University of St. Thomas Athletics
Photo by: Wesley Dean
Joel Johnson, Women's Hockey ready for leap in year two
6/17/2022 1:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
St. Thomas women's hockey head coach Joel Johnson identified a clear focus for the program in year one of the reclassification from Division III to Division I. Establish themselves in the WCHA. The goal in year number two and beyond? Climb the ladder in the league and nationally.
"We know anywhere from the middle to the top of the WCHA means you're in the (NCAA Division I) National Tournament," said Johnson. "Now that the tournament has expanded, and hopefully even more teams in the future, we know that if we can be in the top half/middle of the conference that we have a chance."
Year one with the Tommies did not come without a few hurdles for Johnson or the team. A first-year coach with the team, Johnson had the task of meeting a whole new roster of student-athletes, getting to know the staff, and even the unique opportunity of leading a team in its first year of Division I play. Oh, and he also was the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, finishing with the silver medal.
But even with all of tests that the team faced the positives were plenty, such as back-to-back wins against Bemidji State (first win in DI history) and St. Cloud State, or getting the opportunity to compete against Minnesota State at Hockey Day Minnesota in Mankato. The Purple captured its first Division I sweep at RIT in late October, and the freshmen stepped up in big ways, with a few newcomers securing prestigious league honors.
Those returning athletes, mixed with what can only be described as a strong recruiting class, sets the Tommies up to compete in-and-out of the WCHA in 2022-23. "We have high hopes and we feel that our program is on the rise. We're lucky that we were able to put pieces in place and bring in the players that we are," said Johnson. The mesh of a strong newcomer class (freshmen and transfers) and the battle-tested 2021-22 roster has Johnson and the entire staff feeling very confident heading into year two.
A major reason that Johnson and the staff, as well as the entire community feel confident in the rise of the women's hockey program, is the commitment to comprehensive excellence. "Our culture is equally as important as our win-loss record," highlighted Johnson. "As you look at our academic excellence, on-campus experience, and now the opportunities at the Division I level, this is something that people will be attracted to." Academics, experiences, opportunities. These three factors are a large part of what Johnson preaches as it correlates to the program he, and the entire staff and roster, are building. Year one was about the foundation being laid. Year two looks to build upon said foundation.
The newcomers and returners, as well as the complete 2022-23 schedule for women's hockey, will be revealed on Tuesday. Ticket sales and information on purchasing tickets will be released alongside the full schedule on Tuesday.
"We know anywhere from the middle to the top of the WCHA means you're in the (NCAA Division I) National Tournament," said Johnson. "Now that the tournament has expanded, and hopefully even more teams in the future, we know that if we can be in the top half/middle of the conference that we have a chance."
Year one with the Tommies did not come without a few hurdles for Johnson or the team. A first-year coach with the team, Johnson had the task of meeting a whole new roster of student-athletes, getting to know the staff, and even the unique opportunity of leading a team in its first year of Division I play. Oh, and he also was the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, finishing with the silver medal.
But even with all of tests that the team faced the positives were plenty, such as back-to-back wins against Bemidji State (first win in DI history) and St. Cloud State, or getting the opportunity to compete against Minnesota State at Hockey Day Minnesota in Mankato. The Purple captured its first Division I sweep at RIT in late October, and the freshmen stepped up in big ways, with a few newcomers securing prestigious league honors.
Those returning athletes, mixed with what can only be described as a strong recruiting class, sets the Tommies up to compete in-and-out of the WCHA in 2022-23. "We have high hopes and we feel that our program is on the rise. We're lucky that we were able to put pieces in place and bring in the players that we are," said Johnson. The mesh of a strong newcomer class (freshmen and transfers) and the battle-tested 2021-22 roster has Johnson and the entire staff feeling very confident heading into year two.
A major reason that Johnson and the staff, as well as the entire community feel confident in the rise of the women's hockey program, is the commitment to comprehensive excellence. "Our culture is equally as important as our win-loss record," highlighted Johnson. "As you look at our academic excellence, on-campus experience, and now the opportunities at the Division I level, this is something that people will be attracted to." Academics, experiences, opportunities. These three factors are a large part of what Johnson preaches as it correlates to the program he, and the entire staff and roster, are building. Year one was about the foundation being laid. Year two looks to build upon said foundation.
The newcomers and returners, as well as the complete 2022-23 schedule for women's hockey, will be revealed on Tuesday. Ticket sales and information on purchasing tickets will be released alongside the full schedule on Tuesday.
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