NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - After fourteen seasons, more than 200 victories, four championships, ten championship game appearances, seven Regional tournament appearances, two National tournament appearances and a whole lot of early morning skates the Gale era of CSUN Ice Hockey has come to a close with the departure of JP and Steve Gale from the coaching staff. The two are stepping down to spend more time with their families.
    
     It all began when JP came to CSUN in the Fall of 2005 and made a massive impact, literally and figuratively, on the Matador lineup. The 6 ft. 215 lb. freshman immediately established himself as one of the top defensemen in the Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association with his physical style of play and big shot from the point. He also showed his knack for leadership early as he was named Captain of the Matadors before the end of his first semester. JP would go on to lead the team off the ice as well for the next five years as the Treasurer and President his last two years.
    
     After his first year with the team, JP urged then Coach Sean McLynn to bring Steve on as a coach. With 20 years of amateur coaching including a USA Hockey Master Level Certification, numerous state and regional titles and three seasons of professional hockey experience, Steve brought tons of knowledge, structure and leadership to the Matadors.
    
     One season later JP's brother Chris joined CSUN and the Matadors became serious contenders at the ACHA regional and national level. Chris finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in club history with 495 points and led the nation in scoring twice. JP and Chris were two of only three players chosen from all of Division 3 to participate at the 2009 Team USA World University Games selection camp in Plymouth, Mich. In 2009-10 CSUN qualified for the ACHA National Tournament in Fort Meyers, Fla. for the first time ever. The Matadors finished 11th in the Nation and earned their first Nationals victory against Lansing College 8-6. Upon graduation in 2010 JP joined Steve behind the bench coaching the Matadors.
    
     In 2011 Chris made the inaugural ACHA Division 3 Selects Team. He was the only west coast player selected and spent the holiday season traveling all over Europe representing the ACHA. In 2011-12 the Matadors finished their time in Division 3 by once again qualifying for Nationals in Vineland, NJ. CSUN finished 9th this time by earning a 5-5 tie against the No. 1 team in the country Hope College (Mich.) and beating the University of Alabama 7-6 in overtime.
    
     The 2012-13 season was the first year without a Gale on the ice since 2005 and in the midst of a major rebuild the team decided to make the jump to ACHA Division 2. It was the only season CSUN finished with a sub .500 record in the Gale’s 14-season tenure going 6-13-1-1. Learning their lessons from a tough season, the Matadors began taking tremendous steps forward from that time on. The next season they earned a victory against a top ten West Region team for the first time by beating Texas A&M in College Station 6-5 in overtime and finished ranked for the first time as well at 15th. They won the San Jose State Showcase in Fall 2014 by beating Oregon, Cal State Fullerton in overtime and the host Spartans for the first time ever. The Matadors qualified for the West Coast Hockey Conference playoffs in their first season in the conference and finished 14th in the West.
    
     In their second year in the WCHC CSUN was the runner-up in the regular season and made it to the championship game against Arizona State. The Matadors came up short losing 3-2 as ASU advanced to both Regionals and Nationals. Two weeks later CSUN won the inaugural LA Kings College Cup Championship defeating Loyola Marymount 5-3. The next three seasons saw the Matadors dominate the WCHC, California and teams up and down the West Coast. CSUN won 62 games over that span, winning three WCHC Conference Championships defeating San Diego State in 2017 and Long Beach State in 2018 and 2019. The Matadors made a major breakthrough in 2017 by qualifying for Regionals for the first time in Denver, Colo. CSUN then qualified for Regionals again this past season in Tempe, Ariz.
    
     “We had so many great players come to CSUN to play for this team and we were able to build on it year after year," said JP. "Steve and I have really enjoyed our time with the team and hope whoever inherits this program can do even better than we did. We couldn't have had the success we've had without the buy in from players and the dedicated staff and volunteers that have kept this team running for so long. We owe a lot to Sean Kushner and Travis Van Noty.”
    
     JP and Steve are stepping down to spend more time with their families, especially the newest addition to the Gale clan JP’s son AJ. “Over the years we've missed a ton of time with our families," said Steve. "Kids are only young once and over the last two seasons particularly with AJ we don't want to miss any more.”
    
     The team owes a huge debt of gratitude to the Gale family. Not only for the success of the program but the leadership development of so many young men over the years, all while volunteering the entire time. CSUN Ice Hockey and the University would like to thank them so much for everything they have given this team.
    
     JP will continue to be an advisor to the Matadors. CSUN will begin the process of searching for a new coach immediately. Coaches interested should email Nathan Warden, the Sport Club Coordinator for more information at Nathan.warden@csun.edu