Every month we recognize a player from each of our Junior Ducks Clubs that has shown the most improvement, determination and/or leadership.
2012-13 SEASON
FebruaryCasey Strale, Midget A
Casey Strale, Midget A 16u team was chosen as the February Junior Duck of the Month. Though Casey is not new to the sport of hockey, both ice AND roller, it is his first year as a Jr. Duck. Casey's ever present smile and positive attitude makes it hard to believe that he's been battling cancer for the past 4 years. His character, charisma and work ethic show no signs of being diminished by this disease and make him an inspiration to both his coaches and teammates.
Casey is the face of the annual Give Blood Play Hockey Charity Inline Hockey Tournament. You can also read his full story at the Caring Bridge website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/caseystrale and www.tgenfoundation.org/netcommunity/casey
JanuaryJoshua Niedermayer, Mite A
Joshua is the Junior Duck of the Month of January. Josh plays for the Mite A team and has been playing great at both defense and forward. Just last weekend he had 4 goals and 5 assists in 2 games (someone in the family must have played the sport at one time).
Congratulations Joshua!
DecemberIman Shepard, Lady Ducks 12U AAA
Iman was chosen as the Junior Duck of the Month for December. Iman has emerged as a standout defenseman on the LD 12aaa team this year. As a pint-sized 11-year old, Iman plays great body position and defends her net with intensity.
She has developed an outstanding offensive style and has improved her shot tremendously this season. In every aspect of the game Iman is dedicated to improving and sets the standard for hard work and coachability at all times.
NovemberKyle Melchior, Pee Wee A
Kyle Melchior of the Junior Ducks Pee Wee A team was chosen as the November Junior Duck of the Month.
Kyle helped his team win the Arizona Thanksgiving Shootout. In the tournament he was very aggressive and was relentless on the forecheck. He has a never quit attitude and is the ultimate team player. His line was responsible for changing the momentum in several games and he was a big part of that.
Congratulations to Kyle!
OctoberTommy Cianfrani, Squirt BB
Tommy was chosen by his coach for showing a tremendous amount of work ethic and is an all out presence on the ice. Tommy battles hard for the puck on the boards and works diligently to create time and space in front of the opposing teams' team.
His teammates are motivated by his effort and positive attitude. Congratulations and keep up the good work Tommy!
September Jackson Michelle, Pee Wee
Congratulations Jackson on being named the Anaheim Junior Duck of the Month for September.
Jackson plays on the Junior Ducks Pee Wee AA, making the jump this season from in house and Pee Wee B tournament team. Jackson is a great student of the game, taking every opportunity to learn and improve his skills. His work ethic and ability to become a leader is refreshing.
Coach Rich Hutchinson expects great things from Jackson this season and years to come.
2011-12 SEASON
February
Chase Young, Squirt
The Junior Duck of the month at Corona Inline for February is Chase Young. Chase is a dependable, hard-working hockey player and a true leader both on and off the rink.Chase is a member of our Squirt Orange team. He played up a division with our PeeWee team last month as well and gave a significant effort with both teams, and never quit until the final whistle blew. He's been playing hockey since he was 5 and his favorite hockey memory was winning a national title at the Junior Olympics in Philadelphia. His favorite player (with whom Chase shares his jersey number) is Corey Perry. He never gives up and can turn a nothing play into a goal. Chase has those same qualities.
We are very proud and lucky to have Chase in the program. Congratulations, Chase.
Morgan Braniff, 19UMorgan Braniff from the Lady Ducks 19U team has been chosen as the Junior Duck of the Month for February. Morgan recently committed to attend New England College where she will be playing college hockey. Last Sunday in Fairbanks, AK, she scored the 3OT Championship-winning goal in the 19AAA, Pacific District Championships... securing the Anaheim Lady Ducks 19s a birth at the Tier I Nationals and the FIRST for our 19u program. Congratulations Morgan!
January
Jonathan Bideshi, Pee Wee
Jr. Duck of the Month for January at Corona Inline is Jonathan Bideshi who is a member of our Jr. Ducks Gold Pee Wee team. Jonathan is hard working, and has a team first attitude. He is always willing to do what the coach asks and plays very unselfish hockey. He says that from hockey he has learned that it's not all about winning but about having fun! His favorite food is buffalo wings and his favorite subject in school is lunch. When not playing hockey, he can be found airsofting or fixing/building things. We are proud to have Jonathan in our program and congratulate him on being Jr. Duck of the month.
