NEWS ARCHIVES

This page contains newsworthy items that have been posted on the site in the past.

Player Of The Month
Mite

Barlow Sanders of the Chevy Chaser Mite B team is one of the top forwards for head coach Tony Gray. Barlow is in his second year of Mite hockey and is a leader on the ice. He has also shown very good puck control skills for a Mite age player. Barlow is a third grader at Mater Dei School in Bethesda and also enjoys baseball, lacrosse and swimming.

Player Of The Month
Squirt

Joey Werble is a member of the Montgomery Blue Devils Squirt B team where he recently moved from defense to offense. Playing forward for the first time in his career, he quickly became a high point player. His coach his most proud of the qualities of good sportsmanship, tenacity, determination, flexibility and passion for the game that Joey exhibits. Joey is a 4th grader at Seven Locks Elementary School, where he is an "A" student. In addition to school and ice hockey, Joey plays roller hockey and soccer. In the middle of his first year as a travel player, he added the increased time commitments of learning a musical instrument and building and racing a radio control car. Joey chose ice hockey as his sport at the age of five and has pursued improvements in his game with unwavering dedication. Although Joey lost his father after a long illness last year, he has focused his energy on the positive aspects of his life, most notably his development as a hockey player and a good student.

Player Of The Month
Peewee

Howie Lumsden is the goalie and anchor of the Reston Raiders Pee Wee AA team. The young and inexperienced Raiders have depended on Howie to keep them in the game and competitive. In the 8 CBHL league games this season, Howie stood up to 360 shots and has 328 saves. Howie’s family is definitely a hockey family. His dad still plays goalie in a men’s league and his big brother plays on the Reston U 16 AA team. Howie is a 6th grader at River Bend Middle school where he is an “A” student. Howie’s other sports include baseball and roller hockey. Howie is a team leader and always has a great attitude. He never gets down on his teammates and always tries to be positive with them. His teammates really look up to him. Howie would like to progress through youth and junior hockey to play in college. He is a big college hockey fan and has the lofty goal to play at the NCAA Division I level. His strong work ethic, positive attitude, and academic achievements should help him as he progresses toward this goal.

Player Of The Month
Bantam

Joe Miller is a forward, an alternate captain and one of the leading scorer on the Howard Huskies Bantam A hockey team. Joe is looked upon as a true leader on his team by both the coaches and players. He is a freshman at River Hill High School and got straight A's this past semester. He also played JV football and is currently playing for the River Hill Ice Hawks hockey team. Joe joined FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and at the recent River Hill football banquet, Joe won a scholar athletic award for having a 3.25 GPA to go along with his participation in sports. He is also in GT Geometry and US History Honors. He attends CCD classes and also does community services with his church.

Player Of The Month
Midget U18

Astin Fitrell is a member of the Midget A team with Northern Virginia Hockey Club. His commitment, loyalty, determination and hard work are evident in the way he plays his game and the ways in which he contributes to his teams’ successes. Astin plays right wing and also substitutes in for defense whenever he's needed.

In addition to hockey, Astin is a good student and has won a scholarship St. Anselm's Abbey School. He is currently a member of the premier Science Math and Technology Academy at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School with a major in Sports Medicine. He is also a member of his high school varsity baseball team, the high school varsity ski team.

After just one year of self-taught guitar lessons, Astin auditioned for and was accepted onto the renowned Woodrow Wilson Senior High School jazz band. He’s won two scholarships to study guitar; one at California State University and one at the Fur Peace Ranch to study under G.E. Smith. He contributes his spare time to tutoring at the Oyster School in Washington, DC, and is a member of the peer mediation group in his high school.

Player Of The Month
Midget U16

Bren Rhule is a forward and leading scorer on the Richmond Royals U16 AA team. Bren is a junior at Clover Hill High School with a GPA of 3.67. He currently is in honors-level classes in 4 of 5 his subjects. On his "odd-date" class days, as a part of his high school education, he attends Chesterfield Technical School, all day, for his development for his career as a dentist.

