Off the Hop: Rated third for the third consecutive week by USCHO.com, Minnesota State (9-1-0 overall, 2-0-0 WCHA) squares-off with Bemidji State (5-4-1, 3-1-0 WCHA) this weekend in a pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association tilts. The two teams face-off Friday and Saturday at Sanford Center (4,372) in Bemidji with a 7:07 p.m. start scheduled for both nights.
Minnesota State All-Time: The Minnesota State men's hockey program, begun in 1969-70, completed its 49th year of competition in 2017-18. The Mavericks, who completed their 22nd year as members of NCAA Division I and their 19th season as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association last year, sport an all-time record of 896-646-153. (.574).
About the Minnesota State-Bemidji State Series: In a series that dates back to 1974-75, the Mavericks are 52-52-15 all-time vs. Bemidji State. Minnesota State 4-0-1 in the last five meetings with the Beavers.
Minnesota State Most Recently: The Mavericks extended their winning streak to six games win 7-1 and 5-2 wins over Ferris State in a WCHA series played in Mankato last Friday and Saturday.
Bemidji State Most Recently: The Beavers are 5-4-1 overall and stand 3-1-0 in WCHA games on the year after dropping a pair of road nonconference games at #2-rated St. Cloud State last weekend (2-0 and 7-4 losses).
Head coach Tom Serratore (Bemidji State '82), who is in his 18th year as the head coach at Bemidji State, owns a 287-274-79 mark as a college head coach.
About Last Year: Minnesota State finished the 2017-18 campaign with a 29-10-1 record. The Mavericks went 22-5-1 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association games to claim the WCHA regular-season championship. Minnesota State earned an at large berth into the 2017-18 NCAA postseason tournament where it was seeded second at the Western Regional in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Mavericks lost 3-2 in overtime to eventual national champion Minnesota Duluth in a regional first-round game.
Roster Notes: This year's Minnesota State lineup includes players from 12 different states/provinces (and four countries). The state of Minnesota leads the way with 12 native sons. Class-wise there are four seniors, eight juniors, eight sophomores and eight freshmen.
Captains: Minnesota State's leadership group for 2018-19 includes a trio of captains in senior forward Max Coatta (second year) along with junior forwards Marc Michaelis (first year) and Nick Rivera (first year).
Max Coatta Notes: Had a four-point weekend on two goals and two assists in the two-game sweep over Ferris State...Tallied second career game-winner in Saturday's victory, has 6-4--10 in ten games this year...Has played in 109 straight games, owns 22-25--47 in 125 career games...In second season as team captain...Two-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete...Two-time WCHA All-Academic...Two-time team Hardest Worker Award recipient...Played in all 40 games in 2017-18 and all 39 games of 2016-17.
Ryan Schwalbe Notes: Three-time letterwinner is a two-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete and two-time WCHA All-Academic..Saw action in nine games, registered five shots on goal and won 29 face-offs in 2017-18...Has 0-4--4 in 66 career games played.
Alec Vanko Notes: Three-time letterwinner (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18)...Two-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete and two-time 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...Has 2-5--7 in 24 career games played.
Mathias Israelsson Notes: Stopped 41 of 44 shots for a .932 save percentage and a 1.50 goals against average as Minnesota State earned a two-game home league sweep over Ferris State last weekend. Had 17 saves in Friday's 7-1 win and 24 saves in Saturday's 5-2 victory. Stands 6-0-0 on the year with a 1.00 goals against average and .942 save percentage. Leads the country in goals against average, stands tied for first in winning percentage and ranks fifth in save percentage. Prior to Minnesota State: Spent three years at Northern Michigan where he appeared in 21 games for the Wildcats...Compiled 5-7-2 record with 2.88 goals against average and .894 save percentage during course of time at NMU...Two-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete and two-time WCHA All-Academic selection...Spent 2014-15 campaign with Fargo (USHL), recording 3.00 GAA, .909 save percentage and 20-20-4 record with the Force ... In 10 USHL games with Waterloo during the 2013-14 season, went 6-3-0 with a 2.63 GAA and a .906 save percentage ... That season, also appeared in 17 games for Fargo, going 6-9-1 with a 3.34 GAA and a .913 save parentage.
