7 Shattuck-St. Mary's grads competing for Team USA, Canada

FARIBAULT, Minn — Whether you’re just driving by the campus, or walking through the halls, there’s a strong sense of tradition at Shattuck-St. Mary’s boarding school.

“There is a tradition of hockey here and tradition of excellence,” Head of School Nick Stoneman said.

The excellence practiced here has taken Shattuck-St. Mary’s hockey program to a whole new level over the years.

“It’s exciting seeing the potential developed, and watching them go on to juniors, college and to the NHL,” Hockey coach Gordie Stafford said, who has a son playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

Fifteen alumni are currently playing in the National Hockey League. And if that’s not impressive enough, an astonishing seven players are competing for Team USA and Canada in Vancouver this year. Those players are Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise, Jack Johnson and Ryan Malone. Two women are playing for Team USA, which equal seven total.

“Athletes come to this school with goals and aspirations in mind, and to see those fulfilled, it’s a tremendous sense of satisfaction for the people that helped them out,” Stafford said.

Students crowded a TV in a lounge to watch USA take on Switzerland Tuesday afternoon. USA won 3-1. Graduate Ryan Malone scored a goal.

“This is Jack Johnson who’s on the Olympic team, Sidney Crosby as well,” Stoneman said, as he pointed to championship team photos on a wall.

Not only are students studying hard, they have to practice hard. Even though an impressive group of graduates are playing in the Olympics this year, a very small percentage actually make it to the National Hockey League. But as Stafford says, Shattuck-St. Mary’s does what it can to help the development of its student athletes.

“I don’t think it’s a fluke that a number of players on the Olympic team are Shattuck-St. Mary’s kids because they’re used to a team atmosphere.”

In a room next to the ice rink, a wall of fame is a friendly reminder of what can be achieved, as well as skating on the same rink as the greats.

“Even the players today, enjoy skating on the old rink because they know this is where Parise, Crosby, Toews have skated before,” Stafford said.

Monique and Jocelyn Lamoureux, both Shattuck St. Mary’s graduates, are also playing hockey for Team USA. They lead their school to three straight national hockey championships during their tenure.

(Copyright 2010 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)