Closing in on the last few games of Head Coach Thomas Lindberg’s fourth year overseeing the hockey program, the team has experienced a period of both extended success and learning. Finishing as IHL champions last year, the Fords have moved up a division to the ICSHL and taken the ice against more challenging competition.
While consistently beating rivals, including EA, over recent years, the team has overseen a youth movement headed by Coach Lindberg’s improved recruiting efforts.
Playing scrimmage games against eighth-grade teams to build recruiting pipelines, the Fords are now composed of a competent young roster highlighted by its two goalies, Third Formers Ike Matoney and Liam McGrath.
Sixth Former Pat Cohen, one of only three Sixth Formers on the roster, occupies a leadership role on the team.
“I’m helping write a second book.”
Pat Cohen ’25
“It means a lot,” Cohen said. “I’m helping write a second book.”
The “book” Cohen refers to is the story of Fords’ hockey in their new league. Writing a chapter in each of the last three years in the IHL, Coach Lindberg has called on the team to use their promotion as the genesis of their next story.
Part of the Fords story this year has been playing in front of student fans.
“It means everything to play in front of your brothers”
pat cohen ’25
“It means everything to play in front of your brothers,” Cohen said. “We’re almost undefeated with a student section… It gives us that extra energy we need to make those crucial plays.”
What’s most impressive about student attendance at games this year is the team’s full-time move to Ice Line in West Chester, 40 minutes away from campus. Despite the distance, senior night brought a large crowd and a Fords win.
Looking to the end of the season, players are hoping for playoff glory.
“If we win the next two, it gives us a good chance of making the Flyers Cup. That’s our goal,” Cohen said.
Besides the coveted playoff success, it would put the program in a stronger position to attract talent and build on past improvements.
When asked to reflect on his four years on the hockey team, Cohen advised the young skaters to focus on effort, “Give 110% each practice. You can always get that 1% better.”
