In a season defined by change, Cyclone Hockey found success on the ice.

The Cyclones had one of their more successful seasons, ending the 2013-14 campaign with their best record in 15 years and a fifth place finish in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament. 

But amid all of the accomplishments of last season, Cyclone Hockey went through many changes that reshaped the program. 

Al Murdoch, who had led the Cyclones for the past 44 years, retired as head coach halfway through the season in order to spend more time with his family.

ISU coach Jason Fairman then filled Murdoch’s role and began to implement a new style of play for the team. This style focused on high-percentage hockey and is based on Fairman’s playing and coaching days at Cornell College.

With Fairman at the helm, the Cyclones were able to get their first win in Ohio in seven years. They were also able to reverse their fortunes against the Bobcats during the playoffs, beating them 3-1 in the ACHA Tournament after losing to them three times in the postseason.    

The team has four departing seniors — Jon Feavel, Mark Huber, Chris Cucullu and Matt Bennett. These four players accounted for 114 of the Cyclones 427 total points last season.

Feavel led the team in goals with 24 and total points with 43. This was the second year in a row that Feavel was the team’s leader in those categories.

Sophomore Chase Rey should fill some of the holes left by Feavel’s stick. Rey was sidelined with an upper body injury but still tallied 12 goals and 13 assists in only 35 games.

Cyclone Hockey has one of the longest seasons of all the sports at Iowa State. The season begins in the middle of September and runs until mid-March.