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Seattle Junior Hockey Association and Everett Youth Hockey Create Alliance to Expand Opportunities for Young Athletes

By Marty Rubin, 04/16/24, 3:15PM PDT

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 The Seattle Junior Hockey Association (SJHA) and Everett Youth Hockey (EYH) are thrilled to announce an exciting agreement between these two storied youth hockey organizations in Snohomish County. 

Effective April 16th, the Seattle Junior Hockey Association and Everett Youth Hockey will form a collective to share physical resources, standard operating procedures, communications, and player/coach development strategies. Everett Youth Hockey will retain its important brand and recognized identity as the Junior Silvertips. Seattle Junior will retain its new brand and emerging identity as the Junior Metropolitans. 

Over the last four years, SJHA has grown by 25% with over 525 hockey players in the 2023-2024 season. The program offers opportunities for players from all skill levels and ages to play local and affordable hockey with an excellent community experience. Last season, SJHA partnered with the Washington Wild Female Hockey Association to operate the Seattle Red Hawks, PNAHA's exclusive girls only hockey program, resulting in more opportunities for young local athletes to break into the sport. 

Everett Youth Hockey will continue offering Beginner Hockey, 8U-18U Rec, and 10U-18U Rep teams and will remain based out of Angel Of The Winds Arena and the Everett Community Ice Rink.

The purpose of this alignment is to enhance the youth hockey experience for all Snohomish County hockey players. The collective effort will prioritize the following: 

  • Grow awareness of local youth hockey and registrations in Everett to expand hockey's footprint and form more teams
  • Add player/coach development opportunities for both associations with support from the Everett Silvertips
  • Impact an even larger pool of youth hockey players with player-centered, community-focused, grassroots programming, events, communications, and administration 

“Hockey is growing in Snohomish County because of the Seattle Junior Hockey Association and the Everett Youth Hockey program. Seattle Junior is celebrating 50 years of excellent hockey programming in the 2024-2025 season. This is an exciting time, and we are very proud to make more impact for young hockey players. We aim to be the heart of Snohomish County,” said Michael Murphy, President of SJHA. 

“The Everett Silvertips have actively supported youth hockey in Snohomish County for over 20 years. Our ability to impact the development of youth players through training, coaching and other experiences across both programs is greatly enhanced by this exciting alliance between SJHA and EYH. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the alliance to make a positive impact on hockey in Snohomish County,” said Zoran Rajcic, COO of the Everett Silvertips.

“This opportunity benefits the youth who live in Snohomish County as it gives them a better experience and access to play hockey”, states Tammy Dunn, Executive Director of the Snohomish County Sports Commission. “A great idea – Growing the game of youth hockey in Snohomish County.”

Everett Youth Hockey's new Hockey Director will be Kristian Armstrong. Kristian is a life-long hockey player, coach, volunteer, referee, and student. Hailing from Lake Stevens, Kristian is invested in making Everett Youth Hockey the obvious choice for all returning Junior Silvertips as well as every Snohomish County kid who is interested in starting the beginner hockey process. Kristian will be prioritizing culture and relationship building with EYH families, players, and coaches by being at the rink and on the ice during practices and games throughout the season. Kristian will also have regular office hours at the Everett Community Ice Rink to connect with participants and others interested in hockey programs.

“The collaboration between SJHA and EYH will spark further hockey growth in Snohomish County and provide an even better experience for players across both of our associations,” said Corey Margolis, General Manager for Angel Of The Winds Arena. “We are confident that growth, collective resource sharing, and stability are all possible in Snohomish County while maintaining the strong identities of both organizations.”

Administrative announcements regarding camps, clinics, tryouts, and other programmatic information are imminent. Both associations are hard at work to build out a strong collective program starting in the fall season ahead and are grateful for the support and patience of each family. #SnohomishStrong

About Seattle Junior Hockey Association

The Seattle Junior Hockey Association is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit organization celebrating its 50-year anniversary in the 2024-2025 season. The program was established in 1974 with the goal of competing at the highest level while instilling integrity, character, and leadership skills in all our players. Seattle Junior’s mission is to create transformational experiences for all players, coaches, and families through the game of hockey.

About Everett Public Facilities District and Angel Of The Winds Arena

Angel Of The Winds Arena was developed and is owned by the Everett Public Facilities District, a municipal corporation managed by a five-member Board of Directors, providing oversight and direction to the provision of services in Angel Of The Winds Arena, Everett Community Ice Rink and the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center. Angel Of The Winds Arena is a three venue, state-of-the-art multi-purpose complex located in the heart of downtown Everett, WA. The complex is managed by Oak View Group. For more information, visit www.angelofthewindsarena.com.

EYH Contacts:

Kat Guenet | Director Of Marketing | katherine.guenet@oakviewgroup.com

Tayler Blumenfeld | Marketing Coordinator | tayler.blumenfeld@oakviewgroup.com

Kristian Armstrong | EYH Hockey Director | director@everettyouthhockey.com

SJHA Contacts:

Michael Murphy | SJHA President | president@sjha.com

Marty Rubin | SJHA Hockey Director | marty.rubin@sjha.com