Ragin Cajun Hockey returns from Atlanta sweep at 15-1-0, #4 in Nation

[wcd35]

Just to keep you informed on the progress of the very successful Ragin Cajun Roller Hockey team, I'll post a short summary of the year so far.

The Cajuns, as some of you may know, finished their most successful season in history last year, capturing the SCHL Division II title and making the quarterfinals of the NCRHA National Championship tournament in Colorado Springs before falling to the University of Maine.

The new season has brought new challenges and new faces into the fold. The Cajuns started out by moving up a division into the top level of college roller hockey, Division I. There were some changes to the roster that fortified the Cajuns on both ends of the floor as well. Also added into the mix, was the inclusion of 2 more LA teams into the SCHL, LSU and UNO. LSU comes into the league as probably the second most talented team in the league, with many of the Tigers players having grown up in the Lafayette area. Thus far, however, the Cajuns have dominated competition.

The Cajuns started the year in somewhat shaky fashion, eeking out a win against LSU in a wide open 16-13 game. The first loss of the season came in the second game against Sam Houston State in an admittantly poor effort. The Cajuns regrouped to beat SHSU the next day and haven't looked back since, winning their next 14. Including a first-ever matchup against last year's DI champions North Texas.

This past weekend was a new experience as well, with UL travelling to Atlanta for another first, an inter-conference matchup with some SECRHL (Southeast) competition. The Cajuns took on DI Florida (then #13 in the IRC national rankings to the Cajuns #7) in two games as well as matches against Middle Tennessee and Kennesaw State of DII. UL came out triumphant in all 4 games. Florida is a perrenial Nationals team, and these wins further stake the Cajuns claim to have the respect of other national teams. Many times the national polls and other teams overlook the SCHL due to a differing stat system and the overall quality of teams. However, the Cajuns are a cut above this year and will make noise at nationals once again. UL now sits at #4 in an unofficial national poll (there is no official poll.)

Hope that wasnt too long. Here's some links to check out:
SCHL - www.schl.org
NCRHA - www.ncrha.org
IRC (Independant Nat'l Rankings) - http://ircnationalrankings.blogspot.com/

[NCAA or BUST]

Who is the coach? I was told one good coaches can coach any sport.

[wcd35]

He is originally from Canada that used to be on the Waterski team the errm 10 or so years ago when he was at UL. He runs an online hockey store now and coaches the team.

[NOCajun]

Excuse my ignorance, but for some reason, all this time I thought this was an ICE hockey team we were talking about!! Anyway, congratulations on the success!!!

WAY TO ROLL CAJUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wcd35]

_ Excuse my ignorance, but for some reason, all this time I thought this was an ICE hockey team we were talking about!! Anyway, congratulations on the success!!!

WAY TO ROLL CAJUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! _

Hehe, its cool. The roller team has been around 97-98 season not counting a couple of years that we didn't participate. The team is very talented and is pretty much always at the top of the league.

Ice team has been going for a couple years and are still in the forming stage trying to get the program to become a consistent winner

[CajunCanaille]

_ Hehe, its cool. The roller team has been around 97-98 season not counting a couple of years that we didn't participate. The team is very talented and is pretty much always at the top of the league.

Ice team has been going for a couple years and are still in the forming stage trying to get the program to become a consistent winner _

Why don't the roller hockey players join the ice hockey team? Seems like ice hockey is a little more popular that roller hockey and it may benefit the university more.

Either way....CONGRATS TO THE HOCKEY TEAM!!!

[IHateLaState]

_ Who is the coach? I was told one good coaches can coach any sport. _

Ron Handy is his name I think... Great guy....

[Clutch0364]

_ Ron Handy is his name I think... Great guy.... _

He is the Ice Hockey coach not roller

[wcd35]

_ Why don't the roller hockey players join the ice hockey team? Seems like ice hockey is a little more popular that roller hockey and it may benefit the university more.

Either way....CONGRATS TO THE HOCKEY TEAM!!! _

Some may decide to play, but the roller team is more established and to put it in general terms, better. Hands has tried to get some of the players to do both or just ice, but you have to remember that roller typically was more popular for kids growing up around here. It has always been bigger in this area, even though some play ice too. The LA area has always represented well at many age levels at the national stage.

Actually, pretty much only UL and LSU players made up Team LA in the State Wars competetion and won nationals this year. The competition is one that is open to all states and there is one team per state per age group.

[IHateLaState]

_ He is the Ice Hockey coach not roller _

my bad.... thought thats what they were talking about

[Clutch0364]

_ my bad.... thought thats what they were talking about _

I was just being a hater as Z would say lol

[CajunCrazy]

Here is the roster for the team:

Name - Hometown
Drew Daigle - Lafayette, LA
Andrew Hebert - Lafayette, LA
Stephen Hebert - Lafayette, LA
Tommy Herter - Scott, LA
Bryce Miller - Lafayette, LA
Ryan Renda - Kenner, LA
Conor Runkel - Howell, NJ
Chase Verret - Breaux Bridge, LA
Matt Vinson - Lafayette, LA
Jordan Yentzen - Lafayette, LA

As you can see, the team is mainly made up of players from the Lafayette area