Army Looks to Retain the Challenge Trophy And Extend Rivalry Win Streak at Tate Rink Against the Royal Military College of Canada

By Daniel Rebain | New City, New York | October 9th, 2026 |

Army (0-1, 0-0 AHA) is back in action next weekend when they host the Royal Military College of Canada (0-0) for the right to retain the Challenge Trophy at Tate Rink. After weather forced the cancellation of last year’s annual rivalry game, both teams are eager to face off again.

Traditionally played in late January or early February, this marks the first time the Army-RMC game will take place in the first half of the season.

“Yeah, I mean, this game, it means a lot to the West Point community and me,” senior captain Barron Woodring said of the Army-RMC rivalry last season before the cancellation. “Obviously, we have the chance to honor our seniors here, so it means a lot for the team to be able to do that, and even alumni. I mean, alumni, they look back on this game, and everyone remembers every RMC game they played in. So for us, this is a huge weekend coming up. Just got one game— no league play. Obviously, a little bit different team that we usually play, but we’ve got to be, we’ve got to be, really good this week because this means a lot to us as a team. So it starts at practice, as I said, but for sure, this is a huge weekend.”

This is a historic matchup that has been played since 1923, the longest-running international college hockey series. The Black Knights lead the all-time series with a record of 49–30–7.

Army has dominated the series this millennium, winning 14 of the last 18 meetings. Their three losses and single tie all occurred on the road in Kingston, Ontario. With Army defending an undefeated home streak of 15 consecutive games against RMC at Tate Rink dating back to 1987, both the players and the coaching staff have plenty of pride on the line.

The game took a four-year hiatus from 2007-2010, before returning in 2011 with an Army 9-1 victory at Tate Rink. Don’t get it twisted, this is and will always be one of the biggest games on the Black Knights’ schedule, and the players are ready for a fight.

The last two seasons haven’t been kind to RMC. The Paladins are 4-52 since the beginning of the 2024 season: 1-27 in 2024-2025 and 3-27 in 2025-2026. A positive for head coach Richard Lim and his team up north is that their top four scorers from a season ago are returning.

Cole Foston (9 Goals & 10 Assists) and William Gallant (12 Goals & 4 Assists) will be the two players to watch who could hurt the Black Knights if they’re not careful. In net for the Paladins is Ethan Morrow, who returns for his second season. In 20 starts, Morrow had a 3-17 record, winning all three games for the Paladins, a 4.14 goals-against average, and a 90.7% save percentage.

Echoing what his captain had to say about this rivalry, here’s what Head Coach Zach McKelvie had to say. “This game and this rivalry versus RMC means a tremendous amount to our school, our alumni, and the program.”

It will be McKelvie’s first RMC game as the head man behind the bench, since succeeding Brian Riley. Unfortunately for McKelvie, a 2009 Academy graduate, he is one of the rare alumni who never experienced an RMC game.

“I’m probably one of the only alumni who’s never played in an RMC game. The series, we actually stopped the series for a couple of years [2007-2010], and my class had one year. My freshman year, we played RMC, and I was injured in that game. So, you know, most classes have at least played RMC once. But for me, it’s the same approach. Like every time we step on the ice, you wear that jersey. It’s an opportunity to represent yourself, the team, and the school. And it’s no different with RMC. For sure, it means more because the rivalry has been going on for over 100 years. Our alumni really keep an eye on that game, so we’ve got to make sure that we’re really dialed in next weekend.”

The last time this rivalry was played at Tate Rink, the Black Knights skated away with a 6-1 victory over the Paladins. With it being Barron Woodring’s last RMC game before graduation, a win Sunday afternoon would mean everything to the captain, who is 2-0 in this rivalry so far.

“I mean, what a great history behind this game. It means a lot to this program. It means a lot to the school,” said Woodring. “I remember Brian Riley; he was super fired up to play that game, and we just kind of built off that. And the rivalry is huge, man. That game is just different than anything else, the way that we compete against each other. I mean, they’re flying, they’re buzzing, they always come out hard, and so do we. We’re super excited for this week! It’s a little different with the game being this early in the year, but I think we’re really excited to win that Challenge Cup. And for the freshmen and the younger classes that haven’t been able to play in a game like this, it’s super exciting to be able to compete for something, to compete for this trophy that’s in our locker room right now.”

For another senior like Brent Keefer, this game is another opportunity to show that the United States is the superior hockey nation. Keefer opened the season with a goal and an assist and will look to end his career against RMC undefeated with a victory Sunday afternoon.

“Yeah, it definitely means a lot. Hearing the story– from the alumni and how much it means to them. Just like kind of the rivalry that’s been built up for decades and multiple players and their stories they had. It means a lot for the school, and for the USA-Canada rivalry. Obviously, we also think we’re the better country hockey-wise,” Keefer said with a smirk, “especially with the Olympics. But yeah, it means a lot.”

Puck drop for Sunday’s rivalry game is set for 2:00 pm, as the Black Knights look for a third consecutive victory over the RMC Paladins and defend the Challenge Trophy.

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