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Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey

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Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey
Current season
Merrimack Warriors athletic logo
UniversityMerrimack College
ConferenceHockey East
Head coachScott Borek
6th season, 76–103–11 (.429)
Assistant coaches
  • Dan Jewell
  • Chris Ross
ArenaJ. Thom Lawler Rink
North Andover, Massachusetts
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
NCAA Tournament championships
DII: 1978
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
DII: 1978, 1984
NCAA Tournament appearances
DII: 1978, 1984
DI: 1988, 2011, 2023
Conference Tournament championships
ECAC 2 (DII): 1967, 1968, 1977, 1980 East
ECAC East (DIII): 1987, 1988, 1989
Conference regular season championships
ECAC 2 (DII): 1968, 1969, 1975, 1976
ECAC East (DIII): 1987, 1988, 1989
Current uniform

The Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Merrimack College. The Warriors are a member of Hockey East. They play at the 2,549-seat J. Thom Lawler Rink in North Andover, Massachusetts, which underwent renovation in 2010. Merrimack's 92.08% capacity during the 2013–14 season was second in Hockey East.[2]

History

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The Warriors started intercollegiate play in 1954–55, as the college offered more support to the program in the form of a modest budget, new uniforms and varsity letters. Babson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Keene Teachers were among the first intercollegiate competition Merrimack hockey faced that year. And for the first time, the college recognized hockey as a varsity sport.[3]

They were successful in the late 1970s and early 1980s while playing in the ECAC Division II. Merrimack won the division II national title in 1978 and were the runner up in 1984. They became an NCAA Division I independent team in 1984 but did not play a schedule against predominantly Division I teams until they joined the Hockey East conference in 1989.[4][5]

Led by Coach Ron Anderson, a new era began for Merrimack hockey in 1989 when the Warriors competed in their first season as a member of the Hockey East Association. That team posted an overall record of 10–24–1, but pulled off the surprise of the season by taking eventual league champion Boston College to a third and decisive playoff game. And after being picked for the bottom part of the league in three of the last four seasons, the Warriors continued to baffle the experts by battling for home-ice advantage all season long while defeating several Top 20 teams. And with the roots of the Merrimack hockey tree that were planted in Hockey East seven years earlier firmly entrenched, the 1996–97 Warriors entered a new chapter in history by qualifying for a Hockey East playoff home ice berth. The 1997–98 team raised the bar a little higher by upsetting top-ranked Boston University in the quarterfinals and earning a trip to the conference semifinals at Boston's FleetCenter.

The 1998–99 season began yet another era in Merrimack hockey history with the dawning of the Serino age. On April 24, 1998, Chris Serino became just the sixth head coach in the program's history. The Warriors posted a mark of 11–24–1 in Serino's inaugural campaign, and senior forward and captain Rejean Stringer was named an All-American, Merrimack's first ever in the University Division. In Serino's second season, the Warriors set an NCAA record for consecutive overtime contests by playing in six straight at the end of January, and in 2000–01, the Warriors notched 14 victories, the most for Merrimack since 1996–97. Several of those victories were over nationally ranked opponents.

In 2002–03, senior goaltender and captain Joe Exter led Merrimack to a surprising race for home ice throughout much of the season, including the team's first-ever regular season Division I tournament title with wins over host Rensselaer and Wayne State at the 52nd Annual Rensselaer/HSBC Holiday Hockey Tournament in late December. Exter was selected to the All-Hockey East Team by league coaches. Long-time assistant coach Stu Irving was also honored, as the American Hockey Coaches Association presented him with its Terry Flanagan Memorial Award in recognition of an assistant coach's career body of work. The season also saw the inauguration of the Blue Line Club, the program's official support organization.[6]

The program struggled in the highly competitive Hockey East. The 2006–07 season, in which they won only 3 games, was the nadir of their struggles. In the 2010–11 season, however, they had unprecedented success against several of the nation's top teams.[2] They finished the regular season 22–8–4 and were ranked 9th in the nation. Merrimack gained a home ice advantage for the first round for the first time since 1997.[4]

The program received its first No. 1 ranking in the USCHO Poll during the 2011–12 season.

Mark Dennehy was fired as the team's head coach at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season following a 12–21–4 record and a sixth straight losing season. Scott Borek was hired as the team's head coach on April 9, 2018.

