Luke Mason/SPPSRick Onorato, right, takes the face off for Virginia Tech's club hockey team. The Hokies have posted a 3-1 record thus far, scoring aplenty to clobber their past three opponents by a combined score of 29-5.
"Coming onto the ice with all the fans cheering," said goalie Jon Allen, "really gets my adrenaline pumping."
The team was formed in 1984, making it 24 years old. The school gave the team $500 to get started, and it still exists today.
The team has seen more and more support over the years and has grown into one of the most formidable in the division. A ton of potential and a bright future is what this team is all about.
It plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference Hockey League along with teams including UVa, UNC, Duke, Georgetown, N.C. State, and George Mason. The ACCHL is a Division II member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, separate from the NCAA.
This year's Hokie team has an abundance of youth, with more than half of the squad composed of freshmen and sophomores. Yet it also receives strong veteran leadership from Pope, the senior captain, and fellow senior Allen.
"We expect a lot this season. First and foremost, is to win the ACC Championship. We hope to earn a regional bid (they have to be ranked in the top 10 in the Southeast division) which we have never done," Pope said.
Tech has already gotten off to a 3-1 start, with the latest victory over Liberty, another D-II opponent, on Oct. 3. That win avenged the Hokies' only loss of the season, when they fell to Liberty on Sept. 20.
Since that first loss, the Hokies have outscored their opponents 29-5 in the three following games. One of those games was a 19-2 demolition of VCU.
"This year, we have the most talented team, probably ever at Virginia Tech, and our toughest strength of schedule," Pope said. "If we come together as a team, we can (go to regionals)."
The Hokies' next game is against ACHA D-I opponent Maryland. The game, being held Oct. 17 in Maryland, should be a real barometer of just how good the Hokies are. If they come out on top, it will send a message to the ACCHL and the whole ACHA about who Tech really is.
A victory over Maryland and a successful season could bring up hopes for the team to be shifted to D-I.
"I think we have a really good team this year with a lot of potential, but I think we are a few years away from being able to upgrade to D-I," Allen said. "However, with all the support and exposure we have been getting, I expect that the program will continue to grow into a competitive D-I team."
As for the players, neither Pope nor Allen has intentions on playing hockey at another level.
"If the opportunity were to present itself, I would definitely consider it, but for now, I am taking in every moment I have here with the Hokies," Allen said.
The next "home" game is against Old Dominion University on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m., at the Roanoke Civic Center.
You might be interested in... club sports, jimmy pope, ice hockey
