Wednesday, April 19, 2006                                                                                

 

FINAL National Rankings Posted, 2 Alliance Teams in Nation's Top 20...

 

The FINAL National Rankings have been posted for the 2005-2006 Season, and two Alliance teams finished in the Top 20 of their respective age groups.  The Bulldog Midget Minor Tier I AAA team ended up Ranked #10 Nationally, and the Alliance Bantam Tier I AAA team ended up with a National Ranking of #11. 

 

The Midget Minor Tier II AA and Midget Major Tier II AA teams just missed out on the Top 20, with the Minors ranked at #23, and the Majors ranked at #29.  Congratulations to all the Bulldog Teams and Coaches for another outstanding season.  For all the rankings, click HERE...

 

 

                                                                           Thursday, April 13, 2006                                                                                  

 

Tryout Times for Tier I AAA PeeWee (12U) & Bantams (14U) Now Posted...

 

The tryout schedule for the 2006-2007 Alliance Tier I AAA PeeWee and Bantam teams has now been posted to our tryout page.  All Alliance tryouts for these teams will be at Valley Ranch on the weekend of April 29th and 30th.   To see the tryout schedule and the Alliance Teams for 2006-2007, click HERE...

 

 

                                                                           Tuesday, April 11, 2006                                                                                   

 

Registration for Alliance 2006 Tryouts Now Available...

 

Registration for the Alliance 2006 Tryouts has now been opened, and on-line registrations are now being accepted.  To see the Alliance Teams for 2006-2007 and to register for Tryouts, click HERE...

 

If you are registered for our Spring Camp 2006, you are already registered for Tryouts and DO NOT need to submit a Tryout Registration, or submit any further payment.

 

 

                                                                            Sunday, April 9, 2006                                                                                      

 

Alliance Open House a Huge Success...

 

                     

 

The first ever Alliance Open House drew overflowing crowds with hundreds of players and parents flocking to Valley Ranch on Saturday, as Alliance introduced their 2006-2007 Coaches and Teams.    A great response was received from those in attendance to the introduction of the new line of Bulldog PREP Teams.   Additional sheets of ice had to be used for the unexpected high number of players taking advantage of the "Skate with the Coaches" sessions.  

 

It was announced that due to the number of additional players arriving, that registrations for our Spring Camp would be held open indefinitely to allow those players a chance to register.  The Camp starts this Wednesday April 12th, and you can register by clicking HERE...

 

 

                                                                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006                                                                                  

 

 

Saturday, April 8th

 

Alliance Open House & Free Practice Session Open to ALL DFW Area Hockey Players...

 

Alliance is hosting an OPEN HOUSE and SKATE with the Coaches for ALL DFW Area Youth hockey players and parents this Saturday at our Training Facilities in Valley Ranch.   Anyone who is interested in Alliance hockey is encouraged to attend, and you do not have to be registered for our camp to skate or attend the meetings.  Meetings will be held for each individual age group to meet the Alliance Coaches, get information about our 2006-2007 Teams, and find out more about the Alliance Youth Hockey Association.  

 

Free practice and drill sessions run by the Alliance Coaches will be provided for each age group except Midgets.  All Alliance Coaches and Board Members will be available for questions and discussion.  The Meeting & Skate times for each age group are as indicated on our Spring Camp page by clicking HERE...

 

 

                                                                          Monday, April 3, 2006                                                                                     

 

Alliance Bids Farewell to our Seniors...

 

The Alliance Youth Hockey Association would like to congratulate our graduating high school seniors.  They graduate in style, holding their NTXHL Championship trophies, to go along with a U18 Texas State Championship.

 

A special note of recognition goes to Casey Smith and Justin Cooley, two original Alliance players, each completing their 5th straight season wearing the Bulldog on their chest.  Casey was a member of the Inaugural 2001-2002 Alliance Bantam A team, while Justin was on the Inaugural 2001-2002 Alliance PeeWee A team that won the Texoma Championship.

 

Here is the Alliance 2006 Senior Class....  From left to right are:  James Barry, Casey Smith, Bo Hernandez, Justin Cooley, Adam Socket, Paul Musgrave and Mark Gillings.

