The Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey team is an

NCAA Division I NCAA Division I (D-I) is the highest level of College athletics, intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, which accepts players globally. D-I schools include the major ...

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 g ...

program that represents

Ferris State University Ferris State University (FSU or Ferris) is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in 1884 and became a public institution in 1950. Ferris is the ninth-largest institutions of higher education by enroll ...

. The Bulldogs are a member of the

Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) is a college athletic conference that participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The current CCHA began play in the 2021–22 season; a previous incarnation, which the curre ...

(CCHA). They play at Ewigleben Arena in

Big Rapids, Michigan Big Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,601 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Mecosta County. The city is located within Big Rapids Township, but it is politically independent. Big Rapids is home o ...

History

Ferris State's ice hockey program began in 1975 as a member of the NAIA and joined the CCHA as an affiliate member. In the program's four seasons in the NAIA the team compiled an overall record of 58-40-1-.591, including three seasons above .700 winning percentage and a program best winning percentage of .795 in the 1976–77 season. The program moved up to NCAA Division I status and became a full member of the CCHA in 1979. They joined the WCHA in 2013 before returning to the CCHA prior to the 2021–22 season. Ferris State Hockey Arena

Ferris State turned in its best season performance ever in the program's NCAA Division I history for the 2002-03 campaign with a school-best 31-10-1 overall record. The Ferris Bulldogs also claimed their first-ever CCHA Regular-Season Championship title with a first-place 22-5-1 league mark. Ferris State received an at-large bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament and beat

North Dakota North Dakota () is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the Native Americans in the United States, indigenous Dakota people, Dakota Sioux. North Dakota is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north a ...

5-2 and advanced to the West Regional title game in their initial NCAA Tourney appearance, before losing a high scoring game to

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

4–7. FSU also earned the distinction of being the nation's first team to reach the 30-win plateau in 2002-03 and also competed in the CCHA Super Six Championship Tourney for the first time since 1993. 2009-10 Ferris State Bulldogs hockey team starting lineup

2009-10 Ferris State Bulldogs hockey team starting lineup

The 2011–12 season was historic for the Ferris State ice hockey program. The Bulldogs began the season on a six-game win streak, their best start to a season since 1979-80 when The Bulldogs recorded an eight-game streak. The team ended the regular season with their first CCHA Regular Season Championship since the program's first in 2002–03. The season was highlighted by a 14-game unbeaten streak from January 6, 2012, to February 25 in which the team recorded 11 wins and 4 ties. The Bulldogs were also ranked first in the NCAA men's ice hockey poll for a two-week period in the season for the first time in school history. After the team finished with the top record in the CCHA, the Bulldogs received a first round bye for the 2012 CCHA Tournament. Ferris State played

Bowling Green A bowling green is a finely laid, close-mown and rolled stretch of turf for playing the game of bowls. Before 1830, when Edwin Beard Budding of Thrupp, near Stroud, UK, invented the lawnmower, lawns were often kept cropped by grazing sheep on ...

in the second round, after the Falcons upset

Northern Michigan Northern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan (known colloquially to residents of more southerly parts of the state and summer residents from cities such as Detroit as " Up North"), is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan. A popul ...

. In the best-of-three series, the Falcons picked up a win in overtime in the opening game followed by goal outburst in the second game that saw Ferris State even the series with a 7–4 win. In the final game of the series, Ferris State was unable to hold on to a three-goal lead as BGSU rallied back to force overtime. The Falcons scored in the extra period to win the CCHA quarterfinal series. Despite the loss in the CCHA playoffs, the Bulldogs received an at-large bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Ferris State defeated

Denver Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...

and

Cornell Cornell University is a private statutory land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York. It is a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell was founded with the intention to teach an ...

in the first two rounds of the tournament with a pair of 2-1 games. In the program's first appearance in the

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 ...

, the Bulldogs defeated

Union Union commonly refers to: * Trade union, an organization of workers * Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets Union may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Union (band), an American rock group ** ''Un ...

3-1 and advanced to the championship game against

Boston College Boston College (BC) is a private Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Founded in 1863, the university has more than 9,300 full-time undergraduates and nearly 5,000 graduate students. Although Boston College is classifie ...

