On Friday, Jan. 23, Meredith recognized Dr. Bishop for his service to the program in what was his final game as Team Doctor. He held the role since 1992.

“We were just so lucky to have Dr. Jay Bishop here for all of these years. We won’t be able to replace him as a doctor, as a person, and as a friend. We’re going to miss him in a big way,” Meredith said. “It’s absolutely incredible the impact that Dr. Bishop has had on our program and our players.”

Bishop came to the Dunkirk-Fredonia area in the early 1990s after his internal medicine training. His office was located on Brigham Road, across the street from SUNY Fredonia, so it wasn’t a surprise that he migrated to the college after hours to check out the college sports teams. It did not take long for him to become involved with the hockey program, as the Team Doctor at the time decided to retire.

“From there, our relationship blossomed,” Bishop said. “I was young back then, so it was like having 25 younger brothers.”

Photos by Riley Olson, Team Photographer Dr. Jay Bishop, left, was recognized by Jeff Meredith, Fredonia Blue Devils Hockey Coach, right, before his final game with the team on Friday, Jan. 23.

Bishop had some early success with the team from a medical standpoint, from treating injuries during the games to helping prepare players for the contests in the days leading up to each game. As Team Doctor, Bishop developed concussion protocols and treatment algorithms for the players.

“We really wanted to give them the best care possible, locally, so I’d often see them at the rink or they would come to my office,” Bishop said.

The relationships grew stronger over the years, especially as Fredonia State made multiple trips to the NCAA Championship tournament. Bishop was along for the ride the whole way, standing on the bench with Meredith for what became decades.

“I had a great relationship with Coach Meredith. He treated me so well,” Bishop said. “The team, the trainers, the rink managers, the Zamboni drivers, everybody was just so great to me. I really felt engaged. They made me feel like I was part of the team.”

Through 34 years with the program, Bishop developed relationships with many of the players. Meredith has been impressed by the sheer amount of players Bishop maintains contact with, even after so much time has passed.

“He knows 34 years of hockey alumni. He’s been to countless alumni weddings. Every alumni weekend, Doc is here. He’s right in the middle of all the alums. He visits them, he travels with them, he knows their families, their kids,” Meredith said.

Bishop said after 34 years, it was “time to give someone else the chance to provide this service.” Bishop’s schedule has become increasingly challenging since taking a job at the Cleveland Clinic in 2019, where he practices vascular medicine at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the nation. Bishop bounces back and forth between his residence in the town of Dunkirk and a residence in Cleveland.

Before deciding to step away from the bench, Bishop sent Meredith an email earlier that week telling him that Friday’s game would be his last. Meredith immediately put plans in motion to find a way to honor Bishop for all the time he dedicated to the program.

“It was so nice to see him and have him on the bench, just like old times. It was really nice to be able to honor him for all his time and service,” Meredith said. “There is nobody that is more deserving than Dr. Bishop.”

Bishop was recognized before the game with a ceremony, where he was presented with a custom hockey stick with an inscription. “What’s better than a hockey guy getting a hockey stick for a send-off,” Bishop said.

In addition to serving as a Team Doctor, Bishop also began coaching youth hockey in his downtime. He credits the program for igniting his passion for hockey, and also for giving him the nudge to begin coaching.

Bishop said, “One of the players back in the day said, ‘If you want to be the Team Doctor, you’ve got to play hockey.'” He then began to play the sport recreationally, and started coaching at the youngest age group.

Eventually, Bishop worked his way up to the varsity level with the Dunkirk-Fredonia Steelers hockey team. Bishop helped lead the team to back-to-back state championships, with Meredith on the bench as an assistant.

“We had a blast together,” Meredith said.

When Bishop looks back on all he did for the program over his 34 years, he feels that the team, in fact, did even more for him.

“It’s about the relationships and lifelong friendships that I’ve built over the years. It’s a wonderful hockey program. I got to be really close friends with Coach Meredith. The players, the trainers, the staff were really impactful on my life,” Bishop said. “The relationships, the memories, and the stories are wonderful. They still resonate with me. It’s bittersweet leaving after 34 years, but I’m sure I won’t lose contact with the program, and I definitely won’t lose contact with all the friends I’ve made.”