Army Black Knights men's ice hockey

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Army Black Knights men's ice hockey
Hockey current event.svg Current season
Army West Point logo.svg
University United States Military Academy
Conference AHA
First season1903–04
Head coach Brian Riley
19th season, 218–317–86 (.420)
Captain(s)Zach Evancho
Alternate captain(s)Dominic Franco, Alex Wilkinson
Arena Tate Rink
Capacity: 2,746
Surface: 200' x 90'
Location West Point, New York
ColorsBlack, gold, and gray [1]
     
Conference regular season championships
AHA: 2007–08
Current uniform
AHA-Uniform-USMA.png

The Army Black Knights men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the United States Military Academy. The Black Knights are a member of Atlantic Hockey and play at the Tate Rink in West Point, New York.

Contents

History

The men's ice hockey program at West Point has been in existence since the 1903–04 season. The team played outdoors until 1930 when the Smith Rink opened. [2] The team competed as independent members of NCAA Division I from the inaugural season through the 1960–61 season. [3] In 1961 the program became a founding member of the ECAC. [3] The team, known at the time as the Army Cadets, played as members of the ECAC from 1961 to 1962 season through the 1972–73 season before dropping their program to Division II status when the NCAA instituted numerical divisions. The Cadets would remain there until 1980 when they rejoined the ECAC as an associate member. Army became a full ECAC member in 1984 in the aftermath of the Hockey East schism but the Cadets wouldn't remain for long and left the conference in 1990. The Cadets joined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which began sponsoring men's hockey at the time, in 1999 and in 2001 the team name was changed to Army Black Knights along with the other athletic programs at the Academy. [3] In 2003, the MAAC's ice hockey division split off and became the Atlantic Hockey Association, a hockey-only NCAA Division I conference. [4]

In 2007–08 season the Black Knights won their only conference title to date, the Atlantic Hockey Regular Season Championship. In that season the Knights finished with an overall record of 19 wins, 14 losses, and 4 ties and went 17–8–3 in conference play. [5] Took the No. 1 seed into the Atlantic Hockey playoffs and swept (#10) American Int'l two games to none in the three game first round series. [4] The Black Knight's season came to an end in the semifinal game when they lost to (#5) Mercyhurst 2–4. [6]

Since 1950, the Cadets/Black Knights have been coached by a member of the Riley family. Jack Riley, best known for leading the United States to the gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympics, coached at West Point from 1950 to 1986. He handed the reins to his son Rob in 1986, who in turn handed coaching duties to his younger brother Brian in 2004.

Army–RMC rivalry

The Army Black Knights have a long-standing rivalry with the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Paladins. It is considered one of the longest-running annual international sporting events in the world. [7] [8]

The tradition originated when the commandant of RMC, Sir Archibald McDonnell, and the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur, suggested a game of ice hockey between the two schools in 1921. [9] After two years of exchanging ideas, the first game was played on February 23, 1923, at West Point. The Redmen won that first game 3–0. [10] In 1924 the series moved to Kingston, Ontario (the location of RMC), thus beginning the tradition of rotating venues. This was Army's first away game and up until 1941, the West Point Game was the only time that Army played away from the Academy. [7] [8]

From 1923 to 1935 RMC ran up a record of 14–0–1, the only blemish being a 4–4 tie in 1935. 1939 saw Army win its first game, 3–1. As a result of World War II, only one game was played, a 3–1 Army win in 1942, over the next 10 years. [7]

In the 1950s and 1960s Army won 15 of 20 games, bringing the series close with RMC holding a 21–18–1 advantage. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the teams played fairly closely. In 1986 the record stood at 26–25–4 in favor of RMC. [7]

From 1988 to 1999, Army dominated the rivalry, going undefeated. RMC last won in 2002 by a score of 3–0 and Army won in 2004, 3–2.

The 2006 game was a 3–3 tie in front of 3100 fans in Kingston. Currently Army leads the Series 39–29–7.

The game was played continually after the World War II years, from 1949 until 2007. [11] The 2007 edition of the rivalry was to take place on Saturday Feb 10, at Tate Arena in West Point, New York, but was cancelled due to regular season scheduling conflicts and for 2008 the teams will not play a competitive game but instead the Paladins will travel to New York to spend 3 days practicing, playing and socializing with the West Point cadets. [12]

The series was re-established on February 4, 2011, with Army hosting the Paladins at West Point. This rivalry will continue on an annual basis, counting as an exhibition game for both teams.

