Beckett Hinchsliff: A Team-Leading Forward This Season For The El Paso Rhinos

Hinchsliff Was Among Many Illinois Natives Skating and Coaching In El Paso In The NAHL and NA3HL

By: Ross Forman

Beckett Hinchsliff has crisscrossed the country pursuing his hockey career, with his latest stop in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) as a left wing for the El Paso Rhinos.

He was drafted in the sixth round (203^rd overall pick) in the 2024 NAHL Draft, landing in a USA Hockey Tier 2 junior program with players from around the world ages 16 to 21. NAHL players often are then recruited from the league to college and pro hockey.

Hinchsliff finished the season with a team-high 18 goals and 12 assists in 53 games. His 30 points were fourth-most on the team, three behind Kyle Arias (11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points).

Hinchsliff even scored this season when his mom was visiting. READ MORE<<<

Illinois Native Robby Drazner Celebrates NCAA National Championship At Western Michigan University

Drazner Was One Of Four Broncos Who Formerly Skated In Illinois, As WMU Wins Its First-Ever Frozen Four Championship

By: Ross Forman

He started ice skating at age 3 and began his hockey career soon thereafter with the Ice Dogs in Vernon Hills. Robby Drazner then played for CYA, Team Illinois, the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals and ultimately the Chicago Mission.

“All the Illinois teams that I played on were awesome; they allowed me to gain valuable friendships and memories, and was able to develop my game. Most important, I was able to have fun, win games, win championships. Mostly, have fun,” said Drazner, from Buffalo Grove.

“I still to this day talk to some of my Illinois teammates. Playing in Illinois was huge.”

READ MORE<<<

Illinois Native Jeremy Forman Anchors UNLV’s National Championship Season

From Northbrook to the Chicago Mission to the University of New Hampshire, Goaltender Forman Ends His Career At UNLV With National Championship MVP Award

By: Ross Forman

In his first season playing for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Club Hockey Team, super senior goalie Jeremy Forman had a memory-filled 2024-25 season, including a shocking upset road win over defending NCAA National Champion, the University of Denver, followed three months later by a victory over defending ACHA Division I National Champion Adrian College, as the Skating Rebels claimed their first-ever national championship.

Forman was in goal for the “W” over Denver, a 7-6 shootout victory as he stopped 58 of the 64 shots he faced for UNLV’s first-ever win over a NCAA Division I program, though the game was considered an exhibition because the Rebels aren’t an official NCAA D1 team.

The Pioneers were ranked No. 5 nationally at the time, with 12 players who were NHL draft picks, including goaltender Matt Davis, who played in the NCAA Frozen Four in 2024. READ MORE<<<

Lasting Memories: Warriors Hockey Club Finishes Second In National Championship

By: Ross Forman

Despite finishing second at the 2025 Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships, the Warriors Hockey Club returned to Illinois filled with a lifetime of memories.

The Warriors, winners of the combined division Illinois High School Hockey State Championship, lost 6-2 to the Rushmore Thunder (S.D.) on March 30 in Irvine, California.

“This was a such a great opportunity for a group of young men that fought the entire season. Our entire club embraced the fact that we were representing Illinois and we were all proud to do so,” said Warriors head coach Keith Fahrforth.

“It’s never fun to finish second, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an incredible accomplishment. The message to our kids was that we were representing Illinois. We took so much pride in that.”

The Thunder built a 2-0 lead after the first period, then pushed it to 4-0 before the Warriors struck. Michael Chenier scored at 9:00 of the second period, assisted by James Naffziger.

Naffziger then scored about five minutes later, assisted by Chenier and Finnegan O’Toole, making it 4-2. READ MORE<<<