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The conference champion UTEP Miners Hockey team added to their ice rink resume’ on Tuesday, as four team members were named to the TCHC All Conference-Team.

As a team, the Miners led TCHC in numerous categories: goals per game, power plays, and penalty kill percentage, among others.

“It’s no secret that among the current Miner roster sits some of the strongest players in TCHC and UTEP Hockey club history,”  Miner Hockey officials shared, “It is because of these individuals’ valiant efforts combined with a hard-working team, made UTEP a force to be reckoned with this season. ”

In his first year with the Miners, former WSHL EL Paso Rhino forward Austin Simpson has made a name for himself in TCHC. As the leading scorer for the Miners, TCHC and ACHA, Simpson has tallied 131 points with 46 goals and 85 assists. Overall during the playoffs, the left-winger had four points, one goal and three assists, in two games.

Simpson is only one of two Miners to reach 100 points in a single season, and the only player in ACHA to reach 100 points this season. Simpson’s 46 goals move him into second place on the all-time leading scorers’ list in club history. He has seven career hat tricks which ties him for most in club history with Lukas Znosko and Carlo Wittor.

Simpson was named to the TCHC 1st All-Conference Team and was TCHC MVP.

Another new addition to the roster this season, center Carlo Wittor, was dominant for the Miners on the scoresheet. Wittor tallied 109 points with 51 goals and 58 assists in 27 games. Wittor finishes the regular season ranked second in the ACHA, behind teammate Austin Simpson.

During the playoffs, Wittor posted four points with two goals apiece in each game. Wittor’s 51 goals makes him the all-time leading scorer in club history. Wittor is in a three-way tie for most career hat tricks with Austin Simpson and Lukas Znosko. In one game this season Wittor scored seven goals against the University of New Mexico making him the only Miner to score seven goals in one game.

With his list of accolades, Wittor was named to the TCHC 1st All-Conference Team.

Returning for his third season in orange and blue, Kevin Duncan was named to the TCHC 1st Team All-Conference for a second season. This season, the junior blueliner tallied 35 points with 12 goals and 23 points. The D-man is a dominant force for the Miners who makes it difficult for any opponent when he is on the ice patrolling the blueline.

Duncan has dressed in 84 games for the Miners scoring 30 goals with 61 helpers making him the all-time leading defenseman in games played, points, goals and assists in club history.

Freshman newcomer, Angus Campbell, has started in 20 games in net for the Miners. Campbell has made 429 saves, has a 1.95 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. The Canadian netminder previously played for the WSHL Seattle Totems and WSHL El Paso Rhinos before taking his place as the starting goalie for the Miners this season.

Campbell finished the regular season ranked 13th in ACHA.

During the playoffs, Campbell faced 62 shots making 60 saves for a .968 save percentage in two games. The stats sheet itself does not showcase the phenomenal goaltending that took place at the TCHC playoffs. His strong performance throughout this season earned him a spot on the TCHC 1st All-Conference Team.

With an impressive run in TCHC in the books; the Miners led by Simpson, Wittor, Duncan and Campbell will switch gears and focus on the ACHA Western Regional Tournament in Tempe, Arizona later this month.

Following a 23-0 win Sunday afternoon against TCHC opponent North Texas, the UTEP Miner hockey squad clinched the TCHC regular season title.

In first place, with 48 points, UTEP earns an automatic bid to the semi-finals of the TCHC playoffs next month, February 7-9, in Dallas, Texas.

As a student run organization funded 100% by the players, the Miners have started a Go Fund Me in hopes of raising money to help offset costs for postseason play.

This season the Miners have complied a 21-1-1-1 record so far with only two regular season games remaining. With only two losses, only one loss in regulation, and a undefeated record at home.

This season alone, the Miners average 9.29 goals per game and have tallied 223 goals. In comparison to other TCHC opponents the Miners rank 1st in goals per game, power play percentage and penalty kill percentage. The Miners have outscored their opponents by three or more goals in 19 out of 24 games this season.

Winning the conference tournament, will give the Miners an automatic bid to the ACHA Western Regional Tournament in Tempe, Arizona next month, February 28- March 2.

To donate to Miners, go to minershockey.com for more information or visit their Go Fund Me page.

