- New Era
- In what will be the team’s social media phrase all season long, the “New Era” of Butler hockey is the start of its first season without its long-time leadership group. With the founders of the organization graduating as seniors last season, the team now goes into next season with only Chad O’Connell as its only senior with a number of Juniors and Sophomores vying for leadership positions on the team. The majority of the leading scorers the last few season have graduated so new players must step up to keep the team trending in the right direction.
- The team also welcomes an entire new coaching staff with Landon Meyers taking over as head coach after former coach Jeff Gazior took his coaching staff to a local Indiana high school. Former captain Eric Gentry will join his staff as an assistant where he will focus on the defensive side of the puck. The team also added a Strength and Conditioning coach Jacqueline Sobotka who will help train the team off the ice.
- First Time Opponents
- As the usual ICHC conference opponents Purdue and IPFW have watched their teams fold, they have been replaced by newcomers, the Miami RedHawks and the Trine Thunder. While Butler played at Miami last year, the two home games with Trine will be the first games ever between the two schools.
- Butler will also travel to play Illinois and Wright State for the first time in the program’s history. The Fighting Illini went 12-13-4 last season at the Division 3 level. The teams will meet on October 19th and 20th. Wright State out of Dayton, Ohio struggled last season with a record of 1-22 but played against some strong teams at the D2 level. The teams will meet on February 1st and 2nd.
- Continuing an Exciting Game Atmosphere
- As the team moves into its fourth year back on Butler’s campus, the team’s relationship has become strengthened with the university and the community around Indianapolis. The team has been working on a number of things to improve its on-campus reputation. Following the massive financial success of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation game against Indiana last year, the team will continue to look for ways to raise money and support Butler sororities and their philanthropies.
- The team has also been diligently working on buying equipment and planning for radio and video broadcasts that will hopefully be streamed on Facebook Live starting this season. The team will also begin to start selling Butler hockey merchandise due to the large desire from fans from all over the country to represent the team.
All in all, Butler hockey is here to stay wants to thank all of its supporters for all they have done to help us become successful.
