USPHL'S McCALL SMOKEJUMPERS PARTER WITH JUNIORHOCKEY.IO JuniorHockey.io Proudly Announces Partnership with McCall Smokejumpers to Elevate Player Development.

JuniorHockey.io Proudly Announces Partnership with McCall Smokejumpers to Elevate Player Development, Visibility, and Community Engagement

McCall, ID — JuniorHockey.io is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the McCall Smokejumpers, a unique and forward-thinking junior hockey program based in McCall, Idaho. This collaboration marks a major step in expanding the visibility and impact of the Smokejumpers as they prepare to compete in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Premier Conference’s Northwest Division for the upcoming season.

The McCall Smokejumpers operate a single junior hockey team, but their influence reaches far beyond the ice. Known for blending elite hockey development with real-world experiences, the Smokejumpers offer players the rare opportunity to train in wildfire suppression — a skillset that builds discipline, teamwork, and resilience. This distinctive approach sets the program apart and aligns perfectly with JuniorHockey.io’s mission to spotlight innovative and impactful hockey organizations.

“The relationship with the Gregory family stems from another close friendship with Bill Mueller’s (Bakersfield, CA) family,” said Stephen Heisler, founder of JuniorHockey.io. “We worked with Bill’s younger son (Mitch) when he was climbing the hockey development ladder, and his older son (Brock) when he trained my diabetic alert dog Tiana. I’ve been able to see the Gregory family’s commitment to doing the right things, for the right reasons, when the team was in California, and I fully support the move to Idaho. McCall is a great environment for the young men to not only develop as hockey players, but also get the opportunity to pick up valuable life skills in wildfire suppression. That’s a unique skill set that most young men never have the chance to learn.”

Through this partnership, JuniorHockey.io will collaborate with the Smokejumpers to produce engaging content that highlights the team’s journey, player development, and the values that define the organization. This includes interviews, behind-the-scenes features, and regular updates that will be shared across JuniorHockey.io’s platforms.

JuniorHockey.io is more than just a media outlet — it’s a central hub for the junior hockey community. Alongside its website, the platform hosts the private Junior Hockey Discussion Group on Facebook, which has grown to over 11,000 members. This vibrant community includes team owners, league commissioners, coaching staff, college recruiters, and families from across North America. The group has become a trusted space for sharing news, networking, and supporting the development of players at all levels.

“JuniorHockey.io, along with the private discussion group, has become the best source of news and insight for anyone involved in junior hockey,” Heisler added. “Whether you're a parent trying to understand the development path, a coach looking for talent, or a player seeking guidance, this platform brings the community together in a meaningful way.”

The Smokejumpers’ entry into the USPHL Premier Northwest Division places them in one of the most competitive and geographically diverse junior hockey environments in the country. The league is known for its strong emphasis on player advancement, with many alumni moving on to NCAA programs, professional leagues, and international opportunities.

"The McCall Smokejumpers organization looks forward to a partnership with the Heisler Group and Juniorhockey.io. We have known Stephen for many years and as a respected member of the Junior Hockey world, his knowledge of the game and his connections at the various levels of junior & pro hockey will be a huge benefit to our organization," Smokejumpers' owner Chris Gregory said earlier this week. 

"Stephen's commitment to helping young athletes every year achieve their goals falls in line with our business model in McCall," wife Sara Gregory added. "We are excited to be apart of Juniorhockey.io and can’t wait to see what the future brings."

By aligning with JuniorHockey.io, the Smokejumpers are not only enhancing their media presence but also reinforcing their commitment to transparency, education, and long-term player success. The partnership will help families, fans, and scouts gain deeper insight into what makes the Smokejumpers’ program so distinctive — from the rugged beauty of McCall to the discipline of wildfire training.

As the season approaches, followers can expect to see more of the Smokejumpers’ story unfold through JuniorHockey.io’s platforms. It’s a partnership built on shared values, mutual respect, and a vision for what junior hockey can be when development is paired with purpose.