Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What league do you play in?
TCNJ competes at the Division 1 level of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). The ACHA is the governing body for all non-varsity competitive college ice hockey programs in the United States. TCNJ is also a member of the Northeast Collegiate Hockey League (NECHL).
* For more information on the NECHL, click here.
Q: When does the season start?
The TCNJ season begins with a pre-season camp beginning the day after Labor Day each September. The regular season generally starts with games during the last several weeks of September and runs through the end of February, with about four to five weeks off for winter break. NECHL playoffs are usually held during the last weekend of February while the ACHA National Tournament is held around the middle of March.
Q: How often does the team practice?
The team practices on the ice twice a week. Additionally, our players can use TCNJ facilities for their own off-ice conditioning program. TCNJ practices and plays home games at TSAI Athletic Center at The Lawrenceville School which is located less than five miles from TCNJ’s campus.
Q: How many games do you play?
A typical season will see TCNJ play between 26 and 30 games. Approximately 12 games are NECHL league match-ups, we play our non-league games against other ACHA D1 teams in the region.
Q: Do you recruit?
Yes, we do! The coaching staff actively recruits qualified student-athletes from throughout the NJ/NY/PA area and from further afield. We are always looking for skilled players who fit our team concept and TCNJ’s academic profile. Typical prospects are those students who are at the end of their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year in high school. We also recruit players from two-year institutions who wish to transfer to a four-year college. Students wishing to be accepted to TCNJ should be in the top 20% of their graduating class and score a 1200+ on the SAT (critical reading and math combined) and have a 3.50 GPA or better. Each student is different and admissions requirements may differ from year-to-year based on a number of factors.
Q: Does The College of New Jersey give scholarships for ice hockey?
No, but students who qualify based upon financial need or by virtue of academic excellence may be eligible for financial assistance in the way of loans, grants, or academic scholarships. In fact, no athletes from TCNJ receive athletic scholarships since our varsity athletic teams compete at the NCAA D-III level.
Q: What are my chances of making the team?
The answer largely depends upon the number of players that try out for the team. Ideally, the coaching staff would like to carry about 25-27 players, but that can also change from year to year.
Q: Where do your players come from and what is their previous playing experience?
Generally, our players come from New Jersey as TCNJ is a state college. In the past, we have had players from throughout the region. Our players have played previously at prep schools, public and parochial high schools, junior and travel programs.
Q: Does it cost money to play?
Yes, as all programs do at our level. Players and their families fund a large part of the program through dues, much like youth travel hockey clubs. The team dues for the 2021-22 season were $2,195 per player but ultimately depend on the number of active players. The college does fund a portion of the program through TCNJ’s Club Sports Department and its Student Finance Board; however the individual players must make up the difference through individual member dues, team fundraising, and donations.
Q: What does my dues fee include?
The fee covers all practice and game ice times, game officials, and transportation to and from away games. Game jerseys, team equipment bags, custom team pants, and team warm-up suits will be provided but need to be paid for by all new incoming players covered by a one-time fee. Players are required to provide their own skates, protective equipment and sticks. All players are also required to provide their own navy blue helmet.
Q: How does the team travel to practices and games?
The team travels to games in chartered coach buses with deluxe seats, bathrooms, TVs, DVD players, and equipment storage compartments. Since travel to practices is done by private vehicles, and is only 4 miles from campus, our players carpool to practices and home games. For slected away games that are close to TCNJ buses are not provided to save money on the budget, as buses are expensive, and the players are asked to carpool to those games.
Q: Can I come see a game or a practice?
Absolutely! We encourage all prospective student-athletes to attend our games. Simply let us know of your interest and we will arrange to meet you before a game. During that visit, prospective players and their parents will be invited to meet with the coaching staff and the team’s captains. If you wish to come to a practice, please call the Head Coach and set up a convenient time.