Blog
Excitement builds for ‘Birds as Quebec nears
January 31st, 2015With a solid first half of the season under its belt, the Colorado Thunderbirds’ 12U AAA team is looking forward to special appointment north of the border next month. The Thunderbirds, led by first-year head coach Zach Blom and assistants Buddy Blom and Curtis Duffus, will compete in the 56th annual Quebec International Pee Wee…
RMHS celebrates 20th anniversary
January 27th, 2015When Mike Gempeler founded Rocky Mountain Hockey Schools (RMHS) back in 1996, never in his wildest dreams did he think the Kittredge-based company would reach its 20th anniversary. But as that milestone emerges, reality has taken over. Gempeler managed and grew the camp for 10 years on a local and national basis and then passed it…
Holmstrom enjoying steady pro career
January 25th, 2015Ben Holmstrom got some pretty straightforward instruction right before he took the opening faceoff in his NHL debut almost four years ago. “Win it,” Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger advised Holmstrom back on March 3, 2011 when Philly took on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Colorado Springs product did just that. Holmstrom, a graduate of…
Tower stands tall on Res Christian’s defense
January 22nd, 2015Typically, a position change from forward to defenseman signals the end of a hockey player’s days as a regular scorer. For John Tower, it’s been quite the opposite. The Resurrection Christian standout made the switch to defense last year and, in addition to receiving some prestigious postseason recognition, watched his offensive numbers dramatically ramp up….
Bigger and Boulder
January 19th, 2015Walker Harris grew up playing in the Boulder Valley Youth Hockey Association (BVYHA), and hasn’t had to travel far to get his first taste of the junior game. Last season, Harris played 10 games for the then-named Boulder Bison of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL), and this year is a key contributor as a…
Mountaineers’ women reaching new heights
January 14th, 2015The Vail Mountaineers Hockey Club (VMHC) has swelled from 10 girls in 2012-13 to more than 40 this season, citing continued growth of the women’s game across Colorado. VMHC girls hockey representative Karl Borski says being able to ice three teams this season between the VMHC and Vail Recreation District (VRD) at the 10U, 12U…
Renegades out in community
January 12th, 2015When Lisa and Joe D’Urso architected the West Coast Renegades earlier this year, they wanted the overall developmental experience to encompass much more than just practices and games, wins and losses. The Renegades also placed a high priority on being valued members of the Salt Lake Valley community and, in short time, the program has…
Terry, Walker embrace opportunity with NTDP
January 10th, 2015Few individuals are as hyper-focused about building a career in hockey than Troy Terry. Former Colorado Thunderbirds teammate Zach Walker comes pretty close. Well, they’re in the right place to cultivate that ambition. Terry and Walker have joined USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor, Mich., this season – a common a…
Disabled programs getting plenty of support
January 8th, 2015One of the primary goals of the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association is to promote and support the game at every level, and the disabled segment is no exception. Comprised of sled and special hockey, disabled players of all ages – boys and girls – are afforded the opportunity to participate in the game thanks to…
Mansfield continues march to West Point
January 5th, 2015With his NCAA Division I commitment squared away, Ian Mansfield can now focus on improving his game and helping the Odessa Jackalopes move up the North American Hockey League (NAHL) standings. Earlier this season, Mansfield, a 20-year-old Lakewood product, chose to continue his academic and playing career next year at the U.S. Military Academy at…