Stony Brook Roller Hockey Club Captures First National Championship Since 2007

With the final seconds ticking away, the Stony Brook Roller Hockey Club rushed the rink in celebration. After months of travel, practices and preparation, the team had accomplished something nearly two decades in the making - bringing a national championship back to Stony Brook University.

The Stony Brook Roller Hockey Club defeated Endicott College 7-3 in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Division II National Championship game on April 19, securing the program's first national title since the 2006-07 season.

The championship capped off a historic year for the club, which finished with an overall 22-2-3 record, including a dominant 14-1-1 regular season. Hosted by the NCRHA, the national tournament brought together some of the top collegiate roller hockey programs in the country.

Stony Brook entered nationals as one of the hottest teams in Division II competition. During pool play, the Seawolves went 2-0-1 against Cal Poly, the University of Colorado, and Penn State, earning the No. 1 overall seed in the championship bracket. After a first-round bye, Stony Brook defeated Northeastern 7-3 before edging Illinois State 5-4 in the semifinals to advance to the championship game.

For club president Eli Simons, the title represented far more than wins and losses.

"I never imagined joining a sports club as a freshman would be one of my best decisions," Simons said. "The people I've met, the lifelong friends I've come to know, and everything in between all came from stepping out of my comfort zone to play collegiate roller hockey for Stony Brook."

Founded as a recognized and funded USG organization during the 2005-06 season, the Stony Brook Roller Hockey Club has spent nearly two decades building a competitive program within the NCRHA's Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (ECRHA). The club currently competes in Division II against programs including Northeastern, Penn State, Cal Poly, and Colorado, while also fielding a secondary team in the AA Division.

Throughout the season, players traveled across the East Coast to compete in league tournaments in Rhode Island, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Long Island. Open to students of all backgrounds and skill levels, the club provides opportunities for both experienced hockey players and newcomers to compete in collegiate athletics.

"This team put in the time to do something amazing," Simons said. "Some squads work for just one year toward a goal like this, but you could tell early on that this was not your typical season. We were going to earn every second."

"We are so proud to see the success of the Stony Brook Roller Hockey Club. This demonstrates the significant impact extracurricular activities can have on Stony Brook students," said Associate Director of Recreation and Wellness Thomas Lail. "These students balanced academics, competition, and travel time while representing Stony Brook on a national stage. Recreation and Wellness is proud to support and advise such a passionate and dedicated group of student-athletes."

Senior defenseman and alternate captain Mark Doucet said the championship run became even more meaningful because of the bond shared throughout the team.

"Winning the national championship was honestly an unforgettable experience," Doucet said. "As a graduating senior, it is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I made friends on this team who I know I will be close with for the rest of my life, and that made the championship even more special."

After a disappointing finish in the regional tournament earlier in the postseason, the team regrouped with renewed focus heading into nationals.

"We had our eyes set on nationals, and from that point on, everyone believed we could do something special," Doucet said. "To actually finish the job and bring home a national championship is an incredible feeling, and I could not be more proud of this team."

That confidence was shared throughout the roster. Defenseman Anthony Cassara said the group understood early in the season that it had the potential to make a championship run.

"From the start of the season, it felt like the entire team knew that this team could do something special," Cassara said. "Everyone had their roles and knew what was required of them to go the distance."

The team's performance throughout the tournament also earned national recognition from the NCRHA. Michael Rocco, John Braccia, and Marcus Conti were all named NCRHA Division II All-Tournament First Team selections. Rocco was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Conti earned Most Valuable Goaltender honors.

For Simons, the title was the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief from players across multiple seasons.

"This group had a different kind of energy and heart that's been building for a long time," Simons said. "Winning a national championship is the big, juicy cherry on top, but the journey to get there is worth all of it and more to me."

- Robert Alpi