Northwest Hockey Conference League History
Printer-friendly versionThe Northwest Hockey Conference was established in 1977. The objective in establishing the new league was to upgrade the caliber of high school hockey in Northwest Ohio for member schools. The founding members of the league felt strongly that the best way to improve players’ abilities was to face better competition during regular season play. Four of the key founding members of the league included: Joe Czernicki, Athletic Director St. John’s High School; Marv Dunn, Teacher and faculty advisor for Bowling Green High School’s hockey program; Mike Root, Coach Findlay High School; Cosimo Figliomeni, Coach St. John’s High School.
Unlike the Toledo City League, where four of the original schools’ programs began, the Northwest Hockey Conference is managed jointly by the administrators of each member school, rather than by the coaches. The responsibility of conference president is rotated among each member school and a commissioner is elected each year to coordinate all league administration and promotional responsibilities. By having the league managed by the member schools’ administrators and by improving the level of play, hockey has been elevated in these schools from “club” status to “varsity” status, the same as other sports, including basketball and football. The new league evolved in the years following the original 1977-78 season. As of the 2009-2010 season, there are a total of 18 teams in 3 separate divisions as follows:
| RED DIVISION | WHITE DIVISION | BLUE DIVISION |
| Bowling Green | Anthony Wayne | Fremont Ross |
| Findlay | Bedford, MI | Lake |
| Sylvania Northview | Maumee | Ottawa Hills |
| Sylvania Southview | Oregon Clay | Springfield |
| Toledo St. Francis DeSales | Perrysburg | Toledo Start |
| Toledo St. John's Jesuit | Toledo Central Catholic | |
| Toledo Whitmer |
Northwest Hockey Conference member schools have earned a spot in the finals of the state playoffs 15 times in the league’s 25-year history and have earned a total of 10 state titles. Member teams’ state playoff performance is as follows:
| School |
# of Appearances |
Year of Appearances |
| Bowling Green | 19 | 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 (1st), 1998 (1st), 1997 (1st), 1996 (2nd), 1995 (2nd), 1993 (2nd), 1992 (2nd), 1991 (1st), 1989, 1987, 1984 (1st), 1983 (2nd), 1980 (1st), 1978 (2nd) |
| St. John's | 14 | 2009 (2nd), 2007 (1st), 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1981 |
| Northview | 7 | 2006 (2nd), 1990 (2nd), 1989, 1987, 1986, 1982 (2nd), 1981 |
| St. Francis | 6 | 2008, 2005, 1995, 1992, 1988 (2nd), 1985 |
| Findlay | 5 | 2002, 1994 (2nd), 1983 (1st), 1979, 1978 (1st) |
| Whitmer | 1 | 1984 (2nd) |
| Southview | 1 | 1982 |
| Central | 1 | 1980 (2nd) |
The league continues to be an active competitor in high school hockey in Ohio, with member teams competing in non-league games with teams from other states as well. For more information about the Northwest Hockey Conference, contact Dave Fielding, Commissioner, at 419-878-3266 or Ron Belanga, Secretary, at 419-349-5960.
