Alabama–Huntsville Chargers men's ice hockey
| Alabama–Huntsville Chargers | |
|---|---|
 Current season |
|
| Alabama–Huntsville Chargers athletic logo | |
| University | University of Alabama in Huntsville |
| Conference | WCHA |
| Head coach | Mike Corbett 3rd year, 10–61–5 |
| Arena | Von Braun Center Capacity: 6,602 |
| Location | Huntsville, Alabama |
| Colors | Royal Blue and White |
| NCAA Tournament Champions | |
| 1996 (DII), 1998 (DII) | |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | |
| 1994 (DII), 1996 (DII), 1997, (DII), 1998 (DII), 2007, 2010 | |
| National Club Champions | |
| 1982, 1983, 1984 | |
| Conference Tournament Champions | |
| CHA: 2007, 2010 | |
| Conference Regular Season Champions | |
| CHA: 2000–01, 2002–03 | |
The Alabama–Huntsville Chargers ice hockey (commonly referred to as the UAH Chargers) are an NCAA Division I college ice hockey program that Represent the University of Alabama–Huntsville Chargers.
The UAH Chargers are one of only two NCAA Division I ice hockey programs located in the Southern United States, the other being Arizona State.
The Chargers play their home games at Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center. In 1987, Alabama governor George Wallace declared Huntsville to be the "Hockey Capital of the South."[1]
UAH is a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Contents
History
Founding and club championships
The UAH ice hockey program began as a non-varsity club team in the late 1970s. Joe Ritch organized the inaugural Charger team in 1979, and served as head coach. UAH defeated Emory University 11-4 in its first game on October 26, 1979.[1] UAH dominated opposition in its first three seasons, winning three Southern Collegiate Hockey Association championships. The Chargers won its first of three National Club Hockey Championships in 1982, defeating Southern Methodist 14-2 in the title game.[1]
For the 1982-83 season, Doug Ross became head coach as the Chargers moved to the Central States Collegiate Hockey League. UAH lost the conference championship game in overtime to Marquette, but the Chargers hosted the U.S. National Collegiate Club Hockey Championships, where they defeated Auburn (16-2), Arizona (7-4), and Penn State (5-4) en route to their second consecutive national championship.[1]
UAH hosted the club national championship tournament again in 1984, and the Chargers claimed a third straight title with wins over Miami University (3-1), Indiana (13-4), and Ohio (12-1). UAH hosted the tournament a third time in 1985, but its bid for a fourth straight championship fell short with a 6-2 loss to North Dakota State.[1]
Varsity and Division II championships
UAH elevated the hockey program to varsity status for the 1985-86 season as a member of the NAIA. The school became a full NCAA Division II member in 1986. With no NCAA sponsorship of hockey at the Division II level, UAH moved its program to Division I as an independent beginning with the 1987-88 season.[1] The Chargers went 63-81-8 in their five seasons in Division I. UAH finished with a winning season twice in that span: 1988-89 (15-10-1) and the last season, 1991-92 (18-10-1).[1]
UAH returned to Division II hockey in 1992 with the NCAA resuming sponsorship of a national championship. In 1994, the Chargers hosted its first Division II national championship series, but lost to Bemidji State in overtime of a mini-game tiebreaker.[1] After narrowly missing a chance at the title in 1995, the 1995-96 UAH team went undefeated (26-0-3) in the 1995-96 season and beat Bemidji State 7-1 and 3-0 at the Von Braun Center to claim its first NCAA championship in any sport.[1] The Chargers traveled to Bemidji State for the 1997 finals, losing 4-2 and 3-2. The 1997-98 UAH team claimed its second Division II championship in 1998, beating Bemidji again 6-2 and 5-2 in Huntsville to finish 24-3-3.[1]
Return to Division I and CHA era
UAH moved ice hockey back to Division I for the 1998-99 season as an independent, and the team became a charter member of College Hockey America starting with the 1999-2000 season. The Chargers won CHA regular season championships in 2001 and 2003.[1]
The 2006-07 UAH team earned the school's first CHA tournament title and NCAA Division I tournament bid. The Chargers spotted Robert Morris a 4-0 first-period lead, but rallied to beat the Colonials 5-4 in overtime. At the Midwest Regional in Grand Rapids, Mich., UAH took No. 1 seed Notre Dame to double overtime before losing 3-2 in Doug Ross's final game as head coach before retiring.[1]
