Rexburg's New Youth Hockey League Sees Early Success

The Rexburg Youth Hockey Association offers programs for beginners and competitive travel teams in its inaugural season.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A new youth hockey league in Rexburg, Idaho, the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association (RYHA), is giving local families a chance to learn and play the sport close to home. The league, which launched alongside the opening of Rexburg's new indoor ice rink The Neutral Zone, offers both a beginner 'house' league and a competitive travel program called the Rexburg Wildcats. Despite being a new program, the Wildcats teams have already found success, winning tournaments in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.

Why it matters

The RYHA was created to provide an affordable and accessible way for kids in the Rexburg area to get involved in hockey, a sport that can often be cost-prohibitive. The league's focus on teaching discipline, teamwork, and perseverance aligns with its mission of helping kids grow as both athletes and people.

The details

The RYHA's house league for beginners currently has 52 participants ages 3-18, while the travel program has 26 players ages 7-16. The travel teams, called the Rexburg Wildcats, have already found success, winning tournaments in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. The league is run as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is supported by volunteers, sponsors, and grants.

  • The 2026-2027 RYHA season will run from October to March, with enrollment opening in mid- to late-summer 2026.
  • A couple weeks ago, the RYHA's 12-U team won the Grizz Cup tournament in Salt Lake City.
  • Last weekend, the RYHA's 10-U team won a championship tournament in Pinedale, Wyoming.

The players

Cody Andrews

Co-founder and president of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association.

Tim Swearingen

Co-founder and vice president of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association.

The Neutral Zone

Rexburg's new indoor ice rink, which opened alongside the launch of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association.

USA Hockey

The national organization that oversees youth hockey and provides training and background checks for RYHA coaches and volunteers.

Rexburg Wildcats

The competitive travel teams of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association, which compete against other youth hockey teams in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.

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What they’re saying

“We've had some good success this first season. A couple weeks ago, our 12-U team (for players ages 10 to 12) won the Grizz Cup down in Salt Lake. And our 10-U (for players ages 8 to 10) was just over in Pinedale, Wyoming, last weekend, and they won that championship.”

— Cody Andrews, Co-founder and president of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association (eastidahonews.com)

“We all have our day jobs. Just to get (the association) up and running was a significant lift, but we pooled our resources and kept our eye on the prize, keeping our focus on the mission of trying to provide an opportunity for players in the area.”

— Tim Swearingen, Co-founder and vice president of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association (eastidahonews.com)

“The unique thing about hockey is it's so fast. It's played on metal edges, and people are actively trying to make contact with you while chasing a little puck. There's the physical toughness of football, and there's the foot-speed and hand-eye coordination of baseball, and then you have the offsides and similar plays of offense-versus-defensive of soccer. And then you have boxing out, rebounding and setting plays like in basketball.”

— Tim Swearingen, Co-founder and vice president of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association (eastidahonews.com)

“I grew up playing hockey and had family, uncles and grandparents, who played hockey. And so, it was a family thing. We're in it to help the kids, and that means the player comes first.”

— Cody Andrews, Co-founder and president of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association (eastidahonews.com)

“It's been a great opportunity for the community. We're excited to see where it goes from here.”

— Tim Swearingen, Co-founder and vice president of the Rexburg Youth Hockey Association (eastidahonews.com)

What’s next

The 2026-2027 RYHA season will open enrollment in mid- to late-summer 2026, with the season running from October to March.

The takeaway

The Rexburg Youth Hockey Association is providing an affordable and accessible way for kids in the Rexburg area to get involved in hockey, a sport that can often be cost-prohibitive. By focusing on teaching important life skills like discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, the league is helping kids grow as both athletes and people.