Colorado College Hockey: A Legacy of Tradition, Commitment, and National Prominence

Introduction

Colorado College Hockey boasts a rich history spanning eight decades, marked by tradition, commitment, and a pursuit of national prominence. From its humble beginnings in a converted riding academy to its current status as a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), the program has experienced periods of both dominance and rebuilding. This article delves into the history of Colorado College hockey, highlighting key moments, influential figures, and the program's evolution over the years.

The Early Years: From Riding Academy to National Aspirations (1938-1945)

The story of Colorado College Hockey begins in January 1938 when the Broadmoor Hotel transformed its seldom-used indoor riding academy into an ice rink. This new venue, originally called the Broadmoor Ice Palace and later known as the Broadmoor World Arena, became the home of the Tigers for 55 seasons. The Broadmoor Ice Palace opened after three weeks at a cost of $200,000 and also became the home of the Broadmoor Skating Club. Colorado College Tiger Hockey began in 1938 playing in the Pikes Peak Hockey League with various local teams sponsored by Colorado Springs area businesses. Tiger Hockey officially made its debut on January 21 of that year in an 8-1 loss to a team sponsored by Giddings Department Store.

The program made significant strides forward the following season under new coach Garrett Livingston, whose leadership the next four years helped vault CC to national prominence. Livingston increased recruiting, bringing players from Canada and New England and transitioned the program from the Pikes Peak Hockey League into an NCAA Division I independent program. While several New England students with backgrounds in high school hockey joined the team, the strongest addition was Ernie Young of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. When Young returned in the fall of 1939 for his second year at the school, he brought four more Canadian players with him - Jack Chamney, John "Chick" Ross, Wilmer "Spike" Wilson and Harold McClay - all from his home province. With Livingston at the helm, those players helped the Tigers sweep the University of Michigan, 4-2 and 4-3, in their first-ever intercollegiate series early during the 1939-40 season. Colorado College also played games against Colorado Mines, the Montana School of Mines and the University of Southern California, champion of the Pacific Coast League, that season. Enthusiasm reached a feverish pitch among CC hockey supporters for the next few years, with games at the World Arena selling out on a regular basis.

Due to World War II, the program and college was suspended from 1942 to 1944, but the sport was rejuvenated at Colorado College and nationwide in 1944-45. With the return of former players and the addition of seven more Canadians, the Tigers quickly were on the rise again.

The Cheddy Thompson Era: Building a National Powerhouse (1945-1957)

Cheddy Thompson became the program's third head coach in 1945 after coming to Colorado Springs on assignment by the Air Force during the war. In cooperation with the Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado College sponsored the first National Collegiate Athletic Association Ice Hockey Championship to conclude the 1947-48 season. The tournament would be held at the Ice Palace for the next 10 years, with CC participating seven times - in 1948, '49, '50, '51, '52, '55 and '57. Thompson lead CC to the program's first NCAA championship in 1950 with a 13-4 win over Boston University. The Tigers also finished as runner-up in 1952 and 1955, losing to Michigan in both appearances in the championship game. In addition, he was named national Coach of the Year in 1952 by the United States Hockey Coaches Association.

In 1951, Colorado College helped found the Mid-West Collegiate Hockey League (MWCHL) with University of Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The league became the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League (WIHL) in 1953 and became the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in November 1959. The WIHL evolved to become the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in November of 1959, with the 2012-13 version of the WCHA consisting of five of its original seven teams plus the University of Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Nebraska Omaha, St.

A Period of Struggle and Rebuilding (1958-1993)

The Tigers returned to the championship game in 1957 with Tom Bedecki behind the bench. Bedecki abruptly resigned in 1958, and the Tigers went into a decline that would last for almost four decades. From 1958 to 1993, the Tigers would have only three winning seasons.

The Don Lucia Era: A Return to Prominence (1993-1999)

In 1993 Don Lucia became the head coach of the Tigers. In his first season, 1993-94, he led the team to win the MacNaughton Cup, given to the WCHA regular season champion. It was Colorado College's first Cup win since 1957. Lucia (1993-94) also earned WCHA Coach of the Year honors. Cheddy Thompson (1951-52), Lucia (1993-94), Tony Frasca (1962-63) and former CC assistant Norm Bazin (2012-13), now the bench boss at UMass-Lowell, each have been named national Coach of the Year by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

After serving as the Tigers' home ice for 55 years the Broadmoor World Arena closed in March 1994 and later demolished by The Broadmoor to make room for the resort's expansion. Colorado College was then invited by the Air Force Academy to play at their home ice, the Cadet Ice Arena until the new World Arena opened in 1998 on the southern side of Colorado Springs. The Tigers returned to the NCAA post season in 1995 for the first time since 1978. The Tigers lost in the quarterfinal round to Minnesota 2-5. The following season CC made a second straight NCAA tournament appearance, receiving a number one seed in 1996 NCAA Tournament. CC’s recent string of success, which includes last season’s appearance in the national quarterfinals preceded by trips to the “Frozen Four” in 1996, 1997.

