ASPEN JUNIOR HOCKEY NHL legends lending credibility, support to Aspen Leafs hockey By Shaun Hathaway
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spen Junior Hockey (AJH) was founded by John McBride, a Princeton University standout, a member of the USA Hockey World Championship team and a star for the Aspen Leafs semi-pro team in the late 1960s and early 1970s. When his kids were old enough to play, he transitioned from player to coach, and founded the Aspen Leafs youth program. For many years, he taught hundreds of kids the skills and character needed to succeed in hockey and life. Growing up in Chicago, McBride developed a strong passion for hockey, and eventually changed the lives of numerous boys and girls in Aspen by selflessly passing on his love for the game. AJH continues to operate with the same passion and dedication to advancing hockey for all children in the Roaring Fork Valley. Today, the Leafs provide a highly-structured program (6U-20U) featuring world-class training for boys and girls. Staying true to its roots, program costs are kept low to encourage all children to participate. To continue to keep hockey affordable and accessible, as much as 60-70 percent of AJH costs are subsidized through sponsorships and donations. On a recent weekend, AJH hosted its second annual Hall of Fame fundraising event to celebrate its accomplishments and prepare for the future. To help promote the Leafs program, NHL legends Bobby Hull and Ed Belfour were featured guests in Aspen Feb. 10-12. Both spoke about hockey in a way that quickly revealed the passion that drove their impressive careers as world-class athletes. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, Hull is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He revolutionized the game with his incredible speed and powerful shot. Belfour ranks third all-time with a staggering 484 NHL wins. He is only one of two players in history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold and an NCAA championship. As the founder of AJH, it’s fitting for McBride to witness two former Chicago legends in Aspen supporting the club he started.
AspenJuniorHockey.com
CORubberHockey.com
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