The state tournament entered its Golden Age in the 1970s, and few teams embodied the spirit and anything-can-happen unpredictability of the event more than Rochester John Marshall’s 1977 championship squad.
Scott Lecy, Todd Lecy, Paul Butters, Bruce Aitkens, Paul Brandrup and, of course, wisecracking coach Gene Sack all carved their names into tourney lore with their thrilling run to the title game.
The tournament was punctuated by the Rockets’ most unexpected 4-2 triumph over Edina East in one of the all-time great championship games. And Todd Lecy’s Wile E. Coyote routine (feet churning at blurring speed as he ran on his skates on the ice) after scoring an empty net goal to clinch it remains one of the tourney’s most iconic moments.
John Marshall will honor the lone championship team in Rochester history before its game against Century (off to one of its best starts in recent history) by retiring jersey No. 77. About 10 members from the legendary ’77 team are expected to take part.