Wikipedia

Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey

The Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Colorado College. The Tigers are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. They began play at Ed Robson Arena on the CC campus in Colorado Springs starting in the 2021 season.[3]

Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey
Current season
Colorado College Tigers athletic logo
UniversityColorado College
ConferenceNCHC
Head coachKris Mayotte[1]
4th season, 43–59–9 (.428)
Assistant coaches
ArenaEd Robson Arena
Colorado Springs, Colorado
ColorsBlack and gold[2]
   
NCAA Tournament championships
1950, 1957
NCAA Tournament Runner-up
1952, 1955, 1996
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1996, 1997, 2005
NCAA Tournament appearances
1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1978, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011
Conference Tournament championships
1978
Conference regular season championships
1951–52, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08

History

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Early history

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In 1938 Spencer Penrose and Charles Tutt developed plans to convert The Broadmoor's unused equestrian center into an indoor ice arena, known as the Broadmoor Ice Palace.[4] After three weeks at a cost of $200,000 the Ice Palace opened and became the home of the Tigers Hockey program and the Broadmoor Skating Club.[5] Colorado College Tiger Hockey began in 1938 playing in the Pikes Peak Hockey League with various local teams sponsored by Colorado Springs area businesses.,[4] The Tigers opened play on January 21, 1938 in a 1-8 loss to a team sponsored by Giddings Department Store.[6] Garrett Livingston took over as head coach fin 1939 from John Atwood, who served as player/coach for the first season.[6] Livingston increased recruiting, bringing players from Canada and New England and transitioned the program from the Pikes Peak Hockey League into an NCAA Division I independent program.[6] The Tigers swept Michigan 4-2 and 4-3 in the program's first-ever intercollegiate series early in the 1939-40 season. That same season Colorado College also played games against Colorado School of Mines, Montana School of Mines, and the University of Southern California.[6]

The program and college was suspended during World War II from 1942 to 1944.[4] Colorado College, with the cooperation of The Broadmoor, sponsored the first National Collegiate Athletic Association Ice Hockey Championship to conclude the 1947-48 season. The tournament was held at the Ice Palace for the next 10 years, during which time CC participating seven times.[6] Cheddy Thompson became the program's third head coach in 1945 after coming to Colorado Springs on assignment by the Air Force during the war. Thompson lead CC to the program's first NCAA championship in 1950 with a 13-4 win over Boston University. Colorado College became one of the founding members of the Mid-West Collegiate Hockey League (MWCHL) in 1951 with University of Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota, and North Dakota.[7] The league became the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League (WIHL) in 1953 and became the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in November 1959.[7] The Tigers also finished as runner-up in 1952 and 1955, losing to Michigan in both appearances in the championship game.[6] In addition, he was named national Coach of the Year in 1952 by the United States Hockey Coaches Association.[6] The Tigers returned to the championship game in 1957 with Tom Bedecki behind the bench. CC beat Clarkson 5-3 in the semifinal round and won the school's second hockey championship with a 13-6 win over Michigan.[8] In 1961 the Ice Palace became known as the Broadmoor World Arena.[5] The 1957 championship was the final appearance in the NCAA Tournament until 1978.[9] The Tigers finished the regular season and captured the school's first and only WCHA Tournament Championship and received a bid to the NCAA Tournament, in the first round the Tigers lost to Bowling Green State 3-5.[10]

The lean years

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Bedecki abruptly resigned in 1958, and the Tigers went into a decline that would last for almost four decades. From 1958 to 1993, the Tigers would have only three winning seasons. The low point came in 1961-62, when the Tigers finished with a 0-23 record, still the worst in school history.

