The Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey team is a

National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...

(NCAA) Division I

college ice hockey College ice hockey is played principally in the United States and Canada, though leagues exist outside North America. In the United States, competitive "college hockey" refers to ice hockey played between colleges and universities within the go ...

program that represents

Bemidji State University Bemidji State University (BSU) is a public university in Bemidji, Minnesota, United States. Founded as a preparatory institution for teachers in 1919, it provides higher education to north-central Minnesota. It is part of the Minnesota State Coll ...

. The Beavers are a member of the

Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) is a college athletic conference in the Midwestern United States that participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The current CCHA began play in the 2021–22 season; a previ ...

and play at Sanford Center in

Bemidji, Minnesota Bemidji ( ) is a city and the county seat of Beltrami County, Minnesota, Beltrami County, in northern Minnesota, United States. The population was 14,574 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. According to 2022 census estimates, the ci ...

, 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. In 1968 the team became a member of the

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) established in 1940, is a college athletics association for higher education, colleges and universities in North America. Most colleges and universities in the NAIA offer athletic schola ...

(NAIA). 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 The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) is a college athletic conference which operates in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin in the midwestern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division III as a hockey-o ...

(NCHA), in which Bemidji State is a charter member. BSU won the 1981–82 and 1982-83 NCHA regular season championships. Following the 1982-83 season BSU moved to

NCAA Division II NCAA Division II (D-II) is the intermediate-level division of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It offers an alternative to both the larger and better-funded Division I and to the scholarship-free environment ...

remaining in the NCHA. 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. 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. Beginning in the following season, the Division II tournament was combined with the

NCAA Division III NCAA Division III (D-III) is the lowest division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. D-III consists of athletic programs at colleges and universities that do not offer athletic scholarships to student- ...

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 RIT is a common abbreviated name for Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, USA. RIT or rit may also refer to: Business * Recherche et Industrie Thérapeutiques, the former name of what is now GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals in Bel ...

. 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. BSU made the NCAA Division III tournament three more times in the 1980s, 1987-1989 but finished fourth once and third twice. 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 NCAA Division I (D-I) is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, which accepts players globally. D-I schools include the major collegiate athlet ...

level.

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 An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviati ...

Army An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...

, and Niagara and expansion program Wayne State to form

College Hockey America College Hockey America (CHA) was a college ice hockey conference in the United States. It participated in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The conference's final membership featured six women's teams, with three in Pennsylvani ...

at the Division I level after the NCAA ended sponsorship of a Division II ice hockey tournament due to lack of membership. Ted Belisle joined the coaching team as an assistant, 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. 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. The 3-0 shutout win gave the Beavers their first berth in the NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Tournament in program history. the team came close to a major upset, losing 3-4 in overtime to the #1 ranked

Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

in the opening round. 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. BSU again lost in the opening round, this time to

Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...

0-4. 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. 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 The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team of the University of Notre Dame, competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA NCAA Division I, Division I level as an associate member of the B ...

, a #1 seed and ranked 2nd in the national rankings. The Beavers advanced for the first time in the Division I tournament and beat

Cornell Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States. The university was co-founded by American philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson White in 1865. Since ...

4-1 to advance to the school's first ever

Frozen Four The annual NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament is a college ice hockey tournament held in the United States by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to determine the top men's team in Division I. Like other Division I cham ...

held at the Verizon Center in

Washington D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

Bemidji faced Miami (Ohio) in the National Semifinal game with a 1-4 loss to the RedHawks.

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 Huntsville is the List of municipalities in Alabama, most populous city in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population of the city is estimated to be 241,114 in 2024, making it the List of United States cities by population, 100th-most populous ...

, and

Western New York Western New York (WNY) is the westernmost region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. The eastern boundary of the region is not consistently defined by state agencies or those who call themselves "Western New Yorkers". Almost all so ...

and

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

was also a concern. BSU began looking at the

Western Collegiate Hockey Association The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) is a college ice hockey conference which operates in the Midwestern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a women's-only conference. From 1951 to 1999, it operated as a me ...

