SUBLETTE COUNTY – A talented group of young hockey players from Pinedale, Jackson, Rock Springs, Riverton, Cody and Lander, their families and their coaches have dedicated many hours and miles to find themselves at the top of their game.

The Wyoming Pronghorns’ 10 and under (10U) Squirt team recently won the Silver Stick Rocky Mountain Regional 10-U A Championship, advancing to the International Silver Stick Finals taking place Jan. 12-14 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

The international tournament is considered “A True Tournament of Champions where a showcase of elite North American teams compete for the coveted Silver Stick” – a sterling silver pin from the organization is the only youth hockey tournament recognized by the Canada Hockey Hall of Fame, according to its website.

Quick moves

The Wyoming Pronghorn youth hockey team started in 2022 with ambitions of making a united commitment to provide its youth with a competitive learning experience, said Lauryn Hansen of Pinedale.

Practices are held at the Sublette County Ice Arena.

“The Pronghorn program was created to provide added development opportunities for youth hockey players from all over western Wyoming to play at a competitive level year-round,” she explained. “It started with a Select 10U Squirt team in the spring of 2022 – and grew into two teams in the spring of 2023, adding a 12U Peewee team to the Pronghorn hockey family. Our travels have taken us to tournaments in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota – and now Canada!”

The Squirt team’s Sublette County players are Lane Hansen, Jace Gentry, Jaxen Powers, Madux Anderson, Rome Anderson and Tripp Nelson. The roster also includes Bella Thomas and Jayce Potter of Rock Springs; Clancy McGonagle of Cody; Fergus Hannon, Garrett Gersack, Landyn Amborski, Lucas Gersack, Nathan Mommsen and Soren Berge of Jackson and Mikey Oland of Lander.

“This is an AMAZING accomplishment for this team and a great testament to the dedicated coaches who continue to provide a platform and supportive environment for Wyoming youth players to learn, grow, develop and compete as a team. Who come together to practice together as much as possible given the 3-plus-hour drive some for some to make it to the rink,” Hansen said.  “The time, investment and dedication from all these families is a true commitment.”

Hansen said friends and fans have asked how to support the Wyoming Pronghorn 10U team’s trip to Canada – travel costs and expenses are high for the team’s 15 players and four “amazing” coaches.

People wanting to donate toward the $15,000 goal can do so at the team’s GoFundMe page, https://www.gofundme.com/f/WYpronghornsCANADA

For more about Wyoming Pronghorn youth hockey, visit the Facebook page @wypronghornshockey.