Cold hard cash: UM opens season Saturday

After nearly cancelling the season due to financial troubles, the Griz hockey team will take the ice this weekend for their first matchup of the season.

The Montana men's club hockey team will host Montana Tech at 8:30 p.m. at Glacier Ice Rink.

The Grizzlies, who compete as an independent team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, found themselves in economic troubles after last season when the team failed to pay the rink for ice time, amassing a $700 bill.

Facing the threat of losing their practice facility, the first-year team president, John Melendez, and Matt Dyck settled most of the debts with player fundraising, but had to foot the rest of the bill with their own money to save their season.

"Financially, we were in the hole," Melendez said. "But we got enough money to save our season."

Melendez, a Boulder, Colo. native, is also the team captain and a fourth-year player.

Uncertainty has been a common theme for Montana's hockey program as coaches and team officials are unpaid and student-athletes run the show.

The Griz will begin the season without a head coach, as last year's head coach, Barrett McDonald, a former player for the Griz and son of NHL Hall-of-Famer Lanny McDonald, stepped down after two years. As the vacancy waits to be filled, Craig Reinhardt, who coaches Missoula high school hockey, runs practices when his schedule permits.

Through the uncertainty, the Business Careers in Entertainment Club set up a sports director position to help the team through leadership transitions, while helping broaden their spectrum of entertainment.

"It's a way for students to gain experience in the entertainment industry in sports and help out the hockey team," said Mac Kelly president of the BCEC.

Alex Joseph, the hockey team president from a year ago, said the team is eager to suit up after the troublesome offseason.

"We're really excited about getting back on the ice and starting the season," Joseph said.

Saturday's game will feature Montana Tech's first ever hockey team.

"It will be nice to have some more competition from around the state," Joseph said. "I know Montana Tech is eager to play, and we're looking forward to it."

Montana will also take on Montana Tech Sunday at 9 a.m.