The USF Hockey Club is preparing to hit the ice again after the long wait since the early conclusion of their 2019-2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Before the team was informed that their 2019-2020 had to end, they finished off the regular season 20-6-1, which led them to be #1 in the South and #3 in the nation. 

The team played in the Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SCHC) and came out with a first-place title. This meant the Bulls were headed to Nationals, which was planned to be hosted by the NHL’s Dallas Stars in Frisco, Texas. This would have been the Bulls third Nationals appearance in the past four years. However, days before the team looked to board a flight out to Texas, the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) decided to cancel Nationals for the protection of its players and fans from the evolving COVID-19 Pandemic. 

With the return of Fall 2020, the anticipated start date for the season was set for Spring 2021, which happened to be a semester later than usual. However, with the ongoing pandemic, the club made the decision to cancel the season and look forward to the 2021-2022 season. But the time has finally come for the Hockey Club to return to the ice and play numerous opponents from around the country.  

Starting off the 2021-2022 season with an away game, the team will face the University of Georgia Bulldogs on Friday, September 17th at 7:30pm. The club will then stay in Georgia another day to face the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Yellow Jackets on Saturday, September 18th at 6:30pm. Then the Bulls will make their way home to host their game opener against the University of Central Florida’s Golden Knights on Friday, September 24th at 6:00pm at their home arena located in Wesley Chapel, FL known as AdventHealth Center Ice.

The USF Hockey Club will go on to face their usual season opponents such as the University of Tampa, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Miami, and many more. Some highlight games of this season that you will not want to miss are the away series against Ole Miss on January 21-22 and the home series against the University of Delaware on January 28th and 30th. Once again, the club will face the University of Florida Gators in a split series on February 4th (home) and 5th (away).

This year the Hockey Club is excited to host the SCHC Playoffs on home ice at AdventHealth Center Ice from February 25th to the 27th. Once again, the club hopes to continue their Nationals appearances by looking forward to the Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF) Nationals hosted at Ice Line Quad Rinks in West Chester, PA during March 18-23.

This year’s team consists of 27 players, with five freshmen, three sophomores, 11 juniors, six seniors, and two graduate students. Due to the gap in seasons, there are only 12 returning Bulls: Sean Jenal (#33), Matthew Richard (#31), Keith Moss (#4), Scot Nelson (#5), David Spataro (#16), Danila Mikheev (#25), Zach Parker (#24), Zachary Slezak (#7), Joseph Temoyan (#18), Spencer Greer (#20), Alexander Rhoads (#28), and Kenneth Weightman (#22). These players are ready to get back on the ice and take on the 2021-2022 season alongside their 15 new teammates. 

Written by Annika Larson (Twitter & Instagram) and Jadyn McCarthy (Twitter & Instagram).