Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey

Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey
Current season
Bemidji State Beavers athletic logo
UniversityBemidji State University
ConferenceCCHA
First season1947–48
Head coachTom Serratore
24th season, 388–360–99 (.517)
Assistant coaches
  • Travis Winter
  • Andrew Magera
  • Brock Kautz
ArenaSanford Center
Bemidji, Minnesota
ColorsGreen and white[1]
   
NCAA Tournament championships
DII: 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997
DIII: 1986
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
DI: 2009
DII: 1983, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
DIII: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
NCAA Tournament appearances
DI: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2021
DII: 1983, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
DIII: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
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, CHA: 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. CHA: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10. WCHA: 2016–17. CCHA: 2023–24
Current uniform

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 Central 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

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Early history

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Bemidji State Hockey Arena - Sanford Center
Bemidji State Hockey Arena - Sanford Center

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

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CHA era

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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

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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]

The Bemidji State men's ice hockey team plays against Air Force in 2018

CCHA era

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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.[29]

Season-by-season results

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Main article: List of Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey seasons

[30]

All-time coaching records

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As of the end of the 2023–24 season.

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2001–Present Tom Serratore 23 388–360–99 .517
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 68 seasons 1191–700–152 .620

Awards

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NCAA

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Individual awards

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All-Americans

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Second Team [32]

CHA

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Individual awards

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All-CHA Teams

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First Team [33][34]

Second Team

Rookie Team

WCHA

[edit]

Individual awards

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All-WCHA Teams

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First Team

Second Team

Third Team

Rookie Team


CCHA

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Individual awards

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All-Conference Teams

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First Team All-CCHA

Second Team all-CCHA

CCHA All-Rookie Team

Statistical Leaders

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[35]

Career scoring leaders

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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

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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
Michael Bitzer 2014–2018 138 8227 65 54 19 271 21 .921 1.98
Zach Driscoll 2018–2021 102 5847 52 35 12 213 10 .920 2.19
Matt Dalton 2007–2009 36 2094 20 14 1 80 3 .915 2.29
Blane 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 2021-22 season.

Players

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Roster

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As of August 5, 2024.[36]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2 Missouri Tony Follmer Senior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 2000-10-26 O'Fallon, Missouri Lincoln Stars (USHL) —
4 Finland Patrik Satosaari Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-06-18 Jyväskylä, Finland Lahti Pelicans U20 (U20 SM-sarja) —
5 Minnesota Will Magnuson Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 2001-10-16 Chaska, Minnesota Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) —
6 Minnesota Mitch Wolfe Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2002-07-19 Andover, Minnesota Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) —
7 Ontario Isa Parekh Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 157 lb (71 kg) 2003-09-27 Toronto, Ontario Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) —
8 Minnesota Adam Flammang Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2001-11-09 St. Michael, Minnesota Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) —
9 Minnesota Carter Randklev Graduate F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 1999-11-05 Moorhead, Minnesota Niagara (AHA) —
11 Alberta Eric Martin Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 166 lb (75 kg) 2000-06-05 Calgary, Alberta Drumheller Dragons (AJHL) —
12 Alberta A. J. Macaulay Junior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-04-12 Bonnyville, Alberta Alaska (NCAA) —
13 Minnesota Donte Lawson Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-11-03 Taconite, Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) —
14 Quebec Alexi Sylvestre Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2004-08-27 Sainte-Martine, Quebec Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) —
15 North Dakota Jaksen Panzer Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-04-08 Grand Forks, North Dakota Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) —
16 Finland Jere Väisänen Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-07-10 Espoo, Finland Amarillo Bulls (NAHL) —
17 British Columbia Noah Quinn Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 2003-06-02 Nelson, British Columbia Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL) —
18 Ontario Rhys Chiddenton Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 2003-05-23 Campbellville, Ontario Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL) —
19 Minnesota Jackson Jutting Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 2001-02-27 Savage, Minnesota Colorado College (NCHC) —
20 North Dakota Kirklan Irey Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2001-01-08 Bismarck, North Dakota Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) —
21 Illinois Vince Corcoran Junior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2001-09-21 Plainfield, Illinois Wichita Falls Warriors (NAHL) —
22 Minnesota Austin Jouppi Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 2000-04-18 Duluth, Minnesota Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) —
23 Minnesota Luke Roelofs Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2003-03-17 Minnetrista, Minnesota Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) —
25 Minnesota Tory Lund Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-07-30 Sartell, Minnesota El Paso Rhinos (NAHL) —
26 Manitoba Reilly Funk Junior (RS) F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2000-12-23 Portage, Manitoba Northern Michigan (CCHA) —
27 British Columbia Jake McLean Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2002-07-27 North Vancouver, British Columbia Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) —
28 Norway Kasper Magnussen Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 2004-02-19 Fredrikstad, Norway Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell) —
29 Alberta Ryan Henderson Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-06-10 Lethbridge, Alberta Drumheller Dragons (USHL) —
30 California Mattias Sholl Senior G 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-09-30 Hermosa Beach, California Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) —
33 North Dakota Trent Wiemken Freshman G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-03-23 Fargo, North Dakota Austin Bruins (NAHL) —
35 Alaska Raythan Robbins Senior G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2002-06-05 Anchorage, Alaska Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) —

Olympians

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

Name Position Bemidji State Tenure Team Year Finish
Charles Brown Defenseman 1968–1971 United States USA 1972  Silver
Jim McElmury Defenseman 1967–1971 United States USA 1972  Silver
Blane Comstock Goaltender 1967–1971 United States USA 1976 5th
Gary Ross Defenseman 1973–1975 United States USA 1976 5th
Joel Otto Center 1980–1984 United States USA 1998 6th

Beavers in the NHL

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See also: Former NCAA players in the National Hockey League

As of July 1, 2024.

