2023 Alumni Hockey Game

Authored by John Owens

In the winter of 1993, during their return from the state “PeeWee” hockey championship series in Alpena, several members of the Dearborn Sabres hockey team were discussing where they would skate next season. Five of them would be entering Divine Child High School as freshmen the following fall and the boys lamented the school’s lack of a hockey team to go with the many successful athletic programs at the school. Eventually two fathers, Joe Krupa and Sabres coach John Owens were drawn into the conversation and listened as their sons lamented this situation. After discussing this, these two men decided to investigate the situation and see if starting a team were possible. Tim Hoen, father of a sophomore was added to the mix along with their wives and the DC Falcons hockey organizing committee was born.

The first step was to go to Father Kucyk and determine whether the school would support such an endeavor. Father “K” was enthusiastic in his support and referred us to Wes Wishart, then athletic director as the next step to coordinate the entry of the proposed team into school’s programs. Wes was supportive, but The demands of his other duties prevented Wes from taking an active role in establishing the team. Funding would have to be obtained from other sources as the school’s athletic budget was already stretched to the limit. The next step was to look for a coach. The committee approached former NHL all-star Robert Picard, who lived locally, and he enthusiastically accepted. Brian Dallas was then added as his assistant. Local businesses were recruited to assist in the purchase of uniforms and a contest was held among the DC students to design a logo for the uniforms. Rink rental fees and the purchase of personal equipment were left to the families of the players. 

The rink at U of M –Dearborn was secured as the team’s home ice and tryouts were scheduled. It was now mid-October and a schedule had to be finalized and the players selected.

The school stipulated that this would be a no-cut team, so after several sessions, Coaches Picard and Dallas chose nineteen players who would be able to safely compete at this level. With the addition of Father Ed DesForges as team chaplain all the pieces were falling into place. A parents’ meeting was held to introduce the coaches and secure volunteers to work at the games in various positions, from sellers of 50-50 tickets to videographer and the response was heartening.

Finally, Friday November 19 arrived and with it the first contest of the inaugural season for DC hockey. The crowd was overwhelming as the seating was sold out at the arena and a supportive and boisterous group of DC supporters watched as Coach Picard’s team -dressed in black- defeated the Dexter Dreadnoughts. The team managed a .500 won-loss record that first year and were eliminated from the state tournament in a one goal loss by eventual champions Cranbrook but the hard work, friendships formed and successes of that first year provided a strong base for DC hockey eventually winning the state championship in 2002.