The POW, the PIX, the PEOPLE.
Go BIG, or Go Home.
April 24, 2013 Aspen Junior Hockey hosted their annual COACHES APPRECIATION PARTY.
Coaches, Hockey Dads & Hockey MOM's. You get the picture. Obviously, things got out of control (not really). It was a fantastic season for Aspen Junior hockey and the celebration ensued.
Click 4 Pix: COACHES APPRECIATION PARTY
September 30, 2012 
Stirling Cup Opening Face-Off in Aspen. Click 4 Pix.Hockey rivalries are incredibility intense. You may recall the bitter feelings that existed between the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings in the late 1990's. Both teams had Stanley Cup talent and world class toughness. Detroit and Colorado; the teams, the coaches and the fans all hated each other. The result; a full-scale melees on ice, body crunching hits, goalie brawls, McCarty vs. Lemieux and some of the most exciting hockey games known to man.
Click 4 pix: Aspen vs. Detroit
The years have passed. The hockey unpleasantries between Colorado and Detroit have softened. But now, a new, more friendly rivalry has formed. Aspen vs. Detroit. The two hockey power-houses met again during the 12th Annual WELLS FARGO STIRLING CUP ALL-STAR WEEKEND in memory of Stirling Cooper. The Detroit RedWings Alumni (Oldtimers) vs. The Aspen Leafs, they went at it. They faced off again in 2012 at the Aspen Recreation Center in front of a full house.
Last year, the Aspen Leafs smoked the Wings pretty handily, welcoming them to A-Town with a 7-4 loss. In fact, Aspen has taken it to the Red Wings old timers in 3 of the last 4 years at Stirling Cup. The Red Wings always hold their own in the golf, and usually win the party...but on the ice, at 8,000 ft...the Leafs have been the recent champs. This year Detroit powered up and brought a few younger guys on the trip. Reading the body language on the Red Wings bench during warm ups. (where I handled the door with skill), you could see the steely eyed demeanor of the visiting team. They wanted to win. Jiri Fischer (6' 5" 235, 32 years old) a former top NHL defenseman who retired pre-maturely due to a heart problem buoyed the blue line for the Wings. New recruits Stephen Guolla (4 NHL Teams), Keith McKittrick (Red Wings Assistant Coach) and Kip Miller (Hobey Baker winner at Michigan State and 8 NHL teams) added speed and skill to the forward line.
The Detroit Red Wings prevailed 12-3.The Aspen team led by Aspen Junior Hockey Director, Tanner Williams, AJH President Lindsey Holmbeck, All-Stars Geoff Lubin, Keith Howie, Bret Norris and goalie Jason Flynn were feeling good prior to the opening faceoff. Former Detroit BAD BOY Darren McCarty set the tone early scoring on a goal-mouth scramble in the first minute of play. He also dinged the goalie on the mask with a flick shot, and admitted "I was aiming for his throat, just kidding". Former Wings stars John Ogrodnick, Joey Kocur, Paul Mackinnon, Jon Finstrom, Lorne Knauft and Wayne Presley played a strong game in front of the stellar goal-tending of George Bowman. The Red Wings proceded to pour it on taking the contest by a final score of 12-3.
Rivalries aside, The Stirling Cup is always a blast. Parties, camaraderie, golf and more. All of it is designed to honor the memory of Stirling Cooper and PROMOTE YOUTH SPORTS, FOSTER NEW RELATIONSHIPS and EMBODY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. Aspen Junior Hockey and the entire community of rink rats always rolls out the red carpet for the entire weekend. Stirling Cup is always one of the best events of the year in Aspen. The hockey community in Aspen is tightly knit and the Red Wings truly appreciate the hospitality. What's not to love. Just ask all the mites, squirts and pee-wees (and their parents) who get to meet, skate with and make friends with real live NHL stars.
Click for Pix: Aspen vs. Detroit: The Greatest Rivalry in Hockey.
Friends and Rivals. Darren McCarty (4 time Stankey Cup Champ) and Jason Flynn set to get after it.
The fans came out to watch Detroit vs. Aspen. Hockey Night in Aspen. Click 4 pix.
Jiri Fischer came out of retirement to skate in Aspen. Frenchy and Scotty made the calls. Click 4 pix.
Jeff "Whitey" White proved to be quite a sniper...netting 2 goals. Click 4 Pix.
Spirits ran high at the Aspen Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings for Stirling Cup. Click 4 pix.
Stirling Cup, Aspen Junior Hockey, The Aspen Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings 9/29/12 Click 4 pix.
April 14, 2012 
Art Start at The Red Brick Click 4 pix.Ski Season 2011/12; Measured in inches....it was pretty sh*tty....but measured in fun....pretty darn good. The ski season is coming to a close in Aspen,but AspenSpin is sprinting to finish and still snapping pix like crazy. Click the links to see our handiwork.
