2024–25 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season

The 2024–25 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season was the 77th season of play for the program, the 27th at the Division I level and 1st in the Atlantic Hockey America conference. The Yellow Jackets represented American International College, played their home games at MassMutual Center and were coached by Eric Lang in his 9th season.

2024–25 American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey season
Conference8th AHA
Home iceMassMutual Center
Rankings
USCHONR
USA HockeyNR
Record
Overall13–23–2
Conference9–16–1
Home6–8–0
Road6–15–2
Neutral1–0–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachEric Lang
Assistant coachesMatthew Woodward
Brendan Riley
Nielsson Arcibal
Captain(s)Casey McDonald
Evan Stella
American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey seasons
« 2023–24 2025–26 »

Season

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At the start of the season, seemingly the biggest issue the program had to figuring out who would be the team's starting goaltender. While neither Chase Clark nor Peyton Grainer seemed able to take hold of the reins through the first month of the season, the difficult schedule the team had to content with was at least partly to blame. AIC was able to win just twice in its first nine games but most of their opponents during that stretch would end the season as nationally ranked teams.[1] Despite their poor record, the team had high hopes for their prospects in conference play but the program was able to receive some of the worst news imaginable.

In mid-November, American International College announced that it would be reclassifying its ice hockey team as a Division II program for the following year.[2] The Yellow Jackets were a D-II school for most of their teams; however, the school had taken advantage of an NCAA rule that allowed them to promote one sport to a higher tier, similar to the RIT Tigers and Clarkson Golden Knights. AIC has had some of the lowest attendance numbers in college hockey, routinely drawing fewer than 500 people in a building that could seat more than 6,800.[3] American International's primary conference, Northeast-10, is the only league that sponsors Division II ice hockey, so the immediate expectation is that the Yellow Jackets will join that conference as soon as possible.

The announcement was a gut-punch to the team who had to continue knowing that many players were spending their final months at the school. Unsurprisingly, the team had to fight through inconsistent play as they finished off the first half of its season, however, AIC ended up in a very unfortunate position at the beginning of December. After dropping the first game of the weekend to Holy Cross, the Yellow Jackets were forced to cancel the rematch when all three of the team's goaltenders were unable to compete due to injury.[4] While the initial plan was to just have the game not played, eventually it was rescheduled for the end of the regular season. Fortunately, the team was set to go on the winter break immediately after the match so no other games were impacted.

Not much changed for the club when they began the second half. Both the offense and defense had good and bad moments but only occasionally were they able to align to provide the team with a win. Clark ended up commanding the bulk of the minutes in goal but still gave way to Grainer or Adam Manji from time to time. AIC played poorly to end the campaign but did earn just enough points in the standings to merit a home game in the first round of the conference playoff. However, as if to add insult to injury, the team was unable to use the MassMutual Center and were forced to borrow the Tate Rink from Army. The slight seemed to wake the team up and the Yellow Jackets fought hard in their final D-I postseason run. The team Clark starred in the neutral site match against RIT, making 31 saves and forced overtime. While the Tigers collected the first four shots in the extra session, team captain Casey McDonald extended the program's season with just his second goal of the year.[5]

The reward for the victory was a quarterfinal showdown with Holy Cross, the regular season champion. AIC showed no fear against the Crusaders and built a 3–0 lead in the through the first two periods. Holy Cross managed to get two goals past Clark in the third but the Yellow Jackets were able to carry the day. The rematch began with CHC scoring twice on special teams before American International replied with two markers to tie the match. A goal by the home team late in the third proved to be the game-winner and evened the series at 1-all. In the rubber match, AIC had to come from behind on three separate occasions, using the power-play to their advantage twice. The final time, Lauri Sertti scored his first of the year with just 35 seconds left in regulation. At the time, Clark was on the bench to give the club a 6-on-4 opportunity. Despite the huge boost to the team's morale, they were unable to carry any momentum into overtime and the first shot eluded Clark.[6] The loss ended the team's season as well as their time at the top level of college hockey.

