Alabama-Huntsville Chargers ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The Alabama–Huntsville Chargers ice hockey team is currently the only Division I ice hockey
program located south of the Mason–Dixon Line, fielded by the University of Alabama in Huntsville
in Huntsville
, Alabama
. With its stature as the South's only Division I team in place, following the 1987 season Alabama governor George Wallace
declared Huntsville to be the "Hockey Capital of the South."
The Chargers previously competed as a charter member of College Hockey America
between 1999 and 2010, but have been an independent
since the beginning of the 2010 season. The team has home ice at the Von Braun Center
. Although all Charger home games are played in Huntsville, UAH was selected as the host school for the 2012
Frozen Four scheduled to be held at the St. Pete Times Forum
in Tampa
, Florida
. The current men's head coach is Chris Luongo
. The 2011–12 season will be the school's final season competing at the NCAA Division I level. Hockey will be relegated to club sport
status in 2012 and beyond.
For the 1982–83 season, UAH would move to the Central States Collegiate Hockey League
and hire Doug Ross
as head coach. The team would continue to excel in winning both the 1983 and 1984 National Club Championships and finishing as runner-up in 1985. The on-ice success led to the program spending the 1985–86 competing in the NAIA
before moving to compete in NCAA
Division II college ice hockey
for the 1986–87 season.
Following the 1986–87 season, the NCAA would eliminate Division II ice hockey resulting in UAH competing at the Division I level from the 1987–88 through the 1991–92 seasons. For the 1992-93 season, UAH would drop back to a reinstituted Division II, citing competition, overall program costs and an inability to join a Division I conference. In the second season back at D-II, the Chargers would finish as the Division II National Runner-up. Between 1995 and 1998, the Chargers would win a pair of D-II National Championships (1996 & 1998) in addition to finishing as Division II National Runner-up again in 1997.
Following the 1998–99 season, the NCAA would eliminate Division II ice hockey resulting in UAH once again moving to Division I as a charter member of College Hockey America
. As a member of the CHA, UAH has finished as regular season champions twice (2001 & 2003) in addition to two tournament championships in 2007 and 2010. In Doug Ross' final season as head coach, the Chargers would advance to the NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
for the first time in school history only to lose to Notre Dame
in the first round. Following their NCAA exit, Danton Cole was announced as UAH's third head coach in April 2007.
By the 2008–09 season, the immediate future of College Hockey America was in doubt with Niagara University
and Robert Morris University
moving to Atlantic Hockey
and Bemidji State moving to the WCHA
effective for the 2010–11 season. With these departures, it was subsequently announced that the CHA would fold following the 2009-10 season. As such the Chargers have applied for membership to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA) to begin play in the 2010–11 season. By June 2009, the prospects for UAH to join the CCHA improved with Nebraska-Omaha
departing to the WCHA leaving the league needing a twelfth team to compete in 2010–11. On August 11, the CCHA announced that UAH's application to become a member of the conference was denied. Following the 2009–10 season, UAH will play as the only Division I Independent program due to the lack of conference affiliation. In their final season as a member of CHA, the Chargers won the 2010 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
, but lost in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. In June 2010, Danton Cole announced his departure from the program to pursue a position with USA Hockey
.. On July 9, 2010, Chris Luongo
was named UAH's fourth all-time head coach.
On October 24, 2011, interim UAHuntsville President Malcolm Portera
announced that the 2011–12 season would be the school's final season competing at the NCAA Division I level, citing financial reasons for making the decision. The program would be "realigned" as a club team, and the coaches' jobs would be eliminated as of May 31, 2012. An effort is under way by local boosters to save the team: there is still some hope that the incoming president, Robert Altenkirch
, might reverse Portera's decision.
Ironically, UAHuntsville is the host institution for the 2012 Frozen Four
, which will be played in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Team (since 1986)
Team
College hockey
College hockey refers to ice hockey played between colleges with their teams composed of enrolled students. College hockey is played in Canada and the United States, though leagues outside of North America exist....
program located south of the Mason–Dixon Line, fielded by the University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Alabama in Huntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five...
in Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. With its stature as the South's only Division I team in place, following the 1987 season Alabama governor George Wallace
George Wallace
George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S...
declared Huntsville to be the "Hockey Capital of the South."