Season-by-season results

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Main article: List of Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey seasons

Source:[7]

All-time coaching records

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As of the completion of 2023–24 season[7]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1956–1964 Jim Reynolds 8 46–45–3 .505
1964–1965 Ron Ryan 1 6–8–0 .429
1965–1978 J. Thom Lawler 13 218–138–10 .609
1978–1983 Bruce Parker 5 100–76–5 .566
1983–1998 Ron Anderson 15 254–253–24 .501
1998–2005 Chris Serino 7 78–149–27 .360
2005–2018 Mark Dennehy 13 168–243–60 .420
2018–Present Scott Borek 6 76–103–11 .429
Totals 7 coaches 68 seasons 946–1019–140 .483

Awards and honors

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NCAA

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Individual awards

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All-American Teams

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AHCA Second Team All-Americans

Hockey East

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Individual awards

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All-Conference teams

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First Team

Second Team

Third Team

Rookie Team

Statistical Leaders

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Source:[8]

Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Jim Vesey 1984–1988 140 110 134 244
Richard Pion 1985–1989 124 103 128 231
Mike Reynolds 1972–1976 124 113 111 224
Tom Lawler 1977–1981 138 102 119 221
Jim Toomey 1976–1980 140 99 121 220
Mickey Rego 1977–1981 136 94 108 202
Mark Ziliotto 1985–1989 136 84 100 184
Bob Magnuson 1976–1980 132 90 91 181
Billy Dunn 1972–1975 102 81 96 177
Andy Heinze 1986–1990 144 77 89 166

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
Sam Marotta 2010–2014 47 2360 14 19 4 94 3 .917 2.39
Rasmus Tirronen 2011–2015 68 3893 22 34 8 159 3 .918 2.45
Joe Cannata 2008–2012 122 7145 59 46 16 294 7 .915 2.47
Hugo Ollas 2021–2024 62 3319 27 27 0 82 6 .914 2.48
Collin Delia 2014–2017 56 3240 21 24 10 134 4 .911 2.48

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

Current roster

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As of September 7, 2024.[9]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2 British Columbia Nathan King Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2004-06-11 Victoria, British Columbia Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) —
3 New York (state) Seamus Powell Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2004-04-26 Marcellus, New York Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) —
5 Florida Trevor Griebel Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2001-03-07 Tampa, Florida Fargo Force (USHL) —
7 Sweden Max Wattvil Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2002-08-11 Stockholm, Sweden Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) —
8 Massachusetts Harrison Roy Graduate F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2000-01-17 Lakeville, Massachusetts Lake Superior State (CCHA) —
10 Newfoundland and Labrador Mark Hillier Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-03-18 Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) —
11 Minnesota Nick Pierre Freshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2004-04-09 Cottage Grove, Minnesota Omaha Lancers (USHL) —
13 Manitoba Jordan Hughesman Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2003-04-24 Winnipeg, Manitoba Brooks Bandits (BCHL) —
14 Massachusetts Tyler Young Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-05-08 Lancaster, Massachusetts Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) —
15 Alberta Vann Yuhas Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2004-02-20 Medicine Hat, Alberta Drumheller Dragons (AJHL) —
16 Massachusetts David Sacco Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2002-01-03 Middleton, Massachusetts Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) —
17 Alberta Cam Kungle Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 2002-03-28 Red Deer, Alberta Lake Superior State (CCHA) —
19 Ontario Jack Richard Sophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-12-13 Stoney Creek, Ontario Niagara (AHA) —
20 British Columbia Ethan Bono Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 2004-01-15 Port McNeill, British Columbia Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) —
21 New York (state) Caden Cranston Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2004-03-23 Rochester, New York Surrey Eagles (BCHL) —
22 Pennsylvania Michael Citara Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2002-04-22 New Hope, Pennsylvania Providence (HEA) —
23 Michigan Antonio Venuto Graduate F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2000-02-26 Whitmore Lake, Michigan Ferris State (CCHA) —
24 Czech Republic Josef Myšák Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-09-08 Litvínov, Czech Republic Niagara (AHA) —
25 Illinois Luke Weilandt Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2002-04-04 Northbrook, Illinois Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) —
26 Sweden Ivan Zivlak Senior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-08 Gislaved, Sweden Linköping J20 (J20 Nationell) —
28 New Jersey Ryan O'Connell Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2003-10-23 Moorestown, New Jersey Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) —
29 Saskatchewan Caelan Fitzpatrick Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-06-17 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Brooks Bandits (BCHL) —
34 Sweden Nils Wallström Sophomore G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-10-15 Skellefteå, Sweden American International (AHA) —
35 Alaska Ryan Keyes Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2003-04-25 Fairbanks, Alaska South Shore Kings (NCDC) —
37 New York (state) Zach Bookman Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-03-29 Syracuse, New York Brooks Bandits (AJHL) —
43 Alberta Ty Daneault Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2004-12-20 Red Deer, Alberta Drumheller Dragons (AJHL) —
47 Sweden Max Lundgren Freshman G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 229 lb (104 kg) 2002-04-03 Ängelholm, Sweden Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) —
55 North Dakota Colby Enns Graduate (RS) D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 1999-09-16 Minot, North Dakota Northern Michigan (CCHA) —
62 New York (state) Michael Emerson Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-11-26 Yorktown Heights, New York Chicago Steel (USHL) CAR, 190th overall 2023
72 Manitoba Hunter Wallace Freshman F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2003-05-02 Oak Lake, Manitoba Brooks Bandits (BCHL) —

