California Stars Hockey Club

The Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League announced that they have signed Northeastern freshman defenseman Jake Newton to a three-year entry-level contract. Jake played at the Stars under coach Chris Annunziato for a couple of seasons and is a California native.

Jake’s fortune draws even more attention to an already growing list of other California hockey players making strong progress in hockey. Hockey runs through the Newton family with brother Josh a local Southern California coach currently with the Stars and Andy currently coaching with the California Wave organization.

For more information on Jake’s pro signing, see the following articles;

http://gonu.com/mhockey/100317-newton_inks_three-year_deal_with_the_anaheim_ducks.shtml

http://www.anaheimcalling.com/2010/3/18/1378331/newtons-cradle

The Stars Squirt A team advanced to the Semi-Finals in the State Championship playoffs this weekend in strong fashion, beating the the Jr. Ducks 2-0 and San Diego by a score of 4-2. The only loss they faced was to the #1 seed L.A. Next Sunday they take on the Jr. Kings 1 team in the semi-final game.

Good luck to the Squirt A team, great job boys!

The Stars earned their way into the State Championship game this past Sunday in Escondido, playing the LA Selects for the title. And play they did! As the number one seed for the regular season as well as the playoffs, LA Selects were heavily favored to win the championship game and many believed they would win it easily. It became everything but as the Stars forced the game into triple overtime in an epic contest that legends are made of!

It appeared the game would go as expected when LA scored a goal early in the first period, but it proved to be difficult for them to score after that. As the game progressed, the Stars increased their intensity helping them score to tie the game. The game would continue in a back and forth throughout. Scoring chances for both sides in a high speed volley of shots and skating. The fight was relentless on both sides and looked like it would never end.

An LA goal early in the 3rd overtime would end the game with a victory for the Selects, but not without paying the price of one of the most hard fought games most can recall in recent time. Both teams played very hard and the Stars displayed why they were one of the top teams in the division all season.

I’m not sure there are words to convey how much the players should be commended for their efforts. They played at an amazing level all season and I consider myself lucky to have been able to witness it. Great jobs Stars, keep the momentum as you go through districts!

The California Stars announce their offseason workout programs for 2010

Workout clinics for Mites/Squirts, PeeWee/Bantam and Midget Tier are scheduled and pre-registration forms are available. For details and downloadable registration forms, see the Offseason Clinics page.

The California Stars Hockey Club is proud to congratulate the Stars teams making the playoffs for the 2009-2010 season!

The Midget 16AAA, Squirt A & Mite B teams have made playoffs this season and bolster the continuing tradition of one of Southern California’s premiere youth hockey programs.

Coaches Rob O’Rourke (Midget 16AAA), Chris Annunziato (Squirt A) and JD McDonald (Mite B), along with the entire Stars coaching staff, have helped establish a sound, fundamental hockey development program, allowing young hockey players to achieve the highest levels of their game.

The Midget 16AAA team will compete for the State Championship the weekend of March 5th, 2010.

The Squirt A & Mite B teams will compete in the playoffs the weekend of March 13th, 2010.

Please join us in supporting our teams and wishing them good luck!!

CALIFORNIA STARS U18AAA

Spring Program 2010

Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday
On Ice 6:10pm – 7:10pm
Off Ice 7:30pm – 8:15pm
All Skates @ Center Ice Arena in Ontario

Skates are LIMITED to 30 Players
You Must CALL to reserve a spot

THESE WILL BE ACTUAL PRACTICE AND TRAINING SESSIONS

Head Coach:
Brent Agrusa
(586) 246-5319
bagrusa@aol.com

ADVANCE YOUR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THE STARS
(3) – Players signed to North American Hockey League Tenders
(2) – Players going to NCAA Division III Hockey Programs

March 2010:
1,2,4,8,9,11,15,16,18,22,23,25,29,30
14 Skates = $350.00 or
Individual Skates = $30.00 per skate

April 2010:
1,5,6,8,12,13,15,19,20,22,26,27,29
13 Skates = $325.00 or
Individual Skates = $30.00 per skate

May 2010:
3,4,10,11,13,17,18,20,24,25,27,31
12 Skates = $300.00 or
Individual Skates = $30.00 per skate

Will be taking a team to:
Chowder Cup / Pre Draft Tournament
Foxboro, MA May 6-9

*** Will continue Program into June and after tryouts, info to come later ***

California Stars U18AAA Captain commits to NCAA Division III College…. Becomes the fourth player to commit to either NAHL or NCAA programs from the Stars!