The Chargers previously competed as a charter member of College Hockey America
College Hockey America
College Hockey America is a women's college ice hockey conference in the United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The conference is currently made up of four women's teams in New York and Pennsylvania....
between 1999 and 2010, but have been an independent
NCAA Division I independent schools (ice hockey)
NCAA Division I independent schools are teams that compete in NCAA college ice hockey but are not members of a conference. There are several current schools who, at one time or another, competed as Division I independents.-Men:-Women:-Men:-Women:...
since the beginning of the 2010 season. The team has home ice at the Von Braun Center
Von Braun Center
The Von Braun Center , known as the Von Braun Civic Center until 1997, is a multi-purpose indoor arena, meeting, and performing arts complex, with a maximum arena seating capacity of 10,000, located in Huntsville, Alabama...
. Although all Charger home games are played in Huntsville, UAH was selected as the host school for the 2012
2012 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
The 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament will involve 16 schools in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. The tournament will begin on March 23, 2012, and end with the championship game on April 7.-Tournament...
Frozen Four scheduled to be held at the St. Pete Times Forum
St. Pete Times Forum
The St. Pete Times Forum is an arena in Tampa, Florida, that has been used for ice hockey, basketball, and arena football games, as well as concerts....
in Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The current men's head coach is Chris Luongo
Chris Luongo
Christopher John Luongo , is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Luongo played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and New York Islanders.-Playing career:...
. The 2011–12 season will be the school's final season competing at the NCAA Division I level. Hockey will be relegated to club sport
American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the national governing body of non-varsity college ice hockey in the U.S. The organization provides structure, regulations, promotes the quality of play, sponsors National Awards and National Tournaments....
status in 2012 and beyond.
History
In 1979, the initial Charger team was organized with Joe Ritch serving as head coach. Competing as a club team as part of the Southern Collegiate Hockey Association, UAH would win their inaugural game by a final score of 11–4 on October 26, 1979. UAH would capture the SCHA Championship in the first season and win another two in addition to the 1982 National Club Championship in the first three seasons of play.For the 1982–83 season, UAH would move to the Central States Collegiate Hockey League
Central States Collegiate Hockey League
The Central States Collegiate Hockey League is Division I ACHA club level hockey-college athletic conference. The CSCHL is in its 39th season of existence and is one of the top ranked ACHA leagues. It currently has 7 member teams in the Midwestern United States.-Format:League teams play a 20-game...
and hire Doug Ross
Doug Ross (ice hockey)
Douglas George Ross is a retired American college ice hockey player and former college ice hockey head coach. Ross was a member of the American team at the 1976 Winter Olympics. Ross coached the club program at Ohio University Bobcats for one season in 1976-1977...
as head coach. The team would continue to excel in winning both the 1983 and 1984 National Club Championships and finishing as runner-up in 1985. The on-ice success led to the program spending the 1985–86 competing in the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
before moving to compete in NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division II college ice hockey
College hockey
College hockey refers to ice hockey played between colleges with their teams composed of enrolled students. College hockey is played in Canada and the United States, though leagues outside of North America exist....
for the 1986–87 season.
Following the 1986–87 season, the NCAA would eliminate Division II ice hockey resulting in UAH competing at the Division I level from the 1987–88 through the 1991–92 seasons. For the 1992-93 season, UAH would drop back to a reinstituted Division II, citing competition, overall program costs and an inability to join a Division I conference. In the second season back at D-II, the Chargers would finish as the Division II National Runner-up. Between 1995 and 1998, the Chargers would win a pair of D-II National Championships (1996 & 1998) in addition to finishing as Division II National Runner-up again in 1997.
Following the 1998–99 season, the NCAA would eliminate Division II ice hockey resulting in UAH once again moving to Division I as a charter member of College Hockey America
College Hockey America
College Hockey America is a women's college ice hockey conference in the United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The conference is currently made up of four women's teams in New York and Pennsylvania....
. As a member of the CHA, UAH has finished as regular season champions twice (2001 & 2003) in addition to two tournament championships in 2007 and 2010. In Doug Ross' final season as head coach, the Chargers would advance to the NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
2007 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
-Northeast Regional – Manchester, New Hampshire:-West Regional – Denver, Colorado:-Midwest Regional – Grand Rapids, Michigan:-Frozen Four – St...
for the first time in school history only to lose to Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame. The team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association at the NCAA Division I level.- History :...
in the first round. Following their NCAA exit, Danton Cole was announced as UAH's third head coach in April 2007.
