The LIU Sharks men's ice hockey team represents Long Island University in NCAA Division I ice hockey. The school announced their intention to begin a varsity schedule for the 2020–21 season on April 30, 2020. While starting out as an independent, the Sharks were a scheduling partner of Atlantic Hockey for at least their first season.
As of 2025, the Sharks are the only Division I program located in the New York City-area, though all their home games are played in Nassau County, outside of the New York city limits.
History After the college hockey season had been ended prematurely in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Long Island University announced their intention to found a men's Division I ice hockey team. The school had already established its women's team the year before and, despite the uncertainty for the upcoming season, LIU hired a coaching staff and recruited a full team of players.
Due to scheduling problems resulting from COVID-19, LIU entered into a scheduling partnership with Atlantic Hockey for its inaugural season. LIU would officially remain an independent program and would not be eligible for the conference tournament.
In April 2026, LIU announced that a holiday college tournament would be held at UBS Arena as part of a five-year partnership with the Islanders and the arena. The inaugural Empire State Holiday Invitational will be held over a two-day period in December 2026 and include the Sharks and three other teams.
Season-by-season results
Coaches Brett Riley was named as the team's first head coach on May 26, 2020. After five seasons, Riley left to take over at Ferris State and was replaced by his cousin, Brendan Riley.
As of the completion of 2025–26 season Tenure Coach Years Record Pct. 2020–2025 Brett Riley 5 62–85–7 2025–Present Brendan Riley 1 14–18–1 Totals 2 coach 6 seasons 76–103–8
Current roster As of September 19, 2025.
Statistical leaders
Career points leaders Player Years GP G A Pts PIM 2022–2025 89 10 67 77 22 2022–2025 92 44 24 68 35 2021–2025 120 36 32 68 204 2022–2025 78 18 37 55 26 2022–2025 97 23 32 55 54 2020–2024 109 19 33 52 49 2022–2024 67 16 31 47 62 2024–Present 64 15 28 43 37 2022–2023 36 17 20 37 78 2020–2024 109 12 25 37 32
Career goaltending leaders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
minimum 1,000 minutes played Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA 2023–2025 30 1,402 17 7 0 53 0 .901 2.27 2021–2024 44 2,180 16 18 1 102 3 .891 2.81 2024–Present 35 1,986 15 18 2 105 2 .901 3.17 2020–2023 47 2,543 12 30 1 142 1 .893 3.35 2021–2022 18 1,049 4 11 3 62 2 .887 3.55 Statistics current through the end of the 2025-26 season.
See also LIU Sharks women's ice hockey
References
External links Official website