Cornell's men's hockey associate head coach, Ben Syer, is leaving his position after 12 years to become the head coach at Princeton University, a fellow Ivy League and ECAC Hockey institution.

By the Numbers
  • Cornell posted a 229-116-55 record (.641) during Syer's tenure.
  • The team had six 20-win seasons and made seven trips to the ECAC Hockey Championship semifinals.
  • They also had six NCAA Tournament berths and four appearances in the NCAA Regional finals.
  • Cornell consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense, with the top scoring defense in the nation in 2017-18 and 2023-24.
  • During Syer's 13 years, Cornell held opponents to an average of 2.12 goals per game, ranking third in scoring defense nationally.
  • Since 2016-17, Cornell's 1.94 goals allowed per game ranked second in the nation.
Yes, But

No significant counterarguments or complexities were identified in the article.

State of Play
  • Ben Syer is transitioning from Cornell to Princeton University as the head coach.
  • Cornell will need to find a replacement for his role as associate head coach for the men's hockey program.
  • Syer's departure marks a significant change for Cornell's hockey coaching staff.
  • Princeton University gains an experienced hockey coach with a successful track record in Syer.
What's Next

Cornell will undergo a coaching staff reorganization to fill Ben Syer's role while he embarks on his new coaching journey at Princeton University.

Bottom Line

Ben Syer's departure from Cornell to lead the men's hockey program at Princeton University marks a significant shift in Ivy League hockey coaching, with implications for both institutions in the upcoming seasons.