Marquette Iron Rangers: The Players A-L

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The Players

The information presented here originated from Official Programs of The Marquette Iron Rangers. Additional entries will be added, and * A complete collection of photos is forthcoming.

Brian Lunney
'66: Brian Lunney is the youngest goalie in the league at 23. Very promising future. Formerly played for the Canadian Nationals and had an extensive tryout with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Good glove hand and plays the big angles well. Capable of making the "big" save that can mean the game.

'67: The Iron Rangers goalie for the past two years, Brian can do the job when he wants to. Usually at his best when the going is toughest, he possesses sped and know-how to fool the best of them. He has played much better for the Iron Rangers than Bruce Gamble did and Gamble later went on to post three straight shutouts for Toronto in the NHL. The Iron Ranger fortunes depend on Lunney and although everyone tries in front of him, the final result almost directly depends on him. Without a doubt he is constantly the Iron Rangers..."most valuable player". Before any fans criticize Brian they should ask themselves "how would I do under the same conditions?". He is married and employed by Peninsula Distributors.

'69: 26 years old, 5-11, 200 lbs, hometown Winnipeg, Man. Fourth year on the Rangers-one of the best goalies in the league-married and employed by Peninsula Distributors. "As Lunney goes so go the Rangers".

'70: Brian is in his fifth year with the Rangers and each year seems to get better. Prior to playing in Marquette he played briefly in the NHL and two seasons in the Eastern Hockey League. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Brian is employed by Peninsula Distributors and is married and the father of one son.

’72: Brian is in his eighth year with the Rangers and improves with each season’s work. He has played briefly in the NHL and spent two seasons in the Eastern Hockey League. He was a League All-Star in 66-‘67 and won the MVP in 68-69 and in 70-71. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Brian is employed with Pike Distributing and is unmarried. Coach Sullivan is looking for another great performance from Brian this year.

'74: Thought by many to be the finest goal tender in the league, Brian consistently comes up with key saves in important games. Brian comes from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and played briefly in the NHL. He is 31 years old, 5'11 tall and weighs in at 215. He is employed at Pike Distributing Co., as a salesman.

Dale Beerman
'66: Another product of the Marquette Junior Hockey Program, Dale is attempting to break in as a defenseman. He has the ability and all he needs is plenty of experience. A hard shooter and good skater, it will take some time for him to adjust to the USHL, but he should be able to do it. Dale is 19 years old, a native of Marquette, and attends Marquette High School.

'69: One of the youngest men on the team. Dale is also a Marquette boy and a product of the Marquette Junior Hockey program. Dale has a fine shot and a great ability to block shots. He is learning every game and has lots of hockey ahead of him. He is single.

'72: Marquette native, 20 years old, 6 feet even 190 lbs, 2nd year on Rangers and learning fast. Plays defense, single, employed by Royal Oak Charcoal. A real credit to the Marquette Junior Hockey Program. Wears Number 2.

'74: Dale returns to the ranks of the Iron Rangers after a year break where he played for the Marquette Sentinels. Excellent on defense, Dale also sports a hard slapshot and can be counted on for strategic plays. Dale is 6' tall, weighs in at 190, is married and has one child. He is currently attending welding school.

Mike L'Huillier
'69: Mike is trying to adjust to Iron Ranger hockey after three years off while he was in the U.S. Navy. A very fine skater and playmaker and should be able to help the team this season. He is small but hard as nails. He is also a product of the Marquette Junior Hockey Program. He is single and is attending NMU.

’72: Mike is a Marquette native and is a very fine skater and playmaker. His fine shooting is one reason Coach Sullivan is depending on him this year. He will be used on penalty killing plays because of his good conditioning and quickness. Mike has been a consistent scorer over the past three seasons with 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points last season.

'74: Another Marquette Native. Mike has steadily improved to become one of the Iron Rangers more dependable players. Mike plays either center or wing, and you will appreciate his excellent skating style and hard shot. Currently attending NMU, Mike is 25 years old and married.

Irwin Brassard
'74: Irwin is another product of Marquette's Junior Hockey program and has the tough job of backing up Brian Lunney. In his third year with the Iron Rangers, he is 5'11" tall, married, and the father of one son. He is currently working as an electrician's apprentice.

Mike Greenleaf
'66: Mike Greenleaf is a Sophomore at Northern Michigan University and a native of Marquette. He came up through the Marquette Junior League. Mike, a pleasant surprise for Coach Brumm, is in his third year with the Rangers.

'67: Mike is a four-year veteran of the Iron rangers and is still only 21 years old. Another home town boy, Mike is a clever and strong skater and has a hard shot. This should be Mike's year as he just started to put all his abilities together at the end of last year. Mike is a Junior at NMU and single.

’72: Mike is geared for full-time work this year and has always been a good scorer and opportunist. He begins his 7^th season in Iron Ranger colors. Coach Sullivan expects that his scoring will improve this season with a full-time approach and is counting on him.

Ron Johnson
'67: Ron Johnson, married, is in his third year with the Iron Rangers. A player to count on when losing or winning. The 29 year old Marquette native is employed by Clairmont Transfer.

'69: A longtime Marquette hockey player, Ron never seems to age. He broke into Senior Hockey with the old Sentinels at the age of fifteen and is now playing his 16th year of Senior Hockey. A tremendous skater and good competitor, Ron likes the tough going best. He is married, has a daughter, and is employed by the Clairmont Transfer.

’71: Ron is a long time Marquette hockey player and never seems to age. He broke into Senior Hockey with the old Sentinels at the age of 15 and now playing his 9^th season as an Iron Ranger. A tremendous skater and good competitor, Ron likes to mix it up. He is married and works for Clairmont Transfer. Ron played 36 games last season and will be a lot of help this season.

