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The rise of junior hockey's Sunbelt kids

MATTHEW SEKERES

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:02 AM EST 22/05/08

The WHL's latest recruits hail from the beaches of California, the Arizona desert and even Viva Las Vegas ...Read the full article

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  1. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: What about the Czechs,Swedes,Slovaks,Russians,Fins etc...?
  2. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: This can only be good for hockey. Could the NHL actually be right about Sunbelt expansion?I have seen some Bantam teams from Texas and North Carolina and was very impressed by the quality of the players. Cheap shot about the hockey being done the "American Way". I'm guessing there are youth teams all over Toronto that train all year, and have conditioning and nutrition counseling as part of the program. I think you also have hockey dads that build $100,000 backyard rinks. That's the "Canadian" way.
  3. Michael Enright from Toronto, Canada writes: What about Takuma Kawai of the Gatineau Olympiques - this kid came to Canada from Japan in 2003 to play hockey. Now that is commitment/love of the game.
  4. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Was working in LA when Gretzky was traded to the Kings. Rarely has so much interest ever been shown in any individual in Holly Starwood. The Gretzky hype surpassed nearly all. Coupled with at that time the NFL team had even WORSE hilarious idiotic (pro trumpet player and showgirl widow owners) management than any sports organization including the Maple Leafs before or since. Hockey had the door opened in Shaky City for the first time. And Gretzky was the king of all the Kings.

    The NHL has granted some of the goofiest franchises to impossible places like Cleveland and horror of horrors Oakland for Gods sake.
    Then removed teams from great hockey towns like Quebec City and Winnipeg proving the Hockey must be the Greatest Game on Earth to survive the people who run it.

    Rumour has it there are thoughts of expanding to Kansas City and Las Vegas. Might succeed in KC, but NEVER, never, never in LVegas because of it's demographics which are largely transitory and not permanently citizens in the Glitzy. Hell you could put the New England Patriots in Lost Wages and they would probably fail there too.

    Why the Geniuses that run the NHL do not grant a franchise to Seattle is a mystery to millions of hockey lovers.

    SEATTLE is a real hockey town. You could charge $9000 bucks a ticket and those rich hockey nuts in Seattle would not only fill the rink they would pay to watch a screen in the rainy parking lot too.

    Mr Bettman before you LOSE a billion in Las Vegas (which you will).
    Why not make a few billions in the RICH Evergreen State first?
  5. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Hap Stokes- Pardon the pun but Seattle would be a slam dunk now that the basketball team is heading to Oklahoma City. Jim Basille would be right at home in Seattle.
  6. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: No different if NHL would just play with Canadians/Americans as before...

    And..left all the europeans in their Countries....
  7. E. Biggs from Canada writes: We have a number of Yank kids in our BCJHL and they are as good as any.

    I watched a Korean kid in camp this year who was truly special and could skate like the wind could not understand why he was not on the team.

    I was told (not verified) that only kids born and resident in North American could play in the league. At one level that makes some sense, but still don't like it.

    Some of the Yank kids have their parents fly from Cal etc. every week to see the kid play and probably check to see that he is eating well etc.

    Hockey parents are nut cases but God Bless them all.
  8. Brian Dell from Alberta, Canada writes: "...California, with a population of roughly 36 million"

    I think this is misleading because it suggests that players are coming from the entire population when in fact it's pretty much exclusively Caucasians, which are a minority in California.
  9. Cheryl Nelson from Bloomington, MN, United States writes: Hap Stokes from Canada writes: "Why the Geniuses that run the NHL do not grant a franchise to Seattle is a mystery to millions of hockey lovers." _____ It may have something to do with NHL internal agreement rules created by owners which defined "market areas" protecting each franchise from the parachuting of a franchise into its defined market area - witness the Maple Leafs' fight to keep a relocating franchise out of Hamilton. These rules are determined by geographical distince from an existing franchise. Under such an arrangement, Seattle may be located within a market area the league defines as solely belonging to the Vancouver Canucks. You'd find the same sort of battle if someone were to propose moving a new or moving franchise into Milwaukee - currently defined as part of the Chicago Blackhawks market area. Has anyone heard of any market studies undertaken to determine the suitability of Portland, OR as a potential NHL venue? I lived in Dallas when Norm Green moved the former Minnesota North Stars into Reunion Arena in the early 90s. Back then, only one full-time rink existed in the area - in suburban Irving - which the Stars contracted to use as their practice rink. There were a handful of kids' programs around town, operating mostly in two or three permanent rinks located within shopping centers and a downtown hotel. At least one of these rinks was only a half-sheet. Most of the kids were offspring of Northern transplants. Now there's a network of 5 centers scattered across the metro. How times have changed!
  10. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Cheryl Nelson from Bloomington, MN
    Off course you are on to something I forgot Cheryl.
    Those unofficial (hidden) NHL territorial monopolies.
    You are right about Toronto and probable Buffalo too (re Hamilton).
    Toronto protests every new NHL proposal out of just nasty habit.