He is a member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) at school and attends Brandermill Church when not traveling with hockey. Besides playing hockey, Bren plays lacrosse, enjoys snowboarding, is a regular weekend poker player and an avid fisherman in the warmer months. Bren has played 5 years of travel level ice hockey, the last 3 years with the Richmond Royals, travel and tournament level in-line hockey for 6 years and has played the sport since he was 5 1/2 years old.

Junior Team Wins Gold

Jan. 5, 2004 -- The United States National Junior Team captured its first gold medal in the 28-year history of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship here tonight with a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over rival Canada. Trailing 3-1 after two periods, the U.S. tallied three unanswered goals - two by forward Patrick O'Sullivan (Sterling Heights, Mich./ Mississauga Ice Dogs) -- in the final frame.

CBHL Player of the Month - 2003-2004 Girls

Elizabeth Sanchez is captain of the Greater Hampton U16 Ice Angels girl's hockey team, based out of the Chilled Ponds rink in Chesapeake, Virginia. She has played hockey for 4 years, and is an avid Red Wings fan. A dedicated hockey enthusiast, she plays organized hockey year around and after school every day when pickup is available. When Elizabeth does not have the opportunity to play hockey, she volunteers at the rink as a rink guard and a Learn-to-Skate assistant, or practices her second love, the piano. An Honor Roll student at Greenbrier Christian Academy, she is a role model and leader for teammates and opponents alike. The consummate team player, she initiated team prayer at the outset of every game, yet is renown for her prowess and aggressiveness. Her attitude and behavior epitomizes what the young athlete should be. Elizabeth's sole desire is to attend college on a full hockey scholarship.

CBHL Player of the Month - 2003-2004 Mites

Nicholas Wilkerson (#96) is a hard shooting forward for the Chesapeake Bay Chiefs travel Mite "B" team. He is a team leader with his speed and hustle in practices and games. Nicholas is an energetic 7 year old boy who lives life with a passion. His hobbies are hockey, baseball, video games and drawing. He attends Shipley's Choice Elementary as a second grader. Nicholas is very compassionate with his family and teammates. Recently, Santa brought Nicholas a guitar for Christmas and he is eager to start learning how to play; he likes "Elvis." He has a pet hamster named "Speedy". His passion for the game sets a great example for his team, and he is a valued member of the Chesapeake Bay Chiefs organization.

CBHL Player of the Month - 2003-2004 Squirts

Alan Fisher has played for the Howard County Youth Hockey Club for 3 years. This is Alan’s 2nd year as a Squirt. Alan has developed into a very solid defenseman who can play exceptionally well at both ends of the ice. So far this season Alan has 15 goals and 9 assists, with 4 of the goals coming in January.

Alan has always shown the potential of being a leader on the ice. This season he has become that leader. This month the team went to Forest Ontario to play in the International Silver Sticks Finals. Alan played a great tournament impressing all the spectators in Ontario with his strong skating and stickhandling ability.

Alan and his family reside in Harford County Maryland and show their dedication by traveling 2 hours roundtrip for every practice and as much as 4 to 5 hours roundtrip for some local away games.

Australia... Ice Hockey Down Under!

Do they play hockey in Australia and New Zealand?
Yes they do…and they call it ice hockey (so as to differentiate between field hockey, which most Aussies simply call "hockey", and that other great game).

Where do they play ice hockey down under?
There are rinks in almost every capital city except Darwin - so that's Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth. And then there are also rinks in country centres such as Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Bendigo and Geelong.

When is the best time to tour and play?
The best time to play in Australia is when most Aussies are on the ice themselves, and because they're "down under", their seasons are reversed: hence, Australia's ice hockey season runs from April - October! The best airfares are generally available from North America and Europe during the months of June, July and August which is a good time for summer holiday travel in the northern hemisphere, and equally as attractive in Australia.

For more info, see linked documents FAQ1 FAQ2 FAQ3 FAQ4 or contact Sandi Logan .

CBHL Player of the Month - 2003-2004 Peewee

George Shenas has played for the Chiefs organization for the past 6 years. He started in the initiation program then moved on to play mite rec his first year and has been in the Travel program ever since. George has shown a passion for the game ever since he first told his parents he wanted to take the game up 6 years ago. He has played at all three levels within the CBHL, and has been apart of some very successful teams along the way. He has also been a strong team player and leader at all levels. He has an innate ability to study the game, from playing it himself to watching in person or on TV.

