The 1990's: Decade of Dominance

The 1995-96 SCHA Championship Team

The 1990’s would prove to be a Decade of Dominance for the Ice Vols, seeing Tennessee take three SCHA titles, and four other SCHA Final Four appearances. During the first two years of the 90’s, two key additions would have an dramatic impact on the program. First, Rick Farmer returned to the team ten years after his first stint, and added 95 more points to an already stellar career. Farmer led the team in scoring for the 1989-90 season, and would have led the team for two seasons if not for the arrival of a freshman by the name of Preston Dixon. Dixon scorched the record book, setting freshman and team records for assists (26) and total points (55) in a single season, and tying Kevin Vandervort for most goals in a season (29).

The further addition of Canadian players such as Dixon, Berke Bates, and Noah Lermer along with scorers like Ray Jafensky and Bobby Kinsella and bruisers like big John Mertz helped Tennessee produce some of its best records in team history. In 1993-94, Tennessee took the SCHA Championship and earned its first National Tournament berth, defeating Drexel and falling to eventual National Champion Ferris State in Albany, NY. The 1995-96 team remains the only undefeated team in Ice Vols history, going 18-0 en route to their third SCHA Championship of the decade.

The 1997-98 edition of the Ice Vols, coached by Dean Anderson, enjoyed great attendance and support from students. The team, led by players such as Derek Brunett, Scott Chamberlain, Dennis Helling, and captain Rob Kinsella went 14-5-1, finishing 3rd in the SCHA and leading the league in attendance.

The 1998-99 season would be a turbulent one for the Ice Vols as the graduation of team leaders on and off the ice and financial worries took a heavy toll. The SCHA picked up new members Florida, South Florida, Central Florida, Embry-Riddle, and Clemson; and morphed into the new College Hockey South. The young Tennessee team would struggle in the new league, going 5-11, losing coach Dean Anderson midway through the year. He was replaced by former player Craig Bates.

Financial and leadership concerns might have ended the Big Orange hockey program before the 1999-2000 season if not for the arrival of Dave Feather, a transfer student from George Mason University, who helped reform the Ice Vols program. Dave also served as President of the Hockey Club for two seasons. Although, the new team boasted CHS All-Stars Nathan Tutt, Andy Frick, and 1999 CHS scoring leader Chad Quirion, they could only muster a 2-11-1 record in a tough CHS Conference that featured three invitees (Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Florida) to the ACHA National Tournament.

Tennessee Goaltender Berke Bates

Noah Lermer

Tennessee vs. Kentucky, 1992

Alex Skaaleruud

Dave Feather