WSHL San Diego Sabers Introduction

Junior A Tier II Team

Western States Hockey League – WSHL

www.wshl.pointstreaksites.com/view/westernstateshockeyleague

     Hello, my name is Tomas Kapusta, Owner and General Manager of the WSHL San Diego Sabers, Tier II Junior Team. I am contacting you to provide you with an exciting opportunity to be a part of the fast-paced Junior hockey community of San Diego, CA. I have devoted my entire life to hockey, drafted by Edmonton Oilers and playing professionally for twenty years including the participation at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, and then coaching youth hockey for the last fourteen years. This latest opportunity to grow Junior Hockey continues that passion. After my professional playing days, I began to coach youth hockey and now I am presently the head coach of the Jr. Reign U18 AAA team, and coaching and managing U14-U16-U18 levels at Jr. Reign, Youth Hockey Club, which recently formed a partnership with the Ontario Reign (AHL) and the Los Angeles Kings (NHL). But my dream is far from over.

     Starting with the 2017-18 season, my intention is to build and promote the San Diego Sabers Junior A team in San Diego, California playing in the WSHL, a Tier II Junior A League on the West Coast. Established in 1993, the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) is an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) - sanctioned, junior ice hockey league. The 2017–18 regular season features 27 teams competing across four divisions, all playing a 51-game regular season schedule, which parallels what players would experience at the collegiate level. This is the third season the WSHL is operating as a UHU (United Hockey Union)-sanctioned Tier II league. The Sabers will play games at the Ice-Plex Ice rink in Escondido, California. Every team will participate at the college showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada right before Christmas. The showcase hosts over 100 scouts from top Junior, NCAA & ACHA college, and professional leagues.

     Being part of the AAU allows us to have up to 14 imports, which differs from USA Hockey sanctioned leagues which only allow two to four imports per team. The fact that the WSHL allows teams to have so many imports adds to the strength and depth of the WSHL.

     Sabers players will experience an intense on-ice hour long practice four times a week from Monday through Thursday starting at 3:30pm. This will allow all players to be able to attend either the High School or Local College in the morning without missing on education and still be able to continue rigorous daily on ice and off ice training.  Of the ice players will train at the rink gym facility attached to the locker room as well as at the 24K CrossFit training facility. The team will play 1-3 times a week, with our home games taking place on either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and our Away games can also be played on Thursdays. This set up will allow players to attend high school, local colleges or night schools.

     Our intention is to build a very competitive program for years to come, and provide an educational opportunity to junior players all over the world who can´t make right away the top junior leagues in the USA and Canada such as the USHL, BCHL, WHL, NAHL, or who simply want to have a life changing educational experience of learning a new language and culture. While playing the WSHL Tier II league for the Junior Sabers, players will have a chance to develop into Division I and Division III college caliber players while playing near their home and/or gaining a unique, international experience at one of the most attractive communities in California, namely, San Diego County. While giving this extraordinary opportunity, players will be able to mature physically and mentally into players who will be able to compete not only at various colleges in United States and Canada but may receive additional opportunities playing in with various international teams and leagues across Europe and Asia.

     We believe that the Sabers cost is very affordable and reflects its unique opportunity while providing the best service and experience in an attractive San Diego area known for its beaches, parks, and warm climate.

Thank you to your consideration to experience the Junior hockey in the San Diego community.

TOMAS KAPUSTA 

Owner/General Manager/Coach

San Diego Sabers

WSHL Junior A Tier II

562-673-4235