Last season, the UTEP Miner hockey squad was dealt a card they didn’t expect: a change of game times. With only one sheet of ice in El Paso and an increasing demand for hockey, things needed to be shuffled.

While the Ice Miners were used to playing on Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00pm, the Miners would now be playing at 11:00 a.m. and sometimes on days other than Friday and Saturday.

It was at this moment UTEP took the opportunity to make an odd start time and turn it into a way to connect with the community in a different way, through learning.

Take any sport and you can see how much science is put to use during a single game, hockey requires a lot of science. From the creation of the ice players skate on to the curve of a hockey stick, the idea to mix hockey with a science lesson became a no-brainer, thus the Science on Ice game series was created.

Based on program previously used at the rink during field trips, the Miners took the idea and built it into the program now shown during games.

“In efforts to promote hockey to the El Paso community, we chose an approach that by inviting students to a game introduces them to the science behind the sport of hockey and preparation for the sport as well as the ice rink,” UTEP Hockey head coach Tom Herman shared.

Throughout the game, students are taken on a journey through different aspects of science and how it is applied to hockey and then it’s seen in action during the game.

As student themselves, the Miners understand the importance of school, as it is required for each hockey player to maintain a 2.5 GPA while playing for the club.

Aside from hockey, the club spends time off the ice in classrooms talking to students about the opportunities education has provided them. In effort to continue building on those relationships, UTEP invited schools into their classroom, the ice rink.

“The goal is simple, make it enjoyable for everyone. Introduce them to hockey, but at the same time teach them so many different things about science,” Coach Herman added.  “Education and especially science isn’t always in the classroom. It’s everywhere. And for the students to be able to enjoy a hockey game, cheer on their UTEP Miners and also learn at the same time, it just makes sense.”

Last season over 1000 students joined the Miners for Science on Ice, this season they are hoping to continue to grow that number.

Anyone on the Miner bench will say, the atmosphere of a Science on Ice game is different. Students yell for the Miners from puck drop to the final buzzer and are quick to let the opposing team know who’s house they’re in.

“They are full of energy and excitement,” said Herman. “They make it an unique experience.”

For $7, students are provided a healthy meal, admission and the opportunity to meet the players after the game. There is only one Science on Ice game left this season and the Miners hope to pack the stands once more to enjoy one last game as they begin to wrap up the season.

The final Science on Ice game is February 2nd against the Texas State Bobcats at 11:00am. For more information on attending our Science on Ice game please visit the UTEP Hockey website.

After a month away from the ice, the UTEP Miner hockey team is ready to pick up where they left off, vying for the top spot in Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference (TCHC.)

“Looking forward to getting back and playing games. It’s been a long break, but the club is ready to go and enthusiastic to start back up,” Coach Herman said. “We are expecting a very physical style series. Should be lots of fun.”

• UTEP is currently 12-1-1-1 this season.
• Freshman Austin Simpson leads the team with 59 points (21 G, 38A).
• Miners wrap up 2018 on a winning note

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The UTEP Miners may have played host to the Patriots of Dallas Baptist Friday morning, but they were anything but cordial, dominating them 12-3.

The Ice Miners got off to a quick start, as Fabian Calderon, Carlo Wittor and Austin Simpson tallied three goals for the Miners within the first 10 minutes of the opening period.

Matt Sanca added a shorthanded goal to cushion the lead to 4-0 with five minutes to go in the first. The Patriots answered with a score of their own, with just over a minute to go in the period.

The second period started much like the first for the Miners, as Fabian Perez scored his first goal of the afternoon and opening the ‘goal floodgates for the Miners; with Wittor and Sanca each notching their second goals of the game.

Patriots answered on a subsequent power play and cut the Miner lead to five. But the red-hot Miners came back  as Simpson set up Wittor for a score and completing the hat trick, putting the Miners up by six goals at the end of the second period.

With only 20 minutes left to play, Wittor – once again assisted by Simpson – tallies his fourth goal of the game making the score, 9-2.

Thirty seconds later the duo of Simpson and Wittor would find the net again, this time Simpson scoring the goal. While Patriots countered to get one past Angus Campbell, Wittor dished out two more goals, bringing his total to six goals, leading the Miners to win game one, 12-3.

Carlo Wittor had eight points in Friday’s game, scoring six goals and two assists. Wittor is now tied for 2nd with Austin Simpson in goals scored (20). He now has two hat tricks on the season and has a total of 43 points.

