Fresno Jr. Falcons: The Little Hockey Club that Could

Ice hockey in California you ask? Heck yeah, ice hockey in California. But seriously ice hockey in Fresno, California, home of raisin growers, dairies and 116 degree summer heat you ask? What better place to be in that kind of heat than a nice cool ice rink, we say. Ice hockey in California is rapidly growing in popularity and skaters from the youth clubs are being drafted into the NHL and are earning college scholarships.

Fresno has had a youth program for many years now, teaching the kids hockey skills and life lessons as well as throwing in a whole lot of fun. I wrote earlier this year about how Fresno is one of the largest cities in the nation with just one single ice rink, and one single sheet of ice. This ice is shared by adult leagues; youth, school and church outings; figure skating club; and the Jr. hockey club with in-house and travel programs. That's a lot of people to share one ice sheet. Earlier this year all of these groups faced the potential closure of our rink, but through hard work and publicity, we convinced the owner to remain open for at least another year. After the success of our Jr. hockey teams this year, we hope that will keep it open even longer.

This little hockey club, also known as the Fresno Jr. Falcons, draws kids from the surrounding areas that have no ice rinks. Our dedicated kids and parents drive as much as 2 1/2 hours just to come to practices. Earlier in the year our club president was in a discussion about how many kids try out for the different teams and clubs in the Northern California league (Norcal). When another person heard that our Bantam team, ages 14 and under, had just 6 players and a goalie at tryouts and due to numbers we generally don't turn away any player unless they are simply not ready for travel hockey....he effectively called our club crazy and said you can't have a successful program or team with so few kids. We understand how other clubs might believe this, since most of those teams get 30 to 100 players just at tryouts for each team. HOw can we possibly think our club teams are competetive.

We are more than delighted to prove him it can be done. Call these kids, coaches and parents crazy all you want...two of our little teams brought home California State Championship titles. The Pee Wee team, ages 12 and under, had a phenomenal season this year. They went undefeated in regulation play through their entire season, including championships. They ended this year with just a few ties, and one overtime loss in the championship weekend. These young players were fortunate enough to skate with a full roster. In March they brought home the Norcal League Championship banner. Then in April they took the final game to three sudden death overtime periods to win the California State Championships.

Remember the crazy Bantam team with just 7 players at tryouts? This team went on to compete with only 13 skaters and one goalie. They finished their season in second place, went on to win all three games leading up to the Norcal Title game and unfortunately lost the divisional title. Throughout the season these 14 kids battled against teams with at least 16-20 players on their bench, making for some tiring hockey games. The team allowed just 32 goals in 26 games, including the two championship weekends. Throughout the season and championships, they posted 11 shutouts (allowing no goals against their team) including two in each four game championship series. To gain perspective: the next lowest goals against for any team was 10 goals higher. That's pretty darn good for a single goalie and 13 players. This speaks well of our coaching staff, who motivated the kids to want to win and taught them how to do it.

The Bantam team, that crazy little team, won their California Championship in two sudden death overtime periods against a classy and worthy opponent in the Beach City Lightning Bantam team. These two teams and spectators exemplified what youth sports is all about. Throughout each season, sometimes parents and players get carried away and say things they shouldn't or say things they (hopefully) later regret. Before the game, parents of these two teams were talking and joking with each other, wishing each other luck (ok, a little confession: I personally wished them a "good game" not luck, allow me a little hockey superstition) and shaking hands. During the game there was a lot of loud cheering but also joking and laughing between the two sides of the crowd. Unfortunately it's become rare to see this in youth sports, but parents and families on both teams are to be commended.

What we witnessed after the game was the epitome of class and sportsmanship. The parents on both sides were shaking hands, and a couple of moms from Beach City hugged me and congratulated us. But it was the kids that really showed the most class. You might expect the players on the losing team to shake hands and skate away quickly, but players on the Beach City team, still disappointed and hurting,not only went through the line and shook hands with the Fresno players and coaches but they stopped to briefly talk to our players and congratulate them. Their team Captain especially was seen stopping, talking and thanking our team. A few days after the game, it came to my attention that the Captain posted a heartfelt and excellent post in hockey forums praising his team; praising the goalies; praising all sides for the season and the final game. It's easy to see why this young man was chosen their captain. I say honestly that as far as class and sportsmanship, this was one of the best teams...parents, coaches and players combined...that my son has ever played against. Beach City Lightning, job well done....tap tap tap tap.

So what does this all say about youth sports? The Fresno Jr. Falcons have proven that excellence is not in the numbers, but in the determination, dedication and heart of the players.

Go ahead, call us crazy...we kind of like it.