great teammates while growing up. The best we think was Jeff Hajner. No one had a hard work ethic like him – on and off the ice, he was a such great leader.”
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Rob Pallin, one of the all-time head coaches in Las Vegas: “We played with some of the great ones including – Keith Jones, formerly of the Philadelphia Flyers. Brett Hull was just amazing. Mike DeAngelis, now the director of Jr Coyotes hockey – but best would be Norm Maciver. At 5‘9″ he played 700 games in the NHL as a defenseman in the late 1980s-90s. The game was so different then. Norm is currently the GM of the Chicago Blackhawks. As a player he always put his teammates first.”
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Nick Robone, coach UNLV Rebels – Nick was a star roller hockey player here in town for years. “My best teammates? I would say my brother Anthony, Andrew Tamura, Billy Tufano, Micah Sanford and Kris Carter. All first team guys and very very competitive.”
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Defensemen Richie Crossley and Devin Lane worked magically together and won a number of Vegas Hockey awards as ‘Best Defensive Pair’ while on a Las Vegas Bobcats ice hockey team coached by the great Matt Stang.
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Adam Tamura, star roller hockey player: “Wow, tough question. Going way back to the Crystal Palace house league roller hockey days we would say Trent Byrd and David Roble. They were not travel players but we had a great connection with them. Great guys too! In my youth travel roller we remember Kevin Malone who was one of my best friends as well as a great teammate. He always played hard and defended his team. Kurt Long and I were the 11th, 12th players on a stacked AAA level team which featured Shawn Pearson, Stringfellow Swan, Evan Zucker, Mike Sullivan, Brandon Rial among others. Curt and I really connected to work hard and be better players. He was also hilarious! That same team included Jeff Hajner, who was one the best leaders we ever skated with. It suits him well as he was captain on Air Forces’ first hockey team to the Frozen Four.
“My later days with UNLV roller hockey it was skating with Louie Dube, he is – to this day – one of the smartest men we have ever met. He helped me on the mental side of hockey and on the game of Life! Troy Lake is a newer name to Las Vegas roller hockey but skated years at Dan’s roller rink in Las Vegas and played for the Aces there. He also played four seasons with the Providence College Friars and then skated in the ECHL with the Charlotte Checkers when they were the (NHL) Carolina’s farm team. The same could be said about Tyler Myers and Tim Mullis on the Aces roller hockey team.
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Adam Stio – he played and coached a number of high level roller hockey teams here in town
“We played in juniors with a kid named Jason Wilhem. Most of the times he was my partner in the games. Great personality and awesome locker room guy who kept things like half-glass full. During games he studied tendencies and was always thinking a play ahead. He loved the pyschological aspect of the game. We knew on the ice during a game like escapes to board plays and switches on breaks. We made each other look good. It was consistent and it was a whole lot of fun.”
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Eddie Samuels and Eddie Del Grosso were best friends while playing on top tier teams here in the 2001–02 era. Their last head coach in Las Vegas was the great Rob Pallin.
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To contribute here send your story to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Leroy Garcia of Las Vegas is one of the all-time greatest here in town in the sport of high level roller hockey. He played primarily in the Micah Sanford era at the Little Home of Champions – Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive. This is on Leroy’s Facebook:
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” — -Wayne Gretzky
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Breaker – Player-coach Adam Tamura of Las Vegas is getting several Sin City Sniper’s roller teams ready to skate at the NARCH Finals on July 15-17 in SoCal. For sure Nick Robone, an awesome goal scorer in roller, will be on one of Adam’s premier teams. Possible Las Vegas roller players for Sin City Snipers include Andrew Tamura, Anthony Robone, Ross McMullen, Louie Dube, Billy Tufano, Austin Shannon, Emanuel Banez, Kris Carter, Johne Eugenio, Morgan Marinello, Ian David, Mitch Province, Ethan Montoya, Dominic Garcia, Paul Nguyen, Nate Valdez, Darion Conaway, Matt Strickland, Cody Milligan and quite a few others. Adam said “We have so many great players – we may have to expand to three teams.”
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Breaker – Jason Zucker, out for months with a lower body injury, returned to the lineup Sunday and scored for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-2 OT win over the Nashville Predators. Jason attacked the Predators net and fired off a hard short-range shot to score. “I was thrilled for Jason – it was a big goal for him and for our team,” said Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.…Also today Brennan Blasczak of Las Vegas and the SPHL Pensacola Flyers has 31 goals, 15 assists, 46 points this season – these are awesome numbers for Brennan.
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*PRESS RELEASE*
By Craig Thornton
Good Morning to All….
After four magnificent years guiding Faith Lutheran Hockey, with bittersweet emotion I announced my resignation at our 4th annual Awards ceremony, in front of again a packed house, that’s the only way Faith Hockey knows how to do things, the right way!
I am so proud of this club, and what it has become, and look forward to witnessing the enjoyment many families will experience in the years to come. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for supporting myself and this club, it has been an incredible God filled ride for Andy, Erin and I. Over the past 4 years City National Arena has become my second home and I look forward to many enjoyable memories to come in that magnificent building!
The future for is so exciting, with Shane, Adam and Jordan at the helm you’re in very good hands, and the support from Faith Lutheran Middle & High School remains steadfast, along with the Vegas Golden Knights as they have so graciously taken us into their family, we are all so very blessed.
I want to share a heartfelt special Thank you to the following people that have supported myself and this club unconditionally, forever I am grateful:
- Vegas Golden Knights and City National Arena
- Faith Lutheran Middle & High School
- Keith Carney (my brother forever)
- Dr Steven Buuck (FLHS)
- Bret Walter (FLHS)
- Shane Hnidy (VGK)
- Darren Eliot (VGK)
- Adam Miller (VGK)
- Andrew Stewart (VGK)
- Scott Fogo (FLHS)
- Melanie Bowline (FLHS, my forever rock!)
- Jordon vanson (FLHS)
- Amy Fisher (FLHS)
- Matt Blanchart (ADHSHL)
- Barb Feighner (Graphics extraordinaire)
- John “JT” Tyler (THE Voice of Crusader Hockey)
- Beau Saugling and the Boyz at Behind the Mask (PHX)
- All of the incredible Referees in the State of Nevada
- The amazing families of the Crusader Hockey Club, past present and future!
- And most of all, my beautiful wife Erin and my incredible son Andy!
- Thank you God for this incredible blessing!
The future of Faith hockey is alive and well! Nothing changes, business as usual. Tryout information should be posted very soon on www.vegasgoldenknightsjr.com I would anticipate last weekend of April for high school tryouts. Moving forward, operationally our club is now in the very capable hands of Mr. Adam Miller. He can be reached at amiller@vegasgoldenknights.com with any and all correspondence pertaining to Faith Lutheran Hockey.
“GoFaithGo”
Warmest Blessings,
Craig Thornton
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To Rinkrat2 at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho – Yes we know that Bethany Drysdale and Kat Craner were the best ever who wrote about the UNLV Rebels. Bethany has been unavailable but is always welcome to return here and write her awesome stories – she looks beyond the game and sees things on game nights which are so meaningful. At the same time Kat has special unique and interesting interviewing technique to get the story behind the story – Lee
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Gage Quinney of Las Vegas was +1 on the ice as the AHL Henderson Silver Knights beat the San Jose Barracuda 6-3 in a road game on Saturday evening. The game was at the SAP Center in San Jose – Lee
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By: Matt Atencio
The UNLV Skatin’ Rebels’ season came to an untimely end in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s National Tournament, after bowing out to the Central Oklahoma Bronchos in the semi-finals.
Even though the season ended before the ultimate goal, the team’s success cannot be understated. Despite a lengthy absence from competitive play, head coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener was able to assemble an incredibly talented roster that boasted scoring on all four lines, depth, and excellent defensive structure.
Season Recap
This was by far the best season in the Rebel’s history. UNLV finished the regular season ranked fourth in the nation with a 26-4-0-1 record after being off for almost two full years.
The team came into the first game of the season with high expectations, despite the layoff, and won their first four games convincingly.
After losing three straight games following, the team rattled off 16 wins in a row. This included wins over perennial ACHA power houses such as Minot State, University of Adrian, and Liberty University. The team also won the Chicago Classic Tournament in November during that stretch.
The win streak came to an end in Liberty, but that was the team’s last regulation loss of the regular season. The team won six of their last seven games to end the season, with the only loss coming in a shootout.
UNLV won their first two games of the tournament against Pittsburgh and Liberty University by a combined score of 9-4 to advance to the National Semi-Finals for the first time in program history.
Despite a valiant effort from the Rebels, the semi-finals were as far as they would go. The season came to an end on a late power play goal by UCO to eliminate the Rebels from the tournament.
Top Season Performers
Alec Johnson and Max Johnson made major impacts on the team this season. M. Johnson led the team in scoring this season, finishing with 20 goals and 13 assists in 28 games played. It seemed like every time the team needed a big goal, M. Johnson was there to provide it.
A. Johnson led all defensemen in scoring this season with 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 30 games played. He played major minutes on the top power play unit, using his lethal shot from the left face-off circle to score, and set up other scoring chances.
Cole Wyatt led the team in assists with 25 and had 31 points in 30 games played. Wyatt played on virtually every line during the season, and displayed a level of vision and playmaking that was second to none on the team.
The goaltending played perhaps the biggest roles in the Rebel’s success this season. Coach Vignieri–Greener often referred to their goaltender situation as “more of a 1a and 1b than a one and two situation.”
Zach Wickson, the team’s “1a” goaltender, finished the season with a 17-2-0-1 record. He finished with a 2.03 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. His goals against average was the best in the ACHA and his save percentage was tied for second (among qualified goaltenders). Wickson played in every major game for the team, including all three in the National Tournament. Wickson was arguably the best goaltender in the ACHA this season, and is a major reason the team was able to ascend to the heights they did.
Not to be overlooked, was the play of the number “1b” goaltender Vince Benedetto. Benedetto finished the season with a 3.18 goals against average and a .897 save percentage. While the numbers do not jump off the page like Wickson’s do, his win percentage does. Benedetto appeared in 11 games this season and won nine of them, including seven in a row. He provided Vignieri-Greener with another excellent option who could step in anytime Wickson was unable to go, or to throw a different look at another team.
Looking ahead
With the offseason now here, the team will look to retool their lineup for the fall season. Senior stalwarts Angelos Tsalafos, Sean Plonski, and captain Jared Erickson will be graduating in May and will leave behind a legacy that will not be forgotten.
While that leadership and legacy will be missed for sure, the talent on the team will still be just as good, if not better. The Rebels will be returning a majority of their current core, including both Max and Alec Johnson, Jayson Dimizio, Ezekiel Estrada, Hunter Muzzillo, Paxton Malone, and others.
The Rebels also have some high-profile recruits coming in next season, including Las Vegas Thunderbirds captain Caleb Strong. Strong appeared in just 42 games for the Thunderbirds, but put up 38 goals and 52 assists during that stretch.
The success the team experienced this season is not just good for the players right now, but for the future health of the program as well. Being so close gives the players currently on the roster fuel and motivation, but also gives Vignieri-Greener recruiting fuel.
The road back to the national tournament will not be an easy road next season. UNLV will now be looked at as one of the preseason favorites to win the tournament next year, putting a target on their backs. However, with the core of players they have and the coaching staff behind them, the sky is the limit for the UNLV Skatin’ Rebels.
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Here is an update on a gifted, very skilled Las Vegas defenseman – Austin Moline
Austin Moline (2005) 16u Shattuck St. Mary’s Defensive player qualified for the National tournament in Rochester Hills, Michigan this past weekend. His team battled and went on to quarterfinals in the Elite 8. Austin Moline concluded his defensive season with 7 goals and 33 assists. 16u Shattuck St Mary’s held onto 1st place status in the USA rankings.
| 2021-22 USA 16U Tier 1 Rankings |
| Rank▲ | Team | Record▲ | Rating▲ | AGD▲ | Sched▲ | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shattuck St Mary’s 16U AAA (MN) | 42-8-4 | 98.66 | 2.65 | 96.01 | |
| 2 | Long Island Gulls (Red) 16U AAA (NY) | 56-11-6 | 98.53 | 2.33 | 96.20 | |
| 3 | Compuware 16U AAA (MI) | 57-16-0 | 97.76 | 1.92 | 95.85 | |
| 4▲ |  Bishop Kearney Selects 16U AAA (NY) | 50-16-8 | 97.66 | 1.61 | 96.05 | |
| 5▼ | Boston Jr Eagles (Elite) 16U AAA (MA) | 21-5-5 | 97.55 | 1.52 | 96.03 | |
| 6 | New Jersey Rockets (Premier) 16U AAA (NJ) | 45-26-4 | 97.48 | 1.12 | 96.36 | |
| 7▲ | Chicago Mission 16U AAA (IL) | 46-23-6 | 97.10 | 1.27 | 95.84 | |
| 8▼ | North Jersey Avalanche (Premier) 16U AAA (NJ) | 39-13-5 | 97.08 | 2.51 | 94.57 | |
| 9 | Mount St Charles Hockey Academy 16U AAA (RI) | 32-18-2 | 97.01 | 1.58 | 95.43 | |
| 10▲ | Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U AAA (PA) | 30-19-2 | 96.91 | 0.37 | 96.54 |
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In a stunner Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas scored his 16th goal of the season for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets in a 5-3 win over division leader Toledo Walleye before a massive crowd of 7634 at the Memorial Stadium in Fort Wayne on Wednesday night.
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Here are Las Vegas goalie Zackary Ortolano’s awesome statistics for AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u team this season:
ZACKARY ORTOLANO
23 Wins
12 Losses
7 Shutouts
2.35 gaa
92.1% Save Percentage
(Thank you Kimberly Ortolano who also provided updates throughout this past season)
Dexter Kichline of Henderson, NV celebrates with Tier 1 Bishop Kearney Selects – U.S. Hockey National Champions!
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One more thing about Dexter — His cousin Jason Kichline played D1 roller at West Chester U and now plays some tournaments in the pro division.
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Wednesday update — Jason Zucker, out for weeks with a lower body injury, was on the ice skating at practice with his NHL Pittsburgh Penguins teammates……Erik Atchison of Las Vegas and the WHL Spokane Chiefs is back in action after out five weeks with a fractured hand. Erik scored two goals this week to keep the Chiefs in the playoff hunt. His younger tremendously skilled brother Fuzzy Atchison with the AAA Windy Storm 15u in Chicago won the Illinois State Championship in OT, then went 2-2-0 at the U.S. Nationals. Fuzzy had 31 goals this season.…..An awesome defenseman – Trent Carter of Las Vegas – 9 goals, 10 assists for USPHL Premier Chicago Cougars this season….Looking for the whereabouts of the great Aidan Finch who last season played for Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u….Aidan plays hard with all of his heart each and every time he’s on the ice…..
It is easy to contact Vegas Hockey – email your hockey notes to leesamuels07@aol.com
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
56 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
31 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u
31 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers
29 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
26 – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u
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21 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
20 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
11 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
8 – Cody Williams, Evry-Viry, France3
6 – Gunner Moore, NAHL Shreveport Mudbugs
3 – Vito Carlo, NCAA3 Franklin Pierce University
3- Kenneth Curtis lll, USHS Santa Margarito Catholic H.S.
3 – Spencer Poscente, ACHA Eastern Michigan
Updated April 15, 2022
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VEGAS JR GOLDEN KNIGHTS HEAD COACHES FOR 2022-23 SEASON
Sheri Hudspeth (14U, 12U Girls)
Adam Miller (VJGK/FL HS)
Nate Putek (18U AAA)
Matt Johnson (16U AAA)
Nick Brusa (16U AA)
Wally Lacroix (15U AAA)
Dustin Coldren (14U AA)
Ryan Mattison (14U A)
Brian Salcido (12U AA)
Ivan Macheras (12U A)
Darren Eliot (12U HSK)
Rob Pallin (10U AA)
Jordan Hayworth (10U A)
Darren Eliot (10U HSK)
Adam Miller (8U VGK All-Stars)
Geoff Sneed (8U HSK All-Stars)
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A LOOK AT VEGAS HOCKEY COACH ROB PALLIN
Years ago hockey coach Rob Pallin helped turned Las Vegas hockey around, putting it on a national map. He has coached on the AA midget 18u/16u level, AAA midget 18u, UNLV college hockey, the ECHL level with the Las Vegas Wranglers. He is a Seven-Time Vegas Hockey Coach of the Year.
Here is a look at his ‘early years’ of coaching when the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u were coming off a 4-21-0 season.
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Coach Rob began skating at the age of three on ponds in Chisholm, Minnesota. He is the youngest of nine children. His father was a math and science teacher at a Catholic high school in Minnesota. Rob skated on local teams and then was recruited by Frank Serratore, now the head coach at the Air Force Academy, to skate on his Junior A team – the Austin, Minnesota, Mavericks. Rob, at 16, was one of the youngest skaters on the team.
While skating Junior A hockey, the Mavericks won the 1984-84 USHL championship and Rob was named to the U.S. National Junior team. He was recruited by many colleges and played initially at Minnesota-Duluth and later transferred to Western Michigan.
Following college, he skated in Germany and then found his way to Las Vegas when he played professionally for the Las Vegas Aces who played out of the now-closed Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena. Rob also skated roller professionally on the Pro Beach Hockey’s Heavy Metal team whose games were televised on ESPN and later with the Las Vegas Coyotes.
Serratore said Pallin was one of his best players.
”I picture Rob, and always will, as the up and coming youngster with the wonderful skills,” Serratore told author Joe McCauley who wrote about Rob in the book ‘Puck Dreams & Other Stories’ published by 1st Books Library in 2003.
Here is Rob’s Las Vegas midget major coaching record:
ROB PALLIN EARLY YEARS COACHING RECORD
2000-01
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..36-15-3
//Rob puts together the Triple Threat Line featuring Travis Roseberry, J.C. Caron and Spike Neely which was one of the most powerful lines in the West.
//A young Eddie Del Grosso plays defense for the first time.
2001-02
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..60-11-3
//Powerful ‘Red Line’ of Josh Jasek, Adam Naglich and Eddie Samuels set 10 team scoring records. Each advanced to Jr. A level hockey. This was the very first AA Las Vegas team to play the U.S. Nationals.
//Cody Fulwiler and Paul Lowden are the two best goalies in the West. Combined, the two had a club-record 10 shutouts.
//Southwest League Champions
//Pacific District Regional Champions
//5-0-0 at Pacific District Championships
//3-1-0 at U.S. Nationals
2002-03
AAA Las Vegas Outlaws………………..33-24-5
//First Las Vegas AAA midget level team.
//Cody Morin top goal scorer.
//Vancouver Sun Silver Division Champions
//First Las Vegas team nationally rated
//2-2-1 at Pacific District Championships including a riveting 6-5 OT win over the Alaska All-Stars in a game played in Fairbanks.
2003-04
AA Las Vegas Rebels…………………….30-19-9
//Huge season for top line of Anthony Greener, Conrad Trimbath and Kurt Long.
//Opened season 13-0-2, a club record
//3-1-0 record at Pacific District Championships
2004-05
AA Las Vegas Outlaws……………………31-24-3
//First team to skate at new Fiesta Stations Ice Arena
//Beat Arvada in 4-3 thriller to win Holiday Blast Tournament on home
ice.
//Silver medalists at Richmond, B.C. Tournament
//Beat AAA L.A. Jr. Kings minors in thriller 3-2 and then defeated AA Long Beach midget majors 3-0 to capture Tier 1 Southwest League Championship.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker were leading goal scorers – with 31 apiece. Conrad Trimbath is named MVP.
2005-06
AA Las Vegas Rebels……………………………56-11-4
//For the 6th straight season, Las Vegas wins its opening game of the season. The Rebels beat the So-Cal Vipers 9-0.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker set a club record by recording back-to-back hat tricks during the Labor Day Blast at Las Vegas.
//In 5 away games, the Rebels score 45 goals and win all 5 games at the Duel in the Desert in Phoenix.
//On Oct. 4, Las Vegas defeats the Cal Cougars 4-2 for coach Rob’s 200th career win.
//Las Vegas wins all 5 games in Southwest League competition in Peoria, Arizona and is unbeaten in 10 straight.
//Ryan King has 16-point weekend as Rebels go 4-1-0 in Southwest League action at the Glacial Gardens. Chris Francis gets his 5th hat trick of the season, tying record held by Adam Naglich.
//Chris Francis scores 7 goals as Las Vegas wins all five games to capture the gold medal at the Silversticks Regionals in Portland during Thanksgiving weekend.
//On Dec. 22, Rebels beat the Alumni skaters 7-4 before a big crowd in their annual charity game.
//On Dec. 26, the Rebels beat the Phoenix Firebirds 2-0 win a Southwest League game and won their 30th game of the season. The Rebels, with Pallin as head coach, have won 30 or more games six straight seasons.
//On Dec 29, the Rebels beat the L.A. Jr. Kings 6-5 to win all five SWYHL games and raise their unbeaten record to a team-record 18-0-1.
//On Dec 31, coach Rob is named the 2005 Las Vegas ‘Coach of the Year’
//On Jan 16, the Rebels beat Cal North Stars 7-2 to win MLK tournament, raise record to 40-6-1 and extend unbeaten record to 24 straight.
//Rebels go unbeaten 27 straight games, a new team record.
//Rebels beat L.A. Hockey Club AAA 16u 3-2 to win the gold medal at Kings Challenge Cup during President’s Day weekend in El Segundo, Calif.
//Rebels go 5-0-0 including thrilling 5-4 OT win over Cal North Stars in gold medal game to win the Pacific District Regional Championship.
//Rebels 3-2-0 at U.S. Nationals, beating New Jersey Devils 6-5 OT in Final Eight game before losing 3-2 to Butler Valley, Pa. in a thrilling Final 4 game in Pittsburgh. Rebels broke over a dozen records this season including most goals, 404, and had nine skaters with 20+ goals for the year. Chris Francis was top scorer at U.S. Nationals with 7 goals, 6 assists.
Las Vegas Career Record……………………………………………..247-94-26
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Michael Yochum, 22, is 6’1, 185, from Las Vegas. He had 11 goals last season for Canisius College in Buffalo – He will be the team captain this season for the third straight year! – Lee
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Sunday, April 3 – “Todd (Owen) and I are so proud of our team. Our morning playoff game earlier today took away our legs,” said coach Wally Lacriox of AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u. In a Final 4 game today in Kalamazoo, Michigan Colin Spencer scored twice for the VGK 14s and goalie Kameron Laskaska was strong with 15 saves in a 3-2 loss to the AA Alaska Oilers 14u who will now will take on AA Team South Dakota 14u in the Gold Medal game on Monday.
“What a great season we had,” said coach Wally. “We won a bronze medal here. Top 10 ranked all season. So Proud!”
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Kalamazoo, Michigan – In a ‘must win’ Final 8 playoff game the Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u scored the winning goal in an OT/Shootout to beat a strong AA Arizona Bobcats team 5-4 to advance to the next round here at the U.S. Nationals.
Las Vegas goals
Finn McNabb
Riley Mabutas
Carson Craig
Jaxon Sabataso
Rocky Babcock – OT/Shootout goal
Las Vegas goalie – Kellen Hardy
Coach Wally Lacroix said “we were up 4-2, then they had an empty net and scored two goals to tie the game in regulation. Then we got the shootout win. We play again tonight against Alaska.”
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Saturday Breaker – There was a wild totally sold out crowd to watch #72 Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and the AHL Silver Knights take on the Bakersfield Condors on home ice at the Dollar Loan Center Ice Arena in Henderson tonight.
Final Score – Bakersfield wins 5-2 in a hard, physical game. Gage Quinney of Las Vegas had a lot of ice time and scoring opportunities. One of the TV broadcasters was the great Gary Lawless – who tells it like it is!
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According to the U.S. Nationals playoff grid coach Wally Lacroix’ AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u will take on the AA Arizona Bobcats 14u in a Final 8 game on Sunday. Game time is listed at 10:15 am Michigan time which is 10:15 am pacific.
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Final Score Saturday – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u beat AA Carolina Jr Hurricanes 4-1; Charles Bennett, Colin Spencer, Kaden Israel, Riley Mabutas had goals; Kameron Laskaskas goalie today; VGJK 14u had more shots 34-18.
Right after the game coach Wally Lacroix said “….well played game – our young men played hard and strong winning almost every battle on the boards – so proud of our group. Great defense by all with Kam Laskaskas in goal for us. Really strong group effort – very proud to see it.”
Tomorrow’s Sunday game will be big – we are down to the Final 8!
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Friday Final Score – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 5, AA Rhode Island Saints 14u 1
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Next Game – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs AA Carolina Jr Hurricanes 14u on Saturday, 3:30 pm local time, 12:30 pm pacific.
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Las Vegas coach Wally Lacroix said “we had a good game against Rhode Island. Our goalie Kevin Hardy played well. Our young men played a responsible hockey game – overall we had a strong team effort.”
Las Vegas goals in order – Riley Mabutas, Collin Spencer, Zachary Gay, Casey Beringer, Jaxon Sabataso – Vegas goalie Kellen Hardy
Shots – Las Vegas 34-21
Vegas coaches – Wally Lacroix, Todd Owen; Team manager – Richard Beringer
Kellen Hardy is on the lineup card as goalie for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs AA Rhode Island Saints 14u today – Lee
https://nationals.usahockey.com/2022youthtierii14u2a
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Friday Breaker – Next for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u will be the AA Rhode Island Saints 14u – the New England State Champions – at the U.S. Nationals in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The game time listed is 1:45 pm local time. “We rallied as a group to win our first game in a five-man shootout,” said coach Wally Lacroix of the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights. “Rhode Island is a good, well-structured team – we have a big game ahead of us against them.”
Early Friday AA 14u Scores at U.S Nationals
Arizona Bobcats 4, Nashville 0 (this was a ‘must win’ game for Bobcats)
Delaware Ducks 4, hometown Kalamazoo K-Wings 3 (Delaware Ducks for years a powerful force at bantam level)
Granite State of New Hampshire 5, Spokane Jr Chiefs 4 (very significant game)
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Flash Update – At last coaches Wally Lacroix and Todd Owen and the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u are at the U.S. Nationals in Kalamazoo, Southern Michigan. The first game for the VJGK 14u will be vs the AA Portland WinterHawks 14u. Game time is 5:30 pm Eastern time – the game will be at the Wings West Ice Arena, Blue Rink. There is a field of 16 teams from all parts of the USA in this 14u bracket.
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//Thursday Game Update – Kameron Laskaska in net for AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights……Finn McNabb scores to give VJGK a quick 1-0 lead….Carson Craig gets the assist…..2nd period underway….Vegas has more shots 25-17……game is flying…..each team has 3 penalities, nothing major….Vegas has 1-0 lead….sorry updates have slowed way down, like hardly at all….Portland pulled its goalie, scored and we’re tied 1-1 now…..In the OT Shootout Rockland Babcock, Zachary Gay each scored for Las Vegas to clinch the big win…..Vegas goalie Kameron Laskaska played one of his greatest games – and he’s had a some great games!…..Meanwhile in another game the Delaware Ducks beat the Arizona Bobcats, 2-1. The Bobcats are an awesome team…..here is a link to VJGK 14u game…...https://nationals.usahockey.com/2022youthtierii14u2a
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Idaho Falls will play in the USPHL Premier Hockey League beginning this fall. Idaho Falls has already sold 1,350 season tickets in an arena which seats 4,000 fans. They will play in the USPHL’s Premier Mountain Division. This is the same league which includes the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds.
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Las Vegas – Oh those big, excited crowds which were packed into City National Arena for UNLV Rebels games on those cold winter Game Nights. Why are the Rebels games ‘must see’ by so many from all parts of the West. Rebels coaches Anthony Greener, Nick Robone give their thoughts on this right here on Vegas Hockey.
Coach Greener said “We are well known in the hockey community here in Las Vegas. We have a close-knit group of hockey fans. We are an alternate choice for choice for a cheaper version of great hockey. Plus playing in a great building like City National Arena really helps.”
Coach Robone added “I think people in Las Vegas have really fallen in love with the game of hockey since the NHL Vegas Golden Knights arrived here. That passion for the game has translated well for us as many cannot seem to get enough. Plus, we believe we put a great product on the ice and provide a fun atmosphere for the whole family at a reasonable price. Lastly, this community likes winners and we have been fortunate to do a lot of that for the last few seasons.”
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Las Vegas coach Wally Lacroix knows all about Zachary Ortolano. He was the goalie when Las Vegas won a tier National Championship a few seasons ago. “Zachary is a great young man with a super attitude and his will to win, desire to compete. He is a great teammate, always positive.”
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FRISCO, Tex. — Even early in the Chipotle-USA Hockey High School Division I National Championship, Shattuck-St. Mary’s was the acknowledged team to beat.
The team from Faribault, Minn., went wire-to-wire to win, never trailing in six games and they outscored opponents, 51-7. In Monday’s championship game, the Sabres defeated Stevenson High School from Lincolnshire, Ill., 5-1.
The closest game was in Sunday’s semifinals against the defending champion Springfield Rifles of Massachusetts, which tied Shattuck twice before losing, 5-3.
In the championship game, Shattuck-St. Mary’s broke out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. After a second-period lull, SSM outshot Stevenson, 16-7, and scored twice more in a dominating third period.
“We really started well,” first-year head coach Teddy Doherty said. “I knew we would win when we scored with three seconds left.”
Ryan Embley scored the first goal on the power play 8:20 into the game. At 14:41, Kaeden Hawkins scored, and Max Morehead was the one to boost the lead just before the horn.
As good as Shattuck-St. Mary’s star-studded roster had been, new stars emerged at Nationals.
HIGHLIGHTS
“Max Morehead scored three goals during the season, and then had five here,” Doherty said. “Michael Fitzgerald had 30 points during the season [in 62 games] and had 12 assists.”
Fitzgerald, who assisted on the last goal in the first period, had an explanation.
“Being the final tournament as a Shattuck player, I wanted to take it day by day, shift by shift, and be spending more time with the boys.”
Even in Monday’s second period, when Stevenson’s Maximo Poretto scored the only goal, a majority of the scoring chances had gone the way of the Sabres.
“We had trouble with the second period all year,” Doherty said.
Neither team scored again until 12:31 of the third period. Ethan Skowronek took a pass from Kieran Ronan for a 4-1 lead.
“We knew they were going to come at us hard,” Ronan said. “Guys were really happy to see that three change to a four.”
Whatever air was in Stevenson’s balloon deflated 46 seconds later with the second goal of the game for Hawkins. His 11 goals were the most by any player at High School Division I Nationals.
Four of the top five individual scorers were from Shattuck-St. Mary’s. Alexander Dell led the field with 14 assists and 20 points. Hawkins was next with 18 points, Skowronek had 17 and Fitzgerald was tied for fourth with 12.
“Hawkins has been our leading scorer all year,” Doherty said. “He defends our end and he’s a leader.”
Shattuck-St. Mary’s post-season road to the national championship may have been relatively trouble-free, but the regular season was more difficult.
“The seniors have gone through some adversity,” Doherty said. “We’ve had injuries, but guys were battling every day. It was a grind, but guys just bought in.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Years ago Kenny Hausinger of Alaska was a giant goal scorer for the AAA Las Vegas Storm 16u who played home games at the Las Vegas Ice Center over on Flamingo Avenue. Kenny’s teammates here in town included Joe Benedetto, Brendan Harris, Richard Prekop, Alec Mono and Dom Garcia plus premier goalie Talon Miller. That was back in 2011-12. Now, Kenny – 26 years old- has 10 goals this season for the ECHL Reading Royals.
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
56 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
31 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u
31 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers
29 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
26 – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u
21 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
20 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
To update/contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Best Quote of the Day – “The Pittsburgh Penguins are really playing well and a healthy Jason Zucker would really help them in the playoffs,” Steve Allen, Vegas Hockey reporter
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Sunday, March 27, 2022 – Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas had 1 goal, 3 assists and was +3 on the ice to help the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets rock the Wheeling Nailers 7-3. The crowd was 6,767 on home ice at the Memorial Coliseum...No more home games this season for the AHL Silver Knights at the Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue…It was announced today the remainder of the Silver Knights home games will be at the Dollar Loan Center Ice Arena in Henderson, NV…..
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Saturday Flash Update – Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas came through again for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets in Indiana with two-late game assists in a riveting 5-4 win over the Kalamazoo Wings of Michigan before a massive crowd of 8,515 on home ice at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night…..Also on Saturday the AHL Tucson Roadrunners 3, Henderson Silver Knights 1 at the Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas….Pens Inside Report noted that Jason Zucker of Las Vegas skated at the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins practice yesterday. Jason has been out of action due to a lower body injury.
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HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED – ONE OF THE GREATEST WINS FOR AA 18u LAS VEGAS MUSTANGS
Las Vegas 4, Tacoma Rockets 2
//Twenty-one seasons ago, on Jan. 12, 2001, AA Las Vegas was 16-11-3 going into the Southwest League midget championships at San Jose. It was coach Rob Pallin’s first team, the Mustangs, and he proudly brought in his high-scoring ‘Triple Threat Line’ of Travis Roseberry, J.C. Caron and Spike Neely.
//But Las Vegas had an impossible tournament opener, taking on the heavily-favored Tacoma Rockets who had lost only one league game all season and had beaten Las Vegas 5-3, 4-0 and 5-1 in previous games.
//Just like coach Rob Pallin expected, Tacoma came out firing and playing fiercely. Then, Justin Grossman scored for Las Vegas. Caron knocked a goal in. Sean Darby blasted in another.
//In the final minutes, Las Vegas was hanging onto a 3-2 lead. The Vegas ‘D’ fought off late-game rushes into the attack zone.
//Then, with the clock ticking down, hard-working Spike Neely shook loose and scored on a power play.
//Pallin, later saying “it was the longest game of my life,” looked at the clock as it ticked down to 0:00.
//It was over.
//Las Vegas 4, Tacoma 2
//Mighty Tacoma had fallen….
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Utah Regulators’ special needs program a winner
By Matt Mackinder
When Utah Regulators president Mike Holmes first helped create a special needs hockey program in Utah back in 2008, he had no idea it’d grow to be as big as it is today.
The organization has a south team located in Provo and a north team in Salt Lake City and is comprised of male and female players ages 5-50 with cognitive disabilities. The only requirement to participate is that the players be ambulatory and able to take verbal instruction.
The ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies are a main supporter, while the Regulators are the main sponsor, providing gear and finances when needed. The Grizzlies provide the jerseys, ice and tickets to their games.
There are no fees assessed to the players due to the high cost of care and treatment, and games are played The Peaks in Provo and the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City.
“Some of the players are quite memorable,” said Holmes. “Kanu had great difficulty wearing his helmet. He’d tear it off and throw it across the ice. It took three years for him to understand that he couldn’t go onto the ice without it. He still hates it, but wears it anyways.”
“Jhessi wouldn’t speak, but loved being on the ice. For four years, she needed full-time support on the ice. Finally, one day when the support wasn’t right there when she was ready to go, she just couldn’t wait any longer and just took off on her own. She’s been doing it ever since.
“Douglas has cerebral palsy and had one foot that turned inward. He couldn’t speak, but had devised his own sign language. We jerri-rigged a tripod that would allow him to be strapped in and keep him from falling over. He insisted he be allowed to go on the ice without help and did just fine.”
Deann Torsak, a parent and co-manager of the south team, has been impressed with the program since Day 1.
“My son, Jathan, is one of the original six from when this started and hockey has given him a sense of belonging,” said Torsak. “He had played other sports in the past with some success, but never really felt any connection to them. With hockey, it’s a completely different story.”
Rich Henricksen has a daughter, Karissa, in the program and coaches the north team. His wife, Tammie, is one of the team managers.
“Karissa has Down Syndrome and hockey helps keep her active,” said Henricksen. “Playing hockey has been a big positive for her. In the past, she’d watch dad and her two brothers play. Now, she has her own team, everyone watches her, and she loves it.
“She loves skating with her friends and scoring goals. She’s always packed and ready for practice on Saturday and can’t wait to get on the ice.”
The local high school hockey teams play games with the teams, making sure each kid scores at least one goal. The special needs kids generally win every game by a score of at least 25-0.
“The volunteers and high school players have been wonderful, working with a great deal of patience and dedication,” said Holmes. “They generally pay for the ice and donate an afternoon as volunteers, all to make memorable experiences for some very special kids.”
Holmes says the players love the camaraderie, the colorful jerseys (some insist on sleeping in them), equipment and the idea that others are there to watch them.
“My association with these kids has been wonderful,” he said.
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Updated
March 23, 2022
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Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
56 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
32 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers
29 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
27 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy Storm 15u
26 – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u
20 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
To update/contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Friday – Gage Quinney and the AHL Henderson Silver Knights take on the AHL Tucson Roadrunners here in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue. Game time is 7 pm.
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Kenneth Curtis, who earlier played for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u, 3 goals 7 assists, 10 points for Santa Margarita High School this past season…..Cole Mensch of Las Vegas 7 goals, 7 assists this season with ACHA D2 Texas University.
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Tuesday Final Score – AHL San Diego Gulls 3, Gage Quinney and AHL Henderson Silver Knights 1 before crowd of 4784 at the Perchanga Arena.
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Tuesday Flash Update – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and the AHL Henderson Silver Knights on the road tonight vs the San Diego Gulls…Cody Williams 8 goals this season for Evry-France3…..Gia Avalone of Las Vegas three assists this season for NCAA D3 Adrian women’s ice hockey team….Chayse Laurie 20 goals while playing for coach Wally Lacroix AAA/AA Jr Golden Knights bantams this past season – Lee
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Wow – Ian Williams of Las Vegas 26 goals, 21 assists this season for AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u….Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator’s astounding numbers in two playoff games for NA3HL Northeast Generals: 2 Wins, 0.50 gaa, 97.5% save percentage – We really have never seen numbers like that before….Speaking of numbers Erik Atchison of Las Vegas and the WHL Spokane Chiefs had a home crowd of 7,981 the the other night against the Tri-City Americans…..It’s hard to believe that the great Vito Carlo of Las Vegas is 23 years old. He is playing for NCAA D3 Franklin-Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire...One of Vito’s best rink friends is Jimmy Samuels of Las Vegas. He is now living in Austin, Texas – Jimmy is not playing hockey right now….Vegas Hockey Hall of Fame coach Rob Pallin and wife Dora and two daughters are in town. Coach Rob has been working on ice with top Las Vegas goal scorers and defensemen to get them wired in for next season.….We’re told to expect to see a few more hockey rinks which are on their way here in town.
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Sunday Flash Update – Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas dealt a key assist to ignite the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 6-2 road win over the Norfolk Admirals before 1852 at the Norfolk Scope Arena. Bryce now has 4 goals, 10 assists for ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
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Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen celebrated his 70th birthday with hockey son Jason and grandchildren at Italian Restaurant Casa D’Amore. “Great time talking hockey there,” said ‘coach’ Steve who is a contributor to breaking news stories here on Vegas Hockey.
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Breaker – The dynamic, hard-skating defenseman Steven Avalone of Las Vegas and ACHA D2 Lindenwood played in the ACHA D2 Nationals in St. Louis and Lindenwood got to the Final 4. The games at the Nationals looked like this:
ACHA D2 LINDENWOOD
26-7-3 Record
Nationals in St. Louis
4-4 vs Montana State
3-2 over New Hampshire
4-2 over Liberty
Final 4 Game
1-6 to University of Maryland
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Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets got his 11th goal of the season in a very tough 4-3 loss to the hometown Cincinnati Cyclones before a massive crowd of 8213 at the Heritage Bank Center.
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Gage Quinney, who grew up playing ice hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue, has 7 goals, 9 assists, 16 points this season for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights….
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AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Head Coach – Matt Johnson
2021-22 Season
Top 5 Goal Scorers
Goals
24 – Aidan Finch – awesome player who gives it his all every single shift in a game
20 – Chayse Laurie hockey-smart, ultra skilled player in AAA 16u
15 – Gavin O’Hara
13 – Mason Jackson
7 – Reese Bynam
Source – Elitehockey
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Best Tweet of the Day from UNLV Rebels coach Nick Robone
“After a day to reflect on the season I can’t express how proud I am of the players, staff & everyone involved with the UNLV program. Beyond the success on the ice we saw the growth of our young men in the community, classroom and within our culture. As always, the best is yet to come.“
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Best Tweet of the Day on reporter Gregg Drinnan’s daily hockey notebook:
Connor Bedard is one of 6 @CHLHockey players in the last 25 years to score 40 goals in a season as a 16-year-old. The others: Sidney Crosby (03-04) John Tavares (05-06 & 06-07) Steven Stamkos (06-07) Taylor Hall (07-08) Alexis LaFreniere (17-18)
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Breaker – PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Jack Lackas of Las Vegas and the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u has been invited to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp. The camp, which will help select the 2022-23 U.S. National Under-17 Team, will take place March 20-24, at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.
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MY FIRST GOAL
By Lee Samuels
The greatest players here
in the West – and primarily
Las Vegas – look back at their
very first goal in ice and roller.
ERIK FISCHER
Erik was a hard-skating
defenseman – first with the
AA Las Vegas Jr Wranglers
16u, then with the WSHL
Ogden Mustangs in Utah.
Like many Las Vegas
players, Erik scored his
first goal while playing
roller at Larry Sanford’s
Crystal Palace on North
Rancho Drive. Erik
blasted a slapshot for a
goal. He raised his stick
to celebrate. He was
five years old.
CHRIS FRANCIS
One of the greatest most dynamic goal
scorers in Las Vegas.
“I was six years old playing
house league roller hockey
at the Boulder Highway rink
where they used to have
hockey. I played for the Vipers
when I scored my first goal –
a wrist shot, right in front
of the net.”
MATT EDLIN
Matt is a former president of the
Las Vegas Jr Wranglers. He
was one of the top coaches
in town as well.
“My first goal was in Mite C
hockey at the Pilgrim Arena
in Hingam, Mass. It was in
overtime, so that is the one
which really sticks out.”
ANTHONY GREENER
For years, the heart, soul and
a giant goal scorer for UNLV
“The first year I played was
second-year squirts – the Las
Vegas Flames with Earl Brady
and my dad Sean Greener as
my coaches. I scored in my
first game ever. I wasn’t the
best skater but I could score.
And, it was a breakaway.
Once I scored that first goal
I knew hockey was for me.”
ROY HENDERSON
Founder of the Global Showcases
and one of the owners of the
BCHL Langley Rivermen,
Roy years ago was a top player.
“I scored my first goal on a
team called the PNE All-Stars
in Vancouver BC in 1957.
I was 6 years old. It was my
first game.”
ZACK JEWBY
Zack is a rugged athlete,
who played for the Eddie Samuels coached
WSHL Salt Lake City Moose Jr A
“I was real young, about 10,
playing for the Metro Maple
Leafs in Laurel, Md. I don’t
remember my first goal but
I do remember my first scrap.
There was a problem in front
of the net and I came charging
in to clear things out.
AARON KINSLOW
Aaron was a former coach
of the Salt Lake City Moose
in the WSHL. Previously,
he was an assistant in the
NAHL with the Bismarck
Bobcats.
“I was a goalie when I
started out. I was 13 when
I got into my first game
in 1992, playing for the
Fargo Patriots against the
Fargo South Bruins. We
won 6-1.”
TALON MILLER
Talon Miller wasn’t always an
all-star goalie. The Vegas Hockey
‘Goalie of the Year’ for the AAA
Las Vegas Storm 16u years ago
was a forward. His hockey dad
Tim explains how it all started.
“When Talon was a mite he played
for a house team in Anchorage called
the Lightning Raptors. They wanted
everyone to take a turn at being a
goalie and when it came to Talon’s
turn he played so well his teammates
and coach decided their best shot to
win was with him in the net. It’s been
that way ever since.”
WILL MUNSON
When Will played for the Billings
Jr Bulls he was called ‘Money’
by head coach Doug Johnson.
“Will always seems to score the
big goal when the game is on the
line,” Johnson said. A picture of
Will in a Bulls jersey that year was
on many billboards in Billings. He
is a very popular player who grew
up in the San Diego Jr Gulls
program.
“I was seven years old playing
for a team called the Ducks in
ball hockey on an outdoor rink
in Corona, California. I will
never forget my first goal –
wrist shot, top corner.”
JOHN PAUL MCNICHOLAS
One of the most popular
players in Las Vegas, JP
played the last seasons
with the Cal Bears.
His father John recalls JP’s first
goal
“It took a few games for John
Paul to get his first goal. He
scored in a Mite B tournament
in 1996 at the Santa Fe Station
Ice Arena in Las Vegas. John
Paul played for the Las Vegas
Mustangs against the South
Coast Sabers. It was a shot
from outside the blue line.
The goalie never saw it. We
were so proud we framed the
scoresheet and today it sits
on JP’s dresser.”
MICHAEL MCNICHOLAS
Michael is a gifted young
player who initally played
in Las Vegas, then in LA.
His hockey dad John
recalls Michael’s very first
goal.
“Michael scored his first
goal in 1999 in a mite house
league game at the Las Vegas
Sportspark rink. He was
playing on Bobby Burns’
Bluejacks. Michael had an
open shot in front of the net
and hit a backhander over
the goalie’s shoulder.”
NOLAN MATSEN
Nolan was a top defenseman
for the WSHL Salt Lake
City Moose.
“I was five years old playing
roller hockey for the
Savannah Super Goose in
Georgia. It was like rec
league hockey. I scored and
it was exciting.”
ETHAN MONTOYA
Ethan is a hard worker
on the ice who can score –
56 goals for the AA Las
Vegas Jr Wranglers 16u
years ago. He is now
skating with the
UNLV Rebels.
Like many Las Vegas
players, Ethan’s roots
are in roller hockey.
As hockey dad Orlando
Montoya says…
“Last year we were in Omaha getting
Ethan ready for school and
his billet family and I asked Ethan about his first
goal and he said it was in roller
at Crystal Palace – now known
as the Las Vegas Ice Center.
It was a wraparound shot.
He was six years old.”
ANGELO RICCI
Angelo is one of the top coaches
in the USA and hockey director
of the powerful AAA Colorado
Thunderbirds program.
“I was six years old when I scored
my first goal in my first ever game.
I was a mite playing for the
Franklin Park Jets in Illinois.
I was shocked as I was in the
clear not really knowing what to
do but went in to deke the goaltender
and scored with a deke to my
backhand.”
NICK ROBONE
Four-Time Vegas Hockey
Roller Player of the Year
Nick Robone has been a
star performer for years
with the Las Vegas Tour
Rebels travel teams and
with UNLV.
“My first goal was at
Larry’s house league at
Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive.
My team
name was the Rattlers.
I was on a team with
Nick Dobranich. I think
Landon Kraige was the
goalie. Nick sent over a
pass in the slot area and
I put the puck in the
5-hole.”
EDDIE SAMUELS
Three-time Playmaker of the
Year when he played hockey
for the AA Las Vegas Mustangs
“I was playing for the
Falcons squirt team at the
Santa Fe Station Ice Arena
when I got my first goal. I
was at the blue line and took
a wrist shot – the puck lifted
and went through the goalie’s
five-hole – pretty exciting
actually. I still think about
that goal.”
JIMMY SAMUELS
Jimmy two years ago played
for the Las Vegas Storm
bantam ice team. He also
plays house roller at
Crystal Palace.
“I was maybe 5 years old and
over at the Las Vegas Sports
Center on Rampart. A guy came
up to me and my mom and asked
if I would like to play in a hockey
league on Saturdays. Of course
I did and in the first weekend I
scored my first goal – I could not
tell you what kind of goal it was –
guessing low corner because I
was real young and didn’t know
how to shoot the puck that much.”
MICAH SANFORD
Micah is the all-time goal scorer
in Las Vegas in ice and roller and
the first to be inducted into the
Vegas Hockey Hall of Fame.
“I scored my first goal in house
league roller at my Dad’s rink.
I believe I shot a muffin on the
ground and it went in. Sometimes
it’s better to be lucky I guess. I
don’t remember the name of the
team but I think my Dad was
coaching me. I was 10 years old.”
JASON ZUCKER
A dynamic athlete, Jason is
the first Las Vegas player
to skate in the NHL. Jason
plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Jason’s hockey dad Scott
remembers Jason’s first
goal.
“Jason’s first goal was in a
house roller hockey at Dave’s
rink on Tropicana and Decatur.
His older brother Evan scored
his first goal when he was
5 years old, playing for
PMQT at the Santa Fe Ice
Arena.
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Jason Zucker of Las Vegas 6 goals NHL Pittsburgh Penguins; Gage Quinney, 7 goals, AHL Henderson Silver Knights; Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas 19 goals for Fife Flyers in Scotland; Eric Atchison of Las Vegas has 8 goals this season for the WHL Spokane Chiefs; Zach Pochiro 10 goals for ECHL Fort Wayne Komets, Trent Carter 9 goals for USPHL Premier Chicago Cougars; Cody Williams 8 goals for Eviry-Viry, France/3′; Las Vegas, Bryce Reddick 4 goals for ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Lee
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UNLV REBELS
“We had tough times early in the season, but our players did everything Nick and I asked,” said Rebels head coach Anthony Greener. “Overall we couldn’t be any prouder of this team. We had some tough times early in the season, then we had a 16 game win streak. We went into some tough places on the road and we did better than what we had done previously away from home. The culture has changed 360*. We had great leadership and we have a core group returning next season. We told the boys keep your heads up – we will be back at the Nationals next season. We are going to take a short break, do our exit meetings and get back to it.”
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ACHA D1 NATIONALS FINAL FOUR GAME – MARCH 14, 2022
FINAL SCORE – UNLV Rebels 2, Central Oklahoma 4 in St Louis…..
UNLV goal – Bradley Golant from Hunter Muzzillo
UNLV goal – Michael Boutoussov from Bradley Golant
Shots on Goal – Central Oklahoma 31-28
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Jayson Dimizio, Paxton Malone and Michael Boutoussov scored in 1st period to give #4 ranked UNLV Rebels a quick 3-0 lead, then the great Nick Flanders scored late to clinch a 4-2 win over #5 ranked Liberty University Sunday at the ACHA D1 Nationals in St. Louis. ‘The Wall,’ 6’6″ goalie Zach Wickson, was in the net today for UNLV.
Rebels head coach Anthony Greener noted “….We are now in the Final 4 – it will be the first time we’ve been in the Final 4 on this level in our UNLV Rebels hockey history.”
From The Blue Line – This season Rebels goalie , Zach ‘The Wall’ Whickson has 18 wins, 2.03 gaa and a 93.0% save percentage....We are told officiating has been awesome here – like on a very high level.
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UNLV REBELS
TOP 5 GOAL SCORERS – 2021-22 SEASON
Source – ACHA D1
Goals
20 – Max Johnson
12 – Ezekiel Estrada
11 – Brendan Manning
10 – Nick Flanders
9 – Alec Johnson
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USPHL PREMIER LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS
TOP 5 GOAL SCORERS
FINAL FOR 2021-22 SEASON
GOALS
45 – Heath Mensch
38 – Caleb Strong
22 – Evan Brown
20 – Antoine Tourigny
14 – Kevin Hanley
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Best Tweet of the Day from the Las Vegas USPHL Premier Thunderbirds
Congratulations to
on going to Nationals! Safe travels and Best of luck! Show them what the pacific division is all about!
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Friday – Live Fresno – Final – Fresno Monsters 10, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 1
Las Vegas goal – Michael Wells assisted by Michael Roswell
Shots on Goal – Fresno 49-22
Las Vegas goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
Fresno wins Best of Three, 2-0. Season comes to close for the Thunderbirds who played in many thrilling games this season – Lee
Fresno Wins Best of Three 2-0
Gateway Ice Center, Fresno
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Friday – Tonight the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds tonight will be action vs the Fresno Monsters in their Best of Three playoffs – The T-Birds, down 1-0 in this Best of Three series, have to win to keep their big season going….The game tonight is 6 pm pacific at the Gateway Ice Center in Fresno.
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Friday, March 11, 2022
Rebels Head Coach Anthony Greener: “This was a great team win against Pitt today. This was a good game. First period was rough – we got outplayed. Once we settled against Pitt we dominated the game in the O Zone.
Coach Greener highlighted this:
“2 for 2 on the penalty kill.
“2 for 2 on our powerplays.
“Great team win.”
===
HERE IS HOW UNLV BEAT PITT UNIVERSITY
UNLV Rebels, 26-4-1 during regular season, no score early vs Pitt University at the U.S. Nationals in St. Louis. The ‘Wall’ Zach Whickson is the Rebels goalie.…Pitt scores first, leads 1-0; Rebels score and it is a 1-1 game..we are in the 3rd period…Pitt put together a team gofundme campaign to arrange for monies to get to the nationals…Pitt’s season record was 25-4-2…3rd period – Rebels take advantage of a Pitt line change, score to take a 2-1 lead….hang on everyone, we’re about to take a ride here….UNLV now leads 3-1…Pitt scores – UNLV now leads 3-2…..UNLV scores again on a power play, leads 4-2 – about one minute left to play……Rebels win 5-2, advance to next round……It looks like in next round UNLV will play either Liberty or Illinois..
===
UNLV goal scorers
Jaedin Ness from Jayson Dimizio
Jayson Dimizio from Zach Wickson
Jayson Dimizio
Max Johnson from Hunter Muzzillo
Brendan Manning from Paxton Malone
Rebels goalie – Zach Whickson
===
Thursday Live Flash Score from Gateway Ice Center, Fresno, Ca.
===
USPHL Premier – Game One, Best of Three
Final Score
Fresno Monsters 10, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4
T-Birds Goals
Tristan Nelson from Evan Brown and Guillaume Dufour
Heath Mensch from Kevin Roswell
Simon-Pier Brunet from Jadon Kwiatkowski
Heath Mensch from Nick Bonaldi, Caleb Strong
T-Birds Goalies – Anthony Bonaldi and Loic Morin
====
Double Breaker – Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen just reported Pitt beat Navy’s hockey team 5-1 – which means UNLV Rebels vs Pitt tomorrow at the U.S. Nationals. “To me, Pitt looks like a very solid team,” Steve noted. Steve added the USPHL Premier Thunderbirds will be in challenging games vs the Fresno Monsters in their playoff road action which begins tonight – Thursday
====
UNLV Flash Update – UNLV Rebels went onto the ice ice and practiced today – Thursday – at the Nationals, then take on winner of Navy vs Pitt on Friday. “We play on Friday 10:15 am central time against the winner of the Navy vs Pitt game. Pitt took an early 2-0 lead in that game.” Nick added “everyone for us is here and good to go in our first game tomorrow.”
=====
Breaker – The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds – in a battle Pacific Division leaders – will take on the Fresno Monsters in a Best of Three playoff series. All games will be at the Gateway Ice Center in Fresno – In the regular season Fresno had a record of 30-11-3, the T-Birds were 29-14-1. Game One will be on Thursday – Lee
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ST. LOUIS TO HOST AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
TROY, Mich. –– The American Collegiate Hockey Association, the governing body
for non‐varsity collegiate hockey in the United States, announced today that it has selected St.
Louis, Missouri as the site for the 2022 ACHA National Championships. The ten‐day event will be
hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup champion St. Louis
Blues.
More than 1,500 players from at least 72 teams across all five ACHA divisions—Men’s Division 1,
2, and 3 and Women’s Divisions 1 and 2—will converge upon the suburban St. Louis area to
compete in more than 100 games.
The 2022 ACHA National Championships will be played from March 10 through March 20, 2022
at the Centene Community Ice Arena in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The Centene Community
Ice Center, which opened in September 2019, is the practice facility for the NHL St. Louis Blues
as well as the home of Lindenwood University’s hockey programs. The ACHA will also utilize the
Maryville University Hockey Center in nearby Chesterfield, Missouri, for overflow games and
practices.
“St. Louis is such a great location for the ACHA and its member schools across all divisions,” said
ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett. “About half of all ACHA member teams, in both the men’s
and women’s divisions, are within an eight to ten‐hour drive to St. Louis. With the support of the
St. Louis Sports Commission and the Blues, we’re looking forward to a great event to showcase
the very best of ACHA hockey and to crown five division champions at the Centene Community
Ice Center in 2022!”
“We are proud to bring another marquee collegiate hockey tournament to St. Louis,” said Blues
President and CEO Chris Zimmerman. “This is the Heartland of Hockey and the Centene
Community Ice Center is the hub of hockey development in the Midwest. Hosting the ACHA
National Championship is a testament to the St. Louis community and the great strides we have
made in growing our great sport throughout the region.”
=====
====
Breaker – The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds – in a battle Pacific Division leaders – will take on the Fresno Monsters in a Best of Three playoff series. All games will be at the Gateway Ice Center in Fresno – In the regular season Fresno had a record of 30-11-3, the T-Birds were 29-14-1. Game One will be on Thursday – Lee
====
Matthew Gross of Las Vegas and the NA3HL El Paso Rhinos, has 28 goals this season.
====
Saturday, March 5, 2022
By Charles V Reilly
Las Vegas – When you look at the UNLV Rebels astounding overall skillset on the ice it was the difference for the Rebels in a 5-2 win over Oregon Ducks before another sold out crowd Saturday night at the City National Arena.
The Ducks, an ACHA D2 team going into D1 next season, plays a hard physical game which works vs most teams – but not that much vs an ultra-skilled team like #4 ranked UNLV.
“We really had a great third period -and me, I am so excited about this season. We have a lot left in our tank, we are not done yet,” said UNLV head coach Anthony Greener
UNLV Vince Benedetto was in the net as the Rebels closed out its regular season. Playoffs are next.
UNLV scoring
Michael Boutoussov from Bradley Golant
Ezekiel Estrada from Luke Burke
Nick Flanders from Paxton Malone
Brendan Manning from Jared Erickson
Jaiden Ness from Jayson DiMizio
====
Friday
Las Vegas – Anthony Greener’s powerful #4 nationally ranked UNLV Rebels had to dig deep with an awesome effort to beat a game, feisty D2 Oregon Ducks team 2-1 before a massively big crowd Friday night at City National Arena. It took a sensational side-angle goal on a power play by the Rebels’s Nick Flanders to win the game. Flanders goal was assisted by Paxton Malone. It was great movement on this power play which went down like this: Paxton found Flanders through the seam, passed the puck to him and Flanders fired off a shot which took a fiery route into the Ducks net for the game-winner. It was an awesome game – kudos to the D2 Ducks who will next year will play in ACHA D1.
Coach Greener said “….it was a great game. We created good habits. We will be even better here on Saturday night.”
Game Two of this weekend series will be right back at City National on Saturday evening.
From the Blue Line – UNLV’s first goal was scored by Angelos Tsalfos assisted by David Lenzin….Two awesome officials – Wally Lacroix and Todd Owen – were great the entire game – and the City National was jammed …….
====
The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds are in first-round playoff action this weekend. The T-Birds will take on the Lake Tahoe Lakers in a Best of Three. These games will be the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson.
Friday -Las Vegas Thunderbirds 7, Lake Tahoe Lakers 0
T-Birds goals – Caleb Strong 2, Heath Mensch, Loic Gossellin, Guillaume DuFour, Jadon Kwiatkowski, and Antoine Kwiatkowski; T-Birds goalie – Anthony Bonaldi, 37 saves
===
Saturday – Las Vegas Thunderbirds 10, Lake Tahoe Lakers 5
T-Birds goals – Heath Mensch 3, Antoine Tourigny 3, Caleb Strong 2, Kevin Hanly 1, Nick Bonaldi; T-Birds goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
//Las Vegas wins Best of Three, 2-0
Sunday (if needed)
====
Thursday – 56-goal scorer Jack Lackas of Las Vegas and the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u are off to the Regionals in Dallas next week. Jack’s brother AJ with the EHL New England Wolves will be in playoff action next week as well….The Faith Lutheran Crusaders, the Nevada State High School Champions, are going to the High School Varsity D2 Nationals in Dallas, March 24-28.
===
Breaker – How important are UNLV’s games vs Oregon Ducks this weekend? Very important says coach Nick Robone of the Rebels. “These two games (Friday, Saturday) will be a great opportunity to get dialed in for the (ACHA D1) National Tournament in two weeks. We will see how healthy our goalies are as we hope to get both in action this weekend. Oregon is a strong D2 team which will be competing in D1 next season.” – Lee
===
ACHA D1
TOP FIVE
Lindenwood 20-0-1
Minot 21-2-2
Iowa State 24-4-4
UNLV REBELS 20-4-5
Liberty 17-8-3
===
#1 Searched Today – Rob Pallin, coach of many championship teams in Las Vegas and #2 Micah Sanford, the Las Vegas star who started it all here in town.…Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas has 10 goals this season for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets…Cody Williams of Las Vegas 8 goals for Evry-Viry France3 this season.…USPHL premier goalie Aidan Spraggs got a win for the Las Vegas Thunderbirds last weekend. He is 20 years old and has a 5-2-0 record this season. Aidan is from Mount Vernon, Washington
===
Monday Breaker – The UNLV Rebels close out their 2021-22 regular season hosting the hard-skating ACHA D1 Oregon Ducks in a two-game weekend starting on Friday, 7:30 pm. After these games UNLV heads for the ACHA D1 Nationals.
==============
Erik Atchison of Las Vegas – star goal scorer for WHL Spokane Chiefs
===============
THE VEGAS FIVE
Updated
March 2, 2022
===============
Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
56 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
29 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
27 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy Storm 15u
26 – Brennan Blasczk, SPHL Pensacola Ice Flyers
17 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
15 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
===
11 – Michael Yochum, Captain, ACHA D1 Canisus
11 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
10 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets
10 – AJ Lackas, EHL New England Wolves
9 – Trent Carter, USPHL Chicago Cougers
8 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
8 – Cody Williams, Evry-Viry, France3
7 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u
6 – Ash Printzen, NCAA Curry College
4 – Vito Carlo, NCAA Franklin Pierce University
4 – Jerrett Overland, EHL Express – Massachusetts
4 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Swamp Rabbits
2 – Gabriel Testa, CAJNL Vernal Oilers
0 – Gia Avalone, NCAA lll Adrian College
//To add here or revise send to leesamuels07@aol.com
====
Heath Mensch, a massive goal scorer for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds, was rested last week – he was not injured. “We had our playoff spot locked down and we wanted to rest him,” a T-Birds spokesperson said
==
USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Updated March 1, 2022
Source – USPHL Premier Website
Top 5 Goal Scorers
45 – Heath Mensch
38 – Caleb Strong
22 – Downtown Evan Brown
20 – Antoine Tournigny
14 – Kevin Hanly
==
Sunday Breaker – Faith Lutheran won a best of three over the Las Vegas Storm to win the Nevada High School Championship over the weekend. Faith won Game One over the Storm 5-1 at City National Arena on Friday. Then last night beat the Storm 3-1 at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Faith Lutheran is now qualified to play in the High School Nationals in Dallas.
