Avalanche Rocks - FHS students drop the puck one a new season

By Jack Long

The history of hockey may lie in the Great White North, but its popular-ity has spread like wildfire among the youth of Montana and other western states.

Many FHS students have caught hockey fever and compete on their team, the Glacier Avalanche, against other teams from across Montana and the western states as part of the USA Hockey League.

“It’s kinda like soccer,” said junior Caleb Tkachyk. “It’s slowly getting popular and more people are coming out to watch the games.”

The 24-member team consists of high school students from Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Kalispell and Striker, with a home rink in Whitefish, according to Avalanche goalie junior Dennis DaSilva.

 “I’ve played with most of them for a while,” said DaSilva. “It’s just like being around people from our high school.”

In a recent series with the Spokane Americans, the Avalanche fell 10-4 on Jan.10, but cut the deficit the next morning to two points in a 3-1 loss. 

“We beat Missoula (in a previous game),who has a good team,” said DaSilva. “We’re getting better every time we play.”

In addition to the USA Hockey League at the prep level, the newly formed American Frontier Hockey League has seen increasing community support, with seven semi-pro teams across Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota.  The AFHL features players from around the globe who play with hopes of getting scholarships in collegiate programs or signing professional contracts with NHL teams.  

With the increasing number of leagues such as the AFHL, Avalanche players have hopes of advancing to higher levels while enjoying the physical aspects of hockey that can’t be achieved in other sports.   

“There’s a lot of contact,” said Tkachyk. “Plus, there is a lot of sprinting involved — it’s a fast sport.”

The skating aspect of hockey is something that could go unappreciated, but the skill involved in sprinting and stopping is an integral part of the sport.

“If you are no good at skating,” said Tkachyk. “You can’t be good at hockey.”

The Avalanche features players with a wide range of playing experience, some of whom are getting their first taste of organized hockey.

“Hockey is a hard sport to learn,” said DaSilva. “It takes a lot of skill to play.”