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

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 ...

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

Ferris State University Ferris State University (FSU or Ferris) is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1884 as Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge N. Ferris and became a public institution in 1950. ...

. The Bulldogs 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 ...

(CCHA). They play at Ewigleben Arena in

Big Rapids, Michigan Big Rapids is a city and the seat of government of Mecosta County, Michigan, United States. The population was 7,727 at the 2020 census, down from 10,601 in 2010. The city is surrounded by Big Rapids Charter Township but they are completely s ...

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 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 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 ...

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 U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...

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 ...

in the second round, after the Falcons upset

Northern Michigan Northern Michigan (also known as Northern Lower Michigan and colloquially within Michigan as "Up North") is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan. The region, which is distinct from the more northerly Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Upper Peninsul ...

. 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 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 ...

and

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 ...

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 3-1 and advanced to the championship game against

Boston College Boston College (BC) is a private university, private Catholic Jesuits, Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic Religious order (Catholic), religious order, t ...

. 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, althou ...

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 2024–25 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 former professional ice hockey goaltender. Playing career On March 22, 2011, the Tampa Bay Lightning signed the undrafted free agent to a two-year entry-level contract. He played NCAA hocke ...

, G *2011-12: Taylor Nelson, 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 Zachary Thomas Redmond (born July 26, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was selected in the seventh round, 184th overall, by the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft an ...

, D *2011-12: Chad Billins, D

WCHA

Individual awards

Rookie of the Year * Corey Mackin, F: 2016 * Cooper Zech, F: 2019

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 ...

Aaron MacKenzie Aaron G. MacKenzie (born March 7, 1981, in Terrace Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Avalanche, during an 11-year career. Playing career Undraft ...

, 2003 * Ryan Caldwell, 2004 *

Matt Carle Matthew Carle (born September 25, 1984) is an American former professional ice hockey Defenceman, defenseman. Carle played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Pred ...

, 2006 Scoring Champion *

Gerald Mayhew Gerald Alfano Mayhew (born December 31, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey winger for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL). Early life Mayhew was born on December 31, 1992, in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Gerald and C ...

, 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 2016 was designated as: * International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly. * International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...

All-WCHA

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

, F * 2018–19: Cooper Zech, D Second team all-wcha * 2013–14: Scott Czarnowczan, D;

Garrett Thompson Garrett may refer to: Places in the United States * Garrett, Illinois, a village * Garrett, Indiana, a city * Garrett, Floyd County, Kentucky, an unincorporated community * Garrett, Meade County, Kentucky, an unincorporated community * Garrett, ...

, F * 2015–16:

, F Third Team All-WCHA * 2013–14:

Jason Binkley Jason ( ; ) was an ancient Greek mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts, whose quest for the Golden Fleece is featured in Greek literature. He was the son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcos. He was married to the sorceress Med ...

, 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: Cooper Zech, 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. 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 ...

: 2003 Rookie of the Year * John DePourcq: 1988 *

Bradley Marek Bradley may refer to: People * Bradley (given name) * Bradley (surname) Places In the United Kingdom In England: * Bradley, Cheshire * Bradley, Derbyshire * Bradley (house), a manor in Kingsteignton, Devon * Bradley, Gloucestershire * Br ...

: 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 * Chad Billins: 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, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...

, 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;

, D *2011–12: Taylor Nelson, G; Chad Billins, 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 '' Young Cassidy'' (1965), '' Nobody Runs Forever'' (1968), '' The Train Robbers'' (1973), and '' A Matt ...

, F *1994–95: Andy Roach, D *1997–98: Brett Colborne, D *1999–00:

Brian McCullough Brian McCullough in a former American college baseball coach. McCullough was Longwood's head coach in 2014. The Lancers went 22–33 McCullough pitched for Longwood while it transitioned to Division I, setting Lancer records for innings pitche ...

, F *2000–01: Phil Osaer, G *2002–03: Simon Mangos, D; Troy Milam, D; Jeff Legue, F *2009–10:

, D *2011–12: Jordie Johnston, F *2012–13:

Juho Olkinuora Juho "Jussi" Olkinuora (born 4 November 1990) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for Löwen Frankfurt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Playing career Undrafted, Olkinuora played junior hockey in North America before attending ...

, G;

Joey LaLeggia Joseph LaLeggia (born June 24, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League. He most recently played for HC Lugano in the National League (NL). LaLeggia was drafted 123rd overall ...

, D *2024–25: Travis Shoudy, 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 Matt may refer to: *Matt (name), people with the given name ''Matt'' or Matthew, meaning "gift from God", or the surname Matt *In British English, of a surface: having a non-glossy finish, see gloss (material appearance) *Matt, Switzerland, a mu ...

, 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'Ivoir ...

, F *2021–22:

, F *2023–24: Luigi Benincasa, 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 (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 30 games Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 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 parentheses). * Jim Baker (2002) * John DePourcq (2002) * Paul Lowden (2003) * Jim File (2004) * Peter Lowden (2004) * Randy Merrifield (2005) * John Gruden (2007) * Andy Roach (2009)

Current roster

As of September 21, 2024.

Bulldogs in the NHL

As of July 1, 2024. File:Chris Kunitz 2017-06-11 1.jpg,

File:GregRallo.jpg, Greg Rallo File:Zach Redmond - Colorado Avalanche (2).jpg,

Source:

References

External links

* {{Central Collegiate Hockey Association College ice hockey teams in Michigan NCAA Division I men's ice hockey teams 1975 establishments in Michigan Ice hockey clubs established in 1975