Avalanche Fan Finds Salvation In Giving Back To New Mexico Youth

Hockey is a theme of Ted Grycel's mission to help troubled kids

Ted Grycel and his dog, Elsa

Ted Grycel knows what it’s like to need help. Despite a successful career in television production and information technology, Grycel battled addiction problems that became so severe that he seriously contemplated taking his own life. Thankfully, he said, God wouldn’t let that happen.

“I felt a calling. It was to help others as best I could. It ended up helping me the most. I got clean and sober and things turned around, through God’s grace,” said Grycel, 68, who once lived in Baily, Colo., and became a huge Avalanche fan in that time.

About five years ago, in his new home of New Mexico, Grycel became an ordained minister. Having seen so many youths in trouble with drugs, crime, and poverty in the Estancia Valley, near his home in Moriarty, Grycel felt another calling. Having played and coached youth hockey as a younger man, he knew one way out for kids in trouble is sports and a safe place to hang out and play them.

His dream of a fully-funded youth center, with hockey as one of the themes, albeit roller hockey, is almost there. Almost.

“We could use another 10 to 15 thousand dollars,” Grycel said. “We would love to get some used hockey equipment, like sticks and pads and things like that.”

Today, the Estancia Valley Christian Teen Center is under construction. It’s got some space completed already, where kids are learning jiu-jitsu while things like a 50-foot long roller rink await full completion.

Photos courtesy of Ted Grycel

“We want to give viable alternatives to drugs, crime and other paths that are leading to the overall downfall of our rural teen communities,” Grycel says. “Any activities they want to partake in require them to travel to Albuquerque, not only having to travel 50 miles or so each way, but the cost becomes prohibitive for families trying to get them involved with healthy activities.”

In 2020, New Mexico had the third-highest poverty rate in the United States, at 16.8 percent. According to one government tally, “an annual average of 125,000 persons aged 12 or older used any illicit drug in the past year. This represents 17.2 percent of the MSA population and is similar to the rate for the State of New Mexico (15.9 percent) but is higher than the national rate (14.7 percent).”

Grycel has already seen the difference in his local community youth, but knows there’s a long way to go. He hopes for more grassroots efforts, with an accent on sports and activities, will start stemming the tide of drug culture in financially disadvantaged communities.

“When kids feel they have a fun place to go, with things that are mentally and physically good for them, it’s something they will eventually gravitate to,” Grycel said. “It’s starting to happen here. But it’s always going to be a battle. But if we can give kids a place to play roller hockey or other sports and activities, with no cost to them, then it’s totally worth it.”

Grycel emphasizes the need to keep costs for kids and their parents free. For that to happen, he needs some help from the local business community or anyone outside of it who wants to help.

Grycel really wants Estancia Valley kids to experience the joy of hockey, even if it’s only on roller skates for now.

“The Avs are one of my passions, and I just love the game overall,” Grycel said. “When kids start just playing even floor hockey, I’ve seen how quickly they love it.”

Grycel, who only just retired from many years in IT, said giving to others was the key to helping himself the most.

“I lived a selfish life for a long time and drugs were one of the main reasons. If I can help just one kid avoid that and feel like I do now, then it’s all worth it,” he said. "The epidemic of fentanyl, meth, alcohol and other drugs is literally killing our kids, and it’s time to break the chain and stop it now. We owe it to them, our community, and to God.”

To give a tax-deductible donation to the Estancia Valley Christian Teen Center, click here. To donate by mail:

Estancia Valley Youth Ministries, Inc

PO Box 862

Moriarty, NM 87035

Follow Ted on Twitter @Tgrycel