George attends the Key School in Annapolis excelling at all subjects. His teacher's comment on George's ability to show great enthusiasm and detail towards all his subjects and is a natural born leader. The school does not work on a grade system but his evaluations put him at the top of the class. In addition, George is a well-rounded athlete and also plays and excels at Golf and Lacrosse. His coach's at these sports also comment on his ability to work hard and listen to the coach.

George has many goals in his young life, and is focused on them. First and foremast are good grades, second is to play hockey at the Prep school level and third is to play Division I College Hockey for Boston University.

CBHL Player of the Month - 2003-2004 Bantam

Joseph Roberts has played 4 seasons of travel hockey for the Richmond Royals, is a Honor Roll Student at Bailey Bridge Middle School, in his 3rd year playing the clarinet in the concert band at school, in his 1st year in Jazz band where he plays the saxophone, and was awarded the 2001 outstanding student of the year award by the Midlothian Ruitan Club.

Joseph Currently plays defense for the Richmond Royals Bantan A and has been named Captain or Asst. Captain by his coaches for the past three years. Joseph plans to attend college where he will continue to play hockey.

Joseph has cystic fibrosis, a chronic disease that effects the lungs and pancreases. Every year he participates in a cystic fibrosis charity hockey game, which raises thousands of dollars to fund research for the cystic fibrosis foundation. Joseph handles his disease really well. He has a rigid treatment schedule that requires him to do 3 to 4 breathing and physical therapy treatments a day.

Joseph has always be encouraged to never allow his disease to prevent him from doing what ever he wants to do. Joseph loves to play hockey and when you watch him play it is very obvious that he dose not let cystic fibrosis stand in the way of playing the game he loves so much HOCKEY.....

Scott Seney named ECAC Player of the Week

Scott Seney, from Silver Springs, MD is now a sophomore at Union College and is leading the team in goals (9) and points (14) in 11 games. Review ECAC Player of the Week for more detail.

Stephen Werner Named To U.S. Junior National Team

University of Massachusetts hockey player Stephen Werner (Chevy Chase, Md.) was one of 16 players named to the preliminary roster for the 2004 United States National Junior Team, which will compete at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships, held in Finland on Dec. 26, 2003 - Jan. 5, 2004. The 10-nation tournament features the world's top ice hockey players under 20 years of age. Review U.S. Junior National Team for more information.

Phil Axtell signs with the Michigan Tech Huskies

Former CBHLer Phil Axtell has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Michigan Tech Huskies beginning in the 2005-06 season. The Huskies are based in Houghton, MI and play in the highly competitive Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), one of 6 NCAA Division 1 conferences in the nation. The WCHA has produced the most NCAA Division 1 champions with the University of Minnesota winning the past two Division 1 crowns. It is anticipated that Phil will be playing in the United States Hockey League (USHL) next season before entering Michigan Tech.

Axtell, who started his career in Easton, has also played for Howard County, Bowie, Tri City, Little Caps, and Metros before moving to the Marquette (MI) Electricians Midget AAA squad last season. He has been a member of the Team Southeast Select 16 and 17 squads and was a finalist for the USA Hockey Select 17 team that won the Gold Medal this past summer.

Phil is the son of Jim and Trish Axtell of Hanover, MD.

TJ Mathieson, Former CBHL Player, in the Fighting Irish News

A great article concerning TJ Mathison who played for Howard, The Tri-City Eagles, Loyola High School and the Central Penn Junior B team can be found at the Notre Dame Official Sports Website.

Sixsmith Named Atlantic Hockey Association Freshman of the Week

James Sixsmith of Alexandria, VA was named Freshman of the Week by the Atlantic Hockey Association for games through November 23, 2004. Sixsmith is a freshman at Holy Cross, and he previously played for the Northern Virginia Hockey Club, the Washington Little Capitals and Canterbury Prep. He recorded one assist in the win against Connecticut Friday night and two goals and two assists in the 6-5 overtime win against Sacred Heart Saturday Night. Sixsmith scored the first two goals of the game and assisted on the game-winning goal against the Sacred Heart Pioneers. See Atlantic Hockey Online.