Recent history

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Jaden Schwartz during the 2011 NCAA Tournament

In 1993 Don Lucia became the head coach of the Tigers. In his first season, 1993–94, he led the team to win the MacNaughton Cup, given to the WCHA regular season champion. It was Colorado College's first Cup win since 1957.[11] After serving as the Tigers' home ice for 55 years the Broadmoor World Arena closed in March 1994 and later demolished by The Broadmoor to make room for the resort's expansion.[5][12] Colorado College was then invited by the Air Force Academy to play at their home ice, the Cadet Ice Arena until the new World Arena opened in 1998 on the southern side of Colorado Springs.[13] The Tigers returned to the NCAA post season in 1995 for the first time since 1978. The Tigers lost in the quarterfinal round to Minnesota 2-5.[14] The following season CC made a second straight NCAA tournament appearance, receiving a number one seed in 1996 NCAA Tournament. Colorado College beat UMass Lowell 5-3 in the quarterfinals and Vermont 4-3 in the semifinal round before losing to 2-3 in overtime to Michigan in the championship game.[15] CC returned to the Frozen Four under Lucia for a second straight season in 1997 before losing to North Dakota 6-2.[16] Lucia lead the Tigers to two additional NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998 and 1999 before leaving Colorado College to become head coach at Minnesota.[9]

Scott Owens took over as head coach of the program in 1999 and lead the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournaments in 2001, 2002, and 2003.[9][17] In the 2005 Tournament The Tigers returned to the Frozen Four with a 4-3 victory over Michigan in the Midwest Regional Final.[18] In the Semifinal round the Tigers fell to the eventual national champion and rival Denver 2-6.[19] Owens lead CC to the NCAA Tournament again in 2006 Tournament and in 2008 Tournament, ending in first round exits both times.[9] The Tigers returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2011. The Tigers upset the number one ranked team and defending National Champions, Boston College 8-4.[20] The Tigers' win was led by freshman Jaden Schwartz, a first round draft choice of the St. Louis Blues making his St. Louis debut in the West Regional.[21] The Tigers' season ended in the Regional final in a 1-2 loss to Michigan.[22]

New arena in 2021

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In 2018, CC announced plans to build a new $38 million arena located on campus. The facility is named Edward J. Robson Arena in honor of 1954 CC alum and former Tigers hockey player Edward Robson. This is the Tigers' new home rink after playing at the World Arena since 1998.

The new arena has a capacity of 3,407, less than half that of World Arena.[3] It features an NHL-sized rink instead of the World Arena's Olympic-size rink. Robson Arena sits around 6,050 feet above sea level, about 200 feet below the World Arena. Colorado College initially hoped for it to be ready for play by 2020.[23][24][25] Changes made during the planning process, most notably the addition of a parking garage and a shift in the arena footprint within its city block, led to delays. The arena opened for the 2021–22 season.[3]

Season-by-season results

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Main article: List of Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey seasons

Source:[26]

Coaches

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As of the end of the 2023–24 season[9]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1937–1938 John Atwood 1 3–9–0 .250
1938–1942 Garrett Livingston 4 31–21–6 .586
1944–1945 C. E. Moore 1 1–3–1 .300
1945–1955 Cheddy Thompson 10 149–72–5 .670
1955–1958 Tom Bedecki 3 59–28–1 .676
1958–1963 Tony Frasca 5 30–85–4 .269
1963–1966 Bob Johnson 3 27–49–4 .363
1966–1971 John Matchefts 5 54–88–3 .383
1971–1982 Jeff Sauer 11 166–228–11 .423
1982–1988 Mike Bertsch 6 65–157–6 .298
1988–1993 Brad Buetow 5 68–118–11 .373
1993–1999 Don Lucia 6 166–68–18 .694
1999–2014 Scott Owens 14 324–228–54 .579
2014–2021 Mike Haviland 7 67–153–22 .322
2021–Present Kris Mayotte 3 43–59–9 .428
Totals 14 coaches 84 seasons 1,253–1,366–155 .480

Awards and honors

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NCAA

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Individual awards

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All-Americans

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AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

WCHA

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Individual awards

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All-Conference

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First Team All-WCHA

Second team all-wcha

Third Team All-WCHA

WCHA All-Rookie Team

NCHC

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Individual awards

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All-Conference

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First Team All-NCHC

Second team All-NCHC

NCHC All-Rookie Team

Olympians

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This is a list of Colorado College alumni who have played or coached on an Olympic team.[26]

