Houston Hockey Team Breaks Boundries

Coach Jaschke assembled this team for a few reasons…

This Hybrid Houston Hockey team consisted of players from the Houston Wild, Houston Jr Aero’s Mite Select, Houston Hitmen, Houston Hurricanes, not to mention representatives of 4 different countries! By finishing 2nd place in their first tournament together, they proved that great things are possible when friends and families shed their “league boundries” and just play hockey.

Coach Jaschke said, “This is what Hockey is all about… having fun and enjoying time with friends and family.” Houston Hockey Insider would like to congratulate this team of Hybrid hockey players on their success in Austin as well as for being such great representatives of the Houston Hockey community!

 Local Hockey Hero Jim O’Neil

Houston Hockey Insider recently had a chance to talk with the 2009 USA Hockey Local Hockey Hero, Jim O’Neil. Jim has been an instrumental part of every aspect of the Houston Hockey scene. In this interview, Jim weighs in on his experience as well as his charitable foundation, STAR Skaters.

How did you become involved with Hockey in Houston?

I grew up skating as a child in Wisconsin but when I left to seek my “fame and fortune” somehow the skates didn’t make it on to the U-Haul.  In about 1992, after about 20 years of not skating, a friend of mine, Keith Lerner, invited me to watch him play hockey in the Houston Hockey Association (HHA) league at a local ice rink.  Seeing his team on the ice brought back childhood memories of flooding the back yard and making our own ice rink.  I thought “I can skate as good as these guys” so I invested in a full set of equipment and joined a team.  I soon learned that hockey was much more difficult than I remembered as a child.  Not to mention my center of balance had changed a bit over the past 20 years.  Undaunted, I stayed with it and 12 years ago playing lead to refereeing and I am now approaching 1,500 games officiated as a USA Hockey official.

Describe the Star Skaters program and what it was that led to forming the organization.

STAR is an acronym for Skating for Therapy And Recreation and is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that provides an on ice skating experience for anyone aged 5 or older with a physical or developmental disability that would prevent them from enjoying the cool experience of ice skating.  We are also in the early stages of forming a sled hockey team.  Sled hockey is to hockey as wheelchair basketball is to regular basketball.  I got the idea for the STARskaters program after seeing a feature on a similar program based in Buffalo, New York.  Hockey and skating have been such a positive force in my life that I thought this was an excellent way to give back to the sport and share the very cool ice skating experience.

How can others get involved with Star Skaters?

There are a lot of ways to get involved.  As a volunteer, a sponsor or an individual donor of funds, equipment or experience.  You’ll find all the information online at www.STARskaters.org

What is it going to take to make Sled Hockey a staple in the Houston Hockey community?

Sled Hockey is the fastest growing disabled sport in the country.  Anyone who gives it a try is immediately hooked.  I feel if we continue to spread the word through the many current networks for disabled individuals to build the awareness of the sport, we’ll be a success.  And, we’re glad to have the support of the Houston AEROS in this effort.

How do you balance your time with work and the various hockey organizations you are involved with?

Someone once said, “if you want something done, give it to a busy person” and I think that’s very true.   The challenge is to find a balance between my businesses, hockey and non-profit concerns.  It also helps that the hockey community, including the AEROS are very supportive and are there to lend a helping hand on events.  People like T.C. Lewis and Caren Bell from the Willowbrook Aerodrome, media folks like Barry Warner, and many coaches and hockey associations have really stepped up when we need a hand.

In your opinion, what will it take to continue the growth of the sport of hockey in the Houston area?

The AEROS have done a great job in getting hockey out in the community and I believe that a big part of continuing the growth is to get involved with the youth, amateur and women’s hockey leagues.  Every person I’ve taken to a hockey game has been  impressed with the speed and skill and physical nature of the game and always come back for more.  The AEROS have a great product, we all just need to continue to support the sport and the great group of guys who play the game.

What steps do you think are important for someone who is just getting involved with hockey, young and old?

The first thing to do is work on your skating.  You can be the best stick-handler in the world but if you can’t get to the puck, you can’t take the shot or make the pass.  The second would be to pick up a rulebook or attend one of the AEROS Hockey 101 classes.   The game has a unique set of rules and I’ve always felt it’s important to be as informed as possible of every endeavor at which we pursue.

You have seen hockey at every level. With your experience, what do you think it takes to become successful and advance as a hockey player?

One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about hockey is there are so many levels of play available in the sport.  There’s a spot for every person at every age and every skill level.   From mighty mites to the adult leagues, junior and senior leagues right up to the pro level.  I’d suggest finding a level that is challenging for you, listen to those who have played the game, and then hustle.  The former AERO, now Minnesota Wild player Cal Clutterbuck showed how far hustle can go in the game.  He got his shot in the NHL and looks like he’ll stick with Minnesota.  His jersey is one of the best selling Wild jerseys because everyone notices, and appreciates hustle in the game.  Much like life, in hockey, the one who has the most hustle and desire usually comes out on top.

