The University of Arkansas Razorback Hockey Club’s Division III (D3) team is set to begin its 2024-2025 season with a highly anticipated home series against Dallas Baptist University (DBU) this weekend. The games will take place at the Jones Center in Springdale, AR, with the first faceoff on Friday, September 20, at 7:30 PM, and the second game on Saturday, September 21, at 3:15 PM. The Razorbacks, under expanded leadership, are eager to start the season strong on home ice.

Led by Greg Betzold, Razorback Hockey’s new D3 Head Coach and Director of Player Development, brings a renewed energy and focus to the program. Betzold, who comes with a wealth of experience from his playing days in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), aims to build on the team’s established success while guiding it toward a competitive and exciting season.

“We’re ready to hit the ice and give our fans a season to remember,” said Betzold. “Our players have worked hard in the offseason, and we’re prepared to bring fast-paced, high-intensity hockey back to the Jones Center. This weekend’s series is just the beginning, and we’re focused on making an impact right from the start.”

The D3 team is determined to compete for a national championship this season, and the home opener against DBU provides the perfect opportunity to set the tone for the year.

New Chapter for Razorback Hockey: Expansion into Division II

In addition to the excitement surrounding the D3 team, the Razorback Hockey Club has expanded its program for the 2024-2025 season with the introduction of a Division II (D2) team. This marks a significant moment in the program’s history as it continues to grow in both size and competitiveness within the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).The D2 team, led by Head Coach Keller Sims, has already had an impressive start to its inaugural season, winning two thrilling overtime games against the University of Oklahoma and splitting a series with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).

The University of Arkansas Razorback Hockey Club’s DII team battled Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in an exciting two-game series over the weekend at the Jones Center, with both teams securing a win. The Razorbacks fell 4-3 in a hard-fought Game 1 on Friday night but bounced back to claim a 4-2 victory in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon, bringing their season record to 3-1.

Game 1 Recap: SIUE 4, Arkansas 3

The first game of the series saw a fast and furious start from SIUE, with the visitors netting two quick goals in the opening seven minutes. Elijah Defosset opened the scoring at 18:24 with an assist from Schreiber, followed by an unassisted goal from Harrop at 13:09 to put SIUE up 2-0. Arkansas responded at 8:27 when Frolik scored off a feed from Ethan Rodgers, narrowing the gap to 2-1. However, SIUE regained control late in the first, with Miller and Hinterser scoring within the final three minutes of the period, giving the visitors a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the intermission.

Penalties also played a part in the first period’s intensity. Arkansas’ Kilgore took a two-minute cross-checking penalty at 1:16, while SIUE’s Cook and Harrop were both penalized for interference and slashing, respectively.

The Razorbacks came out strong in the second period, tightening up their defense and slowing SIUE’s momentum. Brenden Coon scored for Arkansas at 19:00, assisted by Venuk, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Despite SIUE’s lack of scoring in the second period, penalties continued to be a factor. Arkansas’ Lehman and Coon received penalties, with Coon also assessed a 10-minute misconduct.

The third period saw Arkansas push to get back into the game, with Borlace scoring at 11:49 with assists from Frolik to make it 4-3. Arkansas had two power-play opportunities but managed to convert only once. Despite multiple chances, SIUE’s defense held strong, and the Razorbacks couldn’t find the equalizer, leading to a 4-3 defeat in Game 1.

Game 2 Recap: Arkansas 4, SIUE 2

Saturday’s game saw a determined Razorback team take the ice, looking to split the series. However, SIUE struck first, with Cook scoring at 19:11 of the first period, assisted by Parker and Maxfield. Arkansas faced penalty trouble throughout the first, with Conti, Markovich, and Fenoler each taking two-minute penalties. Despite these challenges, the Razorbacks’ defense held firm, preventing SIUE from capitalizing on their power plays.

Arkansas found their rhythm in the second period. At 15:15, Eibes scored the Razorbacks’ first goal, assisted by Chapman, tying the game 1-1. The Razorbacks continued to press but couldn’t break through again in the second. SIUE also failed to score, leaving the game poised for a thrilling third period.

