Asheville Hockey League Takes First Place in Southeast Tournament

The Asheville Hockey League’s travel team, Asheville Mountaineers, won first place in the 14U division at the Echo Travel Lite Inline Hockey Tournament Series Finals in Snellville, Ga.

The tournament brought together teams from the Atlanta area, Gainesville and Jacksonville, Fla., Asheville, N.C., and Nashville, Tenn.

“The AHL youth league started competing in the Echo Tournament Series in 2014, but this is the first year the team took home a win,” said Tadd Cole, youth league coach.

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“This year’s first place is a testament to the players’ hard work over the years, and the dedication of all of the volunteer coaches that donate their time and knowledge to help shape these young players,” said Cole. “These kids represent the best sportsmanship of Asheville hockey — on and off the rink.”

The 14U team headed by AHL youth coaches, Cole and Jeff Slosman, included seven local players: Adian Cole, 12, Zach Goforth, 12, David Mahan, 13, Jake Shanken, 13, Bennett Slosman, 13, Brendan Sobol, 14, and goalie Zach Shanken, 14. The team was joined at the tournament by player Cam Bradach, 13, of Roswell, Ga.

AHL continues to grow the travel league, and hopes to add additional age groups in the coming year. Travel teams compete in 2-4 tournaments a year, and practice schedules vary.

For more information about the league, visit ashevillehockey.org.