Albertus Magnus College’s Women’s Ice Hockey Team Takes Center Ice

New Haven, Conn., October 19, 2023 – Pass, shoot, score! Albertus Magnus College is thrilled to invite hockey fans from the Greater New Haven area to the Home Opener for its NCAA DIII Women’s Ice Hockey team’s Inaugural Season.  New Haven’s Ralph Walker Ice Rink at 1080 State Street will come alive with excitement on Saturday, October 21 – first with a special media event at 4:30 p.m. with Albertus President Dr. Marc M. Camille, the team’s Head Coach, Stephen Novodor, and representatives from the City of New Haven, as well as invited guest Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney.  After a ceremonial puck drop, the Albertus Falcons women will face off against Arcadia University at 5:00 p.m.

 “Albertus Magnus College was founded 98 years ago by the Dominican Sisters of Peace with commitments to educational excellence, equity, and opportunity.  Our mission calls us to respond to the needs of our students and society at large, and expanding athletics opportunities for women is one way we answer that call,“ said Dr. Camille.  “The addition of women’s ice hockey brings a key new team to our NCAA lineup of sports, and our community is excited to cheer on and support the young women who will take the ice as Fearless Falcons student-athletes.”  We were founded in 1925 as the first Catholic college for women in New England – at a time when women were not encouraged to get a degree, let alone play sports.  At that time, Albertus offered tennis.  A lot has changed in our almost 100 years as the most diverse Catholic college in New England.  Look at the growing interest in women’s professional sports – think the US Women’s National Soccer Team; the WNBA, and the Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey team that’s preparing for the Paris Games in 2024. As a former DIII hockey player myself, I couldn’t be prouder and more excited.”

“When Albertus debuted its Men’s Ice Hockey team in 2019 the goal was to soon follow with a women’s team,” added Albertus Director of Athletics Mike Kobylanski.  “The COVID pandemic delayed our plans, but this year we move forward.  Competing in ice hockey at the NCAA DIII level is a dream come true for so many women who have a love of the game. What fills me with pride is that in addition to competing for championships, our student-athletes at Albertus equally focus on achieving their college degrees and giving back through service in the community, all while developing important skills like critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership – skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, no matter what career path they choose.” 

“The roster for this first team has shaped-up very well,” stated Albertus Head Coach Stephen Novodor.  “We have local recruits from Connecticut and from as far away as Canada, and they’ve all committed to fearlessly competing, in this inaugural season and beginning next year in the New England Hockey Conference, one of the nation’s best at the NCAA Division III level.”

Admission to the game is free, and it will be live-streamed.  The home opener for women’s ice hockey follows the recent announcement by Albertus of its receipt from the State of Connecticut’s Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF), a grant totaling $3.1 million, the largest single grant in the College’s history.  The funding will enable renovations and improvements to athletics and recreational facilities that serve the College and its neighbors in New Haven and Hamden, including expanded facilities at Ralph Walker rink and the Albertus Celentano Field athletic complex.