There is a new hockey team on campus, and unlike the men and women Engineers, the players don’t receive a dime for the time they put into their program. An idea originally conceived at the start of the school year by a group of hockey-loving students, the RPI club hockey team has seen much success on the ice in its first season of play.
“We’re just a group of strong players that could have played college-level hockey somewhere else, but chose an education over the sport,” explained freshman Jeremy Coupal, a goaltender and one of the founders of the new team. Coupal went on to explain how he was recruited to play at a Division-III school, but forwent his hockey career in favor of better academics. This also seems to be the case with many members of the club team.
Unlike the vastly popular intramural teams on campus, the club team is actually a member of a higher organization—the American Collegiate Hockey Association—which is sanctioned by USA Hockey, the all-governing authority of the ice hockey world. The game and competition are also at an entirely different level than even the most successful A-League teams. “Intramurals can only provide so much,” said sophomore Tom Cooley. “We’re looking to develop as a team, and to be able to compete on a higher level against other schools … we’re people looking for more in their hockey experience.”
The team—sporting jerseys identical to the varsity men’s team, as well as socks and custom pants—holds two practices a week, complete with USA Hockey-approved coaches comprised of both volunteers and members of RPI’s faculty. For those wondering about competition, the group plays against a wide array of schools, such as Union College, Siena College, and the University of Albany. “Pretty much anyone our men’s team plays against has a club hockey team,” said Coupal.
One of the most rewarding parts of the new club hockey team is simply being surrounded by people who are passionate and skilled. “Sitting in the locker room with 25 guys who just want to play again—all the same interests, goals, drive—it’s just like being back in juniors,” said Cooley. Despite its “club” title, the team is nothing to push aside. All players are expected to be at every game and practice. “It’s a real serious thing for us. At the beginning of the season, we had one player drop out who couldn’t make the time commitment. He didn’t want to hinder the team, so he left,” said Coupal. “As a result, the rest of us really stepped-up to fill the spot.”
Although the typical club hockey season lasts from mid-October to the beginning of March, the RPI team was only able to compete in six games, posting a record of 3-2-1. The truncated playing schedule was due mostly to the last-minute formation of the team, which held tryouts only a few days before its first game. One of its most important games wasn’t a win, but rather a tie against the league-leading UAlbany Great Danes. “Right now, we’re trying to figure out whether we want to play in Division-III or Division-II,” said Coupal. After tying the best in its league with only a few practices, the group doesn’t want to get bored with Division-III play if it is capable of competing at a higher level. With a 13-3 win over Union and a couple of other blowout victories this season, playing in the lower level might not be the challenge the players are looking for.
As for next season, the team hopes to pick up a few more players and to be better prepared. “We’re looking forward to tryouts in early September,” said Cooley. Just like the men’s and women’s teams, it expects players to work hard over the summer in preparation for the season ahead.
For those interested in participating in the club hockey team, visit its website at http://clubhockey.union.rpi.edu/ regarding tryout information for the upcoming school year.
