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American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey
Current season
American International Yellow Jackets athletic logo
UniversityAmerican International College
ConferenceAHC
First season1948–49
Head coachEric Lang
8th season, 122–99–24 (.547)
Assistant coaches
  • Patrick Tabb
  • Matthew Woodward
  • Brendan Riley
ArenaMassMutual Center
Springfield, Massachusetts
ColorsBlack, white, and gold[1]
     
NCAA Tournament appearances
2019, 2021, 2022
Conference Tournament championships
2019, 2021, 2022
Conference regular season championships
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Current uniform

The American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 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 MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.[2]

History

AIC began its varsity program in 1948, playing a modest schedule for the first dozen years of its existence, building the program under William Turner before he handed it off to Joe Bucholz. In 1961 the Yellow Jackets joined with 27 other eastern schools (mostly in New England) to form ECAC Hockey.[3] AIC finished near the bottom for three seasons and in 1964 it was decided that the conference was too unwieldy to continue and was split into two divisions. The Yellow Jackets joined the lower division, becoming a founding member of ECAC 2.[4]

American International had some success when Turner returned to take over, winning the conference tournament in 1969,[5] but dipped slightly after his retirement in 1970. When Paul Thornton took over in 1974 AIC saw a resurgence and by the late 1970s had returned to the ECAC 2 Tournament but after his departure in 1978 the program slumped once more.

In 1984 the Division II ice hockey level collapsed and sent almost all teams at that level down to Division III. AIC followed along and when ECAC 2 split the Yellow Jackets stayed with the eastern side, joining the new ECAC East. In all that upheaval it was not lost that the American International had gotten its sixth head coach since 1970 but they were finally able to find someone willing to stick around in Gary Wright.[6]

Wright's time with AIC began fairly successfully with the team earning its first 20-win season in his fourth year. The next season, 1989, saw the Yellow Jackets pace the ECAC East with 20 wins and set a program record with 24 wins overall but they faltered in the conference tournament and failed to make the D-III National championship. The next year the team was able to regain some of their success by winning the ECAC East title, their first conference championship in 21 years, but they were left out of the National Tournament due to a relatively poor overall record (only eight teams made the tournament and league champions did not receive an automatic berth). AIC continued to play well in the mid-90s but in 1995 the program declined sharply, dropping from 14 to 4 wins and remained in the ECAC East cellar for the rest of its time there.

In 1998 the MAAC began sponsoring an ice hockey conference and AIC joined as an affiliate member, returning to the top tier of college hockey.[7] In their first year back the Yellow Jackets posted a decent record, finishing 5th in the 8-team field but bowed out in the first round of the conference playoffs. After that brief glimpse of success, however, AIC fell to the bottom of the conference and remained there for almost the next 20 years. Even with several new teams joining the conference and the division's reworking into Atlantic Hockey AIC could finish no better than 9th from 2000 through 2017 with the lone exception coming in 2006 when Atlantic Hockey had only 8 league members.

AIC made the conference tournament every years because Atlantic Hockey structured its conference tournament to include every team, but even then the Yellow Jackets could only twice win the 9 vs 8 play-in game and lost every other round it participated in. AIC lost 20 games for 13 consecutive seasons and 18 out of 19 years after 1999 but through it all Gary Wright stayed on to hold the program together. He eventually retired in 2016, being the longest-tenured coach at the time of his retirement and held the record for the most career losses with a single program, but his legacy with AIC went beyond wins and losses.[8]

American International playing an outdoor game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in 2011

A new era at AIC began in 2016 with Eric Lang as the new head coach. After a poor but familiar first season AIC posted its best record since 1993 with 15 wins, finishing 8th in Atlantic Hockey and winning its first conference tournament round in over a decade. The following year AIC won its first ever conference championship and, after winning its first conference tournament at the Division I level, made its first appearance in an NCAA Championship. As the lowest-seeded team, AIC played against #1 St. Cloud State and, despite being outshot 34-13 in the game, won the match. The Yellow Jackets season ended after losing the next game but they had already produced the best season in the history of program by a mile.

AIC again won the Atlantic Hockey championship in 2020, however, before the team played its first postseason game the NCAA cancelled all remaining contests and tournaments due to the coronavirus pandemic.[9][10]

Season-by-season results

Main article: List of American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey seasons

[11]

Roster

As of September 14, 2023.[12]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 New Jersey Alexandros Aslanadis Senior G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-01-20 Moorestown, New Jersey Western Michigan (NCHC) —
2 British Columbia Nico Somerville Senior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-04-08 Nanaimo, British Columbia Penticton (BCHL) —
3 Michigan Logan Jenuwine Graduate F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998-05-15 Romeo, Michigan Lake Superior State (CCHA) —
4 Illinois Brett Callahan Graduate D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-10-16 Westmont, Illinois Jersey (NCDC) —
5 Finland Tomi Leppänen Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-04-07 Heinola, Finland Sioux City (USHL) —
6 Rhode Island Matt Rickard Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-07-28 Coventry, Rhode Island Lone Star (NAHL) —
7 Pennsylvania Brian Kramer Senior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-07-20 Wexford, Pennsylvania Robert Morris (AHA) —
8 Minnesota Hunter Jones Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-07-13 Andover, Minnesota Oklahoma (NAHL) —
9 Illinois Hunter Longhi Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-04-02 Collinsville, Illinois Minot (NAHL) —
10 Michigan Dustin Manz Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1999-09-21 Vanderbilt, Michigan Lake Superior State (CCHA) —
11 Finland Julius Janhonen Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-03-05 Espoo, Finland HIFK U20 (Nuorten SM-liiga) —
13 Alberta Grayson Dietrich Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-12-18 Calgary, Alberta Drumheller (AJHL) —
14 Sweden Douglas Andersson Freshman F 6' 6" (1.98 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 2002-04-04 Ängelholm, Sweden Kallinge-Ronneby IF (Hockeyettan) —
15 Sweden Casper Söderling Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-06-02 Stockholm, Sweden Nacka J20 (J20 Regional) —
16 Quebec Andrew Amousse Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2001-07-16 Laval, Quebec Victoria (BCHL) —
17 Sweden Oscar Geschwind Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-02-24 Hällefors, Sweden Northern Michigan (CCHA) —
18 Finland Akseli Pennanen Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 2003-01-19 Espoo, Finland Jukurit U20 (U20 SM-sarja) —
19 Alberta Jordan Biro Senior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2000-08-10 Sherwood Park, Alberta Colorado College (NCHC) —
20 Illinois Hunter McCurdy Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-08-09 Mokena, Illinois Danbury (NAHL) —
21 New York (state) John Lundy Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 2001-04-27 Brooklyn, New York Jamestown (NAHL) —
22 Russia Timofei Khokhlachev Sophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-11-06 Moscow, Russia Shreveport (NAHL) —
23 Sweden Theo Angesved Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2003-06-23 Växjö, Sweden Borås HC (Hockeyettan) —
24 Alberta Blake Wells Graduate F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 1999-08-02 Blackie, Alberta UMass Lowell (HEA) —
25 Sweden Alexander Malinowski Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-02-07 Linköping, Sweden Fairbanks (NAHL) —
26 Quebec Jake Sacratini Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2001-05-19 Pincourt, Quebec Notre Dame (SJHL) —
27 Ontario Josh Barnes Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-09-27 Cornwall, Ontario Des Moines (USHL) —
28 Sweden Alfred Lindberg Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-01-28 Hallsberg, Sweden New Mexico (NAHL) —
29 Alberta Darwin Lakoduk Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2000-01-28 Edmonton, Alberta Penticton (BCHL) —
30 New York (state) Cole Hudson Junior G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2000-03-13 Tonawanda, New York Vermont (HEA) —
33 Michigan Peyton Grainer Freshman G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2002-03-12 Detroit, Michigan Jersey (NCDC) —
34 Sweden Nils Wallström Freshman G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-10-15 Skellefteå, Sweden Kenai River (NAHL) —
37 Sweden Evan Stella Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-05-11 Karlstad, Sweden Dubuque (USHL) —
39 Ontario Dario Beljo Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-15 Sudbury, Ontario Brooks (AJHL) —
44 Minnesota Austen Long Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-02-15 Minneapolis, Minnesota Omaha (USHL) —
55 Alberta Brett Rylance Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 167 lb (76 kg) 2001-08-03 Edmonton, Alberta Chilliwack (BCHL) —
61 Saskatchewan Casey McDonald Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2001-05-10 Plenty, Saskatchewan Penticton (BCHL) —

All-time coaching records

As of April 1, 2023

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2016–present Eric Lang 7 122–99–24 .547
1984–2016 Gary Wright 32 313–605–76 .353
1982–1984 Lincoln Flagg 2 18–32–0 .360
1978–1982 Wayne LaChance 4 46–57–0 .447
1974–1978 Paul Thornton 4 63–33–1 .655
1972–1974 Peter Esdale 2 18–32–3 .368
1970–1972 Wally Barlow 2 17–23–1 .427
1957–1964 Joe Bucholz 7 39–86–0 .312
1948–1957, 1964–1970 William Turner 15 128–118–4 .520
Totals 9 coaches 75 seasons 764–1085–109 .418

