Loyola Hosts Inaugural Jesuit Cup Hockey Tournament

The participating schools included: Loyola Academy (Illinois), St. Ignatius College Prep (Illinois), St. Ignatius High School (Ohio), Gonzaga College High School (Washington, DC), Marquette University High School (Wisconsin), Rockhurst Jesuit (Missouri), Regis Jesuit (Colorado) and Cheverus High School (Maine).

“I especially enjoyed meeting and speaking to our guests who traveled from around the country to watch the games,” says Paul R. Ickes, athletic director at St. Ignatius College Prep. “It was thrilling to compete at Johnny’s Icehouse West—the current practice home of the Chicago Blackhawks—and for some of our guests to view a Blackhawk practice on Saturday after the morning game.”

The tournament started on Saturday, January 14, and each school played three games over the course of the weekend. Marquette University High School and Regis Jesuit faced off in the championship game, and Regis Jesuit captured first place.

While the teams battled on the ice, players had ample time to get to know each other off the ice.

“We wanted the tournament to be about more than competing,” says Loyola Academy Hockey moderator Melissa Krein. “We wanted the players from each school to interact.”

On Sunday, the teams gathered at Loyola Academy for Mass celebrated by Rev. Brian G. Paulson, SJ, provincial of the Midwest Jesuits Chicago-Detroit Province and Loyola Academy graduate from the Class of 1977. Loyola Principal Kathryn M. Baal, PhD, offered welcoming remarks to the visiting schools, and players and coaches moved to the student center to enjoy brunch together.

“Gathering all eight teams together was great because it gave players and coaches a chance to branch out and learn about each others’ schools and hockey programs,” says Rambler defenseman Benjamin Odle ’17. “It was funny running into guys that you weren't so friendly with in games, but then learning that lots of them were actually great guys.”

“There was a high level of play on the ice with nothing but respect and admiration off the ice,” says Loyola senior goalie Ryan Trueman.  

At brunch, the boys participated in a special t-shirt exchange among the players from each school.

“The t-shirt exchange was definitely an event I will take away from that weekend,” says Trueman. “Everyone would hold up a shirt and offer it to a player from another school. Not only did everyone receive a new shirt, but it showed brotherhood and companionship. There was an unspoken level of respect when giving and receiving. Before our game versus Regis, half their team was warming up in Loyola Academy Gold shirts.”

“It was a great symbol of fellowship between the boys,” says Krein. “Teams rarely have time to even share a meal, so this was a very special opportunity.”

After brunch several Loyola hockey players, eager to show off Loyola’s weight room, gymnasium, chemistry labs and library, gave tours of the school to rival players that were now new friends.

“Before the Jesuit Cup, I was not exposed to many other Jesuit schools, so I had a hard time seeing how Jesuit education is universal,” says Trueman. “After having celebrating Mass and having brunch with the other players, I found there to be this connection between Loyola Gold and the other teams. We were all brought up on the same principles. For example, while showing our visitors around the school, they recognized a sign that reads ‘women and men for others.’ They knew exactly what this phrase meant: sharing gifts, pursuing justice and having concern for the poor and marginalized.”

In a 2015 address to members of the Lazio Sports Society, an organization that upholds the ethical and moral values of sports, Pope Francis encouraged athletes and coaches to put “your talents at the service of bringing people together, friendship and inclusion.” This was the goal of the inaugural Jesuit Cup Hockey Tournament, and plans are already underway for next year’s event.

“I believe that any organization that is composed of multiple members—in our case, Jesuit high schools from around the U.S.— thrives even more when members of that organization gather together,” adds Ickes.