Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What league do you play in?
Both men’s teams are members 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. The Division 1 team plays in the Northeast Collegiate Hockey League (NECHL) and the Division 2 team plays in the Atlantic Coach Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL) Division 2A conference.
Q: When does the season start?
Tryouts for the Division 1 team are during the last week of August, right after students move in and there usually is a pre-season camp beginning the day after Labor Day. The Division 2 teams will have tryouts in Mid-September, with practices starting the following week. The regular season generally starts with games during the last several weeks of September and runs through the end of February.
Q: How often does the team practice?
Each 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?
The Division 1 team will play between 26 and 30 games, the Division 2 team will play 18-20 games.
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, each team would like to carry about 20-24 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 are between $2,500 and $3,000 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 select 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.