For some, hockey is a hobby, and for others it is an undoubted passion. 

But for Jeff Vigil and the other members of the “Grey Wolves” hockey team out of Denver, it’s a little bit of both. 

In 1983 Vigil had the idea of starting a hockey team, and with a few friends their dream became a reality. Twenty-five years later, they are still going strong. 

The team is composed of players from varying careers and backgrounds, but they all come together for their love of playing hockey. Playing in adult leagues throughout Colorado, the team has stuck together. 
Although many players have come and gone, the core of the team remains. They go play to have fun, and they leave their emotion on the ice. Once the game is done, it is done for these players – they play for the love of the game. With the loving support of their families and spouses, they take to the ice and have done so for two and a half decades. 

Those two and a half decades have a humble beginning. While attending a Colorado Rockies hockey games in the early 1980’s, Vigil thought hockey looked like a game he wanted to try. 

“Back at that point in time the Colorado Rockies were playing and we all had season tickets,” said Vigil, an accountant and a project CFO. “I thought, ‘That just looks like fun.’ I couldn’t even skate, but for a couple of mornings at 6:30 we tried it with three of us and we decided to join a league.” 

One of the co-founders of the team along with Vigil, Brad Busse, explained how at first they were playing on figure skating ice. 

“It was pretty ragtag, we rented some ice and started scrimmaging on Sunday mornings,” said Busse. “The ice was for figure skating which was surrounded by rubber netting, and for a few us that rubber netting came in handy.” 

But by 1985, a solid formation of ten players gave birth to a full-fledged team.   

First named the “Busse’s” after co-founder Brad Busse, the team went through a few name changes including “Cheers,” “Flames,” “Bay Wolf,” and “Chem-Dry,” before finally settling on the “Grey Wolves.” 

Selecting players who play the game for fun is something that is very important to Vigil, who stresses that the team is not going to be the one that causes trouble. And because being a “Grey Wolf” is for life, former players are always welcomed back. 

“We’ve been selective about putting people on this team and I’ve only had to fire two guys,” said Vigil. “We go through mostly referrals, or playe rs know somebody and we’ve been lucky. I don’t have to do much vetting; recommendations are good enough for me.” 

Because of their respect for the game and the other teams, Vigil said other teams often compliment them because it led to a better game for everyone. 

Vigil added, “We’re not a chippy group of players. Numerous teams tell us they have fun playing us, because the games flow without chippiness. That’s a nice compliment.” 

The team plays hard on the ice and leaves it there. After the game they always go for a post-game review at a local bar which all players past and present are welcome. Friendships made through the team play huge roles in the lives of the players as well. 

“The draw at first was hockey but it soon migrated for friendships,” said Busse. 

For instance, the players are involved with “Miracles on Ice,” a program that provides financial support and college scholarships for young adults. Grey Wolf Gary Howard and his wife Leslie started the organization in 2001, and as many as 10 to 12 players volunteer. 

The team also has seen some women play, including Vigil’s wife Julie, and has competed for the past few years in tournaments in Las Vegas against teams from across the United States and Canada. But the team is planning their own tournament this year, to help grow their community of hockey even more. 

Throughout the past 25 years, Vigil has worked tirelessly organizing, promoting and playing for the team. It has even led to the creation of the team’s Web site, greywolveshockey.com. The team also organized a 25th anniversary reunion party in September. 

Throughout the years, what were the keys to the success of the team? Vigil explained, “One is quality of people, second is the Internet age – I could have never done it without email, faxes and technology – and third is an understanding spouse. My wife Julie has been instrumental for me. She lets me carry on my crazy passion, never complains once. For her it’s no big deal. I do owe her a lot of credit.” 

For the “Grey Wolves,” it’s been 25 years following that crazy passion, and no one plans on slowing down anytime soon.