South Side Hockey Madison WI
The cultural significance of hockey in Madison’s South Side extends beyond the rink. It served as a catalyst for community building, bringing together families and fostering lifelong friendships among players and fans.
The annual tournaments and games celebrated events that drew crowds, further solidifying the long time bonds among community members.
As South Side Hockey Association continued to evolve, it remained an integral part of Madison’s identity, representing resilience, camaraderie, and the spirit of competition in an ever-changing sports landscape.
Due to the “All Star Teams” in 2004 South Side Hockey Association combined with the Westmorland Hockey Club to form the Westmorland Saints, later to become the Polar Caps. Many Madison Clubs combined and then finally scrapped their programs. I think we are down to two clubs in 2025?
Why would a kid want to play on a team that WILL NEVER get a chance to be the number one team
because all the “All Stars” poached away all the good players?
Back in the day each team had one or two really good players giving ALL teams a chance to be the big dogs. Lakers had the Ryan brothers, South Side had Mark Johnson, Mark Mathews, and the Marshalls, East had the Zavorals, Lakers had the Ryan Brothers, the Sutter brothers and Matt Walsh, the Flyers had the Andringa Brothers, and the Standbrooks… and the list goes on.
Not any more. Similar to Little League if mom or dad is a lawyer, or a doctor, or CEO that kid will be on the All-Star team and has a chance to be the big dog. You know the ones. They are the ones that paid to not have to volunteer. Back in the day people couldn’t buy out (that I knew of). Everyone helped out.
All Star Teams Ruined Youth Hockey Participation
At one time there was six or more hockey clubs in the Madison area (Lakers, South, West, Monona, East, and Westmorland). Every neighborhood had an ice rink. Westsmorland, Franklin, Vilas, Shorewood, Tenny, Garner were the large ones.
Even little parks like Sunset Village, Segoe Park, Lucia Crest Park (where Eric Heiden learned to Skate) and many others spawned rinks.
It all started collapsing in Madison after the Madison Captiols YOUTH teams appeared.
This wrecked the motivation of the kids (the 90% that aren’t super stars but might become one down the line), destroyed many relationships between parents. The haves and the have-nots. They used to all get along when the youth leagues didn’t have the all stars.
nuff said
Coach Dave Plumer
Back Row - John Sheehan, Unknown, Unknown, Kevin Luther, Joel Marshall
Front Row - Unknown, Unknown, Jeff Craven, Unknown, Brad Plumer
Coach Jane Smelser
Back Row - Joel Marshall, Kathleen Sheehan, Kevin Luther, Unknown, Jeff Craven, Unknown
Front Row - Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Brad Plumer, Brenda Smelser, John Sheehan
Jingles O’Brien
Jingles O’Brien had a MASSIVE impact on Madison Hockey, both Youth hockey and College hockey. Along with other UW sports. Without people like Jingles Madison Hockey would have never been were it was in the hay day of Madison hockey.
Established for the purpose of raising money to provide financial assistance to young hockey players or rinks in the Greater Madison, WI Area