. Ferris State was unable to stop the Eagles' offense en route to BC's third title in five seasons. The team finished with a record of 26-12-5.

Season-by-season results

Source:

Coaches

The team has been coached by Bob Daniels since 1992. Daniels is a two-time recipient of the

Spencer Penrose Award The Spencer Penrose Award is awarded yearly to the top coach in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey by the American Hockey Coaches Association. The finalists for each year's award comprise the conference Coach of the Year winners from each Division ...

, awarded by the

American Hockey Coaches Association The American Hockey Coaches Association was formed in 1947 in Boston. The founding members coached college ice hockey but membership has grown to include coaches at every level of the sport from youth hockey to professional ice hockey, although ...

to the NCAA men's ice hockey coach of the year, having won the award in 2003 and 2012. In 2012, he was also named the

coach of the year after he led the Bulldogs to their first appearance in the

and NCAA championship game. Daniels is the longest tenured coach of the Bulldogs and is the only coach in program history to record over 300 wins. As of completion of 2022–23 season † Esdale replaced Bertrand in January 1986.

Awards and honors

NCAA

* Bob Daniels: 2003, 2012 AHCA First Team All-Americans *1993-94: John Gruden, D *2002-03: Mike Brown, G;

Chris Kunitz Christopher Kunitz (born September 26, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Anaheim Ducks (where he won his first Stanley Cup in 2007), Atlanta Thrashers, the ...

, F *2010-11:

Pat Nagle Patrick Nagle (born September 21, 1987) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL). Playing career On March 22, 2011, the Tampa Bay Lightning sig ...

, G *2011-12:

Taylor Nelson Taylor Nelson (born May 3, 1988) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He most recently played for the Wichita Thunder in the then Central Hockey League, CHL. Nelson came to Ferris State University after he first ...

, G AHCA Second Team All-Americans *1995-96: Andy Roach, D *1996-97: Andy Roach, D *2001-02: Rob Collins, F *2010-11: Zach Redmond, D *2011-12:

Chad Billins Chad Billins (born May 26, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently under contract with HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). An undrafted player, Billins played four seasons of college hockey with the Ferris State Bu ...

, D

WCHA

Individual awards

Rookie of the Year * Corey Mackin, F: 2016 *

Cooper Zech Cooper, Cooper's, Coopers and similar may refer to: * Cooper (profession), a maker of wooden casks and other staved vessels Arts and entertainment * Cooper (producers), alias of Dutch producers Klubbheads * Cooper (video game character), in ...

, F: 2019 Defensive Player of the Year *

Aaron MacKenzie Aaron G. MacKenzie (born March 7, 1981, in Terrace Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played briefly in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Avalanche, where he currently resides. Playing caree ...

, 2003 * Ryan Caldwell, 2004 * Matt Carle, 2006 Scoring Champion *

Gerald Mayhew Gerald Alfano Mayhew (born December 31, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing with the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Florida Panthers of the National H ...

, F: 2017 Student-Athlete of the Year * Chad McDonald, F: 2017

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 ...

* Bob Daniels: 2014 Most Valuable Player in Tournament * Darren Smith, G:

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

All-WCHA

First Team All-WCHA * 2013–14: C. J. Motte, G * 2016–17:

, F * 2018–19:

, D Second Team All-WCHA * 2013–14: Scott Czarnowczan, D; Garrett Thompson, F * 2015–16:

, F Third Team All-WCHA * 2013–14: Jason Binkley, D * 2014–15: C. J. Motte, G * 2015–16: Brandon Anselmini, D * 2016–17: Justin Kapelmaster, G * 2017–18: Ryker Killins, D WCHA All-Rookie Team * 2013–14: Kyle Schempp, F * 2015–16: Corey Mackin, F * 2018–19:

, D * 2019–20: Jake Willets, D

CCHA

Individual awards

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

: 2003 Rookie of the Year * John DePourcq: 1988 * Bradley Marek: 2022 Best Offensive Defenseman * John Gruden: 1994 * Andy Roach: 1996

Terry Flanagan Memorial Award The Terry Flanagan Memorial Award was an annual award given out at the conclusion of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular season to the player who best demonstrates perseverance, dedication and courage while overcoming severe adversi ...

