Team News

William Paterson University Ice Hockey has been officially accepted to the ACHA Division 1 level starting the 2018-19 season.  For the Pioneers, the elevation of the program from D2 to D1 has been in the making and is a significant step in the program’s history.  From years 2000-2005, the Pioneers were competing in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) at the D2 level.  For former Head Coach and current GM Bob Carnathan, the goal was to stabilize the program, put some winning seasons together, and make the playoffs.  The program accomplished those goals and it was time for new goals and challenges.  Bob Carnathan and the team brought on Ken Scarpa to take on the role as Head Coach and from 2005-2010, the goal became to build on those seasons and make a championship run.  During those years, the team accomplished more than they set out to.  The team regularly completed 20 win seasons, and in 2009 the team competed in the MACHA Championship game and made the regional tournament.  In the 2008-2009 season, the team decided to make a move in the D2 level from going to the MACHA and Southeast region to the Super East Collegiate Hockey League (SECHL) to compete against the top Northeast teams in the Northeast region.  The team exceeded expectations as they made the championship game their first season.  Despite losing in the finals, the team had instant success and made the National Tournament for the first time. 

During that offseason, Head Coach Joe Ballance was added to the staff for the 2009-10 season.   “I was coming on board and wanted to help the team keep progressing on what they had accomplished.  They were right there and I wanted to help in any way I could to get them over the hump. During that season, Coach Ken Scarpa announced that Coach Ballance would be taking over the team as Head Coach.  The team went onto winning their first SECHL Championship.  Under Coach Ballance, the team won four consecutive championships 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.  The team lost the finals in 2014 and 2015, but would also go on to win their 5th SECHL Championship in 2016. “I was extremely honored when Ken felt I was the best person to lead the team after him in 2010. As a young coach, I just wanted to build on what he and Bob started and to be successful for this program and university.  We have had a lot of success in the SECHL and at the D2 level and just like those before me; I think it is time for new challenges for this program”. 

The Pioneers have a current record of 17-1-0-1 in the 2017-2018 season thus far under Coach Ballance.  In his ninth season as the program’s Head Coach, the Pioneers have made the National Tournament 7 times and are on track for making it to their 8th.  In addition to the SECHL Championships and National Tournament appearances, which include a Final Four appearance, the team is 222-53-9 over those 8 and half seasons.  “We are excited and honored to be moving up to the ACHA D1 ranks as it is a step in the right direction for our program. I would like to thank ACHA D1 Commissioner Brian Moran, the ACHA teams and staff, the ECHA team members, and the ECHA Commissioner Gregg Marinari for the opportunity to compete at the Division 1 level next season.  We look forward to the competition and hope to be an asset to the league. Further, this is a great day for William Paterson University’s Ice Hockey program as we take pride in successfully representing our university and this move demonstrates the strides the program has made since its move to the SECHL 10 years ago.  I would like to personally thank Paul Hebert, the SECHL teams and membership, and the ACHA D2 Commissioners for their efforts and support over the years”, said Coach Ballance. 

Assistant Coach Ian Michaelchuck (’07), who has been on the staff since Day 1 with Coach Ballance and also played under Coach Carnathan and Scarpa as a player, commented on the significance of the move for the program. “Having the luxury to play at WPU for 4 years and then to continue to coach at this program means a lot to me over the past 9 seasons.  This has been a remarkable experience and I feel very lucky to be a part of what Coach Ballance and I have accomplished together since joining the SECHL.  I am excited that the program is finally going to the D1 level and look forward to the challenges that we will face in the future”.

For the Pioneers, competing against Division 1 opponents won’t be anything new as the team is 6-0 on the season against those opponents.  “Playing these teams on an everyday basis will be different. Anyone can beat anyone here and there, but how consistent can you do it is the true measurement of being a strong successful team”, says Coach Ballance.  The all-time leading goal scorer and current assistant Coach Kyle Garlasco (‘16’) also commented on the program’s elevation, “It has been great to be apart of this program both as a player and now as a coach. I am extremely proud of the alumni, coaches, and staff for growing this program into what it has become today”. 

While this is a great announcement and achievement for the program, the Pioneers will continue to turn their sights on the current season as they return from the semester break looking to continue their success of their 2017-18 regular season.  While the team is on semester break, they will enjoy what they have accomplished both as a team and as a program. Coach Ballance concluded, “I am thankful for the WPU administration (Carola, Tristan, Jaime, Donna, Francisco, Don Bennett, Vice President Cammarata, and President Waldron, among others) and the Ice Vault Arena (Bobby Reiss, Mariann Reiss, and Nancy Hughes), which assisted with the transition of the move from D2 to D1.  I would also like to thank the coaching staff and more importantly the players at WPU for their efforts over the years.  This move is a reflection of not only the current players, but the teams prior who made this possible.  In my 9 years at WPU, the commitment and efforts the players display on and off the ice to ensure the success of their program is impressive.  The move will be challenging, efforts will need to continue to be strong, and we look forward to building a successful program at the next level”.