Last year, a Grand Junction hockey team won the state championship despite not having a local rink to practice on.
The Grand Valley Junior Mavericks Squirt team was required to practice hours away from home. They practiced on rinks in Glenwood Springs, Gunnison and Craig whenever ice was available.
The Squirts didn’t just make local headlines, but USA Hockey Magazine also published a story about their successful season. The Squirt team finished off last season with 32 wins, three losses and one tie.
Due to a malfunction in its refrigeration unit, The Glacier Ice Arena closed in June 2010. This was the arena that all local hockey teams used to practice and for games.
Area hockey teams, including the team at Colorado Mesa University, will have a rink to practice on this year. The outdoor rink is located on Third Street and will be open from Nov. 1 to March 1.
“This rink is big enough to practice on, but too small to play regulation games,” Director of Ice Skating Inc. Curt Maki said. “This rink is only a practice facility for CMU’s hockey team. They will still be required to travel for all games.”
Maki hopes that Glacier Ice Arena is repaired as soon as possible. However, he is not sure when it will reopen.
“The rink we have now is a back-up plan to keep everyone skating,” Maki said. “Everything is donated to our organization: materials, money and time.”
Ice Skating Inc. is a non-profit group that is in charge of the ice rink. Their mission is to promote, teach and regulate ice sports and competitions directed at developing and improving the skills and capabilities of youth, which will result in an enjoyable and positive impact on their lives as well as those of the community.
“We are doing well with what we have,” The Mavs’ Co-coach Ben Guska said. “Having a small rink is definitely better than having no ice. Having no ice is like playing basketball without hoops.”
Not only is Guska coaching the team, but he is also playing as part of the team.
Maki said he is doing all he can to keep hockey alive at CMU.
“I want to revive this team. I want this sport to keep going.” Maki said. “Even though there is a lot to be worked out right now, we are very positive about the upcoming season.”
Tryouts for the hockey team will be determined at a later date. Students who are interested in trying out should contact Guska at benguska@hotmail.com.
Men and women who are interested in joining an adult hockey league should contact Curt Maki at 242-7007.

sfrose@mavs.coloradomesa.edu