Westfield State athletics welcomed back their 1978 ECAC Championship ice hockey team on Saturday, recognizing the team and coach Mike Holubowich prior to the Westfield State - Fitchburg State hockey game.
Nearly 50 alumni, plus family friends returned for the celebration, which also drew the largest crowd of the hockey season to the Amelia Park Ice Arena.
Twenty-two former Owls players skated in the Alumni game, with players from the mid-70's teams joining in with the new generation of Owls' hockey alumni from the 2008-present generation. 1978 team member Don Labella announced his retirement midway through the game; goalies Bob Austin and Curt Everett were named co-MVP's by current Owls' associate head coach Mike Young, who also skated in the game.
Austin and Everett have played in nearly every alumni game in the modern era.
A brief pizza reception was held at the rink between the alumni game and the varsity game, and the 1978 team was honored before the varsity game, with coach Mike Holubowich dropping the ceremonial puck.
Hockey alumni and family and friends gathered at the Hangar Pub and Grill post game to keep the festivities rolling well into the evening.
Thanks to all who attended and participated ! You can view a photo gallery from the alumni game and reception on our facebook page.
Mike Holubowich, coach of the Owls 1978 ECAC Championship team, drops the ceremonial puck before the Owls game
against Fitchburg State between Westfield State captain Jeremy Young and Fitchburg State captain James Gordon.
