The Waterloo Black Hawks' 2026 camps begin at Young Arena later this week. Prospective players will be on the ice taking a step toward the Hawks' roster this fall or in a future season. With almost as much nervous excitement, many parents will be watching from the stands.
Here's what some parents of recent Black Hawks alumni shared about their experiences in Waterloo.
Trish and Pete Rinzel, parents of Sam Rinzel
"Sam's senior year with the Black Hawks was a transformative experience that laid the essential groundwork for his hockey career. The outstanding support from his billet family - with whom we remain close friends - combined with the guidance of a top-tier coaching staff, perfectly prepared him for the transition to college hockey at the University of Minnesota. We are incredibly grateful to the entire organization for the pivotal role they played in his development, which ultimately led to him being drafted and completing a successful first professional season with the Chicago Blackhawks."
Rinzel played 79 regular season games during two seasons with Waterloo. As a well-regarded professional prospect, he produced 46 points (11 goals, 35 assists) as a defenseman during that time. Rinzel was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks between his first and second years with Waterloo. He made his NHL debut less than two years after his last game with the Hawks.
Marc Croteau, father of Emmett Croteau
"Being part of the Waterloo Black Hawks organization were some of the best years Emmett will ever have in his career, not only because of the development as a player, an athlete, and as a young man, but being part of a tight-knit family on and off the ice. The appreciation felt as a parent watching the growth of the players, the relationships made with each other, with their billet families, the staff, and especially the fans will always be remembered. To this day, we still are in touch with former players and families, coaching staff - past and present - a number of billet families, and even some the fans who became lifelong friends. Being a Black Hawk played a huge part in preparing Emmett to becoming an NCAA Division 1 standout goaltender as well for his future as a professional in the sport. I will always miss the days of watching games in Young Arena, because there will never be an experience that will ever compare to how it can make a parent, player, and fan feel in the hockey world."
Croteau was one of the youngest Black Hawks on the team's roster in 2020/21. He spent three winters in Waterloo, posting a 41-32-3 regular season record with a .904 save percentage and 2.91 goals-against average. The Montreal Canadiens drafted Croteau in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Last season at Dartmouth, he was crucial to helping the Big Green to the NCAA Tournament, earning 15 wins in 24 appearances, placing fifth across college hockey with a 1.91 goals-against mark.
Connor Deering, father of Grady Deering
"When my son was drafted by the Black Hawks, he was a bit apprehensive about what to expect. What he got was a tremendous experience, night after night, playing in a packed Young Arena - a fantastic junior hockey venue - where the fans are extremely passionate! He also got people who truly cared about him, not just as a hockey player but as a young man and ensured he was developing on both fronts. His experience in Waterloo was absolutely pivotal in his advancing to play D1 hockey. At the Frozen Four this year, we ran into his head coach from Waterloo [Matt Smaby] and had a great conversation. The care he showed for my son and his future success was genuinely evident. After visiting all the USHL arenas and seeing their fan bases, we'd do it all over again in Waterloo!"
A two-sport athlete during his youth in Central Iowa, Deering chose hockey and excelled during two seasons for the Hawks. He scored 15 regular season goals each year and finished with 72 points (30 goals, 42 assists) in 117 games. During Waterloo's run to the 2025 Clark Cup Final, Deering produced another five goals and five assists in 15 playoff games. He returned to a championship stage again in 2026 with the NCAA runner-up Wisconsin Badgers.
