The Mormon Hockey Player Homepage

An Introduction
Most LDS people know about LDS sports figures. There's Danny Ainge and Shawn Bradley in Basketball. Dale Murphy and Vance Law in baseball. (Danny Ainge also played in the majors.) In football there's Ty Detmer, Steve Young and Scott Mitchell.

What about hockey? Have there been any mormon hockey players in the professional ranks? The answer is yes. I have listed the players I know of who play or have played major junior or professional hockey. If you know of any more, let me know by e-mail.

Matthew Green
Played for Team USA at one time or another. I am looking for more information

Nathan Grochmal

Nathan is currently serving a mission in the Johannesburg, South Africa Mission. He should be back in late 2007.  He is from Southern California, but made it to major junior playing for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.

from an article from the Kamloops Daily News by Gregg Drinnan:

"My religion has always been very important to me", Grochmal said on Saturday. "This is something I really want to do and I¹ll grow big-time as a person. It¹ll be really beneficial to me."

He added that he is "totally" excited.

"I could spend two years of my life anywhere in the world," he said. "I¹m pretty excited. It¹s pretty crazy but it¹s something I really want to do and it¹ll be really good."

"This wasn¹t an easy decision to make," he said, and one he considered delaying. "But something in his inner self is telling him that the time is now."

"I thought about going in a couple of years but this is the right time for me to go right now," he said. "This is when I feel that I want to go right now. Most guys in our church go when they¹re 19. This is when I want to go."

Nathan's Stats

Pos: Right Wing
Born Mar 1 1986 in Yorba Linda, CA 
Height 6.00 -- Weight 200 -- Shoots R 

Regular Season Playoffs 
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 
2003-04 Kamloops Blazers WHL 63 8 5 13 27 5 0 0 0 2 
2004-05 Kamloops Blazers WHL 69 10 11 21 39 6 2 1 3 6

Kevan Guy

Kevan played for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles during his career. Between stints with the Eagles, he had quite a career including over a 100 NHL career games with Calgary and Vancouver. After his final season, Kevan moved back to the Salt Lake area where he lives today. Kevan has coached the ACHA Provo Ice Cats since his career was over.

Kevan's Stats

Pos: Defense 
Born: Jul 16 1965 in Edmonton, Alberta
Height 6.02 -- Weight 195 

 Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 
1982-83 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 69 7 20 27 89 5 0 3 3 16 
1983-84 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 72 15 42 57 117 14 3 4 7 14 
1984-85 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 31 7 17 24 46 10 1 2 3 2 
1985-86 Moncton Golden Flames AHL 73 4 20 24 56 10 0 2 2 6 
1986-87 Moncton Golden Flames AHL 46 2 10 12 38 -- -- -- -- -- 
1986-87 Calgary Flames NHL 24 0 4 4 19 4 0 1 1 23 
1987-88 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles IHL 61 6 30 36 49 19 1 6 7 26 
1987-88 Calgary Flames NHL 11 0 3 3 8 -- -- -- -- -- 
1988-89 Vancouver Canucks NHL 45 2 2 4 34 1 0 0 0 0 
1989-90 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 29 2 11 13 33 -- -- -- -- -- 
1989-90 Vancouver Canucks NHL 30 2 5 7 32 -- -- -- -- -- 
1990-91 Vancouver Canucks NHL 39 1 6 7 39 -- -- -- -- -- 
1990-91 Calgary Flames NHL 4 0 0 0 4 -- -- -- -- -- 
1991-92 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles IHL 60 3 14 17 89 5 0 1 1 4 
1991-92 Calgary Flames NHL 3 0 0 0 2 -- -- -- -- -- 
1992-93 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles IHL 33 1 9 10 50 -- -- -- -- -- 
1992-93 Graz EC Aust 22 1 6 7 0 
1993-94 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles IHL 62 4 17 21 45 -- -- -- -- -- 
1994-95 Tallahassee Tiger Sharks ECHL 6 0 5 5 0 -- -- -- -- -- 
1994-95 Denver Grizzlies IHL 3 0 1 1 0 -- -- -- -- -- 
 NHL Totals 156 5 20 25 138 5 0 1 1 23

Jack Kowal

More info soon

Jack's Stats

Pos: Right Wing
Born: Feb 14, 1973 in Anchorage, AK
Height 6.01 -- Weight 195
Shoots L

