View source for Columbia University Men's Ice Hockey Club

The '''Columbia University Men's Ice Hockey Club''' plays [[ice hockey]] at the [[club sports]] level.
== History ==
Columbia University was among the pioneers of collegiate ice hockey in the United States, with its team playing continuously from 1896 through 1915. The proximity to the St. Nicholas Rink, one of the earliest artificial ice rinks in the country, provided the team with a significant advantage. During this period, Columbia competed against top programs nationwide and enlisted experienced players like Tom Howard and Percy LeSueur to enhance the team's performance.
In the early 20th century, disagreements over eligibility rules led to Columbia's expulsion from the Intercollegiate Hockey Association (IHA). This expulsion resulted in the loss of access to the St. Nicholas Rink, forcing the team to play an entire season on the road. Despite efforts to regain a home venue, challenges persisted, and the program faced periods of dormancy, notably between 1915 and 1921, and again after the 1937 season.
The team was revived as a club sport in the mid-20th century and has remained active since. In the 2021-2022 season, the Columbia Lions clinched the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC) Championship with a 9-3 victory over Sacred Heart University. Following this success, the club transitioned from the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) to the AAU Division II, joining the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference for the 2023-24 season.
== Recent Achievements ==
In 2022, the Columbia Lions secured the MCHC Championship title, underscoring the team's competitive resurgence. In 2024-2025, the team was ranked 1st nationally for AAU DIII for multiple weeks.
== Team Information ==
Columbia Lions Men's Ice Hockey
* '''Home Arena:''' World Ice Arena, New York City * '''Head Coach:''' Jonathan de Castro
* '''Team Colors:''' Columbia Blue and White
== External Links ==
* [https://www.columbiamensicehockey.com/ Official Website]
* [https://www.instagram.com/columbiahockey/ Columbia University Men's Ice Hockey Instagram] * [https://www.facebook.com/columbiahockey/ Columbia University Men's Ice Hockey Facebook]

[[Category:Club sports]]