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Hockey Strength & Conditioning

DP Hockey News

January 9th, 2009

Air Force Academy goaltender Andrew Volkening has been nominated for the 2009 Hobey Baker Award (the award given to the NCAA Hockey Player of the Year).  Currently Andrew ranks sixth in goals-against average (1.63) and ninth in the nation in save percentage (.932).  His 15 wins are tops in the nation and he leads Atlantic Hockey in all three categories.  Andy also has three shutouts this season for a total of eight in his NCAA career.  Congrats Andy and lets hope you not only become a top 10 finalist, but win the 2009 Hobey Baker Award!

December 28th, 2008

Professional hockey player Justin Todd is going over to Germany to play professional hockey for the ERC99 Sonthofen Bulls.  Check out the website (if you can read German) at www.erc99.de.  Good luck over there Justin!

March 31, 2008

Air Force goaltender was named to the all-tournament team at the NCAA Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass., March 30.

Volkening becomes Air Force's first player in school history to be named to an NCAA Regional all-tourney team. He made 30 saves in the game vs. top-seeded Miami and made numerous spectacular saves in the game. His stick save on a shot by Jarod Palmer in the second period was named the No. 1 Play of the Day on ESPN, March 29.

The sophomore from Genoa, Ill., held the nation's top scoring team to just two goals in regulation. Miami ended up winning the game, 3-2 in overtime, but entered the game as the only team in the nation to average more than four goals per game. Volkening made six saves in overtime, including a blocker save on a breakaway shot by Hobey Baker finalist Ryan Jones, the nation's leading goal scorer.

Volkening set new school records for goals-against average (2.09) and saves percentage (.911) in a season at the Academy.

NCAA NORTHEAST REGIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Forward: Nathan Gerbe, Boston College

Forward: Ryan Jones, Miami (Ohio)

Forward: Joe Whitney, Boston College

Defenseman: Alec Martinez, Miami (Ohio)

Defenseman: Nick Petrecki, Boston College

Goaltender: Andrew Volkening, Air Force

October 31, 2007

Air Force Academy (NCAA Division 1) goaltender Andrew Volkening was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Goalie of the Month for the month of October.

The sophomore from Genoa, Ilinio, led Air Force to a 3-1 record in the month, which ties as the second best start since 1975-76 and ties the best in school history against Division 1 teams.  Volkening was named the AHA Goalie of the Week, October 22, as he earned two wins and allowed just two goals in the Air Force Academy's sweep of 14th ranked Quinnipiac.

Volkening leads the AHA in goals against average (1.52) and save percentage (.943).  He ranks 11th in the nation in GAA and ninth in saves.

October 27th, 2007

The Youngstown Steelhounds in conjunction with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League have announced today that defensemen Stephen Margeson has been called up to the AHL franchise.  Margeson, 25, is the first Steelhound to move up this season.

 “Well this is what the minors are all about” said SteelHounds Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kaminski.  “With our location and Cleveland (Lake Erie) being as close as it is, in addition to the strength of our affiliations, this is why guys come here to play.”  In regards to Margeson, Kaminski went on to say, “Margy has looked great these past two games. We didn’t expect the call this early but it’s great for him and great for our organization as a whole.”

In two games this season with Youngstown, Margeson has one assist, eight penalty minutes and a +2. He will join Lake Erie in Iowa tonight as the Monsters take on the Iowa Stars. The Monsters are in their inaugural season and are the top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

June 21st, 2007

Former hockey goaltender for the Banff Hockey Academy, Army Pfc. Raymond Spencer Jr., 23 of Carmichael, California was killed in Iraq.  Spencer who joined the Army to "serve his country" was a firefighter in Placer Hills, California before joining the Army.  Spencer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Bliss, Texas.  According to the US Army Raymond was killed in Baghdad when insurgents attacked his unit with homemade bombs and small arms.  In honour of Pfc. Spencer, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said that flags in the Capitol of California will be flown at half-staff.  

Raymond played two years in Banff, Alberta, Canada with the BHA Icemen as the starting goaltender.  Always the kind of guy with a smile on his face and a positive attitude in his heart, Ray worked hard to develop as a hockey player and as a person.  In his spare time he would regularly volunteer to help coach the women's hockey and youth hockey programs within the community.  After he finished his playing career he continued to coach youth hockey in Sacramento, California as he worked as a firefighter.

He sacrificed his life to defend what he believed in, helping to bring peace to this part of the world.  Raymond will be missed by all the staff and athletes he played with in Banff.  Our sincere thoughts go out to the family and friends of Raymond Spencer Jr.

May 14, 2007

Plans have been finalized to host the first annual Elite Conditioning Camp in Orange, California in late August (27th to September 1st).  This 6 day camp will be a unique blend of on and off-ice conditioning and instruction that will prepare players for tryouts and the grind of the regular season.  Only 5 spots are available for this camp, so sign up early at superdave2010@yahoo.com to be assured a spot.  Click here for more details.

May 12, 2007

Coach Pollitt is partnering up with former professional hockey player and current skating/shooting guru Steve Phillips of Phillips Hockey to host the first annual hockey Boot Camp in Simi Valley, California.  The focus will be on developing skills, improving conditioning and getting players ready for the upcoming season.

March 26th, 2007

Air Force Falcons rookie goaltender Andrew Volkening stopped 33 shots and was named the games 3rd star in the Falcons first NCAA Frozen Four Tournament Game (the West Regionals).  Volkening played "magnificent" according to coach Frank Serratore, and the Falcons were in the game until late into the third period when the Gophers pushed in a rebound to make the final score 4-3.  In post game interviews Andy mentioned that the lost will be on his mind all summer as he prepares for next season and perhaps a trip back to the national championship.  Congratulations Andy on all of your hard work and we'll get it done next year!

