Vail Breakaways spanning generations

The Vail Breakaways, the dynamos of women's ice hockey, have evolved from humble beginnings to the five-time winner of the state championships.

Although far more competitive than the team that was first loosely organized in 1976 by Doris Bailey and Heather Slifer, the idea of fun and camaraderie still remain the most powerful reasons the team is so popular. It remains an exciting way for local housewives and mothers to get out and exercise and stay in shape.

"We don't realize how hard we're working because it's so much fun," said Breakaways co-captain Linda Osterberg, who has been on the team for 15 years. Osterberg met her husband, John, when he was coaching for the team, known then as the Vail Snails.

That first team, with some members even using figure skates, met outdoors on Vail's first artificial ice surface before a roof was put over Dobson Ice Arena. They gathered weekly with coaches Dave Sage and Dudley Abbott to learn the rudiments of the sport. Bailey and Sage had served together on the task force that studied the feasibility of an ice rink in Vail, and from that humble beginning, the women's hockey team was born.

"Dave was so excited being from a hockey family that he charged me up," said Bailey, who had never learned how to skate before then. "They had their work cut out for them, but they agreed if we showed up to practice, they'd coach us. They were fabulous."

"I remember getting hit with a stick and shedding the first blood on the new ice surface," Bailey said. "We all laughed about it, but our practices became the highlight of the week."

The first women's team members scrambled to borrow pads and helmets from the older kids in town. When they finally had team T-shirts printed with "Vail Pucking Society," Bailey said, "we became a team and I was hooked."

"We were the pioneers," said Ingrid Giannetti, a tall, lean forward, dubbed the "Spider Lady." Giannetti grew up in Sweden playing with the guys, making her a natural for the women's team. She remained a valuable player for many years. "I'm glad we got it going and that it's still a strong group. It was such fun, good old-fashioned hockey."

Then, as now, the team formed extremely close friendships that have spanned the years. The first teams hosted potlucks and got together with friends and kids to scrimmage on the golf course ponds during the winter.

"It's a great outlet," said Julie Hunter, an Eagle veterinarian who is currently a member of the Breakaways and has played with them since she moved to the valley in 1985. "The people I play with are my best friends and we do a lot together year around. It's a blast, but the older I get, the harder it is."

For the first few years, the only other women's ice hockey team to play against was the Aspen Mother Puckers. Scrimmages were set with the men's Never Ever team, which was also coached by Sage. Because the women had better skating skills at that point, a few male egos were often bruised and battered during practice.

One year, the Vail Junior Hockey Club Bantams, which had lost every game that season, were pitted against the "Vail Snails." The boys walloped the women and were elated to have added even one win to a dismal season. It was good, clean hockey then and it remains the same today.

"They're never in the penalty box, said current Breakaways coach Hal Schmidt. "They're enthusiastic and want to learn, making them easy to coach. They deserve to be recognized for their outstanding women's play."

With only one practice a week, the women's team plays a full game schedule. They're a self-supporting group, buying their own uniforms and paying for ice time and travel to away games. Breakaways member Molly Love took up the sport because her kids were playing and it looked like fun. In addition to the Breakaway's schedule, she helps coach 28 kids in the mini-mite program.

Former Breakaways coach Mike Hardy cut his teeth in the coaching arena with the women's team.

"We all learned together," said Hardy who has remained an active coach with the Vail Junior Hockey program. "Even the drills were fun with that unique diverse group of women, who ranged from high school kids to those women who had children older than some team members."

A third generation could be coming up, Hardy said. He remembers coaching Judy Sibley, and now her daughter, Kris Wyatt, is a Breakaways team member. Sibley's granddaughter is out on the ice and could soon follow in her mother and grandmother's tracks.

Rob Fawcett, another former women's coach, whose wife, Laura, was a player, is now coaching his own son's team with Hardy, bringing their coaching experiences full circle. Hardy's son is also on the team.

Hardy was also on board when the women's team hosted the first tournament in Vail, with teams from Aspen, Denver, Colorado Springs and....(remainder of article is illegible).



