The idea of the Heritage Cup was initiated by brothers Jon and Brian Nebel of Marquette as a way to honor and celebrate their family’s ancestral connection to Calumet.  Knowing the contributions that Jon, Brian and their family lineage have made to the hockey communities in both towns, support for the creation of the Heritage Cup was quickly gained among the Athletic Directors and hockey coaching staffs at both schools.

The Heritage Cup is to specifically honor the families of the Nebel Brothers’ maternal grandparents, the Tiberg family, and the Yoki family.  Both families immigrated to Calumet in the late 1800’s from Norway.  The most well known member of the family comes from the Yoki branch of their family tree.  Johnny Sherf was a member of the Yoki family.  His mother, Laura Yoki Sherf ,and Jon and Brian’s grandmother Esther Yoki Tiberg, were sisters.  Many in Calumet already know of Johnny Sherf, he provided the Johnny Sherf Trophy, which goes to winner of the annual series (Copper Island Classic) between Calumet and Hancock High School.  Johnny attended and played hockey for the University of Michigan from 1932-36.  He was team captain and once led the Western Conference (precursor to the WCHA) in scoring.  Johnny was signed by the Detroit Red Wings in 1936 and played in the organization until 1944, where he became the first American born citizen to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, winning it twice in his career.  He was inducted into the University of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1981, and the Calumet High School Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Copper Kings won the first match-up of the season between the schools, a 2-0 decision from the game played in Calumet on 12/7/21.  Should the teams split the season series, goal differential in the two contests will serve as the first tiebreaker with a three-player shootout serving as a second tiebreaker, if necessary.

A 4:00 p.m. Junior Varsity game will precede the Varsity contest on 2/8/22.