Air Force Academy's Ice hockey program began as a club team in 1966, led by former Michigan head coach and six-time national 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 to John 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.
CHAedit
In 1997, former Denver head coach Frank 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 the CHA, joining with the other service academy Army and five other newly-minted Division 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 CHA was in trouble. The Falcons left the CHA and were accepted into Atlantic Hockey, rejoining Army in the same conference.
Atlantic Hockeyedit
The Falcons bench celebrates a goal during a game in 2018
The change seemed to suit the Falcons, who posted their first winning season in 7 years. In the conference tournament, Air Force defeated Holy Cross 3-0 before stunning #1 seeded Sacred 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 the NCAA tournament. Though they lost to Minnesota 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 in 2009 where they won their first regular season conference title and NCAA tournament game. After a middling season in 2010, 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 in 2017 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 champion Minnesota–Duluth until the final period.[4]
Goalie Shane Starrett signed an Entry Level Contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL on April 10, 2017. He is currently the only Air Force Falcons Men's Ice Hockey player to be in the NHL or respected affiliates.
Referencesedit
^"Air Force Athletics Style Sheet" (PDF). March 12, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
^"Air Force Falcons Men's Hockey". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
^. USCHO.com. 2017-03-13. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
^"Minnesota Duluth earns second straight Frozen Four berth with victory over Air Force". USCHO.com. 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
^(PDF). Air Force Falcons. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
^(PDF). University of Michigan. September 22, 2009. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
^"Air Force Falcons Men's Hockey 2017-2018 Record Book" (PDF). Air Force Falcons. 2018-08-17.
^"2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Air Force Falcons. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
External linksedit
Air Force Falcons men's ice hockey
October 28, 2023
force, falcons, hockey, team, national, collegiate, athletic, association, ncaa, division, college, hockey, program, that, represents, united, states, force, academy, falcons, member, atlantic, hockey, they, play, cadet, arena, colorado, springs, colorado, cur. The Air Force Falcons men s ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division I college ice hockey program that represents the United States Air Force Academy The Falcons are a member of Atlantic Hockey They play at the Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs Colorado 2 Air Force Falcons men s ice hockeyCurrent seasonUniversityUnited States Air Force AcademyConferenceAHAFirst season1968 69Head coachFrank Serratore27th season 438 417 98 511 Assistant coachesAndy BergJoe DoyleSteve JenningsArenaCadet Ice ArenaColorado Springs ColoradoColorsBlue and silver 1 NCAA Tournament appearances2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2017 2018Conference Tournament championships2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2017 2018Conference regular season championships2008 09 2011 12Current uniform Contents 1 History 1 1 