Men’s D2 Hockey Prepares For New Season

With the brisk fall air approaching, the beginning of hockey season has fallen upon the Liberty Mountain. After the dominant series sweep against the Delaware Blue Hens, the Liberty University Men’s D2 Hockey team is looking ahead and lacing up skates with some goals in mind.

Liberty is not like other schools. Students at other schools don’t have a curfew, they don’t go to Convocation sessions every Wednesday and Friday and they don’t show up to football games painted like Heath Ledger’s Joker.   

However, this is part of what makes Liberty special. The school’s emphasis on spiritual growth and Training Champions for Christ creates an environment for students to grow in both their faith and careers while being able to get a little wild.   

Similarly, the Liberty Men’s Division II Hockey team is not like other collegiate hockey programs. While most teams tend to focus strictly on wins and losses, Liberty does things differently.   

“We want to bring people closer to Jesus,” Head Coach Ben Hughes said. “I would say our mission is salvation, sanctification and success.” 

The Flames had an up-and-down 2023-2024 season, finishing 22-11. This year, the team is reaching for a new goal. 

“I would be remiss not to say our heart is set on being the first men’s team to win a national  championship,” Hughes said. “That is our goal. That’s what we want to do.” 

When asked about some of the team’s goals for the season, Hughes addressed the team’s real mission first.   

“Our goal is to help people get that next step on their walk with the Lord,” Hughes said. “And we get to do that through having a means or a vehicle like hockey. I think that’s the first and foremost.”

Entering his seventh season, Hughes knows what it takes to be successful. Hughes was a captain for the D1 hockey team for three seasons before assuming the head coaching position for the D2 team in 2018.   

The three coaches joining him on the ice this season are Christian Garland, Jeff Wilson, and Josh Martin. Garland is entering his fourth year as an assistant coach, while Wilson is entering his first. 

The Flames return to the ice this season with many veterans on their roster. Senior forward Joshua Harell, sophomore defenseman Cade Pawluk and graduate forward Cooper Neal captain the Flames, with Harell touting the prominent “C” on his chest.   

Dylan Kent, a former ACHA Division I national champion with Adrian College, is also returning to Liberty. In his second season with the Flames, Kent is expected to be one of the better defenders in the league, according to his peers. 

Looking ahead at the upcoming season, Liberty is hoping to take care of business on several occasions at home while also preparing to face some tough battles on the road.   

“There are good teams out there, and we are too,” Hughes said. “We want to be sure that we are playing the best teams so we are prepared for regionals and nationals.”   

Historically, the Flames have excelled on their home ice. Last season, Liberty finished 15-3 in games played at the LaHaye Ice Center. In the two seasons prior, the team went 18-3-1 and 13-2 while playing host. The Flames are hoping to continue this trend in their 21 home games.   

Following the two-game series sweep against the University of Delaware, in which Liberty won 8-1 in game one and 5-0 in game two, the Flames have several big games on their schedule.   

The first of those big games is approaching quickly, with Liberty hosting the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in a two-game series Sept. 21 and 22. Last year, the Eagles were among the best teams in the nation and defeated the Flames on four separate occasions.

Garrett is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.