Michael Bigelbach Notes: Two-time letter winner was a WCHA Scholar-Athlete and WCHA All-Academic as a sophomore in 2017-18...Has posted 0-2--2 and is +1 in seven career games played ...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, 2017.
Josh French Notes: Has 1-8--9 in 81 career games played...2017-18 WCHA Scholar-Athlete...2017-18 WCHA All-Academic...Scored first career goal in 5-1 win over Alabama Huntsville Dec. 15, 2017...Finished sophomore season with 31 shots on goal in 31 games played...Had 188 face-off wins in 2017-18.
Charlie Gerard Notes: Ranks third on the Mavericks in points on the season with three goals and seven assists for ten points in ten games, has surpassed his season-high for points in a season (he had a career total of ten points in his first two years with the Mavericks)....Racked up four points on a goal and three assists and six shots on goal to help lead to two wins over Minnesota (Nov. 2-3) and was named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week.. Scored game-winning goal, had two assists and was +3 in Friday's 5-1 road win at Minnesota with the GWG standing as the second game-winner of his career. He also assisted on the game-tying goal in Saturday's 2-1 home win over the Golden Gophers...Two-year letterwinner (2016-17, 2017-18)...2017-18 WCHA All-Academic selection...Posted 2-3--5 with 36 shots on goal and was +4 in 14 games played as a sophomore.
Edwin Hookenson Notes: Leads Minnesota State and is tied for fourth in the nation with 29 blocked shots. The Lampman, Sask., native is second on the team with a +10 rating. Hookenson has registered 3-8--11 in 54 career games...Two-time letterwinner (2016-17, 2017-18)...2017-18 WCHA Scholar-Athlete...2017-18 WCHA All-Academic...Totaled 1-1--2 and was +3 in weekend sweep of Boston University... Scored first career goal in 5-2 win at Bemidji State Nov. 10, 2017. Added an assist in 8-6 victory over the Beavers Nov. 11...Finished sophomore year with 2-6--8 in 25 games...Tied for eighth on team with +13...Ranked third on team with 36 blocked shots.
Marc Michaelis Notes: Scored twice and assisted on another in last Friday's 7-1 win over Ferris State, ranks second on the team in scoring with 7-7--14 on the year and for his three-year Minnesota State career has 39-51--90 in 89 career games. He's tied for 21st on Minnesota State's career scoring list (DI era)...Stands tied for second all-time at Minnesota State with seven career shorthanded goals...In first year as Tri-Captain...2017-18 All-WCHA First Team...2017-18 WCHA Scholar-Athlete...2017-18 WCHA All-Academic...Finished third on the Mavericks in scoring last year with 18-22--40 in 36 games played.
Nick Rivera Notes: Heads into Bemidji State weekend riding two-game point-scoring streak (2-1--3)...Registered his first goal of the year in 7-4 victory at North Dakota (Oct. 19, 2018). The goal is the sixth game-winning goal of his career...Has 18-16--34 in 87 career games...In first year as Tri-Captain...2017-18 WCHA Scholar-Athlete...2017-18 WCHA All-Academic...Completed sophomore campaign with 8-10--18 in 39 games played...Had a four-point weekend on a goal and three assists in two WCHA play-off games vs. Alaska (March 2-3)...Tallied two game-winning goals during course of season (3-0 win at Boston University Oct. 14 and 6-2 win over Alaska March 3).
Ian Scheid Notes: Registered two goals and an assist for a three-point weekend in sweep over Alaska (Oct. 26-27, 2018)...Has not missed a game in his three-year college career, owns 19-35--54 in 89 career games...WCHA All-Academic and All-WCHA Third Team selection in 2017-18...Tied for third on team last year with six power play goals...Tied for sixth on team with two game-winning goals...Ranked fourth on team with 106 shots on goal...Scored twice in 6-1 home win over Bowling Green (Nov. 17)...Scored twice in 7-0 win at Lake Superior State (Dec. 9).
