4 Roughriders Attend WHL Camp

Victoria Royals, WHL

Westminister, CO - Four Rocky Mountain Roughriders departed DIA this morning on their way to a WHL tryout in Victoria, British Columbia. The Victoria Royals are hosting a rookie camp followed by a main camp. Cade Warner ('96), Brandon Fushimi ('96), Braiden Miller ('95), and Lucas Blomquist ('94) have accepted invitations to attend camp that begins on August 24.

The Rookie camp is rumored to have about 150 attendees mixed with 1995 and 1996 birth years with about 20 of the 1995 players slated to advance to the main camp.

Best of luck to our Roughriders in Canada!

Chicago Showcase Schedule Release

Westminister, CO - The schedule for the Chicago Tier 1 Elite League Showcase has been released. Airline tickets have been purchased, buses are being arranged and hotel details will be forthcoming. In the meantime this schedule may help parents and family plan travel arrangements if they wish to come to Chicago.

Team Schedule

gamesheet view     printable gamesheett

Home	Away	Date	Time	Rink/ GS	GT
RM RoughRiders16	TPH16	Fri, Sep 16	12:30 pm	Arctic Champ
RM RoughRiders16	Pittsburgh Hornets (mm)16	Fri, Sep 16	8:30 pm	Arctic Champ
RM RoughRiders16	Ohio Blue Jackets (mm)16	Sat, Sep 17	2:20 pm	Arctic Champ
RM RoughRiders16	Buffalo Jr. Sabres (mm)16	Sun, Sep 18	8:30 am	Arctic Champ

Buonincontri lands in Cornwall

Westminister, CO - Michael Buonincontri, from last years Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16AAA team, has landed a spot as a Forward with the Cornwall Colts. The Cornwall Colts are a Tier 1, Junior A program in Ontario, Canada playing in the CJHL. Buonincontri finished his U16 season with 52 goals and 42 assists in 59 games with the Roughriders.  Below is a report from the Standard Freeholder news agency.

CORNWALL — The Cornwall Colts' roster continues to take shape.
The Colts have signed Michael Buonincontri, replacing goaltender Pete Karvouniaris in the player least likely to have his name spelled corrrectly department.

Buonincontri though, doesn't guard the net. He finds it.
"He's got good size, he's a left winger who can score, and I think he'll fit in here," said Cornwall coach/GM Ian MacInnis on Tuesday.

Buonincontri comes to Cornwall from Montreal, via Colorado.
The 17-year-old finished last season in the Centennial State, playing midget AAA with the Rocky Mountain Roughriders. He showed some scoring touch, turning on the red light 14 times in 14 games.

He attended the Colts' camp in May.
"We had heard about him before the camp," said MacInnis
"Someone called me and mentioned the kid, and said we should take a look at him. We did, and we liked what we saw."

 Buonincontri will hit the ice beginning in September and looks to pick up right where he left off in Colorado...burying the puck.

Roughriders Wrap Up 2011-12 Tryout

Pippen Weisbeck works hard at the Roughrider tryout

Westminister, CO - The Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16AAA team wrapped up tryouts Monday night. After 3 days of grueling drills and scrimmages, a 20 man roster has been reached. Coach Paris and the entire Roughrider organization would like to thank all of those that attended the tryout and participated in the camp.

The 20 man roster will be posted soon along with information on practice times and information on the Tier I Elite League schedule.

Tryouts are right around the corner - schedule posted!

Westminister, CO -

U15/U16 AAA Tryout Schedule @ Promenade:
Saturday July 23 7:15 am Goalie Check In ‐ Goalies Only
Saturday July 23 8:00‐9:00 am Goalie Session ‐ Goalies Only On Ice
* Saturday July 23 9:00 am Exit Interviews
*GOALIES WILL BE RELEASED AFTER GOALIE SESSION
Saturday July 23 9:30 am Player Check In ‐ All players/walk‐ups accepted
Saturday July 23 10:15‐11:30 am Game One
Saturday July 23 11:45‐1:00 pm Game Two
Saturday July 23 3:30‐4:45 pm Game Three
Saturday July 23 5:00‐6:15 pm Game Four
Saturday July 23 6:30‐7:30 pm Informational Parent Meeting U15/U16 Team
Sunday July 24 1:00‐2:15 pm Game Five
Sunday July 24 2:30‐3:45 pm Game Six
Sunday July 24 4:00 pm Exit Interviews
Monday July 25 3:15 pm U16 All Star Game Player check In
Monday July 25 4:00‐5:30 pm U16 All Star Game
Monday July 25 5:45‐6:45 pm Exit Interviews with Coach Paris

*Monday July 25 7:00‐8:00 pm Mandatory Meeting U16 Team
*Mandatory Players and Parents Meeting for U16AAA team
*Please be prepared to make Team Payments and to sign player and payment agreement

Monday July 25 5;00 pm U15 All Star Game Player check In
Monday July 25 5:45‐7:15 pm U15 All Star Game
Monday July 25 7:15‐8:15 pm Exit Interviews with Coach Smail