The great Adam Miller is the head coach of Faith Lutheran.
=====
Saturday – Lakewood Ice Arena
FINAL
USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 3, Long Beach Shredders 2
LV – Ryan Duggan 2nd goal this season from Isak Johnnsson
LV – Kevin Hanly 14th from Jadon Kwitakowski, Evan Brown
LV – Kevin Roswall 6th
LV goalie – Aidan Spraggs
===
AAA Anaheim Jr Ducks 7, AAA VGK 16u 1 – Jacob Webb scored for VGK. Both VGK goalies – Keynes Lake, Logan Perez – were in the game at the FivePoint Arena in Irvine, Ca.
====
It is easy to report game scores – send to leesamuels07@aol.com
===
Friday Breaker – 45-goal scorer Heath Mensch did not start for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds in their road game tonight vs the Long Beach Shredders. In the third period the Thunderbirds led 2-1 on goals by William Chateauvert and Michael Wells. Long Beach just scored to make it a 2-2 game. Gorial Yaro is the goalie for Las Vegas. The game is at Lakewood Ice Arena in Lakewood, Ca. There was a maddening finish in this game as Michael Wells wound up with three goals and Kevin Roswall scored late to help clinch a 5-2 win.
====
Flash Final Score Friday – Mason Jackson scored for Coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u in a 5-1 loss to the L.A. Jr Kings 16u at the Fivepoint Arena in Irvine, Ca. The VGK 16u next play the Anaheim Jr Ducks here tomorrow at 10 am.
—
FRIDAY, FEB 25, 2022
HISTORY WILL BE MADE!
7:30 PM
NEVADA STATE VARSITY HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP
CRUSADER HOCKEY CLUB
vs
LAS VEGAS STORM
@City National Arena, Las Vegas
===
Thursday Flash Final Score – – USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 9, Long Beach Shredders 3@ at the famous Lakewood Ice in SoCal
===
T-Birds – Heath Mensch 43rd goal from Caleb Strong
Long Beach – Hunter Keech 3rd goal of season. Hunter is from Las Vegas
T-Birds – Antoine Tournigny 18th
T-Birds – Heath Mensch 44th from Antoine Tournigny, Caleb Strong
T-Birds – Heath Mensch 45th from Skylar Seckerson, Caleb Strong
T-Birds – Caleb Strong 38th from Antoine Tourigny
T-Birds – Michael Wells 6th from Nick Bonaldi, Deric Prier
T-Birds – Caden Thorne 2nd from Bradly Burden
T-Birds – Michael Wells 7th from Isak Johansson
T-Birds – Antoine Tourigny 20th from Heath Mensch
T-Birds goalie – Anthony Bonaldi; Long Beach goalie – Julian Arenal
FRIDAY, FEB 25, 2022
HISTORY WILL BE MADE!
7:30 PM
NEVADA STATE VARSITY HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP
CRUSADER HOCKEY CLUB
vs
LAS VEGAS STORM
@City National Arena, Las Vegas
==============================
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas – The Historic Teal Line
==========================================
There are a lot of big changes in Vegas Hockey today. But let’s not forget one of the greatest lines of all time in Las Vegas.
====================================================
Special to Vegashockey.net
We have seen a lot of writeups here on coach Rob Pallin’s old teams. But I think we have forgotten the importance of coach Pokey Reddick’s 16u teams with Bryce Reddick, Corbin Brown, Kyle Clay, Ryan Scheafer, Steven Bolton, Colby Cookson, Ryan Sutliffe, Matt Hedderly, Kris Carter, Chris Rial, Robbie Silvernail, Alex Yug, Christian Bryant, etc.
When they won the 16u Pacific District Championship in 2005, that wasn’t suppose to happen. In 2006 they won 4 tournaments at home including a game that to me, my son and any person you speak to, was the most exciting game to date at the Las Vegas Ice Center against the (Long Beach) Ice Dogs semifinals double OT to go on and win the Pacific District Championship in 2006.
Pokey Reddick and those 2 teams put that rink and organization on the USA hockey map. Hamilton Whyte, the Quinney kids, Brendan Harris, Sullivan, Brooks, Chiasson, Raats all grew up watching those guys play – just like most of the 89s and 90s who grew up watching Rob’s teams at the Santa Fe Ice Arena.
After 2006 is when they changed the name and began billeting kids from out of state. Everyone wanted to play at that rink.
The line of Bryce Reddick, Corbin Brown and Kyle Clay terrorized teams for 2 years.
They were called the Teal Line. No one could stop them, just like Jasek, Samuels and Naglich did. Those 2 Pokey teams were in the papers in Summerlin, Las Vegas Review Journal, USA Hockey. Many kids at that rink continued playing because of the excitement of those 2 back to back teams.
The rinks would be packed with 200-300 people. I remember the buzz of every team team in that organization coming to watch these teams play. Parents took kids out of school early to watch the Friday afternoon games. Mike Sullivan, Jeff Hajner, Jason Allen, Rob Pallin, Larry Sanford and YOU all at the rink boards watching.
We haven’t had a team that good and fun to watch since then, everyone knows it. I believe Rob’s midget teams of those back to back seasons from AA-AAA and Pokey’s two AA teams were the best teams the city has ever seen to date.
Not to mention it was all Las Vegas skaters, no one from out of town like we see now. Just ask the Vegas coaches – Rob Pallin, Ken Quinney, Rod Buskas and anyone around that team and Pokey had the support and gathering like no other.
I would like to nominate Bryce Reddick and Corbin Brown into the Top 15 skaters in Las Vegas history.
Bryce Reddick was so smooth on his skates. He might have been the fastest kid to play in Vegas. Faster than Jasek. Just ask around.
Corbin Brown at 5’6″ was truely the first small player out of Las Vegas and he went on to play for one of the best NAHL franchises in the Wenatchee Wild which was a Robertson Cup runnerup. I’d say he helped kick start all of these other kids who have played in Wenatchee
Like I said, those 2 Pokey teams were very exciting.
And not a lot written about them.
It’s part of history at the Las Vegas Ice Center.
They kick started it for all of our kids and the organization.
=====
From the Blue Line – Goalie Gage Roberts of Las Vegas this season is a goalie at NCAA D3 Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y.…Michael Yochum of Las Vegas is the captain and has 11 goals for ACHA D1 Canisius....Big game goal scorer Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas has 9 goals this season for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets.
===
The great Gregg Drinnan in Canada posted this today:
Here’s the WHL’s top 10 winningest regular-season coaches: Don Hay, 750; Ken Hodge, 742; Don Nachbaur, 692; Lorne Molleken, 626; Williamson and Habscheid, each 572; Ernie McLean, 548; Brent Sutter, 526; Pat Ginnell 518; and Shaun Clouston, 485.
===
NARCh Update,
Just a friendly reminder, the deadline to register/pay for the NARCh Regional in Corona on March 18th-20th is February 28th, which is Monday! REGISTER NOW.
We are also hoping to make a push to get more 6u/8u players involved, starting with our event in March in Corona. If you have a young player that wants to play but doesn’t have a team, please contact us!
For the full list of events – NARCh Events
Thanks for playing NARCh!
NARCh Staff
====
From The Blue Line…..Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and NHL Pittsburgh Penguins still out “recovering from a core muscle injury.”…..Erik Atchison 8 goals WHL Spokane Chiefs….Zach Pochiro 9 goals for ECHL Fort Wayne Komets…Trent Carter 9 Goals for USPHL Premier Chicago Cougers…Bryce Reddick 4 goals this season for ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits….Vito Carlo 3 goals for NCAA Franklin-Pierce University…Gabriel Testa of Las Vegas now playing for CAJHL Vernal Oilers in Utah….The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds close out their regular season this week vs the Long Beach Shredders with a 3-game road series which begins Thursday at the famous Lakewood, Ca. Ice Center.
===
USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Updated Feb 25, 2022
Source – USPHL Premier Website
Top 5 Goal Scorers
45 – Heath Mensch
38 – Caleb Strong
22 – Downtown Evan Brown
20 – Antoine Tournigny
13 – Kevin Hanly
===
Elliott Friedman writing in his awesome ’32 Thoughts’ column:
“Won’t turn out this way, but, at one point, there was an idea to make the seating capacity at Arizona State’s new hockey arena 4,242 — in honor of the late Pat Tillman. Tillman wore that number when he played for the Sun Devils. Totally understand why some things can’t work out certain ways, but was a unique thought.“
===
“Oregon has a fast skating team – we will have deal with their team speed,” says UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener. These are the final two games of the regular season for the Rebels – then it’s off to the ACHA D1 National Championships.
===
Monday, Feb 21, 2022
The final game of the weekend for the Wally Lacroix coached Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u wound up as a 3-3 tie vs the Flint Jr Firebirds 14u at the Michigan Super Series today. “We had a 4-1-1 weekend in Michigan, something we can build on,” said coach Wally. Kameron Laskaskas was goalie for the Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u in this game.
==
This is one for the Las Vegas record books. Coach Wally Lacroix’ Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u beat the #3 ranked bantam team in the nation – the Kensington Valley Rebels – by 2-1 today at the Michigan Super Series.
“Unbelievable effort from our team,” coach Wally said. “We shut down two 5 on 3s against us mid to late third period. Kellen Hardy was in goal for this one. Very very proud of what we accomplished today.”
On Monday the VGK 14u will play the Flint Jr Firebirds 14u at noon.
===
Sunday Final – After winning 4-0 over Grand Rapids – Kameron Laskaska was goalie for VGK 14u – coach Wally Lacroix’s now take on the powerful #3 nationally ranked 37-8-10 Kensington Valley Rebels at the Michigan Super Series.
===
Bet you didn’t know: One of Las Vegas greatest goal scorers Adam ‘Stick’ Naglich was with dear friends at the Rebels game on Saturday night….When the UNLV Rebels are in a game our readership here triples…To Rink Rat2 over at the Pepsi Ice Arena on North Rancho Drive – Yes we know Bethany Drysdale writes better UNLV game stories than Lee…..We miss her terribly and hope she returns too along with the great Kat Craner…
Sunday, Feb 20, 2022
UNLV closes out its regular season on March 4, 5 – against the ACHA D1 Oregon Ducks who – guess what – has a win over rugged ACHA D1 Grand Canyon University. Game time Friday is 7:30 pm at City National Arena.
The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds are off today – Sunday – then close out their regular season on the road vs the Long Beach Shredders in a three-game series beginning Thursday at the famous Lakewood Ice Center in SoCal.
===
Saturday, Feb 19, 2022
UNLV Rebels 3 Stars of the Game
#1 Jayson Dimizio
#2 Zeke Estrada – very rugged player, takes care of enemy players in his zone
#3 Jake Berry
===
UNLV Rebels Goal Scorers on Saturday Night
Cole Wyatt
Jayson Dimizio
Angelos Tsalafos from Jake Berry
Nick Flanders
Max Johnson from Cole Wyatt
Ezekiel Estrada from Jayson Dimizio
Las Vegas – Angelos Tsalafos, Nicholas Flanders and Max Johnson scored dramatic late-game goals to lock down the UNLV Rebels 6-3 win over a fiery Grand Canyon University team before a sold out crowd at the City National Arena on Saturday night. Vince Benedetto got the start as the Rebels goalie and made spectacular saves throughout the game. UNLV is ranked #4 in the ACHA D1 ratings and is qualified to play in the ACHA D1 Nationals.
Physically this was a hard, very physical game. “Wins can be hard to come by this late in the season – something we spoke about to our team,” said Rebels head coach Anthony Greener.
It was a wicked ride in all three periods– including hard checks etc. at center ice and in dark corners. The sold out crowd – the main seating area was jammed – as was the north rinkboards area.
===
Saturday
Ontario, California – Caleb Strong, Antoine Tourigny and Guillaume Dufour scored goals in regulation play, then Nick Bonaldi, Jadon Kwiatkowski, Isak Johansson scored on OT/Shootout goals to give the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds a 4-3 road win over the Ontario Jr Reign here at the Center Ice Arena on Saturday night.
===
Friday Rebels 3 Stars of the Game
#1 The Wall – goalie Zach Whickson
#2 Luke Burke
#3 Brad Golant
===
Shots on Goal
Rebels 34-25
===
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – Thank goodness for the Great One – UNLV Rebels goalie Zach ‘The Wall’ Whickson. He made some awesome saves as the #4-ranked Rebels beat a very smart, ambitious hard-skating Grand Canyon University team 3-2 on Friday night before a totally sold out City National Arena on Friday night. The stands were jammed and it was three-deep on the north rinkboards.
The Rebels scoring went like this:
Luke Burke from Alec Johnson
Brad Golant from Max Johnson
Max Johnson from Cole Wyatt
Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said “I thought we were good in the first part of the game, then we struggled the rest of the game. We will be better on Saturday night for sure.“
Game Two of this weekend series is tonight – Saturday – at City National Arena, 7:30 pm
===
Ontario, Ca. – Heath Mensch scored his 42nd goal of the season, linemate Caleb Strong had two goals – his 36th, 37th – and Michael Wells got his 5th goal for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds in a 7-4 road loss to the Ontario Jr Reign here at the Ontario Ice Center on Friday night. Anthony Bonaldi and Gorial Yaro were the goalies for the T-Birds.
===
Coach Matt Johnson of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are in Detroit this weekend. “We have the Esmark Stars, Des Moines and the NH Avalanche on our schedule”, said coach Matt.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Saturday – Detroit
2-3 OT to Des Moines
vs New Hampshire Avalanche
===
Because of nasty cold snowy weather coach Wally’s VGK 14u schedule was tweaked today. “We now play Arvada in our first game at 6:30 pm.”
Here is how head coach Wally Lacroix of the VGK 14u looks at the Michigan Super Series for his team this weekend: “We need lots of structure and discipline – our young men must show up and be ready to play at the highest level.”….The VGK 14u are ranked #9 nationally and now have a season record of 42-15-1.
Friday Flash Final – Michigan Super Series
AA 14u
Arvada 3, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 0 (Kellen Hardy goalie for VGK 14u)
- Michigan Super Series
- Vegas Jr Golden Jr Knights 14u Revised Schedule
- Feb 19 – 7-0 over Music City Marauders – Kameron Laskaskas goalie for VGK
- Feb 19 – 5-1 over Kalamazoo K-Wings – Kellen Hardy goalie for VGK
- Feb 19 – vs #3 ranked Kensington Valley Rebels, 6:30 pm
Coach Wally Lacroix: “It’s Senior Night at St. Mary’s Orchard Lake. Myself along with coach Todd here to support senior Cayden Beringer, former Jr VGK player. St. Mary’s is home team – Cranbrook Academy is visiting team. The young men of VGK 14u are also supporting with their families.”
===
Breaker – Here is the lowdown on Grand Canyon University which is coming here Friday and Saturday to take on the UNLV Rebels at City National Arena. Rebels coach Nick Robone sees them as “a gritty team which is tough to play against. They have strong goaltending and have surprised a lot of teams lately. They were recently ranked in the Top 25 – as early as last week. Don’t think they have a single elite goal scorer but on our side we have to be on our A game all weekend.”
===
Coaches Wally Lacroix, Todd Owen and the Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u are heading to the Michigan Super Series tournament. “Kensington is ranked #3 in the country. We have our hands full going into this one.” The Kensington Valley Rebels, from Michigan, are 33-10-8. Coach Wally’s VGK 14u have a record of 42-15-1. The AA L.A. Jr Kings 14u are also in this great tournament.
===
FRIDAY, FEB 25, 2022
HISTORY WILL BE MADE!
7:30 PM
NEVADA STATE VARSITY HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP
CRUSADER HOCKEY CLUB
vs
LAS VEGAS STORM
@City National Arena, Las Vegas
====
Breaker – Vito Carlo, a very popular ice hockey player from Las Vegas, has 4 goals this season for NCAA Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire
Today’s Flashback Story
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2014
Las Vegas – Big, rugged Sam Braniff was the captain of the UNLV Rebels ice hockey team. He skated on the top line and was a driving force for years. The team wound up its season last weekend. Now Sam is skating for the UNLV Rebels roller hockey team which is gearing up for the WCRHL Regionals in Corona, California which begin March 1.
Braniff skated in roller games with the Rebels on Saturday and Sunday in Huntington Beach, helping the team go 5-1-0 and qualify for the Western Regionals. Braniff is on a team with roller superstars including Andrew Tamura, a gifted player who was the 2013 Vegas Hockey Roller Player of the Year.
“Sam was very solid in our games,” said coach Nick Robone. “He skated well, moved the puck efficiently and was tough in the corners. I think the more games he plays the better he will be. Our team finished 14-6-0 overall in the regular season and now we are off to the WCHRL Regionals on March 1.”
Only four Western roller hockey teams made the Regionals – Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, Arizona State and UNLV. The four teams will play down to a gold medal winner which will advance to the U.S. Nationals. There, 24 D1 teams will be there.
UNLV, which plays out of Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive, has three coaches – Curt Weiman, Nick Robone and Adam Tamura. Weiman said this about Sam Braniff “…he was the player we were looking for…tough, rugged…and yes he can play the game.”
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Super Bowl Sunday – ….Michael Yochum of Las Vegas has 11 goals and is the Captain of ACHA D1 Canisus College this season…
Sunday final score at City National – Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 3, AAA Sno Kings Thunderbirds 3 (tie). VGK 16u goalies Logan Perez, Keynes Lake both got into the game. Goal scorers for VGK 16u were Gavin O’Hara, Ryan Pavlinsky and Cole West.
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Rinkrat2 over at the Pepsi Arena likes the LA Rams to win.
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Saturday, Feb 12, 2022
Breaker – UNLV Rebels tweeted they just beat ASU 4-3 on the road at Oceanside Arena.
Head coach Anthony Greener of the Rebels said “…we stressed using our forecheck going into this big game. Then our special teams went 2 for 4 on the powerplay in this game and we went 4 for 4 on our penalty kill.”
UNLV goal scorers:
Paxton Malone
Hunter Muzzillo
Bradley Golant
Ezekiel Estrada
Shots – UNLV 38-30
UNLV goalie – Zach ‘The Wall,’ Wickson
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Breaker – Matt Johnson, head coach of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u, just said “just finished, we won 6-5 in a back and forth battle (over AAA Seattle Sno Kings 16u). Both teams played very well.”
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VGK 16u 3 Stars
(In first game Saturday)
Aidan Finch
Ryan Pavlinsky
Gavin O’Hara
Goalie Keynes Lake
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Saturday…
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – This was one of those interesting, intriguing games with highly skilled players from both teams and with awesome goalies – the kind of play you would see at the U.S. Nationals. And wouldn’t you know this entertaining highly skilled game ended in a 3-3 tie in regulation. The AAA Seattle Sno Kings 16u and the Matt Johnson-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u then went to a Shootout and Seattle scored one more goal then the hometown team.
The game was awesome to watch before an amazingly large crowd at City National Arena. Finch is such a great player – we’ve written about him a few times here – and Pavlinsky, O’Hara have a lot firepower which gets unleashed often. Chayse Laurie darts about beautifully to get within firing range.
Amazingly it was a clean unforgettable game with very few penalities – the kind of game elite teams do it.
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UNLV Rebels Flash Score
Friday
ASU wins in 4-3 OT Shootout
UNLV goal scorers
Ezekiel Estrada
Angelos Tsalafos
Jared Erickson
Shots on goal – UNLV 32-26
UNLV goalie – The Wall – Zach Wickson
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– The Rebels had an early morning pre-game skate on Thursday – then coaches Anthony Greener, Nick Robone and all of the players boarded a team bus headed to Arizona. “Five hour bus ride – not that bad,” coach Anthony said. “We and the players will watch a movie, then we will be there.” The weekend games vs Arizona State begin Friday 7 pm at the Oceanside Arena.
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Best Stat of the Day – Michael McNicolas of Las Vegas and the Fife Flyers of Scotland has 13 goals, 15 assists this season.
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The USPHL Premier Thunderbirds are off this weekend – Lee
Today’s Flashback Story…
Friday, Nov. 24, 2005
ANTHONY GREENER, AARON BACA SCORE 2 GOALS
AS UNLV GETS 4-GOAL BURST IN 3RD TO WIN 7-4!!
Provo, Utah – With time ticking down, coach Eddie Kawa’s UNLV Rebels turned it up, stepped on the accelerator and took off here Friday night.
The Rebels scored four times in the third period to rally and defeat Utah Valley State College 7-4 at Pikes Peak Arena. The Rebels’ top goal scorer, Anthony Greener, got his 7th and 8th of the season and linemate Aaron Baca scored two more as UNLV won its fourth game in a row and raised its season record to 6-2-1.
UNLV scorched 54 shots in a game with a fiery third period. With 12:43 to go, Rebels defenseman Ryan Krametbauer locked up with an opposing skater in a scrap and both players were asked to leave the ice.
The two teams return here for a Saturday night game.
REBELS NOTEBOOK – In the last four games, UNLV in the third period has outscored opposing teams 13-2 — which really is an amazing statistic….
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‘Late Skate’ – Painting by the famous Terrence Fogerty of Minnesota
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Breaker – Anthony Bonaldi of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds is the Western ‘Goalie of the Month’ the league announced today.
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USPHL PREMIER LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS
Updated Feb 25, 2022
Top Goal Scorers
45 – Heath Mensch
38 – Caleb Strong
22 – Evan Brown
18 – Antoine Tourigny
13 – Kevin Hanly
10 – Jadon Kwiatkowski
//to revise or update please send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener lit a red flare today, noting his club has to be ready to rock in two road games against Arizona this weekend. “We must take these games very seriously – we cannot let down as a team. Arizona is better now with new coaches and suddenly they have a new sense of winning games since they made those changes.”
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Las Vegas – This is another big weekend for coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u. The VGK 16u, 35-20-1, will take on the 34-10-2 AAA Sno-King Jr Thunderbirds 16u three times at City National Arena.
Saturday, Feb 12 – AAA VGK 16u vs Sno–King Jr Thunderbirds @City National Arena – 11:40 am, then 6:10 pm
Sunday, Feb 13 – AAA VGK 16u vs Sno-King Jr Thunderbirds, 8 am
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Breaker – ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel has 11 goals this season for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u in Attleboro, Mass.
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener talks about the team’s newest signing – big goal scorer Caleb Strong of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds.
“We’re excited to have Caleb Strong – he definitely has a scorer’s touch. We’re are going to work with him as well on some D Zone responsibilites. But to have a a big goal scorer like Caleb is a major bonus to our program,”coach Greener said.
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Here are UNLV’s final regular-season games of this season – then ACHA D1 playoffs get underway:
Feb 18-19 – Grand Canyon University vs UNLV Rebels at City National Arena, Las Vegas
March 4-5 – Oregon University vs UNLV Rebels at City National Arena, Las Vegas
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Sunday Flash Final Score – AA Dallas Penguins 14u 4, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 0. “We had a slow start and never really recovered. Both of our goalies played in this game,” said VGK 14u head coach Wally Lacroix. “We next play in the Michigan Super Series.” AA Dallas is now 43-6-1 this season. Dallas is ranked #5 nationally, the VGK 14u is now 41-14-1 this season and ranked #9 nationally.
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Sunday Breaking News – The UNLV Rebels have announced that mighty 35-goal scorer Caleb Strong of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 21u has committed to the Rebels for next season.
Rebels coach Nick Robone said “Caleb has great hockey IQ. We’ve watched him play a lot over the last few months. The one things coaches strive is to find players who know what they are going to do before they get the puck and excel offensively when they do get it. Caleb has a knack for scoring, has strong leadership and we see as an asset on our powerplay.”
Vegas Hockey scout Steve Allen has watched Caleb, the T-Birds captain, play in a number of games. “Caleb plays on the Heath Mensch line – Caleb is a very fast smart skater who can score.”
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Most Searched Today – Caleb Strong, UNLV Rebels, Coach Rob Pallin, The Power of the Las Vegas Thunderbirds, VGK 14u Goalie Kellen Hardy, Dallas Penguins, Harris Whissel, Heath Mensch, Vegas Hockey Scout Steve Allen….
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Saturday, Feb 5, 202
Breaker – ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris of Las Vegas and the AAA Northeast Generals 18u had a huge Saturday – two assists in an 8-2 win over the Maine Nordiques and then, in an evening game, scored 2 goals in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Hockey Club. Both games were at the Middletown, New Jersey, Sports Complex.
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Saturday Games
USPHL Premier
Caleb Strong 5 goals – giving him 35 goals this season for the Las Vegas Thunderbirds – in a 10-5 win over the Long Beach Shredders @ the Lifeguard Arena, Henderson. Caleb is from Alexandria, Minnesota. T-Birds, a powerful force, had more shots 62-27. Gorial Yaro goalie for Las Vegas. He is from Scottsdale, Arizona. The Thunderbirds are off on Sunday. Cory Ward and Joe Sullivan are the coaches for the T-Birds.
Bantam 14u
Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 8, Santa Clarita Flyers 4 @Lifeguard Arena, Henderson
//Kellen Hardy goalie for VGK 14u who advance to take on the Dallas Penguins on Sunday.
//VGK coach Wally Lacroix: “It was hard, tough game, the game score just doesn’t reflect it. Our young men came ready to play. Now we play Dallas tomorrow.
Friday Score
Henderson, NV – Down 3-1 early, Evan Brown scored twice as the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds beat the Long Beach Shredders 7-4 at the Lifeguard Arena. Anthony Bonaldi and Aidan Spraggs were the goalies for the T-Birds.
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Best Stat of the Day – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas 2 goals, 2 assists for the AHL Silver Knights in a big 6-3 win over the San Jose Barracuda last night at The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue…..Matthew Gross, 18, of Las Vegas has 21 goals for the NA3HL El Paso Rhinos. He just got called up to the NAHL El Paso Rhinos.
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Friday, Feb 4, 2022
Tonight – Hunter Keech of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredder come into town to take on the Cory Ward-coach USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds at the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson, Nevada. The biggest goal scorer in Las Vegas – Heath Mensch, 42 goals for the T-Birds, awaits their arrival. The Las Vegas TBirds have about seven regular season games to play, then the first round of the playoffs will begin.
Friday – Beau McCue, who played years ago on a Pokey Reddick gold medal AA Las Vegas Storm bantam team, is now an assistant coach with the WHL Tri City Americans…
Today’s #1 searches are for Vito Carlo, Harris Whissel and Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator – Lee
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Henderson, Nevada – Wally Lacroix’ Vegas Jr Golden Knights bantam 14u team is playing in a tough tournament with a lot of starpower this weekend here at the Lifeguard Hockey Arena.
The VGK 14u will take on the 42-6-1 Dallas Penguins today – Friday, February 4, 9:10 am – then face the Fairbanks Arctic Lions in their second game of the tournament at City National Arena. Game time at CNA is 1:30 pm Coach Wally, whose team is 41-13-1, said “The Top nationally ranked AA Bantam teams are going head to head – #5 Dallas, #9 our Vegas Jr Golden Knights team and the #11 ranked Valencia Jr Flyers.”
VGK 14u Schedule
Feb 4 – Dallas Penguins 1, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 0@Lifeguard Arena, Henderson
//Kellen Hardy goalie for VGK 14u. Coach Wally Lacroix said “….It was a great hockey game – we were one shot away on every one of our shifts to tie the game. Our young men just didn’t get the right bounce we needed – Dallas is a great hockey team, a solid program, and they played us tough.”
Feb 4 – 9-0 over Fairbanks Arctic Lions @City National Arena
//Kameron Laskaskas goalie for VGK 14u. “Tomorrow we have a very big game against the Flyers,” coach Wally said.
Feb 5 – vs Santa Clarita Flyers, 4:40 pm @Lifeguard Arena, Henderson
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Cory Ward, head coach of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds today said “Yes, Heath has signed his tender with the Utica Jr Comets in the NCDC, Tier 2 for next season. We are happy to see he is finally getting the recognition he deserves!” Mighty Heath Mensch is one of the greatest goal scorers in Las Vegas hockey history dating back to Josh Jasek who scored 61 goals for the 2001-02 Las Vegas Mustangs who were coached by Rob Pallin. Heath has seven more regular season games to go and then the playoffs begin – and the T-Birds should go pretty deep in the playoffs.
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Leroy Garcia who played travel roller hockey in the Micah Sanford era at the Little Home of Champions – Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive.
“Unfortunately, roller hockey here in Las Vegas has ended – until I win the lotto and start my own roller hockey rink. My sons play ice hockey, my oldest plays bantam travel, and my youngest 2 sons play house league. We last played in a Narch roller hockey tournament in Irvine. But I am still playing in an “A” league at CNA in ice hockey.”
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The Age Game
By Lee Samuels
A few years ago we were chatting with Micah Sanford, the very first star goal scorer here in Las Vegas, when he quietly reminded me “we’re not teenagers anymore Lee.”
He is so right….so let’s play the Age Game with some of the best ever Las Vegas star goal scorers, defensemen and goalies.
Age
40 – Micah Sanford
38 – Paul Lowden
37 – Jason Allen, JC Caron, Sean Darby, Cody Fulweiler, Justin Grossman, Jeff Hajner, Josh Jasek, Justin Johnson, Adam Naglich, Travis Roseberry
36 – Eddie Del Grosso, Travis Hackney, Eddie Samuels, Chris Simons
35 – Evan Zucker
34 – Shaun Stackhouse, Joe Trimboli
33 – Corbin Brown, Kyle Clay, Chris Francis, Ryan Townsend, Alex Winnik
32 – Steven Bolton, Matt Hedderly, Bryce Reddick
31 – Axle Anderton, Brandon Beebe, Vincent Ciaglo, Michael Chiasson, Chris Rial, Ryan Rivera, Adam Zucker
30 – Kenny Brooks, Connor Haney, Ross McMullan, Megan Myers, Ryan Rivera, Derek Sutliffe, Salvatore Tecci, Cody Williams, Sonny Zuloaga, Jason Zucker
29 – Brittany Brooks, Brady Burns, Kyle Callahan, Connor Nicholas, Mike Trimboli, Zach Zamora
28 – Drew Bryan, Ryan Chiasson, Erik Fischer, Michael McNicholas, Cody Milligan, Zach Pochiro, Beau Ricketts, Sara Robello, Joe Sullivan, Cory Ward
27 – Joseph Kaszupski, Kenny Luzak, Michael McNicholas, Daniel Nicholas, Beau Ricketts, Hamilton Whyte
26 – Brennan Blaszczak, Brendan Harris, Gage Quinney, Alex Mono, Ethan Montoya, Richard Prekop, Joey Raats, Eric Williams
25 – Hayden Knight, Dylan Miller, Spencer Poscente
24 – Michael Cichy, Vito Carlo, Paxton Malone, Graham McPhee, Landon Quinney, Jimmy Samuels
23 – Brenden Fehlig
22 – Alec Johnson, Brendan Manning, Zach Whickson
21 – Steven Avalone, Ash Printzen
20 – Anthony Bonaldi
19 – Eric Atchison, Trent Carter, Luke Fundator
18 – Gia Avalone, Zachary Ortolano, Heath Mensch, Harris Whissel
16 – Aidan Finch, Austin Moline, Ryan Pavlinsky, Logan Perez
15 – Jack Lackas, Chayse Laurie, Hunter Toms
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Coming here tomorrow – Roller hockey star goal scorer Leroy Garcia chats about his glory seasons playing with Micah Sanford, Patrick Stevenson, Freddy Young and the late great Johnny Oakes years ago at the ‘Little House of Champions’ Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive. Leroy wants to hook up with Nick Robone who each season take a Las Vegas elite men’s roller team to the NARCh Summer Nationals in the L.A. area. – Lee
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Here are UNLV’s final regular-season games of this season – then ACHA D1 playoffs get underway:
Feb 18-19 – Grand Canyon University vs UNLV Rebels at City National Arena, Las Vegas
March 4-5 – Oregon University vs UNLV Rebels at City National Arena, Las Vegas
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Updated Feb 10, 2022
Top Goal Scorers
42 – Heath Mensch
35 – Caleb Strong
22 – Evan Brown
17 – Antoine Tourigny
13 – Kevin Hanly
10 – Jadon Kwiatkowski
//to revise or update please send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Sunday Breaker – The Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u got the silver medal today at the Silver Sticks Nationals in Port Huron, Michigan. The South Hills Panthers 14u won by 2-1. Kameron Laskaskas was in the net for Las Vegas. This was a tremendous, awesome performance for the VGK 14u at this tournament.
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Anthony Greener, head coach, UNLV Rebels after the 3-1 win over #3 ranked Liberty – “This has to be one of our greatest wins or close to it. To win on the road before 4,700 fans – that was so exciting.”
Coach Nick Robone said Rebels goal scoring went like this:
Alec Johnson from Jake Berry
Alec Johnson
Brendan Manning from Paxton Malone
UNLV Goalie – Zach Whickson – 13-2-0, 92.9% save percentage, 2.05 gaa
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Saturday – Heath Mensch scored his 40th, 41st and 42nd goals for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds in a 6-5 OT win over the San Diego Sabers at the Lifeguard Arena.
Breaker – The Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u will take on the South Hills Panthers 14u for the gold medal at the Silver Sticks Nationals tomorrow in Port Huron, Michigan.
Coach Wally Lacroix and the Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u, after beating the N.Y. Cyclones again – this time by 4-3 -will play in the Silver Sticks National Gold Medal game Sunday in Port Huron, Michigan. Kellen Hardy was in the net for VGK 14u. “It’s tough enough to beat a great team once – but when you do it again it really is amazing – what a great effort our players gave – very proud of them. The gold medal game will begin 1:45 pm local time. “Oh, South Hills Panthers have not lost a game all week here,” said coach Wally
Saturday – Port Huron, Michigan – In an absolutely a staggering development coach Wally Lacroix Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u beat powerful 50-3-2 New York Cyclones 4-0 — coach Wally said “we had a great effort from our team, Kameron Laskaska was our goalie. We play the same team tonight at 7:45 pm local time in a Silver Sticks Final 4 game.”
‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel, who has been on scoring streak, had a goal for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u in a 6-2 win over the AAA Connecticut Chiefs 18u today at the Northeast Sports Village.
Saturday – The #4 ranked UNLV Rebels go at it one more time with #3 ranked Liberty University today – Saturday – in Lynchburg, Va. This is scheduled by the home team as a ‘Midnight Madness’ game.
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Friday Final –
#3 Ranked Liberty University 7,
#4 ranked UNLV Rebels 4
in Lynchburg, Virginia
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UNLV goal scorers:
Ezekiel Estrada 2 goals
Paxton Malone
Alec Johnson
UNLV goalie – Vince Benedetto
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Henderson, Nevada – Down three goals on home ice mega goal scorer Heath Mensch of Las Vegas scored three times and dealt two assists as the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds rallied dramatically to beat the San Diego Sabers 6-5 here in OT at the Lifeguard Arena on Friday night. That gives Heath 42 goals this season.
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//Heath Mensch of Las Vegas now has 39 goals this season for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds….The T-Birds are playing at home – Lifeguard Arena, Henderson NV – this weekend against the San Diego Sabers…..Tonight’s game has a 10 pm start time…..Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA, Canada and Sweden…..No 1 Most Searched today: Bethany Drysdale’s riveting story “…A Deeper Look at Las Vegas referee Ryan Townsend….
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Friday Breaker – Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator is playing with the NA3HL Northeast Generals and rooming with – guess who – Miracle on Ice Harris Whissel who is playing for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u. Luke, in his first two goalie starts, is 2-0-0 with a 1.98 gaa, 94.7% save percentage.
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Flash Update – ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas scored dramatically for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u in a stunning 3-2 win over the 3rd ranked USPHL Elite Wilkes-Barre Knights in the sixth round of an OT Shootout. Today Harris and AAA Northeast Generals beat the same team in another 3-2 win. There is one more game to go in this 3-game series, this one will on the Wilkes-Barre Knights home rink – Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston, Pa.
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Breaker – And off they go – Coach Wally Lacroix and the Vegas Jr Golden Knights bantam 14u are at the Silver Sticks Nationals in Port Huron, Michigan. Their flight landed there about 7 pm pacific time last evening. The VGK 14u, 38-11-1, dramatically won gold in a Silver Sticks Regional tournament a few months ago at the Las Vegas Ice Center over on Flamingo Ave. Coach Wally and Todd Owen will be on the bench coaching the AAA VGK 14u in this tournament.
VGK 14u Schedule
Thursday, Jan 27
0-3 to Pittsburgh Arctic Foxes, 33-7-5 – Glacier Pointe Ice Arena, Canada
//Kameron Laskaska goalie for VGK 14u…..
Friday, Jan 28
5-2 over Montgomery Blue Devils, 3 pm – McMorran Place – Port Huron, Michigan
//Kellen Hardy goalie for VGK 14u
Saturday, Jan 29
vs NYC Cyclones, ranked #14 in nation, 49-3-2, 1:45 pm – McMorran Place – Port Huron Michigan
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By Rocky
It’s never easy to win on the road particuarly against a mighty power like #3 ranked Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. That is what head coach Anthony Greener and the #4 ranked UNLV Rebels are facing beginning Friday night.
“Liberty has been a Top 5 hockey program for the last five years. Obviously it is a program we look up to not only for their skillset but how they run their program,” coach Greener said. “They are a fully funded program which gets great players and they have an unbelievable coaching staff.
“They are well structured with a lot of skill. We are going to have our hands filled playing them in the kind of arena they have – they average 4,000 plus every home game.”
So what is a blueprint for the Rebels for this two-game weekend road series?
“I think you have to play a simple game and it always helps to get an early lead to get the crowd out of it. We need to stick to our systems and stay structured,” coach Greener said.
Game time on Friday is 7 pm. Including this game the Rebels are down to their final eight games of the regular season, then playoffs get underway.
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Erik Atchison of Las Vegas fired in his 7th goal of the season for the WHL Spokane Chiefs against the Portland Winterhawks – then he was named Assistant Captain of the Spokane Chiefs after the game. …Down 3-0 early in the game Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas and the AAA Windy City Storm 15u scored on back to back power plays and then with 1.6 seconds left Fuzzy scored dramatically on a re-direct to beat big rival AAA Chicago Mission. Fuzzy has 22 goals this season.
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Bethany Drysdale, who has won many awards here on Vegas Hockey – mostly on her interesting game stories about the UNLV Rebels – sends this today about her hockey playing sons:
“Over the weekend they played 2 games vs the Carolina Rage. (Mites U8). So proud to say both Luke & Blake scored goals 🙌. Blake’s 1st ever game goal!“
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The ACHA D1 Top 10 look like this:
#1 Lindenwood, #2 Minot State, #3 Liberty University, #4 UNLV Rebels, #5 Iowa State, #6 Adrian, #7 Central Oklahoma, #8 Stony Brook; #9 Jamestown; #10 Missouri State
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Updated Jan 28, 2022
Top Goal Scorers
42 – Heath Mensch
29 – Caleb Strong
19 – Evan Brown
13 – Kevin Hanly
13 – Antoine Tourigny
10 – Jadon Kwiatkowski
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Breaker – ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas and the AAA Northeast Generals 18u scored the game-winning OT Shootout goal against the 3rd ranked USPHL Elite Wilkes Barre junior team in the 6th round of the shootout in a 3-2 win on Saturday……Then on Sunday morning Harris had a game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over the same team at the Revolution Ice Center in Pittston, Pa…..
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Ash Printzen of Las Vegas has 6 goals, 3 assists this season for NCAA Curry College in Milton, Mass. this season ….Gia Avalone of Las Vegas is playing this season with NCAA Adrian women’s hockey team. Like Ash, Gia is a very hard worker on the ice....
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Sunday, January 23, 2022
Game Schedule
USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 21u vs Ogden Mustangs at the Ice Sheet in Utah, 1:30 pm local time.
Final in OT- Las Vegas Thunderbirds win 3-2.
LV goal – Antoine Tourigny 13th from Bradly Burden
LV goal – Kevin Hanly 13th from Guilaume Dufour, Jadon Kwiatowski
LV winning goal – Simon-Pier Brunet 2nd goal this season
LV goalie – Loic Morin
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Saturday, January 22, 2022
UNLV Rebels 5, Arizona University 3 @Tucson Convention Center
Rebels goal scorers: Hunter Muzillo, Ezekiel Estrada, Jayson Dimizio, Bradley Golant, Max Johnson
Coach Nick Robone: “It is always hard to sweep a team like Arizona on the road – but we played a more disciplined game and capitalized on our chances. Our Special Teams were excellent for us as well.”
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USPHL Premier – OT – Utah Outliers 4, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 3 @Accord Arena, Utah
Las Vegas goal scorers – Loic Gosselin, Kevin Roswell, Evan Brown
Las Vegas goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
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AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 5, North Shore Academy – Massachusetts 2, City National Arena
Coach Matt Johnson: “This was a great win for us on Saturday. We battled and fought through adversity – we stayed strong , stuck to our game plan.”
VGK 16u goal scorers included Gavin O’Hara, Aidan Finch, Chayse Laurie, Ryan Pavlinsky and Spencer Foster.
Keynes Lake was awesome as the goalie for the VGK 16u.
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VGK 16u Top 5 Goal Scorers this season
Aidan Finch 20 goals, Chayse Laurie 15, Gavin O’Hara 13, Mason Jackson 11, Reese Bynan 7
Source – Elite Prospects
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Friday game….
Breaker – In OT the UNLV Rebels, away from home, scored to win 4-3 at Arizona University. Coach Nick Robone of the Rebels said “…we were very poised during the OT – and our players found a way to win in a tough environment.” Rebels goal scorers in order: Jaedin Ness, Jared Erickson, Brendan Manning and Max Johnson. Max scored the game-winner on a 3 on 1 break, getting a pass from Alec Johnson.
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By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – “We didn’t find Aidan Finch – he found us.”
That is what Matt Johnson, head coach of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u was saying after beating the Arizona Bobcats 16u by 7-1 before a large crowd at City National Arena last night.
Finch, 6’5 and a powerful force, played on the top line last night for Las Vegas which has star players including Chayse Laurie and goalie Logan Perez.
Aidan played last season for the Valley Thunder in Alaska. When the season was over he told his father he wanted to play for an AAA level club. “My Dad said “there’s a new team in Las Vegas. Let’s go there.“
Coach Matt Johnson said “Aidan is a big goal scorer – he has a big powerful stride – and he has a great shot. If we need a goal, put the puck on his stick.
“This was a great game for us – every single player competed hard for us. It’s a great start for us in this tournament.”
So many Las Vegas players played well – including goalie Keynes Lake for the VGK 16u. The Arizona Bobcats are coached by the legend Brent Gough. And after the game he and coach Matt shook hands and chatted for a bit.
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Heath Mensch and the USPHL Las Vegas Premier Thunderbirds were in a big road game – Thursday – taking on the Provo Riverblades at the Peak Ice Arena in Provo, Utah- Lee
//Overtime – Antoine Tourigny scores in OT for TBirds who get a big road win 5-4. Las Vegas had more shots 65-39.
Goals for Las Vegas – Simon-Pier Brunet, Guillaume DuFour, Nick Bonaldi 2 goals, Antoine Tourigny
T-Birds goalie – Gorial Yaro
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Best Quote of the Day – “Playing against Arizona University at their place this weekend is going to be a dogfight. They play everybody tight. They never get blown out. And they play better on their home ice,” said Anthony Greener, head coach, UNLV Rebels.
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Coach Matt Johnson and his AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u open a three-game home weekend on Friday first taking on the AA Arizona Bobcats 16u over at City National Arena – faceoff 5:20 pm This is a bigger game than what you might think – this Bobcats team beat the AAA VGK 16u 3-2 in their very first game in September before a very large crowd at the very same rink.. The AAA VGK 16u have a season record of 29-17-1.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u weekend schedule here in Las Vegas
Friday, Jan 21 – vs Arizona Bobcats 16u at City National Arena, 5:30 pm
//The Bobcats have played against a mix AAA and AA 16u teams all season – they are well-coached and very skilled.
Saturday, Jan 22 – vs Atlanta Fire 16u at Lifeguard Arena, Henderson, NV 1 pm
Saturday, Jan 22 – vs North Shore Academy 16u at City National Arena, 7 pm
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To Rinkrat2 @ Pepsi Arena – The #1 goalie right now for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds is Anthony Bonaldi.
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Here are Las Vegas goal scorer Heath Mensch and his astounding statistics this season with the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
38 Goals
43 Assists
81 Points
15 Power Play Goals
9 Game-Winning Goals
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Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins tweeted this today:
pensfoundation@pensfoundation · “Together, through Hockey Fights Cancer, the hockey family looks to inspire hope and courage for those who are living with, going through, and moving past cancer.”
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Breaker – Talk about Star Power. The stories about Jason Zucker coming to town had the most hits and reads of any story here posted the last few years. In our annual Vegas Hockey Awards Jason has been voted ‘Best Player from Las Vegas’ a record 15 times in a row.
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Las Vegas – Jason Zucker, who grew up and played tier hockey years ago at the Las Vegas Ice Center – Wally Lacroix was his last tier coach here in town – was taken off the injury list and started on the top line for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night vs the hometown NHL Vegas Golden Knights. Jason, on his first shift, fired a hard shot which went wide right.
Jason Zucker then jammed in a close-range goal while in a fierce battle with defensemen, then scored a second goal to help the Penguins win the game 5-3.
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Best story of the Day comes from Cory Ward, head coach, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds:
“We are doing a school visit to Galloway Elementary this Wednesday to play ball hockey with kids. I am very excited about doing something for the community during this tough time with COVID-19.”
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Breaker -Austin Moline of Las Vegas and #1 ranked AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u had 2 goals – including a short-handed goal – plus 2 assists against Culver Academy 16u during the weekend. Austin has 6 goals, 31 assists this season….Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas had one goal, two assists for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets in a 5-2 win over Kalamazoo at Memorial Arena before a crowd of 6621..…Happy birthday to our hockey grandson Jimmy Samuels who is now – get ready – 30 years old, Lee
Sunday, January 16, 2022
Best Story of the Day – Wally Lacroix: “Caden Berninger plays for St. Mary’s in the MHSAA – the Michigan High School Hockey Association. Caden played for coach Todd Owen and myself for 3 years. The history of St. Mary’s Prep is deep in professional sports. Coach Todd and myself went to Orchard Park to see Caden play in a big game. We were extremely impressed with the facility and the school grounds. They beat Gross Pointe South High School, ranked #20, 5-0. St. Mary’s is ranked #9 in the Michigan High School League. It was a great hockey game with a great crowd cheering for their St. Mary’s team.”
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Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen notes that Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas is back in action. Zach has one goal, 5 assists this season for the ECHL Ft Wayne Komets……
Sunday, Jan 16, 2022
USPHL Premier
Las Vegas Thunderbirds vs Ontario Jr Reign @ Ontario, Ca, Center Ice
//T-Birds win 7-4 – 1st goal Matthew Lackas scored from Michael Wells and Heath Mensch……Loic Morin, from Canada, is T-Birds goalie
T-Birds Goals
LV – Matthew Lackas
LV – William Chateauvert
LV – Skylar Seckerson
LV – Jadon Kwiatkowski
LV – Caleb Strong
LV – Guillaume Dufour
LV – Skylar Seckerson
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AAA 14u
Wally Lacroix’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights have two games Sunday in Rochester, Michigan
Indy Jr Fuel 3, VGK 14u 2
Coach Wally said “our young men played a tough, hard game. Kellen Hardy was our goalie. We were down 3-0 with 5 minutes to play. Then we scored a big goal, then we got a power play goal. We had such a solid effort the last 1:30 with an empty net.”
Next game Sunday
VGK 14u 7, Bigsby 2 @Suburban Ice Arena, Macomb, Michigan
Coach Wally Lacroix said “….we had a very slow start in this game – and then our athletes got it all together and played our brand of hockey. Kameron was our goalie.”
VGK 14u goals
Casey Beringer 3, Chase Nehring 2, Colin Spencer 2, Finn McNabb
VGK 14u goalie – Kameron Laskaska
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Saturday, Jan 15, 2022
AHL
Ontario Reign 5, Henderson Silver Knights 2 @ The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue
//Las Vegas goal scorer Gage Quinney got a lot of ice time in this game – very big crowd at The Orleans Arena.
ACHA D1
Jamestown Jimmies of North Dakota vs UNLV Rebels at City National Arena, Las Vegas
//UNLV wins 5-3; Vince Benedetto goalie for the Rebels; The Rebels tweeted it was their 14th straight win.
UNLV coach Anthony Greener said “….another sweep of a Top 10 ranked team.”
Nick Robone added “this is the first time all season we had to come back from a two goal deficit to win and then in Game Two we had to preserve a two goal lead. It was good for us to try and finish out games in a different manner.”
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USPHL Premier
Las Vegas Thunderbirds vs San Diego Sabers @Icetown Carlsbad in SoCal
//Final Score – T-Birds win 4-3 – star goal scorer Heath Mensch scored his 37th, 38th and 39th goals of the season.
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NAPHL 14u
Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 5, Esmark Stars 1 in Rochester, Michigan
Final Score – The Wally Lacroix-coached VGK 14u win 5-1; Kameron Laskaska goalie for Las Vegas. Coach Wally said “Kam was our goalie. Our young men played a disciplined structured hockey game – very very proud of them.”
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Las Vegas – Paxton Malone scored a very dramatic late-game OT goal for the UNLV Rebels who beat the ACHA D1 Jamestown Jimmies of North Dakota 4-3 before an excited jammed in crowd at City National Arena on Friday night.
“We had a rush towards their net from the left side,” said Rebels head coach Anthony Greener. “Max Johnson (UNLV) shot the puck, their goalie made a good save but the puck got kicked out on the right side with Paxton coming onto the ice with fresh legs. Paxton beat their D wide, took the puck to the net, went back, then slid the puck into their net.”
Paxton described it this way: “The puck just popped out there towards me. It was either shoot it or take it to the net. I took it to the net.”
That was the game-winner. The Rebels got another strong effort from their goalie Zach ‘The Wall’ Wickson. Just before OT Bradley Golant of UNLV scored an awesome top shelf goal which tied the game 3-3.
This was a hard, fiery game. However Las Vegas referee Jeff Lewis and his linesmen did awesome keeping the game on a sane level.
From The Blue Line – That was Vegas HOF coach Rob Pallin of Las Vegas at the rinkboards during this game……The goalie for Jamestown – Tyson Brouwer – has chalked up some awesome numbers this season: 21 games, 2.32 gaa and a 92.3% save percentage….The ACHA D1 Rebels are ranked #5 nationally; the D1 Jamestown Jimmies are ranked #9. These two teams go at it one more time here Saturday 7:30 pm.
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Breaker – Coach Wally Lacroix’s AA/AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u has a season record of 36-9-1 and are playing this weekend in NAPHL League games in the Detroit area. Tomorrow VJGK 14u take on the AAA Esmark Stars 14u from the greater Philadelphia area. Coach Wally noted the VGK Bantam A team is playing in Florida this weekend.
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Friday, Jan 14, 2022 Scoreboard
ACHA D1
UNLV Rebels 4, Jamestown Jimmies of North Dakota 3@City National Arena
AA
Anaheim Jr Icedogs 16u vs Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u @Lifeguard Arena, Henderson, NV – 8 pm pacific start time. (This game was postponed)
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‘Late Skate’ – painting by the famous Terrence Fogarty, Minnesota
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There is no night like Game Night – you will feel the heat and high-tension anticipation between the UNLV Rebels and Jamestown the moment you walk in tonight 7:30 pm into the City National Arena.
See you at the Blue Line, Lee….
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Breaker – The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds have two road games this weekend – on Saturday the T-Birds are playing San Diego Sabers @ Carlsbad Icetown, then on Sunday the T-Birds vs Ontario Reign @ the Ontario Center Ice.
To Rinkrat2@Pepsi Arena – Yes, Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen will be going to the bigger than big UNLV Rebels vs Jamestown game Friday 7:30 pm at City National Arena…Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA and Canada – Lee
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Best Quote of the Day – “On the ice, hockey players are rough and tough, but when one of theirs is hurt or in trouble, they are the kindest, most compassionate, sensitive humans imaginable.” Las Vegas Hockey Mom Nancy Whissel who wrote the story here on Vegas Hockey about her hockey son Harris Whissel – A Miracle on Ice
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UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener outlines the challenges his Top 5 ranked team will face when the high-powered ACHA D1 Jamestown Jimmies from icy cold North Dakota hit town here this weekend at City National Arena….
“Jamestown is a hard, tough team,” coach Greener said. “They are well-coached, great on the forecheck and finish all of their hits. We have to be tough in this one – and do a good job in our D zone control and break out and therefore check. And also we need to capitalize on our opportunities – should be a great weekend.“
UNLV vs Jamestown go at it this Friday and Saturday at City National Arena. Both games begin 7:30 pm local time. As a sidenote, Jamestown’s team bus will be on a 21-hour journey to get to Las Vegas this weekend.
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Matt Johnson, head coach of the 27-16-0 AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u, has some top teams coming into town
“We have the Anaheim Ice Dogs coming in town this Friday, 8 pm, and on Saturday, 7:40 am – both games will be at the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson,” coach Matt said. “Then the following weekend we have the Playmaker Series in town with the Arizona Bobcats, Atlanta Fire and the North Shore Hockey Academy heading here.”
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Top Goal Scorers – updated Jan 18
38 – Heath Mensch
25 – Caleb Strong
18 – Evan Brown
12 – Kevin Hanly
11 – Antoine Tourigny
10 – Jadon Kwiatkowski
6 – Loic Gosselin
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UNLV REBELS PROSPECTS CAMP
The UNLV Rebel Hockey team will once again have a prospect/tryout camp held at City National Arena on Friday, April 22nd, 2022 at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at 1:40pm. Cost per player will be $100. PLAYERS MUST HAVE AA/AAA OR JUNIOR HOCKEY EXPERIENCE TO PARTICIPATE. All participants will get a UNLV hockey jersey, socks, 2 one hour skates and a workout session with the team trainer.
Please follow our social media accounts (Facebook: UNLV Hockey, Instagram: @UNLVHockey, and Twitter: @UNLVRebelHockey) for updates.
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Las Vegas – If you want to be great you need to play the best teams – which is what Rebels coaches Anthony Greener and Nick Robone have been doing all season. Now the #4 ranked UNLV Rebels are taking the #11 ranked Jamestown Jimmies from the Dakotas for a two game weekend series starting this Friday, 7:30 pm at City National Arena. You may want to get there early for both of these games – See you there at the Blue Line, Lee
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Updated Feb 22, 2022
===============
Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
42 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
23 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
22 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy Storm 15u
16 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penacola Flyers
15 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
15 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
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11 – Michael Yochum, ACHA D1 Canisus
11 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals
9 – Trent Carter, USPHL Chicago Cougers
9 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets
7 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
6 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u
6 – Ash Printzen, NCAA Curry College
4 – Vito Carlo, NCAA Franklin Pierce University
3 – Cody Williams, Evry-Viry, France3
4 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Swamp Rabbits
3 – Jerrett Overland, EHL Express – Massachusetts
0 – Gabriel Testa, CAJNL Vernal Oilers
0 – Gia Avalone, NCAA lll Adrian College
//To add here or revise send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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On Sunday ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas dealt an assist for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u in a 5-3 loss to the AAA East Coast Spartans 18u. It was a tied game late when the Generals got a penalty and the Spartans scored for a one goal lead and then scored into an open net to clinch the win.
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Pittsburgh – Coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u closed out the weekend with a big 4-1 win over the AAA Indy Fuel 16u here on Sunday.
VGK 16u AAA Weekend in Pittsburgh
4-4 vs AAA Philadelphia Flyers Elite
5-4 over AAA West Chester Express
1-6 to AAA New Jersey Devils
4-1 over AAA Indy Fuel – VGK goal scorers Aidan Finch 2 goals; Chayse Laurie, Mason Smith.
“Keynes Lake was goalie for us in the last game – he played for Indy last season. Great bounceback win. We were executing and competing and winning battles. Nice 2-1-1 weekend for us. We showed what kind of team we can be when everyone is going. Just need to make sure we are consistent,” said VGK 16u head coach Matt Johnson.
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On Sunday the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds took on the Springfield Jr Pics at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Game time is noon Eastern – Lee
USPHL Premier ‘Winter Blast’ Tournament in Marlborough, Mass
Las Vegas Thunderbirds
3-2 over Fort Wayne
1-7 to Jr Bruins
3-4 to Chicago Cougars
Sunday
1-5 to Springfield Jr Pics
//Springfield, with a record of 17-12-0, takes 4-1 lead late in 2nd period. Evan ‘Downtown’ Brown got the goal for the T-Birds whose season record is 17-11-0….Antoine Tourigny, Loic Gosselin assisted. Gorial Yaro goalie for Las Vegas. Springfield gets the win 5-1
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Saturday Evening Final Score – USPHL Premier Chicago Cougars 4, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 3 in Marlboro, Massachusetts in the USPHL Winter Classic…Antoine Tourigny, Evan Brown and Caleb Strong scored for the TBirds; Trent Carter, an awesome defenseman from Las Vegas, had one assist for Chicago.
It is easy to report scores and names of your goal scorers and those who played well – send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Saturday – Reese Bynam scored a game-winner on a snapshot – with assists from Spencer Foster and Mason Jackson as the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u beat the AAA Westchester Express 16u 5-4 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Reese had 2 goals in this game – other VGK 16u goal scorers were Connor Beers, Chayse Laurie and Spencer Foster. Keynes Lake was the winning goalie for Las Vegas. Tonight here the VGK 16s will take on the AAA New Jersey Devils.
—-
Also today – ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas had an assist today for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u in a very tough 3-2 loss to the highly regarded AAA South Shore Kings in Marlboro, Mass.
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Friday live breaker – Evan Brown scored in overtime, Mighty Heath Mensch of Las Vegas earlier got his 36th goal and Caleb Strong scored his 23rd as the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds, down 2-0 early, rallied to beat Fort Wayne 3-2 at the New England Sports Centre in Marlborough, Mass. Anthony Bonaldi was the goalie for the T-Birds. Team records: The Las Vegas Thunderbirds are now 17-9-0, Fort Wayne 15-9-2.
The game had a mind-numbing riveting finish – Tristan Nelson, an awesome player – and a kind, caring person who has helped those in need of warm clothing and hot meals in brutally cold winter months for years in Las Vegas – and hard worker Kevin Hanly got the game-winning assists. It was Evan Brown’s 16th goal this season.
On Saturday the T-Birds will play twice – first against the Junior Bruins at 8 am local time, then take on the Chicago Cougers at 6 pm.
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Also on Friday coach Matt Johnson’s VGK 16u wound up in a wild one -a 4-4 tie vs the AAA Philadelphia Elite 16u in Pittsburgh. Star goalie Logan Perez of Las Vegas was in the net. Las Vegas goal scorers in order were Connor Beers, Gavin O’Hara, Mason Jackson and Reese Bynan. Coach Matt said “we were down 2-0 then went up 4-2 and with 3:30 left in the game we had to kill a 5-on-3 and they scored twice and we wound up 4-4 at the end of the game.”
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From the Blue Line – Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin’s first star tier line here was the Triple Threat Line with JC Caron, Travis Roseberry and Spike Neely in 1999-2000. Home games were played at the Santa Fe Stations on North Rancho Drive….To Rinkrat2 at the Pepsi Arena…Mike Trimboli of Las Vegas last played as a pro in Germany right around in the 2016-17 era….Chris Francis of Las Vegas and his AA Texas Jr Stars 14u bantam 14u team are 22-8-0 this season…Trent Carter of Las Vegas 5 goals for USPHL Premier Chicago Cougars…..Hunter Keech of Las Vegas has two goals this season with the USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders……response To Rinkrat2 – Don’t worry about ‘getting too close to the rink glass’ when those invading Utah teams and their enforcers come here to take on the UNLV Rebels. The Rebels can deal with it on the ice over at City National Arena.
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Zackary Ortolano, Las Vegas goalie with AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u is having an awesome season:
Zackary Ortolano
Record 15-5-0
1.93 gaa
92.3% save percentage
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ACHA D1 National Rankings
#1 Lindenwood 11-0-0
#2 Minot State 12-2-0
#3 Iowa State 17-2-1
#4 UNLV REBELS 16-3-0
#5 Liberty 14-4-0
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#6 Central Oklahoma 16-4-0
#7 Adrian 13-4-0
#8 Indiana Tech 16-2-0
#9 Marysville 12-5-1
#10 Missouri State 14-6-0
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Updated January 22, 2022
===============
Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
42 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
18 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy Storm 15u
12 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
11 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
11 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
8 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Pensacola Flyers
7 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
5 – Trent Carter, USPHL Chicago Cougars
3 – Cody Williams, Evry-Viry, France3
2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders
2 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL, Fort Wayne Komets
1 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits
0 – Gia Avalone, NCAA lll Adrian College
To contribute or revise send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Two of our top hometown hockey teams away from home in major tournaments. ….
USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds @New England Sports Center, Marlboro, Mass.
Jan 7 – 3-2 OT over Fort Wayne
Jan 7 – 1-7 to Jr Bruins
Jan 8 3-4 to Chicago Cougars
Jan 9 – vs Springfield Pics – 17-9-4
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u @Alpha Sports Complex, Pittsburgh
Jan 7 – 4-4 vs AAA Philadelphia Jr Flyers
Jan 8 – 5-4 over AAA West Chester Express
Jan 8 – vs AAA N.J. Devils
Jan 9 – vs AAA Indy Jr Fuel
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Coach Cory Ward of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds says their 35-goal scorer Heath Mensch is as special as it gets.
“Heath has a few things that make him an awesome goal scorer. Skill-wise his release is far beyond the USPHL,” Cory said. “He creates space for himself and in just his second year the game has slowed down for him. His consistency is something that has surprised me, in 25 games he has gone pointless only three times.
“Every team we play is trying to shut him down yet he continues to score huge goals for us and stays focused and never gets frustrated. In 25 games he also has only taken 4 penalties.
“The last thing I have to say about Heath is his effort to better every part of his game. He is always talking to me about how his defensive game can improve, how his skating can improve, and that is the sign of a great hockey player.”
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The weekend story here featuring coach Dustin Coldren’s Vegas Jr Golden Knights Bantam 14u team winning a gold medal broke an all-time record for most readers here in a single day on Vegas Hockey.
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Breaker – Erik Atchison of Las Vegas scored 2 goals and got the #2 Star of the Game for the WHL Spokane Chiefs last night in a 5-4 win over the WHL Tri City Americans at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Stadium. These were Erik’s 5th, 6th goals of the season……’Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel, a very popular Las Vegas player, returns Tuesday to his team the AAA Northeast Generals 18u, in Attleboro, Mass.
