02-03-2025
Tennessee Ice Vols programs heading to nationals, asking Vol Nation for help
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Fans of Tennessee Athletics often refer to the University of Tennessee as an everything school. According to some, that extends past the varsity teams and into the club teams. The UT Ice Vols, the schools club hockey team, is looking to send both its division one and division three teams to this year's national tournament in Jacksonville, Florida.
An ice hockey team isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the University of Tennessee. However, the Ice Vols are the oldest club team in the Southeast having been founded in 1966. The club has expanded to two teams, D-I and D-III. Connor Fraizer, the captain for the D-I team is looking to get to the mountain top after last season's heartbreaking ending.
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'Last year we fell short for division two,' Fraizer said. 'We lost in the semi-finals by one goal. This year we are trying to turn it around. CHS [tournament] came short just in the very end, but I think we can really take this.'
Connor Morrissey and the D-III team are looking to go to their first appearance in the national tournament since starting play last year. Just like the D-I team, Morrissey believes they have the team to go the distance.
'I don't think the rankings really depict the type of team we are,' Morrissey said. 'I think come nattys time we are really going to display the talent we have in the locker room, the blue collar play we bring to the ice. I'm really excited to put that together not only for the CHS but also for our team in general.'
Second year D-III head coach Aidan Zimmerman says he has all the faith in the world in his team and hopes they show up to play.
'I think their commitment to everything, they've been committed all year, I think how close they are as a team too. Obviously, this season we've had a lot of ups and downs throughout it, but they've always come back strong,' Zimmerman said. 'I don't see that being a problem with us, if there's an up and down during the tournament. Tournaments are quick so you have to be able to rebound fast, so I see the squad being able to turn it around quick.'
Both Ice Vols teams are looking to bring home some hardware. D-I player Jake Premo says they need to play their brand of hockey to come home national champions.
'I think we've got to come and compete. There's a lot of good teams in the league and any one of us can bring it home if we want to,' Premo said. 'We need to stay disciplined, play our game and we are going to have a chance to bring it home.'
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With the national tournament right around the corner, the teams are asking Vol Nation for help. The team has a GoFundMe set up asking for $50,000 to split between the two teams. That money will help cover hotels, travel and meals for the teams while in Jacksonville. Last year, Vol Nation helped the team amass $20,000 as they made it to the semi-finals in the 2024 tournament.
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