Capitals win Presidents Day Hockey Tournament in Anchorage
- Klas Stolpe
- 19 hours ago
- 8 min read
Juneau’s 18U and 16U skaters team up to earn Sunday championship in overtime
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
It is official. Some of the best hockey players age 18 and younger in the state reside in Juneau.
The Juneau Douglas Ice Association’s Capitals 18U "A" team went to an overtime period on the ice Sunday to bring home the 18A Presidents Day Hockey Tournament championship at Anchorage’s Ben Boeke Ice Arena.
“The 18Us did exactly what we knew they were capable of,” Capitals coach Rich Morris said. “They moved the puck really well and had good pressure on the other teams all weekend.”
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Elliot Welch hit a hard Capitals shot that eluded traffic and beat Wasilla’s Alaska Avalanche 18A goalie Tess Jorgensen at 0:47 of overtime for the 2-1 title win.
“The goal was just a shot from the blue line,” Capitals captain Welch said. “I saw there was traffic in front of the net, took the shot, and it got deflected off the shins of someone and went five hole. The team played great during the tournament. We kept the pressure on our first three games. The championship game was harder, the team was definitely feeling the fatigue from the game before, but we powered through. Everyone got a big boost of energy when we got the first goal and we kept it up until the end.”
The first goal of the game did not come until the third period when the Avalanche’s Levi Goff scored at 8:30, assisted by Dean Yeager and Gavin Shafer. The Capitals’ Caden Morris answered at 2:59 (assist Brandon Cruz, Nolan Cruz) and Juneau had life. The play of Welch, C. Morris, N. Cruz and B. Cruz had been important through the tournament for seeing the ice well and having great anticipation.
Welch’s winning goal in overtime was assisted by C. Morris. Capitals goalie Jed Davis, a JDHS junior, stopped 14 shots and the Capitals flung 22 against the Avalanche’s Jorgensen. Capitals penalties included B. Cruz (slashing) at 6:56 of the first period, while the Avalanche totaled two in the second period by John Natekin (hooking) at 9:59 and Thaddeus Gasper (tripping) at 7:07, and one in the third period at 2:32 by Yeager (slashing).
The Capitals team included 18U players Welch, alternate captain Isaac Phelps (JDHS Senior), alternate captain N. Cruz (SR), Paxton Mertl (SR), Issy Martin (SR), Hunter Lingle (SR), Zach Prather (SR), Emerson Newell (SR), C. Morris (JR), goalie J. Davis (JR) and 16U’s John Melancon (SR), Drew Cadigan-McAdoo (JR), Tricen Headings (JR), B. Cruz (JR), and Joshua Monahan (FR).
Winning the President’s Day tournament will give other Alaska teams notice that the 18U ‘A’ Alaska State Hockey Tournament at Treadwell Ice Arena on March 6-8 is going to be competitive, but the Capitals are up for the challenge.
“I think that overall we did very well in the tournament,” Nolan Cruz said. “During our final game we did not start off so great. But when they scored on us I think that is when we started working harder and we ended up winning. The teams we will be playing at state this year are teams we played during this tournament. But we were missing some kids at Presidents Day so we will be ready when state comes.”
The Capitals opened the Presidents Day tourney Friday with a 6-4 win over the Avalanche. Davis faced 26 shots and the Capitals slapped 25 against the Avalanche’s Jorgensen.
Scoring - 1st period: 9:19 CAPS Welch (ast Lingle), 7:28 CAPS Phelps (ast Newell), 2:44 AVA Blake Parker (ua), 1:35 CAPS N. Cruz (ast C. Morris). 2nd period: 6:15 AVA Goff (UA), 0:37 CAPS C. Morris (ast Welch), 0:18 CAPS N. Cruz (ast C. Morris). 3rd period: 6:47 AVA Mason Varner (ast Parker), 2:48 AVA Daniel Kuzmin (ast Natekin), 0:26 CAPS Mertl (ast Welch). Penalties - 1st period: 2:02 AVA Yeager (roughing). 2nd: 7:52 CAPS Headings (interference), 6:15 CAPS Cadigan-McAdoo (roughing), 5:14 AVA Gasper (interference). 3rd: 7:38 CAPS Phelps (slashing), 5:25 AVA Goff (slashing). In other Friday action Kenai’s Ice Hawks topped the Anchorage Comets 5-3.