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Sunday Breaking News – Coach Dustin Coldren and his Vegas Jr Golden Knights Bantam A 14u team won a gold medal game today – Sunday, January 2 – in the Confetti Cup Tournament @City National Arena. VJK 14u beat the Capital City Thunder 14u 3-2.
There was no score in the first period and then with 4:32 remaining in the second period a power play goal was scored by Anze Guidino assisted by Ty Cranford. The game then got ultra-heated as Luca Domemus scored a power play goal assisted by Casyn Simmons and Anze Gudino. With 7:36 left in the game Luke Munroe scored assisted by Brody Litzinger and Cash Creel.
Las Vegas goaltender Varkis Beligian made 23 saves as Vegas fought off the Capital Thunder in the closing minutes of the game. This win marked the 5th gold medal in tournaments this season for the Vegas Jr Golden Knights Bantam 14u. The Las Vegas team is coached by Dustin Coldren, the assistant coach is Peter Mormillo.
Vegas Jr Golden Knights Bantam A 14u
Confetti Cup Weekend Scores
1-1 vs Vacaville Jets
3-2 over Steamboat Springs
4-2 over Capital City Thunder
Sunday – Gold Medal Game @ City National Arena
Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 3, Capital Thunder 2
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“Our League” – Painting by the famous Terrence Fogarty in Minnesota
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By: Matt Atencio
UNLV Rebels Hockey Website
Rebel Hockey is proud to announce their first ever match up against a NCAA Division One opponent.
The team will face off in a three-game set against the University of Alaska-Anchorage Ice Wolves at the start of the 2022-23 season.
“We want to put ourselves on the map,” Skatin Rebels head coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener said. “[NCAA Division One] is where we want to be one day. That is our end goal.”
The deal was able to come through due to a variety of circumstances. UAA needed a quality team to play in their preseason, and the Skatin Rebels have the ability to provide such a challenge.
The Skatin Rebels will head to the last frontier to take on the University of Alaska-Anchorage Ice Wolves for a two-game series on Oct. 14 and 15.
They will also play one game against the Ice Wolves at City National Arena on Nov. 16. This will be part of a week-long hockey event where UAA will also play Liberty in Las Vegas.
This is a massive opportunity for the Skatin’ Rebels to get more recognition on a national scale. This will allow Coach Vignieri-Greener and his staff to really see where the team is at skill wise. The team has been dominant in the American Collegiate Hockey Association for the past few seasons. Now, they get a chance to go up against a team that competes at the highest level of college hockey.
“It’s a big deal for our organization as a whole,” Skatin Rebels forward Brendan Manning said. “The transition for our program to move into NCAA Division 1 has been up in the air for quite a while. We find this opportunity to be one step closer to proving we are capable.”
Unlike in football and basketball, a team from a lower division playing an NCAA Division One school in hockey is highly uncommon. There is not a sanctioned “lower conference”, such as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), so lower-level teams rarely have the chance to gain the exposure of the bigger schools.
The team that will be on the ice for these games next season will not be the same as this one. Despite losing some key starters due to graduation heading into the next season, coach Greener is confident they will be in position to succeed heading into these games.
“It will be exciting to see how the boys compete,” Vignieri-Greener said. “I know they are up to the task. We have been recruiting higher-end kids that can compete at this level. This is their chance to put their name on the map.”
Confidence within the team is at an all-time high. The team firmly believes they are the best team whenever they step on the ice. Even going up against a foe in a higher division than them has not shaken that confidence.
“I feel confident as always when it comes to this team,” Manning said. “I believe if everyone does their part and brings the same level of confidence to the table as they have thus far, I am sure we will be happy with our results.”
A lot has gone into the Rebel’s rise in hockey prominence over the last few years. This match up against a quality NCAA Division One program is just the latest in what the coaching staff has done to make the UNLV Skatin’ Rebels a premier hockey team in the ACHA.
==========2021 VEGAS HOCKEY AWARDS==========
The dynamic Jason Zucker, the first and only Las Vegas player in the NHL is the Vegas Hockey Player of the Year for the 15th straight time.
By Lee Samuels
Jason is a top skater right now with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. In his NHL career Jason has 155 goals, 133 assists.
He grew up in Las Vegas and went to his first arena in town when he was 3 1/2 years old. His father Scott took him to meet Larry Sanford, the 7-time Vegas Hockey Roller Coach of the Year, at his Crystal Palace roller rink. Jason brought his own hockey stick that day.
Few know that Jason, like many of the star players in his era and earlier in Las Vegas, initially began to play roller hockey before moving over to ice hockey.
Jason’s last Las Vegas ice hockey coach was Wally Lacroix on an AAA Nevada Storm 16u team at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Jason was 14 1/2. When team practiced penalty shots Wally told the other players to fire off a shot in either corner, low, or high left or right corner. When it was Jason’s time to shoot Wally told him “….whatever you figure out Jason what works best to score is fine with me.” That’s how great Jason was at the time.
When Jason was getting drafted in the NHL he asked that Larry Sanford, his first hockey coach, and Rob Pallin, who did condition skates with him, go to Los Angeles with him. Jason recently got the NHL King Clancy Award for his Help for Others.
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Jack Lackas:
Las Vegas’ Jack Lackas has astounding statistics – 42 goals, 28 assists, 70 points – for AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u. More readers this week voted for Jack than any other player in history of the Vegas Hockey Awards. His hockey mom noted Jack, 15, last year was drafted by the WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes. He is the youngest ever to win such as award here.
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Wally asked us to create a new award and we did.
Best Assistant Coach
Todd Owen, AA/AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
“In his seven years as an assistant coach he’s never gotten an award for a coach and he is so deserving. It takes a team with great managers and an assistant coach like Todd to put together a winning program.
Best Referees
The team of Wally Lacroix and Todd Owen are fair, honest and have the ability to control and settle down a game when it gets rough on the ice
Las Vegas Players of the Year
Jason Zucker, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins – winner here 15 straight years
Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
Zach ‘The Wall’ Wickson, goalie, UNLV Rebels
Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
Vito Carlo, Franklin-Pierce University
Heath Mensch, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds – massive goal scorer
Ash Printzen, NCAA Curry College, Milton, Mass.
Logan Perez, goalie, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Chayse Laurie, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Gia Avalone, NCAA Adrian College
Zachary Ortolano, goalie, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u
Chase Nehring, AA/AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Carson Craig, AA/AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Best GM
Adam Bonaldi, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Best Coaches of the Year
Anthony Greener and Nick Robone, UNLV Rebels
Cory Ward, Joe Sullivan, Hamilton Whyte, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Matt Johnson, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Wally Lacroix, AA/AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u and Todd Owen, AA/AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
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Best Assistant Coach
Todd Owen
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Best out of state coach – Chris Francis of Las Vegas and the AA Texas Jr Stars 16u
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Best UNLV Rebels
Forward – Max Johnson
Defenseman – Hunter Muzzillo
All Heart – Jared Erickson
Goalie – The Wall, Zach Wickson
Best AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Logan Perez, goalie
“Logan has a great work ethic – always working to be better and who wants to play against the best competition. Many say they work hard – but he does it!” said coach Matt Johnson.
Chayse Laurie
“Chase has that amazing ability to make the players around him better and even more so in practices with his work ethic. He also puts himself in good positions on the ice,” said coach Matt.
Aidan Finch
Gavin Ohara
Best AA/AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Casey Beringer – forward
Chase Nehring – forward
Carson Craig – defenseman
All Heart – Jaxson Sabataso
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Best Referees
Wally Lacroix, Todd Owen
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Best Hockey Rink
City National Arena
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Special Award
Las Vegas Ice Center
//Team Brooks – Kirk, Kenny and team did awesome while hosting the recent Silver Sticks Western Regional which brought in the top teams from LA, Arizona and Utah teams – 10 Gold Stars to all who helped make the tournament so special.
Best rink coffee
City National Arena
//When you walk into the arena, turn left and there is a cool little coffee shop.
Best Hockey Writer
Bethany Drysdale
Best character in Lee’s annual Christmas hockey story – Johnny Gold
To contact Vegas hockey
Send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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By Lee Samuels and (daughter) Mary Kate Zurfluh
Mary Kate is the author of the children’s book ‘Flash, The Very Brave Cat’
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December 24, 2021 – Las Vegas – It was snowing outside of the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive. Inside the Pro Shop Dave Francis was sharpening skate blades as usual. When he finishes and gives the sharpened skates to a player Dave always says “that’s good for two goals tonight.”
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Meanwhile during warmups – Johnny Gold was on the ice with his two enforcers the Barstow Brothers. And amazingly the Las Vegas coaches spotted a player they call The Genius. He has the mystic ability to look at a scoreboard and change the score – like for example – magically add some goals.
Just what Vegas didn’t want actually…
On the bench during warmups Anthony Greener asked Nick Robone “….what do we really have on this team”
Nick flipped through some pages in his thick handwritten notebook.
Nick told all the hometown coaches Rob Pallin, Anthony Greener, Cory Ward, Wally Lacroix, Matt Johnson and Chris Francis from the Texas Jr Stars:
“Johnny Gold and his team just came in from Billings, Montana. The riot there started early in the third period. The Barstow Brothers took out two of the bigtime Billings goal scorers. The game didn’t actually finish – too many fans got onto the ice. The Barstow Brothers won that battle too and then got onto their team bus to come here.”
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Meanwhile in the Pepsi Arena pro shop Kid Leah, age 10, asked the Barstow Brothers if they wanted some pre-game Christmas cookies.
“I don’t think you are as mean as you look – not with Santa coming our way in a few days,” she said politely.
One of the Barstow brothers laughed. “Santa never came to our place. Neighborhood too rough. And we never had what you call as real parents. Our coaches raised us.”
“Oh, such a shame,” young Leah said while holding out the tray of assorted Christmas cookies. “I was hoping to meet your mother and father.”
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Something was oozing out of the mouth of one of the Barstow brothers.
“Please tell me you don’t have chewing tobacco in your mouth,” Kid Leah said politely.
And that’s when the sirens went off in the casino. A slot machine was being tampered with. Authorities were looking for The Genius who scooted out of the casino and was back in the sold out Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive. The Genius said he was looking for Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen. “He better stay out of my psychic way.’
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On the Las Vegas bench Gramps was lining up the players sticks. He knew who was on each line and had everything done perfectly like always. No one loves Game Nights more than Gramps. He is and always will be a beloved one at all hockey games here in town.
Nick Robone told coaches Greener, Rob Pallin and Chris Francis, Matt Johnson and Wally Lacroix “…the Barstow brothers will first try to take out our enforcers. That gives Johnny Gold room to do his fancy moves on the ice right in front of our net.”
“What’s with all of those coaches on the Vegas bench – who is running the ship,” Jack Black said as he was filling out his lineup card.
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A few moments later there was a gasp from the big crowd. Anthony Greener’s famous #96 jersey framed on the south wall for years at the Pepsi Arena was missing. In fact Johnny Gold was wearing #96 jersey in warmups. Gramps lost it saying “somebody please do something. This just cannot keep going on. It is Christmas Eve for goodness sakes.”
That’s when Johnny Gold skated towards the Vegas bench. “Fits perfectly – thank you #96.” Greener was simmering – like for real.
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Chris Francis said “everyone calm down. I know Johnny Gold. He is trying to play mind games with us and the game hasn’t even started yet.”
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“Everyone stay cool here on the bench – let’s not all of this affect our players,” said coach Rob Pallin.
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Then someone – maybe Gramps – said “Skitters is missing.”
Skitters is the Pepsi Arena cat – every rink has one….except Skitters is extra special.
On the other bench one of the Barstow Brothers held up Skitters. “He’s rooting for our team now,” he said.
But Skitters was shaking and moving trying to get back to home on the Las Vegas bench.
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Buddy Caron was on the Zamboni and just before the game started the Zamboni stopped in front of the opposing team which included head coach Jack Black and the Barstow Brothers. The Zamboni stalled and then belched a plume of black smoke at coach Black and the Barstow Brothers. There was absolute mayhem going on. The Genius promise revenge was going to happen.
“Glad Buddy is on our team,” said coach Matt Johnson.”That was a direct hit.”
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The game got underway and back and forth it went. Kid Leah, over by the Pro Shop, was baking more cookies for a post-game treat. Dave Francis was sharpening one more skate. Gramps was lining up the sticks for the Vegas players.
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Finally, Vegas went ahead by a goal. Kid Jimmy, who had never scored a goal, lasered in a low liner for the game-winner. The Genius on the other bench did his telepathy bit and tried to reverse the score but for some reason the Pepsi scoreboard wasn’t responding.
Someone, Skitters the rink cat, got revenge and had bitten into the wiring and the scoreboard was stuck at 7 to 7.
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And that’s how the game ended, a tie. There was joy from the Vegas fans – we didn’t lose to a touring team which was unbeaten for two years. Gramps began to gather up the sticks.
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Most of the visiting players stormed out of the arena. The Barstow Brothers didn’t though. They wanted more Christmas cookies from the perfect host Kid Leah who welcomed them over by the pro shop where Dave Francis was sharpening one more pair of skates.
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Outside the rink the coaching crew of Rob Pallin, Anthony Greener, Nick Robone, Wally Lacroix, Cory Ward, Chris Francis and Matt Johnson walked out of a side door at the Pepsi Arena. It was a bright starry night. And a gentle snow was just getting underway.
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All of our coaches and myself want to wish our dear readers on Vegas Hockey a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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THE VEGAS FIVE
Updated January 3, 2022
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Away from Home 2021-22
Goals
42 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
18 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy Storm 15u
11 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
9 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
9 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
8 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Pensacola Flyers
7 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
6 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
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Flash Final Score Monday – Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 10, AAA Northeast Generals 2 in Blaine, Minnesota…..Star goalie Logan Perez was in the net today for the VGK 16s. Goal scorers included Gavin Ohara (3 goals), Jacob Webb (3) plus goals from Chayse Laurie, Ryan Disbrow, Aidan Finch and Spencer Foster. The VGK 16u have a season record of 26-13-0.…The Northeast Generals are from Attleboro, Massachusetts….
Best Stat of the Day – Matthew Gross of Las Vegas and the NA3HL El Paso Rhinos has 10 goals this season…Vito Carlo of Las Vegas playing with NCAA Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire this season…
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Sunday Stunner – Luke Miller scored a dramatic short-handed goal in the 2nd OT for the Wally Lacroix Vegas Jr Golden Knights in a 3-2 win over the Northern Colorado Eagles to get the bronze medal today in Arvada, Colorado. “Our young men played a great hockey game – we went back to basics – lots of net front prescence and hard-working goals including the overtime goal,” said coach Wally. Kameron Laskaska goalie today for Las Vegas.
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The great hockey mom Wendy Roksvold sends this: big goal scorer Kyle Callahan and his wife Shelby Callahan of Las Vegas welcomed a new daughter, Brinley Mae, she was born December 3rd at 9:56 pm. She is 7 lb, 11oz and 19.5” tall. “They are all doing great! Gunnar is a super proud Uncle.
“This is our first grandchild and we are over the moon!,” said hockey mom Wendy.
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Sunday Game Final Score in Blaine, Minnesota – AAA New Hampshire Avalanche 16u 4, VGK 16u 0
//“Tomorrow we play the Northeast Generals,” said VGK 16u head coach Matt Johnson.
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Sunday Final 4 Game – L.A. Jr Kings 14u 4, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 0. Tomorrrow – Monday – VGK 14u vs the Northern Colorado Eagles 14u in a Bronze Medal Game. Coach Wally Lacroix: “We stay the course and move forward – good things happen to hard working teams. We play for the bronze medal at 3 pm tomorrow – a rematch against the Eagles from yesterday.“
Saturday Final Score @ Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, Minnesota – AAA NorthStar Knights 16u 7, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 0. “We next play the Chicago Reapers today,” said VGK 16u head coach Matt Johnson.
Game Two/Saturday Final Score@Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, Minnesota – Gavin O’Hara scored for the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u in a very tough 2-1 loss to the AAA Chicago Reapers 16u. Star goalie Logan Perez was in the net for the VGK 16u.
Saturday Final Score – Northern Colorado Eagles 14u 2, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 0 “We didn’t get the bounces we needed in this one – Kameron was our goalie today,” said VGK 14u head coach Wally Lacroix. Today’s game was in Arvada, Colorado. Tomorrow – Sunday – VGK 14u take on the L.A. Jr Kings 14u in a playoff game.
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Friday – Flash Final Score – Goalie Kameron Laskaska got the shutout victory as coach Wally Lacroix’s Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u beat the Boise Jr Steelheads 6-0 in Arvada, Colorado. In their second game on Friday the VGK 14u beat the Colorado Rampage by 10-1. Goalie Kellen Hardy was in the net for Las Vegas. “Our young men were determined to play and took all the time and space away all night long,” coach Wally said.
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THE GREATNESS OF LAS VEGAS HOCKEY COACH ROB PALLIN
A LOOK AT VEGAS HOCKEY COACH ROB PALLIN
Years ago hockey coach Rob Pallin helped turned Las Vegas hockey around, putting it on a national map. He has coached on the AA midget 18u/16u level, AAA midget 18u, UNLV college hockey, the ECHL level with the Las Vegas Wranglers. He is a Seven-Time Vegas Hockey Coach of the Year.
Here is a look at his ‘early years’ of coaching when the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u were coming off a 4-21-0 season.
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Coach Rob began skating at the age of three on ponds in Chisholm, Minnesota. He is the youngest of nine children. His father was a math and science teacher at a Catholic high school in Minnesota. Rob skated on local teams and then was recruited by Frank Serratore, now the head coach at the Air Force Academy, to skate on his Junior A team – the Austin, Minnesota, Mavericks. Rob, at 16, was one of the youngest skaters on the team.
While skating Junior A hockey, the Mavericks won the 1984-84 USHL championship and Rob was named to the U.S. National Junior team. He was recruited by many colleges and played initially at Minnesota-Duluth and later transferred to Western Michigan.
Following college, he skated in Germany and then found his way to Las Vegas when he played professionally for the Las Vegas Aces who played out of the now-closed Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena. Rob also skated roller professionally on the Pro Beach Hockey’s Heavy Metal team whose games were televised on ESPN and later with the Las Vegas Coyotes.
Serratore said Pallin was one of his best players.
”I picture Rob, and always will, as the up and coming youngster with the wonderful skills,” Serratore told author Joe McCauley who wrote about Rob in the book ‘Puck Dreams & Other Stories’ published by 1st Books Library in 2003.
Here is Rob’s Las Vegas midget major coaching record:
ROB PALLIN EARLY YEARS COACHING RECORD
2000-01
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..36-15-3
//Rob puts together the Triple Threat Line featuring Travis Roseberry, J.C. Caron and Spike Neely which was one of the most powerful lines in the West.
//A young Eddie Del Grosso plays defense for the first time.
2001-02
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..60-11-3
//Powerful ‘Red Line’ of Josh Jasek, Adam Naglich and Eddie Samuels set 10 team scoring records. Each advanced to Jr. A level hockey. This was the very first AA Las Vegas team to play the U.S. Nationals.
//Cody Fulwiler and Paul Lowden are the two best goalies in the West. Combined, the two had a club-record 10 shutouts.
//Southwest League Champions
//Pacific District Regional Champions
//5-0-0 at Pacific District Championships
//3-1-0 at U.S. Nationals
2002-03
AAA Las Vegas Outlaws………………..33-24-5
//First Las Vegas AAA midget level team.
//Cody Morin top goal scorer.
//Vancouver Sun Silver Division Champions
//First Las Vegas team nationally rated
//2-2-1 at Pacific District Championships including a riveting 6-5 OT win over the Alaska All-Stars in a game played in Fairbanks.
2003-04
AA Las Vegas Rebels…………………….30-19-9
//Huge season for top line of Anthony Greener, Conrad Trimbath and Kurt Long.
//Opened season 13-0-2, a club record
//3-1-0 record at Pacific District Championships
2004-05
AA Las Vegas Outlaws……………………31-24-3
//First team to skate at new Fiesta Stations Ice Arena
//Beat Arvada in 4-3 thriller to win Holiday Blast Tournament on home
ice.
//Silver medalists at Richmond, B.C. Tournament
//Beat AAA L.A. Jr. Kings minors in thriller 3-2 and then defeated AA Long Beach midget majors 3-0 to capture Tier 1 Southwest League Championship.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker were leading goal scorers – with 31 apiece. Conrad Trimbath is named MVP.
2005-06
AA Las Vegas Rebels……………………………56-11-4
//For the 6th straight season, Las Vegas wins its opening game of the season. The Rebels beat the So-Cal Vipers 9-0.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker set a club record by recording back-to-back hat tricks during the Labor Day Blast at Las Vegas.
//In 5 away games, the Rebels score 45 goals and win all 5 games at the Duel in the Desert in Phoenix.
//On Oct. 4, Las Vegas defeats the Cal Cougars 4-2 for coach Rob’s 200th career win.
//Las Vegas wins all 5 games in Southwest League competition in Peoria, Arizona and is unbeaten in 10 straight.
//Ryan King has 16-point weekend as Rebels go 4-1-0 in Southwest League action at the Glacial Gardens. Chris Francis gets his 5th hat trick of the season, tying record held by Adam Naglich.
//Chris Francis scores 7 goals as Las Vegas wins all five games to capture the gold medal at the Silversticks Regionals in Portland during Thanksgiving weekend.
//On Dec. 22, Rebels beat the Alumni skaters 7-4 before a big crowd in their annual charity game.
//On Dec. 26, the Rebels beat the Phoenix Firebirds 2-0 win a Southwest League game and won their 30th game of the season. The Rebels, with Pallin as head coach, have won 30 or more games six straight seasons.
//On Dec 29, the Rebels beat the L.A. Jr. Kings 6-5 to win all five SWYHL games and raise their unbeaten record to a team-record 18-0-1.
//On Dec 31, coach Rob is named the 2005 Las Vegas ‘Coach of the Year’
//On Jan 16, the Rebels beat Cal North Stars 7-2 to win MLK tournament, raise record to 40-6-1 and extend unbeaten record to 24 straight.
//Rebels go unbeaten 27 straight games, a new team record.
//Rebels beat L.A. Hockey Club AAA 16u 3-2 to win the gold medal at Kings Challenge Cup during President’s Day weekend in El Segundo, Calif.
//Rebels go 5-0-0 including thrilling 5-4 OT win over Cal North Stars in gold medal game to win the Pacific District Regional Championship.
//Rebels 3-2-0 at U.S. Nationals, beating New Jersey Devils 6-5 OT in Final Eight game before losing 3-2 to Butler Valley, Pa. in a thrilling Final 4 game in Pittsburgh. Rebels broke over a dozen records this season including most goals, 404, and had nine skaters with 20+ goals for the year. Chris Francis was top scorer at U.S. Nationals with 7 goals, 6 assists.
Las Vegas Career Record……………………………………………..247-94-26
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It is easy to report scores and highlights – send to leesamuels07@aol.com – we are open 24/7
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Breaker – Coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are in Blaine, Minnesota to play in a NAPHL Showcase at the famous Schwan Super Rink. The VGK 16s have a record of 26-13-3.
VGK 16s Schedule in Minnesota
Dec 18 – 0-7 to AAA NorthStar Christian Knights 23-9-0 – Minnesota team
Dec 18 – 1-2 to Chicago Reapers
Dec 19 – 0-3 to AAA New Hampshire Avalanche
Dec 19 – 10-2 vs AAA Northeast Generals – Attleboro, Massachusetts
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The Anthony Greener, Nick Robone coached UNLV Rebels have a 12-game win streak, the longest that we know in Rebels hockey history. Coach Robone says “…..as for the streak we really haven’t focused much on it. Anthony and myself have been preaching to players that they need to each be hungry for each week. We’ve prepare for all opponents the same way regardless of rankings. I think that consistency helps our players stay focused.”
UNLV, ranked #4 nationally, will return to action vs #15 ranked Jamestown of North Dakota on January 14-15 at City National Arena. These are two must-see games.
ACHA D1 Rankings
#1 Lindenwood
#2 Minot
#3 Iowa State
#4 UNLV Rebels
#5 Liberty
#6 Adrian
#7 Central Oklahoma
#8 Indiana Tech
#9 Maryville
#10 Missouri State
Next – Ohio, Pittsburgh, Stony Brook, Illinois, Jamestown and Arizona
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This has been an awesome season for Las Vegas goalie Zachary Ortolano with AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u. He will play on an All-Star team during the NAPHL games in Minnesota this week.
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By Zachary Ortolano
I committed full time to competitive travel hockey at the squirt level where I played for the Las Vegas Storm organization until the Vegas Golden Knights came to town. I played club hockey with the Vegas Junior Golden Knights top AA program for three seasons as well as playing for Faith Lutheran High School varsity hockey team where I lettered as a freshman. Our club team played all over the country and I have even competed in the International Tournament in Granby outside of Montreal for both of my Bantam years.
In April 2019 our club team, Vegas Jr. Golden Knights, was able to clinch the 2019 USA Hockey National Championship vs. a stacked Atlanta team in Plano, Texas. We swept the tournament and I led all starting goaltenders with a 0.972 Save Percent only giving up 4 goals in aver 200 minutes of game time. (https://nationals.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1010771 )
In the summer of 2019, I went with a select team to Hockey Night in Boston’s Sophomore Prep Showcase in Haverhill, MA. Our team (Western) went on to sweep the entire tournament going 6-0. I was the 3rd highest ranked goaltender in Goals Against Average and Save Percentage out of 32 goalies in our division after the tournament ended. It was there I committed to making the jump to prep school hockey where I can play the highest level of hockey and focus on my education at the same time.
For the 2019-2020 Hockey season, I committed one more season to the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights where we were ready to defend, as National Champions. COVID-19 put a stop that. Our club team competed in the NAPHL, playing our league games in Minnesota. We competed in some great showcases such as the CCM World Invite Tournament in Chicago and the Nashville Jr. Predators NHL Showcase where we won the tournament by beating the Jr. Sharks, Jr, Coyotes and then the Jr. Predators.
During the first half of 2020, I toured several college prep schools throughout New England and Minnesota. After meeting with coaches and going through the application process, I was accepted by several schools and made the decision to attend Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota. It was my top choice and I am happy to be here now, playing hockey for this amazing program with some of the most talented players in the world for my age group.
I have had several great former NHL, College and Pro level coaches and mentors along the way and regularly train with dedicated goaltending coaches on my own. In addition to skating on ice, I regularly cross train off ice, working on flexibility, durability, reflexes and nutrition with my personal trainer. I regularly use Vizual Edge for eye training to enhance my game. I was selected to represent Nevada at the USA Hockey Pacific District Camp and have been selected for the new USA Hockey goaltending initiative (51 in 30). In July 2018.
Education has always been a top priority in my family, and I have attended private schools since preschool. I attended the top academic private school in Nevada, The Meadows School, until 8th grade where I transferred to a larger school, Faith Lutheran, which was a better fit with a school hockey program. This prepared me well for my academic life at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School where the boarding environment requires proper time management and study habits. I am a good student, although not academically gifted, I try to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA through most of the year despite missing a lot of school for hockey. I have studied Spanish and currently French as well as taking a recent interest in business management and architecture.
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Monday – The amazing Heath Mensch of Las Vegas has 35 goals this season for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds…Heath scored 5 times in an 8-4 road win over the San Diego Sabers on Saturday at the Carlsbad Ice Arena in SoCal. The T-Birds on Sunday beat San Diego 9-4.
The Las Vegas Thunderbirds swept San Diego last weekend 8-4, 9-4. T-Birds this coming weekend are on the road, taking on the USPHL Premier Ontario Jr Reign @ the Center Ice Arena in Ontario, Ca.
Fuzzy Atchison has 18 goals, 11 assists this season with AAA Windy City Storm 16u…..Hunter Barto of Las Vegas has 9 goals, 11 assists for the USPHL Premier Ontario Jr Reign in Socal. D-man Austin Moline 4 goals, 24 assists for AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u
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Catching up today – we were out of town last weekend – here is what happened in Las Vegas
Saturday scores:
UNLV Rebels 7, Arizona State 3 – Rebels, coached by Anthony Greener and Nick Robone, win decisively, extend win streak to 12 straight…..
Rebels goal scorers – Jared Erickson, Michael Boutoussov (on fire last few games), Nick Flanders, Brad Golant, Nick Flanders again, Hunter Muzzillo and Bradley Golant again – the Rebels have such a balanced attack and a great number of goal scorers.
Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 5, AAA Arizona Jr Coyotes 15u 3
VGK 16u goal scorers – Connor Beers 2 goals, Adan Finch 2 goals, Kaden Mulcahy 1 goal; Chayse Laurie 2 assists; star goalie Logan Perez 25 saves on 28 shots.
2nd Game
AAA Arizona Jr Coyotes 16u 3, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 0
//Coach Matt: “Both of our goalies played great. The Coyotes 16u are a heavy team – all 2005s. They are fast and quick on pucks. It was a great experience for our guys to see what is like to compete at that level. Eye opener! Hopefully we will take what we have learned and use it this weekend in Minnesota.
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Breaker – Erik Atchison, one of the precious few from Las Vegas who has ever played in the WHL, had a powerplay goal for the WHL Spokane Chiefs in a game vs the WHL Portland Winterhawks.
Best email of the Day
Great posts on Vegashockey.net! If you get a chance please come see the Vegas Jr Golden Knights Pee Wee AA team that has been selected to play the The Quebec Pee Wee International this year. Coached by Brian Salcido and registered for the Confetti Cup over new years weekand at CNA & Lifeguard Arena. These boys are 14 and 5 this season and some future Vegas born stars in net and many other positions. Look for Owen Schneider #91, Chase Raugust #18, and the big russian machine Timothy Kershkov #98. These boys score goals in bunches and so do the rest. Thanks!
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Las Vegas – The ‘Wall’ goalie Zach Wickson is in the net tonight vs Arizona State. UNLV Rebels are ranked #5 in the nation…..UNLV tweeted this is their first home game in over a month —-UNLV strikes early, lead by 2-0….Paxton Malone of UNLV gets short-handed goal to give Rebels very quick 3-0 lead. Score is now 4-0 Rebels. 1st Period comes to a close….UNLV this season has only allowed 2.3 goals per game…ASU scores on a 5 on 3 powerplay to make it a 4-1 game, favored UNLV…in second period Rebels get a goal from Luke Burke to increase lead to 5-1….Rebels score again to make it 6-1….end of the second period…..in the 3rd period Jared Erickson skates through traffic and fires in a shot for a goal and a 7-1 Rebels lead…on Rebels livestream we spotted referee Wally Lacroix and linesman Todd Owen working this game ………there is a very big hometown crowd tonight…It is over – UNLV Rebels win 8-1 for their 11th straight win
Here are UNLV goal scorers in order in this game:
Ezekiel Estrada
Jared Erickson
Paxton Malone
Luke Burke
Michael Boutoussov
Luke Burke
Michael Boutoussov
Nick Flanders
Game Two of this weekend series is on Saturday, 7:30 pm at City National Arena in Las Vegas.
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Coming right here on Christmas Eve – The Kid Who Never Scored a Goal is our holiday story which will include many coaches in Las Vegas including Rob Pallin, Anthony Greener, Nick Robone, Matt Johnson, Wally Lacroix and Chris Francis plus appearances from The Genius – who can just glance at a scoreboard and give his team bunches of goals – plus from East L.A. comes Johnny Gold and the Barstow Brothers. Oh, and Gramps is over there by the stick rack and blade sharpener Dave Francis is doing his thing in the pro shop. Santa is on his way and bringing lots of goodies and toys – only if he can land his sleigh in a rare Christmas Eve blizzard here. – Lee
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Las Vegas – The Anthony Greener-coached #5 ranked UNLV Rebels are in heavy action tonight – Friday – taking on big rival Arizona State on home ice at the City National Arena. Game time is 7:30 pm
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Major breaking news right now – Chris Francis, who brought his AAA Texas Jr Stars tier team to the Silver Sticks Western Regional tournament a few weeks ago at the Las Vegas Ice Center, is now an assistant coach with NAHL Odessa Jackalopes. Congratulations to coach Chris. He is of the all-time tier goal scorers from Las Vegas.
Jack Lackas of Las Vegas and the Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u has been drafted second overall by the WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas and the AAA Windy City Storm 15u in Chicago, has been drafted 28th overall by the WHL Edmonton Oil Kings.
When he heard the news Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin said “…..we work with Jackson every summer. He’s a good one. Competes hard.”
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Bet You Didn’t Know – “The last year I coached ice hockey was 2018-19, u-12 peewee AA, I was an asst coach to head coach Kevin Mulcahy,” said Bo Lackas of Las Vegas.
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10 QUESTIONS FOR CORY WARD, COACH, USPHL PREMIER LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS
1 – “Initially who’s idea was it to assemble three head coaches?”
Adam Bonaldi gave me a call after I was referred to him. He asked if coaching a Las Vegas Jr. team was something I would be interested in. After bringing Joe Sullivan and Hamilton Whyte on board we realized we all have different strengths as coaches. We felt having three voices gives young men different points of view to learn and ultimately help them develop.
2 – “Was it hard for you as an awesome player and goal scorer to turn to coaching?”
For me it was not. I haven’t been disconnected from the game very long at all and I have studied the game of hockey for over 23 years. We still have the same passion for coaching as we did playing so seeing players develop gives us the same satisfaction as scoring goals or winning big games.
3 – “When you played the game who were the best coaches you ever played for?”
Richard Seeley – Manchester Monarchs; Mike Stothers – Ontario Reign; Micah Sanford – Las Vegas Stars
4 – “Heath Mensch has always been a big goal scorer – but he has taken it to a new level this season, how did this happen?”
Heath Mensch has an unbelievable scoring skill set. His offensive hockey IQ, and his release are far beyond the USPHL. He has developed this season in understanding scoring doesn’t only come from when the puck is on your stick. He has learned to play the game the right way, how to play the game away from the puck, and has taken huge steps in becoming a leader.
5 – “What are the responsibilities of each coach in practices?”
A huge reason we have three coaches is to split responsibilities. There are some areas where one coach knows better than another. Nobody has an ego so the only goal is to develop these young men and get better every day. You can only expect the players to do that as a team if the staff can work as a team. At the end of the day these are young men who all learn differently. Some better with Sulli, some better with Hamilton, some better with me.
6 – “On game nights, who does what during the games?”
On the bench Sulli runs the defense, and Hamilton runs the offense. They do a great job with time management, matching lines, and understanding the players. I am watching with a more open mindset. Watching systems, habits, and finding what we are or aren’t doing well.
7 – “In the USPHL Premier who are your biggest rivalries and why?”
Fresno Monsters are our rivals. We played each other 15 times last season, they knocked us out of playoffs, and we always have good battles when we play. We will probably see them in playoffs again this year.
8 – “Did you wear the same jersey number each season when you played?”
I did throughout youth hockey, but I was forced to change it in college… then throughout professional hockey I honestly did not always get to choose. You kind of wear what they give you a lot of the time.
9 – “What do you think of the T-Birds playoff chances?”
Playoffs for our division (Pacific) consist of the top 4 teams and right now we are in 2nd, so our chances look good.
10 – “What was the biggest game you have ever played in and why?”
The biggest game I ever played in was my first Game 7. If any hockey player can get the chance to play in a game 7 it is an unbelievable experience. There is nothing like a professional hockey game 7.
Thanks Lee I appreciate it!
Breaker – The AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are off to Arizona this coming weekend. “Two games against the AAA Arizona Jr Coyotes 16u, one game against the AAA Arizona Jr Coyotes 15u at the Ice Den in Scottsdale,”announced VGK 16u coach Matt Johnson….
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Season Record – 16-9-0
Top 5 Goals – updated
35 – Heath Mensch
22 – Caleb Strong
16 – Sniper Evan Brown
11- Kevin Hanly
9 – Jadon Kwaitowski
9 – Antoine Tourigny
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Sunday Breaker – The Matt Johnson-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u today beat the AAA Tahoe Prep Academy 16u 7-2 at Lake Tahoe to close out a very successful weekend. “We had a bunch of different goal scorers – Gavin O’Hara two goals, Chayse Laurie 2 goals and goals from Mason Smith, Ryan Pavlinsky and Aidan Finch. Keynes Lake was our goalie today,” said coach Matt. “Now it’s time to gear up and go back home.”
Saturday – Final Score UNLV Rebels 5, @ Grand Canyon University 2.….UNLV started goalie Vince Benedetto in this road game ..Vince is from Edmonton, Canada…Hunter Muzzillo scored Rebels first goal…….Max Johnson had a goal for UNLV..…Rebels defenseman Sean Plonski was selected the ‘Player of the Game.’
UNLV Rebels goal scorers in order
Brenden Fehlig
Hunter Muzzillo
Brendan Manning
Max Johnson
Michael Boutoussov
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The UNLV Rebels chalked up another road win, this one 3-2 over Grand Canyon University on Friday night. Max Johnson, Nick Flanders and Brenden Fehlig scored. The Rebels got another ultra-strong effort from star goalie ‘The Wall’ Zach Wickson. This marked the 6th straight time that the Rebels have won on the road.
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AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
All Games at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena
Friday, Dec 3, 2021
6-5 OT over vs AAA Tahoe Prep Academy 16u
Saturday, Dec 4
8-0 over AAA West Coast Renegades 16u
Next Game Saturday
3-0 over AAA Ontario Jr Reign 16u
//Aidan Finch 2 goals, Gavin O’Hara one goal for VGK 16u
Sunday, Dec 5
7-2 over AAA Tahoe Prep Academy 16u
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//Lake Tahoe, Nevada – In a wild one with a maddening finish Gavin O’Hara sent a game-winning pass to bigtime goal scorer Chayse Laurie who scored as the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u rallied dramatically to beat AAA Tahoe Prep 6-5 in OT on Friday night. Logan Perez was in net for the VGK 16s. “This game was a character-builder for sure – we had to battle back multiple times and our boys never quit trying,” coach Johnson said. “The end of the game went like this – Gavin wound up with the puck in the neutral zone. Drove wide. Took a defender with him. Chayse went right to the net, Gavin dished the puck and Chayse hammered it home.”
Saturday, Dec 4
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
8-0 over AAA West Coast Renegades Utah 16u
vs AAA Ontario Jr Reign – 6 pm today
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Best Stats of the Day
Las Vegas goalie Zachary Ortolano
AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
13-4-0 record
1.79 gaa
93.2% save percentage
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Friday – It’s Game Night for the UNLV Rebels who are away from home taking on Grand Canyon University beginning tonight at the Peoria Ice Center in Arizona. Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are at Lake Tahoe today to begin a weekend of tier hockey games.
Breaker – Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas and the Fife Flyers leads the EIHL with 7 goals, 11 assists. Hockey dad John McNicholas has more on the EIHL – the league where his son Michael plays for with the EIHL Flyers in Scotland. “The Elite Ice Hockey League is the top league in Great Britain. There are 8 teams – three from Scotland, three from England, 1 from Cardiff, Wales and one from Belfast in Northern Ireland.“
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The other night we were at a game over at the Pepsi Ice Arena inside of the Fiesta Stations Hotel-Casino on North Rancho Drive in Las Vegas and one of the fans asked “why is UNLV Jersey #96 framed up there on the south wall?” We took a look and there it was – Anthony Greener’s famous UNLV Rebels #96. The fan asked “..tell me more about him.” – Lee
Flashback Story…
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Las Vegas – “We don’t print jersey #96 anymore,” UNLV defenseman and promotions guru Arturo Castro was saying. “Not since Greener graduated.”
Jersey #96 is the most famous jersey of all time in Las Vegas. Anthony Greener wore it for what, 4 1/2 seasons. He was UNLV captain two seasons, co-captain two seasons.
He played on the top line for UNLV in every single game he ever skated for with the Rebels.
And all of a sudden the Alumni Game is scheduled and Greener is one of the Rebels greats invited to play.
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It’s amazing Greener is skating because the way he went out of the game – checked brutally hard when he was down and against the boards at Long Beach State quite a few seasons ago. It was a totally unfair way to shut down one of the greatest players of our time in Las Vegas.
Greener is on an alumni roster which includes Mike Zenzola, Sam Braniff, Jordan Brusig, Todd Monteros, Doug Wenglare and Vegas Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Chris Tate.
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So where are Greener’s home and away UNLV #96 jerseys. Well, one is framed and hung with care on the south wall of the Pepsi Ice Arena.
“I think my Mom has one, Gramps may have one,” Greener said last night. “That’s about it.”
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Greener said the best UNLV line he ever played on included the giant goal scorer Josh Jasek and Scott Rensmon.
“Jasek and I both made All-American that year. I had what, like 85 points. Another line I liked being on was with Sam Braniff and Robbie Silvernail. We had a few good combos and (coach) Rob Pallin was always good with finding the right lines and not really messing with them too much,” Greener said.
Greener’s biggest goals for UNLV?
“That’s a tough one,” he said. “Maybe scoring two goals with less than 50 seconds to play to beat Utah in their own building. Or maybe it was the breakaway winner to beat San Diego State with only a minute left. We had a alot of big goals when we were in that big unbeaten stretch on our home ice.
“So yes I will be skating in the Alumni Game. I don’t know what jersey though. I will wear whatever Arty (Arturo Castro) throws at me. I’ve been skating pretty good in town on Thursdays and Sunday nights,” Greener said.
Which brings us to Arturo Casto, the UNLV defenseman who in the fall was crushed from behind by a player from Long Beach State. Arturo had a very bad back injury and wore a neck brace at UNLV home games during the season.
But sometimes the will to play is too much.
Arturo plans to suit up and skate in the Alumni game.
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It’s about to heat up for star coach Matt Johnson and his AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team. Coach Matt and the VGK 16u are off to Lake Tahoe this weekend.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
All Games at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena
Friday, Dec 3
vs AAA Tahoe Prep Academy 16u
Saturday, Dec 4
vs AAA West Coast Renegades 16u
vs AAA Ontario Jr Reign
Sunday, Dec 5
vs AAA Tahoe Prep Academy
“This is a big weekend for us,” said coach Matt. “We had a great week in Dallas prior to the Thanksgiving Day week break. We have a pretty heavy part of the season ahead of us playing 8 straight weekends and six of those eight on the road. So hopefully the break we just had gave everyone an opportunity to be rejuvenated. We currently sit in the Top 5 in our league and 2nd in our division to Ontario who we play this weekend.
“This gives us an opportunity to take control of our fate.
“We have three big weekends coming up – this weekend in Tahoe, next weekend we play the Coyotes 16u, 15u teams and then we go to Minnesota for more NAPHL League games.”
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Special to Vegashockey.net
The UNLV Rebels, coached by Anthony Greener and Nick Robone, return to action this weekend in a pair of road games vs ACHA D1 Grand Canyon University. The games will be at the Arizona Peoria Ice Center on Friday and Saturday.
“We leave Thursday from Las Vegas for Grand Canyon,” said head coach Anthony Greener. “We have to continue and buy in and play like we did in Chicago. No matter who we play we must compete for a full 60 minutes on the ice.”
Coach Robone noted today “Grand Canyon has a hockey program which is getting better every year. And for us anytime you go onto the road it makes it that much tougher. We need our guys to be focused and ready to bring the same consistency we had at the Chicago Cup.“
UNLV Rebels
Record 12-3-0
ACHA D1 rank #4
Top Goal Scorers
11 – Max Johnson
6 – Alec Johnson
4 – Ezekiel Estrada
4 – Brendan Manning
4 – Hunter Muzzillo
Source – ACHA D1 Statistics
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MAJOR AWARD FOR ASH PRINTZEN OF LAS VEGAS
Ash Printzen of Las Vegas and NCAA Curry College today was named the Commonwealth Coast Conference ‘Player of the Week’. She scored three of Curry’s goals in a 4-1 win over New England College this past week – she is the first from Curry College to win this award.
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Coming here on Christmas Eve – Our annual holiday story – ‘The Kid Who Never Scored a Goal’ written by our daughter Mary Kate Zurfluh who a few years ago wrote the children’s book ‘Flash The Cat.’ Johnny Gold, the Barstow Brothers and head coach Jack Black come from the bad part of L.A. – come into the Pepsi Ice Arena over on Rancho Drive and create all sorts of trouble at the annual Christmas Eve charity game. Hometown coaches including Anthony Greener, Wally Lacroix, Rob Pallin with hometown hockey dad Steve Allen among many others in town join defensive forces at the big game. And yes, the late great Gramps will be over by our stick rack to keep peace there. And the late great Dave Francis will be there too, sharpening skates in his Pro Shop there and when he’s done saying “those skates are now good for two goals tonight.”
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Monday Breaker – Ash Printzen of Las Vegas and NCAA Curry College in Milton, Mass. – scored two goals and dealt an assist over the weekend in a 4-1 win over Nichols College. Ash, an awesome goal scorer, has 6 goals, 3 assists this season….
Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas and the AAA Windy City Storm 15u scored two goals against Belle Tire who won the game 4-3 in an OT/Shootout. Fuzzy has 14 goals this season.
Brennan Blaszack of Las Vegas and the SPHL Pensacola Flyers scored during the weekend -it was his 6th goal this season.
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ACHA D1 Rankings
1 – Lindenwood 10-0-0
2 – Minot 11-1-0
3 – Iowa State 15-2-1
4 – UNLV Rebels 12-3-0
5 – Liberty 12-4-0
6 – Central Oklahoma 13-4-0
7 – Adrian 13-4-0
8 – Missouri State 14-4-0
9 – Stony Brook 12-3-1
10 – Maryville 11-4-1
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Sunday – “When you build a team start from the back – start with goalies, then defensemen, then your goal scorers,” said coach Wally Lacroix after his Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u beat the L.A. Kings 2-1 to win a regional Silver Sticks gold medal and qualify for the Silver Sticks Nationals in Port Huron, Michigan.
The Kings have been the #1 rival for all Las Vegas teams regardless of age level for several decades. The VGK 14s got an awesome effort from their goalie Kellen Hardy and a game-winning goal from Zach Gay late in the game before a jammed packed Las Vegas Ice Center over on Flamingo Avenue.
It was a tight, hard game in all three periods and the game really wasn’t decided until the final seconds ticked down in the third period. Hardy unquestionably is a high level goalie as well as VGK 14u goalie Kameron Laskaskas.
After the game Wally and assistant coach Todd Owen walked to center ice to embrace the Kings coaches – it was that great of a game.
From the Blue Line – Matt Johnson, coach of the Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team, was there at the Ice Center as well.
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Las Vegas – “First of all we are all very proud of (coach) Chris Francis of Las Vegas and what he’s been building with his young men with the Texas Jr Stars. He has a very young team and he’s trying to build his team structure. We hope they all know in Austin how lucky they are,” said VGK 14u head coach Wally Lacroix whose team beat the Texas Jr Stars 6-1 before a jammed in crowd at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Saturday night. Las Vegas got another great start from star goalie Kellen Hardy in an important Silver Sticks Tournament Final 4 eliminator game. The Texas Jr Stars started goalie Michael Lang, 13 years old. He is from Austin and did well early in the game and then the Vegas sharpshooters got wired in.
Las Vegas will take on the L.A. Jr Kings in the gold medal game on Sunday at the Ice Center. Game time 10:15 am Sunday.
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Saturday – The Wally Lacroix-coached Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u today beat the the Alaska Valley Thunder 3-0 at the Las Vegas Ice Center to set up a massive Final Four game vs the Chris Francis-coached AA Texas Jr Stars. Game time tonight is 6:40 pm at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Golden Knights goalie Kameron Laskaskas got the shutout today to set up this big game. Chris, from Las Vegas, was a massive high-speed goal scorer when he played here in town years ago.
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Friday, November 26, 2021- Hockey coach Wally Lacroix sure knows how to construct a winning team – start in the back with top goalies, then sign rugged defenseman and lots of goal scorers.
And what goalies the Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u have this season. Kellen Hardy, who played for the Dallas Penquins tier team last winter along with a premier goalie as well in Kameron Laskaskas. Both attended months ago a tryout with the VGK 14s at the City National Arena in Las Vegas
Hardy, 6′ 1″ and 190, was spectacular on Friday morning with his quick side to side movement in the net along with some impossible-like saves. All of that effort along with a small army of goal scorers helped the VGK 14u beat the Anaheim Jr Ducks 14u by 5-0 on Friday morning before a large festive crowd at the Pepsi Arena inside the Fiesta Stations Hotel complex on North Rancho Drive.
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Best Quote of the Day – Chris Francis, one of the all-time goal scorers in Las Vegas hockey history, said this about his former coach Wally Lacroix who is head coach of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u team.
“His team here looks really good – lots of team speed and great structure – definitely a top team in the country. It’s funny because Wally coached me briefly when we were a 14u and now here we are. Possibly here we may play against each other as coaches. He’s doing a great job with his boys.”
Special to Vegas Hockey – Goalie Kameron Laskaskas got a shutout as the Wally Lacroix-coached Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u shut down the Utah Golden Eagles 8-0 in Las Vegas. The Vegas Jr Golden Knights are now 2-0-0 in the Silver Sticks Tournament. On Friday, the VGK 14u will take on Team Utah at the Pepsi Ice Arena on North Rancho Drive. Game time is 2 pm.
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Chris Francis of Las Vegas is coaching the AA Texas Jr Stars here at the Silver Sticks Tournament in Las Vegas this week. The Texas Jr Stars practice and play home games in Austin, Texas.
AA Texas Jr Stars 14u
3-1 over Las Vegas Storm
6-3 over Santa Clarita Flyers
“Not a bad start for us – playing in Las Vegas without three of our best players but we are happy how hard we are competing,” Chris noted.
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Las Vegas – Kellen Hardy was the winning goalie for the Wally Lacroix-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights in a solid 2-1 win over the San Diego Saints today – Thursday – in a Silver Sticks Tournament game. “We played on the south rink at the Las Vegas Ice Center and our men played well. The score really doesn’t indicate how well we played”….Tonight the VGK 14s take on the Utah Eagles at 7:50 pm at the Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue.
It’s going to be icy cold on Thanksgiving Day here in Las Vegas – will be like 39 degrees over…….Readers here today are from all parts of the USA and Canada plus France, Germany and Switzerland…
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‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel, who is playing this season with the AAA Northeast Generals 18u, is home here to be with his family for Thanksgiving Day.
He said his Vegas coaches Wally Lacroix and Todd Owen last season “were outstanding. They cared for each of our players and took the the time to prepare all of us for the next level of the game.”
At a breakfast presser here in Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin noted that the NHL Vegas Golden Knights have attracted “…an amazing number of new youth hockey players here in town. The true number of new players is unreal. That is the impact the Golden Knights are having on this community.”
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Jason Zucker of Las Vegas had a awesome game with his skate speed and sharp passes as the NHL Pittsburgh Penquins took apart and beat the NHL Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Thanksgiving Day Eve.
HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY TO ALL!
//Chris Francis, one of Las Vegas’ all-time goal scorers, is now an ice hockey coach in Texas. “Coming to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Our AA Texas Jr Stars 14u team is playing this week in Las Vegas in a Silver Stick Tournament. Going to be at my Mom’s place for Thanksgiving Dinner.
//Rob Proffit, GM NAHL Fairbanks Ice Dogs (our son Eddie Samuels played for coach Proffit when he was head coach of the Ice Dogs) “This is our 25th season with the Ice Dogs. We plan to go to our team practice on Thanksgiving Day, then go home – my wife will be cooking.”
//Anthony Greener, head coach, UNLV Rebels – “We plan to spend time relaxing time with family and friends. We hope everyone reading this has a Happy Thanksgiving Day.“
//Matt Johnson, head coach, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u – “This year we are going to do it at home which is at Lynn, Massachusetts. Normally we do Thanksgiving with the Kevin Mulcahy’s and all of the hockey families – but it is my mother’s surprise birthday party!”
//Will ‘Money’ Munson, San Diego – He was called ‘Money’ because of all the big goals he scored years ago with the NAHL Billings Jr Bulls. Eddie Samuels and Money were linemates with the Billings Jr Bulls. Money said “still playing in the Sunday Night League at Riverside Ice Town. The league is called SNAFU. For Thanksgiving dinner going to my parents home at Lake Arrowhead.”
//Adam Tamura, Las Vegas roller hockey star player and coach “Heading to our in laws for dinner. Big family and everyone brings a dish! – Guamanian, Filipino and Traditional American is on the menu!”
//Adam Stio, roller and ice hockey coach for many seasons “Still hanging around our ice rink in Rock Springs, Wyoming. We will prepare a small turkey for myself and some staffers with homemade stuffing, corn and more.“
//Adam ‘Stick’ Naglich, star goal scorer in ice hockey and roller “Hello everyone – my wife’s grandparents are coming to town and we will be celebrating with them.”
//Las Vegas hockey Dad Steve Allen whose son Jason played at a high level when he was in tier hockey: “Working a half-day, then having turkey with grandchildren in town, then face-time his kids – Going to watch football with a lot of good food.” Years ago Steve was a referee during fierce roller games at ‘The Little House of Champions’ Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive.
//’Miracle on Ice’ goal scorer Harris Whissel of Las Vegas – Harris is going to spend some quality time with his new baby niece – just born! – this week. Harris this season is playing for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u.
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Breaker – Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas and the AAA Windy Storm 15u, scored 4 goals during the weekend in big games vs #1 rival the AAA Chicago Mission. Fuzzy has 12 goals this season.
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//Coach Anthony Greener’s UNLV Rebels are coming home from the Chicago Cup Games with precious gold medals. The Rebels beat #3 ranked Liberty 2-1 – getting another awesome game from from ‘The Wall’ goalie Zach Wickson. Jayson Dimizio and Cole Wyatt were the Rebels gold scorers. The Rebels are now 12-3 this season. The games were played at the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility – the 5th/3rd Street hockey rink.
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Saturday – The red-hot UNLV Rebels beat #2 ranked Minot State 2-1 in Chicago – Rebels goal scorers were Ezekiel Estrada and Max Johnson. The Wall was in the Rebels net. –Lee
Chicago – The Anthony Greener-coached UNLV Rebels got their biggest win of the season beating ACHA D1 defending champions Adrian 4-2 here on Friday. UNLV’s goal scorers in order were Max Johnson, Nick Flanders, Max Johnson and then Jayson Dimizio. ‘The Wall’ Zach Wickson was the Rebels goalie. The Rebels 3-Stars were Max Johnson, goalie ‘The Wall’ Zach Wickson and Luke Burke. “Was this your greatest win?” coach Anthony Greener was asked. “It is for sure towards the top of our greatest wins. Keep in mind this is a three day tournament (the Chicago Cup) and we are playing the #1 ranked team tomorrow. Very very proud of our guys – they worked so hard to get past Adrian. But the game we had today – will never ever forget this one.”
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Breaker – Ash Printzen of Las Vegas this season is playing for NCAA Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. She has 6 goals this season. More good news – Ash is coming home to be with all in her family for a Thanksgiving Day celebration.
Las Vegas goalie Zackary Ortolano of AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u, was just named the NAPHL Goalie of the Month – a major award…., Heath Mensch of Las Vegas is having an awesome season with the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds – Heath has 17 goals.…This season the Matt Johnson-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u have a season record of 21-11-0, the Wally Lacroix-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u are 23-7-0
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Most Searched Today – The ‘Last Skate’ at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena on North Rancho Drive
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Guess who’s coming for Christmas? Santa delivered ACHA D1 defending national champions Adrian onto the UNLV Rebels schedule whose next games are this weekend at the Chicago Cup.
“It’s a Showcase and we have Adrian, ranked No. 5 right now – and yes they are the defending champions – on our schedule,” said Rebels head coach Anthony Greener. “However, we like where we are at with a 9 and 3 record. Some games slipped away – it happens. But we are proud and happy where we are at. At the Chicago Showcase we will be playing three times a day – all different teams. In regards to Adrian they average seven goals a game. It’s a huge test for us but we’re having a good week of practice and will be ready. We head out to Illinois on Friday.“
Assistant Rebels coach Nick Robone said “Adrian is the defending champion for a good reason – they are very skilled, like to get into transition quickly and attack off the rush. We last played in Chicago in 2019 – at this very same tournament.”
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Breaker – Monday Flash Update – The Wally Lacroix-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights today beat the AAA Arizona Bobcats 14u 5-3. Kellen Hardy goalie for VGK 14s. “We had a very long weekend,” said coach Wally. “Our young men fought hard – we started strong and had to dig deep when they brought pressure late. Good overall effort.“
In their second game on Sunday the Matt Johnson-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u beat the AAA Colorado Springs Tigers 4-2 – Lee
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Jack Lackas of Las Vegas played over the weekend in the WHL Showcase in Phoenix. Jack scored 4 goals, putting his total of goals scored so far this year to 28.
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//Austin Moline (2005) of Las Vegas and the AAA 16u Shattuck St. Mary’s Hockey Team, won entry into the USA National Tournament in Rochester, Michigan in March. Shattuck beat Blue Ox of Minnesota 9-2 this week during state playoffs to clinch the title of Minnesota District Champions. Defenseman Austin Moline contributing with 2 assists.
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NAPHL 14u – Schedule – Arlington, Texas
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Head Coach – Wally Lacroix
Nov 13 – 2-1 over AAA Ontario Jr Reign 14u
Nov 14 – 3-2 over AAA Madison Capitals 14u
Nov 14 – 4-1 over AAA Northwest Stars 14u
Nov 15 – 5-3 over AAA Arizona Bobcats 14u
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By Robert Purdy
Guest reporter for Vegashockey.net
I enjoyed reading on vegashockey.net today that goalie Colton Miller is playing this season with ACHA D2 Texas State University. Colton played on Wally Lacroix’s teams with my son, John Purdy. Colton is an awesome goalie and a great young man. It was nice to read about him.
On a related note, one of Colton’s teammates is Bradyn Mensch, also from Las Vegas. Bradyn is in his first year as a graduate student at Texas State. Bradyn was a high level goalie who previously played with Pokey Reddick’s midget teams at the Las Vegas Ice Center a few years back. Bradyn took a few years off from competitive hockey to obtain his bachelor’s degree from UNLV. At Texas State, Bradyn is playing forward. He is a versatile athlete who comes from one of Las Vegas’ finest hockey families.
Bradyn has three brothers who all have played on numerous Las Vegas hockey teams: Brother Heath Mensch, who you have written of often, is presently a goal scorer for the LV Thunderbirds and played on many Jr Golden Knights and Storm and Jr Wranglers teams. Brother Nolan Mensch was a former sharp shooter for the Vegas Golden Knights High School team. Brother Cole Mensch presently plays for the University of Texas Longhorns ACHA D2 team and is also studies engineering there.
One more interesting note about the Mensch hockey family is that Bradyn Mensch and his Texas State University Bobcats will be battling his younger brother, Cole Mensch and his University of Texas Longhorns, in a two game series. The first game is tonight and the second game is tomorrow, both in Austin Texas. It will be Mensch vs Mensch in the Lone Star State. Should be fun!
Keep up the great work with vegashockey.net!
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//UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said the Rebels players will board a team bus Thursday morning to get to Utah. The Rebels have a practice scheduled once they arrive in Salt Lake City. There are two games scheduled – Friday and Saturday nights….Assistant coach Nick Robone noted this about Utah: “They are a much improved team. They have speed which is tough to match and they play well in their systems. Their (larger) Olympic ice definitely plays to their strengths.” The Friday game begins 7:30 pm local time.
//UNLV Rebels ranked #8 in ACHA D1; Utah ranked #21
//Head Coach Wally Lacroix of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u today said his team “will play games Saturday through Monday at the big AAA NAPHL 14u tournament in Dallas. Then we have Can/AM, followed by Silver Sticks on Thanksgiving Day weekend.”
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//Colton Miller, an awesome goalie from Las Vegas, is playing this season with ACHA D2 Texas State University.….Austin Moline of Las Vegas and AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u team had one goal, three assists this weekend in games against the AAA Colorado Thunderbirds 16u. Austin now has 3 goals, 21 assists, 24 points this season.
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Monday Breaker – UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said….”in regards to Utah, it is always tough to play on the road and playing on Olympic-sized ice. It is 15 feet wider so our defensemen need to make sure their gaps are good and they stay inside the dots. Utah is one of the better teams on our schedule.” UNLV vs Utah games will be on this Friday and Saturday evenings on their home rink – the Salt Lake City Sports Complex.
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Las Vegas goalie Zackary Ortolano of AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u team, amazingly had two shutout wins over the AAA Colorado Thunderbirds 18u this weekend..After the second game the T-Birds goalie skated over to congratulate Zackary….This season Zackary has a 9-4-0 record, 2.19 gaa and a 92.1% save percentage which are awesome numbers…..’Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas scored and dealt two assists for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u in an 8-2 win over the AAA New Hampshire Avalanche 18u on Sunday.
Update – Yes, there was a mind-bending 7:20 am opening faceoff on Sunday morning – and coach Wally Lacroix’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u gave it all they had a game which had two overtimes and a five-player shootout. The ProTec Ducks of New Jersey won 3-2 in an OT/Shootout at the CCM World Invite tournament on a Sunday morning in Chicago.
Chicago – Coach Wally Lacroix’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u ‘Miracle Run’ continued late Saturday after getting an amazing OT goal from Carson Craig to beat the highly rated AAA Chicago Jets 14u 3-2 in overtime here at the CCM World Invite. “Carson got the game-winner – Riley, Chase and Casey were on the ice when he scored. Kellen Hardy was in the net for us.We have to win two more games Sunday to get what we came here for – gold medals.”
Breaker – Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas has scored 3 more goals for the AAA Windy City Storm 15u. Last weekend in the Boston Exposure Tournament he scored PP goals against the Seacoast Spartans and the Boston Advantage then a breakaway goal vs Little Caesars to vault the Windy City Storm into the finals.
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Here is the schedule for the Wally Lacroix-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u at the CCM Invite in Chicago
CCM WORLD INVITE TOURNAMENT – WORLD’S LARGEST ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT IN ONE CITY
Friday, Nov 5 – vs AAA Tri State Spartans 14u of Indiana 3, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 0
Friday, Nov 5 – 4-0 over AAA Chicago Bulldogs 14u
//Kellen Hardy was the goalie for AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u. Coach Wally Lacroix: “Much better effort. Our young men showed up to play. This was a big win over a Top 10 ranked team. We had a slow start – scored late in first period and we never looked back.”
Saturday, Nov 6 – 4-0 over (My Hockey) #8 ranked AAA L.A. Jr Kings 14u
“Our young men are playing well when they stay within our system and structure. We next play the AAA Chicago Jets today in a quarter-final game,” said coach Wally.
