For the first time in the program’s almost 50 year history, the St. Joe’s men’s ice hockey club team went 3-0 at the Stephen Russell Memorial Tournament this past weekend in Wilmington, North Carolina. The team now has a 10-3 record.
“We couldn’t be happier with how we played this weekend going 3-0,” sophomore forward and assistant captain Liam Morgan said. “They were huge league games that we battled hard in, and ultimately found a way to win each one.”
Coached by Matt McGarvey ’15, the team competes against other schools in the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League. The Hawks are currently tied for first with George Washington University in the Capital Division of that league.
In the past few years, the team has worked to build depth to match other schools in the league. This season, there are 25 players on the roster, and senior forward and captain Frankie McVeigh said these additions have contributed to the team’s success.
The new players include freshman goalie Troy Stefano and freshman defenseman Teddy Bacon.
“It’s been a great experience being on the team,” Bacon said. “A lot of the upperclassmen are super welcoming.”
Stefano is the team’s new starting goalie. Regardless of him being a first-year player, McVeigh said that he has been instrumental to the success of the team.
“Having a new goalie has also been beneficial to our team,” McVeigh said.
Morgan said the relationships the team members have with one another on and off the ice have contributed to the team’s success.
“Knowing that any one of them would do anything for me makes me want to do anything for them,” Morgan said. “It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that has made us successful thus far.”
McVeigh also said those relationships have been key this season.
“You really build a bond with your brothers,” McVeigh said. “It’s a lot more than just playing hockey. You make relationships with the guys on your team, and these are your best friends.”
Team members also said they are encouraged by the fans who show up for their home games at the Skatium, a rink facility in Haverford, about five miles from St. Joe’s campus, where the team also practices twice a week.
“If we have our fans behind us, we’re going to come out a lot faster, start a lot harder, and we want the energy in the building to be up,” McVeigh said.
Senior captain Griffin Pierce also would like to see more student fans at the games.
“We love when the school comes out to support us,” Pierce said. “It gives us that extra energy to get out there and play a lot harder. It means everything to me and to the rest of the guys.”