Parker Tuomie Notes: Had a goal and two assists in last Friday's 7-1 win over Ferris State, leads the Mavericks in scoring with six goals and ten assists for 16 points...Stands tied for fifth in the nation in scoring and has not missed a game in his three-year Minnesota State career, has 23-48--71 over the course of his 89 games with the Mavericks...Had 2-2--4 in helping lead Mavericks to season-opening sweep over Boston University...9-28--37 in 2017-18 ranked fifth on the team scoring charts...Fifth on the team with 103 shots on goal and tied for fourth on the team in power play goals with five...Had a goal and two assists in 5-2 win at Alaska Anchorage (Jan. 5, 2018)...Had a goal and two assists (assisted on GWG) in 3-2 overtime victory at Alabama Huntsville (Feb. 9, 2018).
Walker Duehr Notes: Lettered as a freshman in 2017-18...Registered 2-1--3 in eight games in maiden season of college hockey...Made first career appearance with Minnesota State in 4-1 win at Bowling Green Oct. 20...Collected first career goal in 6-1 win over Bowling Green (Nov. 17).
Dallas Gerads Notes: Tallied his fifth career game-winning goal when he scored Minnesota State's second goal in last Friday's 7-1 victory over Ferris State.,,Has 4-0--4 in eight games this year, has 11-7--18 in 35 career games...Scored twice in season-opening 4-3 win over Boston University (Oct. 12-13)...Totalled 7-7--14 in 27 games as a freshman last year...Scored first career goal and got the GWG in Minnesota State's 7-0 victory at Lake Superior State (Dec. 9, 2017)...Three game-winning goals on the season tied for third on the team (vs. Lake State, Alabama Huntsville and Bemidji State)...Tied for eighth on the team with four power-play goals.
Jake Jaremko Notes: Tallied his third career game-winning goal in 2-1 win over Minnesota (Nov. 3, 2018). Jaremko, who has 1-3--4 in ten games this year, has totalled 16-27--43 in his two years with the Mavericks...2017-18 WCHA Rookie of the Year...2017-18 WCHA All-Rookie Team...Led all league freshmen in scoring (15-24--39) and 11-20--31 totals in 28 league games was also tops amongst all first-year players...Four-time WCHA Rookie of the Week award recipient during the course of season...Ranked second in the country in freshmen scoring and his 39 points on the season rank as the most-ever by a Minnesota State freshman player for the program's NCAA DI-era, surpassing the previous high of 37 points established by David Backes in 2003-04...Named WCHA Rookie of the Month on three occasions during the course of 2017-18 (November, December and February)...Had three points in a game three times (1-2--3 vs Bemidji State Nov. 11; 1-2--3 vs BGSU Nov. 17; 2-1--3 vs Ferris State Feb. 16).
Reggie Lutz Notes: Has 1-5--6 on the year, tallied his fourth career game-winning goal when he scored Minnesota State's first goal in 4-0 win over Alaska (10.26.2018)...Had three assists in the two games at North Dakota (10.19-20.2018)... Has 8-25--33 in 45 career games...Named to 2017-18 WCHA All-Rookie Team...7-19--26 in his first season with Minnesota State...Finished third in WCHA in freshmen scoring with 6-16--22 in 25 league contests...Had a goal and three assists in two wins over Ferris State in earning WCHA Rookie of the Week honors (Feb. 16-17)...Had three assists in 7-0 win at Lake Superior State Dec. 9.
Connor Mackey Notes: Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week following the Ferris State series. Had three assists, one shot on goal, was +5 and had three blocked shots in the sweep over the Bulldogs last weekend. Had career-high three assists and was +4 in Friday's 7-1 win and registered one shot on goal and was +1 in Saturday's 5-2 victory. Leads Minnesota State defensemen in scoring with one goal and eight assists for nine points in ten games on the year....Has not missed a game in two-year college career (5-16--21 in 50 career games)...2017-18 WCHA All-Rookie Team selection...Played in all 40 games for the Mavericks...Registered 4-8--12 in first season of college hockey...Had two assists and was +3 in 7-1 win over Alaska Anchorage (Feb. 2)...Scored first career goal Oct. 20 in 4-1 win at Bowling Green.
