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Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey

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Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey
Current season
Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey athletic logo
UniversityArizona State University
ConferenceNational Collegiate Hockey Conference
First season2015–16
Head coachGreg Powers
15th season, 132–148–24 (.474)
Assistant coaches
ArenaMullett Arena
Tempe, Arizona
ColorsMaroon and gold[1]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
2019
ACHA Tournament championships
2014, 2015

The Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents Arizona State University. It plays its home games at Mullett Arena in Tempe.

The Sun Devils initially competed in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). The team competed as an independent in NCAA Division I from 2015 until 2023 before joining the NCHC in 2024. Arizona State also maintains Division 1, 2 and 3 level teams in the WCHL and WCHC.

History

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Hockey began as a sport at Arizona State in the fall of 1983 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 80s 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 to 1998.[2]

ASU 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 2013–14 season, the team won its first ACHA National Championship, defeating Robert Morris University-Illinois.

On November 18, 2014, Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson announced that the Sun Devils would move to NCAA Division I ice hockey. The transition was funded by a $32 million donation by multiple parties (including former ASU hockey players). As a transitionary season, the Sun Devils played a split schedule between ACHA and NCAA games during the 2015–16 season, before migrating exclusively to NCAA play the following season. The Sun Devils were expected to begin as an independent, but pursue conference membership in the future.[3]

In the 2018–19 season, Arizona State received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history, in only its third season as a Division I team. They were defeated by the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the regional semifinals.[4][5]

On October 6, 2020, the Sun Devils announced that for logistical reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it would enter into an agreement to play all of its games as non-conference away games against Big Ten opponents, playing each of its seven hockey members four times in a 28-game season. This would assure the team a full season schedule, and avoid conflicts with the Coyotes at Gila River Arena due to the delay of the 2020-21 NHL season. The team still played as an independent, and were not eligible to qualify for the conference tournament.[6]

On July 5, 2023, the Sun Devils announced that they will be joining the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) starting in the 2024-2025 season.[7] They officially became members of the conference on July 1, 2024.[8]

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

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NCAA

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All-Americans

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AHCA Second Team All-Americans

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[citation needed]

Arena

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Prior to 2022, the Sun Devils played most of their home games at the Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe. Selected games each season were played at Glendale's Gila River Arena, the former home of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes.[9] With the move to NCAA Division I, Anderson stated they planned to pursue an on-campus arena in the future.[3] In the meantime, Oceanside underwent a renovation for the 2015 to bring its facilities to NCAA standards.[10]

In November 2020, the Arizona Board of Regents' finance committee approved plans to construct a new 5,000-seat indoor arena on-campus near Desert Financial Arena, which is expected to house the school's hockey, gymnastics, and wrestling programs among others.[11][12][13] Mullett Arena opened in 2022; it also served as the Coyotes' home arena for two seasons after the city of Glendale declined to renew the team's lease at Gila River Arena.[14][15]

Season-by-season results

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[16]

All-time coaching records

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As of April 7, 2024

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2015–present Greg Powers 10 132–148–24 .474
Totals 1 coaches 10 seasons 132–148–24 .474

Team

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Current roster

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As of August 31, 2024.[17]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Saskatchewan Chase Hamm Sophomore G 5' 9" (1.75 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 2002-01-06 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Arizona State (ACHA)
1 New York (state) Luke Pavicich Senior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-03-21 Clarence Center, New York Massachusetts Lowell (HEA)
2 Ontario Noah Beck Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 2001-03-25 Richmond Hill, Ontario Clarkson (ECAC) STL, 194th overall 2020
5 California Ty Murchison Senior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2003-02-02 Corona, California USNTDP (USHL) PHI, 158th overall 2021
7 Sweden Joel Kjellberg Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2004-04-29 Nacka, Sweden Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
8 Russia Artem Shlaine Graduate F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-03-07 Moscow, Russia Northern Michigan (CCHA) NJD, 130th overall 2020
9 New Jersey Anthony Dowd Sophomore D 5' 6" (1.68 m) 154 lb (70 kg) 2003-04-25 Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey Chicago Steel (USHL)
10 Minnesota Tucker Ness Junior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 2002-11-25 Plymouth, Minnesota Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
11 Michigan Benji Eckerle Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-09-24 Northville, Michigan Tri-City Storm (USHL)
12 Wisconsin Cullen Potter Freshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2007-01-10 Hortonville, Wisconsin USNTDP (USHL)
13 Wisconsin Hunter Mullett Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2003-10-17 Hartland, Wisconsin Islanders Hockey Club (NCDC)
14 Ontario Ty Jackson Graduate F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-09-06 Oakville, Ontario Northeastern (HEA)
15 Ontario Dylan Jackson Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-09-06 Oakville, Ontario Northeastern (HEA)
16 Michigan Ethan Szmagaj Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-09-18 Canton, Michigan Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
18 Arizona David Hymovitch Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2003-08-14 Phoenix, Arizona Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
23 Minnesota Bennett Schimek Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 2003-04-15 Mendota Heights, Minnesota Providence (USHL)
25 Illinois Kyle Smolen Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 2002-06-18 Crystal Lake, Illinois Fargo Force (USHL)
29 Colorado Cole Gordon Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-12-09 Windsor, Colorado Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
31 Michigan Gibson Homer Sophomore G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 2003-12-29 Grand Rapids, Michigan Chicago Steel (USHL)
37 Manitoba Sam Court Freshman D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2004-01-07 Winnipeg, Manitoba Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
39 Alaska Zakari Brice Freshman G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2003-01-25 Fairbanks, Alaska New Jersey Jr. Titans (USHL)
43 Texas Cole Helm Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2003-07-17 Dallas, Texas Dubuque Fighting Saints (BCHL)
51 Minnesota Cruz Lucius Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 2004-04-05 Grant, Minnesota Wisconsin (Big Ten) PIT, 124th overall 2022
53 Ontario Ryan Alexander Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 2002-06-17 Toronto, Ontario Fargo Force (USHL)
61 Saskatchewan Lukas Sillinger Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-09-14 Regina, Saskatchewan Bemidji State (CCHA)
74 North Dakota Brasen Boser Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2004-02-29 Minot, North Dakota Fargo Force (USHL)
82 Minnesota Charlie Schoen Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-06-02 Andover, Minnesota Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
89 Massachusetts Tony Achille Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 2002-01-08 Hingham, Massachusetts Maine Nordiques (NAHL)
92 New York (state) Ryan Kirwan Senior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-02-27 DeWitt, New York Penn State (Big Ten)