    In fact Cheryl, suspect Toronto will protest Honolulu too (in 2118)

    In the Seattle/Vanc case any application by Seattle would be so strongly supported by BC residents that even if the Canucks wanted to keep Seattle out of the NHL they wouldn't DARE protest. Besides many in the Canucks organization would secretly do an Irish Jig if Seattle was granted an NHL franchise.

    Don't know if Portland would succeed or fail. There once was a very good WHL pro team there (the Buckaroos) and they were seemingly successful with a good fan base. Seattle and Portland are naturally competitive against each other in all activities including SPORTS. But Oregon is more Basketball/Football interested than Hockey.

    There is another IMPORTANT factor always overlooked by the people who run sports leagues concerning 'Out Doors Life Styles'.--Oregon like all the N/W is an outdoors bonanza. People can fish, camp, ski or a myriad of things all year long in Oregon's moderate climate. The same guy climbing Mt Hood or fishing the Columbia Riv is probably the same guy that will attend Tail Gate Parties too. In short any spectator sport will have to compete with Mother Nature in Portland.

    PS Just watched Russia win the Gold Medal (in O/T) at Quebec City and Minny's Burns was outstanding in that loss playing D--I always thought he was a Forward.--Dumb old me.
  11. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: The USA are developing as many good players via the College system...

    It's just hard to find a prototypical hockey player who is almost smart and a good student at the same time....

    Otherwise,the players are much more better off in the College system then in WHL or OHL....
  12. Odin Phoenix from Phoenix, AZ, United States writes: I currently have a son that has played hockey in Arizona for 2 years and the growth of the sport in just the last two years is incredible. We have a new dual rink facility nearing completion. A dual rink facility in the far west valley is being planned and I heard that the Ice Den in Scottsdale may add a third sheet of ice. I think there are lot of factors that play into the growth including good coaches, money, and transplants.

    I don't have much experience with hockey personally, but I have played other organized sports and the local hockey coaches are the best in any sport that I have ever dealt with. Most of the coaches are certified at USA Hockey's highest coaching level. We also have a decent number of Canadian ex-pro players (Randy Exelby, Sean Whyte, Harry Mahood and more) heavily involved in youth hockey.

    The cost of living here is fairly low and there are a lot of people that are very wealthy. In addition to the money that the individuals (parents) bring there is corporate backing for hockey now. Over the last year I have read about two companies donating large amounts of money to youth hockey here. This has lead to free clinics and top level player development.

    In addition to the players and coaches there are a lot of Canadian and Snowbelt transplants (snowbirds) in Arizona. I always knew that there were a lot of snowbirds in Arizona, but it wasn't until we got involved in hockey that I realized how many permanent transplants there were here. There are two children of Canadians on my sons team alone.

    I don't think the southern U.S. will ever be the center of the hockey universe, but I do think the potential for us to produce pro-caliber players on a regular basis is growing rapidly. It is exciting and a lot of fun. Thanks for the great sport Canada.
  13. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Paul I writes, "Seattle would be a slam dunk now that the basketball team is heading to Oklahoma City." Seattle lacks a NHL arena, the Key was purposefully built to keep away the NHL. If a new arena comes up, likely in Bellevue, WA (the Renton proposal was written to fail), I would agree that the Emerald City would be a great location.

    Cheryl Nelson writes, "Has anyone heard of any market studies undertaken to determine the suitability of Portland, OR as a potential NHL venue?" Paul Allen attempted twice to buy and move teams into his Rose Garden arena (Penguins in 1999, Coyotes in 2000) and was rebuffed at the last minute, both times by Bettman's "No US domestic moves" policy. Paul Allen has lost interest in the NHL and controls access to the Rose Garden (when he lost control of the arena for a couple of years, the new owners did send out a notice that the Rose Garden was available to any interested parties).

    Both Seattle and Portland were part of the PCHA founded by the Patrick Brothers, when the Stanley Cup was a challenge cup played against the eastern NHA/NHL. Both cities' teams played the Habs for the Cup after WW I.
  14. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Hap Stokes mentions the WHL (senior) Buckaroos ... they had a reunion a couple of years ago, players included Tom McVeigh and Doug Messier (Moose's Dad). One thing that I can't figure out is how basketball is so much more popular here in PDX but not hockey since it's more of a natural than, say, San Jose which has seriously become a new hub in US hockey country. The junior Winter Hawks are having financial issues and are looking to leave town, maybe even cash out their lease early.
  15. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Hap Stokes mentions the WHL (senior) Buckaroos ... they had a reunion a couple of years ago, players included Tom McVeigh and Doug Messier (Moose's Dad).

