2025–26 Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey season

The 2025–26 Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey season was the 20th season of play for the program and the 2nd in Atlantic Hockey America. The Colonials represented Robert Morris University in the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at the Clearview Arena and were coached by Derek Schooley in his 20th season.

2025–26 Robert Morris Colonials
men's ice hockey season
ConferenceT–3rd AHA
Home iceClearview Arena
Rankings
USCHONR
USA HockeyNR
Record
Overall16–21–3
Conference13–11–2
Home9–7–2
Road7–14–1
Coaches and captains
Head coachDerek Schooley
Assistant coachesMarco Treviño
Jacob Zab
Vincent Pietrangelo
Captain(s)Michael Craig
Cameron Garvey
Tanner Klimpke
Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey seasons
« 2024–25 2026–27 »

Season

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In addition to the new crop of recruits and transfers, Robert Morris received a boon when Jackson Reineke returned from an injury that cost him the entirety of the previous season.[1] While his presence would prove to be a boon for the offense over the course of the season, RMU had trouble getting on track early on. Neither the offense nor the defense played well at first with the team going 2–9–1 prior to Thanksgiving. Charlie Schenkel, the team's starting goaltender, was inconsistent in the first six weeks of the campaign, however, the brief appearances by both Croix Kochendorfer and Lucas Massie did not recommend a change in goal at the time. To add to their troubled, the Colonials had difficulty scoring on the nights when they did get a solid performance in goal. The end result was that Robert Morris failed to win a single non-conference game which, though it would not affect them in the standings, would be a drag on their national ranking.

The team's subpar play continued into the second half of the season and was setting up to be one of the worst in recent memory. Kochendorfer was given his shot as the starter in early January. While he didn't perform too poorly, he was unable to get a single win for the team. The club then turned to Massie and saw an immediate chance in their fortunes. Massie won three consecutive matches, two by shutout, and helped to completely turn around the Colonials' season. Not only did the team start winning thanks to improvements in goal by both Massie and Schenkel, but the offense stated to increase its output as well. Over the final 13 games, RMU went 9–3–1 and rocketed up the conference standings. Despite winning just 4 times in their first 21 games, the Colonials finished with a respectable record and were able to earn a home site for the conference Quarterfinals.

Facing Air Force first, RMU got into a pitched battle with the falcons and were able to force overtime after getting down by 2 goals entering the third. Schenkel stopped 48 shots in the game but the final one got by him in the second extra period. With their season on the line, Schenkel girded his loins and held off Air Force for the rest of the series. After turning aside 33 shots in the rematch, he was bombarded in the third game to the tune of 62 shots in regulation. The freshman netminder turned in his best performance to date and stopped 60 shots, including a career high 27 saves in the second period. RMU was able to capitalize on its opportunities though it was the two goals by Michael Felsing that proved to be the difference makers. The Colonials snatched victory from Air Force and advanced to the semifinals for the first time in seven years.[2]

Robert Morris got off to a good start against Sacred Heart and took a one-goal lead into the second period thanks to Ryan Taylor. Unfortunately, the team was unable to hold of the attack by the Pioneers and found themselves behind less than two minutes into the middle frame. The club could not summon any additional offense for the remainder of the match and were easily swept off the ice in the first game. Once again facing elimination, the Colonials rebounded thanks to a pair of goals by co-captains Tanner Klimpke and Cameron Garvey. With the series tied, RMU was just one win away from the championship game but their luck finally ran out in the third game of the series. Sacred Heart scored three times in the first period to take a commanding lead and Robert Morris could not break through afterwards. Despite firing 33 shots on goal in the final 40 minutes of the game, not a single puck found its way into the Pioneer cage. Two more goals from SHU in the final frame extended the lead for the home team but with RMU unable to find any offense the final outcome had already been decided.[3]

