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After a long two years with no varsity representation on the ice, the Aspen High Skiers are primed to lace ’em up at the high school level this winter.
AHS is seeking a new head coach to lead the return to the varsity level following a two-year absence, including a successful stint in junior varsity last year. With the Colorado High School Activities Association’s two-year mandatory probationary period after stepping away from varsity complete, the Skiers are preparing for a return this winter to the highest high school level.
“I think we did a great job rebuilding the program and bringing interest to it,” JV coach Chris Shepherd said. “I’m sure it’ll be a learning curve. They’re going to have a tougher season next year. But the thing I think is super exciting about going back now is that we do have a strong young class. If they cut their teeth on the varsity level as sophomores, I think by the time that group gets to be seniors … they’re going to have a really strong team.”
Three seasons ago, the Skiers made some waves with their first home playoff game since 2019, beating Liberty in a 4-2 score in front of a raucous home crowd on Feb. 24, 2022. They went on to fall to eventual state champion Cheyenne Mountain in the next round on the road, and bid adieu to a whopping 12 seniors, according to MaxPreps data.
As a result, the team’s roster was depleted for the next season and Aspen High Athletic Director John Castrese made the decision to drop the program to the junior varsity level to rebuild numbers and talent. Four of the higher-level players made the roster for the Glenwood Springs varsity program, including Ryder Rondeau and Carson Miller, both of whom played on the top line that season. With the combined rosters, the Demons took Cheyenne Mountain into triple overtime in the state championship, falling in a 1-0 heartbreak.
Last year, only then-junior Ryan Rigney made the trip downvalley to suit up for the Demons from Aspen.
Meanwhile, the AHS JV program had to cancel its competition schedule in 2022-23 due to lack of participation. Shepherd said the team last year almost suffered the same fate, but some recruiting of new players paid off. And the team showed potential: MaxPreps reported that the team went 7-6-3 with a roster that featured 10 freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors and two seniors.
Also per MaxPreps, the top three scorers were all freshmen: Wyatt Shepherd (16 goals, 20 points), Benji Taylor (12 goals, 35 points) and Luca Rizzuto (8 goals, 13 points). Sophomore Jesper McBride had 18 points. Via GameSheet Inc. data, Taylor’s 22 points in league competition led the 4A JV Mountain Division.
Via GameSheet, freshman goalie Aaron Levey’s 2.66 goal against average was sixth in the league, third among goalies with at least three starts.
CHSAA does not organize JV state tournaments, Shepherd said, but gave the blessing for the teams to organize one on their own. In that tournament, Aspen fell in the semifinals to Summit.
Shepherd decided to step down to open the opportunity for a coach with a bigger hockey background, he said. He added that he’s open to continuing on with the program if the new hire is interested.
Keith Howie was the last varsity coach for the program. Michael Corbelle led the group through skill sessions in the canceled season.
The job opening was posted in April, but was pushed back out by Aspen School District social media this week. Castrese said there have been some applications — including from as far as Canada — but it’s a seasonal position that sees the same complications as all the others in the expensive Aspen area. The job posting says there is a preference for a certified teacher, and a person with hockey-playing experience.
Castrese added that the decision to return to varsity play has been finalized and some games have already been scheduled. According to RSchoolsToday, Aspen will host Crested Butte on Dec. 6 and Battle Mountain on Dec. 7 at the Lewis Ice Arena to kick off the season.