Joshua Lougee, Squirt B TeamJoshua was chosen by his coach as the Junior Duck of the Month for January because he has worked really hard the past few months. He has shown much improvement in every aspect of the game, while continuing to have fun. Joshua has a great attitude with his friends and teammates. Congratulations Joshua!
December
Ryan Sarvak, Pee Wee A1Ryan was nominated by his coach for being the ultimate team player. He never complains and works very hard in practice. He is a very polite and considerate player and the past month has really been a breakout for him. He's starting playing with confidence and leads his team defensively. He has improved tremendously and continues to make good decisions on the ice.
Tanner Thorne, BantamDuring the month of December, Corona Inline hosted the AAU Winternationals tournament in Corona. Tanner Thorne, who is a member of our Bantam team, was an integral part of their 2nd place finish and received the top defenseman award in the tournament. They battled both local teams as well as teams from up North and were able to make it into the finals. Tanners favorite player is Teemu Selanne so that explains his commitment to the team and dedication to his teammates. When not playing hockey, he likes to play xbox and hang out with friends; eat spaghetti and meatballs and listen to Mac Miller on his ipod. We are very happy to have Tanner as part of our Jr. Duck family and want to wish him CONGRATULATIONS on a great tournament and being named Corona Inline's Jr. Duck of the month.
November
Megan Crandell, 19UMegan Crandell from the Lady Ducks 19U team has been chosen as the Junior Duck of the Month for November. She is the Captain of the team and has been a part of three medal winning 14U & 16U Nationals Lady Ducks teams. Megan, a junior in high school, is an outstanding student who plays high school sports and also finds time to be a volunteer junior coach for the Lady Ducks 10U team. Congratulations Megan!
Frankie Sanchez, MiteCorona Inline will continue the trend this month with highlighting yet another one of our talented goaltenders, Frankie Sanchez. Frankie plays between the pipes for the Reebok Jr. Ducks Mite Gold team. Her favorite Ducks player is Jonas Hiller and we have no doubt that she has taken some tips from watching him play as she registered her first shut out a few weeks ago when the team played in their first tournament. When not deflecting pucks, Frankie likes to watch TV, eat brownies, and her favorite subject in school is math. Congratulations, Frankie!
October Matthew Hoeksema, Bantam
The Anaheim Junior Duck of the Month for October is Matthew Hoeksema. Matt was nominated by his coach for being a very hard working and dedicated player for the Junior Ducks Bantam B team. He also gives back to his club by student coaching the Junior Ducks Pee Wee A2 team. He represents his team, his club and his family very well. Congratulations Matt!
Kyler Cooke, AtomKyler Cooke is our Reebok Jr. Duck of the month for October 2011. Kyler plays on the 8U Reebok Jr Ducks team as the goaltender. Kyler may be one of the smallest netminders in the division but he is BIG on attitude and effort. His coach Ken Murchison says he always brings a great attitude and work ethic to the rink and is always smiling with his teammates. When not stopping pucks, Kyler says he likes to play video games (his current favorite is paintball), eat pizza and his favorite subjects in school are lunch and recess. Keep up the great work, Kyler and Congratulations!!
September
Boogie Aceves, Mite BBoogie Aceves, from the Junior Ducks Mite B team has been chosen as the Junior Duck of the Month for September. Boogie has displayed tremendous leadership, hardwork, and sportsmanship since the team started in August.
A pleasure to coach, Boogie exemplifies a work ethic that is rarely seen in this age group (8 years old) and he always does it with a smile on his face either in game or practice. Boogie started out in The Rinks - Anaheim ICE Initiation and In-House Hockey programs and is now a first year Junior Duck.
Conner King, PeeWeeConner King is our Reebok Jr. Duck of the month for September 2011. Conner has been playing hockey for 6 years and his fondest memory was traveling to Philadelphia with his teammates for the Junior Olympics. His hard work and dedication to practice over the summer earned him a spot on the Reebok Jr. Ducks PeeWee Orange team. He was one of the hardest working players at tryouts, his great speed and hard shot made him an easy choice for the team.
He no doubt gets some of that from watching his favorite player, Corey Perry who Conner admires because he plays an aggressive style of hockey and never gives up. Conners goal for this season is to be one of the players that helps make the team one of the best in the division and that's good because the coaching staff will expect him to continue his growth through the 2011-2012 season. When not playing hockey, Conner loves to cook and his favorite food is anything Italian. Congratulations, Conner.
