Campus Currents

Got Game Interest in club hockey explodes by Rachel M. Collins '81

Easy to print version

When Chadd Lafond '11 decided to attend UNH, he figured his days of playing competitive hockey were over. Although he had competed at the junior level, being a Division I hockey player at UNH wasn't a viable option. "When I went to UNH I was thinking that I would probably never play hockey again," he says. "But then I got the competitive itch."

Freshman year, Lafond discovered UNH's club hockey team, which made its way this season to the national tournament for the first time, with Lafond as a captain and senior defenseman. Although the team lost in the finals, "this was a really nice way to end my career," he says. "It will definitely be something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

UNH Athletics Photo

Fourteen years ago, Jerimey Braley '99 recognized a need. "I saw a lot of talented kids who should be playing hockey at college," he says. "But they weren't qualified to play Division I hockey at this school." Braley started up an informal club team to play teams at other schools, cobbling together a roster and a schedule. Seven years ago, word got back to UNH's administration that club hockey players were volunteering at Oyster River Middle School in Durham. Middle school kids were inviting them home for dinner. The community service helped tip the scale in favor of club status, which brings with it some funds. "Ever since the club team was recognized, it has exploded," says Braley, now director of operations. Middle school kids were inviting them home for dinner. The community service helped tip the scale in favor of club status, which brings with it some funds. "Ever since the club team was recognized, it has exploded," says Braley, now director of operations.

This year, head coach Steve McIsaac '04 says 80 players tried out for 34 spots to play more than 30 games in a division with 315 teams. "It's just as competitive as the varsity sport, just at an entirely different level," says McIsaac.

"We are forever grateful that UNH gave us this opportunity," Braley says. "And the bonus is now we're getting the recognition the program has always deserved."