HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Highlighted by a number of perennial powerhouses and a series at Bridgestone Arena, the home of the Nashville Predators, in Nashville, the Alabama-Huntsville Charger begins the Chris Luongo era with the toughest schedule in recent history.
“I am very excited about the 2010-11 schedule," noted Luongo. "It is unprecedented in that we play multiple weekends against every league. We will compete against some of the biggest names in college hockey as well as welcome some old friends back to the VBC. Our Student-Athletes will have the most unique experience in NCAA Division I hockey this season."
UAH opens the season at home welcoming CCHA foe Ferris State to the friendly confines of the Von Braun Center on October 7th and 8th. Following the opening series against the Bulldogs, the Chargers hit the road for four straight series starting off with a two-game set at 2010 national runner-up Wisconsin on Oct. 15th and 17th followed by an Oct. 22-23 series at Bowling Green. Luongo returns to his alma mater on Oct. 29th and 30th for a series at Michigan State before the Chargers wrap up the road swing at Ohio State on Nov. 5th and 6th.
The Friars of Providence make their first return to the "Rocket City" since 1989 for a two-game set on Nov. 11th and 12th. UAH wraps up the month of November at the 60th Annual Rensselaer Holiday Tournament in Troy. N.Y. The Chargers take on Bowling Green in the opening round of the event and will take on UConn or host RPI in the second round.
Former CHA foe Robert Morris comes to the Von Braun Center on Dec. 11th and 12th in a battle of the two former conference mates. A Dec. 16-17 trip to Mercyhurst wraps up the first half of the season before the Christmas break.
The Chargers return home to welcome in the New Year hosting RPI on Dec. 30th and 31st before welcoming long-time rival Bemidji State on Jan. 7th and 8th continuing the series between the two institutions.
Jan. 14th and 15th will see the Chargers take a trek up I-65 to take on Merrimack in the "Music City" at Bridgestone Arena. It marks the first meetings between the Warriors and Chargers since the 1993-94 season. A six-game swing finishes the road portion of the schedule for UAH with a Jan. 21-22 set at WCHA foe Colorado College followed by a Jan. 28-29 series at Nebraska-Omaha. The Chargers then finish the regular season how they began with a pair of contests against Ferris State. This time, on the Bulldog's home ice in Big Rapids, Mich.
UAH wraps up the 2010-11 home slate on Feb. 25-26 hosing the US National Development U-18 Team for a pair of contests at the Von Braun Center.
Season tickets go on sale in September and may be purchased by calling 256-824-6144
HUNTSVILLE,
Ala. - After spending the last two seasons as the top assistant
coach with the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers hockey program, Chris
Luongo has been named the fourth head coach in school history.
"I
am extremely excited about this opportunity and I want to thank Mr.
Harris, and Dr. Williams for entrusting UAH Hockey to me," said
Luongo. "This is something I take very seriously and I am
committed to our student-athletes, The University, and to the
Huntsville community."
A
former NHL defenseman, Lungo joined the Charger program in 2008
following two seasons as assistant coach at Wayne State.
"Chris
has done an excellent job with our student-athletes both on the ice
and in the classroom the past two seasons and there is no doubt in my
mind that he's the right guy for our university to lead the UAH
hockey program," noted UAH Director of Athletics Jim Harris.
An
All-CCHA defensemen at Michigan State under legendary hockey coach
Ron Mason , Luongo was part of the Spartans program from 1985-1989
including MSU's 1986 national championship team. Following his
collegiate career, Luongo, a 5th-round selection by the
Detroit Red Wings in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, played with the
Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL and the Adirondack Red Wings of the
AHL before making his NHL debut in Detroit in the 1990-91 season.
"The
University of Alabama in Huntsville has had a proud tradition of
coaches from Coach Ritch to Coach Ross to Coach Cole and I look
forward to putting my mark on Charger Hockey," remarked Luongo.
"Having been here for two years, I have become well aware of the
amazing support that UAH Hockey receives from the University, the
Alumni, and the Huntsville community and look forward to building on
that support in the coming years."
A
Fraser, Mich., native, Luongo along with his wife Cheryl and two
sons, Anthony and Christopher live in Madison. Luongo replaces
Danton Cole, who resigned in June to take a head coaching position
with USA Hockey.
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 July 2010 )
Cole accepts USA Hockey Post
Written by Antoine Bell
Monday, 21 June 2010
After After three seasons at the helm of the UAH hockey program, Danton Cole
is moving on, accepting the head coaching position for the United States
Hockey National Team Development program.
