CONFIRMED: Rangers officially join NAHL

David Saint Onge, president and general manager of the Marquette Rangers, left, and Michael Santos, North American Hockey League commissioner, display a Rangers sweatshirt prior to a press conference this morning at Lakeview Arena in Marquette. (Mining Journal photo by Andy Nelson-Zaleski)

The North American Hockey League has announced that its Board of Governors has granted a membership in the NAHL to a team that will operate in Marquette, Michigan, beginning with the 2006-07 season.

The team will be called the Marquette Rangers (http://www.marquetterangers.com/) and will play out of the 3,100 seat Lakeview Arena in Marquette.

The Marquette Rangers will be managed by three principals. David Saint-Onge will serve as president and general manager. Mr. Saint-Onge has an extensive business background and serves as president of TriMedia Consultants, Inc., a multi-disciplined professional service firm with offices in Michigan, Wisconsin and Montana.

Rich Tegge will serve as vice president and director of hockey operations. Mr. Tegge is a wealth manager with Salomon-Smith Barney.

Brad Layzell will serve the team as vice president and director of player development. A former 1991 NHL Entry Draft selection of the Montreal Canadiens (fifth round, 100th overall), four-year player at RPI and member of the Canadian National Team, Mr. Layzell will bring an established professional playing record to the Rangers and will be instrumental in developing the team’s players.

“The NAHL is very pleased and excited to welcome Marquette as its 21st member,” said Michael Santos, commissioner and president of the NAHL. “Marquette is truly hockey country, with a great tradition of youth, high school and collegiate hockey. The Rangers will have an excellent facility and a great fan base upon which to draw. With the league’s roots in Michigan, the NAHL is glad to return another team to the state. We firmly believe Marquette will be an excellent member club in the NAHL.”

“This announcement culminates a three-year period of evaluation, investigation and organization,” said Saint-Onge. “Marquette is a wonderful community with large city amenities and small town service. With our facility being in close proximity to the brand new YMCA complex and Northern Michigan University, our players will be afforded an outstanding opportunity to develop and succeed.

“The team will have dedicated locker rooms and office space, and will have great off-ice training facilities. The players who choose to play here will find Marquette provides the perfect opportunity to advance their careers.”

The Rangers management team is currently reviewing coaching candidates and hopes to announce selection of a head coach by late February.


MARQUETTE RANGERS FACT SHEET

The Rangers team colors will be steel blue, nickel grey, and copper.

The Rangers web address is http://www.marquetterangers.com/

Their mailing address is:
Marquette Rangers Hockey Club
Lakeview Arena
401 East Fair Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855

The Rangers team logo has been designed by the designer of the NAHL’s North Iowa Outlaws logo, which has enjoyed an outstanding debut season on North Iowa team merchandise.

Marquette is a proven ‘hockey town.’ It currently supports an extensive youth hockey travel program (over 550 players), a highly respected high school hockey program (four state championships), a nationally recognized Midget Major AAA program (Marquette Electricians) and the NCAA Division I Northern Michigan University Wildcats (1991 NCAA Champions).

Marquette is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, on the southern shore of Lake Superior. With a rich European and Scandinavian heritage, the area was originally populated as a result of rapid expansion of the iron ore mining industry. Marquette is home to Northern Michigan University (enrollment of approximately 10,000 students), Marquette General Hospital (a regional medical facility with an employment in excess of 2,900), and is the county seat of Marquette County, with a local population exceeding 40,000.

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