The St. Francis DeSales ice hockey program began in 2003 with the blessing of Principal Patrick Rossetti and Athletic Director Nick Magistrale. Lisa Janszen began organizational meetings and a search for a coach. The first Junior Varsity team was coached by Greg Andreason and was made up of some DeSales students, students from other area high schools and 8th grade students from around the Columbus area. The team won half of their games that first 2004 -05 season, including beating Moeller in overtime to win the Thanksgiving tournament. In the second year, the team defeated the Westerville War Cats to become the Blue Jackets Cup JV champion. The DeSales team achieved varsity status and joined the Capital Hockey Conference in 2006. The Principal and Athletic Director gave permission to play varsity for the future years.
Bob Heine was hired as Head Coach in 2008. In his first season, Bob led the St. Francis DeSales hockey team to 14 wins and helped the team achieve its first ever win in the state tournament. Under Coach Heine, the team continued to improve and achieved 20 wins for the first time in the 2011-12 season. The team set a record for most points with 42 in the 2012-13 season.
In 2014, alumnus Dom Locilento returned to the Stallions to take over the head coaching duties. Dom graduated from DeSales in 2009 and followed that up by graduating from The University of Cincinnati where he played hockey for 4 years.
Highlights of previous years:
Colton Mieskoski won the first shoot out game against Moeller in the St. Charles Thanksgiving tournament in November of 2004
In 2004 Adam Dague had the first hat trick and Patrick Slattery posted the team’s first shutout.
Ian Schneid crossed the battle lines of Catholic Schools – he left Watterson to attend DeSales so he could continue to play hockey for DeSales
Corbin Steinhaus’ shoot out goal won the Catholic Cup over St. Charles in 2008
Tyler McClary, Joseph Gray, Tyler Klutch and Ben Risinger were the first DeSales players named to the CHC All-League team – White Division in 2012.
In 2012 Joseph Gray became the team’s first 50 goal scorer
Tyler McClary (2012) and Tyler Klutch (2014) were selected to play in the Ohio Senior All-Star Game at Nationwide Arena.
The 2011-12 season was the first 20 win season for the program
The DeSales varsity jersey is hanging alongside all the other jerseys that represent teams from around the state at Nationwide Arena
DeSales Hockey Alumni:
Many DeSales alumni have gone on to play college hockey after high school graduation. This list includes:
Dom Locilento (2009 graduate) - University of Cincinnati (ACHA – DII)
Gordon Jones (2009 graduate) - Syracuse University (ACHA - DI)
Ryan Williamson (2010 graduate) - Wright State University (ACHA - DII)
Chad Janszen (2012 graduate) - Ohio University (ACHA - DII)
Varsity Team Records:
2008-09 14-16-3
2009-10 3-22-2
2010-11 9-21-1
2011-12 20-12-1
2012-13 19-12-3-1
2013-14 16-15-1
Individual Records*:
Most Goals (Season): 54 Joseph Gray 2011-12
42 Joseph Gray 2012-13
40 Tyler Klutch 2013-14
Most Goals (Career): 107 Joseph Gray 2010-13
105 Tyler Klutch 2010-14
42 Tyler McClary 2008-12
Most Assists (Season): 37 Tyler Klutch 2011-12
32 Tyler McClary 2011-12
30 Tyler Klutch 2013-14
Most Assists (Career): 117 Tyler Klutch 2010-14
55 Danny Helin 2010-14
52 Tyler McClary 2008-12
Most Points (Season): 70 Tyler Klutch 2013-14
69 Joseph Gray 2011-12
62 Joseph Gray 2012-13
Most Points (Career): 222 Tyler Klutch 2010-14
148 Joseph Gray 2010-13
Tie: 94 Tyler McClary 2008-12
94 Danny Helin 2010-14
Most Wins (Season): 20 Ben Risinger 2011-12
11 Ben Risinger 2012-13
Most Wins (Career): 47 Ben Risinger 2010-14
14 Roberto Bahensky 2011-14
*Individual stats beginning with 2010-11 season
