In the mid-1800’s people began arriving in Superior from Europe seeking opportunity. Opportunities were at shipyards, docks, mines, and logging camps. These were jobs for tough, hard workers. The toughness and work ethic in Superior during the 1800’s shaped a culture that lived on into the next century.

Bill McCoshen was like most boys growing up in Superior during the 1970’s. He played hockey. In fact, so many kids played hockey that teams were uniquely organized. Bill shared “Superior had neighborhood teams when I was growing up. I played on the East End Colts in mites.”

Bill had many positive youth hockey experiences. One weekend playing for Superior’s bantam team sponsored by Upper Lakes Foods is ingrained in memory. “My favorite memory was winning the Cloquet Invitational Bantam Tournament. We beat top-ranked White Bear Lake in the semi-finals and then Cloquet 9-6 in the championship. It was packed to the rafters! Cloquet had a handful of kids that went on to play D1 college.”

After bantams Bill moved up to high school hockey. At the time, Superior HS was 10th thru 12th grades. Ninth graders were not allowed on varsity or JV. “I badly wanted to make varsity as a sophomore. After tryouts, head coach Mas Fukushima told me I would start with JV but would likely get called up to varsity at some point. No guarantees. I had to earn it. Three games into the season, I got called up and got an assist in my very first game. I didn't have many points in HS, so I remember them all!”

Bill played in three consecutive WIAA state championship games, winning two titles. He almost had a third title his senior year but Joe Baldarotta’s Madison West team, with stellar goaltending from Greg Ammerman, did not allow a goal. “I was fortunate to be on two WIAA state championship teams in 1981 and 1982. There were five of us who had an opportunity to win the WIAA hat trick of championship in 1983, but we lost 1-0 to Madison West.”

With a high school diploma in hand, Bill moved from Lake Superior to Lake Mendota to attend college. He graduated from UW Madison in 1987 with a degree in political science. In a meteoric rise, Bill became Governor Tommy Thompson’s Chief of Staff in 1993. How does a self-proclaimed tough, stay at home, shot blocking high school defenseman rise to such a prominent position so fast? “Tommy Thompson saw something in me and gave me a chance.”

Bill took advantage of the opportunity provided by Governor Thompson. He refined his leadership skills, acquired contacts with prominent individuals, and augmented his innate ability to bring people together to achieve results.

Bill harnessed these skills for the benefit of hockey. He served as president of Southwest Eagles from 2000-2002, in 2004 he started the Kohlman Cup, and in 2005 founded the WEHL. From 2006 to 2010 he served as GM of Team Wisconsin’s U16 boys’ team. Bill credits the late Don Kohlman, in parallel to Governor Thompson, for “seeing something in me and giving me a chance.”

Bill’s tenure with Team Wisconsin provided motivation to start a junior team. “The idea for a junior team was born by watching good TW players go to junior tryouts in the USHL and NAHL and get cut.” Bill utilized his skills to bring people together. “Mark Cullen, David Cullen, Bill Kennedy, Steve King, Tobin Ryan, and Joe Pavelski were willing to take the risk with me. Joe had just signed his first pro contract with Sharks and wanted to give more Wisconsin kids an opportunity to play junior hockey like he did.”

In 2009 the Janesville Jets began play in the NAHL. Prior to hitting the ice, the team needed a mission statement and name. “We had a simple three-pronged mission: develop and advance elite players to college hockey; teach our players to give back through community service; and provide affordable family entertainment. We wanted the new NAHL franchise to be the town's team, so we partnered with the Janesville Gazette to let our fans pick the name. They chose Jets.”

In addition to the NAHL Janesville Jets, Bill leads the Jr. Jets, which are 10 spring/summer teams and three fall NAPHL teams. “We only take Wisconsin kids for these teams.” Limiting the rosters to only Wisconsin kids is a testament to Bill’s commitment to his home state. “In 2021, our 18U Jr. Jets won the USAH Tier II national championship. The team was coached by Eric Fenton, Tim Ebner and Dean Lounsbrough.”

Bill McCoshen grew up in a town built on people searching for an opportunity. The spirit of Bill’s roots lives on in each player wearing a Janesville Jets jersey. “I am proud to be from Wisconsin and proud to give kids an opportunity to achieve their dreams.” Bill resides in Verona with his wife, Carol, and they have three children, Patrick, Regan, and Cale. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.

We are fortunate to have Bill McCoshen call Wisconsin home. Thank you, Bill!

Yours for hockey, Matt Carey
Article 5 of The Influencers