STA Junior Gold Hockey promotes a shared love for the game of hockey by offering student athletes an excellent opportunity to compete as part of a well-run high school level hockey program with certified coaches and staff under a more relaxed schedule.

STA Junior Gold was founded in 2007 by Mike Dougherty ’78 and Bill Hickey ’74. Over the years it has developed into an excellent high school level hockey program for STA student athletes who want to continue playing competitive hockey. Players come away from STA Junior Gold with a positive experience and increased love for the game. Many student athletes continue playing hockey following high school, either as part of college club hockey teams or through adult leagues. Each year many of our former players come back to watch the Junior Gold teams in action.

STA Junior Gold teams compete in the Metro Hockey League with other high school Junior Gold programs. We have three teams: STA Junior Gold A, STA Junior Gold B and STA Junior Gold 16. We have enjoyed considerable team success, including Junior Gold State Champions in 2016, State Consolation Champions in 2017, and State Runner-up in 2014 and 2019.

The Junior Gold team also has participated in a national invitational tournament the past two years, competing against high school state champions from Illinois, the Iowa Wild and the Red Bull team from Austria.

“Our Junior Gold team plays fast-paced competitive high school level hockey with considerable success. The boys love the game and really enjoy playing hockey together with their school colors. Last year we were state consolation champs and also competed against top tier high school and semi pro teams in a national invitational tournament. We are looking forward to another fun and successful season.”

The Junior Gold A team is coached by Bill McCarthy, a physical education and health instructor, football and baseball coach at STA for 22 years. Bill scouted for the NHL Ottawa Senators for 10 years following 15 years of coaching high school hockey including 6 years as head coach at STA.