Hockey family embraces Marlin livelihood

Brian and Starette Nash have put roughly 800 hours into the Mitchell Hockey Association since they first put their 11-year-old son Peyton in a Mitchell Marlin uniform in 2006.

And the hours will continue to calculate as Mitchell hosts the Pee Wee A state tournament today through Sunday at the Mitchell Activities Center.

“We do it for the kids because they enjoy it,” Starette said. “It’s become our livelihood and we look forward to hockey season and getting together with our friends. It makes our volunteering much more fun.”

In preparation for the state tournament, Starette has been in charge of putting together raffle baskets by collecting donated items by local businesses that will be raffled off throughout the weekend.

During the tournament, Brian, who helps coach the Pee Wee A team, estimated they will be working more than 12-hour days to help the tournament run smoothly.

Pee Wee is the first year the players participate in a league state tournament, which makes hosting the tournament all the more special.

“It’s definitely something to look forward to at the end of the year,” said Brian Nash, who also coaches the Mitchell Mites — a team his daughter Kate, 8, is a part of. “And (the tournament) being in Mitchell makes it a little more exciting.”

Brian said the Pee Wee A team, whose players range from fifth- to seventh-graders, went through early-season struggles but has really improved within the last month.

“It took them a while to mold together and get comfortable with each other,” he said. “They’ve started to play a lot better as a team and are very excited to play in this tournament at home.”

The Marlins, who are on a four-game win streak, are 6-10 in league play this season and have the eighth seed heading into the tournament. Mitchell plays Sioux Center at 8 a.m. today to enter the main draw. If the Marlins win, they play No. 1-seeded Rushmore at 4 p.m. today. If Mitchell loses its opening game, it enters a three-team round robin for places nine through 11.

The Pee Wee B state tournament begins today in Rapid City. The No. 7-seeded Marlins play Sioux Center at 10 a.m. mountain time.

Tags: mitchell marlins, sports, updates, hockey