MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette High School hockey team is on a 14 game win streak, the roster is full of talented players, but this team has a secret weapon off the ice.
Lakeview Arena is the home of Marquette High School’s hockey team. Inside you can find the players, the coaches, and an equipment manager who provides more than skates and helmets for the team.
“My Junior year of highschool I started helping out with hockey,” said equipment manager Kevin Stamour.
Stamour has been manning the marquette bench for 4 years. But his roots in the local sports community run much deeper. He also helps out with the Marquette football and baseball programs.
“He’s an icon in Marquette Sports, he is just willing to help out, he loves being around the guys and the guys love being around him, there is a true love between them,” added Doug Garrow, the Marquette High School Head Coach.
Stamour, or Kev as the players call him, does everything and anything the team needs him to, filling water bottles, grabbing new sticks, and even some coaching.
“I tell them to score and all that, and to not get in the penalty box,” remarked Stamour.
According to the players Kev can be pretty direct if they don’t have a great shift or if he thinks they aren’t trying hard enough.
“He’s not afraid to criticize us, but for good reason, he just loves to help us out,” commented Senior Forward Tucker Welch.
The coaches and players say Kev is just one of “the guys,” both in the locker room, and on the ice. but unlike the rest of the guys Kev gets to the rink 3 hours early for practice and games.
“It gives me enough time to get my job done,” said Stamour. Coach Garrow added “He does everything he can to make it easy for guys to have success.”
Senior forward tucker welch says that being around Kev has showed taught him kindness and compassion
“He is just a great person, he deserves respect,” said Welch.
To find the home of Marquette hockey you have to look for Lakeview Arena. But to find the heart of Marquette hockey, you have to look for Kevin Stamour.
