Name of coach: Al Pedersen
Name of program: Colorado Avalanche Mile High Mites Learn to Play hockey program.
About the coach: Born and bred in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Pedersen started developing his skills at a young age, ultimately earning himself a position on the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) for three seasons. Pedersen was selected by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round (No. 102) of the 1983 NHL Draft, and played five seasons with the Bruins until he moved on to the Hartford Whalers and Minnesota North Stars. As a USA Hockey Level 4 Coach, he originally came to Colorado Springs to coach the Colorado Gold Kings (WCHL). After his professional coaching career, Pedersen joined the Colorado Rampage to manage the Mite/8U Program, bringing his professional prowess to grow the game in Monument, Colorado. His passion for the sport and development of the game results in national record-breaking attendance for our Try Hockey for Free events. Pedersen has now been a full-time member with the Colorado Rampage Hockey Club for 10 years and as the NHL Liaison for the Monument Hockey Academy, helping young players get onto a viable path to reach their goals as collegiate and professional players.
About the program: The Colorado Rampage Hockey Club has been an essential partner with the Colorado Avalanche Mile High Mites Learn to Play hockey program. Since the Learn to Play program launched, the Colorado Rampage/Monument location has been a consistent leader and first class example of how the program should be run. They typically lead all youth hockey partners in Mile High Mite registrations, Try Hockey For Free sign-ups, and are the model organization when it comes to growing the game of hockey. They were one of the first organizations to start offering Girls Only Learn to Play sessions and even through the tough year of 2020-21 (COVID-19) they still led all Colorado youth hockey associations with over 200 learn to play kids. Pedersen is a huge voice and presence at Monument Ice Rinks, where he has taken their 8U membership from 20 kids to over 250 kids in his time there.
Donation meaning: The Colorado Rampage Hockey Club would use the funds to purchase more loaner equipment to help beginner families get into the sport, including 8 & under goaltending equipment for a position that is constantly in need. In addition to that, the funds would also go towards a scholarship to help families in need to offset the cost of annual youth hockey registration fees.
