Middle Park High School Launches Its First-Ever Ice Hockey Team!
You might be wondering how a community known for its winter sports is just now introducing a high school hockey team?! It’s no small feat to bring a new high school–level sport to a rural community, where both resources and players are coveted. But ice hockey in a place eponymous for winter sports is meant to be! It’s been a labor of love with years of commitment and a whole lot of tenacity from hockey lovers throughout the Fraser Valley to finally usher in a new season for Middle Park High School - one with its very own hockey team!
East Grand School District (home to Fraser Valley Elementary, Granby Elementary, East Grand Middle School, and Middle Park High School) kicked off its inaugural high school hockey season this past fall after years of collaboration between the school district and the Fraser Valley Hockey Association (FVHA). Competing in the 4A Mountain League against nine other teams, the Panthers face opponents from across the Front Range and the mountain region, including Steamboat Springs, Telluride, and Aspen. The hockey team joins Middle Park High School’s lineup of sports, including soccer, cross-country, volleyball, basketball, JV football, boys lacrosse, softball, track and field, baseball, cheerleading, Nordic skiing, and alpine skiing.
FRASER VALLEY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Our local hockey club (the catalyst for the high school team) has been spreading the hockey love since 2010 and was instrumental in helping get our local ice rink, “The Icebox” at the Fraser Valley Sports Complex, funded.
Since then, Fraser Valley Hockey Association has built a strong, wildly popular program that gives local kids the opportunity to experience hockey from a young age with offerings that range from “learn to skate” classes to official leagues for 8U through 18U players.
The program is backed by dedicated parents and volunteers, sponsored by local businesses, funded with grants from local towns, and partnered with the Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation Association for use of The Icebox.
In the past, once players progressed with FVHA, they often transferred to more competitive teams or traveled to neighboring areas to compete in highly competitive youth leagues (like Summit Youth Hockey). The drive and time commitment were a huge sacrifice for families and simply not sustainable for many. With the creation of a local high school team, athletes now have the opportunity to continue playing without the long commute.
And FVHA works in collaboration with the new team! They partner with the high school coaches in sharing/scheduling ice time, encourage their players and families to support the team at home games, and continue to develop athletes to eventually join the hockey program at MPHS.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
The creation of the high school team really is a testament to our community coming together to create opportunities for our kids and build connection. And the response has been nothing short of amazing! The first home game of the season drew a huge crowd - over 300 people packed into the bleachers at The Icebox to cheer on their Panthers! From aspiring high school players in the FVHA program to students supporting their peers to parents and community members pumped on a high school hockey team, the crowd brought palpable energy to the first game - think chanting, dancing, and nonstop cheering that could be heard almost to Highway 40. And the crowds keep filling the stands for every home game!
Head coach Ross Kalsow says the players are feeling the love, noting, "The athletes feel the support from the community and have gotten comments from opposing teams, coaches and fans about the special atmosphere that we have here." He and the team are beyond grateful for all the people who helped make this dream a reality and for the continued support from the community!
MEET THE NEW TEAM
This year’s team is made up of 19 co-ed players, from freshmen to seniors, many of whom grew up playing with the Fraser Valley Hockey Association. Leading the program is head coach Ross Kalsow, seventh-grade social studies teacher at East Grand Middle School, along with assistant coach Zach Madson.
Players are typically on the ice three to four times each week for games and practices, with additional days spent watching film or training in the weight room. They currently play about two to three games per week. For travel, players ride together on a district bus, most often driven by Austin, who has quickly become a team favorite and dubbed a "rockstar" by Coach Kalsow.
While this inaugural season features a junior varsity team, excitement is already building for what’s ahead, with hopes of expanding to field a varsity team as soon as next year. A strong group of incoming freshmen, combined with the expectation that most (if not all) current athletes will return, sets the stage for that growth. Making the jump to a varsity schedule will be a significant step, but one Coach Kalsow feels the athletes are more than capable of rising to.
ROLLING WITH THE CHALLENGES
As with any new program, there have been a few challenges and learning curves along the way. Starting a team from scratch is no small task: it requires building systems, handling administrative work like scheduling and communication, managing start-up costs for uniforms and gear, securing referees, coordinating ice time, and fostering team camaraderie. Despite it all, the new team has taken every challenge in stride.
Warmer-than-usual temperatures this season have meant warmer ice, as The Icebox is a covered outdoor rink that depends on cold outdoor conditions to maintain ideal ice. As a result, the Zamboni has needed to make more frequent resurfacing stops, causing a few more delay-of-games than the team would typically like to see.
High winds and winter weather have also led to the cancellation of a few games when travel conditions weren’t safe. But that’s all part of winter sports in the mountains, something our community knows well. Schedule shifts won’t slow the momentum of the MPHS hockey program as it continues to grow and bring our community together. Building hardy, resilient kids is par-for-the-course here in Grand County!
HOW TO SUPPORT
One of the best ways to support our new team is showing up to cheer them on! Check out their full schedule here. You can also see local players in a more laid-back environment at the annual Grand Lake Pond Hockey Classic each winter. Funds raised on the second "youth tournament" day all support the Fraser Valley Hockey Association, which in turn supports building players up to eventually join the high school team!
SEE YOU AT THE RINK!
With a son who plays with the Fraser Valley Hockey Association, I’ve seen firsthand the impact hockey has on our youth and our community, so I’m all in with supporting the new high school team! I hope to bump into you at a home game!
And if the growing opportunities for youth in Grand County have you ready to take the leap and move to the mountains, I’d love to support you on your real estate journey. Reach out to schedule a buyer’s consultation and learn more about the local market.
*all photos courtesy of Samuel Zieschang
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