Their story

In the January 9th, 1930 printing of the Hanover Gazette it was written: “the new hockey rink was nearly completed and will be ready for practice as soon as the weather will permit ice to freeze. The building will hold 2,200 spectators. There are seats for 1,770 and there will be standing room for the remainder.” Also written: “The roof is supported by Davison arches, German patent, originally designed for airdromes.” This would lead us to believe that Davis Arena derived its name from the arches which were used in only one other roof in the U.S. That same winter saw Hanover High School’s first organized hockey game held at Dartmouth College’s Davis Rink against a team from Framingham, Massachusetts. Hanover would go on to lose by a score of 3-0, but that game is recognized as Hanover High School’s first indoor contest. The 1930-31 team consisted of only eight players as was customary in the early years of hockey. Also customary, there was no record of a coach, or even an advisor with this team. It appeared that senior Fred Trempe served as both the captain and manager of a student-run effort.

First Games

Outside of what was mostly a ceremonial first high school game at Davis Ice Rink, HHS hockey started and was played at Occom Pond in the 1930’s with wood boards and lights erected to create the rink. Many of these seasons depended on how mother nature would cooperate, and therefore the number of games would vary from year to year. Hanover typically played between six and twelve games per season during the 1930’s. Opposing teams during this decade included Vermont Academy, New Hampton, Kimball Union Academy, Clark School, Lebanon, Fairlee, Bellows Falls, Nashua, Concord, Orford, Windsor, Hartford, Dartmouth JV, New Hampton, Keene, and Woodsville. Interestingly enough neither Berlin or Notre Dame were on the lists of games played, and thankfully so! Notable players were John Connor who spearheaded the offense and was the team’s leading scorer during the 1934 to 1936 seasons. Edward Rigney was another strong player from this era. Richard Hutchins would be the first father who played in the 1930’s before his son, Rick, would play for Hanover from 1960 to 1963. Rick is still playing hockey competitively in 2024! Legendary coach, Forrie Branch, started his coaching tenure in 1937 and is still referred to as the father of HHS hockey. Coach Branch guided Hanover hockey and many other sports for most seasons between 1937 and 1970, which was fittingly Hanover’s first state title year in NHIAA hockey!