Name Position CC Tenure Team Year Finish
Andy Gambucci Center 1949–1953   USA 1952   Silver
Dan Griffin Goaltender 1971–1975   USA 1976 5th
Gary Hughes Defenseman 1955–1958   Poland (Coach) 1964 9th
Roy Ikola Goaltender 1946–1950   USA 1948 DQ
Doug Lidster Defenseman 1979–1983   Canada 1984 4th
Vern Mott Goaltender 1976–1977   Norway 1988 12th
Robert Rompre Forward 1950–1951
1953–1956		   USA 1952   Silver
Steve Sertich Right wing 1970–1974   USA 1976 5th

Colorado College Athletic Hall of Fame

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The following is a list of people associated with the Colorado College men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Colorado College Athletic Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses).[29]

Statistical leaders

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Source:[26]

Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Dave Delich 1975–1979 153 111 174 285
Brian Swanson 1995–1999 167 88 144 232
Doug Palazzari 1970–1974 117 95 133 228
Bruce Aikens 1978–1982 137 100 117 217
Rob Doyle 1983–1987 153 51 151 202
Jim Warner 1974–1978 142 89 109 198
Greg Whyte 1977–1981 149 86 111 197
Peter Sejna 2000–2003 126 91 99 190
Jay McNeill 1992–1996 158 100 89 189
Dave Feamster 1976–1980 150 45 139 184
Brett Sterling 2002–2006 150 108 76 184

Career goaltending leaders

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GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 50 Games

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Richard Bachman 2007–2009 70 4176 39 20 11 156 7 .922 2.24
Curtis McElhinney 2001–2005 91 5153 62 15 8 199 9 .911 2.32
Matt Zaba 2003–2007 110 6349 55 42 10 256 10 .913 2.42
Jeff Sanger 1998–2002 127 7466 76 45 4 309 16 .906 2.48
Colin Zulianello 1997–2001 60 3121 135 2 2.60

Statistics current through the start of the 2018-19 season.

Players

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Roster

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As of August 9, 2024.[30]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2   Zaccharya Wisdom Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2004-04-21 Toronto, Ontario Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) SEA, 212th overall 2023
4   Max Burkholder Sophomore D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2003-08-08 Chaska, Minnesota Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) —
5   Ryan Koering Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2005-02-11 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) —
6   Ty Gallagher Graduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-03-06 Clarkston, Michigan Boston University (HEA) BOS, 217th overall 2021
7   Philippe Blais-Savoie Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2005-06-10 San Jose, California Tri-City Storm (USHL) —
8   Ryan Beck Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-08-25 Linden, Michigan Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) —
9   Owen Beckner Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2005-02-27 Victoria, British Columbia Tri-City Storm (USHL) OTT, 204th overall 2023
10   Bret Link Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 2002-04-09 Anchorage, Alaska Fargo Force (USHL) —
11   Chase McLane Graduate F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2000-04-22 Trenton, Michigan Penn State (Big Ten) NSH, 209th overall 2020
12   Tommy Middleton Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-06-19 Midland, Michigan Janesville Jets (NAHL) —
14   Brady Cleveland Sophomore D 6' 5" (1.96 m) 211 lb (96 kg) 2005-04-01 Wausau, Wisconsin Wisconsin (Big Ten) DET, 47th overall 2023
15   Nick Baer Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2004-03-14 Minnetonka, Minnesota Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) —
17   Tyler Coffey Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-05-19 Hamilton, New Jersey Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) —
18   Fisher Scott Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2004-10-27 Carbondale, Colorado Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) DET, 208th overall 2024
19   Charlie Strobel Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2001-07-09 Stillwater, Minnesota Minnesota (Big Ten) —
20   Gavin Lindberg Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2004-04-20 Fergus Falls, Minnesota Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) —
21   Tyler Dunbar Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 197 lb (89 kg) 2003-12-18 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Lincoln Stars (USHL) —
22   Jordan Brisson Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-12-01 Manhattan Beach, California Chicago Steel (USHL) —
23   Ethan Straky Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2003-04-18 Walnut Creek, California Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) —
24   Klāvs Veinbergs Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 2003-03-27 Riga, Latvia Lincoln Stars (USHL) —
25   Riley Stuart Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 2002-01-17 Phoenix, Arizona Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) —
26   Noah Laba Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2003-08-04 Northville, Michigan Lincoln Stars (USHL) NYR, 111th overall 2022
27   Stanley Cooley Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 2002-05-27 Regina, Saskatchewan Lincoln Stars (USHL) —
28   Gleb Veremyev Junior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 206 lb (93 kg) 2003-06-28 Sayreville, New Jersey Lincoln Stars (USHL) —
29   Drew Montgomery Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2003-03-27 Grand Forks, North Dakota Omaha Lancers (USHL) —
30   Kaidan Mbereko Junior G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-07-28 Aspen, Colorado Lincoln Stars (USHL) —
31   Henry Wilder Senior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-19 Needham, Massachusetts Boston College (HEA) —
37   Carsen Musser Freshman G 6' 4" (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2005-05-19 Fairmont, Minnesota Madison Capitols (USHL) UTA, 166th overall 2023

