Crawfish, Mardi Gras, and HOCKEY!!!!!!!!!
When Louisiana comes to mind the first things many of us think of is Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, craw fish, or many even Brad and Angelina's "extra home". Not many would think of the words ROLLER HOCKEY. But what many of you may not know is that Louisiana has become a breeding ground for some very good young hockey players. In the last couple of years, programs from New Orleans, Lafayette, and Shreveport have begun working together to improve the sport in Louisiana and the results have been stunning. It doesn't hurt matter when you have some great young coaches like Doug Alspaugh, Calvin Ahia, and Keith Lauf working with these young players and teaching them the fundamentals at an early age.

Who could forget the Louisiana 96s winning the 96-A Division championship last year over Virginia? What an amazing game for the purple and gold, led by Louisiana sniper Jeremy Brown. And who doesn't love the fans of the "Big Easy", yes there are few states whose moms are as full of energy as those from Louisiana. Between singing the National anthem and throwing victory confetti and New Orleans beads all over the rink..the Louisiana fans have done it all!

This summer, Louisiana will be bringing two 1998, a 1997, a 1996, and a Junior team to State Wars IV. The rest of the country needs to follow their lead and work together in neighboring cities, promote growth from your home rinks, get good coaches involved, and start with the youngest players...this is clearly a formula for success!

Louisiana fields two solid 98 squads!
He may be born in 1999, stand 4 feet tall and weigh a mere 44 pounds, but Spencer Babineaux is already a veteran of State Wars Hockey. Yes last summer Spencer got his fill as he played not only for his home state in the Select 1998 Division but for Team Mission, where he took home a gold medal with the 99s. This summer, the Louisiana 98-A team will be part of a very strong 9 team division. The team consists of: Garrett Rolfe, Mitchell Dolese, Paige Cook, Dustin Richard, Kyle Dickard, Jacob Delcambre, Landen Alspaugh, and Hope Spaw.

Give the puck to TUCK!
The Louisiana '98 AAA/AA squad is lead by a very special player in Tucker Alspaugh. It's very rare that a player of this age can be so unselfish and understand the defensive side of the game, Alspaugh has both attributes. Look for the '98s to battle hard in an extremely tough division at SW4. Other team members include: TJ Norris, Joshua Hebert, Harrison Lawrence, Nicholas Beabout, Josh Jorajuria, Jacques Manuel, and Logan Quebedeaux.

Louisiana '97s will lean on the HUTCH in the clutch
Arguably one of the best players to dawn the purple and gold is Brayden Hutchinson, yes this young man is that good of a player. Speed, great hands and an awesome scoring touch make him a threat at all times. Look for the "Hutch" to lead the '97s by example. The rest of the LA '97s include: Josh Bullen, John Jacobsen, Tristan Allen, Austin Stanton, Brent Wroblewski, Baylen Dugas, Brett Hollis, Ty Tarzetti, Braison Hebert, Gevin Dykes, and Dylan Domingue.

"By George I think he's made another save!"
Last summer, the Louisiana '96s went on one heck of a run on their way to winning the 1996-A Championship. There is probably still to this day Mardi Gras confetti and beads somewhere in the main arena stands. Yes the Louisiana fans are passionate about their team and so are the 96s. Look for George Cloutier has one half of the goaltending tandem to play a key roler. Meet the 96s : Jeremy Brown, Myles Moreau, Preston Kennedy, Austin Menard, Tristan Allen, Kyle Rachal, Lane Sumrall, Brayden Hutchinson, and Joshua Burkart.