Pikes Peak Miners

The Pikes Peak Miners would like to congratulate all the players that were selected to the Bantam AAA team this weekend. All players who participated did an outstanding job and the Miners staff would like to thank each and every player for participating.

The 2008 - 2009 U14 Miners players can be found on the players page.

Bantam AAA Pre-Tryout Skate

The Pikes Peak Miners Bantam AAA team will have a free pre-tryout skate 7/12, 7:30-8:45 am and 7/13, 11:15am -12:30pm at Honnen Arena for all 94 and 95 birthyear players interested in playing for the Miners Bantam AAA team this year. For more information or questions, contact Pete Geronazzo at (719) 660-7142 pmger24@gmail.com or Miners GM, Luc Trombetta, at pikespeaklucas@msn.com.

Miners U16 Coaching Staff Announced

The Miners U16AAA coaches for the upcoming season are as follows:

Head Coach: Lucas Trombetta
Assistant Coach: John McAfee
Assistant Coach: Jason Knox

Please check the "Staff" page for bio's.

*** IMPORTANT MEETING ***

We will be holding a meeting on Tuesday June 24th at 6:30pm at Slocum Hall on the CC Campus(corner of Nevada and Cache La Poudre). Anyone interested in the Bantam AAA team is encouraged to attend; both players and parents. This is an informational meeting and we would like feed back from the hockey community. Bantam and PeeWee aged players/parents are highly encouraged to attend.

Kyle Gallegos Signs Tender In NAHL

The Miners staff is pleased to announce that Kyle Gallegos has signed a tender to play Jr. A hockey with the Wenatchee Wild in the North American Hockey League next season. Kyle is a "crafty" forward with excellent stick skills and on ice vision. Kyle led the Miners U16 team with 67 points during 2006/2007, and led the Miners U18 team in scoring this past season with 82 points (35 goals, 47 assists) to go along with over 100 penalty minutes. Kyle is a not only a highly skilled "first-line" player, he also competes hard and approaches every game as the biggest game of his life. His work-ethic, skill-set, and pure desire to be a hockey player will enable him to continue his success on the ice at the Junior A level with Wenatchee.

Kyle has been a model player for the Miners organization over the past 2 seasons succeeding both on and off the ice. Kyle is graduating from Northglenn High School with a 3.9 gpa this Spring.

Cody And Casey Dion To Play In AJHL

The Pikes Peak Miners are proud to announce that Cody and Casey Dion have signed to play with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Cody has been an integral part of the Miners Major AAA team for the past two seasons and this past season was a captain. During the 2007-2008 campaign, Cody amassed 80 points in 58 games (28 goals, 52 assists) and was an example of hard work for his teammates. At 6-4, 210 pounds, with excellent hands, a delicate scoring touch, and a bit of a mean streak, Cody has been consistent performer in all areas of the game. Cody's hard work and determination has earned him this opportunity and we could not be happier for him.

Cody's older brother, Casey Dion, played for the Miners in 2004-2005, before moving on to play Jr. A with North Iowa and Springfield of the North American Hockey League for the past 2 seasons. He has excellent speed, size and strength, a great shot, excellent hockey sense, and most importantly a wealth of experience to bring to the Okotoks program. The brothers are looking forward to playing for the same team for the first time in years.

Congratulations and best of luck to the Dion brothers!

PIKES PEAK MINERS ANNOUNCE MAJOR AAA COACH

The Pikes Peak Miners are proud to announce that Greg Vanover has been named head coach of the Miners U18AAA team effective immediately. Coach Vanover comes to the Miners organization from the Alliance Bulldogs AAA program in Dallas where he has been involved as a coach and director since 2001. Most recently Greg has served as the Alliance Director of Coaching and Head Coach of the 2008 Alliance U16AAA Texas State Champions. In addition to his role with the Alliance program, Greg has served as the head coach and director of the Texas/Oklahoma Chicago Showcase teams since 2003. Coach Vanover has been a coach and evaluator at the Texas Affiliate Camps and Rocky Mountain District Player Development Camps since 2005. Greg has helped the Alliance program move players to the USNTDP in Ann Arbor and various Junior leagues throughout the country. Greg holds a Master of Education degree in Exercise Physiology in addition to his USA Hockey Level 5 coaching certification. Greg will also take on Assistant Hockey Director duties for the Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association.

Miners General Manager, Lucas Trombetta has issued this statement: "Greg Vanover has been instrumental in helping the Alliance organization become a District and National power over the past few years. Having coached against Greg, I've been impressed with the discipline, skill level, and determination that his teams always exhibit. His demeanor, integrity, and professional approach to player development are attributes that will benefit Pikes Peak Miners players for years to come. Greg is truly a first class hockey citizen. His experience, knowledge, and ability to get the most out of his players will be valuable assets to the Miners organization and the Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association. I'm excited to work with Coach Vanover--we are lucky to have him on board."

