| The Bethlehem Buddies are an international street hockey team. They are a proud member club of the VASHL and were introduced as part of the 2019 expansion, which also included the Yoga Hosers.
The Bethlehem Buddies are based on the “Buddy Christ“, a parody religious icon in the film Dogma. In the film, he is part of a campaign (“Catholicism Wow!“) to renew the image of (and interest in) the Catholic Church. Viewing the crucifix image as “wholly depressing”, the Church, led by Cardinal Glick (George Carlin), decides to retire it and creates Buddy Christ as a more uplifting image of Jesus Christ. As of 2025, the Bethlehem Buddies stand as the most accomplished franchise in VASHL history, holding the record for the most Walter Gretzky Cup championships with three tournament victories. Previously tied with the Eden Prairie Mallrats, View Askew Vulgarians, and Clerks, the Buddies cemented their legacy with their latest championship win, further establishing their dominance in the league. In 2022, the Buddies further cemented their reputation by capturing Kevin Smith’s Buddy Christ Memorial Heart Trophy at the September Classic. Contents |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3
0
1Players
2025 WGSHT Roster
| # | Nat | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 4 |  |
Maxx Duda (C) |
| 8 | |
Josh Foster (IR) |
| 11 | |
Jordan Rhind |
| 12 | |
Andrew Tudball |
| 13 | |
Caleb Caunce |
| 19 | |
Stirling Bennett |
| 31 | |
Lucas Schaubel (Goalie) |
| 44 | |
Matt Smiley |
| 91 | |
Kevin Wardrop |
| 96 | |
Jack Rhind |
| 00 | |
Matt Craig |
| 00 | |
Kevin Craig |
| 00 | |
Nathan Pettit |
| 00 | |
Jonny Sutton |
| 00 | |
Tyler Corradetti |
Team Captains
- Maxx Duda, 2019-present
WGSHT Team MVPs
| YEAR | PLAYER |
| 2025 | Tyler Corradetti |
| 2024 | Jordan Rhind |
| 2023 | Josh Cordery |
| 2022 | Lucas Schaubel |
| 2019 |
Photos
Team Logos
 |
 |
||
| Team logo used from 2019-present | Shoulder patch used from 2019-present |
Games
WGSHT Record
| YEAR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | PLACE |
| 2025 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 16 | 1st |
| 2024 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 14 | 3rd |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 19 | 1st |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 17 | 1st |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 14th |
| TOTAL | 26 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 121 | 79 |
September Classic Record
| YEAR | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | PLACE |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 8 | 1st |
| TOTAL | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 8 |
Team History
The Bethlehem Buddies were founded for the 2019 Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament by Maxx Duda, a former Salsa Sharks founding member who departed to create his own franchise. While Duda was the driving force behind the team’s creation, the Buddies’ early roster was primarily composed of his childhood friends, making the team’s foundation deeply personal. Among them was former Mallrats member Josh Foster, the longtime LA Mings powerhouse Stirling Slocock-Bennett, Jordan Rhind, and two of Maxx’s cousins—Josh and Tim Cordery. Together, this tight-knit group laid the groundwork for the Buddies’ identity, blending their chemistry, trust, and competitive drive into the franchise’s DNA.
Duda’s exit sent shockwaves through VASHL, sparking one of the league’s fiercest rivalries. Maxx’s longtime friend and fellow Sharks founder, Chris Beaton, refused to leave, solidifying a divide that turned former allies into bitter competitors. His move was seen as both a bold power play and a deep betrayal, intensifying the animosity between the two franchises. For the Buddies, each victory reinforces their independence, proving they can thrive without their former team. Meanwhile, the Sharks remain relentless in their pursuit to remind Duda of the squad he left behind.
The Bethlehem Buddies proudly sport a flamingo orange and eminence purple color scheme, with purple serving as a nod to the clergy, reflecting their unique identity within VASHL. This bold combination makes them one of the most visually striking teams in the league. Their mascot, the Buddy Christ, encapsulates the team’s lighthearted yet fiercely competitive spirit, blending humor, cockiness, and intensity in a way that sets them apart on the rink.
The Bethlehem Buddies’ debut tournament in 2019 was anything but smooth, as the team endured a winless 0-3 record, struggling to find its footing against seasoned VASHL competition. The humiliating showing left Maxx Duda bitter and determined to seek revenge, fueling his unwavering desire to reshape the Buddies into a true powerhouse. However, his plans for redemption were abruptly halted when the COVID-19 pandemic forced VASHL into hiatus, delaying any chance for the team to bounce back until 2022. During these lost years, the Buddies also suffered a major shift as Stirling Slocock-Bennett moved away to Australia, leaving Duda and Josh Foster searching for new talent to elevate the franchise. In preparation for their return to competition, the Buddies retooled their roster, bringing in key additions that would prove vital in securing their future championships. This new wave of impact players included elite goalie Lucas Schaubel, sniper Matt Craig and his brother Kevin Craig, shutdown defenseman Caleb Caunce, and the hard-nosed Andrew Tudball—a lineup that would ultimately transform the Buddies from underdogs to champions.
