Brett

What a great opponent to support a great cause! Go Bears!

A story for kids and parents about Jeff Malott who scored a pretty nice goal here against the Sharks: We were recruiting Jeff when I was still coaching at Cornell. Benny our other assistant liked him as a player, but he hadn't yet jumped off the page. He had average production in the AJHL as a 19 year old and was going back for his 20 year old age-out year in junior hockey. At the beginning of the season, Jeff with his playing schedule couldn't get out for a visit but his parents were driving distance so they drove out to see campus and meet us as a coaching staff. On that visit, we absolutely fell in love with his parents - they were such great people. I cannot understate enough how much of a positive effect their visit had on our staff. Jeff had a pretty good start to his 20 year old junior year. Our research on his character was off the charts and meeting his parents we were blown away as well. And even though he hadn't yet proven himself in junior hockey (only 6 goals and 20 points in 53 games the prior year in the AJHL), we offered him a spot in our program. At worst, he would be a potential captain. Turns out his 20 year old year he scored 60 points, he lead his team to an AJHL championship (he also won a junior B championship a few years earlier), and became the captain at Cornell for the team that was number one in the country before Covid canceled the season. He signed a pro contract out of Cornell but only played games in his first season in the AHL and the ECHL. But with his character he just kept working, was a great leader, and willed his way to the NHL where he's scoring goals like this for the @LAKings. Benny's eye for talent is incredible seeing something in him even though he hadn't yet popped in junior hockey and he wasn't heavily recruited. And his character along with his family's character was just off the charts. I share this story because like we say all the time - everyone has a different path to high level hockey. And the players that are resilient, outwork everyone, and stay the course even if they don't get the result in the time they want it are the ones who put themselves in the best position to achieve their dream. And for the parents - we recruit and evaluate you too, not just your kids. Any college coach will tell you that they've crossed kids names off their list based on the behavior of a parent. But it goes the other way too. We fell in love with Jeff's parents and that absolutely played a role in our decision to offer him a spot in our program. Seeing this goal, there are a lot of people who couldn't be happier for Jeff and his family.

Hear what a few of our long-time athletes have to say 👇👇

A huge congrats to Colt Carter on being named to Team Canada Red for the U17 World Challenge! The defenseman has 4 goals and 10 points in 10 games for Moose Jaw in the WHL so far this season! #AHPFamily

A few things that East Grand Forks, Minnesota is doing a little bit differently… 1. Their 10u squirts play in-house until January when they form travel teams 2. Their 10u squirts play half ice games until January when they form travel teams 3. Their 10u squirt teams don’t have more than 10 players on a team 4. Their 10u squirts follow LTAD principles where all coaches are coaching all players in station based practices. Last season they won the Minnesota State High School championship. Associations are taking notice of their success and their LTAD (long term athlete development) approach and starting to incorporate these principles into their development plans. Amazing stuff.

Happy Thanksgiving!

“We’re all blessed equally with the ability to have a great attitude. It’s on you. It’s only on you. Attitude is only you,” Coach Krzyzewski The attitude of a winner dictates how preparation turns into performance. 🎥 @GlueGuys_Pod

🗣️ Mental Game Monday: The Work Will Always Be There🗣️ Want to change? If not now, when?

Camp opens Wednesday, September 3 with our first exhibition game on Friday the 5th, and an inter-squad game Sunday evening.

Tough as nails player and great teammate!

Dave Dawson of @HNLiveCA caught up with @Calgary_Canucks Rhett Melnyk moments after hoisting the #CentennialCup! 🏆

Red buckets for Life

Red buckets for Life!

Congrats to Rhett Melnyk and Jayden Joly!

The @Calgary_Canucks are 2025 #CentennialCup Champions! 🏆

This was a 3-game suspension earlier this season.

DACH WITH A VENGEANCE 👊 #GoHogs #CalderCup