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rink coffee, U18s, and Stars-Avs thoughts

Good morning and happy Friday. As noted in the chat, I’m more coffee than person right now. I’ve already covered parts of 13 hockey games this week and when I wasn’t covering those games at the Under-18 World Championships, I was spending time watching more hockey on TV. But it’s also the best time of […]

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Good morning and happy Friday.

As noted in the chat, I’m more coffee than person right now. I’ve already covered parts of 13 hockey games this week and when I wasn’t covering those games at the Under-18 World Championships, I was spending time watching more hockey on TV.

But it’s also the best time of year and I love it.

So, I figured it was a perfect time to drop a mailbag on a Friday.

Let’s get into it.

Coffee in Allen vs. Coffee in Frisco comparison (From Robert Tiffin)

Well, because of me (or at least that’s what I’m going with) we have coffee in both locations — amongst the daily media contingent for this tournament, I obviously know more people working the rink so I know who to ask that can actually get things done.

The coffee itself is rink coffee, no better no worse. And I love rink coffee in it’s simplicity, it’s hot and slightly warms your soul despite not being something you’d probably want to spend money on at a fancy coffee shop.

I will have to give the slight edge to the Allen coffee right now, simply because they have provided coffee sleeves and we don’t have to waste a second cup sometimes when it is particularly piping hot.

Not particularly playoff related, but curious nonetheless. Nils Lundkvist has been in some pictures recently. When a player gets a season ending injury to they stay around the team for the months it takes to get better? Or go home and heal? (From DN-TX)

It depends on some varying factors.

How bad is the injury? Where is the treatment being done? Is the player under contract for next season? Does the player have a family?

In Lundkvist’s case, for example, he was going through his recovering in Frisco and healing around the team. That’s a choice that best fit his situation.

For others, often with trickier/less-common injuries, it’s easier on the recovering player to not be around the team and feel the pressure to return.

Again it’s not a defined line, it really depends on all the circumstances.

Since you’re in town working for EP, I’ll pitch a somewhat relevant question to the test at hand. Hockey has become so silly with the amount of money parents are paying for their kids to play in the most elite programs. Do you think USA Hockey is doing their part to uncover every stone and find the most talented kids that may not be in the most financial advantageous situations? (From Ronnie Hughes)

No.

Youth sports, sadly, are more about business than uncovering every stone and developing all potential talent. I believe this applies to all youth sports, but can only speak from a level of expertise on hockey.

Hockey is very expensive, it’s a pay-to-play sport, and you have to be in a certain economic demographic for it to be even feasible. It’s also a sport where it’s hard to start later in life because of the skating, so there aren’t examples in hockey of finding the late-blooming 16-year-old who only started playing the game then.

This puts the “stone turning” requirement younger and younger, kid under 10-years-old, where that if someone is going to ever be a “top talent” they’ll need to have close to a decade of skating experience.

USA Hockey isn’t equipped to handle this and I don’t know if it wants to be. When it comes to “Try hockey for free” programs, consider how it’s a nice free one-off, but as soon as a kid shows extended interest, the cost immediately skyrockets.

I wish I could answer this another way, because I love this sport and my kids are starting to play it, but it’s run in a way where the barrier to entry only seems to get higher, not lower, as youth sports become more and more of a business.

Would love your takeaways from the first few days of IIHF. What do you look for/watch? Do you pick a few individuals or just hone on specifics as the game progresses? (From A. Chepey)

It’s been a fun first few days, even if Thursday’s game were rough to watch with some huge blowouts — I left the USA-Switzerland game at the end of the second period yesterday when it was 9-0.

For me and my work at Elite Prospects, I’m here as more of a feature writer/networker/cross-over scout. We have been watching and building out database on this draft class for more than a year now, and this tournament is about fine-tuning and finding late information on 2007-born players for our draft guide.

There are no real surprises at this tournament for us when it comes to the 2026 draft, but there are players that can move up or down our board, and NHL teams are doing the same thing.

For example, we had a lengthy chat last night about one player on Team USA about whether they should really be in the 25 to 30 range on our draft board or the 30 to 40 range.

I’m also watching goalies closely, because I’m responsible for that part of the draft guide more than anyone else, and when it comes to individual players we are looking for “translatable skills.”