Jack McNeely Notes: Scored his first career goal in Minnesota State's 7-1 win over Ferris State last Friday..Is +6 and has 10 blocked shots this year, has 1-6--7 in 33 career games..Had 0-6--6 in 23 games played in first season of college hockey in 2017-18...Finished with +8 rating and 16 shots on goal...Registered two assists in 7-0 win at Lake Superior State Dec. 9, 2017.
Jared Spooner Notes: Named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week after he accumulated five points in two Minnesota State home Western Collegiate Hockey Association wins over Ferris State last weekend. Registered nine shots on goal and 17 faceoff wins in the two games. Had a goal and an assist in Friday's 7-1 win. Scored the first two goals of the game and added an assist in Saturday's 5-2 win....Has 4-8--12 in ten games this year...Registered 4-15--19 and played in all 40 games in maiden season of college hockey...Scored first career goal as a collegian in 6-3 win at Boston University Oct. 13, 2017...Amassed a career-high three assists in 8-2 win over Alaska (March 2). Added an assist in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Nanooks, was +6 for the weekend with 16 face-off wins and eight shots on goal in garnering WCHA Rookie of the Week accolades...Had 234 face-off wins.
Riese Zmolek Notes: Has 1-4--5 in eight games this year, owns a +7 rating to go along with 18 blocked shots...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after registering 1-2--3, with five blocked shots and a +3-rating in season-opening weekend vs. Boston University...Registered 2-5--7 in 35 games played in first year of college hockey in 2017-18...Scored first career goal in 6-3 win at Boston University Oct. 13, 2017...Had a goal and an assist in home league game vs. Northern Michigan (Dec. 29, 2017)...Had 32 shots on goal, +6 rating and blocked 33 shots for the year.
Andy Carroll Notes: Has played nine games in first season of college hockey (0-0--0)...Scored twice and had six assists for eight points in 42 games with Green Bay of the United States Hockey League in 2017-18...Had 6-34--40 in 55 games for Aberdeen of the North American Hockey League in 2016-17...Awards won in 2016-17 included NAHL Second Team, NAHL All-Rookie Team First Team, NAHL All-Central Division Team, NAHL All-Central Division Rookie Team...Had 14-52--56 in 58 games played with Sioux Falls Stampede U18 team in 2015-16 coached by former Minnesota State captain Rylan Galiardi...2015 Northfield (Minn.) High School grad where he was a four-year letterwinner (13-41--54 in 94 GP)...Father (Todd) served as head coach of the Minnesota State women's hockey program from 1998-2001.
Wyatt Aamodt Notes: Has 0-2--2 in ten games in first season of college hockey...Had 4-22--26 in 49 games played with Lincoln (USHL) in 2017-18...Manned the blue line for Chicago (USHL) in 2016-17 where he had 1-18--19 in 53 games and helped the Steel capture the Clark Cup as league postseason champions...2016 Reed Larson Award recipient as the state of Minnesota's top boys high school defenseman, served as team captain on Hermantown team that captured state title as a senior (2016)...2016 Duluth New Tribune Boys Hockey Player of the Year and finalist for state of Minnesota Mr Hockey Award.
Shane McMahan Notes: Has 0-0--0 in seven games in first season of college hockey...Split 2015-16 between Fargo of the United States Hockey League, where he had 16-13--29 in 51 games and Aston of the North American Hockey League (2-7--9 in 11 GP)...2015-16 with Fargo (5-9--14 in 59 GP) and 2014-15 with Fargo (3-5--8)...Had 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points in 34 games with Los Angeles Jr. Kings U18.
