This league was established in 1989 for players 30 and older to play pick up hockey every Friday night!

The Madison County Hockey Club was started in 1989 by Larry Thatcher for those players 30 years and older and made up primarily of the coaches of the Granite City Steelers (now known as Twin Bridges) Youth Hockey Association. Games were held on Friday nights, as back then, that was the only day that most youth teams did not play, giving coaches an empty night to play themselves.

Larry patterned the club after the Afton American Eagles that met on Wednesday evenings in STL. The league filled quickly and even had a waiting list. 30 players, 2 goalies was the limit to the league, ensuring a sense of urgency for current club members to pay in advance to secure their position each season. For the first 6 years, Larry set the teams for each week. Following opening the East Alton Ice Arena, he then transferred those duties to Matt Gernigin who carried them out faithfully until his retirement from the club a few years ago. Bill Schnur has since picked up the weekly chores that come along with running the Madison County Hockey League. The idea behind this league is for guys who just want to come out and have a good time; come out and play, without being concerned about "head hunters" or the guys that may believe they still have a shot at the NHL. Fun was, and is, the name of the game that we have maintained over the last 30 plus years. The club has definitely had its ups and downs throughout the years, two of the biggest being the loss of Hank Angle and Mark Beilsmith.

After 30 plus years, it's still the same club, based on the same format and comradery. We are very proud that this league has given so many players the opportunity to continue in the game that we all love so much!

**Note that the cost of the 25 week league is $325; the one-time cost of jerseys is $60, not included in league fees; jerseys are ONLY available in the Skaters' Edge Pro Shop**