Headed to the Hall
Schaffer is first OLSM hockey player inducted to Catholic League Hall of Fame

Photo provided by Josh Schaffer
After starring for the Orchard Lake St. Mary's hockey team, West Bloomfield native Josh Schaffer went on to have a successful career at the Air Force Academy. On Nov. 26, Schaffer will be honored at OLSM for his recent induction to the Catholic League Hall of Fame.

By Mike Moore
C &G Sports Writer

ORCHARD LAKE — The night is sure to be filled with activities that Josh Schaffer will have the chance to get wrapped up in.

But with everything that is scheduled to take place, the former Orchard Lake St. Mary's hockey star admitted that the one thing he's looking most forward to is just being back at the rink.

“Just to be back in the high school hockey atmosphere is something I'm really anxious to do,” said Schaffer, a 2003 graduate of Orchard Lake St. Mary's. “That's going to be a lot of fun.”

Of course, Schaffer will have other business to attend to Nov. 26, the day his former team opens the 2008-09 regular season against Marquette High. The former Eaglets star, currently a second lieutenant on active duty with the United States Air Force, will be honored with a special presentation before the game in recognition of his recent induction into the Catholic League Hall of Fame.

“It's an honor, it really is,” said Schaffer, who is currently stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo., taking part in yearlong pilot training. “I'm really looking forward to getting back there and being a part of the whole experience.”

The ceremony will take place prior to the “Champs for Charity” game between the two teams that shared the Division 1 state title in March. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Josh was a fantastic player who really deserves this,” said St. Mary's coach Brian Klanow, who coached Schaffer for three seasons. “I've never coached a guy who took charge the way Josh did. He was a very gifted hockey player. He worked so hard at what he did and what he wanted to accomplish. He was the perfect representative of our program.”

Schaffer is the first Eaglets' hockey player voted to the Catholic League Hall of Fame and the sixth athlete in school history.

During his career at St. Mary's, the West Bloomfield native earned All-State honors, was named the team's Most Valuable Player, led the team in scoring his junior season and was a two-year captain.

Following high school, Schaffer was a four-year letterman at the Air Force Academy and finished his career as the 76th leading scorer in the team's history. He played in 132 collegiate games, scoring 22 goals and dishing out 35 assists. During the 2005-06 season, he led the team in power-play goals with six and game-winning goals with two.

“It's going to be great to get back and see everyone at the school,” Schaffer said. “That program played such a huge role in me becoming the person I am. It's an awesome night they have planned for an awesome cause. I'm just honored to be a part of it.”
Tickets for the “Champs for Charity” hockey game are $5 each and can be purchased by calling the St. Mary's Ice Arena at (248) 706-4200.

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Headed to the Hall Schaffer is first OLSM hockey player inducted to Catholic League Hall of Fame

Headed to the Hall
Schaffer is first OLSM hockey player inducted to Catholic League Hall of Fame