The Stampede That Leads The Way.

March 10th, 2016

Your number one source for all information related to Rampage Alumni and striving Tier 1 athletes.

Darik Angeli skating for the Manitoba Moose

Darik Angeli was recently signed by the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. The powerful 6'3 205lb forward has tallied 15 points for the Manchester Monarchs (ECHL) in 48 games this season, and the move up to the AHL is well warranted. Darik is a strong skater and smooth puck handler who uses his size and high compete level to create havoc in the net front. Playing a 2 way game, Angeli can be seen killing penalties for the Monarchs as well as scoring goals on and off the power-play. With a quick release and keen hockey sense, Darik has been an effective forward everywhere he has played, from the 44 points he had with the 08-09 Rampage 18U to the 45 points he had over the span of his college career with Ohio State(NCAA Division 1). But Darik is not only a difference maker with the puck. Using his size and skating abilities, Angeli is determined for the puck, winning battles and making plays with his skating skills and more importantly his competitive spirit. New challenges await Darik in the AHL as he enters his 3rd game in the league on March 11th at Grand Rapids.

March 10th, 2016

Rampage Alumni: Leaders at the Highest Levels

Grand Arnold, Cam Strong, Max Hartner, Kevin Patterson, Jacob Gerson, Sean O'Rourke, and Sean Giles all have a few things in common. They're all great hockey players, who happen to be Rampage Alumni, and each one of them is wearing a letter for their current team. Rampage alumni have an upstanding pedigree to move on not only to the next level, but to lead their teammates into battle.

Players like Grant Arnold (Denver University, NCAA Division 1) and Max Hartner (Air Force Academy, NCAA Division 1) are both wearing the Captain's C for their respective Colleges. Arnold and Hartner are both Colorado natives who played together on the 08-09 Rampage 18U team under coach, Andrew Sherman. Hard working and determined players, Grant and Max both had very strong season's with the Rampage before moving on to play together once more in the USHL.

Sean O'Rourke is another Division 1 Rampage Alumni currently wearing a letter. O'Rourke is a stocky D man in his 4th season with Ferris State (NCAA Division 1). Having played for the Rampage during the 08-09 season (along with Hartner and Arnold) Sean played for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the NAHL before moving on to play for Ferris State, where he currently wears the "A" of an assistant Captain.

Another alumni who enjoyed success on the 08-09 Rampage 18U team is Kevin Patterson. As a first year 18U, Kevin saw the standard of excellence, and carried it proudly into his second season with the Rampage (09-10) where he battled hard and fought his way onto the roster of the Topeka Roadrunner's in the NAHL. From there he committed to Niagra University (NCAA Division 1) where he represents the Rampage as an assistant captain for the team.

Sean Giles and Cam Strong both currently play in the NAHL, and are the Captains of their respective teams. Having played together for 2 seasons with the Rampage (2012-2013, 2013-2014) both learned the same standard of excellence and leadership the Rampage teach. Cam Strong is committed to Dartmouth Big Green (NCAA Division 1) and Sean Giles recently earned his  for the Lone Star Brahamas "C" as the team makes it's push into the playoffs for their second season in a row.

Jacob Gerson wears the "C" for the Hampton Road Whalers of the USPHL Elite league, utilizing his leadership qualities to guide the team through the playoffs, and guide himself onto the roster of the Utica Pioneers (NCAA Division 3).

With a long standard of excellence, Rampage alumni will continue to become leaders, both on the ice and off the ice. Taking what they have learned playing for the Rampage, they will continue to succeed through hard work, powerful determination, and the will to inspire others by example.

February 17th, 2016

Forbes Ploszaj heads to AJHL

Forbes Ploszaj came to Colorado late in the 2014-2015 season, arriving from the NAHL Odessa Jackalopes for the 18u AAA Rampage Playoff push. Playing solid during the playoff run, the 6'1 180lb goaltender notched a 2.01 GAA and a .923 SA% which turned the heads of the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL. Forbes began the 2015-2016 season in the BCHL and is now headed to the AJHL (Alberta Junior Hockey League) for an opportunity to play against the tough Central Canadian talent. Utilizing his size and superior athleticism, Forbes will continue to thrive at the higher echelon of Junior A hockey as he pursues an ever growing list of opportunities.

January 22, 2016

Cam Strong Commits to Dartmouth Big Green

Cameron Strong at first glance, is your prototypical hockey player. He is 6' 180lbs, an excellent student, excellent athlete, and has an extraordinary amount of grit. But when you peel back the layers, you'll find Cam goes beyond prototypical. Cam is the kind of player that spends extra hours at the rink sharpening teammates skates. He can always be found in the gym or on the ice striving to improve, and he is the first to volunteer and help out at the rink, whether it be helping coach mites or shooting for goalie coaches. On and off the ice, Strong has earned the "C" he wears for the Topeka RoadRunners of the NAHL. In his second season with the RoadRunners, Strong has earned 32 points in just 40 games. Cam plays a very fast game, utilizing his impressive puck skills and superior skating abilities to win battles and make plays on every inch of the ice. As a strong 2 way player, Cam boasts a +18 this season for Topeka, competing in both the offensive and defensive zones with the same battle level. Off the ice Cam regularly spends his time giving back to the community in any way possible. It was this attitude and representation of high character that led Cam through 2 seasons with the Rampage at the U18 AAA level, scoring 41 points in 76 games and making a trip to nationals. Cam's goal of getting into an ivy league school were his driving force, and between his high academic prowess and incredible effort to succeed on and off the ice, it was an easy decision for Dartmouth (NCAA, D1 ECAC Hockey)  to make a decision. Strong will be suiting up for the Big Green in the 2016-2017 season.

