And so it grows . . .
A sport that was just 12 deep in teams less than a decade ago has now grown to 27 and the level of play just continues to get better.
“There is more than a handful of teams out there that are good,” said Ralston Valley coach John McKibbon, whose Mustangs are one of the favorites this season. “The parity and the depth are outstanding and getting better; that’s why it’s going to continue to grow.”
Heritage, Fountain Valley and Valor Christian throw their names into the mix and, if they are anything like recent entrants, figure to make a quick impact.
Reigning champion Regis gets the early nod as the team to beat. The Raiders, who got things done with a stellar defense a season ago, have plenty of scoring punch. Centers Gregg Davis, Connor Hayes, Tyler Finn and wingers Justin Johnston and Nick Davis will be part of a team that could roll out four solid lines.
The battle for the Foothills Conference should be a dandy. Regis, No. 2 Ralston Valley and No. 4 Aspen all start in the top five, but the unknown of Heritage, the quality of both Peak to Peak and Standley Lake as well as the youthfulness of Kent Denver will be fun to watch.
Battle Mountain, last year’s runner-up, gets the early nod as the favorite in the Peak Conference. The Huskies will be tough defensively, with Connor Tedstrom the anchor in front of goalies Kalen Burnett and Brad Beaudin.
The usual suspects should hover around the top of a deep league, including Air Academy, Lewis-Palmer and Cheyenne Mountain.
Ice hockey
TOP FIVE
1. Regis
2. Ralston Valley
3. Battle Mountain
4. Aspen
5. Lewis-Palmer
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Matt Anthone, Chatfield, Sr.; Kalen Burnett, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Richard Church, Fountain Valley, Jr.; Gregg Davis, Regis, Sr.; Daniel Doremus, Aspen, Jr.; Andrew Duval, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Joey Fillo, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Cody Fritz, Steamboat Springs, Sr.; Alex Gutierrez, Summit, Sr.; Connor Hayes, Regis, Sr.; Kyle Hercher, Heritage, Sr.; Zack Lass, Bishop Machebeuf, Sr.; Michael Lewis, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Austin Miller, Regis, Jr.; Gordon Nytes, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; Nick O’Donnell, Standley Lake, Jr.; Ian Rawley, Regis, Sr.; Josh Richards, Palmer, Sr.; Graham Smith, Ralston Valley, Sr.
