ASU hockey opens its season on Oct. 3 at Gila River Arena in Glendale. Here's what head coach Greg Powers had to say about the program's inaugural hybrid season.
On growing the sport of hockey in Arizona and adjusting to the rigors of NCAA competition
"When you're building a foundation, you have to prepare the same way, and it doesn't matter who you're playing. ... We have to be very difficult to play against."
On ASU's expected timeline to compete at the Division I level
"Right away, we want to compete every night. What we're focused on right now is being the most successful start-up Division I hockey program ever."
On ASU adding women's ACHA club hockey
"We're excited about that. It really has no direct correlation with us at all, but we're excited that there's going to be women's hockey at ASU. My daughter plays; she's eight. There's good organizations here in town, and I'm going to do everything that I can to help grow it."
On playing select games at Gila River Arena this season
"It's a first-class facility. The Coyotes have been amazing to us to offer their home, and make it our home for the time being. We're gonna do it right that weekend and stay out there and skate and get familiar with our new home and use it as home-ice advantage."
On the legacy of the ACHA program
"We're going to embrace our past and never forget it. Without that (2014 ACHA DI championship) I truly believe that we're not here today. Any alumni that's played for the ACHA program I view as alumni of our hockey program."
Related Links:
ASU hockey to call Oceanside home another season
ASU hockey finishes third in final ACHA season
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