DIII men’s hockey team primed to host season-opening series against Penn State this weekend

Liberty University's Division III men's hockey team, which competes as an AAU program, will open its 2024-25 season this weekend with a series against Penn State University at the LaHaye Ice Center.

The Flames' attack is spearheaded by graduate forwards Kenneth Fogarty and Mike Williams and senior forwards Eric Abbate, Luke Bessire, and Ethan Dunn. Defensively, they are anchored by graduate Jordan Chamberlain and seniors Jeb Boring, Jake Nole, Brayden Sheen, Aaron Spuhler, and Jesse Zaragoza. Graduate goalie Kyle Wesbury is back for a fifth season between the pipes after being named ACCHL Goalie of the Year in 2021-22.

"We had a lot of guys move on or transfer out so it will be good to see how these rookies come in and fill those spots, and to have guys that have been on the team for the last few years come in and accept new roles," Dunn said. "I'm really looking forward to this class of rookies, a bunch of hard-working guys and everybody's jelled together really well."

Second-year Assistant Coach Brennan McDonnell is excited to return to the ice after a long preseason, extended by early scheduling conflicts.

"Practices have been great … and it's only getting better," McDonnell said. "Everyone's finding their stride and it's really, really great morale out on the ice. The group of guys we have now is just as good if not better than we had last year. The veterans we have coming back this year are a great group of guys and they're able to bring in the rookies and help them find their speed and their spot, get acclimated to school, as well as playing hockey for Liberty. It's a big jump up to this level. We're just ready for it to get started."

Second-year Head Coach Josh Wagner, who formerly played for the Flames at the Division II level, has ironed out several areas that needed improvement on the ice and refined systems in the extra practice time.

"After this last summer, we had a lot of time … to develop what we want to do and how we want to run this team," Wagner said. "What we have right now is going to be awesome, especially the guys that we have coming in, as well as the returners. They're all buying in already and we're going to have a really good year. Once we get into conference tournament play and into nationals, we're going to be a really formidable team to play against."

After facing off against the Nittany Lions on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the LIC, the Flames will host Wake Forest on Oct. 26-27 before traveling to the College of Charleston (S.C.) on Nov. 1-2 and hosting Appalachian State on Nov. 9-10.

Liberty will conclude the fall semester schedule by traveling to High Point (N.C.) University for the first of three series against the Panthers — in rematches of last season's ACCHL Championships quarterfinal setback — and Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Dec. 6-7.

Video edited by Cody Ware/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant

DIII men’s hockey team primed to host season-opening series against Penn State this weekend

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Players Mentioned

Eric Abbate

Luke Bessire

Jeb Boring

Jordan Chamberlain

Ethan Dunn

Kenneth Fogarty

Jake Nole

Brayden Sheen

Aaron Spuhler

Kyle Wesbury

Jesse Zaragoza