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Contributed by: Erin Feese/YourHub.com on 1/25/2008

Youth league staffed by police, firefighters teaches ice hockey skills

Every Monday and Wednesday night, John Baxter sits in the chilly bleachers at Foothills Ice Arena in Lakewood, faithfully watching his grandsons chase pucks across the ice.

"The kids are always getting to play, not sitting on the bench like in some leagues," he said, gazing out over the rink where about 30 kids are engaged in multiple games of ice hockey.

The Baxters make the trek from Thornton twice a week so Dillon Baxter, 9, and brother Brandon, 12, can play in the Police Fire Youth Hockey League, which is a nonprofit based out of Foothills and run by volunteers from area police and fire agencies.

It is a family affair for the Baxters, as the brothers' father and uncle volunteer as coaches for the league, said Heather Campbell, Brandon and Dillon's stepmom.

"It's great for them to spend this family time together," she said.

Another reason the family likes the police-fire league is because it is affordable, John Baxter said. The cost is $130 for younger kids and $140 for older kids for an eight-week session.

"It's really inexpensive compared to a more competitive league, which can cost $1,200 plus travel expenses," John Baxter said. "(The police/fire league) is all about fun, while still teaching skills."

Dillon Baxter chimed in, "Stick-handling is fun. And I'm learning how to play good defense."

The police-fire league is the brainchild of John Mackey, the chief of police at the Auraria campus in downtown Denver. Mackey was formerly police chief at Red Rocks Community College and also worked at the Lakewood Police Department.

To get the league going, Mackey called on the help of Dee Truesdale, a longtime volunteer at the Lakewood Police Department. Truesdale's husband, Bill, was a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy who was killed in the line of duty in 1986.

Truesdale handles the administrative duties for the league, such as collecting money. Her grandmotherly demeanor makes her a favorite among the younger children, some of whom gleefully call her "Mrs. Dee."

"Parents are always telling me that it is so expensive at other rinks, and the kids don't get the personal attention like they do here," Truesdale said. "To see a little 4-year-old start from nothing and then take off across the ice, it makes it so enjoyable for me."

Truesdale's dedication is shared by Detective Jim Moffat, of the Lakewood Police Department, who is one of the volunteer coaches. Moffat grew up in Canada and played competitive hockey until he was 18.

A Lakewood resident since 1996, Moffat started coming to Foothills Ice Arena to participate in police-fire drop-in hockey games and became involved with the program because he wanted to offer an affordable way for kids to try the sport of ice hockey. The league has a room full of equipment available for those who need it, donated by the police athletic league, the Colorado Avalanche and private citizens.

Another volunteer, Dave Swavely, with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, said the community within the program is what makes it special.

"The parents actually talk to each other, and aren't out there yelling at their kids," he said. "Everyone knows each other. It really is like a family."

The next session of the police/fire league begins the first week in March. For more information or to sign up, call 303-378-7444, e-mail pfyhcoach@yahoo.com or visit www.pfyh.samsbiz.com.

Police-fire league introduces kids to hockey

By Mark Earnst, owner of Foothills Ice Arena

It's a Monday at 4:45 p.m. and Lakewood Police Detective Jim Moffat walks into the office at Foothills Ice Arena and pours a cup of coffee. It's the last quiet moment he will have for the next couple of hours. Five minutes pass, and kids with their hockey equipment and parents in tow start to fill up the lobby. Denver Police Officer Bill Tyler site at the front counter eating peanuts and watches the organized mess unfold before him.

Kids with half their equipment on, urge parents to hurry up and tie their skates. Others, already dressed, run over to greet their teammates.

So starts another evening of the Police Fire Youth Hockey League (PFYHL). The league is administered and staffed by local law enforcement officers and firefighters. They donate their time and expertise in teaching girls and boys ranging in ages from 4 to 14 the basics of ice hockey. Started five years as an alternative to the more expensive and time-consuming hockey programs available at local rinks, PFYHL was a success from the start.

For the first 45 minutes of the hour-and-a-half session, they concentrate on skills, drills and team building. The kids then use the remaining time for a supervised scrimmage.

Diedre, a 7-year-old girl, enjoys the scrimmage session more than practice because she likes to score goals. Others take turns being the goalie for the session using full goaltending equipment than is provided by the program.

Program volunteers include Dee Truesdale, John Jamison, Jason Harris, Lt. Ron Leonard, Deputy Dave Swavely, Chief John Mackey and Craig Hurtado with West Metro Fire Rescue.

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