Championship Hockey Teams from the Copper Country

State and National Championship Ice Hockey Teams

From the Copper Country!

CHAMPS

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Click here to see Champs of the John MacInnes Holiday Hockey Classic, a High School Tournament held in December at the John MacInnes Student Ice Rink in Houghton; between U.P HS teams Houghton, Hancock, Calumet and Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

If you have any pictures or information or know of any other local teams who won State or National Championship titles, please Contact the webmaster, Thank you!!

Click on pictures to view larger image!
Do not make copies of these images!

1903 The first Championship Hockey Team from the Copper Country was the Portage Lake Hockey Team who were considered the Champions of the United States for the 1902-03 season. Their home ice was the original Amphidrome in Houghton, Michigan. Members of this team included: Picture Top row lt-rt: A Haller -Sub, J.H. Stephens, C.E. Webb -Manager, L.J. Ames -Trainer, J.C Baker -Point, Front row: J.L Gibson -C. Point and Captain, R. Rowe -Left, J.H. Jones -Goal, C.E. Wescott -Right, H.E. Meinke -Center. Paddy the Mascot dog.

1902-03 Portage Lake
Champions of the United States

1903-04 The 1904 Portage Lake team won the American Championship over the Pittsburgh Victorias and the World Championship over the Montreal Wanderers. During this season, in 25 games, they scored 258 goals and allowed only 49, with only 2 defeats. J.L. "Doc" Gibson was the leading scorer. Their home ice was the original Amphidrome in Houghton.

1903-04 Roster & Game Results

The 1904 Portage Lake team members and managers were: Back row: N.F. Westcott -Sub, James. Duggan -Trainer, C.E. Webb -Mgr, James R. Dee Pres, J. Linder -Sub
Middle row: Bertram C. Morrison -Rover, W.C. Shields -Rt Wing, J.L. Gibson -Capt & Point, W.Hodgson (Hod) Stuart -Cover Point, C.Bruce Stuart -Center
Front row: C. Ernest Westcott -Lt Wing, William M. Hern -Goal.

Portage Lake 1903-04
Championship Team

1904 Hancock Central High School won the Michigan Championship Title. Members of this 1904 Hancock High School Team were:

Back Row L to R: Meyers, manager; Waara, center; J. Linder, Captain & rover; Carrigan, point.
Middle Row: Steinback, RW; Tamblyn, center point; Black, center; Reid, goal.
Front Row: G. Linder, LW, Guilbault, rover.

1904 Hancock Central High School Champions of Michigan

1906 Hancock Central High School won the Michigan Championship Title. Members of this 1905-06 Hancock High School Team were:

Top Row Lt to Rt: NicKila -Point, M.J. Walsh -Mgr., J. Lilnder -Coach, G. Linder -Center, Goldsworthy -R.Wing.
Sitting Middle: Rompf -Point, Mette -Goal, Bogan -Rover, Waara -L.Wing.
Front: Tamblyn -Capt & C.Point, Pelto -R.Wing.

1905-06 Hancock Central High
Champions of Michigan

1904-05 The Calumet Team won the First Professional League Championship, the International Hockey League Championship. Calumet was led by the Canadian born "Hod" Stuart, their season record was ... their home ice was the Palestra in Laurium.
Members of this 1904-05 Calumet IHL Pro team were:
Standing L-R: Joe Ziehr -Trainer, Charles Thompson -Mgr, "Red" McMillan, Hod Stuart, "Lal" Earls, Johnson Vivian -Pres.
Center Row L-R: Dr. Scott, William Nicholson, Jimmy Gardner.
Front Row L-R: Fred Strike, Ken. Mallen.

1904-05 Calumet IHL Team

Photo courtesy of National Park Service, Keweenaw National Historical Park.
Jack Foster Collection.

1905-06 The Portage Lake team won the International Hockey League Championship Title. This Portage Lake team sent word to the Stanley Cup Committee Board of Governors challenging Montreal to a championship; they were denied the opportunity because of the Portage Lake team's Professional status. Their home ice was the original Amphidrome in Houghton.

Pictured here is this Portage Lake team: "Champion 1906 International League" clock wise from top left corner:
Bruce Stuart -captain & center,
Barney Holden -cover point,
.. McNemara -manager,
"Grindy" Forrester -point,
Riley Hern -goalie,
Joe Hall -right wing,
Harry Bright -rover,
James Duggan -trainer,
Walter A. Forrest -spare,
Fred Taylor -rover,
Fred Lake -left wing.
There is a picture of the Amphidrome ice rink in the middle, it says
" Home of the Portage Lake Hockey Team"

Portage Lake 1905-06 IHL Championship Team

1906-07 The Portage Lake team won the International Hockey League Championship Title. Their home ice was the original Amphidrome in Houghton.

Top 3 L-R: Jas M Duggan -Trainer,
Darcy Regan -Goal, John T. McNamara -Mgr.
Middle 2 L-R: Fred W. Taylor -Cover Point,
Barney Holden -Point.
Middle 4 L-R: Grindy Forester -Right Wing,
Goldy Cochrane -Rover,
C. Bruce Stuart -Capt. Centre,
Fred E. Lake -Left Wing.
Bottom 1: Jack Descarie -Spare.

