Taro Tsujimoto is an imaginary ice hockey player who was legally drafted by the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres, 183rd overall in the 11th round of the 1974 NHL draft.

The Sabres' general manager at the time, Punch Imlach, was reportedly fed up with the slow drafting process via the telephone a process intended to keep draft picks secret from the rival World Hockey Association. Imlach decided to have some fun at the expense of the league and president of 28 years, Clarence Campbell and found a common Japanese name in a Buffalo area phone book. Thus, when the 11th round surfaced, Imlach chose to select star center Taro Tsujimoto of the Japanese Hockey League, Tokyo Katanas,^[ With "Katanas" being an approximation for "Sabres" in the Japanese language both obviously referring to types of swords). The JHL being a real entity however had no such team. The Kokudo Keikaku Ice Hockey Club was the actual team that represented Tokyo in the JHL. The NHL made the pick official, and so it was reported by all major media outlets including The Hockey News.

Imlach did not acknowledge the fake draft pick until just before the start of training camp that year. The NHL would eventually change the pick to an "invalid claim" for its official record-keeping purposes. Campbell did not find the hoax draft pick nearly as funny as Imlach, but this was after Tsujimoto's name had appeared in several NHL publications. Tsujimoto is still listed among Sabres' draft picks in the Sabres media guide.

Taro quickly became an inside joke for Sabres' fans and staffers.For years after the pick, fans would chant "We Want Taro" when games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium became one-sided. In addition, for many years, banners would be hung from the balcony rail stating "Taro Says..." followed by a witty comment against an opponent or player for the opponent.

Mother Nature decided to show up to the Squirt C game a few weeks ago at their outdoor game in Nederland! As you can see from the pictures below the Arvada Squirt Team not only had to play against their opponent, but Mother Nature decided she wanted in on this game!

Enjoy some pictures from the adventures of our Squirt C team! Thanks to Sandy Strauss!!

If you happen to meet up with a Bantam B parent this week at the Apex, you will see they have no fingernails left!! Chewing on them in one of the most nerve racking --- heart stopping TRIPLE OVERTIME games, the Arvada Bantam B team came home with the Arizona Cactus Cup Champioship!!

The excitement boiled down to the final few minutes of the third overtime when Arvada player Jarrod Rivera, scored the OT goal for the championship win. Goalie Joey Doig stood on his head, and stoned a penalty shot to help the team continue their success! The Bantam B team was dedicated to teamwork which helped them capture the 2012 Cactus Cup Championship!

Congratulations to head coach Richard Forman and his entire coaching staff and families and of course to all of our ARVADA BANTAM B PLAYERS for their big win in Arizona!!

It is hard to believe how quickly technology changes, the minute you purchase your new cell phone, a newer, better one is ready to replace yours...that's true with many of the items we purchase these days. There always seems to be a time when you just have to say, "NO" to the latest fashions....and that includes this newly released "fashion" skate from the New York Fashion Show.

Parents spend a lot of money purchasing skates, so it is important to remind our young players that the most expensive isn't always the BEST skate. Some tips from power skating coach Laura Stamm to remember when purchasing your players skates:

• To skate well, hockey players must have well-constructed boots that fit properly with blades made of well-tempered steel, properly sharpened.
• The skate boots support the feet firmly while allowing skaters to lean their boots inward and outward. Good boots have reinforcing material in the counter (instep) area. The reinforcing material makes that area of the boots especially supportive for the arches and ankles. If boots are well made, you should not be able to squeeze the counter and ankle areas together.
• Top-of-the-line boots fit better, provide more support, last longer and offer better protection against injury from pucks or sticks. Choose your skates wisely—they are instrumental in preparing you to develop the skating skills necessary for speed, agility and power.
• Lack of good ankle support almost guarantees that skating will be difficult and uncomfortable. Ankles that cave in cause pain!

By the way, the Arvada Hockey Association will NOT be endorsing the newly fashioned skates displayed here, so don't believe the rumors!

Please visit our Tournament website page to learn more about our Winter Festival Tournament held over President's Day weekend!

http://arvada.pucksystems2.com/page/show/8425-winter-festival

The answer to the previous trivia question was:

"What percentage of the Top 50 NHL  had checking at PeeWee"....not ONE person made the correct choice. The answer is 50%. Out of the current top 50 NHL Top players, only 50% of them had checking at the Pee Wee Hockey level.

Story submitted by: Coach Todd Harvey

During the MLK weekend, the Squirt 1/Option 1 team competed in the Mile High Ultimate Challenge MLK Tournament held at Big Bear Ice Rink in Denver.  The team played well above their class managing to come in second place overall after a grueling 5-game weekend schedule.  Arvada first faced our nemesis, the Hyland Hills Jaguars, and emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle winning 3-2 (they beat us the previous two outings).  Niko Vincent lead the charge scoring a hat trick.  The following game Arvada squared off against the previously unplayed Summit Tigers (who finished third overall) and showed great discipline and team play, winning 8-1.  Once again Niko Vincent scored a hat trick along with one for Dominic Enyart.  The next game of the series found Arvada playing the home team, the Evolution Elite.  In a back-and-forth match, Evolution eventually pulled off the victory with a couple of late game goals winning 4-2.  Nick Vilims scored his first-ever goal as a Squirt.  Arvada faced Hyland Hills in a rematch and again showed them our hockey skills, beating them 2-0.  Niko Vincent and Blaine Phillips scored for Arvada, while Carson VanWinkle earned his first tournament shutout.  This win put Arvada in the championship finals against Evolution.

The championship game was hockey at it’s best.  Both teams played great, providing enough excitement to keep everyone entertained.  In the end, Arvada went down fighting losing 4-2 to Evolution.  Mason Lord and Blaine Phillips each managed to find the back of the net.  It was a great tournament and coming home with second place was very satisfying to all of the dedicated coaches, managers, children and parents.  Thanks to all those who participated and we look forward to more fun in the future!  Be sure to have a look at our trophy at the Apex rink.

P.O. Box 740908
Arvada, CO 80006
Fax: 303-463-4251

Hotline: 303-421-7698

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