| Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
 | |
| University | Robert Morris University |
| Conference | AHA |
| Head coach | Derek Schooley 20th season, 296–320–76 (.483) |
| Assistant coaches |
|
| Arena | Island Sports Center Neville Township, Pennsylvania |
| Colors | Blue, white, and red[1] |
| NCAA tournament appearances | |
| 2014 | |
| Conference tournament champions | |
| AHA: 2014 | |
| Conference regular season champions | |
| AHA:2015,2016 | |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
TheRobert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey team is aNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)Division Icollegeice hockey program that representsRobert Morris University. The team plays its home games at theClearview Arena,[2] located at theRMU Island Sports Center inNeville Township,Pennsylvania, United States. The Colonials are members ofAtlantic Hockey America, formed shortly after the 2023–24 season by the merger of RMU's former men's league of theAtlantic Hockey Association and the women-onlyCollege Hockey America (CHA), in whichRMU had been a member.[3] The Colonials men had been members of CHA until its men's division disbanded at the end of the 2009–10 season.[4]
Robert Morris had a successful club hockey team for several years before rumors started circulating in the early 2000s that the school would create an NCAA Division I program. In December 2002, reports first surfaced that the school was interested in purchasing the RMU Island Sports Center, which would house a men's and women's ice hockey team.[5] On August 8, 2003, the school officially purchased the 32-acre complex – complete with a 1,100-seat hockey arena – for $10 million.[6] The complex is located inNeville Island, only a few miles from RMU's campus inMoon Township.[5] Just 12 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.[7] 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.[8] Two days later, the school hired formerWestern MichigandefencemanDerek Schooley as its first head coach.[7]
In January 2004, before the school had ever played a game, they were accepted into theCollege Hockey America conference.[7] 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 the2003 NCAA tournament. However, in January 2004, CHA memberFindlay announced it would drop hockey from its athletic program effective at the end of the 2003–04 season.[9] This left the CHA one team short of the six required to keep their automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.[10] 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.[7]
Schooley quickly moved to secure the Colonials' first recruiting class and hired two assistant coaches.[11] Nevertheless, the Colonials were predictably overmatched in their first year as an NCAA team. The young squad consisted of 22 freshmen and no seniors as Schooley built for the school's future.[12] 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 thePenn State University club team in a 3–2 exhibition loss prior to the season.[13] Two games later, however, RMU shockedCCHA memberWestern Michigan in a 5–2 victory that Schooley called "the biggest win for our program."[14] The Colonials improved to 12–20–3 in their second season while advancing to the CHA semifinals for the first time.[7]
In 2006–07, the Colonials improved yet again, finishing 14–19–2. On January 7, 2007, the Colonials beat nationally rankedNotre Dame for their first ever victory over a ranked team.[7] The squad advanced to the CHA tournament final, where they came up just short of qualifying for their first ever NCAA tournament againstAlabama–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.[15]
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 rankedBoston University) but again came up short in the CHA tournament.[7] In 2008–09, the school finished only 10–19–7 before reaching the CHA tournament final againstBemidji State. Once again, the Colonials were left heartbroken, as they lost in overtime for the second time in three years.[16]
By this time, it was clear that the CHA men's division 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).[17] 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.[17] 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.[18] Following Wayne State's departure, saving the CHA was all but impossible, and Robert Morris applied for membership intoAtlantic Hockey (AHA). In January 2009, the AHA announced that both RMU andNiagara's applications were unanimously approved, paving the way for the schools to join the conference for the 2010–11 season.[19] Robert Morris andPenn State were the hosts of the inauguralThree Rivers Classic NCAA hockey tournament at theConsol Energy Center in December, 2012.[20]
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On May 26, 2021, Robert Morris University announced it would be cutting the men's and women's ice hockey programs.[21] On December 17, 2021, it was announced the program would be reinstated for the 2023–24 season.[22]
Source:[23]
As of the completion of2018–19 season[23]
| School | Team | Away Arena | Overall record | Win % | Last Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force Academy | Falcons | Cadet Ice Arena | 15–20–3 | .434 | 1-3 L |
| American International College | Yellow Jackets | MassMutual Center | 20–7–3 | .717 | 2-3 L (OT) |
| Army West Point | Black Knights | Tate Rink | 12–7–5 | .604 | 2-5 L |
| Bentley University | Falcons | Bentley Arena | 15–16–4 | .486 | 3-2 W (OT) |
| Canisius College | Golden Griffins | LECOM Harborcenter | 18–10–3 | .629 | 4-6 L |
| College of the Holy Cross | Crusaders | Hart Center | 17–7–2 | .692 | 3-2 W |
| Mercyhurst University | Lakers | Mercyhurst Ice Center | 14–12–8 | .529 | 4-3 W |
| Niagara University | Purple Eagles | Dwyer Arena | 24–31–10 | .446 | 2-4 L |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Tigers | Gene Polisseni Center | 13–15–5 | .470 | 2-2 T |
| Sacred Heart University | Pioneers | Webster Bank Arena | 23–3–1 | .870 | 1-3 L |
As of the completion of 2024–25 season
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–Present | Derek Schooley | 19 | 296–320–76 | .483 |
| Totals | 1 coach | 19 seasons | 296–320–76 | .483 |
As of August 3, 2025.[24]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Croix Kochendorfer | Sophomore | G | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 223 lb (101 kg) | 2003-10-13 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) | — |