Is a player successful at this age because of their size or skill or because of their hockey sense? Can those skills grow or are they kind of tapped as growth areas? It’s an inexact but fascinating science that I’ve learned a ton more about working with EP the past two years.

what players at u18 have impressed you the most that were not high on the prospects radars going in. (From Daniel Griffith)

As noted before, not a ton of surprises/new viewings, but I do start to keep an eye on 16-year-old players in this tournament for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Jonah Neuenschwander, a 16-year-old from Switzerland, made an impression on me even though his team has been cratered and outscored 20-3 in two games so far.

From a goalie perspective, I’ve found more flaws than I want to early in my tournament viewing, but I’m also not going to publicly roast those individuals because these are teenagers.

I’m not trying to mention the unmentionable, but the Stars have kept Cale Makar rather quiet and unnoticeable most the series. Is there anything in particular the Stars are doing to limit his impact? (From Timothy Schmidt)

It’s been a weird series for Cale Makar so far.

He has 10 shots on goal in three games on 30 shot attempts. In Game 1 he had 10 attempts and just one shot through. In Game 3 he had 11 attempts and just three got through.

To me this is the crux of Colorado’s “problem” right now being down 2-1 in the series. Makar has been himself in other facets of the game, creating space on the rush and manipulating space for others, but for whatever reason he’s been missing the net and shooting into bodies more than he typically does.

Makar was more of himself in Game 2, he had six shots on nine attempts, and I think Colorado’s question for Game 4 is how do they bring back some of that normalcy with their top defender.

Because I don’t think it’s what the Stars are doing, I think the Stars are willing to accept that Makar is going to play his game and so far he simply hasn’t had the aim-finder working as a shooter.

Last playoffs, Heiskanen outcomes and outplayed Makar in their series. The Stars journey this yr is one Hell of a gauntlet. I looked up who the last team was to make it to 3 consecutive Conference Finals. It goes all the way back to the 80s Islanders Dynasty. Now? IMO, even more physically and mentally challenging with more competition. Will be in teresting to see if FL makes it and the Stars. The Oil are getting hammered so far…. (From Steve Crump)

The Tampa Bay Lightning reached three straight conference finals on their three-straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final between 2020, 2021, and 2022.

But I understand your point about the grind of the NHL playoffs and what it does to a team. Players have less time to recover, the body enters the next season slightly less than 100 percent, and then that start to show it’s impact later in the season.

It’s one of the reasons I’ve been so impressed with Florida in their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers have had some lung seasons the past two years, and that group — even with the Barkov injury last night — seems to be handling it better than most.

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WCHS Girls Flag Football Coach Selected for NFL Shadow Coaching Programs, Shares Experience on KTLA | NFL

West Covina, CA, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rebecca Hernandez – Coach of the West Covina High School Girls Flag Football Team   Coach Hernandez with the NFL Shadow Coaching Team West Covina High School Girls Flag Football Coach Rebecca Hernandez has been selected to participate in the exclusive Los Angeles Chargers and Los […]

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West Covina, CA, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Rebecca Hernandez – Coach of the West Covina High School Girls Flag Football Team

 

Coach Hernandez with the NFL Shadow Coaching Team

West Covina High School Girls Flag Football Coach Rebecca Hernandez has been selected to participate in the exclusive Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams Shadow Coaching Programs this summer. This professional development opportunity places her alongside NFL coaches during training camps to observe elite-level strategies, player development techniques, and game planning.

Coach Hernandez, one of only a few selected from over 300 applicants, attended the Chargers camp on Friday, July 25, and the Rams camp on Saturday, July 26. She shared her sentiments about this unique opportunity in a recent KTLA News feature, where she expressed excitement about bringing the experience back to West Covina High School.

“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m incredibly grateful and excited,” said Hernandez. “What makes it even more meaningful is the chance to bring what I learn back to West Covina High School, especially to help grow and strengthen our girls flag football program.”

The WCHS Girls Flag Football team is entering its second official season, continuing to gain momentum with strong student participation, coaching leadership, and community support.

