Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey
| Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| University | Merrimack College |
| Conference | Hockey East |
| Head coach |
Scott Borek 1st season |
| Captain(s) |
Hampus Gustafsson Marc Biega Jared Kolquist |
| Arena |
J. Thom Lawler Rink Capacity: 2,549 Surface: 200' x 85' |
| Location | North Andover, Massachusetts |
| Colors |
Blue and Gold[1] |
| NCAA Tournament championships | |
| 1978 (DII) | |
| NCAA Tournament Frozen Four | |
| 1978 (DII), 1984 (DII) | |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 1978 (DII), 1984 (DII), 1988, 2011 | |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
The Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Merrimack College. The Warriors are a member of Hockey East. They play at the 2,549-seat J. Thom Lawler Rink in North Andover, Massachusetts, which underwent renovation in 2010. Merrimack's 92.08% capacity during the 2013–14 season was second in Hockey East.[2]
History
The Warriors started intercollegiate play in 1954-55, as the college offered more support to the program in the form of a modest budget, new uniforms and varsity letters. Babson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Keene Teachers were among the first intercollegiate competition Merrimack hockey faced that year. And for the first time, the college recognized hockey as a varsity sport.[3]
They were successful in the late 1970s and early 1980s while playing in the ECAC division II. Merrimack won the division II national title in 1978 and were the runner up in 1984. They became an NCAA Division I independent team in 1984 but did not play a schedule against predominantly Division I teams until they joined the Hockey East conference in 1989.[4][5]
Led by Coach Ron Anderson, a new era began for Merrimack hockey in 1989 when the Warriors competed in their first season as a member of the Hockey East Association. That team posted an overall record of 10-24-1, but pulled off the surprise of the season by taking eventual league champion Boston College to a third and decisive playoff game. And after being picked for the bottom part of the league in three of the last four seasons, the Warriors continued to baffle the experts by battling for home-ice advantage all season long while defeating several Top 20 teams. And with the roots of the Merrimack hockey tree that were planted in Hockey East seven years earlier firmly entrenched, the 1996-97 Warriors entered a new chapter in history by qualifying for a Hockey East playoff home ice berth. The 1997-98 team raised the bar a little higher by upsetting top-ranked Boston University in the quarterfinals and earning a trip to the conference semifinals at Boston's FleetCenter.
The 1998-99 season began yet another era in Merrimack hockey history with the dawning of the Serino age. On April 24, 1998, Chris Serino became just the sixth head coach in the program's history. The Warriors posted a mark of 11-24-1 in Serino's inaugural campaign, and senior forward and captain Rejean Stringer was named an All-American, Merrimack's first ever in the University Division. In Serino's second season, the Warriors set an NCAA record for consecutive overtime contests by playing in six straight at the end of January, and in 2000-01, the Warriors notched 14 victories, the most for Merrimack since 1996-97. Several of those victories were over nationally ranked opponents.
In 2002-03, senior goaltender and captain Joe Exter led Merrimack to a surprising race for home ice throughout much of the season, including the team's first-ever regular season Division I tournament title with wins over host Rensselaer and Wayne State at the 52nd Annual Rensselaer/HSBC Holiday Hockey Tournament in late December. Exter was selected to the All-Hockey East Team by league coaches. Long-time assistant coach Stu Irving was also honored, as the American Hockey Coaches Association presented him with its Terry Flanagan Memorial Award in recognition of an assistant coach's career body of work. The season also saw the inauguration of the Blue Line Club, the program's official support organization.[6]
The program struggled in the highly competitive Hockey East. The 2006–07 season, in which they won only 3 games, was the nadir of their struggles. In the 2010–11 season, however, they had unprecedented success against several of the nation's top teams.[2] They finished the regular season 22–8–4 and were ranked 9th in the nation. Merrimack gained a home ice advantage for the first round for the first time since 1997.[4]
The program received its first No. 1 ranking in the USCHO Poll during the 2011-12 season.
Mark Dennehy was fired as the team's head coach at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season following a 12-21-4 record and a sixth straight losing season. Scott Borek was hired as the team's head coach on April 9, 2018.
