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Glenwood’s Kauffman selected for U.S. National Development Camp

Staff Report
Former Glenwood Grizzlies goaltender Rio Kauffman, seen here in his Northwood School (Lake Placid, N.Y) gear, was recently selected for the U.S. National Development Camp in Amhurst, N.Y., July 12-15. (PROVIDED)
Thomas H.Green |

Following a strong showing at the Rocky Mountain District Development camp May 12-14 in Dallas, in which four Glenwood Grizzly Hockey alumni participated, goaltender Rio Kauffman, 15, who played for GSYHA Grizzlies for the previous seven seasons, was selected as one of two goaltenders from the Rocky Mountain Region for the National Development Camp in Amherst, New York July 15-19. Kauffman was selected as an alternate to Mitchel Hunter of the Arizona, who plays for the Arizona Bobcats.

Kauffman is one of only 20 players in his age group selected from the Rocky Mountain region for National Camp. Seven of these players represent Colorado.

Selection for the National Development is extremely competitive, and is no small accomplishment to be selected as one of the goaltenders from a region of players from the states such as Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Texas, New Mexico and Idaho. Kauffman has been training intensively this year, and landed the starting goaltender position at Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York, playing on a team two age groups up from his own. When Kauffman started the season at Northwood, a 17-year-old goaltender from Finland was the starter, but over the year, over weeks of training and a 60-game schedule season he was able to match the Finn’s skills, before start of the team’s most competitive games.



During the ’16-’17 season, Kauffman played for Northwood School U16 AAA. In school, he attends the college preparatory school, where home ice rink is Herb Brooks Arena, the location of the famous “Miracle on Ice” win for the U.S. Olympic hockey team, which defeated the Soviet Union powerhouse before going on to win gold in the next round.

Kauffman decided on Northwood so he could both pursue the highest level of training and play for his age level, while participating in a program that emphasizes rigorous academics for all athletes. Kauffman’s ultimate goal is to attend school and goal tend for a Division I Ivy League university.


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