| Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
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| University | United States Air Force Academy |
| Conference | AHA |
| First season | 1968–69 |
| Head coach | Frank Serratore 29th season, 472–457–102 (.507) |
| Assistant coaches |
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| Arena | Cadet Ice Arena USAF Academy, Colorado |
| Colors | Blue and silver[1] |
| NCAA tournament appearances | |
| 2007,2008,2009,2011,2012,2017,2018 | |
| Conference tournament champions | |
| AHA:2007,2008,2009,2011,2012,2017,2018 | |
| Conference regular season champions | |
| AHA:2009,2012 | |
| Current uniform | |
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TheAir Force Falcons men's ice hockey team is aNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)Division Icollege ice hockey program that represents theUnited States Air Force Academy. The Falcons are a member ofAtlantic Hockey America. They play at theCadet Ice Arena inEl Paso County, Colorado, north ofColorado Springs.[2] The Falcons have reached theNCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament seven times in program history. It is the most amount of appearances for a program without reaching the Frozen Four as of 2025.
Air Force Academy's ice hockey program began as a club team in 1966, led by formerMichigan head coach and six-timenational championVic Heyliger. The program grew swiftly and posted a winning record by its third season. In their fourth season, the team posted an impressive 25-6 mark and had the nation's leading scorer on the roster,Dave Skalko. When Heyliger retired in 1974, turning the team over toJohn Matchefts, the success continued with two more 20+ win seasons in three years. By the time the 1980 rolled around, however, the team's on-ice results began to flag and after a pair of disappointing, single-digit-win seasons Matchefts pushed his team to a .500-record before turning control over to the program's all-time leading scorer.Chuck Delich led the program for the 12 seasons, posting moderate results for most of his tenure, but as the 20th century drew to a close, the Falcons' days as a plucky Independent were numbered.
In 1997, formerDenver head coachFrank Serratore was hired to replace Delich and recorded two 15-win seasons before everything changed for the Falcons. In 1999, Air Force became a founding member of theCHA, joining with the other service academyArmy and five other newly-mintedDivision I teams. Despite the other programs having little history of success, Air Force was unable to make much headway in the conference, with the best finish being 4th out of 7 teams in their inaugural year. Army left the conference after only one year, leaving the conference with only six programs, and the Falcons found themselves as one of the worst. Air Force finished in 5th- or 6th-place for four consecutive seasons and threw in a pair of 4th-place marks for good measure. Despite their regular season woes, the Falcons did achieve some success in the CHA tournament, reaching the semifinals three times despite being an underdog. By 2006, however, it became apparent that the men's side of CHA (which had added a women's division in 2002) was in trouble. The Falcons left the CHA and were accepted into theAtlantic Hockey Association, rejoining Army in the same conference.
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The change seemed to suit the Falcons, who posted their first winning season in 7 years. In the conference tournament, Air Force defeatedHoly Cross 3-0 before stunning #1 seededSacred Heart 5-4 in overtime. In the championship match, the Falcons took on Army and routed the Black Knights 6-1 to win the program's first conference championship and receive their first bid into theNCAA tournament. Though they lost toMinnesota in the opening round, the success would continue for the next two years with two additional Atlantic Hockey tournament titles and culminated with a 28-win season in2009 where they won their first regular season conference title and NCAA tournament game. After a middling season in2010, the Falcons posted back-to-back conference championships but failed to escape the first round in either season. Air Force spent the mid-teens rebuilding their program, and it came to a head in2017 with their sixth Atlantic Hockey crown. The Falcons played so well over the course of the season that there was some talk of them making the NCAA tournament even if they were to lose the Atlantic Hockey championship (an exceedingly rare occurrence for Atlantic Hockey Teams).[3] Their second quarterfinal appearance was followed by another in 2018, where they were outplayed by eventual championMinnesota–Duluth until the final period.[4]
After the 2023–24 season, the Atlantic Hockey Association merged with CHA, which had become a women-only league after the 2009–10 season. The two conferences had shared a commissioner and office staff since 2010. The new league was unveiled on April 30, 2024 asAtlantic Hockey America, maintaining the Association's AHA initialism. All members of both predecessor leagues were brought into the new conference.[5]
As of the end of the 2024–25 season
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968–1974 | Vic Heyliger | 6 | 85–77–3 | .524 |
| 1974–1985 | John Matchefts | 11 | 154–150–6 | .506 |
| 1985–1997 | Chuck Delich | 12 | 154–197–19 | .442 |
| 1997–Present | Frank Serratore | 28 | 472–457–102 | .507 |
| Totals | 4 coaches | 56 seasons | 865–881–130 | .496 |
The following individuals have been inducted into theUnited States Hockey Hall of Fame.[7]
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AHCA Second Team All-Americans
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Second Team All-CHA
All-CHA Rookie Team
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Regular Season Goaltending Award
| Individual Sportsmanship Award
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First Team All-Atlantic Hockey
Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey
Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey
All-Atlantic Hockey Rookie Team
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck Delich | 1973–1977 | 109 | 156 | 123 | 279 | 151 |
| Bob Sajevic | 1976–1980 | 113 | 107 | 121 | 228 | 54 |
| Dave Skalko | 1969–1973 | 118 | 75 | 144 | 219 | 208 |
| Bob Ross | 1968–1972 | 106 | 105 | 92 | 197 | 41 |
| Gary Batinich | 1974–1978 | 104 | 82 | 114 | 196 | 107 |
| Tom Richards | 1978–1982 | 118 | 78 | 90 | 168 | 54 |
| Mike Smellie | 1976–1980 | 103 | 77 | 89 | 166 | 56 |
| Frank Daldine | 1983–1986 | 109 | 79 | 77 | 156 | 75 |
| Dave Bunker | 1970–1974 | 109 | 82 | 70 | 152 | 118 |
| Robin Robideaux | 1975–1979 | 108 | 68 | 84 | 152 | 200 |
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% =Save percentage; GAA =Goals against average
Minimum 35 games
| Player | Years | GP | Min | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Starrett | 2015–17 | 70 | 3918 | 128 | 9 | .924 | 1.96 |
| Andrew Volkening | 2006–10 | 127 | 7370 | 269 | 15 | .915 | 2.19 |
| Stephen Caple | 2009–12 | 36 | 1792 | 66 | 2 | .908 | 2.21 |
| Jason Torf | 2010–14 | 115 | 6561 | 269 | 10 | .915 | 2.46 |
| Chris Truehl | 2013–15 | 50 | 2745 | 124 | 3 | .900 | 2.71 |
Statistics current through the start of the 2017-18 season.
