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RPI Engineers
Hockey current event Current season
RPI Engineers athletic logo
University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Conference ECAC
First season 1901–02
Head coach Dave Smith
3rd season, 33–65–9 (.350)
Captain(s) Will Reilly
Patrick Polino
Chase Zieky
T. J. Samec
Shane Bear
Arena Houston Field House
Capacity: 4,800
Surface: 200' x 85'
Location Troy, New York
Colors Cherry and White[1]
         
NCAA Tournament championships
1954, 1985
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
1953, 1954, 1961, 1964, 1985
NCAA Tournament appearances
1953, 1954, 1961, 1964, 1984, 1985, 1994, 1995, 2011
Conference Tournament championships
1984, 1985, 1995
Conference regular season championships
1952, 1953, 1954, 1984, 1985
Current uniform
ECAC-Uniform-RPI
RPI vs

The RPI starting lineup before a November 2014 game against Michigan

The RPI Engineers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The Engineers are a member of ECAC Hockey (ECACH). They play at the Houston Field House in Troy, New York.[2][3]

History[]

Men's ice hockey at RPI dates back to 1901 and is one of the oldest programs in the United States.[4] The team played as an independent NCAA Division I team from its inception in 1901 through 1938.[4] The team resumed after World War II for the 1949–50 season, and in the following season Rensselaer joined Clarkson, Colgate, Middlebury, St. Lawrence, and Williams to form the Tri-State League for the 1950–51 season.[4] The next three seasons, the 1952–1954 team won the Tri-State League season championships. RPI's first NCAA Tournament berth in 1953, coming in third, and the following season in 1954 the team won its first NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Championship.[4] After a six-year drought the program again made the NCAA Tournament in 1961, finishing fourth.[4] The 1960–61 season would be the last season RPI competed in the Tri-State League, as RPI and fellow Tri-State League members Clarkson and St. Lawrence joined the new ECAC Hockey League.[5]

Depending on how the rules are interpreted, the RPI men's ice hockey team may have the longest winning streak on record for a Division I team; in the 1984–85 season it went undefeated for 30 games, but one game was against the University of Toronto, a non-NCAA team. Continuing into the 1985–86 season, RPI continued undefeated over 38 games, including two wins over Toronto.[6] Adam Oates and Daren Puppa, two players during that time, both went on to become stars in the NHL. Joe Juneau, who played from 1987 to 1991, also spent many years in the NHL. Graeme Townshend, who also played in the late 1980s, had a brief NHL career. He is the first person of Jamaican ancestry to play in the National Hockey League.

Traditions[]

The hockey team plays a significant role in the campus's culture, drawing thousands of fans each week to the Houston Field House during the season. The team's popularity even sparked the tradition of the hockey line, where students lined up for season tickets months in advance of the on-sale date. Today, the line generally begins a week or more before ticket sales.[7] Another tradition since 1978 has been the "Big Red Freakout!" game held close to the first weekend of February. Fans usually dress in the schools colors Red and White, and gifts such as tee-shirts are distributed en masse. From 1995 to 2009, RPI's Division III teams were known as the Red Hawks. However the hockey, football, cross-country, tennis, and track and field teams all chose to retain the longstanding Engineers name. The Red Hawks name was, at the time, very unpopular among the student body; a Red Hawk mascot was frequently taunted with thrown concessions and chants of "kill the chicken!" This was a major factor behind "Engineers" being restored for all teams in 2009.

The official hockey mascot, The Puckman–an anthropomorphic hockey puck with an engineer's helmet–has always been popular.

Season[]

The RPI Engineers men's ice hockey typically plays between 35 and 42 regular season games per season in the ECAC Hockey Conference. They also usually play one exhibition game against a Canadian college hockey team from Ontario, Nova Scotia, or Quebec. During the season, RPI will play 22 conference games against the other 11 teams in the ECAC. RPI will play each team home game at the Houston Field House and each away game at the respective university's campus. The conference games are typically played on Friday and Saturday nights, with the ECAC scheduling reflecting the Ivy League scheduling of having traveling partners. RPI's travel partner has been Union College since they joined the league in the 1991-92 season. They also play 10-12 non-conference games against teams not in the ECAC. These games typically take place at the beginning of the season in October and around the Thanksgiving and New Year holidays. RPI also plays one non-conference game against their Capital District geographic rival, Union, at the Times Union Center, typically on the last Saturday of January in what has become known as the Mayor's Cup. RPI has opened ECAC Hockey conference play on the last weekend of October against Union since the 2012–13 season. The first conference home game is known as Black Friday or Black Saturday which alternates each year. Other highlights of the season include the Big Red Freakout, which is played on the last or second to last Saturday home game in February.

