Miami awaits the unveiling of the NCAA Tournament bracket, which will be released March 22.
For the past three decades, Miami University ice hockey has become a tradition that will be embraced for years to come. Miami hockey began as a varsity sport Oct. 20, 1978 with the RedHawks crushing defeat of the Cincinnati Bearcats 15-2. Miami's first coach Steve Cady led the 1978-79 RedHawks to a 22-14-1 season.
In their inaugural season of CCHA play, the RedHawks defeated Western Michigan Oct. 23, 1981 by a score of 2-0 and went on to win a total of nine league games that season. In March 1992, Miami earned a trip to the CCHA semifinals for the first time in program history when they defeated Western Michigan 3-1 and 4-3. Two days later, the RedHawks lost to the University of Michigan in the semifinals.
The RedHawks entered into to the 1992-93 season with high hopes and recorded their first CCHA regular-season title. In February 1993, No. 3 ranked Miami conquered No. 2 ranked Michigan 4-3 in overtime. For the second consecutive season, Miami headed to the CCHA semifinals after knocking out rival Ohio State 8-2 and 7-2. After beating Ferris State 4-3 in overtime, the Red and White headed to the finals where they fell to Lake Superior State University. Miami went on to face the University of Wisconsin in their first NCAA tournament appearance, but lost 3-1.
Fast forward to 1999 when former Miami player Enrico Blasi became the first Miami hockey alumnus to return to his alma mater as head coach. Blasi, who graduated in 1994, returned to Miami after working for four years at the University of Denver. Blasi, who has been named CCHA Coach of the Year three times (2005-06, 2003-04, 2000-01), was named the National Coach of the Year after the 2005-06 season.
"Coach Blasi has really identified specific things, for example my shot or working on the mental part of the game, and has taken me under his wing and made sure I grew and developed into a player that can compete at the next level," senior Justin Mercier said.
In Blasi's first season as head coach, the RedHawks went 13-20-3. In March 2004, the RedHawks made their third NCAA tournament appearance against Denver and Blasi's former coach, George Gwozdecky. Miami fell to Denver 3-2.
Jan. 29, 2005 marked Blasi's 100th career win when the Red and White defeated Ferris State 5-3. Behind Steve Cady, Blasi became only the second head coach in Miami hockey history to reach 100 wins.
One year later, on Jan. 27, 2006, Blasi surpassed Steve Cady's 121 career wins with his 122nd, a 3-1 win over Ferris State. After sweeping Ferris State that weekend for the first time in both school and hockey history, the RedHawks were ranked No. 1 in all three major national polls. Jan. 17, 2009 marked Coach Blasi's 200th career win, after beating Michigan State 6-1.
"One thing that we wanted to accomplish was consistency," Blasi said. "To do this we needed to create a culture. We knew if we were a consistent top team in the league we could play for championships."
That championship was secured Feb. 14, 2006 when Miami beat Ohio State 6-3 and achieved the CCHA regular-season title for the second time.
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"Putting Miami on the map and helping Miami get put into the national spotlight is something I think a lot of people take pride in," Mercier said.
In March 2006, the RedHawks achieved a No. 2 seed at the NCAA East Regional but lost 5-0 to Boston College in the first round. One year later Miami recorded their first NCAA tournament victory when they shut down New Hampshire, 2-1, in March 2007.
The Red and White's first home was Goggin Ice Arena, named for former Miami Vice President for Finance and Business Lloyd Goggin. In 2002, plans were made for an upgraded facility for the ice hockey and synchronized skating programs.
The Goggin Ice Center, which has two NHL-sized ice sheets, was completed in July 2006. Named for the first head coach, Steve Cady Arena features a 3,200-seat arena. Miami's synchronized skating team and other various youth hockey and intramural teams utilize the other arena, with seating for 250.
"We've always had a lot of community and student support, but the knowledge and passion the fans come in with is the highest it's ever been," Blasi said. "We're starting to attract some top-notch players, and in addition we're giving them a top-notch education."
March 11, 2006 marked the last game in the original Goggin Ice Arena when the Red and White finished off Western Michigan in overtime, 5-4, in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. Seven months later, Miami beat Denver 5-2 in the first game played at Steve Cady Arena.
"We continue to focus our attention on recruiting Miami student athletes. We focus on daily improvement and not just building hockey players, but young men. As long as we continue to live that culture we'll continue to fight for top spots in the league which lead to championships," said Blasi, who signed a contract extension through the 2016-17 season in 2007.
With countless Miami hockey alumni in the pros, 10 All-Americans and seven Hobey Baker finalists, the future of Miami hockey seems promising.
"I see Miami hockey with the sky as the limit," Mercier said. "With Blasi at the reins, this organization can accomplish anything. I think there are many, many championships in Miami's future."
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