Regular Season Playoffs 
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1989-90 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 37 9 13 22 31 
1991-92 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 41 18 29 47 65 
1992-93 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA 33 13 21 34 61 
1993-94 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA 36 7 12 19 52 
1994-95 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA 36 7 17 24 52 
1995-96 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA 37 11 12 23 54 
1995-96 Anchorage Aces WCHL 5 2 3 5 4 -- -- -- -- -- 
1996-97 Louisville Riverfrogs ECHL 33 11 16 27 18 -- -- -- -- -- 
1996-97 Kentucky Thoroughblades AHL 40 5 8 13 37 -- -- -- -- -- 
1997-98 Louisville Riverfrogs ECHL 70 15 28 43 56 -- -- -- -- -- 
1998-99 Miami Matadors ECHL 65 14 32 46 44 -- -- -- -- -- 

Coaching
Season Team Lge Type GP W L T OTL Pct Result 
2000-01 Sioux-City Musketeers USHL Assistant Coach 
2001-02 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA Assistant Coach
2002-03 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA Assistant Coach 
2003-04 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA Assistant Coach 
2004-05 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA Assistant Coach 
2005-06 U. of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA Assistant Coach

Ben McMullin
Thanks to Paul McLellan for the bio

Ben joined the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League in 1999, and after two years as the backup/third stringer considered ending his hockey career. After leaving the Tigers he recieved offers from a few teams, one being his hometown South Surrey Eagles, but decided to stay in the major-junior ranks as a backup with the Quebec City Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior League. After putting up reasonably good numbers with a less than stellar Reparts team he suffered a serious knee injury, and the Remparts let him go mid-season. Then one of the best major junior teams in Canada, the Red Deer Rebels, offered him their backup role near the end of the season, he backstopped them in 11 games and put up one of the best save-percentages and goals against average in the league.

After the 2002-03 season Ben got married, which is frowned upon in the WHL, so he is planning on joining the Junior A Victoria Salsa next season. He would most likely be their starter and will probably be one of the best goalies in the league as it is a step below what he has been playing in the past 4 years.

Ben McMullin Stats

Pos: Goalie 
Born: April, 7 1983 in Semiahmoo, BC 
Height 6.01 -- Weight 195 -- Shoots L
Season Team Lge GP G A PIM Min GA EN SO GAA W L T Svs Pct GP G A PIM 
1999-00 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 19 0 1 6 916 69 0 0 4.52 4 10 1 481 0.875 - - - - 
2000-01 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 23 0 1 12 1136 83 1 0 4.38 5 12 2 577 0.874 - - - - 
2002-03 Red Deer Rebels WHL 11 0 0 2 492 14 0 1 1.71 7 1 0 174 0.926 1 0 0 0 
2002-03 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 20 0 2 6 1063 51 0 1 2.88 8 10 0 484 0.895 - - - - 
2003-04 Victoria Salsa BCHL 44 0 1 14 2540 153 0 0 3.61 17 22 1 1437 0.903 - - - -

Brent Meeke

Brent played in the California Golden Seals system. During this time, he spent quite a bit of time with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles. He joined the LDS church during this time.

Brent's Stats

Pos: Forward 
Born: Jul 20 1950 in Toronto, Ontario
Height 5.11 Weight 172

 Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 
1969-70 Niagara-Falls Flyers OHA 53 5 11 16 26 
1970-71 Niagara-Falls Flyers OHA 59 3 27 30 69 
1971-72 Niagara-Falls Flyers OHA 30 2 12 14 35 
1972-73 Phoenix Roadrunners WHL 62 14 22 36 36 6 1 1 2 4 
1972-73 California Golden Seals NHL 3 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- -- 
1973-74 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles WHL 65 15 37 52 44 5 1 0 1 4 
1973-74 California Golden Seals NHL 18 1 9 10 4 -- -- -- -- -- 
1974-75 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles CHL 75 18 39 57 72 11 1 8 9 14 
1974-75 California Seals NHL 4 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- -- 
1975-76 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles CHL 76 23 39 62 71 5 1 3 4 0 
1975-76 California Seals NHL 1 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- -- 
1976-77 Salt-Lake Golden Eagles CHL 26 5 16 21 24 -- -- -- -- -- 
1976-77 Cleveland Barons NHL 49 8 13 21 4 -- -- -- -- -- 
1979-80 Mannheim ERC 1.GBun 48 13 31 44 135 
1980-81 Mannheim ERC 1.GBun 53 11 35 46 122 
 NHL Totals 75 9 22 31 8

Brad Mehalko

Played for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince George Cougars and Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. In the 1997-98 season he was captain for the Hitmen.