Wittor now holds the club record for most goals scored in a game (6) which was previously held by Jeramy Rezaeepour and Lukas Znosko (4).

Austin Simpson had seven points in Friday’s contest, scoring two goals and had five assists. Simpson now leads the team with 54 points. (20-34=54) He is T-2nd with Carlo Wittor in goals scored (20). Simpson was credited an assist on four of Wittor’s goal.

Angus Campbell made 48 saves against the Patriots and now has a .922 save percentage overall. Campbell is now 9-2 on the season.

Game two is set for 3:30 p.m., Saturday afternoon.  Tickets are only $7 for any seat in the rink and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens an hour and a half before game time.

The UTEP hockey team is hoping to extend its winning streak this weekend on home ice against one of the best teams in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference.

UTEP, with an impressive 11-2-1 record so far this season, has won six of the last seven games.

The Miners are coming off an impressive two-game sweep of East Texas Baptist, winning 5-3 and 10-0, while Dallas Baptist is 17-4 after crushing North Texas 22-0 and 24-0.

The Miners hope to add two more victories as they face off with the Dallas Baptist Patriots at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center, 4100 East Paisano.

The games are set for 11 a.m. Friday, November 30, and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 1.

Tickets are only $7 for any seat in the rink and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens an hour and a half before game time.

The UTEP hockey team is set to open conference play this weekend on home ice.

The Miners will take on the East Texas Baptist Tigers in a two-game Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference series at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center located at 4100 East Paisano.

The games are set for 11 a.m. Friday, November 16, and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 17.

UTEP, 9-2-1, is coming off a strong showing against the New Mexico Lobos, earning a tie and a victory in the two-game series.

East Texas Baptist, meanwhile, is 7-7 after sweeping a weekend series against TCU.

Tickets are only $7 for any seat in the rink and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens an hour and a half before game time.

The UTEP Miners hit the rink Sunday afternoon, trying to complete the sweep against their rivals to the north, the University of New Mexico Lobos.

After a close game one on Saturday, that saw the Ice Miners top the Lobos 7-5, they hit the ice Sunday looking to repeat the deed.  On ‘Stick it to Cancer’ Sunday, the Miners blew out the Lobos 11-3, securing the sweep.

Our very own Steven Cottingham and Chantilly Bolgar were there and we bring you their view of the game in this ‘Story in Many Pics’

After a successful road trip, the Miner Hockey Teams look to continue their winning ways as they take on the always-tough University of New Mexico Lobos this weekend.

The Miners opened their season against the Texas Tech Red Raiders Friday night with a dominant performance from start to finish, ending in domination as UTEP topped Texas Tech 21-1.

Left winger Austin Simpson led the way for the Miners picking up 7 points on the day, with a hat trick and 4 assists. Goals were not in short supply tonight, as junior defenseman Kevin Duncan (3 G, 1A) and sophomore forward Noah Vanderzwan (3G, 2A) recorded hat tricks tonight.

Freshman Angus Campbell was fantastic between the pipes, in his collegiate debut, although Texas Tech was not given much of a chance to score.

The Miners put on relentless pressure from the beginning of the game and the Red Raiders spent the whole game in their own zone. The Miners outshot the Red Raiders 53-10.

A dominant display from the Miners special teams as well as they scored 8 power play goals and allowed zero goals on the penalty kill. The Miners set a new club record with 21 goals scored at home in a single game.

The Miners are back for game two against Texas Tech, Saturday at 3:30pm.

Box Score

After what seemed like an extraordinarily long and hot summer, the wait is finally over and UTEP Hockey is back.

The puck drops on the 2018-19 season this Friday, as the Miners will begin the season with a pair of non-conference games against Texas Tech.

Start time for Game 1 on September 21 is at 7pm, with Game 2 slated for Saturday at 3:30pm.

This weekend will be the fourth consecutive season that the Red Raiders meet the Miners at center ice. Friday marks the 10th time both teams have met.

Dating back to the 2015-16 season, overall the Miners and Red Raiders are 7-1 (5-1 at home, 2-0 on the road). Without including the Miners 7-1 win against Texas Tech in the semi-final round of the TCHC Playoffs in 2017.

