Robert Morris Colonials

An Ice Hockey Wiki article.

Robert Morris Colonials
Institution:	Robert Morris University
Location:	Moon Township, Pennsylvania
School founded:	1921
Enrollment:	4,000
President:	Gregory G. Dell'Omo
Athletic Director:	Craig Coleman
Colors:	Blue and Red
Home Arena:	Island Sports Center
Capacity:	1,200
Dimensions:	200'x85'
Men's Team
Conference:	College Hockey America
Coach:	Derek Schooley (Western Michigan '94)
Conf. Championships:	none
Major Rivals:	Alabama-Huntsville
Women's Team
Conference:	College Hockey America
Coach:	Nathan Handrahan (Niagara '00)
Conf. Championships:	none
Major Rivals:	Mercyhurst

The Robert Morris Colonials are a Men's Division I team and a Women's Division I team in College Hockey America.

RMU Colonials

Head Coach: Derek Schooley (School's first Head Coach, since 2004)

Assistant Coaches: Chris Kostopoulos (who joined the team in '07) and Joe Tuset (who joined the team in '07, after finishing his career as a Goaltender for two seasons at RMU)

The RMU Colonials compete in the Men's College Hockey America Conference against the Bemidji State Beavers, Niagara Purple Eagles and the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers (the Wayne State Warriors dissolved its Men's program after the 2007-2008 season). The Men's Team finished 15-15-4 Overall in 2007-2008, their first winning season in school history. Previous season records are as follows:

15-15-4 ('07-'08)

14-19-2 ('06-'07)

12-20-3 ('05-'06)

8-21-4 ('04-'05)[First season in school history]

Recent News: As of August 2008, 4 players from the 2008 class have signed with the Central Hockey League (CHL), a mid-level professional hockey league owned by Global Entertainment Corp. Five of the CHL teams have NHL affiliations.

Logan Bittle - Colorado Eagles

Jeff Gilbert - Laredo Bucks

Brett Hopfe - Laredo Bucks

Christian Boucher - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

As of May 2008, the Colonials had 8 players playing professional hockey in the United States.

Joey Olson - 2 years at RMU - Current Team: Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL)

Aaron Clarke - 2 years at RMU - Current Team: Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

Chris Kaufman - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Bakersfield Condors (ECHL)

Joel Gasper - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL)

Ryan Cruthers - 2 years at RMU - Current Team: Utah Grizzles (ECHL)

Rob Cowan - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Port Huron Icehawks (IHL)

Tom Biondich - 4 years at RMU - Former Team: Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL)

Sean Berkstresser - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

As of July 2008, Chris Kaufman, Ryan Cruthers and Sean Berkstresser were all offered contracts by their respective clubs off of their initial entry contracts (all who graduated after the 2007-2008 season). Both Aaron Clark and Joey Olson are still playing for their respective teams (they both graduated after the 2006-2007 season).

2008 Season: Forwards Ryan Cruthers (Sr) and Chris Margott (Jr) were both ranked nationally in the top 10 in scoring, Cruthers finished the season with 49 points (22-27), Margott finished with 44 points (18-26).

For the 2008-2009 Season, the Colonials are bringing in 12 recruits, three transfers from Wayne State, after having 15 graduating seniors from the program. The incoming recruiting class will be the largest class since the inaugural class in 2004.

RMU Lady Colonals

Head Coach: Nathan Handrahan (became HC in '06 after serving as an Assistant Coach under the Men's team)

Assistant Coaches: Scott Spencer (who joined the team in '06), Raffi Wolf (who joined the team in '06)

Volunteer Assistant: Blaine Buterbaugh (who joined the team in '07)

Trainer: Deborah Dalsin (who joined the team in '07)

The Lady Colonials are currently entering their fourth full season (2008-2009) as an NCAA Division I program. The Lady Colonials compete in the Women's College Hockey America Conference against the Merychurst Lakers, Niagara Purple Eagles, Wayne State Warriors and the newly added Syracuse Orange (2008-2009).

In their third season (2007-2008) under second year Head Coach Nathan Handrahan, the Lady Colonials finished 12-22-1. Their previous records are as follows:

12-22-1 ('07-'08)

11-22-2 ('06-'07)

5-24-2 ('05-'06) [First season in school history]

The Lady Colonials were led by third year starting Goaltender Brianne McLaughlin (Jr), who was recently selected in July of 2008 to the US National Under-22 Team. Despite the Lady Colonials sub-.500 record in 2008, McLaughlin finished with a 2.82 Goals Against Average, including a .913 Save Percentage, after logging 1873:20 in 32 games.

For the 2008-2009 season, the Lady Colonials are only graduating one senior, forward Maria Olausson and are bringing in three recruits.

For more information visit The Official RMU Colonials Website [1] and for everything Robert Morris Hockey visit Centre Ice [2]

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College Hockey America

Men: Alabama-Huntsville | Bemidji State | Niagara | Robert Morris Women: Mercyhurst | Niagara | Robert Morris | Syracuse | Wayne State