Emily Orsini, Sports Editor–
Denison University prides itself on its athletic teams and the successes they’ve experienced over the years.
From NCAC championships to NCAA tournament bids, Denison Athletics is well decorated throughout all the athletic programs on campus. This doesn’t just apply to varsity athletics however— Denison is known for its competitive club sports teams, including the men’s hockey team.
The team is making history this year, where they earned the ACCHL Mid-Atlantic Division Championship with a 12-2-0 conference record. Head coach Jeff German attributed the team’s success not just to their physical performance, but also to their team chemistry.
“It has been everything,” German said. “This team genuinely enjoys being around each other, and that bond translates onto the ice. As the season has progressed, that culture has only strengthened—there’s a collective understanding that no one is bigger than the team, and that’s been a key factor in our success.”
Thanks to their conference success, the Big Red are headed into the ACCHL Tournament in Winston-Salem, NC as the No. 3 seed as well as a ticket to the AAU National Championships in Jacksonville, Florida. With successes as significant as these, it’s easy to let it get to a program’s head. For German, however, one of the team’s strengths has been being able to separate their achievements from what their goals are.
“Every season presents challenges, whether it’s injuries, tough losses, or the grind of a long schedule. The biggest challenge has been staying level-headed and not letting highs get too high or lows get too low,” German said. “We’ve overcome that by sticking to our identity—playing our game, staying disciplined, and trusting the process.”
In addition to the success in the rink, the Big Red also had a program-high five athletes— Seth Kaplan ‘26, Thomas Raith ‘25, Thomas Kreske ‘26, Preston Fist ‘25, and Cam Geary ‘27— represented Denison in Austria to compete in a European hockey challenge as members of the ACCHL All-Star Team. Their efforts contributed to the team’s 2-2 record, which continues to represent what German finds to be the core of this team: hard work.
“This group never stops competing, never stops pushing, and never backs down from a challenge. Whether we’re up or down, they play with the same intensity, and that’s what makes them special,” German said.
After the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, the team plans to compete in the Tri-State Collegiate Hockey League (TSCHL) for the 2025-26 season against club teams such as Ohio State, Miami University, and the University of Michigan. Seven of the last 10 National Champions emerged from this league, providing a bright future for the Big Red.
“This is a tremendous honor for our program,” German said. “The TSCHL represents the best in collegiate hockey, and we are excited to rise to the challenge. Our success this season has set the stage for what’s next, and we are confident in our ability to compete at the highest level.”
When asked to describe the hockey team in one word, German gave a precise and accurate term that truly describes the culture and spirit that this team possesses.
“Relentless. This group never stops competing, never stops pushing, and never backs down from a challenge. Whether we’re up or down, they play with the same intensity, and that’s what makes them special,” German said.
With the success this team has experienced in the past year, the ceiling for Denison’s ice hockey team is only getting higher. The Big Red will compete against Indiana University on Feb. 7 and 8 before going on the road to the ACCHL playoffs on Feb 14 and 15, and then to the ACHA Division 2 Southeast Regional Playoffs on Feb 27, 28, and March 1.
