MSU women’s hockey club rises to D1

The MSU women’s club hockey team is making an incredible push this season with a recent move to American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division I. The hightened level of competition has begun to pit the Bobcats against the toughest opponents in non-NCAA collegiate hockey.

Making the move to D1 had been a goal of the team for months. The club originally began with only five members who practiced on the outdoor rink at Bogert Park, but over the past years has grown to include nearly 20 members. As popularity grew, the team began to practice more and rent ice time at the Gallatin County fairgrounds’ indoor rink. It quickly became apparent the Bobcats were ready for the next level.

While there were a couple of options for non-NCAA hockey competition, joining the ACHA’s top division was a no-brainer. 

“We went to D1 because of our location. In D1 we can play teams from neighboring states like Wyoming and Colorado,” said Head Coach Laurie McGree.

In the past few weeks, the team has begun to face its first D1 opponents. The team made its debut in a trip to Colorado, facing both Colorado State and the University of Denver. The Bobcats also competed in the Beehive Showcase tournament in Salt Lake City, taking on teams from Utah, Michigan and Massachusetts.

Without financial backing from MSU, the full expenses of travel and tournament fees fall on the club. While the team holds fundraising events, the brunt of the cost has fallen on the players. 

“It’s a big commitment,” McGree said. “You can tell the girls love it.”

McGree has invested in the team in a different way. Having coached hockey for 28 years, McGree came out of retirement to help the Bobcats get off the ground for their inaugural season. McGree commutes from Butte to Bozeman to lead training, making the long drive in the dark to reach the rink for 6:30 a.m. practices.

To compete against top schools that have been in Division I for years, the team is focusing on recruiting more players. 

“If we can get a full roster, we can look to get more practice time and gel that chemistry,” McGree said. 

More members will allow the team to afford more time on the ice, improving chemistry between the players and the performance of the team, she said. “We’re starting from the bottom and working our way up.” 

For fans of hockey and Bobcat athletics, there’s a lot to look forward to. The team is scheduled to host several home games at the Gallatin County fairgrounds on Jan. 14, 15, 20 and 21; information for spectators can be found on the team’s social media pages @MSU_Womens_Hockey. Students interested in joining the club can reach out by email at msuwhockey@gmail.com.