An early 2023-24 look at each D1 college hockey conference: Atlantic Hockey
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be diving into and previewing each Division 1 hockey conference ahead of the 2023-24 season. First up, the Atlantic Hockey Conference.
The Atlantic Hockey Conference has not had a National Champion since well…ever.
Considered one of the main underdogs of the college hockey landscape, the Atlantic looks to make a run that trumps RIT’s Frozen Four appearance in 2010, the furthest this conference has reached.
Last regular season, RIT was once again the best of the group, finishing 25-13-1. But in the conference tournament, it was the underdogs that shined.
2022-23 Atlantic Hockey Standings:
After knocking off American International in the first round, the 7th-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders got by the top seed, RIT, before making it all the way to the final game. On the other side, Niagra (6) upset Sacred Heart (3), before falling to Canisius (4) in the semifinals, leaving a Championship matchup between #4 Canisius and #6 Holy Cross. That is what college hockey is all about.
In the Final, Canisius tallied all three goals, winning its second Atlantic title, 3-0, in front of 1,800 fans.
Looking ahead to 2023-24
In 2023-24, RIT will once again be the favorite.
Led by fifth-year returning forwards Elijah Gonsalves and Caleb Moretz, along with defensemen Gianfranco Cassaro and Ryan Nicholson, the Tigers should be a force in the Atlantic. Cassaro was named Atlantic Defensive Player of the Week four times in 2022-23, more than any other player.
On the offensive end, Carter Wilkie, Aiden Hansen-Bukata, and Cassaro should lead the charge. Wilkie led all Tigers with 14 goals and 40 points, while both Cassaro and Hansesn-Bukata hit 32 points, respectively.
Projected 2023-24 Atlantic Hockey Standings
RIT
Canisius
American International
Army
Sacred Heart
Holy Cross
Niagra
Mercyhurst
Bentley
Air Force
Who will win the Atlantic Hockey Tournament?
The tournament was a complete crapshoot in 2023.
While RIT was by far the best team, the underdogs ran the show when it mattered most. In a conference typically sending only the tournament’s champion to the NCAA dance, this final segment of the season is massively important.
My pick to win in 2024 is RIT.
I want, so badly, to pick one of the teams near the bottom of the standings, but the Tigers should once again be the best team. After feeling the pain and disappointment of falling to Holy Cross in March, they should be plenty motivated to win their fourth conference title.