Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey
Air Force Falcons ice hockey | |
---|---|
| |
University | United States Air Force Academy |
Conference | AHA |
Head coach |
Frank Serratore 22nd season, 373–330–79 (.527) |
Captain(s) | Dylan Abood |
Alternate captain(s) | Phil Boje, Tyler Ledford, and Erik Baskin |
Arena |
Cadet Ice Arena Capacity: 2,470 Surface: 200' x 85' |
Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
Colors |
Blue and Silver[1] |
NCAA Tournament appearances | |
2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018 | |
Conference Tournament championships | |
2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018 | |
Conference regular season championships | |
2008–09, 2011–12 | |
Current uniform | |
|
The Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the United States Air Force Academy. The Falcons are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[2]
History
Independent
Air Force Academy's Ice hockey program began as a club team in 1966, lead by former Michigan head coach and six-time national champion Vic Heyliger. The program grew swiftly and posted a winning record by its third season. In year four the team posted an impressive 25-6 mark and had the nation's leading scorer on the roster Dave Skalko. When Heyliger retired in 1974, turning the team over to John Matchefts the success continued with two more 20+ win seasons in three years. By the time the 1980 rolled around, however, the team's on-ice results began to flag and after a pair of disappointing, single-digit-win seasons Matchefts pushed his team to a .500-record before turning control over to the program's all-time leading scorer. Chuck Delich led the program for the twelve seasons, posting moderate results for most of his tenure but as the 20th century drew to a close the Falcon's days as a plucky Independent were numbered.
CHA
In 1997 former Denver head coach Frank Serratore was hired to replace Delich and recorded two 15-win seasons before Everything changed for the Falcons. In 1999 Air Force became a funding member of the CHA, joining with the other service academy Army and five other newly-minted Division I teams. Despite the other programs having little history of success Air Force was unable to make much headway in the conference, with the best finish being 4th out of 7 teams in their inaugural year. Army left the conference after only one year, leaving the conference with only six programs, and the Falcons found themselves as one of the worst. Air Force finished in 5th- or 6th-place for four consecutive seasons and threw in a pair of 4th-place marks for good measure. Despite their regular season woes the Falcons did achieve some success in the CHA tournament, reaching the semifinals three times despite being an underdog. By 2006, however, it became apparent that the CHA was in trouble. The Falcons left the CHA and were accepted into Atlantic Hockey, rejoining Army in he same conference.
Atlantic Hockey
The change seemed to suit the Falcons who posted their first winning season in 7 years. In the conference tournament Air Force defeated Holy Cross 3-0 before stunning #1 seeded Sacred Heart 5-4 in overtime. In the championship match the Falcons took on Army and routed the Black Knights 6-1 to win the programs' first conference championship and receive their first bid into the NCAA tournament. Though they lost to Minnesota in the opening round the success would continue for the next two years with two additional Atlantic Hockey tournament titles and culminated with a 28-win season in 2009 where they won their first regular season conference title and NCAA tournament game. After a middling season in 2010 the Falcons posted back-to-back conference championships but failed to escape the first round in either season. Air Force spent the mid-teens rebuilding their program and it came to a head in 2017 with their sixth Atlantic Hockey crown. The Falcon's played so well over the course of the season that there was some talk of them making the NCAA tournament even if they were to lose the Atlantic Hockey championship (an exceedingly rare occurrence for Atlantic Hockey Teams).