Royales happy to be in Marquette

The city of Marquette is now home to four different hockey teams- the Northern Michigan University Wildcats, the Electricians, the Redmen, and most recently, the Royales.

The newest member of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League is gearing up for their first games as a team in two weeks at the Minnesota Division Showcase in Rochester. Marquette has 23 players on their roster. Six of them are from the Upper Peninsula.

The Royales head coach is Marquette native Mike Stanaway. When the opportunity came about to coach the Royales, it didn’t take Stanaway very long to make up his mind.

“I’ve been out west the last couple of years out in the Western States Hockey League and the Northern Pacific Hockey League. When you get the chance to come home, I really jumped on it,” said Stanaway.

“It was a good opportunity to bring my wife and boy home. It really allowed me to bring the caliber of hockey that we played out west back to Marquette,” Stanaway added.

“I’m just happy I didn’t have to leave home. I like my family, I like my friends and those same people come out to watch hockey, so it will be good,” said Royales defenseman and Marquette native Hayden Rajala.

“A lot of the guys have already played with Stanaway before, so hopefully the chemistry will be there; it should be good,” said Rajala.

The Royales will play their first home series, a three game set at Lakeview Arena, beginning on Friday, Sept. 20 against the Fort Wayne Federals.