Portage Lake Team pictures

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1899 Portage Lakes the first known PL hockey team Top Row L-R: B. Potter (Lt Wing), Ellsworth, Dr. R.B. Harkness, Black, Dr. E.R. Hay. Seated L-R: Thompson, Dr. J.H. Gibson (Cover Pt), C.E. Webb -mgr, Dr Percy H. Willson (Rt Wing), Delaney (Point). Kneeling L-R: Wally Washburn, Andy Haller (Rover). Note there were four Doctors on this team! Members of the 1899, 1900, 1901 team also included Rowe at Forward. C. Yates and Dr. H.B. Harkness were officials. cmbk	1899-1900 1900-01 1901-02 Please Contact the webmaster if you have a picture of any of these missing teams! 19?? Early 1900's need names and date! 1902 or before Portage Lake Hockey Team Champions of the West Top Row Lt to Rt: A Holler -Rover, E.C. Hay -Spare, C.H. Webb -Mgr, P.H. Willson -Center, R. Rowe -Left For'd. Seated Lt to Rt: W. Washburn -Spare, H.E. Meinke -Right For'd, J.L. Gibson -Capt. Cover Point, E.E. Howell -Point, J.H. Jones -Goal.	1902-03 Portage Lake Champions of the US Top Row L-R: Andy Haller -Sub, J.H. Stephens, C.E. Webb -Manager, L.J. Ames -Trainer, J.C Baker -Point. Front row: J.L Gibson -C. Point and Captain, R. Rowe -Left, J.H. Jones -Goal, C.E. Wescott -Right, H.E. Meinke -Center. Paddy the Mascot dog.
1903-04 Portage Lake World Champs & World's First All Professional Hockey Team! Top row Left: N.F. Westcott -Sub, Jas. Duggan -Trainer, C.E. Webb -Mgr, J.R. Dee -Pres, J. Linder -Sub. Mid: Bert C. Morrison -Rover, W.C. Shields -R Wing, J.L. Gibson -Capt & Point, W.H. Stuart -Cover Point, C.B. Stuart -Center. Front: C.E. Westcott -L Wing, W.H. Hern -Goal. Roster & Game Results:	1904-05 Portage Lake Pro Team Top Row Lt to Rt: Hod Stuart, Mgr Charles E. Webb, John L. "Doc" Gibson. Seated Lt to Rt: Ernest Wescott, William "Cooney" Shields, Bruce Stuart, William Riley Hern, Bert Morrison. Please Contact the webmaster if you have a different picture of this team.	1905-06 Portage Lake Pro Team Clockwise from top left: Capt C. Bruce Stuart -Center, Barney Holden -Cover pt., John T. McNamara -Manager, Grindy Forrester -point, W.M Riley Hern -Goal, Joe H. Hall -Rt wing, Harry Bright -Rover, James W. Duggan -Trainer, Walter A Forrest -spare, Fred W. Taylor -Rover, Red E. Lake -Lt wing.
1906-07 Portage Lake IHL Pro Team Top 3 L-R: Jas M Duggan -Trainer; Darcy Regan, John T. McNamara -Mgr. Middle 2 L-R: Fred W. Taylor, Barney Holden. Middle 4 L-R: Grindy Forester, Goldy Cochrane, C. Bruce Stuart -Capt., Fred E. Lake. Bottom 1: Jack Descarie. Photo courtesy of Ernie Fitzsimmons Hockey Historian, Fredericton, N.B	1906-07 Portage Lake Hardware Commercial Champions Top left: Geo. Heinz -Capt Rover, Elmer Slusser -Point, Will Heinz -C point, Joe Hillenbrand -Center. Middle: Neill Lowney -Trainer, Cy Wedge -Goal, W. Fairbairn -Manager. Front: L. Carpenter -R Wing, H. Hosking -L Wing. Cup says: Presented by the ? Cartridge Company, Cincinnati, Ohio	1907-08
1908-09

2000

2000-01 Portage Lake Team
GLHL Regular Season Champions
Gibson Cup Champions
Runner Up in Nationals

