'It was like Christmas early today:' Robert Morris men's hockey returns after 2-year hiatus

Stick taps and cheers rang out inside Clearview Arena Monday morning after coach Derek Schooley closed his team’s first official practice of the year with the words “welcome back Robert Morris hockey.”

It’s been a long time coming for the Robert Morris men’s hockey team as Monday’s practice marked its first time back on the ice as a group since March of 2021. Nearly 900 days.

“It was like Christmas early today,” Schooley said. “You woke up early this morning and got here early. You’re prepared to get back into Robert Morris hockey. It was fun and exciting.”

The 2023-24 season will be a new age of Colonials hockey as only three players return from the team that saw its program disbanded May 26, 2021.

Cam Hebert, Matt Hutton and Gavin Gulash were in for the long haul as they remained at Robert Morris during the tumultuous period of reinstatement.

For Hebert, it was a whirlwind of emotions during that time.

“It’s been a roller coaster,” he said. “You really realize you love (hockey) when it gets taken away like that. It’s amazing to be back again.”

Hebert luckily wasn’t alone through the process as his sister, Ally, plays for the women’s hockey team and also decided to stick around through the process.

The Robert Morris hockey programs are in the blood of the Heberts as their older brother, Grant, finished his junior season when the programs were cut. Grant, unlike Cam and Ally, made the choice to transfer to Maine to complete his collegiate career.

“It’s been hard for sure,” Cam Hebert said. “I know my parents were very excited to have a senior night together when my brother was here with all three of us on the ice. It was really heartbreaking. Maybe it’s all for the best. Grant’s moving on now and playing in Texas and my sister is back and seems to be loving it as well. We are excited.”

Now, Hebert will look to help lead a completely different Colonials team.

“It comes full circle,” Hebert said. “We’ve had some really great leaders in the past, so you hope to take the special attributes from them and bring it to this team.”

As Hebert is just one of three returnees, Schooley and his coaching staff have restocked the roster with 27 new additions, including a host of veteran transfers and plethora of freshmen.

“They’re a good group and seem to get along,” Schooley said. “We wanted to get a good mix of captains and guys with veteran experience. We didn’t want to be a startup or first-year program; we wanted guys who have played the game at high levels.”

The new additions feature a handful of veteran players, including Cade Townend, Paul Maust and Rylee St. Onge, who all played together at Mercyhurst a year ago. Mitch Andres, Dallas Tulik, Logan Gaine and Luke Johnson join the Colonials as grad seniors.

“You’re going to rely on those kids because they’ve played in tough scenarios and systems,” Schooley said. “You have guys who have all been here before and played in big level games.”

Andres, Gaine and Johnson all bring NCAA Tournament level experience to Robert Morris.

Another veteran piece who will be impactful is grad senior goaltender Chad Veltri. Schooley has already made high remarks for the Niagara transfer and points to him as their No. 1 option between the pipes.

Not only will Veltri be an important piece of the rebirth of Colonials hockey, but the Fox Chapel native will have the opportunity to play for his hometown college hockey team.

“It’s awesome. I grew up playing in this rink,” Veltri said. “To come back here and practice brings back some good memories of the good times. Being so close to home is a cool feeling.”

Veltri also brings in experience of playing in the Atlantic Hockey Association after making 99 career starts for the Niagara. Robert Morris’ last game was against Veltri in the AHA playoffs in 2021.

“I know how good the league is and what it offers,” Veltri said. “I’m ready for it and really excited to get going.”

The Colonials will have 23 more practices before the start of the season, which will provide Schooley the opportunity to understand the unknowns of his hockey team.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what team we end up having,” he said. “Whether it’s a big, heavy team. We’ve had that in the past. Or a good skating team. We’ll see what we morph into with our individual groups.”

Schooley will have his work cut out for him over the next month, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s just ready to get back to coaching a Division I program.

“I’m excited to coach again,” Schooley said. “I’ve been undefeated the last two years, so it’s time to get back to coaching hockey.”

Robert Morris hockey will return Oct. 7 with the men’s team hosting Bowling Green.