Since its inception in 1903, Williams College men's hockey has enjoyed the support of the college and the community at large. When speaking of men's hockey at Williams, you must include the entire athletic program which enjoys a rich tradition. Year in and year out the 32 varsity teams, encompassing about 36% of the entire student body, have achieved success without sacrificing academic excellence. It is my desire to continue recruiting outstanding young men who appreciate a strong academic/athletic challenge, and wish to improve their overall skills and physical strength for themselves and the team. Once you have visited our campus, toured our facilities, and associated with our student-athletes, I am sure that you will be impressed with what we have to offer.
The hockey team annually competes against a tough schedule and has performed very well.
Early Years and Evolution of Facilities
Prior to 1953 Williams played hockey on a pond just below Cole Field House on the northern end of campus. In 1953 the hockey team moved to the site of the current Lansing Chapman Rink to play on an outdoor rink. Eight years later the outdoor rink was domed and a few years later the ends were enclosed. The Ephs responded to their new location by amassing a 32-7-1 record from 1960 to 1962.
Lansing Chapman Rink
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Key Figures and Achievements
Many talented student-athletes have excelled in hockey at Williams. In 1925-26 All-American senior center Harry Watkins led the Eph attack which lost only four contests all year, and all of them to nationally-ranked teams. Hockey players John Jay '38 and Edson Spencer '48 are two of 32 Williams College graduates to receive a Rhodes Scholarship. Coach Bill McCormick was named New England Small College Coach of the Year in 1961. Asst. Goalie Marc Siegel '96 earned All-America honors three consecutive years (1993-95) and goalie Dave Haimson '00 was a First Team All-American in both 1999 and 2000.
Rhodes Scholarship
The Kangas Era and Program Revitalization
Bill Kangas' term as head coach began in 1989-90. Since Kangas' arrival, the Williams College hockey team has progressed to where it is consistently among the very best in the east and the nation. The 1992-93 season exemplified a revitalized program as the team finished with an 18-7 record, attaining the ECAC East Semi-finals and a number-four NCAA East Ranking. The Ephs repeated their number-four NCAA East Ranking in 1993-94, compiling a 17-5-1 record and winning outright the ECAC East regular season title. Bill Kangas was named Co-NESCAC Coach of the Year in 2006 and was a finalist for national coach of the year. During his 25 years at Williams, Kangas’ teams have compiled a 335-229-56 (.540) record.
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Bill Kangas
Memorable Seasons and Streaks
The streak of nine consecutive games without a loss in 2005-06 tied for the second best unbeaten streak in Eph history with the 1999-2000 and 2003-04 Ephs and two short of the Eph record of 11 that was logged in 1996-97, which featured 10 wins and a tie.
"Frozen Fenway" and a Return to Outdoor Hockey
In 2014, the Ephs returned to the outdoor rink by way of "Frozen Fenway". A head-to-head tilt between NESCAC rivals Williams and Trinity held at Boston's Fenway Park recreated the chilly conditions the Eph team were accustomed to early in the programs history.
Frozen Fenway
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Here is a table summarizing some key milestones:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1903 | Inception of Williams College men's hockey |
| 1953 | Team moved to outdoor rink at Lansing Chapman Rink site |
| 1960-1962 | Ephs record of 32-7-1 |
| 1961 | Bill McCormick named New England Small College Coach of the Year |
| 1989-90 | Bill Kangas begins term as head coach |
| 1992-93 | ECAC East Semi-finals, number-four NCAA East Ranking |
| 1993-94 | ECAC East regular season title, number-four NCAA East Ranking |
| 2014 | "Frozen Fenway" game at Fenway Park |