RPI Hockey Cancels Season

Unfortunately for Capital Region sports fans, another popular college sports team will not be playing this winter. This past Monday, RPI announced that their men's and women's hockey teams would participate in the upcoming 2020-2021 season. The school's Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Lee McElroy released the following statement on the school's website

As we navigate the global pandemic, we must make every effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the Institute community, and unfortunately, canceling the hockey seasons is prudent as we attempt to achieve that objective, "It was a very difficult decision, and we share with our student-athletes and their families the disappointment and uncertainty that comes with this news. The administration will continue to offer support and guidance in every way we can to those affected

The Engineers compete at the highest collegiate level in ice hockey. The men's team finished with a 17-15-2 overall record in 2019. Head men's hockey coach Dave Smith shared the following with NBC 13's Ashley Miller.

The Engineers hockey programs join a list of other Capital Region winter sports programs that will not be competing this winter. Earlier this month, the Liberty League, which plays at the Division three level and includes schools like Union, Skidmore and RPI's basketball teams announced that this winter sports season had been cancelled

At this time, Union College's hockey team is still scheduled to compete this winter.