Getting into the swing of things
Hurricanes hold annual Golf Classic
From sticks and skates to ranching and rodeos. Depending on the time of the year, those are the priorities for Colton Yellow Horn and the fact they take place on different continents makes no difference for the former forward with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
In the winter months, Yellow Horn has spent the past three seasons overseas lacing it up with the Orli Znojmo of the Austrian League.
With the calender recently flipping into July and with a blazing heat wave gripping southern Alberta with no immediate relief in sight, tending to the family ranch and hitting the highway to different rodoes alongside his father is front-and-centre on Yellow Horn’s agenda.
“He did a lot for me throughout my career, so to get to come home and help him out and rodeo with him is huge for me,” said Yellow Horn, Monday afternoon, taking a day off from his summer jobs to tee it up at the Hurricanes Golf Classic at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort. “We travel together and that’s the biggest thing. It’s a fatherson thing and I’m really appreciative of what I get to do with him.
“Working on the ranch helps you appreciate the work over there. You come home, you work for 16 hours days, but you go over there and work two-hour days.”
Not that Yellow Horn — who played for the Hurricanes from 2003-2006 — didn’t put in the work during his winter gig overseas.
The product of Brocket who turned 30 in May was second in scoring with the Orli Znojmo with 19 goals and 42 points in 38 games, helping his team to the final before falling short of the championship to the Vienna Capitals.
“It went well,” said Yellow Horn. “We made the finals and it’s unfortunate we came up short. But it’s a great group of guys over there. They treat me really well. It was a good season and all-in-all you obviously want to win the championship and we came up a little short.
“I’m going back to the same team this year, so that’s nice. I’m glad they want me back.”
Before he heads back overseas, Monday was about catching up with some Canes alumni on the links.
Joining Yellow Horn among the past Hurricanes taking their hacks on the golf course Monday was Scott Grieco, who played for the Canes from 1992 to 1996.
The right winger who also spent three seasons with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns from 1998 to 2002 originally hails from St. Albert, but happily calls Lethbridge home and has worked for the city for the past two years and spending time in the propane industry.
“Life after hockey has been great,” said Grieco. “I have a 10-year-old and a seven-yearold son. I’m the transit maintenance manager for the City of Lethbridge, so that keeps me busy. I basically handle all the maintenance for the city buses, including transit, Access-A-Ride and school buses.”
Yellow Horn enjoyed the chance to share a story or two with his fellow alumni.
“It’s really nice to come out here and see guys you played with and the guys before you, like the Sutters,” said Yellow Horn. “You get to hang out with them and tell stories. It’s great to come out here.” As for his golf game? “Today I’m actually playing pretty good,” said Yellow Horn. “Most days, not so good, but today I’m doing well.”