| 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 2023, the Bethlehem Buddies stand among the most accomplished franchises in VASHL history, tied with the Eden Prairie Mallrats, View Askew Vulgarians, and Clerks for the most Walter Gretzky Cup championships, boasting two tournament victories. In 2022, the Buddies further cemented their reputation by capturing Kevin Smith’s Buddy Christ Memorial Heart Trophy at the September Classic. Contents |
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2025 WGSHT Roster
| # | Nat | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 4 |  |
Maxx Duda (C) |
| 8 | |
Josh Foster |
| 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 | |
Andrew Tudball |
| 00 | |
Nathan Pettit |
| 00 | |
Jonny Sutton |
Team Captains
- Maxx Duda, 2019-present
WGSHT Team MVPs
| YEAR | PLAYER |
| 2025 | FPO |
| 2024 | Jordan Rhind |
| 2023 | Josh Cordery |
| 2022 | Lucas Schaubel |
| 2019 |
Photos
Buddies Jersey
Team Logos
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| 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TBD |
| 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 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 63 |
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.
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, 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.
In 2022 and 2023, the Bethlehem Buddies and the Yoga Hosers clashed in back-to-back Walter Gretzky Cup finals, solidifying a fierce tournament rivalry. Both years saw the Buddies rise to the occasion, securing championship victories and proving their dominance on the VASHL stage. Their 2022 triumph was marked by a hard-fought battle, while 2023 showcased their ability to defend their title against a determined Hosers squad. With these consecutive wins, the Buddies cemented themselves as one of the league’s premier franchises, tied for the most Walter Gretzky Cup championships of any VASHL team. With two Walter Gretzky Cup titles, a strong presence in competition, and a name that brings a smile to hockey fans, the Bethlehem Buddies continue to be a franchise to watch in the VASHL.
The Buddies are one of the six 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 remain a standout franchise, proving that fun and fierce competition make for a winning combination.
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 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 |