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Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey
Hockey current event Current season
Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey athletic logo
University Robert Morris University
Conference AHA
Head coach Derek Schooley
17th season, 260–266–68 (.495)
Captain(s) Nick Prkusic
Arena Clearview Arena
Capacity: 1,200
Location Neville Township, Pennsylvania
Colors Blue, White, and Red[1]
              
NCAA Tournament appearances
2014
Conference Tournament championships
2014
Conference regular season championships
2014–15, 2015–16
Current uniform
AHA-Uniform-RMU

The Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey team is a currently dormant National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Robert Morris University. Upon resuming play in the 2023–24 season, the Colonials will play home games at their former home of Clearview Arena,[2] located at the RMU Island Sports Center in Neville Township, Pennsylvania, United States. The Colonials were a member of the Atlantic Hockey Conference. Until the 2009–10 season, the Colonials were a member of College Hockey America.[3]

History[]

Robert Morris had a successful club hockey team for several years before rumors started circulating in the early 2000s that the school would create an NCAA Division I program. In December 2002, reports first surfaced that the school was interested in purchasing the RMU Island Sports Center, which would house a men's and women's ice hockey team.[4] On August 8, 2003, the school officially purchased the 32-acre complex – complete with a 1,100-seat hockey arena – for $10 million.[5] The complex is located in Neville Island, only a few miles from RMU's campus in Moon Township.[4] Just 12 days later, on August 20, 2003, Robert Morris athletic director Susan Hofacre officially announced that the Colonials would field an NCAA men's ice hockey team for the 2004–05 season.[6] At the same time, the school added men's and women's lacrosse and women's field hockey as part of an expansion of the athletic department.[7] Two days later, the school hired former Western Michigan defenceman Derek Schooley as its first head coach.[6]

In January 2004, before the school had ever played a game, they were accepted into the College Hockey America conference.[6] Typically, most new NCAA schools play as an Independent in their first years, but a unique series of events led to RMU being immediately accepted into the conference. The fledgling six-team conference was first given an automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament. However, in January 2004, CHA member Findlay announced they would drop hockey from its athletic program effective at the end of the 2003–04 season.[8] This left the CHA one team short of the six required to keep their automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.[9] As RMU was the only NCAA team not already attached to a conference, the CHA invited RMU to join immediately for the 2004–05 season. The school accepted on January 29, 2004.[6]

Schooley quickly moved to secure the Colonials' first recruiting class and hired two assistant coaches.[10] Nevertheless, the Colonials were predictably overmatched in their first year as an NCAA team. The young squad consisted of 22 freshmen and no seniors as Schooley built for the school's future.[11] In its first season, the Colonials finished last in the conference with an 8–21–4 record.

At the start of the 2005–06 season, the Colonials were reminded how much work the program needed to do when they were stunned by the Penn State University club team in a 3–2 exhibition loss prior to the season.[12] Two games later, however, RMU shocked CCHA member Western Michigan in a 5–2 victory that Schooley called "the biggest win for our program."[13] The Colonials improved to 12–20–3 in their second season while advancing to the CHA semifinals for the first time.[6]

In 2006–07, the Colonials improved yet again, finishing 14–19–2. On January 7, 2007, the Colonials beat nationally ranked Notre Dame for their first ever victory over a ranked team.[6] The squad advanced to the CHA tournament final, where they came up just short of qualifying for their first ever NCAA Tournament against Alabama–Huntsville. The Colonials jumped out to a 4–0 first period lead and looked set for their first conference championship before the Chargers mounted a frantic comeback that ended with a 5–4 overtime victory.[14]

It was more of the same for the Colonials over the next two years. In 2007–08, the squad finished a school-record 15–15–4 (including a win over #8 ranked Boston University) but again came up short in the CHA tournament.[6] In 2008–09, the school finished only 10–19–7 before reaching the CHA tournament final against Bemidji State. Once again, the Colonials were left heartbroken, as they lost in overtime for the second time in three years.[15]

By this time, it was clear that the CHA would soon disband. In 2006, Air Force left the league, leaving the conference with only five teams (one short of the six required to retain the NCAA autobid).[16] Given two years to keep their autobid before losing it, the CHA began the search for a sixth member – likely a club team, as all current Division I teams were already in a conference.[16] After no school expressed interest in joining, Wayne State announced just prior to the 2007–08 season that they would disband their team following the season.[17] Following Wayne State's departure, saving the CHA was all but impossible, and Robert Morris applied for membership into Atlantic Hockey (AHA). In January 2009, the AHA announced that both RMU and Niagara's applications were unanimously approved, paving the way for the schools to join the conference for the 2010–11 season.[18] Robert Morris and Penn State were the hosts of the inaugural Three Rivers Classic NCAA hockey tournament at the Consol Energy Center in December, 2012.[19]