Standing L-R: Cathy Lucchesi (Team Mgr), Chuck Johnson (Eqpt Mgr), Bob Brunet (Eqpt Mgr),

Casey Hagbo (Def), Buster Roberts (Fwd), Lee DeForge (Fwd), Cory Markham (Fwd), Randy Stevens (Fwd), Matt Lewis (Dfs), Rod Markham (Fwd), Dan Juopperi (Dfs), Brendan Ollanketto (Fwd), Jeff Mikesch (Coach)

Kneeling L-R: Jeff Addler (Goal), Bryan Juopperi (Dfs), John Pietila (Fwd), Jim Baroga (Eqpt Mgr), Mark Chegwedden ??? (Dfs) , Craig Biekola (Fwd), Jeremy Rintala (Fwd), Mike Hauswirth (Fwd), Jeff Markham (Goal)

Missing: Jamey Markham (Dfs), Jon French (Dfs)

2001-02

need picture!

2002-03

2003-04
Portage Lake Team
Gibson Cup Champions

Standing L-R: Chuck Johnson, Ross Chawanski, --?, Trent Daavatilla, Aaron Koskela, Craig Biekkola, Jamie Markham, Rod Markham, Dan Juopperi, Ted Sturos, John Pietala, Doug Wessa.
Kneeling L-R: Tyler Sarazin, Jerrod Moilanen, Jim Broga, Tony Delorenza, Jeff Adler, Cleve Heikkila.

Co-Champs of the Northern Div of Great Lakes Hockey League.
Gibson Cup Winners.
Season Results: 15-5 regular season, 0-2-1 in the Nationals.

2004 Nationals punctuate season of contrasts for area teams

By JEFF ARNOLD
Gazette Writer
HOUGHTON — The Calumet Wolverines and Portage Lake Pioneers finished up their respective seasons at nationals in Fond du Lac, Wis., over the weekend.
Neither team was able to advance — the Pioneers went 0-2-1 with a 5-5 tie against Mosinee, and the Wolverines went 1-2, beating Minneapolis 6-4 in the opening game of the tournament.
In regular season play, the Pioneers shared the title in the Northern Division of the Great Lakes Hockey League with a 15-5 mark. The Wolverines finished at 9-11 and in second in the Northern Division behind the Pioneers.
“It was a struggle for us this season,” Wolverines’ assistant coach Roger Rintala said. “We really had our ups and downs. It was a year of growth for the team.”
As in past seasons, each team had to deal with the loss of players from the previous season.
The Wolverines especially had to deal with a high turnover ratio this season.
“We were very young this year,” Calumet forward Bruce Coppo Jr. said.
Despite the disappointment at nationals this year, Pioneers’ forward Craig Biekkola thought that the team had a good year.
“We tied for first in the league, and we won the Gibson Cup,” Biekkola said. “We had a pretty fast team this year. We were skilled offensively, and we had good goaltending this year.”

— For a complete version of this story, please see the print edition of The Daily Mining Gazette. 7 April 2004

2004-05
Portage Lake Pioneers
Gibson Cup Champions
National Champions!!

need names here!

2005-06
Portage Lake Pioneers
Gibson Cup Champions!

need names in order here:
Ted Sturos, John French, Rodney Markham, Dan Juopperi, John Daavettila, Tyler Sarazin, Scott Raisanen, Aaaron Koskela, Jerrod Moilanen, Trent Daavettila, Jake Dunstan, Pat McCarthy, Charlie Turner, Brad Howard, Ross Rinkinen, Jeff Haaapuro, Ryan Greenley, Jamey Markham, Ryan Sarazin, Tony Zingrone, Pete Kolasa, Matt Hughes, Jason Moilanen, Dave Joynt.

