Irvine, Calif. and Kalamazoo Mich.- The Jr. Winterhawks youth hockey teams at the 14U and 18U age classification both claimed 3rd place in the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships held in early April 2022 in Kalamazoo, Michigan (14U) and Irvine, California (18U). The 18U team, led by head coach Cory Doiron, battled hard throughout the tournament, but lost a heartbreaking one goal game to the Atlanta Fire in the semi-finals.  The 14U team, led by head coach and Jr. Winterhawks Hockey Director, Barry Smith, had a tremendous tournament, losing only one game in regulation against the eventual national champion, Team South Dakota.

Portland Winterhawks Head Coach and General Manager, Mike Johnston, was congratulatory of the Jr. Winterhawks program and both teams. “ It is impressive to see both our 14U and 18U teams make it within one win of the national championship game. Barry Smith, Cory Doiron and all the players did a great job representing the Jr. Winterhawks organization.”

Jr. Winterhawks Hockey Director and 14U Coach Barry Smith was proud of the hard work the group put in over the season. “Our 14U team had a great season culminating in a fantastic run for the national title. We fell short, but I am extremely proud of this group. These players have been a part of our Winterhawks family for many years and worked very hard this year to accomplish their goals.” 

Coach Doiron was pleased how his young team performed at Nationals. “ I am so proud of our 18U group. Many of these players played very little hockey last year and some of them have never played this level of competitive hockey before. We competed against some of the top teams in our region this season and they never gave up and continuously improved. To end the year at the national tournament, finishing as the first seed in our bracket and being one goal away from the national championship, speaks to the competitiveness of this group.”

Since 1938, youth hockey teams from the State of Oregon have been crowned USA Hockey National Champions three times.  All three titles (2015 and two in 2017) have been won by teams from the Portland Jr. Winterhawks youth hockey association.  For more information on becoming a Jr. Winterhawk or information about travel team tryouts in June 2022, please visit www.winterhawksjrhockey.com.