The Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL) recently added the Breckenridge Bucks and was officially granted USA Hockey (USAH) Tier-3 Junior A status.  The Bucks join the Aspen Leafs, Colorado Rampage, Colorado Thunderbirds, Grand Junction Coyotes, and Pikes Peak Miners as the original six members of the new Colorado based USAH junior league.  “This is great news for Colorado hockey,” exclaimed acting RMJHL President Shaun Hathaway (Aspen Junior Hockey Director).  “Our members are very grateful for the opportunity and certainly excited to excel on a national junior hockey stage.  Adding a sensible footprint of USA Hockey sanctioned junior hockey throughout Colorado is an amazing thing for our players and fans.”

Unlike most leagues, RMJHL members are directly tied to local youth programs.  They can now offer a highly structured path of amateur development from start to finish (8 year olds through 20 year olds).  “We truly believe in and support the process and model that USA hockey has developed, and are extremely excited to be a part of the RMJHL,” said RMJHL Vice President and T-birds Director Angelo Ricci.  “Our goal will be to prepare hard-working talented players who need more time for the next level.” Pikes Peak Miners (CSAHA) President Bob Nolette added, “We feel like this is a very logical extension of our current programming, and a great local opportunity for our players.” 

With the official approval now granted by USA Hockey, the six teams turn towards preparing for the inaugural drop of the puck in October 2015.  The expectations for the RMJHL are stated best by Rampage Director Andrew Sherman: “To have an opportunity to offer every level under USA hockey’s umbrella is something we are proud of and don’t take for granted, and we are very excited to work with our partners in providing the most elite Tier-3 USA Hockey League in the country.”