Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (2015–)
 | |
| Sport | Ice Hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 2, 2014 |
| President | Shaun Hathaway |
| No. of teams | 5 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Aspen Leafs (2015–16) |
| Official website | RMJHL.co |
The Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL) is an American Tier III junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The RMJHL was approved for play starting in the 2015–16 season.
History
The league was announced and sanctioned by USA Hockey on May 2, 2014.[1][2][3] Six teams played in the inaugural 2015–16 season.[4]
In December 2015, league officials announced that they were applying to USA Hockey to expand the league by adding franchises in Vail and Pueblo,[5] but neither team came to fruition.
On May 3, 2016, the RMJHL announced the addition of an expansion team in Steamboat Springs, led by managing partner, Troy Mick, CEO and president of the Canadian Junior A Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League.[6]
On May 31, 2016, the Breckenridge Bucks left the RMJHL for the Western States Hockey League.[7] On July 11, the RMJHL would announce a new Breckenridge team, called the Bears, with an ownership group headed by Joe Dibble, the general manager and head coach of the Tier II junior Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League.[8]
When the 2016–17 season schedule was announced, the Glacier Yetis were placed in dormancy due to lack of players.[9] On the opening day of the second season, the new Breckenridge team was removed from the schedule as well. Both teams are listed on the league website for 2017–18.
Teams
| Team | Location | Arena | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Leafs | Aspen, Colorado | Lewis Arena | 2015 |
| Colorado Rampage | Monument, Colorado | Colorado Sports Center | 2015 |
| Colorado Thunderbirds | Littleton, Colorado | South Suburban Ice Arena | 2015 |
| Pikes Peak Miners | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Sertich Ice Arena | 2015 |
| Steamboat Wranglers | Steamboat Springs, Colorado | Howelsen Arena | 2016 |
On hiatus
- Glacier Yetis (Grand Junction, Colorado; 2015–16) – League announced the team would be dormant for the 2016–17 season due to lack of players.
Former teams
- Breckenridge Bears (Breckenridge, Colorado) – Announced for the 2016–17 season, but did not play.[10]
- Breckenridge Bucks (Breckenridge, Colorado; 2015–16) – Joined the Western States Hockey League in 2016, then relocated to Vail, Colorado as the Vail Powder Hounds prior to the 2016–17 season. The Vail team would fold in November 2016 due to lack of players.
Champions
| Year | Regular Season | Playoff Champion | Runner-Up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Pikes Peak Miners | Aspen Leafs[11] | Pikes Peak Miners | 4-3, OT |
References
- ↑ "USA Hockey Tier III Expansion, Daily Report". Junior Hockey News. 2 May 2014.
- ↑ "Junior Hockey League coming to Aspen '15-16". The Aspen Times. 10 June 2014.
- ↑ "RMJHL given the Green Light". Junior Hockey News. 11 December 2014.
- ↑ "Rocky Mtn. Junior Hockey League approved". The Aspen Times. 9 December 2014.
- ↑ "Junior hockey league picks up momentum". The Aspen Times. December 23, 2015.
- ↑ "New hockey team headed to Howelsen". Steamboat Today. 2 May 2016.
- ↑ "Breckenridge Bucks to Western States Hockey League". Junior Hockey News. 31 May 2016.
- ↑ "Breck Bears hockey club replaces Breck Bucks in Rocky Mountain hockey league". Summit Daily. 24 August 2016.
- ↑ "Glacier Yetis Go Dormant for Season". RMJHL. September 9, 2016.
- ↑ "Breck Bears junior hockey team fold before season opener". Summit Daily. 30 September 2016.
- ↑ "Aspen Leafs win inaugural championship in OT". Aspen Times. RMJHL. 16 March 2016.