Junior Hockey Coming To Casper

Commissioner Ron White and the Western States Hockey League are proud to announce the approval of three new member clubs that will join the Amateur Athletic Union sanctioned junior hockey league, that operates as part of the three-league United Hockey Union, for the 2014-2015 season.

It’s long been rumored that a Central Hockey League team would eventually call the City of Casper home but due to logistics and other factors, a move or expansion into the area hasn’t been able to get off the ground.

The WSHL and an ownership group led by businessman Chad Parrish, who is well known for his successful chain of barbecue restaurants in the southwestern United States, jumped at the chance to bring a team to Wyoming’s second biggest city. The team, which has already been named the “Casper Coyotes”, will be based out of the City of Casper Ice Arena.

A close friend of El Paso Rhinos owner/head coach Cory Herman, Parrish is very familiar with the WSHL and the direction the league is headed in and had this to say about his newest venture, “I’ve been affiliated and worked with a number of the teams in the WSHL for a few years now and from the start, I’ve always admired their focus on developing players and the synergy within.”

Parrish feels that the people of Casper will gravitate to the team immediately, “Casper has a thriving youth program that is committed to growing the sport and a junior team will help a city starved for a higher level. The small, hometown feel of Casper will be great for players coming from out of area, as well, as it will give them a neat place to live and play.”

The Coyotes will join the Cheyenne Stampede, who have enjoyed tremendous success over their three seasons playing 180 miles to the south, as the two WSHL teams operating in the state of Wyoming.”