Sports
Ohio Hockey gears up to defend their ACHA National Championship
By: Craig Neal
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) -– It’s about that time for Ohio Hockey to start, and the reigning ACHA National Champion Ohio Bobcats look to continue their success into the 2026-27 season. The Bobcats, led by Head Coach Barry Schutte, seek to have another successful season so they can have a chance to defend their crown.
Last year’s championship victory is one of many achievements of the storied Ohio Hockey program. With an avid fanbase inside and outside of Athens, and with the program reaching its 69th year, Head Coach Barry Schutte says, “It’s extra motivation for sure. Our student athletes understand that they’re playing for something other than themselves; they’re playing for 68 years of Ohio Hockey.”
Coming off such a successful season, Schutte pointed out that he feels that the team looks more comfortable and confident compared to a season ago. The Bobcats lost major pieces from that championship roster, including captain Drake Albers, Jack Glen, Hollander Thompson, and Tommy Kloepfer, all of whom contributed immensely to the team a year ago.
Even though they lost major contributors, they also returned a large majority of last year’s team. Some familiar faces in Laker Aldridge, Mathieu Oavert, and Luc Reeve will be taking the ice again for the Bobcats, all entering their senior season. The Bobcats also returned all three senior goalies in Scott Bird, Garrett Alderman, and Matt Zazon; these three will be crucial if the Bobcats want to make another run at the national championship.
Schutte said with all the players he has returning, “The new guys don’t have to do any heavy lifting; they can go out and have fun, try to fit in and contribute. They can let the older guys lead the way.” He also stated that guys will have to take a bigger role this year, “Guys will have to step up, not just new guys, but returning guys will have to produce and create on offense, whether it be five-on-five or five-on-four.”
“Belief instead of relief” are the words that Schutte used to describe the feelings around the team as the first puck drop of the season gets closer and closer. Schutte sees his guys as completely bought in, noting that they’ve seen what the discipline from last season got them, and how continuing that will lead to success on and off the ice.
There is a lot of confidence in the team despite guys having to take a bigger role, “There is plenty of talent in the room that can take care of that (the offense). Now who will poke their head out more than the others? Only time will tell, and that is the fun part about the season when it’s all said and done,” said Schutte when asked how they plan to fill the holes on the offense when it comes to production and goal scoring.
With the Green and White scrimmage in the books, the Ohio Bobcats look to start their journey back to the top of the ACHA with a home game against Syracuse on September 25 as the first part of a two-game weekend series.