California Ice Hockey is an ACHA Division 2 club sport team competing in the PAC-8 conference. Members practice and play games at venues like the Oakland Ice Center, travel for away series and high-profile invitationals, and compete for conference and regional championships. The team has a full coaching staff, a Director of Broadcasting, and live-streams all home games free on Black Dog Hockey. The Big Freeze, an annual rivalry game featuring the Cal Band and Oski, is the signature event of the season.
1918
Founded
PAC-8
Conference
2
ACHA division
25-0
2024-25 regular season record
5
ACHA West Division ranking (November 2025)
8
ACHA national ranking (January 2026)
Events They Host
The Big Freeze
Annual home rivalry game, traditionally against Stanford, featuring the Cal Band, Oski the Bear, and a ceremonial puck drop. Streamed live on Black Dog Hockey. 2025 edition featured Chancellor Rich Lyons and a white-out theme, with LMU replacing Stanford.
Halloween Face Off
Annual home game against USC featuring the Cal Band and Oski, launched as a new tradition in the 2023-24 season.
PAC-8 Playoffs
Conference championship tournament. The 2024-25 edition was held in Cheney, Washington (February 7-9). Cal earned a spot in the ACHA D2 Regional Tournament following the playoffs.
ACHA Division 2 Regional Tournament
National qualifying tournament. Cal secured the 12th seed in the 2024-25 edition held in Westminster, Colorado.
Beehive Showcase (Utah)
High-profile invitational featuring top ACHA west division teams. Cal went 1-3 against four of the top five teams in the west in the 2025-26 edition.
Big Mountain Classic (Colorado)
Multi-day invitational in Colorado featuring programs including MSU Denver, Dakota College at Bottineau, Northeastern University, and University of Colorado. Cal participated in the January 2026 edition.
Senior Night
Home game honoring graduating players before puck drop, played in front of family, friends, and teammates. The 2026 edition was held January 24 at the Oakland Ice Center against USC.