Special to USAHockey.com
A band director by day and a hockey coach by night.
That accurately describes Craig Sheppard, who has caught on to adult hockey fever at Pinedale in the southwest corner of Wyoming, where hockey continues to enjoy growing popularity.
An active adult league player, Sheppard, 57, is also a big admirer of the youth hockey programs and has had a passion as a hockey referee in past years.
This season, he is the coach for Pinedale Hockey Association's Midget team for players ages 15-18. Larry Proud, who is secretary for the Pinedale association board of directors, is serving as Sheppard's assistant for the Midget team this season.
Sheppard came to Wyoming from North Dakota, where he grew up.
“I played in a recreation league up there in a small town at an outdoor ice rink,” he said. “I went over to watch the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux team a lot.”
Sheppard liked what he saw from the North Dakota games.
“When my son got skates, he went up to camp at North Dakota,” Sheppard said. “He later played club hockey for Montana State. We played in Grand Fork and places like that. I was in the eighth grade when I stopped playing. I got involved in other sports. But I loved hockey. I took my son to a Fighting Sioux game when he was 3 years old and the bug bit him and he got involved.”
Sheppard has lived in Pinedale for 35 years, where he has been director of the high school band since he moved to the town. He got back into hockey about 20 years ago. His background in the sport connected him with the local hockey association.
“We've been working with USA Hockey. I was an assistant coach, then a head coach. I retired as a coach, then I started reffing and playing in the local leagues,” Sheppard said. “Then, two years ago, I had a shoulder injury so I got out. But I'm getting back into playing again.”
Sheppard finds the sport an easy way to spend time with family.
“When my son was playing, it was easier for me to get into it. My son is back working at the local rink (Sublette County Ice Arena),” he said.
Sheppard admits that his passion for the sport is likely to be high for a long time.
“I love hockey. I follow it constantly,” he said. “I love having a chance to watch Division I hockey. I also enjoying reffing the younger players.”
Sheppard has been a certified referee for about 12 years.
“I actually enjoy reffing more than I do playing,” he said. “To be honest with you, I'm probably better at reffing. As a player, I'm a little older to get out there too fast. There are some older guys out there playing and a couple right at my own age.”
Still, like thousands of players his age across the country, he can’t shake the fun and workout that adult hockey brings. He even takes vacations with hockey in mind.
“A bunch of guys locally put together a team that goes out to an over-50 tournament every year in Minnesota,” Sheppard said.
As much as Sheppard has been impressed with the quality of adult hockey in Pinedale, the caliber of youth hockey in the area has really drawn his eye.
“We had a high school-aged team I coached for a few years,” he said. “We all enjoyed that experience.”
Sheppard remains impressed with the caliber of play in Pinedale's youth hockey ranks.
“The kids that play have done pretty well,” he said. “We've had some go on to play in higher levels, including college.”
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
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