Last season, UTEP traveled to Odessa winning Game 1, 6-3, before coming back in overtime the next morning to close out the series, 4-3, with a goal scored by Jorge Duenas.

The Miners add ten new players to their roster this season. Including former Rhinos Jake Kopinski, Austin Simpson, Jayden Ritchie, Carlo Wittor and Angus Campbell. Leading scorer, Dominik Taras will not be on the bench for the Miners this weekend but is expected to return later in the season.

Juniors’ Kevin Duncan, Jorge Duenas, Matt Sanca and Jon Sanca return for their third season in a Miner jersey. Last season, Matt Sanca helped lead the team with 42 points (14G, 28A). Forward Noah Vanderzwan returns for his sophomore year with the Miners following an explosive first season with 18 goals last season.

Quick Miner Facts

• Defenseman Chris Roosmalen has returned and will serve as assistant coach this season.
• Coach Herman will begin his 4th season as Miner head coach.
• UTEP finished last season in 3rd place at the TCHC Playoff Tournament.

For tickets visit the Miner’s website.

On Tuesday, the UTEP Hockey Club announced it’s non-conference game schedule. The addition of six games brings the Miners to a 26-game slate for the 2018-19 season.

The Miners will kick off the new season at home against Texas Tech, September 21-22. This will be the 5th meeting between the Miners and the Red Raiders with an overall record of 7-1.

Texas Tech was the first team the Miners played at home during their inaugural season in 2015.

Back at home following a few weeks on the road, the Miners will host the University of New Mexico Lobos for a two-game home stand, October 20-21.

Then UTEP will head to Albuquerque, November 2-3 to complete the series. The last time the Miners played the Lobos was during the 2016-17 season.

The puck drops September 21st at 7pm at the El Paso County Events Center with game 2 on Saturday at 3:30pm. For the complete 2018-19 UTEP Hockey schedule, visit minershockey.com.

Stay tuned for upcoming game times and ticket information.

Monday afternoon, the UTEP Hockey Club announced the conference schedule for the upcoming 2018-19 campaign.

The Miners kick off conference play on the road. UTEP will play game one of the two game series against Texas State Friday, September 28 at The Pond in Austin, Texas. The Miners fell to the Bobcats, 4-2, during the first road trip last season.

However, the Miners won the following three games, including a sweep at home where the Miners tallied 26 goals.

Closing out the first weekend, the Miners will visit the Chaparral Ice rink in Austin, Texas, with a two-game series against division rival the Texas Longhorns, September 29-30. Last season, the Miners swept the Longhorns at home and split the series on the road with a 4-1 win.

The Miners will have to wait until the second semester to play the Longhorns at home, January 14-15.

Following a week off, the Miners will head back out on the road to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies, October 12-13, at the Spirit Ice Arena.

The Aggies swept the Miners during week one last season, but the Miners got redemption and swept the Aggies in El Paso, 3-1 and 5-4. The Miners met the Aggies during the first Round of 2018 TCHC Playoffs and won 5-3 to advance to the semifinals.

The Miners will face off against the Aggies following the winter break, January 7-8, at the El Paso County Events Center.

UTEP will head east, to Austin, for the final game of the two-game series against Texas State (October 14), started the previous road trip. The Bobcats will head to the Sun City for the final weekend of play, February 1-2, before playoffs.

Back in El Paso, the Miners will host the East Texas Baptist Tigers, November 16-17. The Miners and Tigers split at home during the final homestand of the 2017-18 season. This will be the only meeting between both teams as the Tigers will play in the northern division of TCHC this season.

Closing out the first semester, the Miners will play Dallas Baptist Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1. UTEP remains victories against the Patriots with wins in the last four meetings both at home and on the road.

The Miners will kick off their final road trip in Dallas with a two-game series against Texas Christian University, (January 17-18). Last year, the Miners swept the Horned Frogs in El Paso, 3-1 in game one and 3-2 in overtime in game two.

Closing out the road trip, UTEP will take on the TCHC Champions the North Texas Mean Green (January 19-20) at the Dr Pepper Star Center-Farmers Branch. During the last meeting the Miners swept the Mean Green in El Paso.

For more info on the Miners, visit their website, and stay tuned for upcoming game times and ticket information.