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Breaker – It’s a baby girl – Everlee Rae Ricketts who has a precious little smile – for an awesome big goal scorer Beau Ricketts who years ago played for the Gabe Gauthier-coached WSHL Las Vegas Storm at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Beau, his wife Kayla and family live in Minot, N.D. Hockey mom Charla said “…Beau’s already a great daddy…..I cannot believe our hockey player is all grown up now.”
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Las Vegas has a rich history in hockey – ice and roller. This story written years ago here is the #1 most searched story today on Vegashockey.net
Bet You Didn’t Know…
Years ago the Las Vegas Ice Center was a roller rink. Big powerful roller teams including the Armadillos from SoCal came into town to take on top Las Vegas teams. In those days the top roller coaches included Oren Galor and for older players the coach was Dennis Parker. And the roller legend coach Larry Sanford was also around with a top team. There were big crowds in the stands when the Las Vegas team took on teams like the powerful hard-skating Orange County Blades roller team coached by Ken Gibo. The hometown team at that rink was called the Las Vegas Titans
Adam Naglich of Las Vegas was a top roller player then. Teammates called him Stick.
The greatest Las Vegas goal scorers ever in roller hockey include Jason Zucker, Chris Francis, Billy Tufano and Evan Zucker. Jason and Chris had awesome speed, Evan had that too with a close-range scoring touch scoring from all sorts of angles. Tufano was a pure roller player.
Bet you didn’t know that hockey dad Steve Allen was a top referee over at the Little House of Champions – Larry Sanford’s Crystal Palace roller rink on North Rancho Drive.
A few years ago the great Las Vegas roller hockey coach Curt Weiman named his “five best roller players I ever coached” and the list included in order Nick Robone, Adam Tamura, Eddie Samuels, Billy Tufano and Micah Sanford
Bet you didn’t know Micah Sanford of Las Vegas once played for the Las Vegas Blackjacks Jr B ice hockey team at the Sahara Ice Rink. There were a lot of line brawls that season. One of Micah’s linemates was the gifted roller hockey star Leroy Garcia.
Back in 2003-04 the top ice hockey line in town was Anthony Greener, Kurt Long and Conrad Trimbath on the AA Las Vegas Rebels. The team got off to a 13-0-2 start – a record at that time – and didn’t lose a game until late October. Conrad scored 29 goals that season. Rob Pallin was head coach of that dynamite team.
Bet you didn’t know hockey coach Rob Pallin played Pro Beach roller hockey and was seen on ESPN.
When Alex Redmond of Las Vegas years ago was signed by the Peninsula Panthers Jr B he wore the name ‘Blackjack’ on the back of his jersey. He was a smash hit as a player skating that season on Vancouver Island.
Back in the 1999-2000 season Travis Roseberry was named Skater of the Year for the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u. He was the centerpiece of the Triple Threat Line with Spike Neely and JC Caron.
Before the 2001-02 Las Vegas Mustangs played in the U.S. Nationals coach Rob Pallin took them to Mount Charleston for long mountain runs.
The first to play rock music at hometown games was The Hockey Sister – Jessica Jasek, sister of 61-goal scorer Josh Jasek. Back then the games were played at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena.
The scoreboard that was at Santa Fe Station Ice Arena is now at the Sobe Ice Arena. So is one of the Zambonis.
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Top 5 Goals – updated
35 – Heath Mensch
22 – Caleb Strong
16 – Sniper Evan Brown
16 – Ken Hanly
9 – Jadon Kwaitowski
6 – Loic Gosselin
6 – Jadon Kwiatkowski
6 – Antoine Tourigny
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home 2021-22
Goals…
12 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u
10 – Matthew Gross, NA3HL El Paso Rhinos
9 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
9 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
8 – Hunter Barto, USHL Premier Minnesota Moose
8 – Brennan Blaszczak, SPHL Pensacola Flyers
6 – Cole Mensch, ACHA2 Texas University
6 – Ash Prinztzen, Curry College, Milton, Mass.
6 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
6 – Michael Yochum, ACHA Canisus Golden Griffins
5 – Henry Colbert, AA Anaheim Jr Ducks 14u
4 – Michael McNicolas, EIHL Fife Flyers
4 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u
4 – Ash Printzen, NCAA Curry College
3 – Logan Hooser, AAA Northeast Wolves 16u
3 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Long Beach Shredders
2 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
2 – Antonio Buck, ACHA Northern Arizona University
2 – Skylur Cameron, BCHL Nanaimo Clippers
2 – Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones
2 – Dexter Kichline, AAA Bishop Kearney 16u
2 – AJ Lackas, EHI New England Wolves
2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Long Beach Shredders
2 – Jerrett Overland, ACHA San Diego State
2 – Cody Williams, Evry-Viry, France
1 – Steven Avalone, ACHA D2 Lindenwood
1 – Daniel Madison, AAA Tahoe Prep 16u
1 – Spencer Poscente, ACHA Eastern Michigan
1 – Tristan Toth, EHLP Maine Eclipse
0 – Gia Avalone, Adrian College
0 – Vito Carlo, Franklin-Pierce University
0 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits
0 – Noah Smejkal, SIJHL Wisconsin Lumberjacks
To revise or update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Sunday Final – AAA/AA Wally Lacroix’s Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 5, AA Golden State Elite 0
“Proud of our effort this weekend – it is never easy beating a team back to back,” coach Wally said. “Off to the Chicago CCM world invite next weekend.
After beating AA Golden State Elite 14u by four goals on Saturday coach Wally Lacroix of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u said “It is never easy beating a team back to back. We had a good conversation with our group. We need to show up strong in the morning and play our brand of hockey – structured and with discipline.”
Saturday Update – Goalie Kameron Laskaska got the win as coach Wally Lacroix’ AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u today beat Arizona Hockey Union 7-1….”We had a slow start – once we got our skates moving our young men played a good game. We worked hard on tracking pucks in practice and we did a great job with that today. Our powerplay went 3-for-3.”
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Saturday Flash Final – UNLV blasted to a 5-1 win over Missouri State at City National Arena.
Rebels goal scorers in order – Alec Johnson, Hunter Muzillo, Michael Boutoussov, Cole Wyatt, Ezekiel Estrada – Goalie – The Wall – Zach Wickson
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Las Vegas – What a finish to a big game. Tied at 2-2 the UNLV Rebels electrified their hometown fans by scoring back to back goals in the final seconds to beat a game Missouri State team 4-2 on Friday night at City National Arena. Many Rebels fans wore Halloween-type costumes to add to the festivities.
UNLV’s goal scorers in order were Bradley Golant, Ezekiel Estrada, Max Johnson (game-winning goal) and Paxton Malone (empty net). Head coach Anthony Greener said “we had a great work ethic at the end of the game – we just ran our systems in all three phases of what we do.”
The Rebels got another strong effort from The Wall – star goalie Zach Wickson
The Missouri players came to Las Vegas by bus – a 23 hour trip according to their driver. It was a clean game – which usually happens when top officials like Wally Lacroix and Todd Owen are the referees.
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Coach Wally Lacroix of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u got a huge effort from his goalie Kellen Hardy who got a shutout 5-0 win over the 10-6-1 AAA Anchorage North Stars 14u at City National Arena on Friday. “Our young men played well,” coach Wally said. ‘We have a few injuries right now and our young athletes are playing through it with responsible hockey.”
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Las Vegas – Here comes Missouri State – who wiped out tough physical Central Oklahoma twice on their home rink – and are taking on the Anthony Greener, Nick Robone-coached UNLV Rebels in a two-game series at City National Arena. “These are league (WCHL) games and are two huge games for us. Missouri State is big with a mean streak. They like to play hockey the physical way. We need to be smart and play the best we possibly can this weekend,” coach Greener said. The games will be on Friday, Saturday nights this weekend at City National Arena. Each game has a 7:30 pm start time.
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The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds Top Goal Scorers – Heath Mensch 10 goals, Sniper Evan Brown 9, Caleb Strong 9, Kevin Hanley 8, Michael Wells 7
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It is easy to report game scores and highlights – send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Here is an Austin Moline update:
This past weekend of October 22, Las Vegas defenseman Austin Moline and 16u Shattuck St. Mary’s Team swept AAA Little Caesars 16u in a 3 game series in Oak Park, MI. Austin with a nice blue line goal in game two and three assists for the weekend.
AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u, 20-1-1, is currently ranked in 1st place in the country for 16U AAA Tier 1 on myhockeyrankings.
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AAA VEGAS JR GOLDEN KNIGHTS 16U HEADING TO BEANTOWN CLASSIC TOURNAMENT
Coach Matt Johnson and the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are off to the famous Beantown Classic Tournament. VGK 16u will take on AAA Team Illinois 16u at the New England Sports Center on Thursday. Faceoff on Thursday is 3:50 pm eastern time. “We will depart on Wednesday night to get there,” said coach Matt.
Beantown Classic
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
10/28 – 2-6 to Team Illinois – game was tied 2-2 at the half……Aidan Finch and Mason Jackson scored for AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
10/29 – 0-4 to Boston Jr Bruins
10/30 – 2-6 to Islanders Hockey Club
10/31 – 2-3 to Springfield Rifles
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More breaking news on Monday – Erik Atchison of Las Vegas three assists for WHL Spokane Chiefs vs Tri City. Younger brother Fuzzy Atchison 2 goals and Player of the Game award for AAA Windy City Storm 15u in a win over AAA Compuware.
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One of our readers checks in…..”My name is Garrett Clark, a defensemen way back who played on the Las Vegas Outlaws with Pokey Reddick. We wore jersey number 18. We played with Mike Trimboli, Zach, Bobby Burns, Connor Haney and Megan Myers.”
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Sunday Final Score – AAA Sno Kings 14u 3, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 1 @ Lifeguard Arena, Henderson
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home 2021-22
Goals
9 – Michael McNicholas, Fife Flyers, Scotland
8 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Pensacola Flyers
7 – Hunter Barto, USHL Premier Minnesota Moose
5 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Chicago 15u
5 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15
3 – Logan Hooser, AAA Northeast Wolves 16u
3 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
2 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
2 – Dexter Kichline, AAA Bishop Kearney 16u
2 – AJ Lackas, EHI New England Wolves
2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Long Beach Shredders
2 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u
2 – Cody Williams, Evry-Viry, France
2 – Michael Yochum, ACHA D1 Canisius
1 – Steven Avalone, ACHA D2 Lindenwood
1 – Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones
1 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Long Beach Shredders
1 – Daniel Madison, AAA Tahoe Prep 16u
1 – Michael McNicholas, EIHL Fife Flyers
1 – Ashley Printzen, Curry College
1 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits
1 – Tristan Toth, EHLP Maine Eclipse
0 – Gia Avalone, Adrian College
0 – Spencer Poscente, ACHA Eastern Michigan
Goalies
Dylan St Cyr, NCAA Quinnipiac
2-1-0, 1.70 gaa, 90.7% save percentage
Luke Fundator, USPHL Premier Richmond General
2-2-0 record, 2.02 gaa, 93.4% save percentage
Zackary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
8-2-0 record, 2.20 gaa, 92.7% save percentage
To revise or update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Saturday Rebels update: UNLV strikes first to take 1-0 lead over Arizona University at City National Arena. Arizona scored – it is now 1-1. UNLV now takes lead and wins 3-2. UNLV’s Brendan Manning, Sean Plonski and Alec Johnson scored.
“We battled hard to win this one,” said Rebels head coach Anthony Greener.
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Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Updated Nov 29
Top 5 Goal Scorers
35 – Heath Mensch
22 – Caleb Strong
15 – Sniper Evan Brown
15 – Caleb Strong
12 – Sniper Evan Brown
10 – Kevin Hanly
6 – Loic Gosselin
5 – Jadon Kwaiatkowski
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Coach Wally Lacroix and his AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u scored back to back 3-2 wins today against a strong AAA Snow–Kings Jr Thunderbirds 14u team from Seattle today at the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson. Vegas goalies were Kameron Laskaskas and Kellen Hardy.
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Las Vegas – Arizona University won Round One of its weekend firefight with the UNLV Rebels, winning 4-3 on Friday night before a noisy festive crowd which was really into this game. UNLV’s goal scorers were Max Johnson, Hunter Muzzillo and Luke Burke. ‘The Wall,’ 6’6 Rebels goalie Zach Wickson was in the net for the Rebels.
This was a very hard, entertaining game which kept fans from both teams on edge.
Rebels head coach Anthony Greener put it this way: “We have to score on our opportunities. Arizona scored when they got their chances – that was the difference tonight.”
Game Two of this weekend series will be back at City National Arena on Saturday evening.
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Saturday – Final Score – Las Vegas Thunderbirds 6, Ontario Reign 2 @ Lifeguard Arena, Henderson, NV
T-Birds goals – Heath Mensch, Antoine Tourigny, Sniper Evan Brown, Loic Gosselin, Michael Wells and Caleb Strong
T-Birds goalie – Gorial Yaro
In a Friday stunner Heath Mensch scored 4 goals for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds who beat the Ontario Reign by 8-4 at the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson. Anthony Bonaldi was the goalie for the T-Birds in this historic game. Las Vegas goal scorers in this game: Heath Mensch 4, Sniper Evan Brown 1, Ryan Duggen 1, Kevin Hanly 1, Loic Gosselin 1
More breaking news – Coach Wally Lacroix’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u have three home games vs the AAA Seattle Sno-Kings this weekend at the Lifeguard Arena here in Henderson, NV.
Friday Breaker – Erik Atchison of Las Vegas scored his second goal of the season for the WHL Spokane Chiefs in a 5-3 loss to the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds…young brother Fuzzy Atchison and the AAA Windy City Storm 15u of Chicago are off on a major road trip with games against Honeybaked, Compuware and the Oakland Jr Grizzlies.
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Best Stat of the Day – UNLV 6′ 6″ goalie Zach ‘The Wall’ Wickson from Calgary – 4-1-0 season record, 2.20 gaa, 92.3% save percentage.
News – UNLV Rebels ranked #10, Arizona #19 in new ACHA D1 ratings today…..Rebels head coach Anthony Greener said today there is danger in all games – and added “(Arizona) is mean and physical and that gave us problems last weekend (against Central Oklahoma) – but me, I think we bounce back against Arizona.“
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USPHL PREMIER LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS
All games this weekend @Lifeguard Arena, Henderson
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Thursday, Oct 21 – Final – Ontario Jr Reign 8, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4
//Vegas goals – Michael Wells, 2nd goal this season; Heath Mensch 5th, Jadon Kwiatkowski 5th – power play goal; Michael Wells 2nd goal of the game – powerplay
//Shots – Ontario 71 Vegas 35
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Friday, Oct 22 – T-Birds vs Ontario Jr Reign, 2 pm
Saturday, Oct 22 – T-Birds vs Ontario Jr Reign, 2 pm
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Season Record 4-5-0
Top 5 goal scorers
7 – Sniper Evan Brown
6 – Kevin Hanly
5 – Caleb Strong
5 – Heath Mensch
5 – Jason Kwaitkowski
2 – Bradly Burden
2 – Matthew Lackas
2 – Antoine Tourigny
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Adam Naglich, an ’84, grew up in Las Vegas and skated on the ‘Red Line’ with Josh Jasek and Eddie Samuels on a Rob Pallin-coached 2001-02 Las Vegas Mustangs 18u team which won the Pacific District Regionals and played in the U.S. Nationals. From there, Adam played with the BCHL Victoria Salsa, was a captain with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, played in the ECHL with the Bakersfield Condors and finished his hockey career in Europe.– Lee
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ADAM NAGLICH OF LAS VEGAS – TEN QUESTIONS
#1 What was it like to play hockey in Europe
“The league I played in Europe was similiar to playing in North America. I would say it’s a little bit less physical and with the bigger ice you have more time to set up a play.”
#2 Were you born in Las Vegas and when did you play hockey
“I was born in Las Vegas. My first year was playing for the midget team Las Vegas Mustangs. My coach was Rob Pallin.
#3 Do you remember your first goal
“I don’t remember my first goal in midget hockey. I only remember being able to stop on one side as I really struggled during my transfer from roller hockey to ice hockey.
#4 Looking back, what did playing for AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u mean to you – playing on a team which went to the U.S. Nationals.
“I had a lot of fun that year. We had a great team and group of guys. I remember a big win over Shattuck St. Mary’s 2nd team in Colorado and also a win over the AAA L.A. Jr Kings at the Santa Fe Ice Arena in Las Vegas.
#5 What was the transition like, going from midget hockey to junior hockey with the BCHL Victoria Salsa
“The jump from midgets to junior was the biggest I ever took. You go from playing against kids to men.”
#6 How many times have you worn the ‘C’ and for what teams.
“The only time I wore the C was in my senior year for the University of Fairbanks.”
#7 What coaches or hockey folks helped you advance to the next level.
“When I was younger playing roller hockey, Larry Sanford always gave me great advice and taught me how to play the game the right way. When I moved to ice hockey Rob Pallin was very helpful. He spent countless hours with me in the summer after my first year of playing ice hockey. It really gave me a great chance to be one of top players the following year, giving me an opportunity in junior hockey.”
#8 Did you go to tryout camps when you were younger.
“I didn’t start playing ice hockey until I was 16 so I didn’t have an opportunity to attend any camps.”
#9 Tell us about your family
“My wife Jaime and I have two children. They are both girls – Ava and Harper.
#10 Do you still play competitive roller
“I have not played roller in years.
#11 What advice do you have for any young player in Las Vegas
“The best advice I was given was always do the small things on the ice when no one is looking.”
#12 – What hockey websites do you read.
“I always looked at eliteprospects.com and NHL.com”
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‘Late Skate’ – Painting by the famous artist Terrence Fogarty of Minnesota
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Las Vegas coaches Matt Johnson of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u and Wally Lacroix of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u have gotten off to astounding great starts this season. How did they do it? For Coach Matt this is how it all came together..
Coach Matt said”….it is great to see our players being rewarded for their hard work. Not everyone can score goals. Teams which are successful are the ones with the most depth. And you need those kind of blue collar style of hockey players – the ones who want to block shots, be physical and spend time in the dirty areas – and embracing all of it.“
From the Blue Line – Gabriel Testa of Las Vegas has signed with the WSHL Rogue Valley Royals in Southern Oregon….….Las Vegas premier defenseman Steven Avalone has one goal, six assists this season for ACHA D2 Lindenwood…..There are searches today for Spencer Poscente of Las Vegas. He skating this season with ACHA Eastern Michigan….to Rink Rat2 over at the Pepsi Ice Arena on North Rancho Drive: UNLV goalie Zach Wickson is 6’6″ and 210…..To the UNLV Rebel who cares – yes, Las Vegas hockey Dad Steve Allen – our statkeeper – and myself will both be at the UNLV/Arizona games this weekend. Can’t wait to see these games…..Today’s readers are from all parts of the USA and Canada plus Norway, Sweden…….
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The Countdown Clock is ticking – one of UNLV’s greatest rivals – Arizona University – is heading to a showdown game with the Rebels on Friday, 7:30 pm at City National Arena.
“We have a quick turnover coming off of road games to deal with Arizona,” said UNLV coach Nick Robone, “Arizona is a tough team and Anthony (Greener, head coach) and I both know what we are facing.”
This will be a two-game weekend – Friday/Saturday at City National Arena.
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Weekend Wrapup …
NAPHL 16u – Blaine, Minn.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Head Coach – Matt Johnson
3-1 over Colorado Springs Tigers
4-2 over Madison Capitals
4-2 over Arizona Bobcats
2-0 over Northwest Stars
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NAPHL 14u – Blaine, Minn.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Head Coach – Wally Lacroix
3-0 over Chicago Jets
3-1 over St. Louis Sting
4-2 over Gurnee Illinois Vipers
3-2 over Highland Park Falcons
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Monday Score in Blaine, Minn.
AAA 16u
Vegas Jr Golden Knights 2, Northwest Stars 0
VGK goals – Aidan Finch, Reese Bynam
VGK goalie – Keynes Lake
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Sunday final – Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u today beat the AAA Madison Capitals 16u 4-2 in Blaine, Minnesota. VGK 16u goal scorers – Mason Jackson from Reese Bynan, Chayse Laurie from Disbrow and Conner Beers, Maxmillian Kofchur, Ryan Pavlinsky from Foster and Reese Bynan. Tonight AAA VGK 16u play the Arizona Bobcats at 8 pm, then take on the Northwest Stars at 9:30 am tomorrow.
Goalie Kam Laskaska got the win on Saturday for the AAA VGK bantams 14u over the Illinois Vipers….Chase Nehring 2 goals and Collin Spencer, Riley Mabutas scored for the Wally Lacroix-coached VGK Bantams.
“Great win for our young men – coach Todd and myself are pleased. Kept to the game plan and showed a lot of patience – both forwards and defensemen,” Lacroix told reporters after the game.
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Season Record 4-4-0
Top 5 goal scorers
7 – Evan Brown
6 – Kevin Hanly
5 – Caleb Strong
5 – Heath Mensch
5 – Jason Kwaitkowski
2 – Bradly Burden
2 – Matthew Lackas
2 – Antoine Tourigny
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THE WEEKEND SCOREBOARD
Saturday, October 16, 2021
—–
Friday, October 15, 2021
ACHA D1
#8 Ranked UNLV Rebels at #10 ranked Central Oklahoma
With the clock ticking down to the final precious seconds in the game Central Oklahoma scored on a long wrist shot to beat the UNLV Rebels 2-1 before a sold out crowd in Oklahoma. Michael Boutoussov scored for the Rebels. The ‘Wall’ Wickson was in the net for UNLV.
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NAPHL 14u
Friday
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 3, St. Louis Sting 14u 1
VGK goal scorers – Chase Nehring, Finn McNabb, Luke Hardy – Goalie – Kellen Hardy
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 3, Chicago Jets 0
Vegas goals – Chase Nehring 2, Carson Craig; Vegas goalie – Kameron Laskaska – shutout win
Vegas coach Wally Lacroix: “Our young men played well considering the quick turnaround. Long ways to go with our structure and systems but feel good with our progress.”
Saturday
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs AAA Gurnee Vipers – Illinois
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Coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u have an ambitious schedule this weekend far away from home – to chilly Minnesota this weekend. The last three games listed are NAPHL League 16u games.
Saturday, Oct 16 – vs AAA Colorado Springs Tigers 16u @ Shattuck St. Mary’s ice rink
Then…..
Oct 17 – vs AAA Madison Capitals 16u @ Blaine, Minnesota
Oct 17 – vs. AAA/AA Arizona Bobcats 16u @Blaine, Minnesota
Oct 18 – vs AAA Northwest Stars @ Blaine, Minnesota
Weather in Blaine, Minnesota – No snow, which is good. Temps – about 48 degrees during the day, down to 30s in evening…
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MY BIGGEST GOAL – THE MIRACLE GOAL
By Chris Francis of Las Vegas
“My biggest goal I ever scored was for the Portland Winterhawks when I shot and scored with about 3 seconds to play to put the game into overtime. That goal gave me a hat trick. Then I scored the shoot out winner in the game in front of over 9,000 fans at the Rose Garden. My goal in regulation is listed on You Tube as the ‘Miracle Goal.’ ”
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Breaker – UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener, assistant coach Nick Robone and Rebels players are took a 6 am flight today to travel and take on ACHA D1 Central Oklahoma this weekend. “We arrive at 1 pm, team dinner at 6 pm. Lights out 11 pm. Our first game will be on Friday. Don’t plan to make a lot of line changes or anything. The Wall Zach Wickson will be in our net. They are 5-0 and we are 4-0. Yes, these games will be real battles,” said coach Greener.
Game Time Friday will be 7 pm.
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The NHL Vegas Golden Knights opened their season Tuesday – vs expansion team Seattle Kraken before a sold out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena. Golden Knights won 4-3.
Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins – without injured star goal scorers Sidney Crosby (wrist) and Evgeni Malkin (knee) in the Penguins lineup – outplayed defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning on the road and in a shocker won 6-2 on Tuesday night
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Erik Atchison of Las Vegas scored his first goal of the season for the WHL Spokane Chiefs in a 5-3 loss to the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds…Erik’s younger brother Fuzzy has three goals this season for the #5 nationally ranked AAA Windy City Storm 15u in Chicago.
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Season Record 4-4-0
Top 5 goal scorers
7 – Evan Brown
6 – Kevin Hanly
5 – Caleb Strong
4 – Heath Mensch
4 – Jason Kwaitkowski
2 – Bradly Burden
2 – Matthew Lackas
2 – Antoine Tourigny
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JUSTIN A. COHN | The Journal Gazette
Zach Pochiro, who had 14 goals and 29 points in 32 games last season, has retired and was removed from the Komets’ training camp roster Friday, multiple sources confirmed. Pochiro appeared in six playoff games, tallying one assist, as the Komets captured the Kelly Cup. A fourth-round draft pick of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues in 2013, Pochiro had also played in the ECHL for Allen, Norfolk, Quad City, Kalamazoo and Alaska. Last season was the first for Pochiro, 27, with the Komets. They open their 70th training camp Monday at Memorial Coliseum. According to the ECHL’s transactions report, added to Fort Wayne’s roster were forward Aaron Huffnagle, defenseman Carson Vance and goalie Tommy Proudlock, while defenseman Sacha Roy was released. Huffnagle played in the Southern Professional Hockey League in 2019-20, totaling seven goals and 15 points in 35 games for Roanoke and Birmingham. Vance played 20 games last season for Huntsville of the SPHL, accruing five assists. Proudlock was in camp last season with the Komets, out of Michigan-Dearborn.jcohn@jg.net – Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home 2021-22
Goals
42 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
5 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Chicago 15u
5 – Trent Carter, USPHL Premier Chicago Cougars
3 – Logan Hooser, AAA Northeast Wolves 16u
3 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
2 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
2 – Dexter Kichline, AAA Bishop Kearney 16u
2 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
1 – Steven Avalone, ACHA D2 Lindenwood
1 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
1 – Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones
1 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Long Beach Shredders
1 – AJ Lackas, EHl New England Wolves
1 – Daniel Madison, AAA Tahoe Prep 16u
1 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s
1 – Tristan Toth, EHLP Maine Eclipse
1 – Mikey Yochum, ACHA D1 Canisius
0 – Spencer Poscente, ACHA Eastern Michigan
Goalies
Gerry St Cyr, NCAA Quinnipiac
1-0-0, 0.00 gaa., 1.00% save percentage
Luke Fundator, USPHL Premier Richmond Generals
1-2-0 record, 1.69 gaa, 94.7% save percentage
Zackary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
8-2-0 record, 2.20 gaa, 92.7% save percentage
To revise or update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
| 2021-2022 ACHA Men’s Division I Ranking #2 | |||||
| Rank | School Name | 1st Votes | M1 Record | Pts | Previous |
| 1 | Adrian | 20 | 2-0-0 | 546 | 1 |
| 2 | Lindenwood | 5 | 2-0-0 | 526 | 2 |
| 3 | Liberty | 1 | 3-0-0 | 511 | 3 |
| 4 | Minot State | 2-0-0 | 484 | 4 | |
| 5 | Iowa State | 6-0-0 | 458 | 5 | |
| 6 | Michigan-Dearborn | 2-2-0 | 404 | 8 | |
| 7 | Indiana Tech | 1-1-0 | 396 | 6 | |
| 8 | Nevada-Las Vegas | 2-0-0 | 378 | 10 | |
| 9 | Ohio | 3-1-0 | 377 | 7 | |
| 10 | Central Oklahoma | 5-0-0 | 362 | 11 | |
| 11 | Jamestown | 0-1-1 | 349 | 9 | |
| 12 | Robert Morris | 4-0-0 | 278 | 12 | |
| 13 | Maryville | 5-0-0 | 271 | 16 | |
| 14 | Stony Brook | 2-0-0 | 231 | 17 | |
| 15 | Davenport | 1-1-0 | 221 | 18 | |
| 16 | Aquinas | 1-1-0 | 201 | 14 | |
| 17 | Arizona | 0-2-0 | 187 | 13 | |
| 18 | Missouri State | 4-2-0 | 172 | 20 | |
| 19 | Pittsburgh | 2-2-0 | 139 | 22 | |
| 20 | Illinois | 0-5-1 | 132 | 15 | |
| 21 | Calvin | 1-1-0 | 111 | 19 | |
| 22 | Drexel | 3-0-0 | 103 | 23 | |
| 23 | Arizona State | 0-0-0 | 94 | 21 | |
| 24 | Delaware | 3-1-0 | 76 | 25 | |
| 25 | Oklahoma |
Breaker – In a Sunday home game coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u beat the AA McKinney North Stars 18u – historically a great hockey program in Texas for years – by 3-0 – at the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson. Logan Perez, one of the best tier goalies in the West, got the win.
Las Vegas – Talk about exciting wins – Jayson Dimizio’s wrister from the slot area took a high heat route into the net to give the 4-0-0 UNLV Rebels a 4-3 OT win over bigtime rival Utah on Saturday at City National Arena. Jared Erickson, Ezekiel Estrada and Alec Johnson also scored for the Rebels.
The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds beat the San Diego Sabers 6-3 on Saturday at the IceTown rink in Carlsbad, Ca. Caleb Strong 2 goals for the T-Birds – Rich Wells, Kevin Hanly, Evan Brown and Jason Kwiatowski also scored.
Connor Beers had two goals, Reese Bynam two more as the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u beat the Carolina Rage 4-0 on Saturday. Las Vegas goalie Logan Perez chalked up another shutout win for the Jr Golden Knights 16s.
‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas scored for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u in a 4-1 win over the Boston Jr Huskies at the Canton Ice House in Canton, Mass.
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Major breaking news will be released right here this week – Lee
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Las Vegas – Chayse Laurie scored twice and Reese Bynam and Ryan Pavlinsky also scored as the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u beat the AA Hyland Hills Jaguars 18u team 4-0 on Friday. The VGK16u scoring went like this: Chayse Laurie from Aidan Finch, Reese Bynam- then Reese Bynam scored assisted by Aidan Finch, Chayse Laurie. Chayse Laurie had a goal assisted by Gavin O’Hara – then Ryan Pavlinksy from Spencer Foster and Mason Jackson. Logan Perez, one of the best goalies in the West, got the shutout win. “We played well,” said Las Vegas coach Matt Johnson. “Still have some things that need to be correc
UNLV goal scorers in the 5-2 win over Utah were in order – Max Johnson, Brendan Manning, Alec Johnson, Cole Wyatt and Max Johnson again. This was Game one of a two-game weekend here.
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Breaker – Andrew Thornton, the 3 year Varsity Defenseman from Faith Lutheran is skating in his Freshman campaign with the Liberty Flames in Lynchburg, VA.
The Flames Mens D3 team take on California University Pennsylvania at the Lahaye Ice Center in Lynchburg, VA tomorrow night for their home opener.
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Best quote of the day: UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener on the new improved Utah: “Obviously Utah got much better. It’s going to be a tough task for us. But our focus is to sticking to our game plan and win every shift.”
UNLV Rebels vs Utah weekend game times – Thursday 11:59 pm, Saturday 12:50 pm – both games at the City National Arena.
On Friday, Matt Johnson’s high-powered AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u take on the AA Hyland Hills Jaguars 18u, to open a 4-game weekend at Lifeguard Arena. The Friday game starts 4:45 pm.
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Las Vegas – A reconstructed Utah University hockey team, which upset and beat Arizona twice – by 3-2, 5-1 last weekend will take on Anthony Greener’s UNLV Rebels in two games this weekend – the first game will be 11:59 pm Thursday at City National Arena.
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Popular – and very skilled – defenseman Steven Avalone of Las Vegas has signed with ACHA D2 Lindenwood.
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas has re-signed with the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits in South Carolina. Bryce, 32, is 5’11 and 190. The Swamp Rabbits are affiliated with the NHL Florida Panthers and the AHL Charlotte Checkers.
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Best Stat of the Day
Las Vegas goaltender Zachary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St Mary’s 18u
Two shutout wins this week
This season 2.00 gaa
Save percentage – 92.8% save percentage this season
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As if Ilinois wasn’t physical enough, here comes rugged Utah this coming weekend vs the UNLV Rebels at City National Arena....Game times for UNLV vs Utah games: Friday, midnight start; Saturday, 12:20 pm in afternoon. See you at the boards – Lee
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Weekend Scores for USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds @ Lake Tahoe Lakers
Lake Tahoe Lakers win 9-4 – Vegas goals – Evan Brown, Guillaume Dufor, Tristan Nelson, Caleb Strong -goalies Anthony Bonaldi, Liam Donnelly
Lake Tahoe Lakers win 6-2 – Vegas goals – Matthew Lackas, Loic Gosselin; Vegas goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
Lake Tahoe Lakers win 5-2 – Vegas goals – Kevin Hanley, 2 goals; Vegas goalie – Liam Donnelly
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Las Vegas defenseman Garrett Clark checks in to say hello to all. “We played years ago on the Las Vegas Outlaws. Our head coach was Pokey Reddick and our team included Bobby Burns, Connor Haney, Megan Myers and Mike Trimboli. We were all around 18 years old. Those were really good times….“
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Here are the goal scorers for Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u who shocked and beat the AAA Ontario Jr Reign 16u on Sunday in Provo: Aidan Finch, Mason Jackson, Hunter Toms, Mason Smith, Reese Bynam, Ryan Pavlinsky, Chayse Laurie – Goalie Logan Perez
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Saturday – In a thrilling finish Illinois, down a goal, pulled its goalie and UNLV’s Brendan Manning launched a 150′ shot and watched the puck turn on its side and roll into the Illinois net to clinch a 5-3 win at City National Arena on Saturday night. “We took the shot, the puck began to roll and went right into their net. What a great win,”” Brendan said just outside the Rebels locker room after the game. ‘The Wall’ Wickson was the Rebels goalie. Again, another big crowd jammed into City National Arena.
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – While Illinois goal scorers darted around the ice feathering fancy passes it was UNLV’s massively big 6’7 goalie Zack Wickson who made the big saves as the UNLV Rebels – took a wild ride before a large lively crowd – skating in a high octane game to beat feisty Illinois University 4-1 at City National Arena on Friday night.
It wound up as a hard physical game. UNLV’s goal scorers were Jared Erickson, Alec Johnson – twice – and Max Johnson.
“Love seeing the stands packed,” said Rebels head coach Anthony Greener. “As far as our play went we have high standards and high expectations. Have to stay more disciplined. Our goalie Zack made huge plays when we really needed them. Then Alec Johnson controlled the blue line and gave us offense which was needed.”
Game Two is right back here Saturday night 8 pm at City National Arena.
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Provo – Coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights are in action this weekend with three games at the Pikes Peak Arena in Provo.
Friday – 8-0 over AAA West Coast Renegades 16u
//Las Vegas coach Coach Matt Johnson: “We did the little things right in this Friday game – good puck movement and execution/ continuing to get better.”
Las Vegas goals in order
LV – Chayse Laurie
LV – Gavin Ohara
LV – Aidan Finch
LV – Gavin Ohara
LV – Aidan Finch
LV – Mason Jackson
LV – Ryan Disbrow
LV – Ryan Disbrow
Vegas goalie Keynes Lake got the shutout in this game.
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Saturday – 3-0 over Tahoe Prep Academy
LV goals – Liam Stoddard, Aidan Finch from Reese Bryan, Mason Jackson from Aidan Finch
Sunday – AAA Ontario Jr Reign 16u, 7 am, then 11:45 am
//In first game Ontario wins 4-3 in OT – Aidan Finch 3 goals for VGK16u; Keynes Lake in net – Game Two at 11:45 am today
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Friday Final Score – USPHL Lake Tahoe Lakers 9, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4
T-Birds goals in order – Gullaume Dufour, Celeb Strong, Tristan Nelson, Evan Brown
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home 2021-22
Goals
7 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
5 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15u
3 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Chicago 15u
3 – Logan Hooser, AAA Northeast Wolves 16u
3 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
2 – Dexter Kichline, AAA Bishop Kearney 16u
1 – Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones
1 – AJ Lackas, EHl New England Wolves
1 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s
1 – Tristan Toth, EHLP Maine Eclipse
1 – Mikey Yochum, ACHA D1 Canisius
Goalies
Luke Fundator, USPHL Premier Richmond Generals
1-1-0 record, 1.52 gaa, 94.1% save percentage
Zackary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
3-2-0 record, 2.80 gaa, 91.7# save percentage
To revise or update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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My Hockey Rankings 1st week team Rankings just came out and several Las Vegas youth players are on some of the top teams in the USA:
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15u Tier 1 – Ranked #6 – Phoenix Jr Coyotes AAA: Jack Lackas a 2006 player from Las Vegas
15u Tier 1 – Ranked #7 – Windy City Storm: Tyler Atchison 2006 player from Las Vegas
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16u Tier 1 – Ranked #1 Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u AAA: Austin Moline 2005 player from Las Vegas
16u Tier 1 – Ranked #4 Bishop Kearney 16u AAA: Dexter Kichline 2005 player from Henderson
Links:https://www.instagram.com/p/CUaVNl2Fsjq/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Provo – This just in – coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights are in action this weekend with these games at the Pikes Peak Arena in Provo.
Friday – 8-0 over AAA West Coast Renegades 16u
//Las Vegas coach Coach Matt Johnson: “We did the little things right in this game – good puck movement and execution/ Continuing to get better.”
Saturday – vs Tahoe Prep Academy, 11:45 am
Sunday – vs AAA Ontario Jr Reign 16u, 7 am, then 11:45 am
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For many in Las Vegas the Illinois/UNLV Rebels showdown on Friday will be more than just a game on Friday at City National Arena.
Years ago UNLV head coach Anthony Greener played in the first-ever Rebels game – against UCLA whose players wore those famous golden helmets. That game was at the Sobe Ice Arena (now called Pepsi Arena) on North Rancho Drive.
Assistant coach Nick Robone, a star player for years, noted “…after such a long layoff the excitement to now play in a game and coach at this level is higher than it’s ever been here.”
Robone added “this is the first time in UNLV hockey history we have began a new season against a Top 10 ranked team like Illinois.”
ACHA D1 Pre-Season Rankings
- Penn State (5 times)
- Ohio (4)
- Lindenwood (3)
- Adrian (2)
- Central Oklahoma (2)
- Illinois (2) vs UNLV Rebels on Friday at City National Arena
- Minot State (2)
- North Dakota State (2)
- Arizona State
- Davenport
- Delaware
- Iowa State
- Oakland
- Rhode Island
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Congratulations to Adam Stio of Las Vegas – he was just named the General Manager of the City of Rock Springs Ice Arena in Wyoming.
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BEST QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Overall we played good during the weekend in Seattle. Those Seattle Sno-King Jr Thunderbirds were a very strong team and we look forward to playing them again. We are getting a variety of contributions – strong play from our goalies, defense and forwards. Still need to fine tune the smaller things of the game. And elevate our compete level to a consistence basis,” said Matt Johnson, head coach AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u.
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Meanwhile Sunday eve in Henderson: Final Score – Fresno Monsters 6, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4
LV goals – Antoine Tourigny, Jadon Kwiatkowski 2 goals, Evan Brown
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Seattle – Here are the Sunday goal scorers for the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u in a 6-0 win over the West Coast Renegades
VGK 16u – Nathan Moore; Ryan Disbrow from Hunter Toms and Kaden Mulcahy; Ryan Disbrow from Maximillian Kofchur; Chayse Laurie; Liam Stoddard; Hunter Toms from Kaden Mulcahy – VGK 16u goalie – Logan Perez
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Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin noted today his ESV Kaufburen team in Germany is off to a 4-1-0 start including a 5-3 win over #1 Ravensburg.
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USPHL Premier Score Lifeguard Arena, Henderson, NV
Friday, Sept 24, 2021
Final – USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 6 Fresno Monsters 5
LV goal – Antoine Tourigny
LV goal – Evan Brown from Heath Mensch
LV goal – Kevin Hanley
LV goal – Heath Mensch
LV goal – Evan Brown
LV goal – Matthew Lackas
LV goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
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Saturday, Sept 25 – Las Vegas Thunderbirds vs Fresno Monsters
@ Lifeguard Arena, Henderson NV
Final – Las Vegas Thunderbirds 6, Fresno Monsters 4
//Fresno had more shots 58-41 in this game…..
LV goal – Jadon Kwiatkowski from Bradly Burdon
LV goal – Bradly Burdon from Evan Brown
LV goal – Kevin Hanly from Michael Wells, Caleb Strong
LV goalie – Liam Donnelly
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Breaker – Head coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are in Seattle to play in a Showcase there this weekend.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u Schedule in Seattle
AAA SNOW-KING INVITATIONAL
Friday, Sep 24
VGK 16u 3, Wenatchee Wilderness 1
VGK 16u goals – Reese Bynam from Spencer Foster, Aidan Finch; Gavin O’Hara from Chayse Laurie, Connor Beers; Jacob Webb from Ryan Pavlinsky; VGK 16u goalie – Keynes Lake
Coach Matt Johnson, VGK 16u – “We played good in an ugly sort of game with a lot of penalities; we weren’t really able to collect flow in our game.”
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Saturday, Sep 25, 2021
VGK 16u 4, Couer D’Alene Hockey Academy 1
VGK 16u goals – Reese Bynam from Aidan Finch, Hunter Toms; Ryan Pavlinksy from Chayse Laurie, Aidan Finch; Connor Beers from Ryan Disbrow, Chayse Laurie; Gavin O’Hara from Reese Bynam
VGK 16u goalie – star goalie Logan Perez
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Saturday evening
VGK 16u vs Snow King Jr Thunderbirds, 7:15 pm
//Final Score – Snow King Jr Thunderbirds 4, VGK 16u 2
LV goal – Chayse Laurie from Aidan Finch, Gavin Ohara
LV goal – Aidan Finch from Ryan Pavlinsky, Chayse Laurie
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Sunday, Sep 26
VGK 16u 6 West Coast Renegades 0
VGK 16u goals – Nathan Moore; Ryan Disbrow from Toms, Kaden Mulcahy; Ryan Disbrow from Maximillian
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Henderson, NV – One of the Thunderbirds most fierce rivals – the WSHL Premier Fresno Monsters – are coming into the Lifeguard Arena to open a three-game weekend. Historically these two teams go at it for personal reasons. Faceoff on Friday is 9 pm. Free admission.
Here is the T-Birds roster:
https://www.usphl.com/view#/roster/1051/77?league=2
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Breaker – Mikey Yochum of Las Vegas, captain of ACHA D1 Canisius Golden Griffins, scored the game-winner in a big 4-2 win over ACHA D1 Duquesne Dukes from Pittsburgh. The game was on Canisius home ice at the Harbor Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
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AAA Jr Golden Knights 16u Schedule in Blaine, Minnesota…..
Sep 16 – 1-7 to AAA Minnesota Green Giants 16u
Sep 17 – 1-3 to AAA Minnesota Walleye 16u @Fogerty Ice Hockey Arena
Sep 18 – VGK 7, AAA East Coast Spartans 16u 0
//VGK goals – Chayse Laurie 2, Aidan Finch 2, Reese Bynan 2, Ryan Disbrow 1; Goalie – Logan Perez
Sep 19 – Final – AAA Lakers 16u 3 VGK 2
VGK goals – Ryan Pavlinsky, Spencer Foster; VGK goalie – Keynes Lake
Blaine, Minnesota – The AAA Minnesota Green Giants 16u won 7-1 over the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u in Game One in the NAPHL Showcase on Thursday. Chayse Laurie had the goal for Las Vegas. Spencer Foster got the assist on Chayse’s goal. Logan Perez was the Vegas goalie.
Thursday Final Score in Minnesota – AAA Team Walleye 16u 8, AAA Arizona Bobcats 16u 4
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Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator has signed with the USPHL Premier Richmond Generals; Joey Raats of Las Vegas has signed with EIHL Coventry Blaze in England.
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Blaine, Minnesota – Matt Johnson, coach of the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u who are in the NAPHL Fall Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota. He shouldn’t worry. One of his star players Chayse Laurie for sure will be on the ice and star goalie Logan Perez will be in the net for the AAA Jr Golden Knights 16u.
“Chayse is a complete player. He competes hard each shift. He has a great hockey IQ,” said coach Matt.
In Minnesota Chayse will center with linemates Connor Beers and Mason Jackson.
Coach Matt also liked how his goalie Logan Perez played last weekend against the Arizona Bobcats. “Logan is very good. Fundamentally sound. And good lateral movement. There is a lot to like about Logan.”
AAA Jr Golden Knights 16u Schedule in Blaine, Minnesota
Sep 16 – 1-7 to AAA Minnesota Green Giants 16u
Sep 17 – 1-3 to AAA Minnesota Walleye 16u @Fogerty Ice Hockey Arena
Sep 18 – 7-0 over AAA East Coast Spartans 16u
Sep 19 – 2-3 to AAA 95 Giants 16u
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Sunday Final Score at City National Arena – AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 3, Arizona Bobcats 16u 2
//Vegas Stars of the Game – Ryan Disbrow, Mason Jackson, Aidan Finch
Vegas coach Matt Johnson: “Overall it was a good weekend. This is the first time our players have really played together. There is a huge difference between between practice condition and game condition. Obviously we have things to correct and work on. But overall we have a pretty good team. Once we get through the acclimation period we will be a very good team.”
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home 2021-22
Goals
5 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
3 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Chicago 15u
2 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
2 – Dexter Kichline, AAA Bishop Kearney 16u
2 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
1 – Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones
1 – AJ Lackas, EHl New England Wolves
1 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s
1 – Tristan Toth, EHLP Maine Eclipse
1 – Mikey Yochum, ACHA D1 Canisius
Goalies
Luke Fundator, USPHL Premier Richmond Generals
1-1-0 record, 1.52 gaa, 94.1% save percentage
Zackary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
3-2-0 record, 2.80 gaa, 91.7# save percentage
To revise or update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2021-22
Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
Steven Avalone, ACHA D2 Lindenwood
Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u- Chicago
Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Pensacola Ice Flyers
Nicolas Bonaldi, NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club
Skyler Cameron, BCHL Nanaimo Clippers
Vito Carlo, NCAA Franklin Pierce University
Henry Colbert, AA Anaheim Ducks 14u
Luke Fundator, USPHL Premier Richmond Generals
Matthew Gross, NAHL Bismarck Bobcats
Brett Harpling, USPHL Premier Palm Beach Typhoon
Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones, Hudson, N.H
Hunter Keech, USPHL Long Beach Shredders
Dexter Kichline, AAA Bishop Kearney 16u
AJ Lackas, EHL New England Wolves
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
Michael McNicholas, EIHL Scotland Fife Flyers
Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u Minnesota
Gunner Moore, NAHL Shreveport Mudbugs
Zachary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
Spencer Poscente, ACHA Eastern Michigan
Ash Printzen, Curry College, Milton, Mass.
Joey Raats, Coventry Blaze, England
Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville, SC, Swamp Rabbits
Noah Smejkal, SIJHL Wisconsin Lumberjacks
Blade Taylor, WSHL Bellingham Blazers
Gabriel Testa, WSHL Rogue Valley Warriors
Andrew Thornton, ACHA Liberty University
Tristan Toth, EHLP Maine Eclipse
Cole West, AAA Boston Hockey Academy 16u
Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u, Attleboro, Mass
Cody Williams, HC Giants, Finland
Mikey Yochum, ACHA D1 Canisus Golden Griffins
Jason Zucker, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins
to contribute or revise send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Austin Moline of Las Vegas scored for AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s in a win over Team Wisconsin. Shattuck St. Mary’s 2-0-0 this weekend.
Las Vegas – Coach Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u take on the Arizona Bobcats 16u three times this weekend at City National Arena. The next game Saturday is at 8:30 pm followed by a game on Sunday at 8:30 am.
//There was some great music played – “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” and “Sugar Shack” – at the Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u afternoon game at City National Arena.
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Red Alert – ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas scored the winning goal and dealt an assist for the AAA Northeast Generals 18u of Attleboro, Mass in a game vs the Elite Hockey Academy Prep 19u at the Northford Ice Pavillion in Middletown, Conn. Yesterday, the AAA Cal Wave beat the AAA Northeast Generals 4-1.
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Las Vegas – At the UNLV scrimmage game Saturday there was a large crowd at City National Arena as the Rebels were wiring in for their season-opening games vs mighty Illinois. Team Scarlet, with a massively big goalie Zach Wickson beat Team Grey 7-1. Team Scarlet’s team included Jayson Dimizio (who really played well) plus Angelo Tsalafos, Paxton Malone and Nick Flanders. Before the game the Rebels dj got the pre-game turned up to high heat when he played ‘Jump’ by the great Kriss Kross. Jared Joerger, who played a lot of hockey in town including roller, was at the game saying hello to all – Lee
After the scrimmage game UNLV head coach Anthony Greener said “Best player on the ice was Jayson Dimizio by far. A few others who stood out were Luke Burke and Michael Boutoussov. As for the D-men Adam Victorino played a good game.’
UNLV Rebels assistant coach Nick Robone said “I thought Jayson Dimizio, Jack Kennedy, Paxton Malone, Cole Wyatt and Zach Wickson had a great game.”
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Saturday Scores
AAA 14u
AAA Tampa Bulls 7, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 4
AAA St. Louis Knights 3, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 2
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Breaking News – Long-time Las Vegas hockey coach Adam Stio – sends this today “we just took a job running an arena in Rock Springs WY…not coaching yet but l’m sure we will be part of the youth organization here and help where I can“
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home 2021-22
Goals
5 – Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
3 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Chicago 15u
2 – Hunter Barto, USHL Minesota Moose
2 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
1 – Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones
1 – Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s
To revise or update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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How to contact Vegas Hockey – We’re open 24/7 – send scores, goals and highlights to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Faith Lutheran High School of Las Vegas opens its Varsity season at home October 8th 7:30 pm at City National Arena against the Horizon Huskies D1 squad from Phoenix. The game is close to sold out already. Wristbands for admission are available at flhshockey@gmail.com
Coach Matt Stang Update////
//It wasn’t that long ago when Matt Stang and Arturo Castro, Richie Crossley were coaches of an AA Las Vegas Ice Cats 18u ice hockey team at the SoBe Ice Arena. So where is coach Matt now….in Canada!
Matt texted today “Hope all is well in Las Vegas. We opened up my own hockey development company called HBIQ Sports, so I have been running development camps all summer and currently travelling in Canada working with current NHL players and prospects as well as youth hockey players. I am still living in Prince George BC, with my wife Karri and daughter Harper (7) and son Brady (1)
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Las Vegas – It’s not just a scrimmage game – it will be a UNLV Rebels game with some heat and meaning to it says assistant coach Nick Robone. For years Rebels fans have jammed into City National Arena to see the new Rebels recruits in a high action game which will include Rebels returning players. Game time is 7 pm on Saturday.
“Matt Johnson and Cody Castro will be the bench coaches,” Robone said. “(Head Coach) Anthony Greener and I will try to split up our players as evenly as possible. We will be looking at quite a few things from our players – like compete level in front of a live crowd, skill and leadership on the ice. Our goal also is to really figure out line combinations for the season and who will fit nicely onto our depth chart this season.”
There is no admission as well…
Will there be a sense of urgency in this game. You bet. Powerful Illinois is coming to town on October 1…..
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Breaker – Tyler Jordan of Las Vegas scored for the AAA Northern Cyclones 15u in a 4-4 tie yesterday against the ’95 Giants in Foxboro, Mass.
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Story by Matt Atencio, UNLV Rebels
UNLV Rebels
The Rebel Hockey family is proud to announce that three former players have signed deals to play professionally overseas.
Former players D’Andre John and Jake Saxe have agreed to deals with the Swedish Hockey League. Cody Williams has also agreed to a deal in the Finnish Hockey league.
D’Andre John
John began his hockey journey at the age of three years old. Being from Toronto, hockey had been engrained in him at a young age. After his first time playing, he fell in love with the sport and never looked back. John came to UNLV in the 2018 season and played for two years. During that time, John recorded 26 points in 39 games with the team. After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down not one, but two of the Rebel’s last seasons, John began searching for other options to continue his playing career.
“Sal Caggulia contacted me saying the coach of Hofors HC wanted to get in contact with me,” John said. “He had seen me play before and it ended up working out.”
John will be heading over to Hofors, Sweden on Aug. 27 to play for Hofors HC. The biggest thing he is looking forward to in this new chapter is being able to extend his playing career. “The fact that I am still playing at 25 is amazing.” John said.
Jake Saxe
Growing up in Montreal, Jake’s parents got him involved early in hockey. Saxe played four seasons with the Rebels. During that time, he racked up 105 points in 105 total games. His last two seasons with the team, he served as an alternate captain.
“I think [playing with the team] was great,” Saxe said. “I came in as 20-year-old freshmen and matured a lot. I played a lot of minutes, and the coaching staff was very welcoming. It was like a family, which made you want to stay and get better every year.”
After finishing his career at UNLV, Jake looked to continue his playing career elsewhere. Despite things not materializing right away, Saxe and his team continued to press forward. About a month into signing, he entered contract negotiations with multiple teams. After some back and forth, he found his new home with the IK Guts in Finspång, Sweden.
Cody Williams
Cody Williams grew up in Las Vegas and started playing hockey at the age of three, thanks in part to his older brother. At age 23, Williams had just finished playing minor league hockey and was looking for something new. That is when assistant coach Nicholas Robone gave him a call to offer him a spot on the UNLV Rebel’s hockey team. Williams spent four seasons with the Rebels, where he racked up some very impressive numbers. In his time spent at UNLV, he recorded 191 points (99 goals, 92 assists). In the 2019 season, he was named captain of the team.
After finishing his time at UNLV, Williams moved to France to join the Jets d’Evry Viry Centre Essonne in Evry, France. He played 18 games with the team, recording 13 goals and 18 assists before the COVID-19 Pandemic ended the season. After a year out of the game, Williams worked with his agency team and landed a spot on the HC Giants in Hollola, Finland.
Matt Johnson’s AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u will open their season with two games vs the Arizona Bobcats 16u at City National Arena on Charleston Avenue in Las Vegas on Sept. 11-12. “It’s exciting – Energizing!,” said coach Matt. “We have a great group of young men. We are similar to the ‘Vegas Misfit’ mold – strong blue collar build! – with players from Vegas, Ohio, New Mexico, Chicago, Alaska, Utah and Colorado. We have very good speed and size up front. We are tough and heavy on the defensive side. We have two goalies who will be competing with each other all season. Most of all we have a team with great character.”
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Grand Rapids – Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas – with 1 goal, 4 assists – and the AAA Windy City 15u had a big weekend here with an 8-1 win over AAA Honeybaked, a 6-1 win over the AAA Oakland Grizzlies followed by a very tough 4-3 loss to AAA Little Caesars. This coming weekend Fuzzy and AAA Windy City 15u will be playing in the Midwest Exposure Tournament in St. Louis with games against Team Wisconsin, Car Shield and St Louis Blues.
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Attleboro, Massachusetts – ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas scored his first goal of the season for the AAA Northeast Generals Academy 18u in a 4-1 win against the AAA Western Massachusetts Vipers 18u at the New England Sports Village. Harris and the Northeast Generals 18u tomorrow take on the AAA Northern Cyclones 19u. Harris’ last Las Vegas tier hockey team was coached by Wally Lacroix and Todd Owen.
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Coach Rob Pallin and his family’s trip to Germany looks like this: depart from Las Vegas, connect in Chicago, take an international flight to Munich, then get ground transportation to drive to Kaufbeuren.
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#1 Most Searched Today – The Last Skate at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena – #1 Most Searched of All Time on Vegas Hockey –
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Breaker – Fuzzy Atchison of Las Vegas and the AAA Windy City 15u of Chicago played their first games last weekend. Fuzzy scored his 1st goal of the season on a short-handed breakaway. He tallied 2 goals and 3 assists in his 1st 5 games played. He’s headed to Grand Rapids, Michigan this weekend for their next round of games. In Grand Rapids they have a big schedule with games vs Little Caesars, Nashville Jr Predators, Honeybaked and Oakland Jr Grizzlies
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‘Late Skate’ – Painting by the great Terrence Fogarty of Minnesota
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Las Vegas – For years UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener has taken his team on the road to take on mighty ACHA D1 Illinois University. Then a few weeks ago coach Anthony made a call to Illinois head coach Nick Fabbrini and said perhaps it’s your turn to play the games at our place. “We know coach Nick Fabbrini pretty well. His teams are well coached and play hard. So we spoke on the phone and suggested why not come over to our place – City National Arena on October 1 and 2. He said sure let’s do it and that is how it all went down. These will be hard games – they are a very skilled team which will be highly ranked. We are looking forward to it and so are all of our Rebels fans.” Each game has an 8 pm local time opening faceoff.
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Breaking news – Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin, wife Dora and their two daughters are now taking an international flight on Monday, August 30 to be with his team ESV Kaufbeuren in Germany for this coming season. “Anxious to get there and see our players. Returning to coach Rob’s team is captain Tyler Spurgeon and 28-goal scorer John Lammers – both are from Canada.
//Years ago goal scorer Adam ‘Stick’ Naglich of Las Vegas played four seasons at NCAA University of Fairbanks-Alaska. And yes, he still keeps in touch with his linemates in his senior season. “Braden Walls was on our line – he played in France and Hungary – and he was in my wedding party. Ryan Hohl lives in Florida. He played for a bit in the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League.)”
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Las Vegas – At a media brunch with reporters on Saturday morning Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin said “there’s a lot of good things to say about Austin Moline of Las Vegas. “He’s hockey smart, skates hard and we think he’s going to have an excellent season playing in a strong program like AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u team in Minnesota.” Moline is 6’4, 180. Coach Rob is returning to coach ESV Kaufburen in Germany this coming season.
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home 2021-22
Goals
3 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Chicago 15u
2 – Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u
1 – Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones
To revise or update here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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UNLV RebelsHockey Schedule 20-21 Season
UNLV
University of Illinois
Utah
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Arizona
Missouri State
Grand Canyon University
ASU
University of Jamestown
Liberty University
Oregon====
Las Vegas is getting a major college hockey game next year. Perennial powerhouse North Dakota and the closest Division I program geographically, Arizona State, will play at T-Mobile Arena in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Oct. 29, 2022, according to a report from the Grand Forks Herald. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, which are both familiar with Las Vegas. North Dakota came to town in 2018 for the Hall of Fame Game against Minnesota, an event that packed the Orleans Arena.The Herald reported the game sold out immediately, and school officials wondered if T-Mobile Arena would have been a better destination.Arizona State has played at Las Vegas’ premier hockey venue, winning the Las Vegas Invitational in 2018 with victories over Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech.North Dakota, which will be the designated home team, and Arizona State are capable of drawing large crowds. The Fighting Hawks faithful are known as one of the best traveling fanbases in the league, while Tempe, Arizona, is about a five-hour drive from the Strip.T-Mobile Arena will also host the 2026 Frozen Four, the first NCAA hockey championship played in Las Vegas. North Dakota is the host school for that tournament.The last time college hockey came to Las Vegas was the Fortress Invitational in 2020 between Providence, Ohio State, Cornell and Army. The tournament featured Golden Knights draft picks forward Jack Dugan, who won the tournament MVP for Providence, and Layton Ahac, a defenseman for Ohio State. Both are now in the Vegas organization with the Silver Knights.
https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/hockey/7154661-Its-booked-UND-hockey-is-headed-back-to-Vegas
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Red Alert – Major breaking news – Goal scorer Michael McNicholas, a very popular player in Las Vegas, will play this coming season in Scotland for the pro team Fife Flyers, it was announced today. The Fife Flyers were founded in 1938 and are the oldest professional hockey team in the United Kingdom. The ice rink there is a few miles from St. Andrews Links, the birthplace of golf. Michael has family and friends in England, Ireland and Wales. Michael had offers to play in France and a potential offer to play in Italy. Last season he played for the ECHL Maine Mariners. The Fife Flyers GM is Daniel Briere.
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Las Vegas – Goal scorer Hunter Keech, 18, of Las Vegas will play this coming season with the USPHL Long Beach Shredders it was announced today. This franchise was formerly known as the Anaheim Avalanche. Emerson Etem, a first round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, played in 173 NHL games and 23 NHL playoff games, is the Head Coach/GM of the Shredders. In the NHL Emerson played for the Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks.
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Milton, Mass. – Ash Printzen of Las Vegas will skate for Curry College’s first ever woman’s ice hockey team this coming season. Ash has been a top goal scorer in ice hockey and in woman’s roller hockey on an international level. She said “I am very excited to be a part of hockey history at Curry College.”
Las Vegas – Big hometown news today – Goal Scorer Chayse Laurie and premier goalie Logan Perez have signed with the Matt Johnson-coached AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team for this coming season. Both are star players who last season skated for the AAA Arizona Bobcats. “Chayse will be a big impact player from the start. We have a good team and he is a big signing for us – as is Logan!,” Matt said. Meanwhile the awesome goalie Johnny Ng of Las Vegas will play for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team
Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas in action with ECHL Maine Mariners who play in Portland, Maine
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The Vegas Jr. Golden Knights Hockey Club is pleased to announce that they are part of the inaugural 2021-22 campaign of the Pacific Girls Hockey League. The league includes prominent teams from California, with the recent additions of the Arizona Kachinas and our Vegas Jr. Golden Knights 12u team.
“This is a step forward for girls’ hockey in Las Vegas. Promoting and elevating the girls’ game in the market and across the state is an organizational priority,” said Darren Eliot, President, VJGK Hockey Club. Eliot continued, “Competing consistently against top caliber teams allows our players to improve individually and forms the foundation for collective growth as a regional league.”
Please come and support our 12U girls for a weekend of great hockey on September 18th and 19th at Lifeguard Arena. Sheri Hudspeth is head coach of the VJGK girls 12u team.
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Las Vegas – The USPHL Premier Fresno Monsters are coming to town. Adam Bonaldi, GM of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds says that the blueprint for the Season Opening game will be taking on the always feisty Fresno Monsters on Friday, Sept. 14 here in town at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Expect some early game on-ice fireworks in this one – Lee
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Have a Las Vegas hockey story to share – send to leesamuels07@aol.com – we’re open 24/7
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Faribault, Minnesota – Zachary Ortolano, an awesome Las Vegas goalie for played on Las Vegas tier teams coached by Wally Lacroix and Todd Owen in Las Vegas, will return and play for the AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u team this coming season.
Gage Quinney of Las Vegas has re-signed for another season with the NHL Vegas Golden Knights. Last season Gage played for Knights affiliate AHL Henderson Silver Knights where he had 10 goals, 7 assists…Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas will return and play for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets this season. The Komets are the defending ECHL Kelly Cup Champions…An 8.2 mag earthquake hit Alaska last night. There are a number of major hockey teams there including Rob Profitt’s NAHL Fairbanks Ice Dogs…Rink Rat sent a text noting that Joe Sullivan, Cory Ward and Hamilton Whyte grew up playing tier hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue here in town – Lee
Thursday, July 29, 2021
RED ALERT – In a staggering hockey development three Las Vegas hometown hockey heroes – Joe Sullivan, Cory Ward and Hamilton Whyte – are on board to lead and coach the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds this coming season 2021-22. Adam Bonaldi, GM of the T-Birds, said Hamilton Whyte’s role will be as an Assistant GM and Joe Sullivan, Cory Ward will be co-head coaches.
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Junior hockey is returning to Palm Beach! The USPHL is thrilled to announce that the Palm Beach Typhoon will join the USPHL’s Premier and Elite Divisions for the 2021-22 season.
The program will be run by brothers Bill and Joe Flanagan, who have 20 years of experience in the junior hockey industry. The Flanagan brothers founded and have run the Northern Cyclones organization, based out of Hudson, N.H., since 2001. The brothers also built and operate their own facility, Cyclones Arena. The Cyclones, members of the USPHL’s NCDC, Premier and Elite Divisions, are one of the top junior programs in the country and have a proven history of both winning and development.
The Flanagan brothers are now bringing their proven track record to Palm Beach, where the USPHL has had junior hockey in the past.
The Typhoon will practice and play home games out of the Palm Beach Skate Zone, which is located at 8125 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, Florida, 33467. The organization’s Premier and Elite teams will play out of the Florida Division.
The Typhoon will also be affiliated with the Northern Cyclones of the USPHL’s NCDC. The NCDC, a Tier-2 league, is a 13-team tuition-free junior hockey league entirely located in the Northeastern United States. The League and all of its teams are fully united and dedicated to the mission of player development and advancement to college hockey. Bill Flanagan, Typhoon Co-Owner, is the Head Coach of the NCDC’s Cyclones.
Twenty-year Junior head coach Joe Flanagan will be leading the way for the program, and will serve as the General Manager of both the Premier and Elite teams. In addition to his duties as General Manager, Flanagan will coach the Typhoon’s USPHL Premier team.
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2021-22
Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u- Chicago
Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Pensacola Ice Flyers
Nicolas Bonaldi, NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club
Skyler Cameron, BCHL Nanaimo Clippers
Vito Carlo, NCAA Franklin Pierce University
Henry Colbert, AA Anaheim Ducks 14u
Luke Fundator, USPHL Premier Richmond Generals
Matthew Gross, NAHL Bismarck Bobcats
Brett Harpling, USPHL Premier Palm Beach Typhoon
Tyler Jordan, AAA Northern Cyclones, Hudson, N.H.
Hunter Keech, USPHL Long Beach Shredders
Dexter Kichline, AAA Bishop Kearney 16u
AJ Lackas, EHL New England Wolves
Jack Lackas, AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 15u
Michael McNicholas, EIHL Scotland Fife Flyers
Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u Minnesota
Gunner Moore, NAHL Shreveport Mudbugs
Zachary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 18u
Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets
Ash Printzen, Curry College, Milton, Mass.
Joey Raats, Coventry Blaze, England
Blade Taylor, WSHL Bellingham Blazers
Andrew Thornton, ACHA Liberty University
Cole West, AAA Boston Hockey Academy 16u
Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u, Attleboro, Mass.
Cody Williams, HC Giants, Finland
Jason Zucker, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins
to contribute or revise send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Las Vegas – Anthony Greener’s UNLV Rebels D1 ice hockey team has scheduled an explosive season-opening weekend- The D1 University of Illinois, an ACHA Top 10 level team for years, will be coming to town and play a Friday/Saturday two game set vs the Rebels on October 1-2 at the City National Arena
“We know they are a well-coached team,” coach Greener said. “Fabs (the Illinois coach) always has great recruits coming in. Historically they will rank anywhere from #5 to #8 in ACHA D1. It will be tough for us however I like that we are jumping right into the fire to start the season.”
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Here is what head coach Anthony Greener says about the Rebels new captain, Jared Erickson:
“I think Jared will be an awesome captain. He is well respected on the ice and more off the ice. He leads by example and does the little things right. We are excited and honored to have him as our eighth captain in the history of our program.
Assistant Rebels and chief recruiter coach Nick Robone:
“He’s a pro in all aspects of the game. Jared is usually the first to arrive and last to leave at our practices. He’s going to be a great captain for us this season.”
Jared Erickson Named Captain of Rebel Hockey
July 16, 2021
Story by: Matt Atencio
Rebel Hockey has officially named Jared Erickson as their captain for the 2021-22 season.
The fifth-year senior takes over as the fifth captain for the Skatin’ Rebels since their move to division one in the American College Hockey Association.
“I found out I was going to be a captain through coach Greener,” Erickson said. “He had reached out and asked me how I felt about a leadership role and being the captain of the team. Obviously, I was really excited, ecstatic, and kind of in disbelief. To be named the captain and voted on by your peers, it really meant a lot to me.”
Erickson was born on Feb. 14, 1996. He began playing hockey at the age of five in his hometown of Waupaca, Wisconsin.
Erickson played two seasons with the Iowa State Cyclones before transferring to UNLV. In those two seasons, he registered 18 points.
“I had a buddy that was out here, and I asked him about the coaching staff,” Erickson said. “They have such a top-notch program out here. I was really excited to reach out to coach Greener and to have him welcome me with open arms, it meant a lot to me.”
Erickson was an alternate captain in the season previous. He registered seven goals and 12 assists in 34 games played in his first season with the Rebels. After a year off due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Erickson is looking forward to competing once again.
“I am thrilled [to be playing again],” Erickson said. “It was kind of weighing on me whether or not I was going to take a fifth-year. When it came down to it, I felt uneasy with closing the book on my hockey career. I just wanted to have one last ‘kick of the can’ and give it one last full season.”
Part of being a captain is the pressure and expectations that are associated with it. Not just internally, but externally as well. Instead of looking to someone else to be the voice, Erikson will be expected to provide that for his team.
“I think there are a lot of challenges in a leadership position,” Erickson said. “One of the challenges I will be presented with is managing the guys on the bench and locker room, [as well as] keeping the emotions levelheaded. Also making sure guys are living up to the ‘Skatin Rebel’ standard.”
Despite the pressure, the team is excited to showcase what they can do. Erikson noted that all 30 players and coaches welcome the challenge that a new season will bring. As for himself, Erikson wants to put his best foot forward every day he comes to the rink. This is his last shot to play competitive hockey, and he wants to make it count.
The Skatin’ Rebels drop the puck for their first intersquad scrimmage on Sept. 4. Their home opener will be on Oct. 1 against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Tickets can be purchased at www.rebelhockey.com (placeholder).
[Edit]
RIP – There is a hockey heaven for those who have left us – Lee
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PLAYERS
Sean Darby – Rugged player who was the centerpiece on the Gold Line with best friends and teammates Sean Fox, Justin Grossman in 2001-02 season with the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u in a massively great season.
Sean Fox – Always wore jersey #88 and played a hard, fast game; was on the fierce checking Gold Line with Sean Darby and Justin Grossman on coach Rob Pallin’s 2001-02 AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u which advanced to the U.S Nationals.
Johnny Oakes – He played high level roller hockey with dignity and grace while on a line with Micah Sanford, Leroy Garcia and other teenage stars of that era at Crystal Palace Roller Rink on Rancho Drive and at national roller tournaments throughout the USA. Johnny was a very special person and skater.
Eddie Samuels – His first coach was roller legend Larry Sanford when Eddie was 10 years old. Eddie played roller at all levels, then began played ice hockey with the AAA Vail Avalanche Colorado bantam team where the great Jamie O’Leary was head coach. Then Eddie was on the Red Line with Josh Jasek and Adam Naglich for star coach Rob Pallin on his 2001-02 AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u team. Eddie and Eddie Del Grosso played for the AAA San Diego Gulls with head coach Rob Neumann, AAA Cal State Senators, BCHL Victoria Salsa, NAHL Billings Bulls and was captain of the NAHL Fairbanks Ice Dogs where his coach was the legendary Rob Proffit. Eddie’s best friend was all-star defenseman Eddie Del Grosso of Las Vegas.
Nick Schaefer – Best friends with Jason Zucker. The two played youth hockey on an AAA Las Vegas Storm team at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Nick was a gifted goal scorer, great skater, very popular and the unexpected passing of Nick in 2010 was an absolute devastating loss to the Las Vegas hockey community.
Hockey Dads and Moms
Lee Beebe – father of hockey son Brandon who played for the UNLV Rebels. Lee was a home builder, professional skier, musician and friend to all. Before games at the SoBe Ice Arena, Lee met his hockey friends and talked about the Rebels at the Subway shop just outside the rink doors.
Dave Francis – father of Las Vegas hockey star Chris Francis. Dave was the kind, helpful gatekeeper and blade sharpener at the SoBe Ice Arena Pro Shop. Dave was kind to all – no matter who you were or what team you played for. There wasn’t a player, coach or hockey parent he didn’t care for. Dave is tremendously missed in that arena setting.
Tommy Ricketts – One of the greatest hockey dads of our time. His hockey sons were Beau and Blade Ricketts. Beau played at all levels of the game – he was a star goal scorer for the Helena BigHorns in Montana and later returned to Las Vegas for a tremendous goal scoring season with the WSHL Las Vegas Storm at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Tommy collected hockey cards and would give them to youth hockey players when he was at an arena. Tommy and Jimmy Samuels of Las Vegas were best friends.
Bill Tufano – father of roller star Billy Tufano of Las Vegas. Bill for years was the statkeeper, ran the scoreboard and announced the goals in the Micah Sanford era at the Little House of Champions – Crystal Palace Roller Rink on Rancho Drive. “It was a honor to have Bill announce your goals,” said Eddie Samuels.
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
Best Tweet of the Day from the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Congratulations to former T-Bird, Arik Altman, on being drafted today in the #nahldraft by the Johnstown Tomahawks!!! #gotbirds #vegashockey #usphl
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Readers here dig deep into our archives each and every day. There are hundreds and hundreds of stories about Vegas Hockey on this website. The most read is the Last Skate at the Santa Fe Stations story. However this past week this particular story – The World of House Hockey – Kimmie Zucker – is the #1 most searched. It was written and posted here six years ago.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2015
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – “Are you writing about me again – one more time,” house hockey player Paige Nowag of Team Red was asking at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Ave last night.
To her left was linemate Kimmie Zucker who laughed real hard in the lobby of the ice rink.
“What’s going on?” asked teenage playmaker Jimmy Samuels, leaning on his hockey stick.
And then, on a very cold winter night at the Las Vegas Ice Center, it all came flashing back.
The Paige Nowag story.
On a summer night about a year ago over at the Crystal Palace roller rink, Paige Nowag was skating in a house game. So was her best rink pal teenage Kimmie Zucker. At the red line – the center of the rink – there was an earthquake shaker of a collision. Somehow, someway, Paige and Kimmie ran into each other and Paige was on the floor.
As Kimmie leaned over, Paige said she was hurt bad, couldn’t get up, needed help. She cried out ‘oh, my gosh.’ At last a hockey dad went over the rink wall, gently picked up Paige, took her to the Crystal Palace area where there are rows of tables.
Paige was placed onto the floor as a small crowd gathered around her.
Then, Jason Zucker – yes, that Jason Zucker of the NHL Minnesota Wild – came over to take a look.
“Elevate her left leg. Let me take a look,” Jason said. He carefully touched her left ankle which was beginning to swell.
When Dr Jason was finished, medics were called.
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Last night, Paige, Kimmie and Jimmy Samuels were on Team Red which beat Team Blue 6-3. Jimmy had 4 assists.
Or maybe he had one goal, three assists?
His hockey dad Rich was at the rinkboards and said he had hard evidence.
At least that’s what he said he saw on his camera.
“I know Jimmy scored a goal. Look at this,” he said.
There was a picture of a red 29 in front of the Team Blue net. There was a black hockey stick in front of red 29.
“That’s Jimmy’s stick. He scored the goal,” Rich said while looking deep into the back of his camera. He zoomed in on the Big Picture.
“Don’t write about that,” Jimmy said. “I’m good with the 4 assists.”
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Sunday, July 18, 2021=====
IT’S THE GOLD FOR THE ADAM TAMURA-COACHED SIN CITY REBELS AT NARCH 2021
Irvine, Ca. – Tour Aztecs of SoCal led 2-0 early in this NARCh Men’s Gold title game…..Kris Carter scores on powerplay for Vegas; it’s a 2-1 game…Ross McMullan, Austin Shannon get the assists…Dominic Carter scores for Vegas – it’s 2-2, assists Tim Mullis, Nick Robone……fiercely played game with gold medal on the line….1:30 left in first period….Rebels score, take 3-2 lead – Jared Joeger from Tim Mullis…End of First Period; 3-2 Sin City Rebels Orange leads by a goal….we are in second period…game is now tied 3-3.
4:30 left in second period, still 3-3….Rebels go onto powerplay….Nick Robone, Kris Carter, Austin Shannon on Rebels powerplay
Ross McMullan, with a pass from Tim Mullis, scores to win the game for Sin City Rebels Orange in NARCh Mens Division. Sin City goalie Johnny Eugenio was in the net and after the game received a Best Goalie award
Nick Robone said McMullan’s winning goal went like this: “Tim Mullis and Dom Garcia were battling down low by the two defenders, worked out the puck and Tim found Ross in the slot who buried the puck high glove.”
This game was played on Sunday, July 18, 2021
NARCh – Sunday, July 18 Game Schedule
Men’s Silver Division
Playoff Game – Sin City Rebels Green vs Tour Roadrunners, 9:40 am
//Teams are warming up – game is about to start – Roadrunners strike first, lead 1-0….shots are 3-3…5:06 left in first period…score is now 3-0 Roadrunners….coach Adam calls for a timeout….Roadrunners now lead 4-0….with 9:12 left in 2nd period, Rebels go onto a powerplay….Sin City Rebels score…Darion Conaway from Ryland Johnson and Mark Nowag. Roadrunners lead 4-1…..3:37 left in 2nd period..Nate Valdez, from Phil Friendman for Sin City and it’s a 4-2 game!…….Roadrunners win the game 5-2………NARCh Tournament comes to a close for this great Sin City Rebels Green team….
Men’s Gold Division….
Gold Medal Game Sunday – Sin City Rebels Orange vs Tour Aztecs of SoCal – 4:30 pm faceoff
Tour Aztecs break to an early 2-0 lead….
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Saturday, July 17 Game Schedule
Men’s Gold –
1st period – we are underway….0-0 midway first period…Kris Carter scores for Sin City Rebels who lead 1-0.. Austin Shannon scores with an assist from Jared Joerger and Sin City Leads 2-0….Johnny Eugenio in net for Vegas…Westside scores – Vegas now leads 2-1….very late in game….Sin City leads by a goal…..REBELS WIN 2-1…
Saturday Evening – Sin City Rebels Orange vs LaBeda Purple Haze, 9:40 pm start time
1st period – Sin City strikes quickly – Ethan Montoya scores with assists coming from Tim Mullis, Adam Tamura and Nick Robone. Sin City takes 2-0 lead as Jared Joeger scores. Assists dealt by Nick Robone, Kris Carter. Then it’s 3-0 as Kris Carter scores with an assist from the great Austin Shannon. Purple Haze scores, so it’s a 3-1 game. Johnny Eugenio in the net for Vegas. 0:45 left in first period, Sin City leads 3-1. Now going into 2nd period. This game wound up in a 3-3 tie.
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Mens Silver
Final – Sin City Rebels Green 6, Boston Blizzard 5 – a 10 Star Game!
//Boston Blizzard, a very fast team, takes 4-2 lead in 2nd period on Saturday. Darion Conaway and Nate Valdez have goals for Sin City Rebels Green of Las Vegas…..Matt Strickler in net for Vegas…..Devin Chiero scores, assist Dario Valdez – then Devin Chiero scores again. It’s a 4-4 game. Moments later Mark Nowag scores off faceoff, then Darion Conaway scores to put Vegas ahead 6-4. Game is over Vegas wins dramatically 6-5. Adam Tamura, head coach, in a 10-star game. On Sunday, Sin City Rebels Green will play in the Final 4. After the game Adam told reporters “…This group has really come together and are piquing at the right time. They have fought and clawed all season for every goal – now they are being rewarded with big wins. They play for each other and are very hungry for their first major title.”
//Confirming LV goals in this game -#1 Darion Conaway from Mark Nowag; #2 Nate Valdez; #3 Devin Chiero from Ryland Johnson; #4 Devin Chiero from Ryland Johnson; #5 Mark Nowag; #6 Darion Conaway from Devin Chiero
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Friday Evening Game Final Score – Sin City Rebels Orange 7 Tour Aztecs 1 – Men’s Gold Division – Sin City now 3-0-0
//Sin City goal scorers in order – Tim Mullis, Jared Joeger, Kris Carter, Adam Tamura, Nick Robone, Tim Mullis, Domininc Garcia – Sin City goalie – Johnny Eugenio
Friday Evening Final Score – Sin City Barons Green 3, NorCal Rhinos 1 Men’s Silver Division – Sin City Green 3-0-0
This late-night game is underway – Darion Conaway scores for Sin City Green who take a 1-0 lead….Nate Valdez scores, Sin City Greens leads 2-0 vs the NorCal Rhinos at 10 pm! 8 minutes left in the game…Clock ticking down…Matt Strickler in net tonight for Sin City……He’s been awesome all week here…4 minutes to play…now it is Vegas by 2-1…..3:51 left….clock ticking down….game heats up…..Darion Conaway gets powerplay goal – Vegas leads 3-1…Game comes to a close – Sin City Rebels Green wins 3-1. Eliminator games begin tomorrow. Sin City Rebels Green 3-0-0. Adam Tamura, head coach….Sin City Rebels Green will play in a Final 4 game on Sunday!
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Breaker – Nick Robone of Las Vegas scored today – Friday – for coach Adam Tamura’s Sin City Rebels Orange roller hockey team in an 8-0 win over the Storm in a Gold Division game at the NARCh Finals at The Rinks in Irvine. Ca. Other Las Vegas goal scorers included Ross McMullan (2), Kris Carter (2), Austin Shannon, Tim Mullis and Dominic Garcia here. The great Johne Eugenio was the goalie for Las Vegas….In Game Two on Friday the Sin City Rebels Green roller team is 0-0 in first half vs California Rollers. 2:45 left in first half, no score…..Matt Strickler back in net for ;Rebels….Darion Conaway scores 1st goal of the game, then Phil Freedman scores for Las Vegas for a 2-0 lead late; Cal Rollers score – it is a 2-1 game….Rollers pull goalie…1:10 to play…it’s getting dicey out there….Devin Cheiro from Rebels Green took a back-hand shot into open net to score as Las Vegas wins by 3-1 win and raise record to 2-0-0 here.
Breaker – Game one for Coach Adam Tamura of Las Vegas with the Sin City Rebels Green men’s roller hockey team was a 4-0 win over the Modelo Raiders from Irvine. The Vegas goals – Nate Valdez PP goal from Darion Conaway; Darion Conaway goal from Dylan Hadfield; Mark Nowag goal from/ Darion Conaway and Dario Valdez; Darion Conaway PP goal from Ryland Johnson. Matt Strickler, from New Jersey, was the goalie for Sin City Green. The Silver Division men’s league game was played at The Rinks in Irvine, Ca. “We’ve been working all season for this. My hope is that we peak at the right time and bring home the Cup to Las Vegas,” said coach Adam Tamura
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THE GREATNESS OF MICAH SANFORD
By Lee Samuels
Micah Sanford of Las Vegas was our first star player – in ice and roller – here in Las Vegas.
He was the first from Las Vegas to leave home and play on the AAA level ice hockey with the AAA Vail, Colorado, Avalanche midget 18u team, the first to play in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs Jr A in Canada, and the first to play on a college scholarship at NCAA Division One Nebraska Omaha.
Micah launched his career here in Las Vegas in roller hockey which is the same route star players such as ice hockey stars Jason Zucker, Adam Naglich, Chris Francis, Eddie Samuels and Eddie Del Grosso also took.
Micah’s father Larry Sanford was the head roller hockey coach who took Las Vegas teams to major tournaments throughout the country. Big rivals for Las Vegas back then included the Orange County Blades, Brea Bulldogs, Arizona Stars and the Northern Colorado Blast.
When Micah was 16, he was named the National Roller Hockey Player of the Year.
“My Dad (Larry) played a lot of roller hockey when he was in his early 20’s,” said Micah. “He played for a team out of Louisana that was one of the best in the nation. He held the scoring title nationwide for about five years. We moved to Las Vegas because my folks thought roller rinks would do well here in town.”
That big roller rink was called Crystal Place built on North Rancho Drive. They call it “The Little House of Champions.”
“My favorite teammates in roller hockey were Freddie Young, Patrick Stevenson, Travis Gunderson and Leroy Garcia. We really meshed well together and we were all work horses – never getting out-competed,” Micah said.
That roller team – the Las Vegas Rolling Thunder – was an unstoppable force on a national level.
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MICAH’S GREATEST HOCKEY COACH
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Micah Sanford had many great coaches starting with his father Larry in roller hockey. Larry is a six-time Vegas Hockey Roller Coach of the Year.
Micah’s first travel ice hockey team was the AAA Vail Avalanche 18u in Colorado. Brad Buetow was the head coach. Brad was a former head coach at the Minnesota University and Colorado College hockey programs.
To get to Vail, Colorado, Micah packed up his gear in his pickup truck, then he drove back to the Crystal Palace roller rink where he grew up in Las Vegas. There was a group of younger players and hometown hockey moms and dads who were there and who wished him well and watched him drive off on North Rancho Drive. Micah was the first to leave Las Vegas to play the game and it was big news in the world of hometown hockey.
Micah also played for one of the greatest coaches in Harvey Smyl, a legend with the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs in Canada. When Micah played for Chilliwack hockey dad Larry Sanford would wear his black and yellow-striped Chilliwack jacket at Crystal Palace.
When Micah was at Chilliwack he told Vegashockey.com in 2000 “…I could always stick-handle and score but they worked on my skating and made me more of a complete player.”
After his first season with Chilliwack Micah went to the Peter Twist Skating School in Vancouver.
But who was Micah’s best coach?
“Harvey Smyl at Chilliwack was the best coach I ever had on the bench during a game. But Brad Buetow was the best coach I ever had at running a practice and teaching skills.
“Harvey was great managing his bench, knowing game situations and who to put onto the ice.
“Brad Buetow was the best at motivating his players and getting the best out of them,” said Micah.
Brad Buetow retired a few years ago, as did Harvey Smyl.
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MICAH’S ASTOUNDING GOAL-SCORING IN 2001-02 PLAYOFFS
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When Micah played for the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs in Canada hometown fans back in Las Vegas listened to the play by play on radio from the Chiefs two great announcers Barry Douglas and Richard Brew who called the game from the press boxes no matter where the Chiefs were playing. And little did Barry and Rich know – and their radio listeners – they were about to go onto the biggest ride of their lives.
Chilliwack finished the regular season with a record of 46-10-4. Micah, on the top line, led the team with 47 goals. He was 19 years old. His linemates and best rink friends were Kaleb Betts with 35 goals and Matt Gibbons with 28 goals.
On this same Chilliwack team was 17-year-old Gabe Gauthier the former GM/head coach of the WSHL Las Vegas Storm and the Hockey Director at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Gabe had 37 goals that season for Chilliwack. Gabe’s linemates were David Van Der Gulik, 38 goals, and Jeff Tambellini with 46 goals.
Micah always played on top lines. When he was with AAA Vail midget majors he was on the number one line with the great Teddy O’Leary.
Micah was now in his second season with Chilliwack and suddenly – and no one, including him – knows how and why Micah Sanford began scoring so many goals in the playoffs.
While Chilliwack was winning the Nowat Cup and the Doyle Cup and qualifying for the grand finale – the Royal Bank Cup in Halifax – Micah had racked up 31 playoff goals. When he was interviewed by me at Vegashockey.com (the old site, not this one) Micah said….
“I’m not doing anything differently. It’s like everything I shoot – no matter what part of the net – the puck goes right into the net. I cannot explain it.”
On the Chiefs radio Barry Douglas and Richard Brew were going insanely wild calling the games. Gauthier said “…it was unreal, so intense.”
At the Royal Bank Cup in Halifax – the one last crown to capture – Micah and the Chiefs worked their way to the Final 4.
They took on the OCN Blizzard from the Manitoba Hockey League. It was a close, tight game, right down to the final buzzer at the Halifax Forum.
OCN won 4-3.
When the game was over – and maybe it was the pressure of winning so many times – the Chiefs players collapsed onto the ice in all parts of the arena.
On the radio Barry and Richard lost it – they both wept.
They were trying to describe and capture in their own words the final time this great Chilliwacks Chiefs team would ever be on the ice.
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Micah scored 31 goals during the playoffs. For the season he had 78 goals, 80 assists – by far the most goal and assists and points by any Las Vegas skater on any level of the game.
Gauthier said “this was such a great team. Micah was a big part of it. I counted 12 of our players who went to NCAA Division 1 teams.
Chilliwack coach Harvey Smyl sized it all up when he said “Micah was a man among boys with his determination and strength.”
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Micah got a scholarship to play at Nebraska-Omaha. After four years he played professionally signing with the ECHL Bakersfield Condors.
In 2009 Micah retired as an active player.
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MICAH SANFORD CAREER ICE HOCKEY RECORD
1997-98 – Las Vegas Mustangs Midget A
1998-99 – Las Vegas Blackjacks Jr B
1999-20 – AAA Vail Avalanche midget major – 49 goals/35 assists
2000-01 – BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs Jr A – 12 goals/9 assists
2001-02 – BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs Jr A – 78 goals/80 assists
2002-03 – Nebraska-Omaha 8 goals/9 assists
2003-04 – Nebraska-Omaha 1 goal/0 assists
2005-05 – Nebraska-Omaha 1 goal/6 assists
2005-06 – Nebraska-Omaha 1 goal/0 assists
2008-09 – ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers 0 goals/0 assists
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Breaker – Canada hockey writer Gregg Drinnan – one of the best there is – reports the WHL Kamloops Blazers are without a GM after the departure of the great Matt Bardsley. Matt is now an amateur scout for the NHL Philadelphia Flyers – Lee
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Las Vegas – At a breakfast meeting with reporters on Sunday morning Las Vegas Coach Rob Pallin said he plans to return as head coach of ESV Kaufbeuren for the 2021-22 season in Germany. Coach Rob’s team made the playoffs last season. His top goals scorers included John Lammers, Tyler Spurgeon and Branden Gracel.
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Las Vegas Players Away From Home – 2021-22 Season
Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs
Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Windy City Storm 15u – Chicago
Nicholas Bonaldi, NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club
Skyler Cameron, BCHL Nanaimo Clippers
Vito Carlo, NCAA Franklin Pierce University
Dylan St-Cyr, NCAA Quinnipiac University
Henry Colbert, AA Anaheim Ducks 14u
Daylan Lipanovich, Botany Swarm, New Zealand Hockey League
Austin Moline, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s 16u in Minnesota
Andrew Thornton, ACHA Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia
Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u, Attleboro, Mass.
Cody Williams, HC Giants, Finland
To add or revise here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and the Fort Wayne Komets captured the 2021 Kelly Cup championship on Friday with a 2-1 win over the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 4 of the 2021 Kelly Cup Finals in front of a capacity crowd of 10,477 fans at Memorial Coliseum, marking the sixth largest crowd in Riley/Cup Finals history.
Fort Wayne, which was appearing in the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in its nine ECHL seasons, has captured 10 championships in its 69 seasons of existence across the ECHL, Central Hockey League, United Hockey League and International Hockey League.
Komets’ forward Stephen Harper earned the June M. Kelly Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award. Harper, who scored two goals in the Game 4 victory, shared the playoff lead with 13 points and was tied for second with six goals.
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Saturday, July 3, 2021
Here is how Las Vegas head coaches, assistant coaches, Las Vegas hockey execs and goal scorers will be celebrating during the July 4 weekend of festivities
Coach Rob Pallin, wife Dora and their two daughters will at the 4th of July parade in the Village Trails Center area. July 4 is also the birthday of Dora who is from Szekesfehervar, Hungary. Coach Rob is working with a number of Las Vegas players on the ice to get them prepared for their games in the fall.
Anthony Greener, head coach, UNLV Rebels – “We are going to our uncles’ house with all of our family. Then we leave for a week at Huntington Beach.”
Vito Carlo of Las Vegas and now with NCAA Franklin Pierce University hockey team – “We will be with our hometown buddies this year on the 4th – lighting fireworks, grilling and watching some LA Dodgers baseball. All the best to everyone in Las Vegas.”
Las Vegas hockey Dad Steve Allen and his goal scoring son Jason – “We will be working on July 4th – we are back working full-time again which his good and Jason will be with his children watching the fireworks. I want to warn whoever writes those Christmas Stories on Vegas Hockey you better keep that character The Genius away from me.”
Las Vegas goal scorer Michael Cichy. “He has no big plans, just hang by the pool, take it all in and relax,” said the great hockey mom Pat Cichy.
JJ Hartman, former UNLV Rebels head coach – “We are staying home in Las Vegas helping out with the Lil Jr Golden Knights kids skaters as my son, age five, is now playing hockey. There is a 5 to 8 years old level here for kids who are just starting to play ice hockey.”
Will ‘Money’ Munson, formerly of the NAHL Billings Jr Bulls. He and Eddie Samuels were teammates. Will, very popular in Billings, was called ‘Money’ because in the biggest games he would score the winning goal. “We will stay at home and light up the bbq. Then go to a local park and see the fireworks.”
The awesome goal scorer Adam Naglich of Las Vegas – “We plan to be staying down on the casino strip with our family. We have a room at the Venetian. So wish me luck there!”
Colorado hockey coach Jamie O’Leary who years ago coached our hockey son Eddie in Vail, Colorado. “Right now we are running Hyland Hills Hockey Association 12u division. We will be assisting all of our competitive teams but mostly focused on our two peewee AA level teams. Our family will be at cookout and then lacing up the skates to play at our outdoor roller rink.
Rob Proffit, GM NAHL Fairbanks Ice Dogs – going into his 25th season there – “Happy 4th to all in Las Vegas. As we write this we are on Alpine Lake fishing for trout. Cheers to all reading this.”
Nick Robone, assistant coach and chief recruiter, UNLV Rebels – “We’re keeping it simple this year by going to my brother’s house for bbq and fireworks to see with family and dear friends.”
The great goal scorer Robbie Silvernail of Las Vegas – “We are now living in Reno. Golfing, lighting up the barbecue with dear friends. We are not playing hockey now, busy with our 15 month old son Hudson.”
Adam Stio, premier Las Vegas coach in ice hockey and roller hockey – “We are back in South Carolina visiting family right now. So we plan to play golf if the weather holds up and then see a minor league baseball game here on Sunday.”
Premier roller hockey head coach Adam Tamura of Las Vegas – one of the great ones in the sport. “Just heading to dinner with the in-laws. Keeping everything on the down-low this year.
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Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets are one win away from winning the prestious Kelly Cup Championship.
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Coach Adam Tamura of Las Vegas has put together the Sin City Rebels Orange men’s roller team for NARCh’s Finals in SoCal. The games begin for Sin City on Jul 16.
Sin City Orange roster:
Austin Shannon, Kris Carter, Ethan Montoya, Dominic Garcia, Paul Nguyen, Nick Robone, Ross McMullen, Jared Joerger, Louis Dube – Goalie- Johne Eugenio.
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Coach Adam Tamura just announced he is sending a second team – Sin City Green men’s roller team which will play in NARCh’s Men’s Silver Division.
Here is Sin City Green’s roster
Nate Valdez, Dario Valdez, Ryland Johnson, Darion Conaway, Devin Chiero, Philip Freedman, Jake Baba and goalie Matt Strickler
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Here is today’s schedule at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue.
https://www.lasvegasice.com/Schedule
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Breaking News – Cody Williams, the dynamic goal scorer for the UNLV Rebels a few seasons ago, has signed with the HC Giants in Finland for the 2021-22 season.
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To all Las Vegas roller hockey teams going to the NARCh Finals in SoCal – send scores, names of goal scorers and names of goalies to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Las Vegas Players Away From Home – 2021-22 Season
Nicholas Bonaldi, NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club
Skyler Cameron, BCHL Nanaimo Clippers
Vito Carlo, NCAA Franklin Pierce University
Dylan St-Cyr, NCAA Quinnipiac University
Daylan Lipanovich, Botany Swarm, New Zealand Hockey League
Andrew Thornton, ACHA Liberty University
Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals 18u, Attleboro, Mass.
Cody Williams, HC Giants, Finland
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A LOOK AT VEGAS HOCKEY COACH ROB PALLIN
Years ago hockey coach Rob Pallin helped turned Las Vegas hockey around, putting it on a national map. He has coached on the AA midget 18u/16u level, AAA midget 18u, UNLV college hockey, the ECHL level with the Las Vegas Wranglers and more recently with ESV Kaufburen in Germany. He is a Seven-Time Vegas Hockey Coach of the Year.
Here is a look at his ‘early years’ of coaching when the 1999-2000 AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u were coming off a 4-21-0 season.
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Coach Rob began skating at the age of three on ponds in Chisholm, Minnesota. He is the youngest of nine children. His father was a math and science teacher at a Catholic high school in Minnesota. Rob skated on local teams and then was recruited by Frank Serratore, now the head coach at the Air Force Academy, to skate on his Junior A team – the Austin, Minnesota, Mavericks. Rob, at 16, was one of the youngest skaters on the team.
While skating Junior A hockey, the Mavericks won the 1984-84 USHL championship and Rob was named to the U.S. National Junior team. He was recruited by many colleges and played initially at Minnesota-Duluth and later transferred to Western Michigan.
Following college, he skated in Germany and then found his way to Las Vegas when he played professionally for the Las Vegas Aces who played out of the now-closed Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena. Rob also skated roller professionally on the Pro Beach Hockey’s Heavy Metal team whose games were televised on ESPN and later with the Las Vegas Coyotes.
Serratore said Pallin was one of his best players.
”I picture Rob, and always will, as the up and coming youngster with the wonderful skills,” Serratore told author Joe McCauley who wrote about Rob in the book ‘Puck Dreams & Other Stories’ published by 1st Books Library in 2003.
Here is Rob’s Las Vegas midget major coaching record:
ROB PALLIN EARLY YEARS COACHING RECORD
2000-01
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..36-15-3
//Rob puts together the Triple Threat Line featuring Travis Roseberry, J.C. Caron and Spike Neely which was one of the most powerful lines in the West.
//A young Eddie Del Grosso plays defense for the first time.
2001-02
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..60-11-3
//Powerful ‘Red Line’ of Josh Jasek, Adam Naglich and Eddie Samuels set 10 team scoring records. Each advanced to Jr. A level hockey. This was the very first AA Las Vegas team to play the U.S. Nationals.
//Cody Fulwiler and Paul Lowden are the two best goalies in the West. Combined, the two had a club-record 10 shutouts.
//Southwest League Champions
//Pacific District Regional Champions
//5-0-0 at Pacific District Championships
//3-1-0 at U.S. Nationals
2002-03
AAA Las Vegas Outlaws………………..33-24-5
//First Las Vegas AAA midget level team.
//Cody Morin top goal scorer.
//Vancouver Sun Silver Division Champions
//First Las Vegas team nationally rated
//2-2-1 at Pacific District Championships including a riveting 6-5 OT win over the Alaska All-Stars in a game played in Fairbanks.
2003-04
AA Las Vegas Rebels…………………….30-19-9
//Huge season for top line of Anthony Greener, Conrad Trimbath and Kurt Long.
//Opened season 13-0-2, a club record
//3-1-0 record at Pacific District Championships
2004-05
AA Las Vegas Outlaws……………………31-24-3
//First team to skate at new Fiesta Stations Ice Arena
//Beat Arvada in 4-3 thriller to win Holiday Blast Tournament on home
ice.
//Silver medalists at Richmond, B.C. Tournament
//Beat AAA L.A. Jr. Kings minors in thriller 3-2 and then defeated AA Long Beach midget majors 3-0 to capture Tier 1 Southwest League Championship.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker were leading goal scorers – with 31 apiece. Conrad Trimbath is named MVP.
2005-06
AA Las Vegas Rebels……………………………56-11-4
//For the 6th straight season, Las Vegas wins its opening game of the season. The Rebels beat the So-Cal Vipers 9-0.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker set a club record by recording back-to-back hat tricks during the Labor Day Blast at Las Vegas.
//In 5 away games, the Rebels score 45 goals and win all 5 games at the Duel in the Desert in Phoenix.
//On Oct. 4, Las Vegas defeats the Cal Cougars 4-2 for coach Rob’s 200th career win.
//Las Vegas wins all 5 games in Southwest League competition in Peoria, Arizona and is unbeaten in 10 straight.
//Ryan King has 16-point weekend as Rebels go 4-1-0 in Southwest League action at the Glacial Gardens. Chris Francis gets his 5th hat trick of the season, tying record held by Adam Naglich.
//Chris Francis scores 7 goals as Las Vegas wins all five games to capture the gold medal at the Silversticks Regionals in Portland during Thanksgiving weekend.
//On Dec. 22, Rebels beat the Alumni skaters 7-4 before a big crowd in their annual charity game.
//On Dec. 26, the Rebels beat the Phoenix Firebirds 2-0 win a Southwest League game and won their 30th game of the season. The Rebels, with Pallin as head coach, have won 30 or more games six straight seasons.
//On Dec 29, the Rebels beat the L.A. Jr. Kings 6-5 to win all five SWYHL games and raise their unbeaten record to a team-record 18-0-1.
//On Dec 31, coach Rob is named the 2005 Las Vegas ‘Coach of the Year’
//On Jan 16, the Rebels beat Cal North Stars 7-2 to win MLK tournament, raise record to 40-6-1 and extend unbeaten record to 24 straight.
//Rebels go unbeaten 27 straight games, a new team record.
//Rebels beat L.A. Hockey Club AAA 16u 3-2 to win the gold medal at Kings Challenge Cup during President’s Day weekend in El Segundo, Calif.
//Rebels go 5-0-0 including thrilling 5-4 OT win over Cal North Stars in gold medal game to win the Pacific District Regional Championship.
//Rebels 3-2-0 at U.S. Nationals, beating New Jersey Devils 6-5 OT in Final Eight game before losing 3-2 to Butler Valley, Pa. in a thrilling Final 4 game in Pittsburgh. Rebels broke over a dozen records this season including most goals, 404, and had nine skaters with 20+ goals for the year. Chris Francis was top scorer at U.S. Nationals with 7 goals, 6 assists.
Las Vegas Career Record……………………………………………..247-94-26
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Las Vegas – Adam ‘Stick’ Naglich, a star Las Vegas player in ice hockey and roller hockey, is now a realtor. Adam was with hockey coach Rob Pallin this morning having a Venti coffee at Starbucks and noted “the housing market right now is very, very strong.” Adam, captain of the 2008-09 NCAA Alaska Fairbanks University team, still plays hockey here in hometown men’s league games.
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Tuesday, June 22 –Montreal – Nicholas Roy blasted in a dramatic late-game, close-range rebound shot for Vegas Golden Knights for a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens before a sold out crowd at the Bell Center on Sunday. The Best of Seven is now 2-2. Game Five will be on Tuesday on the VGK’s home ice at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Game time 6 pm pacific. NBCSN
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Montreal – In a thrilling high-action game in all three periods the NHL Montreal Canadiens won 3-2 in OT over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night at a sold out Bell Center in Montreal. Montreal has a 2-1 lead in a Best of Seven. Game Four will be on Sunday in Montreal
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Flashback Story
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Santa Barbara, California – Cody Williams of Las Vegas had a 16 goal weekend for the UNLV Rebels nationally rated roller team which went 4-0-0 this past weekend. Cody had 16 goals, 4 assists for 20 points and teammate Drew Bryan played well defensively while getting six points. Mike Alex also played for UNLV this weekend.
UNLV outscored opposing teams 31-8. The Rebels, coached by Nick Robone, are 14-1-0 this season
Weekend Scores
6-3 over Cal Poly
6-3 over Cal Poly
9-2 over San Jose State
10-0 over UC Santa Barbara
UNLV Leading Goal Scorers
2014-15 Season
17 – Andrew Tamura
16 – Cody Williams
12 – Austin Shannon
11 – Logan Sussman
7 – Darren Corsatea
7 – Anthony Robone
UNLV Goalie
Terry Martin 14-1-0, 2.54 gaa, 88.9% save percentage
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Wednesday Final Score – Montreal 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2 – Best of Seven is now 1-1. Next Game – Friday – Golden Knights vs Montreal @Bell Centre in Montreal. 5 pm faceoff. USA Network – Channel 34 on Cox
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NARCh Update,We are getting a lot of questions leading up to the NARCh FINALS, but by far the most common question. “Can a player play on two different men’s teams at different levels at the Finals?”The answer is – NO! Pro/Platinum/Gold/Silver are the different levels, and a men’s player can only play on one team, not multiple teams at different levels. The same rules apply to youth divisions, a player cannot play on different teams within the same age group. Players can play on multiple teams in age divisions. For example, if a player is over 30, they can play on both a men’s division team, and also a 30-plus team. 18-yr-olds are the prime age for NARCh. They could technically play 18u, 21u, D1, and men’s if they choose to. If you registered your team for the FINALS already, thank you very much for being organized and getting it taken care of! We are going to allow one more day before we impose the late fee. If your team has not registered, please get it in today, or it will be $100 more expensive tomorrow. Registration and Host Hotels We will release more information pertaining to the NARCh FINALS soon. Team list, skills competition information, etc. The locker rooms are now available and will be used for the NARCh FINALS. The Rinks in Irvine have just made some upgrades to the facility with fans and new side shade panels. The rinks look amazing, and this tournament will truly feel like a normal NARCh FINALS Event! We hope you are as excited as we are! |
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FAITH LUTHERAN ANNOUNCES 2021-2022 ROSTERS
Las Vegas – Faith Lutheran 2021-2022 Varsity and Jr Varsity teams were announced today. General Manager Craig Thornton calls it “a robust roster representing our Varsity squad this season, and we could not be more pleased with the turnout and caliber of talent that has shown interest for both our teams”.
Since taking over in late April, Executive Director of Hockey Shane Hnidy and Head Coach Adam Miller have revamped the program to align more professionally with standardized methods & systems similar to NHL/AHL organizations.
Miller added “We feel very good about the talent we rostered this season, and feel we will be very competitive in the ADHSHL, in our debut season”
Faith Lutheran practices and plays all home games at City National Arena, where they routinely pack 700-1000 fans in for Friday Night Varsity games.“We’ve built quite a following for our Friday night home games” says Thornton. “The support form both the Golden Knights and City National Arena has done nothing but amplify our product as far as quality goes, along with accelerating our growth at the High School level in Las Vegas”.
This season Faith plans on live streaming all Varsity games with play by play for their families that have out of state relatives. For more information regarding Faith’s Hockey department, email flhshockey@gmail.com
FAITH LUTHERAN VARSITY TEAM
Colby Abele F
Cobe Arnold F
Lazzaro Cabrera F
Matthew Campos D
Keon Dudschus D
Jack Edlin F
Jacob Fellows D
Colton Fleitz D
Neils Hartvig-Neilsen F
Zaden Hnidy F
James Knurbein F
Brandon Lingo D
Darren Lingo F
Cole Liston F
Corbin McGuire D
Connor Mcleod F
Henry Morgan D
Ean Vitz F
James Vogel Jr F
Christian Yepes F
Joseph Bullock G
Austin Neill G
FAITH LUTHERAN JUNIOR VARSITY
Haden Bourgault F
Joshua Bullock F
Jacob Dennon D
Luke DiMaria D
Asher Frank D
Chase Grattini F
Sienna Karris D
Jacob Mehling F
Victor Proykov F
Braeden Schroeder
Igor Strizhanov F
Riley Vian F
Bryson Walsh F
Kyle Mir F
Alexa Novak G
Chrostos Zaferatos G
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Las Vegas – Faith Lutheran’s physical defenseman Andrew Thornton has committed to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty skates in the 5000 seat Lahaye Ice Center on campus, skating in Divisions l, ll and lll of the ACHA, where they are powerhouses in all three divisions with regular visits to the National Championship Finals.
Thornton has skated for Faith since their inaugural season in 2018. “It’s been a wonderful ride skating at Faith, I would not trade it for the world”. While receiving 4 collegiate offers, including Washington State, Gonzaga, The University of Arizona and the University of Oregon. Thornton says “Liberty’s Champions of Christ beliefs coupled with their strong East Coast Hockey presence & Medical program felt right”. “My hope is to contribute to the Hockey program for the next 4 years while I obtain my degree in Bio-Medical Science”. (PreMed).
Faith has gained National attention in just 3 short seasons, attracting scouts from the ACHA, NAHL and several Collegiate visits as well.
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Sunday, June 13, 2021
Wally Lacroix, Las Vegas hockey community leader and a multi-time Vegas Coach of The Year, made a special announcement today.
This season he will be the head coach of an AAA/AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u team.
“With a heavy heart I am announcing to the community that I will be leaving the Pepsi Ice Arena at the end of this month. The Fiesta/Santa Fe Arenas have been a big part of my world and in my Las Vegas life.
“We took over the arena 6 1/2 years ago and always promised that we would do our best for everyone who grew up in the Valley.
“Rob Pallin will always be the face of Fiesta/Santa Fe – we always want to people to remember what Rob did for the hockey community being the face of those buildings.
“We will be relocating to the Lifeguard Arena in Green Valley on July 1. We are still committed to hockey in the Valley helping to building athletes to their goals in the community.”
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Game One – Montreal Canadiens at Vegas Golden Knights on Monday 6 pm pacific @T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. The winner of the VGK/Montreal best of seven series will take on the winner of the New York Islanders/Tampa Bay Lightening series.
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Las Vegas – In an amazing performance the NHL Vegas Golden Knights scored a crushing 6-3 win over a strong, proud NHL Colorado Avalanche team before a roaring hometown crowd at the T-Mobile Arena on Thursday night. VGK eliminated the Avalanche to advance to the NHL Final 4. Next, the Golden Knights will take on the NHL Montreal Canadiens in a Best of Seven.
WSHL Premier Thunderbirds Star Players On the Move for 2021-22 Season
Arik Altman to NCDC Boston Advantage
Nick Bonaldi to NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club
Nate Mohr to ACHA Grand Canyon University
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Denver – In an all–out riveting finish Mark Stone scored an OT game-breaker for the NHL Vegas Golden Knights in a massively big 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche before a stunned sold out crowd Tuesday here at the Ball Arena. Alex Tuch and Jonathan Marchessault scored earlier and VGK goalie Marc-Andre Fleury – who was awesome throughout the entire game – got the win. VGK leads the Best of Seven 3-2. Game Six will be on home ice at the T-Mobile Arena on Thursday, 6 pm local time in Las Vegas.
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Goal scorer Brennan Blaszack of Las Vegas and the SPHL Pensacola Flyers in Florida is on the team’s Protected List for the 2021-2022 season.
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NARCh Update,The registration deadline is quickly approaching for the NARCh FINALS. One week from today is the deadline, June 14th!If you have a team that is planning to participate and hasn’t registered, make sure to do so before the deadline. NARCh Finals Info Please note, we only put teams into the event once the team has paid the registration fee. Sending in the form without the fee does not hold your spot in the tournament. Also, we accept Venmo and prefer that form of payment. We accept team checks as well!If you have any questions about the NARCh FINALS please email daryn@narch.com.Have a great week! NARCh Staff |
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2020-21 – LAS VEGAS PRO GOAL SCORERS
NHL – 11 goals – Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh Penquins
AHL – 11 goals – Gage Quinney, Henderson Silver Knights
ECHL – 14 goals – Zach Pochiro, Fort Wayne Komets; 9 – Michael McNicholas, Tulsa Oilers; 6 – Joe Sullivan, Indy Fuel; 3 – Bryce Reddick, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
SPHL – 7 goals – Brennan Blasczak, Pensacola Ice Flyers
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Sunday, June 6, 2021 – The NHL Vegas Golden Knights dominance was so great they played the Surfaris’s 1962 rock record ‘Wipe Out’ after the 2nd period. Jonathan Marchessault scored 3 times for VGK in a crushing 5-1 win over the NHL Colorado Avalanche at the sold out T-Mobile Arena. Patrick Brown and Max Pacioretty also scored. The Best of Seven is now 2-2. The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche go at it full blast again on Tuesday at Ball Arena in Denver.
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Las Vegas – “We have a strong group of players. In the heat of battle at the end of a big game we know how to keep our composure,” said Max Pacioretty of the NHL Vegas Golden Knights who rallied to beat the NHL Colorado Avalanche 3-2 before a frenzied sold out crowd on Friday night at the T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights got a great effort from goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. It was unquestionably one of the greatest all-time wins for the Golden Knights. The NHL Colorado Avalanche lead this Best of Seven, 2-1. The next playoff game will be on this Sunday 5:30 pm at the T-Mobile Arena.
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals was named to the NA3HL All South Division Team for this past season. Gunner had 18 goals, 27 assists for 45 points.
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Denver – In a historic battle Mikko Rantanen scored 2:07 into overtime to lift the NHL Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights before a frenzied sold out crowd at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday evening in Denver. Rantanen is from Finland. The Avalanche selected him #1 in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Colorado has a 2-0 lead in this Best of Seven playoff series. Game 3 will be on Friday 7 pm pacific at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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By Lee Samuels
The very popular ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas has signed with the AAA Northeast Generals 18u who are based in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Harris, 17, last season skated for the AAA Connecticut Chiefs 18u. Previously he was a fiery forward for Las Vegas coach Wally Lacroix on an AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team. Harris will play at right wing for the Northeast Generals. He is a hard skater who gives it his all in the heat of the biggest gam
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Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2021-22 Season
Nicholas Bonaldi, NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club
Skyler Cameron, BCHL Naniamo Clippers
Vito Carlo – NCAA Franklin Pierce University
Dylan St. Cyr, goalie – NCAA Quinnipiac
Daylan Lipanovich – Botany Swarm, New Zealand Hockey League
Jerrett Overland – NCAA Air Force Academy
Andrew Thornton, ACHA Liberty University
Harris Whissel – AAA Northeast Generals 18u, Attleboro, Massachusetts
Cody Williams – HC Giants, Finland
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Breaker – Jason Zucker’s head coach Mike Sullivan of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins will be back next season per hockey writer/guru Elliotte Friedman in his ’31 Thoughts’ story……One of UNLV Rebels all-time dynamite goal scorers – Cody Williams of Las Vegas – will play for the HC Giants pro team in Finland for the 2021-22 season. Cody, 29, set a number of scoring records when he played for coach Anthony Greener’s Rebels.
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Breaker – Game Two for the NHL Vegas Golden Knights will be on Wednesday, June 2, at Colorado Avalanche’s home ice in Denver. Faceoff 7 pm. NBCSN
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Sunday Game
Denver -Nathan MacKinnon’s all-out destructive-force like play ignited the NHL Colorado Avalanche to a 7-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game One of a Best of Seven playoff series here Sunday. MacKinnon had two goals, one assist in an extremely hard physical game. There were 76 penalty minutes in this game, 64 of those penalty minutes in the third period. William Karlsson scored for the Golden Knights. Robin Lehner was in the net for VGK. Game Two is back here on Wednesday.
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Saturday Final Score – AHL Bakersfield Condors 3, Henderson Silver Knights 2 — Bakersfield wins Best of Three playoff series and moves on….
Breaker – Big game in town here on Saturday night – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and AHL Henderson Silver Knights vs Bakersfield Condors in playoff game at the T-Mobile Arena…..This Best of Three playoff series is tied 1-1 – the Silver Knights need to win to advance….. Game begins 7 pm pacific……You can watch this game on AHL.com or listen to it on 1230am radio The Game here in Las Vegas……Nicholas Bonaldi, a top player with the Dave Hrysky-coached USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds last season, will play for the NCDC Philadelphia Hockey Club in 2021-22 according to a transaction posted on eliteprospects.com
Friday Final Score – Vegas Golden Knights 6, Minnesota Wild 2 — VGK advances to next round of playoffs – will now take on the NHL Colorado Avalanche in a best of seven. That best of seven series begins Sunday in Colorado.
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Las Vegas – This is it – Game Seven – for the hometown Vegas Golden Knights vs the Minnesota Wild at the T-Mobile Center. Game time tonight – Friday – is listed at 6 pm pacific. NBCSN, ATTSN
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Back in the 2006-07 season the great GM Matt Bardsley of the WHL Portland Winterhawks signed big goal scorer Chris Francis of Las Vegas. In his four seasons there Chris has 70 goals, 130 assists. Matt Bardsley eventually left Portland and became GM of the WHL Kamloops Blazers where he resigned this week – no reason was given – Lee
#1 Most Searched Saturday – Eric Williams UNLV Rebels ultra goal scorer, Las Vegas.
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We asked UNLV Rebels ice hockey coaches Anthony Greener and Nick Robone historically who are UNLV’s greatest goal scorers with the clock ticking down in a close game. Here we go....
Anthony Greener – “Elijiah Barriga scoring a big goal in our first season in ACHA D1. Max Braun scored a big one as did Cody Williams and Kuzy – better known as Joe Kaszupski.
Nick Robone – “Here we go in order – Anthony Greener, Josh Jasek, Cody Williams, Elijiah Barriga and Sam Braniff.“
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Adam Tamura, a star Las Vegas roller hockey player and coach of elite Las Vegas men’s teams, is putting a Vegas roller team together for NARCh’s Pacific Cup Championships in SoCal this summer. Nick Robone plans to play on this team. Adam said “the tournament date is not until July 15-18. We do not yet have a confirmed set roster. We will update soon and let everyone know on Vegas Hockey.” It looks like the great Billy Tufano may be on this team – but like Adam noted not confirmed yet.
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Breaker -Final Score – NHL Minnesota Wild 3, Vegas Golden Knights 0 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Down 1-0, Golden Knights scored in the 3rd period but the goal was disallowed because of a goalie interference penalty on Wednesday night. A few moments later the Minnesota Wild scored to take a 2-0 lead, then added another goal to lead 3-0 late in 3rd period. Game is over – this best of seven series is tied 3-3. Game Seven will be on Friday evening at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Uniondale, Long Island – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas had his greatest playoff game – he skated hard, had one goal, one assist – for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in a 5-3 loss to the hometown NY Islanders before a sold out frenzied Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Penguins are eliminated from the the playoffs, the Islanders advance and will now take on the Boston Bruins. After the game Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said “…you win games as a team, you lose games as a team. We’ve got to support each other right now.”
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Breaker – Weather tonight – Wednesday – outside the Excel Energy Arena, home of the Minnesota Wild in Saint Paul, Minn- 48 degrees, rain showers
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NHL Playoff Scores on Monday
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NARCh Update,The Pacific Cup Finals will take place September 10th-12th at the Rinks in Irvine!Games will start the afternoon of the 10th (after school).Due to Covid Restrictions and the lack of events in California, this will be an OPEN TOURNAMENT. Going forward, teams will need to play in a minimum number of Pacific Cup Tournaments to be eligible for the Finals Event. There are no regional restrictions for this tournament. Age cut off are still ’21, so teams that have been assembled get one last great event before the season ends!Divisions offered: 6u/8u/10u/12u/13u-girls/14u/16u/18u/21u/Men’s/Women’s.Registration for the tournament will be open shortly! NARCh Staff | Quick LinksNARChNARCh StorePlayer FinderLatest NewsNARCh VideosOur Sponsors |
Monday, May 24, 2021
Breaker – St. Paul, Minnesota – The NHL Vegas Golden Knights beat the Minnesota Wild for the third straight time on Saturday night to take a 3-1 lead in their Best of Seven playoff games. The Golden Knights won 4-0. Game Five will be on Monday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Faceoff 7:30 pm.
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Las Vegas – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas had an assist on Jack Dugan’s goal as the AHL Henderson Silver Knights beat the AHL San Jose Barracuda 4-1 in a playoff game on Friday night at The Orleans Arena on Tropicana. The crowd was 2137.
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Jason Zucker of Las Vegas scored for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in a road playoff game against the NHL New York Long Islanders on Thursday night. Pittsburgh won 5-4 to take a 2-1 lead in a Best of Seven. In Minnesota, the NHL Vegas Golden Knights beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their Best of Seven series.
2021 – LAS VEGAS PRO GOAL SCORERS
NHL – 11 goals – Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh Penquins
AHL – 10 goals – Gage Quinney, Henderson Silver Knights
ECHL – 14 goals – Zach Pochiro, Fort Wayne Komets; 9 – Michael McNicholas, Tulsa Oilers; 6 – Joe Sullivan, Indy Fuel; 3 – Bryce Reddick, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
SPHL – 9 goals – Brennan Blasczak, Pensacola Ice Flyers
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Breaking News – Jack Lackas and Chayse Laurie of Las Vegas today made the USA Hockey Pacific Selects 2006 team and are now enroute to the USA National Developmental Camp.
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Photo of the Day
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Former UNLV Rebels goalie Erik Eidissen of Sweden who had many great wins from 2016-20 is still living here in Las Vegas. “It’s just a great place to be,” he said. Erik said his biggest wins with UNLV “were against Boston College and Colorado.”
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Wednesday, May 19, 2021
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – This for the out of town players trying out this week for the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u, 14u teams this week. Lucky you…the two coaches – Wally Lacroix and Matt Johnson – are two of the best coaches in town who include Anthony Greener, Nick Robone of the UNLV Rebels, Dave Hrysky with the USHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds and Pokey Reddick who built a powerhouse of a high school team here. Rob Pallin, who now coaches in Germany, is one of the best of all time.
Here are the reasons we are writing this – Lacroix and Johnson are two great teachers of the game. When you watch their teams play you too will realize it as well. Their teams have a will to win, their players have a skillset to do it and like great coaches they do not fuss with referee and or linesmen in the heat of a big fiery game. Micah Sanford, the first giant scoring hockey star here in town, said while on the bench between shifts he used to watch how his head coach Harvy Smyl of BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs handle his team particularly in a late-game heated situation. “If we made a penalty Harvey didn’t argue about it, he put the right players on the ice to defend our net.”
Years ago Lacroix coached ultra skilled bantam goal scorer Jason Zucker at the Las Vegas Center. When Lacroix’ team practiced penalty shots players were told to sniper pucks high or low towards corners of the net. Except for Jason. “Whatever is takes to score Jason,” coach Wally told him. And Jason today as we write this is playing for the NHL Pittsburgh Penquins.
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Saturday, May 15, 2021
Years ago hockey coach Rob Pallin helped turned Las Vegas hockey around, putting it on a national map. He has coached on the AA midget 18u/16u level, AAA midget 18u, UNLV college hockey, the ECHL level with the Las Vegas Wranglers. He is a Seven-Time Vegas Hockey Coach of the Year.
Here is a look at his ‘early years’ of coaching when the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u were coming off a 4-21-0 season.
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Coach Rob began skating at the age of three on ponds in Chisholm, Minnesota. He is the youngest of nine children. His father was a math and science teacher at a Catholic high school in Minnesota. Rob skated on local teams and then was recruited by Frank Serratore, now the head coach at the Air Force Academy, to skate on his Junior A team – the Austin, Minnesota, Mavericks. Rob, at 16, was one of the youngest skaters on the team.
While skating Junior A hockey, the Mavericks won the 1984-84 USHL championship and Rob was named to the U.S. National Junior team. He was recruited by many colleges and played initially at Minnesota-Duluth and later transferred to Western Michigan.
Following college, he skated in Germany and then found his way to Las Vegas when he played professionally for the Las Vegas Aces who played out of the now-closed Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena. Rob also skated roller professionally on the Pro Beach Hockey’s Heavy Metal team whose games were televised on ESPN and later with the Las Vegas Coyotes.
Serratore said Pallin was one of his best players.
”I picture Rob, and always will, as the up and coming youngster with the wonderful skills,” Serratore told author Joe McCauley who wrote about Rob in the book ‘Puck Dreams & Other Stories’ published by 1st Books Library in 2003.
Here is Rob’s Las Vegas midget major coaching record:
ROB PALLIN EARLY YEARS COACHING RECORD
2000-01
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..36-15-3
//Rob puts together the Triple Threat Line featuring Travis Roseberry, J.C. Caron and Spike Neely which was one of the most powerful lines in the West.
//A young Eddie Del Grosso plays defense for the first time.
2001-02
AA Las Vegas Mustangs………………..60-11-3
//Powerful ‘Red Line’ of Josh Jasek, Adam Naglich and Eddie Samuels set 10 team scoring records. Each advanced to Jr. A level hockey. This was the very first AA Las Vegas team to play the U.S. Nationals.
//Cody Fulwiler and Paul Lowden are the two best goalies in the West. Combined, the two had a club-record 10 shutouts.
//Southwest League Champions
//Pacific District Regional Champions
//5-0-0 at Pacific District Championships
//3-1-0 at U.S. Nationals
2002-03
AAA Las Vegas Outlaws………………..33-24-5
//First Las Vegas AAA midget level team.
//Cody Morin top goal scorer.
//Vancouver Sun Silver Division Champions
//First Las Vegas team nationally rated
//2-2-1 at Pacific District Championships including a riveting 6-5 OT win over the Alaska All-Stars in a game played in Fairbanks.
2003-04
AA Las Vegas Rebels…………………….30-19-9
//Huge season for top line of Anthony Greener, Conrad Trimbath and Kurt Long.
//Opened season 13-0-2, a club record
//3-1-0 record at Pacific District Championships
2004-05
AA Las Vegas Outlaws……………………31-24-3
//First team to skate at new Fiesta Stations Ice Arena
//Beat Arvada in 4-3 thriller to win Holiday Blast Tournament on home
ice.
//Silver medalists at Richmond, B.C. Tournament
//Beat AAA L.A. Jr. Kings minors in thriller 3-2 and then defeated AA Long Beach midget majors 3-0 to capture Tier 1 Southwest League Championship.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker were leading goal scorers – with 31 apiece. Conrad Trimbath is named MVP.
2005-06
AA Las Vegas Rebels……………………………56-11-4
//For the 6th straight season, Las Vegas wins its opening game of the season. The Rebels beat the So-Cal Vipers 9-0.
//Chris Francis and Evan Zucker set a club record by recording back-to-back hat tricks during the Labor Day Blast at Las Vegas.
//In 5 away games, the Rebels score 45 goals and win all 5 games at the Duel in the Desert in Phoenix.
//On Oct. 4, Las Vegas defeats the Cal Cougars 4-2 for coach Rob’s 200th career win.
//Las Vegas wins all 5 games in Southwest League competition in Peoria, Arizona and is unbeaten in 10 straight.
