Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey

Last updated
Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey
Hockey current event.svg Current season
Western Michigan Broncos (2021) logo.svg
University Western Michigan University
Conference NCHC
Head coach Pat Ferschweiler
4th season, 70–43–3 (.616)
Assistant coaches
Arena Lawson Arena
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Student sectionLawson Lunatics
ColorsBrown and gold [1]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
1986, 1994, 1996, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024
Conference Tournament championships
CCHA: 1986, 2012
Current uniform
CCHA-Uniform-WMU.png

The Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Western Michigan University. The Broncos are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). They play at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. [2]

Contents

History

The Broncos program began in 1973 and joined the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) for the 1975–76 season. After ten seasons in the league Western Michigan won the 1986 CCHA Playoff Tournament and advanced to the school's first NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament in 1986. [3] The 1986 season marked the program's first CCHA Tournament Championship and the program's first bid to the NCAA Tournament. [4] The Broncos entered the tournament in the West Regional against Harvard and lost the two-game aggregate series, being outscored 11–4 by the Crimson. [5]

Western Michigan's next post season appearance came in 1994. Western Michigan received an at-large bid to the 1994 NCAA Division I Tournament and again fell in the first round with a 6–3 loss to Wisconsin. [6]

The Broncos rebounded in the 1995–96 season after a sub-.500 season in 1994–95. Western Michigan received the program's second at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Western Michigan lost again in the first round to Clarkson 6–1. [7]

Under first-year coach Jeff Blashill, Western Michigan received an at-large bid to the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, where they would lose their opening game 3–2 in double overtime to Denver. Denver scored two goals in the last 4:29 of the third period to force overtime. [8]

In 2011–12, for the second consecutive season, Western Michigan had a new head coach and reached the NCAA tournament. Longtime National Hockey League (NHL) coach Andy Murray was named as coach of the Broncos after Blashill left for the Detroit Red Wings. [9] WMU finished tied for second in the CCHA and won the CCHA tournament, thereby receiving an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. [10] Western Michigan lost in the first round of the tournament 3–1 to No. 1 seed North Dakota. [11]

The Broncos joined the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) starting in the 2013–14 season. The CCHA disbanded after the 2012–13 season, in part due to the addition of men's ice hockey to the Big Ten Conference.

Western Michigan won the 2013 four-team Great Lakes Invitational which was played outdoors at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Broncos defeated No. 3 Michigan 3–2 in overtime in the semifinals, and then claimed the championship by beating Michigan Tech 1–0, also in overtime. WMU won the 2014 Shillelagh Tournament with an 8–2 victory over No. 17 Union. The Broncos also defeated Ohio State in the first round of the tournament, 6–2.

In 2016–17, the Broncos followed up a disappointing 8-25-3 season with an impressive 22-13-5 and a third-place finish in the NCHC. Western Michigan was invited to the final Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena, where they defeated Michigan Tech in the championship. WMU has been invited to the GLI 5 times dating back to 1977, winning it 3 of those times. The Broncos were defeated in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Division I tournament by Air Force.

In 2021-2022, Western Michigan had a legendary season for the program under Pat Ferschweiler as head coach. The broncos shared the 2021 Great Lakes Invitational championship by defeating Michigan State. The broncos managed to obtain 26 wins defeating teams the likes of No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 St. Cloud State, and defeated No. 10 North Dakota in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Semi-Finals to advance their first (NCHC) championship game. Western Michigan clinched their first-ever 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and would win their first-ever playoff game by defeating the Northeastern Huskies to advance to their first ever regional championship appearance. They would be defeated by Minnesota 3-0.

Season-by-season results

Source: [12]

Coaching

All-time coaching records

As of the completion of 2023–24 season [12]

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
1973–1978Bill Neal591–65–5.581
1978–1982Glen Weller464–73–5.468
1982–1999 Bill Wilkinson 17†313–301–53.509
1999–2010 Jim Culhane 11†158–222–48.425
2010–2011 Jeff Blashill 119–13–10.571
2011–2021 Andy Murray 10167–156–43.515
2021–Present Pat Ferschweiler 370–43–3.616
Totals7 coaches51 seasons882–873–167.502

† The 1998–99 season was coached by both Wilkinson and Culhane.