Departures

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Player Position Nationality Cause
Alexandros AslanidisGoaltender United StatesGraduate transfer to Lindenwood
Brett CallahanDefenseman United StatesGraduation (retired)
Grayson DietrichForward United StatesTransferred to Niagara
Cole HudsonGoaltender United StatesTransferred to Brockport State
Julius JanhonenForward FinlandGraduation (signed with HPK)
Logan JenuwineForward United StatesGraduation (retired)
Brian KramerDefenseman United StatesGraduate transfer to Western Michigan
Darwin LakodukForward CanadaGraduation (retired)
Tomi LeppänenDefenseman FinlandSigned professional contract (Iisalmen Peli-Karhut)
Austen LongForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Fayetteville Marksmen)
Dustin ManzForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Wheeling Nailers)
Akseli PennanenForward FinlandSigned professional contract (TUTO Hockey)
Matthew RickardDefenseman United StatesGraduate transfer to Alaska
Jake SacratiniForward United StatesTransferred to Plattsburgh State
Casper SöderlingDefenseman SwedenTransferred to Curry
Nico SomervilleDefenseman CanadaGraduation (signed with Wichita Thunder)
Nils WallströmGoaltender SwedenTransferred to Merrimack
Blake WellsForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Utah Grizzlies)

Recruiting

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Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Brett BamberDefenseman Canada23St. Albert, AB; transfer from Alaska Anchorage
Chase ClarkGoaltender United States22Williamsville, NY; transfer from Sacred Heart; drafted 183rd overall in 2021
Blake DangosDefenseman United States22St. Louis, MO; transfer from Sacred Heart
Wilhelm ForsbergForward Sweden20Sollentuna, SWE
Tobias Bjercke LarsenDefenseman Norway20Oslo, NOR
Adam ManjiGoaltender Canada21New Westminster, BC
Justin MexicoForward United States20Madison Heights, MI
David PosmaDefenseman United States21Pomona, NY
Tyler ProciousDefenseman United States21Pittsford, NY
Noah SerdachnyForward Canada21Edmonton, AB; transfer from Colorado College
Nikolai TishkevichForward Belarus20Minsk, BLR
Nicky WallaceDefenseman United States21Atlantic Highlands, NJ; transfer from Quinnipiac
Danny WeightForward Canada23Edmonton, AB; graduate transfer from Colorado College
Tanner WillickDefenseman Canada20Saskatoon, SK

Roster

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As of July 29, 2024.[7]

No. Nat. Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Canada Adam Manji Freshman G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2003-07-10 New Westminster, British Columbia Coquitlam Express (BCHL)
2 United States Tyler Procious Freshman D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2003-05-29 Pittsford, New York Rochester Jr. Americans (NAHL)
3 Canada Tanner Willick Freshman D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 157 lb (71 kg) 2003-12-20 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Blackfalds Bulldogs (BCHL)
4 United States Blake Dangos Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-04-08 St. Louis, Missouri Sacred Heart (AHA)
6 Norway Tobias Bjercke Larsen Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 2004-08-27 Oslo, Norway Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
7 United States Danny Weight Graduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-05-01 Lattingtown, New York Colorado College (NCHC)
8 Canada Brett Bamber Junior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-11-07 St. Albert, Alberta Alaska Anchorage (NCAA)
9 United States Hunter Longhi Sophomore F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-04-02 Collinsville, Illinois Minot Minotauros (NAHL)
10 Belarus Nikolai Tishkevich Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-01-09 Minsk, Belarus Aberdeen Wings (NAHL)
11 United States Justin Mexico Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2003-12-05 Madison Heights, Michigan Lincoln Stars (USHL)
12 United States David Posma Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-08-27 Pomona, New York Niagara (AHA)
13 United States Hunter Jones Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-07-13 Andover, Minnesota Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL)
14 Sweden Douglas Andersson Sophomore F 6' 6" (1.98 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 2002-04-04 Ängelholm, Sweden Kallinge-Ronneby IF (Hockeyettan)
15 United States Nicky Wallace Sophomore D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2003-05-07 Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey Quinnipiac (ECAC)
16 Canada Andrew Amousse Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2001-07-16 Laval, Quebec Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
17 Sweden Oscar Geschwind Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-02-24 Hällefors, Sweden Northern Michigan (CCHA)
19 Canada Jordan Biro Graduate F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2000-08-10 Sherwood Park, Alberta Colorado College (NCHC)
21 United States John Lundy Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 2001-04-27 Brooklyn, New York Jamestown Rebels (NAHL)
22 Russia Timofei Khokhlachev Junior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-11-06 Moscow, Russia Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)
23 Sweden Theo Angesved Sophomore D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2003-06-23 Växjö, Sweden Borås HC (Hockeyettan)
24 Sweden Wilhelm Forsberg Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2004-04-26 Sollentuna, Sweden Djurgårdens IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
25 Sweden Alexander Malinowski Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-02-07 Linköping, Sweden Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)
26 United States Hunter McCurdy Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-08-09 Mokena, Illinois Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (NAHL)
27 Canada Josh Barnes Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-09-27 Cornwall, Ontario Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
28 Sweden Alfred Lindberg Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2002-01-28 Hallsberg, Sweden New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL)
29 Canada Noah Serdachny Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-03-09 Edmonton, Alberta Colorado College (NCHC)
33 United States Peyton Grainer Sophomore G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2002-03-12 Detroit, Michigan Jersey Hitmen (NCDC)
34 United States Chase Clark Junior G 6' 6" (1.98 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 2002-04-08 Williamsville, New York Sacred Heart (AHA) WSH, 183rd overall 2021
37 Sweden Evan Stella (C) Senior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-05-11 Karlstad, Sweden Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
39 Canada Dario Beljo Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-15 Greater Sudbury, Ontario Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
55 Canada Brett Rylance Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 167 lb (76 kg) 2001-08-03 Edmonton, Alberta Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
61 Canada Casey McDonald (C) Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2001-05-10 Plenty, Saskatchewan Penticton Vees (BCHL)