* Craig Lisko: 1994 * Aaron Lewicki: 2010 Perani Cup * Mike Brown: 2003 * Aaron Lewicki: 2010 Scholar-Athlete of the Year *

: 2012

* Bob Daniels: 2003, 2012

All-CCHA

First Team All-CCHA * 1979–80: Jim Baker, F * 1979–80: Jim File, D;

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian c ...

, D * 1981–82: Jim File, D * 1993–94: John Gruden, D * 1995–96: Andy Roach, D * 1996–97: Andy Roach, D * 1998–99:

Paul Comrie Paul Gordon Comrie (born February 7, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1999–00 season. Hockey player Before his short professional care ...

, F * 2001–02:

, F; Rob Collins, F * 2002–03: Mike Brown, G;

, F * 2010–11:

, G; Zach Redmond, D * 2011–12:

, G;

, D Second Team All-CCHA * 1979–80: Paul Pickard, D * 1983–84: Jim File, D; Randy Merrifield, F * 1990–91:

Rod Taylor Rodney Sturt Taylor (11 January 1930 – 7 January 2015) was an Australian actor. He appeared in more than 50 feature films, including ''The Time Machine'' (1960), ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians'' (1961), '' The Birds'' (1963), and ''In ...

, F * 1994–95: Andy Roach, D * 1997–98: Brett Colborne, D * 1999–00: Brian McCullough, F * 2000–01: Phil Osaer, G * 2002–03: Simon Mangos, D;

Troy Milam Troy Milam (born June 30, 1980) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for Anyang Halla of the Asia League Ice Hockey (ALIH). Playing career Undrafted, Milam was a graduate of Ferris State University and La ...

, D; Jeff Legue, F * 2009–10: Zach Redmond, D * 2011–12: Jordie Johnston, F * 2012–13:

Juho Olkinuora Juho "Jussi" Olkinuora (born 4 November 1990) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Playing career Undrafted, Olkinuora played junior hockey in North America before ...

, G;

Joey LaLeggia Joseph LaLeggia (born June 24, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). LaLeggia was drafted 123rd overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. P ...

, D CCHA All-Rookie Team * 1990–91: Pat Mazzoli, G * 1993–94: Andy Roach, D * 1994–95: Jason Blake, F * 1997–98: Kevin Swider, F * 2001–02: Mike Brown, G; Matt York, D * 2005–06:

Dan Riedel 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 ...

, F * 2021–22: Bradley Marek, F

Olympians

Source: This is a list of Ferris State alumni who played on an Olympic team.

Statistical leaders

Career points leaders

Source:

Career goaltending leaders

Source: ''GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; 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-scoring sports that track saves as a statistic. In ice hockey and lacrosse, it is a statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal ...

; GAA =

Goals against average Goals against average (GAA) also known as "average goals against" or "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 s ...

'' Minimum 30 games Statistics current through the start of the 2018–19 season.

Ferris State Athletic Hall of Fame

The following is a list of people associated with the Ferris State men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Ferris State Athletic Hall of Fame (induction date in parenthesis). * Jim Baker (2002) * John DePourcq (2002) *

Paul Lowden Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) * Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity *Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...

(2003) * Jim File (2004) * Peter Lowden (2004) * Randy Merrifield (2005) * John Gruden (2007) * Andy Roach (2009)

Current roster

As of September 5, 2022.

Bulldogs in the NHL

As of July 1, 2022. File:Chris Kunitz 2017-06-11 1.jpg,

File:GregRallo.jpg,

Greg Rallo Greg Rallo (born August 26, 1981) is an American former professional ice hockey player who predominantly played in the American Hockey League (AHL). He appeared in 11 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Florida Panthers. Playing ca ...

File:Zach Redmond - Colorado Avalanche (2).jpg, Zach Redmond Source:

References

External links

Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey
{{Central Collegiate Hockey Association Ice hockey teams in Michigan 1975 establishments in Michigan Ice hockey clubs established in 1975 Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey players