With all of the sports, clubs and activities Hoban has to offer it would seem that there is something for everyone.  But two years ago a group of students realized there was something Hoban was lacking: a hockey team. 

“We really wanted to bring a new, fast paced sport to Hoban,” senior Tyler Hilderbrand said.

Hoban grads Ian Davies and Kyle Craven teamed up with Hilderbrand and approached the administration to propose a hockey team.  

The team was formed, but the boys could not come up with proper funding.  The group now had a decision to make.  Rather than abandoning the idea, they joined the North Coast High School Hockey League (NCHSHL) as a club team.  The NCHSHL was formed in May, 2004, so that local, as well as club, teams could participate in league playoffs.  

Being a club team, the boys had the privilege to recruit players from other schools.  With players from Stow, Walsh, and Glenoak, among other schools, the boys are playing in their third year under coach Mac Yates.  

Freshman Paul Wischt is excited to have a chance to play hockey on the next level.

“Before high school, I played with club teams and it was fun,” Wischt said.  “Now, I can play hockey with the same people that I go to school with.  I can see my teammates every day at school.”

The season has not gone without controversy, however.  Recently the name of the team was up for debate.  

While the hockey team name is “Archbishop Hoban,” Archbishop Hoban High School does not have a hockey team.  The team was formed at Hoban and was considered a Hoban team in recent years.  

Junior Jake Dawes does not understand why the hockey team is not considered a “Hoban team.” 

“It doesn’t make sense.  We have the same number of Hoban players as in the past when it was considered a Hoban sport,” Dawes said.

The program has done much to keep the team on the ice.  Because the team is a club team, players often have to do fund raisers on their own time to offset the high dues each player is expected to pay.  Players have sacrificed time and effort to keep the team playing.

Wischt is very involved in the team’s fund raising.

“My sister helped me and we sold a few ads for the programs,” Wischt said. “They range in price depending on the size in the program.”

Another interesting fund raiser, titled “Check-A-Puck,” is a fun way to raise money and garner fans to the ice center.  “Check-A-Puck” works like this: fans are able to buy a foam puck before the game, then find their seats, and throw the foam puck from their seats on to jerseys that have been laid down on the ice.  Fans win prizes for landing the puck on the targets, and the hockey team benefits as well.

With a mixture of team chemistry, lively fans, and a determination to win, the team has found success in the NCHSHL. The Knights are 5-4-1.