Steve Davies will receive the Kenneth J. Shouldice Professional Achievement Award at the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony during Great Lake State Weekend on Saturday, October 19. The Shouldice Award, established in 1994, honors individuals whose personal and professional successes serve as outstanding examples to LSSU graduates. Dr. Shouldice is, in many ways, the founding father of today’s Lake Superior State University. As the first chancellor and president (1965-1982), he guided the campus from a two-year branch of Michigan Technological University to an autonomous four-year college.
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Davies was recruited to play hockey at LSSU (then Lake Superior State College) by Ron Mason and Rick Comley and offered a 4-year hockey scholarship. During his time at LSSU, he was part of the 1974 team who won the NAIA National Championship that year. Davies and his 1973-74 teammates were inducted into the LSSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. They were also the first team in school history to win a regular season CCHA title in addition to the national Championship. Davies’ coach for three seasons (1973-74, 1974-75 and 1975-76) was Rick Comley, who has had a long storied career in coaching and now serves the Athletic Director at Northern Michigan University. “Rick was a tremendously supportive coach who provided me with the opportunity to develop as a hockey player but more importantly, taught me the discipline necessary to compete at my best,” said Davies. Davies graduated from Lake Superior State University in 1977 having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.
Davies, whose business career has spanned over 45 years as an entrepreneur, has founded and built many companies. His most notable are Hespeler Hockey and Winnwell Hockey, two iconic hockey equipment brands. “Each of these hockey equipment companies had a unique focus: addressing the high cost of the game by providing high quality hockey equipment at affordable prices in an attempt to grow the game,” commented Davies, “every kid should be given the opportunity to play this great game, regardless of household income.”
When asked about his time at Lake State and what memories stand out to him, Davies fondly remembered his mathematics professor, Thomas Mickewich. “Professor Mickewich continued to reinforce the importance of understanding the ‘process’ as opposed to the end result,” recalled Davies, “something that has served me well in my business career.”
In addition to his impressive career as an entrepreneur, Davies also served on the board for Alpine Ontario Alpin from 1998 – 2002. The AOA leads, supports and promotes the joys of ski racing while delivering a trusted pathway to podiums, community, competition and careers.
Davies has supported Laker hockey over the years, most recently the Laker Hockey Locker Room Renovation campaign, and recognizes both Tom Coates and Andrew Rubinstein for their efforts in fundraising for the program.
Davies is married to Susan and they currently reside in Etobicoke, Ontario. They have four grown children, Brandon, Kimberly, Matt, and Kristin; and grandchildren Jack (6), Sam (4), and Rowan (2).