In the final frame, Arkansas brought relentless pressure, throwing pucks at the net from all angles. At 16:34, Rodgers found the back of the net, giving Arkansas a 2-1 lead. Just a few minutes later, at 8:24, Frolik extended the Razorbacks’ advantage with a goal, assisted by Smith and Moisans, making it 3-1. SIUE, refusing to go quietly, responded with a goal by Cook at 6:23, assisted by Parker and Harrop, bringing the score to 3-2.

However, the Razorbacks sealed the game at 1:43, when Chapman scored the insurance goal, assisted by Eibes, giving Arkansas a 4-2 victory. Penalties in the third were minimal, with Markovich serving a two-minute tripping penalty for Arkansas, while SIUE’s Scribner took two penalties for holding and high-sticking.

Quotes:

Head Coach Keller Sims was proud of his team’s resilience: “We didn’t get the result we wanted in the first game, but I was impressed with how the team bounced back and fought hard in Game 2. Splitting the series shows the progress we’re making as a D2 team, and we’ll continue to build on that.”

Forward JD Duewald added, “It felt great to come back stronger on Saturday. Our team is growing every game, and we’re excited for what’s ahead this season.”

Upcoming Games:

The DII Razorbacks continue their season with a two-game road series against the University of Iowa on September 27 at 7:00 PM and September 28 at 1:00 PM in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Meanwhile, the University of Arkansas DIII team will kick off their season with a home stand against Dallas Baptist University at the Jones Center on September 20 at 7:30 PM and September 21 at 3:15 PM.

The University of Arkansas Razorback Hockey Club kicked off their 2024-2025 season in thrilling fashion, sweeping a two-game series against Division I University of Oklahoma in back-to-back overtime victories. This season marks a major milestone for the Razorbacks, who recently moved up from Division III (D3) to Division II (D2) in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). Facing a D1-level team in their first games at the new level, the Razorbacks rose to the challenge, proving they are ready to compete at a higher level.

Game 1 Recap: Razorbacks Claim First Victory in Overtime (3-2)

The opening game on Friday night was a defensive battle, with both teams going scoreless in the first period but racking up penalties. Arkansas’ Alex Fendler (Freshman, Accounting major from St. Louis, MO) was penalized for hooking, while David Markovich (Junior, Accounting & Finance major from Mansfield, TX) received a 10-minute misconduct. Despite the physical play, neither team could break through.

The action picked up in the second period as Arkansas’ Raf Praysner (Junior, Marketing major from Allen, TX) opened the scoring at 11:05 with an unassisted goal. Shortly after, Brenden Coon (Junior, Communications major from Plano, TX) extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal assisted by David Markovich and Brian Romero (Senior, Biomedical Engineering major from Frisco, TX). Oklahoma fought back with a goal from Foddrill at 2:16, tightening the score heading into the third period.

In the third period, the Sooners tied the game at 2-2 with a goal from Pane at 3:22. Despite multiple penalties, including a five-minute major for spearing and a game misconduct for Oklahoma’s Belz, the game remained tied through regulation. In overtime, Connor Chapman (Junior, Business major from Atlanta, GA) scored the game-winning goal at 2:33, with assists from Ethan Rogers (Junior, Business major from Carrollton, TX) and Trevor Borlace (Senior, Marketing major from Neguanee, MI), giving Arkansas a 3-2 victory in their D2 debut.

Game 2 Recap: Arkansas Completes the Sweep with Another Overtime Win (6-5)

The second game of the series on Saturday proved just as intense, with the University of Oklahoma striking early. At 15:25 in the first period, Oklahoma’s Best scored, assisted by Mondu, followed by a goal from Foddrill at 11:17, assisted by Goldstein and Carlisle. Arkansas responded with a one-timer goal by Brenden Coon at 7:42, assisted by David Markovich and Raf Praysner. Arkansas’ Duenwald was called for slashing at 11:42, but Oklahoma couldn’t capitalize.

The second period saw an offensive surge from both teams. Arkansas tied the game at 11:14 with a goal from Frolik (Sophomore, Business major from Austin, TX), assisted by Lehman. Arkansas took the lead at 2:16 with a goal from David Markovich, assisted by Romero and Coon. Oklahoma countered with a goal by Carlisle. Penalties piled up, including roughing and tripping infractions from both teams, but Arkansas held onto a 3-3 lead entering the third period.