 

 

                                                                          Sunday, April 2, 2006                                                                                      

 

Alliance Midget Major AA Wins NTXHL Championship!!!

 

NTXHL Playoffs:  Alliance Takes Championship with Goal in Overtime...

 

Midget Major  AA:  Alliance - 2, Texas Aces - 1 (OT):  In a series where each game was decided with the game winning goal coming in the final minute of play, it was only fitting that the Championship game would go to overtime to decide the winner.  In a battle that neither team deserved to lose, it was the Bulldogs that came away with the win, as they scored just 49 seconds into overtime to beat the Texas Aces and win the NTXHL Championship early this morning in Frisco. 

 

After battling to a 1-1 tie through regulation, the Alliance center won a face-off in the Aces' right wing circle, drove hard to the net, and put his own rebound over the left shoulder of the Aces net-minder to give the Bulldogs the win and the Championship banner.  This Bulldog team completed the season with an outstanding 29-15-2 season, which included a Regular Season NTXHL Championship, U18 Tier II State Championship, and the NTXHL Playoff Championship.  Read more HERE...

 

 

                                                                    Saturday, April 1, 2006                                                                                         

 

NTXHL Playoffs:  Bulldogs Fall in Final Minute of Game 2 in Championship Series...

 

Midget Major  AA:  Texas Aces - 3, Alliance - 2:  The Texas Aces turned it back around on the Bulldogs, completing a comeback of their own, with the game winning goal coming with just 43 seconds remaining in regulation, and won Game 2 to even their Best of 3 Championship Series at 1 game each in the NTXHL Playoffs today in Frisco.  The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the first minute of play after some good puck movement found a Bulldog with an open shot.  The Aces would tie the game at 1-1 with just :07 remaining in the 1st period.  Read more HERE...

 

New Alliance Coach Wins NTXHL Championship...

 

Congratulations to new Alliance Squirt Prep Coach Jouni Lehtola, who led his Midget Minor AA Stars Select team to the NTXHL Championship today in Frisco.  Another shout-out goes to goalie Krista Tatum, sister of Alliance Midget Minor AAA forward Michael Tatum, who pitched an outstanding 3-0 shutout in the championship game win over the Ice Jets.  

 

 

 

                                                                    Friday, March 31, 2006                                                                                         

 

NTXHL Playoffs:  Bulldogs Take Game 1 of Championship Series with Last Minute Tally...

 

Midget Major  AA:  Alliance - 4, Texas Aces - 3:  The Alliance Midget Major AA waited until the last minute, but came through with the game winner with only 27 seconds remaining in regulation to nip the Texas Aces in Game 1 to take a 1-0 lead in their Best of 3 Championship Series of the NTXHL Playoffs tonight in Frisco. 

 

The Bulldogs and the Aces have played several times this season and every game has been close, and this was no exception.  The Aces jumped to a 1-0 lead just under 2 minutes into the game, scoring on a breakaway. The Bulldogs capitalized on a power play opportunity 5 minutes later to tie the score at 1-1.  The Aces closed out the 1st period by scoring on a deflection to take a 2-1 lead at the 1st intermission.   Read more HERE...

 

 

                                                                   Thursday, March 30, 2006                                                                                     

 

Spring Camp to Start One Week Later...

 

Due to the tryout dates being finalized by the DFW Hockey Oversight Committee, the Alliance Spring Camp will start one (1) week later than originally planned, and the Orientation Meetings have been postponed one (1) week as well, to Saturday April 8th.   The new Camp Dates have been adjusted accordingly in the schedule below.  The Days of the Week, Locations, and Times for each age group HAVE NOT CHANGED. 

 

The Orientation Meetings have been changed to include an Alliance "Open House", with on-ice sessions to "Meet the Coaches" for each age group except Midgets.  There will be no on-ice session for Midgets as a part of the Orientation.   The Schedule for the Orientation & On-Ice Meet the Coaches Sessions has been posted below as well.

 

Spring Camp - Mites Combined with Squirts at Valley Ranch...

