In the past few seasons, the American International College ice hockey team has seen a major upswing in on-ice success, with three consecutive Atlantic Hockey Association titles, trips to the NCAA Tournament, and a bevy of victories unprecedented in the program's history since making the leap to the Division I level in 1998.
The elevated on-ice success has stemmed in no small part from an increase in the talent levels of the student-athletes recruited and developed by Head Coach
Eric Lang '98/'08 and his various assistants in the six seasons Lang has been at the helm of the program. A significant portion of them have gone on to play professionally after graduating, and while there have always been a few to make a living at the sport witness the longevity of former captain Adam Pleskach '13 with the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL as he approaches his 500th ECHL game with the team never have so many been earning paychecks at one time.
But even with the dozens of Yellow Jackets dotting the professional ranks, there are standouts.
Blake Christensen '20 and
Brennan Kapcheck '21 were the foundation of the Yellow Jackets in their time at the College. Both earned All-American status, the first two to do so in the Division I era. Christensen is the all-time points leader in Division I play, while Kapcheck is the all-time assists leader and points leader among defensemen. Now, both stand on the cusp of the next step for AIC's program: getting an alumnus into the NHL.
The program has had a few in its history. Kevin Wortman '91 played five games in Calgary in 1994. Dave Forbes '71 played six NHL seasons and 363 games, mostly in Boston. Plus, while Kevin Collins '72 and Tony Sericolo '91 did not reach The Show as players, both had extensive careers in the NHL as officials, calling over 1500 games each.
Christensen and Kapcheck represent AIC's next hopes for a Yellow Jacket to reach the top level of the sport, with both playing in the American Hockey League this season. Both made it to that level immediately out of college, and both earned recalls this season, with Christensen now playing for the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues and Kapcheck dressing for the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Their standing in the hockey world is no surprise to Lang.
"What Blake and Brennan have been able to accomplish collegiately at AIC was incredible. I anticipate they are going to have incredible pro careers. They are driven, talented, and not afraid to work," he said.
Kapcheck has been involved in two games this season for the Marlies after his recall from the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers. He picked up an assist in the first one, setting up a power play goal against the Syracuse Crunch on December 15, 2021. He was recently sent back to the ECHL, although another callup seems likely given the expansion of NHL rosters with the addition of taxi squads due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Christensen's role with his AHL team has been even larger, likely helped along by an extra year of experience and some time in Europe during the height of the pandemic. Since being called up from the ECHL's Worcester Railers, he has hit the ice in nine games, earning ice time in all situations.
Perhaps another thing helping Christensen is where he plays. The Blues AHL affiliate is the Springfield Thunderbirds, meaning he laces up his skates for home games in the same rink he played for AIC in; he gets to look up at the banners he helped the Yellow Jackets raise and see the logo on the ice every home game.
"In my current chapter of my career, I am across the hallway with the Springfield Thunderbirds, which was a little strange at first being in the same building, but I am extremely grateful I get to see some of my old teammates and coaches on a frequent basis," he said.
Both Christensen and Kapcheck credit their time at AIC with their success at the next level.
"AIC helped me develop and grow as an individual and part of a team. It prepared me for professional hockey and allowed me to be the best version of myself," Kapcheck said.
Christensen noted "AIC means the world to me. They gave me an opportunity to live my dream of playing college hockey. As far as developing me as a hockey player, they went above and beyond and provided me all the tools to be successful. Most importantly, all my coaches and teammates were all outstanding human beings that made coming to the rink everyday extremely fun. We had a very tight knit team and I believe that played a huge role in why we were so successful."
For Lang, seeing their success is gratifying. He knows that for both, it is more a matter of when than if one will get the call.
"We look forward to the day where we have an AIC player lace them up for an NHL club. They both have that type of potential," he said.
