Welcome to the Kings Hammer New Albany November Newsletter! This edition features, KH New Albany HS Teams Start Undefeated, New Albany HS Makes History, High School Season Highlights, 12 Days of Deals, and more! If you have a player, coach, or team to be highlighted in future newsletters, please send photos and stories to dfry@kingshammer.com. Each newsletter will be posted on our website as well as our social pages.

Thankful for You

Before we get caught up in the whirlwind of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays, I want to express my appreciation for all our players, parents, staff coaches and administrators. This upcoming week is about gratitude, and I have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to our team, Kings Hammer New Albany. In what’s been a monumental year, your commitment and patience has kept us moving forward for what we can achieve together in the new year and beyond. Thank you for your support!

I often find myself buried in work and caught up in the to-dos before company arrives. But this week has nudged me to slow down, reflect, and give thanks. The other night, I was scrolling through social media, and my feed was filled with positivity in this community. Your celebration of other’s victories — your unwavering support, and your dedication to our players is nothing short of inspiring. I was reminded once again that it’s you who make this club special, not a name or logo.

No matter how you celebrate this week and throughout the holiday season, I encourage you to acknowledge the people and things that put a smile on your face. I also hope you reflect on the joy this club brings to us all. We are moving in the right direction. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s in store and the culture and development we have right here in New Albany.

I brag about our people to anyone who will listen, and I’m grateful to work alongside you.

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving, and well wishes to you, your family, and your loved ones during this most wonderful time of year.

Be well,

Johnny Ulry, Kings Hammer New Albany General Manager

Kings Hammer New Albany High School-Aged Teams Start Undefeated

Our high school-aged Kings Hammer New Albany teams had an incredible start this season, finishing their opening matches with an unbeaten 4-0-1 record. These results highlight the talent, hard work, and determination of our players:

• KHA1 B07/06: Claimed a 2-1 victory over Ohio Premier NPL (1-0 Record).
• KHA2 B07/06: Delivered a dominant 7-0 performance over Club Ohio North (1-0 Record).
• KHA1 B08: Fought hard with a 2-1 win against Club Ohio North NPL and a 1-1 draw against Glory SC NPL (1-0-1 Record).
• KHA1 B09: Secured a strong 2-1 victory over Club Ohio North (1-0 Record).

Congratulations to our teams on this outstanding start to the season—keep up the momentum!

All four teams participated in the Gateway Showcase this past weekend, a Kings Hammer college showcase designed to provide early-season opportunities for college-bound athletes to showcase their talents in front of college coaches. The two-weekend showcase attracted over 350 teams and 150+ college coaches from across the country.

New Albany High School Makes History

Congratulations to the 2024 OHSAA Division II Boys Soccer State Champions! In a thrilling final that stretched into double overtime, New Albany High School was victorious over Walsh Jesuit in a dramatic shootout, earning the first state title in school history. This victory is a testament to the team’s determination and the support of the entire community.

Kings Hammer New Albany is proud to have been part of this historic journey, represented by:

• Coaches: Johnny Ulry, Ivan Landaverde, Noah Davidson, Chris Eaken, Gabe Gutierrez, Tyler Rider
• Players: Ben Biggs, Sam Canales, Karl Constantine, Drew Tebbutt, Jack Briggs, Layton Doyle

We are thrilled to see our Kings Hammer New Albany players and coaches achieve greatness on the state’s biggest stage!

High School Season Highlights

Welcome back to all our high school-aged players! Before returning for the remainder of the club season, we want to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our Kings Hammer New Albany players and coaches during their fall high school campaigns. Several of our athletes and coaches earned well-deserved recognition for their outstanding performances on and off the field.

