COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus Youth Hockey is celebrating a pair of state championships, achieved by one of the smallest communities in the state to field teams.
The Columbus Icemen won the Indiana State High School Hockey Association championship, and the Columbus Flames 14U team won the Indiana Youth Hockey State Championship 14U Hoosier Division this past weekend.
In addition, the Flames 10U-B team finished second in the Hoosier Division in the Indiana Youth Hockey State Championship tourney.
“It’s a great experience, and it’s a really special moment,” said Isaac Coy, Icemen head coach and coaching director for all coaches in Columbus Youth Hockey. “Having the facility that we have in Columbus and the community that supports us and a great board and great youth hockey program, it’s all just coming together. It’s amazing to me that we have so many hockey players come out of this community.”
The Icemen beat Central Indiana Knights 4-2 on Saturday to take the title. Andrew Clark, John Ferguson, Joe Neal and Brayson Bennett scored goals for Columbus. Evan Federle had two assists, and Ferguson added one assist. Jake McMullen recorded 21 saves on 23 shots.
The state championship was the sixth for the Icemen. They previously had won a Class A state title in 1994, a 3A championship in 2008 and 2A titles in 1997, 2002 and 2018.
“To have two state championships in the past four years, it doesn’t happen very often,” Coy said. “We’re very, very proud. It really is a blessing to have the opportunity we’ve had over the past few years.”
For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