A Word with David Seto

How did you get involved in hockey?
I bought my own skates and equipment from money I made selling newspapers, TV magazines and shining shoes when I was 13 or 14 years old. I tried out for a team of bantams in Edmonton, Alberta where I grew up and found out quickly I did not belong with the rest of the guys. Coach told me to work on my skating and come back next year. I looked at my options and concluded there was no way I could improve my skating to compete with the players that were at the try out. I decided to play competitive broomball and snow ski. When I moved to Houston, one of my co-workers asked me to join his hockey team here. I told my co-worker that I really didn’t play much hockey while up in Edmonton and would probably not be much help to his team. My friend insisted that I come out and try which I did. I think my friend was ready to cut me as soon as he saw me stumble around on my skates. However, I was his boss and I enjoyed being on the ice so much I was hooked for life so my co-worker had to put up with me.

Why do they call you the godfather of Houston hockey?
Jim O’Neill gave me that moniker for the various things I do for hockey in Houston.
I am also often called the Commish for running the oldtimer hockey leagues and various tournaments.

How did the old timer league get started?
Dan Downey, an attorney in town and former judge suggested we start an oldtimers’ league when the rink at Sugar Land opened some 15 years ago. We were planning to make the league open to players 40 and over but had to go down to age 37 and over to get enough players for a 4 team league. The league has now grown to 7 teams.. as well as an over 45 league with 3 teams.

Tell us about this past weekend’s tournament.
I ran an open tournament for 15 years. Some of our player guests included from NHL players like Bent Gogol, Morris Lukowich and Paul Reinhart and various Houston Aeros like Glen Irwin, Jan Popiel and Brian Wiseman. Many of my friends and fellow players – who got older during those 15 years – urged me to change the open tournament to an Over 50 tourney which I did. However, many of the younger guys (although over 40) were prohibited from playing in the over 50 (AARP) tournament so I decided with the help of Josh Young and the Aeros to host a tournament at Toyota Center that enabled younger guys to participate.

How do you think Houston hockey insider will benefit Houston?
Houston hockey insider will benefit Houston by spreading the word out on hockey activities in the city. The media – newspaper, radio and TV provide limited coverage of hockey in Houston and the Houston hockey insider fills some of that void.

What do you say to the people that don’t consider an AHL team professional hockey?
I would tell them that the Aeros and AHL hockey in general provide a high caliber of hockey, second only to the NHL and that the majority of NHL players at one time or another has played for an AHL team. It is exciting to see how some of the AHL players blossom and become NHL stars like a Jason Spezza.

What do you think it will take to grow the sport in Houston?
Unlike football and basketball, hockey is not a friendly sport to get hooked on by watching it on TV. This is in part due to the small puck and for fans not familiar with the game of hockey, the game is somewhat difficult to follow. I order to grow the sport, we must get more people, young and old out to rinks to play the game and to get fans out to see hockey games live. I have often heard people (who have never witnessed a hockey game) tell me they did not enjoy watching a hockey on TV but once they attended a live hockey game they were ecstatic about what they saw.

A Look at ISHL

Houston Hockey Insider recently spoke with the President of the ISHL, Linda Rice-Naas. Linda has actively been involved in the ISHL for the past 6 years, and has been an influential part of the organization. If you have any questions about the ISHL or want to get involved please contact her by visiting ishl.org. Below are a few questions from our interview:

How did you get involved in the ISHL?

When we moved to the Houston area from Louisiana, a young man at the Sugar Land rink introduced my sons, and me, to the ISHL. That was almost 8 years ago and both of my sons were actively involved in the ISHL One started in the varsity league and one started playing in the prep league and progressed up to the varsity level. Six years ago, I became a team manager in the ISHL and now, I am in my second year as the ISHL president . Both of my boys are now in college, but I still very much enjoy working to ensure a positive hockey experience for the players of the ISHL.

What are the goals of the ISHL?

The Interscholastic Hockey League strives to offer the hockey experience to as many student athletes as possible through the Adams Prep League and the Justice Varsity League . The ISHL is committed to the establishment and promotion of a premier scholastic ice hockey program in Houston in a positive competitive environment. The league conforms to all school district regulations as closely as possible including the No Pass/No Play rule for the varsity level teams . The ISHL encourages and supports each varsity team to strive to obtain and maintain official club status through their respective school administration as quickly as possible.

Who plays in the ISHL? How does one get involved in the ISHL?

There are 2 leagues in the ISHL: Adams Prep League and the Justice Varsity League. Prep teams are designed and built to prepare younger players for varsity level hockey competition and are composed primarily of Middle School players . Varsity level teams consist of all high school players and are represented by 15 teams from all across the greater Houston area . The ISHL follows the guidelines and rules of USA H ockey, ISHL, and the Texas Amateur Hockey Association (TAHA).

The ISHL website is our greatest source of information such as schedules, rosters, standings, and league news.

If you are interested in playing or want to volunteer in the program, please visit ishl.org for more information.

What kind of growth have you seen in Houston hockey?

