Kyler Weatherred is heading to play NCAA Division I hockey starting with the 2025-26 season.

A Team Colorado AAA standout, Weatherred made her commitment to St. Michael’s College last month, choosing to play for the Vermont-based school in the NEWHA conference.

“The opportunity for me to commit to St. Michael’s arose through Carla Pentimone at Women’s College Hockey Recruiting,” said Weatherred, an Eagle native. “She connected me with the coach and I was fortunate enough to receive an offer. Carla does amazing work connecting girls with coaches and helping them find the best college for them.

“I loved the small community that St. Michael’s has. The academics were great, and the school is located in Burlington, Vermont, which is a beautiful town that reminded me of Boulder. The hockey is up and coming and I wanted to be a part of something special and what they are building at St. Michael’s is going to be special.”

Off the ice is just as important as what happens on the ice at SMC, said Weatherred.

“Academics have always been a priority for me,” Weatherred said. “I am not quite sure what I will be majoring in yet, but I know it will be along the lines of business, engineering or anything involving math.”

Back home, Weatherred started playing hockey at the age of 11.

“I had wanted to play for almost a year before my parents said yes,” said Weatherred. “I wanted to play because my cousins played and I always thought it looked so fun when I watched them. I started playing by learning to skate on my own and I would walk a few miles and pay for my own stick and puck at the rink in Eagle to learn how to use my stick. I began by playing for my local club Pee Wee B team and my abilities grew tremendously from there.”

Weatherred started with the Vail Mountaineers for two years, then played for Aspen’s 14U AA girls team before finding her way to Team Colorado’s 14U AAA team and staying with Team Colorado since then.

“My first hockey coach, Pete Rudrud, has been the most impactful coach I have had,” said Weatherred. “He was not only a great coach, he was a great person and helped me learn how to play hockey. He always made sure we were having fun while still teaching us hockey. He continues to support me to this day and I will forever cherish the seasons I had him as my coach. Another coach that has had a positive effect on me is Roger Bradley. Roger was an assistant coach for me at TC for two years. Roger helped me not only grow as a hockey player, but as a person, and helped me learn so many valuable life lessons. He was also always one of my biggest supporters.”

Moving forward, Weatherred has several reachable goals at the top of her list.

“My short-term goals for hockey are to make it to nationals,” Weatherred said. “My long-term goal for hockey is to continue to improve my hockey skills and have a great college career.

“My short-term life goal is to finish out my junior year strong with both lacrosse and school. My long-term life goals are to be the best teammate, sister, friend, and daughter I can be. These are all the people that have been there for me throughout my hockey journey, and I want to be the best person I can be for them and anyone I meet.”

Photo/Be Feral Media

— Matt Mackinder

(March 13, 2024)