CBHL Player of the Month - 2003-2004 Midget U17

Patrick Durham is the CBHL Player of the Month for December in the Midget U17 division. Although a late starter to hockey, Patrick has been a devoted and dedicated player for the last eight seasons with the Reston Raider program. Starting in the house league he has worked hard to improve his game. This effort and determination was rewarded with his unanimous selection by his coaches and teammates to be Captain of the Raiders Midget A team.

Up until this year he was an International Baccalaureate student at South Lakes High School in Reston, but has recently transferred to Heritage High School in Leesburg. He has also just joined the Loudoun Raiders high school hockey team.

Patrick volunteers with Scoring for Children - a charity founded by Peter Bondra and supported by the Washington Capitals - and with Loudoun County Junior Golf Association. Patrick is an avid sports fan, and enjoys the outdoors especially spending time with his family hunting, fishing, and playing golf in his free time.

CBHL Player of the Month - 2003-2004 Midget U16

John Williams is the CBHL Player of the Month for December in the Midget U16 division. John Williams is 15 years old and plays for the Baltimore Stars Midget U16 “A” team. His interest in hockey began at age 8 while attending a Calvert School clinic. He then progressed into the Baltimore Stars program. As a player, John has been elected team captain several times and is comfortable with leadership. John is skilled in the penalty kill and exhibits exceptional positioning.

As a sophomore, John attends Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently an honor roll student, and made honor roll last year as well. John is currently taking two honor classes, one advanced placement class, and excels in foreign language and history. At Gilman, John plays Varsity hockey along with other Stars teammembers. John also plays lacrosse in the spring.

USA Hockey President DeGregorio visits PVAHA

USA Hockey President Ron DeGregorio visited the Potomac Valley affiliate on October 22, 2003. The Gardens Ice House in Laurel hosted a reception and dinner for the USA Hockey President. The reception and dinner provided an opportunity for many in the local hockey community to meet Ron and exchange ideas on hockey issues. Following the dinner Ron attended and participated in an Affiliate Board of Directors meeting.

From left to right; Doug Parks, CBHL Commissioner, Ron DiGregorio, USA Hockey President, Christ Dernetz, Southeastern District Registrar, John Coleman, PVAHA President.

CBHL Player of the Month - Midget U17

Casey Cook is the CBHL Player of the Month for the Midget U17 division. Casey is the captain of the Bowie Midget A hockey team and is currently playing in his 13th season with the Bowie club. Casey is a senior at Annapolis Area Christian School where he maintains a 3.4 GPA and is on the Honor Roll.

He also excels in other sports being named one of the top five soccer goalies in Prince George's County and All Conference in golf. Casey enjoys working with aspiring hockey players in Bowie's instructional hockey program and participates in many school projects to help the needy. Casey plans to attend college next fall and major in secondary education and athletic training.

CBHL Player of the Month - Midget U16

Steven Berry is the CBHL Player of the Month for November in the Midget U16 division. Steven is a 16 year old honor roll student at Old Mill High School and is currently playing on the Midget U16 travel team for the Chesapeake Bay Chiefs. He alternates between the positions of center and left wing. This is Steven’s sixth season with the Chiefs organization. He is also playing on the newly formed Old Mill/Glen Burnie high school hockey team, where he has already had two games with hat tricks in the young MSHL season.

Steven became interested in hockey when his family hosted an exchange student from Switzerland who played for the Chiefs in 1996. Since then he has been host brother to hockey players from Finland, Sweden and this year Estonia. Steven’s main interests (besides ice hockey) are computers, astronomy and music. After graduation in 2004, Steven will travel through Europe to visit his many exchange brothers before beginning in January 2005 at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Women's Hockey Spotlight

Ashley is originally from Rochester, New York and moved to Manassas, Virginia in 1993. From the time she was in Kindergarten, she has loved the game of Hockey. Ashley grew up playing on an outdoor rink in her best friends backyard in Rochester. Ashley and her family moved to Manassas in 1993, and thought that her opportunity to play hockey was finished. In 1998 she joined the recently formed Prince William Hockey Club (PWHC) as a Peewee; where she played with the boys. At that time, she was one of only a handful of girls in the PWHC playing the sport on the ice. In 2000 the PWHC started an all girls program, where she continues to grow as an outstanding Center for the PWHC "Lady Panthers", in the newly formed 15U, Girls Division of the Capital Beltway Hockey League (CBHL); and a member of the Forest Park Girls High School Hockey Team, which plays out of the Maryland Scholastic Hockey League (MSHL).

