Wyoming

Wyoming is a state in the western United States.

Its population is about 576,000.

The capital and largest city is Cheyenne.

History of hockey in Wyoming

In the January 16, 1922, edition of The Laramie Republican, it was reported that there were plans to arrange a hockey game on the 21st. It was noted that, "It is some time since there have been regular hockey teams in Laramie, and should the skating continue good teams may be organized." No records exist in Laramie newspapers of hockey having been played earlier on, and it appears the planned January 21 game did not come off. The University Skating Rink at the University of Wyoming formally opened on January 10, 1931, picked intramural and faculty squads facing each other, the faculty prevailing, 1-0. An intramural tournament was held, and the Wyoming University team faced the Colorado School of Mines in two games, losing both.

The Jackson Hole Hockey Club issued a challenge to the Salt Lake City (Utah) Hockey Club in February 1931, and faced them in two games a year later, winning both. In 1933, Jackson Hole swept Idaho Falls in a three-game series. Laramie had a city league by 1934, and the Laramie American Legion won the Championship of the Rocky Mountain Region in 1937, and defended their title the following year. The American Legion joined the Rocky Mountain Hockey League for 1938-39, and finished second, behind the Broadmoor Broncs. The University of Wyoming Intramural League was contested annually from 1931-1942, and resumed in 1947, Kappa Sigma capturing the title, which they defended in 1948. Phi Delta Theta won in 1949. Hockey was also played in Casper by 1950.

The University of Wyoming Outing Club formed an unofficial team for the 1947-48 season, defeating Jackson Hole 8-0 and 6-3 at home in their first two games. They later paid a visit to Jackson Hole on January 31 and February 1, 1948, winning two more large victories, 10-2 and 10-5. On February 7, the Outing Club thrashed the Colorado University Buffaloes in Boulder, 6-0. A return game was played in Laramie, the home team edging the Buffaloes 6-5. The Outing Club suffered their first defeat on the 16th, falling 4-0 to Colorado College B. On March 6, the team completed their season with a 6-4 win over the Colorado College Junior Varsity side.

The Wyoming Cowboys fielded an official hockey team for the 1948-49 season, the Reds beating the Golds 5-4 in an intersquad game on December 11. The team finished 4-5 on the season. In 1949-50, the squad dropped all eight of their games. They went 6-6 in 1950-51, but the team was dropped after the season due to financial reasons. Hockey remained dormant in Laramie until 1973, when a Wyoming University club team dubbed the Laramie Gems was formed. In their first game on February 10, they fell 5-3 to Colorado State University. Two weeks later, they beat Araphoe Community College in Denver 4-2. The Gems blasted the Casper Flyers 7-0 on March 11. On March 31, the Laramie B team beat the Casper Juniors 13-9, and the Gems edged the Flyers 9-7. The following day, Laramie beat the Flyers 4-3. On November 2, 1973, Air Force JV blasted Wyoming 11-1. Eight days later, the team fell to Colorado State University, but cancelled the season after due to a shortage of funds. The program was later revived, and won the ACHA Division III title in 2001.

At the junior level, the Central Wyoming Outlaws (at first the Casper Wranglers), played in the American Frontier Hockey League from 1993-1998. Later, the Casper Bobcats (Coyotes from 2014-2018) were members of the Western States Hockey League from 2014-2019. The Cheyenne Stampede competed in the WSHL from 2011-2019. The Yellowstone Quake played in the Northern Pacific Hockey League from 2016-2012, the American West Hockey League from 2012-2014, and the North American 3 Hockey League since 2014. The Gillette Wild competed in the AWHL from 2011-2014 and the NA3HL since 2014. The Jackson Hole Grizzlies participated in the American Frontier Hockey League from 1993-1997. The Sheridan Hawks joined the NA3HL in 2019.

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