Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I college ice hockey
program that represents Robert Morris University
. The team plays its home games at the Island Sports Center
in Neville Township, Pennsylvania. The Colonials are a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association
. Until the 2009–10 season, the Colonials were a member of College Hockey America
.
, which would house a men's and women's ice hockey team. On August 8, 2003, the school officially purchased the 32-acre complex – complete with a 1,100-seat hockey arena – for $10 million. The five-year old complex is located in Neville Island, only a few miles from RMU's campus in Moon Township
. Just twelve days later, on August 20, 2003, Robert Morris athletic director Susan Hofacre officially announced that the Colonials would field an NCAA men's ice hockey team for the 2004–05 season. At the same time, the school added men's and women's lacrosse and women's field hockey as part of an expansion of the athletic department. Two days later, the school hired former Western Michigan
defenceman
Derek Schooley
as its first head coach.
In January 2004, before the school had ever played a game, they were accepted into the College Hockey America
conference. Typically, most new NCAA schools play as an Independent in their first years, but a unique series of events led to RMU being immediately accepted into the conference. The fledgling six-team conference was first given an automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament. However, in January 2004, CHA member Findlay
announced they would drop hockey from its athletic program effective at the end of the 2003–04 season. This left the CHA one team short of the six required to keep their automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. As RMU was the only NCAA team not already attached to a conference, the CHA invited RMU to join immediately for the 2004–05 season. The school accepted on January 29, 2004.
Schooley quickly moved to secure the Colonials' first recruiting class and hired two assistant coaches. Nevertheless, the Colonials were predictably overmatched in their first year as an NCAA team. The young squad consisted of twenty-two freshmen and no seniors as Schooley built for the school's future. In its first season, the Colonials finished last in the conference with an 8–21–4 record.
At the start of the 2005–06 season, the Colonials were reminded how much work the program needed to do when they were stunned by the Penn State University club team in a 3–2 exhibition loss prior to the season. Two games later, however, RMU shocked CCHA member Western Michigan
in a 5–2 victory that Schooley called "the biggest win for our program." The Colonials improved to 12–20–3 in their second season while advancing to the CHA semifinals for the first time.
In 2006–07, the Colonials improved yet again, finishing 14–19–2. On January 7, 2007, the Colonials beat nationally ranked Notre Dame
for their first ever victory over a ranked team. The squad advanced to the CHA tournament final, where they came up just short of qualifying for their first ever NCAA Tournament against Alabama–Huntsville. The Colonials jumped out to a 4–0 first period lead and looked set for their first conference championship before the Chargers mounted a frantic comeback that ended with a 5–4 overtime victory.
It was more of the same for the Colonials over the next two years. In 2007–08, the squad finished a school-record 15–15–4 (including a win over #8 ranked Boston University) but again came up short in the CHA tournament. In 2008–09, the school finished only 10–19–7 before reaching the CHA tournament final against Bemidji State
. Once again, the Colonials were left heartbroken, as they lost in overtime for the second time in three years.
By this time, it was clear that the CHA would soon disband. In 2006, Air Force
left the league, leaving the conference with only five teams (one short of the six required to retain the NCAA autobid). Given two years to keep their autobid before losing it, the CHA began the search for a sixth member – likely a club team, as all current Division I teams were already in a conference. After no school expressed interest in joining, Wayne State
announced just prior to the 2007–08 season that they would disband their team following the season. Following Wayne State's departure, saving the CHA was all but impossible, and Robert Morris applied for membership into Atlantic Hockey
(AHA). In January 2009, the AHA announced that both RMU and Niagara
's applications were unanimously approved, paving the way for the schools to join the conference for the 2010-2011 season.
game. However, several players have gone on to play in the minor leagues, including the American Hockey League
and Tier AA leagues ECHL
and Central Hockey League
.
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...
(NCAA) Division I college ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice 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...
program that represents 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...
