History of Hockey at Aquinas

It is a recognized fact that hockey is among the oldest sports played here at Aquinas. In 1925, a sophomore by the name of Ray "Red" Margrett tried to organize a hockey team. By his senior year he had realized his dream. Mr. O'Connell was the first head coach and in1928 the team had a 5-1-1 record. For three years, Mr. O'Connell coached the team with a final record of 15-5-1. Due to the lack of outside competition, hockey became an intramural sport supported primarily by the Basilian Fathers who were faculty members and whose Canadian origins had prepared them well for hockey. At Aquinas, many of them had played on the famous hockey teams at St. Michael's College in Toronto. In 1968 Fr. Jack Spratt, C.S.B. at the request of interested students reorganized hockey and became their coach. Fr Spratt was instrumental in founding the current Monroe County high school Hockey League.

Over the years Aquinas has won 17 section five championships, 19 league championships, 9 state regional championships and 2 state championships.

The current league record is 440-185-52 and overall is 605-297-70

STATE CHAMPIONS 1999-Aquinas overcame one goal deficits three times to ice a hard earned 5-3 victory over LaSalle Institute of Troy. Steve Gionta,s goal , breaking a 3-3 tie and Gionta,s goal in the last minute, propelled Aquinas into the finals.
In the championship game ,Aquinas took a 3-1 lead into the second quarter and never looked back as Aquinas won its second consecutive State Championship with a convincing 6-4 win over No 1 ranked Cortland-Homer (25-5). Aquinas freshman Steve Gionta scored two goals for Aquinas (20-3-4) and was named Tournament MVP.

STATE CHAMPIONS 1998-  In one of the classic games in tournament history, Aquinas twice overcame one goal deficits to upset heavy favorite and #1 ranked New Hartford 3-2 in double overtime. Lou Ferrari scored Aquinas first two goals and Mike Doherty scored the overtime winner.
In the championship game Aquinas was holding on to 2-1 lead with five minutes to play when Aquinas Jason Schmidt and Jason Gurnett scored 28 seconds apart to close the lid on Plattsburg. Jim Letta scored the final goal and the Little Irish won the first state championship in the history of the school.