As of August 12, 2025.[9]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  | Beau Janzig | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 2003-11-17 | Hermantown, Minnesota | Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) | — |
| 3 | | Rem Morque | Sophomore | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-11-12 | Grand Rapids, Minnesota | Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) | — |
| 4 | | Will Jones | Sophomore | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2004-03-09 | Brentwood, Tennessee | Powell River Kings (BCHL) | — |
| 6 | | Simon Houge | Freshman | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 172 lb (78 kg) | 2004-09-24 | Woodbury, Minnesota | West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) | — |
| 7 | | Jake Peterson | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-10-02 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) | — |
| 8 | | Cole Christian | Freshman | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 154 lb (70 kg) | 2004-06-21 | Duluth, Minnesota | Anchorage Wolverines (NAHL) | — |
| 9 | | Anthony Yu | Sophomore | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2004-07-10 | Baldwin Park, California | Powell River Kings (BCHL) | — |
| 10 | | Oliver Genest | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 2004-03-19 | Sanford, Maine | New Hampshire Mountain Kings (NAHL) | — |
| 11 | | Sam Jacobs | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-04-25 | Plymouth, Minnesota | Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL) | — |
| 12 | | Cade Moxham | Freshman | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 2004-03-09 | Calgary, Alberta | Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) | — |
| 13 | | Mason McCormick | Senior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2001-05-25 | Verona, Wisconsin | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) | — |
| 14 | | Will Dawson | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 2003-10-03 | Traverse City, Michigan | Minot Minotauros (NAHL) | — |
| 15 | | Owen Dubois | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2002-07-06 | Madison, Wisconsin | Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) | — |
| 18 | | Holt Oliphant | Senior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2001-05-17 | Northbrook, Illinois | Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) | — |
| 19 | | Calvin Beard | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | 2005-10-04 | Southborough, Massachusetts | Powell River Kings (BCHL) | — |
| 20 | | Nolan Cunningham | Junior | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2001-12-17 | Helena, Montana | Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) | — |
| 21 | | Hayden Nichol | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-06-30 | Rochester, New York | Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) | — |
| 22 | | Chris Hedden | Senior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-09-20 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Omaha Lancers (USHL) | — |
| 23 | | Nick Sajevic | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2003-01-15 | Shoreview, Minnesota | Janesville Jets (NAHL) | — |
| 26 | | Michael Kadlecik | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2004-04-14 | Lansing, New York | Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL) | — |
| 27 | | Samuel Stitz | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2003-06-18 | Perry Hall, Maryland | Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 30 | | Dominik Wasik | Junior | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2002-07-02 | Superior, Wisconsin | Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) | — |
| 33 | | Zane Spaniol | Freshman | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-09-29 | Ham Lake, Minnesota | Minnesota Mallards (NAHL) | — |
| 35 | | Carter Clafton | Junior | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2002-03-13 | Grand Rapids, Minnesota | Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) | — |
| 37 | | Toby Hopp | Sophomore | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-06-27 | Maple Grove, Minnesota | Northeast Generals (NAHL) | — |
| 39 | | Dylan Krick | Freshman | G | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 146 lb (66 kg) | 2005-06-19 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) | — |
| 44 | | Will Staring | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2003-02-28 | Springfield, Virginia | Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) | — |
| 48 | | Nick Remissong | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-05-19 | Lake Forest, Illinois | Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) | — |
| 58 | | Nate Farrell | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-02-09 | Wheaton, Illinois | Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL) | — |
| 64 | | Brendan Gibbons | Sophomore | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2002-06-15 | South Kingstown, Rhode Island | Maine Nordiques (NAHL) | — |
| 72 | | Aidan Willis | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2005-01-11 | Farmington, Minnesota | Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) | — |
| 81 | | Charles Panchisin | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2004-11-15 | Lincolnshire, Illinois | Philadelphia Rebels (NAHL) | — |
Goalie Shane Starrett signed anEntry Level Contract with theEdmonton Oilers of theNHL on April 10, 2017. He is currently the only Air Force Falcons Men's Ice Hockey player to be in theNHL or respected affiliates.
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