Off the Hop: #8 Minnesota State (9-4-0 overall, 9-3-0 WCHA) takes a break from Western Collegiate Hockey Association action this weekend with a road nonconference game at #16 Minnesota Duluth (6-6-2, 2-4-0 NCHC). Face-off between the Mavericks and the Bulldogs at AMSOIL Arena (6,600) is slated for 7:07 p.m. CST Saturday.
About the Minnesota State-Minnesota Duluth Series: Minnesota State trails UMD in the series between the two schools, 27-18-6. The series between the two schools dates back to the 1999-2000 season.
Minnesota State Most Recently: Rated #8 by USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey this week, Minnesota State stands 9-4-0 overall and 7-3-0 WCHA after splitting a home league series with Bowling Green last weekend. The Mavericks handed BGSU a 6-1 loss Friday before bowing by a 4-1 margin to the Falcons in Saturday's rematch.
Minnesota Duluth Most Recently: The Bulldogs are 6-6-2 overall and 2-4-0 NCHC on the season. UMD which enters the weekend having gone 2-2-0 in their last four games, split a league road series at Miami last weekend in its last action (3-1 win, 3-2 loss). The Bulldogs are led by Scott Sandelin (North Dakota '86), who is in his 18th season behind the UMD bench. Sandelin owns an all-time record of 321-290-82.
Minnesota State 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
Minnesota State 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 867-639-153. (.569).
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...Heads into the game with Minnesota Duluth having racked up 2-9--11 in the last eight games, leads the Mavericks in scoring with 4-12--16 on the season. The Forest Lake, Minn., native is Minnesota State's active career scoring leader with 100 points on 39 goals and 61 assists. Suess's 100 points rank 12th on the school's career scoring list for the DI-era. Suess, who has seen action in 130 career games, has played in 101 consecutive games.
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)... Named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week after racking up five points on two goals and three assists in the two wins over Michigan Tech (Oct. 27-28)...Ranks second on the team in scoring, goals and assists with 6-9--15...Has totalled 29-31--60 in 100 career games.
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...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after he registered two assists in the Tech series (Oct 27-28), was +3 and blocked 2 shots...Has 0-2--2 in games played in 2017-18.
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...Ranks as Minnesota State active career games played leader with 132 appearances, owns a consecutive games played streak of 107...Had a goal and an assist in the two games with BGSU last weekend and owns 37-40--77 for his four-year Minnesota State career to rank 32nd on the school's all-time scoring list (DI-era).
Aaron Nelson Notes: Three-year letterwinner (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17) 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...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead Mavericks to two-game sweep at Boston University Oct. 13-14...Has 3-7--10 on the year, leads the team with 26 blocked shots...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after Minnesota State's two-game league sweep at Bemidji State (Nov. 10-11).
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... Notched first career hat trick when he scored three times in Minnesota State's 8-6 win at Bemidji State Nov. 11... Has 4-2--6 in 13 games played this year, has 15-17--32, 148 shots on goal and is +13 in 88 career games with the Mavericks.
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...Earned his fourth career shut-out in the 3-0 win at Boston University Oct. 13 and fifth career shutout in 3-0 win at Northern Michigan (Nov. 3)...Stands 18-10-7 and owns a .909 save percentage and a 2.09 goals against average in his three years at Minnesota State.
Ryan Schwalbe Notes: Two-time letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17)...Finished sophomore campaign with 0-1--1 in 29 games played...Has 0-0-0 in one game played in 2017-18.
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 0-6--6 and tied for eighth on team with +4 rating in maiden season...Played in all 39 games in first year of college hockey and registered first career point with an assist on Charlie Gerard's goal vs. Bemidji State Nov. 11...Has 22 shots on goal and is +1 in 13 games played in 2017-18.
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...Has 1-2--3, has 25 shots on goal and is +1 in nine games in 2017-18.
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...Scored his first career goal in 5-2 win at Bemidji State Nov. 10. Added an assist in 8-6 victory over the Beavers Nov. 11...Has 1-1--2 in 28 career games.
