Jan 12, 2007

New hockey DVD inspires California kids

Thanks to stories like "In the Crease," the sport continues to grow in the area

By Paul Freeman / Daily News Correspondent

A riveting sports drama has been released on DVD. No, not "Glory Road" or "Coach Carter." It's "In the Crease." This documentary tells the story of the California Wave, a bantam AAA hockey team that reaches a national championship. A Golden State squad defeating hockey giants of the East? It's another miracle on ice.

The film (clips at www.inthecreasemovie.com) shows how far this region's youth hockey has come, but more importantly, offers insights into the hearts, minds and dreams of these diverse Southern California 14-year-olds.

The invaluable experiences sports present benefit youngsters everywhere, including the Bay Area.

San Jose Sharks All-Star Joe Thornton, who grew up in a small Ontario, Canada community, is seen in the film, recounting thoughts on youth hockey.

"The friends you make back then are friends for a lifetime," Thornton said after practice this week. "My parents met a lot of good people through the minor hockey system, too, and they still keep in touch with everybody. It's a whole family experience."

In the film, the coach proclaims it's not about the final score; it's about putting forth maximum effort - anyone who does that is a winner.

"Realistically, nobody's going to make the NHL. You're one out of a million people," Thornton said. "So my parents stressed - make new friends, have a good time, but also work as hard as you can. Every time you go out there, give it 110 percent."

Taylor Licolli, 15, a San Carlos resident who attends Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton and plays right wing for the Junior Sharks, hears the same advice from his coaches.

"Obviously it's good to win, but it's all about developing yourself," said Licolli, who hopes to play Division I hockey in college. "Our coach always emphasizes that."

His Junior Sharks team is aiming at the state championship in February. They must first make it through qualifying tournaments.

As the film points out, however, losing offers its own lessons.

"A lot of times, after you lose, you learn what it takes to win," Licolli said. "When you lose, you work that much harder."

Licolli's involvement in youth hockey helps him to mature.

"You learn etiquette stuff. You learn about things like integrity," Licolli said. "With all the travel, it makes you more independent. A lot of times, we have to deal with things on our own. You meet new people and you have to know how to get along with everybody. Everyone on the team is really close."

In the documentary, the team captain describes hockey as more of a lifestyle than a game and declares that if he could be on ice 24 hours, he would.

"That's the same with me," Licolli echoed. "Hockey does take up a lot of time. It requires sacrifices, on the part of players and parents. I haven't been home at Thanksgiving for years. But I really love what I'm doing."

Licolli admires what the California Wave accomplished.

"The state's making a name for itself in hockey," he said. "Northern California teams have really been improving."

Robert Savoie, hockey director at San Jose's Logitech Ice and Fremont's Sharks Ice, agrees.

"Ten years ago, we couldn't compete against Southern California teams," Savoie said. "When we went there, we knew we were going to lose. Now it's pretty even. That's a big step. Teams from here can go to tournaments back East and compete. The skill levels are very close. That doesn't mean we're going to win everything, but we can go and compete at the highest level."

"For a California team to win the nationals, that's a huge honor," said Thornton, the NHL's MVP last season. "It's nice seeing that kids everywhere are playing hockey and doing well at it."

West Coast youth hockey began mushrooming in the '90s.

"Obviously, that had a lot to do with Wayne Gretzky coming to the Kings," said San Jose Sharks head coach Ron Wilson. "It became a cool thing, because the best player in the world was playing right in L.A. That led to the expansion in Anaheim and San Jose. With heightened interest in the NHL, more rinks were built and it's only natural that hockey has grown the way it has."

Ruben Ayala, youth hockey director at Redwood City's Ice Oasis, credits the arrival of NHL role models.

"In the Bay Area, the sport has been growing and growing," Ayala said. "The success of the Sharks is one of the main reasons. People watch them and want to try it themselves. Little girls are getting involved, too."

Ayala has been working in Peninsula youth hockey for 20 years.

"We make sure they're respectful of referees, of coaches, of the game. It's fun for me to see people develop properly, turning into good adolescents," Ayala said.

Like his childhood idol, Wayne Gretzky, Thornton serves as "Athlete Ambassador" for Right To Play, an organization operating children's sports programs in struggling nations.

"Sports keeps kids out of trouble, keeps families together, does so much for communities," Thornton said. "It keeps kids active, motivated and disciplined. It keeps them out of the streets. It shows them a lot of character."