The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
First home games this weekend
By Than Acuff
The West Elk Hockey Association (WEHA) Wolverines u19 girls’ hockey team has been busy during the opening weeks of the 2023-24 season, including opening with three games on the road recording a loss, a win and a tie.
Joel Aslanian is at the helm this year as head coach with Carlee Drobnick and Julianna Alvares as his assistant coaches to lead the team of 13 players.
They kicked off things back in September with a handful of players getting started, and once fall sports concluded for the rest of the team, they jumped right into workouts to prepare for the start of the season.
“It’s all skill levels,” says Aslanian. “We’ve got beginners all the way to players who play club hockey, it’s quite the mix. So, for us, it’s all about improving.”
They got their first big test with three games in one day on Saturday, November 11. They had a rough start to the opening slate of games falling to Aspen as players were loose with the puck and they struggled to protect the front of their net.
“I thought we’d do better based on what I saw in practices,” says Aslanian.
Aslanian pulled the team together between games to discuss improvements on the ice and the team took to it immediately to win their second game of the day against Colorado Springs.
“I was really pleased with how we bounced back,” says Aslanian.
The Wolverines then took the ice to close the day out against Arapahoe and skated to a tie to finish the day 1-1-1.
“I was super impressed with the way they pick things up,” says Aslanian. “The improvement over the day was great, hopefully we can keep on that path.”
They are back in action this weekend at Jorgensen Ice Arena in Gunnison when they host four games over Saturday and Sunday, December 2–3. The Wolverines play at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and then at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
“I’m looking for super high effort, good compete level and taking care of the puck more,” says Aslanian
