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Lindenwood Lions men's ice hockey

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Lindenwood Lions men's ice hockey
Current season
Lindenwood Lions athletic logo
UniversityLindenwood University
ConferenceIndependent
First season2022–23
Head coachBill Muckalt
1st season
Assistant coaches
ArenaCentene Community Ice Center
St. Charles, Missouri
ColorsBlack and gold[1]
   
ACHA Tournament championships
2009, 2010, 2016, 2022

The Lindenwood Lions men's ice hockey team represents the Lindenwood University in NCAA Division I ice hockey. The program had won four club National Championships prior to its promotion to varsity status.[2]

History

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Lindenwood club hockey game vs. Illinois in 2010

Lindenwood founded its men's program as a club team in 2003. From its inception, the Lions performed well on the ice, winning 25 out of 29 games in its first year. As the team's schedule increased in difficult, head coach Derek Schaub was able to keep the program in good standing and got the Lions to post a 30-win season 2008. That season saw the team reach the championship game but it was only the beginning for the Lions. The following year Lindenwood was a juggernaut, going 42–4 and winning their first championship while outscoring opponents 313 to 77. After a second dominating championship in 2010, Schaub stepped down and turned the team over to assistant coach and former NHL player, Rick Zombo.[3]

Under Zombo's leadership the Lions continued to be a national contender, reaching the championship in his first season and eventually winning their third title in 2016.[4] While the men's team was achieving those heights, they were overshadowed by the women's team, which had won three consecutive American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) championships and been promoted to Division I in 2011. In 2021 the school announced its plan to have the men's team finally follow the Lady Lions into the varsity ranks and the program began to transition in that direction.

While the school did not officially state that the team would be a Division I program in 2022, multiple news reports indicate the program was on track to secure the needed funding.[5][6] Critically, the COVID-19 pandemic did not appear to have hampered plans for the program's promotion. Furthering the potential viability of the team is its current home, the Centene Community Ice Center. With a seating capacity of 2,500, the building is comparable to other Division I programs, particularly for a school that only boasts a student body of approximately 7,500.[7]

In the 2021 offseason, the team also began seeing its first transfers into the program from Division I programs (Kyle Jeffers), demonstrating the confidence that some have in Lindenwood's progress.[8] Lindenwood's promotion made the Lions the first Division I program in the St. Louis area since Saint Louis University discontinued their program in 1979.[9]

On March 23, 2022, Lindenwood officially announced that its men's ice hockey team would join Division I in the fall.[10] The team finished its final club season with a 22–3 record and won their fourth ACHA National Championship.

Lindenwood will be eligible for postseason participation in 2026–27, its first full season of D-I membership.[11]

Season-by-season results

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[12]

Coaches

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Rick Zombo was retained as the team's head coach when it transitioned to Division I status in 2022.[13] After two seasons, it was announced that he would not return.[14]

As of the completion of 2023–24 season

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2022–2024 Rick Zombo 2 13–40–5 .267
Totals 2 coach 2 seasons 13–40–5 .267

