Background:
I am a 5’10” goaltender from Agoura Hills, CA, playing for the KC Mavs Elite 18AAA (formerly Russell Stover) in the Tier 1 Elite League while I complete my senior year in high school. I have several offers to play for smaller Division III schools next year (without having to play juniors) but am anxious to play Division I and recognize the need to play 1-2 years of juniors.
After playing two years in the NAPHL (for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks 16 AAA in 2012-13 and So Cal Titans 16 AAA in 2011-12), I decided it was important to play in the top league in the country this season – the Tier 1 Elite League. Thus, I am playing for the KC Mavs Elite 18AAA (the only CA team which participates in the Tier 1 league is the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and, during tryouts, both of their goalies from last year’s 18AAA team were scheduled to return, thus, necessitating my move).
Current Season Update:
In the first half of the season, the Mavs have played many of the nation’s top teams and the team, has, quite frankly, struggled. But, the team’s early-season struggles have had some positive benefits for me. In the 18 games (out of our 28) I have started, I have seen 914 shots (more than 50 shots per game) and have still managed to maintain a 90% save percentage (the point streak statistics for SOG are notoriously unreliable – we have complete game video to verify the SOG).
Coaches should be able to get a good sense of my play by viewing some video clips of many of my games from this season can be seen on my youtube.com channel under the titles Garrett Mello:
- TPH Thunder & St. Louis AAA Blues Highlights (5 Games) (the link is http://youtu.be/YE18TU2AKXE)
- October 2013 Tier 1 Elite League Showcase in Springfield MA (3 Games) (the link is http://youtu.be/o1rZ73DyH_s)
- Garrett Mello November 2013 Tier 1 Games (the link is http://youtu.be/GP4CgmNA-Bo)
- Garrett Mello December 2013 Tier 1 Games (the link is http://youtu.be/uQYdb6-gtXk)
There are also several clips from my season last year with the Jr. Ducks on my youtube.com channel as well. We also have complete game video if any coach is interested.
Please feel free to reach out to my current coaches (Don Burns, Mike Aikens (formerly the USHL Omaha Lancers’coach), and his goalie coach, Clint Elberts) for their input.
Last Year:
As mentioned, last year (2012-2013) I played for the Midget 16AAA Anaheim Jr. Ducks which played both an NAPHL and California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) schedule. finished the NAPHL regular season tied for 1st in wins (12), 4th in GAA (1.44) and 5th in save percentage (.923). My overall season statistics, including NAPHL, CAHA, CAHA Play-offs and the Pacific District Tournament were as follows: 19-7 (4 shutouts), Save Percentage (.914 on 586/641 shots) and a 2.11 GAA.
Academics:
I am a good student, carrying a 3.8 GPA going into my senior year (where I am taking several AP courses) and achieved a 26 on the ACT. I was recently selected as a member of the National Honor Society at Orange Lutheran HS and am registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