[3] Their second quarterfinal appearance was followed by another in 2018 where they were outplayed by eventual champion Minnesota–Duluth until the final period.[4]
Season-by-season results[5]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
NCAA D-I Champions (1968–present) | NCAA Frozen Four (1968–present) | Conference Regular Season Champions | Conference Playoff Champions |
Season | Conference | Overall Record[6] | National Tournament Results | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regular Season Finish |
W | L | T | ||||
Vic Heyliger (1968–1974) | |||||||
1968–69 | Independent | – | 6 | 12 | 1 | ||
1969–70 | Independent | – | 11 | 17 | 1 | ||
1970–71 | Independent | – | 15 | 11 | 2 | ||
1971–72 | Independent | – | 25 | 6 | 0 | ||
1972–73 | Independent | – | 16 | 16 | 0 | ||
1973–74 | Independent | – | 12 | 15 | 0 | ||
John Matchefts (1974–1985) | |||||||
1974–75 | Independent | – | 24 | 5 | 1 | ||
1975–76 | Independent | – | 16 | 10 | 0 | ||
1976–77 | Independent | – | 20 | 7 | 0 | ||
1977–78 | Independent | – | 9 | 17 | 1 | ||
1978–79 | Independent | – | 18 | 12 | 1 | ||
1979–80 | Independent | – | 15 | 16 | 0 | ||
1980–81 | Independent | – | 13 | 13 | 0 | ||
1981–82 | Independent | – | 12 | 15 | 1 | ||
1982–83 | Independent | – | 5 | 23 | 0 | ||
1983–84 | Independent | – | 8 | 16 | 2 | ||
1984–85 | Independent | – | 14 | 14 | 1 | ||
Chuck Delich (1985–1997) | |||||||
1985–86 | Independent | – | 15 | 13 | 0 | ||
1986–87 | Independent | – | 19 | 10 | 0 | ||
1987–88 | Independent | – | 15 | 14 | 0 | ||
1988–89 | Independent | – | 14 | 12 | 3 | ||
1989–90 | Independent | – | 16 | 13 | 1 | ||
1990–91 | Independent | – | 11 | 17 | 4 | ||
1991–92 | Independent | – | 14 | 20 | 0 | ||
1992–93 | Independent | – | 8 | 20 | 2 | ||
1993–94 | Independent | – | 15 | 16 | 1 | ||
1994–95 | Independent | – | 15 | 17 | 1 | ||
1995–96 | Independent | – | 4 | 24 | 5 | ||
1996–97 | Independent | – | 8 | 21 | 2 | ||
Frank Serratore (1997–Present) | |||||||
1997–98 | Independent | – | 15 | 19 | 0 | ||
1998–99 | Independent | – | 15 | 19 | 2 | ||
1999–00 | CHA | 4th | 19 | 18 | 2 | ||
2000–01 | CHA | T–4th | 10 | 15 | 2 | ||
2001–02 | CHA | 5th | 16 | 16 | 2 | ||
2002–03 | CHA | 6th | 10 | 24 | 3 | ||
2003–04 | CHA | 5th | 14 | 21 | 2 | ||
2004–05 | CHA | 5th | 14 | 19 | 3 | ||
2005–06 | CHA | T-4th | 11 | 20 | 1 | ||
2006–07 | Atlantic Hockey | 5th | 19 | 16 | 5 | Lost in NCAA West Regional Semifinals, 3–4 (Minnesota) | |
2007–08 | Atlantic Hockey | 3rd | 21 | 12 | 6 | Lost in NCAA Northeast Regional Semifinals, 2–3 OT (Miami) | |
2008–09 | Atlantic Hockey | 1st | 28 | 11 | 2 | Won in NCAA East Regional Semifinal 2–0 (Michigan) Lost in NCAA East Regional Final 2–3 2OT (Vermont) | |
2009–10 | Atlantic Hockey | 3rd | 16 | 15 | 6 | ||
2010–11 | Atlantic Hockey | 2nd | 20 | 12 | 6 | Lost in NCAA East Regional Semifinals, 1–2 OT (Yale) | |
2011–12 | Atlantic Hockey | 1st | 21 | 11 | 7 | Lost in NCAA Northeast Regional Semifinals, 0–2 (Boston College) | |
2012–13 | Atlantic Hockey | 2nd | 17 | 13 | 7 | ||
2013–14 | Atlantic Hockey | 3rd | 21 | 14 | 4 | ||
2014–15 | Atlantic Hockey | 7th | 16 | 21 | 4 | ||
2015–16 | Atlantic Hockey | 2nd | 20 | 12 | 5 | ||
2016–17 | Atlantic Hockey | 2nd | 27 | 10 | 5 | Won in NCAA West Regional Semifinal 5–4 (Western Michigan) Lost in NCAA East Regional Final 2–3 (Harvard) | |