Coach Vanover will begin the selection process for the 2008/2009 Miners U18AAA team April 18th-20th in Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak's Spring Evaluation Camp. Spots in the camp are still available and all information regarding the camp can be found on the Miners website. For questions regarding tryouts or the Miners program in general, please contact Lucas Trombetta at pikespeaklucas@msn.com or (719) 439-4731. Coach Vanover can be reached at gvan23@yahoo.com.

PIKES PEAK MINERS GRANTED BANTAM AAA!

The Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association is proud to announce that the Pikes Peak Miners have been granted permission by the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association to field a Bantam AAA team starting in the upcoming 2008-2009 season.

The Miners program has fielded a Major Midget team for 15 years and has been highly successful at helping Colorado players move up through the hockey ranks. A Miners U16AAA team was added in 2006 and has quickly established itself among the elite teams in the Rocky Mountain District. The addition of the Bantam AAA team has completed the development of the Miners AAA program.

Over the years, the Pikes Peak Miners have moved over 60 players to junior hockey, over 30 to College hockey, and another 20 to NCAA Division I college hockey. Former Miners players are currently skating for the University of Denver, Colorado College, University of Maine, UMass-Lowell, Air Force Academy, and Sacred Heart. In addition, 4 former Miners players have been drafted in the NHL draft including 2 in the first round.

By implementing Bantam AAA into the structure of the Miners organization, we will have the opportunity to prepare more Colorado players to compete and contribute at the Midget AAA level. The goal of the Miners Bantam team will be to provide Colorado players with an opportunity to develop their hockey skills in an environment which focuses on discipline, hard work, and character.

We are honored that CAHA has approved our proposal to field a AAA team at the Bantam level. We have every intention of running our Bantam team with the same integrity, honesty, and ethical considerations that we’ve proven to maintain at both the U16 and U18 levels.

Formal coaching announcements will be posted soon. Tryout information will be available shortly. Please check this site frequently for updates. For information on the Pikes Peak Miners program, please contact Lucas Trombetta at pikespeaklucas@msn.com or (719) 439-4731.

Corson Cramer Signs With Michigan Tech

The Miners are proud to announce that former Miners goaltender Corson Cramer has signed a letter of intent to play for the Michigan Tech Huskies next season. Corson will receive a full scholarship beginning in 2008. Cramer, an 88 birthyear, played for the Miners U18AAA team during the 2005/2006 season. For the past two years, he has been with the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets in the USHL. In 41 USHL games Corson posted a 3.29 GAA and a 89.9% save percentage. Corson grew up playing for the Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association and graduated with honors from Cheyenne Mountain High School.

Former Miners Coach RJ Enga states that "The Miners organization and the Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association could not be happier for Corson. He's a standout goaltender with a tremendous work ethic and an unbelievable dedication to the game. He was a top Midget AAA goalie for us, and over the past 2 seasons he has continued to develop his game at the USHL level. He is one of the most technically sound goaltenders we've had the opportunity to coach. Michigan Tech is not only welcoming an exceptional student-athlete into their program, but also exceptional young man. Corson's worked hard to earn this opportunity, and the Miners would like to wish him continued success both on the ice and in the classroom."

MINERS ANNOUNCE SPRING AND SUMMER PROGRAMS

This Spring, from April 15th through May 15th, the Miners will run a 5 week 3-3 cross-ice hockey league complete with referees and statistics.

From May 20th through July 15th, the Miners will be conducting a Summer Development Camp that will be focused on the AA or AAA player that is planning on playing AAA or Junior A hockey during the 2008-2009 season. The Miners Summer Development Camp will be structured and focused. Players will receive 3.75 hours of ice and 2 hours of off ice training at the National Strength and Conditioning Association every week for the entire 8 weeks.

Please click on the links at the top of the page for detailed program descriptions and registration information. The Miners Spring and Summer Programs for 2008 will be awesome. Don't wait to sign up!

Mission Statement

The Pikes Peak Miners are the flagship program under the umbrella of Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association. The Miners organization prides itself on not only developing hockey players, but also capable students and determined young men. It is our goal to provide AAA caliber U16 hockey players with excellent coaching, rigorous practice, and a competitive game schedule all within a supportive environment which places emphasis on the academic, social, and mental development of all participants. It is our responsibility to facilitate the development of elite U16 hockey players and prepare them for advancement to Midget Major AAA hockey and beyond. The U16 Miners will play to win; and we will do it with class, with character, and as a team.

Upcoming Events

Date:	Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Time:	18:30
Event:	Practice
Venue:	WA NHL