Conference of Champions

For the second consecutive year, all three Men’s AAU College Hockey National Champions hail from College Hockey South.

In the 2023-24 season, the University of South Carolina (Division 1), the University of Florida (Division 2), and the University of Miami (Division 3) made history by completing the first-ever College Hockey South sweep at the AAU College Hockey Nationals.

One year later, the dominance continued as the University of Tampa (Division 1), Florida Atlantic University (Division 2), and the University of South Carolina (Division 3) went undefeated in tournament play, each securing AAU College Hockey’s top prize.

University of Tampa Spartans (Division 1)

The Tampa Spartans entered the Division 1 tournament as the No. 2 seed, determined to capture their first-ever National Championship. They dominated pool play, trailing for just seven and a half minutes across three wins, securing their spot in the semifinals.

Facing Buffalo in the semifinals, Tampa jumped out to an early 2-0 lead but soon found themselves in a battle as the underdog Bulls fought back. Unshaken, the Spartans delivered a spectacular late-game scoring play, capped off by Colm Trainor, to punch their ticket to the National Championship Game.

Embracing the big stage, Tampa came out firing in the final, netting the first three goals against Farmingdale State. The Rams clawed back, narrowing the deficit to one midway through the third period. But in a defining moment of leadership, Tampa captain Danny Griffin buried a power-play goal, sealing the victory and securing the Spartans’ first National Championship.

Goaltender Kyle Myer was named tournament MVP after an outstanding performance, finishing with a perfect 4-0-0 record, a 1.75 goals-against average, and a stellar .939 save percentage.

Florida Atlantic University Owls (Division 2)

One year after falling just short in the championship game, Florida Atlantic completed their redemption arc, capturing the 2024-2025 AAU College Hockey National Championship. The Owls stormed through the tournament, winning six games in six days, culminating in a thrilling 5-2 victory over High Point University to claim AAU College Hockey’s top prize.

Despite entering as the No. 1 seed, doubts lingered about FAU’s ability to win it all. Those concerns stemmed from a shocking College Hockey South playoff quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss, where the Owls surrendered a two-goal lead late before falling in overtime.

FAU responded emphatically, leaving no room for doubt. The Owls dominated offensively, scoring at least five goals in all six tournament games while holding every opponent to two goals or fewer. They outscored their competition by an astounding 33-goal margin.

Still, the championship game was more competitive than the final 5-2 score suggests. FAU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but High Point clawed back to tie the game midway through regulation. The deadlock lasted just two minutes before tournament-leading scorer Hunter Litman buried a rebound, putting the Owls back in control.

Sensing victory, FAU delivered a masterclass in the third period, shutting down High Point defensively and killing off two crucial penalties. With the Panthers desperate for an equalizer, they pulled their goalie in the final minutes—only for FAU captain Leon Biller to set up Jake Murphy for an empty-net dagger, sealing the championship.

Jake Murphy was named tournament MVP, finishing with seven goals and five assists in six games, leading the Owls to their long-awaited title.

University of South Carolina Gamecocks (Division 3)

A year ago, South Carolina didn’t have a Division 3 hockey team. Six months ago, the Gamecocks played their first-ever game—a 5-5 tie against UNC-Charlotte. Fast forward to today, and they are AAU College Hockey National Champions. South Carolina capped off a remarkable inaugural season by winning 23 straight games, culminating in a dominant 3-0 shutout against St. John Fisher in the Division 3 National Championship Game.

Defense and goaltending have been the backbone of the Gamecocks’ success. They allowed more than two goals in just five of their 24 games, stifling opponents with relentless pressure and elite netminding.

Their championship journey nearly ended in pool play, but South Carolina pulled off a thrilling comeback against in-state rival Coastal Carolina, erasing a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 and secure a spot in the knockout rounds.

Once in the playoffs, the Gamecocks leaned into their defensive identity, silencing two of the tournament’s most potent offenses—Columbia University and St. John Fisher—both of whom had averaged over five goals per game. South Carolina allowed just one goal combined in those matchups, locking down their path to an undefeated season.

In the championship game, Owen Newnam played the hero, breaking a scoreless tie with four minutes left in the second period. His goal proved to be all the Gamecocks needed, as goaltender Drew Durdov delivered a flawless performance, shutting the door on St. John Fisher to seal the title.

For his stellar play, Durdov was named tournament MVP, finishing with a perfect 5-0-0 record, a 1.18 goals-against average, and an incredible .953 save percentage.

University of Tampa Lady Spartans (Women’s)

The CHS sweep wasn’t the only familiar storyline at the AAU College Hockey Nationals, as the Tampa Lady Spartans reached the National Championship Game for the second straight year—only to fall just short once again.

Tampa started strong in pool play, winning its first two games, including a decisive victory over rival Alabama and a last-minute thriller against Springfield College. That set up an epic showdown with the undefeated Syracuse Orange in what became two of the most fiercely contested games of the tournament.

Despite their relentless effort, the Lady Spartans came up just short in both matchups, finishing as National runner-up for the second consecutive year.

Congratulations to the Lady Spartans on an incredible season, and to the University of Tampa, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of South Carolina for capturing the 2024-25 AAU College Hockey National Championships!

ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 30-school, 50 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.