• Character-first, skill-second approach when evaluating players.

• Head coaches are generally experienced, non-parent coaches.

• Team-first, competitive mindset. Players will be pushed to play their best in a positive environment that emphasizes team play and mental toughness!

• Experienced General Manager that focuses on finding and competing against like competition in quality, well-run tournaments! Our teams typically compete at the Upper Open AAA Skill Level.

  • Our teams have a combined all-time record of 78-65-8 with a +75 Goal Differential in 151 games overall. Winning can be fun, but competitive games are key for player development, and we have a sustained track record of placing teams in tournaments that are the correct competitive fit!

• Families are allowed to pick and choose the tournaments that work for them, allowing them to create a schedule that works for them! We highly encourage our players to be multi-sport athletes, as we believe that there is no "one-size-fits-all" development model!

  • We have had over 150 players from 44 different communities across three states and a province play for our program!

Flamingos Hockey was born from a desire to create a summer hockey program that was focused on the players' and families' best interests. We highly encourage players to play multiple sports and to take time away from hockey in the summer. There is not a one-size fits all development model that exists, and our program allows families to pick and choose the tournaments that their player is interested in, creating a schedule that works best for their player and for their family. We have also focused on trying to limit the financial burden imposed on parents, with an example of that being that we ordered blank jerseys that can be reused each year, rather than having each family buy new jerseys each season.

We started in 2023 with a 2009 team that played three tournaments that spring and two in the fall. That season was highlighted by a third-place finish in the North Dakota Spring AAA Championship, which was the team's first tournament, a first-place finish in the Summer Round-Up, and a second-place finish in the Kings of the Rink tournament. There ended up being enough interest to field an additional team at the 2010 level, our first expansion. The 2010s took second place in the Grand Forks Sundog Invitational in the spring, before playing in two more tournaments in the fall, highlighted by a second-place finish in the 2010 American Division of the Combat Cup.

In 2024, we grew again, adding a new team at the 2012 level. The 2012 team rattled off consecutive third place finishes in their first three tournaments together, plus a second-place finish in the Kings of the Rink Tournament. Our 2009s had another strong campaign, winning the North Dakota Spring AAA Championship and placing 2nd in the Summer Finale. The 2010s did not capture any hardware playing against tougher competition than in 2024 but strongly improved in the last three tournaments after a tough spring slate. We also fielded a 2011 team for the Combat Cup, where they took 4th.

In 2025, we said goodbye to our 2009 and 2010 teams due to a dwindling number of tournaments and player conflicts with high school activities. We focused on our 2012 group, who captured the Wild West Shootout - Silver Championship in Bismarck to start the spring! The 2012s also participated in the Stars & Stripes and Rumble at the Rink Tournaments, two strong tournaments ran by Minnesota Made Hockey, holding their own in both tournaments. We added a 2013 team for 2025 as well, and they continued the tradition of capturing 3rd Place finishes in their first two tournaments, finishing 3rd in both the Red River Rodeo and Summer Finale Tournaments.

Planning for 2027 has begun in earnest. We will play in quality tournaments across Manitoba, Minnesota, and North Dakota. This page will be updated in the coming months as plans are finalized.

Hockey Administration Experience

• East Grand Forks Parks & Recreation Coordinator (2025-Present)

  • East Grand Forks Youth Hockey Scheduler

• Minnesota Hockey District 16 Secretary and Board Member (2024-Present)

• East Grand Forks Parks & Recreation Specialist (2024-2025)

• Fargo Grinders 3v3 and Summer Camp Director (2023-2024)

• Fargo Grinders Tournament Director (2022-2024)

Hockey Coaching Experience

• East Grand Forks Youth Hockey Coach (2020-2025)

  • 2024-2025: Peewee B1 Head Coach

  • 2022-2024: Peewee B2 Head Coach

  • 2021-2022: Peewee B2 Assistant Coach

  • 2020-2024: Bantam B1 Assistant Coach

  • 2020-2021: Bantam B2 Head Coach

• Flamingos Head Hockey Coach (2023 - Present)

  • 2025-Present: 2013 Head Coach

  • 2024-Present: 2012 Head Coach

  • 2023-2026: 2009 Head Coach

  • 2023-2024: 2010 Head Coach

• Goalies Inc. Camp Instructor (2023)

  • Guest Instructor for the Goalies Inc. Moorhead Goalie Camp in May 2023.

  • Goalies Inc. Information: goaliesinc.com 

• Minnesota Anchors Assistant Hockey Coach (2022)

• Two Dogs Hockey Camp Instructor (2021-2022)

• Fargo Grinders Summer Camp Lead Instructor (2021-2023)

• Fargo Grinders Head Hockey Coach (2021-2022)

• Northland Fighting Sioux Head Hockey Coach (2020-2021)

Hockey Playing Experience

• Fargo Davies (ND) High School (2016-2020)

  • https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/801167/john-wuitschick 

  • 2018-2020: Varsity Backup / Junior Varsity Starter

  • 2017-2018: Junior Varsity Starter

  • 2016-2017: Junior Varsity Backup

• Fargo Freeze Youth Hockey (2014-2016)

  • 2015-2016: Bantam B2

  • 2014-2015: Peewee B1 Navy

• East Grand Forks Youth Hockey (2010-2014)

  • 2013-2014: Peewee B1

  • 2012-2013: Peewee B1

  • 2011-2012: Squirt B

  • 2010-2011: Mite 1 / Peanut White