The OU Hockey Difference
Level of Play:
Hockey at OU is played at a very high level. The roster is typically comprised of players who have played NCAA, Junior A, Junior B, AAA and elite high school hockey. ACHA teams have competed well against their NCAA counterparts and in some cases have earned wins against NCAA Division I teams.
Facility and Support:
OU plays all their home games at the beautiful ONYX Ice Arena in Rochester, MI, minutes from the OU campus. Home games typically draw anywhere from 300-750 fans a game. The Grizzlies have their own dressing room at the ONYX where players can store all their equipment.
Quality Education:
The Princeton Review named Oakland University in its first edition of “The Best Midwestern Colleges, 150 Great Schools to Consider.” The book showcases the top schools in 11 states based on academic excellence and student surveys about academics, campus life and the student body. Oakland University appears with Indiana University, Notre Dame, Northwestern, the University of Chicago, University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin.
Oakland University Hockey is a non-varsity program at OU and much like other ACHA programs there is an ice bill associated with playing.
Grizzlies In The Pros
Dan Oleksy, Port Huron Flags (UHL) 2006
Will McMahon, Quad City Mallards (UHL) 2007
Steve Piccoli, Detroit Dragons (AAHA) 2008
Tim Michaels, Lapeer Loggers (AAHA) 2008
B.J. Belliotti, Detroit Hitmen (AAHL) 2009
Mike Monfredo, Quad City Mallards (CHL) 2012
Colin Ronayne , Brooklyn Aviators (FHL) 2012
Todd Orlando, Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) 2013, (New York Rangers camp 2010 ) & (Philadelphia Flyers Tryout 2013)
Dustin Hopfner, Evansville Icemen (ECHL) 2013
Tommy Kilgore St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints (FHL) 2016, Port Huron Prowlers (FHL) (2017) Carolina Thunderbirds (FHL) 2018
Mike Baker St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints (FHL) 2016, Port Huron Prowlers (FHL) (2017, 2018) Carolina Thunderbirds FHL 2019 Won FHL Championship with Carolina in 2019.
Ryan Rotondi St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints (FHL) (2017) Carolina Thunderbirds and Watertown Wolves (FHL) (2018) (Won FHL Championship with Watertown in 2018)
James Odom St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints (FHL) (2017)
Nick Rogers St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints (FHL) (2017) North Shore Knights (FHL) 2018 Cornwall Nationals (FHL) 2018
Grizzlies On Team USA
Oakland University Hockey is proud to have several of its players represent Team USA at the Winter World University Games.
Defenseman Jarrett Samp, defenseman Jacob DeSano, forward Kevin Kranker and forward Billy Balent have represented the Grizzlies on Team USA.
Samp represented Team USA in Harbin, China in 2009.
DeSano and Kranker represented Team USA in Erzurum, Turkey in 2011.
Balent represented Team USA in Italy in 2013 Trentino, Italy, Named to the team in Granada, Spain in 2015.
