Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey
The Arizona State Sun Devils ice hockey team is the only NCAA D-1 independent ice hockey program in the United States.
| Arizona State Sun Devils | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| University | Arizona State University |
| Conference | NCAA Division I independent schools (ice hockey) |
| First season | 2015–16 |
| Head coach | Greg Powers 6th season, 66–86–14 (.440) |
| Arena | Oceanside Ice Arena/Gila River Arena Capacity: 747[1]/17,125 |
| Location | Tempe, Arizona |
| Colors | Maroon and Gold[2] |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 2019 | |
| ACHA Tournament championships | |
| 2014, 2015 | |
Following their first 2013-2014 WCHL Conference Championship, the Sun Devils won the ACHA D-1 National Championship. And followed that with their second WCHL Conference Championship in 2014-2015.
On November 18, 2014, Arizona State announced their departure from the WCHL D-1, the highest non-varsity club level, and created a formal NCAA D-1 independent ice hockey program beginning in 2015-16.
In 2015, they played a hybrid schedule their first season in the NCAA, playing games against ACHA D-1 club programs, NCAA D-3 and NCAA D-1 squads. However, since 2016, they've exclusively played against NCAA D-1 programs.
In 2019, Arizona State earned their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
On the NCAA level, they've always been an independent program, not affiliated with any conference.[3]
The NCHA and WCHA have been seen as potential landing spots for Arizona State hockey.[4] Although, 7 teams from the WCHA have recently left in favor of a smaller geographical footprint in the New CCHA as of the 2021–22 season.
The Sun Devils will continue as an NCAA D-1 independent hockey program entering the 2020-2021 season, having reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2019.
Not to be confused, 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 1973 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 80's 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 1995–1998. ASU has 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 2013–2014 season the team won its first ACHA National Championship, defeating Robert Morris University-Illinois. In the 2015-2016 NCAA hockey season ASU played their first split schedule between ACHA Division 1 and NCAA Division 1 teams, marking their first transition year to become a full-time NCAA Division 1 hockey team. In March 2019 ASU became that fastest team to transition to NCAA Division 1 and make the NCAA Tournament, doing it in just 3 seasons.[5]
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
- 2018–19: Joey Daccord, G
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 [6]
Arena
The Sun Devils have continued play most of their home games at the Oceanside Ice Arena, though they play a few games each season at Glendale's Gila River Arena, home of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes.[7] Following the Sun Devils' move to the NCAA, Oceanside underwent extensive renovations that expanded the capacity to 840 and gave the facility a facelift in ASU colors.[8]
Arizona State is building a new Multi-Purpose Arena that's planned to open in 2022. The 5,000 seat, 175K SF multi-purpose arena will be attached to the Wells Fargo Arena.[9] It will be an integrated indoor sports complex, housing the Sun Devil Ice Hockey team, gymnastics, wrestling, and other sports.[10]
Season-by-season results[11]
All-time coaching records
As of April 30, 2020
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–Present | Greg Powers | 5 | 66–86–14 | .440 |
| Totals | 1 coaches | 5 seasons | 66–86–14 | .440 |
Team
2019–20 roster
As of December 20, 2019.[12]
| No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  |
Connor Stuart | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1997-02-12 | Phoenix, Arizona | Lone Star (NAHL) | — |
| 3 |  |
Gvido Jansons | Junior | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 1997-01-09 | Grobiņa, Latvia | Aston (NAHL) | — |
| 4 |  |
Jacob Wilson (A) | Junior | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1997-02-27 | Ballwin, Missouri | Sioux City (USHL) | — |
| 7 | |
Johnny Walker | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1996-08-21 | Phoenix, Arizona | Chicago (USHL) | — |
| 10 |  |
Tyler Busch (C) | Senior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1996-01-03 | Lloydminster, Alberta | Spruce Grove (AJHL) | — |
| 13 |  |
Chris Grando | Junior (RS) | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 171 lb (78 kg) | 1998-08-22 | Islip, New York | Boston College (HEA) | — |