Portage Lake 1906-07 IHL Championship Team

Photo courtesy of Ernie Fitzsimmons
Hockey Historian, Fredericton, N.B

1912-13 Portage Lake won the U.S. Amateur Championship after defeating Cleveland. Their coach was .... their season record was .... and their home ice was the original Amphidrome in Houghton.

Members of this 1912 Portage Lake team were:
Top Row Lt to Rt: J.M. Croze -Mgr, C? Hog? -C.Point, W.Trathen -Point.
Seated Lt to Rt: Exley -R.Wing, L. Haas -Center, C. Haug -Goal, O? Chaput -Rover, E.Sicotte -L.Wing.

Please Contact the webmaster if you have a better copy of this picture or have more info about this team.

1912? Portage Lake
U.S. Champions!

1912unkdatePortageLakeUSChamps nbs.jpg (105549 bytes)

1924 Hancock High School

1925 Hancock High School won the State Championship Title. Their coach was Don Crawford, their season record was ... and their home ice was the Amphidrome in Houghton.

Members of this team were:
Top Row Lt to Rt: Coach Don Crawford, Joseph Ruppe, George Funkey, Emil Riutta, Ardell Condon, Joe Mishica -Trainer.

Seated: Henry Latva, Bill Mason, Doug Tesen, Foley Conway, John Schneider, Arne Riutta.

1925 Hancock High School
State Champions

1930-31 Hancock Eagles won the State Amateur Championship,
Members of this team were: Standing Lt to Rt: Joseph Abb -Trainer, Henry Latva -Center, John Mustonen -R.Def, Douglas Tesen -R.Wing, Toivo Riutta -R.Wing, Arne Riutta -L.Wing, George Hocking -Mgr.
Seated Lt to Rt: George Barkkila -L.Wing, Ernest Kleinbeil -L.Def, Foley Conway -Goalie, Emil Riutta -L.Wing & Capt., Rudolph Borkkila -Center. (note 3 Riutta brothers on this team!)
From the local paper, Daily Mining Gazette? "The Michigan amateur hockey championship came to Hancock Sunday afternoon, when the Hancock Eagles, MacNaughton cup winners, defeated Dearborn, Lower Michigan Champions, 40 to 6, in the new Amphidrome." (this might be 4G to 0, need to find a clearer copy of this news article to read it!!)
This team played for the World's Amateur Title in Madison Square Garden, NY.

1930-31 Hancock Eagles
State Champions

Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info on this team or a better copy of this picture.

1934-35 Houghton Wolverines won the Class D State Championship Title.
Members of this team were:
Back Row L to R: G. H. Richards, Coach Joe Abb, Godfrey Johnson, R. Bonefant, B. Ruelle, Mgr. S. Kestner.
Front Row: R. Robillard, R. Kestner, S. Meyers, B. Ruhl, J. McLean.
H. Kestner -Mascot.

1934-35 Houghton Wolverines
Class D
State Champions

1938-39 The Portage Lake Elks Hockey Team won the N.M.W. Championship Title and the "Doc" Gibson Cup. The Gibson Cup was created for the Champion of the Northern Michigan-Ontario semi-pro hockey league in the 1938-39 season; this was the first team to win the Gibson Cup. The Cup, called the Stanley Cup of the North is the 3rd oldest Hockey Cup in North America. It was named after Hockey Hall of Famer, John L. (Doc) Gibson, the first captain and leading scorer of the Portage Lake 1904 Pro Team. Their home ice was the "new" (rebuilt) Amphidrome in Houghton.
Members of the 1938-39 team were: Top Row Left: J.R. Abb-Trainer, M.I. Joffee-Business Mgr, R.C. Harrington-Sec'y-Tres, W.J. Smith-Chairman, F.J. Yeip-Manager, G.C. Siller-Asst Mgr.
2nd row: G. Teele-Forward, E. Murray-Goal (in the middle), E. Klingbeil-Capt-Def (in the middle), F. Ingram-Coach-Forward.
3rd row: J. Rozinka-Def, E. Juntunen-Def.
4th bottom row: J. Stack-Forward, R. Kohlman-Forward, I. Stalker-Forward, J. Stobel-Asst Trainer, D. Bladnick-Forward, W. Kananen-Forward, B. Ruelle-Forward.

1938-39 Portage Lake Elks
NMW Champ Team &
Gibson Cup Winners

1947-48 The Portage Lake Hockey Club won the M.O.W. Hockey League Championship Title and the "Doc" Gibson Cup. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton (i.e. the Amphidrome which had been renamed after James R. Dee in 1943 when Michigan Tech purchased it.)

Members of this 1947-48 Portage Lake Team were: Top Left: Joseph Bukovich -Forward, Bernard Ruelle -Forward, James Mosienko -Forward, Wilbert Sivonen -Goal, Mike Bukovich -Defense.
2nd row: William Lindstrom -Forward, William Kolehmainen -Forward, John Plesch -Forward, Ernest Klingbeil -Cap'n Defense, Jack Ruelle -Forward.
3rd row: Neil McLean -Forward, Pete Pisnook -Defense.
4th row: Douglas Peterson -Forward, Wilbert Savela -Forward.
5th bottom row: George Richards -Sec'y, Herman Gundlach -Vice Pres, Milton Joffee -Pres, Warner Rantala -Trainer.