In the month of November, Ashley lead the Lady Panthers to a 3-2 record, scoring 7 goals and 3 assists in 5 games. In a November 10th 7-0 win over the Reston Raiders, Ashley scored 4 goals. Since the CBHL established the girls division October 2002, Ashley does not have one penalty minute. She is a true team player, and inspiration to her team.

Ashley is also a freshman at Osbourn Park High School (OP) in Manassas, VA. She is a strong B student, and recently found out that she made the freshman basketball team at OP. Ashley also has hopes for playing on the OP Softball team as well. Her goal is to attend a college where she has a chance to play on the Women's Ice Hockey Team.

Ashley has an older sister - Heather, a younger sister - Kacie, who also played hockey with her last year and a younger brother Tyler, who plays for the PWHC, Squirt travel team.

CBHL Player of the Month - Bantam

Nathan Oh was born in Richmond, Virginia August 4, 1988 and the son to Chang & Linda Oh.

Nathan has played hockey for the Greater Richmond Hockey Association going on 5 years as #9 and can always be found on the defensive blue line. Currently playing for the Bantam AA team coached by Mr. Steve Taylor. His most honorable hockey experience was representing CBHL at the district Tournament in Franklin, TN as the CBHL Play-off Champions.

Nathan is currently attending Midlothian High School enrolled in all honor courses. The first nine weeks of the school year happened to be his first time ever of not making honor roll, but it is his goal to achieve the honor markings.

Nathan is such a multi talented young man. He speaks 3 different languages and plays piano & violin. As always he has ranked with superior markings in all private and school competitions.

Hockey is not the only sport Nathan competes at. At the age 9 he started taking Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial arts class. He has received his 1st degree black belt and his goal is to reach the 3rd degree in the next four years. The last two years he has gone to the National Championship Tournament representing both Maryland and Virginia where he has gained the honor of ranking 4th in the nation.

Nathan is of Presbyterian faith and enjoys church with his family. There is not much time during the hockey season but he knows God blesses down upon him anyway.

CBHL Player of the Month - PeeWee

Adam Comrie is the CBHL Player of the Month for the PeeWee division. Adam plays for the Xtreme Pee Wee AA Major team and has overcome an early season injury (broken wrist) to help lead his teammates to a 21-4-2 record, including a title in the Silver Sticke Eastern Regional tournament. During December, a month in which the Xtreme Pee Wees posted an 8-0-2 record, Adam tallied seven goals and 13 assists in six appearances.

Adam is in the 7th grade at Seneca Ridge Middle School in Sterling, VA where he also plays drums for his school band.

Adam’s main interests (besides ice hockey) skate boarding and roller blading.

CBHL Player Of The Month - Squirt

Chris Courtney is currently a member of the Howard Huskies Squirt "B" team. He is 10 years old, and in the 4th grade at St. Louis School, Clarksville, MD. Chris started playing hockey at the age of 3 in Buffalo, NY. He played with the Buffalo Regals for two years and then two years with the Hamburg Hawks. Chris joined the Howard Huskies Recreational league after moving to Maryland in August 2000.

Chris is a straight "A" student at the St. Louis School, where he also plays the trumpet in the beginner band. Besides hockey, Chris loves to draw. His artwork was chosen for the cover of the Longfellow Elementary's Memory Book two years ago. Most recently he won first place in an art contest at his school sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. His work is about to be entered in a regional competition. During the summer, Chris plays baseball. He pitched and played 2nd base for his CYCBA team last year. Chris is one of the team leaders and his work ethic, sportsmanship, and unrelenting effort exemplifies what youth hockey is all about.

CBHL Player Of The Month - Mite

Nick Ellis, the goalie for the Montgomery Blue Devils Mite A team has been outstanding all year. He has 25 shutouts in 39 Games this year. He has also led Montgomery Mite A to the Silver Stick regional championship and to the semi-finals at the National tournament in Michigan. The team is also in the running for the DVHL league championship.