//Ryan King has 16-point weekend as Rebels go 4-1-0 in Southwest League action at the Glacial Gardens. Chris Francis gets his 5th hat trick of the season, tying record held by Adam Naglich.
//Chris Francis scores 7 goals as Las Vegas wins all five games to capture the gold medal at the Silversticks Regionals in Portland during Thanksgiving weekend.
//On Dec. 22, Rebels beat the Alumni skaters 7-4 before a big crowd in their annual charity game.
//On Dec. 26, the Rebels beat the Phoenix Firebirds 2-0 win a Southwest League game and won their 30th game of the season. The Rebels, with Pallin as head coach, have won 30 or more games six straight seasons.
//On Dec 29, the Rebels beat the L.A. Jr. Kings 6-5 to win all five SWYHL games and raise their unbeaten record to a team-record 18-0-1.
//On Dec 31, coach Rob is named the 2005 Las Vegas ‘Coach of the Year’
//On Jan 16, the Rebels beat Cal North Stars 7-2 to win MLK tournament, raise record to 40-6-1 and extend unbeaten record to 24 straight.
//Rebels go unbeaten 27 straight games, a new team record.
//Rebels beat L.A. Hockey Club AAA 16u 3-2 to win the gold medal at Kings Challenge Cup during President’s Day weekend in El Segundo, Calif.
//Rebels go 5-0-0 including thrilling 5-4 OT win over Cal North Stars in gold medal game to win the Pacific District Regional Championship.
//Rebels 3-2-0 at U.S. Nationals, beating New Jersey Devils 6-5 OT in Final Eight game before losing 3-2 to Butler Valley, Pa. in a thrilling Final 4 game in Pittsburgh. Rebels broke over a dozen records this season including most goals, 404, and had nine skaters with 20+ goals for the year. Chris Francis was top scorer at U.S. Nationals with 7 goals, 6 assists.
Rob Pallin’s Las Vegas Career Record……………………………………………..247-94-26
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Presently Rob Pallin is head coach of ESV Kaufburen in German======
Adam Naglich, an ’84, grew up in Las Vegas and skated on the ‘Red Line’ with Josh Jasek and Eddie Samuels on a Rob Pallin-coached 2001-02 Las Vegas Mustangs 18u team which won the Pacific District Regionals and played in the U.S. Nationals. From there, Adam played with the BCHL Victoria Salsa, was a captain with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, played in the ECHL with the Bakersfield Condors and skated in Hungary with Sapa Fehervar
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Captain Adam Naglich (right) of Las Vegas & NCAA Alaska Fairbanks 2005-06
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ADAM NAGLICH
‘MY GREATEST GOAL”
“I would have to say my greatest goal would have to be when I was playing in college with NCAA Alaska Fairbanks.
“I scored against Ohio State in the playoffs. We went on to win the Best of 3 series and got to play in the CCHA Finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. It was my senior year and it was the first time that our team made it to the Joe in my time playing in Alaska.
“My linemates at the time were Braden Walls and Ryan Hohl.
“The actual goal wasn’t anything fancy or special. I received a pass right around the top of the left face off circle and put it low glove.
“But it really felt great winning this important series on home ice — something that meant a lot to me and I will never, ever forget it.
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BRENDAN HARRIS
WENATCHEE WILD
Top Scorers – Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2016-17 Points……………………………………………………..Goals/Assists
106 – Brendan Harris, BCHL Wenatchee Wild 26 goals, 80 assists
62 – Chris Francis, ECHL Quad City Mallards 28/34
44 – Gage Quinney, ECHL Wheeling Nailers 18/26
44 – Cory Ward, ECHL Manchester Monarchs 18/25; AHL Syracuse Crunch 0/1
43 – Michael McNicholas, New Hampshire University 13/30
38 – Eric Williams, WSHL Ontario Avalanche 11/27
31 – Derek Sutliffe, St. Scholastica College-Minnesota 11/10; SPHL Mississippi River Kings 3/7
31 – Bryce Reddick, Aaborg Pirates – Denmark 7/24
28 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Norfolk Admirals 4/24; AHL Bakersfield Condors 0/2
26 – Joe Sullivan, St. Lawrence University 12/14
26 – Mike Trimboli, EHC Neuwied Bears – Germany 6/20
22 – Dylan Miller, ACHA D2 Lindenwood University 8/14
21 – Michael Cichy, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals 7/14
21 – Vito Carlo, WSHL Las Vegas Storm 0/7; NA3HL Atlanta Capitals 4/10
20 – Spencer Poscente, USP3HL Tri City Icehawks 10/10
13 – Ashley Printzen, AAA Colorado Selects 16u 2/11
12 – Adrian Nicholas, NOJHL French River Rapids 7/5
12 – Kenny Brooks, ECHL Colorado Eagles 6/6
12 – Alec Mono, Curry College 2/10
9 – Hayden Knight, BCHL Coquitlan Express 6/3
8 – Ross McMullan, ECHL Wheeling Nailers 3/5
8 – Richard Prekop, GMHL South Muskota Shield 3/5
8 – Landon Quinney, QMJHL, Saint Johns Sea Dogs 1/7
7 – Jerrett Overland, Connecticut Wolf Pack 16u 1/6
7 – Joey Raats, NCAA Arizona State 1/6
3 – Daylan Lipanovich, HF Ludvika – Sweden 0/3
2 – Ryan Chiasson, SUNY-Plattsburgh 0/2
2 – Megan Myers, Boston Blades 0/2
1 – Brenden Russ, Connecticut College 0/1
1 – Jimmy Samuels ACHA D3 Kansas University 0/1
0 – Joe Kaszupski, Endicott College NCAA III 0/0
0 – Kenny Luzak, ACHA RIT – Rochester Institute of Technology 0/0
0 – Cameron Sylvester, NAPHL Arizona Bocats 15u 0/0
0 – Hamilton Whyte, ACHA New York University
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2021 – LAS VEGAS PRO GOAL SCORERS
NHL – 10 – Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh Penquins
AHL – 10 – Gage Quinney, Henderson Silver Knights
ECHL – 11 – Zach Pochiro, Fort Wayne Komets; 8 – Michael McNicholas, Tulsa Oilers; 6 – Joe Sullivan, Indy Fuel; 3 – Bryce Reddick, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
SPHL – 6 – Brennan Blasczak, Pensacola Ice Flyers
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Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Here are the head coaches for the Vegas Jr Golden Knights in the 2021-22 season.
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u – Matt Johnson
AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u – Wally Lacroix
Bantam A 14u – Dustin Coldren
AA 12u – Brian Salcido
A 12u – Ryan Mattison
AA 10u – Brian Fox
A 10u – Harrison Luce
Home Arenas This Season
Vegas Golden Knights City National Arena
Lifeguard Arena – Henderson, Nevada
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Thursday, May 13, 2021
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Sunday, May 9, 2021
Here is why Las Vegas hockey moms are the real unheralded heroes on Mother’s Day Weekend
Star defenseman Eddie Del Grosso of Las Vegas talking about his famous hockey mom Patty Del Grosso ….”It is very hard to put in words everything my Mom did for me while growing up. I cannot thank her enough for supporting me emotionally and financially in the sport of hockey. All of the time spent and money spent helping me follow my dreams. Patty is one of a kind – she was my Mom and my Dad and everything else in between. Taught me the value of hard work and to go after what I wanted. Without her nothing would have been possible.
Anthony Greener, head coach UNLV Rebels…..”The dedication my mother had for me and entire hockey career is amazing. All of the long weekends on the road. Waking up so early in the morning to to get me to practice. I would not be where we are today without her.”
Travis Hackney, Las Vegas goal scorer – “Would like to share a few things on Mother’s Day. My Mom (Candi) especially but some other great hockey moms as well. Will always remember playing for the Las Vegas Falcons A travel team with Mom waking me up 5 am for a 5:30 am practice run by coaches Steve Johnson and Steve Allen. We also couldn’t get through this without remembering our honorary hockey mom Mary Margaret Samuels. We also remember a road trip from Las Vegas to DesMoines, Iowa for a Las Vegas Tour Rebels roller hockey team going to the Six Pack Nationals. We also cannot skip Mother’s Day without showing my personal appreciation for hockey moms Patti Tamura and Patty Delgrosso. (there is more coming from Travis…)
Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin, head coach ESV Kaufburen in Germany….”I cannot write or say enough what my mother deserves. The dedication she had for my entire hockey career. Getting me to practice all of the time. She worked for the youth hockey organization for 40 years, ran the coffee shop inside the ice arena. Everyone in town knows my mother. She is a wonderful lady.”
Nick Robone, assistant coach UNLV Rebels…..”As you all know playing competitive travel hockey isn’t cheap. There was a time when my Dad was looking for work for about a year and my Mom worked at two jobs just to afford the opportunity to allow me to continue playing. I will never forget that. That was an example that both my Mom and Dad made during our time playing youth hockey. I cannot thank her enough. It made a big difference in and my brother’s lives.
Rob Profitt, legend GM and head coach of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs….”Mom always thought I played a ‘Good Game’ Ha! Happy Mother’s Day to each and every Hockey Mom reading this.”
Matt Johnson, head coach, AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u….”Growing up you always correlate sports with Dad. But when we look back my Mom did just as much. My Dad was an athletic director and a teacher so when school was out he had to be there for sporting events. That meant Mom was driving us to practice to get us ready to play games. Growing up my brother and l wanted to play street hockey. My Mom was not athletic but she got out there with us, even playing goalie. She was always there for support – whether we made the team or not, scored the big goal or not.”
Adam Stio, head coach of Las Vegas ice hockey and roller hockey teams….”Me, we were more about skill in hockey and my Mom was always trying to get me to be more aggressive. She always taught me to be humble but to leave everything else on the ice. All the best to those reading this- we are spending this weekend with our grandmother in South Carolina.”
Charla Ricketts, mother of the great Las Vegas goal scorer and captain Beau Ricketts whose hockey dad was the late great Tommy Ricketts….“For us Beau playing hockey was a family affair because we were all involved in his hockey. Our girls loved watching him play. They knew the game, his stats and gave it to refs in the heat of a game. When we found our newest baby was a boy – his name is Blade – We held up a sign at the rink glass saying ‘It’s a Boy!” Of course Tommy was the social one in our family. Me we were Beau’s cheerleader, fan, nuturer, snuggler (even a tough hockey player needs to snuggle his Mom). We didn’t have much money, so no vacations but a lot of hockey trips. We drove a big white Ford and took all of our kids and usually another player. My job was to figure out how we were going to pay for everything. Sometimes we took a lot of ramen noodles to cook in microwave in our hotel room. We quietly told our kids to order water – not the shakes – when we went to team dinners. By the time Beau began playing junior hockey his father – my husband Tommy – was sick – he was in a care center was able to see Beau in games on the internet. (more to come from the amazing hockey mom Charla Ricketts)
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Many more Las Vegas players, coaches, execs have stories which will be posted right here. To contribute your Mother’s Day story send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Friday, May 7, 2021
Pittsburgh – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas dealt two assists for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in an 8-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres here at the PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night.
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Here is a statistical look at Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins and of Gage Quinney of Las Vegas with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights. Keep in mind Jason is coming off a severe lower body injury earlier this season.
JASON ZUCKER – NHL PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
9 GOALS, 9 ASSISTS, 18 POINTS – ONE GAME-WINNING GOAL
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GAGE QUINNNEY – AHL HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS
10 GOALS, 5 ASSISTS, 15 POINTS — +7 ON THE ICE
//Both Jason and Gage played tier hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue. Wally Lacroix was Jason’s bantam ice hockey coach.
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Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Las Vegas Players Away from Home – 2021-22 Season
Vito Carlo, NCAA Franklin Pierce University
Dylan St. Cyr, goalie – NCAA Quinnipiac
Daylan Lipanovich, – Botany Swarm, New Zealand Hockey League
Cody Williams, – HC Giants – Finland
Jerrett Overland – NCAA Air Force Academy
Harris Whissel, AAA Northeast Generals, Attleboro, Massachusetts
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Happy Birthday today to our hockey son Eddie Samuels – Lee and Mary Margaret
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Las Vegas – Adam Miller – who played for NCAA D1 Ferris State, then with the ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers, is the new head coach of the Faith Lutheran High School varsity hockey program. He replaces Pokey Reddick who had a great run as head coach at Faith Lutheran HS. Jordan Van Son will be the assistant coach. Faith’s Executive Director is now Shane Hnidy who played 12 seasons in the NHL including a season on a NHL Stanley Cup team. Shane is also a current broadcaster with the NHL Vegas Golden Knights. Faith Lutheran’s High School Athletic Administrator Bret Walter made this announcement today.
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Monday, May 3, 2021
Las Vegas – When his team played its last game at the Nationals all of a sudden it hit hockey coach Matt Johnson – we’ve got to get together one more time as members of the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u.
“Our 2006-07 team has played together and has grown together. They won a squirt tournament in Fargo and they won a Silver Sticks Tournament in Las Vegas and advanced to play at Silver Sticks in Quebec. A lot of our players have taken up golf and spent alot of time on the course together. It’s not like we won’t see each other again. For sure we will have a team get together,” coach Matt said.
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With his season over Las Vegas Rob Pallin, head coach of ESV Kaufburen in Germany, said “we are heading Tuesday with family to Budapest to visit in laws. Tenatively heading to Las Vegas around May 12, 13.”
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Sunday, May 2, 2021
Greenville, S.C. – Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas scored for the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits in a tough 4-3 OT loss to rival the Jacksonville IceMen before 2,010 fans here at the Bon Secours Wellness Center on Saturday night. .
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SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE FOR COACH ROB PALLIN AND ESV KAUFBUREN
Breaker – This just in from Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin and his ESV Kaufburen pro team in Germany. “We ended up losing our decisive playoff game 4-1. After going up 2-1 in this playoff series Freiburg went with their backup goalie and he stopped 68 out of 70 shots in games 4 and 5.”
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Saturday Games – USA Hockey Championships @Grand Rapids, Michigan
Final – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 1, AA Nashville Flyers 8, Grand Rapids, Michigan
//Las Vegas goal – Ryan Pavlinsky
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Sunday AA 16u Final 4
Team South Dakota 4, CDA Iowa 3
Atlanta Fire 5, Nashville Flyers 1
Monday AA 16u Gold Medal Game
Final – Atlanta Fire 4, Team South Dakota 3
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AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 6, OKC Oil Kings 3 @Mckinney, Texas
//Las Vegas goal – Brandon Cabral – short-handed
//Las Vegas goal – Connor Beers from Carter Adams, Kaden Israel
//Las Vegas goal – Finn McNabb – short-handed – from Chase Nehring, Kaden Israel
//Las Vegas goal – Carter Adams from Kaden Mulcahy
//Las Vegas goal – Kaden Israel from Carter Adams, Kaden Mulcahy
//Las Vegas goal – Kaden Israel from Jesse Brewer
//Las Vegas goalie – Kameron Laskaska
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Sunday AA 14u Final 4
Atlanta Madhatters 3, Team Wyoming 1
Charleston Jr Stingrays 3, Montana Big Sky Stars 2
Monday AA 14u Gold Medal Game
Charleston Jr Stingrays 5, Atlanta Madhatters 4
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Grand Rapids, Michigan – Ryan Pavlinsky scored dramatically off a rebound shot to lift the Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u to a 4-3 OT win over CDA-Idaho. The AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are now unbeaten at 2-0-0 here Friday at the USA Hockey Championships
Lacroix said right after the game “….Jesse Castro and Micah Williamson worked the corners and won big battles in the corner forcing Idaho to wrap the puck around the boards. Matt Lackas kept the puck in play, shoots on net and Ryan Pavlinsky gets a huge rebound goal for us. Totally a team effort from start to finish.”
Lacroix added “..so proud of our young men who beat a really good Idaho team. We got into penalty trouble late in the third period but fought back as a unit
Scoring
VGK – Ryan Pavlinsky from Jesse Castro, Micah Williamson
VGK – Jesse Castro from Micah Williamson.
VGK – Matthew Lackas from Carver Alfred, John Sinagra
VGK – OT – Ryan Pavlinsky from Matthew Lackas
VGK Goalie – Jonathan Ng
Next game: AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u vs AA Nashville Flyers 16u on Saturday.
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This just in from HOF hockey coach Rob Pallin of Las Vegas. “Hey everyone back home our ESV Kaufburen is in a best of five playoff series and is tied 2-2 against Freiburg. We played 4 games against Freiburg in the regular season and went 2-2. All of this is very exciting with the decisive game on Saturday night. All of the best as well to the Las Vegas hockey teams at the Nationals.”
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Friday, April 30, 2021 – Games @ the USA Hockey Championships
Breaker – Its’ Game Two today – Friday – for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u who take on CDA-Iowa 16u in Michigan – and the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u who play the AA Atlanta Madhatters 14u in McKinney, Texas.
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Thursday, April 29 2021 – Games @ the USA Hockey Championships
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u vs Charlestown Colonials 16u – Southside Arena, Byrne Center, Michigan
//Final – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 6, AA Charlestown Colonials 16u 0
//LV goals – Micah Williamson 3, Andrew Crawford, Ryan Pavlinsky, John Sinagra
//Coach Wally Lacroix said “….Our entire team played so well – a great 200-foot game, all over the ice doing good things. Also – and this is good as well – we were able to get both of our goalies (Johnny Ng, Austin Schaertel) into this game. They split time in our net. I really believe in our young men when we play as a group and stick to the structure built for our team.”
Next Game – Friday – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u vs CDA Iowa, 10 am local time
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs Montana Big Sky Stars 14u – Children’s Health Star Center, Mckinney, Texas
//Final – AA Montana Big Sky Stars 14u 7, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 4
LV goals
Kaden Mulcahy from Carter Adams – powerplay
Jesse Brewer from Trevor Abele, Darren Lingo
Carter Adams from Connor Beers, Kaden Israel
Kaden Mulcahy from Connor Beers, Kaden Israel
LV goalie – Kameron Laskaska
Friday Final Score – AA Atlanta Madhatters 14u 2, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 0
VGK goalie – Kameron Laskaska
Note – AA Atlanta Madhatters 14u have won their first two games 10-0, 2-0
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Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Wally Lacroix, head coach of the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u said today “….We are very excited about the Nationals as a group. We have not played any of these organizations this season but we have in the past. It is a honor to represent Las Vegas and the Jr Golden Knights. We have practiced hard for the past few weeks preparing for this event. If our young men stay within our structure we created as a group good things will happen.”
The AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are off to Grand Rapids for the USA Hockey Championships, the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u will play in the USA Hockey Championships in Mckinney, Texas.
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Quote of the Day
“I don’t coach players to be someone else. I coach them to be the best they can be,” said coach Rob Pallin of Las Vegas in the book ‘Puck Dreams’ by the great Joe McCauley
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Northford, Connecticut – Ian Williams of Las Vegas and the AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u won the gold medal at the East Coast Elite Tournament of Champions. Ian had two goals, five assists in the tournament. He and the Wolves finished their season 13-1-4 in their last 18 games. Ian, 18, is listed at 6’2, 175.
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By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – Matt Johnson, head coach of the AA Jr Vegas Jr Golden Knights bantams 14u, says he and his goal scorers, defensemen and goalies “cannot wait to play in the USA Hockey Championships in Texas this week.”
“As a team we are excited to go to Texas. This provides a bit of normalcy for such a chaotic and uncertain year.
“Our players and families have really put forth their best effort all season. With a lot of the guidelines put in place during this pandemic, we had to travel to get games. We went to Florida and Texas 3 times, then to Nashville, Minnesota, Denver, Boise and Phoenix and no one batted an eye. Again the biggest word we can say is ‘normalcy.’ Our players worked hard every single practice not knowing when they would play again.
“The improvements we have made since August 17 is enormous – and we as a coaching staff are very proud. Nationals is a great stage for us to measure our development and growth against other communities throughout our country.”
It all starts on Thursday when the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights open the tournament Las Vegas against the AA Montana Big Sky Stars in McKinney, Texas.
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LAS VEGAS PRO GOAL SCORERS THIS SEASON
NHL – 7 goals – Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh Penguins
AHL – 10 goals – Gage Quinney, Henderson Silver Knights
ECHL – 11 goals – Zach Pochiro, Ft. Wayne Komets; 7 – Michael McNicholas, Tulsa Oilers; 6 – Joe Sullivan, Indy Fuel; 3- Bryce Reddick, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
SPHL – 5 goals – Brennan Blasczak, Pensacola Ice Flyers
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Monday, April 26, 2021 – For the USA Hockey Championships – or what the players call The Nationals – the Wally Lacroix coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u will play in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Matt Johnson-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u will play at the Children’s Health Star Center in McKinney, Texas. The games begin this Thursday….
AA Las Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
2018 USA Hockey National Champions
Head Coach – Wally Lacroix
USA Hockey Championships – Southside Arena, Byrn Center, Michigan
Thursday, April 29
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u vs. AA Charlestown Colonials, 11 am local time
Friday, April 30
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u vs AA CDA – Iowa 16u, 11 am local time
Saturday, May 1
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u vs Nashville Flyers 16u, 5:30 pm local time
Saturday, May 2
Eliminator games then get underway
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AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Head Coach – Matt Johnson
Children’s Heath Star-Center, Mckinney, Texas
Thursday, April 29
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs. Montana Big Sky Stars 14u, 2:15 pm local time
Friday, April 30
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs Atlanta Madhatters, 10:15 am local time
Saturday, May 1
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs OKC Oil Kings, 6:45 pm local time
Eliminator Games then get underway
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From the Blue Line – Premier goalie Gunnar Roksvold of the Las Vegas Storm Bantam 14u team celebrated the end of their season with a team dinner and a special event. Gunnar, younger brother of the great goal scorer Kyle Callahan, had four shutouts and a 2.84 gaa in 17 games. The Las Vegas Storm bantams had a season record of 22-23-2 – Lee
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Brendan Harris of Las Vegas has signed with the ECHL Wheeling Nailers. He has graduated from NCAA Bemidji State where he had 9 goals, 14 assists in his senior season.
//Update – Brendan will wear jersey #19 for the ECHL Wheeling Nailers.
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Darion Conaway announced that the Sin City Barons are sending two high-powered roller hockey teams – 21u, 18u – to the NARCh Western Regional this weekend at roller rinks in Corona, Ca. and Irvine, Ca. Hunter Barto and Darion will coach the 18u roller team. Star Las Vegas defenseman Steven Avalone will play for the Sin City Barons 21u roller team.
Sin City Barons 21u platinum team – Darion Conaway, Hunter Barto, Steven Avalone, Matti Lempiamen, Terry Glynn, Nathan Valdez, Alan Yu, Rashi Patel, goalie Justin Lake –First game – vs Tour Roadrunners, Friday, 8:30 pm @Irvine rink
Friday – Final Score – Tour Roadrunners 21u 9, Sin City Barons 21u 1
Saturday – Final Score – Konixx Outcasts Black 21u 6, Sin City Barons 21u 2
Saturday – Final Score – Sin City Barons 21u 4, Jr Glazers 21u 0
Sunday- NARCh Gold Semifinal – Sin City Barons 21u 4, Konixx Nitrous 21u 2
Sunday – NARCh Gold Medal Game – Sin City Barons 21u 4, Konixx Outcasts 2
Sin City Barons 18u team – AJ Lackas, Deric Prier, Kevin Hanley, Chase McCrossan, Joseph Ballesteros, Caden Thorne, Andrew Cervantes, Alex Kuntz
//Friday – Final Score – Labeda Mayhem 18u 6, Sin City Barons 18u 0
//Friday – Final Score – Smurfs 18u 8, Sin City Barons 18u 1
//Saturday – Final Score – Bulldogs Black 6, Sin City Barons 18u 3
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These are the lines Las Vegas coach Matt Abraham has put together for the KamaGraf RoyalOnes roller team at the NARCh Western Regional this weekend. There are quite a few Las Vegas star players on this team.
Matt Abraham, Joey Kaszupski, Al Mono, Ian Wong
Cory Ward, Keith Abraham, Parker Moskal, Eric Wakefield
Duane Jones, Andy White, Garrett Vincent, Hamilton Whyte
Goalie Patrick Pugliese
//Friday game – KamaGraf Royal Ones 2, Stingrays 2 – tie
//Friday game – Rink Rats 4, KamaGraf Royal Ones 3
//Saturday game – KamaGraf Royal Ones 3, Pama Labeda Golden Knights 3 – tie
//Sunday – Platinum Pro Playoff Game – KamaGraf Royal Ones 3, Apex Mavin 2
//Sunday – Platinum Pro Gold Medal Game – KamaGraft 21u 5, Skittles 3
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Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Breaker – Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas is the top scorer for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets with 11 goals, 10 assists, 21 points, +5 on the ice
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2020-21 Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away from Home – 33 goals – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 31 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 20 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 18 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose; 18 – Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals; 18 -Matthew Gross, AAA Arizona Coyotes 18u; 13 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u; 11 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets; 9 -Brendan Harris, NCAA Bemidji State; 7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights, Minnesota; 7 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Carolina Jr Hurricanes; 7 – Michael McNicholas, ECHL Tulsa Oilers; 6 -Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel; 5 – Dylan Miller, ACHA D2 Lindenwood; 4 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers; 3 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Swamp Rabbits; 2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club; 2 – Tristan Nelson, USPHL Elite Northern Cyclone; 1 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs; 1 – Vito Carlo, University of Franklin Pierce; 1 -Dom Garcia, NCAA Arizona State; 1 – Noah Smejkal, NA3HL Northeast Generals; 1 – Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Premier Hampton Roads Whalers
To revise or add here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Breaker – In the NA3HL Fraser Cup Gold Medal game on Monday the North Iowa Bulls beat the Rochester Grizzlies by 5-1 at the St. Peter’s Rec Place in Missouri.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2021
The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced that the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights have been accepted as full-time Tier 1 members of the NAPHL for the 2021-22 season. The organization will field Tier 1 teams at the 16U and 14U levels in the NAPHL.
For the past two seasons, the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights have played in the NAPHL’s Showcase Division at the 16U and 14U levels. The Vegas Jr. Golden Knights are dedicated to the development of youth hockey in the city of Las Vegas and state of Nevada. They are committed to providing their hockey players and families an environment where young athletes can develop on and off the ice while learning the value of teamwork, competition, sportsmanship, discipline, respect, self-esteem, hard work and integrity – in a safe and fun environment. They are dedicated to the growth and development of the game in their city and aim to foster a community spirit among our players, families, coaches and officials.
“This is a great addition to the NAPHL’s Tier 1 West Division as we continue to help facilitate the growth and development of programs like the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights. They have represented themselves very well at our events the past two seasons and we are confident they will be able to be a competitive organization at the Tier I level,” stated NAPHL Director Tony Zasowski. “We look forward to watching their evolution to our Tier 1 16U and 14U Divisions and look forward to seeing them at more of our events.”
Matt Johnson will serve as the 16U head coach, while Wally Lacroix will serve as the 14U head coach. Johnson is entering his fourth year in the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights program and has become increasingly instrumental in defining the Skills Progression Path throughout the Hockey Club. His passionate approach is tailor-made for this age group and competitive level. Lacroix has been in the program since its inception coaching the 16U team. He won a USA Hockey National Championship two years ago – a tremendous accomplishment in just the second year of the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights Hockey Club existence. Coach Lacroix brings a wealth of experience to the role and is one of the most well-known and respected hockey figures in the area.
“The Vegas Jr. Golden Knights Hockey Club is thrilled to be part of the NAPHL Tier 1 League for the upcoming 2021-22 season. We appreciate the incumbent members for having the faith in us to build a quality program in Vegas. Having the consistently high level of competition provided by the NAPHL is a big part of the program’s development,” said Darren Eliot, Executive Director of the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights.
For more information on the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights, please visit their website
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Buffalo, NY – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas scored off an offensive zone faceoff for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres here at the Key Bank Center here on Sunday evening. Jason in his NHL career has 150 goals, 121 assists.
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Las Vegas – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and the AHL Henderson Silver Knights take on the Tuscon Roadrunners tonight on the ice Sunday 5 pm at The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue. Gage this season has 10 goals, 5 assists for 15 points and is +7 on the ice. He has 3 game-winning goals, 3 powerplay goals, and 3 short-handed goals – what a season for Gage a hometown star.
//Final Score – Tucson wins 4-2
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NA3HL Final 4 – St. Peter’s Rec Place, Missouri
Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and Oklahoma City Blazers vs North Iowa Bulls
//Final Score – North Iowa Bulls win 2-1 – advance to Gold Medal game
Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and Sheridan Hawks vs Rochester Grizzlies
//Final Score – Rochester Grizzlies win 7-1 – advance to Gold Medal game
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Monday – Gold Medal Game
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Saturday, April 17, 2021
The USPHL Premier gave the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds a massive number of All-Star awards. It’s all right here..
https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/1158309#.YHkFauKdDuA.link
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Saturday NA3HL Fraser Cup Championships Scores – St. Peter’s Rec-Place, Missouri
Noah Smejkal of Las Vegas and Northeast Generals vs North Iowa Bulls
//Final Score – North Iowa Bulls 8, Northeast Generals 1
Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and Oklahoma City Blazers vs Texas Brahmas
//Final Score – Oklahoma City Blazers 5, Texas Brahmas 1 – major win in this tournament
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Friday, April 16, 2021
Las Vegas – Gage Quinney, who grew up playing youth hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue, scored two goals – including the OT game-winner – for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights in a 2-1 OT win over the Tucson Roadrunners on Thursday night at The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue. Gage’s first goal goal was short-handed with an assist from Cody Glass, his game-winning goal was assisted by Cody Glass and Ryan Murphy. Gage has 9 goals this season. Gage, Cody and Silver Knights goalie Logan Thompson were selected as ‘Stars of the Game.’
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NA3HL Fraser Cup Championship
Friday Game Schedule – St. Peter’s Rec-Place, Missouri
Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and Sheridan Hawks vs North Iowa Bulls
//North Iowa Bulls win 2-1 in OT
Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and Oklahoma City Blazers vs Rochester Grizzlies
//Rochester Grizzlies win 3-1
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Thursday Game Schedule
Noah Smejkal of Las Vegas and Northeast Generals vs Goalie Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and Sheridan Hawks
//Final score – Sheridan Hawks win 13-2
//Final score – Rochester Grizzlies 4, Texas Brahmas 3
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It wasn’t that long ago when Noah Smejkal of Las Vegas played for the Vegas Jr Golden Knights High School Team. His coaches were Daryl Wademan and the Zucker brothers – Evan and Adam. Now Noah is playing for the powerful NA3HL Northeast Generals in Attleboro, Mass, who are heading to the big NA3HL Fraser Cup Championships at the St. Peter’s Rec Place in Missouri. These will be unquestionably the biggest games of the season.
And how exactly did Noah initially connect with the Northeast Generals?
“We reached out, sent a video of me on the ice, they liked what they saw and we got invited to their training camp and we made the team. We are a forward at right wing. Our head coach is Daryl Locke and our assistant coach is Bryan Erickson,” Noah said. “During the regular season we primarily played the Eastern teams – so we did not play against teams like the Sheridan Hawks (Luke Fundator) or the Oklahoma City Blazers (Anthony Rodriguez)
There are two pools of team – Pool A, Pool B – with two other Las Vegas players included as well.
Pool A
Sheridan Hawks – Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator
Northeast Generals – Noah Smejkal of Las Vegas
North Iowa Bulls
Pool B
Rochester Grizzlies
Texas Brahmas
Oklahoma City Blazers – Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas
And who do Noah and the Northeast Generals play first on Thursday of this week.
They play the Sheridan Hawks who have several goalies including Luke Fundator of Las Vegas.
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Tuesday, April 13, 2020
Breaker –
U14 defensemen Kaden Mulcahy and Hunter Toms of the Matt Johnson-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights have been selected to the 2020-21 NAPHL showcase division, First and Second team All-Star selections, respectively. Mulcahy is a defensive defenseman who plays a physical game. His long reach, awareness and grit has made him an integral part of the penalty kill. Coming into his own on the offensive side, Kaden has developed into a power play specialist utilizing his heavy shot from the point. He has evolved into an offensive weapon with 16 goals and 14 assists. He was also named defenseman of the month for October. Toms, is an offensive defenseman who has great poise with the puck. He returns to Vegas this year after spending two seasons with the LA Jr. Kings 2006 AAA team. Toms’ stability at the blue line has led him to be an important piece of the penalty kill. While his vision and poise has allowed him to be an offensive threat on the power play, playing both offense and defensive position, putting up 11 goals and 19 assists. Both Toms and Mulcahy were part of the Vegas squirt team that won the prestigious Squirt international tournament in Fargo North Dakota in the top division. Mulcahy’s peewee team made it to the Semi Finals of the Quebec Peewee international Tournament in the AA division. Toms, meanwhile, captured the Quebec tournament as a member of the LA Jr. Kings
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Sunday Breaker – Erik Atchison of Las Vegas last night scored his 3rd goal of the season for the WHL Spokane Chiefs. Erik, 18, has seven points in his last 3 games while skating in his 100th WHL game of his career.
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Special to Vegas Hockey
Las Vegas – In a Sunday morning shocker Casey Berninger with the clock ticking down to 0:01 drove to the net, cracked the puck in from the left post area to score a game-breaker goal as the final horn sounded for the Matt Johnson coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights bantams in a 3-2 win over Arizona State Champions AA Arizona Jr Coyotes 14u at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive. Both of these team will play in the U.S. Nationals.
Earlier in the game Carter Adams scored twice for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u. Vegas goalie Kam Laskaska was very strong in this firefight.
Coach Johnson said “….this was a huge momentum win for us. At this age consistancy is the most important factor. It was nice to play at home in front of our hockey families and give them a good showing.”
In the second game Sunday at the Pepsi, the AA Park City Miners 16u of Utah nudged the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 2-1. Micah Williamson, a big powerful forward, scored for coach Wally Lacroix’s team. This was a tough, entertaining battle in all three periods. After the game the Utah parents said it would be a three hour journey to get home.
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Saturday, April 10, 202
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas -Goalie Jonny Ng is a Shining Star – special and unique – playing for coach Wally Lacroix’ AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights. The way Ng defends is something to see – or as his hockey mom Shauna says – “if he sees the puck coming in he will stop the puck.”
Ng has good size – 6’1, 185 – playing for Lacroix – who has won many Vegas Hockey Coach of the Year Awards – playing in a challenging season with a totally rebuilt club. The AA Park City Miners 16u won 4-0 before a pretty big crowd at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive.
Ng, from Henderson, NV, began playing the game at the age of six.
His goalie hockey stick is a Bauer Supreme 35 Pro.
And while we were chatting with hockey mom Shauna a hockey scout joined us at the Pepsi Ice Arena rinkboards.
“We drove here from Utah to see your son play today. He sees the puck very well and in the heat of action stays very calm. We like everything about him and would to have him with us next season.”
It was Nick Dreyer, Assistant GM, with USPHL Premier Ogden Mustangs – a dynamic hockey program.
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By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – For years AAA/AA Utah-based tier teams have come here with a rough physical edge to their game. This weekend the AA Park City Ice Miners 16u of Utah are coming into Las Vegas to take on the Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u in a 3-game weekend series. On Saturday games are 10 am, 5:30 pm and on Sunday 10 am. All games are at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive. Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen, whose hockey Jason was a big goal scorer years ago, says he “cannot wait” to see these games.
April 10-12 Weekend Scores
Saturday
AA 16u – Head Coach Wally Lacroix, Vegas Jr Golden Knights
AA Park City Ice Miners 16u 4, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 0
2nd game – Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 4, AA Park City Ice Miners 16u 1
//VGK head coach Wally Lacroix said “…great effort from our entire group. We rallied as a group and competed at a high level. Our goalies shared the duties and played well. We followed the structure – it was fun to watch a completely different team.”
Next game – Sunday, 10 am – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u vs AA Park City Ice Miners 16
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AA 14u – Head Coach Matt Johnson, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights
AA Arizona Jr Coyotes 14u 4, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 1
Las Vegas goal – Zach Gay
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 6, AA Arizona Jr Coyotes 14u 2
Las Vegas goals – Connor Beers 2, Finn McNabb, Hunter Toms, Jesse Brewer, Brandon Cabral
Next Game, Sunday, 8 am, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u vs AA Arizona Jr Coyotes 14u
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Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Breaker – Erik Atchison of Las Vegas and the WHL Spokane Chiefs scored a go-ahead goal on a powerplay and was named the ‘Player of the Game’ against the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds. It was Erik’s 2nd goal of the season.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Special to Vegas Hockey – Goal scorer and very popular Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas and the ECHL Indy Fuel today was dealt to the ECHL Tulsa Oilers. McNicholas, 27 and listed at 5’10, 180, was traded for Brent Gates. McNicholas has 6 goals, 10 assists this season. Gates has 6 goals, 12 assists. Gates played a few games with the AHL San Diego Gulls earlier this season. The Tulsa Oilers are affiliated with the NHL Anaheim Ducks and the AHL San Diego Gulls. The Tulsa head coach is the great Rob Murray who years ago was head coach six seasons with the powerful ECHL Alaska Aces. When then Aces shut down operations, coach Rob was hired by the Tulsa Oilers.
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Monday, April 5, 2021
Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator with the NA3HL Sheridan Hawks in Wyoming and goal scorer Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and the NA3HL Oklahoma City Blazers are back in best-of-three playoff action this week. On Thursday Luke and the Sheridan Hawks will play the NA3HL Great Falls Americans. On Friday Anthony and the Oklahoma City Blazers will meet the Texas Brahmas – who just rubbed out the Atlanta Capitals in the playoffs – at the NY/TEX Sports Center in North Richland Hills, Texas.
NA3HL Playoffs – Best of Three
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and Sheridan Hawks at Great Falls Americans @Great Falls Ice Plex, Great Falls, Montana
Friday, April 9, 2021
Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and Sheridan Hawks vs Great Falls Americans @Whitney Rink inside M&M Center, Sheridan, Wyoming
Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and Oklahoma City Blazers vs Texas Brahmas @NYTEX Sports Centre, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Special to Vegas Hockey
The Vegas Jr Golden Knights have announced their Spring Clinics – go to this link or onto the VJGK hockey website
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Sheridan, Wyoming – For Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator the time is now for him and the NA3HL Sheridan Hawks who open a Best of Three playoff series vs the NA3HL Missoula Jr Bruins here at the Sheridan M and M Ice Center on Friday night. Luke has had an awesome season with a 10-1-0 record, 92.3% save percentage and a 2.21 gaa. The Sheridan Hawks are 39-1-0 this season. Missoula has a record of 21-17-2. Outside the big arena on Friday the temp will be in the upper 40s during Game One of the playoff series.
Friday final score – Sheridan Hawks win Game One, 4-2
Saturday score – Sheridan Hawks win Game Two, 10-1
Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and NA3HL Sheridan Hawks win best of three, 2-0, and advance in playoffs
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NA3HL Playoffs
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Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and Oklahoma City Blazers vs El Paso Rhinos
April 2 – El Paso Rhinos at Oklahoma City Blazers
Final Score – Oklahoma City Blazers win 5-0
April 3 – El Paso Rhinos at Oklahoma City Blazers
Final Score – Oklahoma City Blazers win 7-2
Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and Oklahoma City Blazers win best of three 2-0 and advance in the playoffs
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and Atlanta Capitals vs Texas Brahmas
April 2 – Atlanta Capitals at Texas Brahmas
Final Score – Texas Brahmas win 6-1
April 3 – Texas Brahmas at Atlanta Capitals
Final Score – Texas Brahmas win 7-0
Texas Brahmas win best of three 2-0; season comes to a close for Gunner Moore and Atlanta Capitals
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Las Vegas – The AA Park City Ice Miners 16u are heading here to take on the Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u on April 10-11 for three weekend games at the Pepsi Arena here on North Rancho Drive…..
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Our Monday readers are from all parts of the USA and Canada
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Thursday, April 1, 2021
Breaker – Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin has signed for two more seasons as Head Coach with ESV Kaufbeuren in Germany. “We just signed for next season in Kaufbeuren. I really feel good about our decision. We are the best team in the league the last 30 games – but remember it was a real struggle the first 15 games of the year. I’ve always believed it is not how you start, rather how you finish! We have 5 games before playoffs. I like our chances to win it all. We are led by John Lammers from Vancouver (a 3rd round Dallas Stars draft pick), Tyler Spurgeon from Edmonton (Edmonton draft pick), Branden Gracel from Calgary and Sami Blomqvist from Finland.”
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Ian Williams of Las Vegas and the Wenatchee U18AAA Wolves took part in the ECEL “Play The Beach Spring Classic” over the weekend in West Palm Beach, FL and posted a strong 2-0-2 record at the event.
The showcase opened on Thursday at 5pm for the Wolves with a hard fought 2-1 shootout loss to Elite Hockey Academy. After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, the Wolves answered quickly to tie on a goal by Rylan Marcum with the helper from Andrew Alonzo. “The play from both teams was pretty even throughout the game. We had some good looks, they had some good looks, but we couldn’t find the back of the net”, reported Development Teams Coach Jordan McTaggart. “Both teams had six Power Plays. I think you could say both teams weren’t too happy to give up that many power plays and for us to not score with the man advantage makes it hard to win games.” Coach McTaggart applauded a good overall team effort, and one player in particular stood out for him. “ (Goalie) Braeden Bovey again was our best player; he might have made one of the best gloves saves I have seen in a midget game in a long time.” In the shootout Elite Hockey scored once and it was enough to lock down the win. Back at it bright and early with an 8a faceoff with the Washington Little Caps. Wenatchee got off to a quick start. “We scored the 2nd shift of the game and then sat back and let them dictate the play the first half. Down 3-1 going into the second half (following the ice cut) we came out hard and went up 4-3. They tied it up late in the game to force OT”, said Coach McTaggart. The Little Caps nabbed a 5-4 win with an overtime goal. “Again, I thought we had the better of the chances but a breakdown led to their winning goal.” Wolves goals came from Rylan Marcum, Andrew Alonzo, Kai Belliveau, and Drake Flynn. Braeden Bovey was in net once again for Wenatchee, and he would play every Wolves game in the event. The line of Belliveau, Alonzo and Marcum combined for 7 points in the game.Back on the ice at 1 pm, the Wolves played a strong bounce-back game with a 6-1 win over the PHA Icemen after the tough morning loss. Coach McTaggart: “The guys came out hard and didn’t look back. Hunter Hodgson got his first of the year with a nice top-shelf shot from the point. He’s been good for us all year and it was nice to see him finally get rewarded with one.”
Other Wenatchee goals came from Ian Williams (x2) of Las Vegas, Andrew Alonzo, Kai Belliveau, and Rylan Marcum with Braeden Bovey earning the win.Wenatchee’s showcase slate concluded with a convincing 5-1 win over the 95 Giants (from Attleboro, MA) at 8am on Saturday. Drake Flynn pumped in a pair, with additional goals scored by Kai Belliveau, Jake Measel, and Andrew Alonzo. Goalie Braeden Bovey closed out the week with a sub 2.00 GAA.
“It was a great way to end the weekend for the Wolves”, claimed Coach McTaggart. “The line of Alonzo, Belliveau, and Marcum took a big step forward and was dominant all weekend long. Bovey again stood tall for us when we got into penalty trouble. Coming away with 6 out of a possible 8 points made for a pretty good first ECEL showcase and hopefully, we can take that momentum into next weekend.”
Next weekend Coach McTaggart referenced has the Wolves visiting the Northwest Stars on Saturday March 27 in Lynnwood, WA for Game 1 of a Best-of-Three schedule. Games 2 and 3 return to the iFiber Rink at Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee on Friday April 2 (5:30p) and Saturday April 3 (9:00a). Both teams are slated to advance to the Tier I Pacific District Tournament to be held in Phoenix April 8-11. The best-of-three will determine seeding as the teams advance.The games in Wenatchee will be streamed live here: https://bit.ly/U18WolvesLive
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Pittsburgh – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins was back on the ice Monday night in a 2-1 win over the visiting New York Islanders. Jason, wearing his famous #16 jersey, had one shot on goal. Weeks ago Jason had a lower body injury during a game and was placed on a long term injured reserve list. Jason, a 14-time Vegas Hockey Player of the Year, played on the second line with Jared McCann and Evan Rodrigues. The win raised the Penguins season record to 23-11-2. Next on Jason’s schedule: the Penguins have a two-game road series in Boston.
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Update – Matt Johnson’s AAA Tier 1 Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u will have tryouts May 22-23 at City National Arena. Tryout dates will be announced for the Wally Lacroix-coached AAA Tier Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u – those tryouts when announced will also be at City National Arena. Players will register on the Vegas Jr Golden Knights hockey website.
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Las Vegas – Massive breaking news today – The Vegas Jr Golden Knights announced they will play on the AAA/Tier 1 level in 2021-22 season with games at the City National Arena. Matt Johnson will coach the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u, Wally Lacroix will coach the AAA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u. There is tryout information posted on the Vegas Jr Golden Knights hockey website. The last AAA Tier 1 team here was coached by Rob Pallin whose AAA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u went 33-24-5, won the Vancouver Sun Classic tournament, went 2-2-1 at the Tier One Pacific District Championships including a historic 6-5 OT win over the Alaska All-Stars in Fairbanks. Cody Morin was the top goal scorer for the Mustangs during that season. The AAA Las Vegas Mustangs played at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena. Later, Gage Quinney of Las Vegas skated on an 2012-13 AAA Las Vegas Storm 18u team which played home games at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Ave. Gage was signed by the NHL Vegas Golden Knights and is playing with their AHL affiliate team – the AHL Henderson Silver Knights who play home games at the The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue here in town.===
Sunday, March 28, 2021 – This weekend is the final regular season games in the NA3HL. Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas is on the roster of the NA3HL Oklahoma City Blazers who are 28-7-2 and have clinched a playoff spot. Anthony and Oklahoma City close out their regular season today in a road game vs the NA3HL Louisana Drillers at the Planet Ice Arena in Lafayette, La.….Best Stat of the Day – Gage Quinney, Las Vegas, AHL Henderson Silver Knights – 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 points, +6 on the ice
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Saturday, March 27, 2021
Here are the weekend game scores for the Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u. All game were at the St Peters Rec-Plex in Missouri
Friday (Final Score) – AA Anaheim Ice Dogs 16u (17-9-5) 4, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 2
Saturday – AA Nashville Jr Predators 16u 5, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 2
Sunday – AA New Mexico Ice Wolves 16u (6-3-0) 3, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 1
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The 2020-21 Hockey Season is over for these Las Vegas Players Away from Home
Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
Vito Carlo, NCAA D3 Franklin Pierce University
Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Motor City Rockers
Aidan McNabb, USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes
Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals
Tristan Nelson, USPHL Elite Northern Cyclones
Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Hampton Roads Whalers
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Here is the #1 most searched story of all-time on Vegashockey.net, a story which is searched here every single day. The photos are somewhere in cyberspace but here is the story we filed that day – we will never forget the greatest games at the Santa Fe Station Ice Arena. The “Hockey Sister” playing music was Jessica Jasek, sister of big goal scorer Josh Jasek. The Hockey Sister was the first to play rock music at the big games – Lee
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Coach Matt Johnson with the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u is No. 1 Most Searched today.
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How to contact Vegas Hockey – leesamuels07@aol.com
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May 17, 2004 – 17 Seasons Ago…
SPECIAL REPORT: SANTA FE STATION ICE ARENA IS HISTORY…
By Lee Samuels
LAS VEGAS – That’s it. It’s all over at the Santa Fe Ice Arena.
The figure skaters whirled about at center ice. The hockey skaters, in multi-colored jerseys, did laps around the outside lanes. Rinkboard parents sipped coffee in paper cups and were bunched near the south end. The music was nice and loud.
And all of a sudden, at 4:00 pm, it was over.
There will be no more skating at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena which has been opened since 1991.
No more enemy teams coming in. No more big hockey tournaments with those invading, imposing, hard-hitting AAA teams in town. No more Buddy Caron on the Zamboni. No more clanging gates. No more Hockey Sister spinning CDs at faceoffs. No more heading to the Food Court and asking for a slice of the good stuff from Village Pizza. No more walking to Starbucks for a pre-game cup.
Even the big Pepsi scoreboard was dark.
Rink manager Rob Pallin, wearing his new Fiesta Ice Arena Manager badge, proudly showed off new blueprints of the new rink which will open on Rancho Drive this fall.
John J. James, general manager of the Fiesta, said the Santa Fe rinkboards, the thick rink glass and one Zamboni will be heading to a rink in Utah.
And the sheet of ice?
“There are 30,000 gallons of water out there,” said James, peering through the rink glass and looking at the sheet of ice. “So you have start shaving down the ice maybe a half-inch at a time, then begin to melt it down.”
It’s a process which will begin in a day or two.
Meanwhile, no more ice time is scheduled.
“The sign company YesCo will take down the Santa Fe scoreboard and take it to the Fiesta,” James said. “We’ve bought a new Zamboni and we’re taking one from here. We plan to get a front-loader, lift the Zamboni and drive it over to the Fiesta.”
Pallin will work out of his office here for the next several weeks before heading to the Fiesta.
“So many things to do,” said Rob. “We’re in a shutdown phase and we need to move a lot of things to the new arena.”
The banners, including the coveted, giant 2001-02 Mustangs Pacific District Champions one, have been taken down and carefully packed.
“The Fiesta is going to a vibrant, brilliant ice arena,” said James, speaking to the rinkboard parents. “We are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a snack bar. Wait until you see it. We will have a community trophy case, on the right side as you walk in. We will have a First Aid Station. We will have 500 seats in the bleachers. The new Arcade will have 23 machines. Hot coffee? We have a contract with Boyd’s and it’s good stuff.
“We’ve got new nets coming in too,” James added.
Still, for many rinkboard parents, who huddled about making small talk here, the rink closure is a total shock.
We’ve been coming into this ice-cold, refrigerator-like arena for years, for practices and for games.
When the Final Skate was almost over, Tanya Root – a Team Mom for so many hockey teams here – took one last look towards the ice and said “I’m heading for Starbucks in the casino…..for one last cup.”
Final Rinkboard Notebook at the Santa Fe – There were over 100 skaters on the ice….then, some of the older skaters stayed over for a pickup game. Sammy Micco was the goalie….Chris Francis, Ryan Krametbauer, Eddie Del Grosso, Eddie Samuels, Josh Odoms, Chad Butcher, Sean Stackhouse, Jeff Root were among those on the ice…Also skating was coach Rob who actually looked pretty sharp….
In the bleachers, for the record, Patty DeGrosso was the last to take photographs….
There are 3 men’s leagues games scheduled to start at 6:00, 7:30 and 9:00 pm Sunday and that’s it – no more games at the Santa Fe….
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
By Bethany Drysdale
This past weekend, the Ft Wayne Komets came to Charleston, South Carolina for the first time in 14 seasons. As soon as tickets went on sale, we purchased four seats behind the Ft Wayne bench for two very specific reasons… Zach Pachiro and Brandon Hawkins. Vegas fans are probably familiar with Zach, since he is a local. Brandon is also a good friend of ours, playing previously with Bowling Green State University, Wheeling Nailers, and WBS Penguins. He was signed to play with the Toledo Walleye, but when they opted out of the season, Brandon signed with the Komets. Zach and Brandon are the one-two punch for the Western Conference leading ECHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. Zach leads the Komets with 9 goals and 3 assists this year. While Brandon has 7 goals and 5 assists in their 17 games played.
Friday night, we witnessed Zach score the lone Komets’ goal in the second period. Although they lost to the Stingrays, my kids did not even notice the score. When Zach scored and came back to the bench, we waved to him and he pointed to the boys. They felt so important, because Zach noticed them. The whole evening was very special to us, as we came home with a broken goalie stick, a stick blade from team captain AJ Jenks, and 2 warm up pucks from Brandon.
We watched most of Saturday and Sunday’s games online, since we had to be in Pineville, North Carolina for our own mites games. Zach played very well. After being checked in the back by a Rays’ player in the 2nd period of Saturday’s game, Zach let the fists fly. Firing up the Komets’ bench, Zach tried to get some momentum going. Down 4-0 in the third period, Brandon Hawkins scored the first Ft Wayne goal of the game. It would be the only Komet goal as they lost their second game of the weekend 5-1.
Sunday afternoon, the final game of a 6 game road trip (3 in South Carolina), the Komets struggled once again on the power play. It was Brandon Hawkins getting the boys on the board with 18 seconds left in the first period. Tensions were high all weekend, with multiple fights and penalties. Although the Komets scored 1 more goal Sunday in the third period, it was not enough for the win and dropped their 3rd straight to the Stingrays.
Zach led the team with ice time and was giving it his all each shift. He’s a strong skater who can see pucks into tight spots for quick goals. When hockey gets back to normal, look for Zach to get a call-up to Henderson next season. He has the talent and mindset to make it to the AHL. For more about Zach, watch the interview video of him by Kat Craner, Christina Oka and Shannon Walker on youtube. Same goes for Brandon Hawkins. If you have not been following him, keep an eye on number 7, because he will be another AHL regular next season. And personally I hope he stays with the Golden Knights system, we sure could use the speedy winger in Henderson.
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Monday Games
USPHL Premier/Elite Nationals Gold Medal games Chesapeake, Va
USPHL Nationals Premier
Gold Medal Game
Charlotte Rush 2, Florida Eels 0
USPHL Nationals Elite
Gold Medal Game
Charlotte Rush 6, Charlotte Colonials 5
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Sunday Games
Las Vegas – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas dealt two assists and was +2 on the ice for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights in a 4-0 win over the San Jose Barracuda Sunday at The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue. The great Las Vegas official Ryan Townsend was a linesman in this game. The crowd was 1533.
//Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin, head coach of ESV Kaufburen in Germany – said today “…we have our best record 17-3-0 in our last 20 games. We keep climbing in our standings with eight games to play.”
2020-21 Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away from Home – 47 goals – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 45 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 31 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 18 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose; 18 – Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals; 18 -Matthew Gross, AAA Arizona Coyotes 18u; 15 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u; 12 – Michael McNicholas, ECHL Tulsa Oilers; 11 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets; 7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights, Minnesota; 7 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Carolina Jr Hurricanes; 6 -Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel; 5 – Dylan Miller, ACHA D2 Lindenwood; 3 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs; 2 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers; 2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club; 2 – Tristan Nelson, USPHL Elite Northern Cyclones; 2 – Ethan Sodoma, NA3HL Texas Roadrunners; – 1 – Vito Carlo, University of Franklin Pierce; 1 -Dom Garcia, NCAA Arizona State; 1 – Jo Jo Heinzelman, AAA Northern Cyclones 18u; 1-Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits; 1 -Noah Smejkal, NA3HL Northeast Generals; 1 – Tyler Owens, USPHL Premier Midwest Blackbirds; 1 -Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Premier Hampton Roads Whalers
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Sunday, March 21, 2021
USPHL Nationals Premier Final 4 – Chesapeake, Va
Florida Eels 4, Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and Carolina Jr Hurricanes 1
//Season comes to a close for Aidan McNabb whose team Carolina Jr Hurricanes had an awesome run at the USPHL Premier Nationals.
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USPHL Nationals Elite Final 4 – Chesapeake, Va
Final Score – Charlotte Rush 4, Tristan Nelson of Las Vegas and Northern Cyclones 1
https://www.usphl.com/view#/game-summary/15187
An amazing season and a deep playoff run comes to a close for the all-heart Tristan Nelson of Las Vegas
Final Score – Charleston Colonials 5 Richmond Generals 3
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Breaker – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and the AHL Henderson Silver Knights dealt an assist to linemate Ben Jones who scored in a 5-2 win over the visiting San Jose Barracuda on Saturday night before 1533 at The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue.
Saturday Scores
In a staggering development Tristan Nelson dealt two assists for the Northern Cyclones of New Hampshire who rocked the Jersey Hitman 6-0 to advance to the USPHL Elite Final 4 on Sunday in Chesapeake, Va. Tristan and the Northern Cyclones will take on the Charlotte Rush on Sunday.
Saturday – USPHL Premier Nationals – Chesapeake, Va
Final Score – Fresno Monsters 8, Hunter Barto of Las Vegas and Minnesota Moose 6
//Hunter had an assist on Minnesota’s 5th goal
Final Score – Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and Carolina Jr Hurricanes 5, Toledo Cherokee 2
//Aidan and the Carolina Jr Hurricanes move on to the Final 4 on Sunday
Final Scores
NA3HL
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas scored his 18th goal for the Atlanta Capitals in a 4-1 road win over Louisana Drillers.
AA 16u
Game One on Saturday – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 5, AA Orange County HC 16u 2 @Pepsi Arena
Game Two on Saturday – AA Tri Valley Blues Devils 16u 2, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 1
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Friday Scores
//Gillette, Wyoming – Star goalie Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and the NA3HL Sheridan Hawks had 41 saves in a 3-2 win over a very strong Gillette Wild team here on Friday night. Luke this season has a 10-1-0 record with a 2.21 gaa and a 91.3% save percentage.
//That was John Purdy of Las Vegas who blasted a rocket of a shot for the first goal of the game for the Pokey Reddick-coached Faith Lutheran HS Varsity D1 Crusaders in a sold out game vs the Horizon Huskies Varsity D1 from Phoenix on Friday evening at the City National Arena. Faith Lutheran goalie Joey Hallett had a solid night between the pipes allowing just 2 goals on 26 shots. Purdy had two goals, Ean Vitz scored, defenseman Andrew Thornton scored, followed by goals from Danny Ruettiger, then Dominic Shur scored assisted by Andrew Thornton. Faith Lutheran HS Varsity D1 won 6-3 in front of a jammed arena.
It is easy to report scores and game highlights – send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Las Vegas – The Pokey Reddick-coached Faith Lutheran Varsity Division 1 Crusaders will play their first homestand in over a year this Friday night at City National Arena against the Horizon Huskies Varsity D1 from Phoenix. Faith has skated every game on the road this season traveling to Utah, Idaho, Arizona and Texas, compiling a 18-5-5 record.
Friday nights game at CNA sold out in less that 1 hour. A very small handful of tickets has been saved for giveaway. If interested, email flhshockey@gmail.com with your contact information and the # of tickets you are requesting to join the waiting list. Here is a live video link for tonights game.
https://www.cih-media.com/watch-live
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Saturday Games@USPHL Premier Nationals in Chesapeake, Va
Hunter Barto of Las Vegas and Minnesota Moose vs Fresno Monsters
Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and Carolina Jr Hurricanes vs Toledo Cherokee
Saturday Game@USPHL Elite Nationals in Chesapeake, Va
Tristan Nelson of Las Vegas and USPHL Northern Cyclones 6, Jersey Hitman 0
Friday Games @USPHL Premier Nationals in Chesapeake, Va
Hunter Barto of Las Vegas and Minnesota Moose vs Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and Carolina Jr Hurricanes
Final – Hunter Barto and Minnesota Moose 3, Aidan McNabb and Carolina Jr Hurricanes 2
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Friday game – Tristan Nelson Las Vegas and USPHL Elite Northern Cyclones vs Tampa Bay Juniors
Final in Overtime – It was a 2-2 OT final score
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Thursday Games @ USPHL Premier Nationals in Chesapeake, Va.
Hunter Barto of Las Vegas and the USHL Premier Minnesota Moose and Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes each begin play today – Thursday, March 18 – in the USPHL Premier Nationals in Cheasapeake, Va.
//Final – Toledo Cherokee 4, Hunter Barto and Minnesota Moose 2
//Final – Aidan McNabb and Carolina Jr Hurricanes 8, Fresno Monsters 6 – Aidan one assist
Tristan Nelson of Las Vegas is playing with the USPHL Elite Northern Cyclones which are also in action at the USPHL Nationals. The Northern Cyclones are based in Hudson, New Hampshire. Tristan and the Northern Cyclones will take on the Richmond Generals today.
//Final – Richmond Generals 4, Tristan Nelson and Northern Cyclones 3 – Tristan Nelson two assists
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Weekend Home Games for the Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Friday, March 19 – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 4, AA Tri Valley Blue Devils 16u 0
Saturday, March 20- AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 5, AA Orange County HC 16u 2
Saturday, March 20 – vs AA Tri-Valley Blue Devils 16u from Dublin, Ca
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VEGAS HOCKEY FLASHBACK STORY – EIGHT SEASONS AGO
Flashback – November 8, 2013
In seven games Jason Zucker of Las Vegas has 3 goals, 3 assists for AHL Iowa Wild who are on the road tonight vs the Rockford Ice Hogs in Illinois
The ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers are off to a slow start, but not like the Bakersfield Condors, 0-6-1. The Condors signed vet goalie Andy Chiodo, 30, to help turn their season the right way. The ironry of this is that the Condors are one of the best marketed teams in hockey, averaging 5,440 fans each home game. Las Vegas is at Bakersfield on Saturday night.
Chris Jones, Brandon Beebe and Tyler Wilson were the goal scorers for UNLV Rebels in that 3-3 tie against the Santa Clara Broncos last Sunday. It was the first UNLV game at the Ice Center on Flamingo Drive. Kyle Kimsey was in the net for UNLV. Tonight, UNLV travels to take on Loyola-Marymount in a two-game weekend series. LMU, like most skilled teams, is very tough on its home ice in Bay Harbor, California. LMU 8-6-0, UNLV goes in with a record of 4-3-1.
Hockey dad Steve Allen of Las Vegas checks in, noting son Jason — who years ago played for the AAA L.A. Jr Kings, AAA San Diego Jr Gulls and AAA Las Vegas Rebels – is now in Wyoming and still hits the ice at local arenas to shake out his game. Yes, Steve reads Vegashockey.net each and every day.
Beau Dommer of Utah is one of leaders in most goals, assists for the AAA Colorado Thunderbirds 18u this season.
AAA Las Vegas Storm alum CJ Stubbs of Utah 2 goals, 5 assists for the CCHL Hawkesbury Hawks in Canada.
There is pro roller action this weekend. On Saturday, the Las Vegas Battalions play at the new roller rink in town at 3585 West Diablo (near Russell and Valley View), taking on the OC Cowboys 3 pm, SJC Bullies 5:30 pm and the Anaheim Bullfrogs 8:50 pm.
The Battalions roster includes star skaters Micah Sanford, Nick Robone, Billy Tufano, Andrew Tamura, Shawn Pearson, Axle Anderton plus three players from Arizona. The goalies are Terry Martin and Eric Hernandez.
Roller player Alex Wilson’s grandmother GG recovering nicely from replacement hip surgery. She has watched Alex’s games while at the rinkboards at Crystal Palace on North Rancho Drive for years.
