Men's Hockey | 10/11/2017 4:03:00 PM
Off the Hop: Minnesota State (0-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 WCHA) continues nonconference action this weekend when it plays at second-rated Boston University Friday and Saturday. Face-off between the Mavericks and the Terriers in Boston, Mass., at Agganis Arena (6,300) is slated for 6:30 p.m., CST Friday and 6:00 p.m. CST Saturday.
About the MSU-BU Series: Minnesota State and Boston University will meet for the first time this weekend.
MSU Most Recently: Minnesota State stands 0-1-0 on the year after dropping a 4-0 home decision to #6 St. Cloud State in a home nonconference contest played in Mankato Saturday. The Mavericks outshot the visiting Huskies by a 42-26 margin. Junior forward Charlie Gerard led Minnesota State with eight shots on goal in the game. Sophomore forward Parker Tuomie put six shots on goal, while sophomore defenseman Ian Scheid had four shots on goal. Junior netminder Jason Pawloski was credited with 22 saves in the game.
BU Most Recently: The Terriers are 2-0-0 on the season after picking up a 3-2 overtime victory over 14th-rated Quinnipiac Sunday. BU, which went 24-10-3 last year while advancing to the NCAA West regional championship game, is led by head coach David Quinn, who stands 85-54-17 as a college head coach and is in his fifth year as head coach with the Terriers.
MSU On the Web: Tickets, Releases, statistics, player and staff biographies, etc. on all of Minnesota State's 20 sports are available at the official website of MSU Athletics located at www.msumavericks.com
MSU All-Time: The Minnesota State men's hockey program, begun in 1969-70, completed its 48th year of competition last year. The Mavericks are in their 22nd year as members of NCAA Division I and in their 19th season as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Mavericks sport an all-time record of 858-636-153 (.567).
C.J. Suess Notes: Three-year letterwinner is in his second season as team captain..2016-17 All-WCHA Second Team selection...Tied for second on team in scoring and fourth in goals with 12-19--31 as a junior...Led Mavericks with seven power play goals and ranked second on team with four game-winners...Led Minnesota State with 391 face-off wins...Has 35-49--84 in 118 games for Minnesota State career to stand tied for 21st on the school's career scoring list (for DI-era).
Zeb Knutson Notes: Three-year letterwinner (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17) finished fifth on school's point-scoring charts in 2016-17 with 15 goals and 10 assists for 25 points... Posted career highs for goals and points in a season...Led Mavericks in goals (15) and game-winning goals (5)...Scored twice in 5-0 win at Alaska Anchorage Feb. 4, 2017...Had a goal and assist in 7-4 win at Northern Michigan Feb. 18, 2017.
Clint Lewis Notes: Two-year letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17) ranked second on the Mavericks in plus/minus with a +12 rating in 2016-17...Completed season with 3-12--15 and played in all 39 game...12 assists ranked seventh on team...Assisted on two goals in 4-1 win over St. Cloud State (Oct. 14, 2016) and scored twice in 6-4 win over the Huskies the next night (Oct. 15, 2016)...Had goal and assist in 7-3 win over Alaska (Dec. 2, 2016) and two assists in 5-3 win over Northern Michigan (Feb. 17, 2017)...Finished year with 42 blocked shots and 36 shots on goal in 2016-17.
Brad McClure Notes: Three-time letterwinner (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17) served as an alternate captain in 2016-17 and is serving as one of three team captains in 2017-18...2016-17 All-WCHA Second Team selection...Led Minnesota State with 132 shots on goal, tied for the team lead in goals (14) and ranked fourth in points with 14-14--28...Had three assists in 7-3 win at Alaska Dec. 2, 2016...Scored twice in 4-2 win over Ferris State, Oct. 28, 2016...Scored twice in 4-2 home win over Minnesota Nov. 18...Scored twice in 3-0 win at Alabama Huntsville, Jan. 6, 2017.
Aaron Nelson Notes: Three-year letterwinner (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17) was is a two-time WCHA All-Academic selection and two-time WCHA Scholar- Athlete honoree...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week following two wins at Alabama Huntsville (Jan. 6-7), started six games for the Mavericks Jan. 6-Jan. 21... Finished 2016-17 with 6-2-1 record, 2.53 goals against average and a .898 saves percentage...Recorded two shut-outs in nine starts in 2016-17...Career-high 35 saves in 4-4 overtime tie at Michigan Tech Jan. 20.
