Powerhouse Cal men’s ACHA team making noise in college hockey circles; NCAA D-I next?
Putting together weekend winning streaks is nothing new this season for the Cal men’s hockey team.
In fact, the Golden Bears have won 21 games in a row this season and have an eye on the ACHA Division 2 national tournament. The Berkeley-based club has already clinched the top spot for the PAC-8 playoffs taking place Feb. 7-9.
Ask Cal players and staff, though, and all the success in 2024-25 is the result of dynamic team chemistry and hard work, both on and off the ice.
“This has been the strongest team that I have been a part of in my three years at Cal,” said Golden Bears captain Tyson Storr. “Besides our undefeated record, the depth of our program and ability to battle adversity has been one of our greatest successes. At a certain point in the first semester, we had over six of our starting players out due to injury or illness. Our newer players were able to step into those roles seamlessly allowing our team to continue having success on the ice.
“I think the team’s bond has certainly contributed to our success. Everyone is highly driven on and off the ice, which creates a certain level of respect in the locker room. Our team is also very diverse across all majors and backgrounds as we have players playing for national teams such as Hong Kong and Brazil. One of the best parts of being on this team has always been getting to know the guys and bonding on the team road trips.”
Cal head coach Devin Cox noted that it may appear that the winning has come easy, but he explained how it’s been quite the opposite.
“This team has faced a lot of adversity through various injuries and absences from key players yet continues to find ways to win,” Cox said. “Different players have stepped up in clutch moments every step of the way. The guys are having fun, and everyone has bought into the game plan as well as their individual roles within the context of the team. The best part is that even with our current record, the pace and competitive level of practices has stayed at a high level. These guys want to win it all, don’t get obsessed with personal stats, and are just as good a team off the ice as they are on it.”
While the players play as a team on the ice, the team also gels and bonds away from the Oakland Ice Center.
“What I love most about this team is how much everyone cares about what we’re building together,” said top scoring rookie forward Kodai Mizuno. “The players are not only talented but also heavily invested in making this season successful. We’ve got the chemistry and skill to make this season really special. A lot of my closest friends are on this team, and the atmosphere we’ve built is incredible. Everyone brings great energy and unique personalities, which makes it so much fun to be part of this group. The bond we’ve built off the ice definitely shows in how we play together on the ice and staying undefeated so far really shows how special this team is.
“This team has also made my transition to college life so much smoother. Coming in after junior hockey was intimidating, and I was definitely nervous at first, but they made it easy to adjust. They’ve not only supported me athletically but also helped me navigate academically, offering advice and guidance whenever I needed it. My teammates have been a huge part of making my first semester in college such a great experience.”
Golden Bears goalie Aidan Comeau added that there is a certain brotherhood with the players on the roster this season.
“The guys have been playing well as a team and having each other’s back,” Comeau said. “We also have amazing support from our crowd. We’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing and keep the wheels rolling.
“I love how close the team is and the commitment we have to each other. Our bond is as close as I’ve seen a hockey team and the culture we’ve built among our group strengthens that.”
Earlier this season, Cal and Stanford faced off in the annual “Big Freeze” game in Oakland, defeating the Cardinals 17-5 on Nov. 15.
“One of the moments that made me realize I made the right choice coming here was playing in the ‘Big Freeze’ against Stanford,” Mizuno said. “Having the school band at the rink and playing in front of hundreds of fans was something I’d never experienced before. It was unforgettable and so much fun and in that moment, I knew I made the right decision to come to Berkeley.”
Cox added that the wins have been great, but he feels the team has more to give once the season starts back up Jan. 25 for the “Battle of the Bay” game against San Jose State at the Oakland Ice Center.
“This team hasn’t seen its own ceiling during any game this season,” said Cox. “They have all the right pieces – high-end talent, consistent secondary scoring, and strong two-way play up and down the lineup. Combine that with excellent goaltending, and this team is capable of winning the PAC-8 and more. We’re taking things one step at a time, but our group can skate with anybody in the league and intends to do damage at regionals and potentially even make a run to the national championship playoffs at the end of the season.”
With marked success and making an impact in the community as well, the Golden Bears can potentially grow to levels not seen since the team was an NCAA Division I squad from 1928-49.
“Being a hockey team in Northern California, winning matters when it comes to gaining attention and spreading influence,” Cox said. “This is true even at the NHL level with the San Jose Sharks. Having the success we have seen this season has certainly spread waves in the local hockey community, especially with the Oakland Bears youth organization that we are closely intertwined with. Our goal is to continue showing that talented players in the Bay Area can stay in California and play high level, competitive hockey, rather than be forced to leave to find success.
“If we can string together enough seasons of consistent winning, we hope we can spark conversations of elevating Cal to an NCAA D-I hockey program and follow the footsteps of fellow West Coast school Arizona State to become a national powerhouse. If that were to happen, the impact on the growth of hockey in California would be incredible to watch.”
Photo/Spencer Lee
— Matt Mackinder
(January 16, 2025)