Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey

Last updated
Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey
Hockey current event.svg Current season
Bemidji State Beavers wordmark.png
University Bemidji State University
Conference CCHA
First season 1947–48
Head coach Tom Serratore
24th season, 388–360–99 (.517)
Assistant coaches
  • Travis Winter
  • Andrew Magera
  • Brock Kautz
Arena Sanford Center
Bemidji, Minnesota
ColorsGreen and white [1]
   
NCAA Tournament championships
DII: 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997
DIII: 1986
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
DI: 2009
DII: 1983, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
DIII: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
NCAA Tournament appearances
DI: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2021
DII: 1983, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
DIII: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
NAIA Tournament championships
1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1979, 1980
NAIA Tournament appearances
1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982
Conference Tournament championships
NCHA: 1986, 1987, 1995
CHA: 2005, 2006, 2009
Conference regular season championships
ICHA: 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978
NCHA: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1995
CHA: 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010
WCHA: 2017
CCHA: 2024
Current uniform
WCHA-Uniform-BSU.png

The Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Bemidji State University. The Beavers are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and play at Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota, as of the 2010 season, after previously playing at the John S. Glas Field House.

Contents

History

Early history

Bemidji State Hockey Arena - Sanford Center Bemidji State Arena.jpg
Bemidji State Hockey Arena - Sanford Center

The Bemidji State men's ice hockey program began in 1946. From the inaugural 1946-47 season through the 1966-67 season BSU played as an independent member of Division I. [2] In 1968 the team became a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). [2] The program continued to operate as an independent member, now in the NAIA from 1968-69 through the 1979-80 season. For the 1980-81 season the program joined the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), in which Bemidji State is a charter member. BSU won the 1981–82 and 1982-83 NCHA regular season championships. [3] [4] Following the 1982-83 season BSU moved to NCAA Division II remaining in the NCHA. [2] During the program's 16-season tenure in the NAIA the team won NAIA national ice hockey championships 7 times, including the first NAIA Championship in 1968.

The Beavers won their third straight NCHA regular season championship in 1983-84 and qualified for the NCAA tournament. [4] In the 1984 tournament BSU won its first NCAA title at the Division II level with BSU sweeping Merrimack in a best-of-three series winning 6-3 and 8-1. [2] Beginning in the following season, the Division II tournament was combined with the NCAA Division III level. The Beavers won the NCHA regular season championship for the third straight season and qualified for the school's first NCAA Division III ice hockey championship. BSU came in second after a 1-5 loss in the finals to RIT. [5] Bemidji State won the first ever NCHA playoff tournament at the conclusion of the 1985-86 season and continued momentum into the NCAA DIII tournament winning the Division III Championship in an 8-5 win over Plattsburgh State. [5] BSU made the NCAA Division III tournament three more times in the 1980s, 1987-1989 but finished fourth once and third twice. [2] The Division II Ice Hockey Tournament was reinstated beginning in 1992-93 season and BSU won The Division II championship three straight years 1993-1995. In the 1996 championship the Beavers came up short to Alabama-Huntsville. The following season Alabama-Huntsville would get revenge, beating Bemidji State in the 1998 championship game. That would be the last year BSU participated in the DII tournament, the Beavers failed to qualify for the last NCAA DII Tournament in 1999 and the following season the Beavers moved to NCAA Division I level. [2]

Recent history

CHA era

Bemidji State joined two other former Division II ice hockey members Alabama–Huntsville and Findlay along with former DI independent teams Air Force, Army, and Niagara and expansion program Wayne State to form College Hockey America at the Division I level after the NCAA ended sponsorship of a Division II ice hockey tournament due to lack of membership. [6] [7] Ted Belisle joined the coaching team as an assistant, [8] and BSU won their first CHA regular season championship in the 2003-04 season but lost 2004 CHA Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in overtime 3-4 to (#2) Niagara. [9]

