Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey

Last updated
Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey
Hockey current event.svg Current season
Arizona State Athletics wordmark.svg
University Arizona State University
Conference National Collegiate Hockey Conference
First season 2015–16
Head coach Greg Powers
15th season, 13214824 (.474)
Assistant coaches
Arena Mullett Arena
Tempe, Arizona
ColorsMaroon and gold [1]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
2019
ACHA Tournament championships
2014, 2015

The Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents Arizona State University. It plays its home games at Mullett Arena in Tempe.

Contents

The Sun Devils initially competed in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). Since the 2015–16 season, it has competed as an independent in NCAA Division I—one of six active independent programs. Arizona State also maintains both WCHL Club Level teams with the WCHL D-1 Sun Devils, and the PAC-8 D-2 Sun Devils, respectively.

History

Hockey began as a sport at Arizona State in the fall of 1983 with ASU students gathering at Tower Ice Plaza in Central Phoenix to play pick up hockey amongst each other. As collegiate club hockey evolved throughout the country, so did hockey at Arizona State. By the late 80s ASU was fielding a full-fledged ice hockey team competing in Division II of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. In 1993, General Manager Mike Hoffarth led the program to achieving ACHA Division I status propelling the Sun Devil hockey program into the national spotlight by qualifying for the ACHA Division I National Tournament just two years later in the 1995–96 season. Then Head Coach, Gene Hammett would lead the program to three straight National Tournament appearances from 1995 to 1998. [2]

ASU qualified for 10 ACHA Division I National Tournaments since competing at the Division I level in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, and developed 12 ACHA Division I All-Americans. In the 2013–14 season, the team won its first ACHA National Championship, defeating Robert Morris University-Illinois.

On November 18, 2014, Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson announced that the Sun Devils would move to NCAA Division I ice hockey. The transition was funded by a $32 million donation by multiple parties (including former ASU hockey players). As a transitionary season, the Sun Devils played a split schedule between ACHA and NCAA games during the 2015–16 season, before migrating exclusively to NCAA play the following season. The Sun Devils were expected to begin as an independent, but pursue conference membership in the future. [3]

In the 2018–19 season, Arizona State received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history, in only its third season as a Division I team. They were defeated by the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the regional semifinals. [4] [5]

On October 6, 2020, the Sun Devils announced that for logistical reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it would enter into an agreement to play all of its games as non-conference away games against Big Ten opponents, playing each of its seven hockey members four times in a 28-game season. This would assure the team a full season schedule, and avoid conflicts with the Coyotes at Gila River Arena due to the delay of the 2020-21 NHL season. The team still played as an independent, and were not eligible to qualify for the conference tournament. [6]

On July 5, 2023, the Sun Devils announced that they will be joining the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) starting in the 2024-2025 season. [7]

Player hall of fame inductees

Steve Hammett, Forward 1994–1998: Inducted 2009

Greg Powers, Goaltender 1995–1999: Inducted 2009

Adam Blossey, Defense 2001–2005: Inducted 2009

Tony Bonacorso, Defense 2004–2008, Inducted 2010

Ian Smith, Forward 1999–2003, Inducted 2010

Executive Hall of Fame Inductees

Gene Hammett, Head Coach 1992–2000: Inducted 2008

Mike Hoffarth, General Manager 1988–1999: Inducted 2008

Don Mullet, Donor: Inducted 2008

John Wold, Head Coach, General Manager, Oversight Committee 2001–present: Inducted 2009

Wayne Reid, Assistant Coach, Director of Hockey Ops, Oversight Committee 1992–present: Inducted 2009

Doug Maire, Video Coach, Projects Manager Executive Hall of Fame Inducted 2013, Lifetime Service Award 2014

National Tournament Appearances

1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98*, 2000–01*, 2003–2004, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–15

Final Four appearances: 2013, 2014, 2015

Awards and honors

NCAA

All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

ACHA Division I All-Americans

Steve Hammett, Forward: 1997–98

Greg Powers, Goaltender: 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99

Ian Smith, Forward: 2000–01, 2001–02 (Team USA, World University Games 2002)

Nils Satterstom, Forward: 2000–01

Adam Blossey, Defense: 2003–04, 2004–05 (Team USA, World University Games 2005)

Tony Bonacorso, Defense: 2006–07, 2007–08 (Team USA, World University Games 2008)

