Ah, Dartmouth hockey, let me tell ya, it’s got a little something for everyone, I reckon. Now Dartmouth College, it ain’t just any old place—they got a hockey team that’s known far and wide. The Dartmouth Big Green men’s ice hockey team, they play at the top level, the NCAA Division I, mind ya. So, these fellas ain’t messin’ around; they got skill, and they got heart. Folks come from all over to watch them play down at the Thompson Arena, which is Dartmouth’s own rink, been there since way back in 1975.
Now, I’ll tell ya, this Thompson Arena is quite a place to watch a game. Holds about 4,000 people, so it gets lively in there. The rink itself, it’s a good size, too, about 200 feet by 90 feet. When them Dartmouth Big Green hit the ice, well, it’s like watchin’ a storm roll in—those boys are fast and they play hard. Ain’t no wonder people say that hockey over there is somethin’ special.
And don’t ya think it’s just any old team—Dartmouth’s got a history with this hockey business. They got their fair share of Ivy League champs, mind you, and it’s serious stuff to play hockey here. Why, even the young’uns who come to Dartmouth seem to get drawn right in. Over 75 percent of the students are involved in sports, they say, and hockey is one of the big ones. They even offer some scholarships, if a young one’s got the talent and the drive. Those scholarships can be need-based or academic too, so it ain’t only about what you can do on the ice but also what you can do in the books, if you catch my drift.
Now, lookin’ at the men’s team schedule, they got games and scrimmages that draw a good crowd. Why, just in early October, they took on UMass in a scrimmage game, and I bet it was a barn burner. And that’s just the start of the season! The crowd in Hanover gets to see some real action, especially once the team really gets rollin’. People sure get excited to catch a game—they got season tickets and all for the fans who wanna come every time. A season ticket, you see, it’s worth it if you’re lookin’ to catch every bit of the excitement.
Talkin’ about coaches, one name folks remember is Bob Gaudet. Now he’s been around a good while; coached from 1997 to 2020, so he’s seen his share of games at Dartmouth. These coaches, they’re the backbone of the team, I tell ya. Got to keep these young fellas in line, teach ’em the skills, and make sure they’re tough enough for all the competition out there. Hockey’s a rough game, mind ya, and you need someone like Gaudet to keep things runnin’ smooth.
Now, every season, the Dartmouth Big Green put out a roster of young fellas ready to prove themselves. These boys come from all over, and each one’s got his heart set on showin’ what he can do. The 2024-25 roster’s got some promising players, and I bet folks in Hanover are real excited to see who’s got the chops to make it big this year. They all play for that pride, you see—not just for the school, but for the whole town that cheers ’em on. Small town or not, they got spirit over there in Hanover.
Now, you might be wonderin’, why all this fuss about Dartmouth hockey? Well, it’s more than just a game. It’s about community, about pride, and about watchin’ these young men give it their all on the ice. Hockey, you see, it’s in their blood. From the first game to the last, you can see that fire in their eyes, the determination to win, to make their families and friends proud.
So if you ever get a chance, go on and head over to Dartmouth, catch a game, feel that energy. It ain’t just a sport; it’s somethin’ that brings folks together. From the students, the fans, to the ol’ timers who’ve been watchin’ since they were kids, Dartmouth hockey is somethin’ real special. You’ll leave with a story to tell, a memory of cheerin’ on the Big Green. And who knows? You might just catch a glimpse of the next big hockey star takin’ his first steps toward greatness on that ol’ Thompson Arena ice.
Tags:Dartmouth hockey, Dartmouth Big Green, NCAA hockey, Thompson Arena, Bob Gaudet, college hockey