1947-48 Champ Team

1955 The Portage Lake Pioneers won the National Senior Championship Title at the U.S. Amateur Tournament in Lewiston, Maine. Their coach was ..... and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. Members of this team were.... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1956 The Portage Lake Pioneers won the U.S. Senior Men’s National Championship Title in Lewiston Maine. Their coach was Tony Bukovich, and their season record was ... their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

1955-56
Portage Lake Team
League Champs
Michigan State Champs
National Senior Champions

Lt to Rt: Tony Bukovich -Coach, Owen O'Brien, Fuzzy Frenette, Jerry Kestner, Paul Vitton, Rod Paavola, Hank Norkol, Billy O'Brien, Ray Tapani, Jerry Martilla, Fran Lowney, Don Dennis, Paul Coppo, John Ricci, Jackie Ruelle, Fred Berry.
Picture courtesy of Fran Lowney.

1956 The East Houghton PeeWees won the State Championship Title at the State Tournament held right here in the Dee Stadium. They went on to Boston be the first Michigan youth team to win the National Title!

Please Contact the webmaster if you have the players names, more info or an original picture of this team!

1955-56 East Houghton PeeWees
State & National Champs

The 1st Michigan youth team to win the Nationals!

1956 The Houghton Thunderbirds, Copper Country Juveniles, won the State Championship Title at the State Tournament held right here in the Dee Stadium.

1955-56
Houghton Thunderbirds
Juvenile State Champions

Standing L-R: Peter Healy, Jim Lowney, Tom Colombe, Tony LePage, Ernie Harwick -Coach, John Sanregret, Clarence Rivette, Ron Katalin, Eppa Hiltunen.
Kneeling L-R: Floyd Kolehmainen, Don Juntunen, Jack Aldrich, Bill Latvala, Dave Mattson, Emery Ruelle, Jim Bovard.

1955-56 (from Ch bk) The Copper Country Bantams, sponsored by Gundlach Contractors, won the State Championship Title and National Championship Titles. Their coach was ..... and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. The UP Finals were at Marquette: Gundlach's 3 Soo 1. State and National Finals were at the Olympia rink in Detroit; Gundlach's 5 Ann Arbor 2.

Members of this 1955-56 Copper Country Bantam team were: Top Row L-R: R Banfield, Paul Coppo -Coach, W Fournier, R O'Brien, M Coppo, Earl Gorman -Coach & Mgr.
Middle Row L-R: M Gorman, R Mikkola, R Sibilsky, D McCullough, G Wenberg, A Wuorinen. D Banfield, B Riutta, J Townsend.
Kneeling L-R: William Bingham, R Mikesch, Richard Richards.
Absent from Photo A Wiitanen.

1955-56
Copper Country Bantam

Please contact the webmaster if you have a better picture of this team.

1957 (from Ch bk) The Portage Lake Houghton Bantams, sponsored by Gundlach Contractors, won the State Championship Title and went on to win the National Championship Title. Their coach was ..... and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. The UP Finals were at the Soo: Gundlach's 6 Cadillac 0; Gundlach's 4 Soo 2. State and National Finals were at the Olympia rink in Detroit; Gundlach's 1 Detroit 0. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1957 The Houghton Juveniles, sponsored by the Houghton Lions, won the State Championship Title and went on to win the National Championship Title. Their coach was ..... and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1958 The local Dollar Bay VFW PeeWee team won the State Championship Title and went on to win the National? Championship Title. Their coach was ..... and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. (from Ch bk:) The UP Finals were at Houghton: Dollar Bay 8 Calumet 1; Dollar Bay 3 Soo 2. VFW State Finals at Wakefield: Dollar Bay 8 Marquette 1; Dollar Bay 3 Soo 0. State Finals at Soo: Dollar Bay 5 Detroit 3. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1958 (from Ch bk) The Copper Country Bantams, sponsored by Gundlach Contractors, won the State Championship Title and? the National? Championship Title. Their coach was ..... and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. The UP Finals were at Houghton: Gundlach's 4 Calumet Murphy Motors 2; Gundlach's 3 Marquette Elks 1. State and National? Finals were at the Soo; Gundlach's 4 Detroit 3.

Members of this 1957-58 Gundlach Bantams team were: Coach Earl Gorman & Alfred Brey.
Standing L-R: Gary Houle, Bill Heinonen, Jim Huivonen, Mike Gorman, Gary Brey, -?, Wally Wiitanen, David Monticello.
Seated L-R: George Houle, Stanley Olson, Jim Hebner, Jack Colombe, David Hermanson, J. Butkonen.

1957-58
Gundlach Bantams

Photo courtesy of George Houle.

1958 The Hancock Laurn-Grove Juniors, won the State Championship Title. Members of this team were: .... Please contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1959 The local Dollar Bay VFW PeeWee team won the State Championship Title and National Championship Titles. Their coaches were Andy Wiitanen & Earl Gorman, and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. (from Ch bk:) UP Finals were at the Soo: Dollar Bay 3 Soo 2 (OT); VFW State Finals at Escanaba: Dollar By 13 Escanaba 0; Dollar Bay 4 Soo 2. State Finals at Lansing: Dollar Bay 5 Detroit 4. United States Finals at Houghton: Dollar Bay 7 Soo 0, Dollar Bay 9 New York -Massina 2; Dollar Bay 3 Grand Forks -ND 2.