Departures

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Player Position Nationality Cause
Eric DeDobbelaerForward CanadaGraduation (retired)
Mitchel DeelstraForward CanadaGraduation (signed with Reading Royals)
Thomas GanglDefenseman CanadaTransferred to Toronto
Gavin GulashForward United StatesGraduation (retired)
Thomas HaynesDefenseman CanadaLeft program (retired)
Trevor LeDonneDefenseman CanadaGraduation (signed with Allen Americans)
Dylan MeilunGoaltender CanadaTransferred to Carleton
Cody MondsForward CanadaGraduation (signed with HYS The Hague)
Adam O'MarraForward CanadaTransferred to Toronto Metropilitan
Dawson SmithGoaltender CanadaTransferred to York
Walter ZacherForward United StatesTransferred to Canisius

Recruiting

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Player Position Nationality Age Notes
John BabcockDefenseman Canada21North Vancouver, BC
Julian BeaumontForward United States21Allen, TX
Dario BeljoForward Canada22Sudbury, ON; transfer from American International
Rasmus LarssonDefenseman Sweden21Hässelby, SWE; transfer from Northern Michigan; selected 152nd in 2023
Lucas MassieGoaltender United States22Claremont, CA; transfer from Union
Bruce McDonaldForward Canada20Ottawa, ON
Zeke NicholsonForward Canada21Vancouver, BC
Luca PrimeranoForward Canada21North Vancouver, BC
Charlie SchenkelGoaltender Canada20Toronto, ON
Ryan TaylorForward United States22St. Louis, MO; transfer from Clarkson
Max WattvilDefenseman Sweden23Stockholm, SWE; transfer from Merrimack

Roster

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As of August 3, 2025.[4]

No. Nat. Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 United States Croix Kochendorfer Sophomore G 6' 4" (1.93 m) 223 lb (101 kg) 2003-10-13 Saint Paul, Minnesota Aberdeen Wings (NAHL)
2 Canada Michael Craig (C) Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-08-26 St. Catharines, Ontario Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
3 United States Dominic Elliott Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2004-01-26 Allendale, Michigan Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL)
4 United States Greg Japchen Senior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-12-17 Doylestown, Pennsylvania Stonehill (ECAC)
5 United States Luke van Why Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 2003-01-21 Hatfield, Pennsylvania Maryland Black Bears (NAHL)
6 Sweden Rasmus Larsson Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 2004-02-09 Hässelby, Sweden Northern Michigan (CCHA) NYR, 152nd overall 2023
7 Canada John Babcock Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2004-04-25 North Vancouver, British Columbia Regina Pats (WHL)
8 United States Gabriel Lunn Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-08-25 Lockport, New York Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
7 Sweden Max Wattvil Junior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2002-08-11 Stockholm, Sweden Merrimack (HEA)
10 Canada J. R. Ashmead Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2003-03-23 Calgary, Alberta Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
11 Canada Dario Beljo Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-15 Greater Sudbury, Ontario American International (AHA)
12 United States Jackson Reineke Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-10-03 Faribault, Minnesota Anchorage Wolverines (USHL)
14 United States Julian Beaumont Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2004-02-23 Allen, Texas Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL)
15 United States Connor Gourley Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-07-28 Calgary, Alberta Okotoks Oilers (BCHL)
16 Canada George Krotiris Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2002-08-08 Markham, Ontario Cobourg Cougars (OJHL)
17 United States Patrick Johnson Sophomore F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2003-06-30 Chesterfield, Missouri Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL)
18 Canada Bruce McDonald Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2004-12-18 Ottawa, Ontario Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
19 Canada Tanner Klimpke (C) Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-12-13 Calgary, Alberta Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL)
20 Canada McKay Hayes Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-01-27 Ancaster, Ontario Markham Royals (OJHL)
21 Canada Cameron Garvey (C) Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2002-12-13 Oakville, Ontario Collingwood Blues (OJHL)
22 United States Ryan Taylor Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2001-03-19 St. Peters, Missouri Clarkson (ECAC)
23 Canada Zeke Nicholson Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2004-04-09 Vancouver, British Columbia Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)
26 United States Braden Rourke Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2004-07-20 Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
27 Canada Trent Wilson Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2004-06-24 Tsawwassen, British Columbia West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
29 United States Michael Felsing Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2003-02-11 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
30 United States Lucas Massie Sophomore G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-04-11 Claremont, California Union (ECAC)
31 Canada Charlie Schenkel Freshman G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2004-08-16 Toronto, Ontario Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
33 Canada Lee Chiang Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-12-07 Toronto, Ontario Markham Royals (OJHL)
44 Canada Luca Primerano Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2005-03-17 North Vancouver, British Columbia Cowichan Valley Capitals (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
#20 Bentley †*261664102538556402312512294
Sacred Heart261583101488061402314311896
Robert Morris26131120224569694016213103128
Holy Cross26141021114581693818182113116
RIT261311221242696836171729396
Air Force26131032104175733718154108112
Canisius26121221023981743517162107105
Niagara269161130306783371323193118
Army26715423228617535121769196
Mercyhurst26518300119478737628365143
Championship: March 21, 2026
† indicates conference regular season champion (DeGregorio Trophy)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated April 15, 2026
Source: AHA