By the 2008–09 season, the immediate future of College Hockey America was in doubt with Niagara University
Niagara University
Niagara University is a Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition, located in the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. Originally founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1856 as Our Lady of Angels Seminary, it became Niagara University in 1883. The University is still run by...
and Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University is a private, coeducational university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1921, the school was named for Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped finance the ensuing war with the British.-History:Robert Morris...
moving to Atlantic Hockey
Atlantic Hockey
The Atlantic Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates primarily in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey–only conference. Unlike several other college athletic conferences, Atlantic Hockey has no women's...
and Bemidji State moving to the WCHA
Western Collegiate Hockey Association
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
effective for the 2010–11 season. With these departures, it was subsequently announced that the CHA would fold following the 2009-10 season. As such the Chargers have applied for membership to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA) to begin play in the 2010–11 season. By June 2009, the prospects for UAH to join the CCHA improved with Nebraska-Omaha
Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey
The Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents University of Nebraska-Omaha. The Mavericks are a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association . They play home games at the CenturyLink...
departing to the WCHA leaving the league needing a twelfth team to compete in 2010–11. On August 11, the CCHA announced that UAH's application to become a member of the conference was denied. Following the 2009–10 season, UAH will play as the only Division I Independent program due to the lack of conference affiliation. In their final season as a member of CHA, the Chargers won the 2010 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
2010 CHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
-Third place:-Championship:-All-Tournament Team:*Goaltender: Cameron Talbot *Defensemen: Tyler Gotto *Forwards: Cody Campbell , Ron Cramer , Ryan Cramer , Chris Moran -External links:*...
, but lost in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. In June 2010, Danton Cole announced his departure from the program to pursue a position with USA Hockey
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
.. On July 9, 2010, Chris Luongo
Chris Luongo
Christopher John Luongo , is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Luongo played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and New York Islanders.-Playing career:...
was named UAH's fourth all-time head coach.
On October 24, 2011, interim UAHuntsville President Malcolm Portera
Malcolm Portera
Malcolm Portera was the President of Mississippi State University from 1998-2001. He also served as the interim president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville between Dr. David B. Williams and Robert Altenkirch...
announced that the 2011–12 season would be the school's final season competing at the NCAA Division I level, citing financial reasons for making the decision. The program would be "realigned" as a club team, and the coaches' jobs would be eliminated as of May 31, 2012. An effort is under way by local boosters to save the team: there is still some hope that the incoming president, Robert Altenkirch
Robert Altenkirch
Robert A. Altenkirch is the President of University of Alabama in Huntsville. He has yet to be inaugurated.-Life:Robert A. Altenkirch, is the current president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He was formerly vice president for research at Mississippi State University and the seventh...
, might reverse Portera's decision.
Ironically, UAHuntsville is the host institution for the 2012 Frozen Four
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
, which will be played in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
National Championship seasons
Prior to making the move back to Division I for the 1999–00 season, UAH had won Division II championships in both 1996 and 1998.- 1996 -- The 1995–96 Alabama-Huntsville hockey team, coached by Doug Ross, completed the regular season 24–0–3. UAH was then invited to play Bemidji State BeaversBemidji State UniversityBemidji State University is a public state university in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA, located on the shores of Lake Bemidji. It is a part of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities .-History:BSU was founded in 1919 as Bemidji State Normal School...
in a two game series to determine the Division II National Championship at Huntsville's Von Braun Center. The Chargers would dominate in both their a 7–1 victory on March 8 followed by 3–0 shutout to clinch the championship the following day. In the weeks following the championship, speculation on plans for a new 4,000-seat arena near the Benton H. Wilcoxon Municipal Iceplex for the Chargers were later abandoned. Additionally, whether or not to move back to Division I became an issue, but UAH would refrain from the jump until 1999.
- 1998 -- The 1997–98 Alabama-Huntsville hockey team, coached by Doug Ross, completed the regular season 22–3–3. UAH was then invited to play Bemidji State BeaversBemidji State UniversityBemidji State University is a public state university in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA, located on the shores of Lake Bemidji. It is a part of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities .-History:BSU was founded in 1919 as Bemidji State Normal School...
in a two game series to determine the Division II National Championship at Huntsville's Von Braun Center. The Chargers would again take the championship after a 6–2 victory on March 13 followed by 5–2 victory the following day.
