Josh "JJ" Janszen Graduates

The 2006-07 St. Francis DeSales High School (DHS) varsity hockey season was full of significant events, the first home game, when Ben Janszen scored the team's first goal and when Pat Slattery went a full game without giving up a goal. But nothing can compare to"Josh "JJ" Janszen becoming the team's first graduating player.

"As JJ's hockey coaches, we are only a small part of the community that helped prepare him to be positive and productive for the next stage of his life." Coach Maxwell continues; "Regardless of how small our contribution is, it is what we strive for and there is nothing that makes us more proud then when one of our players graduates on to their next life challenge."

Janszen has been with the ice hockey program at DHS since its inception.

He started playing roller hockey as a middle-schooler and moved to ice when his aunt and current program general manager Lisa Janszen organized a Stallions Junior Varsity (JV) ice hockey team. It did not take much from Lisa or his cousin Ben Janszen to convince him to play.

Ben Janszen, JJ's cousin and current forward for the varsity hockey team says of the experience of playing with family; "I remember playing roller hockey with JJ and his two brothers, Taylor and Chad. And it was great to play ice hockey with him for our high school and during his senior year."

JJ's younger brother, Taylor "Mighty" Janszen who also played with JJ on the varsity team adds; "When I first started with the Stallions it was really cool knowing that I had a big brother on the team that I could look up to."

Janszen improved every week from the start of the season. Even though he is a man of few words he became a leader on the blue line with his action and desire to get better at every practice.

"I really enjoyed my senior year at DeSales and playing on the inaugural varsity hockey team made it even more special." JJ continues; "It was really great to represent my school on the ice with my brother, cousin and 18 of my friends."

Janszen also participated in other activities at DHS. He was one of the webmasters of this website; he worked with the DeSales TV program, WDHS and was awarded the school's Technology Award for his work with the Construction Technology Program.

Taylor adds; "Off the ice he is know by friends and family for every kind of technology you could think of. He is amazing with it."

Janszen will attend Ohio University in the fall where he plans to study engineering and to continue playing hockey.

The entire Stallions Ice Hockey Program will miss him and wishes JJ the utmost success at Ohio University.