With eight players departing the program and seven new additions, the FGCU Division II Ice Hockey Club had a lot to build on in the preseason.
The team has brought in four forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender.
“So quite a wide range of new faces. But in general, they’ve all been doing a great job,” said head coach Eric Mabie. “We’re set up for a pretty good runway here to get this thing going. They bring some high-end offense to guys up front, and the two defenders that we brought in can shut things down pretty well on the back end. So something that we’re excited about.”
The Eagles have the proper setup. It’s just a matter of developing team chemistry. The team has worked together to find that certain style of play that works for them.
“Building chemistry with everyone as much as possible is the best thing for us to do, and early on in the season, with the new guys,” said assistant captain Adam Beauvais. “Just seeing where everyone fits in with each other, and seeing how people work together, that’s been the biggest thing for us. So we have fluid lines.”
FGCU competes as a Division II (D2) independent team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). The team has won four national championships in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2019, and is looking to bring another title to Southwest Florida.
Last season, FGCU made it to the national semifinals, where they were defeated by Lindenwood University 5-1. The Eagles finished with a 22-7 record, which was good for fourth in the standings among all D2 independent teams and ranked No. 1 in the ACHA’s Southeast Region ranking.
“That’s the end goal for this program every single season, that’s the standard, it’s to win a national championship,” said assistant coach Justin Goldman. “So it’s getting back to that national championship game and getting it done, that’s the ultimate goal. Some other little goals throughout the season are making sure this is an awesome experience for all the players, you only get to play college hockey once, and it’s gonna be one of the best times in your life.”
Season Opener against Liberty University
The Eagles currently hold a 7-3 record over the Flames in the last 10 matchups.
Last season, FGCU went up against Liberty’s Division I team for the first time in program history. In one of the biggest upsets in ACHA hockey, the Division II Eagles pulled off a 4-3 victory over the Flames.
This history has created a bit of rivalry on the ice.
“There’s a little more emotion in the game than some other ones when we play Liberty,” said Mabie. “There’s definitely a mutual respect between both programs. Once the puck drops, it’s maybe a little more physical here and there, but overall, it becomes another hockey game.”
On Friday, Sep. 26, the Eagles held their home opener against the Flames and secured a 5-4 win. Shayne Tomlinson, a senior forward for FGCU, scored a hat-trick, with two of his goals being in the first period and the last goal in the second.
A day later, on Saturday, Sep. 27, FGCU had its second game of the season and won 6-1. The Eagles scored three of their six goals on the power play, and Keegan Wise secured the net with 25 saves.
“Defending, staying above pucks, is going to give us the opportunity to transition offense, and our whole game is based around defending,” said Mabie. “Because at the end of the season, when stuff gets tighter, that’s how it’s got to be done.”
