ADRIAN, Mich. — The Adrian College community is grieving the loss of Chris Stansik, a celebrated alumnus, former team captain, and Hall of Fame Bulldog whose impact on the school’s hockey program and those around him will never be forgotten.

Stansik, who graduated in 2012, was more than a standout defenseman. He was a leader, mentor, and friend, remembered not only for his athletic achievements but for his character and devotion to the Bulldog family.

A two-time All-American and four-time All-Conference selection, Stansik etched his name into program history on October 15, 2007, when he scored Adrian hockey’s first-ever goal in a 9-2 victory over SUNY Potsdam. Over the course of his career, he compiled 135 points in 113 games, setting the standard for excellence and perseverance.

As co-captain of the 2011-12 squad, he embodied the qualities of leadership and dedication that defined his time at Adrian. His induction into the Adrian College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024 further solidified his legacy, honoring not just his accomplishments on the ice, but his role in shaping the foundation of the program.

“Chris will forever be remembered as one of the greats — not just because of his stats, but because of the way he carried himself as a teammate and a leader,” the college said in a statement.

A visitation and mass in his honor will be held Thursday, September 4, with family, friends, teammates, and the Adrian community invited to gather and celebrate his life.

Though his passing leaves a deep void, Chris Stansik’s name will remain etched in Adrian College history. His memory will live on in the teammates he inspired, the fans who cheered him on, and the generations of Bulldogs who follow in his footsteps.