The college hockey world was dealt quite the blow Tuesday afternoon as American International College (AIC) reportedly will drop its men’s hockey program to the Division II level at the end of the season. The news was first reported by College Hockey Insider Mike McMahon and confirmed by current AIC head coach Eric Lang in a statement released on social media.

The school has not yet announced the decision publicly, but the players and staff were informed Tuesday morning, per sources.

AIC has competed at the Division I level in men's hockey for 27 years.

Despite struggling for much of that stretch, AIC has blossomed into one of Atlantic Hockey America's top programs and made the NCAA Tournament three times since 2019.

Tuesday’s news also comes on the heels of a potentially massive reshaping of the college hockey landscape, coinciding with the NCAA’s decision to allow CHL players eligibility to compete at the Division I level.

Multiple sources have indicated AIC’s decision is due to budget cuts and some wonder if the ability to meet scholarship requirements was another factor.

Head coach Eric Lang released the following statement on X earlier today:

"AIC has been the place I've called my home for over 15 years of my life, as a player, a graduate assistant, and Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach.  There have been some stops here and there along the way, but something always brings me back to the institution I love. 

"The information shared with me today by our administration is saddening for all who have touched our program.  No longer competing at the highest level, especially considering the incredible success we've had as a team over the past six years, is tough to grasp.  

"I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every player, staff member, and alumnus that I’ve been privileged to coach and work alongside during my nine seasons here. Together, we have achieved things that many thought impossible. I also feel the need to share how indebted I am to Coach Gary Wright, the heart and soul  of AIC Hockey. I am beyond blessed to have played and learned from you, Coach.  

"While this news is difficult, I am committed to turning the page quickly. Our current team deserves every ounce of energy and support from our staff over the next four and a half months. Our goals remain unchanged. We are determined to win Atlantic Hockey and earn a spot in the NCAA tournament."

AIC’s roster currently features 32 players – five of which are seniors or grad students. A number of AIC players will likely end up in the transfer portal, but will be able to continue playing for the school this season while they await other opportunities when the window re-opens.

AIC is a Division II school in all of its other sports. The hockey team will likely have a place in the Division II Northeast 10 Conference (NE10), which has men's hockey featuring six of the conference's member schools. There is no national championship at the Division II level for men's hockey.

While the program will continue at the Division II level, the news comes as a difficult blow amid a recent run of success at the Division I level and within the Atlantic Hockey America conference, especially since Lang took over the position in April 2016. 

Each of AIC's three trips to the NCAA tournament have come in the last five years. The Yellow Jackets also had one of the great upsets in the NCAA tournament when they ousted No. 1 overall seed St. Cloud State in 2019 before dropping a 3-0 decision to perennial power Denver with a trip to the Men's Frozen Four on the line.

Lang has been named the Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year three times and has led AIC to four regular-season titles and three conference championships (2019, 2021, 2022).

With AIC moving to Division II, Atlantic Hockey America's men's hockey conference will be back down to 10 teams.

AIC is coming off a 20-16-4 season and has strung together six consecutive winning seasons too, although the Yellow Jackets are off to a 2-6-1 start this fall. 

AIC will play a series at Bentley this weekend. Both games air on FloHockey.

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