(from Ch bk:) "The ages of the players were of such a nature that the players on the picture played on both the Gundlach Bantams and the Dollar Bay PeeWees within this five year span. Coaches of these two teams were: Rod Paavola, Earl Gorman, R Tapani, Paul Coppo, Andy Wiitanen, Alfred Brey, Joe Houle.

Need better copy of this picture.

1958-59
Dollar Bay PeeWee
State & National Champs
DollarBayPeeWeeChamps1958-59s.jpg (149040 bytes)

Standing L-R: Andy Wiitanen -coach, Ray Kolehmainen, Charles Lucchesi, Dennis McCullough, Mike Coppo, Bruce Riutta, David Simonson, Michael Gorman, Gary Brey, Earl Gorman -coach.
Seated L-R: Keith Destrampe, John Mikkola, Tom Bernard, Bud Banfield, Paul Butkovich, John Wiegrand, Edward Zellner.
missing from photo Jack Colombe.

Photo from Chassell Smelt Jamboree book
April 1959

1959 The Hancock Laurn-Grove Juveniles, won the State Championship Title. The VFW tournament was in Escanaba: Laurn Grove 13 Escanaba 3; laurn Grove 5 Soo 4 in 2nd OT. The UP Finals were in the Soo: Laurn Grove 8 Marquette 1; Laurn Grove 2 Soo1. The State Finals were in East Lansing: Laurn Grove 1 Detroit Star Cutters 1.
Members of this team were:

Need better copy of this picture.

1958-59
Laurn Grove Juveniles
State Champions

L-GroveJuvenilesStateChamp1958-59s.jpg (131097 bytes)

Photo from Chassell Smelt Jamboree book
April 1959

1959 (from Ch bk) The Portage Lake Juveniles won the International Title in Duluth, MN. "Portage Lake became the second American team to win the International Juvenile hockey tournament with a 5-3 victory over Fort William, Ontario. It was the third triumph without a defeat for Portage Lake in the four-team round robin. Only other American team to win the title since the tournament was started in 1952 was Marquette, three years ago."

1960 The local Dollar Bay VFW Midget team, won the State Championship Title and went on to win the National Championship Title at the Broadmoor Hotel, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
They won 4 straight games on the march to the National Title.

They were coached by Earl Gorman and Andrew Wiitanen; their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

Regular season record: 7W, 1L.
Their trophies include: the Mort Croze trophy -League Champs, VFW trophy, Michigan State Amateur trophy and the Broadmoor Palace trophy -National Champs.

1960
Dollar Bay Midgets
National Champions

DollarBayMidgetsNatlChamps1960_s.jpg (95590 bytes)

Back Row L-R: Coach Earl Gorman, Edward Zellner, Bruce Riutta, Mike Gorman, Daniel Ala, Mike Coppo, Ray Kolehmainen, Keith Destrampe, Tom Barnard, Coach Andrew Wiitanen.
Kneeling L-R: John Butkonen, John Mikkola, Gary Brey, Jackie Colombe, Norman Banfield, Roger Juntunen, Capt Dennis McCullough, John Townsend.

Dollar Bay wins Nationals
in the USAH News Oct, 1960.

DollarBay1960NatlChampsNews_s.jpg (190581 bytes)

Dollar Bay Midgets in news:

1960 The Hancock Laurn-Grove, Juveniles, won the State Championship Title for the second year in a row.

Regular season record: 12 W, 0 L, 1 Tie.

Michigan VFW Tournament Champs held at Dee Stadium in Houghton:
L-G 6 Calumet 2; L-G 7 Soo VFW 1.

UP Finals held at Marquette Palestra: L-G 11 Marquette 1; L-G 3 Soo 1.

Michigan State Finals held at Dee Stadium in Houghton: Laurn Grove 6 Dearborn MicMacs 0.

If you have a better copy of this photo, please Contact the webmaster

1959-60
Laurn Grove Juveniles State Champions

LaurnGroveJuveniles1959-60s.jpg (110699 bytes)

Standing L-R: Bob Treglowne -Pres of LG club, Bon Banfield, Leo Durocher, Ron Mikkola, James Honkanen, Mike Zerbst, Charley Mason, Bob Mikesch, Tom Geborkoff, Richard Brey, Larry Hansen, Reijo Vuorinen, Bill Fournier, Jack Ploff -Mgr.
Kneeling L-R: Bill Bingham, Joe Houle -Coach, Jim Houle.
Photo from Chassell Smelt Jamboree book
April 1960

1960 The Copper Country Flyers, won the Senior Men's State Championship Title. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1961 The Hancock Laurn-Grove, Juveniles, won the State Championship Title for the 3rd year in a row!

