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Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey
Hockey current event Current season
Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey athletic logo
University Bemidji State University
Conference WCHA
First season 1947–48
Head coach Tom Serratore
20th season, 319–297–89 (.516)
Captain(s) Charlie O'Connor
Alternate captain(s) Nate Arentz
Brendan Harms
Arena Sanford Center
Capacity: 4,734
Surface: 200' x 85'
Location Bemidji, Minnesota
Colors Green and White[1]
         
NCAA Tournament championships
1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 (D–II)
1986 (D–III)
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
2009 (D–I)
1983, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 (D–II)
1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 (D–III)
NCAA Tournament appearances
2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 (D–I)
1983, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 (D–II)
1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 (D–III)
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
1986, 1987, 1995, 2005, 2006, 2009
Conference regular season championships
1966–67, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1990–91, 1994–95, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17
Current uniform
WCHA-Uniform-BSU

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 Western 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.

History[]

Early history[]

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 9 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]

Season-by-season results[29][]

All-time coaching records[]

As of April 17, 2020

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2001–Present Tom Serratore 19 319–297–89 .516
1982–1983 Mike Gibbons 1 30–6–1 .824
1966–1982, 1983–2001 Bob Peters 34 702–293–49 .696
1964–1965 Wayne Peterson 1 10–1–1 .875
1959–1964, 1965–1966 Vic Weber 6 42–19–2 .683
1948–1950 Eric Hughes 2 17–13–0 .567
1947–1948 Jack Aldrich 1 2–8–0 .200
Totals 7 coaches 64 seasons 1122–637–142 .628

Awards[]

Lowes' Senior CLASS Award[]

NCAA[30]
  • Brendan Harms (2017)

Player of the Year[]

CHA[31]
WCHA
  • Michael Bitzer (2017)

Rookie of the year[]

CHA
WCHA
  • Michael Bitzer (2015)

Regular Season Goaltending Award[]

WCHA
  • Michael Bitzer (2017)

Student-Athlete of the Year[]

CHA

Most Valuable Player in Tournament[]

CHA

Coach of the Year[]

CHA
WCHA

NCAA All-Americans[]

Second Team[]

The following Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey players have been chosen as Second Team Division I All-Americans by the American Hockey Coaches Association.[32]

All–CHA Team[]

First Team[]

The following Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey players have been chosen as First Team All-CHA.[33][34]

Second Team[]

  • Calvin Chartrand (2000)
  • Clay Simmons (2001)
  • Grady Hunt (2002, 2004)
  • Riley Riddell (2002, 2004)
  • Peter Jonsson (2004)
  • Brendan Cook (2005)
  • Matt Climie (2008)
  • Travis Wright (2008)
  • Matt Dalton (2009)
  • Cody Bostock (2009)
  • Tyler Scofield (2009)
  • Ian Lowe (2010)

Rookie Team[]

  • Bob Tallarico (2000)
  • Clay Simmons (2000)
  • Rico Faticci (2000)
  • Brad Johnson (2000)
  • Daryl Bat (2000)
  • Bryce Methven (2001)
  • Anders Olsson (2002)
  • Andrew Murray (2002)
  • Riley Riddell (2002)
  • Luke Erickson (2004)
  • Matt Climie (2005)
  • Cody Bostock (2006)
  • Tyler Scofield (2006)
  • Joey Moggach (2007)
  • Matt Read (2008)
  • Brad Hunt (2009)
  • Ben Kinne (2009)
  • Mathieu Dugas (2010)
  • Jake Areshenko (2010)
  • Jordan George (2010)

All–WCHA Team[]

First Team[]

The following Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey players have been chosen as First Team All-WCHA.[35][36]

  • Michael Bitzer (2017)

Second Team[]

  • Matt Prapavessis (2015)
  • Phillip Marinaccio (2017)
  • Michael Bitzer (2018)
  • Justin Baudry (2019)

Third Team[]

  • Matt Prapavessis (2014)
  • Brendan Harms (2015)
  • Gerry Fitzgerald (2017)

Rookie Team[]

  • Ruslan Pedan (2014)
  • Michael Bitzer (2015)
  • Zach Whitecloud (2017)
  • Owen Sillinger (2019)

Statistical Leaders[37][]

Career Scoring leaders[]

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

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Mike Alexander 1982–1986 136 98 154 252 160
Mark Eagles 1972–1976 116 100 125 225 80
Joel Otto 1980–1984 122 89 115 204 134
Scott Johnson 1987–1991 132 96 95 191 94
Rod Heisler 1975–1979 121 100 90 190 70
Wendal Jellison 1981–1985 134 86 99 185 157
Dan Richards 1985–1989 132 87 93 180 40
Jamie Erb 1989–1993 108 86 94 180 71
John Murphy 1975–1979 122 71 98 169 50
Scott Currie 1975–1979 122 77 88 165 107