Coaches

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Head coach

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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 an 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

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  • 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
  • Rick Covard – Assistant athletic trainer
  • Chase Drieberg - Equipment Student Manager

Statistical leaders

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[18]

Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Johnny Walker 2017–2022 139 70 53 123 140
Matthew Kopperud 2020–present 118 64 43 107 111
Brinson Pasichnuk 2016–2020 136 39 68 107 170
Timothy Lovell 2021–present 101 12 65 77 117
Tyler Busch 2016–2020 131 26 51 77 249
Brett Gruber 2016–2020 132 23 53 76 48
Josh Doan 2021–2023 74 28 47 75 72
Lukas Sillinger 2022–present 71 20 49 69 30
Demetrios Koumontzis 2018–2023 142 22 45 67 118
Anthony Croston 2015–2019 127 25 41 66 159

Career goaltending leaders

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GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

minimum 30 games played

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
T. J. Semptimphelter 2022–present 62 3574 31 26 4 161 8 .911 2.70
Evan Debrouwer 2018–2021 51 2737 22 20 4 138 4 .908 3.02
Joey Daccord 2016–2019 82 4685 32 40 7 240 8 .913 3.07
Ryland Pashovitz 2015–2018 34 1703 6 22 1 111 0 .894 3.91

Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.

Sun Devils in the NHL

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As of July 1, 2024

Player Position Team(s) Years Games Stanley Cups
Joey Daccord Goaltender OTT, SEA 2018–present 69 0
Josh Doan Right Wing ARI, UTA 2023–present 11 0
Brinson Pasichnuk Defenceman SJS 2020–2021 4 0

[19] [20]

References

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  1. ^ "Sun Devil Athletics Brand Identity Guidelines" (PDF). Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  2. ^ Reed, Bethany. "ASU hockey player turns his game around, gets his chance on the ice". cronkitenewsonline.com. Cronkite News. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Dilks, Chris (2014-11-18). "Arizona State Press Conference Recap". SB Nation College Hockey. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  4. ^ Metcalfe, Jeff. "ASU hockey making historic NCAA Tournament debut vs. familiar foe". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  5. ^ "ASU hockey beaten by Quinnipiac in first NCAA Tournament apperance [sic]". Arizona Sports. 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  6. ^ Metcalfe, Jeff (6 October 2020). "ASU hockey to play away only 2020-21 season against Big Ten teams". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Arizona State to Join NCHC Starting in 2024-25 Season". 5 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Arizona State Becomes Official Member of the NCHC Today". nchchockey.com. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  9. ^ "ASU hockey to call Oceanside home another season". The State Press. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  10. ^ "ASU Hockey: Oceanside Ice Arena renovation plans revealed". House of Sparky. 30 January 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  11. ^ Cameron, Greg. "Q&A With ... Arizona State AD Ray Anderson". College Hockey News.
  12. ^ Tapia, Monica (31 May 2019). "RFP Issued for New ASU Multi-Purpose Sports Arena". azbex.com. BEX azbex.
  13. ^ "ASU's plans for new $115 million hockey arena approved by committee". Arizona Sports. 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  14. ^ "ASU recognizes Mullett family with naming of new multipurpose arena". ASU News. ASU. August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Rosen, Dan (October 27, 2022). "Coyotes excited for Mullett opener, expect advantage at intimate new home". NHL.com. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  16. ^ "Arizona State Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  17. ^ "2023–24 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Arizona State Sun Devils. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  18. ^ "Arizona State Univ. - All Time Regular Season Player Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  19. ^ Campbell, Ken (30 March 2020). "Coveted college free agent Brinson Pasichnuk won't say where he has signed an NHL deal (but it's probably San Jose)". The Hockey News on Sports Illustrated.
  20. ^ "Alumni report for Arizona State University". Hockey DB. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
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