- National and state championships clinched; multiple players signed to take the next step in their hockey careers
For decades, the Little Caesars AAA Youth Hockey program has been a beacon of excellence, showing the grit, determination, and talent of young players year after year. The 2023-24 season was no exception, with nine out of twelve teams clinching Michigan state championships:
- 19U Girls coached by Jaymes Kastely
- 14U Girls coached by Jaymes Kastely
- 16U Boys coached by Derek Roehl
- 2008 Boys coached by Brian Felsner
- 2009 Boys coached by David Legwand
- 2011 Boys coached by Chris Osgood
- 2012 Boys coached by Mike Nodler
- 2013 Boys coached by Kyle Miller
Additionally, the Little Caesars AAA Youth Hockey in the 2023-24 season had a dynamic performance by the 2010 (13O) Boys team. Coached by Ryan Kesler, they not only secured the Michigan State Championship but also won the inaugural Chipotle-USA Hockey Youth Tier 1 National Championship. In a 5-2 victory against the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, these young athletes finished the season with a record of 73-5-2; with a season start ranked number one in the nation, they never let that ranking change.
Kelly Sipotz, the 2010 team’s manager and a mother to one of the players said, “This group of boys has worked hard from day one at training camp last August, until the whistle blew to end that national championship game. They’ve received so much support from each other, their friends, family, the Ilitch organization, the Red Wings, and the most amazing coaching staff in the game. While we know this year was an incredible one, we believe this group will accomplish so much more in the future.”
In addition to championships, multiple players from the LCAAA organization have been drafted to play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and others have secured commitments to play hockey at colleges and universities across the country. Those players are:
Ontario Hockey League Draftees:
- Beckham Edwards – Sarina Sting (3rd round, pick #46)
- Ethan Garden – Windsor Spitfires (9th round, pick #164)
- Drake Gram – Windsor Spitfires (8th round, pick #144)
- Brayden Hughes – Sarina Sting (8th round, pick #146)
- Jacob Monks – London Knights (5th round, pick #83)
College Commitments:
- Paige Cline – Lindenwood University
- Drew Dyczkowski – Long Island University (LIU)
- Evan Jardine – Harvard University
- Kelsey Joiner – Western New England University
- Maggie Kime – Merrimack College
- Nicholas Kosiba – Western Michigan University
- Gavin Lock – Western Michigan University
- Ella Lucia – Harvard University
- Cullen McCrate – UMass Lowell
- Ellie Muscedere – Lindenwood University
- Easton Pace – Colorado College
- Tricia Piku – Boston College
- Addison Spitz – Colgate University
- Crosby Wildfong – Long Island University (LIU)
“We are incredibly proud of all our teams and their continued successes over the years. Little Caesars AAA Youth Hockey and the Amateur Hockey League remain dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence and sportsmanship and off the ice, ensuring that the legacy of hockey greatness continues for generations to come,” said Brian Rolston, Director of Little Caesars Youth Hockey.
Little Caesars AAA Hockey, founded by the Ilitches in 1968, is among the nation’s most elite amateur youth sports programs, winning more than 100 state championships and 24 national titles. The club remains dedicated to providing student athletes the opportunity and training needed to excel in sports and life with an emphasis on education, leadership and core values.
“Little Caesars youth hockey launched our organization’s involvement in sports, and it continues to be a source of personal pride for me to see the incredible dedication and perseverance from the players, coaches and their very supportive families,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies. “I continue to be inspired by all of our teams, and their commitment to excellence on and off the ice. They continue to make us all proud!”
