Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey
Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey is the official men's ice hockey team of the University of Vermont. The team competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Hockey East conference. The team has a rich history and has produced several NHL players over the years. In this article, we will take a closer look at the team, its history, its players, and its future prospects.
History of Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey
The history of Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey can be traced back to the early 1960s when the university established a club team. The team soon gained popularity and was upgraded to a varsity team in 1974. The team has had its ups and downs over the years but has managed to establish itself as a powerhouse in college hockey.
The team has won two regular-season conference championships, four conference tournament championships, and has made it to the NCAA tournament seven times. The team's best performance in the NCAA tournament was in 1996 when they reached the Frozen Four but lost in the semifinals.
Notable Players
Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey has produced several notable players over the years. Here are a few of them:
- Martin St. Louis: St. Louis played for Vermont Catamounts from 1993-1997. He was the team captain in his senior year and led the team to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1996. St. Louis went on to have a successful NHL career and won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
- Tim Thomas: Thomas played for Vermont Catamounts from 1993-1997. He was instrumental in the team's NCAA tournament run in 1996 and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Thomas later played for several NHL teams and won the Vezina Trophy as the best goaltender in the league twice.
- Viktor Stalberg: Stalberg played for Vermont Catamounts from 2006-2009. He was a key player in the team's 2009 Frozen Four appearance and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Stalberg has played for several NHL teams and won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013.
Current Team
The current team of Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey is coached by Todd Woodcroft, who was appointed in 2020. The team has several talented players, including:
- Christian Evers: Evers is a junior defenseman from Waukee, Iowa. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in his freshman year and was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team in his sophomore year.
- Niki Korpialho: Korpialho is a senior forward from Helsinki, Finland. He was named the team's Rookie of the Year in his freshman year and has been a consistent performer for the team over the years.
- Stefanos Lekkas: Lekkas is a senior goaltender from Elburn, Illinois. He has been the team's starting goaltender since his freshman year and has been a standout performer for the team.
Future Prospects
The future looks bright for Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey. Coach Todd Woodcroft has already started to build a strong team and has recruited some talented players for the upcoming seasons. The team's fans are optimistic that the team will continue to perform well in the future and compete for conference and national championships.
Conclusion
Vermont Catamounts Men's Ice Hockey is a storied program with a rich history and a bright future. The team has produced several notable players over the years and has established itself as a powerhouse in college hockey. With a talented current team and a dedicated coach, the team's fans are optimistic about the team's future prospects.