In the 1995 NHL draft, he was the number nine choice for the San Jose Sharks (167th overall).

During the 1998-99 season he played for the Tacoma Sabercats, that years Taylor Cup Champions, although he did not play in the playoffs.

Brad Mehalko's Stats 

Pos: Right Wing
Born: January 4, 1977 in Enchant, Alberta
Shoots: Right
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 175

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 
1993-94 Lethbridge Hurricanes WHL 62 9 9 18 48 9 0 1 1 9 
1994-95 Lethbridge Hurricanes WHL 52 11 15 26 83 -- -- -- -- -- 
1995-96 Lethbridge Hurricanes WHL 48 15 37 52 97 -- -- -- -- -- 
1995-96 Prince George Cougars WHL 23 6 15 21 30 -- -- -- -- -- 
1996-97 Prince George Cougars WHL 58 16 29 45 104 15 1 8 9 29 
1997-98 Calgary Hitmen WHL 55 26 49 75 107 17 5 10 15 53 
1998-99 Tacoma Sabercats WCHL 49 14 22 36 75 -- -- -- -- -- 
1998-99 Las-Vegas Thunder IHL 8 1 0 1 7 -- -- -- -- -- 
1998-99 Canadian National Team Intl 7 1 0 1 4 
1999-00 Canadian National Team Intl 56 10 21 31 86 
1999-00 Kansas-City Blades IHL 11 1 3 4 2 -- -- -- -- -- 
2000-01 Charlotte Checkers ECHL 26 8 11 19 47 -- -- -- -- -- 
2000-01 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 27 4 7 11 60 3 0 0 0 10 
2001-02 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 41 6 11 17 72 3 0 0 0 4 
2002-03 Trenton Titans ECHL 6 2 0 2 12 -- -- -- -- -- 
2002-03 Heilbronn EC 2.GBun 31 6 15 21 89 4 1 2 3 18 
2003-04 Fresno Falcons ECHL 40 11 18 29 64 -- -- -- -- -- 
2003-04 Wheeling Nailers ECHL 24 6 10 16 8 5 2 1 3 8 
2004-05 Bakersfield Condors ECHL 53 19 24 43 120
2005-06 Port Huron Flags UHL 49 18 27 45 63 -- -- -- -- -- 
2005-06 Bakersfield Condors ECHL 26 7 7 14 28 3 1 1 2 6 
  


Brent Peterson

Brent Peterson in a Pepsi (c) commercial in the 1981/82 Portland Winterhawks program. The Caption near the bottom of the page says, "Brent Peterson Detroit Red Wings former Portland Winterhawks team captain".

Brent Peterson is originally from Calgary. He played his Junior Hockey for the Portland Winterhawks. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NHL.

Brent became coach of the Portland Winterhawks in 1993. During the 96-97 Brent led the Winterhawks to a tie for first place during the WHL regular season. However, the Winterhawks were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Then in the 97-98 season, he won the triple crown of Major Junior Hockey; he won the WHL regular season championship, the WHL post season championship and the Memorial Cup, the CHL championship.

With all this success, the expansion Nashville Preditors hired him as an assisant coach for the 98-99 season.
Brent Peterson's Player Stats 

Pos: Forward
Born: 2-15-1958 in Calgary, ALTA
Height: 6'00"
Weight: 190

Season  Team                 Lge GP  G  A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1978-79 Detroit Red Wings    NHL  5  0  0   0   0
1979-80 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 52  9 22  31  61
1979-80 Detroit Red Wings    NHL 18  1  2   3   2
1980-81 Adirondack Red Wings AHL  3  1  0   1  10
1980-81 Detroit Red Wings    NHL 53  6 18  24  24
1981-82 Detroit Red Wings    NHL 15  1  0   1   6
1981-82 Buffalo Sabres       NHL 46  9  5  14  43
1982-83 Buffalo Sabres       NHL 75 13 24  37  38
1983-84 Buffalo Sabres       NHL 70  9 12  21  52
1984-85 Buffalo Sabres       NHL 74 12 22  34  47
1985-86 Vancouver Canucks    NHL 77  8 23  31  94
1986-87 Vancouver Canucks    NHL 69  7 15  22  77
1987-88 Hartford Whalers     NHL 52  2  7   9  40
1988-89 Hartford Whalers     NHL 66  4 13  17  61

