The Hamburg Hawks have a storied history marked by dedication, achievement, and community support. From the early days of the Western Ontario Junior C Hockey League to recent successes in high school and university sports, the Hawks have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
The journey of the Hamburg Hawks is a testament to the hard work and passion of its players, coaches, and supporters.
Early Days: Western Ontario Junior C Hockey League
The Western Ontario Junior C Hockey League was founded in 1966 when the original OHA Central Junior C Hockey League was divided up. In 1970, the Western league changed its name to the Central league. A couple years later, the Intercounty Jr. C league merged with the new Central league.
In 1969, the Hanover Hurricanes made the jump from the Western Junior D Hockey League to the Central Junior "C". Early powerhouses in the league were the Listowel Cyclones, Kincardine Kinucks, and New Hamburg Hahns. The Hanover Barons are the only remaining team that is still a member from the founding of the league in 1966. They won two Clarence Schmalz Cups while playing in the league and dominated in the 1960s.
They were promoted to Junior "B" in 1977. The league may have changed its name in 1970 to the Grey-Bruce Junior C Hockey League. This lasted until 1988, as the league granted expansion to 2 teams that were not in Grey or Bruce County-in 1987, the Mount Forest Patriots and in 1989, the Brussels Bulls.
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From 1972 until 1976, the Central league (now the Western league) featured a variety of teams from the Niagara region of Ontario. In 1974, the majority of these teams broke away to form the Niagara & District Junior C Hockey League. In 1987, the Port Elgin Bears withdrew from a playoffs series due to perceived on-ice violence by the Hanover Barons.
During the 2004-05 season, the WJCHL played an interlocking schedule with the Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League. On May 29, 2008, the Western league and the Ontario Hockey Association allowed for the Mitchell Hawks to move from the more southerly Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League and into the Western league for the 2008-09 season. This marks the second time the Hawks have been in the loop, the first being the mid-1960s.
In 2012, the OHA entered into talks with the Western League and the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League. If successful, the northern half of the SOJHL would become the "Southern Division" of the WOJCHL, while the original teams would form a "Northern Division". In the Summer of 2013, the OHA opted to realign the SOJHL with the Niagara & District Junior C Hockey League instead. The northern half of the SOJHL remained the SOJHL, while the southern half merged with the NDJCHL.
Hamburg Hawks Today: A Focus on Community and Development
Today, the Hamburg Hawks are deeply rooted in the local community, with a focus on developing young athletes and providing them with opportunities to excel. The town of Hamburg has shown its commitment to the team through investments in facilities and programs.
Students and parents of the Hamburg Hawks Hockey Team attended a town board meeting in hopes council members would approve the $7.5 million proposal to remodel the ice arena. “Just do it, it may be a lot of money but it's absolutely worth it and just put it together I know you can do it,” said 11-year-old Berkley Lewandowski, a Hamburg Hawks Hockey player.
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“I was in a mixed house league last year and so there was a whole bunch of boys and I was one of the only girls and I had to change with all the boys,” said Kyla Hinrahan, 12-year-old Hamburg Hawks player. “So I didn't want to change with the boys, so I had to go all the way in the hallway like really really far just to get to the bathrooms with all my equipment on and then carry it all the way back.”
David McDermott, president of Hamburg Hockey, said there are many mechanical issues as well. “Our compressors are 50 years old. The cooling tower on the roof of the rink practically is held together with duct tape so the mechanicals are absolutely critical,” he expressed. “Our kids and the other users of the ice rink deserve better locker rooms and they deserve a modern upgraded facility.”
Town Supervisor Randy Hoak stated, "I believe that this is a reasonable ask of the town board and taxpayers of the Town of Hamburg to approve this $7.5 million bond. I'm going to be voting in support of this bond."
The town's ice arena at the Nike Base is in desperate need of repair and the senior center on Southwestern Boulevard needs to move because its lease is not being renewed after 10 years. While Hoak believes the ice arena needs repairs and the senior center needs to move, Town Board member Frank Bogulski told 7 News he believes the best option is to build a brand new facility to house the senior center, ice arena and more.
Bogulski said he would rather have private investments for the ice rink instead of using money from taxpayers.
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Field Hockey Achievements
The Hamburg Hawks have also made significant strides in field hockey, with both high school and university teams achieving remarkable success.
A very good season came to an end when the Hamburg High girls’ field hockey team opened the PIAA State Class AAA Tournament against Crestwood. The Hawks ended their season with an overall record of 18-7, after finishing second in Division 2 of the Berks League and fourth in the District 3-AAA Tournament.
‘The key to our success this season was a strong defense (the Hawks allowed just 14 goals the entire season),’ said Hamburg Head Coach Jen DeNault. ‘Amber Dietrich and Karlie Heistand controlled the middle of the field and the midfield support kept the ball on the offense. But the main component was the team chemistry. The girls’ got along so well and it really showed when they played.
Field hockey made University history this weekend, competing in the NCAA national championship game on Sunday, Nov. 24. While the Hawks’ run ended against No. 2 Northwestern University, 5-0, the achievements and milestones of a celebrated season continue to mount.
Today’s game was not only the first time the Hawks made an appearance in a national championship, but it’s also the first time an Atlantic 10 team competed in a national championship game since UNC Charlotte’s men’s soccer team in 2011.
“What an incredible day to be a Hawk,” says University President Cheryl A. McConnell, PhD. “We couldn’t be more proud of these student-athletes and coaches whose passion, persistence and spirit are so worthy of this national stage.”
The Hawks have been gaining momentum for over a decade: Last season alone, they advanced to their eighth consecutive Atlantic 10 title game, winning their third consecutive A-10 crown and sixth in the past seven seasons.