January 14th, 2016

5 Rampage Alumni in the USHL

The United States Hockey League, is an incredible league to say the least. It is the US Premier Junior league, being the only Tier 1 Junior A league in the country with 17 team nation wide and 212 USHL Alumni currently playing in the NHL. Stepping on the ice for a USHL team is an extraordinary opportunity, one that 5 rampage alumni are currently very grateful for. Garrett Metcalf, Bo Hanson, Jack Suter, AJ Vanderbeck, and Luke Millenhave all been graced with the opportunity this year, and through their tenacious work ethic and competitive mentalities, their futures are bright.

Garrett Metcalf is a 6'3" 190lb goaltender in his second season with the Madison Captiols. In March of 2015, Garrett committed to the University of Massachusetts Lowell (NCAA, D1, Hockey East). And in the 2015 NHL Draft, Garrett was picked in the 6th round (#179 Overall) by the Anaheim Ducks. Garrett currently has a .905 Save % in 21 games with Madison. 

Bo Hanson is a 6'2" 200lb D man in his second season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Bo is a shutdown D who plays quality minutes and recently skated in the USHL/NHL Prospect game on January 12th, 2016. Bo is currently currently a C rated skater on the NHL Central Scouting Report looking forward to this year's NHL Draft.

Jack Suter is a 6' 190lb Forward in his second season with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Jack is a former USHL Clark Cup Champion (2014-2015) bolstering an impressive 21 points in 32 games this season. In February of 2015, Jack committed to the Air Force Academy (NCAA, D1 Atlantic Hockey).

AJ Vanderbeck is in his first season with the Sioux Falls Stampede. After an Award Winning U16 season, AJ committed to Colorado College as a 16 year old. He was also drafted by the Des Moines Buccaneers in 2014, before he played in the NAHL for a season with the Lone Star Brahmas. This Season he is fired up and playing strong in the USHL with 10 points in 28 games.

Luke Millen is in his first season of U18 AAA with the Colorado Rampage, and has been called up to play Junior A for the second time this season, the first was with the Madison Capitols of the USHL where he saw prime time minutes and turned heads with his strong skating and dazzling puck skills. Luke was drafted by the Madison Capitols during the summer of 2015. With 14 points in 25 games for the U18 Rampage, Luke is doing the right things to succeed.

The future is bright for all 5 of these Rampage Alumni. Each one of them possessing an unbreakable will and steadfast determination to drive themselves further into the hockey world. While each of them has different talents that set them apart, they all share a common mentality and work ethic that is only seen in the most elite of athletes. Big things are in turn for these 5 Alumni, following in the footsteps of the many successful Rampage before them.

January 10th, 2016

Nick Halloran commits to Colorado College

Nick Halloran has had a tremendous amount of success since joining the Colorado Rampage at the beginning of the 2013-2014 season. In 36 games at the u16 AAA level, the shifty playmaking forward tallied 41 points in the form of 8 goals and an award winning 33 assists. By October of 2014 during his first year of u18 AAA, the Air Force Academy committed to the Utah native. Not even 2 months later, Nick was drafted by the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL. Even throughout an injury, Nick finished out the season with the U18 Rampage marking over a point per game on average (24 gp, 11 G, 15 A). Having been prepared for the next level by competing in the talent-packed Tier 1 Elite league, Halloran was signed by the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL, Junior A Canada) in December of 2014. In the BCHL, the 5'10" 180lb forward has scored an impressive 16 goals and served up 15 assists in just 36 games. In late December, 2015, Halloran was contacted by multiple Division 1 schools. His style of play has dictated that he is a true competitor, with a burning passion to succeed. And better yet, win battles, make plays, and earn a lot of points. After much deliberation, Nick decided to pursue the opportunity of playing for Colorado College. On January 10th, 2016, Nick committed. Through hard work and dedication, Nick will continue to battle at every level to achieve his goals of playing with and against the best hockey players worldwide, as he follows his dream.

January 10th, 2016

Luke Millen called up to Minnesota Wilderness

Having recently returned from an exciting 2 game stint in the USHL with the Madison Capitols, Colorado Rampage U18 AAA Center, Luke Millen, will be called up for 6 games with the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). Luke Millen is excited for the opportunity to play in the NAHL, a premier Tier II Junior A league. Over 90 players in the 2015-2016 season have committed to NCAA Division 1 schools In the NAHL, many of whom developed  and played in the Tier 1 Elite League. The pressure is on to compete and continue to play against the top prospects of North American hockey, a challenge that Luke Millen is prepared for.