In the regular season, they were 10 Wins- 2 Losses. They were Champions in the Michigan VFW Tournament at the Marquette Palestra: Laurn Grove 11 vs Calumet 2,
Laurn Grove 4 vs Sault VFW 3,
Laurn Grove 10 vs Marquette 2.
They won the Upper Peninsula Tournament at the Dee in Houghton:
Laurn Grove 4 vs Sault Ste Marie 3,
Laurn Grove 10 vs Calumet 2
They then won the Michigan State Finals at the LC Walker Stadium in Muskegon:
Laurn Grove 4 vs Detroit Star Cutters 3

1960-61 Laurn-Grove Juveniles
State Champions

Laurn Grove Team 1961.jpg (112239 bytes)

Standing L-R: Jack Ploof -Mgr, John Townsend, Bob Banfield, Edward Zellner, Don Nikkinen, Dennis McCullough, Don Miller, James Morin, Reijo Vuorinen, Leo Durocher, Dan Ala, Mike Zerbst, Richard Brey, Chuck Lucchesi, Tom Bernard, Oscar Pekala -Pres of Laurn Grove Club.
Kneeling L-R: Joe Houle -Coach, Jim Houle, Bill Bingham, Dick Richards.

1961 The Dollar Bay Midgets tied on points for National Champions held at Soo Michigan, with Detroit, Thompson-Cain. Each team having 2 wins and one tie (they tied each other) in the Tournament: the final winners were determined by a total goal count in the tournament, with Dollar Bay declared runner-up on total goals. They were coached by A Wiitanen and E Gorman. Members of this team were:

Standing L-R: G. Brey, J. Federighe, D. Hermanson, B Riutta, W Heinonen, G Houle, M Gorman, C Smith, D Simonson.
Front L-R: J. Colombe J Butkonen, W Wiitanen, Geo Houle, Stone, D Monticello, N Banfield.

Need better copy of this picture.

1960-61 Dollar Bay Midgets

Photo from Chassell Smelt Jamboree book
April 1961

1962 Michigan Tech University won the WCAA Championship and the NCAA National Hockey Championship and for the first time Tech won the MacNaughton Cup. Their season record was: Overall: 29-3-0 WCHA Record: 17-3-0; they were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

1961-62 MTU National Champs!

Back Row L-R: Manager Tom Bliss, Allan Patterson, Scott Watson, Norman Wimmer, Gene Rebellato, Robert Mikesch, Athletic Director, Alan J. Bovard.
Middle Row L-R: Assistant Coach Bill Lucier, Mike Draper, Pat Casey, Gary Begg, Bob Pallante, Barry Johnson, John Ivanitz, Head Coach John MacInnes.
Seated L-R: Phil McVittie, Albert Merlo, Elov Seger, Gerald Sullivan, Louis Angotti, Henry Akervall, Don Hermanson, Gary Bauman.

1964 The Laurn-Grove (Hancock) Hockey Team Won the National Juvenile Championship Title. Their coach was Joe Houle and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton and they also practiced at the Hancock Laurn Grove ice rink.

1964 Laurn Grove National Champs

Standing L-R: Oscar Pekkala, Mike Lowney, Dave Hermanson, Herb Boxer, Al Stone, Bill Heinonen, Arlen Ollanketo, John Juntikka, Paul Heinonen, Jim Wade, Bob Treglowne Sr.
Front row left: Joe Houle -Coach, Mike Verbanac, Terry Sintkowski, Bob Treglowne Jr., Dave Witting, Bill Downey, Dave Kimball, Clyde Smith. B (Willie) Weijola, is not pictured

1965 Michigan Tech University won the WCAA Championship, the NCAA National Hockey Championship and the MacNaughton Cup. Their season record was: Overall: 24-5-2
WCHA Record: 12-5-2;
they were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

1964-65 MTU Champ Team

Top Row L-R: Dave Confrey, Colin Patterson, Mike Gorman, Joe Galetto, Ed Caterer, Steve Yashino.
Middle: Wallace Reid -Mgr, Gary Milroy, Bob Wilson, Bob Toothill, Bob Brooks, Tom Steele, Roy Heino, Wayne Weller, John MacInnes -Coach.
Seated: Rick Best, Bruce Riutta, Terry Ryan, Peter Leiman, Al Holm, Rick Yeo, Dennis Huculaki, Fred Dart, Tony Esposito.

1966 Michigan Tech University won the WCHA Championship title.
Their season record was: Overall: 23-6-1 WCHA Record: 15-4-1; they were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

1965-66 MTU Champ Team

Back Row L-R: Brad Taylor, Dave Draper, Dave Confrey, Colin Patterson, Jerry Bumbacco, Mike Gorman, Don Hermanson, Barry Ryan, Ed Caterer, Chuck Stafford.
Middle Row: Alan Bovard, Bob Wilson, Bob Toothill, Bruce Riutta, Bob Brooks, Dick Sieradzki, Peter Grant, Joe Galetto, Jeff Bugera, John MacInnes.
Seated: Rick Best, Wayne Weller, Gary Milroy, Terry Ryan, Rick Yeo, Pete Leiman, Steve Yoshino, Dennis Huculak, Tony Esposito.

1968 Michigan Tech University Hockey Team won the Great Lakes Invitational for the first time. They won it again in 1970, 1971, 1974 and they won the GLI title 5 years in a row in 1976, 77, 78, 79, 80. There were 21,756 fans in 1984 at the Joe Louis arena to watch the Michigan Tech team play Michigan State at the GLI, the most people to ever witness a hockey game in North American history. Michigan Tech has hosted the GLI since they founded it in 1965.

