It may sound odd, but 19-year-old Mantecan Jake Commeau’s ultimate goal is to play Division-I ice hockey for a four-year university.
Playing professionally would be the icing.
It’s just the thought of a Northern California native actually going to school and playing hockey with no penalty that’s enticing to both he and close friend Tyler Kruenegel, a Sierra High senior.
“We grew up here where there is no high-school hockey,” said Commeau, a 14-year veteran of the sport. “It’s just nice to play at a school that accepts you for a sport that they have, and you don’t get into trouble for leaving school for hockey. They work around you.”
Commeau and Krunegel hope to take a giant leap toward realizing their shared dream next week in Rochester, N.Y. where they will compete in the USA Hockey Youth Tier II National Championships.
They play for the Tri-Valley Midget 18AA Blue Devils, who are based out of Dublin. Joining them from the Central Valley are Stocktonian Craig Hanisch and Cody Murphy of Salida.
The Blue Devils qualified by taking third in the California Amateur Hockey Association State Playoffs March 19-21, and their 2-0 victory over OC Hockey was the clincher. Tri-Valley dropped heartbreakers to state champion Los Angeles Jr. Kings (5-2) and the California Wave (3-2) despite taking 2-0 leads into the third period.
“We should have taken first or second, things just didn’t go our way,” Commeau said. “In the last game both of us were hurt.”
As disappointed as they were then, the Mantecans are excited about making their first trip to nationals. The Blue Devils are afforded a rare opportunity for Northern Californian ice hockey players. National qualifiers from the state usually come from its southern half, especially from the Los Angeles area.
Commeau and Krunegel, both centers, will take it as an opportunity to advance their careers. Commeau moved to Bakersfield after graduating from Manteca High last year to play for a team in the more competitive junior division.
“There are supposed to be a lot of scouts (at Nationals),” Krunegel said. “I’m hoping to get picked up by a team. I’m trying out for a team in Prince George, British Columbia in August.”
The Blue Devils will depart for New York Monday night and will practice at The Sports Centre Tuesday afternoon. Their first of three contests in pool play is Wednesday. The quarter and semifinals are on Saturday, and the championship round on Sunday.
The team is seeking donations to help players and coaches cover costs. Krunegel said that each person is spending up to $1,200 in travel and board.
Donations can be paid through PayPal or by mail (Tri-Valley Midget 18AA, c/o Iceland, 7212 San Ramon Road, Dublin, CA, 94568-3244. For more information, visit www.tvmha18aa.com.
Playing professionally would be the icing.
It’s just the thought of a Northern California native actually going to school and playing hockey with no penalty that’s enticing to both he and close friend Tyler Kruenegel, a Sierra High senior.
“We grew up here where there is no high-school hockey,” said Commeau, a 14-year veteran of the sport. “It’s just nice to play at a school that accepts you for a sport that they have, and you don’t get into trouble for leaving school for hockey. They work around you.”
Commeau and Krunegel hope to take a giant leap toward realizing their shared dream next week in Rochester, N.Y. where they will compete in the USA Hockey Youth Tier II National Championships.
They play for the Tri-Valley Midget 18AA Blue Devils, who are based out of Dublin. Joining them from the Central Valley are Stocktonian Craig Hanisch and Cody Murphy of Salida.
The Blue Devils qualified by taking third in the California Amateur Hockey Association State Playoffs March 19-21, and their 2-0 victory over OC Hockey was the clincher. Tri-Valley dropped heartbreakers to state champion Los Angeles Jr. Kings (5-2) and the California Wave (3-2) despite taking 2-0 leads into the third period.
“We should have taken first or second, things just didn’t go our way,” Commeau said. “In the last game both of us were hurt.”
As disappointed as they were then, the Mantecans are excited about making their first trip to nationals. The Blue Devils are afforded a rare opportunity for Northern Californian ice hockey players. National qualifiers from the state usually come from its southern half, especially from the Los Angeles area.
Commeau and Krunegel, both centers, will take it as an opportunity to advance their careers. Commeau moved to Bakersfield after graduating from Manteca High last year to play for a team in the more competitive junior division.
“There are supposed to be a lot of scouts (at Nationals),” Krunegel said. “I’m hoping to get picked up by a team. I’m trying out for a team in Prince George, British Columbia in August.”
The Blue Devils will depart for New York Monday night and will practice at The Sports Centre Tuesday afternoon. Their first of three contests in pool play is Wednesday. The quarter and semifinals are on Saturday, and the championship round on Sunday.
The team is seeking donations to help players and coaches cover costs. Krunegel said that each person is spending up to $1,200 in travel and board.
Donations can be paid through PayPal or by mail (Tri-Valley Midget 18AA, c/o Iceland, 7212 San Ramon Road, Dublin, CA, 94568-3244. For more information, visit www.tvmha18aa.com.
