In the recent CHSAA Legislative Council meeting in April, the state governing body for high school athletics formally approved the addition of junior varsity hockey. Reported by CHSAANow.com, the move “won't force programs to add a junior varsity team. Instead, it gives them the option to.”  With the need to provide all high school players competitive stability to continue their development, Aspen Junior Hockey is jumping on board by expanding its partnership with Aspen High School to field a JV Skiers team in 2015-16.

With CHSAA taking the lead organizing the new league, midget players (ages 15-18) will benefit from more and better competition at the sub-varsity level.  It is estimated that over a dozen teams plan to participate. Last season only a five-team midget league existed as an option for younger high school players in Aspen.  “In the last several years, the rapid expansion of high school hockey has led to the demise of club midget hockey.  The addition of high school JV is the next logical step needed to consolidate a competitive model state-wide that benefits all players” explained AJH Director Shaun Hathaway. 

For AHS Head Coach Dru Lucchesi, the addition of a CHSAA JV league was welcome news. “This is a great opportunity for the younger high school kids to get better before playing at the varsity level. I am very excited for the new development coming next season with the 20 and under team and now the addition of a CHSAA affiliated junior varsity feeder team.” To boost player development, AJH also plans to offer a Midget team in the fall for pre-season play against other high school and club programs registered with USA Hockey.