The University of Alabama is about to make a major mark on the national stage as its men’s and women’s Amateur Athletic Union club hockey teams head to the college nationals in Jacksonville, Florida, March 5-9.
Both teams have worked tirelessly to get to this point, and now the spotlight is on them as they compete against some of the best club hockey teams in the country.
The Women’s Team: Hitting the Ice in Their First Season
For the women’s AAU club hockey team, making it to nationals in their inaugural season is a big accomplishment. What started as an idea between Keara Duffany, Teegan Mathey, and Morgan Grzybowski has grown into a powerhouse program, with the team winning its first-ever conference championship in the Women’s College Hockey South Division.
Duffany, the team’s captain and a senior studying kinesiology, explained, “It’s honestly been surreal. When we first came up with the idea, I never imagined we’d be so successful in our first season.”
After a successful regular season and securing the conference championship in a thrilling 3-2 victory over the University of Tampa, they now have their eyes on the national stage. Duffany and her teammates are determined to show the country that UA is a serious contender in women’s hockey, and they’re excited about the opportunity to compete against top teams from around the nation.
“We’re just focused on coming in strong and focusing on our performance,” Duffany said.
Grzybowski, the team’s president and co-founder, shares this journey’s excitement and deeper meaning.
“It would be incredible for us to win not just a conference championship but a national championship in our first official season,” she said. “A championship will put Alabama on the map as a women’s hockey school and bring in more attention nationally. Hockey in the South is still growing, and winning a championship would be a massive statement. It shows that hockey isn’t just a northern sport; we can compete at the highest level in the South.”
With the first game scheduled for Thursday morning against Tampa, the women’s team is eager to prove themselves in the national tournament. They’ve already made history by winning the conference title, but now they’re ready to add another chapter to their story.
The Men’s Team: Chasing the Cup
The men’s AAU club hockey team’s journey to nationals has been filled with hard work and a commitment to growth. Led by President Landon Claas, a junior sports management major, the team has focused on improving its game while aiming for the ultimate prize: respect.
“It’s the best teams in the country competing against each other for something that’s a big deal,” Claas said. “Winning a championship brings a lot of attention — not only to the team but to the school and the organization itself.”
The men’s team faces a tough challenge in nationals, with opponents like South Carolina, Delaware and Farmingdale. South Carolina, in particular, is a familiar foe, having played Alabama to a tie in previous matchups. Farmingdale, a team they faced last year in a close loss, also looms large as a source of redemption. But the team isn’t intimidated. Focusing on offensive zone work, conditioning, and team cohesion, they’re determined to make a statement at the tournament.
“It’s all about playing the game for the love of it,” said Matthew Keoshkerian, the team’s treasurer and assistant captain. “It means everything to us to compete at this level with our teammates and represent The University of Alabama.”
With their eyes on the prize, the hope is that a successful run at the national championship will increase recognition and respect for their hard work and dedication.
The Power of Dedication and Community
While both teams face different challenges, one thing is clear: their dedication to the game and to each other is unwavering. Both teams have fought hard to get to this point, overcoming the challenge of balancing school and hockey. But through it all, they’ve found a deep sense of camaraderie and pride in representing their school.
For the men’s team, making it to nationals is a chance to prove that club hockey can thrive at a high level. For the women’s team, it’s a chance to make history and show that women’s hockey in the South is just as competitive as anywhere else. And for both teams, nationals are more than just a tournament — they’re an opportunity to put UA on the map as a hockey school and continue building a legacy for future players.
As Grzybowski put it, “What’s carried us this far is the support we give each other as teammates. It’s become like a family, and seeing our hard work pay off on the ice has been so rewarding.”
Courtesy of the University of Alabama
