Grand Rapids alums Bischoff, Delgreco talk winning USHL, NAHL championships

Three Grand Rapids boy’s hockey alums are flying high in their junior hockey careers.

This past week the trio of former Thunderhawks were a part of the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) and North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) championship winning teams.

Friday, May 19 Hunter Bischoff, a Cohasset, Minn. native and 2021 Grand Rapids High School alum, helped the Youngstown Phantoms to their first-ever USHL Clark Cup title.

“Starting from Grand Rapids, that’s where it really started, high school hockey is where it starts. Winning a championship in anything is amazing, let alone in the highest level of juniors. It’s just a once in a lifetime experience and I’m definitely going to remember that for the rest of my life,” Bischoff said.

Bischoff tallied three shots in the Phantom’s 1-0 championship victory over the Fargo Force. In 55 games this season he tallied six goals and four assists.

Then Tuesday, May 23 fellow former Thunderhawks, Duluth native, Kaden Nelson and Joey Delgreco helped the Oklahoma Warriors down the Austin Bruins 4-3 to win the NAHL Robertson Cup.

“Our group has been so close to one another the whole entire year. Everyone loves each other and to get it done with this group is just amazing, it’s so special,” Delgreco told the NAHL post-game.

This year Delgreco was also named NAHL MVP and Rookie of the Year. In their Robertson Cup victory Nelson tallied an assist on the Warrior’s first goal.

Both Delgreco and Nelson are 2022 Grand Rapids alums.