March 22nd, 2007

Sheffield Steelers defencemen (and DP Hockey client) Mark Thomas has been named as a 1st alternate for the Great Britain Ice Hockey team that will compete in the IIHF World Hockey Championships in Slovenia starting April 15th, 2007.  Mark narrowly missed the cut for the active roster of 22 (the limit allowed in international play), but will fly with the team to Slovenia for the tournament.  Congratulations Mark on all of your hard work and let's hope you get some playing time in Slovenia!

March 19th, 2007

DP Hockey athlete Andrew Volkening of the NCAA Division 1 Air Force Academy Falcons was named the goaltender of the 2007 Atlantic Hockey All-Tournament Team.  Volkening, who just made two starts since Thanksgiving (winning both), stopped 23 of 24 shots he faced in leading the Falcons to their first ever Atlantic Hockey Tournament Crown.  Congratulations Andrew on your fine play!

March 10, 2007

Two of DP Hockey's clients ended up making the all-star team in the North Eastern Hockey League (a semi-professional hockey league).  Evan Affleck and Justin Todd were named to the all-star team with Todd (who has received 3 players of the week honours this past season) being named as one of the team captain.  Congratulations to both Justin and Evan.

January 18th, 2007

DP Hockey is proud to announce that we have partnered up with Angelo Maggio and Magic Hockey (Langley, BC).  Angelo is a renowned goaltender coach and we plan to have a goaltender manual and DVD set out by September 2007, as well as start hosting player development and goaltender camps and clinics in both the Vancouver area and southern California.  Check back for more information as it becomes available.

December 21st, 2006

DP Hockey client and good friend Ryan Galloway will be working in his 200th National Hockey League regular season game as a linesmen.  The game (which is televised on Versus/OLN) from San Jose, California features the hometown Sharks against the Dallas Stars.  Congratulations Ryan and as I said to you this afternoon only 10 more years left for 1000 NHL games!

August 25th, 2006

Former DP Hockey client Joey Ammon who has been playing for the Lloydminister Bobcats in the AJHL will play for the Bridgewater Bandits in the EJHL next season and attend Bridgewater State College in preparation for his acceptance into West Point Military Academy.  Our congratulations to Joey!

June 19th, 2006

Ultra endurance athlete and client Douglas Browne of Irvine California has suffered a crash in his attempt to finish the coast to coast 3042 mile ultra-distance bicycle race (RAAM).  Doug crashed on a rain soaked downhill in Colorado.  We wish Doug a fast recovery and return to training for the 2007 RAAM.

May 26, 2006

DP Hockey client Mark Thomas re-signed with the Sheffield Steelers of the English Elite Hockey League (EIHL).  Steelers head coach Dave Whistle remarked "I was very impressed with Mark as a player and as a person, he is a top guy and one we see being here in Sheffield for the long term."  He continued by adding "Mark can play in a number of positions as we saw last year, he also plays the penalty kill very well, I have complete trust in him when he is on the ice and cant wait to continue working with him when August comes around."  Upon signing Mark mentioned "When Dave and I started talking I was honest with him and told him that I wanted to come back and lets get the deal done, he was good to his word and now its confirmed I am delighted." 

Congratulations Mark for working hard to ensure his future in professional hockey!

May 16, 2006

DP Hockey has now provided the current 2006 list of prohibitive substances from the World Anti-Doping
Agency.  This is the watchdog agency of performance enhancing drugs for the International Olympic Committee.  The list that they provide is considered the premier list for all sport organizations and associations such as the National Hockey League, National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, the NCAA and FIFA.  The list can be found at the following link WADA List 2006. 

A link to the World Anti-Doping Agency can be found here  WADA Homepage Link .

April 17, 2006

Goaltender Andrew Volkening of the Wasilla Spirit has committed to play for the Air Force Academy (NCAA Division I) for the 2006-2007 season.  Andrew had several offers from Holy Cross and the Rochester Institute of Technology before finally choosing the Air Force Academy. 

Volkening, the starting goaltender of the Wasilla Spirit, began the 2005-06 season playing for the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.  After a stint in Canada, Volkening opted to return to the NAHL and play for Wasilla where he averages 34.4 shots per game.

Andrew has been a client of DP Hockey for 6 years now and we congratulate him on this great opportunity to play NCAA Division I hockey and start a career in the United States Air Force.

April 13, 2006

DPHockey proudly announces the addition of long time friend and colleague Richard Monette, B.Sc. B.Ed. M.A. to our staff.  Richard is a mental performance enhancement expert with a wide range of experience and clients (such as the Toronto Dominion Bank, Bristol-Myers Squibb, the National Screen Institute - Canada,  the Canadian National Rugby Team,  the Canadian National Nordic Combined Team and World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist in Skeleton Jeff Pain).  Richard offers keynote presentations, group and individual training to help people reach the highest level of performance in their chosen endeavor.  We are honored to have such a true expert join our staff.  Richard can be reached at www.innerwarrior.com if you wish to contact him personally.

April 9, 2006

DPHockey welcomes Warrior Wear Clothing to the complete line of clothing that we will soon be offering.  Warrior Wear clothing is a company in southern California that produces performance wear and general clothing for Ultimate Fighting Champion athletes such as the World Super Heavy Weight Champion Tim Silvia, Joey Villasenor, Chris Leber, Mac Danzig, and Rob McCullogh.  At DP hockey we recognize a hockey players competitive nature, and now we have a brand of clothing that reflects that desire for battle.

April 3, 2006

We are proud to announce the addition of Jack Blatherwick to DP Hockey.  Coach Blatherwick will be providing various articles and offer technical advice in our ask the experts section.  We look forward to a long working relationship with Coach Blatherwick.