Career Goaltending Leaders[]

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

Minimum 1500 minutes

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Zach Driscoll 2018–Present 60 3490 31 19 8 112 7 .925 1.93
Michael Bitzer 2014–2018 138 8227 65 54 19 271 21 .921 1.98
Matt Dalton 2007–2009 36 2094 20 14 1 80 3 .915 2.29
Blaine Comstock 1967–1971 86 4878 70 12 1 190 9 .905 2.34
Matt Climie 2004–2008 95 5427 45 30 11 222 12 .908 2.45

Statistics current through the start of the 2020-21 season.

Players[]

Roster[]

As of September 3, 2020.[38]

# S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Flag of Minnesota Enright, GavinGavin Enright Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 1999-08-26 Farmington, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL)
2 Flag of Minnesota Jouppi, AustinAustin Jouppi Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-04-18 Duluth, Minnesota Bismarck (NAHL)
3 Flag of Minnesota Powell, JackJack Powell Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1999-09-11 Alexandria, Minnesota Aberdeen (NAHL)
4 Flag of Minnesota Zmolek, WillWill Zmolek Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 1999-04-02 Rochester, Minnesota Cedar Rapids (USHL)
5 Flag of Minnesota Leitner, NickNick Leitner Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-04-17 Bemidji, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL)
6 Flag of Slovakia Solenský, SamSam Solenský Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1998-08-25 Michalovce, Slovakia Johnstown (NAHL)
7 Flag of Minnesota Looft, KyleKyle Looft Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1998-06-27 Mankato, Minnesota Cedar Rapids (USHL)
8 Flag of Manitoba Gula, DarbyDarby Gula Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-01-08 Steinbach, Manitoba Steinbach (MJHL)
9 Flag of California Somoza, EthanEthan Somoza (C) Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1996-05-17 Simi Valley, California Bloomington (USHL)
11 Flag of Alberta Martin, EricEric Martin Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 154 lb (70 kg) 2000-06-05 Calgary, Alberta Drumheller (AJHL)
12 Flag of Saskatchewan Sillinger, OwenOwen Sillinger (A) Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1997-09-23 Regina, Saskatchewan Penticton (BCHL)
13 Flag of Washington (U.S Jones, CarterCarter Jones Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-05-15 Hillyard, Washington Trail (BCHL)
14 Flag of Ontario Ierullo, AlexAlex Ierullo Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1997-07-30 Woodbridge, Ontario Newmarket (OJHL)
15 Flag of Manitoba Jubenvill, TylerTyler Jubenvill Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1999-11-30 Gilbert Plains, Manitoba Cedar Rapids (USHL)
16 Flag of Wisconsin Miller, AaronAaron Miller Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1995-12-20 Superior, Wisconsin Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
17 Flag of British Columbia Armour, RossRoss Armour Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1998-02-07 Trail, British Columbia Trail (BCHL)
18 Flag of Missouri Johnson, BradBrad Johnson (A) Senior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1996-01-23 Chesterfield, Missouri Fargo (USHL)
19 Flag of Ontario Belisle, BradBrad Belisle Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 1998-01-26 Thunder Bay, Ontario Aberdeen (NAHL)
20 Flag of Saskatchewan Sillinger, LukasLukas Sillinger Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-09-14 Regina, Saskatchewan Penticton (BCHL)
21 Flag of Nevada Harris, BrendanBrendan Harris Senior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 1996-07-10 Henderson, Nevada Wenatchee (BCHL)
22 Flag of Minnesota Vold, TylerTyler Vold (A) Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1996-09-01 Andover, Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
23 Flag of Minnesota Myers, AaronAaron Myers Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1999-09-28 Thief River Falls, Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
25 Flag of Minnesota Adams, AlexAlex Adams Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 1997-12-30 Grand Rapids, Minnesota Minot (NAHL)
26 Flag of Illinois Cardelli, NickNick Cardelli Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 1997-06-06 Wood Dale, Illinois Youngstown (USHL)
27 Flag of Manitoba Kirkup, TylerTyler Kirkup Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1998-04-03 Virden, Manitoba Virden (MJHL)
28 Flag of Sweden Rosén, EliasElias Rosén Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1999-01-04 Mora, Sweden Tri-City (USHL)
33 Flag of Minnesota Driscoll, ZachZach Driscoll Senior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1997-02-25 Apple Valley, Minnesota Omaha (USHL)
35 Flag of Ohio Carr, MichaelMichael Carr Sophomore G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 1998-06-08 Columbus, Ohio Cornwall (CCHL)

Beavers in the NHL[39][]

= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[40] = NHL All-Star[40] and NHL All-Star Team = Hall of Famers
Player Position Team(s) Years Stanley Cups
Matt Climie Goaltender DAL, PHO 2008–2011 0
Brad Hunt Defenseman EDM, STL, NSH, VGK, MIN 2013–Present 0
Jim McElmury Defenseman KCS, COR 1972–1978 0
Andrew Murray Center CBJ, STL 2007–2013 0
Joel Otto Center CGY, PHI 1984–1998 1
Matt Read Right Wing PHI, MIN 2011–Present 0
Gary Sargent Defenseman LAK, MNS 1975–1983 0
Dale Smedsmo Left Wing TOR 1972–1973 0
Zach Whitecloud Defenseman VGK 2017–2018 0

WHA[]

Two players were members of the WHA.

Player Position Team(s) Years Avco Cups
Dale Smedsmo Left Wing CIN, NEW, IND 1975–1978 0
Rene Burger Center CHI 1974–1975 0

See also[]

References[]

  1. Bemidiji Visual Identity Standards. Retrieved on June 11, 2016.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Bemidji State Men's Hockey Team History. U.S. College Hockey Online (1996–2010).
  3. Northern Collegiate Hockey Association History. Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Men's NCHA Regular Season, Playoff Team Champions. Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Men's Division III Ice Hockey Championship History. NCAA.
  6. New Conferences Set To Debut in 1999-2000. American Hockey Coaches Association (1999).
  7. College Hockey America - 1999-2000 Standings. College Hockey Stats.com.
  8. Ted Belisle | Men's Ice Hockey Coaches | Official Site of Bemidji State Athletics.
  9. Staff (March 14, 2004). Tallari Sends Niagara Into NCAAs. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  10. Staff (March 13, 2005). Breaking The Ice: Bemidji State Heads To NCAA Tourney. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  11. Connelly, Jim (March 26, 2005). Close Escape: Ulanski Goal Sends Denver Past Bemidji State. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  12. Mackinder, Matt (March 12, 2006). Bemidji State Downs Niagara To Retain CHA Championship. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  13. Panger, Robert (March 25, 2006). Hats Off: Pavelski Nets Three As Wisconsin Rolls. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  14. Bemidji State 3, Robert Morris 2. U.S. College Hockey Online (March 14, 2009).
  15. Miller, Bob (March 28, 2009). First Time For Everything: Bemidji State Topples Top-Seeded Notre Dame. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  16. Weston, Paula C. (March 29, 2009). Believe: Bemidji State Earns Historic Frozen Four Berth. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  17. Weston, Paula C. (April 9, 2009). RedHawks Advance To First-Ever Title Game. U.S. College Hockey Online.
  18. Seal, Ben (April 9, 2009). Bemidji State Hockey Awakens From Incongruous Dream. The New York Times.
  19. Staff (January 18, 2008). Bemidji State, WCHA Reach Scheduling Agreement. College Hockey News.
  20. Staff (April 7, 2009). Cinderella Bemidji State's Future on Ice. AOL News.
  21. Albright, David (April 8, 2009). Bemidji State finally takes big stage. ESPN.
  22. Bemidji State to pursue membership in Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Bemidji State University (January 15, 2009).
  23. Bemidji State men's hockey program begins WCHA membership July 1. Bemidji State University (July 1, 2010).
  24. 24.0 24.1 Bemidji State Men's Hockey 2010-2011 Schedule and Results. U.S. College Hockey Online (2010–2011).
  25. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.Stromgren, Eric (March 13, 2011). . Bemidji Pioneer.
  26. Staff (March 18, 2011). Bemidji State upsets UMD at Final Five. Pierce County Herald.[dead link]
  27. Staff (March 18, 2011). Denver beats Bemidji St. 6-2 in WCHA semis. The Denver Post.
  28. http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/4216274-bemidji-state-wins-macnaughton-cup
  29. "Bemidji State Beavers Men's Ice Hockey 2012-13 Media Guide", Bemidji State Beavers. 
  30. "Hockey Senior CLASS Award", NCAA.org. 
  31. "CHA Awards", College Hockey Historical Archives. 
  32. Men's Award Winners. National Collegiate Athletic Association.
  33. "All-CHA Teams", College Hockey Historical Archives. 
  34. "CHA All-Rookie Teams", College Hockey Historical Archives. 
  35. "All-WCHA Teams", College Hockey Historical Archives. 
  36. "WCHA All-Rookie Teams", College Hockey Historical Archives. 
  37. Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey 2012-13 Media Guide. Bemidji State Beavers (2018-08-23).
  38. 2020–21 Roster. Bemidji State University.
  39. Alumni report for Bemidji State University. Hockey DB.
  40. 40.0 40.1 Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.

External links[]

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


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