Princeton Tigers Men's Ice Hockey
Princeton University has a rich tradition in ice hockey, with the men's team having played for over a century. The Princeton Tigers Men's Ice Hockey team is a member of the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and competes in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). The team has won 7 ECAC championships, and made 7 appearances in the NCAA tournament. Let's take a closer look at this storied program.
The Early Years
The Princeton Tigers first played ice hockey in 1909, and quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. In the 1920s and 30s, the team had several successful seasons, winning numerous conference titles. The 1940s and 50s saw a decline in the program, but the team rebounded in the 1960s and 70s, with two more conference championships.
The 1990s: A Decade of Dominance
The 1990s were a golden era for the Princeton Tigers Men's Ice Hockey team. Under the leadership of head coach Don Cahoon, the team won five ECAC championships and made six NCAA tournament appearances. The team's success was due in no small part to the talents of forwards Chris and Jeff Halpern, who led the team in scoring and became two of the most prolific players in program history.
Recent Years
The Princeton Tigers Men's Ice Hockey team has continued to be a competitive force in recent years. In the 2018-2019 season, the team won 20 games for the first time in over a decade, and advanced to the ECAC semifinals. The team has also produced several notable NHL players, including Kevin Westgarth, Darroll Powe, and Jeff Halpern.
The Coaches
Throughout its history, the Princeton Tigers Men's Ice Hockey team has been led by a number of talented and dedicated coaches. Some of the most notable include:
- Bill Clarke, who served as head coach from 1952-1972, and won two conference championships
- Don Cahoon, who led the team to five ECAC championships in the 1990s
- Bob Gaudet, who has been the head coach since 1997, and has led the team to two conference championships
The Players
Over the years, the Princeton Tigers Men's Ice Hockey team has produced countless talented players. Some of the most notable include:
- Chris and Jeff Halpern, who together scored over 300 points for the team and had long NHL careers
- Kevin Westgarth, who played for the team from 2003-2007 and went on to play for the Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes, and Calgary Flames
- Darroll Powe, who played for the team from 2004-2007 and went on to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild, and New York Rangers
- Mike Condon, who played for the team from 2009-2013 and has played for several NHL teams, including the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators
Conclusion
The Princeton Tigers Men's Ice Hockey team has a long and storied history, filled with conference championships, NCAA tournament appearances, and talented players and coaches. The team continues to be a competitive force in the ECAC, and its future looks bright. For fans of college hockey, the Princeton Tigers are a team worth following.
