Steve Stich
Seasons Played: 1989–1994
Position: Founder, President, General Manager, occasional Forward
Current City of Residence: Baltimore, MD
Job: Librarian for Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
Finding enough bodies willing to play on a team that didn’t exist. Putting together an exhibition schedule of games for a team that barely existed. Scoring THE GOAL (thanks for that assist Jim Campbell). Taking the team on our first big road trip (car pools and train to Eugene) without a coach, and playing in front of 2000 fans at the University of Oregon, losing and still having children waiting at the locker room door for player autographs.
My first meeting with Ron Glasow: The man, myth and legend! The storied past of Rick Angevine. Skating on the same ice as Elliot Chung and Gord Turner. Our first two PCHA championships. Lou Siville: the greatest roommate ever! Elliot Chung’s plastic-bag-full-of-fun on the Oregon bus trip. Duane Anthony ‘Tony’ F#@*ing Bennett. The retiring of my jersey No. 51. Some good players, great guys, fly’s eyes, and Pizza-Pizza!
Chris Lee
Seasons Played: 1998–2006
Position: Center, Defenseman
Current City of Residence: Milpitas, CA
Job: New Home Sales
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
You just can’t beat the camaraderie of a hockey team. I tried to walk away from SJSU hockey two times, and each time, I just came crawling back. You can’t make better friends than the ones you make playing the game. As much as I enjoyed my early years, I have to say that the last two years sealed the deal for me. When the fans came out in droves and became a true fan base, that’s when SJSU hockey hit home for me.
When I first joined the team, we had never beaten the likes of Weber State, Utah State, Colorado, and Colorado State. During my last year, we beat all of them. In 2006, I was pissed off more than ever because we felt that we should and could have won the whole damn thing. My best personal memory was scoring the game winner in overtime against the University of Colorado in 2005. That and shaving Villy’s head when he was a rookie.
Ray Kellam
Seasons Played: 2000–2006
Position: Forward
Current City of Residence: San Jose, CA
Job: Director of Marketing, ServiceMaster Clean
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
On the ice — beating Penn State in 2005 at Nationals in overtime.
Off the ice — getting the van stuck behind the hotel in Rochester, NY, and the whole team pushing it out in the dark. Max Ramsay getting it stuck again on a front lawn. So many memories. Greatest six years of my life. I will miss playing for State dearly.
Thanks to Steve Stich for starting it all and to Ron Glasow for always being there.
Jon Barney
Seasons Played: 1999–2005
Position: Treasurer, Assistant Captain, Center, Left Wing, PUNISHER
Current City of Residence: Gold Canyon, AZ
Job: GM of Engineering, ACEndresen
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
The sound after hitting someone and hearing the fans come alive in the loudest barn in the west. We were a family. Playing in 3 Nationals. Saving Lonny Lovins’ life during a game. Road trips, winning in enemy barns, broken bones — nothing could stop me from protecting my team. Thank you for the best years of my life.
Joe Best
Seasons Played: 2002–2005
Position: Goaltender
Current City of Residence: Quantico, VA
Job: 2nd Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
Being part of a team of great guys. Practices, games, roles — everyone mattered. Road trips were crazy, fun, and wild. Boulder hotel staff hated us (ask Lowe about water balloons). Playing in front of sellout crowds. Best parties on campus. I wouldn’t have finished school without this team.
Donovan Tar
Seasons Played: 2000–2004
Position: Forward
Current City of Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Job: TV Sports Producer & Youth Hockey Coach
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
Road trips! Played with great players and even better people. The entire student-athlete experience: practices at Eastridge, the National Tournament in NYC, unforgettable teammates. Some of the best years of my life.
Brendan Bligh
Seasons Played: 1998–2003
Position: Right Wing
Current City of Residence: Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA
Job: Law Enforcement
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
Times with the boys. The room, road trips, Madden wars, parties, inside jokes. Moments like Lonny streaking, Dish dancing, Junor doing the robot. Every little story, every chant, every win and loss. Best years of my life.
