MARQUETTE – After struggling for several seasons to put a representative team on the ice, the Marquette Electricians 18 AAA Midget Major hockey team has called it quits.

Marquette Junior Hockey Corp. President Jeff Cornock announced this morning cessation of team operations will begin immediately.

A press release said the Electricians’ Operating Committee, headed by former player John Way and current head coach Nate Taurence, “made a concerted four-month effort” to interest quality players from around the state to play for the squad.

“That quest was unsuccessful,” according to the release.

Said Way: “Coach Taurence went above and beyond in attempting to put a team on the ice.

“He has driven back-and-forth between Marquette and Detroit almost weekly since early June.”

According to new rules instituted by the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association last year, MJHC Director Tim McIntosh said Marquette will not be able to re-form an AAA Midget team in coming years without conforming to regulations.

That includes having AAA teams at all levels of hockey (Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget 16U).

The Electricians began operations as an AAA program in the fall of 1986.

They hosted the 2004 USA Hockey Tier I National Championship and for many years, put on the Marquette Electricians Fall Classic.

In the late 1990’s and early 2,000’s, the Classic was reputed by some to be the best Major Midget tournament in the country.

The Electricians provided a stepping stone for eventual entry by several players into the National Hockey League, including Mark Olver of the Colorado Avalanche and Marquette’s Justin Florek of the Boston Bruins/New York Islanders.

Information compiled by Senior Sports Writer Craig Remsburg.