The Scott Owens Era: Sustained Success in the New Millennium (1999-2014)

Scott Owens took over as head coach of the program in 1999 and lead the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournaments in 2001, 2002, and 2003. In the 2005 Tournament The Tigers returned to the Frozen Four with a 4-3 victory over Michigan in the Midwest Regional Final. In the Semifinal round the Tigers fell to the eventual national champion and rival Denver 2-6. Owens lead CC to the NCAA Tournament again in 2006 Tournament and in 2008 Tournament, ending in first round exits both times. The Tigers hoisted the MacNaughton Trophy as WCHA regular-season champions for the ninth and final time in March 2008. It was their third title in five years and sixth since 1994. They won an unprecedented three consecutive crowns in the mid-1990s (1993-94, ’95-96 and ’96-97). The previous three came during the 1950s (1951-52, ’54-55 and ’56-57).

In 2013-14, after 54 seasons as a charter member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the Tigers help launch the NCHC’s inaugural campaign and their 75th overall with an all-time record of 1,141-1,128-119 (.503) in 2,388 games played against outside competition. CC makes history again in 2013-14 as the new “super” conference, originally created in July 2011, makes its long awaited debut. Other members of the NCHC include the University of Denver, Miami University, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Western Michigan.

Recent Developments and the Future of Tiger Hockey (2014-Present)

The Tigers returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2011. The Tigers upset the number one ranked team and defending National Champions, Boston College 8-4. The Tigers' win was led by freshman Jaden Schwartz, a first round draft choice of the St. Louis Blues making his St.

In 2018, CC announced plans to build a new $38 million arena located on campus. The facility is named Edward J. Robson Arena in honor of 1954 CC alum and former Tigers hockey player Edward Robson. The new arena has a capacity of 3,407, less than half that of World Arena. It features an NHL-sized rink instead of the World Arena's Olympic-size rink. Robson Arena sits around 6,050 feet above sea level, about 200 feet below the World Arena. Colorado College initially hoped for it to be ready for play. Changes made during the planning process, most notably the addition of a parking garage and a shift in the arena footprint within its city block, led to delays.

On April 7, 2021, Kris Mayotte was named the 15th head coach in the history of the Colorado College hockey program. Mayotte’s task is to bring CC back as one of the nation’s elite Division I programs.

Notable Figures and NHL Success

Four Colorado College coaches - John Matchefts (1968-69), Jeff Sauer (1971-72 and '74-75), Brad Buetow (1991-92) and Don Lucia (1993-94 and '95-96) - have earned WCHA Coach of the Year honors. Matchefts (2007) and Sauer (2003) both have been named recipients of the prestigious John “Snooks” Kelley Founders Award for their contributions to the overall growth and development of ice hockey nationwide. Another legend, Bob Johnson (1963-66), went on to the National Hockey League where he guided the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup in 1991. Johnson earlier had served as head coach of the 1976 United States Olympic Team and of the NHL's Calgary Flames, as well as a three-year stint as executive director of USA Hockey.

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CC has launched dozens of players into the professional ranks during the last six decades. While 38 former Tigers had played in the NHL prior to the 2021-22 season, several more are destined to make their debuts at the sport’s highest level in the near future. Four Colorado College products - Bill “Red” Hay with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1961, Doug Lidster with the New York Rangers in 1994 and the Dallas Stars in 1999, Jaden Schwartz with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, and Curtis McElhinney with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and ‘21 - have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup. Hay also was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Tom Preissing reached the Cup finals with the Ottawa Senators in 2007. Preissing and Gord Whitaker, meanwhile, are among very few North Americans ever to compete in the Russian Elite League, while mid-2000s grads Addison DeBoer and Scott Thauwald have taken their talents to Australia.

Hall of Fame Recognition

Tiger Hockey also is well represented in the Colorado College Athletics Hall of Fame. In fact, two entire teams - the 1949-50 national champions in 1998 and the 1995-96 NCAA runners-up in 2013 - have been inducted. Hay, a former president of the Calgary Flames, was honored among the inaugural class in April 1995. Doug Palazzari, who spent most of his professional playing career with Salt Lake City of the Central Hockey League and in 1997 was designated as the CHL’s all-time greatest player, joined the HOF in 2000 after serving as executive director of USA Hockey. Dave Delich, CC’s career points leader, became a member in 2002 while Gambucci, who skated for the 1950 NCAA champs but starred as a baseball and football player as well, was recognized on an individual basis in 2004. Lidster was inducted in 2009, while Rob Doyle, the school’s leading scorer among defensemen, and Greg Smith, who enjoyed a 15-year career in the NHL after three season at CC, followed suit in 2015 and ’17, respectively.

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