Arizona Hockey Union team hosting charity event in Gilbert to combat participation decline, raise awareness for youth game
Eddie Läck will participate in Ultimate Goalie Showdown on June 17 at AZ Ice in Gilbert at 7 p.m.
Three months ago, we told you about the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation's promising efforts to keep youth hockey alive in Arizona following the departure of the Coyotes. But it's not all roses and rainbows for the Valley's programs.
"We have seen a real decline in participation in our youth hockey programs with the exit of the Coyotes," said Tara Buchanan, the team manager for the Arizona Hockey Union's 8U travel hockey team (the Knights) out of AZ Ice in Gilbert. "We've always had two teams [of about 18 players]. Last year, we could barely make two teams, and then this year at tryouts, we just did not have enough to do two teams, so we canceled our second team.
"We're even seeing the effects in our house program, where we don't have as many new recruits. The Matt Shott Foundation is doing a little bit more to try to help with Shott's Tots, but not having kids watching an NHL game and saying, 'That's our team, I want to learn to ice skate,' is really having an impact."
In an effort to combat that decline and keep attention on the youth game, Knights coach Ryan Beckmann is partnering with former NHL goalie Eddie Läck to stage an on-ice shootout for charity with Beckmann in goal and Läck shooting. The event will also feature an AHU coaches vs. pros/influencers game with confirmed attendance from former NHL'er Theo Fleury, former Laker Nick Young (Swaggyp), On the Bench's Olly & Jacob, Pat Shea, Gabe Gauthier and Läck.
The event will take place at AZ Ice in Gilbert on June 17 at 7 p.m, with tickets already on sale. All proceeds will go to support two main charities, Canucks for Kids and Puck Support, as well as a portion of proceeds going to the AHU 8U Silver team.
"There are a ton of people who have signed up for it so I'm pretty excited," said Läck, who lives in the Valley and works as a realtor. "My kids aren't old enough to play, but when they do get older it's something that I want them to get involved with so yeah, it's important to me to keep youth hockey going."
The Arizona hockey community has always been a tightly knit group. This is one of those opportunities for the community to make a statement and help keep youth hockey thriving in the Valley.
The Knights are currently seeking donations, marketing help, radio/podcast/social media shout-outs or interviews, and signed merchandise or items that could be used for their silent auction.
For more information, contact Tara Buchanan at (480) 234-6334, or email info@lackcantscore.com.
The decline could also be due to rising cost for travel teams such as AHU Knights, Jr Coyotes, and other travel organizations in the valley. The cost for ice time in the valley is way more then other parts of the country. Im not sure if the Coyotes subsidized any of those cost in the past or not but it sure has gone up more since they left.
AHU Has consistently been the most inexpensive while consistently performing at or above the level of the other clubs.