[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LOS ANGELES SELECTS HOCKEY PEEWEE AAA TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2012

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the members of 
the Los Angeles Selects Hockey Peewee AAA team for winning the 
prestigious Peewee World Championship Tournament in Quebec on February 
19, 2012. In the 53-year history of the tournament, this accomplishment 
marks the first time that a California team has won the event at the 
highest level of competition.
  The L.A. Selects defeated the Vancouver North Shore Hockey Club in 
the championship game tournament by a score of 4 2 in hockey's 
equivalent of the Little League World Series. The Selects defeated 
teams from Russia, Slovakia, Detroit and Canada on their way to the 
title.
  Over 100 teams comprised of 12- and 13-year old hockey players and 
representing 14 countries competed in the event. Over 10,000 people 
watched the championship game that took place in the Quebec Colisee, 
home of the former NHL Quebec Nordiques. Many NHL stars, such as Wayne 
Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, played in this tournament as youngsters. 
Since 1960, the Quebec tournament is the pinnacle of hockey competition 
where nearly 200,000 hockey fans attend the twelve-day event.
  The L.A. Selects Peewee AAA Championship Roster included constituents 
from my district as well as a number of other high caliber players from 
the surrounding area: Cooper Haar (Huntington Beach), Jordan Bonner 
(Huntington Beach), Brett Rudy (Huntington Beach), Dexter Russo (Laguna 
Beach), Cayla Barnes (Corona), Jacob McGrew (Orange), Jack St. Ivany 
(Manhattan Beach), Vanya Lodnia (Anaheim), Cole Guttman (Northridge), 
Brandon McDonald (Valencia), Rhett Bruckner (Las Vegas), Brannon 
McManus (Upland), Nicholai Gruzdev (Valencia), Jesse Lycan (Escondito), 
Lukas Uhler (Upland).
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I submit the following article, from Youth1.com 
about the team and the tournament.

     LA Selects Win Quebec International Pee-wee Hockey Tournament

                              (By Dan Lio)

       The No. 5 LA Selects rebounded from their opening game loss 
     to win five straight games en route to capturing the 
     tournament title at the 53rd Annual Quebec International 
     Peewee Hockey Tournament, a tournament that lasted over a 
     week long.
       In their opening game on Monday, the Selects gave up a 3rd 
     period lead, falling 3 2 to the St. Louis Blues. After the 
     loss, their offense was in full force in their next game last 
     Wednesday as they defeated Bratislava 14 0. In the win the 
     Selects received hat tricks from three different players, 
     including Jake McGrew, Cole Guttman and Vanya Lodnia. Also 
     scoring in the win were Cayla Barnes, Brannon McManus, Jesse 
     Lycan, Lukas Uhler and Brett Rudy. The Selects were back in 
     action the following day to take on No. 4 ranked Compuware. 
     In a well-played game by both team the Selects defeated 
     Compuware 3 2 behind two goals from McManus and one from 
     Guttman. Picking up the win inbetween the pipes was Rhett 
     Bruckner. The Selects blew out Russia Forward in their next 
     game, defeating them 8 1. Offensively, McManus led the way 
     with four goals and one assist, while Guttman pitched in with 
     two goals and an assist. Both Jake McGrew and Cooper Haar 
     also found the back of the net in the win, while goalie 
     Brandon McDonald picked up his second win of the tournament.
       The Selects battled the Whitby Wildcats in their next game, 
     with the winner advancing to the championship game. It was 
     all Selects from the get go as they eventually took home the 
     6 2 win. In the win they received goals from six different 
     players, including McGrew, Lodnia, Guttman, Haar, Lycan and 
     Jordan Bonner.
       In the championship game the Selects took on the previously 
     undefeated North Shore Winter Club. In a total team effort, 
     the Selects were able to double up North Shore, taking home 
     the 4 2 victory to win the championship. Brannon McManus and 
     Vanya Lodnia each had two goals and an assist in the win, 
     while Jake McGrew and Cayla Barnes each pitched in with an 
     assist. Playing phenomenal in net was Rhett Bruckner as he 
     picked up his third straight win.
       Congratulations to all members of the team, including 
     coaches Shawn Pitcher, Greg Chinarian, Andrew Cohen, Igor 
     Nikulin, Barry McManus and players Brandon McDonald, Rhett 
     Bruckner, Jack St. Ivany, Jake McGrew, Vanya Lodnia, Dexter 
     Russo, Cole Guttman, Jordan Bonner, Cayla Barnes, Brannon 
     McManus, Cooper Haar, Nickolai Gruzdev, Jesse Lycan, Lukas 
     Uhler and Brett Rudy.

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