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TIER 1 Elite Hockey League: Colorado Thunderbirds

20U Tier 3 Junior Team News

Clemenson picked to lead Tbird 20U Tier 3 Junior

Colorado Thunderbirds are pleased to announce that Cam Clemenson has been selected as head coach of the new Colorado Thunderbirds 20U Tier 3 Junior team of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL). The Colorado Thunderbirds 20U Tier 3 Junior team is one of six original teams and will be competing against the Aspen Leafs, Breckenridge Bucks, Colorado Rampage, Glacier Yetis, and Pikes Peak Miners in the inaugural 2015-2016 season.  

Clemenson grew up playing youth hockey at Foothills Hockey Association before playing two years of Juniors in Seattle, and one year with the Rocky Mountain Rage in the Central Hockey League.  Clemenson has been coaching with the Colorado Thunderbirds for the past seven years.  During the seven years, Clemenson has coached with the 16U National team for four seasons where he was part of the coaching staff that placed third at the USA Hockey Nationals Championship in 2014-2015 and Runner-up in 2013-2014, the 18U team for one season, and 16U American team for 6 seasons.  He also has been the Thunderbirds goalie coach for the past four seasons as well as instructing at numerous camps and clinics through the years.  

Nick Combs and Shawn Rafferty will be joining Clemenson on the coaching staff as assistant coaches.  Combs and Rafferty have coached with Clemenson in the past and all three coaches are looking forward to a great season and moving players on to the next level of hockey.

Cam Clemenson and his wife, Amber, reside in Lakewood, Colorado, with their one year old daughter, MaKayla, who is a big hockey fan.  

If interested in the Colorado Thunderbirds 20U Tier 3 Junior team, please contact Coach Clemenson, goalie31c@yahoo.com, 303-919-0373, or visit www.tbirdhockey.org for more information; or for the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League, please see www.rmjhl.com.

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RMJHL officially approved by USA Hockey Junior Council

 

The Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL) recently added the Breckenridge Bucks and was officially granted USA Hockey (USAH) Tier-3 Junior A status. The Bucks join the Aspen Leafs, Colorado Rampage, Colorado Thunderbirds, Grand Junction Coyotes, and Pikes Peak Miners as the original six members of the new Colorado based USAH junior league. “This is great news for Colorado hockey,” exclaimed acting RMJHL President Shaun Hathaway (Aspen Junior Hockey Director). “Our members are very grateful for the opportunity and certainly excited to excel on a national junior hockey stage. Adding a sensible footprint of USA Hockey sanctioned junior hockey throughout Colorado is an amazing thing for our players and fans.”

Unlike most leagues, RMJHL members are directly tied to local youth programs. They can now offer a highly structured path of amateur development from start to finish (8 year olds through 20 year olds). “We truly believe in and support the process and model that USA hockey has developed, and are extremely excited to be a part of the RMJHL,” said RMJHL Vice President and T-birds Director Angelo Ricci. “Our goal will be to prepare hard-working talented players who need more time for the next level.” Pikes Peak Miners (CSAHA) President Bob Nolette added, “We feel like this is a very logical extension of our current programming, and a great local opportunity for our players.”

With the official approval now granted by USA Hockey, the six teams turn towards preparing for the inaugural drop of the puck in October 2015. The expectations for the RMJHL are stated best by Rampage Director Andrew Sherman: “To have an opportunity to offer every level under USA hockey’s umbrella is something we are proud of and don’t take for granted, and we are very excited to work with our partners in providing the most elite Tier-3 USA Hockey League in the country.”

Visit RMJHL.com for more information. 

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