Superintendent Dr. Emy Flores praised the milestone, saying:

“We are proud of Coach Hernandez and inspired by her commitment to expanding access and excellence in athletics for young women. Her achievement aligns perfectly with our mission to uplift student voice, leadership, and opportunity.”

Dr. Charles Park, Principal of West Covina High School, added:

“Coach Hernandez is a true leader and role model for our students. Her drive to continually learn, grow, and invest in her athletes makes her an exceptional educator and coach. This opportunity will elevate not only her, but our entire program.”

Coach Hernandez’s involvement in the Chargers and Rams programs represents the district’s broader commitment to equity, innovation, and empowering future-ready learners—on and off the field.

Name: Johanna Villareal Email: jvillareal@wcusd.org Job Title: Public Information Officer

Copyright 2025 GlobeNewswire, Inc.



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What is CTE? New York shooter connected to this brain disease

Dr. Myron Rolle on how the NFL can do more for CTE prevention Former NFL player now neurosurgeon, Dr. Myron Rolle shares what he believes can be done to prevent CTE in the future. Sports Seriously A definitive CTE diagnosis requires a post-mortem brain autopsy, according to the Mayo Clinic. While commonly associated with football, […]

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  • A definitive CTE diagnosis requires a post-mortem brain autopsy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  • While commonly associated with football, CTE risk extends to other contact sports and activities like military service.
  • California has implemented protocols for youth sports, including mandatory concussion education and parental notification, to mitigate head injury risks.

Attention is once again being fixed on CTE, a brain disease connected to repeated head injuries, after a gunman fatally shot at least four people in New York on Monday, July 29.

That’s because the suspect, Shane Tamura, left a note that alluded to him believing he had CTE and appeared to blame the NFL for his injury, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on CBS “This Morning.”

USA TODAY reported that Tamura played football for Granada Hills Charter School in Los Angeles.

CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and repeated head injuries are likely the cause of it, according to the Mayo Clinic. CTE permanently destroys nerve cells in the brain, worsens over time, and can affect how the brain works, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

It’s been the subject of various research, seeing more spotlight in recent years, along with other head injuries, as people become increasingly aware of how contact sports like football are being linked to adverse health effects down the road. And in California, there are efforts to respond to and address head injuries in youth sports.

Here’s what to know about CTE.

How is CTE diagnosed?

The only way to definitively diagnose that a person has CTE is after they die. That’s because the brain must be autopsied, the Mayo Clinic said. CTE symptoms are “similar to those of other conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease” and can also be mistaken for normal aging, according to Harvard Health.

The Boston University CTE Center diagnosed 345 former NFL players with CTE out of 376 former players studied, according to Boston University in 2023.

How do people get CTE?

CTE is commonly associated with football, a sport that would increase your risk of having multiple head injuries like concussions.

But other sports like boxing or hockey, or activities such as serving in the military, are also considered among the activities that increase your risk factor for getting CTE, said the Cleveland Clinic.

Harvard Health said that “there is strong evidence connecting CTE to repeated head impacts, whether or not they cause concussions.”

However, it’s unclear why some people with repeated head impacts develop CTE and others don’t, said Harvard Health.

Protocols for concussions in youth sports in California

California does has protocols to help protect athletes and youth from concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury.

In 2022, there were 33,626 emergency department visits and 4,827 hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injuries in Californians ages 0 to 24, according to a report from the California Department of Public Health.

The California Interscholastic Federation, the governing body of high school sports in the state, has a protocol for concussions.

Student athletes suspected of sustaining one, or a head injury, during a practice or a game are to be removed from competition for the remainder of the day, and if they’ve been removed from play, they can’t return until they’ve been evaluated by a licensed health care provider “trained in education and management of concussion.” The student athlete will also need written clearance from that healthcare provider to return to playing.

This is according to the 2024-2025 Blue Book Constitution & Bylaws rules, which also has other information related to concussions and other injuries.

Under California Assembly Bill 2007, passed in 2016, youth sports organizations must notify parents or guardians of athletes 17 or younger who’ve been removed from athletic activities due to a suspected concussion. The law also requires coaches and administrators to complete the concussion and head injury education offered under the bill at least once.

What are symptoms of CTE?

