ALBUQUERQUE – Hello Ice Wolves fans and welcome to the latest edition of the Ice Wolves Den. This week we feature one of the original NA3HL Ice Wolves and current NAHL Ice Wolves, Stanley Hubbard.
Hubbard is proud to have helped build the NA3HL program, “It feels good, the 3HL was awesome and a huge piece of my development. To get to play against 20 year olds when I was a 17 year old is definitely a huge jump from playing youth hockey.” Hubbard said, “It’s so cool to see how competitive the program is. Even the first year, nobody had high expectations, then last year we just had a really good team. They have a great team again this year and that’s just awesome to see.”
Head Coach Kevin Hartzell credits Stanley’s character, “He wants to keep getting better and it’s hard sometimes for big guys when they’re young, because sometimes their strength hasn’t caught up to them. That’s probably his biggest issue, his man strength hasn’t caught up, but he’s willing to work and he’s coachable. We’ll help him keep improving and he’ll keep working, there’s no doubt about that ” Hartzell said, “His strength is starting to catch up, Sunday he didn’t play, part of that was it’s a great day for him to be in the weight room, 3 games in 3 days, so he got an extra weight session. He keeps taking skating lessons and he’s getting better and better all the time.”
Stanley’s father, team owner Stan Hubbard believes he could be an inspiration for younger kids, “We’re very proud of him, not not only has he worked himself up from the NA3HL to the NAHL, he worked himself up from all New Mexico Youth Hockey, he’s never left the State of New Mexico. He’s proven that you can make it to this level without leaving. Hopefully it paves the way for more kids to be able to dream of and reach a higher level of hockey without having to leave home. Not only is it expensive, but it’s a hard thing for a kid.” Stan said, “He started as a goalie, just 3 years ago, he was a goalie through Bantams and half goalie his first year of U16 and he decided he wanted to play up. We’re darn proud of him and he’s doing great. He was the only goalie that had a target on his mask. He designed it himself with the Minnesota side and the New Mexico side. The target on the forehead was all him, too. That’s the way he played goalie and that’s why he still plays hockey.”
Assistant Coach Vinny Bohn says Stanley’s personal connection to the team may be fueling his development, “He’s an unbelievable teammate, I think his personal connection to the logo gives him a little bit more drive. He’s a kid that has really believed in the ladder of development. He takes advantage of everything we’ve got here.” Bohn said, “It’s harder when you’re 6’7″, you’ve got to put in a little more time and effort. It’s like anything else, when you put in the work you’ll show improvement. With his skating, it’s not just a straight line, it’s your edge work, your strength, puck protection. There are a lot of big guys in the game, but they don’t always play to their size. He doesn’t shy away from it, he plays to his strength and definitely adds a lot of different options to our lineup.”
Stanley says moving up from the 3HL to the NAHL does have a learning curve, “You lose some time and space, you have to make decisions quicker, I think that’s the biggest adjustment. In the summer Ben Danford has helped me with my skating and getting stronger.” Hubbard said, “Coach Gary has been huge about getting stronger in the gym. He’s helped me put on a lot of muscle this summer and over the course of the season. That’s been a huge piece, getting stronger to skate.”
After dropping 2 of 3 to the Colorado Grit at home this past weekend, the NAHL Ice Wolves are on the road this weekend taking on the Lone Star Brahmas before getting a short Christmas break. They return home for a special Monday and Tuesday set for New Year’s taking on the El Paso Rhinos December 30th and 31st.
Use CodePHN15 Would look good with an Ice Wolves logo, eh?
The 3HL Ice Wolves are in Blaine, MN for the Showcase before getting a 3 week holiday break. They return home January 17th.
Photo credits to Scott Adamson and the Hubbard Family
