Special to USAHockey
Larry Gibson has been involved in hockey coaching education in Arizona since 1990. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for his hockey involvement in the state, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
He’s been heavily involved in area hockey associations and has been a coaching educator with the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA).
“I also coached with the Arizona State University club hockey team,” Gibson said. “Before that, I did five years of youth hockey.”
Under his direction, the education program has addressed the following levels: initiation at level 1, associate at level 2, intermediate at level 3, advanced at level 4 and master at level 5. There’s also a level for coaches under 18 years old that he’s been working with heavily.
Gibson is a Phoenix native, although his family relocated from the Buffalo area. “I played for a junior team that went to the nationals in Oak Park, Mich., in the late 1970s,” he said.
Coaching has been in his blood, but he also finds time to hone his skills on the ice.
“Because the Rocky Mountain District is so big, they started having coaching clinics,” Gibson said. “In this area, they needed to begin implementing their classes. I was at the intermediate coaching level at the time. It was a new role for me. I did a few classes that first year.
“As the Arizona program grew and we got in with USA Hockey, the numbers increased. We have two clinics a year. I have a staff of from 10-to-12 volunteer coaches. We feel we have one of the better programs in the entire United States. I’m really proud of that.”
He’s also proud of his playing career, which is still taking place.
“I’ve been playing in a men’s league, with the same team for 23 years, the Scottsdale Chiefs,” he said. “We go to tournaments and play year-round hockey. We go to Vegas and play once a year.”
But Gibson is also proud of his involvement in the coaching aspect.
“Things have grown a lot for the last 12 years,” he said. “All the help I’ve gotten has been great.”
Gibson’s daughter has also been involved with the sport and plays goalie for a youth team in Peoria, Ariz. Gibson played club hockey at Northern Arizona then later coached on the Bantam level before getting involved in the sport at Arizona State.
“Things are getting larger in our association,” he said. “We’re getting some good AAA hockey here.”
Gibson has been impressed with the growth of the sport.
“In my own area, we’ve gone from two sheets in the 1970s to three double-sheet rinks today,” Gibson said. “There’s about 11 to 12 rinks in the state, where not too long ago there were only two or three. They’re building one right now in Gilbert, Ariz.”
When the Winnipeg Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes more than 10 years ago in the NHL, “that’s when all of the rinks started going up,” Gibson said. “We’ve also gotten some minor league teams in the state which has also helped with the interest.
“And we’ve got three club college teams; in Tucson, two in Arizona State and one in Northern Arizona.”
The interest in adult hockey has also impressed Gibson.
“As much as the programs have grown for youth, so have the adult programs,” Gibson said. “I have a learn how to play hockey class for adults out of the Peoria rink, north of Phoenix.”
Gibson has no intentions of slowing down with his hockey involvement, and that includes in the adult league.
“I’ll try to play twice a week to see if I can pick it up,” he said. “But I’m still here for the fun and friendship that comes with it.”
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
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