Chatham men’s ice hockey entered the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) top 15 for the first time in program history on Nov. 17.
It has been an electric start for the team, opening the season undefeated at 6-0 (2-0 United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) with dominant wins over Hiram, Fredonia and Nazareth.
“It’s a great accomplishment from our current staff and players, but I think it’s even more a proud moment for our alumni and former players who weren’t in the current situation we are,” Head Coach Mike Gershon said.
The team has lived off its high quality of depth and major instruments throughout each line.
“I’ve been really pleased with the guys taking a step. I don’t think anyone has taken a step backwards. They’re not okay with just the semifinals,” Gershon said. “We want to battle and make a name for ourselves.”
The team is coming off historic wins over ranked Utica and Geneseo in the previous season, before it fell short in the UCHC semifinals to Utica.
During this current season, the team almost lost its undefeated run, with a third-period comeback against Nazareth on Nov. 15. The Cougars trailed 1-2 after the second period before Kyle Contessa ‘27 equalized, only for Michael Roby ‘27 to score the eventual winner.
“Nothing is given and everything is earned, but I am proud we have depth,” Gershon said.
The team is a multi-line threat with 19 Cougars having registered points on the year. The team is led by Nick Cyprian ‘26, who is tied for the most points in the nation at 12 and leads the nation in assists with nine. Jake LaRusso ‘27 has brought in four goals and six assists with Michael Roby ‘27 hauling in four goals and five assists, with seniors Bekk McClaine and True Crowe following closely behind.
“As a team, everyone is really just having fun and is bought into what Coach Gershon and the staff are doing,” Cameron Kuntar ‘27 said.
Kuntar himself has boosted the team from the goal. He has posted several outstanding performances, such as a 33 out of 34 shots saved performance against Nazareth on Nov. 14. The junior has so far tallied the tenth-best save percentage in the country, but leads the UCHC in goals against average, total saves and save percentage.
“Everybody is bought into their role, and it’s a team effort. It’s really fun to play behind these guys right now,” Kuntar said. “They’re scoring a lot of goals and selling out to block shots for me.”
The team will travel to Brockport, New York, where it squares off with the Brockport Golden Eagles in its next UCHC matchup on Nov. 21 and 22.