*Monday July 25 8:30‐9:30 pm Mandatory Meeting U15 Team
*Mandatory Players and Parents Meeting for U15AAA team
*Please be prepared to make Team Payments and to sign player and payment agreement


Questions Regarding RoughRiders U15/U16 AAA please contact:
Head Coach U16 John Paris Jr. jpj0194616@yahoo.com
Head Coach U15 Doug Smail 720‐235‐9781/ codan9@msn.com
Director of Operations Derek Robinson 720‐480‐1030 / derek@teamrockymountain.com

Roughriders continue to Advance Player Development

Guymon skates at VIK tryout

Westminister, CO - The Rocky Mountain Roughriders continue to advance player development by placing players at higher levels. Furthering player development is the number one priority with the U16 Roughriders. Nate Guymon is the latest player to be recognized for his talents and efforts. Guymon will be heading to Sweden to play for Vasteras on the J20 team. Here is what The Hockey Magazine had to say about the move.

Swiss and American are ready for Vasteras
Vasteras has finalized two imports to their J20 team.
First is the Swiss national team forward Flavio Schmutz, born 1994, signed with Vasteras after he scored 46 points in 27 matches in the U17 Elit league. Schmutz played in 19 national team games for Switzerland this season, five of them with the older 18 year old team. “He was here for a week this Spring after our regular season was over. He’s a good player and powerful on his skates. He looked very interesting” said head coach Par Hellenberg.
Even an American defenseman has signed with Vasteras. Nathan Guymon (picture), born 1994 who played with the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders U16 AAA, has decided on VIK. “He was also here and played in a training match with us. He is good at controlling the puck, is good under pressure and comfortable holding the puck and turning”, explains Hellenberg.
Two very interesting acquisitions that could very well help take the SuperElit league play to a higher level.

 The decision of Vasteras to go with two imported players even drew attention from the Stockholm media.

VIK strengthened their J20 team with two foreign players: American defenseman Nathan Guymon and Swiss forward Flavio Schmutz.
“Two exciting players that will be fun to follow”, says Head Coach Par Hellenberg.
Nathan Guymon and Flavio Schmutz, both born 1994, were here in the Spring for a visit to Vasteras to learn more about the city and tryout with the team.
The duo made a good impression and Guymon even played in a training match.
“It’s fun for the guys on the team to get to know two new players from other countries.  And even better when they will be able to contribute right away on the ice,” said Hellenberg.
Here’s what the VIK Coach had to say about Flavio Schmutz:
“A powerful player with good skating.  He’s one of Switzerland’s top ‘94s and we see big potential in him.  The thinking is we will move him up to the professional team when the time is right.”
Hellenberg on Nathan Guymon:
“A big right defenseman that plays tough and dares to hold and control the puck often.”
What is it that draws foreign players to come here?
“The J20 SuperElit is Europe’s best junior league.  It is a good path for them to go.  Then we have the professional team here also.  And in Nathan’s case he was interested in a student exchange experience also.”

2011-12 U15/U16AAA Tryout Dates Announced!!

Try-outs

July 23-24-25 (2011)

U15/U16 AAA TRYOUTS July 23rd to July 25th @ the Promenade in Westminster, CO

Tryouts will be held at the Promenade Ice Arena 10710 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CO 80020. Tryouts will begin Saturday July 23rd and conclude Monday July 25th.

There will be a $125 non‐refundable tryout fee ‐ $100 for returning RoughRider players from the 2010‐2011 season. Please make all checks payable to Rocky Mountain RoughRiders and mail along with registration form by July 16th.

Players registration with Mr. Derek Robinson - Director Team Rocky Mountain RoughRiders Hockey

derek@teamrockymountain.com

Midget U-16 AAA

Just a few words to welcome any hockey aspiring athlete to try out and/or play for our team, a place where our total commitment to each individual player will always remain a given!

We want all to comprehend that our objective is one where further development of everyday decent citizenship areas, sportsmanship & over all hockey improvement primes and this will translate into a positive progression of all our players.

 To be able to attain these objectives, it will take skill development, commitment and an "attitude for winning."

We want uncommon players who are willing to give the extra effort, listen, apply and provide the scouting community of higher level teams the necessary ingredients in regard to making not only more viable draft available players but more successful players after they have been drafted, as being chosen (draft) and then becoming a regular on teams are two completely different avenues of intent!

This should provide all with a better understanding of our elite Midget AAA hockey, our program is not one of participation but one of development when it comes to the serious  talented potentially aspiring player with the desire of moving upward to junior, college or NHL.

Coach

John Paris Jr.

Jarry taken by Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in QJMHL Draft

It is with pleasure that we extend our most sincere congratulations to Felix Jarry a 6'05" center / winger who, today June 4th, 2011, was drafted in the 10th round by the Quebec Junior Major Hockey League. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

 

By this mark Felix becomes the first ever Rocky Mountain Roughrider Midget AAA U-16 player drafted and second RMR prospect to receive this honor, the first was the young Donnelly of the Bantam U-14 squad by the Medecin Hat Tigers of the WHL. Once again we extend our best wishes to both of them.