1969 Michigan Tech University won the WCHA Championship title. Their season record was: Overall: 21-9-2 WCHA Record: 14-5-1 and were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

1970 The Portage Lake Flyers, won the Intermediate Division State Championship Title. Their coach was ..... and their season record was ... their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1971 The Portage Lake Flyers, won the Intermediate Division State Championship Title. Their coach was Rod Paavola, and their season record was..... their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

1970-71
Flyers Gibson Cup Champions

Standing L to R: Rod Paavola -Coach, Rick Ongie -trainer, Gary Brey, Terry Koskela, Doug Hembroff, Rich Riippi, Mike Maki, Fred Ruelle, Joe Geborkoff, Don Miller, Ron Antilla -Trainer, Scurb Desrocher -Trainer, Norm Koski -GM, Ron Mikkola (injured)
Seated L-R: Mike Verbanac, Terry Sintkowski, Gary Franz, Mike Mitchell, Rudy Saatio, Bob Mikesch, Paul Heinonen, Butch Downey, Bill Bingham. missing from photo is Rich Brey & Bob Perreault.

1971 Michigan Tech University won the WCHA Championship title. Their season record was Overall: 25-6-2 WCHA Record: 18-4-0; they were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton.

1974 Michigan Tech University won the WCHA Championship title. Their season record was: Overall: 28-9-3 CCHA Record: 20-6-2; they were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the newly constructed (1972) John MacInnes Student Ice Arena at Michigan Tech.

1975 Michigan Tech University won the NCAA National Hockey Championship. Their season record was: Overall: 32-10-0 WCHA Record: 22-10-0; they were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena at Michigan Tech.

1974-75
Michigan Tech University
National Champions
MTU1974-75NatChamp.jpg (89289 bytes)
Back Row L-R: John Jaschuk, Steve Bouchard, Ed Dempsey, Dana Decker, Doug Young, Chris Ferguson, Stu Ostlund -mgr.
Middle Row L-R: Howard Martin -equip, Trainer Randy Owsley, Joe Sparks, Paul Jensen, Stu Younger, Steve Jensen, Mike Zuke, Jim Mayer, Peter Roberts, Nels Goddard, Scott Jessee, Asst. Coach Glen Weller, Head Coach John MacInnes.
Seated L-R: Steve Tobias, Jim Murray, George Lyle, Bill Steele, Bob Lorimer, Bob D'Alvise, Bruce Abbey, Jim Warden, Bruce Horsch.

1976 Michigan Tech University won the WCHA Championship title. Their season record was: Overall: 34-9-0 CCHA Record: 25-7-0; they were coached by John MacInnes. Their home ice was the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena at Michigan Tech.

1977-78 The Houghton Angels girls hockey team, members of the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association, were the State Championship runners up. Their home ice was ..... They were coached by Paul Tussing and Brian McLean.

1978 The Copper Country Junior Hockey Association Squirt A team, sponsored by Hancock Goodell Oil, won the State Championship title. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium and the Houghton County Ice Arena. Their record for the season was 26-8-6, they were coached by Paul Tussing, Sr. and assisted by Pete Pyykkonen.

Members of this 1978 Squirt A team were:

Standing L-R: Brian Olson, Scott Stordahl, Brian Gedda, John Rodeheffer, Chris Givens, Tony Stimac, Rich Ahonen, Jay Monticello.

Kneeling L-R: Tom Gedda (mgr), Dan Kari, Joe Pyykonen, Merrill Lowney, Paul Tussing, Jr., Tom McCarthy, Jay Boxer, Brady Schaefer.

CCJHA Squirt A State Champions

Photo courtesy of Paul Tussing

1980 The nearby L'Anse Bantam B team won the State Championship Title. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1982 The nearby L'Anse VFW PeeWee B team won the State Championship Title. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1982 The nearby C-L-K (Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw) Electronics, Midget A team won the State Championship Title. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1982 Houghton High School, coached by Don Miller, won the State Hockey Championship in Class B-C-D by beating Flint Powers Catholic by a score of 6-2. Their home ice was the Dee Stadium. Their record for the season was ?

Members of this 1982 Houghton HS team were: Standing: Rod Paavola -Asst. Coach, Jaysen Salo -Stats, Rick Robillard, Tracy Hokenson, Tim Gerrish, Bill Hauswirth, Joe Burcar, Mark Morin, Karry Datto, Keith Lefebvre, John Monticello, Don Miller -Head Coach. Seated: Jay Monticello -Mgr., John Mahr, Tim Ovist, Marty McGrath, Bill Seiler, Mike Archambeau, Charles Field, Dennis Erva, Brett Haines, John Williamson, Tom McCarthy -Mgr.

Houghton HS 1982 State Champions

1987 Copper Country Junior Hockey PeeWee A team won the State Championship. The team was coached by Bob Mikesch and sponsored by Jim's Food Mart. Please contact webmaster if you have a info or a picture of this team! Players included: Corey Markham.....

1989 Calumet C-L-K Junior Hockey PeeWee A team won the State Championship. The team was coached by .... and sponsored by Calumet Lions. Please contact webmaster if you have a info or a picture of this team!

1990 Calumet C-L-K Junior Hockey PeeWee AA team won the State Championship, the first Michigan team to win back to back State Championships. The team was coached by .... and sponsored by Calumet Lions. Please Contact the webmaster if you have a info or a picture of this team!

