The North Carolina State Ice Pack has been a success over the past few seasons. The team has won four consecutive Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL) championships by advancing to the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Nationals in 2019 and 2021.
It cannot be argued that the team has not developed into one of the Southeast’s most dominant collegiate hockey teams, but as divisions are being reorganized within the ACCHL to enhance more exciting games ahead. , more competition will occur. Season.
Third-year head coach Tim Healy and new team president Victor Hugo are sure to challenge themselves again this season, with many top-tier opponents at their newly renamed home barn, the Invisalign Arena. I am making a schedule to bring
With the old offensive core from last season, which included Chris Soloman, Parker Salek and Riley Johnson, not returning to the program for the 2022-23 season, there is plenty of room for youngsters to shine and take over big roles. team. With Icepack’s tryouts complete and the final roster determined, expect some players to make a breakout campaign this year.
Reorganization of the ACCHL Division
ACCHL has added new teams and reorganized its divisions to create a more competitive atmosphere for the 2022-23 season.
North Carolina State University is currently in the Premier Division, the most prestigious division offered by ACCHL. The league took the existing Carolina East Division, consisting of North Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UNC-Wilmington, and added Virginia Tech from the former Virginia Division.
Penn State and Rowan are newcomers to ACCHL this year. Both hail from the Mid-Atlantic College Hockey (MACH) League, and last year with North Carolina State University he qualified for the ACHA Southeast He played in the Regional Tournament.
These six teams will compete against each other at the pinnacle of ACC Division 2 hockey. It will take more challenges than ever for North Carolina State University to achieve his fifth consecutive ACCHL championship.
The remaining 15 ACCHL teams will play in the bottom three divisions and compete for their respective titles.
With the addition of Pennsylvania State University and Rowan, #ACC 6 teams to create M2 ‘upper’ division.. pic.twitter.com/LTdmPZjjV3
— ACC Hockey (@ACCHockey) August 16, 2022
New name, same barn
Over the past few years, Icepack fans have become accustomed to ‘packing’ the Wake Competition Center. The location remains the same, but the barn has an upgraded name.
The Carolina Hurricanes announced in April that the Wake Competition Center will be rebranded as the Invisalign Arena in partnership with the team’s Invisalign brand for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The arena has already finished its cosmetic makeover and will be ready with new branding for Ice Pack to drop the pack against the Drexel Dragons on September 23rd.
highlight game
This year’s Icepack schedule is packed with many exciting matchups. Three games in particular stand out as the ones you should mark on your calendar and purchase tickets at icepackhockey.com.
October 13 vs. Mary University Invisalign Arena
Revenge game is written everywhere in this. Returning for the 2020-21 season, Icepack traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota to compete in the ACHA National Tournament. The team that made the long flight home from North Carolina State University was Mary Marauders College. After his 5-1 loss without a trophy, UMary was national champion not only that season, but last season as well.
The back-to-back defending ACHA champions travel to North Carolina for what is arguably North Carolina’s biggest must-win game of the season: Thursday’s brawl at the barn.
Liberty University at the Invisalign Arena Nov. 12
Last year, a new tradition was born between ACHA D2 rivals Liberty and NC State. Each year, teams compete in a two-game series (one home, one away) for the Wagon Wheel Trophy.
North Carolina State and the Liberty split the series last year, but the Liberty won in an “unofficial shootout” at the end of Game 2.
Icepack will be looking to win the first Wagon Wheel Trophy at home, as Game 2 will take place at the Invisalign Arena.
Nov. 21 vs. UNC-Chapel Hill at PNC Arena
This date is provisional and subject to change based on the schedule of the Carolina Hurricanes next season, but that doesn’t detract from the importance of this game.
This will be the 10th meeting at the PNC between North Carolina and the UNC Hockey Club. Also, this will be his fifth Governor’s Cup. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is an avid hockey fan and comes out every year to drop the puck and present the matchup trophy.
North Carolina State has won the Cup five times since its inception, but expect a closer matchup this time.
I can’t believe we’re only a month and a half apart @NCStateHockey We’re back!!!! Big things are happening this year!!!! Get 5-PEAT!!ππππππ―π―π―πππ!! ️!! ️!! ️πΊπΊπΊ https://t.co/JKTPgkxiaB
— #18 Tuffy Talk (@TuffyTalkNow) August 1, 2022
Young Core and Senior Leadership:
Last year we saw how valuable young people are to ice packs. Look no further than freshman forward Zach Robinson (19G, 7A, 26P) or top-scoring defenseman Alex James (5G, 17A, 22P). Last year, the goaltender with the highest save percentage on the team was freshman Isaac his Tauer (95.8%).
In ice pack culture tradition, rookie skaters wear yellow laces until they score their first goal. Newcomers tend to take off their yellow strings sooner or later.
This year is no exception. With 12 new additions to the team and many new skates for his races in the first few weeks, this reflects the veteran leadership he has drawn from his ACCHL title successes over the past few years. Can’t do without.
One that immediately comes to mind is senior forward Matt Miller. He’s a gritty player who wasn’t afraid to throw his glove down and show off his Invisalign to his arena crowd. He played first-line center this year and last year he finished his third on the team with 37 points.
The surprise return of fifth-year senior forward Alex Robinson will help further strengthen the Icepack offense. Throughout his college career, he has been seen juggling both offensive and defensive responsibilities, but expects to display his slyness to lead the line rush.
Senior forward Garrett Aurien finished last year’s campaign tied for third on the team with 22 assists. He is one of the fastest players who can draw defenders and carve out the ice for his teammates, so he is not expected to fall behind this year. Auriene is also one of the team’s top fore-checkers and should be a valuable weapon in his kills with power on his plays or penalties.
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