As the inaugural season of varsity ice hockey at KSC draws to a close, both the men’s and women’s teams have impressed with their tenacity, flashy attacks and outstanding potential to grow into winning programs in the future.
The season was historic for Keene State, with the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams embarking on their first official season as varsity programs. Transitioning from a club sport to varsity was no small feat, and both teams rose to the occasion. They faced challenges including adjusting to the new level of competition and building team chemistry with the addition of many new players.
For the men’s program, seven players from the KSC club ice hockey team transitioned to the varsity squad, with fifth-year goaltender Will Slohm serving as a key veteran. Slohm, who said he enjoyed his time with the club team, expressed excitement about being part of the foundation for the varsity program.
“I definitely look at my highlights as my time with the club, but it’s really cool to be able to see this team at the ground level,” Slohm said. “I know what they’re going to be able to do, and it’s so cool to see that.”
Another key figure in the transition to varsity was Head Coach Bobby Rodrigue, who had led the club team for nearly two decades before taking on the role of head coach for the varsity program in October 2023. According to junior defenseman Jason Smith, Rodrigue’s leadership was crucial to the program’s early success.
“Coach did a really good job with recruiting and bringing in guys who were impact players for us,” Smith said. “Every person he brought in was a leader on their junior team, and that made an impact right away.”
Smith also spoke about the team chemistry Rodrigue fostered.
“From day one, everyone was on the same page. There wasn’t an awkward period like you might expect with a lot of new guys. Everyone was excited to be here, and that made it awesome,” Smith said.
In their first season, the Owls posted an impressive 13-10-1 record, finishing the season on a six-game win streak. Smith noted that they felt they could have performed even better.
“Honestly, looking at our schedule before the year, I think we thought we were going to do better than we did,” Smith said. “I think we had three really tough games, and we thought the rest were winnable games. Dropping a couple here and there, we kind of shot ourselves in the foot in a lot of those games.”
Looking ahead, Rodrigue said he plans to continue focusing on strong recruitment and player development to compete not only within the Little East Conference but also making waves on the national stage.
“We expect to be a contender in the Little East and hopefully become a more significant player on the national scene,” Rodrigue said.
Rodrigue credited the appeal of KSC as a significant factor in their success, making the recruiting pitch that much easier.
“We’ve been able to sell the fact that Keene State College is a high-value school with a great community, a beautiful campus, a nice downtown, and we’re building a solid team culture,” Rodrigue said. “They need to know what they’re getting into. They need to know they’re going to be the start of something.”
The men’s ice hockey team will be eager to impress again in year two.
The women’s ice hockey team also had a remarkable first season as a varsity program. Much like their male counterparts, the women faced the challenges of transitioning from a club sport to a varsity competition. They had to adjust to a higher level of play, build team chemistry and establish themselves in a league filled with tough competition.
The first step in their journey was the hiring of Head Coach Rob Morgan. With experience as an associate and assistant coach at Ivy League programs like Dartmouth and Yale as well as head coaching experience at the University of Long Island, Morgan brought knowledge that guided the Owls through their transition to varsity hockey.
First-year forward Brianna Finke, who had a standout debut season with 12 goals and 14 assists, credited Morgan for helping her elevate her game.
“He’s a great coach,” Finke said. “He knows so much, and I was really privileged to be coached by someone like him. I’ve learned so much.”
Much like the men’s team, the women’s squad far exceeded expectations, finishing with a 13-12 overall record. The Owls earned several key victories over tough opponents, which not only boosted their confidence but also proved they belonged in the varsity ranks.
In addition to Finke, several other players played pivotal roles during the season.
Senior defender and Captain Haylee Owen emerged as one of the team’s standout leaders, providing stability on the blue line and guiding her teammates in the locker room. Owen said she was particularly impressed by the team’s growth throughout the season.
“One big thing that developed was the love for the game,” Owen said. “At first, it was kind of hit or miss with everybody. It felt like we weren’t all in it, but by the end, everyone was fully invested. Now, it’s all about winning, and we embraced the bumps and bruises that came along the way.”
Owen, a transfer from Johnson & Wales University, found her involvement in Keene State’s inaugural season especially meaningful.
“It’s exciting, it’s nerve-wracking and there’s a lot behind it,” Owen said. “It makes me feel pretty special to be a part of something like this and to help build it from the ground up.”
One theme throughout the season for the Owls was their ability to stay in close games. One of the season’s most memorable moments came in a 3-2 overtime victory over rival Plymouth State. Finke and Owen were both key players in the game, with Owen netting once and Finke scoring twice, including the game-winning goal.
The Owls were strong at home throughout the season, going 8-4 at Keene ICE. On average, they drew over 230 fans, creating an energetic and loud atmosphere at home, something that Finke appreciated.
“The community support was unreal,” Finke said. “We’re really grateful for everyone that came out and watched us.”
The Owls will look to continue drawing fans next year as they aim to build on their start. One significant change for the team will be their introduction into the LEC, which will begin play in the 2025-2026 season. The conference will include Vermont State University Castleton, Plymouth State, Norwich University, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Southern Maine and New England College. The goal for the Owls will be to dominate their conference and pursue larger aspirations at the national level.
“By the time I’m a senior, I think we could be LEC champs because of how close we are as a team and how hard we work on and off the ice,” Finke said. “We have great coaching, and we’re going to learn so much from [Morgan]. We’re going to be unstoppable, I feel it.”
With one full varsity season under their belts and coaching that will help propel them to the next level, the KSC Women’s Ice Hockey team is well on its way to success. They will be eager to show what they are capable of when the next season begins.
Elías Stowell Alemán can be contacted at
estowellaleman@kscequinox.com
