The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that Nick Bretzger has formally committed to play at Arkansas.  A 5’9″ 160 lb. goaltender from Rockaway, New Jersey, Bretzger recently completed his season with the WSHL Springfield Express.  A 1995 birth year, Bretzger was named team MVP for the Express this season after posting a 3.32 GAA and 0.911 save percentage.  Bretzger finished the season in the top ten league-wide for games played (47), shots faced (1489), and wins (23).

Jeremy Law, Head Coach for the Express, commented, “I was so pleased Nick decided to attend the University of Arkansas. It’s a great school and has an exceptional hockey program that continues to grow and improve every season. I have no doubt that Nick will be successful both on and off the ice.”

Prior to his time with the Express, Bretzger played in 34 games for the Tahoe Icemen of the WSHL where he faced a league high 1612 shots.  He also logged time during his substantial junior career in the NPHL and the USPHL.  Twice invited as a National USA Hockey Festival goaltender, the invite-only process by which USA Hockey identifies who will represent the US at national and international levels, Bretzger was also twice named MVP of his high school, St. Peter’s Prep.

Said Bretzger, “the hockey program is run in such a professional way. The way Coach Gallini runs his practices gets the best out of his players, and he expects them to compete one-hundred percent on every drill. The program will allow me to develop into a better and more experienced goalie.”  About the University more generally, Bretzger added, “I quickly fell in love with the campus and Fayetteville.  I am very excited to start my college hockey career with the Razorbacks.”

Bretzger becomes the tenth player in a 16-17 recruiting class that now has seven different states represented (Texas, New Jersey, Kansas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Missouri, and California).  He joins the following players:

F-Drew Hill (Dallas Jr. Stars, NA3HL)
F-Garrett Jackson (McKinney Northstars)
F-Alex Kueser (Eureka High School)
F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA, NAPHL)
F-Ben Koester (Rochester Ice Hawks, NA3HL)
D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL)
D-Dominic De la Guardia (Portland Jr. Pirates, USPHL)
D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL)
D-Blake Sibley (HC Dallas AAA, NAPHL)

The University of Arkansas is the only SEC school to field two hockey teams.  The 15-16 season marked the program’s inaugural season at Division I, which produced the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  Meanwhile, the Division III team boasts five SECHC conference titles and three appearances at the National Tournament.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that Ben Koester has formally committed to play at Arkansas.  A 5’8″ 175 lb. forward from Appleton, Wisconsin, Koester recently completed his season with the NA3HL Rochester Ice Hawks after starting out the 15-16 campaign with the Peoria Mustangs.  A 1995 birth year, Koester spent the 14-15 season in the MnJHL–splitting time with the Dells Ducks and Maple Grove Energy.

Prior to his junior hockey career, Koester during high school played for three years on the Appleton United Varsity Men’s Hockey team while also playing in the Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL), a Tier II AAA program.  He served as Assistant Captain of his 2014 varsity squad while likewise earning the Unsung Hero Award.

Said Koester, “I chose to attend the University of Arkansas as it gives me the best opportunity to obtain a high quality education, while also being given the opportunity to continue my hockey career at a high level.”  He added, “[w]hen I visited campus and met with the coaching staff and players, I immediately felt like I was a part of their family. The team is run like a professional organization and has grown a tremendously over the last year alone. I am excited to help contribute to the program’s success in any way that I can as we pursue a National Championship.”

Koester becomes the ninth player in a 16-17 recruiting class that now has six different states represented (Texas, Kansas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Missouri, and California).  He joins the following players:

F-Drew Hill (Dallas Jr. Stars, NA3HL)
F-Garrett Jackson (McKinney Northstars)
F-Alex Kueser (Eureka High School)
F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA, NAPHL)
D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL)
D-Dominic De la Guardia (Portland Jr. Pirates, USPHL)
D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL)
D-Blake Sibley (HC Dallas AAA, NAPHL)

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  After a post-season reshuffling in the final 15-16 rankings, the Division I team finished #21–the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #21 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season.  Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that Blake Sibley has formally committed to play at Arkansas.  A 6’1″ 195 lb. defenseman from Fort Worth, Texas, Sibley recently finished his second season with the NAPHL AAA HC Dallas program and, prior to that, logged time with the WSHL Dallas Snipers.

Described by former coach Brian Wood as a “very disciplined and physical defenseman,” Coach Wood added that Sibley will “make a great player and teammate.”  Sibley will be reunited with Chris Weatherly, his teammate on the 15-16 HC Dallas Tier I roster.

Said Sibley, “I chose the University of Arkansas because I was impressed by the accomplishments of the hockey program. I am excited for the chance to be a part of that continued success. Combined with the University’s commitment to educational excellence, I feel that it offers me the best opportunity to be successful in my studies while allowing me to continue playing hockey at a high level.”  Sibley makes the third HC Dallas player to commit to Razorback Hockey, joining Chris Weatherly and current Razorback, Christophe Jobin.