Independent 1 2 CHA 1 3 Atlantic Hockey 2 Season by season results 2 1 All time coaching records 3 Awards and honors 3 1 U S Hockey Hall of Fame 3 2 NCAA 3 2 1 Scoring Champion 3 2 2 Lowes Senior CLASS Award 3 2 3 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award 3 2 4 All Americans 3 3 College Hockey America 3 3 1 Individual awards 3 3 2 All Conference teams 3 4 Atlantic Hockey 3 4 1 Individual awards 3 4 2 All Conference teams 4 Statistical Leaders 4 1 Career Scoring leaders 4 2 Career Goaltending Leaders 5 Current roster 6 Falcons in the NHL 7 References 8 External linksHistory editIndependent edit Air Force Academy s Ice hockey program began as a club team in 1966 led by former Michigan head coach and six time national champion Vic 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 to John 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 CHA edit In 1997 former Denver head coach Frank 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 the CHA joining with the other service academy Army and five other newly minted Division 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 CHA was in trouble The Falcons left the CHA and were accepted into Atlantic Hockey rejoining Army in the same conference Atlantic Hockey edit nbsp The Falcons bench celebrates a goal during a game in 2018The change seemed to suit the Falcons who posted their first winning season in 7 years In the conference tournament Air Force defeated Holy Cross 3 0 before stunning 1 seeded Sacred 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 the NCAA tournament Though they lost to Minnesota 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 in 2009 where they won their first regular season conference title and NCAA tournament game After a middling season in 2010 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 in 2017 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 champion Minnesota Duluth until the final period 4 Season by season results editMain article List of Air Force Falcons men s ice hockey seasons All time coaching records edit As of the end of the 2022 23 season Tenure Coach Years Record Pct 1997 Present Frank Serratore 26 438 417 98 5111985 1997 Chuck Delich 12 154 197 19 4421974 1985 John Matchefts 11 154 150 6 5061968 1974 Vic Heyliger 6 85 77 3 524Totals 4 coaches 55 seasons 831 841 126 497 5 Awards and honors editU S Hockey Hall of Fame edit The following individuals have been inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame 6 Vic Heyliger 1974 John Matchefts 1991 NCAA edit Scoring Champion edit Dave Skalko 1972 Lowes Senior CLASS Award edit Jacques Lamoureux 2011 Kyle Haak 2019 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award edit Mike Phillipich 2009 Dylan Abood 2018 All Americans edit AHCA Second Team All Americans Eric Ehn 2007 Jacques Lamoureux 2009 Tim Kirby 2012 College Hockey America edit Individual awards edit Player of the Year Marc Kielkucki 2001 Rookie of the Year Andy Berg 2000 Student Athlete of the Year Scott Bradley 2001 Brian Gornick 2002 Mike Polidor 2004 All Conference teams edit First Team All CHA Marc Kielkucki 2001 Brian Gornick 2001 Derek Olson 2002 Second Team All CHA Brian Gornick 2000 Andy Berg 2001 2003 Brian Gineo 2005 Michael Mayra 2006 Eric Ehn 2006 All CHA Rookie Team Andy Berg 2000 Joe Locallo 2001 Zach Sikich 2002 Matt Charbonneau 2005 Eric Ehn 2005 Michael Mayra 2006 Atlantic Hockey edit Individual awards edit Player of the Year Eric Ehn 2007 Jacques Lamoureux 2009 Best Defensive Forward Brady Tomlak 2020 Best Defenseman Greeg Flynn 2009 Tim Kirby 2012 Adam McKenzie 2013 Ben