The Utah Lady Grizzlies achieved a significant milestone by winning two championships at the USA Hockey Rocky Mountain District Championships in Denver, securing berths for both their 14U Tier 2 and 16U Tier 2 teams in the 2026 USA Hockey Girls National Championships. The tournament featured top teams from Utah, Colorado, Texas, and Arizona competing for national championship spots.
The 14U Tier 2 team completed an undefeated four-game run to capture the district title, controlling play throughout the weekend. The attack was led by Kathryn Damon, Eloise Linville, and Aly Mossberg, while strong team defense and steady goaltending helped dictate the pace of games. The team generated 23 goals while allowing only 8, reflecting balanced offense and disciplined defense. "I'm really proud of how this group played all weekend," said 14U Tier 2 Head Coach Bryan Bylsma. "They supported each other in all three zones and stayed focused on doing the little things right."
The 16U Tier 2 team battled through a dramatic tournament where three of its four games went to overtime. In the championship game against the Dallas Stars, goals from Paisley Uzelac and Josephine Goss kept the score even before Dallas took a 3–2 lead with 3:03 remaining. With the goaltender pulled for a 6-on-5 advantage, Kassidy Allsman scored with just 33 seconds remaining to tie the game, sending it to overtime where Gianna Monestere delivered the game winner. Team captain Nora McCarty anchored the defensive effort, while Jaylee Gomez and Alette Harker delivered strong performances in goal. "This group showed a lot of grit and resilience all weekend," said ULG Director of Hockey and 16U Tier 2 Head Coach Rob Johnson. "The players just kept battling and believing in each other."
The two Utah-based teams will now represent the Rocky Mountain District and the state of Utah at the USA Hockey Girls National Championships. The 14U Tier 2 team will compete March 25–29 in Rochester, Michigan, while the 16U Tier 2 team will compete March 25–29 in St. Louis, Missouri, facing top Tier 2 programs from across the country. The championships highlight the continued growth of girls youth hockey in Utah and increasing opportunities for young athletes across the state. The Utah Lady Grizzlies organization, which provides competitive opportunities at multiple levels, can be found at https://www.utahladygrizzlies.org/.
