Idaho Junior Steelheads succeeding with local flare
(McCALL, Idaho) - Meridian's Justin Videen has been an Idaho Junior Steelhead since the beginning. The Team Captain, like his teammates, is now hoping his three seasons pay off with a college hockey scholarship.
"We started strong, and got our name out there. Colleges kind of notice us right away, and as we keep getting better and better I think more colleges will start to realize that we're a team to watch out for," said Videen.
Videen is one of five Idaho bred players on the roster, which is less than 20% of the team. Junior Steelies coach John Olver prefers to think of it has quality, over quantity.
"Every season our captains come from Boise, and I think that tells you the type of players that are being produced here locally," said Olver.
"It's kind of hard playing hockey in idaho, it's not really a hockey state, but I think the past few years, especially with the Junior team more kids are starting to ... starting to understand it, and get to want to play," said Videen.
Olver said there's a large number of good Idaho bred youth players a couple years away from the Junior A level, but they are coming. That's a tribute to the current and former players' hard work which also pays off when they leave the Junior Steelheads program.
"It just puts our name out there. I mean colleges know that we're a team to watch, and you know obviously sets us up for success," said the Manchester Events Center's Kevin Lassen.
"The success of our players is bringing real attention to the players here and certainly for more players to come," said Olver.
And if you're wondering why the team hasn't been splitting their home games between Boise and McCall, the Western States Hockey League stepped in this year and said unlike the last two years we need you to have a regular home sheet of ice, and because of scheduling the Idaho Junior Steelheads have scheduled their entire home season here at the Manchester Events Center.
"We started strong, and got our name out there. Colleges kind of notice us right away, and as we keep getting better and better I think more colleges will start to realize that we're a team to watch out for," said Videen.
Videen is one of five Idaho bred players on the roster, which is less than 20% of the team. Junior Steelies coach John Olver prefers to think of it has quality, over quantity.
"Every season our captains come from Boise, and I think that tells you the type of players that are being produced here locally," said Olver.
"It's kind of hard playing hockey in idaho, it's not really a hockey state, but I think the past few years, especially with the Junior team more kids are starting to ... starting to understand it, and get to want to play," said Videen.
Olver said there's a large number of good Idaho bred youth players a couple years away from the Junior A level, but they are coming. That's a tribute to the current and former players' hard work which also pays off when they leave the Junior Steelheads program.
"It just puts our name out there. I mean colleges know that we're a team to watch, and you know obviously sets us up for success," said the Manchester Events Center's Kevin Lassen.
"The success of our players is bringing real attention to the players here and certainly for more players to come," said Olver.
And if you're wondering why the team hasn't been splitting their home games between Boise and McCall, the Western States Hockey League stepped in this year and said unlike the last two years we need you to have a regular home sheet of ice, and because of scheduling the Idaho Junior Steelheads have scheduled their entire home season here at the Manchester Events Center.
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