Dubuque Fighting Saints 1980-1

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During the team's innaugural season, the Dubuque Fighting Saints recorded win-loss-tie stats of 52-11-2, a historical best for the league. Of the losses, only two game were lost by more than one goal. The largest win-spread recorded by the Saints that year was 17-3 over the Waterloo Blackhawks.

On the way to winning the Gold Cup -- the United States Junior A National Championship -- the team played against future NHL standouts like Rick Zombo (USHL team: Austin | NHL team: Detroit) Jim Johnson (St Paul Vulcans), Bob Mason (Green Bay | Washington & Vancouver), Phil Housley (St Paul Vulcans | Buffalo), Kelly Miller (Redmond Royals | Washington), and Tom Anastos (Paddock Pools | Montreal).

The Saints were coached by Jack Barzee, who also owned a part of the team. Barzee was a player turned coach. After coaching Dubuque to two national championships and three USHL championships in five years, Barzee became a member of the NHL's Central Scouting Staff. The first team Barzee assembled for Dubuque included six members who were cut off other teams in the USHL.

[edit] Championships

During their innagural season, this Saints team won the Clark Cup (awarded each year to the winner of the USHL's playoffs) and the Anderson Cup (given to the winning team of the regular season) on their way to winning the National Championship against the Redford Royals, in Green Bay, WI.

[edit] Alumni Turned Professional

Mike Fallon ... 1980-1, 1982-3 Saints, Bofors-Sweden, Europe
Chris Guy ... 1980-1 Saints, Nijmegen-Holland, Europe
Bryan Collins ... 1980-1 Saints, Fort Wayne, IHL
Curt Voegeli ... 1980-1 Saints, Peoria, IHL
Jon Lex ... 1980-1, Erie, Atlantic Coast Hockey League