Since its founding in 1970, the Santa Clara Valley Hockey Association (SCVHA) has been a leader in the Northern California Youth Hockey Association (NorCal).  Many successful seasons have come and gone, and while trophies from the winning seasons have been moved from their coveted spots in the trophy case to make way for new ones, the 2005-2006 season will live on in the memories of all Santa Clara and Norcal hockey fans.

In 2006, a very special group of players accomplished what no other Northern California team had done.  The Peewee AA team took home the USA Hockey National championship by defeating the Indianapolis Racers, 4-0 on April 2, 2006, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  It was the first season in over 15 years that the SCVHA had fielded a team at the tier level. 

In fact, 2006 was a breakthrough year for California hockey in general as 4 of USA Hockey's 8 tier levels, at the AA and AAA levels, were won by California teams.

While the Peewee AA team took home USA Hockey's highest honor, five other SCVHA teams also had success as they all qualified for postseason play with three of those teams -- Squirt A, Midget B, and Midget 18A -- winning Norcal Championship titles.  Coach Hal Nunn's Midget 18A squad also won its 3rd consecutive CAHA (state) title.

The SCVHA has seen its share of outstanding players donning the red, black, and white sweaters.  Many of our players have moved on to higher levels of play at the junior and collegiate levels.  A couple of former Blackhawks alumni have also had the privilege of playing at the NHL level -- both goaltenders.

One particular goalie from the 1980 Midget AA team, John Blue, will always be fondly remembered by SCVHA fans.  A few years after his successful stint with Santa Clara, John was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1986 draft and became a fan favorite in Boston in the early 1990's.  Not bad for a California kid.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender, Ryan Miller also played for the Blackhawks as an 8-year old.  It was with the Blackhawks that he made his decision to play as a goaltender.  And while we can't claim any responsibility for his advancement into the NHL, we can say we are just proud that the star goaltender made his career choice while wearing a Santa Clara Blackhawks jersey.  (see http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060422/1030334.asp )

While we are dignified by what the club has achieved on the ice, we are also proud of the accomplishments of the people off the ice.  As an organization that relies heavily on volunteerism from our coaches and administrators, we are extremely proud of our heritage and hope to continue to provide Bay Area youths with an opportunity to develop as hockey players, and as successful citizens.

Go Blackhawks!