Danton Cole became UAH's third head coach in 2007.[1]
In 2009, with the CHA's demise imminent following the announced departures of Niagara, Robert Morris, and Bemidji State, UAH applied for membership to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The CCHA denied UAH's application on August 11.[2]
UAH won the final CHA tournament in 2010, beating Niagara 3-2 in overtime for its second berth in the Division I tournament. The Chargers lost to top-ranked Miami 2-1 at the Midwest Regional in Fort Wayne, Ind.[1]
Independence and survival
Cole left UAH in 2010 to become the head coach of the U.S. National Development Team.[3] Assistant Chris Luongo was promoted to head coach as the Chargers became the lone independent program in Division I.[1] The program struggled as an independent as scheduling and recruiting hurt without a championship to play for. UAH was a combined 6-54-3 in its first two independent seasons from 2010-2012.
Early into the 2011-12 season, interim UAH President Malcolm Portera announced that the 2011–12 season would be the school's final season competing at the NCAA Division I level, citing financial reasons. The program would be "realigned" as a club team, and the coaches' jobs would be eliminated.[4] New UAH president Dr. Robert Altenkirch reversed the decision after he and school administrators met with local supporters on December 6, 2011.[5] The school set up a campaign to raise funds for the program, with the goal of getting the Chargers into a conference.[6]
Despite the questions about its hockey future, UAH was the host institution for the 2012 Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida.[7]
A week before the start of the 2012-13 season, UAH replaced Luongo and hired Kurt Kleinendorst to become the program's fifth head coach.[8]
On January 17, 2013, after months of discussions with conference officials and league member representatives, UAH formally applied to and was accepted to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Chargers began conference play in the 2013-14 season.[9]
Kleinendorst resigned on May 29, 2013.[10] UAH named Mike Corbett as its sixth head hockey coach on July 8, 2013.[11]
Season-by-season record
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Players
2015–16 team
As of September 14, 2015[12]
| # | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  |
Cam Knight | Freshman | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1993-08-20 | Seattle, Washington | Dubuque (USHL) |
| 3 |  |
Anderson White | Senior | D/F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 1991-08-16 | Caledon, Ontario | Chilliwack (BCHL) |
| 4 |  |
Frank Misuraca | Senior | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1991-09-06 | Clinton Township, Michigan | Corpus Christi (NAHL) |
| 5 |  |
Cody Champagne | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1994-08-09 | Brookfield, Connecticut | Topeka (NAHL) |
| 6 |  |
Brandon Carlson | Junior | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1992-06-15 | Huntington Beach, California | Dubuque (USHL) |
| 7 | |
Max McHugh | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1993-08-20 | Seattle, Washington | Dubuque (USHL) |
| 8 |  |
John Teets | Freshman | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 1994-08-10 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Fairbanks (NAHL) |
| 9 |  |
Hunter Anderson | Sophomore | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 218 lb (99 kg) | 1994-03-01 | Savage, Minnesota | Langley (BCHL) |
| 10 |  |
Brent Fletcher | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1992-05-09 | New Westminster, British Columbia | Merritt (BCHL) |
| 11 |  |
Jack Prince | Senior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1991-02-14 | Leicester, England | Texas (NAHL) |
| 12 | |
Regan Soquila | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1993-06-03 | Maple Ridge, British Columbia | Merritt (BCHL) |
| 14 |  |
Madison Dunn | Freshman | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1995-10-04 | Calgary, Alberta | Brooks (AJHL) |
| 15 | |
Hans Gorowsky | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 1994-12-20 | Lino Lakes, Minnesota | Fairbanks (NAHL) |
| 16 | |