Roughriders Enter into Affiliation with Tier 1 Elite League

USHL ENTERS INTO AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH TIER 1 ELITE LEAGUE

Chicago, IL – The United States Hockey League and the Tier 1 Elite League today announced that they will enter into a national agreement that will make the Tier 1 Elite League the official youth hockey affiliate of the USHL. The Tier 1 Elite League, the top elite youth hockey league in the United States, is comprised of top-tier youth hockey organizations throughout the U.S. competing in multiple age groups – from Squirt all the way up to Midget Major levels.

From its base of 19 existing teams, the league recently granted membership to the D.C. Capitals, Milwaukee Junior Admirals, Oakland (Michigan) Junior Grizzlies, and the Thunder program based in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Rocky Mountain RoughRiders AAA program and the Las Vegas Storm are now members of the USHL Member Club ownership, bringing the number of teams preparing for 2011-12 Tier 1 play to 25.

The Rocky Mountain RoughRiders program, based in Westminster, Colorado, is operated by Tony Sdao, owner of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders commence play in 2011-12 season along with the Las Vegas Storm, operated by Kirk Brooks, owner of the USHL’s Tri-City Storm.

In the initial phase of the agreement, the USHL will bring its marketing, public relations, player development and organizational assets to the Tier 1 Elite League, and will work with the league’s nationwide web of youth programs to develop enhanced standards of coaching, training, academic progress, cost controls, and stability – reflecting the standards observed by USHL Member Clubs. The USHL will have a consistent presence at the Tier 1 Elite League’s schedule of national showcases, and the two organizations will enter into a planning phase for more and enhanced events.

“This represents the culmination of a lot of hard work with some of the most important development partners in youth hockey in the United States,” said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. “As with any partnership of this potential magnitude, we want to walk before we run, and see where we can be most effective with each other – but as you can see, this represents not only a commitment by the USHL to elite youth hockey at the league level, but the direct participation of our owners in Tier 1 League competition. This is the most effective way we know to implement USA Hockey’s education-based development model at the elite level. We’re excited about what this can mean for the growth of hockey in the U.S.”

The strength of the Tier 1 Elite League programs was reflected in Monday’s USHL Entry Draft, when a total of 56 players were selected from the league’s programs, representing 26% of the 216 players drafted.

“The Tier 1 Elite Hockey League Board of Governors and the entire Tier 1 Elite Hockey League are excited to venture into a working relationship with the USHL,” added T1EHL Commissioner Larry Johnson. “The Tier 1 Elite Hockey players participate in the nation's premier youth hockey environment and a relationship with the USHL will afford T1EHL players the opportunity to develop their potential towards becoming a USHL player.”

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its ninth season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2010-11. With over 250 players from this season already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 18 NHL Entry Draft picks that were on League rosters this season, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.

It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.

United States Hockey League (USHL)

1327 W. Washington Blvd., Suite 3C, Chicago, IL 60607 312-546-7300 phone; 312-546-7330 fax Director of Communications: Brian Werger, werger@ushl.com

Chilliwack Bruins moving to Victoria, BC

The Tri-Cities Herald is reporting that the Chilliwack Bruins have been sold to  man investor in Victoria, BC and the team will be heading there for the 2011-2012 season.


According to the article Wednesday, the WHL announced the sale of the Chilliwack Bruins to Graham Lee, owner of RG Properties. Lee is the sole owner and will act as team governor.

Read more: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/04/21/1459319/victoria-back-in-whl-fray-after.html#ixzz1KYzhgoyK

According to a link followed from the WHL website to the new Victoria team:

WHL RETURNS TO VICTORIA FOR 2011-12 SEASON

VICTORIA, BC – It’s been almost 20 years, but the wait is over for hockey fans on Vancouver Island. The WHL will return to the City of Victoria next season, the Western Hockey League and RG Properties Ltd. announced today.

The WHL Board of Governors has approved the sale of the WHL franchise in Chilliwack and its relocation to Victoria effective starting with the 2011-12 season. Graham Lee, whose company RG Properties developed, built and operates the 7,000-seat Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, has purchased the franchise and will move the WHL franchise to the B.C. capital for the start of next season.

“We are very excited to bring WHL hockey back to Victoria,” said Lee. “From the day we first got involved with this building over a decade ago, our goal has been to look at all opportunities that will bring excitement and entertainment to the city as well as providing economic benefits. Bringing a WHL team to Victoria exemplifies that commitment.”

“We are very pleased to be in a position to announce the WHL will be returning to the City of Victoria and Vancouver Island next season,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.  “Although any relocation is a difficult process, we know the Victoria market will be a great addition to the WHL.”

“The WHL is a part of Canadian hockey culture. The league is all about community, and our focus with the team is all about being a strong partner in the community,” said Dave Dakers, President of RG Sports and Entertainment. “Vancouver Island’s top young players will now have the chance to play at the highest level right here at home in front of a hometown crowd.”

“It is exciting to have a WHL team back in the Capital City. It is an opportunity to be part of building the future of hockey,” said Mayor of Victoria, Dean Fortin. “Our new team will greatly add to the diverse and family-friendly entertainment that makes our city great.”