2017–18 | Atlantic Hockey | T–3rd | 23 | 15 | 5 | Won in NCAA East Regional Semifinal 4–1 (St. Cloud State) Lost in NCAA West Regional Final 1–2 (Minnesota–Duluth) | |
All-time coaching records
As of April 8, 2018
Tenure | Coach | Seasons | Record | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997–Present | Frank Serratore | 21 | 373–330–79 | .527 |
1985–1997 | Chuck Delich | 12 | 154–197–19 | .442 |
1974–1985 | John Matchefts | 11 | 154–148–7 | .510 |
1968–1974 | Vic Heyliger | 6 | 85–77–3 | .524 |
Totals | 4 coaches | 50 seasons | 766-754-107 | .504 |
Players
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
The following individuals have been inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.[7]
- Vic Heyliger (1974)
- John Matchefts (1991)
Lowes' Senior CLASS Award
- Jacques Lamoureux (2011)
Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award
- Mike Phillipich (2009)
- Dylan Abood (2018)
Scoring Champion
- Save Skalko (1972)
- Eric Ehn (2007)
- Jacques Lamoureux (2009)
- Tim Kirby (2012)
Player of the year
- Marc Kielkucki (2001)
- Eric Ehn (2007)
- Jacques Lamoureux (2009)
Rookie of the year
- Andy Berg (2000)
Student-Athlete of the year
- Scott Bradley (2001)
- Brian Gornick (2002)
- Mike Polidor (2004)
Best Defensive Player
- Blair Bartlett (2006)
Best Defenseman
- Greeg Flynn (2009)
- Tim Kirby (2012)
- Adam McKenzie (2013)
- Ben Carey (2016)
Individual Sportsmanship Award
- Jason Fabian (2014)
- Ben Carey(2016)
Regular Season Goaltending Award
- Shane Starett (2016)
- Billy Christopoulos (2018)
Coach of the Year
- Frank Serratore (2016)
Tournament MVP
- Mike Phillipich (2007)
- Brent Olson (2008)
- Matt Fairchild (2009)
- Jacques Lamoureux (2011)
- Jason Torf (2012)
- Shane Starrett (2017)
- Billy Christopoulos (2018)
NCAA All-Americans
The following Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey players have been chosen as Second Team Division I All-Americans by the American Hockey Coaches Association.[13]
- Eric Ehn (2007)
- Jacques Lamoureux (2009)
- Tim Kirby (2012)
All–CHA Team
First Team
The following Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey players have been chosen as First Team All-CHA.[14]
- Marc Kielkucki (2001)
- Brian Gornick (2001)
- Derek Olson (2002)
Second Team
- Brian Gornick (2000)
- Andy Berg (2001, 2003)
- Brian Gineo (2005)
- Michael Mayra (2006)
- Eric Ehn (2006)
Rookie Team
- Andy Berg (2000)
- Joe Locallo (2001)
- Zach Sikich (2002)
- Matt Charbonneau (2005)
- Eric Ehn (2005)
- Michael Mayra (2006)
All–Atlantic Hockey Team
First Team
The following Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey players have been chosen as First Team All-Atlantic Hockey.[15]
- Eric Ehn (2007)
- Andrew Volkening (2009)
- Greg Flynn (2009)
- Jacques Lamoureux (2009, 2010)
- Tim Kirby (2010, 2012)
- Scott Mathis (2011, 2012)
- Kyle De Laurell (2012, 2013)
- Adam McKenzie (2013)
- Shane Starrett (2016)
- Phil Boje (2017)
Second Team
- Andrew Ramsey (2007)
- Greg Flynn (2008)
- Andrew Volkening (2010)
- Jacques Lamoureux (2011)
- John Kruse (2012)
- Adam McKenzie (2014)
- Cole Gunner (2014, 2015)
- Johnny Hrabovsky (2016)
- Jordan Himley (2017)
Third Team
- Eric Ehn (2008)
- Tim Kirby (2011)
- Shane Starrett (2017)
- Billy Christopoulos (2018)
Rookie Team
- Scott Mathis (2009)
- Jason Torf (2010)
- Adam McKenzie (2010)
- Chris Truehl (2014)
- Shane Starrett (2016)
- Matt Serratore (2016)
Current Players in the NHL
Goalie Shane Starrett signed an Entry Level Contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL on April 10, 2017. He is currently the only Air Force Falcons Men's Ice Hockey player to be in the NHL or respected affiliates.
