February 13, 2021

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

A veteran forward making his presence known in his first year with the Kansas City Mavericks is just one way to describe Darik Angeli.

Jelly, as his new teammates call him, is enjoying his return to the ECHL as he completes his sixth year in pro hockey. Darik has made stops in both the American Hockey League and ECHL in his pro career.

Jelly’s favorite pro sports team is the NFL’s Denver Broncos due to them being a home town team. Darik grew up just outside Denver and recalls when the Colorado Avalanche came to town in 1995. The relocation of the team from Quebec to Denver made quite an impact on Darik and the rest of his life.

The Avs, as they are lovingly called by their fans, held a learn how to play hockey event near Darik’s house when he was just four years old. Darik’s parents took him to the event and he has been hooked on the game ever since.

Darik hails from Loveland, Colorado where his two older sisters and parents still live and root him on from home. Jelly’s favorite hockey memory so far occurred when he was a freshman at Ohio State and the Buckeye’s played Michigan at historic Yost Ice Arena. Thanks to Jelly’s help the Buckeyes swept the Wolverines for the first time in 40 years.

If not in pro hockey today Darik would be trying to become a golfer. Darik has picked up the game and feels he would be pushing for it at this time. Jelly’s favorite foods include anything Mexican, sushi and yes, even barbecue.

Darik is a big movie guy and his favorite sports movies include the “Mighty Ducks” and “Miracle.” Following his playing days he wishes to be remembered as a good teammate and was well liked in the locker room.

Being from Colorado Jelly has plenty of experience of how big hockey is on the collegiate level in the area. In fact Denver University recruited Darik as well as Colorado College. Add in Air Force and college hockey scene has a number of big rivalries. While Jelly may not have played at any of those schools he did skate with a number of their players during the summer.

Check out Darik and the rest of the Mavericks when they finish up a three game series against the Allen Americans on Monday, Feb. 15. A Presidents Day special where the fun begins inside Cable Dahmer Arena when the puck drops at 1:05 p.m.

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