Cancellation of the program[]

On May 26, 2021 the university announced the cancellation of both the men's and women's hockey programs effective immediately as "part of a series of strategic initiatives intended to position the university to be amongst the most agile and professionally focused schools in the nation as it prepares for its upcoming 100th anniversary". The university announced that it would honor all athletic scholarships and would help those wanting to transfer to other universities. They also announced the establishment of a women's club team and three men's club teams.[20] To put it mildly the announcement came out of left field and left players and supporters of the teams and hockey in general in shock as the staff for both teams found out about the news when the press release was put out several groups have made efforts to raise funds to support reinstating the program and multiple law suits have been filed either seeking reinstatement of the programs or punitive damages from university administrators for fraudulent misrepresentation. The Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation was established with a goal of raising funding to reestablish the programs and keep them running in perpetuity.[21] Attorney Jeffrey L. Kessler was representing the players suing the school has a history of taking on the NCAA (in an anti-trust lawsuit) and the National Football League is a lawsuit over Tom Brady's "Deflategate" suspension.[22]

Reinstatement[]

The success of a subsequent fundraising drive led RMU to reinstate both the men's and women's hockey teams effective in 2023–24.[23] The Colonials were soon reinstated to Atlantic Hockey.[24]

Season-by-season results[25][]

Records vs. Current Atlantic Hockey Teams[]

As of the completion of 2018–19 season[25]

School Team Away Arena Overall Record Win % Last Result
Air Force Academy Falcons Cadet Ice Arena 15–20–3 .434 1-3 L
American International College Yellow Jackets MassMutual Center 20–7–3 .717 2-3 L (OT)
Army West Point Black Knights Tate Rink 12–7–5 .604 2-5 L
Bentley University Falcons Bentley Arena 15–16–4 .486 3-2 W (OT)
Canisius College Golden Griffins LECOM Harborcenter 18–10–3 .629 4-6 L
College of the Holy Cross Crusaders Hart Center 17–7–2 .692 3-2 W
Mercyhurst University Lakers Mercyhurst Ice Center 14–12–8 .529 4-3 W
Niagara University Purple Eagles Dwyer Arena 24–31–10 .446 2-4 L
Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers Gene Polisseni Center 13–15–5 .470 2-2 T
Sacred Heart University Pioneers Webster Bank Arena 23–3–1 .870 1-3 L

Head coaches[]

As of the completion of 2020–21 season

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2004–2021 Derek Schooley 17 275–275–68 .500
Totals 1 coach 17 seasons 275–275–68 .500

Players[]

Current roster[]

As of August 31, 2020.[26]