(WCHA) as a solution. In a first step the university signed a scheduling agreement against WCHA schools, many within a few hours drive to

. Other than the WCHA BSU's only option was to end the historic program. 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. Bemidji State along with

University of Nebraska-Omaha The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) is a public research university in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded in 1908 by faculty from the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary as a private non-sectarian college, the university was origin ...

(transferring from the CCHA) was accepted into the WCHA as the 11th and 12th members. BSU officially became a member on July 1, 2010. The Beavers opened WCHA play in the new Bemidji Regional Events Center on October 15, 2010 against

North Dakota North Dakota ( ) is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota people, Dakota and Sioux peoples. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minneso ...

in a 2-5 loss. Bemidji picked up their first WCHA win at St. Cloud State 3-2 in overtime. 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. The series sweep sent Bemidji to its first ever WCHA Final Five and upset Minnesota–Duluth 3-2 in overtime, before losing to

2-6 in the semifinal game.
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.

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.

Season-by-season results

All-time coaching records

As of the end of the 2024–25 season.

Awards

NCAA

Individual awards

Senior CLASS Award The Senior CLASS Award is awarded to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in 10 NCAA Division I sports. An acronym for "Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School," the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete ...

* Brendan Harms (2017)

All-Americans The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...

Second Team * 2009–10: Matt Read, F

CHA

Individual awards

Player of the Year Several sports leagues honour their best player with an award called Player of the Year. In the United States, this type of award is usually called a Most Valuable Player award. Association football In association football, this award is held on b ...

* Andrew Murray (2005) * Matt Read (2010) Rookie of the Year * Riley Riddell (2002) * Luke Erickson (2004) * Matt Read (2008) * Brad Hunt (2009) * Jordan George (2010) Student-Athlete of the Year * Andrew Murray (2005) * Kyle Hardwick (2010)

Coach of the Year Many sports leagues, sportswriting associations, and other organizations confer "Coach of the Year" awards. In some sports — including baseball and association football — the award is called the "Manager of the Year" award. Some of the ...

* Tom Serratore (2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010) Most Valuable Player in Tournament * Matt Climie (2005) * Jean-Guy Gervais (2006) * Matt Read (2009)

All-CHA Teams

First Team * 1999–00: Stefan Bjork, D * 2001–02: Marty Goulet, F * 2002–03:

Grady Hunt Grady Hunt (May 16, 1921 – May 5, 2013) was an American costume designer. He was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards in the category Outstanding Costumes for his work on the television programs ''Columbo'', '' The Snoop Sisters'', '' Th ...

, G; Bryce Methven, D; Marty Goulet, F * 2003–04: Bryce Methven, D; Brendan Cook, F * 2004–05: Peter Jonsson, D; Andrew Murray, F * 2005–06: Andrew Martens, D; Luke Erickson, F * 2006–07: Matt Climie, G; Travis Wright, F * 2007–08: Cody Bostock, D * 2008–09: Brad Hunt, D; Matt Read, F * 2009–10:

Dan Bakala Dan or DAN may refer to: People * Dan (name), including a list of people with the name ** Dan (king), several kings of Denmark * Dan people, an ethnic group located in West Africa **Dan language, a Mande language spoken primarily in Côte d'Ivoi ...

, G; Brad Hunt, D; Matt Read, F Second Team * 1999–00: Calvin Chartrand, F * 2000–01: Clay Simmons, D * 2001–02:

, G; Riley Riddell, F * 2003–04:

, G; Peter Jonsson, D; Riley Riddell, F * 2004–05: Brendan Cook, F * 2007–08: Matt Climie, G; Travis Wright, F * 2008–09: Matt Dalton, G; Cody Bostock, D; Tyler Scofield, F * 2009–10:

Ian Lowe Ian Lowe (born 3 November 1942) is an Australian academic and writer focused on environmental issues. A physics graduate, he is an Emeritus Professor of Science, Technology and Society and former Head of the School of Science at Griffith Univ ...