 

Another change to the camp will be the combining of the Mites and Squirts into one group, which will skate at Valley Ranch on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as the Squirts are currently scheduled.  The Mites will no longer skate at Polar Ice, or on Thursdays and Sundays as originally scheduled.

 

Midget Tryouts Scheduled to Begin June 16th…

 

The dates have been set when Midget (U18 & U16) tryouts will be conducted for all associations.  The U18 Tier I tryouts will be from Friday June 16th to Sunday June 18th, and the U16 Tier I will start Monday June 19th and go until Wednesday June 21st.

 

The remaining U18 & U16 Tier II teams will have their tryouts starting on Thursday June 22nd and go until necessary.  The specific times and locations have not yet been determined, and will be announced as soon as those details are finalized.

 

                                                                 Wednesday, March 29, 2006                                                                                  

 

Dallas Stars Launch New Web Site for Youth Hockey...

 

The Dallas Stars have published a new web site designed specifically for the youth hockey community, and it has tons of information and links for youth hockey players, parents, coaches, and volunteers.  There is information about the activities within the DFW youth hockey community, Parent Resources, Community Discussion forums, etc.  We have put a link to the site in our left side links menu under "Miscellaneous", and you can check it out at www.dallasstarscare.com....  

 

 

                                                                      Sunday, March 26, 2006                                                                                    

 

Alliance Squirt A Wins NTXHL Championship!!!

 

Squirt A:  Alliance - 5, Aeros North - 2:  The Bulldogs put a great cap on a great season, with a solid win over the Houston Aeros North in the Game 3 of the Best of 3 NTXHL Championship Series Sunday afternoon in Frisco. 

 

The result of a long season of hard work and fun is now the right to be called the reigning NTXHL Squirt A CHAMPIONS for 2006-2007.   After a disappointing Game 2 loss by a score of 1-0 in a tightly played game the night before, the Dogs came out barking in the Championship Game.  To read more and see pictures, click HERE...

 

NTXHL Playoffs:

 

Squirt AA Finishes Great Season with 2nd Place in Championship Series...

 

Squirt AA:  DJHA - 4, Alliance - 2:  The Bulldogs and DJHA Major '95 resumed their 3-game battle for one final time Sunday afternoon in Frisco, with DJHA opening up a 2-0 gap in the 2nd period that the Bulldogs could not quite close in the Championship Game of the NTXHL Championship Series.  After the Bulldogs would narrow the margin to within 1 two different times, the Penguins responded each time within a minute to widen the lead back to a 2 goals.  Alliance peppered the Penguin goalie all afternoon, but he was up to the task when it counted, and DJHA takes home the NTXHL crown.  The Bulldogs complete an awesome season with a 32-12-3 record.

 

Bantam AA Finishes with Strong Showing in NTXHL Playoffs...

 

Bantam  AA:  Alliance - 1, Stars - 0:  The Bulldogs played well in all 4 games this weekend, dropping their first 2 games in OT, and winning their last 2, including a close shutout over the Stars to complete their season and the NTXHL Playoffs Sunday afternoon in Plano.   Alliance finished the season with a positive 24-22-2 record, with nine (9) of those losses being by one goal and/or in overtime, and 4 of them against "AAA" teams.

 

Midget Minor AA Ends Season with a Win...

 

Midget Minor  AA:  Alliance - 5, DJHA - 1:  The Bulldogs knew coming into the game they had been eliminated from the playoffs, and it was their last game of the season, but the finished strong with a win over DJHA in Game 4 of the NTXHL Playoffs Sunday afternoon in Valley Ranch.   Alliance finished the season with an impressive 38-14-1 record, was a finalist in 2 tournaments, and captured the NTXHL Regular Season Championship.

 

Midget Major AA Cruises into Championship Series at 4 and 0...

 

Midget Major  AA:  Alliance - 3, OKC - 2:  Alliance and OK City battled close all day, but it was an unusual empty netter by the Bulldogs with the game tied that won Game 4 of the NTXHL Playoffs Sunday Afternoon in Euless.   OKC figured the only way they could possibly advance was with a regulation and 3rd period win, so they pulled the goalie late in the game to go for the win.  The Bulldogs take the gift and their 4-0 playoff record into next weekend's Best of 3 NTXHL Championship Series against the Texas Aces.