In 2022, 2023, and 2025, the Bethlehem Buddies battled their way to the Walter Gretzky Cup final, facing off against fierce competition each time. Their 2022 and 2023 victories came against the Yoga Hosers, solidifying a heated tournament rivalry.
After watching the Bethlehem Buddies rise to championship glory in 2022 and 2023, Stirling Slocock-Bennett knew he wanted back in. A founding member of the team, Stirling approached Maxx Duda about returning, but with the Buddies’ roster now stacked with new talent, Maxx wasn’t sure there was room for his former teammate. This uncertainty led to Stirling being recruited by the Monroeville Zombies, the 2024 Walter Gretzky Cup champions, who saw an opportunity to add his experience to their lineup.
However, fate had other plans. When Josh Foster suffered an unexpected elbow injury, forcing him onto the disabled list, Stirling was welcomed back into the Buddies’ ranks—but chose to play for both teams during the tournament, splitting his loyalty between the Buddies and the Zombies. When the quarterfinals arrived, however, Stirling faced a difficult choice, as both teams played at the same time, forcing him to pick a side. In a controversial decision, he chose the Buddies, sparking bitterness and frustration from the Zombies, who felt betrayed after bringing him into their organization.
In 2025, the Buddies faced the Salsa Sharks in what would become one of the most controversial finals in VASHL history. With five minutes left, the game was deadlocked at 2-2, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion. During a play stoppage, Sharks goalie Kyle Demaria made a clean stop, and the whistle blew—but as he got back up, the ball unexpectedly rolled into the net. In a stunning turn of events, the referee declared the ball had gone in, awarding the goal to the Buddies despite protests from players and fans alike. Shock and disbelief rippled through the rink, but with the ruling standing, the Buddies held on to their 3-2 lead, securing their record-breaking third championship victory. The Bethlehem Buddies now hold the most Walter Gretzky Cup titles in VASHL history, but their 2025 win will forever be remembered for the controversy that surrounded it. Despite the fallout, Stirling’s choice proved to be the right one, as he helped the Buddies secure their third Walter Gretzky Cup championship—earning his first tournament title as a member of the team and cementing his legacy within VASHL history.
The Buddies are one of the few VASHL franchises that have competed in both the Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament and the September Classic, reinforcing their strong presence in league tradition. Their dedication and passion were further recognized in 2022, when they captured Kevin Smith’s Buddy Christ Memorial Heart Trophy at the September Classic, an award celebrating sportsmanship, perseverance, and the spirit of competition.
With their cinematic roots, championship pedigree, and strong presence in VASHL, the Bethlehem Buddies have established themselves as one of the league’s most iconic franchises, proving that fun and fierce competition make for a winning combination.
Boasting three Walter Gretzky Cup championships, the Buddies have become VASHL’s undisputed powerhouse—but their success hasn’t come without its share of league-wide mockery. Rival teams have dubbed them the “Jesus Christ Superstars”, a tongue-in-cheek jab at their dominance and uncanny ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Whether it was their back-to-back triumphs over the Yoga Hosers in 2022 and 2023, or their controversial 2025 victory over the Salsa Sharks, the Buddies have earned equal parts admiration and frustration from opponents. While rival teams might playfully mock their celestial status, the Buddies continue to prove that they can turn water into goals and miracles into championships—solidifying their legacy as VASHL’s most decorated team.
WGSHT Player Appearances with Bethlehem Buddies
| Rank | Player | GP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Maxx Duda | 25 |
| 2 | Josh Foster | 25 |
| 3 | Matt Craig | 22 |
| 4 | Lucas Schaubel | 22 |
| 5 | Josh Cordery | 19 |
| 6 | Tim Cordery | 19 |
| 7 | Nathan Pettit | 16 |
| 8 | Jonny Sutton | 16 |
| 9 | Andrew Tudball | 16 |
| 10 | Caleb Caunce | 16 |
| 11 | Matt Smiley | 16 |
| 12 | Jordan Rhind | 13 |
| 13 | Kevin Craig | 11 |
| 14 |  Stirling Slocock-Bennett | 9 |
| 15 | Tyler Wilson | 6 |
| 16 | Derek Gregorian | 6 |
| 17 | Noah Musicka | 6 |
| 18 | Tyler Russell | 6 |
| 19 | Kevin Wardrop | 6 |
| 20 | Jack Rhind | 6 |
| 21 | Sean Jeziorski | 3 |
| 22 | Luke Foster | 3 |
| 23 | Pat DeStephanis | 3 |
| 24 | Ryan Forsythe | 3 |
| 25 | Tyler Corrradetti | 2 |