Town league hockey action gets under way next week

Players need to register now

The greatest spectacle on ice is about to start once again: Crested Butte Town League hockey.

Opening night for the 2009 season is Tuesday, January 6 but with only 50 percent to 60 percent of last year’s players registered so far, opening night looks a bit dubious.
“We need all of the town league players that haven’t signed up to come to the parks and recreation office to represent their teams,” says Crested Butte Parks and Recreation director Jake Jones.
Last year more than 100 players signed up to form eight teams and this is the second year of the two-year commitment players have with their respective teams.
The question is: Can the Last Steep repeat as champions?
The Last Steep entered the post-season last year as the third-ranked team and skated roughshod through their opponents to reach the finals against the Eldo.
What was built up to be a knock-down, drag-out battle between the two teams in the championship game turned into a 5-1 drubbing of the Eldo by the Last Steep.
This year league play looks to be the same, with a few changes. First, the Troutfitter has relinquished its team to Mikey’s Pizza for sponsorship.
Secondly, Parks and Recreation added a night to the weekly schedule, Wednesday.
Two games are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7 and 10 p.m. and one game will be scheduled on Wednesdays at 8:45 p.m.
In addition, Jones has ice time set aside on Sundays for any make-up games if necessary.
Finally, in an effort to ensure spectator safety, the rink now has a chain-link fence along the north side boards, so bring the whole family for some spectating.
While the regular sign-up fee was $80 per player, goalies are exempt for their work in the net, and a late fee of $20 is now in effect, bringing the total cost to play town league hockey to $100.
Once again, Jones emphasizes that players need to come by the Parks and Recreation office to get signed up as soon as possible.
Not only do players need to sign up with town, but also all players need to be registered with USA Hockey. Both can be done either online or at the Parks and Recreation office.
Any new talent to town league—that is players who did not play last season—will be distributed according to their ability ranking to fill any holes on existing rosters. All abilities are welcome, from barely skaters to former college players.
Fill up your flask and head to Big Mine Ice Arena to catch 2009 town league hockey action three nights a week.