In the third period, Oklahoma’s Foddrill struck again with two goals, the first at 14:34 and another with just 39 seconds left in the game, both assisted by Carlisle. However, Arkansas was determined to push the game to overtime. Duenwald (Junior, Finance major from Flower Mound, TX) scored at 6:11, with an assist from Coon, and with just 10 seconds left in regulation, Connor Chapman came through again with the game-tying goal, assisted by Markovich.

In overtime, Arkansas controlled the pace, and at 2:42, Ethan Rogers netted the game-winning goal, assisted by Donald and Praysner, securing another thrilling 6-5 victory for the Razorbacks.

Both games of the Razorbacks’ season-opening series against the University of Oklahoma drew an incredible turnout, with the stands filled to capacity and standing room only behind the seating areas and along the boards at ice level. The electric atmosphere inside the Jones Center was palpable, as fans packed the arena to support their team. The enthusiasm of the Razorback faithful never waned, creating an unforgettable home-ice advantage. In the coming weeks, construction at the Jones Center will be completed, opening up more space around the boards to accommodate even more fans eager to witness the action up close.

Summary:

With two back-to-back overtime victories against a Division I opponent, the University of Arkansas Razorback Hockey Club has made a bold statement to open their inaugural season in ACHA Division II. Head Coach Keller Sims expressed his pride in the team’s performance: “We knew this transition would be a challenge, but the way our guys battled and came out on top shows we’re ready to compete at this level.”

The Razorbacks will continue their season with matchups against teams like the University of Missouri and Oklahoma State, eager to build on their strong start. All home games will take place at the Jones Center, with live streaming available on the Razorback Hockey Club’s YouTube channel.

All photos property of Rhett Hutchins. Photo galleries available at baumology.exposure.co

The University of Arkansas Razorback Hockey Club is excited to announce the start of the 2024-2025 hockey season with its season-opening games this Thursday and Friday evenings versus the University of Oklahoma at the Jones Center in Springdale, AR. This season marks a significant milestone for the program as it expands from one Division III (D3) team to include both a Division II (D2) and D3 team, a testament to the growth and success of Razorback Hockey.

A New Era for Razorback Hockey: D2 and D3 Teams

After years of competing at the D3 level, the Razorback Hockey Club is proud to introduce a D2 team into the fold for the 2024-2025 season. This expansion allows the program to compete at a higher level within the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) while continuing to build on its strong tradition at the D3 level.

Head Coach Keller Sims, returning for his eighth season, will lead the D2 team into its inaugural season. “We’re excited about this new challenge and the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country,” said Sims. “With the talent we’ve brought in and the energy in camp, we’re poised for a strong start.”

The D3 team, under new Head Coach Greg Betzold, remains committed to its goal of competing for national championships. Coach Betzold brings a wealth of experience from his playing career in the OHL and ECHL, and he is eager to guide the Razorbacks through another successful season. “Our program’s growth reflects the dedication of our players, coaches, and supporters. We’re ready to make this season one to remember,” said Betzold.

Season Highlights and Opponents

The Razorbacks are set to face a challenging schedule that includes matchups against top-tier programs such as the University of Oklahoma, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Kansas, among others. Fans can expect high-energy games filled with the fast-paced action that Razorback Hockey is known for.

Home Games at the Jones Center

All home games will be played at the Jones Center in Springdale, where the Razorbacks enjoy a strong home-ice advantage thanks to their passionate fan base. The team has a history of drawing large crowds, creating an electric atmosphere that energizes the players and makes the Jones Center a fortress for Razorback Hockey.

Watch Live on YouTube

For fans unable to attend in person, all home games will be streamed live on the Razorback Hockey Club’s official YouTube channel, ensuring that supporters can follow the action from anywhere.

About Razorback Hockey Club

Established in 2007, the Razorback Hockey Club has become a cornerstone of the University of Arkansas’s club sports scene. Competing in the ACHA, the program has earned a reputation for excellence, both on and off the ice. With a focus on developing student-athletes and engaging with the local community, the Razorbacks have built a strong following and are a source of pride for the university.