The California Stars are proud to announce that Josh Rasmussen has officially committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for the Becker Ice Hawks. The Hawks are located in Worcester, MA, and play in the ECAC Northeast Division. Becker is currently in fourth place with a 6-5-0 division record, and are 10-10-1 overall. Rasmussen becomes the fourth Stars player to commit to either a North American Hockey League team, or NCAA College Hockey Program in the past month joining teammates Chad Spiller (Alexandria Blizzard – NAHL), Tyler Giovannetti (Alaska Avalanche – NAHL), and Randon Caceres II (Fresno Monsters – NAHL). “It’s a great day for our team today. To now have players not only committing to NAHL Junior “A” teams, but NCAA Division III College programs as well is a huge accomplishment for our players, and program. It once again shows that hard work, development, and opportunity, is what a player needs to advance his career. I am excited about all of the success we are having right now seeing our players get the opportunity to advance up the ladder of the game. I am very proud to see our players getting recognized as top level athletes.” Commented California Stars Head Coach Brent Agrusa

Rasmussen is a Trabuco Canyon, California native.  The 6”2 185lb power forward has had a tremendous season for the Stars.  He has been a great leader both on and off the ice this season.  “Josh is a true leader. He had a tough task this season being one of the few 91’s on a team dominated by 92’s, and was our only player with U18AAA experience. Josh took a lot of pride in leading this team everyday. He was accountable to himself and his teammates everyday, and lead by example every minute he was here. It makes your job as a coach much easier when you have a captain that has the ultimate respect of his teammates. He will have a great college career.” Commented Agrusa

The 18 year old Rasmussen thought hard this past summer what direction his career in the game was going, and if he really would had an opportunity to move on in the game.  Ultimately he decided to play the game he loves one more year with his brother Stars goalie Kyle Rasmussen. Josh’s goal was to be able to surpass Junior “A” hockey, and go right to a NCAA program.  Goal Accomplished.  “Coach Agrusa’s commitment to us on and off the ice this season is something I’ve never experienced before. His knowledge and expertise has been invaluable which I am extremely grateful for. A season is not always measured by where you placed in the standings; but by the growth you gained as an individual. At the end of the day my teammates and I came out as winners because of him and his endless hours of commitment to us. I would like to thank my parents for always believing in me and inspiring me to never give up on my dreams. Without them this would have never been possible. I owe it to my teammates too for giving it their all and the amount of dedication they put into the team.” Commented Rasmussen

The Stars Captain is very excited to start this new chapter in his hockey career.  Playing College hockey has been a lifelong goal for him, and one that he can’t wait to begin.  “To be able to play NCAA hockey is a dream come true. I have always wanted this opportunity as long as I can remember. College was always going to be the path I took after graduating from high school. I am studying at Concordia University in Irvine as a business major while playing under Coach Agrusa. I feel as though he guided me this season and gave me the key to be able to step into NCAA Division III hockey at Becker College.” Commented Rasmussen

Rasmussen will be going to play for a coach that Agrusa knows very well.  The Head Coach of the Becker Hawks is Steve Hoar.  In four seasons Hoar has revived the Hawks program into a well respected, playoff contending program.  “First off, Steve is a good friend, and a good hockey man. The job he has done turning around the Becker program has been amazing. Committing to a college program is a big deal because you are really committing the next four years of your career to play for that coach. I couldn’t be happier to see Josh going to play for a top notch coach, who will take a genuine interest not only in his hockey career, but his education as well.” Commented Agrusa

The Hawks are also very excited to have Rasmussen committed for the 2010-11 season.  “We are looking forward to having Josh play for the Hawks next season. I have had a great relationship with coach Agrusa over the years, and know that any player coming from his team will be well prepared to play college hockey. We have selected some talented players from California in the past few years, and are very excited to keep that trend going with the commitment from Josh. I look forward to having more Stars players coming to our program in the future.” Commented Becker Ice Hawks Head Coach Steve Hoar

California Stars U18AAA Manager Ken Moyseyev was very happy to hear the great news.  “Josh has been a great leader for our young team this season. To see him achieve his goals are great to see. He will be an impact player for the Becker program. With his attitude and maturity level there is no doubt he will be a successful college athlete. I have a good feeling that in the years to come you will be seeing his name at the minor pro level. I am extremely proud of our team this season, and having all these players committing to programs at the next level is a great feeling.” Commented Moyseyev

California Stars U18 AAA team scores a hat-trick… Standout Defensemen becomes the third Stars player to sign a NAHL Tender for the 2010-11 Season!