“I think that, as a team, we all put in the work during the tournament, and that’s why we won,” Hunter Lingle said. “We were definitely tired towards the end, but we pushed through. We will end up seeing some of the same kids in March, and just because we beat them once does not mean that we can go into state thinking it will be easy. We will have to put more effort in if we want to come out on top.”
On Saturday the Capitals topped the Comets 7-2. Davis faced 20 shots while the Capitals put 33 against the Comets’ Richard Goodman III. Scoring - 1st period: 10:55 CMTS Cody Taylor (ast Copper Millard), 10:21 CAPS Mertl (ast Phelps), 8:02 CAPS Mertl (ast Headings, Welch), 5:50 CAPS Welch (ast Headings), 5:11 CMTS Samuel Bigalke (ua), 4:18 CAPS C. Morris (ast Newell). 2nd period: 11:20 Welch (ast Prather), Cadigan-McAdoo 10:25 (ast N. Cruz), 6:28 Cadigan-McAdoo (ast N. Cruz, Welch). Penalties - 1st period: 9:05 CMTS Conner Campbell (interference). 3rd period: 10:37 CAPS Newell (hooking), 3:25 CMTS Campbell (interference). Other Saturday action saw the Avalanche and Ice Hawks tie 5-5.
“I was excited playing with Elliot again, but also Brandon and Josh both played very well all tournament long I thought,” Isaac Phelps said. “They were holding blue lines and making smart plays in the D zone. I thought we all played well back there for the most part. It was an amazing tournament and I am most certainly hyped to see what we can do in March. Glad to be a part of this team.”
On Sunday the Capitals opened play with a 6-4 win over the Ice Hawks. Davis faced 15 shots and Ice Hawks goalie Mason Butler 15. Scoring - 1st period: 9:54 CAPS C. Morris (unassisted), 9:19 CAPS Mertl (ast Welch), 2:37 IH Chase Willis (ast Draiden Mullican). 2nd period: 11:41 CAPS Mertl (ua), 10:37 CAPS Welch (ast N. Cruz), 5:51 IH Willis (ast Ryder Gagnon), 3:48 CAPS Cadigan-McAdoo (ua), 3:24 IH Riley Wagers (ast Gagnon), 1:57 IH Noah Hallam (ast Nathan Hawkins). 3rd period: 9:16 Welch (power play, ua). Penalties - 1st period: 10:54 CAPS Newell (unsportsmanlike conduct), 8:46 IH Mason Bock (tripping), 3:07 CAPS N. Cruz (roughing), 3:07 IH Peter Perez-Bailon (cross-checking). 2nd period - 11:41 IH Bock (charging), 10:37 IH Bock (Charging). 3rd period - 10:01 IH Mulligan (roughing), 8:04 IH Tanner Williams (roughing), 7:11 IH Perez-Bailon (hooking), 6:04 IH Hawkins (elbowing). Other Sunday scores saw the Avalanche defeat the Comets 7-4, and the Ice Hawks top the Comets 8-6.
Welch led the Capitals with six goals in the tournament, Mertl five goals, C. Morris four, Cadigan-McAdoo three, N. Cruz two, and Phelps one. Welch also led with five assists, N. Cruz added four, C. Morris three, Newell and Headings two apiece, B. Cruz, Lingle, Phelps and Prather one each.
“Welch is such an amazing player and leader,” Coach Morris said. “He elevates everyone on the team with his positive attitude and his hockey skills and IQ.”
Coach Morris noted the defense was solid with Welch, Phelps, B. Cruz and Monahan.
“Elliot (Welch) and Josh (Monahan) were a defensive pair,” Morris said. “Josh did a great job of protecting the net and defensive zone. He also had some scoring opportunities. Isaac (Phelps) is another strong skater who plays physically. He did a great job keeping the opposing teams to the low-scoring areas. Isaac has a great shot from the point and netted a goal and an assist this weekend. Brandon (Cruz) has good hands and is quick and shifty. He carried the puck out of the defensive zone and jumped into the attack throughout the tourney.”
