Team News

The William Paterson Ice Hockey team capped the 2019-20 season, their 47th season of competitive play, with a 17-8-2 record.  After a 13 win inaugural season at the ACHA Division 1 level, the Pioneers entered their second season at the Division 1 level with optimism and several key additions to the roster. 

The season began on a high note, with Head Coach Joe Ballance collecting career win #250.  Ballance finished his 11th season behind the Pioneers bench with a 266-76-9 career record.  The Pioneers began the season winning 5 of 6, highlighted by a thrilling overtime victory over nationally ranked NYU and an exciting come from behind win on the road at Villanova.  As the calendar turned to November, the team gained momentum with a road win at Navy, defeating the Midshipmen for the third straight season at McMullen Arena in Annapolis, Maryland.  The Pioneers closed the fall semester with a home and home sweep of Rutgers, defeating the Scarlet Knights 4-2 and 3-1.

After the holiday break, the Pioneers had a slow start to the second half of the season.  The team worked hard and battled through the month of January.  As the schedule turned into February, the team defeated the University of Rhode Island 6-2 to close out home ice play on a high note for the 5 seniors, Tommy Bauer, Brett Connon, Andy DeAngelis, Scott Huber and Nick Brown.  The team closed the regular season with two more road victories at Rutgers. With the 4 wins vs Rutgers, the Pioneers upped their record to 35-5-2 vs New Jersey college programs under Coach Ballance.

The team qualified for postseason play with a spot in the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA) playoffs.  The Pioneers got a quarterfinal victory over Lehigh by a score of 6-2.  The season came to an end in the semifinal round as the Pioneers fell to eventual champion Drexel.  "While the season didn't end on a note we would have liked, there was positive progress made throughout the season.  We made strides in the right direction from our inaugural season.  Players are developing and our core is getting more experience which should lead to more progress and success in the next season or two," said Coach Ballance.

Season highlights:

-Tommy Bauer earned 2nd team ECHA All-Star honors with a 15 goal, 20 assist season.

-Newcomer Adam Marvin lead the team with 19 goals in his first season with the Pioneers.

-Senior Andy DeAngelis lead the team with 23 assists and solid two way play all season.

-Scott Huber lead the defensive corps with 11 goals and 10 assists and consistent play all season.

-Senior Brett Connon, the "Iron Man" of the Pioneers, capped his senior season with 14 points.   

-The goaltending duo of Jeremy Hamerquist and Cole Mulholland combined for a .916 save percentage and two shutouts.  

-Nick King and Mike King earned ACHA All-Academic honors with their stellar work in the classroom.

-Head Coach Joe Ballance earned ECHA Co-Coach of the Year.

-Last, but not least, Nick Brown brought valuable experience, leadership and an important perspective in his final semester at WPU.  "I just want to thank everyone that supported me.....in my decision to come back and finish my last college semester.  It was one of the best decisions I've could have made." 

Thank you to all the players, families, support staff and volunteers on a successful season! 

Stay tuned for 2020-2021 season updates!

Photo credit: Marissa Vandenberg