(Bend Rapids | Photo by Kimberly Teichrow)
Bend Rapids Youth Hockey Club Fields Team with National Potential
The Bend Rapids Youth Hockey Club announces an expansion of their program to the Tier II level with their first 16U AA team. The goal with this team is to provide an opportunity for players around the state to compete at a higher level. Statewide Tryouts were held in May. Sixty players have been selected and with initial practices and games under the belt, the opportunity to represent Oregon at the National Championships in March is a real possibility.
“This has been in the works since the Rapids came together and I, for one, am proud to see it come to fruition this season. Many people have put the pieces in place to help this team come together, not only past and present Steering Committee members but also members of the community at-large.” said Aaron Olson, Chair of the Bend Rapids Steering Committee.
The 16U AA team is lead by head coach, Jason Domitrovic, former professional hockey player for the Buffalo Wings and longtime Central Oregon hockey coach. “The 16U AA team is working extremely hard to prepare for the USA Hockey National Championships in Buffalo, New York, later on this season. The skaters are committed to increasing their game awareness, positional play and overall individual skills. The two Goalies are dedicated to achieving results in their attack position and decreasing the amount of time it takes them to make the save. All the units from forwards to defense to goaltending are improving at a rate that is showing measurable results as we are now competing down to the last seconds against the other AA teams who not too long ago had our number early on. The Coaching staff is up early and ready to go weekly with new and exciting drills and skills and most importantly TACTICS to reach the highest level of play.”
The game schedule for the 16U AA team includes matches in Boise, Denver, and Seattle and on their home ice in Bend.
NEWS LINKS: Recent KTVZ News Story on 16U AA Team.
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About the Rapids:
The Bend Rapids Youth Hockey Club, a USA Hockey Affiliate, is a community and volunteer based organization that supports growth and access to competitive ice hockey in Central Oregon. We provide youth with the opportunity to have fun, pursue their athletic potential, and develop life skills in a respectful and safe team environment.
We are focused on increasing participation in all ice sports, with like-minded individuals and groups, by building a new ice sport facility in the Central Oregon region. By continuing to follow USAH guidelines we will develop all players at all age groups, as well as Elite Tier 2, within the next five seasons and contribute to Tier 1 at the State level, creating Nationally Bound teams.
Learn more at bendrapidsyouthhockey.org