Carey 2016 Scoring Champion Eric Ehn 2007 Jacques Lamoureux 2009 Tim Kirby 2012 Regular Season Goaltending Award Shane Starett 2016 Billy Christopoulos 2018 2019 Individual Sportsmanship Award Jason Fabian 2014 Ben Carey 2016 Coach of the Year Frank Serratore 2016 Tournament MVP Mike Phillipich 2007 Brent Olson 2008 Matt Fairchild 2009 Jacques Lamoureux 2011 Jason Torf 2012 Shane Starrett 2017 Billy Christopoulos 2018 All Conference teams edit First Team All Atlantic Hockey 2006 07 Eric Ehn F 2008 09 Andrew Volkening G Greg Flynn D Jacques Lamoureux F 2009 10 Tim Kirby D Jacques Lamoureux F 2010 11 Scott Mathis F 2011 12 Tim Kirby D Scott Mathis F Kyle De Laurell F 2012 13 Adam McKenzie D Kyle De Laurell F 2015 16 Shane Starrett G 2016 17 Phil Boje D 2018 19 Billy Christopoulos G Second Team All Atlantic Hockey 2006 07 Andrew Ramsey F 2007 08 Greg Flynn D 2009 10 Andrew Volkening G 2010 11 Jacques Lamoureux F 2011 12 John Kruse F 2013 14 Adam McKenzie D Cole Gunner F 2014 15 Cole Gunner F 2015 16 Johnny Hrabovsky D 2016 17 Jordan Himley F 2022 23 Luke Rowe D Third Team All Atlantic Hockey 2007 08 Eric Ehn F 2010 11 Tim Kirby D 2016 17 Shane Starrett G 2019 20 Brandon Koch D 2021 22 Brandon Koch D All Atlantic Hockey Rookie Team 2008 09 Scott Mathis D 2010 11 Jason Torf G Adam McKenzie D 2013 14 Chris Truehl G 2015 16 Shane Starrett G Matt Serratore F 2019 20 Brandon Koch D 2021 22 Mitchell Digby D Clayton Cosentino F 2022 23 Chris Hedden DStatistical Leaders edit 7 Career Scoring leaders edit GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points PIM Penalty minutes Player Years GP G A Pts PIMChuck Delich 1973 1977 109 156 123 279 151Bob Sajevic 1976 1980 113 107 121 228 54Dave Skalko 1969 1973 118 75 144 219 208Bob Ross 1968 1972 106 105 92 197 41Gary Batinich 1974 1978 104 82 114 196 107Tom Richards 1978 1982 118 78 90 168 54Mike Smellie 1976 1980 103 77 89 166 56Frank Daldine 1983 1986 109 79 77 156 75Dave Bunker 1970 1974 109 82 70 152 118Robin Robideaux 1975 1979 108 68 84 152 200Career Goaltending Leaders edit GP Games played Min Minutes played GA Goals against SO Shutouts SV Save percentage GAA Goals against averageMinimum 35 games Player Years GP Min GA SO SV GAAShane Starrett 2015 17 70 3918 128 9 924 1 96Andrew Volkening 2006 10 127 7370 269 15 915 2 19Stephen Caple 2009 12 36 1792 66 2 908 2 21Jason Torf 2010 14 115 6561 269 10 915 2 46Chris Truehl 2013 15 50 2745 124 3 900 2 71Statistics current through the start of the 2017 18 season Current roster editAs of September 14 2023 8 No S P C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights1 nbsp Guy Blessing Junior G 6 3 1 91 m 180 lb 82 kg 2001 05 08 Chandler Arizona Lone Star NAHL 4 nbsp Luke Rowe Senior D 6 1 1 85 m 206 lb 93 kg 1998 08 08 Succasunna New Jersey Boston Jr Bruins NCDC 6 nbsp Owen Baumgartner Freshman D 5 10 1 78 m 185 lb 84 kg 2002 07 01 Owatonna Minnesota Oklahoma NAHL 7 nbsp Brian Adams Senior F 5 8 1 73 m 175 lb 79 kg 1999 12 07 San Ramon California Wenatchee BCHL 8 nbsp Ethan Ulrick Freshman F 5 11 1 8 m 175 lb 79 kg 2003 04 25 Lakewood Illinois Salmon Arm BCHL 9 nbsp Lucas Coon Junior F 6 0 1 83 m 185 lb 84 kg 2001 11 24 Steamboat Springs Colorado Odessa NAHL 10 nbsp Austin Schwartz Junior F 5 9 1 75 m 175 lb 79 kg 2001 06 18 Parker Colorado Bismarck NAHL 11 nbsp Sam Jacobs Freshman F 6 0 1 83 m 185 lb 84 kg 2003 04 25 Plymouth Minnesota Wisconsin NAHL 12 nbsp James Callahan Freshman D 6 0 1 83 m 175 lb 79 kg 2002 12 18 Minneapolis Minnesota Springfield NAHL 13 nbsp Mason McCormick Sophomore F 6 4 1 93 m 205 lb 93 kg 2001 05 25 Verona Wisconsin Waterloo