The Chang’s program brings with it, top ranked coaching in the form of former NHL defenseman and a USA Hockey nationally ranked coaching luminary, Jimmy Johnson. Johnson will lead the Midget U-18 AAA team this coming year following a very successful year in which his U-16 Midget team captured the Arizona state championship and advanced deep into the Rocky MountainDistrict play-downs. His assistants will be Scott Abbey and Rick Olczyk formerly of the Chicago Mission AAA organization.
 
"Our Goal," said Johnson the programs director, "is to create an opportunity for Arizona's elite players to stay in Arizona and not have to look elsewhere for superior coaching and top-notch competition." Johnson went on to add, "The PF Chang's Hockey program is excited to align itself with another premier program (CAHA) here in the valley. As a nationally recognized program we want to offer our players a state of the art facility to train and further their development as they strive to achieve their career goals. The Ice Den definitely provides that opportunity.”
 
Also announced today is the coaching Staff of the U16 AAA team for this coming season. Brendan Shaw, has been named the PF Chang’s U-16 AAA head coach and will be assisted by Erik Hildreth and Kurt Goar and Rick Olczyk.
 
While hockey has had a rich history in the state of Arizona, the focus really sharpened with the introduction of the Phoenix Coyotes to the market in 1996. Since then, what was a trickle has become a flood of young, talented players, to the sport. DYHA coaching veteran and USA Hockey Master Level Coach, Kurt Goar has a strong hand in the PF Chang’s program, serving on the Player Development Advisory staff. Kurt will be joined now by CAHA Director of Hockey, Mike De Angelis and Leigh Mendelson.
 
"We are extremely pleased to have the elite Chang’s teams associated with our program next season", stated De Angelis. "The level of athlete and coaching teamed with our facility, will only hasten the growth and maturity of hockey in Arizona"
 
De Angelis, a former Olympic and minor pro player has been guiding the fortunes of the Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association for three years and has seen the program blossom into a contending entity in the local hockey market. His addition to Chang’s Player Development Advisory staff is not without merit. CAHA’s Mission Statement mirrors that of the elite program; to provide the very best in hockey development, sportsmanship, integrity and coaching exposure for elite hockey players in Arizona.
 
Not only does the program focus on development and training but will offer players expertise in moving to the next level, which will include Junior "A" Tier I, Tier II and College programs. There are established relationships and affiliations with top colleges, prep schools and junior programs and coaches across the country. These relationships will allow coaches and scouts the ability to keep track of these players through the PF Chang's web site at www.pfchangshockey.com.
 
For tryouts for the U18 AAA and U16 AAA teams will be held in June. Further information will be posted on this web site shortly.
 
Contacts:
Steve Ferber 602-312-6808
Jim Johnson 480-367-0770