The 2004-05 marked a historic season for the BSU hockey program. The team swept through the CHA winning the CHA regular season championship and winning the 2005 CHA Championship over Alabama-Huntsville. [10] The 3-0 shutout win gave the Beavers their first berth in the NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Tournament in program history. [2] the team came close to a major upset, losing 3-4 in overtime to the #1 ranked Denver in the opening round. [11] Bemidji beat Niagara 4-2 to win the 2006 CHA Championship and advance to the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament for the second year in a row. [12] BSU again lost in the opening round, this time to Wisconsin 0-4. [13]

The 2008-09 season was the most successful season the team has had at the Division I level. The Beavers finished the regular season 1st in the CHA with a record of 12-5-1 and won the 2009 CHA Championship in 3-2 in overtime over Robert Morris. [2] [14] The team picked up the first NCAA Division I tournament win in the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament with a 5-1 upset over Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey, a #1 seed and ranked 2nd in the national rankings. [15] The Beavers advanced for the first time in the Division I tournament and beat Cornell 4-1 to advance to the school's first ever Frozen Four held at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. [16] Bemidji faced Miami (Ohio) in the National Semifinal game with a 1-4 loss to the RedHawks. [17] [18]

WCHA era

In addition to the on-ice success, in 2008 Bemidji began exploring options to strengthen the program. The CHA had lost many of the original member to programs at Findlay and Wayne State folding and other teams transferring to other college hockey conferences. Travel expenses to remaining members in Huntsville, Alabama, and Western New York and Pennsylvania was also a concern. BSU began looking at the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) as a solution. In a first step the university signed a scheduling agreement against WCHA schools, many within a few hours drive to Bemidji, Minnesota. [19] Other than the WCHA BSU's only option was to end the historic program. [20] In 2009 it was announced the university and city of Bemidji would build a 4,000-5,000 seat state-of-the-art arena to meet WCHA requirements, that the 2,400-seat John S. Glas Field House did not meet. With the news of the Bemidji Regional Events Center BSU applied to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in early 2009. [21] [22] Bemidji State along with University of Nebraska-Omaha (transferring from the CCHA) was accepted into the WCHA as the 11th and 12th members. BSU officially became a member on July 1, 2010. [23]

The Beavers opened WCHA play in the new Bemidji Regional Events Center on October 15, 2010 against North Dakota in a 2-5 loss. [24] Bemidji picked up their first WCHA win at St. Cloud State 3-2 in overtime. [24] Bemidji ended the regular season with a conference record of 8-15-5 as the 10th seed entering the 2011 WCHA Tournament. In the first round of the WCHA playoffs the Beaver beat 3rd-seeded Nebraska-Omaha two games to none with 4-3 and 4-2 wins. [25] The series sweep sent Bemidji to its first ever WCHA Final Five and upset Minnesota–Duluth 3-2 in overtime, [26] before losing to Denver 2-6 in the semifinal game. [27]
With a WCHA Conference record of 20 wins, 6 losses, and 2 ties, The Bemidji State Beavers became WCHA Regular Season Champions at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season. They compiled 64 conference points, 10 more than runner-up Michigan Tech, and won the school's first coveted MacNaughton Cup. [28]

The Bemidji State men's ice hockey team plays against Air Force in 2018 Air Force Academy v. Bemidji State Hockey (5051553).jpg
The Bemidji State men's ice hockey team plays against Air Force in 2018

CCHA era

Bemidji State was one of the seven WCHA members that jointly announced in 2019 that they would leave that league after the 2020–21 season. These seven schools announced in early 2020 that they would reestablish the CCHA, and added an eighth member before starting play in the revived league in 2021.

The Beavers claimed their first CCHA regular season championship and second MacNaughton Cup at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season. [29]

Season-by-season results

[30]

All-time coaching records

As of the end of the 2023–24 season.