Sibley becomes the eighth player in the 16-17 recruiting class, joining the following players:

F-Drew Hill (Dallas Jr. Stars, NA3HL)

F-Garrett Jackson (McKinney Northstars)

F-Alex Kueser (Eureka High School)

F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA, NAPHL)

D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL)

D-Dominic De la Guardia (Portland Jr. Pirates, USPHL)

D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL)

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  After a post-season reshuffling in the final 15-16 rankings, the Division I team finished #21–the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #21 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season.  Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

 

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce a pair of commitments:  F-Alex Kueser (Eureka, MO) and F-Garrett Jackson (McKinney, TX).

Garrett Jackson, a 6’0, 185lb., forward from McKinney, Texas, spent last season playing for the McKinney Northstars for Coach Cary Archibald.  A recipient of numerous awards from his program, including the Character Leadership Award (14-15), Assistant Captain (14-15), and Breakout Player of the Year (14-15), his Northstar team won the Texas State Championship in 2015.  This season, Jackson was recognized as a member of the All-Academic Team and selected to play in the upcoming April 5, 2016, AT&T High School Hockey League All-Star Game.

Said Jackson, “I chose Arkansas because it had all the aspects I was looking for in a University including the opportunity to further my experience as a hockey player. Razorback Hockey has the reputation of a hardworking program with an exceptional coaching staff.  I look forward to having a great season as a Razorback and being a part of this program.”

For his part, forward Alex Kueser joins the Razorback Hockey program from Eureka High School in Eureka, Missouri, where he posted 33 goals and 27 assists during the 15-16 regular season.  Serving also as his team’s captain, Kueser’s 60 points was good for placement as one of the top five leading scorers in the entire Mid-States Hockey League.  A versatile player who has played both forward and defense, Kueser recently appeared in his league’s All-Star game on March 6.

According to Sam Boyer, Assistant Coach for the Eureka Wildcats, “[t]his season resulted in the highest regular season finish in our history due to Alex’s drive, determination, and leadership.”  About his decision to choose Arkansas, Kueser commented, “I was impressed to see how much the program has developed over the past few years and I hope to contribute to its continued development.  I knew that Arkansas was the best fit for me because of its commitment to both academics and athletics.”

Jackson and Kueser join F-Drew Hill (NA3HL), D-Dominic De la Guardia (USPHL), F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA), D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL), and D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL) as the sixth and seventh members of a 16-17 recruiting class that now has five different states represented.

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  After a post-season reshuffling in the final 15-16 rankings, the Division I team finished #21–the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #21 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season.  Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that Drew Hill has formally committed to play at Arkansas.  A 6’0″, 185 lb, forward originally from Ontario, California, Hill comes to Fayetteville having amassed more than 100 games of junior experience with the Ontario Avalanche (WSHL), Southern Oregon Spartans (WSHL), Topeka Capitals (NA3HL), Cincinnati Swords (NA3HL), and Euless Jr. Stars (NA3HL).

Said Hill, “after first being contacted about playing for University of Arkansas, I quickly learned that they have both a great hockey program alongside great academics.”  He added, “[i]t was easy to see that the University of Arkansas will be a great fit for me to spend my college hockey career.”

Hill joins D-Dominic De la Guardia (USPHL), F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA), D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL), and D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL) as the fifth member of a 16-17 recruiting class that now has four different states represented.

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  After a post-season reshuffling in the final 15-16 rankings, the Division I team finished #21–the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #21 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season.  Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that Dominic de la Guardia has formally committed to play at Arkansas.  A 5’10″, 180 lb, defenseman originally from Flower Mound, Texas, de la Guardia recently completed his final season of junior hockey with the Portland Junior Pirates of the USPHL.  A 1995 birth year, de la Guardia has compiled substantial junior experience, including time with the Rochester Ice Hawks (MnJHL), Connecticut Nighthawks (EHL), and New Jersey Jr. Titans (MetJHL).

Said de la Guardia, “after visiting with the players and coaches I was convinced that the University of Arkansas is where I wanted to play college hockey.  The organization is committed to winning a National Championship, which has always been my goal since day one.”  From an academic standpoint, de la Guardia commented, “I strongly believe that the Walton School of Business will prepare me for life after graduation.  I am very excited to follow in the footsteps of six of my Panamainin relatives by attending the University of Arkansas.”

De la Guardia joins F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA), D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL), D-Alex DeGuire (Skipjacks Hockey Club, USPHL) as the fourth member of the 16-17 recruiting class.

