Bio

Jake Hinterser may not have become involved in hockey if it wasn't for a 1st grade homework assignment for his oldest son Andy. Andy chose a small article in the sports section of the Granite City Press Record about a hockey team being formed at the Granite City Park District Ice Rink. They completed the paper and also investigated the hockey opportunity. Jake not only got his son playing hockey but soon found himself playing Senior Men's League, coaching and eventually became President of this newly formed Granite City Hockey Association and so much more as you will see below. 

• 1966 - The Granite City Ice Rink was built for speed skating and figure skating. That is why the rink wasn't enclosed and doesn't have adequate locker rooms. 
• 1967 - Two hockey clubs were formed with the help of Roy Weaver and Bill Hodge. The practice times were 5 AM and 6:15 AM weekdays before school. When they requested to play exhibition games against teams in St. Louis, they were told they had to have a Charter and join the Missouri Amateur Hockey Association. 
• 1968 - Jake led a group to pursue the Charter and the Granite City Amateur Hockey Association was approved as a member of the Missouri Amateur Hockey Association. 
• Jake became the first President and was heavily involved in building the program through learn to skate, learn to play and coaching several teams. 
• 1968 - 1978 - Jake was President of the Granite City Amateur Hockey Association and more during his tenure in which the organization grew to sixteen teams:
•  *Jake was the GC Representative on the MAIHA Board. He was also a member of the Rules & Discipline Committee and the Committee for Accelerated Hockey in the St. Louis area. 
•  *Jake ran not for profit summer hockey camps, drove to Peoria for hockey sticks to sell at cost, put together tournaments, scheduled games/road trips and worked countless hours to help build the program. 
•  *The Granite City Amateur Hockey Association was blessed with excellent Board Members and very generous parents who would help buy or donate equipment for new and less fortunate players each year as well as volunteering countless hours to help build the organization.
•  1972 - Jake was elected to the Granite City Park Board and served as President from 1975 - 1976.
•  1978 - 1979 - Jake served as the Red Commissioner. 
•  1980 - Jake went on to coach the Clayton Stingers in their last year of existence.
•  1981 - 2001 - Jake coached at the Affton Hockey Association for another 20 years. During his tenure at Affton Jake coached numerous teams at all levels and even spent time as the General Manager of the Junior Team for owner Jim Jost Senior. Jake was always teaching kids and grooming coaches to give back to the great sport of hockey. He had a number of younger assistance (often former players) to skate the drills; work with the players and a number of those assistance are still coaching today. Jake always attributes his success and longevity to being around so many wonderful people and their dedication to hockey.
•  1980, 1981 & 1982 - Jake was recognized by the St. Louis Blues organization for his outstanding Exhibition of Sportsmanship and Character to amateur hockey.
•  1981 - Jake's Affton Midgets won 1st place in the AHAUS District 7 Regionals.
•  1982 - 1984 - Jake, Lou Struckman (HOF Inductee this evening as well), and Bud Stege (last years deserved HOF inductee) were the first coaches of Team St. Louis AAA teams. These teams played in prestigious out of town tournaments to help get St. Louis and our hometown player's exposure as well as promoting hockey in the St. Louis area. This concept has grown into the elite teams and programs we have today.
•  1989 - Jake was awarded the Blueliners Lynn Patrick Award for outstanding service to amateur hockey in the St. Louis area.
•  1992 - 1994 - Jake coached the Granite City High School team to two American Gold Division Championships and 1993 Wickenhauser Cup Championship.
•  1993 - Proved to be a big year with Jake's Affton team finished fifth in the Nation.
•  1998 - Jake was elected to the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame for many years of involvement in the community, high school and youth programs in the Granite City area. Jake played Basketball, Football and Baseball at Granite City Senior High School in addition to years of competitive Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball during his adult life. In addition to coaching hockey Jake coached baseball, football and soccer. He was also an umpire and helped run the Granite City Park District youth baseball/softball program.
•  2001 - Jake coached the Granite City Warriors JV team.
•  2002 - 2003 - Jake coached the Twin Bridges Squirt AA team.
•  2004 - After spending 36 years in the great sport of hockey and having the pleasure of coaching and seeing his three boys play hockey, Jake retired to watch his grandchildren play hockey, soccer, baseball, football, volleyball and even field hockey! 

 Jake's oldest son Andy is the President of the Highland Optimist Club which is heavily involved in youth sports and has coached his step daughter Sammi's indoor soccer team.

Jake's middle son Chris is on the Twin Bridges Lighting Hockey Board. Chris started and is still the Director of the Lady Lightning girl's hockey program. Chris coaches his daughter Cori's Lady

Lightning U19 Varsity and U14 JV teams as well as his son Tyler's Twin Bridges Squirt AA team. Chris has also coached his son Connor's hockey and baseball teams.

 Jake's youngest son Todd is the Granite City High School Varsity and JV Coach which plays in the MVCHA league. His son Kyle is a junior and plays on both teams. Todd is also a referee for

MIHOA and has coached his daughter Jordan in soccer and softball. 

 March 8, 2009 - St. Louis Hall of Fame Inductee - Who would have thought a small article about hockey in a local paper would provide such a legacy, touch so many people and apparently passed on the baton to his children, assistant coaches, players, parents, board members and so many people who remain active in the St. Louis area youth hockey community today.   

August 8, 2009 - Jake and his wife Judy will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary and without her unending love, support and patience; none of these achievement may have been possible.