Badger Hockey Holds All-Class Reunion
June 29, 2003 | Men's Hockey
The Wisconsin hockey program held its first-ever all-class reunion this past weekend at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Nearly 70 UW alums, former staff members, media and their families attended the get together, bringing the weekend total to over 300.
Following check-in on Friday night, there was a dinner along with an informal program which included impromptu storytelling by various alums from every era.
Players representing teams from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s were in attendance as were former UW and Los Angeles Kings' radio play-by-play announcer Bob Miller, longtime `Voice of the Badgers' Paul Braun, Phil Mendel, whose voice was known to all Badger fans during the 70s and 80s as the PA announcer at the Dane County Coliseum, Capital Times writer and color commentator on UW basketball and football broadcasts Mike Lucas along with former UW radio announcer Chuck Kaiton.
Some of the former players who returned included Fritz Ragatz, a member of the first two Badger teams in 1963-64 and 1964-65; Norm Cherrey (1969-73) who holds numerous records at the UW, including most shorthanded goals in a season (6) and career (9); Bert DeHate (1966-70), who tallied 188 points in 95 games; all-American goaltender Marc Behrend (1980-83); Mike Eaves (1975-79), the Badgers' all-time leading scorer and current UW head coach; Mark Johnson, current UW head women's hockey coach and the UW's all-time leading goal scorer; Theran Welsh (1977-81), the highest-scoring defensemen in Badger history and Chris Tancill (1986-90), the MVP of the 1990 NCAA Championships in Detroit.
NHLers Scott Mellanby (1984-86), who played for the St. Louis Blues last season, and Brian Rafalski (1991-95), a member of the Stanley-Cup winning New Jersey Devils, also took part in the reunion.
In addition to the above mentioned alumni, the complete list of those who attended last weekend's reunion are 'Rob Andringa (1987-91), Maco Balkovec (1991-95), Max Bentley (1969-73), Alex Brooks (1997-01), Garry Bunz (1984-87), Charles Burroughs (1967-70), Matt Buss (1990-94), John Byce (1986-90), Dean Connor (1967-69), Joe Decker (1987-91), Don Deprez (1971-75), Mike Dibble (1973-78), Mike Doers (1991-94), Tim Dool (1969-73), Pat Ethier (1979-83), Kelly Fairchild (1991-94), Ron Griffin (1976-80), Darren Haley (1994-97), Chuck Heath, Jon Helgeson (1987-92), Dave Herbst (1974-77), Stan Hinkley (1970-74), Chris Jensen (1987-89), Jim Johannson (1982-86), John Johannson (1980-84), Ken Keryluk (1978-82), Terry Kleisinger (1980-84), John Lambie (1985-89), Ed Lebler (1978-81), Scott Lecy (1977-81), Graham Melanson (1997-01), Jon Michelizzi (1989-93), Greg Nelson (1966-69), John Parker (1986-91), Mark Passalino (1982-86), Kip Pendleton (1978-81), Ian Perrin (1974-79), Greg Poss (1986-89), Erik Raygor (1994-98), Glenn Revak (1984-88), Tim Rothering (1995-99), Jeff Rotsch (1969-72), Ron Rutlin (1965-68), Tom Sagissor (1986-90), Tony Scheid (1984-88), Rodger Sykes (1987-91), Dean Talafous (1971-74), Ron Vincent (1978-82), Bob Vroman (1967-70) and Jeff White (1983-85).