Schedule and results

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DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Exhibition
October 4 6:07 pm at Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (Exhibition)Midco Sports+   W 4–1   
October 5 4:00 pm Waterloo* Clearview ArenaNeville Township, Pennsylvania (Exhibition)FloHockey   W 6–2   
Regular Season
October 16 7:00 pm at #4 Michigan* Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, MichiganBTN+ Schenkel L 2–4  5,191 0–1–0
October 17 7:00 pm at #4 Michigan* Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, MichiganBTN+ Schenkel L 2–10  5,800 0–2–0
October 24 7:00 pm at Notre Dame* Compton Family Ice ArenaNotre Dame, IndianaPeacock Schenkel L 3–6  4,054 0–3–0
October 25 6:00 pm at Notre Dame* Compton Family Ice ArenaNotre Dame, IndianaPeacock Schenkel T 2–2 OT 4,162 0–3–1
October 31 7:00 pm Niagara Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel W 4–2  587 1–3–1 (1–0–0)
November 1 6:00 pm at Niagara Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New YorkFloHockey Schenkel W 4–3  619 2–3–1 (2–0–0)
November 7 7:00 pm Long Island* Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel L 3–6  675 2–4–1
November 8 7:00 pm Long Island* Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel L 0–2  581 2–5–1
November 14 7:00 pm RIT Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel L 1–2  512 2–6–1 (2–1–0)
November 15 7:00 pm RIT Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel L 2–3  512 2–7–1 (2–2–0)
November 21 7:10 pm at Lindenwood* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri  Schenkel L 2–6  1,416 2–8–1
November 22 6:10 pm at Lindenwood* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri  Massie L 3–5  1,489 2–9–1
November 28 7:00 pm at Mercyhurst Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel W 3–1  326 3–9–1 (3–2–0)
November 29 7:00 pm Mercyhurst Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel T 1–1 SOW 412 3–9–2 (3–2–1)
December 5 9:00 pm at Air Force Cadet Ice ArenaAir Force Academy, ColoradoFloHockey, Altitude 2 Schenkel L 1–4  2,280 3–10–2 (3–3–1)
December 6 7:00 pm at Air Force Cadet Ice ArenaAir Force Academy, ColoradoFloHockey, Altitude Schenkel W 6–3  2,412 4–10–2 (4–3–1)
December 30 4:00 pm at Sacred Heart Martire Family ArenaFairfield, ConnecticutFloHockey Schenkel L 2–5  2,524 4–11–2 (4–4–1)
January 3 4:00 pm Sacred Heart Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Kochendorfer L 1–3  724 4–12–2 (4–5–1)
January 9 7:00 pm at RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey, SNP Schenkel L 1–4  2,208 4–13–2 (4–6–1)
January 10 5:00 pm at RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey, SNP Kochendorfer L 2–3 OT 2,833 4–14–2 (4–7–1)
January 16 7:00 pm at Army Tate RinkWest Point, New YorkFloHockey Kochendorfer L 2–3 OT 2,288 4–15–2 (4–8–1)
January 17 4:00 pm at Army Tate RinkWest Point, New YorkFloHockey Massie W 3–0  2,243 5–15–2 (5–8–1)
January 23 7:00 pm Holy Cross Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Massie W 5–2  1,045 6–15–2 (6–8–1)
January 24 7:00 pm Holy Cross Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Massie W 1–0  567 7–15–2 (7–8–1)
January 30 7:00 pm Bentley Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Massie L 0–5  373 7–16–2 (7–9–1)
January 31 7:00 pm Bentley Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel T 3–3 SOW 412 7–16–3 (7–9–2)
February 6 7:00 pm Canisius Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel W 1–0  724 8–16–3 (8–9–2)
February 7 7:00 pm Canisius Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Massie W 6–4  892 9–16–3 (9–9–2)
February 13 6:00 pm at Niagara Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New YorkFloHockey Schenkel L 2–5  640 9–17–3 (9–10–2)
February 14 7:00 pm Niagara Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Massie W 5–1  848 10–17–3 (10–10–2)
February 20 7:00 pm at Canisius LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Schenkel W 4–1  796 11–17–3 (11–10–2)
February 21 7:00 pm at Canisius LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Massie L 0–7  796 11–18–3 (11–11–2)
February 27 7:00 pm at Mercyhurst Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel W 5–3  814 12–18–3 (12–11–2)
February 28 7:00 pm Mercyhurst Clearview ArenaNeville Township, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Schenkel W 4–1  974 13–18–3 (13–11–2)
Atlantic Hockey America Tournament
March 6 7:05 pm Air Force* Clearview ArenaNeville Township, Pennsylvania (AHA Quarterfinal Game 1)FloHockey Schenkel L 2–3 2OT 952 13–19–3
March 7 7:05 pm Air Force* Clearview ArenaNeville Township, Pennsylvania (AHA Quarterfinal Game 2)FloHockey Schenkel W 4–1  853 14–19–3
March 8 5:05 pm Air Force* Clearview ArenaNeville Township, Pennsylvania (AHA Quarterfinal Game 3)FloHockey Schenkel W 5–2  814 15–19–3
March 13 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart* Martire Family ArenaFairfield, Connecticut (AHA Semifinal Game 1)FloHockey Schenkel L 1–5  2,519 15–20–3
March 14 5:00 pm at Sacred Heart* Martire Family ArenaFairfield, Connecticut (AHA Semifinal Game 2)FloHockey Schenkel W 5–2  3,156 16–20–3
March 15 5:00 pm at Sacred Heart* Martire Family ArenaFairfield, Connecticut (AHA Semifinal Game 3)FloHockey Schenkel L 0–5  2,610 16–21–3
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[5]

