A smile is worth a thousand words.  That’s how we knew Matthew’s first love would be the game of hockey.  When Matthew was 5, we took a chance and signed him up for the Kid’s First program at the then Gilbert Polar Ice rink.  We knew based on the smile on his face and the sweat pouring off his head after the first skate that he had found his happy place.

From that point on Matthew loved playing hockey.  He started with hockey skating lessons, moved on to mini-mites and then into the Gilbert House League program.  During Matthew’s second season of squirts he was selected to the Gilbert House All-Star team which paved his way into the Union, onto Dave Heiman’s AHU Squirt White team and set him on the path he continues down today.  This is where he was also introduced to friends he would play with for years, a truly special group of kids and families. 

Along the way he has made lifetime memories, such as a trip to Lake Placid, New York during a frigid January where his AHU Peewee Black AA team was able to bring home gold from that CAN/AM tournament.  There were many celebrations through the years as well, such as state championships, tournament wins and individual accomplishments.  Last season as part of AHU Bantam Black AA under Jim Pinti, Matthew and his team thought they were on the cusp of their biggest goal, a trip to U.S. Nationals in Michigan – but the current COVID-19 pandemic would have none of that.  On a personal note, Matthew’s proudest moment also came last year when he was selected by both his coach and his teammates as team captain – something he had strived as a leader to become.

Matthew is thankful to everybody who has supported him over the years and to the many coaches he has played under.  But especially Robert Johnson, his first Mite coach who instilled the confidence in him that he could play this game.  And Jim Pinti, his coach for the last 6 years with the Union, who among other things has challenged him with responsibility, demanded excellence from him, encouraged him to become better and helped in his growth as an amazing young man.  And although his journey with AHU has been lengthy, it’s not over yet.  As part of Coach Pinti’s 16U AA Black Knights this year, Matthew knows that there are many goals left to be scored and much work to be done.  U.S. Nationals are still calling!   

Zach started playing hockey soon after his 4th birthday with the Learn to Skate program at the Gilbert rink.  Despite laying flat on his back on the ice for the entire first two sessions, Zach eventually was able to get on his feet and start the process of learning to skate. Thankfully it didn't take too long and he jumped right into Mini-Mites.

After a few years in the Mini-Mite program, Zach played Gilbert house hockey non-stop fall thru summer and then added All-Star/Select teams along the way through Mites and the first year of Squirts.  With exception of one game as goalie (where he brags that he stopped 20 shots and then goes on to disclose that it was 20 stopped out of a total of 31 shots) Zach has always been a defenseman. His first Mite coach noted that he was a natural at the position and had great hockey sense even at such a young age.  One of Zach's fondest memories during his years in Gilbert house hockey was winning the Squirt All-Star Championship with so many of the same kids that he ended up playing with during his Union years.  

Zach made the jump to travel hockey with the Union as a second year Squirt with Dave Heiman as his coach. Although it was a season of ups and downs, it was also the start of a fantastic experience in travel hockey with Zach winning the team's Sportsmanship Award at the end of that first year.  When the team moved up to PeeWee, Coach Jim Pinti took over the reins and the kids became tighter and stronger as the year progressed.  As second year PeeWees, the team won numerous tournaments around the country and also the AZ State Championship.  When it was time to move up to Bantams, the team's previous successes gained them Tier 2 status, and they continued to grind and find ways to win.  Zach was an Alternate Captain for both years of Bantam and through the dedication of Coach Pinti, Zach became stronger, faster and smarter on the ice.  The team again won several tournaments, most notably the RIBMHT in Vancouver, BC, and was on the cusp of winning the Tier 2 State Championship in 2020 when COVID shut hockey down.  After five years of working towards the goal of going to Nationals, and getting so close, Zach and his teammates, many of whom had played with him on that Squirt All-Star team five years prior, were beyond disappointed.  It was a hard lesson in dealing with things out of your control.   

Currently, it's Zach's 11th year playing hockey at the Gilbert rink. He's a first-year Union Midget, playing Tier 2 hockey with Coach Pinti and the dream to make it to Nationals remains. On the ice, Zach is easily recognizable as the crazy, long-haired defensemen in the #98 jersey who loves to block shots and gives 100% effort, 100% of the time.  And off the ice, you'll experience Zach's alter ego of being an even-keeled, funny, and respectful kid who would give you the shirt off his back. It's an odd dichotomy for sure but it works for him and it definitely makes his parents proud. 

Nathan was first introduced to hockey at six months of age while attending his first Coyotes game at Gila River Arena. By the time he was five, he was hooked and wanted to try being on the ice himself.  He expressed an interest to play the game which lead him to AZ Ice Gilbert (formerly Polar Ice) and the Learn to Skate program with Holly Harrington and Heather Yale.  No more than three months later, he was fully immersed in a sport he loved playing in all positions: goalie, defensemen, and forward.  Nathan constantly strives to improve not only for himself but for his coaches, and his teammates. Ten years later, his desire and dedication couldn’t be stronger.

Including this season, Nathan will have been a Knight with Arizona Hockey Union for 7 seasons. His travel hockey journey began with Holly Harrington introducing our family to Coach Derek Skutnik of AHU Squirt White as a first-year Squirt. Second year squirts; Nathan played for Coaches David Heiman and Jim Pinti. For the last four seasons, Nathan has been dedicated to this team and Jim Pinti as head coach and is looking forward to a fifth as a first year Midget with AHU 16U Midget Black.

While all of life’s victories are not determined on the scoreboard, Nathan and his teammates had their share of successes and defeats together. They earned second place in the State Championship as first year Squirts; were State Champions as second year Peewees with a 40-10-1 season record shutting out the 06 AAA Bobcats; and were on their way to the final State Championship game as second year Bantams being the only undefeated team in round robin play; but due to COVID saw their 50-16-1 season come to an abrupt end. In addition to regular season success, these teams tallied 8 additional Tournament Championship wins which included the Lake Placid Challenge Cup, Richmond International Tournament, San Diego Fun in the Sun Tournament, Anaheim The Rinks Holiday Hockey Tournament, and were champions twice for both the AHU Thanksgiving Shootout and AHU Icebreaker Invitational.

Individually, Nathan has been the recipient of the Team MVP Award as a second year Squirt (competing in the Elite Division); and the Coaches Choice Award for three consecutive seasons from Peewees through first year of Bantams.

Nathan’s aspirations to play hockey at the collegiate level while pursuing an undergraduate degree at the college of his choice has never wavered.  He hopes his hard work and dedication in the classroom, and to the sport will foster his ability to achieve his goals.

Sydney first touched the ice as a 3 year old.  She took one lap around the rink with the help of her Dad and wanted nothing to do with it.  Fast forward 4 years and she decided to give it another shot.  Well, as they say, the rest is history.  Syd got back on the ice and never looked back.

From a Saturday afternoon of Public Skating to the Gilbert Learn to Skate program the next day, to Mini Mites the following Wednesday Syd was hooked on hockey.  After a year of Mites and 1 year of Gilbert House Squirts Syd made the jump to the Union.  Hard to believe she is starting her first year of 16U AA.

Along the way Syd has been part of many winning teams, winning numerous tournaments along with a State Championship with her second year Pee Wee Team.  Being selected to attend the 2019 USA Hockey Player Development Camp in Colorado Springs is her most memorable hockey accomplishment to date.

Playing hockey in Gilbert for the Arizona Hockey Union has not only helped Syd gain skill and confidence but also she has gained friendships and memories to last a lifetime.