2006-07
Portage Lake Pioneers

Click here for the P.L. Pioneers home page

Here is an article that appeared in the local newspaper, the Daily Mining Gazette when the Portage Lake team celebrated their 100 anniversary:

By KEVIN COLBERT
Gazette Writer
A lot of great hockey has been played in the Copper Country over the years.
Michigan Tech and the local high schools have provided many thrills on the ice, but no team has stood the test of time like the Portage Lake Pioneers.
The 2002-03 season marks season No. 100 for the Pioneers (formerly the Flyers), a team that has become a fixture in Houghton and to the surrounding area.
“I think the team is a big part of the community,” said Portage Lake general manager Cathy Lucchesi. “I think that people that are from around here are very familiar with them. Just the fact that we have kept it going this long is an accomplishment.”
The Pioneers welcomed back several former players Sunday at Dee Stadium for a game against the Calumet Wolverines, a game that ended in a 4-1 Portage Lake victory.
The gathering gave a chance for current and former players to discuss hockey and talk about old times.
“It was great to see some of the old guys,” said Bob Hauswirth, a member of the Pioneers in 1954-57 and again for the 1960-61 campaign. “I saw quite a few of the guys wandering around the rink.”
Hauswirth played on the team in the years he attended high school before moving on to play at Michigan Tech, and said he appreciates having had the opportunity to play with some of the all-time great players from the area.
“As a young kid in high school, getting to play with the Bukovich brothers (Joe and Tony)...it was really big for us,” Hauswirth said. “There was also Paul Coppo, who was an All-American at Tech, and Tony played with the Detroit Red Wings. It was quite an honor just having the opportunity to play with them. They were the ones that coached us and helped us and sent quite a few of us on to college hockey.” One hundred years is a long time, long enough to surprise even some current members of the Pioneers with the history of their team."

1910s	1910-11 Portage Lake Team inside Amphidrome Top Row L-R: -, W. Exley, -, -, -, -, -, -. On Ice L-R: -, -. Please contact the webmaster if you know the names of these players. Photo courtesy of MTU archives.
1912? Portage Lake U.S. Champions! Top Row Lt to Rt: John Mortimer Croze -Mgr, Paul Hogan -C.Point, William Trathen -Point. Seated Lt to Rt: Walter Exley -R.Wing, Oley/L. Haas -Center, Carlos "Cub" Haug -Goal, Delore Chaput -Rover, Elmer J. Sicotte -L.Wing. News copy of picture courtesy of Donald Chaput. Contact webmaster if you have a better copy of this picture or know what year this is.
1915 Portage Lake Junior Intermediate Champs of the Copper Country Top Left: P. Grant -R Wing, H. Fernette -C.Point, L.V. Croze -Mgr, C. Auger -Point, R. Richards -L Wing. Mid: B. Hind -Center & Capt, cup, O. Peterson -Rover. H. Richards -Trainer, E. Wimmer -C.Point, J. Reault -Goal, G.M. Wahl -Point.	1915 Portage Lake Team members from news: Monette -goalie, Trathen, Cullman, Hogan, Briden (from Salisbury, Ont.) Bailey (from Port Arthur), Sicotte, Jerry Coughlin, Coutu.	Unk date Portage Lake Hardware Team Standing Lt to Rt: C.E. Westcott -Coach, B. Fletcher -R Wing, J Ogston -Sub, W. Heinz -L Wing, Wm. E. Fairbairn -Manager. Sitting on Chairs Lt to Rt: John Murphy -Cover, J. McKercher -Goal, R. Eggleston -Point. Front Lt to Rt: N.F. Westcott -Rover, G. Heinz -Center.
1916-17

