Past Teams and Memories

I've been coaching and playing hockey for over 50 years and I always tell the kids that if they stick with hockey throughout their life they will meet great people. Many of my best friends are from teams I've played on, or kids I've coached, or their parents. Hockey at all ages should be about having a great time, making friends that last a lifetime, and fulfilling the competitive fire that lies within us all. For a chronological listing of all my teams since 1971 click here.

I did not play hockey as a kid. As a senior in high school I played my first Organized hockey and then off to Saint Olaf in Northfield, Minnesota. Luckily for me there were only 14 kids who even tried out for the team so I played 4 years of Varsity - 1971-1975.

We had a Saint Olaf Reunion tournament 40 years after graduation. Great to be in the Colors again.

Front: Tim Ives, Barry Biegler, Bob Anderson (bullet), Pete Arneson, Dennis Nichel, Tom High
Middle: Stu McClanahan, Scott Westervelt, Mark Narum, Frank Trotter, Leigh Canfield, Steve May, Joe Barrash
Back: Unknown, Joel Fevold, Jim Wilkins, Larry Martin, Tim Lundgren, Joel Fevold

If anybody can remember any more names, send clues to BarryBiegler@Gmail.com

Saint Olaf Hockey Reunion 2009

The picture below is from a 2009 hockey tournament in Florida that my 1973 Saint Olaf team played in. Most of us had not seen each other in over 35 years. We flew into Orlando from 13 different cities and met at the rink before our first game.

Front Row: Dave Heckler (baby Heckler), Tim Ives, Tom Heckler (Honor boy), Greg Lundquist (Lunker), Barry Biegler (Trees), Coach Dennis Nickel
Back Row: Frank Trotter, Jim Wilkens, Sam Cremin (Friend of Baby Heckler), Jim Bender, ("Captain, sort of"), Mike Sampson, Bill Gorsline, Bruce Karg

MIT Hockey Team - 1977-1978

I selected the Sloan School of Business at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) because they had a hockey club that graduate students could play on. So I played four years at Saint Olaf and another two at MIT. Our goalie, Paul Estey, received a masters in rocket engine design from MIT and then went on to earn a PHD from Stanford. He played four years in college, three at MIT and another four at Stanford. Ten years of college level hockey, all while becoming one of the worlds leading rocket engine designers!

Front row: Goalies: Dan Costa, Tom Stagliano, Paul Estey
Second row: Scott Schwartz, Rick Bryant, Steve Selin, Dave Damery, Rich McKinnon
Third row: Carsten Mortensen, unknown, Lou Odette, Frank Scarabino, Kevin Durfee, David Tohir, Barry Biegler, Andy Jarrell, Duane Horton, Wally Corwin, unknown, Murph (equipment manager), Coach Wayne Pecknold
Back row: Gerry Eastman ?, Don Silverstein, Al Strong, Leo Ahearn,

I have forgotten some of the names - if anybody remembers, email me: BarryBiegler@Gmail.com

Most of the people on the Saint Olaf College Softball team were hockey players!

Front Row: Leigh Canfield, Tim Ives, Fritz Huszagh, Erik Johnson, Mark Bruer,

Back Row: Peter Eichhorn, Frank Trotter, Dennis Nickel, Unknown, Barry Biegler,

After graduating from business School form MIT (Sloan) in 1978 I moved to Los Angeles.  I didn't know anybody so I went out to the rink and signed up for men's leagues and to coach.  I don't have any pictures of the mens teams from that time, but I made a some very good friends.  I coached 5 different Marina cities teams from 1981-1987.  Unfortunately I can’t remember the names - But if anyone does, send please Email me: BarryBiegler@Gmail.com

Marina Cities Juniors - 1982 AAA National Champions

1982 was a great year for Marina Cities hockey. The Junior team won the National Champion. We went to Alaska and won. In about 2012 we had a reunion in Los Angeles and it was great to see everyone. I was only 28 when I coached these 17-20 year old young men. We would check into a hotel and the manager would ask, “hey, where is your coach”. I’d raise my hand, “hey, its me”. Some of the players looked older than me!

Front Row: Kenny Baum, Coach Fred Reiss, Al Casaccia, John Boswell, Head Coach Barry Biegler, Bill Erkus; Rico Roth; Coach Chebot Cormier, John Yannacakis
Back Row: Patrick Lamarre, Mark Blizzard, Eric Hithe; Stephen Matzel; Chris Sharon; Matt Hendison; A J Kroener; Mike Pearson; Jules Kaupas

Men's league is a great way to meet people. I didn't know a sole in Los Angeles when I moved there from my hometown of Chicago.. All I had to do was go to the Rink and meet some people. I'm actually young for this over 35 group (I was only 35). I’m in the front row, third from the left. Unfortunately I can’t remember any of the names of my teammates, but I do remember they were great people.

This picture was from a tournament in Reno, Nevada. It seemed like all we did for 3 days was play hockey, gamble, and have fun. I don't remember sleeping much - which is why we probably all look so tired!

I moved to Vail, Colorado in 1988 and didn't know anybody. So, off to the Rink to sign up for Men's League, and coach the kids. Hockey is a great way to meet people. I’m in the front row, far left. I can’t remember all the names but that is Benno Scheidegger in the front row far right. Back row, third from the right is my Scott Hovey.

If anyone remembers names, Email me at: BarryBiegler@Gmail.com