By Emily Hill
I told my son: “Earn the win.” This week, our Tahquamenon Area Youth Hockey Association (TAYHA) 12U Bandits did exactly that—and then some.
They earned every single one of their five victories at the MAHA District 8 tournament in Ironwood, battling through a tough weekend to bring home the championship. For our small program with players from Newberry, Manistique and Munising, qualifying for the state tournament is a huge accomplishment—only eight teams across Michigan earn a spot in the 12U B tournament to compete for the state title.
The road started with a 223-mile drive from Newberry to Ironwood (and back), but the boys made every mile count. They lit up the scoreboard with 33 goals while playing a smart, team-oriented game against strong opponents.
Friday, February 6: Beat the Copper Country Junior Huskies 5-4 in a gritty opener.
Saturday, February 7: Dominated the Escanaba Hawks 10-5, then handled the Ironwood Polar Bears 6-1.
Sunday, February 8: Advanced past the Iron Range Miners 5-2 in the semifinals, then clinched the tournament title against the Copper Country Junior Huskies again, 7-4, in an exciting final.
These wins weren’t handed out—they were earned through hard work, resilience, and true teamwork.
Coach Ben Rahilly summed it up best.
“We have a very coachable group of kids this year,” Rahilly said. “They are willing to put in the work and all my boys give effort. You can’t teach effort. These boys play as a team and have grown to understand it doesn’t matter who scores the goal, what matters is that the team puts the goal on the board.”
Coach Shaun St. Amour echoed that sentiment. “Success happens if you give 100%, 100% of the time, every shift,” he said.
While Coach Nutkins added “The boys have been training hard and earned a championship.”
These 15 exuberant athletes from three different communities have become one solid force to be reckoned with —practicing in two locations, skating on homemade rinks, and supporting each other every step of the way. Watching them celebrate that final buzzer was pure joy, the kind of moment that reminds us why youth hockey matters in the U.P.
Now, the Bandits are heading south to the MAHA 12U State Tournament in Farmington Hills, March 13-15. It’s an incredible chance to represent the Tahquamenon Area and the entire Upper Peninsula on the biggest stage.
But getting there comes with real challenges. The round trip is about 682 miles, and for a team this size, the costs add up quickly: a charter bus for safe, comfortable travel with all our gear and tired players after games; team apparel to keep everyone looking sharp and feeling united; team meals during the multi-day event; and hotel stays so the boys can rest and recharge between matches.
These expenses are a significant burden for our families and association. That’s why we’re reaching out to our incredible community—the same one that fills the stands, educates our children, coaches our boys in different sports, mentors our kids at church and in youth groups, and cheers our kids on every season.
If you’d like to help send the Bandits to States, donations are deeply appreciated toward our fundraising goal. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Please send checks payable to “Tahquamenon Area Youth Hockey Association” to PO Box 264, Newberry, MI 49868; drop off checks to Ben Rahilly at Newberry Appliance Sales and Service; or contact Emily Hill, TAYHA fundraising chair at tayhafundraising@gmail.com or 614.282.4036.
Your support lets these boys focus on the ice, not the expenses. It shows them what it means when a whole community believes in them.
Thank you, Newberry. Let’s help the Bandits earn this next win—together.
Go Bandits!
