Calvin’s Division 1 (D1) hockey team has been around for 54 years, but few seasons have seen the program reach such heights as it’s hitting now. After a dominant weekend on Nov. 6 and 7 that included two wins against #15 Purdue-Northwest, the Knights have climbed to #4 nationally, sitting with a record of 7–2–0.
Calvin’s DI hockey team is in the midst of preparing for an intense three-game trip this week to Maryville and St. Louis, Missouri. Over three days, Calvin will face #23 Arizona, #5 Liberty and #10 Maryville. Despite the demanding schedule ahead, Calvin has already proven it can compete with top-tier programs, stacking up ranked wins throughout the first portion of the season.
The Knights opened the season at #11 in the preseason rankings. With a steady increase each week and a strong showing against Purdue-Northwest, Calvin has climbed to #4 nationally in American Collegiate Hockey Association(ACHA) D1 — the most competitive level of college hockey outside the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Calvin’s ice hockey program began in 1972 and quickly increased in both popularity and competitiveness. In the 1990s, the team joined the ACHA. With the success of the teams through multiple national tournament appearances, including a Division III (D3) championship in the 2003-2004 season, Calvin decided to form separate DI and D3 ACHA teams in 2017. The DI team experienced varying success from their formation to the 2021-2022 season, but has since achieved over twenty wins for each of the past three seasons. These three seasons have all ended in the ACHA D1 tournament games, with losses to Adrian College in the second round each time.
Despite the high ranking this season, the team still has much to prove with the remainder of the season. Gibson Grendel, Ethan Pool, and Alim Darmenov described team goals as winning the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League (GLCHL) and performing well in the national tournament, with their eyes set on the national title. Grendel said, “We’re feeling good about the rank, but we also know how much higher our team’s ceiling is; [we have the potential to be] even better.” Darmenov described the root of success this season as “buying into the locker room, playing for each other and trusting in the process and the systems that our coach gives us.”
While long-term goals are important, the team is always focused on the day-to-day goal of winning their next competition. Darmenov explained the importance of determination and grit, saying, “We’re definitely very skilled and talented, but we work really hard. Talent alone can’t really get anything done for you, but from top to bottom, everyone works super hard.”
Freshman Grendel said the team’s success stems from how close the group has become. “All the boys are super connected like a family, and it’s a huge reason for why we’re so successful. Our mindset is that every game we play is the biggest game of the year.” Darmenov described the matchup against Hope on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 as “electric.” Halloween weekend marked the first-ever meeting between the rivals at the DI level, with Hope debuting its new D1 program this season. Calvin split the series — winning 4–1 before falling 5–2 on Nov. 1.
As Calvin heads into its toughest stretch of the season, the Knights carry both momentum and confidence in their abilities. With a community built around trust and work ethic, Calvin enters their upcoming road trip with a chance to prove just how much they are capable of.