1920s
1923		1924-25 Portage Lake Team Top Row L to R: Phil Houle -Forward; H.L. Tesen -L Forward; "Curley" Ray Kolehmainen -Center; H.L Bettinson -R Forward; Glenn Mountjoy -Forward. Middle 3: Trainer Joseph Abb, Manager Joseph Stack, Captain Irving Monette -R Def. Bottom Row L to R: Douglas Houghton Trangmar -Def.; George Wahl -Def.; Robert Zyrd -Goalie; Leo Roy -Center; R.R. Goodreau -Goalie.
1926	1926-27 Portage Lake Team Back row: Stack-Mgr, Josephs, Anderson, B. Rolin, Cohlett, Romnes, Myre. Front & Mid: Webber, Lynch, Clement -Goalie, Capon. Amphidrome rink had burned 9 January 1927, players lost their equipment in the fire: uniforms, skates etc. According to the 13 January 1927 Daily Mining Gazette, players on the Portage Lake team were: Clemens Goal, Hines RD, Monette LD, Romnes C, Lynch LW, Joseph RW, Ganton Fd, Webber Fd, Campbell Fd.	1927-28 Portage Lake Team -,-,-,-, Cyril J. Bingham -goalie, -,-,-,-,-,-,-. please contact webmaster if you know the names of these players. Photo courtesy of Bingham family.
1928-29 Portage Lake Team Left to Rt: Joe Abb -Trainer, Daly -Capt.; Myre; Forslund; Cyril J. Bingham -goalie; Wyllie; McQuinn; Allen; Joseph; Quinn; Butch/Joe? Stack -Mgr. Photo courtesy of Bingham family.		unk date-maybe 1927; when Amphidrome had burned, many team pictures were taken outside. Portage Lake Team Back row: Stack-Mgr, Josephs-Anderson, B. Rolin, Collett, Rommes, Myre. Front & Mid: Webber, Lynch, Clement, Capon.

1930s
1935
1938 1939 Rosters:	1938-39 Portage Lake Team MacNaughton Cup Champs Gibson Cup Champs Top Row Left: J.R. Abb -Trainer, M.I. Joffee -Business Mgr, R.C. Harrington -Sec'y-Tres, W.J. Smith -Chairman, F.J. Yeip -Manager, G.C. Siller -Asst Mgr. 2nd row: G. Teele -Forward, E. Murray -Goal, E. Klingbeil -Capt-Def, F. Ingram -Coach-Forward. 3rd row: J. Rozinka -Def, E. Juntunen -Def. 4th bottom row: J. Stack -Forward, R. Kohlman -Forward, I. Stalker -Forward, J. Stobel -Asst Trainer, D. Bladnick -Forward, W. Kananen -Forward, B. Ruelle -Forward.

1940s
1 December 1947 Naming the Portage Lake Hockey Club Team Contest Signed by G.H. Richards, Secretary Team Name Winner: Portage Lake Pioneers! Letter courtesy of Doreen Tormala Lockwood 1943-1946 This league did not play. The Northern Michigan Wisconsin League started again in the 1946-47 season, altho Portage Lake did not participate that season, the Calumet-Laurium team was made up of all Copper Country players.	1947-48 Portage Lake Team Gibson Cup Winners! Top Left: Joseph Bukovich -Forward, Bernard Ruelle -Forward, James Mosienko -Forward, Wilbert Sivonen -Goal, Mike Bukovich -Defense. 2nd row: William Lindstrom -Forward, William Kolehmainen -Forward, John Plesch -Forward, Ernest Klingbeil -Cap'n Defense, Jack Ruelle -Forward. 3rd row: Neil McLean -Forward, Pete Pisnook -Defense. 4th row: Douglas Peterson -Forward, Ruppert* [Wilber] Savela -Forward. 5th bottom row: George Richards -Sec'y, Herman Gundlach -Vice Pres, Milton Joffee-Pres, Warner Rantala -Trainer. The picture identifies one of the players as Ruppert Savela, when it is actually his brother who played hockey; Wilber Savela. Contact webmaster if you have a better copy of this picture.	1947-48 Portage Lake Team Champions MOW League Gibson Cup Winners! Standing L to R: Mike Bukovich, Curly Kolehmainen, Ike Klingbeil, Bill Lindstrom, Pete Pisnook, Joe Bukovich, John Pleshe. Kneeling L to R: Doug Peterson, Wilber Savela, Neil McLean, Waino "Bud" Sivonen, Bernie Ruelle, Jim Mosienko, Jack Ruelle. The score board behind the players says on the left side: 2 McCabe, 3 Finnegan, 4 Rolle, 5 Englestad, 7 Prick, 8 Burman, 9 Goodman, 10 Wild, 11 O'Brien, 12 Adams, 14 Tompson, 16 Fleming, 17 Turgeson, 8 Roberts, 20 Opsohl. right score board: 2 Messinger, 3 Erickson, 5 Donegan, 6? Graver,10 Mihelcich, 11 Gregorich, 12 Noblet, 14 Ruelle, 12 Meyers, 25 Waite, 6 Rowe
1948-49 Roster & Games 1948-49 Portage Lake Team Top Row L-R: J. Norkel, Fran Lowney, Bill Lindstrom, Mike Bukovich, K. Rintala, L. Rautiola, Tony Bukovich Sr. Front Row L-R: Butch Bukovich -Stick Boy, C. Berryman, D. Koski, Jack Ruelle, Joe Bukovich, J. Alla, Paul Coppo, J. Taddiucci, Norm Ruohonen, R. Tappani, Tony Bukovich Jr. -Stick Boy. Photo courtesy of Gerry Sullivan	1950's? need date Portage Lake Team Standing L-R: John Ricca, Ron Paavola, Jerry Frenette, Paul Coppo, Jerry Kestner, Jerry Marttila, Ray Frenette, Jack Ruelle, Coach Tony Bukovich. Kneeling L-R: Reuben Paavola, Donald Dennis, Paul Vitton, Ray Tapani, Fran Lowney, Bill O'Brien.