Standings

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Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OW OL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Holy Cross261952401569247402414213094
Sacred Heart2616731125380643921135118101
#19 Bentley *261691121517957402315211583
Niagara2615923314890703718163124109
Army26141022024484743816202105117
Canisius2611132030388479371223298120
Air Force2611132231375958401621386112
American International269161030316377381323292117
RIT2691522012865102351023282133
Robert Morris267154121277286351020595115
Mercyhurst264193102165911335427477150
Championship: March 22, 2025
† indicates conference regular season champion (DeGregorio Trophy)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

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DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Regular Season
October 5 7:00 pm at #12 Maine* Alfond ArenaOrono, MaineESPN+ Clark L 0–6  5,043 0–1–0
October 11 7:00 pm at Ohio State* Value City ArenaColumbus, Ohio  Clark T 3–3 OT 2,623 0–1–1
October 12 5:00 pm at Ohio State* Value City ArenaColumbus, Ohio  Grainer L 2–5  2,464 0–2–1
October 18 7:00 pm at #2 Boston College* Conte ForumChestnut Hill, MassachusettsESPN+ Grainer L 0–5  7,224 0–3–1
October 25 1:00 pm Air Force MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark L 1–2  212 0–4–1 (0–1–0)
October 26 1:00 pm Air Force MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark W 4–2  238 1–4–1 (1–1–0)
November 2 1:00 pm #17 Massachusetts* MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark L 3–4  678 1–5–1
November 7 7:00 pm at Holy Cross Hart CenterWorcester, MassachusettsFloHockey Grainer L 2–5  661 1–6–1 (1–2–0)
November 8 7:00 pm at Holy Cross Hart CenterWorcester, MassachusettsFloHockey, NESN+ Manji W 3–2  814 2–6–1 (2–2–0)
November 15 7:00 pm at Bentley Bentley ArenaWaltham, MassachusettsFloHockey Grainer L 2–5  1,050 2–7–1 (2–3–0)
November 16 6:00 pm at Bentley Bentley ArenaWaltham, MassachusettsFloHockey Grainer L 0–3  850 2–8–1 (2–4–0)
November 19 7:00 pm at Stonehill* Bridgewater Ice ArenaBridgewater, MassachusettsNEC Front Row Grainer W 3–0  76 3–8–1
November 23 1:00 pm Niagara MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Grainer L 1–2  3–9–1 (2–5–0)
November 24 3:00 pm Niagara MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Manji W 5–2  259 4–9–1 (3–5–0)
November 29 5:00 pm at Robert Morris Clearview ArenaMoon Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Clark L 1–4  652 4–10–1 (3–6–0)
November 30 5:00 pm at Robert Morris Clearview ArenaMoon Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Clark W 4–2  787 5–10–1 (4–6–0)
December 6 1:00 pm Holy Cross MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark L 0–1 OT 362 5–11–1 (4–7–0)
December 28 1:00 pm Sacred Heart MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark L 1–4  187 5–12–1 (4–8–0)
December 29 4:00 pm at #18 Quinnipiac* M&T Bank ArenaHamden, ConnecticutESPN+ Clark L 5–6  3,111 5–13–1
January 3 7:00 pm at Stonehill* Bridgewater Ice ArenaBridgewater, MassachusettsNEC Front Row Grainer W 3–1  107 6–13–1
January 7 7:00 pm Army MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark W 8–2  357 7–13–1 (5–8–0)
January 17 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Martire Family ArenaFairfield, ConnecticutFloHockey Clark L 2–5  2,566 7–14–1 (5–9–0)
January 18 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Martire Family ArenaFairfield, ConnecticutFloHockey Clark L 3–6  3,112 7–15–1 (5–10–0)
January 21 7:00 pm Bentley MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Grainer L 1–6  258 7–16–1 (5–11–0)
January 24 1:00 pm Canisius MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark L 2–4  108 7–17–1 (5–12–0)
January 25 5:00 pm Canisius MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark W 3–2  287 8–17–1 (6–12–0)
February 7 7:00 pm at Mercyhurst Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Clark W 5–0  1,286 9–17–1 (7–12–0)
February 8 4:00 pm at Mercyhurst Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Clark W 4–1  1,307 10–17–1 (8–12–0)
February 14 7:05 pm at RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey Clark L 0–3  2,517 10–18–1 (8–13–0)
February 15 7:05 pm at RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey Clark T 3–3 SOL 2,617 10–18–2 (8–13–1)
February 18 7:00 pm Sacred Heart MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Grainer L 2–3  151 10–19–2 (8–14–1)
February 21 7:00 pm Army MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Clark W 3–2  497 11–19–2 (9–14–1)
February 22 4:00 pm at Army Tate RinkWest Point, New YorkFloHockey Clark L 2–3  2,604 11–20–2 (9–15–1)
February 24 7:00 pm at Holy Cross Hart CenterWorcester, MassachusettsFloHockey Manji L 1–3  826 11–21–2 (9–16–1)
Atlantic Hockey America Tournament
February 28 6:05 pm vs. RIT* Tate RinkWest Point, New York (AHA First Round)FloHockey Clark W 2–1 OT 171 12–21–2
March 7 7:00 pm at #20т Holy Cross* Hart CenterWorcester, Massachusetts (AHA Quarterfinal Game 1)FloHockey Clark W 3–2  614 13–21–2
March 8 7:00 pm at #20т Holy Cross* Hart CenterWorcester, Massachusetts (AHA Quarterfinal Game 2)FloHockey Clark L 2–3  678 13–22–2
March 9 5:00 pm at #20т Holy Cross* Hart CenterWorcester, Massachusetts (AHA Quarterfinal Game 3)FloHockey Clark L 3–4 OT 852 13–23–2
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[8]

