The following interview by the Hyland Hockey News editor, Jon  Widmark, with Jerry and Jon Nordmark gives a historic accounting of the early years of Hyland Hills Hockey.  The interview is paraphrased from volume 3 of the Hyland Hockey News dated September 1998.

While skating at a public session, Jon Widmark asked Mic Prochazka (who has been associated with Hyland for quite awhile) if he knew how to getting touch with people involved with the association in it's earliest days.  After exhausting a potential list of contacts, Jon sat down with the Nordmark family: Jerry, Videll and son Jon (played with Hyland from 1970 to 1979) on September 2, 1998.  The Nordmark's were involved in the establishment of the association in 1970.

Why was the 'The Hyland Hills Hockey Association' formed?

When the Ice Arena (92nd & Ralston) was first constructed, several families with kids taking hockey instruction at the rink expressed a desire amongst themselves to do something to help their young skaters in the area of ice hockey, but they were unsure as to how to go about it, feeling perhaps that their players were too young and inexperienced.  The Spedding family of Arvada suggested the establishment of an association, which after several meetings was achieved.

Was there a board as there is now?

Yes, basically structured as it is today.

How long did it take the association to field a team at each group?

It took four to five years before we could field a team at each of the six levels.

Who was your first president?

A man who loved hockey, Mr. Walt MacKinsie.

What was your first mascot or logo?

Monty Jumper, a member of the association with some artistic flare, designed the first logo which was a circular graphic incorporating the letters HHHA in red with a white and black border around it.

How many teams were there?

Initially, one team consisting of a variety of players at different skill levels.

Who did you play?

Anyone who was willing to show up and play.  In that first year, 8 to 12 games were played exhibition style in-house.  The following year a Squirt team was fielded.  They lost all their games in that first year, but over time, as that young team grew up and reached the Bantam level they managed to take 'States' as a team.

Who scored Hyland's first goal?

Jon Nordmark scored the first goal for the association in a game against the Littleton Pee Wee B team.  Hyland ended up getting beaten badly; 29 to 1.

How much did ice cost back then?

You could rent the rink for something on the order of $18 to $20 an hour!

How much did it cost to be on a team?

Don Adams, who was nearby during this interview said he seemed to remember a figure somewhere around $140 to $150 a season.

Who were your biggest rivals?

Arvada, definitely Arvada, with Littleton right behind.

Did you travel much to play?

Yes, most of it locally, but a good amount of out-of-state travel did take place to locations such as Overland Park in Kansas City, Mo; Salt Lake City, Utah; Albuquerque and a few other spots around the Midwest.

What was the first tournament?

It was called the 'Hyland Fling' and was held around Christmas and started in 1974(?).

Do you know anyone from Hyland who went on to play at higher levels?

Darius Bockus, who played with Jon Nordmark at Hyland, went on to play for the Austin Minnesota Mavericks in the United States Hockey League.  Jon and Darius went on to play for the Dubuque Iowa Fightin' Saints, where this great Junior "A" team had a spectacular season record of 59-9-2 in 1980.  Winning the U.S. Junior "A" championship played in Green Bay, Wisconsin by 1 point in double overtime against Detroit. A real 'Classic'.

Don Adams, who gave private lessons at the old rink, focused his skating and hockey skills towards the officiating aspect of the sport at the highest levels including Olympic, collegiate and Pro-Roller Hockey.

If you had this to do over again, would you?'

Jerry:  Yes!  To be involved with Hyland and around hockey at the time was very exciting.  It's amazing to think that you could take a boy who could barely stand up on his skates, starting off in a brand new facility with a fledging association. Then over the years see a player come up who can keep up with the best, is truly a magnificent thing.  And we know the potential is still out there today!

Jon:  Hockey was the best experience as a youth and that it help me to prepare for life in many ways.  "Every kid should play".  

Jerry:  Hockey was (contrary to its reputation) safer than football with less serious injury's and that a good camaraderie was developed between players, coaches and parents over the long hockey season, covering many years.

Any old slogans that stick out in your mind?

Yes, the Hyland Hills Hockey Association slogan once was:  "A kid on the ice is not in hot water!".

What do you think of the building of the new rink?

A wonderful thing who's time had come!  

A few additional questions brought some interesting insight.  I asked Jerry what he thought distinguished Hyland from the other associations. He said the association prided itself in good sportsmanship, not the cut throat 'win at any cost mentality' exhibited by some associations.  And that Hyland teams always strived to play with respect and integrity.