Daniel Brickley Notes: 2016-17 AHCA/CCM West Second Team All-America..2016-17 WCHA Defensive Player of the Year...2016-17 All-WCHA First Team... 2016-17 WCHA Scholar-Athlete...2016-17 WCHA All-Academic ...Two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week in 2016-17...Played with Team USA at 2017 IIHF World Championship tournament...Finished sophomore year with 8-23--31 to tie for second on Minnesota State scoring charts...Led all WCHA defensemen in scoring and ranked third on the Mavericks with +9 rating...70 shots on goal led Minnesota State defensemen (ranked fifth on team)...Led Mavericks with 23 assists...Ranked second on the team with 72 blocked shots....Totalled six points on a goal and five assists in two wins over Michigan Tech (Oct. 7-8)...Had a goal and two assists in 7-4 win over Northern Michigan (Feb. 18).
Max Coatta Notes: Two-time letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17) is one of three captains for 2017-18...2016-17 WCHA Scholar-Athlete...2016-17 WCHA All-Academic...Played in all 39 games 2016-17...Finished sophomore campaign with 6-7--13...Had two goals and an assist in 4-1 win over Alaska in WCHA semi-final game (March 4, 2017)..Has 11-15--26 in 72 career games.
Steen Cooper Notes: Two-time letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17)...Saw action in six games as a sophomore in 2016-17...Produced four shots on goal in second season of action...Has 1-0--1 in 16 career games with Mavericks.
Jason Pawloski Notes: Two-time letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17)...Completed sophomore campaign with 8-5-2 record, 2.10 goals against average and .920 saves percentage...Got his first win of 2016-17 when he stopped 18 shots in Minnesota State's 2-1 win at Lake Superior State, Nov. 5...Two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week during course of season... Stopped 62 of 64 shots for a .969 save percentage and a 1.01 goals against average in the two games against Minnesota (Nov. 18-19). Kicked out 25 shots in backstopping Mavericks to 4-1 victory in Mankato Friday before turning aside career-high 37 saves 1-0 loss in Minneapolis the next night...Went 2-0-0 won-loss record, with 0.50 GAA and .981 sv% percentage as Mavericks swept Alaska in best-of-three WCHA quarterfinal series. Stopped all 23 shots in claiming second career shutout in Friday's 3-0 victory and also stopped 29 of 30 shots in Saturday's 4-1 series-clinching win.
Ryan Schwalbe Notes: Two-time letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17)...Finished sophomore campaign with 0-1--1 in 29 games played...Picked up his first point of 2016-17 when he drew an assist on Ian Scheid's goal in 2-2 overtime tie with Lake Superior State (Jan. 28)...Has 0-4--4 in 57 games played, 42 shots on goal and 24 blocked shots for two-year Minnesota State career.
Alec Vanko Notes: Two-time letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17)...2016-17 WCHA Scholar-Athlete...2016-17 WCHA All-Academic...Scored first career goal in 7-1 win at Alaska (Oct. 21, 2016)...Registered 2-1--3 in 12 games played as a sophomore.
Michael Bigelbach Notes: Lettered in freshman campaign in 2016-17...Posted 0-2--2 and was +1 in seven games played on the year...Tallied first career point in first career game with assist on Brad McClure goal in 4-2 home win over Ferris State (Oct. 28)...Assisted on Jordan Nelson's game-winning goal in Minnesota State's 2-1 victory at Lake Superior State, Nov. 5.
Josh French Notes: Lettered in freshman campaign in 2016-17...Posted 3-2--5 and tied for eighth on team with +4 rating in maiden season...Made debut for Minnesota State when he played in season-opening games with Michigan Tech, Oct. 7 and played in all 39 games...Registered first career point with an assist on Charlie Gerard's goal vs. Bemidji State Nov. 11...Had two assists in 4-2 victory over Lake Superior State (Jan. 27), had an assist in each win over Northern Michigan (Feb. 17-18).
Charlie Gerard Notes: Lettered in freshman campaign in 2016-17...Posted 3-2--5 and totalled 48 shots on goal in 28 games in debut season with the Mavericks...Notched first career goal when he scored in 1-1 home tie with Bemidji State (Nov. 11)...Had goal and assist in 7-4 win over Northern Michigan (Feb. 18)...Scored lone Minnesota State goal in 5-1 WCHA semi-final loss at Michigan Tech March 10.
