Arizona State Sun Devils Hockey Team
The Arizona State Sun Devils hockey team is a relatively new team in the college hockey scene, but they have quickly risen to prominence through their impressive performances on the ice. Since their inaugural season in 2015, the Sun Devils have been making waves in the NCAA, earning themselves a reputation as a team to be reckoned with.
A Brief History of the Arizona State Sun Devils Hockey Team
The Arizona State University (ASU) men's ice hockey team was officially founded in 2015, making it one of the newest teams in Division I college hockey. Prior to their establishment, ASU had a club hockey team that played in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) for several years.
However, after seeing the success and popularity of the NCAA Division I hockey programs across the country, ASU decided to elevate their hockey program to the Division I level. In 2015, they officially announced that they would be joining the NCAA as a Division I program starting in the 2016-2017 season.
The Sun Devils played their first NCAA Division I game on October 7, 2016, against the Northern Michigan Wildcats. Although they lost the game 5-3, it was a historic moment for the team and marked the beginning of their journey as an NCAA Division I program.
Success on the Ice
Since their establishment, the Arizona State Sun Devils have been making a name for themselves through their impressive performances on the ice. In their first season as a Division I program, the Sun Devils finished with a record of 5-22-0.
However, despite their rough start, the Sun Devils quickly began to improve and by their third season in Division I, they had already established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. In the 2018-2019 season, the Sun Devils finished with a record of 21-13-1 and earned their first ever NCAA tournament bid, where they made it to the Round of 16.
Since then, the Sun Devils have continued to impress on the ice. In the 2019-2020 season, they finished with a record of 22-11-3 and once again earned an NCAA tournament bid, although the tournament was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Players
The success of the Arizona State Sun Devils hockey team can largely be attributed to their talented roster of players. Over the years, the Sun Devils have had a number of standout players, including:
- Johnny Walker: a forward who holds the record for most goals scored in a single season for the Sun Devils (26)
- Joey Daccord: a former goaltender who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft
- Brinson Pasichnuk: a former defenseman who was named to the All-American First Team in the 2019-2020 season
The Future of the Arizona State Sun Devils Hockey Team
The future looks bright for the Arizona State Sun Devils hockey team. The team has proven that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level of college hockey, and they continue to attract talented players to their program.
In addition, the Sun Devils have recently announced plans to build a new on-campus arena, which will provide them with a state-of-the-art facility to call home. The arena is set to open for the 2022-2023 season and will have a seating capacity of 5,000.
Conclusion
The Arizona State Sun Devils hockey team may be a relatively new team in the college hockey scene, but they have already established themselves as a rising power to be reckoned with. Their impressive performances on the ice and their commitment to building a top-tier program make them a team to watch in the years to come.
