Centene Community Ice Center is proud to host the 2027 Mid-States Club Hockey Association Wickenheiser Cup Finals on Thursday, February 25.
Wickenheiser Cup Finals:
Thursday, February 25: Team A vs. Team B - Game Time TBA
About Mid-States Club Hockey Association
It all began in 1971 when a dream was realized... When Mr. Bill Frederick, a planning executive with Emerson Electric, worked out an agreement with Union Electric Company of St. Louis to sponsor what was then called the “Area High School Hockey League.” Union Electric issued the following statement in 1971 at the onset of the program: “This pilot program can provide and excellent opportunity for our high school youth to exert themselves in sportsmanship contests. This league is founded with a goal that the club members will support their own continuing activity. It is our delight to provide the principal seeding to assure the League’s success.” Union Electric’s partnership with teams and the newly formed league provided the beginning in Club Hockey play. A non-profit corporation was formed to pursue the following objectives: (1) to gain recognition from the Missouri State High School Activities Association for ice hockey as a school sport; (2) to provide hockey to an age group of 17 and 18 year old young men who at the time were not able to play in existing amateur programs; and (3) to eventually expand the league from the original eight teams to a minimum of 24.
The origianl eight teams in the pilot program were: CBC, Chaminade, DeSmet, Lindbergh, SLUH, St. Thomas Aquinas, Vianney and Whitfield.
The original board of directors in 1971-1972 were: Bill Fredrick, Chairman; Chuck Kaiser, Director; Allen Cross, Referee Chief; Mel Dorenhoeffer, Director; Daley Abels, Secretary; Jack McVey, Vice Chairman; Gene McClain, Director; and Eugene Primm, Director. In 1972 the name of the league was changed to it’s present name: Mid-States Club Hockey Association. The League began rapid growth in the early 70’s and grew to 28 clubs. However, expansion had caused the league to run up debt of $30,000 and almost caused it’s demise.
A committee was formed to restructure the league. Mr. Fredrick’s business commitments had increased, and so after three seasons as Chairman, he stepped down to a less active role. The restructuring committee consisted of Dan Dolan, Bob Rosenthal, Wes Neu and Dan Dunbar, they named Herman Kriegshauser to be the new President of MSCHA; Liz Cupples to be the Admin Coordinator and Charles Busenhart to administer the scheduling of league games as manage contracts with the rinks.
During the mid 1970’s the league grew to as many as 32 varsity teams. A Junior Varsity division was also established. At one time it hoped to expand into other areas in the State to encompass true Statewide participation, however the Kansas City and Columbia area never reached a level sufficient to join. Mid-States eventually would see the success expand to a high of 47 clubs and currently has 37 member clubs, all with Varsity teams, 13 with Junior Varsity and also oversees a Developmental division consisting of 34 teams.
The most important contribution that MSCHA has been to afford the opportunity to thousands of St. Louis area high school students to play ice hockey in an organized program representing their respective high schools. The concept of representing their schools, even only as a club sport, has nevertheless instilled a great deal of pride to the students and the student bodies of the respective schools. Regular season game attendance regularly exceeds 500 spectators per game, a direct result of the growth and acceptance of the Mid-States program.
For more information about Mid-States Club Hockey Association, please visit midstateshockey.us
