Copper River Youth Hockey: Dedication to the Game
12U Copper River Hockey Team. Photo by Samantha Gearhart
March 9, 2023
Cory Larson - Copper River Youth Hockey
Since mid-November, a dedicated group of Copper Valley kids has been hard at work improving individual and team skills on the two rinks located at the Glennallen School campus. Their dedication to the sport and each other is providing life-long lessons in perseverance, accountability, and teamwork. Various age groups have had the opportunity to travel around interior and southcentral Alaska putting their skills to the test against a wide array of competition.
The 12U age group has competed at Fairbanks Winter Fest, Big Lake Hard Ice, and Anchorage Presidents Day tournaments. Additionally, they have traveled to Tok for games as well as hosting Tok on two occasions. In the 12U age group, the team has combined with players from Tok and Barrow to field competitive teams. 12U players include Gabriel Eskilida, Ben Hill, Dominic Honerlaw, Conner Johnson, Ryzen Larson, Weston MacDonald, and John Owen Ranck.
10U Copper River Hockey Team. Photo by Samantha Gearhart
The 10U age group has played games at Tok, hosted Tok, and competed at the Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic in Big Lake. 10U players include Marcus Abbot, Brett Gearhart, Gabe Hill, Casey Fields, River Bengtson, Jenna Honerlaw, Sienna Parrish, Kisu Boston, and Kalaya Boston.
The 8U age group has traveled to Palmer and Tok, and hosted games at home. They will travel to Eagle River March 10-12 for the largest 8U tournament in the state, Mac Attack. Recently they achieved third place amongst fourteen teams at the I Heart Hockey tournament in Palmer.
Also at this tournament, the team placed first among fourteen teams in the team relay race beating out competitors from Fairbanks, Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, and Kenai. Winning relay team members were Alana Macdonald, Abby Abbot, Saylehr Lar- son, Nolan Parrish and Easton Kvamme. Addy Geldersmha and Ledge Larson turned in excellent performances in the individual skills competition at this tournament as well.
8U players include Addy Geldersma, Saylehr Larson, Easton Kvamme, Oscar Winishut, Alayna MacDonald, Ledge Larson, Abby Abbot, Nolan Parrish, Blaine Earl, and Evelyn Dolena
8U Copper River Hockey Team. Photo by Samantha Gearhart
If you or your child are interested or have questions about Copper River Hockey, please seek out a board member or coach. It is an excellent way to foster teamwork, build individual skills, and make memories that will last a lifetime. The program typically starts in mid-November and runs through mid-March.
Warming temperatures and ample sunshine provide a great opportunity this time of year to get out on the ice. The lower rink is typically open for community use as long as practices or games are not being held. Please respect the hundreds of hours our volunteers have put into making and maintaining the ice. Remember: The best time to learn to skate was yesterday, or today!
