Legion's Road to Nationals

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The players of Marquette Jr. Hockey's 'American Legion Post 44' Bantam hockey team have been vying for a state title since they were Squirts. Finally, it happened. After a record setting season of 55-5-2, the Junior Wildcat U14 team won the first state championship for Legion in over 20 years. 

"I think our team is making history," said Joe DeMattia, team captain. "There hasn't been a Bantam AA team that has done this in Marquette since 1995. It doesn't happen every day, or even every year."

The team now advances to the USA Hockey National Championship in South Bend, Indiana. The team urgently has three weeks to prepare, raise funds and get to the tournament. The costs of which are daunting.  Bus transportation alone for an entire team and volunteer coaches soar into the thousands.

Here's a breakout of the five day tournament expense:

 • )Transportation / Gas / Bus
 • )Lodging
 • )Food & Team Meals
 • )Practice Ice in South Bend
 • )Coaches' Expenses

It averages out to about $1,500 per player. With 17 players and 3 volunteer coaches, the team hopes to raise between $27 - $30,000.

"Having the community behind us means a lot to the team and we want to work our hardest to represent Marquette," said DeMattia.

After a precarious period in Marquette when participation for youth hockey was on the decline, hockey is making a comeback in the city. Years ago a 'Learn to Skate' program was implemented where many of these now-Bantam players discovered a love for the sport. Northern Michigan University again sparked life into Marquette Junior Hockey with a new partnership, and the American Legion Post 44 team is now the pinnacle level of Junior Hockey in Marquette. All players, from U6 and up, look to this team for inspiration. 

The Upper Peninsula is the birthplace of professional hockey. We are a hockey town. Marquette is Hockeyville, USA. But, supporting this cause is bigger than the sport itself. It's about supporting the community's youth. When a city supports its youth athletes, we encourage a healthy relationship with the players and the community. It evokes humility in victory, dignity in defeat, sportsmanship, discipline, camaraderie and lifelong memories.

For generations, Marquette Youth Hockey has instilled in its youth valuable life lessons, and their recent accomplishments deserve the backing of the beloved city in which they play, and from those who have benefited from the program. Legion has the opportunity to participate in the tournament of a lifetime and inspire generations of upcoming Jr. Wildcats in the future. The team is asking for your support.

A donation via check can also be made, payable to:

MJH – Bantam AA
C/O Paula Sides
327 Quarry Rd.
Marquette, MI 49855

For information about sponsorship level donations in exchange for recognition for tax purposes, contact Paula Sides at (906) [phone redacted].