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...Named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week after scoring five times and assisting on another in sweep at Bemidji State (Nov. 10-11, 2017)....2016-17 WCHA Rookie of the Year scored game-winning goal in both victories and recorded his second career hat trick in 5-2 triumph over the Beavers (Nov. 10, 2017)...Mannheim, Germany native has 7-5--12 in 13 games this year and 21-27--48 in 52 career GP.
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. 2017)...Has 3-3--6 in 2017-18 to stand tied for tenth on the team scoring charts...Also stands tied for second on the team with two power play goals.
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...Scored a power play goal in 6-3 win at BU Oct. 13 this year for his second career game-winning tally...His third career GWG came in 3-0 victory at Northern Michigan Nov. 3...Scored a pair of power play markers in the 6-1 win over BGSU last Friday and has 4-3--7 in 13 games played this year. ..Has 12-19--31 in 52 career games with Minnesota State (he hasn't missed a game during his time with the Mavericks).
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...Had a goal and an assist in 4-1 win at Bowling Green (Oct. 20, 2017)...Currently in the midst of a three-game point-scoring streak (0-4--4). The Bremerhaven, Germany native, who hasn't missed a game in his two-year Minnesota State career, has 9-16--25 in 52 career appearances.
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...Earned first career win as a Maverick with 32 saves in 6-3 victory at Boston University (Oct. 13)...Posted a 2-0-0 record with 2.11 goals against average and .925 save percentage in the two-game WCHA road sweep at Bemidji State (Nov. 10-11)...Stopped 30 of 32 shots in Friday's 5-2 win over the Beavers and then stopped seven of eight shots in 25:21 minutes of relief work to earn the decision in the 8-6 victory Saturday...Stands 7-1-0 with a 2.16 goals against average and .910 save percentage for 2017-18. His seven wins stands tied for fifth in the nation.
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...Made first career appearance with Minnesota State in 4-1 win at Bowling Green Oct. 20...Registered his first career goal in last Friday's 6-1 win over Bowling Green...Has 1-1--2 in five games played in his maiden season with the Mavericks.
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...Made Minnesota State debut in 6-3 win at Boston University Oct. 13...Has 0-0--0 in two games played in debut season with Mavericks.
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...Assisted on both game-winning goals in the series at Boston University Oct. 13-14...Had a goal and three assists in the two wins at Bemidji State (Nov. 10-11)...Scored twice and had a pair of assists in the BGSU series last weekend and enters the UMD game riding a four-game point-scoring streak (3-4--7). Jaremko leads Minnesota State freshmen in scoring and is tied for third on the team with 3-9--12.
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...Made his Minnesota State debut in 3-0 victory at Boston University Oct. 14...Has seen action in nine games in his inaugural season with the Mavericks, has 1-3--4 in his last three games played.
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...Scored first career goal as a collegian in 6-3 win at Boston University Oct. 13...Has played in all 11 games to date for Minnesota State and has tallied 1-4--5.
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...Has played in all 13 games for the Mavericks so far this season and has 2-2--4 on the season.
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...Lakeville, Minn., native has seen action in 12 games in 2017-18 and owns 0-4--4 numbers.
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...Has played in eight games to date for Minnesota State...Scored first career goal in 6-3 win at Boston University Oct. 14.
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.
Roster Make Up: 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.
Insightable: Minnesota State's freshmen class have totalled 10-26--36 in 13 games to stand tied for fourth amongst freshmen classes nationally. Minnesota State's defensive corps has 11-19--30 on the year, which is tied for 16th amongst the nation's blueline groups.
On Tap: Following the single nonconference game at Minnesota Duluth Saturday, the Mavericks take another road trip with a WCHA jaunt to Lake Superior State Dec. 8-9. The Mavericks face Alabama-Huntsville in Mankato Dec. 15-16, before hosting Northern Michigan Dec. 29-30 to close out the first half of the schedule.
