Mercyhurst discontinues NCAA Division I men’s hockey team

Sad news for college hockey in Pennsylvania.

On Friday, Mercyhurst University announced that the school is going to be cutting its men’s Division I hockey program, effective at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

The Lakers are the second team from Atlantic Hockey America in as many years to be discontinued, following American International’s departure at the end of last season.

The announcement comes on the toes of the university’s 100th year. In a release from the school, the decision is to “reflect a comprehensive strategy focused on long-term viability and alignment with student demand.”

The university has sponsored D1 men’s hockey since the program moved up from D2 in 1999.

Mercyhurst stated that all players from the hockey team will have their scholarships honored, receive academic advisement, as well as receive any assistance in entering the transfer portal to find a new home next season.

“Our focus is on supporting every student-athlete through this transition,” Mercyhurst athletic director Joe Spano said in the release. “We are committed to providing the resources, guidance, and individual support needed as they determine their next steps.”

The school noted that the women’s D1 hockey team, which just made it to the Atlantic Hockey America final before losing to Penn State, will continue.

The men’s Laker program hasn’t had that much over the last couple of decades. While the team made it to the NCAA National Tournament three times in early 2000s – last reaching the big dance in 2005 – Mercyhurst has posted just eight winning seasons since. This year, the team went just 6-28-3, finishing 10th in the AHA, marking the third straight campaign where the Lakers failed to hit double digits in victories.

The 2025-26 season was the final year for longtime head coach Rick Gotkin. After 38 seasons at the helm, including helping the program’s transition to D1, he was set to pass the baton to assistant coach to Tom Peffall.