Mercyhurst cuts division one men's hockey after 25 years. Players and coaches face uncertain futures following this sudden discontinuation.
Erie, PA- After 25 years, division one men’s hockey at Mercyhurst University will no longer continue to play.
The program will maintain its women’s hockey program, which recently made it to the conference final of the AHA against Penn State.
It is likely a lack of success, a factor in removing one and not the other, as the men’s program has not reached the NCAA tournament since 2005 and finished dead last in the ten-team Atlantic Hockey America the last two seasons out of 10 teams.
The Lakers did have an impressive postseason, upsetting AHA #7 Canisius in the first round, while taking eventual conference champion Bentley into triple overtime in game 1 of the quarterfinals, getting swept in the end against a strong Falcons program that takes on Michigan in the NCAA tournament today.
“Atlantic Hockey America is deeply disappointed by the news regarding the Mercyhurst men’s ice hockey program," said Atlantic Commissioner Michelle Morgan. "We recognize the weight of this decision and the significance it has for the student-athletes and staff members who are affected. Our focus remains on supporting those impacted by this transition and ensuring the continued stability of our conference. The AHA will remain steadfast in continuing to elevate our league while remaining nimble in the continually changing landscape of collegiate athletics.”
Mercyhurst pulled this move out of the blue, considering they just landed Konner Powell's commitment just three days ago, reported here by THN’s own Frank Zawrazky.
A shocking move will leave multiple players seeking an NCAA home on a new mission, including the staff of Mercyhurst, as the future of Tom Peffall remains uncertain, as he was supposed to fill in for Rick Gotkin after his retirement this year.
Gotkin, who has witnessed over 1,300 games behind the bench as the coach of the Lakers and is the only coach in NCAA history to take a team to the NCAA Tournament at all three levels, sees his career end in a dismantling way, while his coaching crew looks to the future under a new roof.