Jetlan Houcher | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 1994-02-15 | Paradise Valley, Alberta | Fort McMurray (AJHL) |
| 18 | |
Brandon Salerno | Freshman | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1995-07-31 | Toronto, Ontario | Pickering (OJHL) |
| 19 | |
Chad Brears | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1991-05-08 | Cold Lake, Alberta | Merritt (BCHL) |
| 20 | |
Brandon Parker | Sophomore | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1993-02-17 | Faribault, Minnesota | Brookings (NAHL) |
| 21 |  |
Tyler Poulsen | Freshman | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | 1993-04-01 | Arvada, Colorado | Topeka (NAHL) |
| 22 |  |
Matt Salhany | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1993-01-08 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Boston (EJHL) |
| 23 | |
Cody Marooney | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1992-07-07 | Eden Prairie, Minnesota | Brookings (NAHL) |
| 24 |  |
Brennan Saulnier | Sophomore | C | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1993-12-29 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Fort McMurray (AJHL) |
| 25 |  |
Adam Wilcox | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 1994-04-25 | Alpharetta, Georgia | Fairbanks (NAHL) |
| 26 |  |
Josh Kestner | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1993-11-08 | Huntsville, Alabama | Sarnia (GOJHL) |
| 27 |  |
James Block | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1996-05-24 | Wrightstown, Wisconsin | Ashwaubenon (USHS–WI) |
| 28 | |
Kurt Gosselin | Freshman | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1994-11-30 | Brighton, Michigan | Alberni Valley (BCHL) |
| 30 | |
Matt Larose | Junior | G | 6' 5" (1.96 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 1992-08-15 | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Wellington (OJHL) |
| 32 | |
Jordan Uhelski | Sophomore | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1993-08-04 | Flint, Michigan | Muskegon (USHL) |
| 33 |  |
Richard Buri | Sophomore | D | 6' 5" (1.96 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 1994-01-12 | Nitra, Slovakia | Minnesota (NAHL) |
| 35 |  |
Carmine Guerriero | Junior | G | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1992-02-20 | Montreal, Quebec | Hawkesbury (CCHL) |
Alumni who have played in the NHL
- Jared Ross (2001–05) — Center who played for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League in the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons. Ross, the son of longtime UAH coach Doug Ross, is the first player born and trained in the state of Alabama to play in the NHL.[13] He currently plays for ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany.
- Cam Talbot (2007–10) — Goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers. Talbot spent two seasons as the backup goaltender for the New York Rangers from 2013-15.
Varsity records
Since the 1985-86 season through the 2014-15 season.[14]
Career
- Most goals: 96 by Mario Mazzuca (1992–96)
- Most assists: 118 by Tony Guzzo (1993–97)
- Most points: 179 by Tony Guzzo (1993–97)
- Most penalty minutes: 467 by Shane Stewart (1996–2000)
- Most goaltending wins: 66 by Derek Puppa (1992–96)
- Lowest goals against average: 2.36 by Cedrick Billequey (1995–98)
- Highest save percentage: .918 by Scott Munroe (2002–06)
- Most shutouts: 8 by Mark Byrne (1999–2003)
Season
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Individual
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Team
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Game
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Individual
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Team
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All-time coaching records
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | |||
| 1979–1982 | Joe Ritch | 3 | 79–4–1 (.946) |
| 1982–1985 | Doug Ross | 3 | 75–17–3 (.805) |
| Totals | 2 coaches | 6 seasons | 154–21–4 (.872) |
| Varsity (NAIA/NCAA) | |||
| 1985–2007 | Doug Ross | 22 | 376–255–42 (.590) |
| 2007–2010 | Danton Cole | 3 | 23–59–12 (.309) |
| 2010–2012 | Chris Luongo | 2 | 6–54–3 (.119) |
| 2012–2013 | Kurt Kleinendorst | 1 | 3–21–1 (.140) |
| 2013–present | Mike Corbett | 2 | 10–61–5 (.164) |
| Totals | 5 coaches | 30 seasons | 418–450–63 (.483) |
See also
References
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