John Dutra
Seasons Played: 2002–2003
Position: Defenseman
Current City of Residence: Morgan Hill, CA
Job: Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
Some of the best years of hockey I ever played.
Jerry Hall
Seasons Played: 2000–2002
Position: Defenseman
Current City of Residence: Gustine, CA
Job: Pacific Gas & Electric
Family: Married with a 4-year-old daughter
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
The fans were always great. Late nights at the hockey house. Peter Hayes dropping the mac daddy every weekend. Great coaches and teammates. I now restore vintage VWs in my spare time.
Steve Junor
Seasons Played: 1998–2002
Position: Right Wing
Current City of Residence: Newport Beach, CA
Job: Opto-Mechanical Engineer, Advance E/O Systems (Tustin, CA)
Memories of SJSU Hockey:
Started against SJSU with Orange Coast College in ’95 and ’96. Made lifelong friends on the Spartan team. Loved the road trips and the characters I played with — from “The Flying Armenian” to Aaron Scott. So many stories to tell.
Kelly Betpolice: Kelly patrolled the pipes as one of the Spartans’ starting goaltenders from 1991-1993 where he was an integral part of 2 PCHA Championship teams. He graduated from SJSU in 1995 with a degree in Management Information Studies, and currently works for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Kelly resides in San Jose.
Joel Jenkins: Undoubtedly the most popular player in the history of SJSU Ice Hockey, Joel played defense for the Spartans from 1991-1998. During his tenure at SJSU, Joel regularly led the Spartan defense in scoring, and was a member of 4 PCHA Championship teams and 4 National Tournament squads. Joel lives in San Jose.
Tony Bennett: Tony played for the Spartans from their inaugural season in 1990 through 1997, where he was a part of 4 PCHA Championship teams and 3 ACHA National Tournament teams. He graduated from SJSU with a Master’s Degree in Marine Science, as well as a teaching credential. Tony served as the Head Coach for the SJSU ‘B’ team in 1994-1995. he currently teaches both Sciende and Math at Oak Grove High School. He and his family reside in Campbell.
Ed Gabel: Ed played for the Spartans from 1991-1992 and was a member of the club’s first PCHA Championship team. He graduated from SJSU with a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology in 1992, and for a time, served as one of the team’s Assistant Coaches. Currently, Ed and his wife, Theresa, are the owners and operators of ET Sports, a local custom graphics company. Ed, Theresa, and their 3 children reside in San Jose.
Jeff Waite: Jeff played for the Spartans from 1990-1995 where he helped lead the Spartans to 3 PCHA Championships and 1 ACHA National Tournament berth. As a member of the inaugural Spartan Ice hockey squad, Jeff served as the team’s first Captain, and also served as Alternate Capatin during the following two seasons. He graduated from SJSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies in 1996, and currently resides in San Ramon.
Ian MacKenzie: Ian played for the Spartans from 1992-1995, and was a member of 2 PCHA championship teams and the first ACHA National Tournament team in 1995. During the 1993-1994 season, Ian was awarded the Gilbert Ip award as the team’s Most Valuable Player. He graduated from SJSU with a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology in 1994, and he currently serves as the Head Coach of the DeAnza College Varsity Football team – a position he has held since 1995. Ian resides in Cupertino.
Andre Chevalier: Andre skated for the Spartans during the 1995-1996 season. He was a member of the first SJSU ACHA National Tournament team in 1995, and has served the team as it’s official Team Doctor since his retirement. Currently, Andre is the Director of TEAM Clinic Medical Group in Santa Clara, California, and has also served as Team Chiropractor for the San Jose Rhinos of Roller Hockey International as well as an on-call spinal specialist to visiting RHI, IHL, and NHL teams. He resides in San Jose.
Tony Destro: Tony skated for the Spartans from 1991-1995, helping the team earn 4 PCHA Championships and one ACHA National Tournament berth. Tony is best remembered for scoring a dramatic overtime goal vs. USC to give the Spartans their final PCHA Championship in 1995. Currently, he works as a recruiter and resides in San Jose.
