They’re the most successful Fairfield team of the past three seasons. They’ve been a playoff team every year of their existence and have even had a championship appearance. If you don’t know who they are, that’s becasue they’re not varsity athletes.
The Fairfield Men’s Ice Hockey club team is in its third season and is continuing on its path of domination in the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference.
Formed after the cancellation of the Division I program following the 2002-’03 season, the team is comprised of 28 players, with only two remaining from the original varisty team.
The club team prides itself on being young and competitive. It is composed mostly of former high school and junior players who are looking not for a hockey career, but instead for a few more years of competitive hockey.
Don’t let the “club” title fool you, however; this is exciting hockey, according to team Vice President Justin Eisner ’08.
“It’s very competitive and highly entertaining hockey,” he said. “If you haven’t come to a game, give it a shot.”
The team has had great attendance for a club program. When the University provided transportation for their playoff games during the past two seasons, the Stags’ home rink, Bridgeport’s Wonderland of Ice,filled nearly to its capacity of more than 2,000.
“The team has been able to be successful because of our depth of talent,” said forward J.P. Ryan ’07. “Fan support has been good so far and we hope for more throughout the season.”
Playing against teams such as Suffolk Community College, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Albany, and Hofstra allows the team to stay close to home and build local rivalries.
With a 16-game league schedule within the MCHC, the team is also able to allot time for tougher teams from more competitive leagues and programs.
One of the bigger steps the club has taken was its participation in the Penn State University Tournament. The club played competitively against California PA, the fifth-ranked club team in the country, and defeated nationally-prominent Daniel Webster.
The success within the league and non-league games factors into a national ranking system for all collegiate club hockey teams. The American Collegiate Hockey Association puts out rankings like many other collegiate sports do.
Fairfield will look to get a bid into the national tournament as well as maintain their success into the MCHC playoffs this year.
Though the team and many of its fans would love to see the Division I team return, the current players see no end to the success for coming seasons.
“The school has been good to us, but I think everyone at Fairfield would like to see the administration build a rink on campus and bring back the hockey team, ” said Ryan. ” There is a solid core of die-hard rowdy fans that really give us a boost out there.”
The emergence of the team as a popular entertainment option may, to an extent, rival bars and “ID-friendly” package stores as top destinations for students traveling to Bridgeport.
The Stags’ next home game is Nov.5. against SUNY New Paltz at 8:30 p.m.
Fans, alumni, and prospective players are all encouraged to visit www.fairfieldhockey.net for updated rosters, statistics, information, and schedules.
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