the scouts are calling....

[updated to include full story]

My sister sent me this story about my nephew. The Scouting News, an online hockey magazine posted a story about Nikko. You have to subscribe to get the full story, but here it is via some magic resources!

Theo Tydingco
Can Tydingco beat the small defenseman odds?
Santa Clara Blackhawks BAA 1993 born defenseman Theo Tydingco has the tools NCAA and WHL scouts want. He is well schooled fundamentally solid defenseman who is described by scouts as a winner on and off the ice. There is only one weakness to the youngster’s game. Size. Will it prevent him from bigger and better things at the next level of hockey?

"Played this year for Santa Clara Blackhawks BAA team prior year SCBH PWAA team that won nationals," says one reliable source. "In peewee he was the best defenseman in California no contest."

This year the competition caught up with the youngster a bit.

"This year he was solid but he is medium in size (5'7" tops)," says the source who hopes the youngster grows.

Tydingco does have a lot of great tools.

"He is a fast skater, smart player, good hands, good shot and dangerous on the ice because he sees the ice very well," says the source. "Definitely will be a force this year at BAAA. Best defenseman in NORCAL in my opinion and probably top five in the state."

Tydingco comes from an excellent hockey family.

His father is described as a hockey fanatic who is easy to deal with off the ice.


This is a photo of Nikko when he turned the big 1-4.

The story cracks me up because Nikko is 5'7" with his skates on. But yes, we hope he grows too. In case you're wondering, Nikko just made it to the next round for a USA selects team. He goes to New York for those tryouts. The family is still exploring their hockey options for next year because as the article says, he is entering the next phase of competition. He starts high school in the fall and from what I gather, it's a whole new ball (or shall I say puck) game.

Outside of his hockey life, Nikko is a 4.0 student. He still enjoys coming home to eat rice and longanisa, listens to the Rex Navarette CDs I gave him, and looks forward to halo-halo in the summer (no, the ice shavings are not from the rink - ew!) and his auntie Joy's shrimp patties!