Evals, Sundays Added for Ice Cubs, Registration #s, Coaching Tree Update, Volunteer Needs, and PARTY
2026-2027 Season Evals, Sundays Added for Ice Cubs, Registration #s, Coaching Tree Update, Volunteer Needs, and Beginning of the Year Party Nov 7th!
Whew, it's a long one but worth it! Newsletter October 8th
Hi Grizzlies,
Welcome to October! Exciting things are coming up for Grizzly Hockey, and we’re looking forward to getting the season underway.
Registration & Open Spots
This season, we have five WCHL teams, 8U Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced groups, and 38 players enrolled in Mile High Mites/Ice Cubs. We hope to welcome another 20+ beginning players before November 1st.
We’re still accepting players at all age levels, with availability varying by team and additional room at 14U. Please spread the word to families looking for a place to play!
Interested families can visit Grizzlyhockey.com or contact GSYHA Director Jimmy Petersen at 301-717-2168.
Mile High Mites registration deadline: October 21 (for gear)
Ice Cubs registration deadline: November 8
Ice Cubs & Mile High Mites: Sunday Practices Added!
We’re excited to announce another practice day for our youngest players: Sunday mornings!
Ice Cubs and Mile High Mites are introductory programs for players ages 4–9, and they practice together. Mile High Mites families register through Avalanche Learn to Play, which includes equipment in the registration cost and a visit from an Avalanche alumnus.
Families can choose:
Wednesdays only: 4:45–5:45 PM
Sundays only: 8:15–9:15 AM
Both days: Upgrade for additional sessions.
Already registered? You can switch to Sundays or upgrade to both days. Email jpetersen@gsyha.org with your name and your player’s name to request a change.
Families must select a consistent schedule; we cannot accommodate mixing and matching individual dates at this time. Mile High Mites registration includes six sessions. Contact Jimmy to confirm your schedule or discuss adding sessions through Ice Cubs.
Sunday practices begin November 8 and run for six sessions: November 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, and 13. This includes both Sundays around Thanksgiving.
New Family Equipment & Questions Meeting
November 1st, families and players join us to review equipment, discuss the schedule, and ask questions. New players and parents are encouraged to attend! Also visit our parent resource page!
Sunday, November 1 | 8:15–9:15 AM Glenwood Springs Community Center
Volunteer Opportunities & Try Hockey for Free
Help us introduce more families to Grizzly Hockey! We need volunteers for:
OKTOBERFEST IS October 10th at the Adventure Park. Come visit our Beer Tent!
October 29 — Silt Trunk or Treat: Two to three volunteers to staff a table.
October 30 — Rifle Trick or Treat: Two to three volunteers to staff a table.
October 30 — Youth Try Hockey for Free
October 31 — Girls Only Try Hockey for Free
October 31 - Spooktacular Volunteers and Skating Rep GSYHA
Visit Grizzlyhockey.com → Events for volunteer sign-up sheets. Please contact your team manager if you need help finding them.
Know someone who wants to try hockey? Invite them to our Try Hockey for Free events and remind them to please register in advance!
Back-to-Season Watch Party — November 7
Join our Grizzly Hockey families for an association back-to-season watch party as the Colorado Avalanche take on the Detroit Red Wings!
Saturday, November 7 | 6:00–10:00 PM
Glenwood Springs Library
Come reconnect with teammates, meet other families, and celebrate the start of the season. Let’s go Grizzlies!
Evaluation Week Schedule
Evaluations begin with 10U B in Eagle on Friday, October 23, followed by 10U and 12U evaluations in Glenwood on Monday and Wednesday.