 

 

                                                                      Saturday, March 25, 2006                                                                                   

 

Alliance Announces Teams & Coaches for 2006-2007…

 

“The New Alliance Youth Hockey Association” is pleased to announce our teams & coaches for the upcoming 2006-2007 season, and the Bulldog family will be growing again.   With the purpose of escalating our foundation of development, expanding our reach across the DFW Metroplex, and from the requests of many players and families throughout the area, Alliance will be fielding fifteen (15) teams next season, up from nine this past year.

 

Much like seasons past, we will again house teams to compete at the highest level of Tier I & Tier II competition across the country.  New for this coming season, however, there will be four main additions to our program.  To read more and see the teams and coaches, click HERE... 

 

NTXHL Playoffs:

 

Squirt A Takes Game 1 of Championship Series with Last Minute 2-Goal Comeback...

 

Squirt A:  Alliance - 3, Aeros North - 2:  Alliance waited, waited.... and then waited a little bit more than was comfortable, but scored 2 goals in the last 20 seconds, with the game winner coming with only 3 ticks left on the clock to win Game 1 over the Houston Aeros North in the Best of 3 NTXHL Championship Series Saturday morning in Valley Ranch.  More on this game to follow...

 

Squirt AA Falls in OT of Game 1 of Championship Series...

 

Squirt AA:  DJHA - 2, Alliance - 1 (OT):  The Bulldogs and DJHA Major '95 battled all morning, deciding nothing during regulation, but it was the Penguins getting the game winning goal in the first overtime period in Game 1 over the  in the Best of 3 NTXHL Championship Series Saturday morning in Valley Ranch.  More on this game to follow...

 

Midget Minor AA Cruises in Playoff Opener...

 

Midget Minor  AA:  Alliance - 8, DMHA - 1:  Alliance jumped on the DMHA Titans early, taking a 5-0 lead in the first period, and cruised to a victory in the Opener for both clubs of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday in Valley Ranch.  The Bulldogs will play Game 2 against the Stars Saturday night at 7:00pm at the Ice Training Center in Richardson.

 

Bulldogs Sweep 2 more NTXHL Tilts...

 

Midget Major  AA: Alliance – 10, DJHA – 1:  Alliance took advantage from the start, out-numbering DJHA in skaters by a 15-10 margin, controlled the game from the opening face-off, and raced away with a win in Game 3 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday night in Euless.  Read more HERE...

 

Midget Major  AA: Alliance – 4, Texas Aces – 2:  The Bulldogs took an early lead, nursed it into the second period, then built a 4-1 margin in the 2nd period on their way to a win over the Texas Aces in Game 2 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday night in Euless.  Read more HERE...

 

 

                                                                         Friday, March 24, 2006                                                                                     

 

Frozen 4 Contest:  Entries are CLOSED, Games Start Today...

 

Well, we hope you thought about those tie-breaker numbers again, because it will probably come down to that to determine a winner, just like last year.   Among the 16 teams in the tournament, you picked ten (10) different winners for the National Championship.  

 

Among the favorite teams to go all the way were Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and North Dakota.    In addition to areas all over Texas, we had entries from Wyoming, California, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and South Dakota.  To see the favorites and follow the action via a link to Realtime Scoring, click HERE...

 

Midget Major AA Gets Big Shutout in Playoff Opener...

 

Midget Major  AA:  Alliance - 7, McKinney - 0:  Alliance got 2 quick goals in the opening moments, and never looked back, going on to a convincing shutout win over McKinney in Game 1 of the NTXHL Playoffs late Friday night in Valley Ranch.  The Bulldogs will play Game 2 against the Texas Aces Saturday afternoon at 1:45pm in Euless.

 

 

                                                                        Tuesday, March 21, 2006                                                                                   

 

Alliance Again Well Represented at RMD Development Camp...