At the conclusion of the regular season the team will play a minimum of two postseason games in the ECAC Hockey Men's Ice Hockey Tournament in the beginning of March. If RPI wins the ECAC Tournament or is invited to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team, they would then play at least one postseason game in late March in the single elimination tournament. RPI last played in the NCAA Tournament in 2011.

Season-by-season results[8][]

Records vs. Current ECAC Hockey Teams[]

As of the completion of 2018–19 season[9]

School Team Away Arena Overall Record Win % Last Result
Brown University Bears Meehan Auditorium 63–30–9 .662 0-3 L
Clarkson University Golden Knights Cheel Arena 51–97–11 .355 2-5 L
Colgate University Raiders Class of 1965 Arena 65–63–5 .508 1-2 L (OT)
Cornell University Big Red Lynah Rink 38–63–11 .388 3-2 W
Dartmouth College Big Green Thompson Arena 46–42–11 .520 2-5 L
Harvard University Crimson Bright-Landry Hockey Center 37–58–8 .398 1-3 L
Princeton University Tigers Hobey Baker Memorial Rink 69–37–11 .637 6-2 W
Quinnipiac University Bobcats People's United Center 7–17–9 .348 1-2
St. Lawrence University Saints Appleton Arena 60–83–7 .423 6-5 W
Union College Dutchmen Achilles Rink 53–40–11 .563 0-0 T
Yale University Bulldogs Ingalls Rink 57–52–6 .522 0-4 L

Head coaches[]

As of the completion of 2019–20 season[10]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1901–1904, 1906–1917, 1923–1924 No Coach 15 14–34–3 .304
1917–1923 Leroy Clark 6 3–17–1 .167
1924–1925 W. J. Cook 1 2–2–0 .500
1925–1931, 1936–1937 Marvin Callan 8 6–20–2 .250
1949–1963 Ned Harkness 14 176–96–7 .643
1963–1964 Rube Bjorkman 1 18–8–0 .692
1964–1969 Garry Kearns 5 44–63–4 .414
1969–1972 Leon Abbott 3 41–31–4 .566
1972–1979 Jim Salfi 7 103–94–7 .522
1979–1989 Mike Addesa 10 186–124–9 .597
1989–1994 Buddy Powers 5 94–63–13 .591
1994–2006 Dan Fridgen 12 211–193–38 .520
2006–2017 Seth Appert 11 152–221–48 .418
2017–Present Dave Smith 3 33–65–9 .350
Totals 13 coaches 101 seasons 1083–1031–145 .512

Current roster[]

As of September 17, 2020.[11]

