Overview
- Mercyhurst, which announced the decision Friday, will shut down the men’s team after the 2025–26 season while the women’s program continues.
- The university said the move reflects a plan for long‑term viability and student demand, and it will honor scholarships, provide academic advising, and help players enter the transfer portal.
- The men’s team went 6-28-3 this season, ranked last in a national performance index, and drew about 712 fans per game, which reporters noted was well below arena capacity.
- Atlantic Hockey America commissioner Michelle Morgan called the news disappointing, said she learned of it at 8:57 a.m. Friday, and confirmed the league is down to nine members and reviewing options with a board meeting expected within two weeks.
- Longtime coach Rick Gotkin is retiring after nearly four decades, assistant Tom Peffal had been set to take over, and both coaches had little warning before players were told.