Heading into the holiday season, AJ Scarafoni found himself with an early Christmas present as the Arvada native was recently named captain of the NCDC’s Rock Springs Miners.

Scarafoni was with the organization for the 2024-25 season, then known as the Rock Springs Grizzlies, and came back to man the blue line for a second season in 2025-26.

“Being named captain of this team truly means a lot,” Scarafoni said. “The past two years, I’ve been pushed by our coaches, teammates, and incredible fans to help build a winning atmosphere here in Rock Springs. The letter on my jersey is only the beginning. I will continue to push our team to succeed, just like the hardworking people in this town do every day.”

Back home, Scarafoni started off at the age of three playing Mites for the Arvada Hockey Association. After his second year of Bantam AA with Arvada, he made the jump to AAA hockey with the 15O Thunderbirds and played there through 18U.

“During my time at Arvada, I was on fantastic teams and lucky enough to win many state titles and many tournaments, including the Colorado Avalanche International Qualifier,” said Scarafoni. “I was part of the Jr. Avalanche team in 2018 who had the great opportunity to play in Finland and Sweden in the Nordic Hockey Trophy International Tournament. During my time at Arvada, I was fortunate to have my father Marcus Scarafoni as my head coach. He helped push my skill set and constantly reminds me that hard work and dedication are the tools that will get me to a higher level of hockey. Coaches who have impacted me so far in my career are my father and several of the Thunderbirds coaches, especially Phil Patenaude.”

Prior to the 2023-24 season, Scarafoni signed an NAHL tender with the Anchorage Wolverines, but wound up back with the Thunderbirds for his last season of 18U hockey.

So far this season for the Wyoming-based Miners, Scarafoni has two goals and an assist for three points in 17 games. He posted a goal and seven points in 50 games a season ago.

— Matt Mackinder

(December 14, 2025)