If you walk onto the William Paterson University campus in Wayne, NJ, expecting to find a massive, glitzy NCAA Division I arena with a Jumbotron and heated seats, you’re gonna be disappointed. But honestly? That’s exactly why William Paterson ice hockey is one of the coolest stories in Jersey sports.
It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s basically built on the back of guys who just really love to hit people and chase a puck around a sheet of ice at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday.
Most people think that if a team isn’t playing on ESPN under the NCAA banner, it isn't "real" hockey. That’s a massive mistake. The Pioneers compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) at the Division 1 level, and let me tell you, the intensity in the ECHA (Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association) is way higher than most "pro" minor leagues I’ve seen. These guys aren't playing for multi-million dollar NIL deals. They’re playing for the logo and the chance to keep their skates sharp for four more years.
Why the Ice Vault is the Craziest Place in Wayne
You can’t talk about this team without talking about the Ice Vault Arena. Located just a stone's throw from campus, this is the Pioneers' fortress.
If you’ve never been to a game there, it’s a vibe. The air is frigid, the coffee is questionable, and the stands are packed with students who probably should be studying for their midterms. Unlike the sterile atmosphere of a big pro arena, you are right on top of the action. You can hear the chirps. You can hear the bone-crunching sound of a defenseman pinning a winger against the boards.
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Bill Katinsky, the head coach, has turned this program into a perennial contender. We’re talking about a team with a legacy that includes nine ACHA National Tournament appearances and six Super East Conference titles. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the program recruits heavily from the NJ/NY/PA area, pulling in kids who grew up playing in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) and want to stay local.
The Roster: New Jersey’s Finest
Look at the 2024-2025 roster and you’ll see a map of the Garden State.
- Austin Teats (Emerson, NJ)
- Jason Lastra (Rutherford, NJ)
- Dante Amato (Colonia, NJ)
- Thomas Swartwout (Brick, NJ)
It’s a "who’s who" of New Jersey high school hockey legends. When these guys step on the ice, they aren't just representing a school; they’re representing their hometowns. That local pride is what makes the rivalry games—especially against schools like Montclair State or Rutgers—feel like a playoff series every single time.
The "Club Sport" Misconception
Here’s the thing that drives me nuts. People hear "club sport" and they think of intramural kickball where everyone gets a trophy.
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William Paterson ice hockey is "club" in name only.
In the ACHA MD1 world, the commitment is intense. We’re talking about multiple practices a week, dryland training, and bus trips that would make a long-haul trucker tired. The Pioneers play a grueling schedule against heavyweights like the US Naval Academy, Villanova, and West Chester.
Check out the 2024-2025 season stats if you don't believe me. The games are high-scoring, fast-paced, and physically demanding. In early 2025, the team was grinding through ECHA play, facing off against Temple and Drexel in games that often went down to the wire. It’s a level of hockey that requires serious skill. You don't just "show up" and play for Katinsky. You earn your spot.
A Legacy That Started in '73
The program isn't some new flash-in-the-pan thing. It actually started way back in September 1973. Back then, they didn't even have a coach or a home rink. A student named Bob Rodgers had to step up and coach the team himself. They lost their first six games.
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But then something clicked.
Led by guys like Rich Humphrey and David Stanek, they finished that first season 7-10-2. It wasn't a winning record, but it was the start of something. Fifty years later, that "scrappy" identity is still baked into the team's DNA.
What Does the Future Look Like?
If you’re a recruit or a fan looking at the 2026 horizon, the program is in a strong spot. They’ve consistently stayed in the ACHA Top 25 rankings over the years. The goal is always the same: Nationals. The ACHA National Tournament is a meat grinder. To get there, the Pioneers have to survive the ECHA playoffs, which is basically a weekend of survival. But with veteran leadership and a solid goaltending tandem (shoutout to guys like Hunter Galgani and Kevin Brennan who have stood tall in the crease), they’re always a threat.
Why You Should Care
Even if you aren't a student, catching a game at the Ice Vault is probably the best $10 you can spend on a Friday night in Passaic County. It’s raw. It’s authentic. There’s no corporate fluff—just pure hockey.
You’ve got the local rivalries, the history, and a team that plays with a massive chip on its shoulder because they’re constantly out to prove that "club" hockey is elite hockey.
Ready to Follow the Pioneers?
If you want to keep up with the team or maybe even see if you've got what it takes to wear the orange and black, here is what you need to do:
- Check the Schedule: Head over to the official ACHA or WPU Athletics site. Games usually peak on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.
- Head to the Ice Vault: 10 Nevins Road in Wayne. Bring a jacket. Seriously, it’s cold in there.
- Follow the Socials: The team is super active on Instagram (@wpuhockey) and Twitter. It’s the best way to get real-time score updates and see the highlights.
- Recruitment: If you’re a high school player, don't wait. Reach out to the coaching staff early. The ACHA recruitment cycle moves fast, and spots on the MD1 roster are highly coveted.