Roster

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As of August 21, 2024.[15]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 New Jersey Alexandros Aslanidis Graduate G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-01-20 Moorestown, New Jersey American International (AHA)
2 Belarus Artyom Borshyov Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2000-08-22 Vitebsk, Belarus Lake Superior State (CCHA)
3 Quebec Noah Houle Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2003-11-16 Montreal, Quebec Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
4 Ontario Shawn Ramsey Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2004-03-18 Mississauga, Ontario Madison Capitols (USHL)
5 Alberta Aiden Yakimchuk Senior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-05-14 St. Albert, Alberta Drumheller Dragons (AJHL)
7 Minnesota Brady Yakesh Freshman D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2003-09-15 Delano, Minnesota Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
8 Pennsylvania Thomas Jarman Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-04-09 Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Boston University (HEA)
9 Alberta Drew Kuzma Junior F 6' 6" (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2002-11-13 St. Albert, Alberta Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
10 Michigan Mitch Allard Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2000-01-27 Shelby Township, Michigan Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
11 Saskatchewan Jaeden Mercier Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-02-12 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
12 Alberta Ethan Zielke Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2003-08-03 Calgary, Alberta Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
13 Alberta Adam Raesler Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2003-06-23 Edmonton, Alberta Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
14 Nebraska Coltan Wilkie Junior D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-04-03 Gretna, Nebraska Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
15 Minnesota Joe Prouty Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-11-29 Burnsville, Minnesota New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL)
16 Alberta Ty Hipkin Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2000-03-31 High River, Alberta Calgary Canucks (AJHL)
17 Indiana Patrick Schmiedlin Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-03-20 Culver, Indiana Maine Nordiques (NAHL)
18 Missouri Jack Anderson Junior D 6' 6" (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2002-11-14 St. Louis, Missouri El Paso Rhinos (NAHL)
19 Sweden Alexander Lundman Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2001-06-17 Norrköping, Sweden Bemidji State (CCHA)
21 Saskatchewan Jake Southgate Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-11-04 North Battleford, Saskatchewan Battlefords North Stars (SJHL)
22 South Dakota Jacob Vockler Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2003-02-09 Sioux Falls, South Dakota Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
23 Hungary Kristóf Papp Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2001-06-27 Budapest, Hungary Northern Michigan (CCHA)
24 British Columbia John Evans Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 2002-04-08 South Surrey, British Columbia Rensselaer (ECAC)
25 Ontario Ryan Forberg Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-02-11 Thornhill, Ontario Markham Royals (OJHL)
26 Missouri Tyler Loughman Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2003-11-04 St. Louis, Missouri Canmore Eagles (AJHL)
27 Nova Scotia David Gagnon Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-04-19 Halifax, Nova Scotia Truro Bearcats (MHL)
28 Saskatchewan Brody Mortensen Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-09-07 Humboldt, Saskatchewan Canmore Eagles (AJHL)
29 Massachusetts Colin Ronan Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-06-06 Saugus, Massachusetts Maryland Black Bears (NAHL)
30 New York (state) Henry Graham Graduate G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2000-07-25 Manhattan, New York Boston University (HEA)
31 Michigan Owen Bartoszkiewicz Sophomore (RS) G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2003-03-11 Northville, Michigan Oklahoma Warriors (USHL)

Statistical leaders

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Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
David Gagnon 2022–Present 30 13 17 30 16
Hunter Johannes 2022–2023 28 13 16 29 87
Andy Willis 2022–2023 26 8 15 23 12
Kyle Jeffers 2022–Present 28 7 13 20 26
Ryan Finnegan 2022–2023 29 6 14 20 6
Cade DeStefani 2022–Present 26 7 8 15 42
Aiden Yakimchuk 2022–Present 30 2 10 12 8
Adam Conquest 2022–Present 22 6 6 12 6
Caige Sterzer 2022–Present 26 6 5 11 48
Joe Prouty 2022–Present 30 2 9 11 36

Career goaltending leaders

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GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

minimum 900 minutes played

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Trent Burnham 2022–Present 16 946 5 10 1 67 0 .901 4.25

Statistics current through the end of the 2022-23 season.

Lions in professional hockey

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References

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  1. ^ Lindenwood University Brand Identity Guidelines (PDF). Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Lindenwood men's ice hockey moving to Division I". Linked In. February 5, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "Former Blue named head coach" (PDF). The Legacy. September 8, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "Rick Zombo". Lindenwood Lions. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "Lindenwood Hoping For Summer Announcement on D-I Move". College Hockey News. May 3, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  6. ^ "Lindenwood University To Add Division I NCAA Hockey". Pro hockey Rumors. February 4, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Centene Community Ice Center Facility Overview". Centene Community Ice Center. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Kyle Jeffers". Elite prospects. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "Saint Louis Billikens Hockey". Home Teams Online. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
  10. ^ "Lindenwood Adds NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey". Lindenwood Lions. March 23, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "Lindenwood Officially Welcomed by Three Conferences". Lindenwood Lions. July 1, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  12. ^ "Lindenwood Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "RICK ZOMBO". Lindenwood Lions. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  14. ^ "Lindenwood Announces Change In Leadership For Men's Ice Hockey". Lindenwood Lions. February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "2024-25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Lindenwood Lions. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
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