Andy's Rink Rats

A leader makes decisions he may not like but knows is for the betterment of his team.

Today was our final day at Corona Inline and I want to take a moment to express my appreciation to all the kids and parents at Corona Inline I have had the privilege of coaching there since 2016. I seemed to get many beginners and very inexperienced on my rosters over the years. I never really minded because I enjoy coaching and teaching raw talent, with limited skills, and then watching their growth and especially their confidence. My thing is to encourage the kids to learn to find the best inside themselves. Anyone who has played for me knows I'm not one to post what they should do, instead sharing it at practices, games, and in a team newsletter I try to take the time to do. Btw, my newsletters may be lengthy, but the goal was to help those inexperienced with hockey get feedback and info that can help them away from the rink. Plus, not all parents have played hockey. Today was bittersweet. Bear started playing there, my FireDogs were born there, and 3 years are 3 years. So many friends and memories were made there. But the time has come to move on. But what a sendoff by my Rink Rats. Bear is playing in WC, and I've taken a much older team, plus it is now the (practice) home of my FireDogs. Thank you to so many who befriended and prayed for my family, and who have offered support and encouragement over the years. I'm humbled and honored... While there are too many to name, kids and families, know I will always be accessible and there for a word of wisdom or support for the many who have played for me, and will always happily greet so many if I see you around the IE or a hockey rink. I look forward to seeing more kids enter travel clubs and at tourneys. Work hard, and give your best, for I'll always be proud of the effort... Blessings and love to all... Coach Andy! ❤💛🖤 🐾🐻🐾😎🚒🔥🐶👨‍🚒🥅🏒🇺🇸

This 5 pic sequence is the anatomy of a save. Keep in mind, wide open net and Bear has played goalie since Dec-Jan, excluding the holidays. * Watch the puck trajectory change. Anyone who was there can see why he was getting a lot of cheers and love after the Narch Regional 8u semifinal game especially considering he made 38 saves in the semi. 🐾🐻🐾❤💛🖤🇺🇸🏒🥅🔥🐶🏅🚒👨‍🚒🥅🏒🇺🇸

Bear with a late game save on the way to his first Corona rec win 5-1. Team played great, worked hard, and played better. I'm enjoying coaching this group. This is Bear's 3rd game in 3 nights with a 4th game on Saturday. 🇺🇸🏒🥅🐾🐻🐾🔥🚨🔥🚨🔥🚨🔥🚨🔥🚨🔥🥅🏒🇺🇸

GAMEDAY: After backstopping (as a sub) the Wendigos to a 2-2 tie and several monster saves including stopping all 3 shootout shots, Bear leads the Rink Rats (Kesler's Klan) as they start Winter 8u play in Corona tonight at 625. Returning with Bear are Jake, Rylan, Wes, & Wyatt, along with 5 new teammates. Will be a fun night... Here are his shootout saves... https://youtu.be/_PhDrxvBs44 🇺🇸🏒🥅🔥🐾🐻🐾🔥🥅🏒🇺🇸

GAMEDAY: After backstopping (as a sub) the Wendigos to a 2-2 tie and several monster saves including stopping all 3 shootout shots, Bear leads the Rink Rats (Kesler's Klan) as they start Winter 8u play in Corona tonight at 625. Returning with Bear are Jake, Rylan, Wes, & Wyatt, along with 5 new teammates. Will be a fun night... Here are his shootout saves... https://youtu.be/_PhDrxvBs44 🇺🇸🏒🥅🔥🐾🐻🐾🔥🥅🏒🇺🇸

Bear's OT Penalty Shots... 1/24/19 Here is Bear subbing in goal and taking on penalty shots. He stopped all 3 in the OT Shootout, leading his team to a 2-2 tie. #...

Bear and my Rink Rats, aka Kesler's Klan, open their Corona 8u Rec season Friday Night at 630. Returning are Bear, Jake, Rylan, Wes, & Wyatt along with 5 newcomers. This should be the last 8u season for my team's core who should all be moving up a division in Spring. Bear will be playing this season in goal for the Rink Rats as he continues skating out at CSHA in West Covina playing against much older kids. Can't wait to see how my team does and looking forward to another 8u Championship Game as our core closes out their time in 8u rec. ❤💛🖤🇺🇸🏒🥅🔥🥇🏆🥈🏅🥈🔥🥅🏒🇺🇸

Come watch Bear Tuesday Night at 730pm with his new & older rec team the Raptors at CSHA in West Covina. Bear is 7 and made a team with significantly bigger and older players due to his skills and hard work. It is a very proud moment for us and you'll want to cheer him on. CSHA is located at Orangewood Park in West Covina. 🐾🐻🐾 ❤💛🖤🇺🇸🏒🥅🚑🚔🔥👨‍🚒🚨🚒🚨👨‍🚒🔥🚔🚑🥅🏒🇺🇸

Here is video of Bear playing for the Raptors in West Covina. https://youtu.be/fWnZSuCHxnY 🐾🐻🐾 ❤💛🖤🇺🇸🏒🥅🚑🚔🔥👨‍🚒🚨🚒🚨👨‍🚒🔥🚔🚑🥅🏒🇺🇸

Bear's WC Raptors "Bronze" Debut, 011219 Bear, age 7 makes his debut for the WC Raptors, a Bronze Level team at CSHA in West Covina, CA. They won 2-1.

Bear had a pretty successful 2018 hockey year and academically, too. In hockey, he won a Narch Finals Gold Medal subbing for the 6u OC Marvel; led our FireDogs to the Silver Medal at the AAU West Coast Nationals; led my Rink Rats in the 8u Corona Rec League to the Winter Championship, and Runners Up for Spring and Fall. He also scored 123 goals, 79 assists, for 203 points on the year; hit Goal Milestones 100 and 200, Assist Milesone 100, Points Milestone 200 and 300. He now has 200 goals, 103 assists, for 303 points in 2 years. He also picked up several academic awards, his top being the Teachers Award for the 1st Trimester for 2nd Grade. As great a student-athlete as he is, he is an even better person, helping all in need, with compassion, kind words and deeds, and a smile on his face. His next challenge is to move to goalie, the toughest position of them all. I'm sure he will master it as he does everything else. 🐾🐻🐾 ❤💛🖤🇺🇸🏒🥅🚑🚔🔥👨‍🚒🚨🚒🚨👨‍🚒🔥🚔🚑🥅🏒🇺🇸🏆🏆🥇🥈🥈🥈🏅