    Used to know (most all) the Buck guys once. Those bums still owe me some beer. Funny can't remember Doug Messier?? Alain Caron (the 40 goal R/W man) passed a few years back in Quebec. That was a great pro team, too bad the Canucks got in the NHL and then the WHA drove the final nail in the coffin of the great WHL.

    The Canucks left the WHL for the NHL with basically the same WHL team and remember the Nucks were in 4th place at Christmas break. That woke those snobby NHL easterners up to the WHL caliber.

    Hope the Winter Hawks stay Gary. Remember getting stuck for a VERY big Pizza bill one night for those little Hawk pleecks, down by the Columbia River Bridge.
  16. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Hap, here's the story of the Buckaroos' reunion that can be found on the Portland Tribune's web site (the second local paper is a weekly, once twice weekly). Dwight Jaynes, the assistant publisher, is also the sports editor and a big hockey fan. They also cover the Winter Hawks more than their daily paper, The Oregonian.

    http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=24091

    There is also a sports memorabilia web site for the Bucks:

    http://www.portlandbuckaroos.com/

    The bridge up by the Columbia River, near the airport, is just called the I-5 ... that's the crossing between Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA that you are referring to?

    As for competition between sports and the outdoors, Portland is urban enough that many people will opt for indoor or city activities but more likely in the rainy season (mid-October through mid-May). Portland has also become the Austin, TX of the Pacific as bands and musicians are priced out of other west coast cities, even Seattle. But for sports, the Trailblazers are the main attraction and Paul Allen is not likely to countenance any competition for tickets unless the Blazers are nearly sold out (which was the case in the 90's, not now). The team is unlikely to leave since there is a personal guarantee, transferable to any new owner, to keep the Blazers here until 2025 (and Allen was rumored to attempt buying out the contract by donating the Rose Garden, the city and county refused). Until that happens, or the Blazers with Greg Oden sell out for a decade like the Bulls with Michael Jordan, I fear that there is not enough room for a NHL franchise in Portland, Oregon.
  17. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Portland Buckaroos, Seattle Totems, San Francisco Seals, Canucks. Were there any other teams in the WHL? My first Pee-Wee team was called the Buckaroos.
  18. Chris Michaels from Oakville, Canada writes: I'm still surprised that this many kids can get good enough to crack a CHL roster. Kudos to them and their organization.

    I just see how many kids play hockey here in southern Ontario, how many good teams there are at every level (below A to AAA) and how few actually even get to Jr. B or C hockey.

    My guess is that those kids in California (and others), have deep pocketed parents who can afford the best of the best. But still...always surprises me how players from non-traditional markets get enough competition, skill development, and plain old hockey hunger to make it to junior at 16.

    Wonder if our organizations could have a look at what those sunbelt minor systems are doing.
  19. King 99 from Canada writes: Hap Stokes from Canada writes:

    SEATTLE is a real hockey town. You could charge $9000 bucks a ticket and those rich hockey nuts in Seattle would not only fill the rink they would pay to watch a screen in the rainy parking lot too.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Must be transplanted Torontonians.
  20. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Chris Michaels- keep in mind the other areas that were mentioned-Texas and North Carolina are developing some great young players. I'm not sure if the "deep pockets" theory would apply to those areas, but from what I have seen of travel teams, deep pockets, very deep pockets are mandatory.
  21. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon,
    Gary cannot thank you enough for those two articles.
    Man didn't know whether to laugh or cry seeing those faces again.

    --(It's the fancy restaurant on the south side of the Columbia Gary
    Close by the Rest Area not far from a little Mall)--.

    My wife made me quit hockey while still had a few unbroken bones remaining when I was almost 27 never made it as high as the AHL or on higher to the WHL.

    The article mentioned the low salaries back then. That is if we didn't OWE the team (for some reason??) wife might get cheque (maybe).

    Lived in Eugene for a while, but went broke then got a job at Boeing but my hick NS wife didn't like Seattle so we settled in Vanc.

    Didn't get very high in hockey, but you know how it is, always knew somebody that knew somebody in the game. Didn't know a single guy on the Canucks when we moved to Vanc, in fact only a few in the entire WHL. But in a few years knew half the guys in the league, at least the ones that guzzled beer after the game. I'm 71 now and was maybe 5 to 15 yrs older than most of those guys were back then. I think guys like Andy Bathgate, Phil Maloney, Guyle Fielder only tolerated me because I had lost more teeth than most of them and could swallow the beer quicker.

    Only 71 and still in damn great shape wonder if the Geritol Red Wings would give me a try-out Dave?

    Thanks for those copies, I really enjoyed them.
  22. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Hap Stokes- I always enjoy your stories. You need to write a piece for the Hockey News. You are the kind of guy that made Canadian hockey the great sport it is. You should have been a Trail Smoke Eater! Keep posting Hap. Thanks.

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