COMMITMENT TO CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT

For the Phoenix Firebirds, the 2011-12 season had, what most would call, a rough start.  The Firebirds headed to Blaine, MN in September for their first taste of the North American Prospects Hockey League.  With a 0-5 start in league play, needless to say the taste was bitter.  The Firebirds came back to Arizona and back to work, with a focus on work ethic, accountability, systems, and consistency.  Through this focus, the team started to build the character needed to compete at the Tier 1 level. 

A month after the disappointing start in Minnesota, the team headed to San Jose for this season’s second league showcase.  It was obvious that a new Firebirds team had arrived in California.  The Firebirds finished the weekend at 2-2-0.  Both losses were battles with a 4-2 final score.  The boys also enjoyed some success with a big 7-2 victory over OZ Fitness and a 4-3 win over the Lansing Capitals from Michigan.

The team headed back to Phoenix with some smiles and a little bit of swagger, knowing that their work and sacrifice was starting to show the results they all wanted to see.  The Firebirds know they still have a long road ahead of them and are committed to their continued development as individuals and as a team.

The third league event is in late December in Frisco, TX.