CASE SUMMARY
The King's College women's ice hockey team enters the 2026-27 season with renewed excitement surrounding the program as the Monarchs welcome a large incoming class and continue building under second-year head coach Quinn La Rock.
 
With an infusion of new players joining the roster, added depth and talent have created optimism throughout the program as the Monarchs look to continue their development and take another step forward in MAC competition.
 
"With 10 freshman and two transfers, we have more new players than we do returners for this season," La Rock said. "I'm really excited about some of the new talent we have and I think we will surprise a lot of teams in the MAC."
 

INITIAL ASSESSMENT
The Monarchs were selected seventh in the 2026-27 MAC Women's Ice Hockey Coaches' Preseason Poll, which was voted on by the conference's head coaches.
 
Defending conference champion Wilkes topped the poll with 49 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Arcadia (42), Lebanon Valley (38), Hood (28), Alvernia (26), Stevenson (21), King's (11), and Neumann (9).
 
Entering his second season behind the bench, La Rock and the Monarchs remain focused on continuing the program's growth while building on the foundation established during the previous campaign.
 

PROGRAM OUTLOOK
King's believes its increased depth throughout the lineup could be one of the biggest differences entering the new season.
 
After welcoming 12 newcomers to the roster, the Monarchs have added competition at nearly every position while creating more options throughout the lineup. The incoming class has generated significant excitement within the program and will join a returning group that helped establish the standards and culture the coaching staff expects moving forward.
 
La Rock believes that blend of returning experience and new talent will help elevate the team as the season progresses.
 

MONARCH NOTES
One of the traits that has stood out most to the coaching staff is the collective buy-in from the roster.
"I think our team is truly of one mind this year," La Rock said. "Everyone's bought into what we need to do to elevate the program and take a big step in the right direction. Whether that be how we play on the ice, or how we prepare off the ice."
 
That commitment has helped fuel another key area of growth entering the season.
"I think we have a deeper team this year up and down the lineup," La Rock said.
 
With increased competition for ice time and additional options throughout the roster, the Monarchs believe they are better equipped to handle the challenges of a long season.
 

THE ROAD AHEAD
One of the most meaningful dates on the schedule comes on Nov. 21 when King's hosts Alvernia at 3 p.m. for its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game.
 
The Monarchs will use the event to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a cause that holds special meaning within the program.
"We will be raising money to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation," La Rock said. "It's a cause held near to the group and we're excited to support the foundation in any way we can."
 
The event will serve as one of several opportunities for the team to connect with the campus and local community throughout the season.
 

MISSION STATEMENT
For La Rock, success begins with a commitment to the process long before the puck drops.
"What we are most focusing on this year is how we can be the best versions of ourselves every day," La Rock said. "Focusing on treating everything we do like it's going to be the most important thing we ever do."
 
While the Monarchs hope that mindset leads to more success on the ice, the foundation of the program remains rooted in daily growth, accountability, and continuous improvement.
"While we hope and expect that to lead to victories on the score sheet, it's more about the process than the outcome," La Rock said.
 
With a deeper roster, a talented incoming class, and a program continuing to gain momentum, the Monarchs enter 2026-27 eager to showcase the progress being made both on and off the ice.