Joe Schweiger, Forward: 2008–09 (Eastern Michigan), 2009–10, 2010–11

Mark Schacker, Goaltender: 2010–11, 2011–12

Kale Dolinski, Forward: 2012–13

Colin Hekle, Forward: 2012–13

Ryan Clark, Defense: 2012–13

Joe D’Elia, Goaltender: 2012–13 [ citation needed ]

Arena

Prior to 2022, the Sun Devils played most of their home games at the Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe. Selected games each season were played at Glendale's Gila River Arena, the former home of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes. [8] With the move to NCAA Division I, Anderson stated they planned to pursue an on-campus arena in the future. [3] In the meantime, Oceanside underwent a renovation for the 2015 to bring its facilities to NCAA standards. [9]

In November 2020, the Arizona Board of Regents' finance committee approved plans to construct a new 5,000-seat indoor arena on-campus near Desert Financial Arena, which is expected to house the school's hockey, gymnastics, and wrestling programs among others. [10] [11] [12] Mullett Arena opened in 2022; it also served as the Coyotes' home arena for two seasons after the city of Glendale declined to renew the team's lease at Gila River Arena. [13] [14]

Season-by-season results

[15]

All-time coaching records

As of April 7, 2024

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
2015–Present Greg Powers 10132–148–24.474
Totals1 coaches10 seasons132–148–24.474

Team

Current roster

As of July 1, 2023. [16]

No. S/P/CPlayerClassPosHeightWeightDoBHometownPrevious teamNHL rights
1 Flag of Utah.svg Hank LevyFreshman G 5' 11" (1.8 m)180 lb (82 kg)2002-03-11 Salt Lake City, Utah Penticton  ( BCHL )
2 Flag of New York.svg Brandon TabakinGraduate D 5' 10" (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)2000-05-21 Woodbury, New York Yale  ( ECAC )
5 Flag of California.svg Ty MurchisonJunior D 6' 2" (1.88 m)195 lb (88 kg)2003-02-02 Corona, California NTDP  ( USHL ) PHI , 158th overall  2021
9 Flag of New Jersey.svg Anthony DowdFreshman D 5' 6" (1.68 m)154 lb (70 kg)2003-04-25 Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey Chicago  ( USHL )
10 Flag of Minnesota.svg Tucker NessSophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m)219 lb (99 kg)2002-11-25 Plymouth, Minnesota Waterloo  ( USHL )
11 Flag of Michigan.svg Benji EckerleSenior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)180 lb (82 kg)1999-09-24 Northville, Michigan Tri-City  ( USHL )
13 Flag of New York.svg Cade AlamiJunior F 6' 7" (2.01 m)212 lb (96 kg)2001-03-13 Bedford, New York Boston College  ( HEA )
14 Flag of Ontario.svg Ty JacksonSenior F 5' 8" (1.73 m)160 lb (73 kg)2001-09-06 Oakville, Ontario Northeastern  ( HEA )
15 Flag of Ontario.svg Dylan JacksonSenior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)2001-09-06 Oakville, Ontario Northeastern  ( HEA )
16 Flag of Michigan.svg Ethan SzmagajJunior D 6' 0" (1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)2001-09-18 Canton, Michigan Waterloo  ( USHL )
17 Flag of Illinois.svg Matthew RomerFreshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m)178 lb (81 kg)2002-09-01 Chicago, Illinois Omaha  ( USHL )
18 Flag of Arizona.svg David HymovitchFreshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m)181 lb (82 kg)2003-08-14 Phoenix, Arizona Muskegon  ( USHL )
20 Flag of California.svg Jackson NiedermayerSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)196 lb (89 kg)2001-03-11 Newport Beach, California Penticton  ( BCHL )
21 Flag of Alberta.svg Alex YoungSenior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)184 lb (83 kg)2001-03-22 Calgary, Alberta Colgate  ( ECAC ) SJS , 196th overall  2020
24 Flag of California.svg Josh NiedermayerFreshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m)200 lb (91 kg)2004-02-20 Newport Beach, California Penticton  ( BCHL )
25 Flag of Illinois.svg Kyle SmolenFreshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m)171 lb (78 kg)2002-06-18 Crystal Lake, Illinois Fargo  ( USHL )
26 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Brian ChambersGraduate F 6' 1" (1.85 m)193 lb (88 kg)1998-07-24 Weymouth, Massachusetts UMass Lowell  ( HEA )
27 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Tim LovellJunior D 5' 10" (1.78 m)161 lb (73 kg)2002-02-08 Hingham, Massachusetts Boston College  ( HEA )
28 Flag of Colorado.svg Matthew KopperudSenior F 6' 1" (1.85 m)194 lb (88 kg)1999-08-04 Denver, Colorado Dubuque  ( USHL )
29 Flag of Colorado.svg Cole GordonFreshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)2002-12-09 Windsor, Colorado Minnesota  ( NAHL )
31 Flag of Michigan.svg Gibson HomerFreshman G 6' 5" (1.96 m)209 lb (95 kg)2003-12-29 Grand Rapids, Michigan Chicago  ( USHL )
35 Flag of New Jersey.svg T. J. SemptimphelterSophomore G 6' 1" (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)2002-05-09 Marlton, New Jersey Northeastern  ( HEA )
39 Flag of Texas.svg Ryan O'ReillyJunior F 6' 3" (1.91 m)220 lb (100 kg)2000-03-21 Southlake, Texas Green Bay  ( USHL ) DET , 98th overall  2018
43 Flag of Texas.svg Cole HelmFreshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m)195 lb (88 kg)2003-07-17 Dallas, Texas Dubuque  ( BCHL )
53 Flag of Ontario.svg Ryan AlexanderFreshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m)178 lb (81 kg)2002-06-17 Toronto, Ontario Fargo  ( USHL )
59 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Tyler GrattonGraduate F 6' 2" (1.88 m)187 lb (85 kg)1999-08-06 Pottstown, Pennsylvania Penn State  ( Big Ten )
61 Flag of Saskatchewan.svg Lukas SillingerJunior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)2000-09-14 Regina, Saskatchewan Bemidji State  ( CCHA )
82 Flag of Minnesota.svg Charlie SchoenFreshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m)160 lb (73 kg)2001-06-02 Andover, Minnesota Sioux City  ( USHL )
89 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Tony AchilleFreshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m)173 lb (78 kg)2002-01-08 Hingham, Massachusetts Maine  ( NAHL )