For more information about the Razorback Hockey Club, the upcoming schedule, and how to purchase tickets, follow the team on social media.

Following the completion of training camp and Red vs White Game, the rosters for both the DII and DIII team have been announced. Both teams are filled with both familiar and new faces. Overall the program will see twenty-eight new players join twenty-six returning players across the two teams.

The Division II roster can be found here.

There Division III roster can be found here.

Earlier this summer, Arkansas Hockey announced the news that the program would be fielding teams at both the ACHA DII and DIII level. With the the change, the team is happy to announce the coaching staff for each team for the upcoming season.

First, Arkansas Hockey is happy to welcome new DIII Head Coach Greg Betzold! This upcoming season marks his first behind the bench at the collegiate level. When asked what he was looking forward to most about joining Arkansas Hockey, he had this to say “My whole life has been dedicated to hockey, so I’m excited to continue being in the game, but in a different role. I’ve played at the highest levels and I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with our players”. Before his career in coaching, Coach Betzold established a accomplished career as a player. In high school, he attended the famous hockey academy at Shattuck St. Marys before playing four seasons of major juniors for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL. Coach Betzold attended two St. Louis Blues NHL development camp and played five years in the ECHL prior to his retirement.

The Head Hog has high expectations for his team heading into this season: “The expectations I have for my team goes on and off the ice. To play for U of A hockey is an honor and I expect my boys treat it as such. I expect my team to bring a strong work ethic every day, to balance both being a student and an athlete, to be role models in the communities around them, and lastly, to compete for a National Championship.” In addition to his role as DIII Head Coach, he will be serving as Director of Player Development for the Program. In this role, Coach Betzold will be able to utilize his skill, knowledge, and experience to help players on both teams improve and develop their on ice skills to the highest level.

Defensive coach Dakota Gottlieb will be remaining at DIII to continue his role leading the defensive core. He will be serving as Associate Head Coach and right hand man to Coach Betzold. Director of Hockey Operations, Keller Sims, was very excited when asked about Coach Gottlieb’s new role for this season: “His experience as a Razorback and history with the program made him an obvious choice to help with the transition period of the program. Showing the new coaches and players what this program is about and the pride we all have in being a Hog was important to us when we decided to move in this direction”.

In addition to his on ice role. Coach Gottlieb will be serving as coordinator of off ice development within the program. Using his passion for nutrition, exercise, and mental growth, he will take point on helping players develop in the weight room and at the dinner table, to build themselves to be successful and high performing athletes. Coach Gottlieb has expressed his excitement for this upcoming season: “I am excited to continue my coaching journey and help lead our team to another successful season.  I look forward to helping continue to grow this program and the sport in the state. The Arkansas Razorbacks have an illustrious legacy and I am proud to contribute.”

Another new face to the program, Elliot Stark, will be joining the DIII staff as an assistant coach leading the forward group. Coach Stark has an extensive history of coaching at the youth level and an extensive playing career in the club and colligate level out of St. Louis, MO. Coach Stark brings experience and knowledge to his forward group, hoping to lead by example and setting a high standard early to push the group all season.

Head Coach Keller Sims returns for his eighth season behind the bench, where he looks to continue his history of success as the team advances into the ACHA DII level. After reaching the National Tournament in six of his previous seven seasons, he looks forward to the new challenge in front of him. “I’m really excited for this opportunity. I’m hoping these guys buy in early and are as excited for the challenge as I am. We have a real opportunity to make an early name for ourselves at this level.” In addition to coaching the DII team, Coach Sims will also be serving as Director of Hockey Operations, overseeing the success and operations of both teams, as well as recruitment, and program development.

Rejoining Coach Sims, will be Assistant Coach Ryan Urban. In his third season with the team, Coach Urban has been pivotal to the growth and success of the forward group over his time with the program. Since joining in the 2022-23 season, he has helped his players reach new offensive heights and contributed to the on ice success of special teams. When asked about the move to DII, Coach Urban had this to say “I think this will be a fun season. I’m looking forward to the skill and speed that these forwards play at, and helping them reach the highest level of success possible”. Coach Urban has a history of success at the ACHA II level. He played five years at Penn State, qualifying for the National Tournament four of those five years. “I know my experiences can translate to the success of this team” Coach Urban said.