The California Stars are proud to announce that Randon Caceres II has officially signed a North American Hockey League Tender to be part of the 2010-11 Fresno Monsters squad. The Monsters are going to be an expansion team in NAHL western division. The North American Hockey League is the only sanctioned Tier II Junior A league in the United States. Caceres becomes the third Stars player to sign in the North American Hockey League in the past month. “I am very happy for the Stars Organization.    Seeing all these players sign from our team shows that Midget “AAA” hockey in California is giving players an opportunity to further their careers. Ultimately helping players move on in the game is the highest achievement there is for a coach, and organization. We all love to win championships, but I think few could challenge that moments like this, are the real championships.  Having our third player sign now is a good sign that we are a viable place for players to train, and advance their careers.” Commented California Stars Head Coach Brent Agrusa.

Caceres is a Pico Rivera, California native.  The 6”2 185lb Defensemen has been a stand-out player for the Stars all season long.  Caceres is what every coach at the next level strives to find.  He is a strong, physical, mobile defenseman who plays on both the power-play and penalty-kill units for the Stars.  He is also a hard working player, who leads by example everyday.  “The hardest thing to find as a coach, are defensemen who are both mobile, and physical.  Randon is both of these, not only that, he is the definition of a hard working character person.  These traits will be what help him have a long and successful career in this game.  It has been a pleasure to work with such a great young man.  He will do great things for the Monsters next season.” Commented Agrusa.

The 18 year old Caceres has been dreaming his whole life that he would get the opportunity to move to the next level of hockey.  “I am very excited to get the opportunity to play for the Monsters next season.  This is a dream coming true for me.  I am grateful not only for the opportunity to play at this level, but to do it so close to home is a real blessing.  I would not be getting this opportunity if it wasn’t for the sacrifices my parents have made to let me play AAA hockey.  I am so thankful that they have given me the opportunity to chase what I love to do, and have supported me 100% of the way.  I also want to thank my teammates; this season has been so rewarding to be surrounded by other players with so much passion, and dedication.  Lastly, I want to thank my coaches for believing in me, teaching me what it takes to be a player at the next level, and helping me further my career.” Commented Caceres.

Caceres will be going to play for coaches that Agrusa has known for many years.  The Head Coach for the Monsters is Eric Ballard who has an extensive background at the high levels of hockey, and the Assistant Coach is Mike Perkins a long time friend of Agrusa.  Perkins was the Associate Head Coach of the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the NAHL back in the early 2000’s when Agrusa coached the Helena Bighorns of the NAHL.  “Randon is getting the opportunity to play for some exceptional people and coaches, both Eric and Mike have great track records in this game.  This will be a great fit for Randon, and he will be in a place where the coaches truly are there to advance players to college and pro hockey.  As a player you can’t ask for much more than that.” Commented Agrusa.

The Monsters are also very excited to have Caceres committed for the 2010-11 season.  “We are excited that Randon has signed a tender to play for the Fresno Monsters of the NAHL for the 2010-11 Season.  His size, natural athletic ability and work ethic is exactly the type of player we want here.” Commented Fresno Monsters Head Coach Eric Ballard.

California Stars General Manager Ken Moyseyev was once again very excited to hear the news.  “What can I say other than I am so proud of Randon and this team.  These players have worked and trained so hard this season, and to see all these players signing is just a great thing.  I have known Randon for many years, and to see him achieving this is certainly a very special moment for me.  I can’t wait to get the opportunity to watch him play next season in a Monster uniform.  I am looking forward to hearing more good news in the weeks to come.” Commented Moyseyev.

For the full home game schedule, please check out the Schedules page.

The Midget 16AAA team clinched a playoff spot with a victory over the SoCal Titans Saturday night. Beginning in March, the team will compete for the Tier I state championship in San Diego and a chance to move on to District Regionals if they are successful. Congratulations to the players, coaches and parents for making playoffs! Good luck at States!