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star[37] = NHL All-Star[37] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers
Player Position Team(s) Years Games Stanley Cups
Matt Climie Goaltender DAL, PHO 2008–2011 5 0
Brad Hunt Defenseman EDM, STL, NSH, VGK, MIN, VAN, COL 2013–2023 288 0
Jim McElmury Defenseman KCS, COR 1972–1978 180 0
Andrew Murray Center CBJ, STL 2007–2013 221 0
Joel Otto Center CGY, PHI 1984–1998 943 1
Matt Read Right wing PHI, MIN 2011–2019 449 0
Gary Sargent Defenseman LAK, MNS 1975–1983 402 0
Dale Smedsmo Left wing TOR 1972–1973 4 0
Zach Whitecloud Defenseman VGK 2017–Present 247 1

WHA

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One player was a member of the WHA.

Player Position Team(s) Years Avco Cups
Dale Smedsmo Left wing CIN, NEW, IND 1975–1978 0

[38]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bemidiji Visual Identity Standards" (PDF). Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bemidji State Men's Hockey Team History". U.S. College Hockey Online. 1996–2010. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  3. ^ "Northern Collegiate Hockey Association History". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Men's NCHA Regular Season, Playoff Team Champions". Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Men's Division III Ice Hockey Championship History". NCAA. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  6. ^ "New Conferences Set To Debut in 1999-2000". American Hockey Coaches Association. 1999. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  7. ^ "College Hockey America - 1999-2000 Standings". College Hockey Stats.com. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  8. ^ "Ted Belisle | Men's Ice Hockey Coaches | Official Site of Bemidji State Athletics". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  9. ^ Staff (March 14, 2004). "Tallari Sends Niagara Into NCAAs". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  10. ^ Staff (March 13, 2005). "Breaking The Ice: Bemidji State Heads To NCAA Tourney". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  11. ^ Connelly, Jim (March 26, 2005). "Close Escape: Ulanski Goal Sends Denver Past Bemidji State". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  12. ^ Mackinder, Matt (March 12, 2006). "Bemidji State Downs Niagara To Retain CHA Championship". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  13. ^ Panger, Robert (March 25, 2006). "Hats Off: Pavelski Nets Three As Wisconsin Rolls". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  14. ^ "Bemidji State 3, Robert Morris 2". U.S. College Hockey Online. March 14, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  15. ^ Miller, Bob (March 28, 2009). "First Time For Everything: Bemidji State Topples Top-Seeded Notre Dame". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  16. ^ Weston, Paula C. (March 29, 2009). "Believe: Bemidji State Earns Historic Frozen Four Berth". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  17. ^ Weston, Paula C. (April 9, 2009). "RedHawks Advance To First-Ever Title Game". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  18. ^ Seal, Ben (April 9, 2009). "Bemidji State Hockey Awakens From Incongruous Dream". The New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  19. ^ Staff (January 18, 2008). "Bemidji State, WCHA Reach Scheduling Agreement". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  20. ^ Staff (April 7, 2009). "Cinderella Bemidji State's Future on Ice". AOL News. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  21. ^ Albright, David (April 8, 2009). "Bemidji State finally takes big stage". ESPN. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  22. ^ "Bemidji State to pursue membership in Western Collegiate Hockey Association". Bemidji State University. January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  23. ^ "Bemidji State men's hockey program begins WCHA membership July 1". Bemidji State University. July 1, 2010. Archived from the original on July 15, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  24. ^ a b "Bemidji State Men's Hockey 2010-2011 Schedule and Results". U.S. College Hockey Online. 2010–2011. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  25. ^ Stromgren, Eric (March 13, 2011). "BSU hockey team sweeps Nebraska-Omaha, advances to face Bulldogs in WCHA Final Five". Bemidji Pioneer. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  26. ^ Staff (March 18, 2011). "Bemidji State upsets UMD at Final Five". Pierce County Herald. Retrieved March 24, 2011. [permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ Staff (March 18, 2011). "Denver beats Bemidji St. 6-2 in WCHA semis". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  28. ^ "Bemidji State wins the MacNaughton Cup | Grand Forks Herald". Archived from the original on 2017-02-11.
  29. ^ "FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Bemidji State blanks Minnesota State for MacNaughton Cup, No. 6 Michigan State downs No. 4 Wisconsin to claim Big Ten regular-season title, Clarkson knocks off No. 7 Quinnipiac in OT, No. 1 Boston College tops No. 17 New Hampshire". 2 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Bemidji State Beavers Men's Ice Hockey 2012-13 Media Guide" (PDF). Bemidji State Beavers. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  31. ^ "Hockey Senior CLASS Award". NCAA.org. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  32. ^ "Men's Award Winners" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 6. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  33. ^ "All-CHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  34. ^ "CHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  35. ^ "Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey 2012-13 Media Guide" (PDF). Bemidji State Beavers. 2018-08-23.
  36. ^ "2024-25 Men's Ice Hockey". Bemidji State Beavers. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  37. ^ a b Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  38. ^ "Alumni report for Bemidji State University". Hockey DB. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
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