Home Page

Get ready for an unforgettable day at GMU Ice Hockey's Annual Alumni Game on Saturday, April 5th at the Prince William Ice Center, where the past and present collide on the ice for an incredible cause! This year, we're amplifying our community impact by supporting two extraordinary organizations: TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) and the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation. Come for the hockey action, stay for the chance to make a real difference. Enjoy a 1st intermission Potomac Patriots’ Mites on Ice event and a silent auction, where you can bid on exclusive items to support these incredible charities, as well as raffles and other games of chance. All proceeds will benefit TAPS and the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation, so don’t miss out on a day full of fun, camaraderie, and giving back!

Warm-ups are at 3:30 PM followed by singing the National Anthem by Caleb Green & Bob McDonald, and the game’s puck drop. Tickets are available for purchase both at the door and online, so be sure to grab yours and join us for this exciting event!

Click here to buy tickets.

For more information on these foundations, visit TAPS.org and SweetJuliaGrace.org.

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) is a national nonprofit that provides compassionate care and vital resources to those grieving the loss of a military or veteran loved one. Since 1994, TAPS has been a lifeline, offering 24/7 support through a peer network and grief resources—all at no cost to surviving families. With programs that extend nationwide and worldwide, TAPS brings comfort, hope, and healing to those enduring the hardest times. Learn more at www.TAPS.org.

The Sweet Julia Grace Foundation (SJGF) serves children in Northern Virginia who are battling serious illness, complex special needs, or a medical crisis. Through granting life-changing wishes and offering day-to-day support, SJGF brings joy and hope to children and their families facing unimaginable challenges. The children they serve, lovingly called "Raindancers," are inspired by Julia Grace, who taught them to “Dance in the Rain” no matter what storms they face. To get involved, donate, or refer a Raindancer, visit www.sweetjuliagrace.org.

George Mason University Ice Hockey Announcement

George Mason University Ice Hockey is excited to announce the opening of their new locker room facility at Prince William Ice Center. Whether seen in still photos or our new video, there is no doubt this facility will be welcomed by current & future George Mason Ice Hockey M1 rostered players.

The 4,500 square foot project has been in the making since 2021, when GMU also transitioned to ACHA M1 from M3. The new state-of-the-art facility will provide an official “Home” for GMU M1 players for years to come.

GMU Ice Hockey would like to thank all of those involved in the process of completing this new facility, including the ownership group of the Prince William Ice Center – George Mason University Ice Hockey’s home rink.

After qualifying multiple times for ACHA Nationals as an M3 team, GMU Ice Hockey made the jump to the Division 1 level of the ACHA in 2021. This 2023-24 season saw Mason finish their best season to date, winning a program high 21 games (21-6-2 overall). The upward trajectory of the program is evident, as the 21 wins and second place finish in the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA) were both program firsts. GMU missed an autobid to the 2024 ACHA Nationals Tournament by one point, as conference rival West Chester University would secure the bid by capturing the ECHA regular season title.

The ECHA issued two Conference awards to members of the GMU M1 team. First-year goaltender Lukas Heuberger (Linz, Austria) was awarded “Rookie of the Year” honors for the conference and First-year defenseman Drew Tsakounis (Arlington, VA) was announced as a Second-Team All-Conference member. Heuberger finished the year with a total record of 11-4-0-1, 2.67 GAA and a 0.930 save percentage. He also secured his first collegiate shutout on December 12th in a 1-0 OT win against The College of New Jersey. Tsakounis played in 29 games for the Patriots this year and amassed 11 Goals and 15 Assists in the process. A leader on the blue-line, Tsakounis would net 2 GWG against Towson and Temple in conference play and led the ECHA in points by a Defenseman. GMU’s M1 team also finished the year with 4 players in the top 20 in scoring for the ECHA (Matthew Price (Sr.), Raymond Booth (Sr.), Joe Petite (Fr.), Mike Miranda (So.)).

Steve Hyjek, who led Mason Ice Hockey for over 12 years, is very optimistic about the future of the program as he leaves behind a great legacy. Hyjek coached for his final time in the ECHA playoffs in February.

James Vuillemot will take over behind the bench moving forward after serving as an assistant coach the previous three seasons. He will be joined by returning Assistants Keith Fagerquist and Cade Groton. GMU officially moves into their new “Home” in April, seeing the team’s new facility as an advantage to further spur the program as an M1 ACHA program of choice in the years to come.

After 14 years as the head coach of George Mason Ice Hockey, Steve Hyjek is retiring and bidding farewell to his role behind the bench.  With this transition, we are delighted to unveil the dawn of a new era for George Mason University Ice Hockey with the appointment of James Vuillemot as the new head coach!

Hailing from Bristow, Virginia, Coach Vuillemot brings a wealth of experience to GMU M1 from both his playing and coaching careers. As a former defenseman for Western New England University's NCAA DIII Hockey team, Coach Vuillemot possesses an intimate understanding of the game's nuances and the unwavering dedication required for collegiate success.

Over the past three years, Coach Vuillemot has been an indispensable asset to our coaching cadre, diligently serving as an assistant coach overseeing the team’s defensive systems. His steadfast commitment, expertise, and composed demeanor on the bench have significantly contributed to GMU’s progression and character development, both on and off the ice.

George Mason University Ice Hockey Club, renowned for its ambitious pursuits within the fiercely competitive ACHA Division 1, is poised to sustain its legacy of excellence under Coach Vuillemot’s stewardship. We invite you to join us in extending a heartfelt welcome to Head Coach James Vuillemot as he embarks on his new role with George Mason University Ice Hockey.

During his time as head coach, Hyjek’s leadership saw George Mason achieve over 165 victories across both ACHA Men’s Division 3 (M3) and ACHA Men’s Division 1 (M1).  This includes three Conference Championships, as well as qualification to ACHA M3 National Tournaments in 2018 and 2020.   In 2019, the ACHA approved GMU’s elevation from Men’s Division 3 to M1, marking a pivotal transition commencing in the 2020-2021 season. In his final season steering the M1 program, GMU secured 21 wins with a .690 win percentage and a first-round bye in the ECHA playoffs for the first time at the M1 level; narrowly missing qualification for the ACHA M1 National Tournament by a single point.

Men’s Division 3 New Head Coach

Additionally, we are pleased to introduce Robin Couch as the new head coach for George Mason’s Men's Division 3 team. Coach Couch will be stepping into the head coaching role previously held by Tom Lescovich, who has accepted other coaching opportunities, including a position at the University of Maryland and also Director of Hockey at Chevy Chase Club – where we wish him all of the best and thank him for his contributions to GMU’s Ice Hockey Program.

In filling the head coach role, Coach Couch brings considerable hockey experience to the table. As a USA Hockey Level 5 certified coach, with 15 years of coaching experience spanning from CBHL mini-mites through U18 and collegiate level ACHA D3, Robin has consistently demonstrated his prowess in honing players' skills and fostering team success. A CBHL Champion and four-time CBHL runner-up, Couch’s coaching acumen is matched by his expertise in the field of biochemistry as a professor at GMU. We eagerly anticipate the impact Coach Couch will make in guiding the Men's Division 3 team to new heights of achievement. Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Coach Couch on his new role within the GMU Ice Hockey program!

Both coaches contact information may be found below:

James Vuillemot

Head Coach – M1

vuillemot.james@gmail.com

703-727-9913

Robin Couch

Head Coach – M3

Robincouch2@gmail.com

703-541-8275