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8 // OCTOBER 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM F AIRBANKS HOCK- EY has always been in B e n R o t h 's b l o o d . H e grew up playing at the B i g D i p p e r Ic e A r e n a and won an Alaska state champi- onship at the Midget Tier I level before heading south to play junior hockey in the USHL. He returned home to skate for the hometown University of Alaska Fairbanks and later helped the Alaska Gold Kings win a national title. So it's only fitting that when he hung up his competitive skates Roth would take the reins as the pres- ident of Hockey Club Fairbanks. One of his main goals is to give local youngsters the same opportunities that he had. To help them get there, Roth helped the organization earn the designation as a USA Hockey Model Association. With the addi- tion of the first model association in Alaska, the ranks of the model clubs nationwide has grown to 25. Addition Of Fairbanks As A Model Club Expands ADM's Footprint "...it's a mindset change that is significant in terms of how you train kids and more efficiently use the ice." NORTH TO ALASKA ADM With the designation, Hockey Club Fairbanks is committed to creating a system of age-appropriate, age-spe- cific skill development in accor- dance with USA Hockey's American Development Model throughout the 8 & Under, 10 & Under and 12 & Under age classifications. "Our hope is that we can create a program that represents fun at every age level and provides oppor- tunities that come with playing the game," Roth said. "That, in and of itself, is going to keep kids around the program longer and give them more opportunities to develop." Fairbanks began the process of becoming a model association four years ago and was able to fulfill the rigorous requirements with the help of Kenny Rausch, USA Hockey's director of youth hockey who also serves as the state's ADM regional manager. "Everyone has been super sup- portive during the entire process, h e l p i n g u s w i t h c o nv e r s a t i o n s with our parents. That's important because it's a mindset change that is significant in terms of how you train kids and more efficiently use the ice," Roth said. W i t h 5 5 0 k i d s p a r t i c i p a t i n g a t v a r i o u s l e v e l s, Ho c k e y C l u b Fairbanks continues to grow its r a n k s by h o st i n g v a r i o u s l e a r n to skate and try hockey for free events. In addition to getting more kids on the ice, the association is committed to making the game more affordable for families. P O F F T HE D R AW k Young hockey players in Fairbanks, Alaska are flying high thanks to the efforts of the Hockey Club Fairbanks, which was recently named the 25th ADM Model Club. PHOTOS BY Credit Here PHOTOS BY Credit Here PHOTOS COURTESY OF Audra Brase