# S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2 Flag of Michigan Michaelian, BrendonBrendon Michaelian Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1997-12-07 Wixom, Michigan Amarillo (NAHL)
3 Flag of Minnesota Schaeffer, NolanNolan Schaeffer Junior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1997-07-15 Marshall, Minnesota Fairbanks (NAHL)
4 Flag of Pennsylvania Love, TylerTyler Love Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-03-16 Moon Township, Pennsylvania Corpus Christi (NAHL)
5 Flag of Ontario Lafrance, DavidDavid Lafrance Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2001-05-17 Ottawa, Ontario Rockland (CCHL)
6 Flag of Ontario Walsh, DarcyDarcy Walsh Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-02-06 Gloucester, Ontario Ottawa (CCHL)
7 Flag of Ohio Jenny, NickNick Jenny Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1996-06-23 Strongsville, Ohio Aberdeen (NAHL)
8 Flag of Ohio Spellacy, AidanAidan Spellacy Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-06-13 Lakewood, Ohio Lone Star (NAHL)
9 Flag of Pennsylvania Timmons, JordanJordan Timmons Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1998-10-25 Bridgeville, Pennsylvania Connecticut (HEA)
10 Flag of Ontario Lalonde, NickNick Lalonde Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-01-30 Brooklin, Ontario Ottawa (CCHL)
11 Flag of Pennsylvania Kramer, BrianBrian Kramer Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 2000-07-20 Wexford, Pennsylvania Fargo (USHL)
12 Flag of Alberta Clegg, GarrettGarrett Clegg Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-01-13 St. Albert, Alberta Sherwood Park (AJHL)
14 Flag of Ontario Hebert, GrantGrant Hebert Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-05-22 St. Andrews West, Ontario Fargo (USHL)
15 Flag of Pennsylvania Kraemer, RomanRoman Kraemer Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-01-09 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Johnstown (NAHL)
16 Flag of Alberta Prkusic, NickNick Prkusic (C) Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1996-11-10 St. Albert, Alberta Brooks (AJHL)
17 Flag of Pennsylvania Beck, AidenAiden Beck Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-08-28 Coraopolis, Pennsylvania Springfield (NAHL)
18 Flag of New Jersey Gulash, GavinGavin Gulash Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-01-11 Red Bank, New Jersey New Jersey (NAHL)
19 Flag of Florida Hernandez, RandyRandy Hernandez Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1999-01-12 Miami, Florida Brooks (AJHL)
20 Flag of Ontario Hebert, CameronCameron Hebert Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-03-17 St. Andrews West, Ontario Johnstown (NAHL)
21 Flag of France Addamo, JustinJustin Addamo Junior F 6' 6" (1.98 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 1998-05-27 Clermont-Ferrand, France Lone Star (NAHL)
22 Flag of Florida Guerra, MatthewMatthew Guerra Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1999-05-21 Sanford, Florida Lone Star (NAHL)
23 Flag of Ontario Lawson, GeoffGeoff Lawson Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1997-05-15 Metcalfe, Ontario Wellington (OJHL)
24 Flag of New York Head, KylerKyler Head Freshman F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1999-07-13 Malone, New York New Jersey (NAHL)
25 Flag of British Columbia Stonnell, BradleyBradley Stonnell Sophomore D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998-07-22 Surrey, British Columbia Drumheller (AJHL)
26 Flag of Finland Hartikainen, SanteriSanteri Hartikainen Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-01-05 Helsinki, Finland Corpus Christi (NAHL)
27 Flag of Indiana Hutton, MattMatt Hutton Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-04-01 Carmel, Indiana Shreveport (NAHL)
30 Flag of Saskatchewan Cooper, ReidReid Cooper Junior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-07-01 Corman Park, Saskatchewan Salmon Arm (BCHL)
31 Flag of Indiana West, NoahNoah West Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-11-25 Pittsboro, Indiana Jamestown (NAHL)
35 Flag of Minnesota Lubbesmeyer, DyllanDyllan Lubbesmeyer Senior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1996-12-06 Burnsville, Minnesota Shreveport (NAHL)
44 Flag of Ohio Warmuth, QuinnQuinn Warmuth Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-09-22 Olmsted Falls, Ohio Johnstown (NAHL)

Statistical Leaders[27][]

Career points leaders[]

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Ferguson, BradyBrady Ferguson 2014–2018 152 66 110 167
Lynch, ZacZac Lynch 2012–2016 152 67 89 156
Wydo, CodyCody Wydo 2011–2015 151 85 65 150
Tonge, AlexAlex Tonge 2015–2019 146 56 82 138
Longpre, NathanNathan Longpre 2007–2011 121 47 91 138
Margott, ChrisChris Margott 2005–2009 132 64 72 136
Gibson, GregGreg Gibson 2012–2016 150 66 51 117
Urban, DennyDenny Urban 2007–2011 136 28 84 112
Leavens, DanielDaniel Leavens 2013–2017 136 40 68 108
Jacklin, ScottScott Jacklin 2012–2016 143 48 59 107

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
Marotte, FrancisFrancis Marotte 2016–2019 107 5938 50 44 8 252 8 .917 2.55
Shafer, TerryTerry Shafer 2012–2016 86 4808 43 30 11 214 8 .920 2.67
Levine, EricEric Levine 2009–2013 72 3953 30 22 11 177 5 .925 2.69
Kapelmaster, JustinJustin Kapelmaster 2016–2020 78 4267 29 37 7 193 6 .921 2.71
Ostergard, BrooksBrooks Ostergard 2008–2012 103 5516 39 41 12 251 3 .917 2.73

Statistics current through the start of the 2019-20 season.

Awards and honors[]

CHA[]

Individual Awards[]

Player of the Year

Student-Athlete of the Year

  • Joel Gasper: 2008

All-Conference Teams[]

First Team All-CHA

Second Team All-CHA

  • 2006–07: Aaron Clarke, F
  • 2007–08: Chris Margott, F
  • 2009–10: Dave Cowan, D; Chris Kushneriuk, F

All-CHA Rookie Team

  • 2004–05: Chris Kaufman, D; Jace Buzek, F
  • 2005–06: Chris Margott, F
  • 2007–08: Denny Urban, D; Nathan Longpre, F
  • 2008–09: Brooks Ostergard, G; James Lyle, D
  • 2009–10: Stefan Salituro, F

Atlantic Hockey[]

Individual Awards[]

Player of the Year

  • Zac Lynch: 2015

Best Defensive Forward

  • Nick Chiavetta: 2012

Best Defenseman

Individual Sportsmanship Award

  • Furman South: 2011

Regular Season Scoring Trophy

  • Zac Lynch: 2016
  • Brady Ferguson: 2017

Coach of the Year

Most Valuable Player in Tournament

All-Conference Teams[]