The teams which get the most hits and views here on Vegashockey.net are Anthony Greener’s AA Las Vegas Jr Wranglers 18u and the UNLV Rebels roller team which is off to a big 7-3-0 start in Division One college. There is a huge roller readership here.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Two Las Vegas players – Hunter Barto of the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose and Aidan McNabb of the USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes – have advanced to the USPHL Premier Nationals. Here is their game schedules.
Hunter Barto, Las Vegas, USPHL Minnesota Moose @ USPHL Premier Nationals
Thursday, March 18 – Minnesota Moose vs Toledo Cherokee @Chilled Ponds Sentara Healthcare Rink, Chesapeake, Va
Friday, March 19 – Minnesota Moose vs Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and Carolina Jr Hurricanes @Chilled Ponds Optima Rink, Chesapeake, Va
Saturday, March 20 – Minnesota Moose vs Fresno Monsters @Chilled Ponds Optima Rink, Chesapeake, Va.
Aidan McNabb, Las Vegas, USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes
Thursday, March 18 – Carolina Jr Hurricanes vs Fresno Monsters @Chilled Ponds Optima Rink, Chesapeake, Va
Friday, March 19 – Carolina Jr Hurricanes vs Hunter Barto and Minnesota Moose @Chilled Ponds Optima Rink, Chesapeake, Va.
Saturday, March 20 – Carolina Jr Hurricanes vs Toledo Cherokee @Chilled Ponds Sentara Rink, Chesapeake, Va.
After these games, teams will be seeded and eliminator games will be scheduled.
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2020-21 Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away from Home – 33 goals – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 31 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 20 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 18 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose; 18 – Moore Gunner NA3HL Atlanta Capitals; 18 -Matthew Gross, AAA Arizona Coyotes 18u; 13 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u; 8 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets; 7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights, Minnesota; 7 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Carolina Jr Hurricanes; 6 – Michael McNicholas, ECHL Tulsa Oilers; 6 -Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel; 4 – Dylan Miller, ACHA D2 Lindenwood; 2 Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers; 2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club; 2 – Tristan Nelson, USPHL Elite Northern Cyclones; 1 – Erik Atchison, WHL Spokane Chiefs; 1 – Vito Carlo, University of Franklin Pierce; 1 -Dom Garcia, NCAA Arizona State; 1 -Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits; 1 – Noah Smejkal, NA3HL Northeast Generals; 1 – Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Premier Hampton Roads Whalers
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Sunday Game
Irvine, Ca. – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas dealt a game-winning assist to linemate Jimmy Schuldt who scored the decisive goal for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights who beat the AHL San Diego Gulls 3-2 here Sunday at the Five Point Arena @ Great Park Ice.
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Best Tweet of the Day
lasvegastbirds@lasvegastbirds – Thank you to everyone who made the Las Vegas T-Birds 20-21 season possible. Even though we played 36 of our 42 games on the road, we finished 27-13-2! #gotbirds#vegashockey#usph
Breaker – Las Vegas goal scorer Hunter Barto and the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose are one win away to go to the USPHL Premier Nationals. The Minnesota Moose and the Hudson Havoc are tied 1-1 in their Best of Three. On Sunday night the two teams play in their tiebreaker with the winning team to advance. The game is at the Spooner Civic Center in Wisconsin.
Two days ago Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes qualified for the Nationals.
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The Pokey Reddick-coached Faith Lutheran Varsity Division 1 Crusaders will play their first homestand in over a year this Friday night at City National Arena against the Horizon Huskies Varsity D1 from Phoenix. Faith has skated every game on the road this season traveling to Utah, Idaho, Arizona and Texas, compiling a 18-5-5 record.
Friday nights game at CNA sold out in less that 1 hour. A very small handful of tickets has been saved for giveaway. If interested, email flhshockey@gmail.com with your contact information and the # of tickets you are requesting to join the waiting list.
The game will also be broadcast via live stream with play by play call, the link will be distributed early next week and will be on vegashockey.net as well.
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Breaker – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas scored his 7th goal of the season for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights during a 4-2 road loss to the Ontario Reign on Saturday at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, Ca.
Portland, Maine – Vito Carlo of Las Vegas and NCAA Franklin Pierce University scored his first goal in collegiate hockey on Saturday night. “It sure felt amazing,” he said. In this road game Franklin Pierce University lost 6-4 to the University of New England.
Buffalo – Big game scorer Mike Yochum of Las Vegas scored 3 goals for ACHA D1 Canisus in an 8-3 win over Mercyhurst today at the HarborCentre Ice Arena. Mike, a junior, has 4 goals this season. He is one of the captains for Canisus. Next week Mike and ACHA D1 Cansisus take on the University of Buffalo.
Breaker – Hunter Barto of Las Vegas dealt the game-winning assist dealing a pass to linemate Jonah Berstrom who scored in OT as the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose beat the Hudson Havoc 2-1 on Friday evening. This was Game One of a Best of Three playoff series at the Spooner Civic Center in Wisconsin. The two teams play again Saturday and the winner of this series advances to the USPHL Premier Nationals. On Saturday, the Hudson Havoc won 2-1 in OT over the Hunter Barto and Minnesota Moose.
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Friday, March 12, 2021
Here is a deserving salute to the Las Vegas Thunderbirds 20 year olds who have graduated from junior hockey.
Steven Avalone
Brett Castanguay
Darion Conaway
Jeremiah DeValk
Ethan Knutsen
Anthony Seykora
Tanner Turcotte
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NARCh Update – California Specific,
We are getting many questions daily about our events in California, as the state has been very slow/cautious to reopen. Thankfully, that is now changing due to a multitude of positive reasons.
If your team is from outside California and has been hesitant about the NARCh FINALS happening, we feel safe saying the NARCh FINALS are 100% going to happen in July. Start your preparation to travel to an amazing NARCh FINALS Experience that your team will never forget! The block schedule and host hotel info can be found here – Finals Info
Coming up quickly is our NARCh Regional Qualifier set for Irvine on April 22nd-25th. (Local teams will start Thursday afternoon/evening, out of town teams will start Friday Morning). This tournament will 100% happen, with one caveat. We are hoping to use The Rinks in Irvine as our main facility with Corona Inline for overflow. If for some reason we are not able to use Irvine, the event will strictly be in Corona.
If this happens, we can only fit 65 teams in the tournament, which is just over half the size of our typical Irvine Qualifier with 120 teams. What that means is that many teams in California that have been waiting for California to open are going to miss out on this tournament due to the simple fact that we don’t have room/rink time.
We already have many teams registered. If you are planning to play in this tournament regardless of whether it’s in Irvine or Corona, we suggest YOU REGISTER NOW! Tournament Registration. No guarantees on getting in if you don’t.
Having said that, we are hopeful that Irvine is open, and we can also use Corona and accommodate all teams. We will likely have a firm answer on this next week.
An additional sign of California heading in the right direction, SD Inline Hockey just got word that they can resume their league play with games in San Diego. This is a 2-rink facility in Escondido owned and operated by the City of Escondido. A great sign, and also the facility for our tournament on May 14th-16th.
We have never been more excited and energized about the future of NARCh and hope that your team is planning on participating in an event soon, as well as the ’21 NARCh FINALS!
NARCh Staff
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Big game goal scorer Hunter Barto of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose begin a best of three series with the Hudson Havoc today at the Spooner Civic Center in Wisconsin. The winner of this series advances to the USPHL Nationals. Barto has had an awesome season with 16 goals, 28 assists for 44 points. Game time tonight is 7 pm central.
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Thursday Game
USPHL Premier Pacific Division Gold Medal Game @Gateway Ice Arena, Fresno
Thursday Final Score – Fresno Monsters 7, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 2
Las Vegas goal – Braden Husby 18th
Las Vegas goal – Ethan Knutsen 18th from Peyton Kelly, Heath Mensch
Shots Fresno 37-35
Las Vegas goalie – Anthony Bonaldi; Fresno goalie – Knute Loe
Fresno – On Wednesday in Game One of the USPHL Premier Pacific Division playoffs goalie Anthony Bonaldi got a shutout win for the Las Vegas Thunderbirds who beat the Anaheim Avalanche 4-0 here at the Gateway Ice Center. The T-Birds will next play the Fresno Monsters who beat the San Diego Sabers 6-2 in a Pacific Division Final Four game here on Wednesday.
The big gold medal Pacific Division regional game – Las Vegas Thunderbirds vs Fresno Monsters – is set at the Gateway Ice Center for 2 pm today – Thursday – and the winning team – either the Thunderbirds or the Fresno Monsters – will advance to the USPHL Premier Nationals.
Las Vegas goals in order on Wednesday – Braden Husby 17th from Keith Shenkel, Nate Mohr; Arik Altman 14th from Steven Avalone, Peyton Kelly – powerplay; Arik Altman 15th from Steven Avalone – short-handed; Ethan Knutsen 17th from Peyton Kelly, Francois Breton. Las Vegas raised its season record to 26-13-2.
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Fresno – The Countdown Clock is Ticking for the powerful USPHL Las Vegas Thunderbirds who go into playoff action today – Wednesday – in Fresno. The T-Birds in their first game will take on the USPHL Premier Anaheim Avalanche at the Gateway Ice Arena. Game time for the Thunderbirds is 4:30 pm pacific. In the opposite bracket the Fresno Monsters later in the day will face the San Diego Sabers. The winners of these two games play on Thursday – and that winner advances to the USPHL Premier U.S. Nationals. During the regular season the Fresno Monsters had a record of 28-10-1, Las Vegas was 25-13-2.
Las Vegas Thunderbirds goal scorers this season – 32 goals – Nate Mohr, 20 – Keith Shenkel, 18- Braden Husby; 18 – Ethan Knutsen, 17 – Heath Mensch, 15 – Trey Ponto, 15 – Arik Altman, 13 – Francois Breton, 12 – Brett Castonguay, 11 – AJ Lackas, 8 – Mark Kurliandchyk, 7 – Austin Kerridge, 6 – Steven Avalone, 5 – Cole Senum, 4 – Nick Bonaldi, 4 – Tanner Turcotte, 3 – Anthony Juric, 2 – Nick Dufek, 2 – Caden Thorne, 2 – Petr Teuber, 1 – Jack Boyd, 1 – Trent Carter, 1 – Andre Cervantes, 1 – Darion Conaway, 1 – Kevin Hanly, 1 – Peyton Kelly, 1 – Mark Nowag
Thunderbirds General Manager – Adam Bonaldi; Head Coach – Dave Hrysky
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2020-21 Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away from Home – 33 goals – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 31 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 20 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 17 – Matthew Gross, AAA Arizona Coyotes 18u; 17 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Minnesota Moose; 17 -Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals; 13 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u; 8 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets; 7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights, Minnesota; 7 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Carolina Jr Hurricanes; 6 – Michael McNicholas, ECHL Indy Fuel; 5 -Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel; 4 – Dylan Miller, ACHA D2 Lindenwood; 2 Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers; 2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club; 1 – Vito Carlo, University of Franklin Pierce; 1 -Dom Garcia, NCAA Arizona State; 1 -Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits; 1 – Noah Smejkal, NA3HL Northeast Generals; 1 – Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Premier Hampton Roads Whalers
To add here, revise or update send to leesamuels07@aol.com
VEGAS JR. GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Vegas Jr Golden Knights Essay Contest
The Vegas Jr. Golden Knights are offering an “end of the season” essay contest as a creative
outlet for players to express how hockey has impacted their lives and communities during the
Covid-19 pandemic. The contest is open to all members of the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights travel
teams. There will be a winner and runner-up from each age division (10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, and
HS).
Entrants should select from the following themes:
• Team – When you play on a team, you look out for and help each other. During the
pandemic, you may have made a different team with your family or friends in your
neighborhood. Write about your new team and how you have helped each other.
• What Sports Mean to Me – Everyone plays hockey for a reason. Tell the reader what
hockey means to you and why you play the game.
• Use Your Voice – Many professional athletes use their voices to share their thoughts on
how to make the world a better place to live in. If you had the platform of a professional
athlete, what message would you share and why?
Guidelines:
Essays will be judged by the following criteria.
• Writing – proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Organization – the writing flows logically with clear structure.
• Content – subject is discussed clearly, fully and matches topic.
All entries must be original works at least 400 and 600 words in length. Each entry must have a
cover page with the title of the work, the author’s name, full mailing address, telephone number
and email address. Entries can be hand-written or typed. By submitting an essay, a parent or
teacher of the author certifies that the essay represents the independent work of the child.
One winner and one runner up will be selected from each age group to be featured on our website.
The winner from each age group will also receive a complimentary pass to a VJGK clinic.
Entries must be submitted by March 31, 2021 to Brian Salcido via email to….
bsalcido@hendersonsilverknights.com
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‘Late Skate’ painting by Terence Fogarty, Minnesota
Monday, March 8, 2021
Flash Update – Gia Avalone of Las Vegas has committed to the NCAA D3 Adrian College women’s ice hockey team beginning with the 2021-22 season. She is the sister of star defenseman Steven Avalone of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds. Gia is a premier player who has played high level hockey for years most recently with the AAA Anaheim Lady Ducks ice hockey team. Adrian College is located in Adrian, Michigan.
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Monday, March 8, 2021 – Breaking News – the USPHL Premier announced that the powerful USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds will go into playoff action beginning Wednesday at the Gateway Ice Arena in Fresno. There are four teams in the Pacific Division. Las Vegas will take on the San Diego Sabers 4:30 pm pacific, the Fresno Monsters take on the Anaheim Avalanche at the same rink at 7:45 pm. The two winning teams will play Thursday 2 pm at the Gateway Ice Arena. The winning team advances to the USPHL Premier Nationals.
Sunday Game
Final Score – Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and Carolina Jr Hurricanes 3, Richmond Generals 2 OT @ Extreme Ice Main Rink – ‘Carolina’s Premier Ice Skating Facility.’ Aidan and the Carolina Jr Hurricanes advance in the tournanament. Aidan in 2016-17 played for the AAA Las Vegas Storm 16u and the following season for the Gabe Gauthier-coached WSHL Las Vegas Storm junior hockey team. Both of those teams were at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue.
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Weekend Goal Scorers – 3 – Gage Quinney, AHL Henderson Silver Knights; 1 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
Saturday Scores
AHL
Final – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas and AHL Henderson Silver Knights win 4-1 over Colorado Eagles
NCAA
Final – UMASS Dartmouth 4, Vito Carlo and NCAA Franklin Pierce 2 @Jason Ritchie Arena, Rindge, N.H.
USPHL Premier
Final – Aidan McNabb one assist for Carolina Jr Hurricanes 5, Richmond Generals 2
Best of Three playoff series is tied 1-1
Final – Hunter Barto and Minnesota Moose 5, Rum River Mallards 1
//Hunter and the Minnesota Moose advance to the next round of playoffs
Friday Games
AHL
Gage Quinney and AHL Henderson Silver Knights at Colorado Eagles
//Final score – Gage Quinney 3 goals – his 4th, 5th, 6th of the season to help Silver Knights win 4-2 at Colorado
USPHL Premier – Playoff Games – First Round, Best of Three
Hunter Barto of Las Vegas and Minnesota Moose vs Rum River Mallards
//Final – Hunter Barto 1 goal, 3 assists, Minnesota wins 7-1 at the Spooner Ice Arena in Wisconsin
Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and Carolina Jr Hurricanes vs Richmond Generals
//Aidan McNabb one assist; Richmond Generals win 5-4 in OT
Cameron Sylvester of Las Vegas and Hampton Roads Whalers vs Charlotte Rush
//Charlotte Rush wins
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Most searched today – ‘My Biggest Goal’ by Nick Robone….Jason Zucker, Gage Quinney, Hunter Barto, Ian Williams, Wally Lacroix, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u; big game goal scorer Nate Mohr of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds; Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin in Germany with his team ESV Kaufburen, star goalie Anthony Bonaldi of the USPHL Las Vegas Thunderbirds, Ash Printzen, Steven Avalone, star defenseman for USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds; ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas …The 1999-2000 Triple Threat Line – Travis Roseberry, JC Caron and Spike Neely – with the AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena on North Rancho Drive in Las Vegas ... Hockey coach Matt Johnson, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u….. Gia Avalone…..the one and only Johnny Gold who plays with a pure gold hockey stick with honing devices for goal scoring.…Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen who was vaporized by the Genius in a summertime story over at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive. Steve said “it didn’t hurt that much and we did find our reading glasses.”…..We are looking for the whereabouts of Chris Francis….email me leesamuels07@aol.com
Sunday Game…
Fresno, California – It came down to the last moments of the game – with the clock ticking down the USPHL Premier Fresno Monsters scored to beat the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4-3 in an ultra-heated game involving division leaders here Sunday in a late afternoon game at the Gateway Ice Center. Las Vegas awesome goalie Anthony Bonaldi was in net all three games. The Thunderbirds won two out the three games over Fresno this weekend.
T-Birds goals in order – LV Francois Breton 13th from Arik Altman, Steven Avalone – powerplay; LV – Nick Bonaldi 4th from Ethan Knutsen; LV – Cole Senum 5th from Francois Breton – short-handed.
//Elsewhere today Sunday goals – Gunner Moore, 16th, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals
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Saturday February 27, 2021 – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas scored his 3rd goal of the season for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights in a 4-2 win over the San Diego Gulls at The Orleans Arena here on Tropicana Avenue. Gage grew up playing youth hockey over at the Las Vegas Ice Center. He is a very popular hometown goal scorer …..Also tonight the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds go into a return game against their greatest rival – the Fresno Monsters at the Gateway Ice Arena in Fresno. Fresno has a season record of 24-10- 0, the T-Birds are 22-11-0.
Saturday from Fresno Final Score in OT- Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4, Fresno Monsters 3……LV goal – Ethan Knutsen 16th from Peyton Kelly, Steven Avalone; LV goal Cole Senum 4th from Francois Breton, Ethan Knutsen; LV goal goal Ethan Knutsen 17th from Francois Breton, Darion Conaway; LV goal Keith Shenkel 19th from Steven Avalone — Thunderbirds goalie – Anthony Bonaldi wins for second straight night.
Las Vegas Thunderbirds weekend goal scorers – 3 – Colen Senum; 2- Brett Castonguay; 2 – Ethan Knutsen, 1 – Nick Bonaldi; 1 – Francois Breton; 1 – Arik Altman; 1 – Mark Kurliandchyk; 1 – Keith Shenkel; Thunderbirds goalie Anthony Bonaldi 2 wins
Elsewhere Saturday night Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas and ECHL Fort Wayne Komets scored 2 goals in a 8-1 win over the Indy Fuel at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. There were three Las Vegas players in this game – Zach, plus Joe Sullivan and Michael McNicholas with the Indy Fuel….Gunner Moore of Las Vegas scored his 15th goal, dealt an assist and was +1 on the ice for the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals who beat the MidCities Jr Stars 6-0 at the Duluth Ice Forum in Georgia.…Hunter Barto of Las Vegas dealt two assists for the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose in a 7-2 win over Minnesota Blue Ox. Hunter this season had 16 goals, 28 assists for 44 points.
Report scores and highlights to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Friday Flash Final Score – – Las Vegas Thunderbirds 5, Fresno Monsters 1—- Scoring – LV – Arik Altman 13th from Heath Mensch; LV – Brett Castonguay 10th from Mark Kurilandchyk, Francois Breton; LV – Cole Senum 3rd from Nate Mohr – powerplay; LV – Mark Kurliandchyk 4th from Francois Breton; LV – Brett Castonguay 11th from Cole Senum– LV goalie Anthony Bonaldi awesome in net with 33 saves for T-Birds
Elsewhere on Friday – Hunter Barto of Las Vegas scored his 16th goal of the season for the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose in an 11-2 win over the Rochester Vipers.
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2020-21 Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away from Home – 33 goals – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 31 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 20 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 17 – Matthew Gross, AAA Arizona Coyotes 18u; 17 – Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals; 16 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose; 13 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u; 8 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets; 7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights, Minnesota; 6 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Carolina Jr Hurricanes; 5 – Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel; 4 – Michael McNicholas, ECHL Indy Fuel; 4 – Dylan Miller, ACHA D2 Lindenwood; 2 Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Penascola Ice Flyers; 2 – Hunter Keech, USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club; 1 – Dom Garcia, NCAA Arizona State; 1 -Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits; 1 – Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Premier Hampton Roads Whalers
How to contact Vegas Hockey – leesamuels07@aol.com
Vito Carlo of Las Vegas – a freshman at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire – and his teammates are awaiting the invasion of Dartmouth University next week – Thursday evening and Saturday evening – on home ice at the Jason Ritchie Arena.
“College life is awesome,” said Vito. “Days off we play 3 x 3 tournament pond hockey. It is great to be with your teammates especially during these unusual circumstances this season. Staying healthy and keeping the legs fresh is important for these next two big games.”
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Thursday, February 25, 2021
Las Vegas – In a showdown of top AHL teams Gage Quinney of Las Vegas scored for the Henderson Silver Knights who beat the San Diego Gulls 4-2 at The Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue on Wednesday night. The Gulls have a season record of 7-2-0, the Silver Knights raised their season record to 6-2-0.
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By Craig Thornton – After over 30 road games this season, the state of Nevada has finally given in! Faith Varsity D1 Hockey is having Opening Night, Senior Night and Closing Night all in one, Friday Night March 19th 7:30 pm at City National Arena. We have not even gone public and already ABC and NBC have requested Media credentials. It will be a sell out 100% for sure. I have already signed streaming rights for a live feed as well.
Playing the Horizon Huskies D1 Varsity from Phoenix a 3 game series Fri/Sat/Sun.
There will be a VERY limited amount of tickets available, 100% sell out for sure, depending on how many I am allowed to let in, rumor has it to be around 300 at this point. For ticket information or to get on the ticket list email flhshockey@gmail.com, first come first serve IF we have any available to the public.
It’s going to be an electric evening.
So far our senior class, Andrew Thornton (D) has signed a letter of intent with the University or Oregon (ACHA D1) and Danny Ruettiger (F) has signed with Arizona State University as well.
Pokey Reddick has announced he will be back for his 4th season as Head Coach of the program, with Shane Hnidy and Dmetri Culkar as Asst. Coaches. We will continue as Manager of Hockey Operations for Faith Lutheran as we join the ADHSHL D1 in 2021-2022
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The NHL Pittsburgh Penquins said on Monday Las Vegas star goal scorer Jason Zucker is “still being evaluated” after he took a late-game awkward fall while on the ice in front of the Penquins bench in Sunday game. As described by the Penguins Jason’s right skate caught on Washington Capitals’ Nick Jensen skate resulting in the injury. Jason is having a dynamic season skating on the Malkin line for the Penguins. Jason has 4 goals, 3 assists for 7 points ….Update – The Penguins have taken Jason Zucker back to Pittsburgh for additional medical treatment.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Zach Pochiro of the Fort Wayne Komets is the Inglasco ECHL Player of the Week for Feb. 15-21.
Pochiro scored five goals in three games against Wheeling last week.
The 26-year-old scored once in both a 4-1 win on Friday and a 4-2 victory on Saturday before recording a hat trick in a 6-2 win on Sunday.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Pochiro has recorded 162 points (70g-92a) in 213 career ECHL games with Fort Wayne, Allen, Norfolk, Quad City, Alaska and Kalamazoo. During the 2018-19 season, he finished third in the league with 34 goals for Allen. Pochiro has added two assists in six career American Hockey League games with Chicago and Bakersfield.
Prior to turning pro, Pochiro recorded 147 points (61g-86a) in 169 career games with Prince George in the Western Hockey League.
On behalf of Zach Pochiro, a case of pucks will be donated to a Fort Wayne youth hockey organization by Inglasco, the exclusive puck supplier of the ECHL. Since beginning its sponsorship of the award in 2000-01, Inglasco has donated more tMMASSMAhan 43,000 pucks to youth hockey organizations in ECHL cities.
Runners Up: Michael McNicholas, Indy (3 gp, 2g, 4a, 6 pts.) and Ryan Lowney, Utah (3 gp, 2g, 4a, 6 pts)
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MASSIVE OT WIN FOR COACH ROB PALLIN IN GERMANY
In an all-out stunner Branden Gracel scored three times for the Rob Pallin-coached ESV Kaufburen in an OT win over Lausitzer Fuchse on Monday in Germany. Pallin said Gracel is from Calgary, Alberta – “He played in the AJHL and then in his four seasons he had 90 points with UMass in Hockey East. Branden has 15 goals this season. The big news today also is that we have won seven out of our last 10 games.”
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//In a rare Monday game Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals today scored his 14th goal of the season in a road game vs the Texas Brahmas. Texas win 5-1 at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas.
Sunday, February 21, 2021 – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas scored the decisive goal on a powerplay for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights who beat the AHL Ontario Reign 3-2 on Sunday evening here at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, California.
Carlsbad, California – Nate Mohr scored his 29th goal, Heath Mench his 16th as the WSHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds took an 2-0 early in the game – then Braden Husby got his 14th goal, Heath Mensch’s short-handed goal was his 17th goal of the season, Braden Husby scored again – his 15th – and Francois Breton got his 12th to give the T-Birds a big 7-0 win against the San Diego Sabers on Sunday. Trey Ponto of the the T-Birds scored his 15th goal – the final goal in the game – with assists from Nick Bonaldi and Trent Carter on Sunday afternoon at IceTown Arena. Anthony Seykora was the Thunderbirds Birds goalie in this game. Seykora is from South Falls, South Dakota.
On Saturday night Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas scored his 4th goal and dealt an assist for the ECHL Indy Fuel who beat the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 4-1 on Saturday night here at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The crowd was 2257.
Saturday Late Night
Bakersfield, Calif – Gaqe Quinney of Las Vegas was in the lineup for the AHL Henderson Silver Knights against the hometown AHL Bakersfield Condors here Saturday night. Bakersfield took a 1-0 lead then added two late-game goals to win 3-0.
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LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS GUT IT OUT, WIN IN OT
Carlsbad, Ca. – Keith Shenkel scored three times and Francois Breton got an OT game-winner as the WSHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds gutted it out and won 5-4 vs the San Diego Sabers. Shenkel got his 16th, 17th and 18th goals of the season here at the Carlsbad IceTown Arena. San Diego had a 3-1 lead in this game. Shenkel fired it up for Las Vegas with his three goals, Heath Mensch – who is having an awesome season – got his 15th goal and Francois Breton scored the OT game winner. Francois, from Quebec, began this season with the USPHL Premier Fresno Monsters and then was moved to the Thunderbirds. He has 9 goals this season for Las Vegas. The T-Birds used two goalies in this game, Colin Gallamore and Anthony Seykora. Las Vegas raised its season record to 20-11-2.
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Friday Games
Carlsbad, California – Mighty goal scorer Nate Mohr of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds scored three times – his 26th, 27th, 28th – in an 8-1 win over the San Diego Sabres here at the Carlsbad Icetown on Friday night. In order the Thunderbirds scoring went like this – Nate Mohr from Nick Bonaldi; Nate Mohr from Trey Ponto; Braden Husby from Nate Mohr, Trey Ponto; Francois Breton from Brett Castongua; Nate Mohr from Darion Conaway; AJ Lackas from Nick Bonaldi; Trent Carter. Anthony Seykora was in the net for the Thunderbirds.
Also on Friday – Zach Pochiro of Las Vegas scored his 2nd goal of the season for the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets in a 4-1 win over the Wheeling Nailers at the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The crowd 2943. Zach, 26, is listed at 6’1, 190.…Anthony Bonaldi, the awesome goalie for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds, was named the ‘Best Goalie of the Week’ in the USPHL Premier Pacific Division.
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Steven Avalone 11 Questions – Steven, from Las Vegas, has played at a high level as a high speed star defenseman for many seasons. We asked which of his hockey coaches and teammates helped to get him to such an elite level of the game.
1. I began playing ice hockey at 7 years old. I was on roller skates the first time I skated. I started out playing ice hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center in house league.
2. My first hockey coach was Dominique Beaudoin. That season I played a combination of playing house league games and travel tournaments for the Las Vegas Outlaws. I was 8 years old.
3. There were many coaches, more than I can remember, that I have learned my defensive play from… I played center all the way up to Peewees for Pokey Reddick and switched to defense during the season. I realized at that time the game was more enjoyable as a defensemen than a forward. The main thing Coach Pokey taught was work ethic and on ice conditioning. Coaches Micah Sanford, Adam Naglich, Evan Zucker, Adam Zucker, and Nick Robone had a great impact on my defensive game during Bantams and Midgets playing for the Nevada Storm. They taught me to play more of a team game and to make the simple plays. In Arizona, playing for the Bobcats, it was great to work and talk hockey with Coach Derick Morris. That year I focused on gap control, keeping players outside the face off dots and giving flat passes tape to tape. In Kindersley, I was able to work with Larry Wintoneak about using certain skills at the right time and penalty killing. This year for The Vegas T-Birds, Coaches Dave Hyrysky, Shane McColgan and Adam Bonaldi have all watched my game closely and have taught me their systems. I learn mostly with in game situations that I can improve on like 1 on 1 corner play and net front battles. I have learned a lot training with Rob Pallin for the past few off-seasons. My father and I are always talking about hockey since I respect his knowledge of the game.
4. My defensive partner for the games I played with the Las Vegas Storm in was Tino Nummela. It was great to play with him since he was a mobile defensemen and a leader on the team. I have played defense with a couple of players on the Tbirds this season. I have played games with Nick Bonaldi, Trey Ponto, Cole Senum, Trent Carter and Nick Dufek.
5. The biggest difference in my perspective between the USPHL and SJHL is the style of hockey. The SJHL is more system based and structured. The USPHL style allows room for creativity and an offensive mindset.
6. The secret to being a solid defensemen is being coachable and adaptive in the moment. Communication with your center and defense partner are important to execute in the D-Zone. Finding a consistent role, which can be different each season and being trusted is important. Focusing or widening your vision on multiple players instead of staring at the puck helps me slow the game down.
7. The best team we have played was Provo Riverblades. They are a fast skating team and play a modern style of hockey. Provo has good movement in the offensive zone and they activate their defensemen. Defensively they block a lot of shots which is a team first mentality.
8. The defensive coaches for the T Birds are Shane McColgan and Adam Bonaldi. Defensively… we are working on winning battles in front of our net and using our centers to break out of our defensive zone. We also have worked on making hinge plays. The main teaching point on a hinge play, is the defensemen without the puck has to support behind the puck-carrying defensemen, to receive a pass and make a play to the forwards gaining speed.
9. The Tbirds goals this season are to establish a successful junior hockey culture and to win a national championship.
10. My personal goal in hockey is to play as long as I can. It is my dream to play the highest levels my abilities and work ethic can take me. I would like to play college hockey next.
11. The defensemen I admire in the NHL is Shea Theodore. The first game I watched him play, he became my favorite defensemen. I enjoy watching his smooth skating and his skilled puck handling. I also like his confidence on the blue line and ability to find shooting lanes.
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Pittsburgh – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas turned it up bigtime with a goal and then an assist to linemate Bryan Rust to help the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins take down the New York Islanders 4-1 here at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night. Jason had a great skate while blasting around the ice playing on the Malkin line. It was Jason’s 148th NHL career goal. The Penguins defensive crew was physical while pinning down the Islanders for most of the game.
Top 10 Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away from Home – 33 goals – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 31 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 20 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006; 17 – Matthew Gross, AAA Arizona Coyotes 18u; 15 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose; 14 – Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals; 13 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u; 7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights, Minnesota; 6 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Carolina Jr Hurricanes; 5 – Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel; 4 – Michael McNicholas, ECHL Indy Fuel; 2 – Zach Pochiro, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets; 1 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits
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Looking for the whereabouts of the great Las Vegas goal scorer Chris Francis……
Monday, February 15, 2021 – Trey Ponto’s dramatic late-game goal in the third period gave the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds a 6-5 win over the Fresno Monsters at the Gateway Ice Arena in SoCal. It was Trey’s 14th goal this season. Nate Mohr got the game-winning assist. Brett Castonguay and Braden Husby each had two goals in this game and Nick Dufek also scored. The T-Birds used two goalies in this game – Colin Gallamore and Anthony Seykora.
Sunday, February 14, 2021 – Fresno, Ca. – In a wild one on Sunday night Nate Mohr scored his 25th goal of the season for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds in a game against the Fresno Monsters. Nate, 19, grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is listed at 6’1, 170. T-Birds teammate Keith Shenkel got his 15th goal, Heath Mensch 14th, Trey Ponto 14th Brett Castongua his 7th, Cole Senum 2nd……Fresno won the game 7-6…..On Saturday night Ethan Knutsen scored a very dramatic decisive OT/Shootout goal to lift the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds to a 5-4 win over a very strong Fresno Monsters team at the Gateway Ice Center. Arik Altman, Brett Castonguay, Braden Husby, Steven Avalone and Heath Mensch of Las Vegas scored earlier in the game. Anthony Bonaldi was in the net for the T-Birds. ………Everyone reading this knows how hard it is to win away from home. The Matt Johnson-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u had an absolutely awesome run in Texas, then the team lost in a Final 4 game on Sunday…In Duluth, Ga. Gunner Moore of Las Vegas scored his 13th goal and dealt an assist for the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals in a very tough 3-2 home loss to the Oklahoma City Blazers on home ice at the Duluth Ice Forum on Saturday night.…The Vegas Jr Golden Knights 12u squirt team played in a 72-team tournament in Fargo, N.D. this weekend.
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Dallas – Chris Kerl scored for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u in a 9-1 loss to the AA Chesterfield Falcons 16u on Saturday. “We were down 1-0 with 20 minutes to play when the game just got out of our structure,” said Golden Jr Knights coach Wally Lacroix. Chesterfield raised its season record to 18-16-0.…Next for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights is a game on Sunday with the AAA Pittsburgh Icemen 15u……Also on Saturday the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u lost 3-2 in OT to the AA Anaheim Jr Ducks 14u…..Kaden Israel and Jesse Brewer scored for Las Vegas. On Sunday the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u will play the AA Park City Utah Ice Minors….
Dallas – In a pair of OT/Shootout shockers Kenny Curtis of the Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u scored twice in a 2-1 OT win over the AA Texas Jr Brahmas 16u here Friday. Johnny NG was the winning goalie for the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u. Lacroix said “…we had a slow start but really started competing during the second half of the second period. We were tied after regulation and a five minute 3 on 3 overtime period when Kenny Curtis won it in an OT/Shootout. Kenny had both goals for us.”
At the same time in Dallas the Matt Johnson-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u bantam team got goals from Carter Adams, Zach Gay and Conner Beers in a 3-2 OT/Shootout win over the AA Rose City Pats 14u here at the Valley Ranch Ice Arena on Friday. Kenny Laskaska was in net for Las Vegas.
“This was a huge win,” coach Johnson said. “We needed to start winning in close games and this was really a gutsy effort. From the net to our D and our forwards it was such a good one. We lost some overtime games at the beginning of this season so to be on the plus side is great for our team.”
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Breaking News — The AA Wally Lacroix-coached Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u and the Matt Johnson-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u teams are in Dallas to play in a series of road games. The AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights first game will be against the AA Texas Jr Brahmas 16u……Erik Atchison of Las Vegas and the WHL Spokane Chiefs are looking at a March 19 start date with a shortened season of 24 games….. Best Stat of the Day – Matthew Gross of Las Vegas and the AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 18u has 15 goals, 15 assists for 30 points.
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Special to Vegas Hockey
AAA ARIZONA BOBCATS 14U BATTLE, WIN ARIZONA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
The AAA Arizona Bobcats 14u lost game 1 by a score of 1-0 in heartbreaking fashion. With only 29 seconds to go before OT the AAA Arizona Coyotes 14u picked up an errant rebound and put it home to win game 1. Game 2 featured a back and fourth affair that ended up a duel between both goalies. After the Bobcats buried a goal halfway through the 1st period Logan Perez made save after save to lead the team to a 1-0 victory tying the series 1-1. The Final game was a snapshot of the Bobcats season. The Coyotes went up 1-0 at the end of the 1st on a PP goal that was deflected into the net. The Bobcats proceeded to dominate the 2nd period out shooting the Coyotes but just couldn’t beat the Coyotes goal tender. Halfway through the 3 period Jack Lackas roofed the game tying goal which sent the Bobcats bench and fans into a frenzy. Less than 2 minutes later the game winning goal was scored by the Bobcats and there was no turning back. With the momentum swing the Bobcats would dominate the rest of the period including 2 huge penalty kills led by Fuzzy Atchison, Jack Lackas, Chayse Laurie and goaltender Logan Perez sealing the 14U AAA State Championship over the Arizona Coyotes.
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Las Vegas – Star defenseman Steven Avalone, goalie Anthony Bonaldi and massively great goal scorer Nate Mohr of the USHPL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds today received ‘Players of the Month Awards’ from the USPHL Premier West Division. Avalone, an awesome defenseman for years here in Las Vegas, scored five times to help get his award.
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Our readers are incredible; they dig late-night into our Vegas Hockey archives and you never really quite know what they are searching for. Then there is this story posted here many years ago – our #1 Most Searched Story right here each and every day.
Utah Regulators’ Special Needs Hockey Program a Winner
By Matt Mackinder
When Utah Regulators president Mike Holmes first helped create a special needs hockey program in Utah back in 2008, he had no idea it’d grow to be as big as it is today.
The organization has a south team located in Provo and a north team in Salt Lake City and is comprised of male and female players ages 5-50 with cognitive disabilities. The only requirement to participate is that the players be ambulatory and able to take verbal instruction.
The ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies are a main supporter, while the Regulators are the main sponsor, providing gear and finances when needed. The Grizzlies provide the jerseys, ice and tickets to their games.
There are no fees assessed to the players due to the high cost of care and treatment, and games are played The Peaks in Provo and the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City.
“Some of the players are quite memorable,” said Holmes. “Kanu had great difficulty wearing his helmet. He’d tear it off and throw it across the ice. It took three years for him to understand that he couldn’t go onto the ice without it. He still hates it, but wears it anyways.”
“Jhessi wouldn’t speak, but loved being on the ice. For four years, she needed full-time support on the ice. Finally, one day when the support wasn’t right there when she was ready to go, she just couldn’t wait any longer and just took off on her own. She’s been doing it ever since.
“Douglas has cerebral palsy and had one foot that turned inward. He couldn’t speak, but had devised his own sign language. We jerri-rigged a tripod that would allow him to be strapped in and keep him from falling over. He insisted he be allowed to go on the ice without help and did just fine.”
Deann Torsak, a parent and co-manager of the south team, has been impressed with the program since Day 1.
“My son, Jathan, is one of the original six from when this started and hockey has given him a sense of belonging,” said Torsak. “He had played other sports in the past with some success, but never really felt any connection to them. With hockey, it’s a completely different story.”
Rich Henricksen has a daughter, Karissa, in the program and coaches the north team. His wife, Tammie, is one of the team managers.
“Karissa has Down Syndrome and hockey helps keep her active,” said Henricksen. “Playing hockey has been a big positive for her. In the past, she’d watch dad and her two brothers play. Now, she has her own team, everyone watches her, and she loves it.
“She loves skating with her friends and scoring goals. She’s always packed and ready for practice on Saturday and can’t wait to get on the ice.”
The local high school hockey teams play games with the teams, making sure each kid scores at least one goal. The special needs kids generally win every game by a score of at least 25-0.
“The volunteers and high school players have been wonderful, working with a great deal of patience and dedication,” said Holmes. “They generally pay for the ice and donate an afternoon as volunteers, all to make memorable experiences for some very special kids.”
Holmes says the players love the camaraderie, the colorful jerseys (some insist on sleeping in them), equipment and the idea that others are there to watch them.
“My association with these kids has been wonderful,” he said.
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Hunter Barto of Las Vegas is having an absolutely amazing season with the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose. Hunter, just 19, in 33 games has 14 goals, 20 assists for 34 points – including a short-handed goal and a game-winning goal. Hunter is listed at 6′, 0″ and 180. The Minnesota Moose this season have been playing home games at the Spooner Civic Center in Wisconsin.
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Best Quote of the Day: “At least we were right with Tampa Bay scoring 31 points on Sunday,” said Las Vegas hockey dad Tony Robone who said the Bucs would win 31-27.
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From Germany Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin – who is head coach of ESV Kaufburen – texts he likes Tampa Bay to win 30-28 on Sunday. He also said his team today had a big win – their 3rd straight win – and is “playing with our third string goalie who is 6-2-0 now. Tyler Spurgeon from Edmonton had two goals – Tyler is the brother of Minnesota Wild’s Jared Spurgeon. Tyler has 36 points in 27 games. John Lammers had two assists tonight. He is a Dallas Stars 3rd-round draft pick and has 16 goals, 25 assists. Sami Blomqvist from Finland had a goal. Sami’s father played in the NHL for Washington and New Jersey in the mid-1980s. Sami has only played in seven games for us but he has six goals. We want to say hello to all of our dear hockey friends in Las Vegas.”
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Famous Las Vegas hockey mom Charla Ricketts checked in early Sunday morning and noted her son Beau – a star goal scorer years ago for the Gabe Gauthier-coached WSHL Las Vegas Storm at the Las Vegas Ice Center years ago – and said “….the KC Chiefs will win today.” Back in 2014-15 Beau had 30 goals, 14 assists for the Storm and home games were always sold out. D-man Jake McKenna of Las Vegas was on that fantastic team as well. Beau and his family live in Minot, N.D. He plays house league hockey there at the legendary Maysa Arena – Lee
Sunday Games
NA3HL
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and Atlanta Capitals vs invading El Paso Rhinos, a powerful team, @Duluth, Ga. Ice Forum
//Gunner Moore scores his 12th goal of the season in 2nd period as Atlanta Capitals take 2-1 lead, hold on and beat El Paso Rhinos 3-2.
Ethan Sodoma of Las Vegas and Texas Roadrunners vs Louisana Drillers @ Planet Ice Rink, Lafayette, La.
//Texas Roadrunners win 3-2 in OT over the mighty Louisana Drillers.
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USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
Season Record – 16-10-2; Top Goal Scorers – Nate Mohr 24, Ethan Knudsen 15, Keith Shenkel 14, Heath Mensch 13, Arik Altman 12, Trey Ponto 12, AJ Lackas 11
Super Bowl Eve Games
NCAA
Vito Carlo of Las Vegas and NCAA Franklin Pierce University vs Becker College at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena, Winchendon, Massachusetts
//Becker College in a revenge game wins 4-1
ECHL
//Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas scored his 3rd goal of the season for the ECHL Indy Fuel in a big 6-3 win over visiting Rapid City Rush at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Super Bowl Eve. The festive hometown crowd was 2189.
NA3HL
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and Atlanta Capitals vs El Paso Rhinos at Duluth, Ga. Ice Forum
Final – El Paso, a mega power, wins 8-0
Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas and Oklahoma City Blazers vs Mid Cities Stars @ Arctic Edge Arena
Final – Oklahoma City Blazers win 6-0
Ethan Sodoma of Las Vegas and Texas Roadrunners vs Louisana Drillers at Planet Ice Arena, Lafayette, La.
Final – Lousiana Drillers wins 4-3
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Friday Games
USPHL Premier
Ogden Mustangs 7, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 3 @ Peaks Ice Arena, Utah
LV – Braden Husby 9th from Keith Shenkel, Nate Mohr – powerplay
LV – Trey Ponto 12th from Braden Husby, Cole Senum – powerplay
LV – Keith Shenkel 14th from Ethan Knudsen, Cole Senum
LV goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
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Worcester, Mass. – Vito Carlo, wearing jersey #26, of Las Vegas and NCAA Franklin Pierce University beat Becker College 4-1 on opening night. The game was at Becker’s home rink in Worcester, Mass. The two teams will play again – this time at Franklin Pierce’s home ice on Saturday night.
After the Friday night win Vito said “…that was the most exhilarating feeling ever. Once we got our first shift out of the way it was like lacing up a pair of shoes. We had so much fun with our teammates getting this win. It was amazing…”
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Friday Games
Duluth, Ga. – Gunner Moore of Las Vegas got his 11th goal of the season in a 6-3 home loss for the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals to the powerful El Paso Rhinos. The game was here at the Duluth Ice Forum.
Also on Friday night – Anthony Rodriguez of Las Vegas dealt 3 assists for his very strong NA3HL Oklahoma City Blazers in a 16-1 win over the visiting Mid-Cities Jr Stars at the Artic Edge Ice Arena.
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Who will win the Super Bowl – KC Chiefs or Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Don’t worry our Las Vegas hockey experts know. They have sized up the big game and their picks are posted here. Want to pick the game here too – if so, send now to leesamuels07@aol.com
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SUPER BOWL PICKS
Las Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen …..”One more win for the veteran quarterback Tom Brady. Tampa Bay 28, KC Chiefs 25.
Star Vegas Hockey reporter Bethany Drysdale..”I’ve been told never to bet against Tom Brady. So we will take the Bucs to win by a TD 28-21. Tom Brady is older than me and to be in top form at his age I have to give him respect. He has definitely earned all of that.”
Goal scorer Michael Cichy of Las Vegas has a lean towards “the young one,” QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to win on Super Bowl Sunday.
Richie Crossley – Years ago Richie and Devin Lane of the AA Las Vegas Ice Cats 18u were voted as the Best Defensive Pair of All Time in Las Vegas. Now Richie is caretaker of the sheets of ice at the T-Mobile Arena, City National Arena and The Orleans Arena. You can see Richie on the Zamboni between periods during the big games in town. …..”Tampa Bay wins 38-27. Tom Brady and Mike Evans are going to have a huge game.”
Star defenseman Eddie Del Grosso of Las Vegas….”We are a Buffalo Bills fan so we really don’t care much about the two teams in the Super Bowl. Kansas City knocked us out and we also do not really care much for a team that Tom Brady is on. So….we think Kansas City is gonna win…probably like 38-28.”
UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener…”We are saying Chiefs 31-23. Hate playing against Brady but we are going to.”
Matt Johnson, head coach, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u …..”Tampa Bay with Tom Brady marching down the field with the game winning drive wins 42-36.”
Zee Khan, former GM UNLV Rebels who “still loves and supports the Rebels……”Cannot go against Tom Brady. He is a young 43 and he looks primed for a 7th Super Bowl win.”
Wally Lacroix, head coach, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u …”Brady is old school. It will be great to see an athlete who is such a student of the game and so well prepared for every game.”
Hockey dad John McNicholas of Las Vegas…..”Tom Brady wins 30-21. Because he’s the best.”
Will ‘Money’ Munson, 2005-06 NAHL Billings Jr Bulls. Teammates called him ‘Money’ because he scored so many decisive goals. ….”Chiefs win by 7.”
Hockey dad Steve Pochiro of Las Vegas “…Chiefs will win on a bad call – other than that this will be close game.”
Rob Proffit, GM, NAHL Fairbanks Ice Dogs (years ago our son Eddie was a captain at Fairbanks. Rob was the head coach. Home games at the Big Dipper, no matter what the weather, were always sold out.) “TB 32, KC 28. Brady just wins!!”
Faith Lutheran H.S. head coach Pokey Reddick….”Bucs 24, Chiefs 21. Why? Tom Brady will have the Bucs ready for this game! Going with the more experienced quarterback.”
Star goal scorer, captain and team leader Beau Ricketts with the WSHL Las Vegas Storm years ago at the LV Ice Center….”Chiefs are the team this season. They will win Sunday.”
Hockey dad Tony Robone of Las Vegas….”31-27 Tampa Bay. Brady has the experience, the Bucs have the defense.
Big game goal scorer Robbie Silvernail of Las Vegas……Tom Brady = GOAT = Greatest of All Time. Tampa Bay wins.
Matt Stang, former coach of AA Las Vegas Ice Cats 18u and now coaching in Canada….”We are going with the Buccaneers. The final score will be 38-27.”
Adam Stio, one of the all-time roller hockey coaches in Las Vegas….”Tampa Bay 34-30. Why not Brady drama one more time.”
Adam Tamura, awesome roller hockey player/coach here in Las Vegas – “We think it’s going to be KC by 24-17. Would love to see Brady prove he is the ultimate GOAT – the greatest player of all time – but we think KC’s offense is too much to handle.”
Las Vegas hockey dad Greg Yochum….”KC wins this one 34-26. Kansas City’s offense too much for Tampa.”
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Worcester, Massachusetts – At last the very popular Las Vegas defensman Vito Carlo will gear up and play ‘D’ for NCAA Franklin Pierce University vs Becker College here Friday. Faceoff is at 6 pm. Vito grew up playing hockey mostly at the Las Vegas Center. He was a top d-man for the Gabe Gauthier-coached WSHL Las Vegas Storm junior hockey team. Vito played three seasons with the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals. He was an Assistant Captain in his third season with the Capitals. He will wear jersey #26 this weekend. This is a home and away series for Vito – the Friday game is here at the Fidelity Bank Ice Center, a very big arena, and then two teams will go at it on Saturday night on the U of Franklin Pierce’s home ice.
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Coming right here – Las Vegas hockey coach Rob Pallin will update how his pro team is doing in Germany.
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
On the day Jason Zucker of Las Vegas recently scored for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins our star reporter Bethany Drysdale’s hockey goalie son Blake – all of five years old – was awarded the Penguins ‘Away Game All Star’ certificate when he participated in a ‘Try Hockey for Free’ skate at the Lemieux Sports Complex. This is the hometown practice facility for the Penguins. Blake’s hockey mom Bethany has been voted the last three years as the ‘Best Writer’ here on Vegas Hockey. She and Kat Craner have covered – and written brilliantly – about the UNLV Rebels which included many in-depth profiles of star Rebels players.
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Nate Mohr, a big scoring forward from Sioux Falls, S.D. leads the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds with seven powerplay goals this season. Nate is a powerful force, a 24-goal scorer for the AAA Sioux Falls Power 18u last season.
Thunderbirds Power Play Goals Leaders this season –
7 – Nate Mohr, 4 – Heath Mensch, 4 – Trey Ponto, 3 – Arik Altman, 2 – Braden Husby, 2 – Keith Shenkel, One each – Steven Avalone, Nick Bonaldi, Brett Castonguay, Ethan Knudsen, Mark Kurliandchyk
To revise or update this powerplay goals list send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Tuesday Breaking News
UNLV Rebels head coach Anthony Greener was the first to get the alarming news – because of the coronavirus pandemic going on – their season in the ACHA D1 never got green-lighted – and now it is over and done. They turned off the scoreboard lights. No more pre-game Countdown Clock ticking full blast right before the first puck drop. No big sold out home games this season. “They told us last week,” coach Greener said. “We’re done. No games. It’s a sad day.” The unforgiving covid virus is the reason. So on those cold winter nights big powers like Minot State, Arizona State and the Utah college teams will not be rumbling into City National Arena over on West Charleston Avenue next to the Red Rock Hotel Casino this season. The UNLV Rebels’ assistant coach Nick Robone had astounding recruiting results during the off-season with top goal-scoring snipers, defensemen with an edge to their game and top goalies coming into the program. If there is any bright side to all of this – well, coach Greener was told his seniors will for sure receive an extra year and be eligible to play next season.
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MORE GOLD FOR THE LAS VEGAS ROKSVOLD HOCKEY FAMILY……
Las Vegas bantam goalie Gunnar Roksvold comes from a hockey family – his older brother Kyle Callahan was a major goal scorer at many levels of the game. Gunnar meanwhile and his Las Vegas Ice Center House League Red team just won the Winterfest bantam gold medal during playoffs at that historic rink.
The Roksvold family includes an exchange student Boris Horsky who plays hockey for the Faith Lutheran Crusaders HS JV team. Last weekend Boris and the Faith Lutheran JV team won a gold medal in Victor, Idaho. In order Faith Lutheran’s JVs first lost to the Park City Utah Miners 3-1, then beat Teton Valley by 7-4, Snake River Wolves Blues 9-1, won 3-0 over the Davis County Eagles and in the 5th game for the gold medal beat Teton Valley 4-1.
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Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins scored his 2nd goal of the season in a thrilling 5-4 OT win over the New York Rangers on Saturday night at the famous Madison Square Garden. It was Jason’s 140th goal in the NHL. Jason grew up playing youth hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue. His last hometown hockey coach was Wally Lacroix. Jason also worked with Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin on his skating technique to make final preparations for the NHL Draft.
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Sunday Games
NA3HL
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and 14-9-0 Atlanta Capitals vs the 14-2-2 El Paso Rhinos @El Paso County Arena. Historically El Paso rarely loses on home ice.
//OVERTIME – Gunner Moore scores his 9th goal of the season to help Atlanta Capitals take an early 2-1 lead over the El Paso Rhinos in a very hard, physical game. The game finished 2-2 in regulation play to send it into OT — El Paso Rhinos scored dramatically in OT to win 3-2.
High School
Faith Lutheran H.S. Weekend Scores
Friday – 4-0 over Idaho Falls Tigers
Saturday – 2-0 over Idaho Falls AA 18u; Game Two – 2-3 to Idaho Falls 18u
Sunday – 2-1 over Idaho Falls AA 18u @ Joe Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena, Idaho
Saturday Games
//Joe Sullivan and Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas scored for the ECHL Indy Fuel who beat the hometown Wheeling Nailers 5-4 at the Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia on Saturday night. It was Sullivan’s 4th goal of the season, McNicholas 2nd goal of the season.
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Las Vegas – Elite defenseman Steven Avalone of Las Vegas and goalie Dylan Woods of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds each received major awards this week. Avalone, who as a d-man has 5 goals, 11 assists this season, was named as Best Defenseman in the Pacific Division of the USPHL Premier League. Avalone is listed at 5’10, 190. Woods, a goalie from Niagara Falls, N.Y., has a 3.00 gaa and a 91.4% save percentage for the T-Birds.
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Saturday Games
NA3HL
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and Atlanta Capitals vs El Paso Rhinos @ El Paso County Arena. Rhinos rarely lose on their home ice for the past few seasons.
//El Paso wins it 5-1……
Bozeman Icedogs vs Las Vegas goalie Luke Fundator and Sheridan Hawks @Whitney Rink inside M and M Center, Sheridan, Wyoming. Outside the arena tonight during the game there will be low temps and a lot of snow coming down.
//Luke Fundator was in the net for the Sheridan Hawks who beat the Bozeman Icedogs 4-2 on a cold, snowy night.
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‘Late Skate’ – Painting by Terence Fogarty in Minnesota
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Rindge, New Hampshire – For the great Las Vegas defenseman Vito Carlo it’s time to get back onto the ice and play the game.
Vito earlier played with the WSHL Las Vegas Storm over at the Las Vegas Ice Center, then was an assistant captain with the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals. Now he is at practices for NCAA D3 Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. Vito and his college team in two weeks are set to take on Becker College in a home and away series.
“It’s exciting and we’re learning a lot about the college game which is about to start for our team,” Vito said. “I am still playing defense. We are prepared and more ready than ever. College hockey is faster, higher paced and much more physical. I’m defintely a better version of myself than what I was when we got here for our freshman season.”
“No matter what we talk to our father Mark and my brother Michael each and every day. I’m about to reach out for my great friend Jimmy Samuels who I am now told has left Las Vegas is now living and working in Austin, Texas. Miss talking to him. He is doing great things there.”
For the first time Vito will playing without his dear hockey mother Rosie at the rinkboards.
“We are by ourselves here at the college – just me, our coaches and teammates. We are majoring in criminal justice. We want to say hello to all of our hockey friends in Las Vegas.”
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Friday, January 29, 2021
MLK Bantam Cactus Cup – Arizona
#1 Dallas Penguins 6-0-0
#2 Texas Warriors 5-1-0
#3 Cal Wave 4-1-0
#4 Las Vegas Storm 3-2-0
#6 Mission Arizona White 2-2-0
#7 Las Vegas Ice Warriors 1-3-0
#8 New Mexico Ice Wolves 1-3-0
Phoenix – The Las Vegas Storm bantams, who play out of the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue, got a great effort from Las Vegas goalie Gunnar Roksvold who – in his three games here – only allowed two goals with a 93.9% save percentage – to help his team finish 3-2-0 in a field of top bantam level teams here at the MLK Cactus Cup. Totalled the Las Vegas Storm bantams scored 24 goals while only allowing eight goals in five games. The tournament was run on a number of regulation ice hockey rinks in the greater Phoenix area.
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Las Vegas – Nate Mohr, a big strong goal scorer from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is the top goal scorer – with 24 goals – for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds this season. Nate, 19, is listed at 6’1, 170. Last season he played for the AAA Sioux Falls Power 18u team. The T-Birds have a record of 16-7-1 and lead the USPHL Premier Pacific Division.
The top T-Birds goal scorers – Nate Mohr 24, Ethan Knudsen 14, Heath Mensch 13, Keith Shenkel 12, Arik Altman 11, Trey Ponto 10, AJ Lackas 9, Braden Husby 7, Mark Kurlandchyk 7, Austen Kerridge 6, Steven Avalone 5, Brett Castonguay 5, Nick Bonaldi 3, Anthony Juric 3, Tanner Turcotte 2, Petr Tueber 2; Jack Boyd 1, Darion Conaway 1, Mark Nowag 1, Kevin Hanley 1, Andrew Cervantes 1, Nick Dufel 1, Cole Senum 1
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To Snooks – Gage Quinney of Las Vegas is on the roster of the NHL Vegas Golden Knights – at the moment, he’s on the taxi squad with the big club.
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Tuesday Game
Boston – Jason Zucker of Las Vegas scored and dealt an assist for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins during a very tough 3-2 OT road loss to the Boston Bruins here on Tuesday evening.
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Color of Hockey: Pokey Reddick coaching Nevada’s only high school team
Former NHL goalie, who won Stanley Cup with Oilers, now making mark behind bench
by William Douglas @WDouglasNHL / NHL.com
William Douglas has been writing The Color of Hockey blog for the past nine years. Douglas joined NHL.com in March 2019 and writes about people of color in the game. Today, he profiles former NHL goalie Eldon “Pokey” Reddick, who is coaching Nevada’s only high school hockey program.
Eldon “Pokey” Reddick is the best high school hockey coach in Nevada.
“Being the only one, yeah, that’s an easy one,” he said.
The former NHL goalie is in his third season as coach of Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School in Las Vegas, the first and only high school hockey program in the state.
Like the Vegas Golden Knights, Faith Lutheran is a success story in the desert. The program has grown from having to scrounge up 16 players for each of its two teams in 2018 to having 80 players compete for 40 slots this season.
The program is popular, with fans packing City National Arena, the Golden Knights’ practice facility, for varsity and junior varsity games.
And the school is awaiting final qualification for the Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships. The high school tournament is scheduled for April 15-19 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Craig Thornton, Faith Lutheran’s manager of hockey operations, said Reddick is a key component to the program’s rise.
“He’s a phenomenal coach,” Thornton said. “He’s lived hockey since he was a little three-year-old kid. He’s played at every level. And you just don’t want to say to people, ‘He made it to the NHL.’ Yeah, he made it to the NHL, but the other steps along the way are equally as important if you’re coaching.”
Reddick played 132 games for the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers between 1986-94, going 46-58-16 with a 3.71 goals-against average and .873 save percentage. He won the Stanley Cup with Edmonton in 1990, becoming one of 10 Black players to have their names inscribed on the trophy.
“Pokey was better than people gave him credit for,” said Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr, who was Reddick’s teammate on the Oilers. “Having him in Edmonton was a great security blanket for us.”
In addition to his NHL stint, Reddick enjoyed a lengthy career in North American minor leagues and Germany before he retired in 2002 and settled in Las Vegas, where he played in the old International Hockey League from 1994-96.
It was four years ago when officials at Faith Lutheran, which has students from grades 6-12, asked Thornton, whose son Andrew is now a senior, if he would help form a hockey program after they learned he had helped establish a high school hockey program in Phoenix.
He said he’d be happy to do it under one condition: that Reddick, who had been a fixture on the Las Vegas youth hockey scene for more than a decade, be the coach.
“I knew that he was the only coach I had a desire having my son skate under just because of his enormous experience and, equally important, his demeanor with children and young adults,” Thornton said. “When I moved here in 2008, I found out quickly that Vegas hockey wasn’t what Phoenix hockey was by any stretch. I started sniffing around town and it didn’t take me long to figure out that Pokey was ‘the guy’ in this town as far as experience and ability and success.”
Reddick thought he was finished with hockey when he stopped coaching AAA hockey and stopped conducting private lessons so he could golf and focus on his daughter Zoe’s quest to become a professional ballerina.
But when Thornton called with the high school hockey gig, Reddick was ready with a response.
“I was all in,” he said. “It was something different, kids could see the game from a different perspective. And somebody has to be first, right?”
Being the only high school team in the state hasn’t been easy. Road games are often flying affairs — even more so this season because several states have paused or canceled youth hockey due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Reddick and his players have traveled to Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, along with Phoenix, Midland and Odessa, Texas, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for weekend games.
“That’s the tough part, when we tell kids, ‘Tell your mom we’ll see them on Sunday,'” he said. “But that comes with the territory — travel, travel, travel. I thought I was done with traveling on airplanes like that when I retired.”
Not that he’s complaining.
“I’m enjoying myself,” Reddick said. “The part I like is when [the players] come back and say, ‘Thank you, coach.’ Put it this way, I get up every day at 4:30 a.m. to go to practice at 5:50 a.m. We have a bunch of kids and parents who are committed, and I don’t think I’ve missed a practice in three years.”
The 56-year-old said he’s looking forward to having company in the Nevada high school hockey coaching ranks.
He and Thornton envision Faith Lutheran, which receives support from the Vegas Jr. Knights, becoming the lynchpin of a statewide high school hockey league.
The potential talent pool is there. According to USA Hockey, the number of high school-age players in Nevada has increased by 138 percent since 2016, the year before the Golden Knights debuted.
“To try to do the league will take a little bit more time than we thought,” Reddick said. “With the success of our school, hopefully the other schools will jump in.”
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Sioux Falls, S.D. – Las Vegas players Fuzzy Atchison, Jack Lackas and Chayse Laurie of the AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006 went 2-2-0 here in a major weekend tournament and nearly upset the #5 nationally ranked 25-5-0 AAA Northeast Wisconsin Jr Gamblers team 2006. That heated close game got away when a Bobcats late-game goal was disallowed. Afterwards Jr Gamblers head coach and Stanley Cup winner Brian Rafalski remarked how well the Bobcats played. Next week the Bobcats take on the AAA Arizona Coyotes 14u in a best of three for the Arizona State Championship. That big series begins on February 2.
This season Fuzzy Atchison has 33 goals, Jack Lackas 31 and Chayse Laurie 20.
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Monday, January 25, 2021
For the first time in our VegasHockey.net website history a bantam player – Hunter Toms, defenseman for the Matt Johnson-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u team is the #1 Most Searched Player here. Not just a day or two, but for the last two weeks.
And the folks at Elite Prospects describe Hunter Toms as a “Complete Player.”
