When you think of sports for youths to do, the first that comes to mind are football, basketball, soccer and baseball and softball.
However, roller hockey is starting to gain more and more momentum in Winnemucca for youngsters to try out.
A little over two years ago, Colby Corbitt started the Winnemucca Mustangs roller hockey team. At that time there were about a dozen or so players, but now that group has soared to about 40 players in just a short amount of time.
“We started out with about 12 players and then the Covid pandemic hit right when we were getting started,” Corbitt said. “That knocked us down for a while. Now, it is getting more and more popular and we have seen our numbers jump up.”
The team practices on Monday and Wednesday nights in the lunchroom at the Winnemucca Junior High School. Corbitt’s ultimate goal is to get more kids playing and have the city consider a rink — either roller or ice.
“It’s something different for the kids to do,” Corbitt said. “We have a mixture of experienced kids and ones just learning. It’s fun to see the improvement the kids have made. When they first put the roller blades on to now is amazing. They get going and it’s fun to watch. They will go backward and side-to-side with no problems.”
The season usually runs 4-5 months with it beginning in November and ending in March.
The coast is $250 per player, $75 for complete rental package with $25 refund upon return.
Currently the age group is 5 to 12-years-old, with three teams (8U, 10U and 12U). Corbitt added that in some cases players can move up or down in age divisions, depending on experience and skating ability. The teams are also co-ed.
“You look at the kids after practicing and they take off their gear, they are sweating,” Corbitt said. “We work them hard and doing what they are doing is going to help them with other sports and with coordination.”
The team travels to Elko and Carson City for games and tournaments. There is also the possibility to play in Pocatello, Idaho and Reno. Recently, the Mustangs came back home with a couple victories in Elko.
The games in Elko are played at the Igloo Recreation Center, where it can transition to ice hockey, Corbitt added that Winnemucca will look to play ice hockey as well.
When they do not travel to Elko to play games, they have scrimmages on Friday night.
“Our goal is just trying to get them out there and play and having fun,” Corbitt said. “It’s a fun sport.”
If you are interested in your child playing hockey you can contact Corbitt at corbittsoxfan@gmail.com
