The NYU hockey team celebrated the 10th anniversary of its national championship win on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, with a ceremony before the game against the University of Rhode Island. NYU alum and 2015 team captain Dan Fortunato dropped the puck, commemorating an entire decade since their big, historic win.

“It was an awesome night having the 2015 team back to celebrate their championship, and we all really appreciated their support and commitment to the program,” sophomore forward Charlie Gardephe said.

NYU’s hockey team was Division II in the American Collegiate Hockey Association up until the 2017-18 season, when they made the shift to Division I. 

Back in 2015, the team won the ACHA D-II championship — its first national title. The Violets beat Florida Gulf Coast University in a tight match-up, defeating the Eagles 5-4 to clench the win. They were first in the nation again in 2017, with a championship win over Liberty University.

“The 2015 coaching staff and almost the entire roster came out for the event,” current head coach Dustin Good said in an interview with WSN. “It was an inspiring night and the immense pride that current and past coaches and student-athletes have in the program was on full display.”

This is Good’s second year with the Violets after a successful first season, leading the program to its highest win percentage since moving up to D-I. Good told WSN he is impressed with the “support of the NYU hockey alums,” and that this event showcased the community NYU hockey creates.

This season, Good has a young team, with only four upperclassmen. NYU is currently 4-17, but the team is looking ahead and “working toward the ECHA playoffs,” which begin in February and run through mid-March.

Gardephe earned NYU its two goals in its 2-4 loss to URI, with assists from sophomore forwards Frank Tsiouvaras and Bryan Cook, sophomore defensemen Alex Svoboda and Jonathan Beiber. 

“Scoring twice was a great feeling, especially in front of the championship team,” Gardephe said. “We wanted a better result, but it was still great to honor everything they accomplished.”

The Violets will be back on the ice against Drexel University on Friday, Feb. 7 at home at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink.