1969 – 1970 – Official Varsity Sport – The team became an official varsity sport under the governance of the Athletic Department. Buffalo won their first official game as a varsity sport, whipping Ithaca College 8-0. Al “Bibber” O’Hearn coached the team most of the way through a 17 game slate. The Bulls would lose the Finger Lakes Collegiate Hockey League Invitation Tournament again to Canton Tech. COACH: Al “Bibber” O’Hearn FINAL RECORD: 14-3-0
1970 – 1971- Hockey Comes a Long Way – Ed Wright, a Boston University grad, becomes U.B.’s first full-time professional hockey coach. A native of Chatham, Ontario, Wright was the first Black collegiate ice hockey coach in the country and instantly accomplishes two major achievements: a competitive schedule and a basic recruitment program. COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 8-7-1
1971 – 1972 – Ohio State at the Aud – The team played in Division II of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) during the 1971-1972 season, posting an overall 14-8-0 mark, second best in the ECAC II at 12-3-0.More than 4000 fans saw the Bulls hold their own against a powerful Division I Ohio State squad losing 5-2 on January 23, 1972 at the Memorial Auditorium in downtown Buffalo.COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 14-8-0
1972 – 1973 COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 10-12-0
1973 – 1974 COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 18-11-1
1974 – 1975 COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 11-18-1
1975 – 1976 COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 11-16-1
1976 – 1977 COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 14-11-0
1977 – 1978 – The All-American Era – With no Canadians on the roster, the Bulls were known as the “All-Americans” and the team becomes a charter member of the New York Collegiate Hockey Association (NYCHA). COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 14-13-0
1978 – 1979 – The team joins the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 15-12-0
1979 – 1980 COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 9-15-0
1980 – 1981 COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 9-13-2
1981 – 1982 – John Mickler replaces coach Ed Wright who takes a year’s leave of absence to resume his studies for a doctorate degree. Mickler was active in Western New York youth hockey as a coach and an administrator for several years. He owned the Buffalo Blades in the New York Penn Junior Hockey League in the mid 1970’s. COACH: John Mickler FINAL RECORD: 7-15-1
1982 – 1983 – John Mickler takes over the coaching duties on a permanent basis. COACH: John Mickler FINAL RECORD: 7-16-1
1983 – 1984 COACH: John Mickler FINAL RECORD: 7-18-0
1984 – 1985 COACH: John Mickler FINAL RECORD: 5-22-0
1985 – 1986 COACH: John Mickler FINAL RECORD: 7-19-1
1986 – 1987 – In March of 1986, John Mickler resigns as the head coach of the hockey program. In five seasons, Mickler’s teams posted a 33-90-3 record. Ed Wright reluctantly agrees to coach the team again. COACH: Ed Wright FINAL RECORD: 5-19-1