Coaches

Head coach

Coach Powers has been on the Sun Devil Coaching Staff for 12 years, and enters his fifth year as Head Coach of ASU's NCAA Division 1 Hockey Program. Coach Powers was a finalist for the 2019 Spencer Penrose Award, which is awarded to the NCAA Division 1 Coach Of The Year.

Prior to becoming an NCAA Division 1 hockey team, Coach Powers helped guide the Sun Devils to their first ACHA Division 1 National Championship.

During the 2018-2019 hockey season, Coach Powers and his staff led the Sun Devils to become the fastest start-up program to qualify for the NCAA Division 1 Tournament in NCAA History. The Sun Devils finished the season ranked 10th in the Pairwise rankings.

Coach Powers was a three time ACHA Division 1 All-American Goaltender while playing hockey for the Sun Devils, and graduated from ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in 1999. Powers was also inducted into the ASU Hockey Player Hall Of Fame in 2009.

Assistants and staff

  • Alex Hicks – Assistant coach (former 15-year professional career including 5 years in the NHL with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, and the Florida Panthers)
  • Mike Field – Associate head coach (former Assistant Coach Division I and United States Hockey League)
  • Eddie Lack – Volunteer coach (former 9-year professional career including 5 years in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, and the New Jersey Devils).
  • Andrew Matheson – Director of Hockey Operations
  • Jon Laughner - Coordinator, Equipment Operations
  • Liane Blyn – Head coach, Olympic Sports
  • Rick Covard – Assistant athletic trainer
  • Chase Drieberg - Equipment Student Manager

Statistical leaders

[17]

Career points leaders

PlayerYearsGPGAPtsPIM
Johnny Walker 2017–20221397053123140
Matthew Kopperud 2020–Present1186443107111
Brinson Pasichnuk 2016–20201363968107170
Timothy Lovell 2021–Present101126577117
Tyler Busch 2016–2020131265177249
Brett Gruber 2016–202013223537648
Josh Doan 2021–20237428477572
Lukas Sillinger 2022–Present7120496930
Demetrios Koumontzis 2018–2023142224567118
Anthony Croston 2015–2019127254166159

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 played

PlayerYearsGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
T. J. Semptimphelter 2022–Present623574312641618.9112.70
Evan Debrouwer 2018–2021512737222041384.9083.02
Joey Daccord 2016–2019824685324072408.9133.07
Ryland Pashovitz 2015–201834170362211110.8943.91

Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.

Sun Devils in the NHL

As of July 1, 2023