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Niagara Kings Hockey Club celebrates 40 years

Back in 1983, a group of 20 year olds, led by Bruno Skubel, decided to put a competitive hockey club together with players that had graduated through the Niagara- on-the-Lake Minor Hockey system.
Al Janzen
kings-photo-april-2023
Players pictured in photo (top left) Al Janzen, Bruno Skubel, Fred Teichgraf, Larry Downes, Scott Read, Ted Skubel, Ron Baerg, Dylan Skubel, Ken Hunter, Andy Vanderhoeven, Pete Buis, Rob Neufeld, John Federkow, Mike Wagner, and (bottom left) Don Holenski, Helmut Friesen, Dan Neudorf, Duane Singer, Erwin Wiens, Tim Dyck, Ivan D’Agostino, and Clay Johnson. Missing from photo are Pete Vanderhoeven, Dave Mines, Ted Riccardelli, Joe Pillitteri, Ian Paul and Jerry Skubel.Skubel

Back in 1983, a group of 20 year olds, led by Bruno Skubel, decided to put a competitive hockey club together with players that had graduated through the Niagara-
on-the-Lake Minor Hockey system.

The Niagara Kings were formed! The Kings played a majority of their competitive hockey in the Sportmans League for nearly 20 years. Led by coach Don Read, the Kings won a number of tournaments, including two provincial championships in 1989 and 1991.

The team moved on to playing pickup hockey on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings. In 2018, Dan Neudorf and Al Janzen formed a new version of the Kings that began playing Thursday afternoons. This new format was simple. Play a little hockey, tell a few lies in the dressing room, and socialize at one of Niagara’s fine restaurants after each game. Thanks to Silks Country Kitchen, Sandtrap Pub and Grill, Butlers Sports Bar and The Grist for putting up with us on Thursdays!

Two teams were formed, Team White jersey and Team Black jersey. After a gruelling campaign this past year it looks like Team White took the Kings Cup, winning the last game of the year — but it all depends on who you talk to!