	Back Vail Breakaways spanning generations Camaraderie, clean play still cornerstones of institution By Mark Moser Daily Staff Writer February 27, 1995 The Vail Breakaways, the dynamos of women's ice hockey, have evolved from humble beginnings to the five-time winner of the state championships. Although far more competitive than the team that was first loosely organized in 1976 by Doris Bailey and Heather Slifer, the idea of fun and camaraderie still remain the most powerful reasons the team is so popular. It remains an exciting way for local housewives and mothers to get out and exercise and stay in shape. "We don't realize how hard we're working because it's so much fun," said Breakaways co-captain Linda Osterberg, who has been on the team for 15 years. Osterberg met her husband, John, when he was coaching for the team, known then as the Vail Snails. That first team, with some members even using figure skates, met outdoors on Vail's first artificial ice surface before a roof was put over Dobson Ice Arena. They gathered weekly with coaches Dave Sage and Dudley Abbott to learn the rudiments of the sport. Bailey and Sage had served together on the task force that studied the feasibility of an ice rink in Vail, and from that humble beginning, the women's hockey team was born. "Dave was so excited being from a hockey family that he charged me up," said Bailey, who had never learned how to skate before then. "They had their work cut out for them, but they agreed if we showed up to practice, they'd coach us. They were fabulous." "I remember getting hit with a stick and shedding the first blood on the new ice surface," Bailey said. "We all laughed about it, but our practices became the highlight of the week." The first women's team members scrambled to borrow pads and helmets from the older kids in town. When they finally had team T-shirts printed with "Vail Pucking Society," Bailey said, "we became a team and I was hooked." "We were the pioneers," said Ingrid Giannetti, a tall, lean forward, dubbed the "Spider Lady." Giannetti grew up in Sweden playing with the guys, making her a natural for the women's team. She remained a valuable player for many years. "I'm glad we got it going and that it's still a strong group. It was such fun, good old-fashioned hockey." Then, as now, the team formed extremely close friendships that have spanned the years. The first teams hosted potlucks and got together with friends and kids to scrimmage on the golf course ponds during the winter. "It's a great outlet," said Julie Hunter, an Eagle veterinarian who is currently a member of the Breakaways and has played with them since she moved to the valley in 1985. "The people I play with are my best friends and we do a lot together year around. It's a blast, but the older I get, the harder it is." For the first few years, the only other women's ice hockey team to play against was the Aspen Mother Puckers. Scrimmages were set with the men's Never Ever team, which was also coached by Sage. Because the women had better skating skills at that point, a few male egos were often bruised and battered during practice. One year, the Vail Junior Hockey Club Bantams, which had lost every game that season, were pitted against the "Vail Snails." The boys walloped the women and were elated to have added even one win to a dismal season. It was good, clean hockey then and it remains the same today. "They're never in the penalty box, said current Breakaways coach Hal Schmidt. "They're enthusiastic and want to learn, making them easy to coach. They deserve to be recognized for their outstanding women's play." With only one practice a week, the women's team plays a full game schedule. They're a self-supporting group, buying their own uniforms and paying for ice time and travel to away games. Breakaways member Molly Love took up the sport because her kids were playing and it looked like fun. In addition to the Breakaway's schedule, she helps coach 28 kids in the mini-mite program. Former Breakaways coach Mike Hardy cut his teeth in the coaching arena with the women's team. "We all learned together," said Hardy who has remained an active coach with the Vail Junior Hockey program. "Even the drills were fun with that unique diverse group of women, who ranged from high school kids to those women who had children older than some team members." A third generation could be coming up, Hardy said. He remembers coaching Judy Sibley, and now her daughter, Kris Wyatt, is a Breakaways team member. Sibley's granddaughter is out on the ice and could soon follow in her mother and grandmother's tracks. Rob Fawcett, another former women's coach, whose wife, Laura, was a player, is now coaching his own son's team with Hardy, bringing their coaching experiences full circle. Hardy's son is also on the team. Hardy was also on board when the women's team hosted the first tournament in Vail, with teams from Aspen, Denver, Colorado Springs and....(remainder of article is illegible).