Aspen Junior Hockey is thrilled to announce that members of the 1998 USA Women's Gold Medal Olympic hockey team are the featured guests for the 2018 Stirling Cup All-Star Weekend.  The Stirling Cup All-Star Weekend is a celebration for the city of Aspen, and surrounding communities. Founded by long time Aspen resident Jody Cooper, in memory of her late husband Stirling Cooper, the Stirling Cup is designed to promote the development of youth sports, foster new relationships and embody community involvement.  

On February 17, 1998, Team USA won the first Olympic gold medal in women’s ice hockey by defeating Canada 3-1 in Nagano, Japan.  At the 1998 Winter Olympics, the Canadian women’s ice hockey team were four-time world champions and overwhelming favorites. Defying the odds, Team USA defeated Canada, 3-1, in the gold medal game. Gretchen Ulion and Shelley Looney scored for Team USA. Canada’s Danielle Goyette made it 2-1 in the third period, but with time winding down, USA’s Sandra Whyte added an empty-netter with eight seconds to play, clinching the game and the gold. Coach Ben Smith said of Team USA’s win, “I knew those kids were great individual champions, but more importantly they were a championship team.”

The 1998 Olympic team will compete in the Saturday night All-Star hockey game at Lewis Arena against Colorado Coaches of Girls Hockey.  The 18th annual golf tournament is Sunday, September 23 at the Aspen Golf Club.  More information about this special event is coming soon...