| 2 |  | Michael Craig | Junior | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2002-08-26 | St. Catharines, Ontario | Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) | — |
| 3 | | Dominic Elliott | Sophomore | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 2004-01-26 | Allendale, Michigan | Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL) | — |
| 4 | | Greg Japchen | Senior | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2001-12-17 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Stonehill (ECAC) | — |
| 5 | | Luke van Why | Junior | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 163 lb (74 kg) | 2003-01-21 | Hatfield, Pennsylvania | Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 6 |  | Rasmus Larsson | Sophomore | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | 2004-02-09 | Hässelby, Sweden | Northern Michigan (CCHA) | NYR, 152nd overall 2023 |
| 7 | | John Babcock | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2004-04-25 | North Vancouver, British Columbia | Regina Pats (WHL) | — |
| 8 | | Gabriel Lunn | Junior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-08-25 | Lockport, New York | Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) | — |
| 7 | | Max Wattvil | Junior | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 2002-08-11 | Stockholm, Sweden | Merrimack (HEA) | — |
| 10 | | J. R. Ashmead | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2003-03-23 | Calgary, Alberta | Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) | — |
| 11 | | Dario Beljo | Junior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2002-08-15 | Greater Sudbury, Ontario | American International (AHA) | — |
| 12 | | Jackson Reineke | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2002-10-03 | Faribault, Minnesota | Anchorage Wolverines (USHL) | — |
| 14 | | Julian Beaumont | Freshman | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 161 lb (73 kg) | 2004-02-23 | Allen, Texas | Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) | — |
| 15 | | Connor Gourley | Sophomore | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2004-07-28 | Calgary, Alberta | Okotoks Oilers (BCHL) | — |
| 16 | | George Krotiris | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2002-08-08 | Markham, Ontario | Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) | — |
| 17 | | Patrick Johnson | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 2003-06-30 | Chesterfield, Missouri | Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) | — |
| 18 | | Bruce McDonald | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 2004-12-18 | Ottawa, Ontario | Owen Sound Attack (OHL) | — |
| 19 | | Tanner Klimpke | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2002-12-13 | Calgary, Alberta | Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) | — |
| 20 | | McKay Hayes | Junior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2002-01-27 | Ancaster, Ontario | Markham Royals (OJHL) | — |
| 21 | | Cameron Garvey | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2002-12-13 | Oakville, Ontario | Collingwood Blues (OJHL) | — |
| 22 | | Ryan Taylor | Senior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2001-03-19 | St. Peters, Missouri | Clarkson (ECAC) | — |
| 23 | | Zeke Nicholson | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2004-04-09 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) | — |
| 26 | | Braden Rourke | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 172 lb (78 kg) | 2004-07-20 | Des Moines, Iowa | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) | — |
| 27 | | Trent Wilson | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 2004-06-24 | Tsawwassen, British Columbia | West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) | — |
| 29 | | Michael Felsing | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2003-02-11 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Merritt Centennials (BCHL) | — |
| 30 | | Lucas Massie | Sophomore | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-04-11 | Claremont, California | Union (ECAC) | — |
| 31 | | Charlie Schenkel | Freshman | G | 6' 5" (1.96 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2004-08-16 | Toronto, Ontario | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) | — |
| 33 | | Lee Chiang | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2002-12-07 | Toronto, Ontario | Markham Royals (OJHL) | — |
| 44 | | Luca Primerano | Freshman | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2005-03-17 | North Vancouver, British Columbia | Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL) | — |
Source:[25]
| Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brady Ferguson | 2014–2018 | 152 | 66 | 110 | 167 | |
| Zac Lynch | 2012–2016 | 152 | 67 | 89 | 156 | |
| Cody Wydo | 2011–2015 | 151 | 85 | 65 | 150 | |
| Alex Tonge | 2015–2019 | 146 | 56 | 82 | 138 | |
| Nathan Longpre | 2007–2011 | 121 | 47 | 91 | 138 | |
| Chris Margott | 2005–2009 | 132 | 64 | 72 | 136 | |
| Greg Gibson | 2012–2016 | 150 | 66 | 51 | 117 | |
| Denny Urban | 2007–2011 | 136 | 28 | 84 | 112 | |
| Daniel Leavens | 2013–2017 | 136 | 40 | 68 | 108 | |
| Scott Jacklin | 2012–2016 | 143 | 48 | 59 | 107 |
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
| Player | Years | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Marotte | 2016–2019 | 107 | 5938 | 50 | 44 | 8 | 252 | 8 | .917 | 2.55 |
| Terry Shafer | 2012–2016 | 86 | 4808 | 43 | 30 | 11 | 214 | 8 | .920 | 2.67 |
| Eric Levine | 2009–2013 | 72 | 3953 | 30 | 22 | 11 | 177 | 5 | .925 | 2.69 |
| Justin Kapelmaster | 2016–2020 | 78 | 4267 | 29 | 37 | 7 | 193 | 6 | .921 | 2.71 |
| Brooks Ostergard | 2008–2012 | 103 | 5516 | 39 | 41 | 12 | 251 | 3 | .917 | 2.73 |
Statistics current through the start of the 2019–20 season.
Second Team All-CHA
All-CHA Rookie Team
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Individual Sportsmanship Award
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| Most Valuable Player in tournament
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First Team All-Atlantic Hockey
Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey
Third Team All-Atlantic Hockey
Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team
The following is a list of people associated with the men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Robert Morris Colonials Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses).[26]
Source:[27]Robert Morris has yet to have an alumnus reach theNHL.