Zak Galambos Notes: Saw first action as a collegian in last Saturday's 5-2 win over Ferris State...In first season of college hockey... Spent 2017-18 campaign with Wenatchee of the British Columbia Hockey League where he totalled 28 points on five goals and 23 assists in 41 games...Helped lead Wenatchee to BCHL playoff championship (9-6--15 in 20 postseason games)...Split 2016-17 season with Johnstown (NAHL) and Omaha (USHL)...Product of the San Jose Jr. Sharks midget AAA program.
Julian Napravnik Notes: Had two assists as Minnesota State earned a two-game home league sweep over Ferris State last weekend. Put five shots on goal and was +2 for the two games vs. the Bulldogs. Leads Minnesota State freshmen in scoring on the year with 3-5--8 in nine games played (tied for 19th in the nation in scoring amongst freshman) and heads into this weekend's series with Bemidji State riding a seven-game scoring streak (3-5--8)...Had a pair of power play goals in 4-0 win over Alaska (Oct. 26, 2018)..Scored first career goal with a power play marker vs. North Dakota (10.20.2018)...In first season of college hockey...Spent two seasons with USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers...Served as an alternate captain and had 19-19--30 in 60 GP for Des Moines in 2017-18...Had 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 51 games for the Bucs in 2016-17...Played for the German national junior team at two IIHF D1A World Junior tournaments where he helped lead his country to a silver medal in 2016-17...Named DNL Player of the Year after scoring 29 goals and assisting on 43 others for 72 points in 38 games with Jungadler Mannheim U19...Also represented Germany internationally at U18 and U17 international tournaments.
Chris Van Os-Shaw Notes: In first season of college hockey...Racked up 51 goals and 46 assists for 97 points in 59 games played with Spruce Grove of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2017-18...Named 2017-18 Canadian Junior A Player of the Year and Top Forward...Won 2017-18 AJHL scoring title, was named league Most Valuable Player and AJHL North Division All-Star in only season with the Saints...Helped lead Spruce Grove to 2017-18 AJHL play-off title...Registered 11-8--19 in 11 play-off games in 2017-18...Had 36-32--68 in 56 games with Humboldt to finish seventh in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League scoring race in 2016-17...Registered 52 goals and 48 assists for 100 points in 96 career games in two seasons in the SJHL split between Humboldt and Weyburn.
Dryden McKay Notes: Stands 3-1-0 with 3.52 goals against average and .878 save percentage in first year of college hockey...Named WCHA Rookie of the Week after backstopping Minnesota State to a pair of wins over Boston University to open the season. Stopped 49 of 55 shots in the two victories over the Terriers. Is the first freshman goaltender to get a season-opening win since Ken Hilgert accomplished the feat in a 12-3 win over UW-Stevens Point in 1984-85...Spent two seasons with Madison of the United States Hockey League...Saw action in 39 games with the Capitols in 2016-17 where he crafted a 18-17-3 mark with a 2.70 goals against average and a .917 saves percentage...Had a 2.47 GAA and .921 sv% in 34 appearances with Corpus Christi of the NAHL in 2015-16.
Jacob Berger Notes: In first season of college hockey...Spent two seasons with Merritt of the British Columbia Hockey League...Compiled 18-18-0 mark, .915 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average in 37 games and was named to BCHL All-Rookie Team in 2016-17...Made 37 appearances for the Centennials in 2017-18 (13-24-0, .905 sv%, 3.45 GAA)...Minnetonka (Minn.) High School product.
Noteables: Now into his seventh season behind the Minnesota State bench, Mike Hastings has built a 160-73-19 record during his time in charge of the Mavericks. Under his guidance, the Mavericks have won at least 20 games every year, something that is unprecedented in the 49-year history of the program. No team in the nation has produced more wins than Minnesota State's 160 victories in the last seven years.
Next Week: After the series at Bemidji State (Nov. 23-24) and a road series at Lake Superior State (Nov. 30, Dec. 1), the Mavericks are home Dec. 7-8 when Alaska Anchorage visits Verizon Center. A league road trip to Bowling Green (Dec. 14-15) closes out the pre-holiday schedule for Minnesota State.
