The Wright Patt Hockey Club was founded in the fall of 1994. The initial meeting took place at the Flywright, spearheaded by Major Matt [Last Name?] and Captain Tom Kobylarz. An advertisement in the Skywrighter newspaper invited all interested hockey players to gather at the Flywright Club on a Friday afternoon, and approximately 6-10 people attended. From this humble beginning, the Wright Patt Hockey Club was born.
Major Matt served as the first president of the club, with Captain Kobylarz as the vice president and Lieutenant Joel Luker as the treasurer. Over the years, leadership evolved, with notable figures such as Ron Schwing, Vince Crum, and Joel Luker taking on key roles. The club's structure and activities expanded rapidly.
In the mid-1990s, the club boasted four teams: an A-level team that competed in Troy and Centerville, a B-level team, and two C-level teams that played at Northland in Cincinnati. Additionally, the club organized Friday morning skates at the Kettering ice rink, which were extremely popular, often featuring 3-4 line shifts per team. These sessions included both drills and scrimmages.
The club also hosted an invitational military-team tournament at Kettering during the mid to late 1990s. The first two years saw participation from teams based at Hanscom, Grand Forks, two teams from Canada, and two teams from the Wright Patt Hockey Club. As members relocated across the country and established new connections, the tournament grew to include teams from Omaha, Washington D.C., and other locations. Unfortunately, the tournament was discontinued after the events of September 11, 2001, as increased workloads and logistical challenges became insurmountable.
Today, the Wright Patt Hockey Club continues to thrive, with over 80 players participating in the 2023-2024 season. The club remains a vibrant part of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community, fostering camaraderie and a love for hockey among its members.
Our mission is to foster a love for the game of hockey within the military community. We aim to provide a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment for players of all skill levels. Our goals include:
Our team is comprised of passionate and dedicated volunteers. Meet some of our key members:
Our volunteers are committed to providing the best experience for our members, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow within the sport.
We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about joining the club, upcoming events, or any other inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us.
Email: wrightpatthockey@gmail.com