Smokejumpers Will Join USPHL Premier Northwest Division In 2025-26
McCall, Idaho – April 11 – The Bakersfield Roughnecks have relocated to McCall, Idaho, and will play as the McCall Smokejumpers in the 2025-26 season in the USPHL Premier Conference. The Smokejumpers, who are leaving the Pacific Division, will join the Northwest Division.
The team is happy to call the Manchester Ice and Event Centre the Smokejumpers’ new home. McCall, Idaho, has a rich junior hockey history, having hosted the former Idaho Jr. Steelheads from 2009 through 2016. The Steelheads won multiple league championships and had an extremely supportive fan base. The Smokejumpers are co-owned by the husband-and-wife team of Christian Gregory and Sara Gregory. Christian also serves as the General Manager.
“McCall is a community known for its wildland firefighting and smokejumping base among other things. We wanted to rebrand our program to something that would fall in line with McCall and the hardworking people that will be supporting us,” said Christian Gregory. “The community has been eager to have a junior team back in town for a few years now, and we can’t wait to get started.”
“We are very grateful for our time in Bakersfield and appreciate all the support from our staff, billets, rink management, loyal fans and of course, all the players and families that were part of our organization,” added Gregory.
Former Jr. Steelheads player Auggie Kuzara has been named Head Coach of the Smokejumpers. Kuzara moved directly from the Jr. Steelheads to the USHL and ultimately to Merrimack College for NCAA Division I college hockey. After three pro years in Germany, he returned to McCall to play for the McCall Mountaineers of the semi-pro Mountain Hockey League.
“I am excited about the chance to build something special from the ground up. Working with committed owners and in a town with unrivaled support. I look forward to teaming up with the players and the community to create a winning culture from the start. I will give my all to this club and the people of McCall,” said Kuzara.
For more information, contact:
Auggie Kuzara
Head Coach
info@highaltitudehockey.com
Chris Gregory
Owner/GM
christian@gregspetro.com
Watch for information upcoming on the Smokejumpers’ Tryout Camp:
July 18-20, Manchester Ice and Event Center, McCall, Idaho
Reach out to team contacts above to learn more and to register.
