The University of Detroit Jesuit has a long history in Calumet, Michigan. It is a place where long time counselor and hockey coach Rick Bennetts’s father worked in the copper mines. Bennett’s has a long history with the U of D hockey program. Back in 1997 he decided to restart the hockey program after years of not existing. This decision would end up creating years and years of successful hockey programs led by Coach Bennetts with multiple regional championships.
Back in 2003 Coach Bennetts and the University of Detroit Jesuit embarked on a 10-hour journey up to where his father used to work. Calumet, Michigan is known for three main things, copper, cold, and most importantly, hockey. Two games, both against Calumet, were to be played. This schedule would adapt over time, from playing Calumet and then adding Houghton High School to the mix. No matter the schedule, Calumet remained circled on the Cubs calendar each year. The trophy up for grabs is Coach Bennetts father’s old hockey helmet. This trophy has made winning even more important to the Cubs.
Fast forward to 2021 when Coach Bennetts retired from the head coaching position, and the newly appointed Coach Paul Moretz, stepped in. Moretz’s three years with the program have been proven with growing success each year. This year he has his sights set on a state championship.
At 7:45am on January 11th 21 players, 3 managers, and 2 coaches left a bus stop in Southfield, Michigan with one objective. Win back the Miners Cup. 10 snowy hours later, the bus arrived in Calumet, Michigan. The first night was a rest night to make sure that every player was in peak condition before the first game the next day. Friday was the battle in Copper Town. However, the Cubs started their morning with a 9:15am skate to get their legs moving. After the skate was over, the team was able to enjoy the first of two major activities- curling.
Curling was a blast for the team as they spent quality time together and had healthy competition. The rest of the time before the game was filled with rest and food as the Cubs prepared for a barnburner at 7:00pm on January 12th. The bus was loaded again with the entire team and coaching staff ready to roll into the Colosseum and cause havoc. The ROTC and band kicked the game off with a beautiful performance of the National Anthem. Once the game started, it was all Calumet in the first period. They dominated every aspect of the game, but only came out of the period up 3-1. The Kings jumped off to another hot start in the second period making the lead 4-1 immediately.
U of D knew they needed to catch fire, which they did. They dominated the offensive zone wearing down the Calumet defense. After a great pass from senior Grahm Cesa, senior Aidan Charron buried the puck top left in the net to cut the lead to 2 heading into the third and final period.
The third period was a continuation of the end of the second period, domination from UofD. The Cubs were able to bring the deficit to one with a huge goal by senior Damian Ladosenszky, which meant all the Cubs needed was 1 goal to tie it up. Then it happened. Senior Carter Cate walked around a defender and put in the back of the net; however, his celebration lasted a little long causing the referees to put him in the penalty box for the remainder of the game. With the momentum and energy on UofD’s side Aidan Charron netted the 3rd goal of the period putting the Cubs up by 1 with under a minute to play. After a costly Calumet penalty, the final buzzer rang and for the first time in 9 years the University of Detroit Jesuit had won the Miners Cup. Aidan Charron, the man who scored the game winning goal said, “it was electric to score in the moment, but it felt better to finally beat them after two years of losing.”
The rest of the weekend was filled with more activities and another hockey game. The team had a once in a lifetime experience while dogsledding out in the wilderness. Unfortunately, the second hockey game again Houghton proved to be too strong, and the Cubs were defeated on January 13th. After an eventful ride back, which included the bus breaking down, and many wrong turns, the Cubs were finally home.
The weekend was a great experience for the team to bond with each other, but most importantly, they welcomed back with the Miners Cup.