1960s	1960-61 Portage Lake Team Gibson Cup Winners! If you have a copy of this picture please contact the webmaster
1963		1965 Portage Lake
1966 Portage Lake	1966-67 Copper Country "Flyers" 1st year of the Flyers Coach Rod Paavola	1967-68 Portage Lake "Flyers" Badger State League Champions! Standing L-R: Coach Rod Paavola, Gary Houle, Reijo Vuorinen, Gerry Federighe, Leo Durocher, Fred Ruelle, Jim Morin, Gary Brey, John Baima, Joe Geborkoff. Seated L-R: Ron Mikkola, Doug Hembroff, Dave Hermanson, Bill Downey, Jim Hebner, Captain Bob Mikesch, Bob Perrault, Rudy Saatio. This picture was from a game program, if you have a better copy of this picture please contact the webmaster
1968-69 Portage Lake Flyers Gibson Cup Winners Standing L-R: Gary Brey, Bob Wirtanen -Mgr, Doug Hembroff, Paul Heinonen, Bob Mikesch -Capt, Ron Mikkola, Randy Peterson -MAHA Rep with Cup, Rudy Saatio -goalie, Rod Paavola -Coach, Fred Ruelle behind Tom Mitchell, Jim Morin, Terry Koskela, Joe Geborkoff, Mike Soumis, Norm Koski -GM. Kneeling L-R: Ken Savala -Mgr, Don Miller, Gary Franz, Butch Downey, Bill Bingham, Rich Rippi, Bob Perreault, Dave Hermanson. in the Wisc-N. Michigan League (formerly the Badger State League) Picture taken after 4-2 win over arch-rival CLK in Calumet Armory to win the Gibson Cup. Photo courtesy of Bob Mikesch If you have a better picture of this team please contact the webmaster