Statistical leaders

Source: [13]

Career points leaders

PlayerYearsGPGAPtsPIM
Dan Dorion 1982–1986157115178293
Paul Polillo 1986–199016582189271
Wayne Gagné 1983–198716242199241
Jeff Green 1986–1990159109125234
Ross Fitzpatrick 1978–1982138100125225
Tim Dunlop 1974–197812992106198
Rob Bryden 1983–198716210491195
Chris Brooks 1992–199614757127184
Troy Thrun 1983–198612281102183
Bob Scurfield 1978–19811308295177

Career goaltending leaders

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 30 games played

PlayerYearsGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
Frank Slubowski 2011–20159460214938152357.9092.34
Cameron Rowe 2022–Present764496433021865.9042.48
Marc Magliarditi 1995–199636211023112915.9102.59
Brandon Bussi 2019–2022774467462551944.9122.61
Jerry Kuhn 2007–2011633528162731582.9122.69

Statistics current through the end of the 2023–2024 season.

Current roster

As of September 23, 2024. [14]

No. S/P/CPlayerClassPosHeightWeightDoBHometownPrevious teamNHL rights
1 Flag of Michigan.svg Kirk LaursenJunior (RS) G 6' 3" (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)2000-01-02 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Miami  ( NCHC )—
2 Flag of Minnesota.svg Grady GallatinFreshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m)179 lb (81 kg)2004-06-07 White Bear Lake, Minnesota Janesville Jets  ( NAHL )—
3 Flag of New Hampshire.svg Cole Crusberg-RoseenSophomore D 5' 11" (1.8 m)184 lb (83 kg)2002-04-14 Stratham, New Hampshire Lincoln Stars  ( USHL )—
4 Flag of Illinois.svg Robby DraznerGraduate D 6' 1" (1.85 m)205 lb (93 kg)2000-02-13 Buffalo Grove, Illinois Miami  ( NCHC )—
6 Flag of Michigan.svg Jack MesicSophomore D 5' 9" (1.75 m)176 lb (80 kg)2002-10-18 Plymouth, Michigan Ferris State  ( CCHA )—
8 Flag of North Dakota.svg Zach NehringFreshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m)179 lb (81 kg)2005-03-07 Minot, North Dakota Sioux Falls Stampede  ( USHL ) WPG , 82nd overall  2023
9 Flag of Minnesota.svg Zach BadeFreshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m)183 lb (83 kg)2003-04-26 Rosemount, Minnesota Tri-City Storm  ( USHL )—
10 Flag of Illinois.svg Zack SharpFreshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m)181 lb (82 kg)2005-03-29 Naperville, Illinois Cedar Rapids RoughRiders  ( USHL )—
11 Flag of California.svg Ethan WolthersJunior F 5' 8" (1.73 m)155 lb (70 kg)2001-07-19 Valencia, California Minnesota Wilderness  ( NAHL )—
12 Flag of Florida.svg Connor BrownFreshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m)185 lb (84 kg)2005-05-03 Estero, Florida Waterloo Black Hawks  ( USHL )—
13 Flag of Minnesota.svg Grant SlukynskySophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m)205 lb (93 kg)2002-03-12 Edina, Minnesota Northern Michigan  ( CCHA )—
14 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Brian KramerGraduate D 5' 11" (1.8 m)185 lb (84 kg)2000-07-20 Wexford, Pennsylvania American International  ( AHA )—
16 Flag of Michigan.svg Tim WasheGraduate F 6' 3" (1.91 m)210 lb (95 kg)2001-08-25 Detroit, Michigan Nanaimo Clippers  ( BCHL )—
17 Flag of California.svg Ty HenricksFreshman F 6' 4" (1.93 m)216 lb (98 kg)2005-06-28 Mission Viejo, California Muskegon Lumberjacks  ( USHL ) NYR , 183rd overall  2023
18 Flag of Illinois.svg Wyatt SchingoetheSenior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)180 lb (82 kg)2002-08-03 Algonquin, Illinois Waterloo Black Hawks  ( USHL ) TOR , 195th overall  2020
19 Flag of Michigan.svg Cam KnubleGraduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m)200 lb (91 kg)2000-07-23 Grand Rapids, Michigan Muskegon Lumberjacks  ( USHL )—
20 Flag of Minnesota.svg Alex BumpSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)194 lb (88 kg)2003-11-20 Burnsville, Minnesota Tri-City Storm  ( USHL ) PHI , 133rd overall  2022
21 Flag of Michigan.svg Ryan KuslerFreshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m)187 lb (85 kg)2003-05-19 Battle Creek, Michigan Omaha Lancers  ( USHL )—
22 Flag of Finland.svg Iiro HakkarainenFreshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m)172 lb (78 kg)2004-03-09 Helsinki, Finland Fargo Force  ( USHL )—
23 Flag of Sweden.svg Liam ValenteJunior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)183 lb (83 kg)2003-05-23 Märsta, Sweden Providence  ( HEA )—
24 Flag of Michigan.svg Garrett SzydlowskiSophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m)185 lb (84 kg)2002-06-12 Detroit, Michigan Wenatchee Wild  ( BCHL )—
25 Flag of Ontario.svg Matteo CostantiniSenior F 6' 0" (1.83 m)192 lb (87 kg)2002-08-16 St. Catharines, Ontario North Dakota  ( NCHC ) BUF , 131st overall  2020
26 Flag of California.svg Ean SomozaSophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m)188 lb (85 kg)2003-02-08 Thousand Oaks, California Wenatchee Wild  ( BCHL )—
27 Flag of Finland.svg Joona VäisänenFreshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m)176 lb (80 kg)2004-07-29 Espoo, Finland Dubuque Fighting Saints  ( USHL ) PIT , 175th overall  2024
29 Flag of Quebec.svg Tristan LemyreJunior F 5' 9" (1.75 m)170 lb (77 kg)2001-01-15 Mirabel, Quebec Denver  ( NCHC )—
30 Flag of Minnesota.svg Hampton SlukynskyFreshman G 6' 1" (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)2005-07-02 Warroad, Minnesota Fargo Force  ( USHL ) LAK , 118th overall  2023
31 Flag of Illinois.svg Cameron RoweGraduate G 6' 3" (1.91 m)210 lb (95 kg)2001-06-01 Wilmette, Illinois Wisconsin  ( Big Ten )—
33 Flag of Sweden.svg Samuel SjölundJunior D 6' 1" (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg)2001-05-19 Stockholm, Sweden Dubuque Fighting Saints  ( USHL ) DAL , 111th overall  2019
34 Flag of Michigan.svg Owen MichaelsSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg)2002-05-01 Detroit, Michigan Dubuque Fighting Saints  ( USHL )—

