July 21, 2009
Selects' Reid stays patient, makes USNTDP U-17 team
The wait was well worth it for LA Selects forward Adam Reid.
Reid, a standout on the Selects’ 16U Midget AAA team that won a CAHA state title this past season, has been selected to join USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program U-17 team for the 2009-10 season.
“During the season my coach talked to (the USNTDP) director of personnel, who said they were interested,” Reid said. “I went to tryouts and got a ‘we’ll see’ response. They invited me after this summer’s Select 16s festival. The long wait was worth it.”
Reid had five points (one goal, four assists) for his team at the Select 16 Camp in Rochester, N.Y., earlier this month.
“The Festival is always important, but I had to step it up for this one,” Reid said.
Reid is at least the 12th Selects player to join the program in the past five years. He played this past season for Coach Igor Nikulin on the Selects’ 16U team.
“I have coached Adam since he was a Squirt player, and I could not be more proud of him for realizing his goal of playing for the NTDP 17 U team,” Nikulin said. “Adam was a pleasure to coach and I will always cherish the great memories we have had. I look forward following his career.”
Selects president James Gasseau added: “Congratulations to Adam and his family for his selection among the best 93 players in the country, Adam and his family have been a pleasure to be associated with over the years, especially to Adam's mom Mary Hughes, who has been a fantastic team manager since Adam first year Squirt with us. We wish Adam lots of success in his new venture with the national program.”
Six former LA Hockey Club players (’92 birth years) played for the U-17 program last season – Matt Nieto (Long Beach), Shane Sooth (Canyon Country), Emerson Etem (Long Beach), Chase Balisy (Fullerton), Jason Zucker and Jake Fallon. Zucker and Fallon each played two seasons of Pee Wee AAA hockey for LAHC.
“It’s good to know some other Californians in the program,” Reid said.
Reid, who attended Ayala High School in Chino Hills, will enroll in Pioneer High in Ann Arbor, Mich., in September.
Reid will join another former LA Hockey player, Rocco Grimaldi, who was born in Rossmor and played for the program until his family relocated to Detroit. Reid and Grimaldi were teammates on California’s 2003 Brick Tournament team. Grimaldi played for Detroit Little Ceasar’s Midget Major national champion team this past season.
“It wasn’t something I expected, but it’s something I’ve wanted for a few years,” Reid said.
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