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PF Chang’s vs LA Kings U18 AAA

September 27, 2008 By 1 Comment

After going out to dinner with some of my Jr. Coyotes teammates on Friday night, we went Coach Jimmy Johnsonover to the Alltell Ice Den to see the PF Chang’s U18 AAA take on the LA King’s team.  This game was so awesome.  The PF Chang’s team is really good, although the King’s kept up.  In the end the PF Chang’s team won 6-5.

We were cheering and chanting for the PF Chang’s team so loud, and when their player scored a goal he came over and banged on the glass where we were sitting.  It was really a good hockey game!

I attended a clinic in the spring of 2007 taught by the PF Chang’s Coach Jim Johnson.

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NHL Coyotes Power Skating Coach Mark Ciaccio

September 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment

The Jr. Coyotes were fortunate to have the Phoenix Coyotes Power Skating Coach attend their practice on Thursday night. Coach Mark Ciaccio ran the same drills with us that he has the NHL players do.

Coach Ciaccio spent an hour teaching us about staying low to the ice and having our skates come back to the V position. We worked on crossovers and then without sticks, we put our arms out like jet airplanes and ran two at a time doing crossovers around the circles. We had incredible speed! It is my favorite drill.

During my fall break from school, I look forward to attending his Hockey Skills Clinic on October 9 & 10 at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale.

Here is a video of the first time Coach Ciacco attended our preseason practice in June 2008:  Video

From USA Today:  In an effort to tone up certain parts of his game, C Olli Jokinen has been working with Coyotes power skating coach Mark Ciaccio.

Another great article about the NHL Phoenix Coyotes players whose game has improved with the help of Mark Ciaccio:  Article

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Aiming for the target

September 15, 2008 By Leave a Comment

My mom found these hockey net targets at Dick’s Sporting Goods over the weekend. Today, I used them when taking my shots. I was working harder, trying to hit the targets but having so much fun doing it. It was a victory when the puck hit the target and it fell out. The black pucks left a mark on the bulls eye, and I could see where I hit it.

I used a combination of pucks: flypucks, blue and black pucks for different weights. I am actually lifting the black puck top shelf now. It also helps to take the shot from different angles on the driveway.

My mom said my shot was much higher today and more accurate. I was focused. The targets didn’t cost a lot and totally made taking shots so much fun. I didn’t want to stop and finished at 137 shots for my log. Thanks Mom!

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Murph hits the Ice at Polar Ice in Gilbert

September 12, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Tonight, some of my hockey friends and I were the first to hit the ice at the opening of Polar Ice in Gilbert.  It was so awesome, this rink is so big and NEW and no puck marks on the glass.

The General Manager was so nice at the Gilbert Rink.  He said it was OK for us to use the other sheet of ice because the ice skaters were still performing. We were so excited, we jumped the boards and started skating.  This rink is so close to my house, I can do some free skate and power skating here.

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Face Off with a Friend

September 1, 2008 By 1 Comment

I spent the entire summer playing on the same team as Jacob. Now that summer is over and we are both on different teams, I was taking a face off against him in the Labor Day Tournament. He gave me a hockey hit when he entered the face off circle. Jacob is a good friend and a leader on the Polar Bears team. I thought he was going to get a goal, he had a few chances to move the puck on a break away. He never stopped trying.

I am looking forward to seeing him again on the ice.

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Another Big Moment for Murph

August 9, 2008 By Leave a Comment

I had a Great Day today!

Since the Florida Panthers practice at the same rink as my former Jr. Panthers team, I use to see  Olli Jokinen a lot last year. Olli is definitely one of my favorite players.

Today my Mom and I got to welcome Olli to Phoenix! I got to see Olli as a Phoenix COYOTE! It was such a great moment. He is so awesome!!

I waited in line for 3 hours at Jobing.com Arena, during a “Fans Open House”. I was one of 2,513 fans waiting to see Peter Mueller, Shane Doan and Olli Jokinen. I got their autographs and had my picture taken with them. I had Olli sign a puck that he gave me during a Panther practice at Incredible Ice last year.

I also got to meet Darren Pang, he is part of the Coyotes broadcasting staff and former NHL player (Chicago Blackhawks) while I was standing in line. He interviewed my mom and I … it was so cool having the BIG camera on us!

I can’t wait for the puck to drop and see Olli hit the ice!

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