Grizzly hockey to play at Woodland rink

Kalispell hockey fans should circle Jan. 6 on their calendar, because the Montana Grizzlies are skating into town.

The University of Montana hockey team has scheduled a game at the Woodland Ice Center for 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 against a college-age team out of Logan Lake, British Columbia.

The event, sponsored by the Flathead Valley Hockey Association, will be a fundraiser of sorts for both the FVHA and the UM club.

The Grizzlies are in the third year of resurgence, after UM’s club team lay dormant from 2011-21. They are currently 14-11 and ended the fall semester with a 2-1 home win over Montana State.

“It’s become a pretty big thing here,” director of Griz hockey Tucker Sargent said. “We sell out the Glacier Ice Rink. Now that junior hockey is no longer here, and the Griz brand is so strong in Missoula, it does pretty well.”

The Grizzlies’ roster boasts players from Canada, Alaska and Maine among several state as well as Montana towns Sidney, Missoula and Great Falls. Sargent noted Kalispell product Wyatt Ploot recently rejoined the team after a season away with studies.