Off the Hop:   Rated #3 this week by USCHO.com and #4 by USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine, Minnesota State (12-2-0 overall, 6-1-0 WCHA) entertains Alaska Anchorage (1-10-1, 0-7-1 WCHA) this weekend in a pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association contests.  The two teams face-off Friday and Saturday at Verizon Center (4,832) in downtown Mankato with a 7:07 p.m. CST 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 899-647-153. (.574).

About the Minnesota State-Alaska Anchorage Series:   In a series that dates back to 1982-83, the Mavericks stand 51-25-9 in the all-time series vs. Alaska Anchorage. Minnesota State has won the last three meetings between the two schools.

Minnesota State Most Recently:  The Mavericks stand 12-2-1 overall and 7-1-0 after picking up a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association road sweep at Lake Superior State.  Minnesota State, which has won nine of its last ten games, downed the Lakers 4-2 Friday before closing out the sweep with a 3-0 victory Saturday.

Alaska Anchorage Most Recently:  The Seawolves, who were idle last weekend, dropped a pair of nonconference road games at the University of North Dakota (5-2 and 4-3 losses) Nov. 23-24 in their last action. Head coach Matt Curley (Clarkson '07) is in his first season 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:  6-4--10 in 14 games this year...Has played in 113 straight games, owns 22-25--47 in 129 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: Has 0-0--0 in two games played in 2018-19....Has 2-5--7 in 26 career games... 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.

Mathias Israelsson Notes:   Stands 7-0-0 on the year with a 1.41 goals against average and .925 save percentage on the year...Ranks second in the country in goals against average, stands tied for first in winning percentage and ranks 14th 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 3-8--11 in 85 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 fourth on the Mavericks in points on the season with five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 14 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)...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 ranks third in the nation with 42 blocked shots. The Lampman, Sask., native stands tied for fourth on the team with a +8 rating.  Hookenson has registered 4-8--12 in 58 career games....Scored first career power play goal in last Saturday's game at Bemidji State (11.24.2018) and has registered 4-8--12 in 58 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:    Currently in the midst of a four-game point-scoring streak (2-2--4), junior captain Marc Michaelis had a goal and an assist in last weekend's series at Lake Superior State. Michaelis, who ranks second on the team in scoring with 9-9--18 on the year, is tied for third in the nation with a +14 rating. For his three-year Minnesota State career, the Mannheim, Germany native has 41-53--94 in 89 career games. He's 18th on Minnesota State's career scoring list (DI era) and he stands tied for second all-time at Minnesota State with seven career shorthanded goals...In first year as team 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:   Has 4-3--7 in 14 games on the season...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 18-17--35 in 91 career games...In first year as team 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: Has 2-5--7 in 14 games this year, has not missed a game in his three-year Minnesota State career...Has 19-27--57 in 93 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 an assist last weekend in Saturday's 3-0 win at Lake Superior State, leads the Mavericks in scoring with eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points... Stands tied for sixth in the nation in scoring and has not missed a game in his three-year Minnesota State career, has 25-50--75 over the course of his 93 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:  Had 2-0--2 with five shots on goal and a +2 rating in two wins at #20 Lake Superior State last weekend. Including the game-winner (the first of his career),he registered his first two goals of the season in Friday's 4-2 victory over the Lakers....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 7-1 victory over Ferris State (Nov. 16, 2018)...Has 4-0--4 in 12 games this year, has 11-7--18 in 39 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 14 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 47 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: Had 1-1--2, had three shots on goal, one blocked shot and was +2 as Minnesota State skated to a two-game road WCHA sweep at #20 Lake Superior State last weekend...Scored a power play marker in Friday's 4-2 win, added an assist on a goal by Parker Tuomie in Saturday's 3-0 victory. Mackey has not missed a game in his two-year Minnesota State career and owns 6-7--23 in 54 games played...Leads Minnesota State defensemen in scoring with two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 14 games on the year....Has not missed a game in two-year college career (6-17--23 in 54 career games)...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week following the Ferris State series (Nov. 16-17). Had three assists, one shot on goal, was +5 and had three blocked shots in the sweep over the Bulldogs.  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.  ...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 (Nov. 16, 2018)..Is +8 and has 14 blocked shots this year, has 1-7--8 in 37 career games..Had 0-6--6 in 23 games played in first season of college hockey in 2017-18...Finished freshman year 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: With an assist in both games at Lake Superior State last weekend, sophomore center Jared Spooner has racked up 3-6--9 in the last six games...Has 4-12--16 in 14 games this year, has not missed a game in his two years with the Mavericks and owns 8-27--35 in 54 career games. ... 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 (Nov. 16-17)  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..Registered 4-15--19 and played in all 40 games in maiden season of college hockey.

Riese Zmolek Notes:  Has 1-5--6 in 14 games this year, owns a +7 rating to go along with 20 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 11 games in first season of college hockey (0-1--1)...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 0-3--3 in 14 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 nine 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 5-2 win over Ferris State (11.17.2018)...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:  Leads Minnesota State freshmen in scoring on the year with 3-8--11 in 13 games played, is tied for 13th in the nation in scoring amongst freshman....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:  Freshman netminder Dryden McKay was named WCHA Goaltender of the Week after he went 2-0-0 with a 1.01 goals against average and a .951 save percentage in backstopping Minnesota State to a two-game road WCHA sweep at #20 Lake Superior State last weekend.   McKay stopped 16 of 18 shots in Friday's 4-2 win over the Lakers. Stopped 6-of-7 power play shots in the game before registering 23 saves in Saturday's 3-0 victory in picking up first career shutout (had six saves on six power play shots). McKay stands 5-2-0 with a 2.49 GAA and .909 in his first season 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 163 victories in the last seven years.

Next Week:  After the home series vs.  Alaska Anchorage this weekend, a league road trip to Bowling Green (Dec. 14-15) closes out the pre-holiday schedule for Minnesota State.