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The Mighty Penguins

By February 1, 2020 | updated 7 years ago

Outdoor ice rink in Victor. Christian Murdock020220-life-penguins 1.jpg (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)

The Victor, Colo., hockey club has hit the outdoor ice rink for more than 35 years. The skating starting on a frozen pond created by a fire hose and has evolved into a winter gathering place for locals and players from around the state. Photos by Christian Murdock

Outdoor ice rink in Victor. Christian Murdock020220-life-penguins 1.jpg (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Outdoor ice rink in Victor. Christian Murdock020220-life-penguins 1.jpg (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Brian “Glide” Hayes, 78, started playing hockey in Victor, Colo., with teammate Gary Horton and their children in the 1980s on ice rink created with a city fire hydrant from a hill above. Glide was once called “the Real Penguin” by Bob Johnson, who coached the Stanley Cup winning Pittsburg Penguins 1990 and coached U.S. Hockey and Colorado College before that. Johnson played with his national team in the first Victor Cup. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Brian “Glide” Hayes, 78, started playing hockey in Victor, Colo., with teammate Gary Horton and their children in the 1980s on ice rink created with a city fire hydrant from a hill above. Glide was once called “the Real Penguin” by Bob Johnson, who coached the Stanley Cup winning Pittsburg Penguins 1990 and coached U.S. Hockey and Colorado College before that. Johnson played with his national team in the first Victor Cup. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Stanley watches the action during the Victor Penguins practice Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, at Brian’s Park in Victor, Colo. Stanley fetches puck while his owner Karen Zietlowe plays hockey with the team. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Stanley watches the action during the Victor Penguins practice Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, at Brian’s Park in Victor, Colo. Stanley fetches puck while his owner Karen Zietlowe plays hockey with the team. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Team bartender Karen Zietlowe hands out beers in the team’s warming hut after practice Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Team bartender Karen Zietlowe hands out beers in the team’s warming hut after practice Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
The Victor Penguins practice on their outdoor ice rink Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Nearly 40 players skated on the Sunday. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
The Victor Penguins practice on their outdoor ice rink Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Nearly 40 players skated on the Sunday. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Memories from the past, including a picture with Pittsburg Penguins head coach Bob Johnson who played in the first Victor Cup in 1990, line the walls of the shed where the Victor Penguins house their newest Zamboni. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Memories from the past, including a picture with Pittsburg Penguins head coach Bob Johnson who played in the first Victor Cup in 1990, line the walls of the shed where the Victor Penguins house their newest Zamboni. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Brian
Brian “Glide” Hayes, 78, is the first one on the ice for the Victor Penguins practice Wednesday night, Jan. 22, 2020. The outdoor ice rink in the 1890s mining town is named Brian’s Park after him. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Jeff Ridlen, middle, never played hockey until he was 50 and invited to join a practice with the Victor Penguins. Four years later, He’s a regular on the ice. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Jeff Ridlen, middle, never played hockey until he was 50 and invited to join a practice with the Victor Penguins. Four years later, He’s a regular on the ice. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Gary Horton, who started the hockey in Victor with Brain Hayes and their children, watches the action from the bench between shifts Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Gary Horton, who started the hockey in Victor with Brain Hayes and their children, watches the action from the bench between shifts Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tim Hayes, who grew up playing hockey in Victor and is the son of Victor Penguins co-founder Brian Hayes, shows a picture of from the first Victor Cup game in 1990 against members of the U.S. National Team. The national team won 10-1. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tim Hayes, who grew up playing hockey in Victor and is the son of Victor Penguins co-founder Brian Hayes, shows a picture of from the first Victor Cup game in 1990 against members of the U.S. National Team. The national team won 10-1. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Team mom Jody Turner cooks lunch for the Victor Peguins team after practice Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Turner lives blocks away from the rink and her boys grew up playing in the rink. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Team mom Jody Turner cooks lunch for the Victor Peguins team after practice Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Turner lives blocks away from the rink and her boys grew up playing in the rink. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Players hit the warming hut after a night on the ice Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Players hit the warming hut after a night on the ice Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tim Hayes, left, sits on the bench between shifts with his father, Brian “The Glide” Hayes, 78, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tim Hayes, left, sits on the bench between shifts with his father, Brian “The Glide” Hayes, 78, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Goalie Vance Grabow of Colorado Springs rests in the warming hut between games Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. The tournament is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Goalie Vance Grabow of Colorado Springs rests in the warming hut between games Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. The tournament is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Grandfather Ed Myers, left, Tyler Myers and his 1-year-old son, Weylen Myers, sit in the warming shed between games Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. The tournament is like a family reunion in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat, drink and catch up with old friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Grandfather Ed Myers, left, Tyler Myers and his 1-year-old son, Weylen Myers, sit in the warming shed between games Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. The tournament is like a family reunion in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat, drink and catch up with old friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Father and son, Gary Horton, left, and J.D. Horton sit on the bench between shifts Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Father and son, Gary Horton, left, and J.D. Horton sit on the bench between shifts Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tim Hayes skates down the ice Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tim Hayes skates down the ice Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Brian “The Glide” Hayes, 78, skates down the ice on a breakaway Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Brian “The Glide” Hayes, 78, skates down the ice on a breakaway Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tyler Myers holds his 1-year-old son, Weylen Myers, while resting between games in the warming hut next to the outdoor ice rink in Victor, Colo., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament. The tournament started in 1990 is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tyler Myers holds his 1-year-old son, Weylen Myers, while resting between games in the warming hut next to the outdoor ice rink in Victor, Colo., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament. The tournament started in 1990 is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Fresh craft beer for the tournament sits behind the bench Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Fresh craft beer for the tournament sits behind the bench Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tyler Myers visits with his 1-year-old son, Weylen Myers, between periods during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990 is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Tyler Myers visits with his 1-year-old son, Weylen Myers, between periods during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990 is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Weylen Myers, 1, vistis with his grandfather Ed Myers, left, and father, Tyler Myers between periods Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990 is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
Weylen Myers, 1, vistis with his grandfather Ed Myers, left, and father, Tyler Myers between periods Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, during the annual Victor Cup hockey tournament in Victor, Colo. The tournament started in 1990 is like a family reunion for those who grew up playing hockey in the Colorado mining town. Players traveled from as far away as San Diego, Oregon and Alaska to play, eat and catch up with friends. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE)
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