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STOPs & STARTS USA Hockey News & UPDATES Olympic Qualifiers Added To Big dance In Sochi With one year to go until Sochi 2014, the five qualifying teams that will complete the field for the Olympic ice hockey tournaments have officially earned their spots. Latvia was the only host nation on the men's side that won its final Olympic Qualification group. The Latvians, who have participated in the past three Olympics, will be joined by surprising qualifiers Austria and Slovenia. Latvia returns to Olympic On the women's side Germany and competition, joining fellow Japan won their qualification tourna- qualifiers Austria and Slovenia. ments to punch their tickets to Sochi. It marks Japan's first time back in the Olympics since they hosted the inaugural women's tournament in Nagano in 1998. The groups in Sochi 2014 will be played as follows (in brackets: IIHF World Ranking position): Olympic men's ice hockey tournament: Group A: Russia (1), Slovakia (6), USA (7), Slovenia (18) Group B: Finland (2), Canada (5), Norway (8), Austria (15) Group C: Czech Republic (3), Sweden (4), Switzerland (9), Latvia (11) Olympic women's ice hockey tournament: Group A: Canada (1), USA (2), Finland (3), Switzerland (4) Group B: Sweden (5), Russia (6), Germany (8), Japan (11) Local Stars Shine At USHL Outdoor Game Omaha's TD Ameritrade Park is used to home runs being blasted and hot dogs consumed during the College Baseball World Series. But on Feb. 9, instead of listening to the crack of the bat, 13,650 Nebraska hockey fans were treated to watching the Omaha Lancers defeat the Lincoln Stars, 4-2, in the Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice in the USHL's first outdoor hockey game. Omaha native Gage Hough, who scored the game's first goal for the Lancers, called the game an unforgettable experience. "It's something that kids always dream of growing up," Hough said. "You watch the Winter Classic [with] Pittsburgh, Philly, all those teams. To actually get a chance to do it, especially where the College World Series is played, is a oncein-a-lifetime deal." Will Suter, also from Omaha, also scored for Lincoln in the second period. "I can't even describe it," he said. "It was absolutely unbelievable. I had a ton of family and friends at the game, a lot of people who have supported me through the years. It was an amazing experience. It really was." The Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice was the first game of a doubleheader, presented by the Omaha Sports Commission, that also featured a college hockey game between the University of Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux defeated the Mavericks, 5-2. Local stars shined bright as the Omaha Lancers defeated the Lincoln Stars at the Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice. 08 April/May. 2013 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Mobile Coaching App Soars To New Heights The USA Hockey Mobile Coaching App recently celebrated a milestone when coaching videos available on the app were viewed more than 500,000 times. Since going live on Oct. 18, the Mobile Coaching App has been downloaded more than 32,000 times to Apple's iOS or Google's Android platforms, giving USA Hockey registered members a new way to consume a wide variety of skill manuals, drills and videos. "You realize the power of social media and the interest that our members have in our coaching materials," said Mark Tabrum, director of USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program. "This powerful new medium gives us even more avenues to get our materials out to the USA Hockey membership. And this is only the beginning." USA Hockey Mobile Coach includes complete practice plans, small area games, dryland training exercises, goaltending-specific drills and videos and much more. There are also digital versions of the USA Hockey Rulebook, Annual Guide and American Development Model materials. The USA Hockey Mobile Coach is now available at both the iTunes App Store and Android Market, and is free to all USA Hockey registered members. D.C. Kids Enjoy Dog Days At The White House Even for longtime residents of Washington, D.C., a tour of the White House is one tough ticket. So when members of the Kids On Ice program were given the opportunity to tour the most famous address in the country, they jumped at the chance. The 11 kids from the Fort Dupont Ice Arena, along with Ty Newberry, the Southeastern District coachin-chief who also serves as executive director/general manager of the rink, were special guests at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., for a tour on Feb. 22. The invitation was extended through the office of Arne Duncan, the secretary of education, who was impressed by the rink's P.L.U.S. (Positive Learning Using Skating) program, which combines on-ice lessons with classroom sessions to teach subjects ranging from health and fitness to personal finance. During the tour the group got to see the famous State Dining Room; Library; Red, Blue and Green Rooms; along with the East Room where both Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy lay in state prior to their respective funerals. But according to Newberry, the biggest thrill for the kids was seeing Bo, the First Family's dog. "The highlight of the day was seeing Bo, the dog," Newberry said. "While the kids really enjoyed the tour, I think the kids were more excited about that." Photos courtesy of Getty Images; Mitch Highman/Joy Photography; Ty Newberry