Dartmouth
The world of hockey is always evolving, with new teams rising to the top and established teams vying to maintain their dominance. In the world of professional sports, it is not uncommon for up-and-coming teams to make a name for themselves, but it takes something truly special for a team to establish a dynasty. That is exactly what the Dartmouth College men’s hockey team has done in recent years. With back-to-back NCAA appearances and a string of impressive victories, Dartmouth has firmly solidified its place as a dynasty in the making.
Founded in 1886, Dartmouth College is a prestigious Ivy League institution located in Hanover, New Hampshire. The college’s athletic program, known as the Dartmouth Big Green, has a rich history of success in various sports, but it is the men’s hockey team that has recently caught the attention of the sports world. Led by head coach Bob Gaudet, the Big Green has become a force to be reckoned with in the fiercely competitive world of college hockey.
The Rise to Prominence
The journey to becoming a dynasty is not an easy one, and for the Dartmouth men’s hockey team, it was no different. The team had its fair share of struggles in the early 2000s, failing to qualify for the NCAA tournament for 17 consecutive seasons. However, things started to turn around in the 2013-2014 season when the Big Green finished with a record of 9-4-2 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and secured a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time in nearly two decades.
The following season, Dartmouth continued to build on their success, finishing with an impressive 8-4-5 record in the ECAC. This secured them a spot in the NCAA tournament yet again, where they advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual champions, the University of North Dakota. This back-to-back appearance in the NCAA tournament was a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication, but it was only the beginning of their journey towards becoming a dynasty.
Dominating the Competition
The 2015-2016 season was a historic one for the Dartmouth men’s hockey team, as they dominated the competition, finishing with a record of 18-16-1 overall and 12-10-0 in the ECAC. This was their first winning season since 2003-2004, and they were crowned the Ivy League champions for the first time in 30 years. But that was not all, as the team secured its third straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, another first for the program.
The Big Green continued their impressive streak in the 2016-2017 season, finishing with a record of 15-16-4 overall and 11-9-2 in the ECAC. This was their fourth straight season with a winning record, a feat that had not been achieved in over 35 years. And to top it all off, the team won their second consecutive Ivy League championship and secured their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. While the team was ultimately eliminated in the first round, it was clear that Dartmouth was now a force to be reckoned with in the world of college hockey.
Building a Dynasty
So what is it about the Dartmouth men’s hockey team that has allowed them to achieve such success in recent years? One factor is undoubtedly their strong coaching staff, led by Bob Gaudet. With over 30 years of coaching experience, Gaudet has been at the helm of the Big Green for over 21 years and has played a significant role in building the team into a powerhouse. He has been able to recruit top-tier players and instill a winning mentality in his team, which has undoubtedly contributed to their success.
In addition to exceptional coaching, another key aspect of Dartmouth’s success has been their strong team culture. The team is known for its close-knit, family-like atmosphere, where players support one another and push each other to be the best they can be. This camaraderie and dedication to the team has undoubtedly played a vital role in their journey towards establishing a dynasty.
Looking to the Future
As Dartmouth’s success continues to grow, one can only wonder what the future holds for this rising team. With a strong coaching staff, a dedicated team culture, and a string of impressive victories, the Big Green is poised to continue their dominance in college hockey. And with young, talented players joining the team every year, it is safe to say that Dartmouth has not yet reached its peak. The future looks bright for this up-and-coming dynasty, and it will be exciting to see where their journey leads them in the years to come.
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