Tigers in the NHL

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See also: Former NCAA players in the National Hockey League

Over 170 Colorado College alumni have gone on to play professionally, including over 30 current and former NHL players:[31][32]
As of July 1, 2024.

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star[33] = NHL All-Star[33] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kris Mayotte Named Head Hockey Coach". CC Athletic Communications. April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  2. ^ Colorado College Visual Identity Guidelines (PDF). Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Shefte, Kate (June 29, 2019). "Colorado College's upcoming Robson Arena gets new renderings, with public feedback highlighted". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, CO. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Colorado College Tigers Hockey History". Colorado College. Archived from the original on September 12, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "1930s: Broadmore Ice Palace". Colorado Springs School District 11. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "CC Hockey History". Colorado College. April 18, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "WCHA History Tradition and Success". Western Collegiate Hockey Association. 2010. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  8. ^ "1957 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Colorado College Tigers Men's Hockey Team History". U.S. College Hockey Online. 1996–2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "1978 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "MacNaughton Cup Winners". Copper Country Hockey History. Retrieved 2007-03-13.
  12. ^ Michaelis, Vicki (March 23, 2009). "Colorado club a power once again in the skating world". USA Today. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "About Us". World Arena. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  14. ^ "1995 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  15. ^ "1996 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  16. ^ "1997 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  17. ^ Staff (February 6, 2006). "Owens Gets Contract Extension". College Hockey News. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  18. ^ "2005 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  19. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (April 7, 2005). "Denver Cruises Into Second Straight NCAA Title Game". U.S. College Hockey Online. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  20. ^ O'Connor, Brion (26 March 2011). "BC blown away by Colorado College". ESPN. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  21. ^ Rutherford, Jeremy (March 26, 2011). "Blues' Schwartz impressive in NCAA win". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  22. ^ Staff (March 26, 2011). "Michigan trumps Colo. College to earn spot in Frozen Four". USA Today.
  23. ^ "Tribune: College men's hockey: Colorado College building new, smaller rink". duluthnewstribune.com. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  24. ^ "Colorado College: Ed Robson '54 Gives $8 Million for New Hockey Arena" (Press release). Colorado College. Archived from the original on 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  25. ^ Shefte, Kate. "Shefte: Student section, amenities early focuses of new Colorado College hockey arena". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, CO. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  26. ^ a b c "Colorado College men's Hockey 2017-18 Media Guide". Colorado College Tigers. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  27. ^ "Legends of Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  28. ^ "United States Hockey Hall of Fame". Hockey Central.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  29. ^ "Hall of Fame". Colorado College Athletics. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  30. ^ "2024–2025 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Colorado College Tigers. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "Alumni Report". Internet Hockey Database. 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  32. ^ "Tiger Hockey Media Guide 2013-2014" (PDF). Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  33. ^ a b Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
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