On Jan. 28, the Marquette Junior Wildcats 12u PeeWee A team digs out the fire hydrants on Fair Avenue to Lakeview Arena and from Lakeshore Boulevard to the roundabout. The Marquette Fire Department stopped by with a fire truck to thank the team. (Photo courtesy of by Mark Janofski)

MARQUETTE — They can usually be found inside Lakeview Arena hard at work practicing, but on Jan. 28, the Marquette Junior Wildcats 12-under PeeWee A hockey team was hard at work in the snow.

The kids were busy clearing the snow from the fire hydrants on Fair Avenue to Lakeview Arena from Lakeshore Boulevard to the roundabout.

“A while back the Marquette City Fire Department had a Facebook post about adopting fire hydrants and helping to keep them clear this winter,” said head coach Mark Janofski. “I had the idea as I was wanting to do a community service project with the kids. I was on the Chocolay Volunteer Fire Department for 16 years so this one caught my interest.”

Once Janofski had the idea he reached out to the fire department to find out how to go about helping clear the hydrants.

Almost the entire team was able to make it and help out. The team is coached by Janofski, Aaron Lautenschlager, Keith LeFebvre and Todd Keough.

“It felt nice to help out in the community and maybe save a life or two,” said hockey player Brady Janofski.

The team plans to adopt the fire hydrants they cleared and continue to clear them as needed in that area through the end of the hockey season.

“I would love to get the kids involved in another activity as well,” said Coach Janofski.

The team consists of Brady Janofski, Olivia Stade, Mason Lautenschlager, Jack Keough, Nicole Kerkela, Braydon O’Dovero, Colton Hartz, Spencer Brunet, Michael Enright, Caden Laurn, Cam Mileski, Carter Beerling, Ethan Uimari and Trey Savola.

The department showed up with a fire truck to thank the kids for what they were doing.

Amy Grigas can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243.