1970s March 7, 1970 Portage Lake Flyers Gibson Cup Champs L-R: Terry Sintkowski (in back), Dave Wiitanen hand on cup, Randy Peterson -MAHA hand on cup, Terry Koskela in back, Don Miller raised arm, Bob Mikesch -Capt, Doug Hembroff in back, Bill "Butch" Downey, Rod Paavola -Coach Defeating Calumet Wolverines by 6-3, PL wins the Gibson Cup for 2nd straight year. Photo courtesy of Bob Mikesch	1969-70 (or 70-71) Whittaker Cup at left Portage Lake Flyers Gibson Cup & State Intermediate Champs Standing L to R: Rod Paavola -Coach, Rick Ongie -trainer, Gary Brey, Terry Koskela, Doug Hembroff, Rich Riippi, Mike Maki, Fred Ruelle, Joe Geborkoff, Don Miller, Ron Antilla -Trainer, Scurb Desrocher -Trainer, Norm Koski -GM, Ron Mikkola (injured) Seated L-R: Mike Verbanac, Terry Sintkowski, Gary Franz, Mike Mitchell, Rudy Saatio, Bob Mikesch, Paul Heinonen, Butch Downey, Bill Bingham. missing from photo is Rich Brey & Bob Perreault. Photo courtesy Bob Mikesch If you can verify the year of this team, please contact the webmaster	1970-71 Portage Lake Flyers Michigan State Intermediate Champs The Flyers were the Wisconsin Northern Michigan Hockey League (W-NMHL) Champs, W-NMHL Playoff Champs, & Michigan State Intermediate Champs! In the National games: Flyers 5 St Paul 11 -- Flyers 9 Soo 6
1971-72 Portage Lake "Flyers" Ron Mikkola's 1st year as coach; players: Def: Rich Riipi, Mike Suomis, Doug Hembroff, Joe Geborkoff, Rich Brey. Forwards: Don Miller, Terry Koskela, Gary Franz, Ken Fuohonen, Paul Colombe, Tom Greenleaf, Gary Brey, Bill Downey, Scott Brotherton, Fred Ruelle, Clyde Tuouimaa, Tom Houle, Dave Plowe, Bob Perrault.	1973 Program Program courtesy of Jerry Federighe	1973-74 no team this year
1976
1978-79 Portage Lake Pioneers Top row players L-R: 1, 2, 3, 4, Frank Jackovich. Middle Row L-R: Kevin Ruohonen, Walter Mytty, Bob Perrault, Gary Franz, Tim/Jim? Opie, Brian Richie, Daryl Lishinski, 8, 9, Ken Savela (Epper). Seated L-R: Rich Neilson -goalie, Bob Hocking, John Marino, Bob Kneebone, 5, Kim Parsai. please Contact webmaster if you can help identify these players.	Gary Franz started the Portage Lake Pioneers in late 1970's again after a few years of no Portage Lake Team.	1979-80 please Contact webmaster if you have a photo of this team. The Portage Lake team traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska. Members of the PL team represented were: Forwards: Bob Pietila, Dennis Sten, Gary Franz, Al Hokenson, Mark Harris, Joe Marino, Jim Arvo, Rus Kyllonen, John Marino, Jim Opie. Def: Pat McCarthy, Mark Bukovich, Paul Finger, Bob Kneebone, Keith Harkonen. Goal: Rich Neilson, Kim Parsai. Staff: Kevin Ruohonen, Ken Savela, Walter Mytty, Floyd Wakeham. Players L-R: Mike Wagoner, Rich Neilson -goalie, Joel Scott photo courtesy of Joel Scott please Contact webmaster if you have a photo of this team.

