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Blind Pigs flying high at Loudy-Simpson

Men's A-League hockey takes off in Craig

David Pressgrove

Hockey continues to expand in Craig.

This year’s newest addition to the teams that call Loudy-Simpson Ice Arena home is the men’s team called the Blind Pigs.

The Blind Pigs are a group of men between the ages of 18 and 55 who play in the Steamboat Springs A-League. General manager Greg Neal said his team’s ability to compete in the Steamboat League has added another level of hockey for Craig men.



“This is a step up in competition for what Craig has had,” he said. “This is an A-League team that gets a chance to play every week.”

The Pigs’ league is a six-team league, and the games are Sunday night.



Every game is a home game for the Craig team.

“It’s a great deal for us, because the Steamboat teams come here to play,” Neal said. “We’ll have to go there for the tournament, but that’s it.”

The other two adult-male hockey teams in Craig, the Ice Dogs and Red Dogs, are still in existence. The Blind Pigs added another opportunity.

“This team is for the higher level of player,” Neal said.

“We have three levels available now for Craig. The Ice Dogs and then the Red Dogs and then us,” he said.

Neal said that some of the Red Dogs suit up for the Blind Pigs.

The team couldn’t just sign up for the league. It had to prove itself first.

After playing a couple of games in front of Steamboat A-League officials, the Blind Pigs were given an invitation to join the league. Now the 15-man roster has done well, going 5-1 in league play.

“It’s fun, and we joke that we have an international team,” Neal said.

“There are several Canadians who play,” he said.

One Canadian is coach Al German.

“You definitely see the improvement every week,” German said. “The chance to play every week has been good for Craig.”

The season started in November and runs through March. The men also will host a tournament with 10 teams on Jan. 7 through 9 in Craig.

The league games are at 6:15 p.m. Sundays, and admission is free.

“It is hockey that is fun to watch,” Neal said.

“Everybody is welcome to come check it out.”


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