Longtime Lake Catholic Athletic Director Sam Colacarro confirmed the program is facing at least a two-year hiatus from OHSAA competition, but is working on a timeline that would see a return to varsity status in 2021-22. 

“We only had five returning players from last season and, even with the incoming freshmen, we did not have enough to be able to be competitive – especially in the GLHL,” said Colacarro.  “We also have no goalie so that added to the dilema.”

The Cougars posted a 21-14-0 record last year with just 14 players – nine of them seniors.  They defeated CVCA in a Kent District playoff game before bowing out in the district quarterfinals with a 4-2 loss to Shaker Heights.  

Head Coach Justin Vance parted ways with the program at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season and the losses to graduation included the lone goaltender on the roster, Patrick Kristo.

"Over the past 22 years Lake players and families had built a very successful, blue-collar program that competed at a very high level," said Vance.  "I know the alumni and community are very proud of the program and remain loyal to it.  I believe the move will be temporary and I know the school administration valued the program."

Vance pointed out that Lake Catholic is not alone in the struggle to field competitive varsity hockey teams in the area and that is true.

Although we have seen new varsity programs start up, or return to the ice, in the last few years, the rest of Ohio is not immune to the challenges that confront Lake Catholic.  A year ago, one of the iconic programs from the Toledo area – Bowling Green – had to take a year off.  The Bobcats return to the ice this season.

Jamie Ruffner, the head coach overseeing the re-boot of the program at Bowling Green, has been through the process facing Lake Catholic.

“It’s a long road but with planning, focus and good communication they will get back and be stronger than ever,” said Ruffner.

Following a year as a seven-team circuit due to the departure of Saint Ignatius, the Great Lakes Hockey League returned to a nice, tidy eight-team field for the 2018-19 season with the addition of Shaker Heights.

The league will be back to seven teams next season, and with Lake Catholic looking at a two-year varsity hiatus at minimum, it remains to be seen if it will look to absorb another program from the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League or elsewhere.

“We would prefer to have eight teams in the league but I don’t know how aggressive we’ll be next year looking for a replacement," said Padua athletic director Kevin Leigh.  “Our first order of business right now is finalizing the regular season schedule for 2019-20 since we planned to play 10 league games next season.”  

Leigh serves as commissioner of the GLHL and is tasked with re-working the schedule.  When the league consisted of seven teams in 2017-18, teams played each other twice – once home and once away – for a 12-game league schedule.  Leigh says that won't be possible next year since teams already filled their schedule in around a 10-game league slate.

Although it is a dark day for Lake Catholic hockey, Vance is confident the program will get back up on its feet.

"I was honored to be a part of it and hope they come back stronger than ever," said Vance.  "I have faith in the school and wish them all the best going forward."

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest