Expectations High For Lady Ducks 14U Teams
Despite being in their first season in the USHL, the expectations are high for both the BK Selects and the Lady Ducks 14U teams. Those teams have the talent to make a splash in the USHL Fall Classic, which will take place in late November.
Team USA
Despite a challenging season, the Anaheim Lady Ducks made the most of their opportunities and advanced to the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships in San Jose. They defeated the Kenai Peninsula Hockey Association Icehawks in a double overtime game.
The Lady Ducks played the district tournament at home ice. They also participated in the Labor Day Girls Fest, which featured a competitive field. The team played in the Colorado Fireworks Power Pool, which earned them a paid berth.
The Lady Ducks were also featured in the latest issue of California Rubber Magazine. Coach Bruno hopes that publicity will help the Lady Ducks “get back to the top.” In the article, he said that the Lady Ducks have “great potential to be a national championship-caliber team.”
One of the team’s goals was to show fans that the Lady Ducks are just as talented as the rest of the nation’s best teams. To that end, they followed their usual game day routines, including the half ice small area drills that are part of the USA Hockey ADM practice philosophy.
USHL Fall Classic
Traditionally, the Anaheim Lady Ducks program holds lofty expectations. But, after a strong start to the season, the 14U AAA and AA clubs found themselves in a tough competition last month. The teams got off to a solid start, winning three straight games by a combined score of 11-2.
The girls teams are still working through some acclimating issues, but they’re also ranked among the nation’s best. The 19U team is 10-0-4 with a championship title, while the 16U team is 11-4-3. Both squads are still coached by Dan Collins.
The 16Us went 3-0-2 in Detroit against Canadian competition. Lucia DiGirolamo was one of four Selects to score multiple goals. Ava McNaughton stopped 48 of 49 shots in the two shutouts. She’s also played for Wisconsin and Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Bella Fanale and Rae Mayer each scored four points for the Selects, while Ava McNaughton stopped 48 of 49. The team also has a pair of sophomores, Emeline Grennan and Miami Jones, who lead the defense.
BK Selects
Taking a page from the storables and bing bing bing bing of the ladies of the ball, Lady Ducks head coach Mike McGarrigle has a few tricks up his sleeve. The 14U AA and AAA teams got off to a solid start in January. Despite a few rough patches, McGarrigle says the team is primed and ready for takeoff. Among his charges are a handful of standouts who have been around for most of their youth hockey careers. The players are a tight bunch, albeit, but that’s a good thing. The coaches have a jovial demeanor and the players have a plethora of perks ranging from scholarships to snagging a seat in the AHL. The perks also help ensure the players are well rounded out for life beyond the rink. The club’s two marquee programs, the AA and AAA, are a testament to the tenacity and dedication of McGarrigle and the rest of the club. The club is also a breeding ground for talent in the female athlete department.
Early Signing Period
During the early signing period, high school seniors who have received a scholarship offer have the option to commit to a college or university. Signing early is a good way for athletes to focus on their high school careers while taking advantage of the scholarship offers they receive.
If you’re a college athlete, the early signing period is your chance to lock in a spot on your team for the next four years. However, it’s important to know that this doesn’t mean you’ll be guaranteed a spot on the team. It also doesn’t mean you’ll have a guaranteed amount of playing time. The National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement between you and an institution. You will need to attend the school on the NLI.
During the early signing period, you can choose to sign with your first choice or wait until later in the signing period to sign with your second choice. If you don’t decide to sign with your first choice, you’ll still be able to reach out to coaches and tryout for other teams.
