The Tufts University hockey team is coming off one of its best seasons and is anxious to continue improving. Third-year head coach Brian Murphy and his staff have guided the team to two straight ECAC Northeast playoff berths. Last winter the Jumbos hosted a playoff game and advanced to the tournament semi-finals for the first time in more than a decade. The program, with Murphy on board as its first full-time head coach, is clearly on its way up.

Though six four-year players – including three-time all-star and two-points-per-game scorer Drew Carleton - have graduated, the 2000-01 team has returning talent and more depth to rely upon. Senior defenseman Dan Mahoney, All-League and All-New England last year, should be one of the region’s best players. Mike Carceo and Rob LaQuaglia were two of the top freshmen last season, combining for 22 goals and 34 assists. Jason Boudrow was a New England All-Star and ECAC Northeast Rookie of the Year in 1999 after finishing second in the country with 1.33 goals per game. Forward Natan Obed and defenseman Chad Pessini are also veteran performers.

Twenty-three lettermen in all are due back from a team that finished 13-10-1 last season and lost, 4-3 in overtime, at perennial power Fitchburg State in the playoff semi-finals. Tufts was third in the ECAC Northeast during the regular season with a 9-3-1 record. The Jumbos were ranked among the Top 25 in the NCAA Division III statistics for scoring offense, winning percentage, powerplay percentage and penalty-killing percentage.

An all-star for the Jumbos in 1995 and an assistant coach with the team for three seasons, Murphy has deep roots with the program. He was captain of the 1994-95 team that won 11 straight games and was one of the best teams in Tufts hockey history. His hard work with the team as an assistant helped secure full-time status for the head coaching position. Murphy took over for Steve Hoar, who directed the Jumbos to a 43-40-10 record in four seasons, including consecutive ECAC playoff berths in 1995 and 1996. Seven players were named to ECAC and New England all-star teams during his tenure, including 1996 ECAC Central Player of the Year Doug Gentile.

Brian Hayes will again assist Murphy, while Ben Sands provides administrative leadership. Hayes joined the hockey staff in 1994. He graduated from Boston State College with his bachelor's and master's degrees, then was a very successful prep school coach at perennial power Austin Prep in Reading, Mass., for eight seasons. Sands is a 1954 Tufts grad who played hockey for the Jumbos and coached the team to a 73-63-4 record in seven seasons (1986-91, 93-94). His 1987-88 team finished 18-7 and Sands was named New England Division III Coach of the Year.

The Tufts program is equally committed to the success of its student-athletes academically and in the community. Tufts is also member of the selective New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), which is recognized for its commitment to academics. Two members of last year’s team were named Academic All-NESCAC. At Christmastime, the team brought toys to children at a local homeless shelter. Achieving in class, contributing to the community and winning on the ice is the goal of the Tufts hockey program.

1999-00 Highlights!
Carleton, Mahoney named Hockey Writers' All-Stars
Carleton, Mahoney named ECAC Northeast All-Stars
Jumbos picked fifth in ECAC Northeast Pre-season poll
1999-00 Preview