Lewis and Clark Hockey Continues Building Toward Inaugural Season

GODFREY, Ill. — As Lewis and Clark Community College prepares to launch its new hockey program, head coach Tyler Elbrecht and his staff remain focused on recruiting and roster construction ahead of the team's first competitive season.

Still in the building phase, the program has begun securing its first commitments, marking an important step toward establishing a foundation.

"Signings are going well," Elbrecht said. "We have three committed with another three or four we are hoping to sign relatively soon. As seasons wind down, players will start to figure out what the options are."

With recruiting ongoing, Elbrecht said he is encouraged by the early response from prospective student-athletes and believes the program is on track to assemble a competitive first-year roster.

"I feel like we are going to have a strong roster for our first year," he said. "All of the current signings are really excited, and we are going to get to work as soon as we can."

Scouting remains a constant priority as players complete their junior, high school and club seasons. While the coaching staff does not currently have major recruiting trips scheduled, evaluation efforts continue through game attendance and ongoing communication with prospects.

"We will continue to watch games and see where players land," Elbrecht said. "Nothing crazy on the books as of now."

As a new program without an established recruiting pipeline, Lewis and Clark is taking a broad approach to talent identification, reaching both local prospects and international players.

"We are recruiting from everywhere," Elbrecht said. "We have spoken with Europeans all the way to local players. We have to cast a wide net as a new program."

The addition of hockey represents a major step in the college's athletic expansion, and the coming months will be critical as the Trailblazers continue adding players and shaping the identity of the program. With early commitments secured and recruiting momentum building, Lewis and Clark's newest team continues moving closer to its first season on the ice.

Written by Alexandra Dunn, Athletics Social Media Coordinator