| 16 |  |
Austin Lemieux | Sophomore | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1996-03-24 | Sewickley, Pennsylvania | Islanders (USPHL) | — |
| 17 |  |
Jacob Semik | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2000-03-10 | Canton, Michigan | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
| 18 |  |
Jax Murray | Freshman | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1998-12-26 | Princeton, Minnesota | Fairbanks (NAHL) | — |
| 19 |  |
Jordan Sandhu | Sophomore | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 155 lb (70 kg) | 1999-05-13 | Richmond, British Columbia | Vernon (BCHL) | — |
| 20 | |
Filips Buncis | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 1997-06-12 | Jelgava, Latvia | Johnstown (NAHL) | — |
| 21 |  |
Peter Zhong | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1998-07-30 | Orland Park, Illinois | Philadelphia (NAHL) | — |
| 22 | |
Jack Judson | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2000-02-26 | White Rock, British Columbia | Vernon (BCHL) | — |
| 23 | |
Demetrios Koumontzis | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2000-03-24 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Edina (USHS–MN) | CGY, 108th overall 2018 |
| 24 | |
Joshua Maniscalco | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1999-02-17 | Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
| 25 | |
P.J. Marrocco | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1997-08-27 | Edmonton, Alberta | Chilliwack (BCHL) | — |
| 26 |  |
Max Balinson | Junior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1996-10-05 | Ancaster, Ontario | Burlington (OJHL) | — |
| 27 |  |
Brett Gruber | Senior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1996-01-18 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Green Bay (USHL) | — |
| 28 | |
Steenn Pasichnuk | Senior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 219 lb (99 kg) | 1995-04-05 | Bonnyville, Alberta | Bonnyville (AJHL) | — |
| 29 | |
William Knierim | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | 1998-01-22 | Skokie, Illinois | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
| 30 | |
Evan DeBrouwer | Sophomore | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1997-01-30 | Blenheim, Ontario | Prince George (BCHL) | — |
| 31 |  |
Justin Robbins | Freshman | G | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 172 lb (78 kg) | 1999-03-10 | Alpine, New Jersey | Chicago (USHL) | — |
| 37 |  |
Dominic Garcia (A) | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1996-10-30 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Aston (NAHL) | — |
| 39 | |
Brinson Pasichnuk (C) | Senior | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1997-11-24 | Bonnyville, Alberta | Bonnyville (AJHL) | — |
| 45 |  |
Max Prawdzik | Graduate | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1997-02-22 | Andover, Massachusetts | Boston University (HEA) | — |
| 60 | |
Jarrod Gourley | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | 1999-06-29 | Calgary, Alberta | Spruce Grove (AJHL) | — |
| 61 | |
James Sanchez | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 1998-02-25 | Northbrook, Illinois | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
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 a 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
- CJ Clarizio - Assistant Athletic Trainer
- Chase Drieberg - Equipment Student Manager
References
- http://www.oceansideicearena.net/pages/about/arena-info
- "ASU Logos | Arizona State University official logo". Retrieved April 29, 2020.
- "Arizona State to launch Division I hockey program". Fox Sports Arizona. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- "COMMENTARY: Arizona State is more proof college hockey realignment works". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2019/03/29/asu-hockey-making-historic-ncaa-tournament-debut-vs-familiar-foe/3271487002/
- http://www.zonethemes.com/sundevilhockey.com/DI/?page_id=36
- "ASU hockey to call Oceanside home another season". The State Press. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- "ASU Hockey: Oceanside Ice Arena renovation plans revealed". House of Sparky. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- Tapia, Monica. "RFP Issued for New ASU Multi-Purpose Sports Arena". azbex.com. BEX azbex.
- Cameron, Greg. "Q&A With ... Arizona State AD Ray Anderson". collegehockeynews.com. College Hockey News.
- "Arizona State Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
- "2019–20 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Arizona State University. Retrieved July 25, 2018.