Statistical Leaders[16]
Career Scoring leaders
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chuck Delich | 1973–1977 | 109 | 156 | 123 | 279 | 151 |
Bob Sajevic | 1976–1980 | 113 | 107 | 121 | 228 | 54 |
Dave Skalko | 1969–1973 | 118 | 75 | 144 | 219 | 208 |
Bob Ross | 1968–1972 | 106 | 105 | 92 | 197 | 41 |
Gary Batinich | 1974–1978 | 104 | 82 | 114 | 196 | 107 |
Tom Richards | 1978–1982 | 118 | 78 | 90 | 168 | 54 |
Mike Smellie | 1976–1980 | 103 | 77 | 89 | 166 | 56 |
Frank Daldine | 1983–1986 | 109 | 79 | 77 | 156 | 75 |
Dave Bunker | 1970–1974 | 109 | 82 | 70 | 152 | 118 |
Robin Robideaux | 1975–1979 | 108 | 68 | 84 | 152 | 200 |
Career Goaltending Leaders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Minimum 35 games
Player | Years | GP | Min | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shane Starrett | 2016–17 | 70 | 3918 | 128 | 9 | .924 | 1.96 |
Andrew Volkening | 2007–10 | 127 | 7370 | 269 | 15 | .915 | 2.19 |
Stephen Caple | 2008–12 | 36 | 1792 | 66 | 2 | .908 | 2.21 |
Jason Torf | 2010–14 | 115 | 6561 | 269 | 10 | .915 | 2.46 |
Chris Truehl | 2014–15 | 50 | 2745 | 124 | 3 | .900 | 2.71 |
Statistics current through the start of the 2017-18 season.
Current roster
No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Tyler Jutting | Freshman | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1997-07-27 | Mankato, Minnesota | West Kelowna (BCHL) | — | |
3 | Jake Levin | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1997-02-03 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Odessa (NAHL) | — | |
6 | Alex Mehnert | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-06-15 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Omaha (USHL) | — | |
7 | Matt Koch | Senior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1995-03-22 | Hastings, Minnesota | Wichita Falls (NAHL) | — | |
8 | Marshall Bowery | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1996-11-17 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Topeka (NAHL) | — | |
9 | Trevor Stone | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1996-06-03 | Pleasant Plains, Illinois | Springfield (NAHL) | — | |
10 | Keegan Mantaro | Freshman | D | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1998-12-03 | Monument, Colorado | Sioux City (USHL) | — | |
11 | Max Harper | Sophomore | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1996-09-29 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Topeka (NAHL) | — | |
12 | Matt Serratore | Senior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1994-06-21 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Penticton (BCHL) | — | |
14 | Brendan Miller | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-02-05 | Buffalo, New York | Corpus Christi (NAHL) | — | |
15 | Evan Giesler | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1994-02-19 | Naperville, Illinois | Bismarck (NAHL) | — | |
16 | Kyle Haak | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1994-08-06 | Okemos, Michigan | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — | |
17 | Joe Tyran | Junior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1996-03-07 | Wadsworth, Illinois | Bismarck (NAHL) | — | |
18 | Evan Feno | Senior | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1995-02-10 | Morrison, Colorado | Janesville (NAHL) | — | |
19 | Isaac Theisen | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-04-13 | Monroe, Michigan | Coulee Region (NAHL) | — | |
20 | Dan Bailey | Senior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1996-03-21 | St. Cloud, Minnesota | Wenatchee (NAHL) | — | |
21 | Matt Pulver | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-06-05 | Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — | |
22 | Pierce Pluemer | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1996-01-07 | Phillips, Wisconsin | Odessa (NAHL) | — | |