, F Rookie Team * 1999–00: Bob Tallarico, G; Clay Simmons, D; Rico Faticci, D; Daryl Bat, F; Brad Johnson, F * 2000–01: Bryce Methven, D * 2001–02: Anders Olsson, D; Andrew Murray, F; Riley Riddell, F * 2003–04: Luke Erickson, F * 2004–05: Matt Climie, G * 2005–06: Cody Bostock, D; Tyler Scofield, F * 2006–07: Joey Moggach, F * 2007–08: Matt Read, F * 2008–09: Brad Hunt, D; Ben Kinne, F * 2009–10: Mathieu Dugas, G; Jake Areshenko, D; Jordan George, F

WCHA

Individual awards

* Michael Bitzer (2017)

Defensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY or DPOTY) is the name of an award given in sports for outstanding defensive play by a single player over the course of a season. Many sports leagues award this type of award. League awards for Defensive Player o ...

* Elias Rosén (2021) Rookie of the Year * Michael Bitzer (2015) Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year * Zach Driscoll (2021) Goaltending Champion * Michael Bitzer (2017)

* Tom Serratore (2017, 2020)

All-WCHA Teams

First Team * 2016–17: Michael Bitzer, G * 2019–20: Adam Brady, F * 2020–21: Elias Rosén, D Second Team * 2014–15: Matt Prapavessis, D * 2016–17: Phillip Marinaccio, F * 2017–18: Michael Bitzer, G * 2018–19: Justin Baudry, D * 2019–20: Zach Driscoll, G; Tommy Muck, D Third Team * 2013–14: Matt Prapavessis, D * 2014–15: Brendan Harms, F * 2016–17: Gerry Fitzgerald, F * 2019–20: Elias Rosén, D; Owen Sillinger, F * 2020–21: Zach Driscoll, G Rookie Team * 2013–14: Ruslan Pedan, D * 2014–15: Michael Bitzer, G * 2016–17: Zach Whitecloud, F * 2018–19: Owen Sillinger, F * 2019–20: Elias Rosén, D * 2020–21: Lukas Sillinger, F

CCHA

Individual awards

Best Defensive Forward * Jackson Jutting: 2024, 2025

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-CCHA *2021–22: Elias Rosén, D *2022–23: Elias Rosén, D *2023–24: Mattias Sholl, G; Kyle Looft, D; Eric Pohlkamp, D; Lleyton Roed, F Second Team all-CCHA *2021–22: Owen Sillinger, F *2022–23: Mattias Sholl, G CCHA All-Rookie Team *2021–22: Mattias Sholl, G *2022–23: Lleyton Roed, F *2023–24: Eric Pohlkamp, D *2024–25: Isa Parekh, D

Statistical Leaders

Career scoring leaders

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

Career goaltending leaders

''GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% =

Save percentage Save percentage (often known by such symbols as SV%, SVS%, SVP, PCT) is a statistic in various Goal (sports), goal-scoring sports that track Save (goaltender), saves as a statistic. In ice hockey and lacrosse and association football, it is a sta ...

; GAA =

Goals against average Goals against average (GAA), also known as average goals against (AGA), is a statistic used in field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and water polo that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender or goalkeeper (depending on spo ...

'' Minimum 1500 minutes Statistics current through the start of the 2021-22 season.

Players

Roster

As of August 5, 2024.

Olympians

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

Beavers in the NHL

As of July 1, 2024. File:Brad Hunt 2018-02-06 1.jpg, Brad Hunt File:AndrewMurray.jpg, Andrew Murray File:Joel Otto alumni.png, Joel Otto

WHA

One player was a member of the WHA.

References

External links

Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey
{{Central Collegiate Hockey Association College ice hockey teams in Minnesota NCAA Division I men's ice hockey teams 1947 establishments in Minnesota Ice hockey clubs established in 1947

History

Early history

Recent history

CHA era

WCHA era

CCHA era

Season-by-season results

All-time coaching records

Awards

NCAA

Individual awards

All-Americans The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...

CHA

Individual awards

All-CHA Teams

WCHA

Individual awards

All-WCHA Teams

CCHA

Individual awards

All-Conference Teams

Statistical Leaders

Career scoring leaders

Career goaltending leaders

Players

Roster

Olympians

Beavers in the NHL

WHA

See also

References

External links