Alabama–Huntsville Chargers men's ice hockey
The Alabama–Huntsville Chargers ice hockey (commonly referred to as the UAH Chargers) were an NCAA Division I college ice hockey program that represented the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The program was discontinued in 2021 due to funding issues and lack of conference membership.
| Alabama–Huntsville Chargers men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
| University | University of Alabama in Huntsville |
| First season | 1985–86 |
| Arena | Von Braun Center Huntsville, Alabama |
| Colors | Blue and white[1] |
| NCAA Tournament championships | |
| 1996 (D-II), 1998 (D-II) | |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 1994 (D-II), 1996 (D-II), 1997, (D-II), 1998 (D-II), 2007, 2010 | |
| National Club championships | |
| 1982, 1983, 1984 | |
| Conference Tournament championships | |
| CHA: 2007, 2010 | |
| Conference regular season championships | |
| CHA: 2000–01, 2002–03 | |
The Chargers played 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".[2]
History
editFounding and club championships
editDespite being a Southern city that might be considered unfamiliar with a winter sport such as hockey, Huntsville was, beginning in the 1950s, and still is to date, home to a large number of Northern-born (and possibly some Canadian) civilian professionals working in the aerospace and defense industries, and officers and enlisted people in the U.S. Army, who desired a taste of home in their sports allegiances. Even though a similar demographic in the Atlanta market failed to make an NHL team (the Flames) profitable in the 1970s (leading to its 1980 move to Calgary, Alberta), Huntsville proved to be a different case entirely in this regard. UAH, with which a fair number of the transplants had an institutional affiliation, was a convenient forum for their enthusiasm.
The UAH ice hockey program began as a 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.[2] UAH dominated opposition in its first three seasons, winning three Southern Collegiate Hockey Association championships. The Chargers won the first of their three National Club Hockey Championships in 1982, defeating Southern Methodist 14-2 in the title game.[2]
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.[2]
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.[2]
Varsity and Division II championships
editUAH 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.[2] 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).[2]
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.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2]
Return to Division I and CHA era
editUAH 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.[2]
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.[2]
Danton Cole became UAH's third head coach in 2007.[2]
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.[3]
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.[2]
Independence and survival
editCole left UAH in 2010 to become the head coach of the U.S. National Development Team.[4] Assistant Chris Luongo was promoted to head coach as the Chargers became the lone independent program in Division I.[2] 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 to 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.[5] New UAH president Dr. Robert Altenkirch reversed the decision after he and school administrators met with local supporters on December 6, 2011.[6] The school set up a campaign to raise funds for the program and have it join a conference.[7]
Despite the questions about its hockey future, UAH was the host institution for the 2012 Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida.[8]
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.[9]
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.[10]
Kleinendorst resigned on May 29, 2013.[11] UAH named Mike Corbett as its sixth head hockey coach on July 8, 2013.[12]
Discontinuation
editIn response to the financial difficulties faced by the university as a result of COVID-19, UAH president Darren Dawson discontinued the men's hockey program, as well as the men's and women's tennis programs.[13]
On May 25, 2020, the university announced the program would be reinstated if the community could raise $750,000 by Friday, May 29. Pledges from alumni reduced the amount needed from the general public to $500,000.[14][15] On May 29, fundraising efforts surpassed $500,000, and shortly afterwards the university confirmed the program would be restored for the 2020-2021 season.[16]
The program was once again indefinitely discontinued in May 2021 due to the team's lack of conference membership, which was a condition of a significant portion of the funds pledged the previous summer.[17] The University stated it intends to reinstate the program once conference membership is secured.[18]
Season-by-season results
editAll-time coaching records
editNAIA/NCAA
editAs of the completion of the 2020-21 season.
