ECU Ice Hockey Club WANTS YOU!

About ECU:

Challenging programs, small classes, and personal attention from caring faculty set East Carolina University apart from other institutions of our size. With more than 100 undergraduate degree programs from which to choose, a degree from ECU allows you to combine the essential skills of a liberal arts education with outstanding professional preparation.

Outside of the classroom you will enjoy a campus with a lively arts scene, big-time athletics, top-quality housing, dining, and recreation, and an energetic and engaged student body with terrific spirit.

Get a feel for the East Carolina experience by clicking here. If you would like more information, or would like to arrange a campus tour, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admis@ecu.edu, or call 252-328-6640 to speak directly with an admissions representative.



ECU Ice Hockey, a Tradition of Excellence:

In just two short years the ECU Ice Hockey Club has experienced unbridled growth and has quickly become one of the top four most popular sports on campus. With a roster made up of players from New Jersey to South Florida the level of talent that has come through Greenville has been immense. Graduating only 8 players in the span of two seasons, ECU has been able to develop a solid core of returning players that has translated into great success since the team's inception in 2004. The Pirates have been ranked in the ACHA South Top 10 in eight of the past nine rankings, including all five in 2006-07. The ECU Ice Hockey Club has truly come a long way in a short period of time and is committed to continued growth and even greater success in the future. Below you will find some more information on the finer points of the program:

League Affiliation:

The ECU Ice Hockey Club is a member in good standing of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The ACHA is the non-varsity hockey equivalent of the NCAA and governs all club hockey programs in the U.S. Currently, there are three major divisions within the ACHA - Division I, Division II and Division III. The Pirates are part of the ACHA Division III South Region and play teams from all over the country - including South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia and as far away as Florida. For the 2007-08 season ECU has elected to move from the Blue Ridge Hockey Conference to independent status. This will allow the Pirates to schedule more competitive teams and provide the team with a greater chance of qualifying for Nationals.

Equipment:

Each player is provided with game jerseys, practice jerseys and socks. All items except socks must be returned to the team at the conclusion of the season. Each player is also provided with helmet decals and pant shells which he can keep. All players must have a black helmet and black and white gloves (black with white logos are ideal) by the first game.

Practice Information:

The Pirates practice two to three times per week on-ice and once per week hold off-ice conditioning. Players have full access to the Student Recreation Center in which we hold our off-ice strength and conditioning practices. Tryouts are held the last weekend of August and the first practices take place the first weekend of September (a transfer tryout is offered in January if necessary). Practice schedules are provided to all players at the first team meeting shortly after tryouts.

Game Day:

All games, with the exception of the Regional and National Tournament, are scheduled on the weekend to minimize the amount of school missed by players. All home games and practices are held at Bladez on Ice, located just two miles from campus. For away games the team travels in university provided vans or charter buses.

Dues:

Since ECU provides the team with limited funding, each player must pay dues each semester. Dues can also be paid in full in the fall. The cost of dues fluctuates each year based on the financial need of the club; but as an example, last season's dues were $600 total, which makes playing for ECU very affordable. Players are also strongly encouraged to seek out sponsorships which may help to reduce or alleviate that individual's dues.

Contact:

We hope that the above information has been helpful to you. We feel that ECU provides a great environment to not only obtain a great education but also take your hockey career to the next level. Prospective players that wish to meet with members of the coaching staff while in Greenville should contact our Director of Hockey Operations, Wayne Cox. Should you need any further information please feel free to contact us at ecuicehockey@yahoo.com, or any other member of our staff on our Contact page.

Quick Facts:

  • In first two seasons of existence the team has compiled an overall record of 30-14-0-1
  • Overall conference record after two seasons in the BRHC of 23-5
  • ACHA DIII South top 10 rankings: 9 (out of 10 ranking periods)
  • Regional Tournament qualifier 2007
  • Average season attendance: approximately 400
  • Live play-by-play provided by PirateRadio 1250AM for seven home games
  • Booster Club founded by Terry Fleitz, membership totals over 125
  • 4 players named to All-BRHC Teams (2 first team, 2 second team)
  • Most highly publicized club sport at ECU