Links:
2024-25 Roster |
2024-25 Schedule |
2024-25 Coaches |
2023-24 Statistics
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The blossoming of a new season is nothing new to
Bill Kangas.
Kangas is entering his 35th year as head coach of the Williams College men's ice hockey team in 2024-25. You might be wondering if the process ever gets monotonous. The answer is an emphatic no, as the uniqueness of a new year always stimulates Kangas' mind.
"We have an incredible group of young men, motivated in all aspects of their lives, including hockey," said Kangas. "The energy, passion and enthusiasm they present daily motivates me to be my best for them. With 27 different personalities coming from all around the United States and Canada, they work hard to blend well together, all giving something of themselves for the greater good of our program and Williams College. I feel fortunate to associate with them and I welcome another season's journey together."
During the last 15 seasons, Kangas has guided the team to a 213-140-34 overall record and a 153-95-25 mark in the NESCAC, while making 11 appearances in the NESCAC semifinals and four trips to the conference championship game. Williams finished .500 or above overall and in the NESCAC for 13 straight seasons from 2008-22.
The unit finished 19-6-2 overall and 14-2-2 in the NESCAC, while advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16. The 2022-23 Ephs went to the NESCAC title game as the eighth seed. During that tremendous run, Williams upset top-seeded Wesleyan, 4-3, in the quarterfinals after trailing by three goals with 12 minutes remaining in the third period.
"Coach Kangas has everyone's best interests at heart," said senior goalie
Cal Sandquist. "Coming from junior hockey where there was no such thing as a stable situation, coach Kangas did a great job of making sure I knew I was not going anywhere and made me feel comfortable at Williams. Coach has given me the ability to develop and mature as a goalie, especially mentally. He has helped push me to expand my leadership skills."
Last season, the Ephs finished 9-14-1 overall and 6-11-1 in the NESCAC. The group posted a signature win, outlasting No. 3-ranked Plattsburgh State, 2-1, at Lansing Chapman Rink on Jan. 13 behind a game-winning goal by
Jamie Cates with 7:25 left in the third period.
The Ephs open their 2024-25 season with a 7 p.m. NESCAC game against Colby on Friday, Nov. 15, at Lansing Chapman Rink. Williams will compete in 24 regular-season games, with 18 counting toward the NESCAC standings and 11 taking place in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
"We have to take care of our end at all times and that will lead to quick transitions where we can play fast," said Sandquist. "We are a skilled team that should be able to create a lot of offense. A big driver of success will be playing winning hockey in crucial situations. A lot of things that do not show up in the box score will be important. I know the guys in this locker room are ready to give everything."
The squad's non-conference games include Babson (Nov. 30), SUNY Geneseo (Dec. 1), Norwich (Jan. 3), Hamilton or Plymouth State (Jan. 4), MCLA (Jan. 15) and Plattsburgh State (Jan. 18). The Ephs play at Amherst on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m., and then compete against the visiting Mammoths on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m.
The top-eight teams qualify for the NESCAC playoffs, with the quarterfinal round occurring at the higher seed on March 1. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinal and final rounds on March 8 and 9.
"We want to enjoy every moment, focus on the daily details, develop a consistency, bring our best, add to the community, rink and team and be selfless," said Kangas. "The best teams embrace challenges and adversity, encourage others and lead by example. Our leadership group has been listening to, working with and encouraging the team. We are excited to meet whatever challenges head on together."
At the end of the 2023-24 season, the Ephs graduated 10 seniors in
Jack Simon,
Ben Lawrick (2 goals, 4 assists, team-leading 29 blocked shots),
Faisal Al-Saif (2 goals, 2 assists, 28 blocked shots),
Connor Tobin (4 goals, 5 assists, 2 game-winners),
Ethan Prout (2 assists, 26 blocked shots),
Jacob Monroe (1 goal, 1 assist),
Henry Muller (3 goals, 9 assists),
Jonah Gold (6 goals, 2 assists),
Sean Clarke (5 goals, 7 assists) and Cates (2 goals, 3 assists).
The Ephs return seniors
Owen Stadheim (team-leading 11 assists and 17 points),
Nicholas Rashkovsky (5 goals, 8 assists),
Jack Sabre (2 goals) and Sandquist, juniors
Jared Lambright (1 goal, 7 assists),
Conner Fitzpatrick (3 goals, 6 assists),
Connor Berg (1 goal, 7 assists),
David Vieten (3 goals, 6 assists),
Ziv Deener-Chodirker (1 goal),
Mel Mortarelli (3 assists),
Trevor O'Brien (3 goals, 2 assists) and
Liam Jones (2 assists) and sophomores
Brady Welsch (2 goals, 3 assists),
Nate Heithoff,
Logan Valkama (5 goals, 4 assists), goalie
Michael Corrado and goalie
Harrison Fogel.
"We will play fast, up-tempo and with pace," said Kangas. "We will move the puck quickly, look to attack, transition to offense quickly and support our own end as a group of six. We will look to play with focus and be relentless with each new shift."
The Ephs welcome senior defender
James O'Connor, along with first years in
Bobby Corkery,
Jake McManus,
Grant Fuchsen,
Mason Chen,
Leo Schneeberg,
William Yee,
William Cannata,
Rowan Heithoff and goalie
Kael DePape.
Kangas is supported by assistant coach
Vincent Caligiuri who spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant for the Division I Princeton men's ice hockey team. Cates is a volunteer assistant coach. Sandquist and Stadheim are captains, while Vieten is an assistant captain.
"Our goal is to lead by example, pushing each other to be the best," said Sandquist. "Our goal of winning a championship cannot come overnight, it is a long process that takes everyone's full effort and commitment. A big point of emphasis is accountability, not just for ourselves but for holding everyone to the same standard of excellence. The goal of leadership is not just creating followers, but creating new leaders that will build on our culture."