Edwin Hookenson Notes: Lettered in freshman campaign in 2016-17...Posted 0-0--0 with 25 shots on goal and 22 blocked shots in 19 games in debut season with the Mavericks...Saw first action as a collegian when he played in both games vs. the University of Alaska Dec. 0-2.
Marc Michaelis Notes: 2016-17 All-WCHA First Team and was also member of the 2016-17 WCHA All-Rookie Team, finished conference play ranking second in the league in points with 13-15-28 in 28 league games...Led Minnesota State in scoring with 36 points on 14 goals and 22 assists...Registered second-highest ever point total by a Maverick freshman for the DI-era...Accrued at least one point in 24 of 39 games played in his debut season with the Mavericks...Two-time WCHA Rookie of the Week award recipient (vs. Alaska Dec. 2-3, first career hat trick and seven total points in two games vs. Nanooks & 1-3--4 in 2 games at Princeton)...Selected as the National Rookie of the Month for December in Division I by the Hockey Commissioners' Association (HCA) and was named WCHA Rookie of the Month after he registered five goals and seven assists for 12 points in six games in December.
Nick Rivera Notes: Lettered in freshman campaign in 2016-17...Posted 6-4--10 in 38 games played in his maiden season with the Mavericks...Scored twice and had two assists in earning WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for his play in Minnesota State's two games at Alaska Oct. 21-22)...Earned WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for the second time after scoring game-winners in both victories over Northern Michigan (Feb. 17-18). His goal in Friday's 5-3 victory was also his first career shorthanded tally.
Ian Scheid Notes: 2016-17 WCHA All-Rookie Team member, registered 8-16--24 to rank sixth on team scoring charts and ranking as one of the top-scoring freshmen defensemen in the country...Led Minnesota State with a +16 rating...Played all 39 games for Minnesota State in debut season...Had 1-1--2 in 7-1 win at Alaska (Oct. 21)...Scored first career game-winning goal in 4-2 victory over Ferris State (Oct. 28)...Posted two assists in 4-1 home win over Minnesota (Nov. 18)...Had a goal and an assist in 2-2 tie with Lake Superior State Jan. 28...Had two assists in 7-4 home win over Northern Michigan (Feb. 18).
Parker Tuomie Notes: Lettered in freshman campaign in 2016-17...Three-time WCHA Rookie of the Week honoree during course of season...Finished year with 8-10--18 and played in all 39 games in debut season with Mavericks...Had a goal and three assists, along with 10 shots on goal, in earning WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for his role in Minnesota State's two wins over St. Cloud State (Oct. 14-15)...Named WCHA Rookie of the Week following Minnesota State's two games vs. Lake Superior State Jan. 27-28...Tallied first career game-winning goal when he scored Minnesota State's third goal at 3:07 of the third period in 4-2 victory over the Lakers. Also scored at 3:52 of second overtime session in three-on-three action as the Mavericks claimed the WCHA point in 2-2 overtime tilt...Had a four-point weekend on a goal and three assists in the series vs. Northern Michigan with 1-3--4 (Feb. 17-18).
Connor LaCouvee Notes: In first year with Mavericks after three years at Boston University... Had 2.80 goals against average, .905 saves percentage and 14-9-5 record in 32 games played during course of career with Terriers...Played two seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League (with Alberni Valley and Cowichan Valley) prior to playing at BU....Posted .920 save percentage and 2.82 goals-against average in 2013-14 to earn team MVP honors with Alberni Valley ... Had a league-best .929 save percentage in 2013-14 BCHL playoffs.
Walker Duehr Notes: Three-year veteran of United States Hockey league spent the 2016-17 season with Chicago (42 GP, 12-15--27) and Bloomington (15 GP, 3-4--7)......Won Clark Cup in helping Tri-City capture USHL postseason title in 2015-16 where he had 10-13--23 in 38 regular-season games with the Storm...Cousin, Zeb Knutson, is a senior forward with Minnesota State.
Dallas Gerads Notes: Spent two seasons with Dubuque of the United States Hockey League prior to joining Mavericks...Scored 10 goals and had 29 assists in 54 games played with the Fighting Saints in 2016-17...Had 14-16--30 in 55 games for Dubuque in 2015-16...Blaine (Minn.) High School product had 15-21--25 with the Bengals in 2013-14 before spending a year with Rio Grande Valley of North American Hockey League in 2014-15 where he put up 20-11--31 in 59 GP.
