Cornell University Athletics

With 11 ECAC Hockey regular-season championship titles, 14 ECAC Hockey Tournament Championships, 25 NCAA Tournament appearances, eight trips to the Frozen Four, and two National Championships under its belt, the Cornell hockey program has forever and will continue to pride itself with the culture that has been built — both on and off the ice.

Cornell had its first season of hockey back in 1900-01 when it played a trio of contests in New York City at the legendary St. Nicholas Rink. It wouldn't be until Feb. 9, 1907 when the Big Red would play its first home game on Beebe Lake when it defeated the University of Rochester, 7-0.

Following a 10-year hiatus without hockey, Cornell opened Lynah Rink prior to the 1956-57 season, allowing the rich traditions to blossom into what all Cornell hockey fans know to this day.

Eight consecutive Ivy League titles from 1966-73, two national championships in the span (1967, 1970), four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances was the harbinger for continued success in the Big Red hockey program.

One of the main reasons for the success in the late 1960s was due to Ken Dryden, who later became the first Cornellian to play in the NHL. Following his time on East Hill, Dryden became one of — if not — the most decorated goaltender the National Hockey League has ever seen. Amassing a career record of 258-57-74 during his eight-year career with Montreal from 1970-79, Dryden collected six Stanley Cups, five Vezina Trophies, as well as the 1971 Conn Smythe and 1972 Calder Trophy, while making five All-Star Games, with the team colloquially known as the "Habs."

Thanks to Dryden's success at Cornell, and his fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk, it allows Big Red players — including NHL mainstays Kent Manderville, Matt Moulson, and Riley Nash — to continually have the aspiration to reach the highest level in hockey, while earning a degree at Cornell University.

Mike Schafer, the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Men's Hockey from 1995 to 2025, played an integral role in preserving Cornell hockey to what it is today, as his 30-year tenure as head coach saw the Big Red accrue 13 Ivy League championships, six ECAC Hockey regular-season championships, seven ECAC Hockey Tournament championships, and 15 NCAA Tournament appearances.