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New Junior League Gets USA Hockey Approval

By Matt Mackinder, Rubber Hockey Magazine (Summer 2014)

The Colorado Evolution, Colorado Jr. Eagles and Boulder Bison compete in the WSHL, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)-sanctioned league, while the RMJHL, a USA Hockey-approved league, will have the Aspen Leafs (Aspen), Colorado Rampage (Monument), Colorado Thunderbirds (Littleton), Grand Junction Coyotes (Grand Junction) and Pikes Peak Miners (Colorado Springs) as its five founding members with the stipulation that the league expands to six teams before the 2015-16 season. Negotiations are ongoing in that realm.

For Shaun Hathaway, the director of the Aspen Leafs and one of the leaders organizing the league, seeing the RMJHL take shape from the ground up is a challenge, but one he and the other members are more than ready to tackle.

“The process of organizing our group and gaining approval from USA Hockey was lengthy and extremely rewarding.  As a group, I believe we consolidated the right model for Tier-3 Junior Hockey while preserving the advanced midget hockey model currently operating in Colorado.  We are all excited and motivated for the challenge of delivering a first class product for players and fans at the post-graduate 20U junior level.”

The first five RMJHL members all have established and highly structured youth hockey associations that now boast advanced instruction and player development from 8U beginners to advanced 20U collegiate-bound players. Three of the five RMJHL founding members (Rampage, Thunderbirds, Miners) currently operate highly successful and nationally recognized AAA programs (12U – 18U). 

In a perfect world, the players that skate with the youth organizations will all aspire to play in the organization all the way through juniors, according to Hathaway.

“All of our members have proven their ability to develop talented and successful hockey players.  By adding a 20U post-graduate team to our associations, we have essentially completed a structured youth hockey development model aimed to maximize opportunities for players.”

“Players who don’t make the USHL or the NAHL after Midget hockey now have a legitimate option to remain at home and continue their development in established and proven programs.”

The inaugural 2015-16 RMJHL season will feature a 40-game regular season schedule and the RMJHL playoff champion will earn an automatic berth to the USA Hockey Tier III Junior National Tournament. 

“Along with providing elite training opportunities, RMJHL teams are prepared to advance the student-athlete, while promoting and participating in community service and outreach programs,” said Hathaway. “RMJHL members are committed to strengthening established authentic relationships with higher level junior leagues, ACHA and NCAA teams in the interest of player development and advancement.

“With a highly structured youth hockey market already in place throughout Colorado, the addition of the RMJHL provides players in the region legitimate and affordable post-graduate options to continue their development as outlined by the USA Hockey long-term athletic development model.  The RMJHL provides a structured and responsible junior hockey league in a sensible geographic footprint.  Operated by proven player development specialists, the RMJHL significantly strengthens the final avenue of amateur development for student-athletes dedicated to pursuing a collegiate hockey career in the ACHA and NCAA.”

And with the addition of a third Tier III junior hockey league in the Western United States (North American 3 Hockey League and Northern Pacific Hockey League are the others), the RMJHL will strengthen the mission of USA Hockey, which is to provide a competitive opportunity for the elite player on a national, regional and local basis. 

“Our members understand that the approval from the USA Hockey Junior Council comes with great responsibility and high expectations.  Preparations for opening night in 2015 are ongoing, and we look forward to presenting a highly structured and competitive product in what is slowly becoming another hotbed for hockey.”