"An opportunity for me
and my family with U.S.A. Hockey presented itself and as a professional
chance to work in their program it is a great situation for us," said
Cole of his upcoming venture.
"I would first of all like to thank
everyone at UAH for all of their kindness and friendship. Dr. (David)
Williams, Joe Ritch, Jim Harris, all of the coaches and
especially the hockey alumni and boosters have made Huntsville a home
for me and my family."
"The former and current student-athletes
have been like sons to me and I am very proud of how they represent
Charger Hockey. I also could not
ask for better friends and coaches to work with than Chris (Luongo),
John (McCabe), Dennis (Williams), Keith (Rowe) and Tyler (Eaves)."
Cole
assumed the the UAH head coaching post in 2007 following the retirement
of long-time coach Doug Ross. During his tenure, the Chargers had a
record of 23-59-11. In 2009-10 under Cole, UAH opened the season with an
upset win on the road over Notre Dame. The Chargers went on to win
their second College Hockey America tournament title, in the final year
of the conference.
The Chargers earned their second bid to the
NCAA Division I playoffs, giving top seed Miami (OH) a tough battle
before falling 2-1.
"I know that our efforts over the last three
years have left the program in great shape for the future," Cole said.
"I cannot say enough about the Huntsville community and even though we
are leaving, we will always be a part of the program and continue to be
an advocate for the University."
"We
wish Coach Cole and his family well with this new position back home in
Michigan," said UAH Director of Athletics Jim Harris. "Danton has done
an outstanding job advancing our hockey program with excellent
recruiting classes and an upgraded future schedule that includes teams
like Ohio State, Air Force and others in home and home series."
"I've
enjoyed having Danton on my staff and know he will be successful at USA
Hockey."
Last Updated ( Monday, 21 June 2010 )
McCabe named head coach at Finlandia
Written by Jamie Gilliam
Wednesday, 02 June 2010
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Having spent more than a decade as a player and coach as a Charger, Alabama-Huntsville hockey assistant coach John McCabe has been named the head coach for Finlandia University in Hancock, Mich.
“I'm extremely excited about this opportunity,” noted McCabe. “Huntsville is always going to be a special place for me. I can't thank Mr. Harris or Coach Cole enough for the opportunities they've given me. It's thanks to them and a great university and community that I am able to take this next step.
Huntsville first came to know McCabe in 1995 when the tall forward suited up for then coach Doug Ross' squad eventually helping the Chargers to a pair of NCAA Division II national titles. Following a stint in minor-league hockey, McCabe returned to the “Rocket City” as an assistant coach for the “Blue and White”.
"John has been a big part of Charger Hockey for the last 14 years," noted UAH head coach Danton Cole. "From his time here as a student-athlete to his contribution as a coach John has been hard working and loyal to UAH. It is an exciting new chapter in his career and he is ready to take the reins as a head coach. We wish him nothing but the best and even though he will away from us, he will always be a part of the Charger family."
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 June 2010 )
Talbot signs NHL deal with NY Rangers
Written by Jamie Gilliam
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
NEW YORK - On the heels of a record-setting season and leading the Charger hockey team back to the NCAA tournament, Alabama-Huntsville junior netminder Cameron Talbot has signed a free agent contract with the New York Rangers as announced by the organization on Tuesday.
“We are very proud of what Cam has accomplished and this is another step in his achieving his goals", noted UAH head coach Danton Cole. "He has exhibited the traits on and off the ice that we feel are at the heart of Charger Hockey. He will finish his degree and he has put himself in a position to play pro hockey at the NHL level. He helped us to a league championship this year and is our first student-athlete to sign an NHL level deal right out of UAH. It is only the beginning for him and his career.”
Named the MVP of the 2010 College Hockey America Tournament, the Caledonia, Ontario native broke school season records for saves, minutes played and games played by a goalie. Talbot's .925 save percentage this season ranks tied for sixth best among all NCAA Division I goaltenders. He also owns the only two 1-0 shutouts in school history blanking Yale during the 2008-09 season before shutting out Robert Morris last month in the CHA Tournament.
The Chargers finished the season 12-18-3 as CHA Tournament Champions and advanced to the NCAA Midwest Regional falling 2-1 to No. 1 Miami in Ft. Wayne, Ind.
After After three seasons at the helm of the UAH hockey program, Danton Cole
is moving on, accepting the head coaching position for the United States
Hockey National Team Development program.