1990s
1993? Portage Lake Pioneers Standing L-R: Dan Ruohonen, Randy Lewis, Corey Markham, "Buster" Charles Roberts, Rod Ewacha, Colby VanTassel, Chuck Mitchell, Rich Whitten, Rudy Gemignani. Kneeling L-R: Mark Huhta, Jamie Raffaelli, Brady Schaeffer, Roger Lewis, Brian Hannon, Lee Deforge, Mike Hauswirth, Mark Chegwidden, Joel Kirkish.		1994-95 Portage Lake Pioneers Gibson Cup Champions Senior US National Runners-up Front Row L-R: Ken Rowe, Marc Pomroy, Gene Niec, Korey Rowe, Lee DeForge, Jeff Markham, Micah Stipeck, Joel Kirkish, Greg Murphy, Dave Mikesch. Back Row L-R: Randy Wakeham, Rod Wakeham, Roy Wakeham -Assist coach, Carl Beckwith, Pat McCarthy, Andy Ewert, Bob Brunet -equip, Jon French, Corey Markham, Buster Roberts, Mike Hauswirth, Rod Paavola -Coach, Ted Monticello -Trainer.
1996 roster for 1995-96 from program: Kurt Maki, Kevin Maki, Craig Biekkola, Jamie Raffaelli, Lee DeForge, Matt Roberts, Timm Carlson, Corey Markham, Micah Stipech, Mike Carlson, Gene Niec, Carl Beckwith, Steve Ritchie, Joe Marino, Joel Kirkish, Mike Hauswirth -capt, Buster Roberts, Dan Ruohonen, Pat McCarthy -capt, Nathan Radl, Grant Engebos, Jon French, Dave Mikesch, Garth Jurgensen. GM: Joel Kirkish, Head coach Mike Hauswirth, Asst coach Ken Savela, Equip Bob Brunet, Trainer Ted Monticello.	1996-97 Gibson Cup Champions Paavola Cup Champions GLHL Regular Season Champions 1996-1997 Pioneers ascend to the top of the GLHL with some new young talent. Pioneers won the GLHL regular season championship, but fell short in the playoffs title tilt against the Fond du Lac Bears.	1997-98 GLHL Regular Season Champions GLHL Playoff Champions Gibson Cup Champions Paavola Cup Champions Runner Up in Nationals 1997-1998 Pioneers fell 5-2 in the national championship game against the Sun Valley Suns from Idaho. Pioneers were run down by injuries, but still managed to pull through in overtime to defeat the defending champions Minneapolis Green Mill. Pioneers won the regular season and playoff GLHL titles and the Gibson Cup. Justin Marcum scored over 100 points for the first time in Pioneer history.
1998-99 Portage Lake Team Gibson Cup Champions GLHL Regular Season Champions GLHL Playoff Champions National Champions! Top Row Lt to Rt: Pat McCarthy -Def, Mark Maroste -For, Scott Mikesch. Middle Row Lt to Rt: Ken (Epper) Savela -Equip Mgr, Steve Bates -Ast. Equip Mgr, Jeremy Rintala -For, Casey Hagbo -Def, Buster Roberts -For, Ross Rinkinen -Def, Mark Pietila -For, Justin Niemi -For, Tim Carlson -For, Jim Pietila, Craig Biekkola -For, Dan Juopperi (9) -Def, John Rajala -For, Corey Markham -For, Mike Hauswirth -Coach -For, Cathy Lucchesi -Mgr. Kneeling: Kevin Manninen, David Thorager -For, Jamey Markham (24) -Def, Austin Kryser (20), Jeff Markham -Goalie, Jon French -Def, Jim Barroga -Ast. Equip Mgr, Lee DeForge (5) -For, Justin Marcum -For, Brandon Ollanketo -For. 1998-1999 The greatest season in recent Pioneer History. The Pioneers finished the season 36-1 and were USA National Champions. Pioneer records were set by Justin Marcum in scoring with 110 Points, Goals Scored by Dave Thorager with 64, and assists by Justin Marcum with 65. Jeff Adler had 24 wins and Jeff Markham finished undefeated at 12-0. The pioneers dominated senior hockey by averaging over 10 goals a game. Nationals were closer but the neers breezed through for their first national title in team history.	1999-2000 GLHL Playoff Champions Gibson Cup Champions need picture! 1999-2000 The Pioneers looked to defend their national championship, but fell short in the national semi-finals. The season ended in overtime to the hands of Jackson Hole Wyoming. Pioneers won the Gibson Cup for the fourth straight season. After 3 consecutive sweeps over Calumet in Gibson Cup play, they were taken to the third game when Tom Wesa lit the lamp three times for a 6-3 game 3 win. Pioneers were unable to repeat as GLHL regular season champs, but did win the playoff championship for the third consecutive season.	1990's Portage Lake Standing L-R: Joe Hughes -Mgr?, Ted Montecello, Joel Kirkish, Tim Calrson, Charles Roberts (bending), Epper Sauvola, Wayne Garnell, Bob Brunett, Rico Sumner, Pat McCarthy, Craig Biekkola, Branden Olenkato, Mike Hauswirth. Kneeling L-R: Lee Deforge, Mark Chegwidden, Jeff Adler, Mark Palmer, John French, Mica Stipich, John Tajala, Jamie Raphaelli, Mark Maroste. In Front L-R: Cory Markham, Justin Marcum.

