Towson Tigers Men’s Ice Hockey 2025-26 Season Recap: Club Hockey Power Continues to Grow in Maryland

When Maryland hockey fans think about college programs, names such as Navy, Maryland and the growing junior hockey scene often come to mind. One of the state’s most successful and underrated programs, however, continues to skate just north of Baltimore.

The Towson University Men’s Ice Hockey Tigers once again competed at the ACHA Division I level during the 2025-26 season, facing some of the top club hockey programs in the eastern United States. While the program does not receive NCAA status, the level of competition in ACHA Division I is significant, featuring former junior hockey players, NCAA transfers and talented student-athletes from across North America.

Towson’s continued growth has made the Tigers one of the premier club hockey programs in Maryland and a consistent competitor in the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA), one of the stronger conferences in ACHA Division I hockey.

Understanding Towson’s League

Towson competes in ACHA Division I hockey and is a member of the ECHA.

The American Collegiate Hockey Association serves as the governing body for non-NCAA college hockey programs across the United States. While club hockey is often misunderstood as recreational, ACHA Division I programs operate at a remarkably high level. Many players come from Tier II and Tier III junior leagues and continue competitive careers while pursuing their education.

The ECHA includes several nationally recognized ACHA programs and regularly sends teams to postseason competition. Towson’s schedule typically includes conference battles against regional rivals along with non-conference games against top ACHA opponents.

A Roster Built Around Maryland Talent

One of the most impressive aspects of the Towson program remains its local roots.

The 2025-26 roster featured players from throughout Maryland, including Annapolis, Arnold, Crofton, Chesapeake Beach, Rockville, Laurel, Edgewater and Elkton. That local flavor has helped the Tigers become one of Maryland’s most recognizable collegiate hockey programs outside the NCAA ranks.

Several Maryland-born players played key roles throughout the season.

Jay Harwood

Forward Jay Harwood emerged as one of Towson’s offensive leaders.

Harwood finished the year with 30 points in 20 games and earned ECHA All-Conference Second Team honors. The Huntingtown native consistently drove offense and served as one of the team’s most dangerous forwards throughout the season.

Nathan Johnson

The Chesapeake Beach native brought size and skill to the forward group.

Johnson continued to be a reliable offensive contributor while providing leadership among the upperclassmen. Johnson’s physical style helped create space for teammates and made Towson difficult to play against.

Anthony Cardarelli

A Maryland product from Essex, Cardarelli supplied scoring depth and experience.

Veteran leadership remained an important part of the Tigers’ success, and Cardarelli filled that role throughout the campaign.

Brady Matchett

The Arnold native anchored the blue line.

Standing 6-foot-3, Matchett gave Towson size and defensive stability while helping move the puck out of danger. Defensemen capable of playing in all situations are difficult to find in ACHA hockey, making Matchett a valuable piece of the roster.

Ryan Travis

The Edgewater native brought experience and toughness to the defensive corps.

Physical defense has long been a hallmark of successful ECHA teams, and Travis provided that element while helping mentor younger players.

Strong Goaltending Core

Successful club hockey teams usually start with quality goaltending.

Towson carried three netminders during the season:

• Anthony Brooks
• Sean Knudtson
• Luke Schaub

The trio gave the Tigers depth and competition at the position, something every playoff contender needs during the long ACHA schedule.

Brooks, a native of London, Ontario, brought junior hockey experience to the roster. Knudtson and Schaub added depth and pushed for playing time throughout the season.

Maryland Pipeline Continues

One of the biggest stories surrounding Towson hockey is the growth of Maryland’s hockey pipeline.

Players from local youth programs, including organizations around Annapolis, Baltimore County, Howard County and Southern Maryland, continue finding opportunities to play collegiate hockey.

Towson has become a destination for many of those athletes.

The roster featured players from:

• Annapolis
• Arnold
• Chesapeake Beach
• Crofton
• Edgewater
• Elkton
• Laurel
• Rockville

That local presence helps build fan interest and gives Maryland hockey players a high-level college option close to home.

Program Growth

Towson continues operating as one of the most established club hockey programs in the region.

The Tigers compete out of Ice World in Abingdon and have built a reputation for strong recruiting and competitive schedules. The coaching staff regularly attracts players with junior hockey backgrounds while maintaining strong ties to Maryland youth hockey organizations.

The program’s commitment to recruiting has helped maintain a competitive roster despite annual graduation losses.

Looking Ahead to 2026-27

Towson enters the next season with plenty of optimism.

Harwood’s breakout year showed the Tigers possess high-end offensive talent. The defensive group returns several experienced contributors, and the goaltending position appears deep enough to support another postseason push.

The biggest challenge will be replacing graduating veterans while continuing to compete in one of the toughest conferences in ACHA Division I hockey.

Given the strength of the roster, the continued flow of Maryland talent and the program’s growing reputation, Towson appears well positioned to remain one of the top club hockey programs in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Final Grade: B+

Towson once again showcased why it is one of Maryland’s premier collegiate hockey programs. The Tigers continued developing local talent, received elite production from players such as Harwood and remained competitive in ACHA Division I hockey.

The foundation is firmly in place for another strong season in 2026-27, and the future of Towson hockey appears bright as the program continues to grow its footprint within Maryland’s expanding hockey community.