24 | Billy Duma | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1997-11-17 | Wayzata, Minnesota | Amarillo (NAHL) | — | |
25 | Carter Ekberg | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-05-14 | McMurray, Pennsylvania | Janesville (NAHL) | — | |
26 | Erich Jaeger | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1996-01-02 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Wichita Falls (NAHL) | — | |
27 | Jensen Zerban | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1998-11-13 | Elk River, Minnesota | Philadelphia (NAHL) | — | |
28 | Brady Tomlak | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1996-05-14 | Oakland, Michigan | Springfield (NAHL) | — | |
29 | Shawn Knowlton | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1996-08-14 | Slingerlands, New York | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — | |
30 | Erik Anderson | Sophomore | G | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-06-10 | Chanhassen, Minnesota | Pikes Peak (RMJHL) | — | |
31 | Zach LaRocque | Sophomore | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1997-01-26 | Arvada, Colorado | Cedar Rapids (USHL) | — | |
33 | Alex Schilling | Freshman | G | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-12-23 | Medina, Minnesota | Austin (NAHL) | — | |
38 | Will Ulrich | Sophomore | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-09-18 | Birmingham, Michigan | Bismarck (NAHL) | — | |
42 | Walker Sommer | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1996-04-29 | Avon, Ohio | Jersey (USPHL) | — | |
44 | Billy Christopoulos | Senior | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 191 lb (87 kg) | 1994-02-01 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Alberni Valley (BCHL) | — | |
55 | Shane Kelly | Freshman | D | 6' 5" (1.96 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 1997-12-15 | Orchard Lake, Michigan | Vernon (BCHL) | — | |
74 | Zack Mirageas | Sophomore | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-07-15 | Newburyport, Massachusetts | Bloomington (USHL) | — | |
88 | Kieran Durgan | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1997-08-20 | St. Johns, Michigan | Shreveport (NAHL) | — |
References
- ↑ "AF Branding & Trademark Licensing > About Us > The Air Force Symbol > Display Guidelines". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ↑ "Air Force Falcons Men's Hockey". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
- ↑ "What I Believe – Monday Edition". USCHO.com. 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
- ↑ "Minnesota Duluth earns second straight Frozen Four berth with victory over Air Force". USCHO.com. 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
- ↑ "Air Force Academy". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ↑ Code explanation; W—Wins, L—Losses, T—Tied games
- ↑ "The Record Book" (PDF). University of Michigan. September 22, 2009. p. 20. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
- ↑ "Hockey Senior CLASS Award". NCAA.org. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- 1 2 3 4 "CHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
- ↑ "AWARDS - NCAA (AHA) PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
- ↑ "Awards - NCAA (AHA) Best Defenseman". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ↑ "Awards - NCAA (AHA) Tournament MVP". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ↑ "Men's Award Winners" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 6. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ↑ "All-CHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
- ↑ "All-Atlantic Hockey Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
- ↑ "Air Force Falcons Men's Hockey 2017-2018 Record Book" (PDF). Air Force Falcons. 2018-08-17.
- ↑ "2018–19 Ice Hockey Roster". U.S. Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved October 20, 2012.