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  The Division I team’s final ranking of #23 is the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #23 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season.  Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that Alex DeGuire has formally committed to play at Arkansas.  A 5’6″ defenseman originally from Overland Park, Kansas, DeGuire recently completed his season with the Skipjacks Hockey Club of the USPHL.

Said DeGuire, “I knew that Arkansas would be a great choice for me because I’ve seen how far the program has come along since it first began.”  DeGuire added, “I also appreciate how serious they are about academics and athletics.”

DeGuire joins F-Chris Weatherly (HC Dallas AAA) and D-Jake Jones (Bobcaygeon Storm, GMHL) as the third member of a growing 16-17 recruiting class.

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  The Division I team’s final ranking of #23 is the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #23 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season.  Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that Jake Jones has formally committed to play at Arkansas.  A 6’0″ defenseman originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Jones recently completed his season with the Bobcaygeon Storm in the Greater Metro Junior Hockey League (GMHL).

Said Jones, “after reading about the great strides that the program has made in just two years after seeing them at the SEC showcase, it’s clear that Arkansas is committed to furthering its hockey program.”  Jones added, “after visiting the campus, I decided that Arkansas would be an excellent place for me to further my education and hockey career.”

The Arkansas hockey program recently finished its first season fielding two teams.  The Division I team’s final ranking of #23 is the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #23 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season.  Meanwhile, Division III’s twenty-eight win season was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.

The 2016-17 Division I & III schedules will be released in early summer.  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

The University of Men’s Ice Division I Ice Hockey team finished its inaugural Division I campaign with a sweep of the WSHL Dallas Snipers on February 12 & 13.  The final pair of wins pushed the Hogs’ final record to 17-15-3.

Looking back on the season, the DI Razorbacks made a habit of defying predictions.  At the outset, no one had Arkansas on the national scene in the preseason and, by all accounts, most thought the team would struggle in its first season of Division I play.  The team was moreover picked to finish last in the pre-season WCHL poll.

But wins over Oklahoma, Colorado, and Central Oklahoma–the defending National Champion–started to change both minds and perceptions. A sweep of arch-rival Alabama and collecting 6 of 8 points from Missouri State in their four contests helped further announce the team’s arrival on the Division I scene.  Collectively, those results earned Arkansas fifth overall in the WCHL and kept Arkansas in the national rankings throughout the season for all but two ranking periods.

Final WCHL Standings

More impressively, though, the team’s final ranking of #23 is the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #23 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I this season:

#23 Arkansas
#26 Missouri State
#34 Illinois State
#37 Alabama
#54 Temple

As the historic season winds down, Arkansas says goodbye to graduating seniors Co-Captain Ryan Machos (#20), Assistant Captain Mason Brower (#13), Luke Seibold (#21), Travis Robbins (#77), Co-Captain Michael Tallo (#16) and Assistant Captain Chris Green (#4).

As we say goodbye to our six seniors, we are excited to introduce our new recruiting class.   Stay tuned during the off-season for stories about the newest incoming Hogs who will compete for a roster spot in August.  Thank you again to all of our fantastic fans for another memorable season.

On Friday, February, 19, at 9 am CST, the DIII Razorbacks (#10 Pacific, 28-3-1 overall) will play for their season against Marquette University (#3 Pacific, 23-4-2 overall) in the first round of the Pacific Regional Tournament (full bracket immediately below).

All four regional site tournaments will begin tomorrow as teams from across the country will compete for the remaining spots at the National Tournament.  Of the fifteen ranked teams in each region, only the top ten are eligible for national post-season play.  The top two teams from the final ranking period receive an automatic bye to the National Tournament.  That leaves open spots at the National Tournament for two teams from each region.

To fill those spots, teams ranked third through tenth in the final ranking period compete in a Regional Tournament held somewhere in their specific region.  This year’s single elimination Pacific Regional Tournament takes place in Lincoln, Nebraska.  At the conclusion of the four regional tournaments, sixteen teams are left standing.  The sixteen team field is then ranked for purposes of the National Tournament and each of the sixteen teams is placed in one of four pools.

Prior to an idle weekend last weekend, the Hogs are coming off of a season-saving 3-2 win over Vanderbilt to claim third place in the SECHC conference tournament.  As the final rankings reflect, Arkansas ended up needing that win to clinch a spot at this weekend’s Regional.

Safely in the Regional Tournament with the #3 seed, Marquette played in the Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association Silver Division playoffs last weekend.  Marquette won the tournament with wins over Loyola University, Aurora University, and Iowa State.

Arkansas has never lost to Marquette in their few meetings.  The teams last met in Springdale on October 17 & 18 of 2014 when the Hogs defeated Marquette 7-0 and 7-3.  The only other games likewise saw Arkansas sweep the series when, in 2013, the Hogs traveled to Wisconsin and earned 4-1 and 6-1 victories on October 20 & 21.

Puck drop is scheduled for 9 am on Friday.