{"id":2439,"date":"2023-04-18T13:29:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T13:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring2024\/?p=2439"},"modified":"2026-04-30T20:10:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T20:10:13","slug":"three-generations-one-legacy-60-years-of-laker-hockey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/three-generations-one-legacy-60-years-of-laker-hockey\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Generations, One Legacy: 60 Years of Laker Hockey"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1966, Laker Hockey didn\u2019t have banners, traditions, or a legacy \u2014 it had a beginning. In 2026, as Lake Superior State celebrates six decades of Division I hockey, the program stands as a reflection of the players who built it, shaped it, and sustained it. From the pioneers who created the culture, to championship teams who elevated it, to modern-day Lakers who carry it forward, each generation has left its mark on a story that continues to grow.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Jim Booth<\/p><\/div>\n

Jim Booth, a member of Lake Superior State\u2019s first recruiting class and a 1970 graduate, remembers a time when Laker Hockey didn\u2019t have a tradition \u2014 it had to build one.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no culture,<\/em>\u201d Booth said. \u201cWe created it.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Booth was the program\u2019s first hockey scholarship recipient in 1966 and one of only two players who skated in the Lakers\u2019 first-ever game and stayed all four years. From the beginning, he said, the mindset was clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a winning attitude from day one,<\/em>\u201d he said. \u201cThat carried us through those first four years.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The early success was immediate. The Lakers advanced to the national championship game three consecutive seasons, helping establish the foundation of a program that would grow into a national contender.<\/p>\n

Back then, everything about Laker Hockey was new.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one had ever seen a Laker jersey,<\/em>\u201d Booth said. \u201cWe were the first to wear it, and we were proud to show it off.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The game itself looked much different, too. Players wore tube skates, leather gloves, and used wooden sticks. Home games were played at Pullar Stadium, where amenities were minimal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t even have showers in the dressing room,<\/em>\u201d Booth recalled. \u201cWe had to run down the hallway with towels wrapped around us to get to a washroom with two showers\u2014and plenty of fans watching us make the trip.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Jim and Lynda Booth<\/p><\/div>\n

Before arriving at LSSU, Booth had been drafted by the Boston Bruins and skated alongside Bobby Orr, but a series of unexpected turns led him to Sault Ste. Marie to play for legendary coach Ron Mason\u2014a decision that became part of program history.<\/p>\n

Six decades later, Booth says the evolution of the game is almost impossible to put into words. But one thing hasn\u2019t changed: the impact of the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels like just yesterday I was playing at LSSU,<\/em>\u201d he said. \u201cYou don\u2019t know what tomorrow will bring, so cherish your time. These will be some of the most special memories of your life.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"

Doug Laprade<\/p><\/div>\n

Doug Laprade, a 1991 graduate and member of Lake Superior State\u2019s 1988 NCAA Division I National Championship team, remembers a program built not just on success \u2014 but on connection.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, we had a lot of success on the ice,<\/em>\u201d Laprade said. \u201cThere are great memories from games and practices. But honestly, my best memories weren\u2019t on the ice \u2014 they were in the dorms with my teammates.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

From Brady Hall to the Village and the townhouses, Laprade says those everyday moments shaped the team just as much as anything that happened during a game.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ask any of the guys, that\u2019s what they\u2019ll remember most,<\/em>\u201d he said. \u201cLiving together, being around each other all the time \u2014 that\u2019s what made it special<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Laprade and his teammates, Laker Hockey wasn\u2019t just something they did \u2014 it defined how they lived.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was more than a culture \u2014 it was a lifestyle,<\/em>\u201d he said. \u201cWe loved being around each other. There weren\u2019t any bad apples. Maybe a few small groups here and there, but everyone got along. That bond meant everything.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

