ChrisMiracle — Junior Hockey Resume — Defense

Hockey has been an integral part of my life since I was 18 months old. My family was living in Key West, Florida and my older brother had joined the local inline league. Of course I wanted to play, but being to young, I was left to a pair of RollerBlades and a stick to skate around the rink. My parents joke that I'm more comfortable on skates than in shoes.

I finally got my chance to play when I was four. Because I could skate backwards, I learned to play defense. Coaches say that I have a good sense for the game which probably comes from learning the game from a position where I could see the game develop. I played on travel/tournament teams starting at age 5. At the age of 8, I led my team to a championship and I won the leagues skill championship.

When I was 8, my family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and I got an opportunity to play Ice Hockey for the first time. My coach moved me to Center. I adapted to ice rather quickly and was a team leader in scoring. I also played House All-Stars each year and skated with the local travel team's summer program before I retired from ice hockey at the age of 10.

After taking a few months off, I returned to playing inline hockey and by age 11, I was back playing at the travel level. I aged up each year, going from 12B to 12A, then 14B and 14A. I was in the top 3 scoring forwards for 12A and the leading scorer for 14B and 14A. During these three years, I was invited to and attended the USA Hockey Inline national development camp, with the final year being invited to the 17U camp as a 14U player. I was also twice selected to the 1991 North Carolina Select team for State Wars, a tournament where the best players in each state compete on a national stage.

I had a strong urge to come back to Ice Hockey. I joined the Carolina Lighting 16U team, an independent team playing out of Raleigh. The team was listed as a Select/B level team, though we played more of an A level schedule. We won our league and I ended up the points and assists leader for the team as a winger. It was this team and a 9 day trip through Detroit and Canada where my world changed.

I was exposed to Junior Hockey.

Prior to this trip, I didn't know that Juniors even existed as an option for a kid from the south. But after seeing several Junior teams play, playing very competitively against Canadian A and AA teams and getting encouragement from an owner of a Junior B team, I decided it was time to get serious and take my game to the next level. That break happened while playing in a tournament in Chesapeake, Virginia, the home of the Hampton Roads Jr. Whalers. I, along with my teammates were invited to tryout for their Junior Program. I was offered a C Major contract and after much debate, I moved from my family to Virginia to see how far I can go.

I consider my first year with the Whalers to be have been a success. I worked hard and worked my way to 2nd line Center and primary penalty kill duties. I managed to maintain a point per game average despite all of the penalty kill minutes. I finished tied for second in the Continental Hockey Association in Short Handed goals.

While I love to score, I get as much of a thrill from passing to teammates. I like being physical in the corners and in front of the net. I win over 50% of my face offs. I tend to generate more power play opportunities than penalty kills. Coaches say I have great vision and really good hands. I anticipate the game very well and tend to be in the right place at the right time. I've frequently been either the Captain or Assistant Captain. I'm competitive and I hate to loose. That said, I believe in good sportsmanship and that the desire and will to win can co-exist with being a nice person.

I would enjoy the opportunity to show you what I can do for your team.

Chris

• Versatile. Can play Defense, Center or either Wing and can play on the power play or penalty kill.
• Tough in the Corners or in front of the net
• Great Vision
• Creates Time and Space
• Excellent Passing Skills
• Accurate Shot
• Naturally cycles
• Great Anticipation
• Good Size

• Named Assistant Captain for the 2011-2012 season.
  
• Defenseive Player of the Week for the league
  
• Defensive Playerof the Week Honorable Mention for the league twice.
  
• Named Assistant Captain for the 2010-2011 season.
  
• Appointed Team Co-Captain for the 2008-09 Season
  
• League Top 20 in Assists for the 2008-09 Season
  
• Lead Team to the USA Hockey Tier III Nationals in 2009
  
• 3rd leading scorer on the team.
  
• 3rd in the CHA Jr C division in Short Handed Goals during the 2007-08 season.
  
• Led the Carolina Lightning in scoring during the 2006-07 Season
  
• Attended the 2006 USA Hockey Inline National Junior Development Camp
  
• Selected to the 2006 North Carolina 1991 State Wars Inline Team
  
• Led the Dragons 14A in scoring during the 2005-06 Season
  
• Attended the 2005 USA Hockey Inline National Development Camp
  
• Selected to the 2005 North Carolina 1991 State Wars Inline Team
  
• Led the Dragons 14B in Scoring during the 2004-05 season.
  
• Attended the 2004 USA Hockey Inline National Development Camp
  

Anders Westin, Dragons 12A, 14A

Don Schaap, General Manager, Carolina Lightning