Every year thousands of elite hockey players compete at various sites across the United States to battle for one of amateurs hockey’s highest honors: a USA National Hockey Championship. Alongside those numerous players, TPH is honored to share that multiple Center of Excellence (CoE) student-athletes took part in competing at Nationals. TPH Colorado’s Brett Baugh and Mason Rudrud punched their ticket to the 2021 USA Hockey Youth Tier I 16U National Championships with their respective Colorado Thunderbirds team.

The athletes who attend Nationals have a lot to be proud of as it is a selective event. Being able to be a part of this journey is every player’s dream and this year twelve different states were represented by championship teams. These athletes competed for American hockey top honors in Youth Tier I 14-18U, Youth Tier II 14-18U, Girls Tier I 14-19U, Girls Tier II 14-19U, high school and adult levels.

These matchups begin with a total of 16 teams, comprised of one team representing the host, one team from each USA Hockey District sending a team, and at-large teams selected by a Nationals Selection Committee. In February, the Thunderbirds swept the Colorado State Playoffs to capture their 15th State Championship title defeating the Colorado Springs Tigers 11-1, Colorado Rampage 5-0, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders 3-1 and sealing the championship in their second game against the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders 5-1. Since then, the Thunderbirds have continued their momentum to the Nationals where they advanced to the round robin, quarter-finals and semifinals.

“Playing against the best in the country just meant that every game was going to be good” shared Baugh. “It kept us on our feet and there was an adrenaline rush. I loved it. The entire experience of Nationals was amazing. Just knowing that we belonged there with the top 16 teams in the nation, and you’re there with your brothers that you have been battling with all year was everything. There is nowhere else you’d rather be.”

“It is very exciting to watch our TPH athletes continue to improve day after day. Their work ethic and attitudes throughout another challenging season are truly a testament to them as young people. A year-end trip to nationals is the goal for every group in the nation; our student-athletes earned that privilege through constant focus and a relentless pursuit of development every day. We as staff could not be more proud of them as student-athletes, but more importantly, the people they are becoming,” noted Jay Sprague, Director of Hockey–Operations TPH Denver.

“Nationals was a cool experience and being able to make it there with the team was a huge deal. It was a great environment, and I was excited to be there. Plus being at TPH Colorado helped a lot going into Nationals as Brett and I were better prepared mentally and physically. We had a specific workout and skating schedule that paid off and helped us be as fresh as we could be when we arrived and ready to play,” said Mason Rudrud.

Baugh and Rudrud were not the only TPH student-athletes to make it to Nationals. Ethan McEneany from the Thunderbirds U14 team made an appearance as well.

“It was awesome to see Ethan experience success and help his team reach the National tournament. All his classmates were rooting for him, even those who played on opposing teams during the year. It was great seeing the camaraderie amongst the group that TPH helps foster,” stated Matt Doman, Director of Hockey-Operations TPH Superior.

TPH is proud of all our student-athletes that took part in Nationals and we are excited to continue to help our athletes achieve their goals through developing their skills and utilizing the CoE platform to be ready to excel at every opportunity they encounter. Below is the list of all our TPH Center of Excellence current and alumni student-athletes that attended the 2021 USA Hockey National Championships.