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
2001–Present Tom Serratore 23388–360–99.517
1982–1983 Mike Gibbons 130–6–1.824
1966–1982, 1983–2001 Bob Peters 34702–293–49.696
1964–1965 Wayne Peterson 110–1–1.875
1959–1964, 1965–1966 Vic Weber 642–19–2.683
1948–1950 Eric Hughes 217–13–0.567
1947–1948 Jack Aldrich 12–8–0.200
Totals7 coaches68 seasons1191–700–152.620

Awards

NCAA

Individual awards

All-Americans

Second Team [32]

CHA

Individual awards

All-CHA Teams

First Team [33] [34]

Second Team

Rookie Team

WCHA

Individual awards

All-WCHA Teams

First Team

Second Team

Third Team

Rookie Team


CCHA

Individual awards

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-CCHA

Second Team all-CCHA

CCHA All-Rookie Team

Statistical Leaders

[35]

Career scoring leaders

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

PlayerYearsGPGAPtsPIM
Mike Alexander 1982–198613698154252160
Mark Eagles 1972–197611610012522580
Joel Otto 1980–198412289115204134
Scott Johnson 1987–1991132969519194
Rod Heisler 1975–19791211009019070
Wendal Jellison 1981–19851348699185157
Dan Richards 1985–1989132879318040
Jamie Erb 1989–1993108869418071
John Murphy 1975–1979122719816950
Scott Currie 1975–19791227788165107

Career goaltending leaders

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 1500 minutes

PlayerYearsGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
Michael Bitzer 2014–2018138822765541927121.9211.98
Zach Driscoll 2018–2021102584752351221310.9202.19
Matt Dalton 2007–200936209420141803.9152.29
Blane Comstock 1967–1971864878701211909.9052.34
Matt Climie 2004–200895542745301122212.9082.45

Statistics current through the start of the 2021-22 season.

Players

Roster

As of August 5, 2024. [36]

