The NAU Club Hockey Team started in 1972 under the direction of Dr. Gerald Capel who taught chemistry at the University. The team played at the old Flagstaff Ice Arena that was basically a pond with a roof over it. The famous chicken wire fence kept the fans from jumping on to the ice. NAU’s love for hockey grew over the years and became a Division I Independent team in 1981. They were ranked #1 in the nation in 1984-1985 with players Bobby Beers and Greg Adams going on to play in the National Hockey League. Unfortunately the Ice was damaged at the Walkup Sky Dome. Budget cuts forced the team to disband for 5 years. The team was restored by Coach Doug Allan who was a former NAU star and pro player. Coach Allan led NAU to several winning seasons and club hockey was on the map in Flagstaff. Coach Allan resigned in 1995 and the team struggled under several coaches in the interim. Four years ago the team was lead by Coach Ron Kuzara, a fine player from Minnesota, who kept the program going. Three years ago A. J. Fairchild took over the program as Director of Hockey and brought in Head Coach Todd Schall to lead the team. Coaches Schall and Fairchild have worked hard with our players to improve the team each season.

The current Ice Jacks Team plays in front of a raucous crowd of NAU students and Flagstaff residents at the Jay Lively Activity Center. Last season the Ice Jacks traveled to California, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico. Last season the Ice Jacks joined the PCHA conference which is composed of California teams in the ACHA Division III Pacific Division. The Ice Jacks are the first team out side of California to be admitted to the Conference. NAU was the regular season PCHA champion over San Diego State, UC San Diego, Cal State Northridge, UC Irvine, Fresno State, UC Sacramento, College of the Canyons and UC Davis.  The Ice Jacks have moved to the top of the conference again. The team is driving for a spot in the national tournament in Minnesota.

The team had a resurgence during the ’06-07 season, finishing strong and qualifying for the national tournament. NAU faced top seed University of Tennessee and beat them 9-5 in the first round of the national tournament in Fort Wayne, Indiana. NAU finished 8th in the nation in their first invitation to nationals.  The Ice Jacks are experiencing a solid ’07-08 season with an influx of new talented, hard-working players added to our solid corps of sophomore and junior players! The Ice Jacks will  graduate only two players this season.

The Ice Jacks are always interested in bringing in new players. Full time students can try out for the team each September.  Potential recruits can follow the Ice Jacks season at http://www.nauhockey.net. When not coaching games, coaches Schall and Fairchild are interested in following Junior, Midget and High School players who are interested in attending Northern Arizona. The coaches attend many games and showcases during and after the Ice Jacks season.

Call or E-mail Todd Schall for more information: 480-636-9676

                                            t.s.schall@earthlink.net

2004-2005 Team Photo

A younger Rob Fairchild showing off the old team Jersey

  When you so want to get away.