The ISHL just had its 10th anniversary. Hockey has seen a steady growth through the years, but we would like to see more! It is very important to increase awareness of the sport and to ensure that all young, budding players receive the opportunity to tryout hockey and see just how much fun it is!

How do you think Houston will benefit from Houstonhockeyinsider.com?

I think the website is a fantastic idea and a great communication tool. This media has the potential to bring the hockey community together through a more broad-band approach such as Houstonhockeyinsider.com

What, in your opinion, is it going to take to facilitate the growth of the sport of Hockey in Texas?

Hockey is really a relatively minor sport for the southern states. Which is wonderment to me….hockey provides Texans with everything we love in our sports: fast-paced, high competitive edge, and air-conditioned….what more can you ask for in a sport?!?

Seriously, communication, awareness and exposure to the sport are key to the succesful growth of hockey in the Houston area. Part of this success is through the involvement and support of The Houston Aeros in amateur youth hockey. The Aeros have been an influential factor in the growth of hockey in Houston and the ISHL enjoys a very positive and benefical relations with their organization and we very much appreciate their involvement in our program .

Willowbrook Novice opens up the Aeros’ Season

Last Saturday night, the Willowbrook Novice League played a pre-game in the Toyota Center for the Houston Aeros. The teams played a great game, and had alot of fun! After the game, Houston Hockey Insider had the chance to interview Mr. Dan Pata about his team.

Q: How did you get involved with hockey?
A: Growing up in Ohio, I have always enjoyed watching hockey. A few years ago, my wife bought me hockey lessons as a birthday present. I have been involved ever since.

Q: Tell us about your novice league?
A: The league consists of 2 coed teams. Most of our players have learned the sport in their adulthood. Our skill levels vary. Some players have been involved with our league for 6 years while others have only been around for 6 months. Our main goal is just to have fun!

Q: How does one get involved in your league?
A: If you are interested in playing with us, you can visit the aerodrome website at www.aerodromes.com. At the site you will find some information on us, and directions on how to sign up.

Q: Who do you play? Does the team travel?
A: We mainly play each other at the Aerodrome. Last weekend, we played in one of our first tournaments with Sugarland Novice. This was new for us and we hope to do more!

Q: Have you visited Houstonhockeyinsider.com? What were your first impressions?
A: Yes, I got on the other day to view our article. I think the site is very cool, and I am excited to see what is in store for the site!

For more information on PLAY LIKE THE PROS with the Houston Aeros please contact Josh Young at 713-361-7937.

The New Kids in Town

A new team has recently been added to the ISHL: Cy-Woods Varsity Hockey Team.  The Houston Hockey Insider has recently interviewed team mananger, Mrs. Janet Kellog-Clarke.  Her husband, Ian, coaches the team. Together, they have brought the team along way.  Janet and Ian have two 15 year-old boys that play on the team.  Three weeks ago marked the start of the teams’ training.  Cy-Woods Varsity Hockey has three weeks of on land training under their belts.  They soon hope to get some time on the ice.  Here are a few questions that we asked Janet in our interview:

Q: Tell me the story behind how Cy-Woods Varsity Hockey Team was founded?
A:“We started the team back in second grade,” Janet replies.  Seven of the seventeen players started playing roller hockey at the YMCA as children.  The seven boys caught on to the game quick and moved up to ice hockey together.  Janet says that these boys are the core of the team.  When Cy-Woods High School opened two years ago, Janet and Ian realized that the school had multiple students that played ice hockey.  Janet and Ian came up with the idea for a new team with the ISHL, and Cy-Woods Varsity Hockey was born.  Cy-Woods Varsity now consists of 16 shooters and 1 goalie.
Q: What do you forecast for the team’s upcoming season?
A: High School varsity hockey is under the umbrella of the ISHL which operates under UIL rules in Houston and the surrounding area.  Last year the league had over 400 players.  Of Cy-Woods’ 17 players, the team only has 3 upperclassmen: 1 senior and 2 juniors.  Janet says that the pace of hockey is much faster in varsity athletics which might come as a shock to some of the team.  But, Janet is confident that the team will be competitive. 
Q: Where do you see the team in 5 years?
A: Janet forecasts a lot of growth for the team in the next five years.  Some of the boys who are currently playing on the team have brothers that can’t wait to get involved once they reach the high school level.  There are numberous siblings that will feed into the school’s team. 

Q: How have you seen hockey grow recently?
A:Janet says that there are more travel opportunities that have opened up recently for our youth.  She says that the sport has definitely grown.  Janet also thanks the Aeros for their contribution to youth hockey. “The Aeros’ staff is very accessible and willing to help.  They have done a lot in the community to promote youth hockey.”
Q: Do you think hockey programs in Texas schools will become more popular?
A: Janet says that this is the goal of the ISHL.  However, Janet believes that the lack of ice is hindering our youth hockey programs.  Teams have to fight for ice time.  Janet predicts that every year more and more teams will be born.  The presence of an AHL team in Houston will hopefully grow the awareness of hockey.  The Houston Aeros have become an increasing influence in the growth of amateur hockey.

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