That connection carried onto the ice, but so did a deep sense of pride in representing something bigger.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ryan, Doug, Pam and Kristen Laprade<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWearing the Laker anchor was an unbelievable feeling,<\/em>\u201d Laprade said. \u201cYou knew you were playing for more than just the school \u2014 you were playing for the whole town. I still remember the first time I put it on, and the last time I had to take it off.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at today\u2019s game, Laprade sees a clear evolution. The modern college athlete is more specialized, more prepared, and part of a more advanced system.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we played, things were simpler,<\/em>\u201d he said. \u201cWe had a modest locker room, ate together in the dining hall, lived on campus \u2014 always with a roommate. Now, players come in with more experience, more training, and everything is more professional.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, the core of what makes a team successful hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I could tell current and future Lakers one thing, it would be to enjoy your four years,<\/em>\u201d he said. \u201cIt goes by faster than you think. Take it all in, spend time with each other, and build those relationships \u2014 because that\u2019s how you win.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Domenic

Domenic Monardo<\/p><\/div>\n

Domenic Monardo, a 2013 graduate of Lake Superior State, has a story built on perseverance, pride, and a deep appreciation for what it means to be part of Laker Hockey.<\/p>\n

For Monardo, some of his strongest memories trace back to one of the program\u2019s most cherished traditions \u2014 ringing the victory bell after a home win. It\u2019s a moment every player envisions, and for him, it carried a meaning that went far beyond the ice.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing up, one of my biggest dreams was to play Division I hockey,<\/em>\u201d he reflects. \u201cThat journey came with its share of challenges, but I was fortunate to have an incredible support system\u2014my family and those close to me \u2014 who helped me push through and reach that goal.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

That support made every milestone more meaningful. With his family in the stands at Taffy Abel Arena, Monardo wasn\u2019t just living out his dream \u2014 he was sharing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose moments were made even more special by the pride and appreciation I felt running out of the dressing room to ring the bell, knowing they were right there to share in it with me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

From the day he arrived on campus, Monardo quickly understood what being a Laker demanded. The culture was clear: accountability, hard work, and pride in everything you do.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the ice, there was a strong emphasis on competing every shift and playing for one another,<\/em>\u201d he says. \u201cSeeing the National Championship banners hanging in Taffy Abel Arena was a constant reminder that we were part of something bigger than ourselves\u2014we were playing to uphold a standard and make past, present, and future Lakers proud.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

That sense of responsibility extended well beyond game day. Off the ice, the expectations were just as high.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe culture was rooted in respect and representing the program the right way in the community,<\/em>\u201d Monardo explains. \u201cEven if we didn\u2019t always have the biggest crowds, it was obvious how much Laker Hockey meant to the people around us, and that was something we carried with us every day.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Wearing the Laker jersey was never something he took lightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt meant a lot \u2014 it represented the history of the program and all the players who came before us. It was an honor to contribute to that legacy.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Jenna, Antonio, Vienna and Domenic Monardo<\/p><\/div>\n

As his career moved into professional hockey, taking him to new levels and destinations, Monardo gained an even deeper appreciation for his time in Sault Ste. Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout question, some of the most meaningful and memorable moments of my entire career came during my time as a Laker,<\/em>\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

While the game continues to evolve with more speed and skill, he believes the foundation of Laker Hockey remains unchanged \u2014 rooted in work ethic, teamwork, and pride.<\/p>\n

His advice to the next generation of Lakers is simple, but powerful:<\/p>\n

\u201cEmbrace every moment and don\u2019t take the experience for granted. The time goes by quickly, and the relationships you build will last far beyond your playing days. Put in the work, represent the program with pride, and enjoy being part of something bigger than yourself.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

GO LAKERS GO!<\/p>\n

As Laker Hockey celebrates 60 years, the voices of Booth, Laprade, and Monardo echo a common thread \u2014 while the game, facilities, and eras have changed, the heart of the program has not. Built on hard work, pride, and connection, the legacy continues to grow with each new generation of Lakers who step onto the ice, adding their chapter to a story that began in 1966 and is still being written today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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