ART START: It's the annual kids art show. Original artwork from children at all four Aspen Schools (K-8) is selected by their teachers for display at The Red Brick Community Art Center in conjunction with Art Start. Witnessing the excitement of a young child when they find their own work on the wall and then showing it off to their parents is a wonderful experience. All the kids were there for the glory as well as the pizza, soda and art. Click ART START for more pix.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP of SYNCHRONIZED SKIING: Every year Synchro teams from all over the World come to Aspen to vie for the title of World Champion. Teams of 8...(men and women) ski in formation looking for the perfect combo of style, speed and synchronicity. The year the team from BEAVER CREEK took home top honors defeating the 2-Time defending champs.. Aspen Demo Team. The competitors are mostly high-level ski instuctors who train together vigorously all year. Aspen mountain can barely contain all the egos at one time...but it's definately fun to watch. CLICK: ASPEN SYNCHRO
ASPEN JUNIOR HOCKEY 40th Anniversary. Aspen is a hockey town. Kids and adults keep the two rinks going 24/7. Aspen Junior Hockey was started in 1972 by local legend John McBride. McBride who played for Princeton and was a member of the U.S. National Team back in the day started the program with just 12 kids. This past season 323 children played with AJH. Aspen has produced State Champs and some excellent players over the years. The 40th Anniversary Alumni Game was a raucous, fast paced affair that ended in a tie. Mr. McBride, now 74, laced up his skates to play for the Green squad, but he was taken out of the game by the goon tactics of the Yellows. In what is the most bone-headed play of all-time, McBride suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated hip when he was taken to the ice on the opening faceoff. Everybody in Aspen wishes him a speedy and full recovery. The after-party for parents and coaches took on a life of its own. CLICK 4 PIX: ASPEN JUNIOR HOCKEY 40th Anniversary.
The BEST 2 INCH POW DAY of ALL TIME. After getting skunked for snow in March, April is showing off its POW. We got 2 legit inches on Thursday Night and it turned the skiing into a super-fun thrill ride on Friday. We got a dusting on top of the concrete-like base that had been melting and freezing for weeks. The combination worked and several die-hards (AspenSpin being one) were seen shredding the gnar. In fact its snowing right now. 5"-9" are expected for closing day. CLICK: 2 INCHES of HEAVEN.
Aspen Junior Hockey celebrated 40 Years with an Alumni game and HUGE Party. click 4 pix.
Aspen Demo Team trying to three-peat, came in a close 2nd. Featuring extreme athlete Nick Hill. Click for pix.
Aspen Junior Hockey Squirt B parents. Clcik for more pix.
The BEST 2 inch POW Day of ALL-TIME on Aspen Mountain. click 4 pix.
Eco-Fashionistas at Art Start at the Red Brick. Click 4 pix.
December 6, 2011 Two of AspenSpin's favorite guys in Aspen are getting busy.
Raifie Bass and Chris Klug are both survivors and transplant recipients. It wasn't long ago that both of these guys were laying on their death beds reflecting on their lives which appeared to be almost over. Raifie and Chirs both faced down critical illnesses and came out on top. Before they got sick, both Raife and Chris led incredibly active lives. They are still doing that today, thank God. Both overcame tremendous odds, so this is a a happy story....yeaaaaah. While, disease presented a huge obstacle to Raifie and CK, they both survived and now they are both prepping for the future.
;)
The Basses. Click to enlargeRaifie, is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He is a husband to Michelle and father of two super-active boys, Max and Andy plus 2 Pugs. He works in Real Estate, he shreds, he bikes, he plays rec hockey, loves live music and he has an incredible hockey memorabilia collection. He is leading a normal life after a near death bout with Cancer. Raife is highly engaged with Aspen's Cancer Survivors Center and a big time hockey dad to the Aspen Squirt B's who are in the midst of a record setting season and on their way to the prestigious Silver Stick tournament finals in Canada.
;)
The Klugs. Click to EnlargeChris is loved by everyone who meets him. He is married to Missy and Daddy to 6 month old baby Bali. He is a 3-Time Olympian, a Bronze Medal winner in 2002, and one of the best athletes in Aspen. He recently retired from the professional snowboard tour. He too works in Real Estate... when he's not adventure racing, surfing, commentating, giving motivational speeches or tirelessly working for the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF). Chris knows he's lucky to be alive. Critical liver problems almost ended it all, but a different number came up and Chris received the gift of life in the form of a liver transplant.
Click to Pledge This Weekend, Dec 9-11, 2011, CKF is hosting their 6th Annual Summit for Life uphill climb on Aspen Mountain. More than 500 hearty soles will hike, skin-ski or snowshoe up 3,267 vertical feet to the top of Ajax. This event raises money and awareness for organ and tissue donation. Click SUMMIT 4 LIFE to get all the facts, to pledge, to participate.