Nick is currently a third grader attending Indian Creek School in Crownsville, MD. He has worked extremely hard both on and off the ice to achieve an "A" average in school. Nick's love for hockey is "infectious", not only on his teammates and coaches, but also on the parents. His other interests are anything he can put on his feet to make him go faster and being with his teammates who have become his good friends this season.

Caps & DC Area Youth Hockey
Donate to 9-11 Relief Effort

CBHL Commissioner, John Coleman, and CBHL Vice Commissioner, Doug Parks, along with members of the youth hockey community, the MSHL, and the Capitals organization were on hand New Year's day for a check presentation to the 9-11 relief effort.

Players Of The Month 2001-2002 Season

Patrick Reid is a forward and is the captain of the Chesapeake Chiefs Midget AA Team. Patrick has played for the Chesapeake Chiefs for the past 10 years starting in the Chiefs Recreation League program. Last season Patrick played 40 games on the Chiefs Midget A team, and also was selected to play for Team Southeast in the prestigious Chicago Showcase Tournament.

Patrick Reid is a senior at Saint Mary's High School in Annapolis, MD. He maintains a 3.4 GPA. He plays on the St. Mary's High School hockey team, and. last year he played in both MIAA and MSHL playoff and championship games.

In addition to his play with the Chiefs, Patrick is an assistant coach with the Chiefs Special Hockey Washington - Chiefs Program. Special Hockey Washington is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in ice hockey.

Joshua Williams of the Bowie Hockey Club has been selected as the November Washington Capitals/CBHL Player of the Month. Joshua started at the Bowie Hockey Club in the instructional program as a mite. He started playing in the recreational program as a squirt. He tried out for the travel program in his second year as a peewee and made the team. Last year Joshua was on the Bowie Bantam A team, and this year he is the co-captain of the Bowie Bantam team. Joshua is a leader of his team on and off the ice.

Joshua attends DeMatha High School, and he made the DeMatha Varsity team as a freshman. Joshua is successful in the classroom as well, maintaining a 3.4 GPA. Before going to DeMatha Joshua graduated middle school at St. Phillip, where he received 8 awards, including honor roll and Jr. National Honor Society. When not playing hockey, Joshua volunteers as a docent at his Lordship's Kindness where he gives tours of the mansion and discusses Maryland history.

Congratulations to the CBHL player of the month, Corey Toy. Corey Toy plays defense on the Washington Little Capitals PeeWee Major team. Corey is the team captain for his Little Caps team, and is a team leader both on and off the ice. The Little Caps PeeWee major team plays in the National Division of the Atlantic Hockey League. Prior to joining the Washington Little Capitals Corey played for the Frederick Fury PeeWee A team and was the team captain.

In additional to his ice hockey activities Torey is a highly rated InLine Hockey Player. He has participated in the USA Hockey InLine National Championship competition for the last 6 years. Last summer Torey played on the Loudoun Lightning InLine Hockey team. The Loudoun Lightning team captured the USA Hockey InLine National Championship this past August.

Off the ice, Corey is a 3 year honor roll student at Blue Ridge Middle School. He is a student tutor in math, science and French as well as FCCLA Vice President and a class representative. Corey is also a conflict mediator at his school, and is a member of the yearbook staff.

Holiday Visitors Remembered - Christmas '99

Over the Christmas holidays, a Peewee team from Russia visited the Washington DC area. The trip was coordinated by Frank Costello and Andre Nikolishen of the Capitals. The Russian team played exhibition games against Peewee teams from several CBHL clubs. Among the clubs involved were Montgomery, Bowie, Chesapeake, and the Little Caps. The skating and stick handling skills of the Russian team were superior. While the outcome of the games were usually never in doubt, it was a wonderful learning experience for the skaters who were able to participate.

Thanks to the Bowie Hockey Club, who sent in some photos of their exhibition game, the gift exchange, and the pizza party afterwards. Top, the two teams pose for a group photo. Above left, action during a faceoff. Above right, a gift exchange and handshake by the participants.