A History Of Tradition
The Army Black Knights began as an informal collection of inline skaters playing in Central and Northern areas in 1999, using big yellow laundry carts for goals. This loosely organized group eventually coagulated into a formal club in 2000 after receiving founding support from then LTC Kathleen Snook (the original OIC) and ultimately the blessing of then Commandant of Cadets, BG Eric T. Olsen. Without the freedom or funding to enter league play, the early team competed in a handful of loosely organized intercollegiate roller hockey tournaments across the northeast using hand-me-down ice hockey jerseys. The first of these events was a 4-team invitational in October 2000 in Corning, NY.
In 2006-2007, the Black Knights became a competitive club entering the Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (ECRHA). By 2009, Army qualified for the D1 National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association, finishing in 6th place after losing to Buffalo 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Army’s continued success in the ECRHA coupled with increasing demand enabled the Cadets to transition from Roller Hockey to Ice Hockey.
In 2012-2013, the West Point club hockey team transitioned to an on-ice team, playing an abbreviated schedule in the American Collegiate Hockey Association(ACHA). The following season, 2013-2014, the club continued its ACHA campaign at the Division II level, finishing the season with a record of 11-1 versus Division II competition. The squad won the Service Leaders of Tomorrow tournament, competing against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy.”
2014 ARMED FORCES ACADEMY TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
In 2014 the Black Knights are the Armed Forces Tournament Champions.
2009 SUCCESS STORY
The Black Knights maintained a strong presence throughout the 2009 making it to the quarterfinals at the 2009 NCRHA Nationals.
ARMY COMES BACK TO TAKE THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2008
After a single year Army comes back to take the NCRHA Championship in a 2-0 win against the University of Missouri-Rolla.
ARMY COMES IN 2ND AT THE FIRST INLINE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT IN KEY WEST
The Black Knights headed down to the beautiful Florida Key’s in 2007 for the inaugural National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Winter Fest Tournament.
EXCHANGING GOALS
BETWEEN THE PIPES
ARMY VS NAVY
JEFF LESMEISTER
JEFF LESMEISTER
CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN
MIKE FONTICHARIO
THE BIG GUY AT THE GAME
Brigadier General Richard Clarke addresses the team in their final off-ice workout before the inaugural Army-Navy game in 2013.