USHL 14 nbsp Jacob Marti Senior F 5 11 1 8 m 190 lb 86 kg 2002 08 13 Highlands Ranch Colorado Bismarck NAHL 15 nbsp Owen Dubois Freshman F 6 4 1 93 m 200 lb 91 kg 2002 07 06 Madison Wisconsin Aberdeen NAHL 16 nbsp Sam Brennan Senior D 6 0 1 83 m 200 lb 91 kg 2000 01 16 Brighton Michigan Lone Star NAHL 17 nbsp Parker Brown Senior F 5 10 1 78 m 165 lb 75 kg 1999 09 08 Hanahan South Carolina Fairbanks NAHL 18 nbsp Holt Oliphant Sophomore F 5 10 1 78 m 190 lb 86 kg 2001 05 17 Northbrook Illinois Johnstown NAHL 19 nbsp Nick Remissong Freshman F 6 0 1 83 m 185 lb 84 kg 2002 05 19 Lake Forest Illinois Trail BCHL 20 nbsp Nolan Cunningham Freshman D 6 2 1 88 m 185 lb 84 kg 2001 12 17 Helena Montana Fairbanks NAHL 21 nbsp Liam Hansson Sophomore F 6 1 1 85 m 185 lb 84 kg 2001 12 16 Ramsey New Jersey Cranbrook BCHL 22 nbsp Chris Hedden Sophomore D 6 0 1 83 m 185 lb 84 kg 2002 09 20 Kalamazoo Michigan Omaha USHL 24 nbsp Nate Horn Senior F 5 11 1 8 m 160 lb 73 kg 1999 03 02 Elk River Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness NAHL 26 nbsp Clayton Cosentino Junior F 6 2 1 88 m 198 lb 90 kg 2000 06 18 San Carlos California Aberdeen NAHL 27 nbsp Luke Robinson Senior D 6 3 1 91 m 202 lb 92 kg 2000 02 16 Nashville Tennessee Dubuque USHL 28 nbsp Mitchell Digby Junior D 5 11 1 8 m 185 lb 84 kg 2000 06 26 Ottawa Lake Michigan Lone Star NAHL 29 nbsp Jasper Lester Junior D 5 11 1 8 m 190 lb 86 kg 2000 07 31 Colorado Springs Colorado Fairbanks NAHL 30 nbsp Dominik Wasik Freshman G 6 1 1 85 m 165 lb 75 kg 2002 07 02 Superior Wisconsin Steinbach MJHL 35 nbsp Carter Clafton Freshman G 6 2 1 88 m 175 lb 79 kg 2002 03 13 Grand Rapids Minnesota Amarillo NAHL 37 nbsp Will Gavin Senior F 5 10 1 78 m 185 lb 84 kg 1999 10 21 Durham Connecticut Northern NCDC 44 nbsp Will Staring Freshman D 6 2 1 88 m 195 lb 88 kg 2003 02 28 Springfield Virginia Dubuque USHL 51 nbsp Maiszon Balboa Senior G 6 2 1 88 m 195 lb 88 kg 2000 04 18 Colorado Springs Colorado Shreveport NAHL 55 nbsp Brett Oberle Sophomore D 5 11 1 8 m 185 lb 84 kg 2001 09 27 Woodbury Minnesota Wenatchee BCHL 64 nbsp Brendan Gibbons Freshman F 6 2 1 88 m 205 lb 93 kg 2002 06 15 South Kingstown Rhode Island Maine NAHL 82 nbsp Andrew DeCarlo Junior F 6 0 1 83 m 190 lb 86 kg 2000 07 23 Huntington Beach California Lone Star NAHL Falcons in the NHL editGoalie Shane Starrett signed an Entry Level Contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL on April 10 2017 He is currently the only Air Force Falcons Men s Ice Hockey player to be in the NHL or respected affiliates References edit Air Force Athletics Style Sheet PDF March 12 2022 Retrieved July 1 2022 Air Force Falcons Men s Hockey U S College Hockey Online Retrieved April 8 2011 What I Believe Monday Edition USCHO com 2017 03 13 Archived from the original on 2018 08 21 Retrieved 2018 08 20 Minnesota Duluth earns second straight Frozen Four berth with victory over Air Force USCHO com 2018 03 24 Retrieved 2018 08 20 Air Force Hockey 2018 19 Record Book PDF Air Force Falcons Archived from the original PDF on April 12 2019 Retrieved December 20 2018 The Record Book PDF University of Michigan September 22 2009 p 20 Archived from the original PDF on August 7 2010 Retrieved August 11 2010 Air Force Falcons Men s Hockey 2017 2018 Record Book PDF Air Force Falcons 2018 08 17 2023 24 Men s Ice Hockey Roster Air Force Falcons Retrieved September 14 2023 External links editAir Force Falcons men s ice hockey Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Air Force Falcons men 27s ice hockey amp oldid 1175393505, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