Raife's cause is a little less serious, but no less fun. The Aspen Squirt B's went down to Denver and won the prestigious Silver Stick Tournament. They are only Aspen team in more than 30 years to win their region. As Rocky Mountain Champions, they will travel to Canada to represent Aspen at the International Silver Stick Finals Tournament in January. The Squirts (age 9-11) are trying to raise money to fund their trip. You can help the kids out...click: ASPEN SQUIRT B's.
If you don't love Raifie Bass and Chris Klug...you don't like people. They're both all-around great guys. When I hear the phrase Joie de Vivre (joy of life) I think of my pals Raifie and CK. Please, if you can, dig deep and support the Chris Klug Foundation and Aspen Squirt B's. Share the wealth and the Joie de vivre.
After hiking himself...Chris is the official greeter at The Summit for Life.
How can you say no? The Aspen Squirt B's. Rocky Mountain Champs. Photo: Raifie Bass click to donate.
September 25, 2011 
Well OK, Aspen may not be the original HockeyTown, that moniker has been claimed by Detroit (and others), but Aspen is a real hot bed for icers.
The Aspen Leaf All-Stars topped the Detroit Red Wings Alumni (a.k.a. Oldtimers) 7-4 in fast paced and well played exhibition match at The Aspen Recreation Center (ARC). The 11th Annual Stirling Cup All-Star Weekend benefits Aspen Junior Hockey and includes the hockey game, a golf tournament, parties, concerts, a silent auction and plenty of action on and off the ice with the RedWing Old Timers. NHL Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli and noted tough guy Joey Kocur, a 4 time Stanley Cup Winner, joined in the mix this year. NHL vets John Ogrodnick, Dennis Hextall, 4-Time Cup Winner Darren McCarty, Spartan Kevin Miller, Paul McKinnon, Wayne Presley and Craig Wolanin and more rounded out the Red Wings roster.
CLICK 4 PIX ASPEN IS HOCKEYTOWN
The Aspen Leafs took advantage of the friendly home ice at the ARC as age and the altitude (8,000 ft) as well as a short bench worked against the Red Wings squad. The Wings jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead as Aspen's net minder Greg Baldrica shook off a few cob webs at the thought of facing the veteran NHL players. Eventually, the Leafs turned up the speed and scored goals in quick succession. Led by Detroit native Geoff Lubin who netted 2 goals and 1 assist. Aspen Junior Hockey's new director Tanner Williams (he moved to town 2 weeks ago) showed he belonged by lighting the lamp for Aspen's first goal. Aspen High Coach Al Butler also tallied once for the Leafs. The strong Aspen D was anchored by Lindsey Holmbeck, Brett Norris and Peter Scott.
The Aspen Leafs got the go ahead goal.The competitive contest was closer than the final score indicated as Aspen exploded for two late goals to break open a 4 all tie. Baldrica then stuffed 2 RedWing penalty shots from Darren McCarty (14 NHL Seasons, 4 Cups) and Kevin Miller (620 NHL games, 8 Teams). A meaningless Aspen goal with 10 seconds left created the final 3 goal margin. It required a strong team effort for Aspen to top the former NHL pros. In the end the Aspen Leafs just had a little more gas in the tank.
The comraderie between the two teams and between the fans and players was fantastic. The RedWings were happy to meet and greet the fans, and The Stirling Cup game has gone a long way to ease the tension between local Wings supporters and the Colorado Avalanche fans who used to heckle them. Always a highlight... in between periods, The CHUCK-A-PUCK. For a $5 contribution fans get a numbered puck to toss on the ice...closest to the center ice face off dot wins a large pot of money. This years winner Tim Cooney was extremely accurate...his puck landed directly on the dot---he donated the proceeds back to Aspen Junior Hockey.
The Stirling Cup All-Star Weekend is a celebration of the life of the late Stirling Cooper...a beloved local Husband and Father who passed away in 1999. The beneficiary of the events, Aspen Junior Hockey, is known as one of the finest youth hockey programs in Colorado. Aspen has built a reputation as a great Hockey Town. There are plenty of opportunities in Aspen for adults and kids, males and females, youngsters and oldsters to get out there on the ice and play. Aspen's Winter leagues are forming soon...so click Aspen Parks and Rec (Ice Hockey) and join a team today.
Click 4 Pix ASPEN IS HOCKEYTOWN
The Aspen Leafs defeated The Detroit RedWings Alumni in Aspen. Click 4 pix.
Hall of Famer Dino Cicarelli wth Aspen Leafs stars Jason Flynn and Geoff Lubin
The puck drops in Aspen. Openning Face Off for the 11th Annual Stirling Cup All Star Weekend.