The last new addition to the program is DII Defensive Assistant Coach Dan Sova. Coach Sova brings a wealth of playing experience and hockey knowledge to the program. Growing up in Minnesota, Coach Sova was on skates by the age of three. He spent two years playing for the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL prior to four years at Michigan Tech at the NCAA DI level. After his collegiate career, Sova spent two years in the professional ranks prior to retiring due to injuries. When asked what he is looking forward to most about joining the program: “I am really looking forward to helping these defensemen develop their skills and harness their craft. I also look forward to contributing to the growth of these young men off the ice, to help contribute to their future success by learning to go about things the right way”.

In addition to the changes behind the bench for reach team: Goalie Coach Justin Goad returns for his third season with the program. Athletic trainer Chad Fink is back for his eighth season. Faculty Advisor Jingxian Wu is back for his fifth with the program. Strength and Conditioning Coach Corey Rees is back for his third season leading the team in the weight room.

After announcing the move to Division II earlier this year, Arkansas Hockey is proud to announce the program will also be fielding a team at the Division III level in 2024-25. The Division II team will compete in the Gold division of their current MACHA conference and in the Central Region of the ACHA. The Division III team will compete as an Independent in their first season before rejoining the MACHA Silver division in 2025-26.

2024-25 will mark the first season of competition at the ACHA Division II level in the programs history. In addition to their gauntlet of a schedule in the deep MACHA, the team will take the ice with some of the top teams in the country at this level. Head Coach Keller Sims had this to say when he was asked about how he felt about the new challenge: “Obviously we are very excited about the move. It has been on our radar for a few years, and we knew with how young we were last season and the trajectory of our program, that we were in a good place to make the jump”. When asked about how he feels they will match up he added: ” I think we will surprise a lot of people. We have a lot of talent returning that could of played at that level last season. We have been really active in recruiting and I feel really good about our incoming players. I see us starting with a lot of energy and competition at camp, and hopefully that roles into a hot start for us”.

Historically the program has competed at the Division III level since its inaugural season in 2007. Though the team will continue to compete at the Division III level, it will be the teams first as an Independent since they joined the SECHC in 2009 and moved to the MACHA in 2021. “It’s an interesting outlook for sure. We always pushed to make and win our conference championship. Ultimately it made the most sense to compete as an Independent for the teams first year for scheduling purposes” Coach Sims had to say when asked about not competing in the MACHA. With nine appearances in the National Tournament, and six in the last seven years, Arkansas Hockey has built a reputation of a power house at the D III level. For an outlook on next season, Coach Sims simply had this to say: “The team will be good, we wouldn’t of made this decision if we didn’t feel we could continue to compete for National Championships every year. My goal is for them to be in the tournament every season, and that doesn’t change now”.

The team plans to announce more news over the course of the summer including the Division III Head Coach and both teams full coaching staffs, scheduling updates, fundraisers, jersey and apparel sales, and more. Keep your eye on the teams social media pages and website for more information as we get closer to the 2024-25 season!

The 2023-24 season saw the Razorbacks qualify for the ACHA National Tournament for a program record 5th consecutive year. The Hogs would enter the tournament as the 8th seed and would be matched in pool play with #1 Lawerence Tech, #9 Colby College, and #16 St Vincent University. ACHA Nationals is made up of 16 teams split into 4 pools of 4. The winner of each pool advances to the single elimination semifinal and then the two semifinal winners face off in a single elimination final game.

The Hogs got off to a hot start with a win over #9 Colby College. Despite controlling most of the game, a 2 minute lapse in the 3rd period saw Colby claw back to tie the game, prior to Arkansas pulling away with 2 late goals. Arkansas cruised in the second match up against #16 St. Vincent, jumping out to a early lead, and controlling the game until the final buzzer and a 6-1 final.

Saturday was a battle from the first puck drop against #1 Lawerence Tech. Both teams fought for every inch of ice in the first period where LTU would score first. Unfazed the Razorbacks found the back of the net and most of the momentum during the second frame. Arkansas would continue with their foot on the gas early in the third where they would find the back of the net on the powerplay to take the 2-1 lead. Lawerence Tech would tie the game with just under half of the period remaining. The game would stay tied at the end of regulation leading to a 10 minute overtime. Due to tiebreakers (goal differential in pool play) Arkansas entered the overtime knowing they needed to win, while LTU would advance with a tie. Despite chances at both ends neither team could break the stalemate and the game would end in a tie.