Year by year
| Won Championship | Lost Championship | Conference Champions | Current Season |
| Season | Coach | W | L | T | Conference | Conference W | Conference L | Conference T | Finish | Conference Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | Scott Borek | Hockey East | TBD | |||||||
| 2017-18 | Mark Dennehy | 12 | 21 | 4 | Hockey East | 7 | 15 | 2 | 10th HE | Lost Quarterfinals vs. Boston College |
| 2016–17 | Mark Dennehy | 15 | 16 | 6 | Hockey East | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7th HE | Lost First Round vs. New Hampshire |
| 2015–16 | Mark Dennehy | 13 | 19 | 7 | Hockey East | 5 | 10 | 7 | 7th HE | Lost Quarterfinals vs. Providence |
| 2014–15 | Mark Dennehy | 16 | 18 | 4 | Hockey East | 5 | 14 | 3 | 11th HE | Lost Quarterfinals vs. Boston University |
| 2013–14 | Mark Dennehy | 8 | 22 | 3 | Hockey East | 3 | 15 | 2 | 11th HE | Lost First Round vs. University of Maine |
| 2012–13 | Mark Dennehy | 15 | 17 | 6 | Hockey East | 13 | 11 | 3 | 6th HE | Lost Quarterfinals vs. Boston University |
| 2011–12 | Mark Dennehy | 18 | 12 | 7 | Hockey East | 13 | 9 | 5 | 5th HE | Lost Quarterfinals vs. University of Maine |
| 2010–11 | Mark Dennehy | 25 | 10 | 4 | Hockey East | 16 | 8 | 3 | 4th HE | Lost Championship vs. Boston College |
| 2009–10 | Mark Dennehy | 16 | 18 | 3 | Hockey East | 12 | 12 | 3 | 7th HE | Lost Quarterfinals vs. Boston University |
Current roster
As of September 5, 2018.[8]
| No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  |
Ryan Cook | Junior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 1995-02-06 | Lancaster, New York | Aberdeen (NAHL) | — |
| 3 |  |
Matt McArdle | Graduate | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1995-07-11 | Annapolis, Maryland | Lake Superior State (WCHA) | — |
| 4 |  |
Tyler Drevitch | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1995-08-01 | Middleborough, Massachusetts | Lone Star (NAHL) | — |
| 6 |  |
Alex Carle | Senior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1994-05-26 | Anchorage, Alaska | Lone Star (NAHL) | — |
| 7 |  |
Simon Lööf | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-05-29 | Eksjö, Sweden | Lone Star (NAHL) | — |
| 8 |  |
Johnathan Kovacevic | Junior | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 1997-07-02 | Grimsby, Ontario | Hawkesbury (CCHL) | WPG, 74th overall 2017 |
| 9 |  |
Ethan DeStefani | Freshman | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1999-02-16 | Bedford, New Hampshire | Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) | — |
| 10 | |
Derek Petti | Senior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1995-04-28 | Tewksbury, Massachusetts | Middlesex Black Bears (Midget AAA) | — |
| 11 |  |
Tyler Irvine | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1996-05-15 | Livonia, Michigan | Muskegon (USHL) | — |
| 12 |  |
Jordan Seyfert | Freshman | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1999-04-03 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Fargo (USHL) | — |
| 13 |  |
Chase Gresock | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1998-08-13 | Powell, Ohio | Youngstown (USHL) | — |
| 14 | |
Patrick Kramer | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1997-03-06 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Youngstown (USHL) | — |
| 15 |  |
Chase Olsen | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-02-07 | Olds, Alberta | Spruce Grove (AJHL) | — |
| 16 | |
Laine McKay | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1997-01-04 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | Markham (OJHL) | — |
| 17 | |
Logan Coomes | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-11-06 | Northville, Michigan | Fairbanks (NAHL) | — |
| 18 |  |
Cole McBride | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1996-06-25 | Kindersley, Saskatchewan | Camrose (AJHL) | — |
| 19 | |
Michael Babcock | Senior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1996-02-01 | Northville, Michigan | Fargo (USHL) | — |
| 20 |  |
Griff Jeszka | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1995-03-12 | Muskego, Wisconsin | UMass (HEA) | — |
| 21 |  |
Jeff Solow | Junior | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-07-18 | Naples, Florida | Amarillo (NAHL) | — |
| 22 | |
Logan Drevitch | Freshman | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1998-04-14 | Middleborough, Massachusetts | Boston Bandits (NCDC) | — |
| 23 |  |
August Von Ungern-Sternberg | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1997-07-27 | Sun Valley, Idaho | Wenatchee (BCHL) | — |
| 24 | |
Christian Simeone | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1997-02-12 | Milton, Massachusetts | Alberni Valley (BCHL) | — |
| 25 |  |
Sami Tavernier | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1997-04-25 | Morzine, France | Topeka (NAHL) | — |
| 26 | |
Tyler Heidt | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1998-11-07 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Melfort (SJHL) | — |
| 27 | |
Dominic Dockery | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-01-02 | Lockport, New York | Youngstown (USHL) | — |
| 28 | |
Jackson Bales | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-08-28 | Oakville, Ontario | Oakville (OJHL) | — |
| 29 | |
Craig Pantano | Senior | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1995-05-04 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | South Shore (USPHL) | — |
| 31 |  |
Drew Vogler | Senior | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1996-07-22 | Florissant, Missouri | Topeka (NAHL) | — |
| 34 |  |
Logan Halladay | Sophomore | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1996-08-17 | Cary, North Carolina | Bloomington (USHL) | — |
Alumni who have played in the NHL
- Greg Classen, Nashville Predators
- Mark Cornforth, Boston Bruins
- Stéphane Da Costa, Ottawa Senators
- Collin Delia, Chicago Blackhawks
- Matt Foy, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues
- Jim Hrivnak, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets, and St. Louis Blues
- John Jakopin, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and San Jose Sharks
- Bobby Jay, Los Angeles Kings
- Steve McKenna, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers
- Darrel Scoville, Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames
- Karl Stollery, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils
- Jim Vesey, St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins
References
- ↑ "Merrimack College Brand Guidelines". Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- 1 2 Buckley, Steve (February 13, 2011). "Merrimack foundation... rock solid". The Boston Herald. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Warrior Hockey".
- 1 2 Powers, John (March 10, 2011). "New ice age dawns at Merrimack". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Merrimack Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ [warriorhockey.org/history "warriorhockey.org/history"] Check
|url=value (help). - ↑ http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/bc/sports/w-hockey/auto_pdf/History.pdf
- ↑ "2018–19 Merrimack College Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Merrimack Warriors. Retrieved January 16, 2016.