ALBUQUERQUE – Howdy Ice Wolves followers and welcome to the most recent version of the Ice Wolves Den. This week we characteristic one of many unique NA3HL Ice Wolves and present NAHL Ice Wolves, Stanley Hubbard.
Hubbard is proud to have helped construct the NA3HL program, “It feels good, the 3HL was superior and an enormous piece of my growth. To get to play towards 20 yr olds after I was a 17 yr previous is unquestionably an enormous soar from taking part in youth hockey.” Hubbard stated, “It’s so cool to see how aggressive this system is. Even the primary yr, no person had excessive expectations, then final yr we simply had a extremely good staff. They’ve an important staff once more this yr and that’s simply superior to see.”
Head Coach Kevin Hartzell credit Stanley’s character, “He needs to maintain getting higher and it’s arduous typically for giant guys after they’re younger, as a result of typically their power hasn’t caught as much as them. That’s most likely his largest problem, his man power hasn’t caught up, however he’s keen to work and he’s coachable. We’ll assist him preserve bettering and he’ll preserve working, there’s little doubt about that ” Hartzell stated, “His power is beginning to catch up, Sunday he didn’t play, a part of that was it’s an important day for him to be within the weight room, 3 video games in 3 days, so he received an additional weight session. He retains taking skating classes and he’s getting higher and higher on a regular basis.”
Stanley’s father, staff proprietor Stan Hubbard believes he might be an inspiration for youthful children, “We’re very happy with him, not not solely has he labored himself up from the NA3HL to the NAHL, he labored himself up from all New Mexico Youth Hockey, he’s by no means left the State of New Mexico. He’s confirmed that you may make it to this degree with out leaving. Hopefully it paves the way in which for extra children to have the ability to dream of and attain a better degree of hockey with out having to go away residence. Not solely is it costly, nevertheless it’s a tough factor for a child.” Stan stated, “He began as a goalie, simply 3 years in the past, he was a goalie via Bantams and half goalie his first yr of U16 and he determined he needed to play up. We’re darn happy with him and he’s doing nice. He was the one goalie that had a goal on his masks. He designed it himself with the Minnesota aspect and the New Mexico aspect. The goal on the brow was all him, too. That’s the way in which he performed goalie and that’s why he nonetheless performs hockey.”
Assistant Coach Vinny Bohn says Stanley’s private connection to the staff could also be fueling his growth, “He’s an unbelievable teammate, I believe his private connection to the emblem offers him a bit bit extra drive. He’s a child that has actually believed within the ladder of growth. He takes benefit of all the pieces we’ve received right here.” Bohn stated, “It’s tougher while you’re 6’7″, you’ve received to place in a bit extra effort and time. It’s like anything, while you put within the work you’ll present enchancment. Along with his skating, it’s not only a straight line, it’s your edge work, your power, puck safety. There are a whole lot of large guys within the sport, however they don’t all the time play to their dimension. He doesn’t shrink back from it, he performs to his power and undoubtedly provides a whole lot of completely different choices to our lineup.”
Stanley says shifting up from the 3HL to the NAHL does have a studying curve, “You lose a while and area, it’s a must to make selections faster, I believe that’s the largest adjustment. In the summertime Ben Danford has helped me with my skating and getting stronger.” Hubbard stated, “Coach Gary has been big about getting stronger within the health club. He’s helped me placed on a whole lot of muscle this summer time and over the course of the season. That’s been an enormous piece, getting stronger to skate.”
After dropping 2 of three to the Colorado Grit at residence this previous weekend, the NAHL Ice Wolves are on the highway this weekend taking up the Lone Star Brahmas earlier than getting a brief Christmas break. They return residence for a particular Monday and Tuesday set for New Yr’s taking up the El Paso Rhinos December thirtieth and thirty first.
Use CodePHN15 Would look good with an Ice Wolves emblem, eh?
The 3HL Ice Wolves are in Blaine, MN for the Showcase earlier than getting a 3 week vacation break. They return residence January seventeenth.
Photograph credit to Scott Adamson and the Hubbard Household
