JuniorHockey.io

The VICTORIOUS HOCKEY COMPANY’s Biweekly Newsletter: THE RIGHT WAY

Hello Players, Fams and Fans,
 
With Canada Day just behind us and the Fourth of July upon us, it’s a good time to take a step back from the chaos of camps, drafts, and tryouts and ask a different kind of question:
 
How are you representing yourself?
 
Whether you're wearing a flag, a team logo, or your own last name on the back of your jersey, the way you carry yourself on and off the ice says everything about what kind of player you are.
 
Scouts don’t just evaluate your shifts. They watch how you warm up. How you treat staff. How you interact with teammates, opponents, parents, billet families, and even the people in the stands. That’s not extra credit. It’s part of the evaluation.
 
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There’s a well-known quote from Herb Brooks that says: 
“You’re looking for players whose name on the front of the jersey is more important than the one on the back.” 
That mindset still matters. Teams want players who take pride in what they represent and who understand they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
 
Respect. Composure. Accountability.These aren’t personality traits. They’re career traits.
 
So while you're out representing your country, your family, and your goals this summer, make sure you're doing it the right way.
 
Carry yourself like someone others want to root for and someone teams want to invest in.
Enjoy the week. We’ll be back with more next time.
Thank you,
Mike 
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USA HOCKEY FINALIZES 2026 NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM COACHING STAFF
USA Hockey has named the full coaching staff for the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team, led by head coach Bob Motzko. Assistants include Greg Brown (Boston College), Steve Miller (Minnesota), and Garrett Raboin (Augustana), all with extensive international and collegiate experience. David Lassonde returns as goaltending coach, with Jacob LeRoy (Minnesota) and Travis Winter (Bemidji State) joining as video coaches. The staff brings decades of experience as Team USA seeks a third consecutive World Junior gold on home ice in Minnesota.
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MISHA DONSKOV JOINS HOCKEY CANADA IN DUAL LEADERSHIP ROLE
Stanley Cup champion Misha Donskov has been named vice-president of hockey operations and national men’s teams coach for Hockey Canada. He will oversee strategy across all men’s, women’s, and para teams while coaching the National Men’s Team and contributing to Olympic and Junior squads. A former NHL coach and executive with Dallas and Vegas, Donskov brings international success and developmental expertise. His hire follows the appointment of Alan Millar, strengthening Canada’s hockey leadership for 2025-26 and beyond.
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64 COLLEGE HOCKEY PLAYERS SELECTED ON DAY 2 OF 2025 NHL DRAFT
Day two of the 2025 NHL Draft saw 64 college players or recruits selected, bringing the total to 74 over the two-day event. Simon Wang, an OHL defenseman committed to Boston University, became the highest-ever Chinese-born pick at 33rd overall. Michigan led all schools with eight selections, followed by Boston University with seven. NCAA programs accounted for 60 picks, while 14 came from CHL teams due to new eligibility rules. The Big Ten led all conferences with 30 total selections.
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EIGHT USHL PLAYERS SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND OF 2025 NHL DRAFT
The USHL had eight players or alumni taken in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, including seven of the final ten picks. James Hagens (Boston College) led the group at 7th overall to Boston. Ryker Lee (Madison) and Mason West (Fargo) became their teams’ first and second-ever first-round picks, respectively. The NTDP contributed four selections. With 0.50 first-round picks per team, the USHL again affirmed its status as North America’s top junior development league.
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FOUR BCHL PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2025 NHL DRAFT
Four BCHL-connected players were selected in the 2025 NHL Draft. Francesco Dell’Elce (UMass, formerly Penticton) led the group at 77th overall to Colorado. Penticton’s Max Heise went to San Jose in Round 5, while Sherwood Park stars Jeremy Loranger and Kale Dach were taken in Round 7 by Columbus and Pittsburgh, respectively. Loranger, the BCHL MVP, led the league with 105 points. Two BCHL alumni, Shea Busch and Brendan Dunphy, were also drafted, both by the Florida Panthers.
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MIKE AIKENS RETURNS AS HEAD COACH OF ANCHORAGE WOLVERINES
The Anchorage Wolverines have re-hired Mike Aikens as head coach ahead of their fifth NAHL season. Aikens led the team during its inaugural 2021-22 campaign, guiding them to a 33-19-4 record and a Robertson Cup Final appearance. He returns after three years as a Division I assistant at St. Lawrence University. Aikens brings 26 years of coaching experience and praised Anchorage as one of junior hockey’s premier organizations. He’s eager to return to Sullivan Arena and build on the Wolverines’ early success.
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Players and families, we want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. We want to hear from you. Good Luck and Great Hockey!
 
Thank you,
Team VHC
 
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