Roseville Area Youth Hockey Association

Actions, decisions on the ice are tougher than they appear

As March madness approaches the interest in watching hockey increases to a fever pitch. There are many discussions in the stands about the various teams and the players. Many definitive statements are uttered a loud, many of them wrong or unfair to the players.

Hockey is very different than other team sports. It takes a tremendous amount of physical and mental skills to play the game at all, much less play well. Unlike the other team sports with set plays and rigid routes and patterns, hockey is a flowing game with constant substitutions and endless possibilities for play making. We use a phrase “read and react” to communicate to players that they must constantly observe the action around them and react accordingly. No time to check with the offensive or defensive coordinator or have a timeout huddle to diagram the last shot. Hockey is about constant movement up and down the ice.

Get the full article here:  http://minnesotahockeymag.com/hockey-easy-game-play-stands/

Roseville Girls High School Hockey — a member of the Suburban East Conference — held a 20th anniversary recognition ceremony Wednesday, January 28, at the Roseville Ice Arena. Award-winning alumnae were introduced prior to the start of the Roseville varsity game versus Edina followed by a ceremonial puck drop by Winny (Brodt) Brown at the face-off circle. The alumnae included four Ms. Hockey winners: Brown (1996), Ronda (Curtin) Engelhardt (1999), Renee (Curtin) Schwartz (2001) and Bethany Brausen (2010), as well as the 2012 Goalie of the Year, Erika Allen.

Click HERE for full story.

I never thought the time would come.

On Sunday, I took off my jersey and untied my skates for the last time. Sure, there will be beer leagues and drop-ins, but it will never be the same.

Throughout the last 20 years of my life, I dedicated my life to hockey. Some of my first memories growing up are roller blading around my garage at my old house in Traverse City, Michigan, making up situations in my head. We all did it. It’s the championship game in overtime, and the puck is on your stick.

I remember sitting on my Dad’s lap and watching Pittsburgh Penguins games with him. He would occasionally have a rum and Pepsi with him in a big glass, and when he’d jokingly offer me a sip, I always forgot there was booze in it and would take a drink anyway, only to spit it out in disgust.

I met my first friends through hockey, many of whom I still keep in contact with to this day. There’s something about the game that creates untouchable bonds between a group of people. Bonds that distance doesn’t break, which is something so rare.

Looking back, I was pretty lucky with all the things I got to experience. I got to be a captain in high school, juniors and college; I broke scoring records; I was first-team all-state twice; I got to play competitively until I was 23 years old.

However, there is no accomplishment that begins with the letter “I” that will ever come close to what I will miss most about playing hockey. One thing you learn early in hockey, is how much more important “we” is than “I.” The things I will miss most aren’t scoring goals, big hits and back-door feeds. I’m going to miss the locker room, the road trips, the stories, the chirps, the parties, the heads that turn when everyone walks into the bar together, and just the overall atmosphere that is created when a team is clicking on all cylinders.

“I did it for the story” lives deep inside many of us.

There is something to be said about hockey players. We’re a breed unlike any other, and it may be cliché, but the only way to understand it is if you have been a part of it. It’s never just a team, it’s a family. You will fight with your family, but when it comes down to it there isn’t a thing in the world you wouldn’t do to look after them.

Hockey has taught me more about life than anything else on this planet. You learn about discipline, courage, toughness, teamwork and communication, but most importantly it was the first aspect of life that will make you look at yourself in the mirror and ask, “how far am I willing to go? How far am I willing to push for what I want?”

On the ice, as in life, the person who is rewarded is the person who scratches and claws the farthest.

While the amount of turmoil I went through growing up pales in comparison to many others, the ice was always my therapy. You can’t ever skate away from your problems, but you can at least avoid them for the hour or two you are at the rink. When you step on the ice, life is perfect and all your problems have been resolved for the time being.

There’s a reason why it’s much easier to go to the rink at 5 a.m. than it is for work or school.

When life gave me adversity, hockey was my counseling. Watching my Mom go through breast cancer treatment when I was in high school wasn’t easy. Most of the time, I didn’t know how to act or what to say. I was a stubborn kid who refused to accept what was happening. But when I was on the ice playing in front of her, I always knew where she was. After games, she was always the first to greet me. Win or lose, she didn’t care. She knew I was happy.

During those moments at the rink, nothing was wrong.

While we all chased the dream growing up, there’s a reason why so many of our relationships fail. We’ve already fallen in love with the game because we know it’s something that will never leave us.

Hockey never cheats on you; Hockey never gets divorced; Hockey never dies. There is always a fresh sheet of ice somewhere. There is always a net to be sniped, and that first deep breath of cold air when stepping onto the ice is a feeling that can’t be topped.

Without hockey, my life would mean little. Without the people I’ve met through hockey, my life would mean nothing.

So after 20 years, it kills me to say goodbye. Thank you for everything you’ve given me, I will always be grateful. You’ve taught me more about myself and about life than I could have ever imagined.

To those still in action, keep chasing your dream. Keep bettering yourself. But most importantly, enjoy the ride and don’t miss a moment.

My career may be over, but the memories will last forever.

Shane Darrow is a Graduate student studying Journalism at Ohio University. He is currently an NHL writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @ShaneDarrow.

RAYHA traditionally has an end-of-the-year House Cup tournament for our C-Squirt teams and this year is no different. The House Cup is a fun and exciting wrap-up to the season.

Below is the schedule ending with the House Cup championship game on Sunday, March 8.

• Thurs March 5: Black vs Silver 7:00 PM Roseville Arena
• Friday March 6: Black vs White 7:55 PM Roseville Arena
• Saturday March 7: Silver vs White 8:00 PM Roseville Arena
• Sunday March 8: Seed 3 vs Seed 2 9:00 AM Roseville Arena (Semi-Final)
• Sunday March 8: Seed 1 vs Semi-Final Winner 4:30 PM Roseville Arena (House Cup Championship)

Come down to the rink and cheer on the C Squirts!

RAYHA parents and players:

Attached is the spring 3 x 3 program put together by Acceleration North and the RAYHA development personnel.  We are attempting to bring an improved program to the Roseville Ice Arena and to better utilize Acceleration North’s dry land facility for skating development, speed, strength, and overall athleticism.
We are accepting 2 mite groups this year and allowing 6-7 yr olds to participate in the on-ice portion as this age group is a little too young for the Acceleration piece - please register for on-ice only.  Older players (9 years and up) can sign up for both the on-ice and dry land sessions at a very affordable price.  Please indicate the age group you are signing up for in the TEAM/ASSOCIATION box when registering.

We are holding this program exclusively for RAYHA players until February 1st.  After that time, if level numbers are low, Acceleration will open it up to surrounding associations.

Please contact Acceleration at 651-486-0020 with any questions about the above program.

Curt Carbaugh, Owner
Acceleration North
Acceleration Golf and Fitness
O-651-486-0020
C- 612-817-4104
www.accelerationnorth.com