BOISE, Idaho — Interest in hockey in the Treasure Valley has been boosted by talk of a new NHL team just across the state line and the success of the Steelheads.
- There is growing interest in hockey among local people.
- The BSU women's club team is looking forward to the upcoming year and their first playing season.
- If you are interested in skating or hockey click here.
(Below is a transcript of the broadcast.)
As we turn our attention to the ice leading up to the Stanley Cup Final, we cover the growing popularity of ice hockey in the Treasure Valley. I'm Alexander Huddleston, your neighborhood reporter for Idaho IceWorld, where kids and adults alike are learning the game.
The newly reconstituted BSU women's club hockey team is wrapping up its first year, with about 25 girls with little to no experience attending the team's first practice in October.
“It's been so great to see everyone's growth from day one to the end of the year. As a staff member at Ice World, I got to see everyone come in when they weren't practicing and practice their skills at the public rink,” Royer said.
I attended practices all season long to follow this team's new journey, and although there were losses in numbers, there were some new faces throughout the year.
“The people who stay there want to grow and progress,” Royer added.
Anna Royer says the club hopes to be able to show off the skills they have learnt to their fans and supporters next year.
“The cops are trying to convince us to play in a lower seeded league, like a city or downtown league,” Royer said.
But the women's team is just one example of the growing interest in the sport, which Patrick Hamilton, manager of LAX ID Hockey Shop, said has seen a huge uptick in interest since the pandemic began.
“It's for both kids and adults. Some of the touring teams held tryouts last weekend and we had more kids participate than ever before,” Hamilton explained.
Hamilton believes this boom among fans is due to the increased presence of professional hockey near the Treasure Valley.
“I think it has to do with Salt Lake City having an NHL team. Right now they have the Stanley Cup, so that's a big deal, but I think people are excited about the Steelheads too. They have a big following here. I think people will go to a game and be like, oh, I want to play hockey,” Hamilton explained.
If you're interested in getting on the ice but not sure where to start, Ice World offers classes and camps for kids and adults. Find out more here.
