Oakland Bears News - Issue 7

#7, April, 2023

 OAKLAND BEARS 10B2022/23 NORCAL CHAMPS2023 CAHA STATE 3rd PLACE FINALIST 

The 22/23 season is a wrap! Congrats to all the players, coaches, parents, and volunteers for your hard work. In celebration, OIC will host a

Bears Family Skate

on Saturday April 22 from 4:30pm to 6pm.

All 22-23 season participants and family members are welcome. This is a time to come together as a community and celebrate the close of the season together. We have a few banners to raise this season, after all.

Please reach out to

Brad

if you can help coordinate food and drinks.

Join us at the

Piedmont Play Like a Girl

Event on Sunday April 23rd from 10am-1pm. OIC and The Oakland Bears are hosting a street hockey area to introduce girls to the sport. We're looking for Bears players and parents to help us promote and grow our program. Wear your Bears gear!

Hockey Summer Day Camp Weeks of June 12th, 19th, and 26thGroup A is "Tier", and "A" level travel players only.Group B is "In-House" "BB" and "B" level players.Coaches:Eugene Murphy, Yulia Mikhaylova, Brad Martin and special guests!!!$545 per person, per week-or- $990 for 2 weeks ($100 discount)-or- $1485 for 3 weeks ($150 discount)Contact [email protected] for discount code if registering multiple weeks.Hockey Camps are full day.8:00am - 3:00pmDrop off: 7:30am M - F.First on-ice session: 8:00am - 10:15amDryland training: 10:30am - 11:15amLunch/Video session: 11:15am - 12:00pmSecond on-ice session: 12:15pm - 1:45pmDryland training: 2:00p - 3:00pPick up: 3:00pm

We're delighted to introduce Mike Cefola as our new Hockey Coordinator at Oakland Ice. Mike has been one of our Ice Technicians since 2018. He grew up in Massachusetts, where he has played ice hockey for many years. He played for the St. Sebastian's Arrows the year after Sharks GM Mike Grier also played for the same team.

Mike attended Northeastern University and studied engineering and computer science. He also graduated with honors as a guitar player from Berklee College of Music. After moving to California in 2008, he started long-distance running and has since competed in several ultramarathons. He is a proud father to his almost 12-year-old son Maceo, who recently joined his dad in the Northern California Speedskating Association.

When he's not working, Mike spends his time gardening and growing a variety of fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers. As someone who has experienced hockey as a youth and adult, as parent and coach, Mike brings a unique perspective to his role as Hockey Coordinator. He is thrilled to take on this new challenge and hopes to make a positive impact on the skaters' overall experience at Oakland Ice.

-Brad Martin

I am very proud of the way the boys improved from last year to this year.  I'm also very proud of the way the kids supported each other on and off the ice.  Coaching teenagers can be a difficult task, but I really enjoyed coaching them and helping them grow into a better team. It was my first season as coach, and I felt we all learned from each other as a team and grew even more solid over the course of the seasonDerek Naro, Head Coach East Bay Bears Varsity

16AThe team came a long way from the beginning of the season. We won some and lost some; and they always were learning and growing. The team bonded and really started playing well together. It was a great season overall. The kids did a fantastic job of learning to trust each other and the game.JVWhat a year! We played and battled with short benches and other obstacles, but the players learned that they can play through anything. Each practice and game the team improved significantly with both communication and skill. Our team won the JV high school championship!Chan Saephan, Head Coach 16A & East Bay Bears JV

My boys have all grown tremendously throughout this season. We have had our share of essential life lessons, which have expanded into growth moments and finding forgiveness, understanding, and learning to be human in kinder ways. Our hockey IQ has improved, as well as our skill level and teamwork. I am proud to coach each of them and look forward to who they become as hockey players and additions to our world community.Jator Pierre, Head Coach 14A

I am extremely proud of all of the players on the 12B and 14B teams this year. Throughout the season we saw tremendous growth in both teams including with individual players on and off the ice. The kids worked together as a “TEAM” and “TEAMMATE.” As a coach, it means so much to see the support at practices and games. Thank you to all the managers, coaches, and parents/guardians who show their Oakland pride and provide much needed support. Without them, we wouldn’t have had these two great teams.Errol Garcia, Head Coach 14BAssistant Coach 12B

Our Bears season was challenging and exciting. In my first year as a head coach, I had a lot to learn. I had to gain the kids' trust while evaluating them throughout the season to help each player develop. I aimed to improve their individual skills and help them play as a team. The kids learned to rely on each other and utilize their teammate's strengths. Although we did not make playoffs, I am proud of the hard work they put in until the very end. I am confident the kids are prepared for the next stage in their game. It was a pleasure coaching 12U BB, and I look forward to another season with the Oakland Bears!Grace Ramsey, Head Coach 12BB

This season we made substantial progress in terms of evolving kids skating, passing, shooting and teamwork abilities. We started by accomplishing small goals at first, which grew into significant improvements for the team. We grew socially as much as we grew athletically. The kids learned a lot about mutual respect on the team and on the ice. Overall, this was one exciting season that brought joy and happiness to all the kids and their parents.Alex Mirza, Head Coach 12B

We had a successful season with each player growing substantially over the year. These kids showed up to every extra skills clinic, practiced with purpose, and always had each other’s backs. From the halfway point in the season, the 10A team became a close-knit team on and off the ice and out-played every opposing team. The players learned a lot about work ethic on the ice, being a good teammate, and, most importantly, having a ton of fun the whole way through. I am extremely proud of this group and looking forward to what they can accomplish in upcoming seasons!”

Brad Martin, Head Coach 10A

I have been blown away by the growth of the team. My favorite part of the season has been watching everybody improve in their play making ability; we rarely just throw the puck away! I am really fortunate the kids loved being on the ice and putting in the work. Being able to practice with other Bears team was also a highlight. Big thanks to the 10A and 16U players who helped us prepare for NorCal playoffs.Brandon Reed, Head Coach 10B