New Youth Hockey Association Formed In Valley The Ice House At Mirabeau Point Provides Players Around The Region Another Ice Rink For Practice

Spokane Americans Youth Hockey Association, Spokane’s USA Hockey affiliate for nearly 40 years, is facing competition.

Two former members of the Americans, based at the Eagles Ice-A-Rena in North Spokane, have formed the rival Inland Empire Amateur Hockey Association in the Spokane Valley.

Mike Sherman and Dean Gorman cited a growing interest in the sport and an ice shortage in the area as reasons for forming the new group.

As is often the case when a rival group forms, philosophical differences played a part.

Both sides declined to elaborate on that, although Sherman and Gorman have taken with them three Americans teams. One is made up of players from last year’s Squirt, a Pacific Northwest champion.

“Americans Youth Hockey encourages and supports growth,” said President Keith Denigan for the record.

Sherman is a contractor from Deer Park, and Gorman is a Valley real estate broker. The two are partners in the Ice House at Mirabeau Point, site of a temporary ice rink at the former Walk In the Wild Zoo location.

“It’s the first time the Valley has had a youth hockey association,” said Gorman. “There is a huge population base in this area. More and more youngsters want to play. They needed an avenue.”

He said the location is attractive for South Side hockey players and added that the Spokane Valley and Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene corridor is probably the largest population base that wasn’t served by a USA Hockey organization.

The pair say they are hoping next summer to build a new facility with two sheets of ice to accommodate growth.

“There is an ice shortage in Spokane, no doubt about it,” said Denigan. “Having more sheets of ice available is good news for everybody.”

The Inland Empire Association has three traveling or rep teams for the more highly skilled players, and eight house teams.

Spokane Americans currently has 600 members from throughout Spokane and Idaho. Included are 10 rep teams in five age groups.

The majority of players make up 34 house teams that practice and play at the Ice-A-Rena and at Riverfront Park.

Last March, four Americans A teams - Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam and Midgets - won PNAHA state tournaments, the first sweep since the organization’s beginnings in 1959. All but the Squirts joined a female team and played in regionals.

The Squirt team, which Sherman helped coach, compiled a 64-17-5 record with four championships during seven finals appearances in 10 tournaments.

Several of those players now are playing for Sherman’s Inland Empire Association Pee Wee A team for youngsters ages 11-12. His brother, Greg, coaches a Pee Wee B team and Eric Galey has a Mite team for ages 8 and under.

Losing those players left Spokane Americans wanting in the Pee Wee classification, Denigan said.

“It’s short-term growing pains,” he said.

Despite rival organizations competing for the same population base, both groups are optimistic there is room for each.

Hockey is one of the faster growing sports in the United States, said Sherman. Given Spokane’s population base, it can accommodate far more than the number currently playing hockey in town.

“Our long-range goal is not just to develop hockey for the most talented,” he said, “but to broaden the base so more get to enjoy it. Hockey is a very, very fun game.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos