About VMHC

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE VAIL MOUNTAINEER HOCKEY CLUB

Our charter is to provide youth hockey opportunities for boys and girls in the Eagle County area. 

The club works closely with both Mountain Recreation and the VRD (Vail Recreation District) who manage the ice rink facilities in Eagle and Vail. The club purchases ice time at both of these rinks and strives to maintain a geographic balance to the program through out the valley. In addition, the club provides coaching and assistance to these organizations for their in-house hockey programs. 

Hockey is a wonderful sport for all ages. Over the last 40+ years the club programs have created great experiences for our boys and girls, that are remembered for a lifetime. We look forward to a new generation of players joining the club, and making new memories that will last their lifetime.

• Vail Mountaineer Travel Teams compete in the Western Colorado Hockey League (WCHL) for regular season games and 3-4 additional tournaments. Travel hockey at VMHC is an option for both boys and girls. League games include travel to our league member clubs: Aspen, Summit (Breckenridge), Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, and West Elk (Gunnison). Tournament games usually include travel to the Front Range for U10/Squirt teams.

• Vail Mountaineer Girls’ Teams compete in the Colorado Girls Hockey League (CGHL) which consists of clubs throughout Colorado and surrounding states. Dependent on division, the season typically consists of 10---14 league games, plus tournaments.

• VMHC will host the Precision Skills Clinics on June 17-20, 2024 at Dobson Ice Arena, more details on this can be found on our website: www.vailmountaineers.com

• VMHC offers optional weekly summer skills skates in June/July/August.

• Evaluation sessions for all hockey players are usually held over several days in September. Weekly Practices usually begin in late September/early October.

• Games: League play typically begins in November or December, with the season ending in late February. League and State Playoffs immediately follow regular season play in March.

All Travel & Girls Team programs include participation tournaments, including the our local Vail Sportsmanship Tournament in November for co-ed teams and/or Girls’ MLK Tournament in January. Teams attend additional tournaments in

places like Aspen, Colorado Springs and the Front Range. Additionally, all teams attend league playoffs at the end of the season.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Vail Mountaineer Hockey Club (VMHC) is a non-profit youth hockey organization dedicated to developing hockey players through the principals of fair play, respect,  sportsmanship, and competition with an emphasis on fun, the development of character and the individual potential of hockey players in a safe and healthy environment.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the club is to sponsor and operate an organization of youth players and families following the guidelines, rules, regulations and policies of USA HOCKEY, the state affiliate, Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and respective VMHC member leagues.

Typical Squirt Hockey Schedule for 2023-2024 –schedules vary from year to year

• Sept. 5, Sept. 12 and Sept. 19: Preseason skills skates (optional) at Dobson
• Mon, Sept 25: 10U/Squirt evaluations first session at Dobson
• Tues, Sept 26: 10U/Squirt evaluations second session at EPIR (Eagle Pool & Ice Rink)
• Wed, Sept 24: Squirt evaluations third session- invitation only at EPIR (Eagle Pool & Ice Rink
• Mon, Oct. 2: Weekly practices begin

Squirt Weekly Practice Schedule (2023-2024)- subject to change

2023-2024 Squirt Game Schedule (your schedule will vary)

• Oct 27-29: Steamboat Squirt Scare Tournament (4-6 games)
• Nov 11-12: Vail Squirts at Grand Junction or Telluride (3-4 games total)
• Nov 17-19: Sportsmanship Tournament in Vail and Eagle (4-6 games)
• Dec 9-10: Vail Squirts at HOME or Glenwood (3-4 games)
• Dec 17: Vail Squirts HOME GAMES (2 games)
• Jan 7-8: Vail Squirts at Summit OR Steamboat (3-4 games)
• Jan 12-15: MLK Tournament in Front Range (4-6 games) *
• Feb 3-4: Vail Squirts HOME GAMES (3-4 games)
• Feb 16-18: President’s Day Tournament in Front Range (4-6 games) *
• Feb 23-25: WCHL/CGHL Playoffs- location TBD (4-6 games)

Contact Information 

• Kristi Scheidegger, Executive Director kristi@vailmountaineers.org
• Dave Bishop, Director of Hockey director@vailmountaineers.org