Chapman ice hockey wants to revive team after a season off

Courtesy of Kyle Kjer

Being in Southern California, the idea of skating on ice might seem a bit foreign, but for the players and staff of Chapman’s ice hockey club team it's a great escape. While men’s lacrosse is the pinnacle of club sports at Chapman, the ice hockey team can provide an outlet for many at the school. The team last played in the ACHA, a Division II club league, and last won a title in 2016, when they played in the CCHL Championship.

The team has touched the lives of many at the school and in the community, from players to coaches to social media managers. 

Tradon Reid, head coach for the Panthers, has been leading the team since the 2017-2018 season. Tradon played hockey when he attended Chapman, as a part of the 2016-17 season where the Panthers won their regional playoffs. He was captain for two years in his junior and senior season and was an assistant captain during his sophomore year.

Sam Uisprapassorn, a class of ‘05 film and television graduate, was Tradon's coach during his time playing for Chapman. After Uisprapassorn's retirement, he asked Tradon to help; the rest was history. Tradon wants to continue to give back and grow a community that gave to him.

"Players want to learn, but as a coach, you must know how to impact each player,” Tradon said. “Whether that means digging in hard on one for a mistake, giving another a nice pep talk after a shift, or even bag skating with the team. All players react differently. I only want to prove that I am not asking my players to do anything that I also wouldn't do.”

Tradon remembers the team's last senior night, in their 2022-23 season, and the big impact it left on him. Chapman hockey hasn’t seen the ice since.

"Senior night for the end of the 2023 season was very special because there were a couple seniors that I had become very close to,” he said. “They came in as freshmen, and they worked their tails off to become some of the best leaders this program has had since 2016. To announce them to their families and friends, give a little information about what their plans are, and to embrace them one last time in front of our fans was something that will always stick with me."

Kyle Kjer, a class of 24’ broadcast journalism and documentary film graduate, ran the team's Instagram account for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, mostly making the videos and game day announcements for the page during the season. He first got involved with the team when he met Kinsley Rolph, a former player for the team and class of 05’ broadcast and documentary film graduate. Kjer came out to skate with the team but quickly realized the pace of the game was too much to play at, so he found his place within the media for them.

"I figured it would be a good way for me to work on my hockey photography and videography and social media skills.  I also knew the team was very little known around campus and in the community, and I wanted to try to get their games on (Chapman Sports Broadcast Network). I looked at it as if we could get more eyes on the team and on the game, more people will know that we have a team and more people will want to come and play, the more people we have playing, the more people watch and the more we do bigger broadcasts."

Tradon and Kjer want to bring the program back to life.

"We are trying to find enough players on campus to run a team next season,” Tradon said. “I am asking the players on campus to table (in the Piazza) and use word of mouth to get everyone on board to play. Elsewhere, I continue to field emails sent from potential recruits on our team website."

"I would love for Chapman hockey to look like Chapman lacrosse at a national play level and school support level,” Kjer added. “If they get people that are there to help that are not players as well that can be like a mini ‘front office’ of a hockey team would be of great help as well.”

As Chapman’s ice hockey team faces an uncertain future, the passion and commitment of its coaches, former players, and alumni shine through. There is potential for the team to continue growing and create a thriving atmosphere among other Chapman sports; however, they need more numbers, further outreach and larger support.