Robert Morris women's hockey works toward 'building the culture' in return to ice

Winning a conference tournament followed by an NCAA Tournament appearance and then subsequently losing your program doesn’t normally happen. That, however, was the case for the Robert Morris women’s hockey team.

The Colonials had gone on quite an impressive run prior to their team being shut down after the 2020-21 season. Five straight College Hockey America championship appearances. Two championships in that time frame, followed by respective NCAA Tournament berths had RMU as one of the dominant programs in the CHA.

Two years have now passed since the Colonials won a CHA title and played their most recent game.

On Tuesday, the RMU women’s hockey team returned to the ice for its first official practice of the relaunch as the Colonials look to build back to those championship-caliber days.

“It’s one practice at a time, doing our systems and getting together as a team” Ally Hebert said. “If that all works out, it’ll all fall into place and hopefully we can get back there.”

The first skate together provided a glimpse of hope for first-year coach Logan Bittle.

“It starts with building the culture,” he said. “There’s a great group of girls and they are excited to get going. They know where we were and that’s where they want to be. It’s not like we are starting brand new and nobody knows what to expect.”

Bittle takes over the program after spending the last 10 years with the women’s hockey team, serving as associate head coach for six of those seasons.

“Robert Morris is home to me,” Bittle said. “I played here as a player and then came back as an assistant and helped with the success of the programs. Coming back here was a no brainer for me. When the opportunity came I was so excited and its an honor. We are going to work hard to represent all the hard work everyone put in before us.”

The standard that was set by the Colonials of the past will be carried out on the ice by the returnees who remained over the past two years with Hebert, Wasyn Rice and Gillian Thompson, along with Chace Sperling who returns to Robert Morris after spending two seasons with St. Cloud University.

“They see what RMU is about and how special it is and that means a lot to them. They are going to help guide the way for the new kids for sure,” Bittle said.

Even with a large group of newcomers, that culture is already starting to be absorbed and understood.

“To be a Colonial is something really special,” Syracuse transfer Madison Primeau said. “I’ve talked to a lot of alumni here, and my former teammate Arielle DeSmet is an alum here. Listening to her talk about this school and getting the opportunity to wear red and blue is something I’m grateful for.”

As the Colonials start to build back toward their previous success, the foundation began over a year ago when Bittle and his staff hit the recruiting trail to find players who fit the RMU mold.

“The biggest thing was to find people that are great people and great hockey players,” Bittle said. “For the players to buy in and see the vision that we want to get back to where we were, a lot of people wanted to jump into that.”

Even without playing a game last year, the Colonials brought in a trio of freshman in forwards Mya Neugent and Calli Arnold along with goaltender Maggie Hatch as they began to shape into the players who will help bond with the newest recruits.

Twenty-four players make up the roster, and the Colonials will look for every player to contribute.

“Each person will bring a different kind of skill, and altogether it will be a really good team,” Hebert said.

For players like Hebert, it may be leadership. As a transfer player, that will be something Primeau will look to bring as well.

“I’m going on my third year now, so bringing what I’ve learned to the younger girls and even the older ones who have been here the past two years by leading by example and being a voice,” Primeau said.

As the season quickly approaches, Bittle is excited to work with the different assortment of personalities and skillsets.

“We have some freshman, some transfers whether those are grad students or mid-college transfers,” he said. “Whether it’s a second chance or an opportunity, it’s really exciting because it’s a clean slate. Practice No. 1 is in the books and things will shake out, so everyone is excited to finding their mark or role on the team.”

The Robert Morris women’s hockey team will open its season against Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. on Sept. 29 before returning to Clearview Arena for the home opener series against Saint Anselm.