Notable alumni
- Scott MunroeScott MunroeScott Munroe is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
- professional ice hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltenderGoaltenderIn ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who plays for Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the Kontinental Hockey LeagueKontinental Hockey LeagueThe Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). - Jared RossJared RossJared Ross is an American professional ice hockey center who plays for ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga . When he debuted with the Philadelphia Flyers at the beginning of the 2008–09 season, he became the first player born and trained in the state of Alabama to play in the NHL...
- professional ice hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centerCentre (ice hockey)The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
who played for the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). Ross is the first player born and trained in the state of AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
to play in the NHL.
Career
- Most goals in a career: 95 by Mario Mazzuca in 102 games between 1992-96
- Most assists in a career: 118 by Tony Guzzo in 108 games between 1993-97
- Most points in a career: 179 by Tony Guzzo in 108 games between 1993-97
- Most penalty minutes in a career: 467 by Shane Stewart in 111 games between 1996-2000
- Most points in a career, defenseman: 110 by Sheldon Wolitski in 106 games between 1992-96
- Most wins in a career: 65 by Derek Puppa in 93 games between 1992-96
- Most shutouts in a career: 8 by Mark Byrne in 43 games between 1999-2002
Season
Players- Most goals in a season: 35 by Mario Mazzuca in 29 games during the 1995-96 season
- Most assists in a season: 42 by Shane Bowler in 27 games during the 1994-95 season
- Most points in a season: 62 by Graham Fair in 25 games during the 1993-94 season (23 goals, 39 assists)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: 186 by Shane Stewart in 26 games during the 1998-99 season
- Most points in a season, defenseman: 41 by Sheldon Wolitski in 29 games during the 1995-96 season (12-29), and by Taso Sofikitis in 29 games during the 1995-96 season (11-30)
- Most points in a season, freshman: 60 by Richard Sloan in 30 games during the 1986-87 season (23-37)
- Most wins in a season: 23 by Derek Puppa in 27 games during the 1995-96 season
- Most shutouts in a season: 6 by Mark Byrne in 29 games during the 2000-01 season
- Most power play goals in a season (since 1986): 14 by Mario Mazzuca in 27 games during the 1994-95 season, and in 29 games during the 1995-96 season
Team (since 1986)
- Most wins in a season: 26 in the 1995-96 season (26-0-3)
- Most CHA wins in a season: 21 in 2000-01 & 2002-03
- Most overtime games in a season: 9 in 2002-03 (3-3-3)
- Longest overall unbeaten streak: 34 games from February 4, 1995 to March 9, 1996 (31-0-3)
Game
Player- Most goals in a game: 5 by Mike O’Connor against Queens on February 27, 1988 and by Mario Mazzuca against Nichols on February 11, 1995
- Most assists in a game: 6 by Jim Spanier against Upsala on February 27, 1987 and by Tony Guzzo against New England on December 30, 1996
- Most points in a game: 7 on three separate occasions
- Most penalty minutes in a game: 31 by Shane Stewart against Bemidji State on February 5, 2000
Team
- Most goals in a game: 23 against Sacred Heart (W 23-4) on November 8, 1997
- Most goals in a period: 12 against Curry (W 20-1)in the 3rd period, January 13, 1996
- Most penalty minutes in a game: 96 against Bemidji State University on February 5, 2000
- Most penalty minutes in a period: 74 against Western Michigan in the 3rd period, October 21, 2000
All-time coaching records
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1979–1982) | Joe Ritch | 3 | 85–4–1 |
| (1982–2007) | Doug Ross Doug Ross (ice hockey) Douglas George Ross is a retired American college ice hockey player and former college ice hockey head coach. Ross was a member of the American team at the 1976 Winter Olympics. Ross coached the club program at Ohio University Bobcats for one season in 1976-1977... |
25 | 461–271–43 |
| (2007–2010) | Danton Cole Danton Cole Danton E. Cole is a retired professional hockey player and current Head Coach at the USA Hockey Under 18 Developmental National Program, who played in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Chicago Blackhawks... |
3 | 23–59–11 |
| (2010–) | Chris Luongo Chris Luongo Christopher John Luongo , is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Luongo played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and New York Islanders.-Playing career:... |
1 | 4–26–2 |
| Totals | 4 coaches | 32 seasons | 565–359–62 |