• AJ McDaniel, Second Team All-OCAC (Bishop Hartley)
• Carter Phillips, Second Team All-OCC (Canal Winchester)
• Dax Adams, Honorable Mention All-OCC (Canal Winchester)
• Nate Ebner, First Team All-LCL (Granville)
• Grady Kirian, First Team All-LCL, Second Team All-District (Granville)
• Grant Priestnal, First Team All-LCL, Second Team All-District (Granville)
• Daniel Fry, OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics & Integrity Award (Johnstown)
• Taner Slavens, Second Team All-LCL, Second Team All-District (Johnstown)
• Ben Biggs, Special Mention All-OCC (New Albany)
• Johnny Ulry, District Coach of the Year, State Coach of the Year (New Albany)
• Jake Nelson, Honorable Mention All-OCC (Westerville Central)
• Sam Heck, Special Mention All-OCC (Westerville North)

Several high school teams from our Kings Hammer New Albany club also achieved impressive postseason tournament success.

• Bexley: Div-III District Semifinalist
• Big Walnut: Div-II District Final Runner-Up
• Bishop Hartley: Div-III District Semifinalist
• Canal Winchester: Div-II District Final Runner-Up
• Columbus Academy: Div-III District Final Runner-Up
• Granville: Div-III District Semifinalist
• Johnstown: Div-IV District Final Runner-Up
• Maysville: Div-IV District Final Runner-Up
• New Albany: Div-II District Champions, Regional Champions, State Champions
• Northridge: Div-IV District Semifinalist
• Pickerington North: Div-I District Champions
• St. Charles Prep: Div-I District Champions, Regional Champions, State Finalist
• St. Francis DeSales: Div-III District Champions, Regional Champions, State Semifinalist
• Westerville Central: Div-II District Champions, Regional Finalist

We are so proud of these achievements and look forward to watching our Kings Hammer New Albany players continue to shine as we dive into the rest of the club season!

12 Days of Deals Begin This Friday!

Starting this Black Friday, discover great gift ideas and brand-new products at the Kings Hammer Shop! Each day offers something special, so don’t miss the chance to score the perfect holiday items for everyone on your list. Follow us on social media to catch each daily offer!

Shop now: Kings Hammer Shop

November Education: Making the Most of Your Winter Break

For most of our Kings Hammer teams and players, November marks the end of the first part of our soccer calendar, and December brings the start of a significant break for players and parents alike.  The absence of travel, practice, and game-day stress, combined with more time spent with family, can often bring a much-needed break and provides an ideal time for players to recover and recharge.

It also presents unique challenges and opportunities for young athletes to maintain or build fitness, enhance their ball skills, improve game intelligence or understanding, and prepare for the spring season.

Rest and Recuperate

Just like during the summer break, families need to recognize the value of some rest during this period.  This is especially important for athletes who have incurred injuries over the course of the fall season.  Rest does not have to mean laying around on the couch for long periods, but perhaps finding less stressful activities (mentally and physically).

Maintain fitness

Fitness and soccer gains made throughout the fall can begin to drop in as few as two weeks.  It is important that athletes of all ages stay active prior to returning to formal practices and play in February. A balanced winter plan that includes cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility work can help players improve their endurance, speed, and athleticism. Youtube yoga and stretching are also great aids for athletes of any age.

Click here to read the full article!

We’re on the Techne App

Techne offers weekly technical training sessions through an easy-to-use app, helping our players refine their fundamental skills and ball mastery. Plus, they can compete on leaderboards with players nationwide for added fun and motivation. If you have not received your Techne account invite via email to create your free account, please email our Director of Coaching, Ivan Landaverde (ilandaverde@KingsHammer.com).

Explore the Kings Hammer New Albany Photo Gallery

Have you visited our photo gallery yet? We’re constantly adding new photos, so if you don’t spot your player this time, check back soon! All photos are free to download—perfect for sharing with family or posting on social media.

Don’t forget to tag us @KHNewAlbany and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, for new and exciting content!

Got News to Share?

Each month, we publish a club-wide newsletter packed with updates, highlights, and important information for Kings Hammer New Albany. High school players can also access a dedicated college recruiting newsletter, offering resources, educational content, and insights aligned with the recruiting timeline. Both newsletters are shared at the end of the month on social media and our website. If you’d like to see a player, coach, or team featured in an upcoming edition, send your stories and photos to Daniel Fry (dfry@kingshammer.com).