TIER 2 - AA, A LEVELS

The NC Golden Bears are a travel hockey program located in Raleigh NC. Founded in 2015 by Paul Strand, the program has grown from 2 teams to a dozen or so in 9 seasons. We field teams at the AAA, AA, A and B skill levels. We believe in balance of sports and family. Our A and AA teams compete locally and regionally.

We have a consistency in our coaching staff and feel that we hire very good people who are as good off the ice as they are on. Our goal is to provide a good place for families and kids that will encourage them to play through high school and beyond if they have that desire.

The 2024-25 NC Golden Bears Tier 2 program will increase skill development and decrease excessive travel. Each year our dedicated group of professional assess the previous season and try to improve and bring a better product to our customers. We pride ourselves in the fact that each coach is put in place to help develop our players 2, 3 and 5 years down the road in mind.

With increasing travel costs, Gas, hotel nights, food, etc., our focus is on increasing our players skill and hockey IQ development while decreasing those travel costs. We are also attempting to get back to our roots and allow players to develop at the travel level without forcing them away from other sports entirely. We have increased individual skills sessions for those with the time and desire, which will also allow folks to play other sports or activities without missing vital Team practices and games.

The memories of tournaments and games will mean that much more to the kids and families as they can simply enjoy the events without feeling the pressure that comes with massive costs and missed school/work days.

HIGHLIGHTS:

September Training month: September will be a dedicated to skill development along with Team building and team development. Taking into consideration the mix of players at the travel level who also play other sports we have decided there is no rush into the game scenarios and our coaching staff will focus on development of skills and team tactics as kids juggle a return to school, the ice and finishing out other sports seasons.

League Play:

• Local league play. There is zero need for AA or A teams in North Carolina to travel outside the affiliate for league play. Local league play will be competitive and challenging.

Tournaments:

• Have been chosen to minimize travel, hotel stays and missed school, while also making sure that they meet the competitive needs of each team. Tournaments are where you look to challenge those teams who may not get as much in the league play.

Affiliations:

• The NCGB will keep rosters small while offering affiliations with upper-level teams for both games and practices. We will identify, select and offer an affiliation to players we see possessing the skill, ability and desire the opportunity to practice and in some cases play games with the team immediately ahead of it in age and skill.

Examples:

• a 12 A player would be able to practice and play games with the 12AA team
• a 14 AA player would be able to practice with the 16AA Prep team or
• a 16AA prep player would be able to practice and play games with the 16AAA team.

The NCGB are in a unique position to offer this opportunity to provide this development opportunity to those players who are both capable and ambitious in their hockey careers.

TRAVEL COSTS:

ALL TIER 2 travel is designed to minimize unneeded costs. Extensive travel costs at the AA level is not essential or practical. IF a player is playing Tier 2 hockey at the AA, A and B levels either by choice or due to their skill level, there are better ways to spend money then on extensive travel to play a "AAA" schedule. Players at this level wanting to get better would be better suited spending money on any number of private lessons instructors in the community or a gym membership. IF a player is playing at this level by choice then for sure the extra costs are not needed, and competitive games are easily found locally at minimal cost.

Playing a AAA schedule and all the costs that entails is a waste of time and money for a AA team/player. The possible benefits are not worth the cost. There are benefits to playing under a USA Sanctioned AAA roster or else we would not be trying to provide that and the travel that comes with that level.

Team Practice Expectations:

AA - This level expects commitment and attendance at team practices. Please do not take a spot from someone at this level if you are not committed to the team aspect of this skill level.

A - This level is more appropriate for players who are not as committed or have hockey as a secondary sport. Please look at this option if your player has these concerns. However for the lessor skilled players we have also provided some of the best skills and Hockey IQ coaches in the Carolina’s at our A levels to help them improve exponentially if they have the desire and work ethic, giving them the best avenue to move up in skill levels from year to year at a very reasonable cost.

We are very excited at the 10U level to be offering a 10UAA team with tryouts for the first time. We feel we have the best young U10 coach in the NC Area back with us for a second season. Dawson Savchenko has developed into a world class Goaltending instructor and that same ability is evident in his coaching ability.

In addition to Dawson we have added Matthew Noga, a skills instructor with 20 years' experience in the Chicago area, specifically to create the best Skills instruction in the area as we pair him with Devin Warfield the top Power Skating instructor in the area.

Recently Hired Skills instructor Matthew Noga will take over the reigns of our U12 AA team. Noga has 20 years in the business and is looking forward to developing this group of 12AA kids into Connor Bedard and McDavid in no time. His teams are known for their puck control skills and we were overjoyed to convince him to move south to the warmer climate of NC.

Bobby Gram is back again as our U12A coach. Gram is a fixture on the Polar development scene and is incredible at identifying diamonds in the rough and fostering their love of hockey. Gram took a relatively inexperienced group of kids last season and brought home a couple championships and developed some kids right out of the house league who will be AA U14 players next season. Gram and Noga will be an incredible 1-2 punch at U12.

The NC Golden Bears are looking once again to be one of the top U14 programs in the state. Winning the CHL and performing well at CAHA state playoffs, the NC Golden Bears are one of the best coached U14 teams in the SE District. Former Professional Hockey player Dean Tiltgen, is all business demanding respect from the players and yet also understanding they need to enjoy playing the game. The U14 NCGB AA was the surprise of the 23-24 season, but look to be one of the best around in 24-25.

After graduating an entire AA team from 12U to 14U the NCGB are looking to have a second AA U14 team. As a program that encourages players to play up if they have the ability, both teams are looking to be mixed birthyears as well as the Upper and Lower teams. The Second 14UAA team will be coached by Paul Strand.

Two of best Professional coaches will coach the 14 Upper and Lower teams. Matt Noga and Devin Warfield will be bringing their strengths in skill development to this age level to round out the best group of coaches in the area at the U14 age level. This group will be focusing on skill development to help create a strong base for the future.

Our 16AA prep team will be a feeder system to our U16AAA team in order to provide those players who are not quite at that level to be full time players the opportunity to play games for the experience and practice with the 16AAA team for the development. Our Professional coach Dean Tiltgen will be leading the way on this team and fully understands what each player needs to succeed at the next level.

The 16A team will be coached by Bobby Gram and Devin Warfield who are very excited to work with this group of players and get them developed as they see AA and AAA as their goals in the future.

Our 18AA team will be one of the best in the area as we look to provide a great environment with scaled back practices and travel so the players can enjoy competitive games while enjoying their last year of high school and try to decide which sport will be the one they follow in the future or do they simply head off to college. This program also provides skill development for those players who wish to go play real junior hockey after U18. Paul Strand will be the coach of the 18AA. The U18A team will be headed up by Matthew Strand who is one of the best in the area in getting the fun, enjoyment and development from this age group.