3View: Butte Cobras

The 3View series will feature an in-depth look into all NA3HL teams in preparation for the 2022-23 season, with two teams being highlighted daily, leading all the way up until the start of the regular season. 3View goes in-depth into each NA3HL team and will include interviews with all the head coaches in the NA3HL, as they provide fans with their expectations and outlook for the 2022-23 season, including taking a look at their potential roster and their strengths as a team for the upcoming season. It will also take a look back on the 2021-22 season and how each team fared and what they accomplished. Best of all, 3View will provide the fans of the NA3HL with an inside look at their favorite team and what to expect.

Butte Cobras

2021-22 Record: 19-26-2, 40 pts. (6th in Frontier Division)

2022 Playoffs: Lost to Bozeman in Division Play-In Series, 2-0

Head Coach: Kirk Golden

2022-23 Division: Frontier

The 2021-22 season was one full of positives for the Butte Cobras. They finished the regular season with a franchise record number of wins and advanced skaters to play collegiate hockey. With that being said, they now enter the new season with a new set of expectations and for head coach Kirk Golden, it relies on execution.

Golden, now heading into his second season as head coach and general manager, was very pleased with how his first year went with the organization.

“I was very happy with how our season went as my first season as Head Coach and General Manager. It has been fun helping guide this organization in the right direction. We won our season series versus Sheridan, Yellowstone, Badlands, and tied Great Falls. It was great to set a franchise record for wins last season. Our guys earned that playoff spot.”

While the Cobras as a team were focused on earning a playoff spot, players were also dialed in on earning a roster spot in the next level of hockey.  Golden spoke on some of his players and the importance of providing the players with the right opportunities.

“Robbie Arver is off to Niagara University to play for their CHF squad, and Fabian Vik will play ACHA II at Dakota College at Bottineau. Another Butte Cobras alum, Jonah Gilbert, will be playing club hockey at Arizona State University for either their ACHA II or III teams. Johan Olsen is back in Norway and will most likely play in one of their minor pro leagues. Caleb Manson also has some potential possibilities in Europe as well, and may land in Sweden. The aim of our program is to maximize our players skill sets and increase their hockey IQ. Our goal is to open up possibilities for our players to play college hockey and beyond.”

The Cobras are about to enter their 5th season as a member of the NA3HL and are looking to rival the proven strong Frontier Division. Despite the division not representing a Fraser Cup Championship win yet in the NA3HL, the Frontier has proven that it competes strongly at both the Showcase and Top Prospects Tournament against other divisions and had the second best win percentage against competing divisions.

Golden talked about being a part of the Frontier. “I am happy to be a member of the Frontier Division. It is in a beautiful part of the country. The Frontier division proved its strength at last year's NA3HL showcase. Hockey continues to grow throughout the country, and states like Montana and Wyoming are proving that kids don't need to go to traditional hockey states anymore for exposure and growth. HockeyTV allows scouts, family, and fans to follow any team in any division easily. I expect the top teams in the Frontier Division to again be competing for the Fraser Cup.”

Butte will jump back into the Frontier Division with plenty of returning players. They are returning three goaltenders, three defenseman, and ten forwards. “We expect all of our 16 vets to lead our squad and build upon what we started last season.” With a familiar group that has already seen some success last season, the fans have a lot to look forward to beginning on September 9th.

With that in mind, Golden and the staff are ready to go and set their sights on the top of the division standings. “Our goal is to be one of the top teams in our division. We have the personnel to do so, we just need to execute and play smart 200 foot hockey.”

Next Up: Bozeman Icedogs