Hockey in the Mountain West Region: Red Rock Hockey Brings Opportunity to Utah and Nevada

ST. GEORGE, UTAH – Red Rock Hockey is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promoting ball hockey throughout the Western United States. With active divisions in both St. George, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada, the organization gives incredible opportunities to hockey loving youth across state lines. Red Rock Hockey is officially recognized and sanctioned by USA Ball Hockey, and offers both youth and adult programs, leagues, camps, and skill development training. The organization emphasizes community involvement and inclusivity of all players. Their mission is to make hockey accessible to all individuals no matter their age, ability, or location.

Humble Beginnings

From players organizing themselves in parking lots to play pick-up games, to completely organized tournaments, brackets, and rinks, Red Rock Hockey has grown significantly in the past few years. Since there are few ice hockey rinks in the Mountain West region, directors Doug Reed, Cory Henwood, and Tom Rupp decided it was time to give opportunities to those who are interested in the sport. Most importantly, they wanted to foster an inclusive environment where their children, and children all across the Western United States, could play hockey and form lifelong friendships. As time progressed, things began to fall into place when outdoor rinks were donated to their mission, encouraging the expansion of their programming. Red Rock Hockey started with camps and clinics, which aided in raising interest for a full-time league. After launching and gaining a massive amount of interest, the league became affiliated with USA Ball Hockey and has been thriving ever since.

An Ever Growing Game

Nearly doubling in size every season since it began, Red Rock Hockey currently serves over 350 participants year-round. Utilizing connections in the state of Nevada, the league has expanded across state borders to provide intense tournaments and fun in-league rivalries. At the conclusion of each season, teams from Nevada and Utah play against one another in a competitive tournament to crown a champion.

Cory Henwood says: “Red Rock Hockey expanded into Nevada after the first year of success in Utah. The closest National Ball Hockey League team to Utah is in Las Vegas, so it was only natural that we were able to hire a division director there and find space to play. We’ve found space to play every season for the past three seasons and it has been special to watch the game grow even more.”

Currently, Red Rock Hockey directors are working on expanding their reach into Arizona to bring the sport of ball hockey to even more children living in the West.

National Hockey League Recognition

As many hockey fans around the world may know, the National Hockey League (NHL) recently relocated the former Arizona Coyotes into Salt Lake City, Utah. With hockey interest being at an all-time high in the region, the relocation received unbelievable success and support from the surrounding community. Red Rock Hockey Director, Cory Henwood, was lucky enough to attend a Utah Hockey Club NHL Game and even speak on the pregame panel. Henwood mentioned how he grew up playing hockey in Nova Scotia, Canada, and took note of how accessible the hockey market is out there compared to the United States. Henwood explained that, “Instead of packing up and moving to a place where hockey is everything, they started to build that type of community here in Southern Utah and throughout the West as they continue to expand.”

Cory Henwood also mentioned on air that the Utah Hockey Club has been a wonderful development, helping to spark an explosion of interest in Red Rock Hockey’s programming in both Utah and Nevada. Children now have more opportunities than ever before. This season, the Utah Hockey Club has utilized Red Rock Hockey volunteers and coaches in multiple ‘Grow the Game’-style hockey camps and clinics all throughout Utah.

Development and Competitive Growth

Placing a central focus on nurturing skills and fostering growth, Red Rock Hockey ensures players receive age-appropriate training that balances game sense with technical skills. Seasonal practices, developmental camps, and games allow for players to show what they are capable of in an entertaining rink setting. With many different age groups available for players to participate in, adults are also able to bring their talents to the rink and compete against one another in games and tournaments.

Inspired by the National Ball Hockey League, Red Rock Hockey positions its players for broader competition and establishes a clear pathway from recreational leagues to higher-level play. The dual focus on creating connections, and developing a growth mindset, ensures that all hockey athletes in the West have the ability to find meaningful opportunities to advance in the sport. Hockey in Utah and Nevada thrives on providing people with lifelong engagement opportunities to play the game they love.

How Do I Join?

Registration for Red Rock Hockey’s programs is currently open until July 10th on their website.
The league sponsors three different levels of competition.

Fall Youth League (Ages 4-16)
Fall Adult League (Ages 18 and Up)
Fundamentals Camps (Open to All Children)

Each league has multiple tiers of hockey as well as different age groups. Both males and females, regardless of age, have access to an incredible array of coaches and officials. If you are a beginner, you are in luck! The FUNdamentals Camps happen frequently in St. George, Utah, and sell out quickly. Red Rock Hockey brings the equipment needed to ensure that all participants succeed. If your child is in need of a stick, staffers will provide one!

Currently, their nonprofit programs are open to donations and sponsors. You can reach Red Rock Hockey at www.redrockhockey.com and follow along on their Instagram and Facebook accounts: @redrockhockey

The Future is Bright

Director Cory Henwood emphasizes that, “There is a connection among people who have found something new that brings them a lot of joy. Whether it’s from playing hockey yourself, or sharing hockey with your family and community, everybody seems to be better connected. It has developed a family here in Utah and Nevada. There is a real connection here with everyone who is involved, from the directors, to the coaches, and even players.”

Red Rock Hockey has grown an unbelievable hockey-loving community across multiple states. Their teams and programs prove that when opportunities are given, communities will create recreational fun that shapes people’s lives. USA Ball Hockey is proud to be a partner of such a fast-growing and impactful organization in the Western Mountain region.

Hockey belongs in the desert, and through Doug Reed, Cory Henwood, and Tom Rupp’s determination, it will continue to branch out and evolve into something much larger.