After moving to a new division following a three-win season, the Springfield College men’s ice hockey team found that a fresh start was exactly what they needed to turn things around.
Formed through a similar passion instead of being built by hand, the men’s ice hockey team works tirelessly every day to compete at the highest level they can, even through the many ups and downs.
In a club hockey landscape where recruiting has taken over the sport, multiple teams across the country have landed former NCAA Division I and top-tier junior hockey players. The team doesn’t necessarily concern itself with convincing players to participate. Instead, they want student athletes who are committed to the program, embrace the team culture, and share a desire to grow together rather than simply bringing individual talent to the ice.
Questioning the commitment of these athletes would be a mistake, as while other students are either fast asleep or catching up on some homework, the ice hockey team is eager to hit the ice for practice. 9:50 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10:10 p.m. on Thursdays is hard to get used to at the start, but once the season is in full swing, it becomes second nature.
“It was definitely difficult at first,” captain Preston Cloutier said. “But when we all get on the ice, it doesn’t feel like bedtime at all. Everyone brings the energy, which is key to us getting better as a team.”
Cloutier, along with captain Cooper Beckwith and assistant captains Thomas Czarkosky and Ian McCormick, have shaped a phenomenal leadership group inside the locker room, with every player being encouraged to be their authentic selves.
“I was welcomed with open arms,” freshman forward Jackson Leider said. “It was a bit nerve-wracking at first, like how anyone would feel joining a new team, but those feelings quickly went away once I got to know all the guys. We have a great group.”
The team’s mantra has always been built around hard work and determination. They may face opponents who are faster or stronger, but they pride themselves on knowing that no team will outwork them. With team lifts twice a week and film sessions before Tuesday practices, the Pride’s commitment is evident both on and off the ice.
“Hard work is the most important thing,” Cloutier said. “Not only does it lead to success on the ice, but when we know everyone is giving their all, it brings the team closer together as well. The hard work we put in during the week is going to pay off when we play in our games.”
The hard work ended up paying off in the 2026 season, which saw the team qualify for the national championship tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. Not only did they qualify, they made it to the quarterfinals with two huge wins against higher-ranked opponents Buffalo State and High Point University.
Just a year after winning only three games all season, a league switch from the ACHA into the AAU saw the Pride soaring on an upward trajectory into the top eight in the entire country for their division. Third-year head coach Tim Pfau, who has been with the team through both the good and the bad, couldn’t be more impressed with how his team handled the pressure.
“We went in there and played hockey the way we know how,” said Pfau. “Hockey never left their mind. You have all these college kids in Jacksonville for a week and even then, hockey stayed the number one focus.”
Even after a loss in the quarterfinals, the blueprint for success had been laid down. A true example of what both self-belief and trust in those around you can do for a group of hockey players.
“I told the guys after that loss, ‘no one knew who Springfield College was, and now they do,’” said Pfau. “We’re going to be on other teams’ radar this year. It’s exactly what we’ve worked so hard to accomplish.
The trip to Jacksonville wasn’t the only experience that brought the team closer. An overnight trip to the University of Maine gave players and coaches more time together. These trips helped build the chemistry that carries over onto the ice.
“It’s refreshing to be on a team where everyone actually likes each other,” Cloutier said. “I’ve been on many teams where one or two guys ruin it for the whole team, and this team is night and day compared to those.”
The upcoming season brings some scenery changes for the Pride. The team began practicing and playing its home games at a new rink, Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, Mass. For many players, however, the rink is anything but unfamiliar. A large number of the team began its hockey journeys and grew up competing at The Lymp. The change provides a new environment for the players to compete and continue building on last season’s success. While the location may be different, the expectations and standards within the program remain the same.
“It’s a huge step up,” Cloutier said. “A lot of guys including myself grew up playing in this rink. It’s nice to play in a place so familiar, a home away from home.”
The Pride have gotten off to a shaky start this season, but their confidence has remained steady. The team understands what is expected of them and knows that the message never changes regardless of the results on the ice. Hard work and dedication continue to lead the charge, and everyone involved is expected to buy into that mindset. As the season moves forward, the Pride will look to rely on those same principles to put themselves in a position to punch another ticket to Jacksonville, this time with the goal of coming home to Springfield on top.