Scoring statistics

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Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Josh BarnesC381410246
Dario BeljoC301192010
John LundyF3710102010
Timofei KhokhlachevLW328101850
Brett BamberD356121814
Noah SerdachnyF374121610
Justin MexicoF323121512
Brett RylanceC/W353101312
Danny WeightC34571237
Oscar GeschwindC3657124
Jordan BiroC3639126
Alfred LindbergC3374114
David PosmaD3627951
Alexander MalinowskiLW/RW250886
Casey McDonaldF2734725
Evan StellaD3516716
Lauri SerttiD371676
Wilhelm ForsbergRW201566
Tyler ProciousD321568
Hunter LonghiLW132244
Blake DangosD3312318
Theo AngesvedD121124
Tobias Bjercke LarsenD1802210
Adam ManjiG70110
Douglas AnderssonLW80112
Chase ClarkG250115
Joey LoVulloG10000
Nikolai TishkevichF10000
Nicky WallaceD10000
Hunter McCurdyD10000
Hunter JonesF50000
Tanner WillickD70001
Peyton GrainerG120000
Total92162254348

[9]

Goaltending statistics

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Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals against Saves Shutouts SV % GAA
Joey LoVullo11:410000000.00
Adam Manji10266:20210121400.9212.70
Chase Clark251459:019142687151.9132.80
Alexandros Aslanidis14545:01280292411.8933.19
Empty Net-29:28---7----
Total382301:311323211610962.9032.73

Rankings

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Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Hockey NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in week 12 or 26.[10]
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.

Awards and honors

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Player Award Ref
Evan Stella All-Atlantic Hockey America Third Team [11]

References

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  1. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  2. "American International to reclassify as Division II beginning with 2025-26 college hockey season". USCHO. November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  3. "Men's Division I Hockey Attendance: 2023-2024". USCHO. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  4. "Gameday". USCHO. December 7, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  5. "AIC Survives Elimination With Dramatic OT Winning Goal From Captain Casey McDonald". FloHockey. March 1, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  6. "Holy Cross Eliminates AIC With Stunning Goal In First Minute Of Overtime In Quarterfinal Game 3". YouTube. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  7. "2024-25 Ice Hockey Roster". American International Yellow Jackets. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  8. "American 2024-25 Men's Ice Hockey Schedule". AIC Yellow Jackets. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  9. "American International College 2024-2025 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  10. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  11. "Atlantic Hockey America Announces 2024-25 Men's All-Conference Teams". atlantichockeyamerica.com. March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.