1992 Calumet Copper Kings High School won the State Hockey Championship in Class B-C-D by a score of 8-0 over Riverview Gabriel Richard. Their home ice was the Calumet Armory. Coached by Jim Crawford, their record for the season was 24-2-1.

Members of this 1992 Calumet Copper Kings HS team were: top row Lt to Rt: Coach Jim Crawford, Mike Rowe, Brian Talvensaari, Kevin Coppo, Joe Goulette, Jasen Rintala, Kurt Erkkila, Korey Rowe.
Middle Row: Fred Soeberg -Mgr, Jason Tuoriniemi, Damon Beiring, Gregg Murphy, Bryan Rost, Gregg Kingstrom, Craig Poshak -Mgr, Chris Koskiniemi -Mgr, Assist Coach Paul Lehto.
Sitting: Jeff Leppen, Brian Poshak, Mike Jukuri, Mark Pomroy, Jon Giachino.

Calumet Copper Kings High School
1992 State Champions

1993 Calumet Copper Kings High School won the State Hockey Championship in Class B-C-D. In the State Finals in Flint, they beat Allen Park-Cabrini 4-3 in double overtime, and beat Flint Powers by 13-0, bringing home the State Championship for the 2nd year in a row! Their home ice was the Calumet Armory. Coached by Jim Crawford, their record for the season was 26-1-0. They were also winners of the Copper Island Classic.

Members of this 1992-93 Calumet Copper Kings HS team were:

Back Row L-R: Kevin Outinen, Peter Berg, Carl Arko, Marc Pomroy, Brian Talvensaari.
Middle Row L-R: Coach Jim Crawford, Kevin Frantti, Eric Frantti, Korey Rowe, Joe Goulette, Greg Kingstrom, Scott Johnson, asst coach Paul Lehto.
Seated L-R: Chris Koskiniemi -mgr, Jeff Leppen, Tim Coppo, Tim Kolasa, Marc Helminen, Jim Rilei, Craig Poshak -mgr.

Calumet Copper Kings High School
1993 State Champions

1996 Calumet Copper Kings High School won the State Hockey Championship in Class B-C-D by a score of 2-1 over Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood. Their home ice was The Calumet Armory. Coached by Jim Crawford, their record for the season was 22-4-1.

Members of this 1995-1996 Calumet Copper Kings HS team were:
Back Row L-R: Brad Bonen, Justin Junttila, Bobby Williams, Steve Plante.
Middle Row L-R: Coach Jim Crawford, Joel Isaacson, Bobby Richards, Jesse Rintala, Bobby Rangus, Craig Hamlin, Ben Halonen, John Sturos, Coach Paul Lehto.
Seated L-R: Mgr- Jon Primeau, Ted Laurie, Stefan Kersher, Ian Hodges, Kurt Porter, Brian Carlson, Darin Johnson, Craig Poshak.

Calumet Copper Kings HS
1996 State Champions

1997 The nearby L'Anse Squirt B team won the State Championship Title. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

1998 Calumet Copper Kings High School won the State Hockey Championship in Class B-C-D by a score of 6-3 over Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood. Coached by Jim Crawford, their record for the season was 25-4-0. Their home ice was the Calumet Armory.

Members of this 1998 Calumet Copper Kings HS team were:
Top row Lt to Rt: Jason Goulette, Bob Rangus, Dan Giachino, Josh Tikkanen.
Middle Row L to Rt: Kurt Abramson -Mgr, Coach Jim Crawford, Sean Harjala, Jim Heminen, Tim Helminen, Brad Bonen, Keven Hamlin, Nick Rilei, Jeremy Junttonen, Assistant Coach Paul Lehto.
Sitting L to Rt: Tim Vertin -Mgr, Luke Timmons, Tedd Laurie, Joseph "Buckey" Marcotte, Scott Hyrkas, Brian Carlson, Jesse Caron -Mgr.

Calumet Copper Kings HS
1998 State Champions

1999 Hancock High School won the State Hockey Championship in Class B-C-D by a score of 7-3 over Big Rapids. Coached by Rick Miller, their record for the season was 16-13-0. Their home ice was the Houghton County Arena in Hancock.

Members of this 1999 Hancock HS team were: Seated L-R: Karl Maki, Mark Rouleau, Justin Bean, Gerad Ekdahl, Matt Kumlin (Captain), Brian Juopperi, Jonathon Baakko, John Ylitalo, Jarko Ohtonen Second Row: Asst. Coach Paul Dube, Blake Miller (Mgr.), Asst. Coach Dan Rouleau, Ryan Saatio, Nanue Houle, Mike Uren, Billy Reynolds, Marc Nutini, Brad Howard, Head Coach Rick Miller, Asst. Coach Scott Mikesch and Trainer Sue Blackstad Third Row: Kris Tapani (Mgr.), Pete Rouleau, Brad Anderson, Mike Hannon, Travis Jaakkola, Kyle Kirkish and Mike Greer (Mgr.)