Olympians

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This is a list of Merrimack alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

Name Position Merrimack Tenure Team Year Finish
Karl Stollery Defenseman 2008–2012 Canada CAN 2018  Bronze

Warriors in the NHL

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As of July 1, 2024.

Player Position Team(s) Years Games Stanley Cups
Declan Carlile Defenseman TBL 2023–Present 1 0
Greg Classen Center NSH 2000–2003 90 0
Mark Cornforth Defenseman BOS 1995–1996 6 0
Stéphane Da Costa Center OTT 2010–2014 47 0
Collin Delia Goaltender CHI, VAN 2017–2023 52 0
Matt Foy Right Wing MIN 2005–2008 56 0
Jim Hrivnak Goaltender WSH, WIN, STL 1989–1994 85 0
John Jakopin Defenseman FLA, PIT, SJS 1997–2003 113 0
Bob Jay Defenseman LAK 1993–1994 3 0
Johnathan Kovacevic Defenseman WPG, MTL, NJD 2021–Present 143 0
Steve McKenna Defenseman LAK, MIN, PIT, NYR 1996–2004 373 0
Darrel Scoville Defenseman CGY, CBJ 1999–2004 16 0
Brett Seney Left Wing NJD, TOR, CHI 2018–Present 66 0
Karl Stollery Defenseman COL, SJS, NJD 2013–2017 23 0
Jim Vesey Center STL, BOS 1988–1992 15 0

Source:[10]

NHL Entry Draft Selections

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As of May 17, 2024.

Player Position Draft Year Selection Team
Jim Hrivnak Goalie 1986 Round 3 Pick 61 Washington Capitals
Ben Lebeau Forward 1988 Round 5 Pick 101 Winnipeg Jets
Dan Hodge Defencemen 1991 Round 9 Pick 194 Boston Bruins
Gaetan Poirier Left Wing 1996 Round 6 Pick 156 Florida Panthers
Marco Rosa Center 2001 Round 8 Pick 255 Dallas Stars
Anthony Aquino Forward 2001 Round 3 Pick 92 Dallas Stars
Matt Foy Forward 2002 Round 6 Pick 175 Minnesota Wild
Joe Cannata Goalie 2009 Round 6 Pick 173 Vancouver Canucks
Brent Seney Left Wing 2015 Round 6 Pick 157 New Jersey Devils
Johnathan Kovacevic Defencemen 2017 Round 3 Pick 74 Winnipeg Jets
Zachary Uens Defencemen 2020 Round 4 Pick 105 Florida Panthers
Matt Copponi Center 2023 Round 7 Pick 216 Edmonton Oilers

References

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  1. ^ "Merrimack College Brand Guidelines". Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Buckley, Steve (February 13, 2011). "Merrimack foundation... rock solid". The Boston Herald. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  3. ^ "Warrior Hockey".
  4. ^ a b Powers, John (March 10, 2011). "New ice age dawns at Merrimack". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  5. ^ "Merrimack Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  6. ^ [warriorhockey.org/history "warriorhockey.org/history"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. ^ a b "Merrimack Warriors men's Hockey 2018-19 Year-By-Year Results" (PDF). Merrimack Warriors. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  8. ^ "Merrimack men's Hockey 2018-19 Record Book without Year-By-Year" (PDF). Merrimack Warriors. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  9. ^ "2023-24 Merrimack College Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Merrimack Warriors. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  10. ^ "Alumni report for Merrimack College". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
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