June 5, 2024
Salt Lake City, Utah
After 13 years, 8 seasons, 8 Championship games, 4 Championship trophies in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2024, and countless conference games, Utah Hockey has notified the PAC-8 Hockey Conference league office of their departure from the nearly 30-year-old hockey conference.
Utah joined the PAC-8 hockey conference in 2011 and excelled in conference play over the years playing in the conference championship game every season the Division 2 team played in the league. They have been conference members every season since except when the team moved to Division 1 play in 2016 and returned in 2021.
Utah M2 Head Coach Nick Fornelius on the departure, “It has been an honor for our team to compete in the PAC-8 Conference over the years, both as a player and a coach. The PAC-8 has allowed our team to grow and develop against high-quality teams year after year. We are thankful for the opportunities we had to compete with the distinguished members of the PAC-8 these years and wish the rest of the conference well moving forward.
The Intercollegiate Hockey PAC-8 Hockey Conference began in the fall of 1995 and awarded its first championship in the spring of 1996 to Stanford University. The founding members include Arizona State University, Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, University of Oregon, University of Southern California, University of Washington, and Washington State University.
After the American College Hockey Association approved the addition of a Men’s Division 2 team in 2021, Utah rejoined the PAC-8 conference and has played the last three seasons in the PAC.
“It is bittersweet to leave the PAC-8 after so many years and we to thank the league for so many fantastic seasons, said Utah Men’s General Manger AJ Boldan. This league has been our home for so long it will certainly feel different next season. Our goal for the M2 team moving forward is player development and after many lengthy discussions with our coaching staff and student-athletes, the strategic decision was made to reduce travel and exit the PAC-8.”
Championships: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2024
Runner-up: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2023
Coach of the Year: 2015 Jon Bertagnolli, 2016 Brett Huras