“Making program history is surreal,” says midfielder Jordan Carr, MS ’26. “From day one, our goal has been to be legendary and to have a legendary season, and to know that we've done that feels incredible. We had lofty goals but not once did we doubt ourselves this season. To make it all the way shows just how much we all believed.”
Field hockey alums, fellow Hawks, and sports fans alike cheered on St. Joe’s on the ground in Michigan and back on Hawk Hill in Philadelphia. Alumna Annie Harkins, BA ’05, says she feels intrinsically connected to the team, even though she played for St.
“To have this year's team play for the national championship is like a manifestation of all the hopes, dreams, resilience and beliefs of all the field hockey Hawks who played before them. They are living out our wildest dreams. Each team that came before this one - going back to the start of the program - was a small brick along the way to this moment,” says Harkins.
St. Joe’s field hockey co-founder Angela Lin, BS ’76, MD, was in fact there at the start and shares Harkins’ sentiments.
“Just seeing them make it to the national championships is huge,” says Lin, who co-founded the original team in 1974 with Pam McClatchey. “Playing women's sports at SJU (field hockey and crew) provided great memories and leadership skills that have served me in medicine. Field hockey is evidence of an athletics era on Hawk Hill focused on competitive excellence, transformative student experiences and facility upgrades.
The University’s Ellen Ryan Field was host to the First and Second Rounds of this year’s NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament. “Seeing our departmental culture take hold and watching our amazing people lead us to the national championship game has been so rewarding,” says Vice President and Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner. “These athletes bring a tenacity and a selflessness to their efforts that is inspiring. They represent their University and the A-10 with class. It’s been an honor watching them make history.”
Head Coach Hannah Prince says she is in awe of the dedication and hard work displayed by this year’s team.
“I love competition, but what I love even more is seeing my team grow - both in their game and as leaders and individuals.” This focus on growth is something the players don’t take for granted.
“We have such a great coaching staff and they work tirelessly for us,” says Carr. “The scouting reports they do, the film sessions, the individual workouts, just demonstrate their dedication and commitment to this team.”
With such a well-formed path to success, the team knows that Michigan is right where they were meant to be.
“Making history doesn’t come as a surprise to us,” says midfielder Celeste Smits, BS ’24, MBA ’26.
Notable Players
Hamburg has produced many exceptional athletes who have made significant contributions to their teams. Here are a few examples:
- Andrea Goldbach: Awarded the Director’s Key for outstanding contributions to the school’s athletic programs, ECIC Scholar Athlete, ECIC First Team All-Star, and All-State Recipient.
- Jillian Ford: A decorated lacrosse player in Hamburg history, part of the program that won three consecutive Section VI Championships, named a First-Team US Lacrosse All-American, and finished her career with 200 career points.
- Megan Greco: Earned the Tom Borrelli Award, given to the top female lacrosse player in Western New York, and received a Division I scholarship to play for the women’s lacrosse program at the University of Albany.
- Eric Chadderdon: Played a crucial part in winning four NYS Section VI Championships, earned the titles of All-American and Metro Defender of the Year, and won the 2016 National Lacrosse Championship with LeMoyne College.
- Meghan Fonfara: Selected for the 2008 Empire State Team, received a scholarship to play Division II Field Hockey at Mercyhurst University, and made the All-PSAC 2nd team in 2013.
These athletes exemplify the talent and dedication that define the Hamburg Hawks.
Hamburg Hawks Women's Hockey Earns First Win in Program History
Hilbert Women's Hockey earned their first win in program history this afternoon at the Nike Base. A very even first period in terms of shots and chances saw the visiting Monarchs get out to a 1-0 lead. An early goal by Jordan Dittmer three and a half minutes into the contest gave King's the opening goal. Following the goal, Hilbert eased into the game and found their groove offensively. The second period is when things really started the click for the Hawks in the offensive zone. The first of the game for the Hawks came from the stick of Caitlin Conrad on the powerplay. After drawing a body checking penalty, Jacqueline Alaburda quarterbacked the Hilbert powerplay to perfection leading to three shots, and the tying goal. With the goal providing the team with confidence, the Hawks were ready to take control of the game. Abby MacNeil's solo effort grabbed the lead for Hilbert midway through the middle frame. Conrad added her second of the game a minute later to double the lead. Anna Faulkner and Brooke Kwiecien recorded assists on the third Hawks goal. King's College threw everything they had at the Hawks in the third, but the Hawks were up to the test. However, two quick goals by the Monarchs suddenly made it a one goal game late in the third period. A massive breakaway save by Card gave Hilbert just enough momentum to put the game away. Cowie's second of the game on a deceptive backhand shot generated a roar from the crowd as the two-goal lead had been restored inside two minutes to go. Head Coach, Earl Utter, recognized his team's effort following the win. "The Women worked very hard for this win. Hilbert will travel to Massachusetts next weekend for a Friday and Saturday doubleheader with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Coaching and Leadership
The success of the Hamburg Hawks is also attributed to the dedicated coaches and leaders who have guided the teams. One notable figure is Coach Katy Ryan, a Hamburg Alum and Wall of Famer, who was hired as head coach and provided high-level skills, fundamentals, and knowledge of the game.
Before joining the program at West Point, Hamburg served as an assistant coach at Cornell, New Mexico State, Cal-Poly Pomona, Georgia and his alma mater, Ithaca College. A native of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Hamburg began his collegiate playing career at Virginia Tech before transferring to Ithaca. It was there that he earned All-America honors and helped lead the Bombers to a Division III national championship in 1988.
These leaders have played a crucial role in shaping the athletes and fostering a culture of excellence within the Hamburg Hawks program.