Robert Morris Colonials

The Robert Morris Colonials are a Men's Division I team in Atlantic Hockey and a Women's Division I team in College Hockey America.



RMU Colonials

 * Head Coach: Derek Schooley (School's first Head Coach, since 2004)
 * Assistant Coaches: Chris Kostopoulos (who joined the team in '07) and Joe Tuset (who joined the team in '07, after finishing his career as a Goaltender for two seasons at RMU)

Year by year
The RMU Colonials compete in the Men's College Hockey America Conference against the Bemidji State Beavers, Niagara Purple Eagles and the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers (the Wayne State Warriors dissolved its Men's program after the 2007-2008 season). The Men's Team finished 15-15-4 Overall in 2007-2008, their first winning season in school history. Previous season records are as follows:
 * 15-15-4 ('07-'08)
 * 14-19-2 ('06-'07)
 * 12-20-3 ('05-'06)
 * 8-21-4 ('04-'05)[First season in school history]

Recent News
As of August 2008, 4 players from the 2008 class have signed with the Central Hockey League (CHL), a mid-level professional hockey league owned by Global Entertainment Corp. Five of the CHL teams have NHL affiliations.
 * Logan Bittle - Colorado Eagles
 * Jeff Gilbert - Laredo Bucks
 * Brett Hopfe - Laredo Bucks
 * Christian Boucher - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Professional
As of May 2008, the Colonials had 8 players playing professional hockey in the United States.
 * Joey Olson - 2 years at RMU - Current Team: Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL)
 * Aaron Clarke - 2 years at RMU - Current Team: Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)
 * Chris Kaufman - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Bakersfield Condors (ECHL)
 * Joel Gasper - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL)
 * Ryan Cruthers - 2 years at RMU - Current Team: Utah Grizzles (ECHL)
 * Rob Cowan - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Port Huron Icehawks (IHL)
 * Tom Biondich - 4 years at RMU - Former Team: Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL)
 * Sean Berkstresser - 4 years at RMU - Current Team: Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

As of July 2008, Chris Kaufman, Ryan Cruthers and Sean Berkstresser were all offered contracts by their respective clubs off of their initial entry contracts (all who graduated after the 2007-2008 season). Both Aaron Clark and Joey Olson are still playing for their respective teams (they both graduated after the 2006-2007 season).

2008 Season
Forwards Ryan Cruthers (Sr) and Chris Margott (Jr) were both ranked nationally in the top 10 in scoring, Cruthers finished the season with 49 points (22-27), Margott finished with 44 points (18-26).

For the 2008-2009 Season, the Colonials are bringing in 12 recruits, three transfers from Wayne State, after having 15 graduating seniors from the program. The incoming recruiting class will be the largest class since the inaugural class in 2004.

Coaching staff

 * Head Coach: Nathan Handrahan (became HC in '06 after serving as an Assistant Coach under the Men's team)
 * Assistant Coaches: Scott Spencer (who joined the team in '06), Raffi Wolf (who joined the team in '06)
 * Volunteer Assistant: Blaine Buterbaugh (who joined the team in '07)
 * Trainer: Deborah Dalsin (who joined the team in '07)

History
The Lady Colonials are currently entering their fourth full season (2008-2009) as an NCAA Division I program. The Lady Colonials compete in the Women's College Hockey America Conference against the Merychurst Lakers, Niagara Purple Eagles, Wayne State Warriors and the Syracuse Orange.

In 2008-09, the Lady Colonials were led by third year starting Goaltender Brianne McLaughlin (Jr), who was recently selected in July of 2008 to the US National Under-22 Team. Despite the Lady Colonials sub-.500 record in 2008, McLaughlin finished with a 2.82 Goals Against Average, including a .913 Save Percentage, after logging 1873:20 in 32 games.

For the 2008-2009 season, the Lady Colonials had only graduating one senior, forward Maria Olausson.

On May 26, 2021 the university announced that the men's and women's team would be dropped effective immediately.

Awards and honors

 * Daneca Butterfield, CHA Defensive Player of Week (Week of Oct 6, 2009)
 * Daneca Butterfield, CHA Defensive Player of Week (Week of Oct 26, 2009)
 * Daneca Butterfield, CHA Defensive Player of Week (Week of Nov 9, 2009)
 * Brianna Delaney, CHA Player of the Week (November 16, 2009)
 * Jacki Gibson, CHA Defensive Player of the Year (Week of October 12, 2009)
 * Jennifer Kindret, CHA Rookie of the Week (November 9, 2009)
 * Jennifer Kindret, CHA Rookie of the Week (Week of Jan 25, 2010)
 * Sara O'Malley, CHA Offensive Player of Week (Week of Jan 25, 2010)
 * Chelsea Walkland, 2010 Frozen Four Skills Competition participant

Pre-Season All-CHA Team

 * F - Brianna Delaney, 2009-10 selection(tie)

Second Team All-CHA

 * Whitney Pappas, 2009-10 Second Team All-CHA

Other
For more information visit The Official RMU Colonials Website and for everything Robert Morris Hockey visit Centre Ice