Power Play
Local 314 member has the “goal” of assembling the
State PBA’s inaugural hockey team
n BY DAN CAMPANA
As a New York Rangers fan, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Local 314 State Delegate Mike Schulze certainly relishes the
sight of Madison Square Garden jam-packed with hockey fans.
It was after seeing the legendary arena filled for a battle between NYPD and FDNY that the 42 year old renewed his push
to assemble a State PBA hockey team.
“It was amazing,” Schulze recalled. “They sold out Madison
Square Garden and it was a great game.”
With that inspiration, Schulze got the green light from PBA
President Pat Colligan – who Schulze pointed out is a New Jersey Devils fan – to put the word out about forming a team featuring members from across the state.
“There’s a million softball teams (in New Jersey), but few
hockey teams,” Schulze vented, adding that he’s looking to put
together something that’s “semi-competitive.”
Schulze, a blue-liner who has played his entire life, first
mixed hockey and law enforcement in 2002 when he started the
“Monmouth Lawmen” team to compete in Sept. 11 fundraising
tournaments on Long Island. The squad also played in tournaments in Lake Placid for a few years before disbanding.
Schulze hopes to find at least 10-to-15 members to commit
to the team. Previous experience at the college or club level is
preferred. Schulze expects the team to be based out of the Red
Bank Armory with the goal of getting on the ice together in November and December.
From there, according to Schulze, the plan is to join a men’s
league in early 2017 “just to get the guys going” with the idea of
hitting open tournaments after that.
“I’m thinking we’ll have a competitive team,” he offered.
The 18-year police veteran chuckled a bit when he said he
wished this type of opportunity would have come around a decade ago when his skating legs were younger, but he looks forward to the side benefits of getting on the ice with colleagues.
“For me, it’s a culmination of the two things,” he said, referring to law enforcement and hockey. “This is something brand
new to us. (It) is a great way to further promote our organization and interact with outside police agencies throughout the
country. We’re looking to start our own tradition.”
The NJSPBA Ice Hockey Club will be privately sponsored
without use of any dues money, Schulze explained, adding that
the team will accept donations from any businesses interested
in lending some support.
Members interested in joining the team can contact Schulze
at pbadelegate314@gmail.com or 732-272-8078. d
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ OCTOBER 2016 43