Jake Jaremko Notes: Alternate captain for Chicago (USHL) in 2016-17, finished with 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points in 2016-17...Had 5-8--13 in 14 games as Chicago won the Clark Cup in 2016-17 as postseason league champions...Had 20-28--48 in 60 games in his first year with Chicago in 2015-16...Racked up 22-46--68 in 26 games at Elk River (Minn.) High School in 2014-15 en route to being named Mr. Hockey for the state of Minnesota...Led the Minnesota Elite League in scoring in 2014...Collected 19-32--51 in 23 games for Elk River as a junior in 2013-14.
Reggie Lutz Notes: Registered 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points in 58 games with Chicago (USHL) in 2016-17...Had 7-5--12 in 14 games in helping lead the Steel to the Clark Cup as USHL tournament champions...Won a Robertson Cup in helping Fairbanks capture the North American Hockey League postseason championship in 2015-16...Had 9-3--12 in 12 play-off games for the Ice Dogs and was named Robertson Cup MVP...Accrued 35-25--68 in 25 games at Elk River (Minn.) High School in 2014-15.
Jared Spooner Notes: Team captain for Green Bay (USHL) in 2016-17 where he collected 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in 56 games played...Had 6-11--17 in 55 games with the Gamblers in 2015-16...Named to NAHL Central Division All-Rookie Team after putting up 9-34--43 in 58 games with Bismarck in 2014-15.
Connor Mackey Notes: Alternate captain for Green Bay (USHL) in 2016-17 where he had six goals and 41 assists for 47 points in 60 games...2016-17 USHL Defenseman of the Year and USHL First Team selection led all league defensemen in scoring and ranked 16th overall in points...Ranked third in the USHL in assists...Led all USHL players with 30 power-play assists and 34 power-play points, and his four goals on the man advantage were the third-most in the league among defensemen...Named USHL Defenseman of the Week four times, including back-to-back weekly honors on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7...Had 1-1--2 in 29 games in rookie season with the Gamblers in 2015-16...Father, Dave, played in 126 National Hockey League games as a forward with Chicago, Minnesota and St. Louis from 1987-94.
Jack McNeely Notes: Team captain for Tri-City of the United States Hockey League where he had 0-1--1 in 11 games played with the Storm prior to be traded to Muskegon (1-10--11 in 38 GP) in 2016-17...Won Clark Cup in helping Tri-City capture USHL postseason title in 2015-16 where he had 0-2--2 in 11 regular-season games with the Storm...Lakeville North (Minn.) High School product.
Riese Zmolek Notes: Recipient of the USHL's Curt Hammer Award in 2016-17...Registered four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 45 games with Cedar Rapids of the USHL in 2016-17...Served as team captain of the RoughRiders in 2016-17...Had 3-8--11 in 56 GP in first year with Cedar Rapids in 2015-16...Rochester Century (Minn.) product had 19-20--39 in 2014-15...Father, Doug, saw action in 467 National Hockey League games as a defenseman with San Jose, Dallas, Los Angeles and Chicago from 1992-2000.
Noteables: Along with senior forward C.J. Suess, senior forward Brad McClure and junior forward Max Coatta are also wearing a "C" for Minnesota State this year.
Senior forward Brad McClure, who ranks as Minnesota State's active career games played leader with 120 appearances, owns a consecutive games played streak of 95.
Senior forward C.J. Suess is Minnesota State's active career scoring leader with 84 points on 34 goals and 49 assists. Suess, who has seen action in 118 career games, has played in 89 consecutive games.
Minnesota State owns a 23-22-4 mark in season-opening contests.
The attendance for Saturday's game vs. St. Cloud State (5,406) denotes the second-largest crowd ever to witness a Maverick men's hockey game at Verizon Center. Minnesota State's record for home attendance is 5,446 vs. Michigan Tech, Feb. 28, 2015.
Five freshmen made their collegiate debuts for the Mavericks in Saturday's game vs. St. Cloud State including a trio of defensemen (Connor Mackey, Jack McNeely and Riese Zmolek) and a pair of forwards (Jake Jaremko and Jared Spooner).
Minnesota State's 2017-18 roster is made up 11 Minnesota natives, two from Germany, North Dakota, South Dakota and British Columbia. The rest of the 28-man line-up consists of one each from Alaska, California, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Utah and Wisconsin.
On Tap: Following this weekend's series at Boston University, the Mavericks open WCHA with a road series at Bowling Green Oct. 20-21.