# S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Flag of British Columbia Marshall, LindenLinden Marshall Senior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-07-21 Victoria, British Columbia Trail (BCHL)
2 Flag of Tennessee Kjellberg, SimonSimon Kjellberg Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-02-17 Nashville, Tennessee Dubuque (USHL) NYR, 163rd overall 2018
3 Flag of Finland Sertti, LauriLauri Sertti Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-07-11 Espoo, Finland Amarillo (NAHL)
4 Flag of Colorado Klee, MasonMason Klee Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-10-04 Morrison, Colorado Sioux Falls (USHL)
6 Flag of South Dakota Ferner, BradyBrady Ferner Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-08-27 Dakota Dunes, South Dakota Sioux City (USHL)
7 Flag of Michigan Bowman, NickNick Bowman Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1997-12-19 Shelby, Michigan Coulee Region (NAHL)
8 Flag of Manitoba McIsaac, JamesJames McIsaac Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-04-29 Winnipeg, Manitoba Brooks (AJHL)
9 Flag of Michigan Ashbrook, TristanTristan Ashbrook Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-07-16 Manistique, Michigan Lincoln (USHL)
10 Flag of Michigan Davies, DylanDylan Davies Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-02-09 Traverse City, Michigan Sioux Falls (USHL)
11 Flag of Finland Leppänen, OttovilleOttoville Leppänen Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-06-18 Espoo, Finland Blues U20 (Nuorten SM-liiga)
12 Flag of California Schreifeld, HenriHenri Schreifeld Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-07-01 Newbury Park, California Victoria (BCHL)
13 Flag of Alberta Lee, TommyTommy Lee Junior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1997-12-07 Calgary, Alberta Chilliwack (BCHL)
14 Flag of Illinois Dubinsky, ZachZach Dubinsky Sophomore F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-03-14 Highland Park, Illinois Lincoln (USHL)
15 Flag of Finland Nykänen, AlttiAltti Nykänen Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-09-26 Vihti, Finland Bishop's College (CISAA)
16 Flag of California Herrman, RoryRory Herrman Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-03-16 Poway, California Fargo (USHL)
17 Flag of Ontario Beaton, JohnJohn Beaton Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-10-30 Stittsville, Ontario Youngstown (USHL)
18 Flag of Michigan DiGrande, DanielDaniel DiGrande Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1997-08-05 Macomb, Michigan Green Bay (USHL)
19 Flag of Virginia Linden, TureTure Linden Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-07-06 Great Falls, Virginia Lone Star (NAHL)
20 Flag of Wisconsin Jerry, BillyBilly Jerry Senior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-11-21 River Falls, Wisconsin Madison (USHL)
21 Flag of Texas Helsen, LouieLouie Helsen Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-06-08 Dallas, Texas Amarillo (NAHL)
22 Flag of Alberta Babichuk, CoryCory Babichuk Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-09-28 Edmonton, Alberta Spruce Grove (AJHL)
23 Flag of Minnesota Johnson, JakeJake Johnson Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-08-13 Bloomington, Minnesota Cedar Rapids (USHL)
24 Flag of Virginia Brackett, JackJack Brackett Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-12-31 Manassas, Virginia Powell River (BCHL)
25 Flag of Ontario Mahshie, RyanRyan Mahshie Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1999-04-05 Stoney Creek, Ontario Brooks (AJHL)
26 Flag of Pennsylvania Sellar, ShaneShane Sellar F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1997-06-14 Carlisle, Pennsylvania Dartmouth (ECAC)
27 Flag of Quebec Gagnon, JakeJake Gagnon Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-11-04 Pointe-Claire Wellington (OJHL)
28 Flag of New Jersey Hallbauer, KyleKyle Hallbauer Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-03-02 Howell, New Jersey Lone Star (NAHL)
30 Flag of Michigan Miller, BrettBrett Miller Freshman G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-04-26 Northville, Michigan Austin (NAHL)
31 Flag of Ontario Savory, OwenOwen Savory Junior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-10-11 Cambridge, Ontario St. Catharines (GOJHL)
38 Flag of Michigan Calvaruso, AlecAlec Calvaruso Senior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-07-09 Livonia, Michigan Sioux Falls (USHL)
39 Flag of Slovakia Lacka, JakubJakub Lacka Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-11-20 Bratislava, Slovakia Central Illinois (USHL)

Statistical Leaders[12][]

Career points leaders[]

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Chiarelli, FrankFrank Chiarelli 1951–1955 80 155 110 265 43
Carter, JohnJohn Carter 1982–1986 131 117 108 225 207
Oates, AdamAdam Oates 1982–1985 98 66 150 216 52
Brinkworth, BobBob Brinkworth 1961–1964 71 110 106 216 20
Juneau, JoéJoé Juneau 1987–1991 124 69 144 213 157
Midghall, PaulPaul Midghall 1956–1959 63 93 118 211 118
Moore, AbbieAbbie Moore 1951–1954 61 102 104 206 22
Richardson, BryanBryan Richardson 1992–1996 141 80 113 193 146
Knightley, JerryJerry Knightley 1962–1965 71 90 97 187 99
Jooris, MarkMark Jooris 1982–1986 117 84 99 183 70

Career Goaltending Leaders[]

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 30 games

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Savory, OwenOwen Savory 2018–Present 49 2839 18 24 5 107 6 .929 2.26
Kasdorf, JasonJason Kasdorf 2012–2016 88 5025 38 37 9 200 7 .920 2.39
York, AllenAllen York 2008–2011 83 4898 37 34 8 202 4 .914 2.47
Marsters, NathanNathan Marsters 2000–2004 115 6638 57 50 6 282 10 .917 2.55
Merriam, BryceBryce Merriam 2009–2013 56 3102 18 30 5 134 3 .903 2.59

Statistics current through the start of the 2020–21 season.