No. Nat.PlayerClassPosHeightWeightDoBHometownPrevious teamNHL rights
2Tony FollmerSenior D 6' 3" (1.91 m)191 lb (87 kg)2000-10-26 O'Fallon, Missouri Lincoln Stars  ( USHL )—
4Patrik SatosaariJunior D 6' 0" (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)2001-06-18 Jyväskylä, Finland Lahti Pelicans U20 (U20 SM-sarja)—
5Will MagnusonSenior D 5' 10" (1.78 m)178 lb (81 kg)2001-10-16 Chaska, Minnesota Bismarck Bobcats  ( NAHL )—
6Mitch WolfeJunior D 6' 0" (1.83 m)183 lb (83 kg)2002-07-19 Andover, Minnesota Des Moines Buccaneers  ( USHL )—
7Isa ParekhFreshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m)157 lb (71 kg)2003-09-27 Toronto, Ontario Nanaimo Clippers  ( BCHL )—
8Adam FlammangJunior F 6' 0" (1.83 m)187 lb (85 kg)2001-11-09 St. Michael, Minnesota Cedar Rapids RoughRiders  ( USHL )—
9Carter RandklevGraduate F 5' 8" (1.73 m)163 lb (74 kg)1999-11-05 Moorhead, Minnesota Niagara  ( AHA )—
11Eric MartinGraduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m)166 lb (75 kg)2000-06-05 Calgary, Alberta Drumheller Dragons  ( AJHL )—
12A. J. MacaulayJunior D 5' 9" (1.75 m)175 lb (79 kg)2002-04-12 Bonnyville, Alberta Alaska  ( NCAA )—
13Donte LawsonSenior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)170 lb (77 kg)2000-11-03 Taconite, Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness  ( NAHL )—
14Alexi SylvestreFreshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m)194 lb (88 kg)2004-08-27 Sainte-Martine, Quebec Flin Flon Bombers  ( SJHL )—
15Jaksen PanzerFreshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)2004-04-08 Grand Forks, North Dakota Sioux Falls Stampede  ( USHL )—
16Jere VäisänenSenior F 6' 0" (1.83 m)175 lb (79 kg)2000-07-10 Espoo, Finland Amarillo Bulls  ( NAHL )—
17Noah QuinnSophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m)173 lb (78 kg)2003-06-02 Nelson, British Columbia Cranbrook Bucks  ( BCHL )—
18Rhys ChiddentonSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)182 lb (83 kg)2003-05-23 Campbellville, Ontario Cranbrook Bucks  ( BCHL )—
19Jackson JuttingGraduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m)196 lb (89 kg)2001-02-27 Savage, Minnesota Colorado College  ( NCHC )—
20Kirklan IreyJunior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)172 lb (78 kg)2001-01-08 Bismarck, North Dakota Sioux City Musketeers  ( USHL )—
21Vince CorcoranJunior F 5' 8" (1.73 m)165 lb (75 kg)2001-09-21 Plainfield, Illinois Wichita Falls Warriors  ( NAHL )—
22Austin JouppiGraduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m)177 lb (80 kg)2000-04-18 Duluth, Minnesota Bismarck Bobcats  ( NAHL )—
23Luke RoelofsFreshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m)192 lb (87 kg)2003-03-17 Minnetrista, Minnesota Bismarck Bobcats  ( NAHL )—
25Tory LundFreshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m)185 lb (84 kg)2004-07-30 Sartell, Minnesota El Paso Rhinos  ( NAHL )—
26Reilly FunkJunior (RS) F 6' 3" (1.91 m)194 lb (88 kg)2000-12-23 Portage, Manitoba Northern Michigan  ( CCHA )—
27Jake McLeanSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)183 lb (83 kg)2002-07-27 North Vancouver, British Columbia Bismarck Bobcats  ( NAHL )—
28Kasper MagnussenSophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m)196 lb (89 kg)2004-02-19 Fredrikstad, Norway Leksands IF J20  ( J20 Nationell )—
29Ryan HendersonFreshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m)170 lb (77 kg)2004-06-10 Lethbridge, Alberta Drumheller Dragons  ( USHL )—
30Mattias ShollSenior G 5' 10" (1.78 m)175 lb (79 kg)2000-09-30 Hermosa Beach, California Youngstown Phantoms  ( USHL )—
33Trent WiemkenFreshman G 6' 0" (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)2004-03-23 Fargo, North Dakota Austin Bruins  ( NAHL )—
35Raythan RobbinsSenior G 5' 11" (1.8 m)187 lb (85 kg)2002-06-05 Anchorage, Alaska Muskegon Lumberjacks  ( USHL )—

Olympians

This is a list of Bemidji State alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

NamePositionBemidji State TenureTeamYearFinish
Charles Brown Defenseman1968–1971 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1972 Silver medal icon.svg Silver
Jim McElmury Defenseman1967–1971 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1972 Silver medal icon.svg Silver
Blane Comstock Goaltender1967–1971 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1976 5th
Gary Ross Defenseman1973–1975 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1976 5th
Joel Otto Center1980–1984 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1998 6th

Beavers in the NHL

As of July 1, 2024.

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star [37] = NHL All-Star [37] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers
PlayerPositionTeam(s)YearsGames Stanley Cups
Matt Climie Goaltender DAL, PHO 2008–201150
Brad Hunt Defenseman EDM, STL, NSH, VGK, MIN, VAN, COL 2013–20232880
Jim McElmury Defenseman KCS, COR 1972–19781800
Andrew Murray Center CBJ, STL 2007–20132210
Joel Otto Center CGY , PHI 1984–19989431
Matt Read Right wing PHI, MIN 2011–20194490
Gary Sargent Defenseman LAK, MNS 1975–19834020
Dale Smedsmo Left wing TOR 1972–197340
Zach Whitecloud Defenseman VGK 2017–Present2471

WHA

One player was a member of the WHA.

