Dartmouth Big Green men's ice hockey

History

Dartmouth College fielded its first ice hockey team in January 1906, winning its first game 4–3. After an expanded schedule and a 1–5–1 finish in 1908, the program hired its first head coach and posted a 10–3–1 record. The club changed coaches annually until 1912, when Fred Rocque stayed for three seasons, followed by Clarence Wanamaker for four. Despite coaching turnover and limited local facilities, Dartmouth won more than it lost. The team played only 16 home games over 13 seasons. In 1918 the program was suspended due to the first World War, returning in January 1920 and continuing uninterrupted since. That year the team increased home games by playing on Occom Pond, but Wanamaker left after the season, and three more coaches followed over six years. J. Philip Bower stabilized the program with a seven-year stint; the first on-campus rink was built in 1929, but the team began losing, and Bower was out after 1933. After four years of Herbert Gill, the Indians found Eddie Jeremiah. Jeremiah, a three-time letterman, started with an 18–4 record, breaking the team wins record. The team earned winning records each year until dominating in 1941–42 with a 21–2 mark, setting numerous team records and being named national collegiate champion. Jeremiah left for military service during World War II, but Dartmouth continued playing through the war, going 26–0–1 over three seasons with three coaches (two jointly), featuring future Hall of Fame members Dick Rondeau, Charlie Holt, and Bill Riley. Jeremiah returned for 1945–46 and posted two strong years before the first NCAA tournament in 1948. The Indians went 20–2 that season and, with the nation's best record, were the first team selected from the east.