 

Congratulations to the thirty one (31) Alliance players that were recently selected at the Texas Affiliate Camp (TAC) in Dallas to represent Texas and Oklahoma at the Rocky Mountain District (RMD) Development Camp, which is scheduled for May 3-7 at the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City, Utah.  For a list of the Alliance players headed to Salt Lake, click HERE...

 

                                                                        Sunday, March 19, 2006                                                                                    

 

NTXHL Playoffs Day 2 - Squirts Both Advance to Finals, PeeWees Eliminated...

 

It was a great weekend for the Alliance Squirt teams, as both the Squirt A and Squirt AA teams placed 2nd in the preliminary rounds of their respective divisions, and will advance to the NTXHL Championship Finals next weekend.  The PeeWee teams were not as fortunate, as both were eliminated from advancing, with the PeeWee AA1 team going 2 and 2, and the PeeWee AA2 team going 1 and 3 on the weekend.

 

The Squirt A team went undefeated at 4 and 0, and will advance as a result of winning a tie-breaker on goal differential.  They will face the Houston Aeros North in a Best of 3 Series starting next Saturday.  The Squirt AA team earned a spot in the Final Series by virtue of their 3 and 1 mark for the weekend, and will square off against the DJHA Major '95 Penguins, who also went 3 and 1.  Their Best of 3 will also begin next Saturday as well.

 

Information and summaries on the Alliance games will be coming soon.  For all the scores and standings, click HERE...

 

Frozen 4 Contest:  Bracket is Set, Prizes Announced, and the Contest is ON!!!

 

Well here we go, the final 16 teams have been selected and placed in the bracket, and all that is left now is choosing the winners and watching to see who brings home the prize, and the prizes.   The prize is the NCAA National Championship, but The Hockey Shop Frozen 4 Contest prizes are the ones you care about, so let's get to those.  To see the prizes and to enter the contest, click HERE...

 

 

                                                                        Saturday, March 18, 2006                                                                                  

 

NTXHL Playoffs Day 1 - Squirts Win All 4 Games, PeeWees Take 1 of 3...

 

Squirt A:  Alliance - 5, LS Wolves - 0:  Alliance came out on fire following that earlier strong finish in Game 1, and never let up in a solid shutout over the LS Wolves for their 2nd win of the day in Game 2 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday afternoon in Valley Ranch.  More on this game to follow...

 

Squirt A:  Alliance - 4, DJHA - 1:  Finding themselves trailing 1-0 after 2 periods of play, the Bulldogs rallied with an impressive third period by scoring 4 unanswered goals on their way to a win over the DJHA Squirt A in Game 1 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday morning in Valley Ranch.  More on this game to follow...

 

Squirt AA:  Alliance - 8, Ice Jets '96 AA - 2:  The Bulldogs rode the momentum from their nice win in Game 1 to a high powered offensive showing, and raced past the Ice Jets '96 AA in Game 2 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday afternoon in Valley Ranch.  More on this game to follow...

 

Squirt AA:  Alliance - 2, Ice Jets '95 AAA - 0:  Alliance played good defense, got solid goaltending, and added a couple of timely goals, and earned a shutout for their first win of the season over the Ice Jets '95 AAA in Game 1 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday afternoon in Valley Ranch.  More on this game to follow...

 

PeeWee AA1:  Alliance - 4, Ice Hawks - 3:  Alliance bounced back from their earlier disappointing shootout loss in Game 1 to nip the Dallas Ice Hawks in Game 2 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday night in Plano.  More on this game to follow...

 

PeeWee AA1:  DJHA '94 AA - 5, Alliance - 4 (SO):  The Bulldogs battled DJHA '94 AA all day, and only after a scoreless sudden death overtime, one 5 man shootout, and then another sudden death shootout did the Penguins prevail in this hotly contested Game 1 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday afternoon in Plano.  More on this game to follow...

 

PeeWee AA2:  Ice Jets '93 AA - 4, Alliance - 1:  The Bulldogs played the Ice Jets '93 AA tough, but came up on the short end of the stick in this one, as they fell in Game 1 of the NTXHL Playoffs Saturday afternoon in Plano.