Scoring statistics

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Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Tanner KlimpkeF4016153120
Jackson ReinekeLW/RW3611152625
Cameron GarveyC4011142524
Dominic ElliottD406131910
Michael FelsingF398101820
Bruce McDonaldC/LW383131612
Ryan TaylorF2569154
Trent WilsonF375101522
George KrotirisW39591416
Patrick JohnsonF40591425
John BabcockD40491318
Michael CraigD26310136
Julian BeaumontLW27651110
Luke van WhyD31371018
Braden RourkeRW35371020
Gabriel LunnD3517814
Connor GourleyF2824627
Dario BeljoC261348
McKay HayesC130442
Max WattvilD141128
Rasmus LarssonD161120
Luca PrimeranoF201122
Greg JapchenD3211214
Lee ChiangF20110
Zeke NicholsonC/LW120112
Croix KochendorferG70000
Lucas MassieG110000
J. R. AshmeadD2900010
Charlie SchenkelG300000
Bench10
Total103179282347

[6]

Goaltending statistics

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Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Charlie Schenkel301715:5211153808031.9092.80
Lucas Massie12459:58530222372.9152.87
Croix Kochendorfer9246:05030181370.8844.39
Empty Net-24:21---8----
Total402448:161621312811773.9023.14

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 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.[7]
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.

References

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  1. "Jackson Reineke". Robert Morris Colonials. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  2. "Colonials Shut Down Air Force's Attack, Advance to AHA Semifinals". Robert Morris Colonials. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  3. "RMU Men's Hockey's Season Ends in Semifinal Round at Sacred Heart". Robert Morris Colonials. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  4. "2025-26 RMU Men's Hockey Roster". Robert Morris Colonials. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  5. "2025-26 RMU Men's Hockey Schedule". Rober Morris Colonials. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  6. "Robert Morris Univ. 2025-2026 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  7. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.