2026-27 NCDC Season Preview: West Conference – Mountain Division

The 2026-27 NCDC Season Preview Series continues with a look at the West Conference’s Mountain Division.

Five teams make up the division this season, with the McCall Smokejumpers and Vernal Oilers making the jump from the USPHL Premier. Vernal enters the NCDC after winning back-to-back Premier National Championships, while the Casper Warbirds, Park City Outliers and Rock Springs Miners return with experience at the Tier II level.

Here is a team-by-team look at the Mountain Division entering 2026-27.

 

Casper Warbirds

Head Coach/General Manager: Slava Alekseev
2025-26 Record: 7-44-3-0, 17 points

The Casper Warbirds enter 2026-27 with an influx of young talent and returning players who understand the demands of NCDC competition.

“The new recruits we have coming in,” Alekseev said of the team’s biggest strength. “We have a lot of great talent that just finished playing at the youth level and is ready to make an impact in juniors. We also have players with proven success at the NCDC level from last season, giving us a strong mix of experience.”

Mark Powers and Charlie Cronin are among the returning players expected to take significant steps forward.

Newcomers Mack McKee, Mason Brenno, Hunter Popolis and Ivan Smirnov are also expected to compete for important roles.

Casper emphasized recruiting younger talent, expanding its staff and strengthening its marketing presence during the offseason.

On the ice, the Warbirds expect to establish an aggressive identity.

“Culture comes first, and on the ice we will play an attacking style, a creative game, with a high-pressure forecheck and a disciplined defensive zone,” Alekseev said.

Staying healthy and preparing for individual opponents will be important as Casper looks to improve on last season’s results.

The Warbirds have established a clear objective for the new campaign: returning to the NCDC playoffs.

 

McCall Smokejumpers

Head Coach: August Kuzara
General Manager: Chris Gregory
2025-26 Premier Record: 24-19-2-1, 51 points
2026-27: First NCDC Season

The McCall Smokejumpers enter their first NCDC season with an experienced group and a commitment to establishing a physical, competitive identity.

“We have brought in some very skilled, experienced players this year,” Gregory said. “We have also added a physical aspect to our organization as well.”

Toby Odushkin, Lukas Ledl, Tyler Moser and Colin Sharp return with junior hockey experience and are expected to carry significant responsibilities.

The incoming group includes Jimi Yliluoma, Jan Schiffer, Rehaun Lidder, Alfie Jefferis, Justin Angeles and Simon Cseh.

McCall placed a particular emphasis on recruiting players who embrace competition and are committed to the organization’s expectations.

“We focused on bringing high-compete-level players to McCall,” Gregory said. “We want guys that want to be part of our program and buy in 100 percent.”

Kuzara expects the Smokejumpers to play a fast, relentless style, emphasizing physicality and consistent effort throughout games.

McCall’s coaching staff believes its returning experience and incoming talent will help the organization adjust to the increased level of competition.

The move to the NCDC also creates new opportunities for player recruitment and advancement.

“Means we can recruit a higher level, more motivated player, and ultimately move more guys up to the next level,” Kuzara said.

While reaching the postseason remains an important goal, McCall will also measure success through the development of its players.

“If our players grow on and off the ice from September through March, then we will have had a successful season,” Gregory said.

 

Park City Outliers

Head Coach: Richard Bohan
General Manager: Kevin McCloskey
2025-26 Record: 28-19-4-3, 63 points  – Competed as the Utah Outliers

The Park City Outliers enter the 2026-27 season with returning experience and an opportunity to build on last year’s 28-win campaign.

Eric Bachtle is among the returning players expected to take on a larger role as the Outliers prepare for another season in the Mountain Division.

Park City’s offseason included an emphasis on increasing the organization’s visibility in its new market.

On the ice, the Outliers expect to play hard and remain defensively responsible.

Consistency will be critical in a Mountain Division that features established NCDC programs and two teams arriving from the Premier.

McCloskey has established a championship as the organization’s ultimate goal for the 2026-27 season.

With experienced leadership and returning players providing continuity, Park City will look to build on last season’s foundation while continuing its focus on player development and advancement.

 

Rock Springs Miners

Head Coach: Alex Miner
2025-26 Record: 17-34-3-0, 37 points

The Rock Springs Miners enter 2026-27 with changes throughout the organization and a focus on establishing a new foundation under Head Coach Alex Miner.

Rock Springs has spent the offseason rebuilding its program, bringing in new personnel and creating a fresh start for the organization and the surrounding community.

The Miners will also continue to emphasize their billet program, providing stability and a supportive environment for players throughout the season.

On the ice, Rock Springs plans to establish a tough, gritty and physical identity, with veteran players expected to step into leadership roles.

Getting off to strong starts will be particularly important. The Miners will emphasize their first-period performance, establishing early leads and maintaining that momentum throughout games.

With new competition in the Mountain Division, consistency will be essential as Rock Springs looks to improve on last season’s 17-win campaign.

For Miner and the organization, a successful season would include reaching the .500 mark while continuing to develop players and advance them to college hockey.

Vernal Oilers

Head Coach: Ryan Howse
General Manager: David Imonti
2025-26 Premier Record: 42-2-0-0, 84 points – USPHL Premier National Champions
2026-27: First NCDC Season

The Vernal Oilers enter their first NCDC season after capturing their second consecutive USPHL Premier National Championship in 2025-26.

Vernal finished the regular season with a 42-2 record and 84 points before defeating the Fresno Monsters 6-4 in the national championship game.

The Oilers now turn their attention to the NCDC, where they expect their offensive depth, defensive structure and goaltending to translate to the Tier II level.

“A potent offense, deep shutdown defense and elite goaltending,” Imonti said of the team’s biggest strengths.

Jordan Trakosas, Brett Holman and Jack Tidsbury are among the returning players expected to take on larger roles.

Newcomers Riku Permi, Leo Gauthier and Hugo Storakers could also make immediate contributions.

Vernal emphasized improving its defensive depth during the offseason while assembling a roster capable of competing at the NCDC level.

The Oilers expect to bring a versatile approach against their new opponents.

“We want to beat you any way we have to; defensively, on the scoreboard or physically,” Imonti said.

Consistency will be essential as Vernal adjusts to its new conference schedule.

“We’re good on paper, but wins and losses determine who has a chance to bring home a Dineen Cup,” Imonti said.

The move to the NCDC has also allowed Vernal to attract additional talent and strengthen its organizational operations, including an enhanced game-day experience for its fans.

After back-to-back Premier championships, the Oilers enter the new season with similarly ambitious expectations.

“We expect to win every time we take the ice,” Imonti said. “While perfection isn’t a reality, it’s what we strive for night in and night out. It’s the culture we’ve built in Vernal, and even though the league has changed, the goal remains the same.”