Those who’ve been confirmed with CTE had symptoms that included cognitive, behavioral, mood, and movement changes, such as trouble with walking or balance, among other issues, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.



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Freshman Forward Austin Goode Joins Mustangs for 2025-26 Season

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Continuing to add depth, length and scoring to the Cal Poly men’s basketball program’s roster, second-year head coach Mike DeGeorge announced recently that 6-7 forward Austin Goode (Brampton, Ontario) has joined the Mustangs ahead of the 2025-26 season. “Austin is a versatile athlete that can guard all five positions and stretch […]

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SAN LUIS OBISPO – Continuing to add depth, length and scoring to the Cal Poly men’s basketball program’s roster, second-year head coach Mike DeGeorge announced recently that 6-7 forward Austin Goode (Brampton, Ontario) has joined the Mustangs ahead of the 2025-26 season.

“Austin is a versatile athlete that can guard all five positions and stretch the floor with his shooting ability,” said DeGeorge, who concluded his first season in March by leading Cal Poly to the Big West Championship semifinals. “He’s also an excellent rebounder. These attributes all fit well with our roster and system. He’s played against high-level competition which will help with his transition to the Big West.”

With four years of eligibility remaining, Goode arrives in San Luis Obispo following a standout 2024-25 season at Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.) in which he helped lead the squad to a share of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League scholastic regular season title. 

Competing alongside current Mustang guard Peter Bandelj during the 2023-24 season at Royal Crown School – a Toronto preparatory academy – Goode averaged 11.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per 17 games while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor. Assisting Royal Crown to the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association title, Goode scored in double digits 10 times. 

Majoring in business in admiration, Goode is the sixth member of Cal Poly’s incoming 2025-26 class, joining junior guard Jake Davis, sophomore guard Hamad Mousa, freshmen guard Jason Scott and freshman forwards Braden Freeman and Troy Plumtree.



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Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team to increase access, financial aid

Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team former captain Victoria Rosales grew up in Utah and never got involved in sports, let alone mountain biking. “Growing up in Park City I’ve always wanted to join teams, but I was always intimidated by not seeing other Latino kids, so I never really joined any sports growing up,” […]

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Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team former captain Victoria Rosales grew up in Utah and never got involved in sports, let alone mountain biking.

“Growing up in Park City I’ve always wanted to join teams, but I was always intimidated by not seeing other Latino kids, so I never really joined any sports growing up,” she said. 

That changed when the head coach of the team, Pete Stoughton, came into her Latinos in Action class to recruit students.

She then convinced her friend, Kenia Ramirez, to join in on the fun.

Now, the two seniors are going into their third year on the team as veterans. Last year, Rosales passed the torch as team captain to Ramirez.

Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team seniors Victoria Rosales (left) and Kenia Ramirez (right) joined the team together their sophomore year. This year, Rosales is passing the torch as team captain to Ramirez.

Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team

Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team seniors Victoria Rosales (left) and Kenia Ramirez (right) joined the team together their sophomore year. This year, Rosales is passing the torch as team captain to Ramirez.

One of the team’s coaches, Heather Sims, said all kids should have the chance to represent Park City High School as part of a team.

While other high school sports may have competitive tryouts, she said any student can join the mountain biking team.

She said inclusion is a core team value.

“My goal was to really increase our low income families and the people of color in the team,” Sims said. 

So one of the organization’s top priorities became ensuring the percentage of Latino students on the team was equal to that of the community.

Sims has been a coach for about eight years. She also works as programs director for Youth Sports Alliance, where she prepares kids for the high school team.

She estimates the cost, including league fees, bikes and travel uniforms, adds up to about $1,000 per student.

Sims realized that price tag was prohibitive for some students and started helping them apply for financial assistance.

In years past, she said students have received bikes and gear through the Trek Pathfinder Scholarship in partnership with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association to get more people of color on the trails.

The team also buys bikes for student athletes with funds raised in the Park City Bike Swap.

She said money from the Park City Community Foundation’s Live PC Give PC fundraiser and other private grants help low-income students every year.

Of the team’s 21 low-income athletes, 16 are Latino.

Ramirez said if it weren’t for the financial help, she could not have joined the team and eventually become its captain.