Brent Peterson's Coaching Stats 

Season  Team                 Lge  W  L T   P Finish
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1989-90 Hartford Whalers NHL Assistant Coach 
1990-91 Hartford Whalers NHL Assistant Coach 
1991-92 Portland Winter Hawks WHL Co-Coach 
1992-93 Portland Winter Hawks WHL Co-Coach 
1993-94 Portland Winterhawks WHL 49 22 1  99 2nd in the West, lost to Kamploops in the West Division Final
1994-95 Portland Winterhawks WHL 23 43 6  52 6th in the West, lost to Kamloops in the second round of the playoffs
1995-96 Portland Winterhawks WHL 30 39 3  63 6th in the West, lost to Spokane in the first round of the playoffs
1996-97 Portland Winterhawks WHL 46 21 5  97 1st in the WHL (tie), 1st in the West, lost to Prince George in the first round of the playoffs
1997-98 Portland Winterhawks WHL 53 14 5 111 1st in the WHL, won the WHL Championship, Won the CHL Memorial Cup
1998-99 Nashville Predators NHL Assistant Coach 
1999-00 Nashville Predators NHL Assistant Coach 
2000-01 Nashville Predators NHL Assistant Coach 
2001-02 Nashville Predators NHL Assistant Coach 
2002-03 Nashville Predators NHL Assistant Coach 
2003-04 Nashville Predators NHL Associate Coach


Jon Shockey
Quite a bit of this information come from the October 6th, 1996 edition of the Spokane Spokesman-Review in an article titled "Mission Improbable".

Jon played defenseman in the WHL for the Tri City Americans, Swift Current Broncos and Spokane Chiefs. He was a key palyer in Spokane's winning of a Western Division Championship in the WHL.

In June of 1996, Jon made a tough decision. John was 20 and had one more year of eligibility in the juniors. He had even been invited to the Florida Panthers' training camp. He opted, however, to serve the Lord in an LDS mission. He went to the Sydney Australia Mission.

Jon has retuned and as of September of 1998 was in the Kansas City Blades training camp.

Jon Shockey's Stats 

Pos: Defense 
Born: June 8, 1976 in Lethbridge, ALTA 
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190
Shoots: R
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 
1993-94 Tri-City Americans WHL 51 0 7 7 71 3 0 0 0 6 
1994-95 Tri-City Americans WHL 1 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- -- 
1994-95 Swift Current Broncos WHL 3 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- -- 
1994-95 Spokane Chiefs WHL 38 1 6 7 70 10 1 5 6 26 
1995-96 Spokane Chiefs WHL 65 3 19 22 144 17 0 2 2 32 
1996-97 LDS Mission 
1997-98 LDS Mission 
1998-99 Idaho Steelheads WCHL 62 4 10 14 244 1 0 0 0 15 
1999-00 Idaho Steelheads WCHL 27 0 6 6 97 -- -- -- -- -- 
1999-00 Phoenix Mustangs WCHL 34 2 12 14 87 12 1 4 5 12 
1999-00 Utah Grizzlies IHL 4 0 1 1 5 -- -- -- -- -- 
1999-00 Canadian National Team Intl 3 0 0 0 9 
2000-01 Jackson Bandits ECHL 43 0 10 10 95 5 1 1 2 15 
2000-01 Cleveland Lumberjacks IHL 24 0 3 3 23 -- -- -- -- -- 
2001-02 Long Beach Ice Dogs WCHL 30 4 6 10 84 4 0 0 0 4 
2001-02 Reading Royals ECHL 32 1 5 6 60 -- -- -- -- -- 
2001-02 Grand-Rapids Griffins AHL 6 0 1 1 7 -- -- -- -- -- 
2002-03 Idaho Steelheads WCHL 66 7 14 21 166 6 0 0 0 10 
2003-04 Las Vegas Wranglers ECHL 66 2 10 12 181 5 0 1 1 4 
2004-05 San Diego Gulls ECHL 56 0 15 15 101 
2005-06 San Diego Gulls ECHL 70 4 23 27 120 4 0 1 1 4

I have received reports that the following players are LDS, but I am still trying to independently verify it.

Last Update: 6 May 2006