Season-by-season results

[13]

All-time coaching records

As of March 27, 2022

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
2004–Present Brian Riley 18218–317–86.420
1988–2004 Rob Riley 18257–288–33.473
1950–1986 Jack Riley 36542–343–20.610
1945–1950 Len Patten 533–35–2.486
1944–1945 Robert Lutz 17–2–1.750
1943–1944 John Hines 15–4–0.556
1923–1943 Ray Marchand 2076–106–9.421
1920–1923 Talbot Hunter 312–12–2.500
1918–1920 Philip Day 26–4–1.591
1917–1918 Joseph Viner 16–3–0.667
1914–1917 Frank Purdon 39–10–1.475
1912–1914 Philip Gordon 27–6–0.538
1910–1912 LeRoy Bartlett 23–4–1.438
1907–1910 George Russell 35–7–4.438
1904–1907 Robert Foy 315–8–0.652
1903–1904 Edward Leonard King 15–1–0.833
Totals16 coaches119 seasons1206–1150–160.511

Awards

U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

The following individuals have been inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

† As the coach of the 1960 Olympic team.

IIHF Hall of Fame

The following individuals have been inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.

Army Sports Hall of Fame

The following individuals have been inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame.

Lester Patrick Award

The following individuals have been awarded the Lester Patrick Award.

NCAA

Individual Awards

All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

MAAC

Individual Awards

All–MAAC Teams

First Team [14]

  • Brad Roberts (2003)

Second Team

  • Joe Dudek (2003)

Rookie Team [15]

  • Chris Casey (2002)
  • Brad Roberts (2003)

Atlantic Hockey

Individual Awards

All-Atlantic Hockey Teams

First Team [18]

  • Josh Kassel (2008)
  • Zach McKelvie (2008, 2009)
  • Luke Flicek (2008)
  • Owen Meyer (2009)
  • Alexander Wilkinson (2018)
  • Trevin Kozlowski (2021)
  • Thomas Farrell (2021)
  • Colin Bilek (2021, 2022)

Second Team

  • Brad Roberts (2006)
  • Tim Manthey (2006, 2007)
  • Josh Kassel (2007)
  • Owen Meyer (2008)
  • Marcel Alvarez (2010, 2011)
  • Cody Omilusik (2010)
  • Parker Gahagen (2016, 2017)
  • Michael Wilson (2018)
  • Dalton MacAfee (2019)
  • Dominic Franco (2020)
  • John Zimmerman (2021)
  • Gavin Abric (2022)
  • Anthony Firriolo (2022)

Third Team

  • Luke Flicek (2007)
  • Cody Omilusik (2011)

Rookie Team

  • Tim Manthey (2006)
  • Owen Meyer (2007)
  • Marcel Alvarez (2009)
  • Joe Kozlak (2013)
  • C. J. Reuschlein (2014)
  • Tyler Pham (2015)
  • Alexander Wilkinson (2017)
  • Dominic Franco (2017)
  • John Zimmerman (2018)
  • Anthony Firriolo (2020)
  • Lincoln Hatten (2021)

Statistical Leaders

[19]

Career Scoring leaders

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

PlayerYearsGPGAPTSPIM
Dave Rost 1973–1977104226330
Tom Rost 1976–1980118169287284
George Clark 1971–1975153113266
Jim Knowlton 1978–198290172262
David Merhar 1966–1969112117229
Robbie Craig 1980–198486135221
Ed Collazzo 1979–198393104197
Frank Keating 1978–198265131196
Dan Cox 1979–198361133194
Biff Shea 1981–198568120188

Career Goaltending Leaders

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

Minimum 35 games

PlayerYearsGPMINWLTGASOSV%GAA
Trevin Kozlowski 2017–2021653865362161423.9112.18
Jack Shepard 1960–1963.9202.20
Neil Meiras 1961–1964.8962.28
Parker Gahagen 2013–2017110637241491625510.9262.40
Josh Kassel 2005–2009774415373171818.9092.46

Statistics current through the start of the 2017-18 season.

Roster

As of August 23, 2021. [20]

