A major merger happened on the ice last week as the Glacier Avalanche Hockey Association and the Flathead Valley Hockey Association combined to form the Northwest Snow Ghosts. 

The two groups operated independently for about 20 years. Last year, successful cooperative programming was initiated. 

Glacier Avalanche Executive Director Amanda Hayes said the two organizations spoke often over the years about joining forces. 

“A lot of people put in a great amount of time and effort and for one reason or the other couldn't quite bring it together,” Hayes said. “We're super excited that we're finally at that point to be able to bring it together and facilitate hockey for all of the kids in the Flathead Valley under one banner.” 

Brandon Cottrell, former Flathead Valley Hockey Association director, said he has been working toward the merger for the two years he’s worked for the group. Cottrell said he, Hayes and Dom Jordan, the Avalanche hockey director presented an “awesome program overview of what it would look like for the kids,” if the two associations were to merge. 

Hayes worked on the proposed budget, and both boards approved the move. 

“It's been 15 years in the making, but it's going to create more resources as far as coaches and players and fundraising,” said Cottrell. 

While plans are still in the early stages, Hayes said the goal is to have rink-based programming at the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish and at Woodland Park in Kalispell for the convenience of hockey parents throughout the valley. 

Cottrell said the merger can make hockey more competitive while maintaining hockey for everyone.  

“My biggest push is that we can have proper A teams and proper B teams,” he said. “We're working on building a robust house program, as well, because we live in the mountains — not every kid wants to commit to traveling every weekend or every other weekend.” 

The merger will improve adult programming, too, by providing just one point of contact and making it easier to coordinate times as well as referee schedules. 

Current hockey offerings include a learn-to-play program that introduces young players, from 4 to 8 years old, to the game of hockey. Around the ages of 7 to 9, tournament and league play begins and continues for boys until the age of 18 and for girls, until 19. 

“My biggest hope with this new merge is that we can finally get another ice rink within the next couple years, because the numbers keep growing every single year, but we are limited with ice time,” Cottrell said. 

Reporter Julie Engler can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.