2018-19 TCHC Conference Schedule

September 28 – at Texas State

September 29-30 – at University of Texas

October 12-13 – at Texas A&M

October 14 – at Texas State

November 16-17 – vs East Texas Baptist University

November 30-December 1 – vs Dallas Baptist University

January 7-8- vs Texas A&M

January 14-15- vs University of Texas

January 18-17 – at Texas Christian University

January 19-20 – at North Texas

February 1-2 – vs Texas State

AUSTIN – Down 4-2 in the 3rd, the Miners came back strong Thursday night and defeated Texas A&M 5-4 to advance to the Semi-Finals of the TCHC Playoffs.

Miner Forward Jorge Duenas put the Miners on the board first, giving UTEP a 1-0 lead. Texas A&M Huston Svondrk answered and tied the game at 1. Then the Aggies’ Gary Russell, scores and the teams head into the first intermission with A&M taking a 2-1.

Back for the 2nd period, the Aggies increased their lead when Andrew Monhollen gets one past UTEPs’ Lazarski. Matt Sanca responds and cuts the Aggie lead down by one goal, making the score 3-2 at the buzzer.

Heading into the final frame, the Aggies waste no time and score once again, putting the Miners down by 2 goals. Following two back-to-back penalties on the Aggies, the Miners go on a 5-on-3 power play. Taking full advantage of the power play, Josh Baeza finds the back of the net and brings the Miners within one goal of the Aggies.

Still on the same power play, Miner Forward Matt Sanca scores unassisted and ties the game at 4. The Miners then take advantage of another Texas A&M penalty and Matt Sanca scores, completing the hat trick, to give the Miners their second lead of the game.

With two minutes remaining, the Aggies pulled their goalie. Shortly after, UTEP’s Kevin Duncan gets called for crosschecking with 1 minute and 26 seconds to go in the game.

Despite the 6-on-4 Aggie advantage, the Miners hold on to their lead and defeat the Texas A&M Aggies, 5-4 in Round 1 of the TCHC Playoffs.

With the win, the Miners advance to the Semi-final round where they will face off against top seed North Texas at 2:45pm MST

The Miners will host the East Texas Baptist University Tigers in their final home stand of the season, Friday (February 2) at 11am and Saturday (February 3) at 3:30pm.

Following a 0-3 start on the season, the TCHC Champs have gone on to improve to 17-9 overall. Coach Herman comments on the final home stand, “Looking forward to closing out the season this coming weekend. It’s been a great season at home this year and we look forward to ending on a high note.”

This will be the first meeting between both teams as the ETBU joined the TCHC conference at the start of this season. Currently, 12-5 on the season ETBU has notable wins over Texas A&M, Dallas Baptist, North Texas and Auburn University.

This Friday, the Miners will host their final Science on Ice home game. Over 900 students will be in attendance at Friday’s game. Throughout the game, students will learn about the science behind the sport of hockey.

From the science applied when creating ice to how skates are made, students will enjoy a fun educational day at the rink.

The Miners will honor the Senior Forward Josh Baeza before the game. Baeza has played for the Miners for the last 3 seasons. As part of the inaugural team, Baeza also played a role in creating the club team on campus by petitioning the Recreational Department to start the club. Baeza will graduate in May with a degree in Finance.

The business major will play his final game at the El Paso County Events Center this Saturday. In their final home of the season, the Miners will honor their fans at their Fan Appreciation game.

Scouting the Tigers

ETBU is led by Forward Riley Knott and Michael Garvie who each have 56 and 44 points this season. Knott leads with 20 goals and 36 assists.

While Garvie has scored 26 goals this season. Goaltender Nick Bozzuto has logged 1082 minutes in net for the Tigers as the only starting goalie for the season. Bozzuto has allowed 78 goals, 4.32 per game and has 372 saves this season.

Quick Miner Facts

• Miners are 17-9 overall, 16-4 in conference play.
• UTEP is in 1st place in TCHC.
• Freshman Dominik Taras leads the Miners in points and goals scored (28 G, 24 A).
• Junior Goaltender, Alek Lazarski averages 3.28 goals against and a .893 save percentage.

Up Next

The Miners will head to Austin, Texas for the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference Playoffs. Playoffs start February 8^th.   There is a ‘GoFundMe’ account to help the team raise money for the trip.