College hockey in California often is overlooked because there are no NCAA Div. 1 hockey programs in the Golden State despite it being the most populated state in the country.
Regardless of the generally low hockey participation on the banks of the Pacific, the California State University-Northridge hockey team is determined to suit up the best team possible. To do so, head coach JP Gale is working on building a pipeline of New England hockey talent to complement his roster, which primarily is composed of California skaters.
"They’ve got tons of great players and a rich hockey tradition," Gale said of New England. "It’s a place you can keep your eye on and get an idea of a ton of players who might fit and want the opportunity."
The Cal State-Northridge Matadors are a club hockey team that competes in Division 2 of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. While they might not be an NCAA team, the Matadors still play at a competitive skill level. For example, 2018 commit Grayson Szumilas (Camden, Maine) was looking at playing for an NCAA Div. 3 team after putting up 42 points in 47 games for the Vancouver Rangers of the Western States Hockey League last season. Certainly the added perk of playing hockey in Los Angeles did not hurt the forward’s school choice.
"I’ve been using hockey as a way of traveling around the country and the world," Szumilas said. "When I found out they do have hockey teams in sunny southern California, it was just kind of a no-brainer to reach out. When I reached out to JP, he was very cordial and got right back to me. It was really nice."
Szumilas, who also has played hockey in Germany for Düsseldorfer EG U19, is taking this season to become acclimated to his new environment and establish instate residency before enrolling at school and joining the team next season. In the meantime, he is working out with the team.
"The team is really friendly," he said. "There’s a good camaraderie with the guys. Plus it’s extremely well-organized for the level it is. There’s a super nice locker room, a great gym on campus. The stuff they receive is surprising. It’s very nice to see. You get a lot of nice amenities you might not expect."
The Mainer is not the first New Englander to join the program. Central Catholic (Mass.) High School product Matt Alesse (Groveland, Mass.) is a 2016 CSUN grad who spent three seasons with the Matadors. After high school, he played intramural hockey at UNH before obtaining his associate’s degree and entering the work force. After two years away from school, Alesse decided he wanted to go back to school, and a family connection sent him out west.
"I loved UNH but when talking to my mom, she told me if I’m gonna pay out of state, it doesn’t matter whether I go to New Hampshire or California," he explained. "She said, ‘Why don’t you go play hockey with Ellis?’ I said, ‘You know what? That’s not a bad idea.’"
Alesse’s younger cousin Ellis Bourgoujian, who is from Woodland Hills, Calif., already was a member of CSUN’s hockey program. The school had a graphic design program, which was what Alesse was looking for, so he gave the school a chance after stepping away from competitive hockey for four years.
"At first, I was a little nervous," Alesse said. "I knew where I was at in New England. I played for one of the top high schools and maybe could’ve gone D-3 or played club hockey at UNH if I tried. That summer, I hit the gym and three times per week I went and worked with (former Merrimack College star) Andy Heinze (North Andover, Mass.). I got to know him throughout the years. I hit him up and I’d leave work early a couple times per week to do couple-hour skate sessions with him for two or three months before that. That was super beneficial."
When Alesse got there, however, he was able to earn extensive playing time competitive hockey team again. Alesse had a positive experience playing for the team and said his teammates’ passion for the game always stood out to him.
"It’s a different style of hockey and a different level of hockey," he said, "Coming from New England, hockey was just another thing. Everyone knew people who played hockey. Going to a college game or a Bruins game was a regular thing. Coming out here, the guys weren’t as skilled playing hockey, but they had way more passion for the game. They’re huge L.A. Kings fans. They knew every player, every stat, and that kind of opened my eyes. They knew more about other teams that weren’t in the state than I knew about the Bruins. Their passion for it is high and over time, I think they’ll match that."
Both Alesse and Gale agree that the ACHA has its share of talented players and is on the rise. Alesse recalled playing with and against several players who he thought were NCAA-caliber players, although some teams might fill out their bottom line and bench with less experienced players. Gale said he is impressed with the progression of talent he has seen come out for the team.
"Over the last 10 years, we’ve gone from having a team where one or two guys were Junior A-level players or Division 3-level players, where I would say half the team now could play NCAA Division 3," he said. "The problem with NCAA schools is they’re not cheap. Here, we’re a state school, and if guys establish residency, they can get in-state tuition and knock the price down. It’s much cheaper than some of those other schools."
The Matadors have seven seniors on their roster this season so they are looking to recruit heavily this year for next season. The CSUN registration period goes from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30.
"For guys who are on-the-bubble players who would be scraping by for playing time at those levels (Division 3, Junior A), this is an opportunity to come in, be in the top three lines and have a career at a university for four years and a solid opportunity that might not be there elsewhere," Gale said.
