Hockey

HISTORY OF ST. JOE'S HOCKEY

St. Joe’s has a long and illustrious history in hockey. The school opened its doors in 1861 and fielded its first hockey team in 1896.  In 1898, the hockey team won the National Interscholastic Hockey Championship in Chicago, Illinois.  From 1896 to 1931, the hockey team played an integral part in the St. Joe’s athletic program, winning 17 league championships, 4 state championships, and one national title.  Owing to the country’s economic depression in 1931, the hockey program was dropped.

In 1947, after World War II, the Christian Brothers again started Ice Hockey at St. Joe’s, with the Marauders competing in the Buffalo Municipal Hockey League.  In 1952, the Western New York Catholic High School League was formed; however, it was short lived and once again hockey was dropped.  In 1970, Mr. Ed Fix revived the hockey program and the modern era began.

In 1972, ice hockey became a full fledge varsity sport and joined the Western New York Public High School League.  The Msgr. Martin League then added hockey to its official list of sports.  Once again St. Joe’s was very successful in this league, winning seven Msgr. Martin Varsity titles.  It was during this time that St. Joe’s Hall of Famer, Todd Champlin, increased the number of Marauder hockey teams to five, commencing a take off in popularity for the sport.

In 1990, the Msgr. Martin League came together with the Amherst and Williamsville Schools to form the Federation Hockey League.  This league has now expanded to 21teams and is considered by most hockey experts, the finest high school hockey league in the state of New York.  Once again the Marauders have performed well appearing in 12 championship games and winning 7 titles, the most in league history.  In 2001, the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association added ice hockey to its list of state championships. Under the direction of Athletic Director Pete Schneider, the Marauders have won 6 straight NYSCHSAA Hockey State Championships (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008) and are one of only two WNY Federation Teams to win both the Federation and State Championships in the same year, having accomplished this feat a record 3 times.