Awards and honors

All-Americans

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

CCHA

Individual awards

All-Conference teams

First Team All-CCHA

Second Team All-CCHA

CCHA All-Rookie Team

NCHC

Individual awards

All-Conference teams

First Team All-NCHC

Second Team All-NCHC

NCHC All-Rookie Team

Western Michigan Broncos Hall of Fame

The following is a list of people associated with the Western Michigan men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Western Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame. [15]

Broncos in the NHL

As of July 1, 2024

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star [16] = NHL All-Star [16] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers

‡Scott Foster played 14 minutes for the Blackhawks after being signed to a 1-day contract as an emergency backup due to injury. [17]

Source: [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ Western Michigan Athletics Brand Guide (PDF). July 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Wmu Men's Hockey Team Page :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online". USCHO.com. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Statistics :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  4. ↑ CCHA history and records ccha.com [ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Official 2006 NCAA® Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Records Book" (PDF). www.ncaa.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2008.
  6. ↑ "1994 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  7. ↑ "1996 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  8. ↑ Holt, Adam. "Late rally, Zucker's double-OT winner send Denver past Western Michigan". uscho.com. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  9. ↑ AP Staff (July 26, 2011). "Former NHL coach Andy Murray hired by Western Michigan". USA Today . Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  10. ↑ Drew, David (March 17, 2012). "Western Michigan is CCHA Tournament champ after 3-2 win over Michigan". Kalamazoo Gazette . Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  11. ↑ AP Staff (March 24, 2012). "North Dakota 3, Western Michigan 1: Broncos ousted in first round of NCAA hockey tournament". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  12. 1 2 "2015-16 WMU HOCKEY RECORD BOOK" (PDF). Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Hockey - Career/Season Point Leaders". Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  14. ↑ "2024–25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Hall of Fame" (PDF). Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  16. 1 2 Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  17. ↑ "Scott Foster: Accountant makes NHL debut in goal for Chicago Blackhawks". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Alumni report for Western Michigan University". Hockey DB. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
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