The Mid States Club Hockey Association recently honored Marquette coach Gary Tockman with the Ray Harrison Award.
The prize is awarded to an adult for their contribution to Hockey in high school. It is one of the many awards at the end of the season.
“I was surprised and excited,” said Tockman. “I know the Harrison family very well and they are great people and have done a ton for hockey in this area and it is an honor to not only be taken into consideration, but also to win that prize.
“It's great if you have generations that commit the way they did.”
Prior to coaching Marquette, Tockman had coached various AAA Blues teams, as well as youth hockey teams that his son was a part of.
Tockman is associated with the Marquette Hockey program for 13 years. He started coaching the C team and later moved to the B team. In the same season, Tockman was asked to help the Varsity team coach.
“The change was made on January 1, 2015. I remember the phone call so well because there were only four weeks left in the season when the change was made,” said Tockman.
It was his pleasure to be part of the program and to collaborate with the Marquette atlets.
“I would not change anything, even the games we lost, because this was always about the ride and the experience,” said Tockman. “It was incredible and I crossed paths with incredible children, parents, families and everyone associated with Marquette Hockey.
“It is a lot of time and work, but rewards further than words. When you come to a game during a holiday weekend and filled in our dressing room with more than 20 alumni who returns to the city to support the program, you know that you have made a difference.”
Tockman also announced that he is stepping as head coach of the Mustangs. Under Tockman, the Mustangs reached the Challenge Cup Championship Game twice in 2021 and 2024. The Mustangs won the Wickenheiser Cup in 2016.
“While he recovering from the head coach at Marquette was a difficult decision,” said Tockman. “It has been a large part of my life for a long time, and I will really miss it. Because of other obligations, both in hockey and in my personal life, I have moved away and I believe that the children and the program should not only have a new voice, but their head coach is available 100% of the time.
“I think that I and the other great coaches (Gregg Rohlfing, Craig Campbell, Michael Keogh, Mikey Selby and Adam Natzke) have done our best to make Marquette the best experience that children and families could have, all with quite a bit of success.
“I preach to the players that it is their job to leave the program in a better place than when they came, and I believe I helped that too.”
Natzke will be the new Marquette Headh Caoch. Rohlfing and Keough also remain as assistants.
“I go to a position of hockey activities for the club, so I will still help if necessary,” said Tockman.
