The De Pere Deacons Hockey team was organized in 1977, by Rod Herlache with help from Steve Harrison. The Marquette Penguins approached them to play in several home and away game series. After those series, the players then decided to join the Badger State Hockey League. At that time, and still today, the Deacons provide a place for young adults to play competitive full-contact hockey for anyone who wants to play after high school or, for those who returned to the area after playing Junior hockey, College hockey and even at the Professional levels.

After running the team for a couple of years, Rod Herlache stepped aside and turned the team over to Rick Toninato, Carl Magnuson, and Steve Stankevitz who ran it until Carl and his wife, Diane, took over and ran it for the next 33 years, winning 11 League Championships, 5 WAHA State Championships and 1 National Title in 2010. The Deacons have since won a League Championship in 2021, giving them a total of 12 League Championships between the BSHL (8) and the GLHL (4).

Upon their retirement after the 2011-2012 season, several current players approached the Deacons Alumni to take over the operations of the team. The Deacons Alumni was organized with a Board of Directors consisting of former players, with the goal of donating time and money back to the local hockey community.

After many adjustments through-out time, including the fluctuation of teams and a name change to incorporate teams from Michigan's upper peninsula, the league has evolved to the current 8 team league called the Great Lakes Hockey League.

With the financial challenges of running a team, the Alumni converted the organization to become the De Pere Deacons Hockey Team, Inc and applied for non-profit status which was accepted in 2012. As a result, we are operating as a 501(c)(3) today. Former legendary players, David Lepp and Greg Nuthals have been involved since their playing days and are currently managing the team. Both David Lepp (#29) and Greg Nuthals (#4) have had their jerseys retired by the Deacons.

Providing a place to play competitive hockey can be costly, so with our non-profit status we are hoping to obtain partnerships and fundraising opportunities within the community to offset those costs. The Deacons have program advertising opportunities, game night sponsorships, and event sponsorships. In addition to that, we are actively seeking partnerships with corporate donors to become exclusive team sponsors.

Regards,
De Pere Deacons Hockey Team, Inc.. 
www.deperedeacons.com