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2013–2020 | Mike Corbett | 7 | 48–181–24 | .237 |
| 2020–present | Lance West | 1 | 3–18–1 | .159 |
| Totals | 5 coaches | 36 seasons | 459–590–81 | .442 |
Club
edit| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Players
edit2019–20 team
editAs of October 14, 2020.[19]
| No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 
|
Lucas Bahn | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1999-09-11 | Hendersonville, Tennessee | West Kelowna (BCHL) | — |
| 3 | 
|
Drew Lennon | Junior | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1998-01-12 | Bloomington, Illinois | Lone Star (NAHL) | — |
| 4 |
|
Jay Powell | Junior | D | 6' 7" (2.01 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1997-10-01 | Nashville, Tennessee | Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) | — |
| 6 | 
|
Ayodele Adeniye | Freshman | D | 6' 5" (1.96 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1999-03-24 | Columbus, Ohio | Carleton Place (CCHL) | — |
| 7 | 
|
Bauer Neudecker | Junior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1998-06-01 | St. Louis Park, Minnesota | Sioux City (USHL) | — |
| 9 |
|
Quinn Green | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1999-01-28 | West Chicago, Illinois | Topeka (NAHL) | — |
| 11 | 
|
Peyton Francis | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1999-04-12 | Oakville, Ontario | Carleton Place (CCHL) | — |
| 12 |
|
Connor Merkley | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-09-03 | Portland, Ontario | Carleton Place (CCHL) | — |
| 13 | 
|
Ben Allen | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1997-07-31 | Allen, Texas | Melfort (SJHL) | — |
| 14 |
|
Jonah Alexander | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-11-12 | Toronto, Ontario | St. Michael's (OJHL) | — |
| 15 | 
|
Joshua Corrow | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2000-09-21 | New Port Richey, Florida | Whitecourt (AJHL) | — |
| 16 | 
|
Connor Wood | Senior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-08-09 | Buford, Georgia | Odessa (NAHL) | — |
| 18 | 
|
Tyrone Bronte | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1999-05-07 | Melbourne, Australia | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (NAHL) | — |
| 19 | 
|
Conor Witherspoon | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1999-08-02 | Metamora, Michigan | Shreveport (NAHL) | — |
| 20 |
|
Mick Heneghan | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1999-03-02 | Niles, Illinois | Northeast (NAHL) | — |
| 21 | 
|
Frank Vitucci | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1999-08-04 | Yardley, Pennsylvania | Wellington (OJHL) | — |
| 22 | 
|
Dayne Finnson | Junior | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1997-10-01 | Arborg, Manitoba | Victoria (BCHL) | — |
| 23 |
|
Nick Michel | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1999-03-16 | Waconia, Minnesota | Janesville (NAHL) | — |
| 24 | 
|
Tyr Thompson | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1998-09-26 | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Whitecourt (AJHL) | — |
| 26 |
|
Bennett Stockdale | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-06-02 | Ottawa, Ontario | Johnstown (NAHL) | — |
| 27 | 
|
Brian Scoville | Freshman | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 1999-03-28 | Agawam, Massachusetts | Langley (BCHL) | — |
| 28 |
|
Noah Finstrom | Freshman | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1999-09-17 | New Baltimore, Michigan | Jamestown (NAHL) | — |
| 30 | 
|
Derek Krall | Freshman | G | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1999-03-04 | Crofton, British Columbia | Powell River (BCHL) | — |
| 33 |
|
Adrian Danchenko | Sophomore | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-03-29 | Palm City, Florida | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (NAHL) | — |
| 35 |
|
George McBey | Sophomore | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1998-04-20 | Dallas, Texas | Brookings (NAHL) | — |
| 41 | 
|
David Fessenden | Sophomore | G | 6' 6" (1.98 m) | 230 lb (104 kg) | 1998-04-30 | Parker, Colorado | Northeast (NAHL) | — |
Chargers in the NHL
edit- 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.[20]
- Cam Talbot (2007–10) — Goaltender for the Minnesota Wild. Talbot spent two seasons as the backup goaltender for the New York Rangers from 2013 to 2015 before being traded to Edmonton during the 2015 offseason. Talbot holds the Oilers' franchise regular season record for wins by a goaltender with 42 in the 2016-17 season. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on February 15, 2019 for goaltender Anthony Stolarz. On July 1, 2019, he signed a one-year contract with the Calgary Flames. On October 9, 2020 Talbot signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild. On July 22, 2022 he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Filip Gustavsson. On July 1, 2023, Talbot signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
Varsity records
editSince the 1985-86 season through the 2015-16 season.[21]
Career
edit- 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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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "UAH Logo & Brand Guidelines". Retrieved June 11, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o UAH Sports Information. "Hockey History". Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ McLaughlin, Bud (August 11, 2009). "UAH denied admission to Central Collegiate Hockey Association". The Huntsville Times.
- ^ Olsen, Becky. "Cole steps in to lead NTDP's U-17 team". USAHockey.com.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Chargers athletic program to see changes following budget analysis". University of Alabama-Huntsville. October 24, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
- ^ Gattis, Paul (December 6, 2011). "UAH announces plan to bring back Division I hockey program". The Huntsville Times.
- ^ Turner, John (2011-12-21). "Charging on: UAH launches official fundraising campaign for hockey program". The Huntsville Times.
- ^ Pupello, Peter (April 4, 2012). "Tampa Bay's role as Frozen Four host proved years in the making". Tampa Bay Lightning. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
- ^ McCarter, Mark (2012-09-25). "Ex-NHL coach Kurt Kleinendorst named new hockey coach at UAH". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
- ^ "WCHA Grants Full-Time Membership to University of Alabama in Huntsville". Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
- ^ UAH Sports Information. "Kleinendorst Steps Down as Head Hockey Coach". Retrieved 2013-05-29.
- ^ "UAH Tabs Mike Corbett to Lead Charger Hockey". UAHChargers.com. UAH Sports Information. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ "COVID-19 Forcing UAH to Take Steps for More Budget Reductions". UAH Chargers. NCAA. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "Championship UAH Hockey Players Rally to Save Program". WAAY 31. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ "UAH spells out path to bring back canceled hockey, tennis programs". AL.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ "UAH announces hockey will return after private funds raised to support program". AL.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ "UAH suspends Hockey Program in absence of conference membership". Rocket City Now. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "UAH suspends hockey program, 2021-2022 season will not happen". WHNT.com. 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ "2019–20 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
- ^ "Ross goes from the Deep South to the NHL". NHL.com. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ UAH Sports Information. Hockey History & Records. Retrieved March 16, 2015.