Jackson Hole Moose

Jackson Hole is best-known for its skiing, but we love our semi-pro hockey team. 

// By Dakota Richardson

As night skiers carve their final turns beneath the lift lights at Snow King Mountain Resort, another set of lights—accompanied by music and a raucous crowd—is just getting fired up as the Jackson Moose Senior A hockey team takes to the ice at the Snow King Center. With a roster of pro players from post-college to the American Hockey League and all the way up to NHL visitors, the Moose almost always play to a capacity crowd of about 1,200 cheering fans.

“The games are fun and exciting,” says Kathy Culver, a season ticket holder with her husband, Bob, who never comes to a Moose game without a giant cowbell. It’s exciting for players, too. “It’s the most fun I’ve had playing hockey,” says forward Alex Dewitz. Ryan Glantz, who is also a forward, adds, “The support we get from our fans every night is what makes this team tick. We couldn’t make it happen without the fans.”

This winter marks the 26th season for the Moose. In 2014, the Moose were one of the founding teams of the semi-professional Black Diamond Hockey League. In this league, teams compete for the Joe Casey Cup, a championship trophy named after former Moose captain Joe Casey, who died suddenly in 2013. The Moose have twice won the Joe Casey Cup. Under general manager Howie Carruth, who took over from Skip Wright-Clark in 2012, over the past five seasons, the team has recorded 85 wins.

The Moose and the fans aren’t only about winning, though. Kids line up outside the team locker room during games hoping to have a puck signed by their favorite players. Eight-year-old Bode Pelletier, who has had his photo taken annually with Knuckles, the team mascot, says, “Moose hockey games are about having fun.” His mom, Kelly Biscombe says, “He loves being able to get to know the players and high-fiving them in between periods. AJ Sanders is his favorite player. The puck drops for most home games at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This winter, the season runs from October 13 to March 16. Purchase tickets for $10 at the door. Seating is general admission; concession food is available, and there are local beers on tap. Follow the Moose @jhmoosehockey JH