When hockey families in Eastern Idaho grew weary of traveling long distances and paying premium prices for their children to play, they came together to form the Snake River Youth Hockey Association. The organization became the first Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) sanctioned youth hockey league in Eastern Idaho, making the sport accessible without major financial or travel commitments.
The Snake River Youth Hockey Association, known as the Yetis, launched in 2024 with about 50 participants. That number has more than doubled this year, with 110 kids ages 3 to 18 of all skill levels learning how to skate, shoot and compete on the ice.
“It's been so exciting. A lot of just watching them grow -- and to where they started at three and four years old and now they're seven and nine years old,” said director of hockey operations and parent of two Yetis, Trad Heyrend, “the turnaround of what they're learning with teamwork, respect and partnership with their players.”
Unlike many youth hockey programs in the region, participation in the league comes with no additional costs for the equipment or competitions. That affordability is made possible through community support and sponsors, including the National Hockey League team the Utah Mammoth, which donated pads, nets and other equipment.
The league currently consists of 12 teams across multiple divisions. Two junior divisions include six teams ranging from the 6–8U levels, followed by three junior Yeti teams and three senior Yeti teams competing in the 10–18U divisions.
Educating players on the rules of the game and promoting safe play is a core part of the league’s mission, supported by AAU-trained coaches.
“Some of the older kids, they've been playing the sport longer. They understand the rules better. The younger kids coming into it, the concept of offsides or icing or anything like that, it's trying to teach them how to understand the hockey IQ,” said president and parent to two Yetis, Ben Roberts.
Parents involved in the league say they are learning the sport alongside their children as hockey becomes part of their family routines.
“When my daughter started at three, I started at the same time she did. Once she learned how to skate, she got me out on the ice and taught me how to skate,” Heyrend said.
Players say their favorite parts of hockey include scoring goals and building friendships.
“It was hard to start off with but now I can do crossovers, I can skate backwards, and I can do some other things too,” said mascot and player Blake (14).
This weekend, the Yetis will join 18 Western AAU hockey teams to compete in the first AAU-supported tournament in Idaho, the Idaho Cup. The event marks the first amateur hockey tournament in the state and a historic moment for the sport in Idaho.
Games begin on Friday at both the Mountain America Center and the Joe Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena at Tautphaus Park. All games are free and open to the public. Schedules for Friday through Sunday are available on the Mountain America Center website.
“Watch some hockey, eat some concessions, we'll have merchandise, we'll have some games. It should be a pretty fun weekend for everybody. We welcome people out,” Roberts said.
Those interested in trying hockey for the first time can volunteer or play by contacting the association at sryha.yetis@gmail.com or visiting their website.
“I would always encourage give it a try just like any sport you do. Hockey comes with its own dynamics, no different than football, wrestling or baseball comes with a certain set of equipment,” said Coach Ryan Covert.