“Having a family who struggles with financial health, I just felt happy, like really happy since I was able to get help for it, since it was something I wanted to try,” Ramirez said.

She says the team has also given her strength to persevere through challenges in sports, school and in life, from tough games to difficult course work.

To her, the team has become a family that helps her celebrate her cultural heritage.

Current senior Kenia Ramirez has been part of the Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team since her sophomore year. Now, she is heading into her senior year as team captain.

Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team

Current senior Kenia Ramirez has been part of the Park City Schools Mountain Bike Team since her sophomore year. Now, she is heading into her senior year as team captain.

Sims said, because of recruitment efforts, the team now has 16 Latino athletes, that’s more than double the previous year.

She said financial assistance has allowed these students to love a sport they otherwise might not be able to afford.

“They came back, and they’ve been back every year,” Sims said. “I think that says a lot about how comfortable they are being part of this team.”

Sims said, as the program grows, adding a Latino coach could help broaden the team’s reach in the community.

Families can apply for financial assistance starting in April before practices begin June 1.

Race season runs from Aug. 16 to the state championships Oct. 18.





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Sylacauga Parks and Recreation provides status updates on major projects, including future basketball and pickleball courts

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Big developments are underway for Sylacauga Parks and Recreation as the department moves forward with several major projects. A construction contract for new basketball and pickleball courts has been received and is on its way to being signed. The courts will be built at the site of the former swimming pool next […]

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SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Big developments are underway for Sylacauga Parks and Recreation as the department moves forward with several major projects.

A construction contract for new basketball and pickleball courts has been received and is on its way to being signed. The courts will be built at the site of the former swimming pool next to Sylacauga High School.

In partnership with the Sylacauga Housing Authority, efforts are ongoing to reopen the Verlie B. Collins Center as a shared-use facility.

Parks and Recreation is also preparing a request for a new playground at Beth Yates Park, while youth sports registration is now open for cheerleading, flag football, soccer, tackle football and volleyball – programs expected to serve about 400 children ages three to sixteen.

Friday, Aug. 1 is the deadline to register.

The department recently wrapped up its summer Day Camp, which averaged 65 children daily.

Perhaps the most ambitious project in the works is the new recreation center, now in the design phase. Plans include two indoor basketball courts, a swimming pool, fitness center, meeting rooms, and an indoor walking track.

“I’m so proud of our team that works tirelessly every day to make our community a better place,” said a Parks and Rec representative in a post on social media.



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CRDAMC hosts annual Sports Physical Rodeo and Kidz Fest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FORT HOOD, Texas — The Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Pediatric Clinic will host its annual Sports Physical Rodeo in conjunction with the Army Public Health Nursing Team’s Kidz Fest Saturday, Aug. 2. Kidz Fest will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hospital atrium and will feature a […]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORT HOOD, Texas — The Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Pediatric Clinic will host its annual Sports Physical Rodeo in conjunction with the Army Public Health Nursing Team’s Kidz Fest Saturday, Aug. 2.

Kidz Fest will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hospital atrium and will feature a variety of family-friendly activities including games, arts and crafts, story time, prizes, and a backpack raffle. The event is free and open to families enrolled in any CRDAMC clinic.

At the same time, the Pediatric Clinic will be open from 7:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. to provide Child and Youth Services and sports physicals for school-aged children ages 4 and up. Services are available to beneficiaries enrolled at any CRDAMC clinic.

While appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are welcome with limited availability. Families can schedule an appointment by calling 254-288-8888 or visiting the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal at https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil.

Please note: The event is focused solely on physical exams and family fun. Medication refill requests or additional school forms such as asthma action plans or allergy forms will not be processed during the event. These should be submitted to your primary care manager via the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. If your child is feeling ill, please plan a visit to your primary care provider another day.

The hospital is located at 590 Medical Center Road, Fort Hood, Texas 76544.

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The Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Pediatric Clinic will host its annual Sports Physical Rodeo in conjunction with the Army Public Health Nursing Team’s Kidz Fest on Aug. 2.

 

The Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Pediatric Clinic will host its annual Sports Physical Rodeo in conjunction with the Army Public Health Nursing Team’s Kidz Fest on Aug. 2.



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