Completing the defense was goalie Jed Davis who came out of hockey "retirement" from the wrestling mats to star in the pipes for JDHS this season.
“I cannot say enough good things about him,” Morris said. “Early in the season when we were looking at tournaments we saw that we would not have a goalie for this tournament. Jed had played goalie years ago, but had shifted out of hockey into wrestling. Several players and coaches started asking him to put the pads back on. He came to a couple practices and decided he would play again. He has not missed a beat. He made all the stops we needed especially the point-blank opportunity the Avalanche had in overtime.”
Morris noted that Martin - who will be playing hockey in Wyoming next year - and C. Morris brought a physicality to the ice.
“She surprised me,” Morris said. “She showed little regard going into the ‘dirty’ areas. Zach (Prather) was relentless in his forecheck and more importantly the backcheck…We always talk about playing 200 feet. Caden (Morris) can be put in any situation and create opportunities up fronts, has great skills and doesn't hesitate about making contact to gain puck possession. Hunter (Lingle) is a great skater and can be pretty intimidating when he is headed your way… Emerson (Newell) was his usual self, buzzing in the forecheck and never giving up on the puck… John (Melancon), who has only been playing hockey for a few years, took the ice with a smile and had several good opportunities, but couldn't find the back of the net.”
The Alaska School Activities Association was holding the 2026 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Division I Hockey State Championships over the weekend as well. South Anchorage defeated West Valley 1-0 for the state title, West Anchorage toppled Wasilla 4-1 in the 3rd/5th place game, Chugiak defeated Service 6-2 in the 4th/6th place game and Dimond and Eagle River lost their two tournament games. The DI all-tournament team included Landon McCormick (Chugiak, JR), Ryden Scott (South, SR), Jeremyah Murphy (West Valley, SR), Andrew Katchen (West, JR), Oliver Zuber (South, JR), Chase Malstrom (Wasilla, SR), Rylan McIlroy (West, JR), Nick Yohman (South, SR), Elias Taylor (WV, SR), Jace Burnett (WV, JR), John Lamantia (South, SR) and Jaeger Huelskoetter (South, JR). Some of those players could be in the 18U tournament in Juneau.
“All of us played well throughout the tournament in the O zone and D zone,” Tricen Headings said. “And we are more than excited to host the 18U tournament in our home barn this year.”
The Capitals are not alarmed and will also have additions to their roster for the March state tournament, including 18U’s Elias Schane (SR), Bryden Roberts (JR) and Taylor Petrie (JR), and assistant coaches Jason Kohlhase, Joel Bos, Mike Nelson and Matt Boline.
Said Welch, “Everyone played great over the weekend, but for state we will have some of our other 18U players and hopefully we can keep our stamina. State at home will definitely be fun.”
Coach Morris thanked assistant coaches Luke Adams and Chris Klawonn for sharing the bench and added, “I could not be more proud of this group of kids. I have been coaching them their entire JDIS career. Hard workers, coachable, and always fun to be around.”
He added, “This team wouldn't have happened if the younger group didn't step up to the challenge and offer to play in the 18U ‘A’ tournament. The biggest contribution from the younger players was their attitude and work ethic, and the pressure they kept applying on the other teams. They played smart hockey and impressed me with their decision making.”
The 18U "A" state tournament at the Treadwell Ice Arena will include Wasilla’s Jr. Avalanche and the Kenai Peninsula Hockey Association (KPHA) Ice Hawks. Tentative schedule: Friday, March 6, Gm 1 - 8 a.m. KPHS vs. Jr. Avalanche; Gm 2 - 1:15 p.m. Jr. Avalanche vs. Juneau; Gm 3 - 6:30 p.m. Juneau vs. KPHA; Saturday, March 7, Gm 4 - 8 a.m. Juneau vs. Jr. Avalanche; Gm 5 - 1:15 p.m. KPHA vs. Juneau; Gm 6 - 6:30 p.m. Jr. Avalanche vs. KPHA. Sunday, March 8, Gm 7 - 8 a.m. 1st in points vs. 2nd in points.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
