Laker Hockey - a proud tradition
Laker Hockey has a proud tradition on and off the ice. The championship trophies and banners that stretch across the entire life of the program are a testament to every student-athlete who has worn the blue and gold
2006 marks the 40th anniversary of the Laker hockey program. When Ken Shouldice and Bud Cooper decided to start ice hockey at LSSC, they knew that the sport had a chance to put LSSC on the map, on a footing with the bigger schools with higher profiles and reputations. Hockey would provide opportunities for the community and for the college to raise its awareness around Michigan and the nation. They knew it would be a challenging commitment for a school our size, and they went after it with their full attention.
"....we are always the underdog. I don't care how good we are. As long as we are at this small, proud university, we have to build around it."
--Jeff Jackson, following the 1992
NCAA Championship game.
To this day, LSSU is the smallest public university to compete in NCAA Division I hockey. Lake State has done more than just compete. The Lakers dominated their early years in the NAIA and had an incredible ten-year run in the CCHA and the NCAA playoffs.
The legacy is found in five national championships, four more finals appearances, six quarter final appearances, the Sporting News Player of the Year, four Olympians, six Hobey Baker Finalists, dozens of careers in professional hockey, and most importantly, in successful careers of Laker hockey alumni outside of the sport.
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