Bemidji State University Men's Hockey
Bemidji State University men's hockey program is a Division I college hockey program that has a rich tradition and history of excellence. The team represents Bemidji State University, a public state university located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The program has been in existence since 1947, and it has consistently produced quality hockey players over the years. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Bemidji State University men's hockey program, its history, achievements, players, and much more.
The History of Bemidji State University Men's Hockey Program
The Bemidji State University men's hockey program has a long and storied history. The team was founded in 1947 when the university began to offer intercollegiate athletics. Initially, the team played against other Minnesota schools, and they were members of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association.
In 1967, the team joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and became a member of the College Division. The team won two national championships in the College Division in 1968 and 1969.
In 1975, the program moved up to the NCAA Division II level and won four national championships in 1979, 1980, 1982, and 1984. In 1987, the program moved up to the Division I level, and they joined the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).
Since joining the WCHA, the Bemidji State University men's hockey program has consistently been a top-tier program, competing against some of the best teams in the country. In 2009, the team reached the Frozen Four for the first time in program history, and they finished as the national runners-up.
Notable Achievements of Bemidji State University Men's Hockey Program
The Bemidji State University men's hockey program has achieved numerous accomplishments over the years. Here are some of the notable achievements:
- Two national championships in the College Division (1968, 1969)
- Four national championships in the Division II level (1979, 1980, 1982, 1984)
- Reached the Frozen Four in the NCAA Division I level (2009)
- Eight WCHA Final Five appearances
- Six NCAA tournament appearances
- Produced numerous NHL players, including Matt Read, Brad Hunt, Matt Dalton, and Andrew Murray
Bemidji State University Men's Hockey Players to Watch
The Bemidji State University men's hockey program has produced many talented players over the years. Here are some players to watch:
- Brendan Harris - A senior forward who was named to the All-WCHA third team in the 2019-2020 season. He led the team in scoring with 27 points in 34 games.
- Alex Ierullo - A junior forward who was named to the All-WCHA second team in the 2019-2020 season. He finished second on the team in scoring with 25 points in 34 games.
- Zach Driscoll - A junior goaltender who was named to the All-WCHA first team in the 2019-2020 season. He had a save percentage of .920 and a goals-against average of 2.29.
- Ethan Somoza - A sophomore forward who was named to the WCHA All-Rookie team in the 2019-2020 season. He finished third on the team in scoring with 20 points in 34 games.
How to Watch Bemidji State University Men's Hockey Games
If you're interested in watching Bemidji State University men's hockey games, there are a few options available. The team's games are broadcast on Midco Sports Network, which is available in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. You can also stream the games on FloHockey, which requires a subscription.
If you're unable to watch the games live, you can follow the team's progress on the Bemidji State University men's hockey website or on social media.
Conclusion
The Bemidji State University men's hockey program has a rich history of excellence and achievement. The program has produced many talented players over the years and has consistently been a top-tier program in the NCAA Division I level. If you're a fan of college hockey, Bemidji State University men's hockey program is definitely a program to watch.