Awards and honors[]

Hockey Hall of Fame[13][]

US Hockey Hall of Fame[14][]

NCAA[]

Individual Awards[]

NCAA Scoring Champion

NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player

All-Americans[]

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

ECAC Hockey[]

Individual Awards[]

Player of the Year

Rookie of the Year

Ken Dryden Award

Most Outstanding Player in Tournament

All-Conference[]

First Team All-ECAC Hockey

Second Team All-ECAC Hockey

Third Team All-ECAC Hockey

  • 2005–06: Keith McWilliams, D; Kevin Croxton, F
  • 2006–07: Jake Luthise, D
  • 2010–11: Allen York, G

ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team

Engineers in the NHL[15][]

= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[16] = NHL All-Star[16] and NHL All-Star Team = Hall of Famers

Player Position Team(s) Years Stanley Cups
Erik Burgdoerfer Defenseman BUF, OTT 2016–Present 0
John Carter Left Wing BOS, SJS 1985–1993 0
Don Cutts Goaltender EDM 1979–1980 0
Jerry D'Amigo Left Wing TOR, BUF 2013–2015 0
Marty Dallman Center TOR 1987–1989 0
Mike Dark Defenseman STL 1986–1988 0
Tim Friday Defenseman DET 1985–1986 0
Ken Hammond Defenseman LAK, EDM, NYR, TOR, BOS, SJS, VAN, OTT 1984–1993 0
Eric Healey Left Wing BOS 2005–2006 0
Joé Juneau Center BOS, WSH, BUF, OTT, PHO, MTL 1991–2004 0
Jason Kasdorf Goaltender BUF 2015–2016 0
Larry Landon Left Wing MTL, TOR 1983–1985 0
Neil Little Goaltender PHI 2001–2004 0

Player Position Team(s) Years Stanley Cups
Mike McPhee Forward MTL, MNS, DAL 1983–1994 1
Matt Murley Left Wing PIT, PHO 2003–2008 0
Kraig Nienhuis Left Wing BOS 1985–1988 0
Adam Oates Center DET, STL, BOS, WSH, PHI, ANA, EDM 1985–2004 0
Brandon Pirri Center CHI, FLA, ANA, NYR, VGK 2010–Present 0
Brian Pothier Defenseman ATL, OTT, WSH, CAR 2000–2010 0
Daren Puppa Goaltender BUF, TOR, TBL 1985–2000 0
George Servinis Left Wing MNS 1987–1988 0
Steve Stoyanovich Center HFD 1983–1984 0
Brad Tapper Right Wing ATL 2000–2003 0
Graeme Townshend Right Wing BOS, NYI, OTT 1989–1994 0
Allen York Goaltender CBJ 2011–2012 0
Mike Zalewski Left Wing VAN 2013–2017 0

References[]

  1. <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  2. RPI Engineers – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics Facilities.
  3. Inside College Hockey – Rensselaer Engineers.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Statistics. USCHO.com.
  5. ECAC Hockey.
  6. RPI Hockey FAQ.
  7. at the beginning of the Hockey Line. RPI History Revealed (2009-09-08).
  8. "Rensselaer Men's Hockey Results by Season", RPI Engineers. 
  9. Rensselaer Men's Hockey Record vs. Opponents. RPI Engineers.
  10. "Rensselaer Men's Hockey Head Coaches", RPI Engineers. 
  11. RPI Engineers – 2020–21 Men's Hockey Roster.
  12. "Rensselaer Men's Hockey Career Records", RPI Engineers. 
  13. Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame.
  14. United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Hockey Central.co.uk.
  15. Alumni report for R.P.I.. Hockey DB.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.

External links[]

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