This marks the second time in program history that Arkansas has gone undefeated in pool play only to be eliminated by tie breakers. LTU would go on to win the 2024 ACHA National Championship by defeating Missouri in the semifinals and Grand Valley State in the championship game.

The team returns to the ice next season and will look to continue their run of Nationals appearances in their first season of competition at the Division II level. Stay tuned for more exciting updates throughout the offseason and be sure to follow all of the teams social media pages. The program would love to extend their gratitude to all of the fans that continually make the team one of the most popular club hockey teams in the country.

This past weekend, the University of Arkansas Hockey Club came in at the 8th spot of the final rankings of the season. It marks the 5th season in a row the Hogs have qualified for the National Tournament. Overall the Hogs have qualified for Nationals 9 times since the programs inaugural season in 2007. Arkansas rose one spot from #9 where they had spent much of the spring semester. The MACHA will be represented by three teams in the big dance as fellow MACHA South Rivals Missouri State and Mizzou will be joining Arkansas. This marks the second year in a row the MACHA has been represented by three members from the strongest division in the conference.

Arkansas will embark on pool play Thursday 3/8 at 2:15pm against #9 Colby College. Next they will face off with CHE winner Saint Vincent College on Friday 3/9 at 2:15pm. In the pool play finale, Arkansas will take on #1 seed Lawerence Tech. Lawerence Tech is coming off of a MCHC Championship defeat to Hope college. The finale is slated for Saturday 3/9 at 8:15pm. All games will be played at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, MO. All games will be broadcast by the ACHA via FloSports and HockeyTV.

If the Razorbacks advance out of pool play, they will face the winner of Pool D (Missouri, Air Force, Central Maine, Michigan State) on Monday 3/11 at 1:15pm. The Championship game is scheduled for 4:00pm on Tuesday 3/12.

Keep track of all of the action by staying glued to the teams social media channels over the course of their Nationals run!

This past weekend, the Razorbacks traveled to Chesterfield, Missouri to compete in the MACHA Conference Tournament. A single elimination tournament, Arkansas began with a match up against a tough Dordt College team from the MACHA North.

Friday against Dordt, the Hogs jumped on the board early, six minutes into the first period thanks to Junior Jason Gifford. The Razorbacks would add to their lead when sophomore Thomas Verble would find the back of the net in the second period. However, Dordt would respond with one goal before the end of the second period. After a period dominated by the Razorbacks, Dordt found the equalizer late in the third on the powerplay. The game would ultimately head into double overtime where Senior Truman Hirschy was the ultimate hero with 2:45 to go in the second OT. This propelled the Hogs into the semifinal against Mizzou on Saturday.

Saturday evening, the energy for the Arkansas vs Mizzou rivalry at the Maryville University Hockey Center was electric. The Hogs got off to a sloppy start, as Mizzou jumped on the board just 30 seconds in. The Tigers would build their lead to two with one more in the first period. Heading into the second down 2-0, the Hogs made some changes during the
intermission, and they came out hot. Despite this, it wouldn’t be until the last two minutes of the second period when Ethan Rogers finds the back of the net, cutting Mizzou’s lead in half. David Markovich tied it up in the opening minutes of the third, however Mizzou responded with a go-ahead goal midway through the third. Mizzou would net one more empty net goal, and the Hogs would drop the semifinal game against Mizzou, 4-2.

It was the third year in a row the two teams have met in the MACHA semifinals, with Arkansas taking the first, and Missouri the last two. MACHA Silver will see a new champion next season as Arkansas (2022) and Missouri (2023, 2024) will both move to MACHA Gold and ACHA Division II starting in the 2024-25 season.

The Razorbacks season isn’t over yet, as the team will host to Drury (Division II) this upcoming Friday, and Nebraska next weekend for Senior night. The team also awaits the result of the national rankings to determine their seeding for the National Tournament, held March 7-12 in Maryland Heights, Missouri.