The Keene State Men’s Club Hockey team’s season has been going on for a little while now. Playing in a very tough NorthEast Collegiate Hockey Association division, the Owls sit at 3-7 on the year as they enter the holiday season. Finishing up their last game of the 2025 year, defeating Merrimack College 5-4, the Owls look to build off their momentum in the New Year.
Senior forward and President of the team, Griffin Melanson, has played all four seasons with the Owls club team. Griffin spoke about their current team and how they have a good culture around the locker room.
“I would say we had some higher expectations going into this year, we were looking to build it in a positive direction from last year, culture-wise I think we’re doing a good job of that,” said Melanson. “We show flashes of brilliance and then sometimes we have like our lapses, so right now it’s just putting together a full 60 minutes and a complete game.”
Defeating Merrimack is definitely a good start and a game the Owls can use to turn the ship around, according to Melanson.
Griffin’s younger brother, sophomore goalie Kolin Melanson, is also on the Owls team. Griffin and Kolin played high school hockey together for two years, and that trend got to continue once Kolin also chose to attend Keene State. Kolin Melanson spoke on what it has meant to him to play with his brother for his last few years of hockey.
“You know, being able to play hockey at the next level with my brother has honestly been a dream come true. We grew up in a super small community where hockey was everything. I have always kind of flown under his wing and listened to what he’s had to say,” said Kolin Melanson. “He’s had all the experience and the knowledge and has always set me on the right path.”
The Owls will look to build consistency, and sophomore forward Will Despres spoke about how the team needs to find that 60-minute consistency.
“The big thing we need now is consistency, getting hot and stacking wins. Now that we’re going on Christmas break, we’re gonna get a good chance to reset and recharge. We have a great feeling around this group and can’t wait to get back out there for the second half of the season,” said Despres.
The Owls said they will need to have each other’s backs and feel they have a lot more left in the tank to finish out their 2025-2026 season strong.
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