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Wartella Retires

By Craig Peterson, 09/23/21, 8:15AM EDT

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Hall of Fame Coach Leaves Lumen Christi After 36 Seasons

On Tuesday, MLive reported that 2016 Michigan High School Hockey Coaches' Association (MHSHCA) Hall of Fame coach Mike Wartella had officially announced his retirement from the Jackson Lumen Christi hockey program.  Wartella had spent 36 seasons behind the bench for the Titans, compiling a 523-310-51 record in that time. He currently ranks fifth all-time in wins among MI-HS coaches.

“We’ve had a hockey program at Lumen for 48 years and I’ve been involved with it for 40 years or so," Wartella said to MLive. "It was a difficult decision to step away but it was something I was contemplating it for the past four of five years and just taking it year by year.”

Wartella led Lumen Christi to 11 conference titles, two regional titles, 10 regional final appearances and one state semifinal appearance in the 2010-11 season. The Titans recorded winning seasons in 25 of Wartella’s 33 seasons as head coach, including a school-record 23 wins during the 2019-20 season.