Sun Devil Nation:
After seven full years of Division I play, we have finally found a home with the best conference in college hockey, the NCHC. It cannot be overstated how important this day is for Sun Devil Hockey.
We owe everything we are to our incredible alumni that chose to help build an independent program out of Oceanside Ice Arena. There were more unknowns than anything. More road games than home games, an entire season on the road, etc... but they chose to "Be The Tradition" and for that, we are forever grateful to every player that has worn our jersey these last seven years. Without our alumni's willingness to "Be The Tradition," our membership in the NCHC never happens.
Being an independent program has shaped our identity and allowed us to build our program on our terms. We have had so many great moments during our independent tenure, including being the only independent program to qualify for the NCAA tournament in the past 30 years. We would have made a second-straight tournament berth the following year, but the season was canceled due to COVID, which took away a ton of our momentum as a program.
After one more year of independent play in 2023-24, we will embark on a new era of Sun Devil Hockey in the NCHC. The ability to play for a championship, earn an NCAA Tournament automatic bid and develop conference rivals with the most storied programs in college hockey now awaits.
Without the tremendous support of our fans, this day also never happens. As part of the Mullett Maniacs, you put on an incredible gameday experience at Mullett Arena, which makes us very attractive to any conference. THANK YOU, Sun Devil Nation, for your support in getting us here and your continued support as we launch into this new era of Sun Devil Hockey.
Finally, the irony of having 26 home games to celebrate our final year as an independent is something we are very excited about. This year we play for our alumni and our fans, with a chip on our shoulder just as our former players did to put us in this position. This year we will "Be The Tradition", to celebrate our Tradition.
Let's Rock The Mullett 26 more times as an independent and celebrate our program together, Sun Devil Nation... FORKS UP!
Sincerely,
Greg Powers
Head Coach, Sun Devil Hockey
After seven full years of Division I play, we have finally found a home with the best conference in college hockey, the NCHC. It cannot be overstated how important this day is for Sun Devil Hockey.
We owe everything we are to our incredible alumni that chose to help build an independent program out of Oceanside Ice Arena. There were more unknowns than anything. More road games than home games, an entire season on the road, etc... but they chose to "Be The Tradition" and for that, we are forever grateful to every player that has worn our jersey these last seven years. Without our alumni's willingness to "Be The Tradition," our membership in the NCHC never happens.
Being an independent program has shaped our identity and allowed us to build our program on our terms. We have had so many great moments during our independent tenure, including being the only independent program to qualify for the NCAA tournament in the past 30 years. We would have made a second-straight tournament berth the following year, but the season was canceled due to COVID, which took away a ton of our momentum as a program.
After one more year of independent play in 2023-24, we will embark on a new era of Sun Devil Hockey in the NCHC. The ability to play for a championship, earn an NCAA Tournament automatic bid and develop conference rivals with the most storied programs in college hockey now awaits.
Without the tremendous support of our fans, this day also never happens. As part of the Mullett Maniacs, you put on an incredible gameday experience at Mullett Arena, which makes us very attractive to any conference. THANK YOU, Sun Devil Nation, for your support in getting us here and your continued support as we launch into this new era of Sun Devil Hockey.
Finally, the irony of having 26 home games to celebrate our final year as an independent is something we are very excited about. This year we play for our alumni and our fans, with a chip on our shoulder just as our former players did to put us in this position. This year we will "Be The Tradition", to celebrate our Tradition.
Let's Rock The Mullett 26 more times as an independent and celebrate our program together, Sun Devil Nation... FORKS UP!
Sincerely,
Greg Powers
Head Coach, Sun Devil Hockey