SDSU Hockey: A Division 1 Program on the Rise
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SDSU Hockey is a Division 1 program on the rise. The program has made great strides in recent years and is poised to become a powerhouse in the college hockey world. Follow the team’s progress here!
Introduction
The SDSU Hockey Program is in its fifth season at the Division 1 level, and it has been a remarkable turnaround under Head Coach Matt Shaw
The team has made significant strides since its inaugural season in 2014-15, when it went 9-22-3. The Aztecs have posted winning records in each of the past two seasons, highlighted by a 19-16-5 mark in 2016-17 that included a program-record 12 wins at home.
SDSU is now established as one of the top programs in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and it is poised for continued success in the years to come.
History
The SDSU Hockey Team has a long and storied history, dating back to the early days of the sport. The team was founded in 1937, and since then has become one of the most successful programs in Division 1 hockey.
The team has won multiple conference championships and has made it to the NCAA tournament several times. In recent years the team has been on the rise, becoming one of the top programs in the country.
Despite their success, the SDSU Hockey Team is still relatively unknown. That is starting to change, however, as more and more people are becoming aware of their accomplishments. With a bright future ahead, the SDSU Hockey team is one program to keep an eye on.
The Team
The San Diego State University hockey team is a Division 1 program that is on the rise. With a strong focus on recruiting and development, the team is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the college hockey world.
The team is led by head coach John Wroblewski, who has helped turn around programs at both the University of Wisconsin and Niagara University Under his guidance, the team has made significant strides in both its on-ice performance and its recruiting efforts.
In just its second season at the Division 1 level, the team has already seen significant success. The Aztecs have won 10 games and are ranked 20th in the nation. With a core group of talented young players the future looks bright for the San Diego State hockey program
The Fans
SDSU has some of the most dedicated and passionate fans in all of college hockey The team has seen a sharp increase in attendance over the past few years, and home games are always packed with raucous fans cheering on the Jackrabbits.
The student section known as the “Bunny Hutch”, is always one of the loudest and most energetic in the arena. They lead cheers, sing songs, and do everything they can to support their team.
Whether it’s home or away, there is always a strong contingent of SDSU fans cheering on their team. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting atmosphere at a college hockey game you can’t go wrong with SDSU.
The Rink
San Diego State University’s hockey team is on the rise. The Rink, their home ice, is a world-class facility that rivals any other in the country. The team has a strong commitment to excellence and a passionate fan base. They are consistently ranked in the top 20 in the nation and are a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
The Schedule
The San Diego State University Hockey Team is an NCAA Division 1 program that plays in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The Aztecs are currently in their third season at the Division 1 level and are coming off of a successful 2018-19 campaign in which they finished with a 18-16-4 overall record, good for fourth place in the WCHA.
The 2019-20 schedule is highlighted by several marquee matchups, including a home series against defending National Champion Minnesota Duluth as well as road series against traditional powers North Dakota and Denver. The Aztecs will also face-off against Arizona State another fellow Division 1 program in the state of California, four times this season.
SDSU will open the 2019-20 campaign on October 4th with a exhibition game against the University of British Columbia before beginning regular season play on October 11th at home against Alaska Anchorage
The Opponents
The San Diego Gulls are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Anaheim Ducks The Gulls began play in 2015 and are one of four California-based teams in the league. The others are the Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers), Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings), and San Jose Barracuda (San Jose Sharks).
SDSU’s first season in Division I hockey will be a tough one, as they will faceoff against six teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year. Below is a list of those opponents, with theirseed in parentheses:
--University of Denver (1)
-University of North Dakota (2)
--University of Minnesota Duluth (3)
-St. Cloud State University (5)
--Western Michigan University (6)
-University of Nebraska Omaha (8)
The Playoffs
After an impressive regular season the SDSU Hockey Team is gearing up for the playoffs. The team finished the season with a record of 25-5-4, good for second place in the conference. They will be facing off against seventh-seeded Bowling Green in the first round of the playoffs.
The Aztecs are led by junior forward Matt Bailey, who finished the season with 21 goals and 23 assists. Bailey was named to the All-Conference first team earlier this week. Senior goaltender Justin Johnson has been solid between the pipes all season, posting a save percentage of .931. He was also named to the All-Conference second team.
With a strong core of players and a promising young coach, the SDSU Hockey Team is poised to make a run at the Division 1 National Championship
The Championships
Since the program’s establishment in, the SDSU Ice Hockey team has seen a lot of success. They’ve qualified for the ACHA National Tournament 11 times and have won 3 National Championships In addition to their on-ice success, they are also committed to giving back to the community. They have been involved in various service projects such as food drives and toy drives.
Conclusion
Since its transition to a Division I program in the late 2000s, the SDSU Hockey team has seen steady improvement both on and off the ice. The Jackrabbits have made the playoffs in four of their seven seasons at the D-I level, and they are coming off their best season to date in which they finished with a 19-16-3 record.
Off the ice, the program has made great strides in recent years as well. In 2016, SDSU opened the $21 million Sanford Center, a state-of-the-art facility that houses both the men’s and women’s Hockey teams The school has also seen a significant increase in attendance since making the jump to D-I, averaging over 2,000 fans per game last season.
With a new facility and strong fan support, SDSU hockey is quickly becoming one of the top programs in the country. Given their recent success, it’s fair to say that the Jackrabbits are here to stay as a force to be reckoned with at the Division I level.