Coach Johnson says “….Hunter Toms is an 06 defenseman on our AA 14u team. He came back to Las Vegas this season after spending a couple of seasons with the AAA L.A. Jr Kings.
“He is a prominent fixture on the blue line. Versatile as well, sometimes playing as a forward on our powerplays when he isn’t out there on the D
“Hunter has good poise with the puck and stays calm under pressure. He is one of the players we have relied on to be one of our leaders this season.”
SUNDAY GAME
Duluth, Ga. – Gunner Moore of Las Vegas scored again – his 7th goal of the season – for the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals in a 3-1 win over the Texas Roadrunners here at the Duluth Ice Forum.
//In a rare Monday game Gunner Moore scored his 8th goal of the season for the NAHL Atlanta Capitals in a 11-2 win over the Texas Roadrunners at the Duluth Ice Forum.
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Breaker – Hunter Keech of Las Vegas scored his first goal for the USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club in a 9-8 loss to the Decatur Blaze on Saturday night.
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Saturday Games
Final Score
Anaheim – Braden Husby scored dramatically three times to help the USPHL Premier Thunderbirds beat the USPHL Premier Anaheim Avalanche 8-6 at the Center Ice Arena on Saturday night. Braden, 18, is from Sioux Falls, SD. He is listed at 6’0, 170. He began this season with the USPHL Premier Minnesota Mullets.
USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 8, Anaheim Avalanche 6
LV – Braden Husby 5th from Nate Mohr, Jeremiah De Valk
LV – Keith Shenkel 12th from Trey Ponto, Braden Husby
LV – Braden Husby 6th
LV – Ethan Knudsen 13th from Jeremiah De Valk
LV – Braden Husby 7th from Nate Mohr, Trey Ponto – powerplay
LV – Steven Avalone 5th from Arik Altman
LV – Brett Castoguay 5th from Nick Bonaldi, Braden Husby
LV – Ethan Knudsen 14th
LV goalie – Dylan Woods
Anaheim on home ice on Friday night upset the T-Birds; This was Game Two of this riveting road series
Goalie Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and NA3HL Sheridan Hawks vs Yellowstone Quake @Riley Arena, Cody, Wyoming
//Final Score – Luke Fundator 32 saves as Sheridan Hawks win a 4-3 OT thriller.
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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The AHL Henderson Silver Knights will open their season vs the AHL Ontario Reign on Feb 6 at the Orleans Arena on Tropicana Avenue. Locally the Silver Knights game will be broadcast live on radio station 1230 am ‘The Game.’
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Friday Scores
Final Score @ Anaheim
USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4, Anaheim Avalanche 5
LV goal – Arik Altman 11th goal of season from Trent Carter, Heath Mensch
LV goal – Brett Castonguay 4th from Steven Avalone, Trent Carter
LV goal – Steven Avalone 4th from Nate Mohr, Keith Shenkel
LV goal – Nate Mohr 14th from Heath Mensch, Steven Avalone
LV goalie – Colin Gallamore
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Duluth, Ga. – Gunner Moore of Las Vegas scored two goals – his 5th, 6th of the season – for the hometown NA3HL Atlanta Capitals in a very tough 5-4 OT/Shootout loss to the visiting Texas Roadrunners here at the Duluth Ice Forum
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USPHL Premier Pacific Division
#1 Fresno Monsters 16-5-1
#2 Las Vegas Thunderbirds 15-7-1
#3 Anaheim Avalanche 6-13-1
#4 San Diego Sabers 1-20-1
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Saturday #1 Most Searched – Steven Avalone, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
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Seth Bergeron of Las Vegas is now playing for the NAHL Northeast Generals who play home games in Attleboro, Massachusetts
The NA3HL Bay State Bobcats have signed Gabe Testa of Las Vegas. The Bobcats are based in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
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Wednesday Game
Tulsa – Joe Sullivan of Las Vegas scored the game-winner and Las Vegas linemate Michael McNicholas had two assists – including one on the winning goal – as the ECHL Indy Fuel beat the hometown Tulsa Oilers 3-2 here at the BOK Center on Wednesday night. The crowd was 2128.
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Best Stat of the Day – Hunter Barto of Las Vegas has 13 goals, 15 assists, 28 points for the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
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The USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds – the ultimate Road Warriors – will play away from home this coming weekend. The T-Birds will take on the USPHL Premier Anaheim Avalanche in a Friday/Saturday two game set at the Ontario Center Ice Skating Arena.
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Pueblo, Colorado – It’s hard to win on the road particuarly against the mighty USPHL Premier Pueblo Bulls in Colorado. The Dave Hyrsky-coached USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds go into a decisive Game Three of this road series today noon local time at the Pueblo Ice Arena. On Sunday here Las Vegas won 5-4; on Monday the Pueblo Bulls won 7-4. Both teams are division leaders.
Tuesday Final Score – Pueblo Bulls 5, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 2
LV goal – Nick Bonaldi 3rd from Trey Ponto, Nate Mohr
LV goal – AJ Lackas 9th goal of season, unassisted
LV goalie – Colin Gallamore
//This was a hard, physical game with wicked checking.……..
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Monday final score – USPHL Premier Pueblo Bulls, 7, Las Vegas Thunderbirds 4 @ Pueblo Ice Arena, Colorado. T-Birds goal scorers – Steven Avalone (3rd goal of the season), Nate Mohr 23rd, Ethan Knutsen 12th, Heath Mensch 13th. Goalie – Colin Gallamore.
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Las Vegas – Coach Pokey Reddick says his top goal scorer 6’6, 210 lb Dominic Suhr “…is not a kid in a game, he’s a Man on the Ice.” Suhr is one of the big reasons why Pokey’s Faith Lutheran High School hockey team is off to a staggering great start this season.
Pokey Reddick’s Faith Lutheran High School team in Las Vegas
Season Record – 7–2-5
Last Game – 3-3 vs Braves Jr B/North Idaho All-Stars
Top goal scorers – Dominic Suhr 13, John Purdy 9, Ean Vitz 8, Danny Ruettiger 4, Matthew Cooper 3, Zaden Hnidy 3, Noah McAnallen 3, Colton Fleitz 2, Jack Edlin 1, Niels Hartvig-Nielsen 1, James Knurbein 1, Andrew Thornton 1
Goalies – Joey Hallet, Mitch McCombs
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Breaker – Hunter Keech of Las Vegas is playing this season with USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club.
Sunday Flash Final – USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds 5, Pueblo Bulls 4 – @ Pueblo Ice Arena, Colorado. T-Birds are now 15-4-1 overall, leaders of USPHL Pacific Division. Pueblo Bulls are a top team 22-9-1, leaders of USPHL Premier Mountain Division. Anthony Bonaldi goalie today for Las Vegas. This is a three-game road series for the T-Birds with games today, Monday, Tuesday.
LV goal – Ethan Knudsen 10th
LV goal – Nate Mohr 22nd from Braden Husby
LV goal – Andrew Cervantes 1st from Darion Conaway, Trent Carter
LV goal – Heath Mensch 12th from Arik Altman, Trent Carter
LV goal – AJ Lackas 8th from Andrew Cervantes, Ethan Knudsen
LV goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
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Pittsburgh – Jason Zucker’s amazing pass to linemate Marcus Petterson set up a key goal today for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins who were in a very rough game today against the Washington Capitals. Jason, who grew up playing youth hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center, got the puck and curled behind the Washington net and fired off a pass to linemate Marcus Petterson who scored to tie the game 3-3. The Caps enforcer Tom Wilson was on a hard checking rampage in this game. The game ended 3-3 in regulation, then the Caps scored in an OT/Shootout to win 4-3.
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Best Stat of the Day
Gunner Moore of Las Vegas and the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals 4 goals, 12 assists, 16 points, +14 on the ice
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Saturday Games
Bryce Reddick of Las Vegas scored the first goal of the game for the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits in a 5-4 OT road win over the South Carolina Stingrays at the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday night. Bryce was back in the lineup for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the Saturday night game – a tough 4-3 OT loss to the South Carolina Stingrays.
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College Station, Texas – In a big Saturday night game Ethan Sodona of Las Vegas dealt his 9th assist this season to help the NA3HL Texas Roadrunners beat the Louisana Drillers 5-3 here at the Spirit Ice Arena.
‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas is back with his team – AAA Connecticut Chiefs 18u. He is there with his Las Vegas teammate goalie Blade Taylor. The first game back will be on Feb 3 – Lee
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Saturday, January 16, 2021
Dallas – Ash Printzen of Las Vegas had a burst of three goals for AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u here at the CCM Invite. Ash has 13 goals this season. She has received many awards here on Vegas Hockey.
//Ash one goal and one assist for AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u in a 3-1 win over AAA Milwaukee Jr Admirals girls 19u
//AAA St. Louis Blues girls 19u 3, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u 1
//Ash one goal, one assist for AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u in a 3-2 win over AAA Madison Capitals girls 19u
//Ash one goal for AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u in a 5-2 win over AAA Milwaukee Jr Admirals girls 19u
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RIP – There is a hockey heaven for those who have left us – Lee, Vegas Hockey
PLAYERS
Sean Darby – Rugged player who was the centerpiece on the Gold Line with best friends and teammates Sean Fox, Justin Grossman in 2001-02 season with the AA Las Vegas Mustangs in a massively great season.
Sean Fox – always wore jersey #88 and played a hard, fast game; was on the fierce checking Gold Line with Sean Darby and Justin Grossman on coach Rob Pallin’s 2001-02 AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u which advanced to the U.S Nationals.
Johnny Oakes – He played high level roller hockey with dignity and grace while on a line with Micah Sanford, Leroy Garcia and other teenage stars of that era at Crystal Palace Roller Rink on Rancho Drive and at national roller tournaments throughout the USA. Johnny was a very special person and skater.
John Paul McNicholas – The dear son of hockey dad John McNicholas – who coached tier hockey many years ago in Las Vegas – and the brother of goal scorer Michael McNicholas who is playing this season in the ECHL .
Eddie Samuels – His first coach was roller legend Larry Sanford when Eddie was 10 years old. Eddie played roller at all levels, then began played ice hockey first with the AAA Vail Avalanche bantam team, then was on the Red Line with Josh Jasek and Adam Naglich for coach Rob Pallin on his 2001-02 AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u team. Eddie played for the AAA San Diego Gulls, AAA Cal State Senators, BCHL Victoria Salsa, NAHL Billings Bulls and was captain of the NAHL Fairbanks Ice Dogs where his coach was the legendary Rob Proffit. Eddie’s best friend was all-star defenseman Eddie Del Grosso.
Nick Schaefer – Best friends with Jason Zucker. The two played youth hockey on a Las Vegas team at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Nick was a gifted goal scorer, great skater, very popular and the unexpected passing of Nick was a devastating loss to the Las Vegas hockey community.
Hockey Dads and Moms
Lee Beebe – father of hockey son Brandon who played for the UNLV Rebels. Lee was a home builder, professional skier, musician and friend to all.
Rosie Carlo – very popular hockey mom – mother of star player Vito Carlo of Las Vegas. Rosie was a fixture at Las Vegas ice hockey rinks whenever Vito was in a game.
Dave Francis – father of Las Vegas hockey star Chris Francis. Dave was the kind, helpful gatekeeper and blade sharpener at the SoBe Ice Arena Pro Shop. Dave was kind to all – no matter who you were or what team you played for. He is tremendously missed in that arena setting.
Gramps – Anthony Greener’s grandfather who for years on game nights was on the UNLV Rebels bench over by the stick rack. He had a kind word for all – the Rebels, visiting players, game officials plus dear hockey moms and dads. Tremendously missed by me and by all who are reading this now. Gramps once a year appears in our annual hockey Christmas story.
Tommy Ricketts – One of the greatest hockey dads of our time. His hockey sons were Beau and Blade Ricketts. Beau played at all levels of the game – he was a star goal scorer for the Helena BigHorns in Montana and later returned to Las Vegas for a tremendous goal scoring season with the WSHL Las Vegas Storm at the Las Vegas Ice Center. Tommy collected hockey cards and would give them to youth hockey players when he was at an arena.
Bill Tufano – father of roller star Billy Tufano of Las Vegas. Bill for years was the statkeeper, ran the scoreboard and announced the goals in the Micah Sanford era at the Little House of Champions – Crystal Palace Roller Rink on Rancho Drive. “It was a honor to have Bill announce your goals,” said Eddie Samuels.
To contribute here send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Friday High School Game
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Pokey Reddick’s Faith Lutheran HS team are in Idaho to take on the CdA Cristeros HS team at the Frontier Ice Arena in Idaho on Friday, 8 pm local time. This is game one of a three-game weekend series.
Faith Lutheran’s top goal scorers – 12 – Dominic Suhr, 8 – John Purdy, 7 – Ian Vitz, 4 – Danny Ruettiger; 3 – Matthew Cooper; 3 – Zaden Hnidy, 2 – Colton Fleitz, 2 – Noah McAallen, 1 – Jack Edlin, 1 – James Knurbein, 1 – Niels Nelson, 1 – Niels Hartvig-Nielsen, 1 – Andrew Thornton
Goalies
Joey Hallet 2-0-3 record, 1.88 gaa, 92.4% save percentage
Mitchell McCombs, 3-1-1 record, 2.00 gaa, 92.2% save percentage
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Head coach Dave Hrysky and the very strong USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds are going to Colorado to take on Mountain Division leader Pueblo Bulls at the Pueblo Ice Arena in a three-game road series Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Pueblo has a record of 22-11-0. T-Birds players and coaches will dress warmly off the ice – there will be snow coming down there Monday.
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It is official – very popular Las Vegas defenseman Vito Carlo is on the roster of NCAA D3 Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. Vito played previously with the WSHL Las Vegas Storm at the Las Vegas Ice Center and was a star defenseman with the NA3HL Atlanta Capitals.
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Wednesday Game – USPHL Premier
Las Vegas Thunderbirds 5, Fresno Monsters 3 – Final Score
T-Birds Sweep 3-Game Series, Take Over 1st Place in Pacific Division
LV – Cole Senum 1st from AJ Lackas
LV – Steven Avalone 2nd from Arik Altman, Heath Mensch
LV – Brett Mero 1st from Heath Mensch
LV – Ethan Knudsen 10th from Steven Avalone, Heath Mensch
LV – Brett Mero 2nd
LV goalie – Anthony Bonaldi – 43 saves, spectacular game for Anthony
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home – 2020-21 Season
Goals
33 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006
31 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006
20 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006
15 – Matthew Gross, AAA Arizona Jr Coyotes 18u
14 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
13 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan
13 – Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals
7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights – Minnesota
4 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes
4 – Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel
3 – Dexter Kichline, Bishop Kearney Selects 15u
3 – Michael McNicholas, ECHL Indy Fuel
3 – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wild 18u – Washington
2 – Mykah Carter, NAPHL Northwest Stars 16u – Seattle
2 – Shane Dean, Gentry Academy – Minnesota
2 – Ethan Sodoma, NA3HL Texas Roadrunners
1 – Gia Avalone, AAA Anaheim Lady Ducks 19u
1 – Brennan Blasczak, SPHL Pensacola Flyers
1 – Bryce Reddick, ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits
1 – Noah Smejkal, NA3HL Northeast Generals – Massachusetts
1 – Joe Sullivan, ECHL Indy Fuel
1 – Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Elite Hampton Roads Whalers
1 – Gabriel Testa, USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club
To add or revise send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Tuesday Game – USPHL Premier
Las Vegas Thunderbirds 5, Fresno Monsters 3
LV – Arik Altman – 10th goal of season – from Heath Mensch, Austen Kerridge
LV – Steven Avalone – 1st – from Keith Shenkel
LV – Trey Ponto 10th from Nick Bonaldi
LV – Nate Mohr 20th from Keith Shenkel, Trent Carter
LV – Nate Mohr 21st from Keith Shenkel
LV goalie – Colin Gallamore
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Indianapolis – Michael McNicholas of Las Vegas today signed to play for the ECHL Indy Fuel who are an affiliate of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks. Michael, 26 and listed at 5’10, 180, played for Indy Fuel several seasons ago. He is the son of hockey dad John McNicholas who years ago was a coach of tier ice hockey teams in Las Vegas.
Joe Sullivan, a goal scorer from Las Vegas, is also on the ECHL Indy Fuel.
The ECHL Indy Fuel have a massive fan base and play home games at the famous Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
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Jason Zucker of Las Vegas and the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins has always cared for others, particular children and his former Las Vegas linemates…..
“Before a game Jason Zucker writes “mom” and “dad” on every stick just under the initials of his Las Vegas teammate friend, Nick Schaefer, who died in 2010 at the age of 19 in a car accident. Tattooed on Zucker’s chest is “Game Time,” a funny saying Schaefer used to say. Tattooed on Zucker’s left wrist is the autograph of a young boy named Tucker who Zucker befriended in Minnesota before Tucker died of a rare form of bone cancer in 2016.”
— Michael Russo, writing in The Athletic –
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Giant goal scorer Chris Francis of Las Vegas – who played high energy game with explosive ultra speed and who made many game-winning goals – has retired as a player noting “it’s mostly due to the pandemic and what is going on in the world now.” He has relocated to Austin, Texas where he has started a new company – Puck University – and is now a coach in the AA Texas Jr Stars AA 14u, A14u hockey programs.
Chris played youth ice hockey and roller hockey in Las Vegas and was one of the very first from Las Vegas to be a star goal scorer in the WHL when he played with the Portland Winterhawks. He also played with the AHL Springfield Falcons, ECHL Alaska Aces, ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers and was captain of the ECHL Quad City Mallards. He played internationally last season in Germany with Salle Bulls Halle. Rob Pallin was Chris’ hockey coach on many of his teams. Chris’ father was the late great Dave Francis who was very popular in Las Vegas. Dave ran the Pro Shop at the Sobe Ice Arena (now known as the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive) and he always had a bright 8 x 10 color photo of his hockey son Chris wearing his red Portland Winterhawks jersey taped onto the front window of the Pro Shop.
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Monday Score
USPHL Premier
Las Vegas Thunderbirds 8, Fresno Monsters 5
LV goals – Nate Mohr 3, Arik Altman, Darion Conaway, Heath Mensch, Trey Ponto, Keith Shenkel
LV goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
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Monday, January 11, 2021
Hockey games are hard to win – all of the Las Vegas coaches know that as none of the teams here town can play home games. Which brings us to head coach Dave Hyrsky whose ‘road warriors ‘ USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds have carved out an 11-4-1 record and are a tremendous force in a very tough league.
USPHL PREMIER LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS
HEAD COACH DAVE HYRSKY
TEN QUESTIONS
When you recruit players on the junior hockey level what exactly are most important things to see – skill level, skate speed, hockey knowhow?
“Adam (Bonaldi, GM) and I recruit skill level obviously as this is what first catches your eye. After that we are looking into the character of a player – and a lot goes into the word ‘character.’ Like how does a player interact with his teammates – is he positive, does he get along……“
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#2 You have constructed a great hockey team this season. What are the most important positions which concern you first when putting it all together
“Adam (Bonaldi) was responsible for putting most of the team together and I think our biggest attribute at this very moment is our depth. We can roll 4 lines every game.”
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Who is the best player/goalie you have ever signed on any team
“We had the opportunity to coach Chris Thorburn when he was just 15 years old. He later was on the St Louis Blues which won a Stanley Cup a few years ago.”
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What is the role of each coach you have on game nights
“One handles the defense during the game, one handles the forwards and we work with all on the bench and make adjustments as needed.”
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In your opinion why do you think the Thunderbirds have gotten off to such a great start. What drives you to coach this particular team.
“Our depth is the reason for our great start. We enjoy being in Las Vegas very much with all of the time from top to bottom with John Marks (President), Adam Bonaldi (GM) to the players has been a lot of fun – we have kept our sanity throughout all of this with the pandemic going on is pretty amazing.”
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It’s late in 3rd period, you are down a goal, with the game on the line which of your penalty killers go onto the ice.
“We would go with one of our top offensive units if we are down by a goal in the third period. If we are up one goal in the game we would send in one of our defensive units.’
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What is the difference of playing a regular season game compared to playing in a high tension playoff game.
“The difference between playing a regular season game and a playoff game is the intensity level. In the minds of the players we’re in a do or die situation so you see players willing to do just about about anything to win.”
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#11 Do you look at video of your next opposing team and if so, what is the most important thing to look at.
“We do look a lot of videos of opposing teams basically to study their systems– how they forecheck and how they play the penalty kill.”
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Is there anything you would like to add.
“We want to sincerely thank John Marks (President) and Adam Bonaldi (GM) for all they do – which is a lot.”
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Sunday, January 10, 2021
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North Richland Hills, Texas – Ethan Sodoma of Las Vegas was picked the #2 Star of the game after he dealt two assists for the NA3HL Texas Roadrunners in a 3-2 win over the Northeast Generals here at the NYTEX Sports Centre.
Looking for the whereabouts of these Las Vegas players – Spencer Poscente, Landon Quinney, Derek Sutliffe, Jacob Underhill, Cory Ward. Contact leesamuels07@aol.com
Coming this week – A Deep Look at awesome head coach Dave Hyrsky and GM Adam Bonaldi regarding their ‘Road Warriors’ Las Vegas Thunderbirds who amazingly lead the USPHL Premier Pacific Division.
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Saturday, January 9, 2021
Pensacola, Fla. – “We competed at such a high level,” said head coach Wally Lacroix of the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u after a 3-0 win over the AA Nashville Jr Predators 16u here at the Florida Panthers Ice Den. Goalie Johnny Ng, who has played at the high level here all weekend, got the win. Micah Williamson, Mike Turner, Andrew Crawford scored. “Think about this – we’ve only allowed just one goal in our last three games here today. It truly is amazing!” Lacroix said.
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Provo, Utah – Big game goal scorer Ian Williams of Las Vegas scored twice and dealt three assists for the AAA Wenatchee Wolves 18u who went 2-1-0 in a weekend road series here against the AAA West Coast Renegades 18u. Ian and the Wenatchee Wolves will travel to Omaha for the USHL AAA Under Armour Tournament scheduled for January 22-24.
Saturday Games
High School
Game One Today
Faith Lutheran H.S. Las Vegas 4 at West Texas High School 0
Game Two Saturday night
Faith Lutheran H.S. Las Vegas 6, West Texas High School 3
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AA 16u @ Florida Panthers Ice Den, Pensacola, Fla.
1st game Saturday, January 9
Final Score – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 2, AA Coral Springs Makos 1
//Micah Williamson 2 goals, goalie Austin Schaertel spectacular effort for AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
2nd Game Saturday, January 9
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 3, Nashville Jr Predators 16u 0
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1st game Friday, January 8
Final Score – AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 2, AA Carolina Jr Hurricanes 16u 1@ Florida Panthers Ice Den, Pensacola, Fla.
//Vegas goalie John Ng very strong in this game. Micah Williamson, Josh Hinkle scored for Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u. Coach Wally Lacroix after the game said “…..our young men played at a very high level. Our goalie had a solid performance.”
AA 14u
AA Carolina Jr Hurricanes 14u 5, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u 0
AA Coral Springs Makos 14u 3, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 1
AA 12u – Squirts
Carolina Jr Hurricanes 12u 6, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 12u 3
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Friday Scores – January 8
High School
Faith Lutheran H.S. Las Vegas 5, at West Texas High School 0
//1st game of a weekend series for the Pokey Reddick-coached Faith Lutheran High School in action this weekend in Texas. Faith Lutheran raises season record to 5-1-4. Faith Lutheran HS will play West Texas HS two more times on Saturday. Top goal scorers this season for Faith Lutheran HS are Dominic Suhr with 11 goals, Ean Vitz 6 and John Purdy 6. Goalie Joey Hallet has a 2-0-3 record, 1.71 gaa and 92.5% save percentage and goalie Mitchell McCombs has a 3-2-1 record with a 2.50 gaa and a 90.5% save percentage.
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AA 16u
Florida Panthers Ice Den, Pensacola, Fla.
Coral Springs Makos 4, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 3
AA 14u
Vegas Jr Golden Knights 3, Nashville Jr Predators 1
AA 12u – Squirts
Vegas Jr Golden Knights 4, Nashville Jr Predators 1
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Friday, January 8, 2021
Pensacola, Florida – The Wally Lacroix coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u and Matt Johnson’s AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u are here for weekend games at the Florida Panthers Ice Den. Each Las Vegas team will play four games
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Head Coach – Wally Lacroix
Jan 8 – vs AA Coral Springs Makos 16u
Jan 8 – vs AA Carolina Jr Hurricanes 16u
Jan 9 – vs AA Coral Springs Makos 16u
Jan 9 – vs AA Nashville Jr Predators 16u
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AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Head Coach – Matt Johnson
Jan 8 – 3-1 over AA Nashville Jr Predators 14u
LV goals – Brandon Cabral, Caden Ross, Carter Adams – LV goalie Kam Laskaska
Coach Matt Johnson ….”Excellent game. We outplayed them, controlled the game. This was a real good win.”
Jan 9 – vs AA Carolina Jr Hurricanes 14u
Jan 9 – vs AA Florida Makos 14u
Jan 10 – vs Nashville Jr Predators 14u
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Breaker – Hockey coach Pokey Reddick and his Faith Lutheran High School varsity team in Las Vegas depart 11:05 am Friday to head to Texas to take on the West Texas High School varsity team in a three-game weekend series – Lee
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Spooner, Wisconsin – Hunter Barto of Las Vegas scored twice – his 7th, 8th goals of the season to help the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose beat the Rochester Vipers 9-4 here Friday night at the Spooner Civic Center. Hunter, in his first year in junior hockey is having an awesome season with 8 goals, 11 assists.
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Faith Lutheran H.S. Las Vegas varsity roster – #4 Colton Fleitz A, #7 Jack Edlin, Captain; #8 Taylor Pettigrew, #9 Ean Vitz, #10 John Purdy A – star goal scorer, #11 Noah McAnallen; #14 Niels Hartvig-Nielsen; #16 Dominic Suhr; #19 Matthew Campos; #21 Hugo Larios; #23 Phillip Stromer; #24 Matthew Cooper; #28 James Knurbein; #29 Joey Hallet – star player at all levels of the game; #33 Andrew Thornton; #34 Zaden Hnidy; #37 Mitchell McCombs; #45 Danny Ruettiger; #66 Ian McKenna; #77 Brandon Lingo; #91 Jake Fellows
To add to this roster or make revises send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Here is a look at the top goal scorers for the dynamic Dave Hyrsky-coached USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds this season. Adam Bonaldi is the GM.
Goals
16 – Nate Mohr; 10 – Heath Mensch; 10 – Keith Shenkel; 9 – Ethan Knudsen; 8 – Arik Altman; 8 – Trey Ponto; 7 – AJ Lackas; 7 – Mark Kurliandchyk; 6 – Austin Kerridge; 6 – Braden Husby; 3 – Anthony Juric; 2 – Nick Bonaldi; 2 – Tanner Turcotte; 2 – Petr Teuber; 1 – Jack Boyd; 1 – Nick Dufek; 1 – Mark Nowag; 1 – Kevin Hanley
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Breaker – The very popular ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas is returning today to his team AAA Connecticut Chiefs 18u. Las Vegas goalie Blade Taylor is on the Chiefs as well.
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Narch Roller Hockey Tournament Update
We hope that your New Year is off to a great start! Here’s a quick update on upcoming events the next few months.
Jan 15th-18th Pacific Cup in Tucson
The schedule will be up this Friday! 10u and 16u will run Fri-Sun. 12u, 14u, 18u will run Sat-Mon.
Jan 29th-31st Pacific Cup Men’s Tourney in Tucson
We only have 3 spots left!
Register here: Pacific Cup Registration
Feb 5th-7th Rocky Mountain Cup – This event is a GO! We are excited to head to Legends Family Sports for the first time and hope your team can join us! We hope to have 10u/12u/14u/16u/18u/men’s. We already have men’s teams and some youth teams registered but need more teams to round out the youth divisions. Please register ASAP if you’re planning to play in this event.
Feb 26th-28th East Coast Invitational – We’re excited to head to Hotshots in Mt. Pleasant, PA. If you have a team that wants to participate, it’s time to get registered! Since this is a two-rink facility we’re hoping for a great turnout.
March 12th-14th Winternationals in Irvine – With CA still closed for competition, we’re hoping to pull this off but still too early to tell.
April 22nd-25th NARCh Regional in Irvine – This is always our largest tournament of the year, outside of the FINALS and WINTERNATIONALS.
We are working on adding additional events and will continue to send updates as we do.
We’re looking forward to a lot more NARCh Hockey in 2021
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Most Searched Today – #1 ‘My Greatest Game’ by Jeff Hajner; #2 Chris Francis, star goal scorer; #3 Pokey Reddick; #4 Gage Quinney – in camp with the NHL Vegas Golden Knights at City National Arena; #5 Micah Sanford – The Star Player Who Started It All in Las Vegas; #5 The first big giant-scoring Rob Pallin-coached AA Las Vegas Mustangs 18u 1999-2000 Triple Threat Line with Travis Roseberry, Spike Neely and JC Caron. The Vegas Hockey All Heart Award each season is named after Spike Neely; #6 John Purdy, Faith Lutheran HS sharpshooter; #7 When in Doubt give the puck to the Vegas Thunderbirds amazing goal scorer Nate Mohr. Nate is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota and is an unstoppable force; #8 HOF coach Wally Lacroix; #9 Dave Hyrsky – Head Coach, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds; #10 Rob Pallin, the coach who ignited the sport of hockey in Las Vegas; #10a Hockey coach Matt Johnson, Vegas Jr Golden Knights; #10b Brian Salcido, Hockey Director
#11 UNLV coaches Anthony Greener, Nick Robone; #12 Star Vegas Hockey writer Bethany Drysdale; #13 Las Vegas hockey Dad Steve Allen and his rinkboard dustup last summer with The Genius at the Pepsi Arena. “It was only a story, didn’t hurt much when we got vaporized over on the south rinkboards.” #13a Skitters the wandering baby rink kitten at the Pepsi Arena is missing – again – Skitters created a few years ago by local hockey dad Dr Jay Zurfluh; #14 Flashback 2004 – The Last Skate at the Santa Fe Station Ice Arena – #1 All-Time Most Searched story; #14a The Kid Who Saved Christmas at the Pepsi Arena; #15 Premier goalie Johnny Ng, AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u; #16 Miracle on Ice Harris Whissel, AAA Connecticut Chiefs 18u. What happened to Harris, when you read his story here, it is truly a real-life Miracle; #17 Luke Fundator, goalie for NA3HL Sheridan Hawks; #18 Vito Carlo; #19 Jake McKenna; #20 – Anthony Greener’s grandfather Gramps; #21 CJ Stubbs; #22 The Barstow Brothers
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The AHL Pacific Division looks like for this season. The AHL is looking for – hoping for – a Feb 5 start
AHL Pacific
Bakersfield Condors
Colorado Eagles
Henderson Silver Knights
Ontario Reign
San Diego Gulls
San Jose Barracuda
Stockton Heat
Tucson Roadrunners
Source – Pro Hockey Rumors website
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Monday, January 4, 2021
Gold Medal Game Update Sunday in Phoenix – D1 Desert Vista High School of Phoenix edged the AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u by 3-2. Coach Wally Lacroix said “….our goalie Johnny NG played very well and our athletes showed moments of competition but we were a bit inconsistent. We took on a big strong team here.”
Pre-Game Story……
Phoenix – The Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u are in gold medal game action today – Sunday – here at the Winter Classic. The Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u will take on D1 Desert Vista High School at 2 pm local time. Assistant coach Todd Owen is also on the bench with the hometown AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u team.
Here is how the AA Vegas Jr Knights 16u got to the gold medal game.
3-3 tie vs Arizona Hockey Union – Austin Schaertel goalie for Vegas
1-3 to Park City Utah – Johnny Ng goalie for Vegas
3-1 over Arizona Jr Coyotes – Johnny Ng goalie
4-1 over Orange County Hockey Club – Austin Schaertel goalie
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GAGE QUINNEY OF LAS VEGAS TO NHL GOLDEN KNIGHTS CAMP TODAY
Las Vegas – Gage Quinney, who played tier hockey at the Las Vegas Ice Center, is on the NHL Vegas Golden Knights training camp roster. Practices begin Monday morning at the City National Arena over on Charleston Avenue near the Red Rock Casino Hotel. The practices are closed to public. The Golden Knights indicated video streams will be released for their fans.
Gage, 25, played three games for the NHL Golden Knights last season. He primarily played for the Golden Knights’ #1 affiliate the AHL Chicago Wolves where he had 17 goals, 19 assists. He is 25, listed at 5’11, 185. His hockey father Ken Quinney played in the NHL two seasons with the NHL Quebec Nordiques and then five seasons 1993-98 with the wildly popular IHL Las Vegas Thunder.
Gage has always been a driving force and and a dynamic big game scorer at all levels of the game. He will begin this season with the NHL Golden Knights or with their new #1 affiliate the AHL Henderson Silver Knights. The Golden Knights begin NHL play on January 14, taking on the Anaheim Ducks at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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The Ticker – The NA3HL Louisana Drillers have added Mark Kurliandchik – an awesome goal scorer with the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds – onto their active roster. It was announced on the NA3HL transactions area. Kurliandchik, 19, has 7 goals, 7 assists this season. He is listed at 6’3″ and 195 and is from Belarus.…Goal scorer Seth Bergeron of Las Vegas began the season playing for the NAHL Maryland Black Bears. He is now with the NAHL Northeast Generals who are based in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Seth in 2021 is committed to playing hockey at D3 Stevenson University in Baltimore. Just a few seasons ago Seth was a top player for the Gabe Gauthier-coached WSHL Las Vegas Storm over at the Las Vegas Ice Center on Flamingo Avenue…. Jake McKenna, now with the UNLV Rebels, was a top defenseman for that LV Storm junior hockey club.…and who was the best, most feared goal scorer for the Las Vegas Storm. That would be captain Beau Ricketts who was a powerful awesome force.
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Big Games Saturday Night – January 2, 2021
SPHL – Southern Professional Hockey League
Final Score
Brennan Blasczak of Las Vegas and Pensacola Ice Flyers 5, visiting Huntsville Havoc 1 @ Bay Center, Pensacola, Fla.
NA3HL
Final Score
Goalie Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and Sheridan Hawks 6, vs visiting big rival Gillette Wild 3 @ Whitney M and M Center, Sheridan, Wyoming
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The Ticker – Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin, head coach of ESV Kaufburen in Germany, said today “…we have great news to share. We have a player on our team – Markus Schweiger, only 18 years old – who is playing for Team Germany against Team Russia today. Markus is very skilled with tremendous skating ability. All the best to Markus today!”
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Saturday, January 2, 2021
Here is a good look at star goalie Luke Fundator of Las Vegas and the NA3HL Sheridan Hawks in Wyoming who talks about reasons why he always wanted to be a top goalie. He is 18, listed at 6’2, 185 and has won many awards here on Vegas Hockey.
- “Why I started goalie? I started goalie roughly a year after I started playing hockey. I always wanted to try it since the very beginning. I never thought it would be as my career position in hockey, but here we are. Watching the pros definitely helped to inspire me to follow my passion for goal tending, also being fortunate to have a great friend (Brayden Mensch) who help me get into it and helped me strap the pads on initially.
- “Before playing for the Sheridan Hawks I mainly played my career in Las Vegas for the Outlaws, Junior Storm AA and one year with the Junior Wranglers AA. It wasn’t until I was 15 when I played for my first team outside of Vegas with the Arizona Bobcats AAA program for 2 years before starting my junior career with the Sheridan Hawks NA3HL.
- “My all time career goal has always been the same. I would love to play college hockey D1 and hopefully make my way to play pro hockey (NHL, AHL, European).“
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Quote of the Day…
“One night a kid failed to show up and they asked me to play goalie. At the end of the swamp closest to the streetlight, there was a ‘net’ someone had knocked together from two-by-fours with rusty chicken wire. I was handed a pair of battered sofa cushions for leg pads and an old catcher’s mask and a first baseman’s mitt and was directed into the crease. The game began and one of the players on the other team streaked towards me. He rifled a shot on goal, and I came sliding out knocking the puck aside. My teammates cheered and as the puck was gathered up they went zooming the other way.
“Using the blade of my stick, I cleared ice shavings from the front of the net, like an old pro. In that instant, I discovered my passion for the sport.”
— The great author Jay Atkinson, writing in his book Ice Time – A Tale of Fathers, Sons and Hometown Heroes – 2001 – Three Rivers Press
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Quote of the Day – “On the ice hockey players are rough and tough, but when one them gets hurts or is in trouble they are the kindest, most compassionate, sensitive humans imaginable” — Las Vegas hockey Mom Nancy Whissel who wrote a story here on Vegas Hockey about her hockey son the great Harris Whissel called- “A Miracle on Ice.”
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Friday, January 1, 2021 – It’s New Year’s Day!
Las Vegas – Jason Zucker, who grew up playing hockey here in town, of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins, and goal-scoring phenom Ash Printzen of Las Vegas and AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u, are the 2020 Vegas Hockey Players of the Year.
Jason was 3 1/2 years old when his hockey dad Scott took his to see roller hockey legend coach Larry Sanford at his roller rink. Jason brought his own hockey stick and later here his tier hockey coach was Wally Lacroix over at the Las Vegas Ice Center. When Jason was preparing for the NHL Player Draft it was Rob Pallin who worked Jason in hard skating drills while he was all alone on the ice.
Jason, now 28, has played 10 season including 471 games. He has a NHL career 138 goals, 138 assists and 255 points
Ash Printzen is playing at a very high level with AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u. During summer months she skates in touring international roller hockey tournaments.
One of the most amazing stories this season is Dave Hyrsky who is head coach of the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds. With no games on home ice because of the coronavirus the T-Birds have been an awesome force on the road and amazingly are the leaders in the Pacific Division in USPHL Premier.
Brian Salcido, HSK Hockey Director in Henderson, is the Vegas Hockey Person of the Year.
“I grew up playing youth hockey is the Los Angeles area for teams such as the West Valley Wolves and the L.A. Jr Kings. My sophomore year of high school we moved to Faribault, Minnesota to attend Shattuck St. Mary’s which is known for producing players like Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Zach Parise. We earned a scholarship to Colorado College and played along with Brett Sterling, Mark Stuart, Curtis McElhinney and Hobey Baker winner Marty Sertich
“We were drafted by the Anaheim Ducks and became the first California-born and raised player to play for the Ducks. I was the ‘black ace’ during the Ducks Stanley Cup winning playoff run in 2007. After 4 years in the Anaheim system including two All Star selections, we had a successful career in Europe playing in the KHL, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic.
“My grandparents moved to Las Vegas in 1989 and our family vacationed in Las Vegas quite often. We had a vacation home in Las Vegas and we spent many summers here. I remember attending several hockey camps at the old Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena. In 2007 my parents retired here as well and my wife and I bought a house shortly afterwards. We spent all of summers in Henderson.
“My father Frank was coaching hockey in Las Vegas and we would help him with clinics and practices during the summers. He had a couple of players who were looking for extra training so we began to help find ice time to give them lessons. Dell Truax, head coach at the Jr Golden Knights, asked me to coach at some skills clinics and Wally Lacroix, the GM at the Sobe Ice Arena, let me coach his VJGK 14u team at the VJGK Memorial Day Tournament.
“We received a few offers to play in Europe, but decided to retire from professional hockey and stay in Las Vegas. That fall my Dad and I coached the VJGK 10u B squirts for the VJGK and the rest is history. It’s been a whirlwind since we stopped playing but it has been extremely rewarding and motivating to have been so well received by the hockey community in the Vegas Valley.”
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LAS VEGAS COACH ROB PALLIN AND ESK KAUFBUREN ON HOT RUN
Las Vegas coach Rob Pallin and his ESV Kaufburen team in Germany have been on a hot run, winning six of their last seven games. Coach Rob said ” We continue to get better and grow confidence in our systems. We played a very good team last night and won 6-2. Our leading goal scorers are John Lammers, who was a draft pick for the NHL Dallas Stars and Tyler Spurgeon of Canada who was a draft pick by NHL Edmonton. We want to wish everyone in Las Vegas a Happy and Safe New Year!!
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2020 VEGAS HOCKEY AWARDS
Best Coaches UNLV – Anthony Greener, Nick Robone
Best Coach UPSHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds – Dave Hyrsky
Best International Coach – Rob Pallin, ESVK Kaufbeuren
Best High School Coach – Pokey Reddick
Best AA 16u Coach – Wally Lacroix, Vegas Jr Golden Knights
Best AA 14u Coach – Matt Johnson, Vegas Jr Golden Knights
Best Roller Hockey Coach – Kevin Conaway, Sin City Barons
Las Vegas Hockey Person of the Year – Brian Salcido, HSK Henderson, Hockey Director
Best NCAA – Dom Garcia, Arizona State
Best AHL – Gage Quinney
Best ECHL – Bryce Reddick, Joe Sullivan
Best WHL – Eric Atchison
Best NAHL – Seth Bergeron
Best NA3HL – Gunner Moore, Luke Fundator
Best SPHL – Brennan Blasczak
Best USPHL Premier – Jerertt Overland, Hunter Barto
Best USPHL Elite – Tristan Nelson
Best NAPHL – Austin Moline
Best Player Las Vegas Thunderbirds – Nate Mohr
Best Defenseman Las Vegas Thunderbirds – Trey Ponto
Best Las Vegas Roller Players – Matt Abraham, Nick Robone, Darion Conaway, Andrew Tamura, Billy Tufano
Best AAA 18u – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wolves; ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel, AAA Connecticut Chiefs; Goalie Zackary Ortolano, AAA Shattuck St. Mary’s
Best AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u – Micah Williamson, Andrew Crawford, Kenneth Curtis
Best AAA 14u – Fuzzy Atchison, Jack Lackas, Chayse Laurie with AAA Arizona Bobcats
Best AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u – Forwards – Connor Beers, Chase Nehring, Carter Adams; Defense – Kaden Mulcahy, Hunter Toms; Goalie – Kameron Laskaskas
Best Referees – Adam Hendren, Wally Lacroix multiple winner; Ryan Townsend, previous winner
Best writer on Vegas Hockey – Bethany Drysdale has won 3 straight years; Kat Craner tremendous interviews with top UNLV players and coaches.
Best hometown hockey website – Las Vegas Ice Center (lots of updates, easy to navigate, multiple winner here),
Best hockey websites – SinBin.Vegas; Gregg Drinnan’s daily hockey blog in Canada
Best Hockey Dad – Steve Allen – totally recovered after The Genius vaporized him at the rinkboards in one of our hockey adventure stories over at the Pepsi Arena.
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Las Vegas Goal Scorers Away From Home – 2020-21 Season
Goals
20 – Jack Lackas, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006
19 – Fuzzy Atchison, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006
15 – Chayse Laurie, AAA Arizona Bobcats team 2006
10 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u
8 – Hunter Barto, USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose
7 – Austin Moline, NAPHL NorthStar Knights 16u – Minnesota
4 – Gunner Moore, NA3HL Atlanta Capitals
3 – Dexter Kichline, Bishop Kearney Selects 15u
3 – Ian Williams, AAA Wenatchee Wild 18u – Washington
2 – Mykah Carter, NAPHL Northwest Stars 16u – Seattle
2 – Ethan Sodoma, NA3HL Texas Roadrunners
1 – Gia Avalone, AAA Anaheim Lady Ducks 19u
1 – Seth Bergeron, NAHL Black Bears
1 – Aidan McNabb, USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes
1 – Cameron Sylvester, USPHL Premier Hampton Road Whalers
1 – Gabriel Testa, USPHL Premier Motor City Hockey Club
To add, revise or tweak send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Friday, December 25, 2020 – It’s Christmas Day…..
THE VEGAS KID WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
Our Annual Christmas Story
By Lee Samuels
Las Vegas – That didn’t take long. Brian Salcido’s handheld lighted device turned pink for a moment, then there was a bright pulsing redness.
Sector 4 it read in bright gold letters.
Salcido, who runs the Pepsi Ice Arena over on North Rancho Drive, knew it was trouble.
Sector 4 was the casino buffet area. Which is where Johnny Gold and the Barstow brothers were having a pre-game meal.
Salcido hustled to the buffett area and the Barstow brothers said they don’t pay for their pre-game meals because they are so special.
In a few moments it was all handled.
“You’re lucky,” Johnny Gold said curtly. “We were ready to leave town. And if we leave town we’re taking Christmas with us.”
He wore a gold outfit and when he smiled there was a golden glow.
His coach, Jack Black from East LA, was sitting over in a side booth, smiling gently.
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Tonight’s big game – Johnny Gold and the Barstow Brothers plus linemates against the hometown Las Vegas team had been sold out for weeks. Actually no tickets were sold, there were given away to locals who had been battling covid stuff for what has seemed to be forever. Salcido said it the right thing to do, let everyone in and enjoy.
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The Las Vegas coaches include Rob Pallin, Anthony Greener, John McNicholas, Matt Johnson. All have been winning coaches for years. They were going over some pre-game stuff. Star reporter Bethany Drysdale with a thick notebook was there as well as Gramps who was getting the players game sticks in order behind the bench. Skitters, the rink kitten who usually wanders into problem areas on game nights, was there as was newcomer Ruby the Rink Dog who was there basically to watch over Skitters.
Hi-tech Ryan was there too. He was there to figure out how Johnny Gold’s golden stick shaft turns emerald green when he perfectly lines up a shot and fires in goal after goal.
In the Pro Shop was the great kid Leah who was baking cookies for the players. Dave Francis, the best blade sharpener in town, had quite a few skates and blades to work on. He kept a pot of coffee on to share with the players Dads, Moms, Uncles and Aunts.
During the pre-game coach Rob asked Tommy Ricketts, who was also on the bench, who and what is Johnny Gold and what makes him so special.
“Well, he hasn’t lost a game in years. Two weeks ago in Big Mountain fans got out of shape when Johnny scored seven times. The Barstow brothers give him protection from hometown enforcers. Sometimes it gets real nasty out there on the ice,” Tommy said.
“Let’s put extreme pressure on Johnny Gold anytime he carries the puck,” said Miracle on Ice Harris Whissel.
But why does Johnny Gold’s golden stick turn emerald green when he fired off rocket blasts.
That’s when Pallin turned to the youngest on the bench, kid Ryan who is a whiz in mathematics and science.
“Can you figure this out?” Pallin asked Ryan
“Shouldn’t be that hard actually,” Ryan said.
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Ryan had a hand device called Digital Power Analyzer. He bought it over at the Swap Meet on Charleston Avenue in Las Vegas. Didn’t cost much. But it sure figures things out if you know what to do with it.
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Before the game the Barstow brothers came to the Vegas bench to talk to coach McNicholas.
The big Barstow brother, with the reddish beard, said “…we heard about your son John Paul. We played a lot of games with him. Good player who played with all of his heart. We wanted to let you know now because sometimes fans chase us out of town.”
The two Barstow brothers tapped their glove to McNicholas’ right hand.
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Just then Gramps said “hey…Skitters is missing and Ruby the Rink Dog just went over to Johnny Gold’s bench to get her back.”
Salcido turned to coach Rob and asked “does things like this happen in most of your games” and Rob said not really, only when Johnny Gold is on the ice.
“By the way during warmups the Barstow Brothers told our players they don’t believe in Santa and they said he’s not coming here tomorrow night. Some of our younger players are terribly upset,” said Vegas coach Matt Johnson.
“Santa will be coming,” coach Rob said. “We promised that to our daughters.”
Johnny Gold then blasted in back to back shots. He drove to the net, wound up and each time his golden stick shaft turned emerald green and the puck rocketed into the Vegas net.
Coach Rob asked Kid Ryan Zurfluh if could figure what is going on here.
Sure, Ryan said. He knew Johnny Gold had an hidden source of power for his golden stick.
Ryan turned on his handheld Digital Power Analyzer and followed its signal.
He walked towards the back of the Pepsi Arena, walked past the two Zamboni’s and Digital Power Analyzer got louder.
And there it was…
Johnny Gold’s team bus. The Golden One it said on the side of the bus.
And the energy beeping was coming from inside the bus.
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There was some sort of energy device inside the team bus sending electronic waves out to Johnny Gold. In a few short moments, Ryan unplugged the power cord and shut down the energy device.
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When Johnny Gold couldn’t score he walked off the ice taking the two Barstow brothers with him. And when he reached the south rinkboards he swung his golden stick hard and it a broke into hundreds of pieces. At that very same moment the back gate opened and Peppers, the zany Zamboni driver, drove onto the ice for a cleanup.
While all of this was going on hockey writer Bethany Drysdale was working on her second notebook.
Hockey Dad Steve Allen of Las Vegas was pounding the rink glass in joy.
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And what eventually happened to Kid Ryan.
From that very moment on he was known in Las Vegas as…..
The Kid Who Saved Christmas
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Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the 2021 WHL Draft, previously referred to as the WHL Bantam Draft, has been rescheduled and will be conducted in December 2021. The WHL Draft was originally scheduled to take place in May 2021.
“Moving the 2021 WHL Draft from May to December allows additional time for players in the 2006 age group to be evaluated following a challenging season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We anticipate minor hockey leagues and tournaments will be fully operational in the fall, which will allow players to compete at a high level once again.”Players eligible for the 2021 WHL Draft will be 2006-born players who reside in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
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THE KID WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
They are on their roadtrip right now. Johnny Gold, with his solid gold hockey stick which has electronic honing devices for easy goal scoring and the Barstow Brothers have road games in Montana, Colorado, Arizona and will soon be at the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive. To all – including Vegas hockey dad Steve Allen – please do not get too close the rinkboards on game night. Our hometown coaches including Rob Pallin, Anthony Greener, John McNicholas, Matt Johnson, hockey dad Tommy Ricketts plus Gramps over by the stick rack, award winning hockey writer Bethany Drysdale on the Vegas bench and ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas have to deal with all of this in our annual Christmas story. Dave Francis will be in the Pro Shop. Kid Leah Zurfluh will be baking cookies in the Pro Shop and her old pre-teen brother Ryan will be looking for a technical way to shut down Johnny Gold. Brian Salcido, director of hockey and the arena for that matter, will be a calming centerpiece in this story called The Kid Who Saved Christmas.
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Tuesday, December 22, 202
The first-year USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds have extreme firepower. Top goal goal scorer Nate Mohr, 19, is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is listed at 6’1, 170. He initially played tier hockey with the AAA Rocky Mountain Roughriders.
As we approach the Christmas holidays here is an overall look at the top goal scorers for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds who have a record of 11-4-1. Dave Hyrsky is head coach, Adam Bonaldi is GM and John Marks is the president.
Goals
16 – Nate Mohr
10 – Heath Mensch, Keith Shenkel
9 – Ethan Knutsen
8 – Arik Altman, Trey Ponto
7 – AJ Lackas, Mark Kurliandchyk
6 – Austen Kerridge
4 – Braden Husby
3 – Anthony Juric
2 – Nick Bonaldi, Tanner Turcotte, Petr Teuber
1 – Jack Boyd, Nick Dufek, Mark Nowag, Kevin Hanly
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Monday Game
Estero, Fla. – Cameron Sylvester of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Hampton Roads Whalers lost a tough one, 2-1 to the USPHL Florida Jr Blades here at the Hertz Ice Arena, Blue Rink.
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How to contact Vegashockey – leesamuels07@aol.com
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Sunday Scores
Breaking – The Wally Lacroix-coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u today beat the AA Nashville Jr Predators 16u 5-0 at the StarCenter in McKinney, Texas.
Weekend Scores
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Head Coach Wally Lacroix
All Games at StarCenter in McKinney, Texas
0-1 to McKinney North Stars
1-2 to Nashville Jr Predators
5-0 over Nashville Jr Predators
4-3 over McKinney North Stars
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AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Head Coach – Matt Johnson
All Games at StarCenter in McKinney, Texas
3-0 over Nashville Jr Predators
3-6 to McKinney North Stars
5-1 over Nashville Jr Predators
Sunday evening
1-3 to McKinney North Stars
//This was a 1-1 game with six minutes to play; then McKinney North Stars scored on a powerplay and then near end of the game North Stars got an empty-net goal.
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Estero, Fla. – With the clock ticking down towards Christmas week Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes beat the USPHL Premier Atlanta Mad Hatters today – Sunday – by 2-0 at the Hertz Ice Arena on the Green Rink.
Orland Park, Illinois – Hunter Barto of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Minnesota Moose beat the USPHL Premier Metro Jets today 2-1. The Jets had more shots 42-32 in this game at the Arctic Ice Arena on the European Rink.
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Saturday USPHL Premier Game…..
Tempe, Arizona – Trey Ponto scored his 8th goal of the season and teammates Tanner Turcotte got his 2nd goal, Ethan Knutsen 9th and Nate Mohr 16th as the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds scored three times in the third period to beat the San Diego Sabers 4-1 here at the Oceanside Arena. Colin Gallamore was the goalie for the T-Birds who are the USPHL Premier Pacific Division leaders. The mighty T-Birds had more shots 47-27.
Las Vegas scoring
LV – Trey Ponto 8th from Nick Bonaldi, Keith Shenkel
LV – Tanner Turcotte 2nd from Mark Kurliandchyk, Mark Nowag
LV – Ethan Knutsen 9th from Keith Shenkel, Nate Mohr
LV – Nate Mohr 16th from Ethan Knudsen
LV goalie – Colin Gallamore
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Estero, Florida – Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas and the USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes beat the USPHL Premier Florida Eeels 2-1 here Saturday at the Hertz Ice Arena Green Rink.
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Weekend Goal Scorers – December 18-21, 2020
Goals
4 – Mark Kurliandchyk, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
3 – Ash Printzen, AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u
2 – Trey Ponto, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
1 – Austen Kerridge, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
1 – Ethan Knudsen, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
1 – Heath Mensch, USPHL Las Vegas Thunderbirds
1 – Nate Mohr, USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds
1 – Tanner Turcotte, USPHL Las Vegas Thunderbirds
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It’s easy to report game scores and highlights here on Vegashockey.net – send to leesamuels07@aol.com
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Friday Games
Tempe, Arizona – Mark Kurliandchyk hammered in four goals for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds who beat the San Diego Sabers 7-1 here at Oceanside Arena. Mark, 19, is listed at 6’3″ and 195. He is from Belarus. The T-Birds, in their debut season in USPHL Premier, have a record of 10-4-1.
Las Vegas scoring
LV – Mark Kurliandchyk 4th goal of season from Trey Ponto, Tanner Turcotte
LV – Austen Kerridge 6th from Heath Mensch, Arik Altman
LV – Mark Kurliandchyk 5th from Keith Shenkel, Nate Mohr
LV – Mark Kurliandchyk 6th from Trey Ponto
LV – Trey Ponto 7th from Jeremiah DeValk
LV – Heath Mensch 10th from Arik Altman, Trey Ponto
LV – Mark Kurliandchyk 7th from Heath Mensch, Austen Kerridge
LV goalie – Anthony Bonaldi
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Independence, Missouri – Joe Sullivan of Las Vegas and the ECHL Indy Fuel beat the hometown Kansas City Mavericks 4-3 in overtime before 2169 here at the Cable Dahmer Arena.
Estero, Fla. – Aidan McNabb of Las Vegas dealt an assist for the USPHL Premier Carolina Jr Hurricanes in a 4-2 loss to the USPHL Premier Tampa Bay Juniors on Friday here at the Hertz Blue Rink.
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Big game scorer Ash Printzen of Las Vegas had 3 goals for AAA Meijer Western Michigan girls 19u in a big 6-2 win over rival AAA Detroit Little Caesars girls 19u. Ash has 13 goals this season.
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The Wally Lacroix coached AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u and the Matt Johnson coached Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u are off to Dallas for weekend games. The Jr Golden Knights announced the Vegas Jr Golden Knights 10u are also on this big road trip.
AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u
Head Coach – Wally Lacroix
StarCenter, Mckinney, Texas
Saturday, Dec 19 – Final – McKinney NorthStars 16u 2, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 16u 1
Sunday, Dec 20 – vs Coral Springs Makos
Sunday, Dec 20 – vs Nashville Jr Predators
Monday, Dec 21 – vs Nashville Jr Predators
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AA Vegas Jr Golden Knights 14u
Head Coach – Matt Johnson
Saturday, Dec 19 – vs Nashville Jr Predators
Saturday, Dec 19 – vs McKinney North Stars 6, Vegas Jr Golden Knights 3
Sunday, Dec 20 – vs Nashville Jr Predators
Sunday, Dec 20 – vs McKinney North Stars
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Saturday Searches – #1 Flashback 2004 The Last Skate at the Santa Fe Stations Ice Arena; #2 Ash Printzen; #3 Leroy Garcia, roller hockey; #4 Micah Sanford; #5 Micah Williamson (repeated searches); #6 Luke Fundator, goalie; #7 The Barstow Brothers; #8 Hockey dad Steve Allen and rinkboard dustup with The Genius last summer; #9 Rob Pallin; #10 Anthony Greener; #11 Wally Lacroix, Todd Owen; #12 Rink Rats #1, #2 at Pepsi Arena
Coming Soon Here – The Kid Who Saved Christmas – Our annual holiday story – Johnny Gold and the Barstow Brothers invade the Pepsi Arena on North Rancho Drive …Lee
THE KID WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
BY LEE SAMUELS AND DAUGHTER/AUTHOR MARY CATE ZURFLUH
Story will soon be released here on Vegashockey.net
Our cast includes
Johnny Gold and the Barstow Brothers from East LA. Johnny, in his gold gear, plays with a solid gold hockey stick with electronic honing devices for ez goal scoring. The grinch-like Barstow Brothers clear his pathway to attack areas on the ice.
Pepsi Arena Exec
Brian Salcido
Coaches
Rob Pallin
Anthony Greener
Matt Johnson
John McNicholas
Tommy Ricketts – researcher
Players in the Game include ‘Miracle on Ice’ Harris Whissel of Las Vegas
On the Las Vegas Bench
Bethany Drysdale, hockey writer
Gramps, over by the stick rack
Ryan Zurfluh, age 11
Leah Zurfluh, age 9
Guest Stars
Visiting coach Jack Black
Dave Francis in the Pro Shop. Best blade sharpener in town.
Hockey dad Steve Allen of Las Vegas
Peppers, the zany Zamboni driver – Peppers created by hockey dad Jay Zurfluh
Ruby, the Rink Dog – Ruby’s first big game
Skitters, the baby rink kitten who invaribly wanders to the wrong bench and gets captured. Skitters created by hockey dad Jay Zurfluh–
Want to be in the story email me leesamuels07@aol.com
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NARCh Roller Tournament Update heading into 2021!
There’s at least some hope and optimism that we can get back to a more normal tournament schedule in 2021, but the first few months of the year are still going to be a bit turbulent do to Covid-19. Here’s the current update on events.
- Jan 8th-10th – The Colorado Event is being moved back a month to February 5th-7th and renamed Rocky Mountain Cup!
- Jan 15th-18th – MLK Weekend has always been used to host Winternationals. With California still closed to youth sports, we are still going to have a great tournament at the Tucson Indoor Sports Arena in Arizona. With only one rink, this Pacific Cup Tournament will max out at 35-40 teams. We will offer 8u/10u/12u/14u/16u/18u and expect it to fill quickly.
- Winternationals has been rescheduled for March 12th-14th at the Rinks in Irvine, with the possibility of the Rinks in Corona as overflow if needed.
- Jan 29th-31st – We are heading back to Tucson for a Men’s/Women’s Tournament! The facility has a restaurant/bar and we expect this Pacific Cup Event to be a really fun tournament for the adults that haven’t had an opportunity to play tournament hockey in a long time.
- Feb 19th-21st – We originally scheduled to go to Hot Shots in PA and are pushing that back one weekend to Feb 26th-28th due to the facility accidentally double booking our original weekend. We are very excited to get back East and hope this will be an amazing event for all ages, including a Pro Division!
You can register for any of the events here –
We will continue to monitor the landscape in each state and offer tournaments at facilities where we can do so safely within government guidelines. Hopefully in the upcoming weeks we can put a more concrete schedule out for the rest of 2021.
One thing is certain, we plan on hosting the NARCh FINALS at the Rinks in Irvine on July 9th-18th and we’re getting interest from all over the WORLD for this event! With the continued uncertainties the next few months, we are focused on this tournament being the ultimate goal and our only NARCh FINALS EVENT for 2021!
Thank you for your continued support and patience.
NARCh Staff
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USPHL Premier Pacific Standings
#1 Fresno Monsters 13-2-0
#2 Las Vegas Thunderbirds 9-4-0
#3 Anaheim Avalanche 5-11-1
#4 San Diego Sabers 1-9-0
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Thursday Top Searches
#1 Anthony Greener; #2 Rob Pallin; #3 Micah Williamson – big game goal scorer; #4 Harris Whissel; #5 Ash Printzen; #6 Chris Francis; #7 Ian Williams; #8 Matt Johnson; #9 Michael McNicholas; #10 Johnnie Gold and the Barstow Brothers heading to Vegas; #11 Skitters, the rink kitten who wanders to the wrong bench on game nights
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Trey Ponto, a 6’2, 195 lb powerful defenseman for the USPHL Premier Las Vegas Thunderbirds, was rewarded with major award – The Defenseman of the Week in the Pacific Division of the USPHL Premier. Trey, 19, is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He has 6 goals, 5 assists this season.
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Las Vegas goalie Logan Perez was awesome in the net for the AAA Arizona Bobcats bantams 14u who beat the rugged, tough AAA Phoenix Jr Coyotes 2-1 this past weekend. In the second game of this series Jack Lackas, Fuzzy Atchison and Chayse Laurie helped the Bobcats beat the Coyotes 6-3. The Bobcats are off to Dallas this weekend playing in a NAPHL Holiday Tournament.
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LATE SKATE BY FAMOUS ARTIST TERRENCE FOGARTY
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By Wendy Roksvold
Las Vegas – The LV Storm bantams 14u won/swept all three scrimmages against LV Ice Warriors with shut outs this weekend! Unbelievable! Actually this team has not been scored on in 4 games and one period.
Nick Talton in net Friday night at LVIC with a 4-0 win for the team (many sick saves). Saturday morning, Gunnar Roksvold with a 5-0 win for the team- some great saves, and the afternoon game with Nick in net – another shut out 7-0. This team has special chemistry! Donuts left and right! Great coaching by Tara Nilles.
Gunny had a house league game last night and won that game 6-1 (I believe- we stopped counting).
Tonight Gunnar back in net for a Crosstown Ice Game at Pepsi Center (Sobe) at 7:30pm LVIC vs Pepsi 14u.
He just started growing and just passed me- hard to believe the little boy at Kyl