GREAT ARTICLE ON
COLORADO THUNDERBIRDS!

POSTED BY: KALIE FISCHER, MARCH 31, 2016, NEWSTEAM BOULDER

DENVER - Hockey is exploding across Colorado, but elite players are opting out of their high school teams to play for elite tier 1 AAA teams instead. These AAA teams provide more exposure for high-level athletes than some high school teams can and give the players a better chance at making it to the next level of ice hockey.

The Colorado Thunderbirds are one of the most successful Tier 1 AAA teams and are ranked second in the nation. Angelo Ricci, head coach for the 16U team and the director for hockey operations, says that players are choosing to opt out of their high school teams because players want to be exposed and play at a higher level against the best competition in the nation, something that high school can't offer.

Formed in 2002, the Colorado Thunderbirds offer a tremendous amount or resources, including a high level of ice time and a professional coaching staff. They have a proven track record of moving players to the next level, and have fourteen former players drafted and two currently in the NHL. The Thunderbirds also have an extensive number of players in NCAA hockey, ACHC College Club hockey, the United States Hockey League, British Columbia Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League and countless other junior teams.

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