High Plains Hockey League

     The 2020 High Plains hockey season is one that we will never forget, unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.  Although we didn't get the chance to take the ice and enjoy the comradery of our friends, teammates, and coaches, we would like to take a moment to recognize and honor our High Plains Hockey League Seniors for their accomplishments and the culmination of their amazing high school careers.

     We at High Plains would like to extend our apologies for the heartbreak that you all have had to endure during your final days of high school.  We know it was not the ending that you had hoped for, but we are also here to applaud your courage and resiliency during these harsh and uncertain times.

     I wish there were some words of wisdom or enlightenment that I could bestow upon you Seniors to ease the frustration as you close this chapter of your lives in such an ominous manner, but the truth is none of us have been here before.  

     The class of 2020 has overcome something that we have never been through during our lifetimes, and that will only make you stronger.  The perseverance  and determination to overcome that you all have displayed is inspiring and we have taken notice, so thank you.  Thank you for your strength.  Thank you for your resolve.  Thank you for showing us all the same determination and persistence that we saw from you on the ice during your careers.  And thank you for making High Plains the fun and amazing league that it is because of all of you.

     Today we honor our High Plains Tier IV and Junior Varsity Seniors.  We have 16 Tier IV Seniors graduating from five different schools, while the Junior Varsity division has eight Seniors moving on from four schools.  We wish you all the best of luck in the future and are excited to see your growth.

Joey Fisher - Chaparral

High School: ​​​​​​​Chaparral

Position: Forward

Favorite hockey player and team? Sidney Crosby - Penguins

What’s your favorite thing about hockey? Playing with friends

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? The competitiveness 

What are your future plans? I will be attending Texas A&M in the Fall for Engineering, and trying out for their hockey team.

Ava Norrison - Cherokee Trail

High School: Cherokee Trail

Position: Forward

Favorite hockey player and team? Jake Guentzel 59 and the Pittsburgh Penguins

What's your favorite thing about hockey? The best part of playing hockey was that it took me out of my comfort zone and it lead me to become more confident on and off the ice.

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? Getting to meet new people and develop relationships with players from CT and from other high schools. At the start of the season we are just a group of players who don't know each other and by the end we are like family, and of course there is nothing better than being on the ice.

What are your future plans? Major in Biology/Oceanography ... OH and play in the NHL.

Wyatt Cowell - Greeley Freeze

High School: ​​​​​​​Eaton High School

Position: Left Wing

Favorite hockey player and team? Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning

What’s your favorite thing about hockey? The friends/bonds made through hockey

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? The opportunities that I have been presented with

What are your future plans? Going to Wyo-Tech for High Performance Automotive

Wesley Fintelmann - Greeley Freeze

High School: Weldon Valley High School

Position: Left or Right wing

Favorite hockey player and team: Nikita Zadorov 

What do you like best about playing hockey? I like the intestinity and just being able to play with great friends. 

Why do you like playing High Plains Hockey? I like playing high plains hockey because I have great teammates and coaches and they make the sport fun and I’m great full to call my teammates and coaches friends.

What are your future plans? I would like to go to college and be a Game Warden. 

Treyton Silcox - Greeley Freeze

High School: Windsor Charter

Position: Defense

Favorite hockey player and team? Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks.

What’s your favorite thing about hockey? Everything. The adrenaline rush the thrill of the game the traditions the fans my teammates the hype everything about it is just amazing.

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? It’s a chance to have fun and slow down a little and play the game without it being overly competitive. 

What are your future plans? I’d like to play juniors somewhere if possible if not just play some adult league either way working on a college degree.

Michael Swanberg - Greeley Freeze

High School: Frontier Academy High School

Position: Center

Favorite hockey player and team? Jacob Slavin He’s a great mentor, player and coach. 

What’s your favorite thing about hockey? I enjoy playing hockey because it’s always fast paced and every game is different. It’s never boring.

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? I have the opportunity to play for a local team with my lifelong friends and against my regular season teammates.
 

What are your future plans? Heading off to college and hopefully I’ll pick up some games here and there.

Ryan Grosch - Arvada West
 

High School: Golden High School

Favorite hockey player and team? Patrick Roy and Avalanche

What's your favorite thing about hockey? Making friends, being part of a team , the competition and just being on the ice!

What are your future plans? Attending Colorado University 

Name                          Team                         School

Nicholas Barton         Arvada West           Early College of Arvada

Austin Drinkard         Arvada West                    Golden

Cody Hutchison         Arvada West                Arvada West

Hayden McArther       Arvada West                Arvada West

Charles Nelson           Arvada West                Arvada West

Joseph Fisher               Chaparral                    Chaparral

Joshua Maas                 Chaparral                    Chaparral

Kyler Hutton              Cherokee Trail            Cherokee Trail

Rick Mayer                 Cherokee Trail            Cherokee Trail

Nick Turner                Cherokee Trail              Grandview

Kevin Arndt                 Rocky Hockey           Rocky Mountain

Myles Carson               Rocky Hockey               Roosevelt

Bridger Cushman - Fairview JV

High School: Boulder High School

Position: Forward

Favorite hockey player and team? Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks

What's your favorite thing about hockey? The competitive nature of the game

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? It is a great way to continue playing hockey

What are your future plans? College

Peyton Mussetter - North Alliance JV

High School: Prairie View High School

Position: Center

Favorite hockey player and team? Mackinnon and the Avalanche

What's your favorite thing about hockey? The game of hockey itself and being part of a team.

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? The team, coaches, and the competition.

What are your future plans? Trade school / college / play adult league and hopefully coach hockey.

AJ Patrick - North Alliance JV

High School: Prairie View High School

Position: Defense

Favorite hockey player and team? Avalanche

What's your favorite thing about hockey? The team and learning to play.

Why do you like playing High Plains hockey? This would be my first year, just started hockey in December 2019.

What are your future plans? Work as of now, hopefully college.

Name                      Team                    School

James Beckstein         HTB                      Horizon

Wesley Freeman   North Alliance       Mountain Range

Brennan Hill               HTB              Connexus Academy 

Chris Miller                HTB                      Horizon

Judah Schmidt           WLTV                    Windsor