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While everyone is entitled to their opinion, the comment in "Readers Sound Off" concerning youth hockey coverage merits a response. First, the same comment could be made about newspaper coverage of any youth sport at any level from the little guys through high school. Second, there's a lot more at stake than "attention for the kids by getting their names in the paper".

In a survey of 2 million kids, researchers learned that there is a strong relationship between the number of "developmental assets" in kids lives and the degree to which they develop in positive ways. Youth sports can be a positive influence in their lives by providing what was termed external assets.

Support - young people need to experience support from community organizations and institutions that provide a positive, supportive environment

Empowerment - young people need to be valued by their community and have opportunities to contribute to others

Boundaries and expectations - young people need to know what is expected of them and what is "in bounds" and "out of bounds"

Constructive use of time - young people need constructive, enriching opportunities for growth through youth activities and programs.

While parents, families and friends play important roles, internal assets that youth sports can contribute to include commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity. For anyone interested in learning more about developmental assets, go to search-institute.com.

That said, the youth hockey games this past weekend were the best ticket in town for cheap entertainment (attendance is free). There was more fun, excitement and drama than professional sports will ever supply. The fact that your friends and neighbors were in the stands cheering the kids on made this a genuine "small town" experience.

By the way, while Rumble in the Rockies was on the ice locally, hometown boy Ryan Dingle scored two goals and an assist as the University of Denver upset the University of Wisconsin in a two-game series sweep. In my opinion, Dingle will earn All-American honors this season and is well on this way to an NHL career.

Mark O'Reilly

Steamboat Springs