Hancock HS 1999 State Champions

1999 The Portage Lake Pioneers won the Senior Men's U.S. State and then the National Championship Title. "The Pioneers finished the season 36-1-0 and were USA National Champions. Pioneer records were set by Justin Marcum in scoring with 110 Points, Goals Scored by Dave Thorager with 64, and assists by Justin Markham with 65. Jeff Adler had 24 wins and Jeff Markham finished undefeated at 12-0. The pioneers dominated senior hockey by averaging over 10 goals a game. Nationals were closer but the neers breezed through for their first national title in team history." Their player/coach was Mike Hauswirth and manager was Cathy Lucchesi; their home ice was the Dee Stadium.

Members of the 1999 Portage Lake Pioneers team were: Top Row Lt to Rt: Pat McCarthy -Def, Mark Maroste -For, Scott Mikesch.
Middle Row Lt to Rt: Ken (Epper) Savela -Equip Mgr, Steve Bates -Ast. Equip Mgr, Jeremy Rintala -For, Casey Hagbo -Def, Buster Roberts -For, Ross Rinkinen -Def, Mark Pietila -For, Justin Niemi -For, Timm Carlson -For, Jim Pietila, Craig Biekkola -For, Dan Juopperi (9) -Def, John Rajala -For, Corey Markham -For, Mike Hauswirth -Coach -For, Cathy Lucchesi -Mgr.
Kneeling: Kevin Manninen, David Thorager -For, Jamey Markham (24) -Def, Austin Kryser (20), Jeff Markham -Goalie, Jon French -Def, Jim Barroga -Ast. Equip Mgr, Lee DeForge (5) -For, Justin Marcum -For, Brandon Ollanketo -For.

Portage Lake Pioneers
1999 National Adult U.S. Champions

2001 The Portage Lake Pioneers won the Senior Men's U.S. State Championship Title. Their coach was ..... and their home ice was the Dee Stadium in Houghton. Members of this team were: .... Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

2002 The Calumet Wolverines won the Senior Men's U.S. State Championship Title and the National?? Championship Title. Their coach was ..... and their season record was.... their home ice was the Calumet Armory.

Members of this 2002 Calumet Wolverines team were:
Top row Lt to Rt:.... ....

Please Contact the webmaster if you have the players names.

2001-02 Calumet Wolverines
National Champs

CalWolv2001-02NationalChamps.jpg (18146 bytes)

2003 Calumet Copper Kings High School, coached by Jim Crawford, won the State Hockey Championship in Class B-C-D by a score of 3-1 over Riverview Gabriel Richard. Their record for the season was .... . Their home ice was the Calumet Armory.

Members of this 2003 Calumet Copper Kings HS team were: top row Lt to Rt: Jake Parske-Sergot, Gust Juntilla, Matt Helminen, Brett Randell, Trevor Poyhonen.
Mid row: Asst.Coach Darryl Pierce, Coach Jim Crawford, Mike Yeo, Chris Kitti, Josh Frantti, John Maki, Kyle Jarvi, Jeff James, Asst.Coach Glenn Patrick, Mgr. Brad Pelli.
Seated: Ryan Patrick, Jeffrey Erkkila, Lorn Randell, Aric Danis, Joe Juntilla.

Calumet Copper Kings
High School
2003 State Champions

2003 Calumet Wolverines won the Adult U.S. National Championship Title with a score of 4-2 over Detroit. The Wolverines finished the season with a --_--_-- record. Their coach was.... their home ice was the Calumet Armory. Members of this team were: ....Please Contact the webmaster if you have more info or a picture of this team!

2005 Keweenaw Bay Squirt B team won the State Championship, the team was coached by Tom Froberg, Jeff Rank and P.J. LeClaire and sponsored by Snyder's Drug Store. Their season record was .... and their home ice was the Meadowbrook Arena in L'Anse. Members of this team were: Front L-R: Max Speissel, Michael Turunen, Derek Meleen, Jason Rank and Devin Bowers. Middle L-R: Casey Richard, Alec Bowers, Cody Goldsworthy, Carter Hendricks, Tyler Froberg, Sarah Cerne and Alexis Reilley. Back L-R: Tom Froberg, Jeff Rank and P.J. LeClaire.

They won all five games at the State Finals in the Pat O’Donnel Civic Center in Ironwood.

2004-05
Keweenaw Bay Squirt B
State Champions!!

Photo courtesy of L'Anse Sentinel.

2006 The Keweenaw Bay PeeWee team won the State PeeWee B Championship. The team was coached by PJ LeClaire, Jeff Rank and Tom Froberg and sponsored by Selkey. Their season record was .... and their home ice was the Meadowbrook Arena in L'Anse.
Members of this team were: Front: Jason Rank -goalie. Middle Row L-R: Joe Richard, Charlie Beer, Carter Hendricks, Josh Borgen, Dylan Hemmila and Dallas Maki. Back Row L-R: Alec Bowers, Joel Maki, Scott Gerzetich, Justin Clisch, Tyler Froberg, Alex VanWagner, Derek Meleen, Casey Richard and Paige Webb. Coaches in back are PJ LeClaire, Jeff Rank and Tom Froberg.
They defeated all five teams in the State Tournament held at the Plymouth Cultural Center in Plymouth, Michigan. Goalie Jason Rank only allowed 3 goals in the State Tournament; Alex Van Wagner was named MVP of the tournament games.

2005-06
Keweenaw Bay PeeWee B
State Champions!!

Photo courtesy of L'Anse Sentinel.

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