Since the autumn of 1994, one name has been synonymous with Cyclone hockey.

One name has been responsible for 316 goals, 316 assists and four top-10 finishes.

One name has helped propel coach Al Murdoch’s program to the next level in college hockey.

The name is, of course, Anderson, and it belongs to not one, but two standout seniors on this year’s squad.

Darren and Darcy Anderson came to Iowa State for the 1994-95 season and have together fashioned a dynasty. Hailing from North Bay, Ontario, Canada, the brothers have been skating since they can remember and have been teammates since early in their youth.

“They’re both very dedicated players on and off the ice,” Murdoch said. “They’re also big advocates of Iowa State hockey. ‘Ambassadors’ is a good way to describe them.”

The duo played together in the junior professional ranks before moving to Ames and tearing up the Central States Collegiate Hockey League and the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

“It was a new experience, and we were both excited,” Darcy said of coming to ISU. “I didn’t know what to expect or what to make of the first year, but now I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.”

In their freshman season, the Andersons amassed 86 goals (45 by Darcy — 41 by Darren) and 90 assists (57 — 33) before returning to Ontario.

Over the next year, the brothers played for Canador College and Nippising University of the Ontario College League while they accumulated some credits before returning to ISU in 1996.

That year, the tandem exploded for 91 goals, 51 of which helped Darren set the all-time single-season ISU record for goals scored, a record just broken this year by Darcy. They also combined for 100 assists (60 by Darcy — 40 by Darren).

“Playing with your brother is an experience few people have,” Darcy said, “especially at the collegiate level. It’s been a thrill for me to play on his team and especially to play on his line.”

“We’re best friends as well as brothers,” Darren said. “It’ll be hard to go our separate ways after so many years together.”

After his sophomore season, Darcy faced the dilemma of going pro early and competed in only a handful of contests, picking up just 10 goals and 13 assists.

Darren stayed on pace, though, turning in a 42-goal, 31-assist junior campaign.

Throughout their years together, the brothers admit that a rivalry exists between them but insist that it has never been anything but positive.

“There’s been healthy competition,” Darcy said. “Like if one of us jumps ahead in points, the other wants to do just as well.”

“It’s only helped us, though,” Darren added. “We push each other, and that’s a big reason for our success.”

Entering their final year, the duo realized that there was little left to accomplish on the individual level and set their sights on the ultimate prize: an ACHA national championship.

“I couldn’t ask for more in individual honors, but it’s the team award that matters most,” Darren said. “I have mixed emotions playing in my last few games, but the season’s still going, and we want the best for the team.

“We’ve been chasing a national championship for four years now, and that’s the ultimate goal.”

“The only thing missing is a title,” Darcy echoed. “For us to win a national championship for Iowa State and for each other and for our parents — that would be the pinnacle.”

So far this year, the Anderson-led Cyclones have toppled each challenge.

Currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, ISU completed its league schedule with the same ranking, taking home the CSCHL regular-season crown and then routing No. 2 Michigan-Dearborn, 10-4, to capture the league tournament.

The Cyclones travel to Delaware today for the national tournament in an attempt to bring ISU its second national title in the program’s history.

“It’s been the most exciting year of all,” Darcy said. “First winning the league and then the playoffs and now having a shot at the triple crown — it’s unbelievable. It’s a great chance to go out in style.”

“I’ve really enjoyed this team,” Darren said. “It’s a great group of guys to end my career with.”

Despite their similarities statistically, the Andersons are not clones.

Darren, the older of the two, is described by Murdoch as more of a “civic leader” and “program advocate.” In addition to regular scoring, he wears the captain’s “C” this year and is a team leader both on and off the ice.

Darcy, on the other hand, is more of a pure scorer, routinely piling up multi-point games and denting the twine in clutch situations. Often more hot-headed than his brother, much of Darcy’s leadership comes through his tenacity and emotion.

Despite an early-season leg injury, Darren has managed 32 goals and 41 assists to date, giving him a career total of 166 goals and 145 assists for 311 total points.

Darcy’s 55 goals this season have already shattered his brother’s 1996-97 single-season record, and his sights are now set on current associate head coach Bill Ward’s single-season points record, which stands at 107.

With 41 assists already, Darcy needs 11 points in this week’s tournament to reach that milestone.

Last week, Darcy completed his quest for the CSCHL scoring title with 45 points in 14 league games.

When the season’s over, the tandem will pursue a career in professional hockey. They insist, however, that those decisions will not even be considered until after nationals.

“We don’t need the distraction right now,” Darren said. “We’ll think about those things at the end of the year.”

“We can sit down after our championship and decide,” Darcy said. “It’s something I’ve been waiting for my whole life.”

Beyond that, Murdoch insists both Andersons have promising careers ahead of them in hockey coaching.

“I’d like to coach someday,” Darren said, “but that’s in the future. To be a great coach, you have to step away from the game as a player, and I’m not ready to do that just yet.”

“It’s been a great ride, and there’s a degree of sadness as the year comes to a close,” Murdoch said of his co-captains. “We’ll have to bring in about ten guys just to fill their shoes.”

As they move on to bigger and better things, Darren and Darcy promise they won’t forget where they’ve come from.

“Our parents have been great about putting up with us all these years, and our fans here have been nothing but supportive,” Darren said. “We couldn’t have asked for more from Iowa State.”

And ISU couldn’t have asked for more from numbers 19 and 20.