Category Archives: Youth
Arapahoe Pee Wees return from Quebec with unique memories
April 12th, 2016It’s one thing to travel out of state for hockey. It’s another to travel to a different country and become immersed in that country’s culture for nearly two weeks. In mid-February, the Arapahoe Warriors Pee Wee AA team ventured nearly 2000 miles one way to play in the 57th Annual Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament….
Tier II states find Boulder, Littleton collecting banners
March 29th, 2016After the Littleton Hawks 18U team won a Colorado Amateur Hockey Association Tier II state title back in December, two more championships were decided the first weekend in March at the South Suburban Ice Arena in Littleton. The Hawks 16U team won the organization’s second Tier II state crown of the year and then the…
Thunderbirds sweep Tier I states, take two district crowns
March 28th, 2016The Colorado Thunderbirds have five new banners to display within the organization. With three Tier I state championship victories Feb. 28 by the 14U, 16U National and 18U teams, plus 14U and 16U Rocky Mountain District (RMD) titles on March 13, the Thunderbirds are creating quite a gallery for championship banners and hardware. The Colorado…
NAHL advancement sends Miners’ Eubank home to Alaska
March 17th, 2016Even in Kenai, Alaska, the reputation of the Pikes Peak Miners is well-known. Jake Eubank was looking for an 18U team after options ran out in his home state and a longtime family friend, Steve MacSwain, turned Eubank’s eye to the Miners. “Steve had a lot of input for me and had heard nothing but…
RoughRiders booming, soon to call Sport Stable home
March 9th, 2016The blueprints for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders’ success over the years have literally morphed into construction blueprints. Beginning with the 2016-17 season, the RoughRiders AAA youth organization will call the Sport Stable, a new state-of-the-art complex located in Superior, its new home. The program, now in its sixth season with six teams (12U tournament team,…
Multiple gigs keep Gempeler busy in Colorado hockey circles
February 25th, 2016A typical work week is far from routine for Mike Gempeler. After all, when you’re the founder/director of the CCM Hockey Showcase, founder/director of the U.S. Junior Development Program (USJDP), co-founder/partner of the 9280 Pond Hockey Tournament and the commissioner of the first-year Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL), it’s definitely not a routine 9-5…
9280 Pond Hockey Tournament yields ‘an amazing environment’
February 23rd, 2016On its own, Keystone Lake is a beautiful part of Colorado’s natural landscape. Add 700 hockey players with smiles and full gear, and the lake takes that beauty to a whole other level. From Jan. 22-24, the second annual 9280 Pond Hockey Tournament and 93 youth and adult teams graced the lake from dawn until…
Halloran continues Rampage pipeline to NCAA D-I ranks
February 15th, 2016Nick Halloran headed to the Pacific Northwest this season to play junior hockey, but his heart clearly never left the Rockies. The Salt Lake City native, who played three seasons of youth hockey in Colorado and said it transformed his outlook on the game, committed in early January to return next season and play for…
Skrzypek father-son combo embracing sled hockey venture
February 12th, 2016It was always a dream of Eric Skrzypek to play hockey with his son. Growing up and constantly being involved in sports, it just became an accepted fact that if he was fortunate to have a son, they would bond together through that avenue. Eric was indeed fortunate and had a son, Luke. He hoped…
Evolution Elite Hockey Academy fast making name for itself
February 2nd, 2016In just six short years, the Evolution Elite Hockey Academy (EEHA) has gone from a small organization with three teams to a program with 13 teams, learn to skate options and a Junior A team in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL). Not too shabby for something that was originally created to simply provide an…