PlayerPositionTeam(s)Years Avco Cups
Dale Smedsmo Left wing CIN, NEW, IND 1975–19780

[38]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bemidiji Visual Identity Standards" (PDF). Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bemidji State Men's Hockey Team History". U.S. College Hockey Online. 1996–2010. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Northern Collegiate Hockey Association History". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association . Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Men's NCHA Regular Season, Playoff Team Champions". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association . Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Men's Division III Ice Hockey Championship History". NCAA . Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  6. ↑ "New Conferences Set To Debut in 1999-2000". American Hockey Coaches Association . 1999. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  7. ↑ "College Hockey America - 1999-2000 Standings". College Hockey Stats.com. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Ted Belisle | Men's Ice Hockey Coaches | Official Site of Bemidji State Athletics". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  9. ↑ Staff (March 14, 2004). "Tallari Sends Niagara Into NCAAs". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  10. ↑ Staff (March 13, 2005). "Breaking The Ice: Bemidji State Heads To NCAA Tourney". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  11. ↑ Connelly, Jim (March 26, 2005). "Close Escape: Ulanski Goal Sends Denver Past Bemidji State". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  12. ↑ Mackinder, Matt (March 12, 2006). "Bemidji State Downs Niagara To Retain CHA Championship". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  13. ↑ Panger, Robert (March 25, 2006). "Hats Off: Pavelski Nets Three As Wisconsin Rolls". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Bemidji State 3, Robert Morris 2". U.S. College Hockey Online. March 14, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  15. ↑ Miller, Bob (March 28, 2009). "First Time For Everything: Bemidji State Topples Top-Seeded Notre Dame". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  16. ↑ Weston, Paula C. (March 29, 2009). "Believe: Bemidji State Earns Historic Frozen Four Berth". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  17. ↑ Weston, Paula C. (April 9, 2009). "RedHawks Advance To First-Ever Title Game". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  18. ↑ Seal, Ben (April 9, 2009). "Bemidji State Hockey Awakens From Incongruous Dream". The New York Times . Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  19. ↑ Staff (January 18, 2008). "Bemidji State, WCHA Reach Scheduling Agreement". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  20. ↑ Staff (April 7, 2009). "Cinderella Bemidji State's Future on Ice". AOL News . Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  21. ↑ Albright, David (April 8, 2009). "Bemidji State finally takes big stage". ESPN . Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Bemidji State to pursue membership in Western Collegiate Hockey Association". Bemidji State University . January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Bemidji State men's hockey program begins WCHA membership July 1". Bemidji State University . July 1, 2010. Archived from the original on July 15, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  24. 1 2 "Bemidji State Men's Hockey 2010-2011 Schedule and Results". U.S. College Hockey Online. 2010–2011. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  25. ↑ Stromgren, Eric (March 13, 2011). "BSU hockey team sweeps Nebraska-Omaha, advances to face Bulldogs in WCHA Final Five". Bemidji Pioneer.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  26. ↑ Staff (March 18, 2011). "Bemidji State upsets UMD at Final Five". Pierce County Herald. Retrieved March 24, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. ↑ Staff (March 18, 2011). "Denver beats Bemidji St. 6-2 in WCHA semis". The Denver Post . Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Bemidji State wins the MacNaughton Cup | Grand Forks Herald". Archived from the original on 2017-02-11.
  29. ↑ "FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Bemidji State blanks Minnesota State for MacNaughton Cup, No. 6 Michigan State downs No. 4 Wisconsin to claim Big Ten regular-season title, Clarkson knocks off No. 7 Quinnipiac in OT, No. 1 Boston College tops No. 17 New Hampshire". 2 March 2024.
  30. ↑ "Bemidji State Beavers Men's Ice Hockey 2012-13 Media Guide" (PDF). Bemidji State Beavers. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  31. ↑ "Hockey Senior CLASS Award". NCAA.org. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  32. ↑ "Men's Award Winners" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 6. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  33. ↑ "All-CHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  34. ↑ "CHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  35. ↑ "Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey 2012-13 Media Guide" (PDF). Bemidji State Beavers. 2018-08-23.
  36. ↑ "2024-25 Men's Ice Hockey". Bemidji State Beavers. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  37. 1 2 Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  38. ↑ "Alumni report for Bemidji State University". Hockey DB. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.