Awards and honors

NCAA

Individual awards

All-Americans

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans


MAAC

Individual awards

Coach of the Year

All–Conference

First Team [13]

  • 2000–01: Aaron Arnett, D

Second Team

  • 1998–99: Chance Thede, G; Mike Sowa, F

Rookie Team

  • 2000–01: Guillaume Caron, F; Trent Ulmer, F


Atlantic Hockey

Individual awards

All–Conference

First Team

Second Team

  • 2012–13: Ben Meisner, G; Adam Pleskach, F
  • 2019–20: Patrik Demel, D
  • 2020–21: Stefano Durante, G; Elijah Barriga, F; Chris Dodero, F
  • 2021–22: Jake Stella, F
  • 2022–23: Jarrett Fiske, G; Brian Kramer, D

Third Team

  • 2006–07: Jeremr Tendler, F
  • 2007–08: Jeremr Tendler, F
  • 2011–12: Adam Pleskach, F
  • 2012–13: Jeff Ceccacci, D
  • 2013–14: Jon Puksar, F
  • 2017–18: Jānis Jaks, D
  • 2019–20: Martin Mellberg, F; Hugo Reinhardt, F
  • 2021–22: Jake Kucharski, G
  • 2022–23: Jordan Biro, F

Rookie Team

  • 2009–10: Adam Pleskach, F
  • 2012–13: Chris Porter, F
  • 2013–14: David Norris, F
  • 2017–18: Stefano Durante, G; Brennan Kapcheck, D
  • 2020–21: Nico Somerville, D; Aaron Grounds, F; Eric Otto, F
  • 2021–22: Luis Lindner, D

Statistical leaders

Source:[14]

Career points leaders

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Tom Mullen 1974–1978 86 134 114 248
Jeff Arnold 1983–1987 106 83 119 202
Edgar Alejandro 1972–1976 101 64 136 200
Doug Crawford 1985–1988 84 84 103 187
Darryl Frenette 1986–1990 119 57 125 182
Ken Maffia 1987–1991 103 73 108 181
Bill Condon 1973–1977 102 62 114 176
Martin Labonte 1987–1991 112 75 89 164
Vezio Sacratini 1987–1990 70 49 114 163
Steve Hunter 1981–1985 104 66 97 163

Career goaltending leaders

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
Stefano Durante 2017–2021 66 3651 35 23 3 147 3 .906 2.42
Zackarias Skog 2016–2020 87 4975 37 38 9 219 9 .904 2.64
Ben Meisner 2009–2013 114 6406 30 67 12 361 12 .911 3.38
Frank Novello 2001–2005 81 4644 16 53 7 284 .911 3.67
Tom Fenton 2004–2008 84 4619 15 52 9 289 1 .885 3.75

Statistics current through the start of the 2021–22 season.

Yellow Jackets in the NHL

As of July 1, 2022.

Player Position Team(s) Years Games Stanley Cups
Dave Forbes Left Wing BOS, WSH 1973–1979 362 0
Kevin Wortman Defense CGY 1993–1994 5 0

WHA

One player was a member of the WHA.

Player Position Team(s) Years Avco Cups
Dave Forbes Left Wing CIN 1978–1979 0

Source:[15]

Olympians

This is a list of American International alumni who played on an Olympic team.

Name Position American International Tenure Team Year Finish
Jānis Jaks Defenseman 2016–2020 Latvia Latvia 2022 11th

See also

References

  1. ^ Logo Usage & Brand Standards Manual (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  2. ^ "American International Yellow Jackets Men's Hockey". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  3. ^ "History of ECAC Hockey". College Hockey Historical Archives. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "1964-65 NCAA - ECAC - Div. 2 Standings". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  5. ^ "NEHC Tournaments". New England Hockey Conference. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  6. ^ "2012–13 Men's Ice Hockey Coaching Staff". AIC Yellow Jackets. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  7. ^ "History of the MAAC". College Hockey Historical Archives. 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
  8. ^ "Longtime AIC hockey coach Gary Wright to resign". Mass Live. March 31, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  9. ^ "NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships due to coronavirus concerns". NCAA.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  10. ^ "Remainder of 2020 Atlantic Hockey Tournament Cancelled". atlantichockeyonline.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  11. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey Year-By-Year Results". American INternational Yellow Jackets. Archived from the original on 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  12. ^ "2023-24 Ice Hockey Roster". American International Yellow Jackets. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "All-MAAC Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
  14. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey 100 Point Club". American International Yellow Jackets. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  15. ^ "Alumni report for American International College". Hockey DB. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
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