No. S/P/CPlayerClassPosHeightWeightDoBHometownPrevious teamNHL rights
1 Flag of Wisconsin.svg Gavin AbricSophomore G 6' 3" (1.91 m)170 lb (77 kg)2001-01-11 Hayward, Wisconsin Jersey  (NCDC)—
2 Flag of Illinois.svg Thomas Farrell ( A )Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m)200 lb (91 kg)1999-01-18 Mettawa, Illinois Youngstown  ( USHL )—
3 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Brad ZonaFreshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m)205 lb (93 kg)2000-08-01 Auburn, Massachusetts New Jersey  ( NAHL )—
4 Flag of South Dakota.svg Coby MackSenior D 6' 3" (1.91 m)213 lb (97 kg)1997-10-07 Rapid City, South Dakota Northern  (NCDC)—
5 Flag of Ohio.svg Andrew QuetellSenior D 5' 11" (1.8 m)185 lb (84 kg)1998-06-21 Cleveland, Ohio Johnstown  ( NAHL )—
6 Flag of Michigan.svg Colin Bilek  ( C )Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)180 lb (82 kg)1997-06-04 Brighton, Michigan Northeast  ( NAHL )—
7 Flag of Connecticut.svg Andrew GilbertFreshman D 6' 5" (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)2000-05-02 Fairfield, Connecticut Jersey  (NCDC)—
8 Flag of Minnesota.svg Ricky LyleSophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m)187 lb (85 kg)2000-08-21 Duluth, Minnesota Madison  ( USHL )—
9 Flag of Alaska.svg Daniel Haider ( A )Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m)175 lb (79 kg)1997-12-19 Anchorage, Alaska Fairbanks  ( NAHL )—
10 Flag of Nebraska.svg Jake FelkerSophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m)192 lb (87 kg)2000-03-19 Omaha, Nebraska Youngstown  ( USHL )—
11 Flag of Texas.svg Lincoln HattenSophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)2000-03-01 Allen, Texas Wilkes-Barre/Scranton  ( NAHL )—
12 Flag of Minnesota.svg John KeranenJunior F 6' 2" (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)1998-08-31 Delano, Minnesota Minnesota Magicians  ( NAHL )—
13 Flag of New York.svg Michael SaccoFreshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m)175 lb (79 kg)1999-11-16 Syosset, New York Wilkes-Barre/Scranton  ( NAHL )—
14 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Hunter McCoyFreshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)2000-08-01 Newburyport, Massachusetts Maryland  ( NAHL )—
15 Flag of Wisconsin.svg Marshal PlunkettSenior D 5' 10" (1.78 m)175 lb (79 kg)1998-10-31 West Salem, Wisconsin Coulee Region  ( NAHL )—
16 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Eric Butte ( C )Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)1997-05-28 Belmont, Massachusetts Langley  ( BCHL )—
17 Flag of New Jersey.svg Anthony FirrioloJunior D 5' 11" (1.8 m)165 lb (75 kg)1998-07-03 Montville, New Jersey Corpus Christi  ( NAHL )—
19 Flag of Michigan.svg Brett AbdelnourJunior F 5' 9" (1.75 m)167 lb (76 kg)1998-10-23 Macomb, Michigan Amarillo  ( NAHL )—
20 Flag of Colorado.svg Brody MedeirosSophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m)200 lb (91 kg)1999-01-25 Littleton, Colorado New Jersey  ( NAHL )—
21 Flag of Wisconsin.svg Josh BohlinFreshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)2000-02-10 Wausau, Wisconsin Minnesota Wilderness  ( NAHL )—
22 Flag of Wisconsin.svg Noah WilsonJunior D 5' 11" (1.8 m)205 lb (93 kg)1998-12-21 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Fairbanks  ( NAHL )—
23 Flag of Florida.svg Joey BaezFreshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m)175 lb (79 kg)2000-01-12 Tampa, Florida Lone Star  ( NAHL )—
24 Flag of Michigan.svg Andrew GarbyFreshman D 5' 9" (1.75 m)160 lb (73 kg)2000-09-17 Canton, Michigan Fairbanks  ( NAHL )—
25 Flag of Ohio.svg Patrick SmythJunior F 6' 4" (1.93 m)220 lb (100 kg)1999-04-23 Toledo, Ohio Dubuque  ( USHL )—
26 Flag of Minnesota.svg Mitch MachlittSophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m)180 lb (82 kg)1999-01-15 Robbinsdale, Minnesota New Jersey  ( NAHL )—
27 Flag of Rhode Island.svg Chris KoninSophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m)196 lb (89 kg)2000-01-04 West Kingston, Rhode Island Minnesota Magicians  ( NAHL )—
28 Flag of Missouri.svg Kendrick FrostJunior F 6' 4" (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)1999-04-01 Lee's Summit, Missouri Brookings  ( NAHL )—
29 Flag of Texas.svg Eric HussSophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m)181 lb (82 kg)1999-03-16 Dallas, Texas Lone Star  ( NAHL )—
31 Flag of Tennessee.svg Evan SzaryFreshman G 5' 11" (1.8 m)175 lb (79 kg)2000-02-29 Nashville, Tennessee South Shore  (NCDC)—
34 Flag of Minnesota.svg Justin EvensonJunior G 6' 1" (1.85 m)160 lb (73 kg)1999-08-20 Minnetonka, Minnesota Amarillo  ( NAHL )—

Olympians

This is a list of Army alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

NamePositionArmy TenureTeamYearFinish
Larry Palmer Goaltender1956–1959 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1960 Gold medal icon.svg Gold

Black Knights in the NHL

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