Local hockey players get break in Buffalo

Dylan McDonald had such a good time the first time, he figured why not do it again.

A year after McDonald was part of the Firebirds Bantam AAA hockey team that advanced to the USA Hockey Nationals in New York, the Firebirds are headed back to New York.

The Firebirds, a team that plays out of Tempe but has three North Valley players, recently won the USA Hockey Regional Rocky Mountain Bantam AAA/Tier 1 Championship and will play today through April 1 at the nationals in Buffalo.

To reach the championships, the team went undefeated in the preliminary round robin round and the championship game at regionals March 1‑4 in Dallas. In the championship, the Firebirds beat the Texas Attack 6‑2.

McDonald, a freshman at Boulder Creek High School, made the trip last year and will be joined by some local teammates. Jordan Young, a freshman at Cactus Shadows High School, and Max Aaron, a freshman at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, are among the 17‑player team.

“I am incredibly proud of the boys,” Firebirds coach Kenny Moffatt said. “They worked hard, dominated play, and showed that all their hard work and dedication during the season paid off.”

The Phoenix Firebirds Bantam AAA team consists of players aged 13‑14. The team plays at the Desert Youth Hockey Association organization located at the Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe.

McDonald is one of three players returning to nationals with the Firebirds. Luke Moffatt and Colten St. Clair are captains after last year’s experience.

Traveling to New York shouldn’t faze the Firebirds. During the regular season, the team traveled to tournaments in Canada as well as Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles, where they faced some of the best teams in North America.

The big accomplishment came earlier in the season in Vancouver, Canada, when the Firebirds became the first U.S. team to win the Burnaby Bantam AAA Christmas Tournament in the event’s 44‑year history.

For fans who want to follow how the Firebirds do in Buffalo, log on to usahockey.com and search through the “2007 Nationals” section.

Good luck, guys.

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