. The team plays its home games at the Island Sports Center
Island Sports Center
The RMU Island Sports Center Ice Arena is a 1,200-seat hockey rink on the western tip of Neville Island in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The RMU Island Sports Center was built in 1998, and houses several ice and inline skating rinks, a golf range, a miniature golf course, athletic fields, a...
in Neville Township, Pennsylvania. The Colonials are a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association
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...
. Until the 2009–10 season, the Colonials were a 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....
.
History
Robert Morris had a successful club hockey team for several years before rumors started circulating in the early 2000s that the school would join NCAA Division I. In December 2002, reports first surfaced that the school was interested in purchasing the Island Sports CenterIsland Sports Center
The RMU Island Sports Center Ice Arena is a 1,200-seat hockey rink on the western tip of Neville Island in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The RMU Island Sports Center was built in 1998, and houses several ice and inline skating rinks, a golf range, a miniature golf course, athletic fields, a...
, which would house a men's and women's ice hockey team. On August 8, 2003, the school officially purchased the 32-acre complex – complete with a 1,100-seat hockey arena – for $10 million. The five-year old complex is located in Neville Island, only a few miles from RMU's campus in Moon Township
Moon Township, Pennsylvania
Moon Township is a township along the Ohio River in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. Moon is a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area and is located northwest of Pittsburgh. The origin of its name is unknown for certain, although it has been suggested that it derives from a...
. Just twelve days later, on August 20, 2003, Robert Morris athletic director Susan Hofacre officially announced that the Colonials would field an NCAA men's ice hockey team for the 2004–05 season. At the same time, the school added men's and women's lacrosse and women's field hockey as part of an expansion of the athletic department. Two days later, the school hired former Western Michigan
Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey
The Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Western Michigan University. The Broncos are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
Derek Schooley
Derek Schooley
Derek Schooley is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the head coach of the Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey team.-External links:...
as its first head coach.
In January 2004, before the school had ever played a game, they were accepted into the 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....
conference. Typically, most new NCAA schools play as an Independent in their first years, but a unique series of events led to RMU being immediately accepted into the conference. The fledgling six-team conference was first given an automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament. However, in January 2004, CHA member Findlay
University of Findlay
The University of Findlay is a private university located in the city of Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. It was affiliated with the Churches of God, General Conference, and was founded in 1882 by the city of Findlay and the Churches of God, General Conference. Findlay offers more...
announced they would drop hockey from its athletic program effective at the end of the 2003–04 season. This left the CHA one team short of the six required to keep their automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. As RMU was the only NCAA team not already attached to a conference, the CHA invited RMU to join immediately for the 2004–05 season. The school accepted on January 29, 2004.
Schooley quickly moved to secure the Colonials' first recruiting class and hired two assistant coaches. Nevertheless, the Colonials were predictably overmatched in their first year as an NCAA team. The young squad consisted of twenty-two freshmen and no seniors as Schooley built for the school's future. In its first season, the Colonials finished last in the conference with an 8–21–4 record.
At the start of the 2005–06 season, the Colonials were reminded how much work the program needed to do when they were stunned by the Penn State University club team in a 3–2 exhibition loss prior to the season. Two games later, however, RMU shocked CCHA member Western Michigan
Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey
The Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Western Michigan University. The Broncos are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association...
in a 5–2 victory that Schooley called "the biggest win for our program." The Colonials improved to 12–20–3 in their second season while advancing to the CHA semifinals for the first time.
In 2006–07, the Colonials improved yet again, finishing 14–19–2. On January 7, 2007, the Colonials beat nationally ranked 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 :...
for their first ever victory over a ranked team. The squad advanced to the CHA tournament final, where they came up just short of qualifying for their first ever NCAA Tournament against Alabama–Huntsville. The Colonials jumped out to a 4–0 first period lead and looked set for their first conference championship before the Chargers mounted a frantic comeback that ended with a 5–4 overtime victory.
It was more of the same for the Colonials over the next two years. In 2007–08, the squad finished a school-record 15–15–4 (including a win over #8 ranked Boston University) but again came up short in the CHA tournament. In 2008–09, the school finished only 10–19–7 before reaching the CHA tournament final against Bemidji State
Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey
The Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey and a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Beavers represent Bemidji State University and play at the Bemidji Regional Events Center in Bemidji, Minnesota...