First Team All-Atlantic Hockey

  • 2010–11: Denny Urban, D; Nathan Longpre, F
  • 2013–14: Cody Wydo, F
  • 2014–15: Cody Wydo, F
  • 2015–16: Greg Gibson, F; Zac Lynch, F
  • 2016–17: Brady Ferguson, F
  • 2017–18: Brady Ferguson, F

Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey

  • 2012–13: Adam Brace, F
  • 2015–16: Tyson Wilson, D
  • 2018–19: Alex Tonge, F

Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey

  • 2010–11: Brooks Ostergard, G
  • 2011–12: Cody Crichton, F
  • 2013–14: Terry Shafer, G
  • 2014–15: Dalton Izyk, G; Chase Golightly, D; Zac Lynch, F
  • 2015–16: Terry Shafer, G; Chase Golightly, D; Brandon Denham, F
  • 2016–17: Eric Israel, D; Daniel Leavens, F
  • 2017–18: Alex Tonge, F
  • 2018–19: Francis Marotte, G

Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team

  • 2011–12: Tyson Wilson, D
  • 2014–15: Brady Ferguson, F
  • 2016–17: Francis Marotte, G

Robert Morris Colonials Hall of Fame[]

The following is a list of people associated with the men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Robert Morris Colonials Hall of Fame (induction date in parenthesis).[28]

Colonials in the NHL[29][]

Robert Morris has yet to have an alumnus reach the NHL.

See also[]

References[]

  1. RMU Athletics Logo (September 9, 2013). Retrieved on November 3, 2018.
  2. Robert Morris Athletics - Colonials Arena.
  3. Robert Morris Colonials Men's Ice Hockey. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Times, Business. "RMU taps former Pirates v.p. to buy and run sports center", Pittsburgh Business Times, July 2, 2003. 
  5. Gigler, Dan. "Robert Morris Opens Ice Arena", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 11, 2001. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Robert Morris Colonials History and Records. Robert Morris University (November 2010).
  7. Staff. "RMU to name hockey coach", Beaver Country Times, August 22, 2004. 
  8. Wodon, Adam. "Findlay to drop hockey", USCHO.com, January 6, 2004. 
  9. Wodon, Adam. "Lindenwood Explores Move into D-I", CollegeHockeyNews.com, April 22, 2004. 
  10. Conference, Northeast. "Robert Morris Names Marc Fakler, Shane Clifford Assistant Men’s Ice Hockey Coaches", NortheastConference.org, August 19, 2004. 
  11. 2004-05 Team Statistics. USCHO.com (November 2010).
  12. Penn State 3, Robert Morris 2. USCHO.com (November 2010).
  13. McCinn, Dan. "Robert Morris Skates Past Western Michigan", USCHO.com, October 15, 2005. 
  14. Mackinder, Matt. "Chargers snag first NCAA automatic bid with OT victory", USCHO.com, March 11, 2007. 
  15. Bemidji State 3, Robert Morris 2. USCHO.com (November 2010).
  16. 16.0 16.1 Brown, Scott. "A New World Order", USCHO.com, April 23, 2006. 
  17. Staff, INCH. "Wayne State to Drop Hockey Program", insidecollegehockey.com, September 26, 2007. 
  18. Staff, CHN. "Niagara, Robert Morris Officially Announce Move", collegehockeynews.com, January 29, 2009. 
  19. Werner, Sam (December 28, 2012). "Robert Morris hockey attracts strong field for Three Rivers Classic." Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
  20. https://www.rmu.edu/about/news/hockey-info
  21. https://www.uscho.com/2021/06/23/newly-created-pittsburgh-college-hockey-foundation-looking-to-right-this-wrong-bring-robert-morris-mens-womens-teams-back-into-fold/
  22. https://www.uscho.com/2021/06/29/high-profile-attorney-representing-robert-morris-mens-and-womens-hockey-players-alleges-fraudulent-misrepresentation-in-letter/
  23. RMU Reinstates Hockey Programs For 2023-24. Robert Morris Colonials (December 17, 2021).
  24. Atlantic Hockey Reinstates Robert Morris. Atlantic Hockey Association (April 15, 2022).
  25. 25.0 25.1 "Robert Morris Colonials Men's Hockey All-Time Results", Robert Morris Colonials. 
  26. 2019–20 Men's Ice Hockey Roster. RMUColonials.com.
  27. "Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey Individual Career Leaders", Robert Morris Colonials. 
  28. Robert Morris Colonials Hall of Fame. Robert Morris Colonials.
  29. Alumni report for Robert Morris University. Hockey DB.

External links[]

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