 

 

 

                                                                        Thursday, March 16, 2006                                                                                  

 

TAC Schedules REVISED...

 

The schedule for the 2006 Texas Affiliate Camp (TAC) for the 1989 and 1991 age groups has been slightly modified based on more 1989 and 1991 players pre-registered than expected.   An email will be sent to individual participants, but each association has been encouraged to communicate the schedule change to all nominated players.  To see revised schedule, click HERE...

 

 

                                                                         Tuesday, March 14, 2006                                                                                   

 

Coming this Weekend - NTXHL Playoffs and TAC...

 

It's that time of the year again, and the playoffs are coming this weekend, as four Alliance Squirt and PeeWee teams hit the ice for a chance to get that last banner of the season.  Three more teams will be at it beginning next weekend, when the Bantams and Midgets play their first playoff games.  The Alliance team schedules have been posted to each team page, and to see information about the playoffs, and links to the complete schedules, click HERE...

 

Another activity that is happening this weekend is the Texas Affiliate Camp (TAC), which is being hosted by TAHA at the Dr. Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch, starting Friday afternoon.   The objective of TAC is to evaluate those players who, in the judgment of their coaches, are the best players at their respective position and age group (Boys: 1989, 1990, 1991 or 1992).  

 

TAC evaluators will select a limited number of players at each age group and position to represent TAHA at the Rocky Mountain District (RMD) Player Development Camp, which is scheduled for May 3-7 at the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City, Utah.  For more information about TAC, click HERE...

 

 

                                                                         Sunday, March 12, 2006                                                                                    

 

Alliance Falls to Stars in Exhibition...

 

PeeWee AA1:  Dallas Stars Selects - 6, Alliance - 1:  To stay in game shape for the playoffs, the Bulldogs and Stars met in their second scrimmage Sunday morning, and it would be the Stars turn to skate away with a convincing win.  Both teams played fairly evenly in the first, with the Stars eventually winning the period.  Read more HERE...

 

 

                                                                        Saturday, March 11, 2006                                                                                  

 

Spring Camp Update:  Schedules Posted, Sibling Discount & Goalie Info Announced...

 

The schedules have finally been determined and are now posted, with the schedule broken down by the week or by age groups.   In addition, a sibling discount  has now been provided for families with more than one player.   For the first time in our Spring Camp, we will introduce a program designed specifically for the goaltender, for more information on the goalie program, click HERE...

 

RMD Tier II Championships - Day 3 Update...

 

Midget Major AA:  Highland Hills - 5, Alliance - 4 (OT):  The Bulldogs once again found themselves in another wild back and forth game, and the result was another heart-breaking overtime loss, this time to the Highland Hills Jaguars in Game 3 of the U18 Tier II Rocky Mountain District Championships in Denver on Saturday.   Alliance fell behind in the first period for the 3rd time in a row, trailing 2-0 before getting the sparks flying.  Just like in Game 2, the Bulldogs rallied to tie the game at 2-2, and then it was back and forth from that point on.  Read more HERE...

 

                                                                          Friday, March 10, 2006                                                                                    

 

RMD Tier II Championships - Day 2 Update...

 

Midget Major AA:  Arvada - 4, Alliance - 2:  The Bulldogs came from behind again to tie the game, but were unable to grab the lead and fell in Game 2 of the U18 Tier II Rocky Mountain District Championships in Denver late Friday night.  Alliance fell behind in the first period, as Arvada took advantage of their opportunities, mixed with some good fortune. 

 

The first goal was an empty netter, as the Bulldog net-minder was taken out of the play and Arvada capitalized for a 1-0 lead.  They increased their lead with another tally later in the period to take a 2-0 lead into the 2nd frame.

 

 

 

                                                                        Thursday, March 9, 2006                                                                                   

 

RMD Tier II Championships Update...

 

Midget Major AA:  Utah - 6, Alliance - 5:  In a high scoring and exciting game, the Bulldogs fell in Overtime to the Utah Jr. Wildcats in Game 1 of the U18 Tier II Rocky Mountain District Championships in Denver.