. Once again, the Colonials were left heartbroken, as they lost in overtime for the second time in three years.
By this time, it was clear that the CHA would soon disband. In 2006, Air Force
Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey
The Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the United States Air Force Academy. The Falcons are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado.-...
left the league, leaving the conference with only five teams (one short of the six required to retain the NCAA autobid). Given two years to keep their autobid before losing it, the CHA began the search for a sixth member – likely a club team, as all current Division I teams were already in a conference. After no school expressed interest in joining, Wayne State
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
announced just prior to the 2007–08 season that they would disband their team following the season. Following Wayne State's departure, saving the CHA was all but impossible, and Robert Morris applied for membership into 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...
(AHA). In January 2009, the AHA announced that both RMU and Niagara
Niagara Purple Eagles men's ice hockey
The Niagara Purple Eagles men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Niagara University. The Purple Eagles are a member of Atlantic Hockey...
's applications were unanimously approved, paving the way for the schools to join the conference for the 2010-2011 season.
Season-by-season results
Season by season results for Robert Morris, current as of the end of the 2009–10 season.Alumni
As of the end of the professional 2009–10 season, no former Robert Morris player has played a National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The 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...
game. However, several players have gone on to play in the minor leagues, including the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
and Tier AA leagues ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
and Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
.
School records
The following are the Robert Morris school records. Statistics are accurate as of the conclusion of the 2009–10 season. Italics indicates player is still active.Career
- Most goals in a career: Chris Margott, 64 (2005–09)
- Most assists in a career: Chris Margott, 72
- Most points in a career: Chris Margott, 136
- Most power-play goals in a career: Chris Margott, 30
- Most penalty minutes in a career: Jeff Gilbert, 271 (2004–08)
- Most wins in a career: Christian Boucher, 42 (2004–08)
- Most shutouts in a career: Christian Boucher, 4
- Highest save percentage in a career: Brooks Ostergard, .911 (2008–10)
- Best goals against average in a career: Brooks Ostergard, 2.84
Season
- Most goals in a season: Ryan Cruthers, 22 (2006–07)
- Most assists in a season: Nathan Longpre, 29 (2008–09)
- Most points in a season: Ryan Cruthers, 49 (2006–07)
- Most power-play goals in a season: Chris Margott, 10 (2007–08)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: Jeff Gilbert, 91 (2003–04)
- Most wins in a season: Christian Boucher, 15 (2006–07)
Game
- Most goals in a game: Nathan Longpre, 4 (10/31/09 vs. QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Bobcats men's ice hockeyThe Quinnipiac Bobcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Quinnipiac University. The Bobcats are a member of ECAC Hockey. They play at the TD Bank Sports Center in Hamden, Connecticut.-History:Quinnipiac...
) - Most assists in a game: Doug Conley, 4 (10/22/05 vs. BentleyBentley Falcons men's ice hockeyThe Bentley Falcons men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Bentley University. The Falcons are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the John A. Ryan Skating Arena in Watertown, Massachusetts.-External links:*...
) - Most points in a game: Chris Margott and Nathan Longpre, 5 (1/24/09 and 10/31/09 vs. Quinnipiac)
- Most saves in a game: Eric Levine, 58 (10/31/09 vs. Quinnipiac)
Season
- Most wins in a season: 15 (2007–08)
- Fewest wins in a season: 8 (2004–05)
- Most goals in a season: 114 (2007–08)
- Fewest goals allowed in a season: 101 (2004–05)
Game
- Longest winning streak: 5 (1/29/07 to 2/10/07)
- Longest unbeaten streak: 5 (four times)
- Most goals in a game: 10 (1/4/08 vs. American InternationalAmerican International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockeyThe American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the American International College. The Yellow Jackets are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the Olympia Ice Center in...
) - Most goals against in a game: 8 (four times)