2000	2000-01 Portage Lake Team GLHL Regular Season Champions Gibson Cup Champions Runner Up in Nationals Standing L-R: Cathy Lucchesi (Team Mgr), Chuck Johnson (Eqpt Mgr), Bob Brunet (Eqpt Mgr), Casey Hagbo (Def), Buster Roberts (Fwd), Lee DeForge (Fwd), Cory Markham (Fwd), Randy Stevens (Fwd), Matt Lewis (Dfs), Rod Markham (Fwd), Dan Juopperi (Dfs), Brendan Ollanketto (Fwd), Jeff Mikesch (Coach) Kneeling L-R: Jeff Addler (Goal), Bryan Juopperi (Dfs), John Pietila (Fwd), Jim Baroga (Eqpt Mgr), Mark Chegwedden ??? (Dfs) , Craig Biekola (Fwd), Jeremy Rintala (Fwd), Mike Hauswirth (Fwd), Jeff Markham (Goal) Missing: Jamey Markham (Dfs), Jon French (Dfs)	2001-02 need picture!
2002-03	2003-04 Portage Lake Team Gibson Cup Champions Standing L-R: Chuck Johnson, Ross Chawanski, --?, Trent Daavatilla, Aaron Koskela, Craig Biekkola, Jamie Markham, Rod Markham, Dan Juopperi, Ted Sturos, John Pietala, Doug Wessa. Kneeling L-R: Tyler Sarazin, Jerrod Moilanen, Jim Broga, Tony Delorenza, Jeff Adler, Cleve Heikkila. Co-Champs of the Northern Div of Great Lakes Hockey League. Gibson Cup Winners. Season Results: 15-5 regular season, 0-2-1 in the Nationals.	2004 Nationals punctuate season of contrasts for area teams By JEFF ARNOLD Gazette Writer HOUGHTON — The Calumet Wolverines and Portage Lake Pioneers finished up their respective seasons at nationals in Fond du Lac, Wis., over the weekend. Neither team was able to advance — the Pioneers went 0-2-1 with a 5-5 tie against Mosinee, and the Wolverines went 1-2, beating Minneapolis 6-4 in the opening game of the tournament. In regular season play, the Pioneers shared the title in the Northern Division of the Great Lakes Hockey League with a 15-5 mark. The Wolverines finished at 9-11 and in second in the Northern Division behind the Pioneers. “It was a struggle for us this season,” Wolverines’ assistant coach Roger Rintala said. “We really had our ups and downs. It was a year of growth for the team.” As in past seasons, each team had to deal with the loss of players from the previous season. The Wolverines especially had to deal with a high turnover ratio this season. “We were very young this year,” Calumet forward Bruce Coppo Jr. said. Despite the disappointment at nationals this year, Pioneers’ forward Craig Biekkola thought that the team had a good year. “We tied for first in the league, and we won the Gibson Cup,” Biekkola said. “We had a pretty fast team this year. We were skilled offensively, and we had good goaltending this year.” — For a complete version of this story, please see the print edition of The Daily Mining Gazette. 7 April 2004
2004-05 Portage Lake Pioneers Gibson Cup Champions National Champions!! need names here!	2005-06 Portage Lake Pioneers Gibson Cup Champions! need names in order here: Ted Sturos, John French, Rodney Markham, Dan Juopperi, John Daavettila, Tyler Sarazin, Scott Raisanen, Aaaron Koskela, Jerrod Moilanen, Trent Daavettila, Jake Dunstan, Pat McCarthy, Charlie Turner, Brad Howard, Ross Rinkinen, Jeff Haaapuro, Ryan Greenley, Jamey Markham, Ryan Sarazin, Tony Zingrone, Pete Kolasa, Matt Hughes, Jason Moilanen, Dave Joynt.	2006-07 Portage Lake Pioneers
		Click here for the P.L. Pioneers home page

1980s