Friday, October 23 - EAGLE
10U B Evaluation (only required if you want to play 10UB)
9:30–10:45 AM
Friday, October 23 - EAGLE
12U/14U Ice Session
11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Friday, October 23 - EAGLE
18U Ice Session
12:45–2:15 PM
Monday, October 26 - GLENWOOD HERE OUT
10U Evaluation 4:45–6:30 PM
12U Evaluation 6:45–8:00 PM
Tuesday, October 27
8U Practice 5:00–6:00 PM
14U Practice with Coach Ryan Clynke and Grand Junction players 6:15–7:30 PM
Wednesday, October 28
10U Evaluation 4:45–6:15 PM
12U Evaluation 6:30–7:45 PM
Thursday, October 29
8U Practice 5:00–6:00 PM
12U/14U Practice 6:15–7:30 PM
Playing in the WCHL requires a commitment from both players and families. Please review the schedule carefully and let Jimmy know in advance about any evaluation attendance conflicts.
Our Evaluation Approach
The goal of evaluations is to build the best team, rather than simply select the top-ranked players. Final decisions may also reflect positional needs, maturity, coachability, and how players contribute to the group.
Evaluations don’t happen in a vacuum. Prior performance and team commitment matter alongside what evaluators see during evaluation week. Attitude, communication, locker-room conduct, and support of teammates are all part of the process.
Players will receive a numbered pinnie upon arrival. Four to six evaluators with coaching and youth hockey experience will use a consistent evaluation rubric. Their feedback will help the Association Director, Coaching Supervisor, and coaching staff make placement decisions.
Expected Team Sizes
We hope to add a few more players to our groups. Our current expectations are:
12U A: 10 skaters and two goalies.
12U B: 10 total players, including two goalies who will also be asked to skate out.
10U B: 11–13 players and one or two goalies.
10U C: 9–13 players.
These numbers may change as registration and evaluations continue.
We may also identify players interested in serving as floaters to help teams when they are short on players. Any movement between teams will follow applicable league and roster rules.
Evaluations can be stressful; please encourage your players and know this is for 12- and 10-year-olds. For our players, the message is simple: have fun, give your best effort, and support your teammates, just as you would at any practice or game
Players can expect brief written feedback following team placements identifying two to three strengths and two to three areas for improvement. Additional conversations may take place with the coaching staff, Coaching Supervisor, or Association Director. Please remember the 24-hour rule before raising placement concerns so those conversations can be thoughtful and constructive.
Coaching Staff Update
Our coaching staff is taking shape! Assignments may change, and some appointments remain pending acceptance, evaluations, or completion of required credentials.
Role / Team - Coaching Staff
Association Director
Jimmy Petersen
Interim Coaching Supervisor Jay Mencimer
Future Coaching Supervisor / Development Coach - Carlos Ross
14U - Ryan Clynke of Grand Junction; Glenwood coaching assignment pending
12U A - Jay Mencimer and Zac Mencimer
12U B - Head Coach Carlos Ross; assistant appointment pending
10U B - Head Coach Nick Senn; assistant assignments pending, with Bob Vollmer and Brandon Beaudette (parent coaches placement following evals)
10U C - Head Coach Jimmy Petersen; assistant assignments pending evaluations
8U - Head Coach Jimmy Petersen; anticipated supporting coaches include Carlos Ross, Jake Mauldin, Chelsea Lawrenz, Joey Lawrenz, and Molly Moyer
Ice Cubs - Head Coaches Raul Morales, Jimmy Petersen, and Nicole Sul; additional assistants, and guest coaches pending confirmation and credentials
We’re also excited to welcome high school varsity, 14U, and 12U player volunteers to help on the ice with our introductory programs!
Grizzly Spotlight: Kasen Cook
Kasen Cook, an 8U Grizzly, will represent Glenwood Springs at Colorado Hockey Night on Oct. 16 and walk out with Avalanche players before the game. What an exciting opportunity—let’s cheer him on! Wear Purple Grizzly hockey swag if you attend!
Thank you to our players, families, coaches, and volunteers for helping make this season possible.
Let’s go Grizzlies!
Jimmy Petersen
GSYHA Director
jpetersen@gsyha.org
301-717-2168