Rick Kilduff: Rick was a member of the Spartan Hockey team during the 1991-1992 season, where he served as a mainstay on defense to help the Spartans earn their first PCHA Championship victory. He graduated from SJSU in 1992 with a degree in Marketing, and, along with former defensive partner and alumnus, Rick Burke, served as Head Coach of the SJSU ‘B’ team from 1995-1997. Rick and his wife currently reside in San Jose where he is the Regional Sales Manager for a local computer company.
Pat Foley: Pat played for the Spartans from 1992-1994, and served as the team’s 3rd Captain during his final year of play. A crafty centerman from the Boston, MA area, Pat helped lead the Spartans to 2 PCHA Championships, as well as their first ACHA National Tournament berth in 1995. He received his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from SJSU, and now serves as an Engineer for Bay Networks in Boston, MA.
Brent Faulhaber: Brent skated for the Spartans from 1993-1998, and was a member of 2 PCHA Championship squads and 2 ACHA National Tournament teams. He was elected to the position of team Treasurer in 1994. Additionally, he ranks in the top 3 in the categories of goals, assists, and points in a single season. Brent graduated from SJSU in 1998 with a degree in Accounting, and currently works as an accountant at Solution-Soft in Santa Clara. He resides in San Jose, CA.
Keith Holowecky: Keith played for the Spartans from 1992-1994, and was a member of 2 PCHA Championship teams. In both of his seasons as a Spartan, Keith was awarded the Steve Stich Award as the team’s most improved player, and is currently the only Spartan to be awarded this honor in 2 consecutive seasons. He graduated from SJSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1994, and currently works as an electronic hardware engineer in the area.
Rick Burke: Rick played for the Spartans during their first full season in 1991-1992, and was instrumental in helping the team achieve it’s first PCHA Championship that season. Along with former teammate and defensive partner, Rick Kilduff, he served as the Head Coach of the SJSU ‘B’ team from 1995-1997. He graduated from SJSU in 1992 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and currently works as a Product Manager for the Lifescan Corp. here in the Bay Area. Rick and his family reside in San Jose.
Dan Zank: Dan played both forward and defense for the Spartans from 1990-1993, where he helped the team capture 3 PCHA Championship trophies. He graduated from SJSU in 1991 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation, and he received his MBA from Embry-Wriddle Aeronautical University in 1999. Dan works as an Administrator for the Hayward Municipal Airport. He and his family reside in San Jose.
Hugh Murphy: Hugh played forward for the Spartans from 1994-1997 where he was a member of 2 PCHA Championship teams and 2 ACHA National Tournament squads. While playing for the Spartans, Hugh also taught hunderds of people how to play hockey as an instructor for both the Ice Centre and the Pacific Hockey Association. Hugh is currently a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Jake Avis: A native of Detroit, MI, Jake skated for the Spartans from 1993-1995, and was a member of 2 PCHA Championship teams and one ACHA National Tournament squad. He graduated from SJSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation in 1996 and he currently works as a Captain with SkyWest Airlines. Jake resides in Denver, CO, keeps in contact with many of the other alumni and tries to catch up with the team whenever they visit Colorado.
Steve Campbell: Steve played for the Spartans during the 1993-1994 campaign, where he helped the team capture the PCHA Championship that season. He is currently finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Management at SJSU, while serving full-time as an analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigations here in San Jose. Steve and his wife Maggie currently reside in San Jose.
Dave Powell: Dave skated for the Spartans from 1993-1997, helping the team capture 3 PCHA Championships and 2 ACHA National Championship berths. He served the club as both Vice-President and later President during his tenure as a Spartan, and he graduated from SJSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1997. Currently, Dave lives in San Jose where he works as a dispatcher for a local concrete company.
Kevin Fitzgibbons: Kevin played for the Spartans from 1991-1994, and was a member of 3 PCHA Championship teams and one ACHA National Tournament squad. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management in 1994, and is currently the manager of “The Box Seat Sports Grill” in Morgan Hill.