’72: 31 years old, 5-9 170 lbs., married, excellent skater and can play either wing or defense. The harder the game the better Ronnie likes it. Longtime Marquette Favorite. Previously played for the Sentinels and wears Number 8.

Joe Cherrette: Marquette resident and outstanding player. Joe is a great addition to the team. Gets better each year.

Jerry Lackey
'66: Jerry Lackey, Carl's younger brother, is a product of the Soo Junior Program. Big and strong, the NMU student is developing very fast.

Carl Lackey
'66: Carl Lackey, a former All American defenseman at Michigan State, is a School Teacher at Rock High School. The 24 year old product of the Soo Junior League is married and has one child.

'67: A product of the famous Soo, Michigan Junior League. Carl was also an All-American defenseman at Michigan State. While at Michigan State he teamed up with Jim Jacobson as he does now. Last season Carl played for Toledo of the International League. Married and the father of one child, Carl teaches Shop and Coaches football at Rock, Michigan.

Bob Cox
'67: Bob Cox is one of the best players to ever skate on Palestra ice. In his third year with the Rangers, Bob is married and attends NMU, where he is a Business Administration Major. The smooth skating native of Kimberly, B.C., Canada, is 25 years old.

Dave Durkin
'66: Dave Durkin, a 200 pound native of Detroit, is starting his first year with the Iron Rangers. A Freshman at NMU, Dave is a product of the Detroit Junior Hockey League.

'69: One of the biggest men on the squad and one of the few American players not from Marquette. Dave hails from Detroit and it was a motorcycle accident in that city that almost ended his career a few years ago. He is now on the way back and will see a lot of action for the Iron Rangers. He is single and attends NMU.

’72: 24 years old, 6-3, 200 lbs., from Detroit, Mich. Trying to make a come back this season after suffering a very bad broken leg in a motorcycle accident two summers ago. Hard check and tough player. His hockey future depends on his ability to regain use of his leg. Single and wears Number 23.

Dennis DeVooght
’72: Dennis is a Marquette native and is beginning his fourth season as an Iron Ranger. He is very fast and quick around the net. He is also noted for a very heavy shot and Coach Sullivan is expecting great things from him this year. Dennis played in 24 games last year with 9 goals and 21 assists for 30 points.

Barry Cook
'66: Captain of the Iron Rangers, Barry is one of the best defensemen in the league. A hard stand-up body checker with a hard shot, he can get the puck out of the Marquette zone with ease. He is presently applying for American citizenship, as he is not only an outstanding hockey player but a fine contribution to the local population as well.

'67: Barry Cook, a former resident of Dryden, Ont., Rockets, is big and fast and likes to throw his weight around. The highly rated defenseman is married.

'69: Barry is one of the original Iron Rangers and is one of the mainstays of the Rangers defense. A hard body checker and good puck carrier makes him one of the best in the League.

'72: 28 years old, married and employed by Acre Realty, 200 lbs., 5-11, defenseman. Fifth year on the Rangers. Member of the League All-Star Team last year and probably the hardest hitter in the league. Captain of the team and wears Number 5.

Bob Caster
’72: 22 years old, 5-9, 165 lbs, from Soo, Michigan, 2nd year on the team. Hard
shooter and good skater. Plays wing or center. Good penalty killer and has lots of hustle,
S ingle. Employed by Subco Concrete. Wears Number 7.

’73: Bob has signed his 6^th contract with the Iron Rangers. He has shown great improvement over the past seasons and is high on the Iron Rangers All-Time Scoring List after only five years of action. Bob is recuperating from serious knee surgery and everyone is hoping he will return to his old form. Scoring is nothing new to Bob as he was Scoring Champ Jr. B Stratford, Ontario.

Jim Jacobson
'66: Jimmy Jacobson ("Jake" as he is known to the hometown folks) starred for the Michigan State Hockey Team while he was there. He was rated as the second goalie by Amo Bessone, MSU hockey coach. Noted for his slapshot, "Jake" is due to spell trouble for goalies in the USHL. He should feel at home in the Palestra.

Mike Brown
’72: Mike begins his fourth year as an Iron Ranger and backup goalkeeper. He played six games last year and did a very dependable job. A larger schedule could mean more action this year for Mike. At 5’9” and down to a trim 185lb, he can anticipate more work and Coach Sullivan wants him to get more game experience. Mike is from Levack, Ontario and has played with the Sudbury Wolves and Levack Huskies.

Henry Ackervall
'69: The only new player on the Iron Rangers this season brings with him a wealth of experience to the squad. Henry is a former Michigan Tech All-American and a member of the Canadian Olympic Team. He is a very strong defenseman and smart player. He never seems to make a wrong move and will be a great influence on the younger players. While at Michigan Tech he was a teammate of Jerry Sullivan. He is single and attends NMU as a Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant.

Dave Duff
'69: Dave is an Ann Arbor boy starting his second year with the Rangers. A fine skater and good shot, he is just a shade away from a regulars spot. Strong and tough he makes up with desire his lack of experience. He is developing right along and should any of the players ahead of him slow down, Dave will be ready. He is married.

Karen Koch
'69: The only girl goalie in all of organized hockey, Karen has been the frequent center of nation-wide publicity. Although only 18 years old Karen has the ability and desire to get better and better. She has never been exposed to hockey of this caliber before but when she does she can be counted on for many surprising saves. She is single and attends NMU as a freshman.

Lon Lytikainen
'69: Lon is a local boy who is rapidly improving as a goal tender. He cam up through the Marquette Junior Hockey ranks and attended Michigan tech for a short while. He is presently going to NMU. He is single.