Testimonials

Congrats to Joakie Ryan As reported by USHR last week, Devils Youth Midget Under-16 National team defenseman Joakim ("Jokie") Ryan has committed to attend Cornell University for the fall of 2011. Jokie, who has dual citizenship in Sweden and the US, is the son of former top-ten ranked tennis star Catarina Lindqvist and tennis agent Bill Ryan. He was a finalist for the US National Team Development Program over the summer, and he will be off to Sweden soon to attend their U17 camp, which will play in the World Under-17 Challenge later this month in Ontario.

Jokie is an uptempo offensive defenseman with a powerful shot, a versatile player who will likely be QB'ing the Big Red power play in the not-too-distant future. In addition to being the leading defensive scorer in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League, Jokie is a Junior at CBA.

"Cliff, I always thought you were a great skill coach... you helped him a lot in his developmental years and they are skills that he will never forget" his father Bill Ryan said.

"I had the privilege of coaching Jokie when he was a young, upcoming player. He worked hard, listened, respectful, and was always eager to learn. There's not much more a coach can ask for in a player. I see great things in the future for Jokie and would like to wish him well in his future endeavors" said Cliff Graziano.

"Cliff Graziano is one of, if not the best coach I have ever been taught by. Not only can he relate to every player, but he teaches them as well. Cliff was my coach for about 5 years and they were the most progressive I have ever had in hockey. Fundamentally I was almost perfect from all the skating, or going to every one of his Turcotte Stickhandling camps in the summer and mastering every move until my hands had calluses on them. Not only was he my coach, he became a family friend, and he was my idol. I would try to master every move he did on the ice so I could look like that. Some coaches can teach, some can play, Cliff can do both and I owe tons of thanks and appreciation to Cliff and the Renegades organization."
- Jack Callahan, 2008 USHL Draft Pick #66 overall to the Lincoln Stars