Dr. Gary Kline

2024

Before rink refrigeration or dasher boards and glass, Dr. Gary Kline was instrumentalin bringing hockey to the Gallatin Valley. He made significant personal sacrifices to ensure that our budding organization could enjoy a dependable and appropriate facility. He paid for the first set of boards using a home equity loan on his private residence. Gary was also an astute negotiator with the City of Bozeman and Gallatin County administrators for BAHA. Serving as one of the early Board of Directors, he had the “build it and they will come” attitude. Quietly paying membership fees for youth players who were in need, Gary’s focus was getting kids on the ice. In an effort to continue hockey’s progress around Southwest Montana, he also bought and supported the Butte Roughriders Junior Hockey program. Gary made tremendous contributions to Bozeman’s emerging hockey scene and helped generate momentum for programs, facilities, and the organization we enjoy today.