Sometimes the catalyst for a team’s success is simply extra motivation. Last season, the morning after Sacred Heart lost a three-game quarterfinal series to RIT in the Atlantic Hockey tournament, Pioneers head coach C.J. Marottolo got a phone call from Jason Cotton. The senior forward couldn’t stand … [Read more...]
New Atlantic overtime format could shake up the standings
Not everyone involved in Atlantic Hockey is a fan of the conference’s new overtime protocol, which now involves a 3-on-3 extra period and a shootout on top of a standard 5-on-5 overtime period. Army head coach Brian Riley counts himself as one of those naysayers. That being said, Riley admits the … [Read more...]
American International coach Eric Lang lifts team to Atlantic Hockey crown
When Eric Lang first returned to American International’s campus as head coach in 2016, he stressed a “crawl, walk, run” approach. Senior captain Shawn McBride remembers hearing that mantra consistently when he was a sophomore. “It speaks to how he wanted to do things, how he wanted to change … [Read more...]
Sacred Heart’s Jason Cotton ‘a godsend’ after transfer from Northeastern
Heading into the 2017-18 season, Jason Cotton had Oct. 6 circled on his calendar. That’s the night Cotton would first take the ice for Sacred Heart after transferring from Northeastern. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound forward sat out the previous season due to NCAA transfer rules, so it was a long wait to … [Read more...]
Vermonter Tipper Higgins has become Mr. Dependable for Army
For as long as he can remember, Tipper Higgins has had hockey in his life. The Williston, Vt., native first started skating at 2 years old, then began playing hockey around the age of 4. With an outdoor rink at his house, Tipper made the most of that opportunity, skating the winters away in his … [Read more...]
Atlantic Hockey: Hamblet has made an immediate impact for Bentley
Rivers School coach Shawn McEachern knows a thing or two about what it takes to play professionally. A product of Boston University, McEachern played 15 seasons in the NHL, including two stints with the Bruins. The Waltham, Mass., native generated 579 points with five different teams and captained … [Read more...]
One year out of a stellar stint at KUA, Bryce Dolan is fitting in fine with Holy Cross
Last season, Bryce Dolan was a senior captain at Kimball Union Academy. Fast forward a year and the 19-year-old is one of the youngest skaters at Holy Cross, as he’s playing with seniors five years older. A lot has changed in a season, but Dolan is getting up to speed with the Crusaders after … [Read more...]
Transfers offer mature boost for Atlantic Hockey programs
Drew Best remembers texting friends connected to Bentley University earlier this year while he was deciding what to do next. After three years with the University of Vermont, the Plymouth, Mich., native graduated early and was eligible to play hockey elsewhere without sitting out a season. His … [Read more...]
Atlantic Hockey 2018-19 season preview
Here's how every Atlantic Hockey program is shaping up ahead of the 2018-19 season. Last year, Air Force was the conference's sole team to make the NCAA Tournament. Air Force Air Force finished fifth in conference rankings last year, but they saved their best for last, winning the AHC tournament and … [Read more...]
Now a senior captain at West Point, Dalton MacAfee reflects on journey
As an underclassman at St. Sebastian’s School, Dalton MacAfee never would have guessed he’d end up at Army. The son of ex-NFL star Ken MacAfee, Dalton was a gifted two-sport athlete in prep school. In his sophomore year Dalton committed to play lacrosse at Notre Dame, his father’s alma mater. Fast … [Read more...]
Zach Mirageas soars for Air Force
Zach Mirageas remembers having to make one of the biggest decisions of his life. The Newburyport, Mass., native was touring the Air Force Academy in Colorado after a successful season in the United State Hockey League. Mirageas had a few offers from Division 1 schools in the Northeast, but after … [Read more...]
Welcome home, Falcons
There was very little that could bring Bentley head coach Ryan Soderquist down on the night of Feb. 16. Sure, his Falcons had just allowed a four-goal third period in a 5-1 loss to Atlantic Hockey foe Army West Point. The loss meant a bye week in the conference tournament essentially was out of … [Read more...]
